Parent Communications

Dear Mead School District Community - 

You may have seen a postcard the Mead School District mailed in recent weeks with a QR code and URL to a survey to gather feedback about February's Educational Programs and Operations Levy vote. In case you missed the postcard, or it missed you, please tap or click on the graphic linked below to share your thoughts in a short, anonymous survey. We are grateful for the feedback we've already received, but we would love to hear from more of you!

We are so appreciative of the way this community rallied together to provide levy support for the next three years. These funds allow us to continue providing students with the same fantastic comprehensive educational experience Mead families have come to expect. Securing local levy funding for another three-year cycle also helps us plan for the future. Funding stability means we're better positioned to respond to the changing needs of our students and families, and ensures we have the staffing and programming to meet the needs of every student we serve - all while maintaining a fiscally-responsible approach in every decision we make.

Your voice matters! Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts with us at www.mead354.org/levy24!

The Mead School District and our Technology Advisory Committee has partnered with NEWESD 101 to host a Parenting in the Digital Age event with a community viewing of the film Screenagers: Growing up in the Digital Age on Tuesday, May 21 from 5:30pm-8:00pm at Mead High School.

Families, parents/guardians and educators are invited to this screening event to start a conversation about how screen time impacts their lives and learn about solutions for helping kids navigate the digital world. Screenagers is the first feature documentary to explore the impact of screen technology on kids and offer families proven solutions that work. At the conclusion of the film, a team of panelists and subject matter experts will lead discussions and a Q&A session with those in attendance.

Event information
WHAT: Community Viewing of Screenagers Documentary and Discussion Panel
WHEN: Tuesday, May 21st, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Mead High School, 302 W Hastings

More information, including panelists, timeline of events and resources available will be shared in the lead-up to the event. For now, check out the movie trailer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CgkFp9k-bI

ABOUT SCREENAGERS

Physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston decided to make SCREENAGERS when she found herself constantly struggling with her two kids about screen time. Ruston felt guilty and confused, not sure what limits were best, especially around mobile phones, social media, gaming, and how to monitor online homework. Hearing repeatedly how other parents were equally overwhelmed, she realized this is one of the biggest, unexplored parenting issues of our time.

As a director, Ruston turned the camera on her own family and others - revealing stories of messy struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. We meet Hannah, a 14-year old victim of social media bullying who struggled trying to hide her social media use from her mom. And Andrew, whose love of video games turned into an addiction taking him from earning straight A’s to flunking out of college. Interwoven into these stories are cutting edge science and insights from thought leaders Peggy Orenstein, Sherry Turkle, Simon Sinek, as well as leading brain scientists who present evidence on the real changes in the brain when kids are on screens. SCREENAGERS goes far beyond exposing the risks of screen time, it reveals multiple approaches on how parents and educators can work with kids to help them achieve a healthy amount of screen time.

Dear Families of Grades 2-4, 

For those of you interested in the Mead Summer STEM Academy (MSSA), we recently added a module for Grades 2-4 in Week 1 and Week 3 called "Science of Sport". MSSA is available to district students in Grades 2-8 (based on their current grade in Spring 2024). 

This year's theme is "Into the Unknown". In addition to large group instruction and design challenges, students will explore Robotics, Food Chemistry, Digital Photography, Space, Nature, The Force Olympics, The Science of Sport, Adventures in Mathematica and Design Academy in project-based modules.

Click here to visit the MSSA Homepage for REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS, camp schedules, information about each module and videos from camp supervisors!

Mead Summer STEM Academy General Information
Time: Each module is Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Location: Northwood Middle School, 12908 N. Pittsburg, Spokane, WA 99208
Registration: Open
Cost: $165* per week/module (Breakfast, Lunch and Camp T-Shirt provided)
*The refund cut-off date is June 28. No refunds will be issued after that date. 
Questions? Email msdstem@mead354.org 

Dear Mead School District, 

As part of the Mead School District’s goal for continuous improvement, we are asking students in Grades 3-12 to participate in the Psychological Sense of School Membership (Goodenow, 1993) survey that measures a student’s sense of belonging. 

The ultimate goal is for all students to have success in academics, behavior, and wellness. A sense of belonging is a fundamental aspect of human nature, providing individuals with both emotional security and social connection. Belonging is the feeling of being accepted, valued, and understood by a group or community, fostering a sense of identity and purpose. We see this as one of our top priorities, and this anonymous survey gives us a better understanding of our students’ perspective on their own sense of belonging, so we have an opportunity to see what areas we might be able to impact. A sense of belonging has the following benefits:

.  

Below is an FAQ to help answer some of the questions you may have. 

1. What is the PSSM? Psychological Sense of School Membership (PSSM, Goodenow, 1993) is a scale that assesses students’ sense of school belongingness. It measures a sense of attachment to school, a sense of acceptance, a sense of school ownership, and a sense of respect.
2. When and Who will administer the Survey?
   1. Teachers are asked to administer the survey during the week of April 15th-19th. 
3. Who will be included in the survey?
   1. PSSM is validated for students in grades 3rd-12th. 
   2. All students who are present/on-site and able to comprehend the questions on the survey.
4. How long is the PSSM, how is it measured, and what is the frequency of administering? 
   1. Google Form shared with all students in grades 3-12
   2. See the PDF [linked here] for the survey questions and additional information 
   3. It takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete the survey
   4. The scale ranges from 1 (not at all true) to 5 (Completely true)
   5. Annual survey
   6. Anonymous 
5. How will the data be used?
   1. Initially used as baseline data to compare future survey results
   2. Inform school goals and create action plans for improvement 
   3. Discussions with staff and direct focus of school staff efforts; guide professional development
   4. Integration of student voice; guide student leadership 
   5. Guide direction for student assemblies and engagement opportunities
   6. Fostering partnerships with community organizations

We appreciate your partnership and encourage you to discuss the questions and purpose of this survey with your kids. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your child’s principal.

