Dear Mustang Families,

As we approach spring break, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued partnership and support throughout the school year. This time of year offers a valuable opportunity for students, staff, and families to rest, recharge, and spend meaningful time together.

Spring break will take place from March 30th - April 6th. We look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday, April 7th, ready for a strong finish to the school year.

I encourage everyone to take this time to relax and enjoy the change of pace. Whether your plans include travel, family activities, or simply a well-deserved break at home, I hope it is safe, restful, and enjoyable.

When we return, we will begin the academic testing season and start many of our end-of-year activities for students. This is an important and exciting time as we celebrate progress, recognize achievements, and continue supporting every student’s success.

Thank you for being an essential part of the Meridian school community. I wish each of you a safe and enjoyable spring break.

With Mustang Pride,

Sarah M. Glann
Superintendent, Meridian Public Schools

March 2026 Hoofprint Award

The March Hoofprint award winner is Tiffany Dinwoody, one of Meridian Early Childhood Center's Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) Assistant Teachers! The Hoofprint Award celebrates individuals who leave an enduring impact on our school and community. Inspired by Meridian’s vision—Mustangs are empowered to be resilient and fearless learners, in order to THRIVE in an ever-changing world—this honor is reserved for those who boldly pave the way for others, leaving behind a lasting trail of inspiration and excellence.

Tiffany's nominator, Stacy Creighton-Zabawski - one of our GSRP Lead Teachers at Meridian Early Childhood Center, shares her thoughts on Tiffany's impact and why she is deserving of the Hoofprint award:

"Tiff Dinwoody is an excellent example of someone who has left their "hoofprint" on the Meridian community. She has worked in just about every role at Meridian Early Childhood center, including fill-in custodian, and does each job with a smile, a kind word to those around her, and the willingness to stop what she is doing to help anyone who needs it. She supports not only preschool and daycare staff, but she also builds strong, life-long relationships with students AND their families. She can walk down the hall and say hi to just about every single child from the infant room, all the way up to school age, by name. Tiff goes out of her way to make sure things run smoothly in our building and is a go-to person when Julie Sheets isn't here, sometimes even when she is! She leads our building with a firm, but loving attitude, that families and students thrive on. Tiff is always thinking of alternate solutions to help each and every child succeed in preschool or daycare, and she collaborates with any adult in the building that many have an impact on that child at some point throughout the day. No one is more deserving of this award than Tiff!" -Stacy Creighton-Zabawski

A proud Meridian High School graduate from the Class of 2002, Tiffany joined Meridian Public Schools in 2001, and has dedicated her work to educating students each day by teaching them the skills they need for their everyday life, from birth through their school age time at Meridian Early Childhood Center.

The Mustang Hoofprint Award is a tribute to educators, support staff, directors, administrators, and volunteers who embody the essence of what it means to be a Mustang. They demonstrate courage in facing challenges, resilience in overcoming obstacles, and tenacity in striving for greatness. By fostering curiosity and modeling lifelong learning, recipients like Tiffany exemplify the mission of Meridian Public Schools—to educate and support every student to succeed in their career and life by nurturing curiosity and a love of learning.

Just as a hoofprint marks the ground with strength and determination, Tiffany Dinwoody has left her mark on Meridian Public Schools through her compassion, dedication, and excellence in teaching. Her work continues to inspire students and colleagues alike to push boundaries, embrace growth, and thrive in an ever-changing world.

Friendly Reminders for On Campus Driving

To help ease congestion and ensure a smooth start to the day, doors at Meridian Junior High School and Meridian Elementary open at 7:30 AM. We encourage families to take advantage of this earlier access to help reduce traffic backups.

General Safe Driving Reminders

Stay focused: Avoid distractions like cell phone use while driving on campus.
Follow traffic flow: Be patient, courteous, and aware of pedestrians at all times.
Use crosswalks: Always yield to crossing students and staff.