Dear Mead School District 2nd-8th Grade Families - 

Registration for the 2024 Mead Summer STEM Academy (MSSA) is now LIVE through the PowerSchool Parent Portal! MSSA is available to district students in Grades 2-8 (based on their current grade in Spring 2024). 

This year's theme is "Into the Unknown". In addition to large group instruction and design challenges, students will explore Robotics, Food Chemistry, Digital Photography, Space, Nature, The Force Olympics, The Science of Sport, Adventures in Mathematica and Design Academy in project-based modules.

Click here to visit the MSSA Homepage for REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS, camp schedules, information about each module and videos from camp supervisors!

Mead Summer STEM Academy General Information

Time: Each module is Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Location: Northwood Middle School, 12908 N. Pittsburg, Spokane, WA 99208

Registration: Opens on Wednesday April 10

Cost: $165* per week/module (Breakfast, Lunch and Camp T-Shirt provided)

*The refund cut-off date is June 28. No refunds will be issued after that date. 

Questions? Email msdstem@mead354.org 

Dear Mead School District 2nd-8th Grade Families - 

Registration for the 2024 Mead Summer STEM Academy (MSSA) opens tomorrow, Wednesday April 10! MSSA is available to district students in Grades 2-8 (based on their current grade in Spring 2024). You’ll receive an email with the registration information and instructions tomorrow. 

This year's theme is "Into the Unknown". In addition to large group instruction and design challenges, students will explore Robotics, Food Chemistry, Digital Photography, Space, Nature, The Force Olympics, The Science of Sport, Adventures in Mathematica and Design Academy in project-based modules.

Registration will be done through the Powerschool Parent Portal. In preparation for registering, parents/guardians who do not have an active Powerschool Parent account will need to contact the main office at their child’s school to get an account set up. [Instructions linked here also.]

Visit the MSSA Homepage here for camp schedules, information about each module and videos from camp supervisors!

Mead Summer STEM Academy General Information
Dates: July 8-11, July 15-18, July 22-25
Time: Each one-week module is Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Location: Northwood Middle School, 12908 N. Pittsburg, Spokane, WA 99208
Registration: Opens on Wednesday April 10
Cost: $165* per week/module (Breakfast, Lunch and Camp T-Shirt provided)
*The refund cut-off date is June 28. No refunds will be issued after that date. 
Questions? Email msdstem@mead354.org 

Dear Mead School District 2nd-8th Grade Families - 

The Mead School District is excited to announce the 2024 Mead Summer STEM Academy (MSSA), which will take place this July! Read on for more information and be on the lookout for registration dates in April. We’ll share specific information the day before registration goes live so that you can be ready when it’s open! 

This year's theme is "Into the Unknown". In addition to large group instruction and design challenges, students will explore Robotics, Food Chemistry, Digital Photography, Space, Nature, The Force Olympics, The Science of Sport, Mathematical Artistry and Design Academy in project-based modules.

Registration will be done through the Powerschool Parent Portal. In preparation for registering, parents/guardians who do not have an active Powerschool Parent account will need to contact the main office at their child’s school to get an account set up. [Instructions linked here also.]

Mead Summer STEM Academy General Information
Time: Each module is Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Location: Northwood Middle School, 12908 N. Pittsburg, Spokane, WA 99208
Registration: Coming Soon…Save the Dates Listed Below!
Cost: $165 per week/module (Breakfast, Lunch and Camp T-Shirt provided)
Questions? Email msdstem@mead354.org 

Check out this video for a taste of what Summer STEM Academy is all about! 

Module Schedule: Each module will have a maximum of 20 available spots

July 8-11

• Robotics (Grades 2-3) 
• Nature (Grades 2-4) 
• Space (Grades 2-5) Includes a field trip to Felts Field
• Food Chemistry: Playing with our Food (Grades 4-6)
• The Force Olympics (Grades 4-8)
• Digital Photography (Grades 5-8) 
• Design Academy (Grades 5-8)
• Rock On! Geology and Rock Climbing (Grades 5-8) Includes a rock-climbing trip to Minnehaha with Peak 7
• Science of Sport: Human Physiology and Competition (Grades 5-8)

July 15-18

• Food Chemistry: Playing with our Food (Grades 2-4) 
• Human Body Systems (Grades 2-4)
• Space (Grades 2-5) Includes a field trip to Felts Field
• The Force Olympics (Grades 4-8) 
• Nature (Grades 5-8) Includes a canoe trip down the Little Spokane River with Peak 7 
• Digital Photography (Grades 5-8) 
• Design Academy (Grades 5-8)
• Rock On! Geology and Rock Climbing (Grades 5-8) Includes a rock-climbing trip to Minnehaha with Peak 7
• Science of Sport: Human Physiology and Competition (Grades 5-8)

July 22-25

• Human Body Systems (Grades 2-4)
• Space (Grades 2-5) Includes a field trip to Felts Field
• The Force Olympics (Grades 4-8)
• Video Game Academy (Grades 5-7) Includes a field trip to Chaos Arcade
• Veterinary Technician (Grades 5-8) Includes a daily field trip to Higher Ground Animal Sanctuary
• Food Chemistry: Playing with our Food (Grades 5-8)
• Digital Photography (Grades 5-8)
• Mathematical Artistry: Using Mathematical Principles to Create Art (Grades 5-8)
• Science of Sport: Human Physiology and Competition (Grades 5-8)

Dear Elementary Families - 

The deadline for registration is Thursday, March 28, for Session 6 of the SYSA Elementary (K-5) After School Sports program! Dates, times, locations and how to register can be found at the link below. For questions, contact Spokane Youth Sports Association directly at receptionist@sysa.com. 

Register your child for Mead After School Sports Program here.

Registration Deadlines:
Session 6 - Deadline March 28 (Session runs from (April 8 - May 3):
Please note that transportation info for the After School Sports Program will be sent after the registration deadlines to all participants who are registered..

Kindergarten & 1st Grade students, $40, Mondays, 3:20 – 5:00 pm
2nd & 3rd Graders students, $40, Wednesdays, 3:20 – 5:00 pm
4th & 5th Graders students, $40, Tuesdays, 3:20 – 5:00 pm.

Financial Assistance Information:
SYSA is pleased to offer limited financial assistance for those whose finances may inhibit participation in our leagues. Financial Assistance Application found below or in the SYSA office.  Form must be submitted to the SYSA office at 800 North Hamilton, Suite 201, Spokane, WA 99202 or emailed to receptionist@sysa.com.

• * Please submit your application with verification of income as identified on the application.
• * Financial Assistance is only available for timely registrations to recreational sports leagues. Applications need to be turned in prior to the deadline or registration may not get completed on time.

Click here for the Financial Assistance Application 2024

For further questions regarding Financial Assistance, please contact receptionist@sysa.com.

Dear Families of Incoming Kindergarteners - 

If you are the parent/guardian of an incoming kindergartener for the 2024-25 school year and are interested in checking out the Mead School District's Dual Language Immersion Program, check out the information below! 

Dual Language Immersion Program Parent Night
March 19, 2024
6:00-7:00 PM
Midway Elementary (821 E Midway Rd, Colbert, WA 99005)

Participation in our Dual Language Immersion Program is voluntary and application is open to any incoming Kindergarteners throughout the district. Transportation is provided from each student's neighborhood school to and from Midway Elementary. Students do not need to reside in the Midway Elementary boundary to apply.

Mead School District's Dual Language Immersion Program, housed at Midway Elementary is committed to empowering students to become “future ready” global citizens. The program is grounded in the 3 Pillars of Dual Language Education, allowing students to:

• Become bilingual and biliterate
• Have high academic achievement in both languages
• Develop respect and appreciation for other cultures
• Be prepared for meaningful participation in the global community

Key Ideas About Dual Language

• All subject areas are taught in both languages throughout the course of the K-5 program, though at different ratios each year.
• Equity for all groups is a major component to dual language: equitable access to resources, linguistic equity, and cultural equity.
• Dual language education is Washington’s priority English language development program model for all eligible English learners.

Dear Parents/Guardians of Seniors - 

FAFSA FILING WEEK: Local high school seniors and families are invited to join community partners, including College Success Foundation, LaunchNW and STCU, at in-person or virtual sessions for support in completing 2024-25 financial aid applications:

• Monday, March 18, 5-8 p.m. – Virtual (completed)
• Tuesday, March 19, 4-8 p.m. – Ruby River Hotel (700 N Division St.)
• Wednesday, March 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – STCU Spokane Valley Branch (13501 Sprague Ave.)
• Thursday, March 21, 4-8 p.m., Mirabeau Park Hotel (1100 Sullivan Rd.)

This year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) have been redesigned to be shorter and simpler to complete. These applications allow students to access thousands of dollars in grants and scholarships from federal and state programs, universities and trade schools, and many private scholarship organizations, as well as federal work-study funds and federal student loans.

Visit launchnw.org/fafsaopensdoors for more information and resources. Students can also visit their school’s College & Career Center and counselors for support.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

This a friendly reminder that there is NO SCHOOL this Friday, March 15, 2024. Friday is a pre-scheduled Snow Make-up Day, and since we haven't missed school due to a snow day, it is now a day off for students! We hope you are able to enjoy some much-needed sunshine and the long weekend. 

Upcoming Calendar Reminders

• Friday, March 15 - No School (Snow Make-up Day)
• Monday, April 1 through Friday, April 5 - No School (Spring Break)

Hello Mead School District Parents and Staff, 

Do you or someone you know work in the Health Sciences industry?  If so, we'd love to invite you to an upcoming event titled "Health Sciences Partnership Night" on Tuesday, March 12, from 6:00 - 7:30 in the Mead High School library. A dinner buffet will be served. 

At this event, you will hear about the Health Sciences programs that we offer in our Mead schools, network with other professionals (Health Sciences industry partners, Higher Ed professionals, and local Health Sciences business owners), and learn about the ways we would love to partner with you to support the next generation of learners in our Health Sciences programs.

A flier is attached. Please RSVP to reserve your seat, and feel free to forward this invitation to someone you believe should join us at this event. 

Click here or scan the QR code to reserve your seat!

We hope to see you there!

Dear Mead School District Grades 6-8 Families, 

The Mead School District STEM Forward Series continues this year with STEMPlosion at Whitworth University. Mead School District students in Grades 6-8 are invited, but the event has space for just the first 60 students. Seats fill up quickly, click the registration link below. 