Meridian Elementary Drop-Off Guidelines (Curb Lane)

To keep traffic moving efficiently and students safe:

Pull forward as far as possible before stopping. Each vehicle behind should do the same.
Unload anywhere along the sidewalk once traffic has stopped — our goal is for 8–10 vehicles to unload simultaneously.
Be ready: Have backpacks on, hugs given, and goodbyes shared before you reach the sidewalk zone to help keep things flowing.

Important:
If you need to get out of your vehicle to assist your child for any reason — unbuckling a seatbelt, helping with a backpack, walking them to the door — you must park in the designated spaces in the high school parking lot. Then, safely walk your child across to the sidewalk at the end of the elementary building. Do not exit your vehicle in the drop-off lane. This creates delays and safety hazards for others.

Your commitment to these practices plays a vital role in maintaining a safe, welcoming environment for all. Thank you for doing your part to help every Mustang start and end their day safely.

Meridian Junior High School

2025-2026 Calendar

2026-2027 Calendar

To help us continue providing this important service to all students, we are asking every family—regardless of income level—to complete the Education Benefits Form. This form supports our ability to:

Secure continued state and federal funding for free school meals
Fund academic programs and student services
Potentially qualify your family for additional support

Online EBF Form link: https://meridian.familyportal.cloud/

Printable link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12862sN4zTVnN55ub5oKAKch9F0JDNaAd/view

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out:

Taylor Roberts
Food Service Director – Chartwells
📧 foodservice@merps.org | taylor.roberts@merps.org
📞 989-687-3212

Athletic Sports Passes for the 2025–2026 school year are now on sale in the High School Office!

Passes are available for families ($180), individuals ($70), and seniors age 60+ ($10), and they cover admission to regular season junior high and high school athletic events (excluding tournaments). Payment can be made by cash, check, or credit/debit card—pay online https://payments.efundsforschools.com/v3/districts/55802.

Game-day admission is $6 for high school events and $4 for junior high. Pre-K is free, and MECHS students (grades 9–12) receive free admission with student ID again this year!

📅 Check out the full sports schedule at this link. For questions, call 989-687-3302 or email bridget.vandongen@merps.org or mitchell.bohn@merps.org.

Quick Highlights:

🏠 Family Pass: $180 (covers immediate household)
👤 Individual Pass: $70 (non-transferable)
👵 Senior Pass: $10 (age 60+)
🎟 Gate Admission: $6 HS / $4 JH / Free for Pre-K
🎓 Free for MECHS students (grades 9–12) with ID

Enrollment Opportunities

Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)

A few openings remain for this free preschool program. Children who turn four by December 1, 2025 are eligible to attend Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. The program includes breakfast, lunch, and snack each day, transportation within Meridian district lines, and all field trip costs. GSRP runs through mid-May 2026.
👉 Apply at www.preschoolpartnership.org or call Julie Sheets at (989) 687-3460.

Tuition-Based Three-Year-Old Preschool

We also have limited spots available in our three-year-old program. Children who turn three by December 1, 2025 may attend Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Tuition is $625 per month (for eight months) and includes breakfast, lunch, and engaging learning experiences designed to spark curiosity and joy. The program runs through early May 2026.
👉 Apply at www.preschoolpartnership.org or call Julie Sheets at (989) 687-3460.

A Strong Start Begins Here: 2026/27 FREE 3 year old and 4 year old PRESCHOOL enrollment now OPEN!

Our Meridian Head Start (3-year-old) and GSRP (4-year-old) programs are officially accepting interest forms for the 2026/27 school year! Did you know your child may qualify for high-quality, no-cost early childhood education through NEMCSA Head Start? Our programs go beyond the classroom to support the whole family, focusing on school readiness, social-emotional growth, nutrition, and developmental screenings. Enrollment is ongoing, and because we prioritize accessibility, families may qualify even if they are over the standard income guidelines. 👉 Apply at www.preschoolpartnership.org or call Julie Sheets at (989) 687-3460.