When:  Friday, March 15, 2024
Where:  Whitworth University
Time:   6:00 - 8:00pm - Doors open at 5:45pm
Parking: Across from the Johnston Science Center (free)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Program Information
STEMplosion will take place in the Johnston Science Center at Whitworth University from 6-8pm on March 15th, 2024 – please note that March 15th is a snow make-up day that is scheduled to be a non-school day for students. 

This free event is open to 60 students in Grades 6-8.  Students will meet in the auditorium of the Johnston Science Center (39 on the map linked below). Parents are welcome to stay for the introduction and meet with Whitworth faculty if they have questions about Whitworth or computer science.

This event is an opportunity for students interested in Computer Science and Informational Technology to participate in a variety of activities, including computational games, Hour of Code, and an app-pitch idea competition. Students will meet faculty and students from Whitworth’s computer science department to ask any questions they want about the college or computer science program. Through this event, students will gain a broader understanding of the exciting opportunities in the field of computer science and information technology.

During the event, parents may leave and come back, tour the campus, or wait for students in the HUB. Whitworth map: https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/about/map-and-directions/ 

STEMForward Partnerships Video: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeYYCUTzeVY 

Dear Mead School District Families - 

The Mead School District is hosting an informational parents night for the families of students who access special education services in our district. At this event, families will have a chance to hear a presentation from Randi Johnson of Gravis Law about Special Needs Legal Planning! Check out the attached flyer below for more information! 

The event is open to the families of Mead School District students ages 3-21 who access Special Education Services on March 7th at 5 p.m. at Shiloh Hills Elementary. The event will also be available live on Zoom for those not able to attend in person. For those planning to access the event via Zoom, the link is available here and will also be posted at www.mead354.org prior to 5 p.m. on March 7th.

Dear Mead School District Grades 6-8 Families, 

The Mead School District STEM Forward Series continues this year with STEMPlosion at Whitworth University. Mead School District students in Grades 6-8 are invited. 

When:  Friday, March 15, 2024
Where:  Whitworth University
Time:   6:00 - 8:00pm - Doors open at 5:45pm
Parking: Across from the Johnston Science Center (free)

The registration for this event will open Tuesday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. via a link sent to all families of students in Grades 6-8 at that time.

Program Information

STEMplosion will take place in the Johnston Science Center at Whitworth University from 6-8pm on March 15th, 2024 – please note that March 15th is a snow make-up day that is scheduled to be a non-school day for students. 

This free event is open to 60 students in Grades 6-8. Students will meet in the auditorium of the Johnston Science Center (39 on the map linked below). Parents are welcome to stay for the introduction and meet with Whitworth faculty if they have questions about Whitworth or computer science.

This event is an opportunity for students interested in Computer Science and Informational Technology to participate in a variety of activities, including computational games, Hour of Code, and an app-pitch idea competition. Students will meet faculty and students from Whitworth’s computer science department to ask any questions they want about the college or computer science program. Through this event, students will gain a broader understanding of the exciting opportunities in the field of computer science and information technology.

During the event, parents may leave and come back, tour the campus, or wait for students in the HUB. Whitworth map: https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/about/map-and-directions/ 

STEMForward Partnerships Video: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeYYCUTzeVY 

Dear Mead School District Families – 

Enrollment for 2024-25 is now open for incoming kindergarteners and new K-12 students to the Mead School District. Please visit www.mead354.org/enroll for more information and links to online registration or PDF paper registration packets. 

Current Mead School District students do not need to re-enroll. Students are eligible to register for Kindergarten if they turn 5 years old prior to September 1, 2024. 

Online Registration for New Students Starting 2024-25 (K-12 Only).

For general enrollment questions, please call the Mead School District at (509) 465-6000.

The Mead School District is also accepting applications and interest forms for students in the following programs:

• Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program at Midway Elementary
  • Only accepting applications for Kindergarten-age students (Age 5 before Sept. 1)
  • 20 spots available through lottery process after applications are received 
  • Regular kindergarten registration must be completed prior to submitting DLI application
  • DLI Program is housed at Midway Elementary, but open to students from anywhere in Mead School District.
  • Click here to find information and application forms for our Dual Language Immersion Program
• Transitional Kindergarten (if Age 4 on Aug. 31, 2024) 
  • Free, full-day early entrance kindergarten for children who are 4 years old by August 31, 2024, AND had limited access to full-time preschool
  • Students must demonstrate either financial, academic OR social-emotional need and cannot be currently enrolled in another early learning program
  • Click here to find more information and interest forms for our Transitional Kindergarten Program
• Mead Learning Options 
  • Mead School District’s non-traditional options for students and families that cover a range of teacher-directed and parent-directed learning, as well as available virtual and outdoor learning options
  • Click here to find more information and interest forms for Mead Learning Options

Dear Families of 9-12th Graders,

We are very excited to introduce our Mead School District college and career readiness platform, SchooLinks! All of the SchooLinks features are designed with students in mind, helping them become career, college, and life ready. As a guardian, you will have the opportunity to join your student in their career and college exploration process and have conversations with them about their future. You will have access to SchooLinks through your own account. 

SchooLinks allows you to: 

• View the results of your student’s career interest, strength, and mindset assessments to learn more about their interests and what careers might be right for them
• See what colleges and careers your student has favorited and set as goals
• Check your personalized dashboard for upcoming events as well as important reminders and to-dos for your student
• Complete your own research on colleges, careers, and more to help you have informed conversations with your student
• Compare college costs and explore expected financial aid, scholarships, and out of pocket expenses
• Review your student’s course plans and progress toward graduation 
  • Please note: Mead HS counselors were in classes last week and Mt Spokane HS counselors will be in classes this week to begin the course selection process for the 2023-2024 school year. Be on the lookout for a draft course plan while all course selections will need to be submitted on SchooLinks by March 8th. 

SchooLinks Parent Login Instructions Here

SchooLinks is a tool that gives you access to the bigger picture of your students’ future. It also allows you to connect with their school counselor by allowing you to message them directly through the platform. 

Find much more information and links to login, how to set up your account and an overview video at www.mead354.org/schoolinks.

We look forward to getting started and helping you help your student!

Dear Mead School District Families - 

The Mead School District is hosting an informational parents night for the families of students who access special education services in our district. At this event, families will have a chance to hear a presentation from Randi Johnson of Gravis Law about Special Needs Legal Planning! Check out the attached flyer below for more information! 

The event is open to the families of Mead School District students ages 3-21 who access Special Education Services on March 7th at 5 p.m. at Shiloh Hills Elementary. The event will also be available live on Zoom for those not able to attend in person.

Childcare will be provided! If you would like to access childcare at the event please click here to sign up before March 1.

Save the date!

Dear Families of 8th Grade Students,

Our high schools are excited to host you and your soon-to-be high schooler at the 9th Grade Information Night this Wednesday, beginning at 6 p.m., at each respective high school. One of the items that you’ll learn about at that event is the launch of our new college and career readiness platform called SchooLinks. The information below gives you some background on SchooLinks, but please know that we’ll be there at the event to walk you through any questions you may have. 

All of the SchooLinks features are designed with students in mind, helping them become career, college, and life ready. As a guardian, you will have the opportunity to join your student in their career and college exploration process and have conversations with them about their future. You will have access to SchooLinks through your own account. 

SchooLinks allows you to: 

• View the results of your student’s career interest, strength, and mindset assessments to learn more about their interests and what careers might be right for them
• See what colleges and careers your student has favorited and set as goals
• Check your personalized dashboard for upcoming events as well as important reminders and to-dos for your student
• Complete your own research on colleges, careers, and more to help you have informed conversations with your student
• Compare college costs and explore expected financial aid, scholarships, and out of pocket expenses
• Review your student’s course plans and progress toward graduation 
  • Please note: Counselors will soon begin the course selection process for the 2023-2024 school year, so be on the lookout for a draft course plan the week of 2/26/24. 

SchooLinks Parent Login Instructions Here

SchooLinks is a tool that gives you access to the bigger picture of your students’ future. It also allows you to connect with their school counselor by allowing you to message them directly through the platform. 

Find much more information and links to login, how to set up your account and an overview video at www.mead354.org/schoolinks.

We look forward to getting started and helping you help your student!

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff - 

Here’s a friendly reminder that there is no late start TOMORROW, Wednesday, February 14, 2024! Please be mindful that we will be on the regular (M, T, Th, F) schedule that day for both bus pickup and school start time, as stated here:

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024 School Start Time Schedule
Elementary (Grades K-5): 9:00 a.m.
Middle School (Grades 6-8): 7:55 a.m.
High School (Grades 9-12): 8:00 a.m.
*All buses will run on the regular (M, T, Th, F) schedule

Please note that ECEAP and Developmental Preschool will also start on its normal (M, T, Th) schedule on Feb. 14th.  

For those that access childcare programs at the YMCA, the YMCA is not providing after-school care on Feb. 14th.

This change in schedule is due to parent-teacher conferences week at the elementary level. It allows K-5 students to maximize their instructional day before the K-5 early release at 12:45 p.m. to begin their conferences. Due to that, all K-12 must be on the regular schedule to allow for our buses to run all routes for all grades. 

For elementary only: Early Release Wednesday, February 14th at 12:45 p.m., and no school on Thursday-Friday, February 15-16.

For all K-12: No school on Monday, Feb. 19th, President's Day.

Dear Mead School District Families,

Each year, school districts across Washington implement procedures for the referral, assessment, and selection of students for highly capable designation. Referrals may be received for any K-12 student from teachers, support staff, parents, students, and members of the community. Mead School District currently uses the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to help with this process. Being designated as a highly capable learner gives parents and the school more information about the student’s learning needs.

The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), along with prior District and/or State assessments, are among the multiple measures used as part of the evaluation process to determine if a student qualifies to be designated as highly capable. The CogAT measures a student’s general abstract reasoning and their verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal abilities.

Since all 2nd graders and 5th graders will be screened in March with the CogAT, referrals are not necessary for 2nd or 5th grade students. However, they may be nominated for evaluation in future years. 

For parents who wish to refer their child for highly capable screening, use this link to access the [Highly Capable Referral Form].  The referral window is now open and will remain open through February 23, 2024. 

Further testing may be required in April while a team evaluates multiple points of data.  Families will be notified of final decisions regarding Highly Capable designations no later than June.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Mead School District Learning and Teaching Department at (509) 465-6031.

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff - 

Here’s a friendly reminder to mark your calendars for no late start next Wednesday, February 14, 2024! We’ll send an additional reminder the night before, but please be mindful that we will be on the regular (M, T, Th, F) schedule that day for both bus pickup and school start time, as stated here:

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024 School Start Time Schedule
Elementary (Grades K-5): 9:00 a.m.
Middle School (Grades 6-8): 7:55 a.m.
High School (Grades 9-12): 8:00 a.m.
*All buses will run on the regular (M, T, Th, F) schedule

Please note that ECEAP and Developmental Preschool will also start on its normal (M, T, Th) schedule on Feb. 14th.  

For those that access childcare programs at the YMCA, the YMCA is not providing after-school care on Feb. 14th.

This change in schedule is due to parent-teacher conferences week at the elementary level. It allows K-5 students to maximize their instructional day before the K-5 early release at 12:45 p.m. to begin their conferences. Due to that, all K-12 must be on the regular schedule to allow for our buses to run all routes for all grades. 

For elementary only: Early Release Wednesday, February 14th at 12:45 p.m., and no school on Thursday-Friday, February 15-16.

Dear Mead School District Middle School and High School Families - 

As we kick off the new semester in the Mead School District, we want to remind you of the importance of consistent attendance for your students in our middle schools and high schools. Beginning the semester with regular attendance ensures that they stay on track with their studies, don’t miss important information, and establish positive habits for the coming months.

Every absence, whether excused or unexcused, has an impact on a student. Consistent attendance allows your child to fully engage in classroom activities, interact with peers and teachers, and take advantage of all our schools have to offer. As absences add up - including both unexcused and excused absences - our school staff will be in touch with you if a student’s attendance is harming their overall academic performance. Even those excused absences could become unexcused if they become chronic.

Tips For A Successful Semester

• Communication is key - establish positive lines of communication with your student’s school. Call the school to report absences and ask for assistance if your child is experiencing difficulties attending school regularly.
• Set attendance goals - set expectations by creating attendance goals for the week or month. 
• Partner with your school - get to know your child’s counselor and administrators. Consistent attendance requires all of us to work together.
• Regular conversations - talk to your kids about school and classes, and celebrate their successes. If they share that something is not going well, let your school know. 
• Appointments - make every effort to schedule personal appointments outside of school hours. This is not always possible, but absences add up quickly. 
• Illness - how sick is too sick? If your child has a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, keep them home to rest. If they have a runny nose or minor cough, send them in, and the school nurse would be happy to take a look. 

Your partnership in prioritizing attendance sets your child up for success in school and beyond. If you’d like to learn more about our state’s attendance laws, click here. Please reach out to your school for assistance or to discuss questions you have regarding school attendance. 

Dear Mead School District Elementary Families - 

For students in Grades K-5, Friday, Feb. 2, is a scheduled early release day for all elementary schools. Students in Grades K-5 will be released at 12:45 p.m. There will be no after-school care with Boys and Girls Club or YMCA on Friday, Feb. 2.

Additionally, please make note of these future calendar reminders for K-5:

• Feb. 14 - No Late Start
• Feb. 14 - Half-day for K-5 students due to Parent-Teacher Conferences
• Feb. 15-16 - Non-student days for K-5 due to Parent Teacher Conferences

Dear K-5 Elementary Families - 

The Mead School District Learning and Teaching Department would like to share information regarding upcoming parent-teacher conferences that will take place on February 14-16 in all of our elementary schools. 

As with conferences that took place during October, these conferences will take place in person. Families may let their classroom teacher know if meeting virtually is necessary. Parents will receive information from each child’s school with a link to sign up for a conference time. 

Conferences, which take place twice each school year over a three-day period, are a valuable resource for parents and teachers alike. They provide an opportunity to build strong communication channels between home and school, while allowing time for parents/guardians to learn more about their child’s progress. Information provided by parents during conferences also assists teachers in creating the most effective learning environment possible for each student. 

In honoring families who have special circumstances, we do have procedures in place for those of you that need multiple conference times. Please contact the school for assistance. 

If you have other questions, please contact our Learning and Teaching Department at 465-6000.

Dear Mead School District Families, 

We are reaching out this morning with a sense of urgency to address some concerns and information that has been shared through social media about library books and Mead’s library materials review process. We hope this helps give you information about the district’s continuous review process, as well as some context to what has been shared online. 

Much of the concern being expressed online centers around the question of classic and/or beloved books being removed for review from our libraries. Please be assured, this is not the case. This unfortunate situation is the result of miscommunication and a misinterpretation of the intended process, and we apologize for the concern it has caused. A list from the American Library Association was consulted, but its purpose was unintentionally received by staff as a directive to review all books on the list. Again, there was never any intent to remove or review classic books, some of which are part of our district’s approved curriculum, like Of Mice and Men and To Kill a Mockingbird. 

As many of you know, library books have been a widespread topic of conversation nationally in recent years, and given the combination of that national conversation, library best practices and a small number of book review concerns brought to us from parents in our district, Mead has been engaged in a committee-led process to both review concerns and review library materials district-wide.

The committee will continue to review library books as part of a continual and annual process to ensure that library materials are age-appropriate, in good condition, relevant, and of interest to our students.

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff - 

Here’s a friendly reminder that there is no late start TOMORROW, Wednesday, January 24, 2024! Please be mindful that we will be on the regular (M, T, Th, F) schedule tomorrow for both bus pickup and school start time, as stated here:

Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 School Start Time Schedule
Elementary (Grades K-5): 9:00 a.m.
Middle School (Grades 6-8): 7:55 a.m.
High School (Grades 9-12): 8:00 a.m.
*All buses will run on the regular (M, T, Th, F) schedule

Please note that ECEAP and Developmental Preschool will also start on its normal (M, T, Th) schedule on Jan. 24th.  

This change in schedule is due to finals week at the high school level during the end of the semester. High school finals utilize the full, regular school day, and due to that, all K-12 must be on the regular schedule to allow for our buses to run all routes for all grades.

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff - 

With the icy conditions in some areas this morning, we are reaching out to you to encourage you to use extra caution in getting to school or getting students to their bus stop this morning. If you have high school students who transport themselves, please share this message with them as well. 

Our Transportation Department is also reaching out to families separately if certain bus stops have been moved to their emergency snow route locations. If you have students who ride the bus, please monitor your phone and email for those notifications. Drivers will also be using extra caution, so we thank you for your patience and understanding as they work to transport students safely to school.

Parents are always encouraged to consider the conditions in their own neighborhood in deciding whether to keep their student at home for all or part of the day. Students are excused from school upon parent request via a phone call to the school’s main office.

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff - 

Here is a friendly reminder about the final Levy Town Hall Q&A scheduled for Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at Mountainside Middle School (4717 E Day Mt. Spokane Rd, Colbert, WA 99005). The entire event will also be streamed live on Zoom for those who aren't able to be in attendance.

Superintendent Travis Hanson will share a presentation about the Educational Operations and Programs Levy that will be on the ballot for the February 13th Special Election. In addition to the presentation, attendees both in person and on zoom will have the opportunity to ask questions. The Zoom link to Tuesday's event can be found here.

For more information about the Mead School District's replacement levy, please visit www.mead354.org/levy. 

*UPDATE* For those that typically access after-school care at the YMCA or the Boys and Girls Club. Both organizations have informed us that they will be closed after school today. 

---------------------

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff - 

With the current heavy snowfall expected to continue throughout the afternoon and into the evening, the Mead School District is canceling all after-school activities, practices, and events for today, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. 

We will finish the current school day and transport bus riders home after school. Given the current road conditions, we ask for your patience and understanding as our bus drivers navigate the difficult conditions and return children home safely. Buses may arrive at their stop locations behind schedule due to the inclement weather.

Please note that this cancellation of all events includes the cancellation of the Levy Town Hall that was scheduled to be held both on Zoom and in-person at Northwood Middle School. The Mead School District’s next Levy Town Hall will be held at Mountainside Middle School on Tuesday, Jan. 23rd, at 6 p.m., as well as virtually on Zoom.

Dear Families of 6th-8th Graders, 

As we previewed yesterday, Mead School District is partnering with Spokane Falls Community College to bring you “The Other Side of Infinity: Black Holes”, a STEMForward event. Here is the link to registration, and please note that the event is limited to 50 participants.

Click here to register

Event Information
On January 26 from 5:00-6:00 p.m., 50 pre-registered 6th-8th graders from district schools will meet at Spokane Falls Community College and be dazzled with striking, immersive animations of the formation of the early universe, star birth and death, the collision of giant galaxies, and a simulated flight to a super-massive black hole lurking at the center of our own Milky Way Galaxy. Students registering for the show will need to arrive at the Planetarium by 4:45 pm and parents will need to be back to pick up their students at 5:55 pm. The Planetarium is in Building 28, Room 142, click here for a campus map.

Registration is limited to the first 50 registrants (6th-8th grade only), sign up as soon as you can!

Dear Families of 6th-8th Graders, 

Mead School District is partnering with Spokane Falls Community College to bring you “The Other Side of Infinity: Black Holes”, a STEMForward event.

This is a courtesy email to inform those interested that a link to registration will be emailed out tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 6:30 p.m. If interested, please monitor your email at that time as this event has just 50 available spots for 6th-8th graders from Mead School District schools.

Event Information
On January 26 from 5:00-6:00 p.m., 50 pre-registered 6th-8th graders from district schools will meet at Spokane Falls Community College and be dazzled with striking, immersive animations of the formation of the early universe, star birth and death, the collision of giant galaxies, and a simulated flight to a super-massive black hole lurking at the center of our own Milky Way Galaxy. Students registering for the show will need to arrive at the Planetarium by 4:45 pm and parents will need to be back to pick up their students at 5:55 pm. The Planetarium is in Building 28, Room 142, click here for a campus map.

Registration is limited to the first 50 registrants (6th-8th grade only), so please monitor your email tomorrow evening at 6:30 p.m. for the link to registration.

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff - 

We are reaching out to you with important information regarding weather forecasts predicting a hazardous winter storm that may impact tomorrow’s school schedule. A winter storm is expected to bring considerable snow accumulations to our area, starting late tonight and continuing throughout the day tomorrow. While this storm has the potential to impact the start of the school day, the amount of snow predicted to fall throughout the day has us especially concerned about our ability to safely transport students home at the end of the school day. Current forecasts of heavy snow accumulation during the school day will be an important consideration in our decision-making process.

• Start of School: District administrators and transportation directors are closely monitoring the weather and will make a decision about the school schedule as early as possible in the morning, and no later than 6 a.m.
• After-School Transportation and Activities: We are also concerned about the safe transportation of students after school and from after-school activities later in the day. In the event that school is canceled for the day or students are sent home early, all after-school activities and events would be canceled as well. We are working closely with Transportation Services to assess the conditions and make informed decisions to ensure the safety of all students.
• Communication Channels: Please monitor your email and phone, our official district websites, and local news sources for the latest updates on school closures or delays. We will strive to communicate any changes as early and often as possible.

Additional information about the Winter Storm Warning issued by the National Weather Service can be found here.

We understand the challenges that winter weather and changes to the school schedule can bring and appreciate your understanding during these situations. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and we will take all necessary precautions to ensure a safe learning environment.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to make the best decision possible. For more information on our decision-making process for school closures or delays, click here.

Dear Mead School District Parents - 

The 2024-25 academic calendar has been approved, there’s no school on Monday, Jan. 15 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Superintendent Hanson is hosting Levy Town Hall Q&A sessions starting tomorrow! See below for information.

• 2024-25 Academic Calendar is posted online here.

You’re invited to learn more about the replacement levy that will be on the Feb. 13 ballot and ask questions at the Levy Town Hall Q&A Sessions hosted by Superintendent Travis Hanson. These events are offered simultaneously in-person with pizza provided and virtually via Zoom links available here. Three opportunities available at these times and locations:

• TOMORROW: Jan. 11 at 6 p.m. at Highland Middle School
• Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. at Northwood Middle School
• Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. at Mountainside Middle School

Dear Elementary Families - 

The deadline for registration is Tuesday, Jan. 9, for Session 4 of the SYSA Elementary (K-5) After School Sports program! Dates, times, locations and how to register can be found at the link below. For questions, contact Spokane Youth Sports Association directly at receptionist@sysa.com. 

Register your child for Mead After School Sports Program here.

Registration Deadlines:
Session 4 - Deadline Jan. 9 (Session runs from (Jan. 16-Feb. 9):
Please note that transportation info for the After School Sports Program will be sent after the registration deadlines to all participants who are registered..

Kindergarten & 1st Grade students, Mondays, 3:20-5:00 pm (with Monday, Jan. 15 a holiday, K-1st will be on Friday, Jan. 19, and resume Mondays the following week)
2nd & 3rd Graders students, Wednesdays, 3:20-5:00 pm
4th & 5th Graders students, Tuesdays/Thursdays, 3:20-5:00 pm 

Financial Assistance Information:
SYSA is pleased to offer limited financial assistance for those whose finances may inhibit participation in our leagues. Financial Assistance Application found below or in the SYSA office.  Form must be submitted to the SYSA office at 800 North Hamilton, Suite 201, Spokane, WA 99202 or emailed to receptionist@sysa.com.

• * Please submit your application with verification of income as identified on the application.
• * Financial Assistance is only available for timely registrations to recreational sports leagues. Applications need to be turned in prior to the deadline or registration may not get completed on time.

Click here for the Financial Assistance Application 2024

For further questions regarding Financial Assistance, please contact receptionist@sysa.com.

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff - 

Happy New Year and welcome back after Winter Break! We are looking forward to months ahead and a great finish to the school year later this spring. Below you will find some helpful notes, dates and information.

Important Notes and Information

• Late Start Wednesday Information (does not apply to students in Mead Learning Options programs – North Star, Five Mile Prairie, MVP, Mead Outdoor School)
  • School will start 40 minutes later on Wednesdays with the exception of the following dates. These instances will be communicated multiple times leading up to each date.
    • January 24 - No Late Start
    • February 14 - No Late Start
    • June 12 - No Late Start
• Additional Important Date Reminders
  • Monday, Jan. 15 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School
  • Friday, Jan. 26 - End of 1st Semester - Grades 6-12 Early Release
  • Friday, Feb. 2 - Elementary Early Release 
  • Feb. 14-16 - Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences (For TTK and K-5: ½-day 2/14, No School 2/15 and 2/16)
  • Monday, Feb. 19 - President’s Day - No School
• Meal Account Balances: 
  • To check your child’s meal balance or to make a deposit into their meal account, login to the Powerschool Parent Portal at the following link and click “Purchases and Payments in the sidebar: Powerschool Parent Portal.
  • Contact your child’s school main office if you have not set up a Powerschool Parent account.
• Find the District Academic Calendar for this current year in printable PDF here. The calendar for the 2024-25 school year is on the School Board agenda for the Jan. 8 Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors, and if approved, will be emailed to you and posted online the following day.
• Winter is upon us and that can bring unpredictable weather. To review the district’s two-hour delay and closure procedures in the event of inclement weather, click here.

Dear Mead School District Families of Grades 5-12,

The deadline for registering for the annual Bridge Building Competition is January 12th! Mead School District students in Grades 5-12 are welcome to participate. Read on for more information, dates, locations and registration. 

Registration Information

• Up to Two (2) students per team - Students may compete individually
• Two-part Registration Process - Deadline January 12, 2024

1. Register Participant Names and Shirt Sizes Here
2. Join through Google Classroom for Rules and Requirements
   1. Sign-in to student’s Google Classroom
   2. Click + in top right corner, click “Join Class”
   3. Enter class code: finrxou

Competition Date: Feb. 10 – check-in between 9-9:30 a.m., competition begins at 10 a.m.
Competition Location: Mead High School Field House – 302 W Hastings

Program Information
Using only popsicle sticks and white Elmer’s school glue, each team of one or two students will build a bridge according to the competition's rules and requirements. On competition day, each bridge will be loaded with weight until it breaks and then judged and scored on its efficiency, which is defined as the ratio of its ultimate load capacity to its own weight. Students will need to use creativity, ingenuity, and resourcefulness in order to maximize the strengths and minimize the inherent shortcomings of each material. Plaques and prizes will be awarded to the teams with the top efficiency scores! 

Check out this video from a past MSD Bridge Building Competition to get a flavor of competition day!

Dear Mead School District Community - 

We hope you enjoy the holidays and some well-deserved time with family and friends. Below are some calendar reminders and information as we all head into the new year!

• Winter Break - Dec. 20 through Jan. 1 - School Resumes on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
• School Buildings are closed from Dec. 20 through Jan. 1
• The Mead School District Administrative Office will operate with the following hours during Winter Break. 
  • Mon.-Th., December 18-21 - Regular hours (8a-4p)
  • Fri., December 22 - Closed for Holiday
  • Mon., December 25 - Closed for Holiday
  • Tues., December 26 - Closed to the Public (meeting by appointment only)
  • Wed., December 27 - Open - Regular hours (8a-4p)
  • Thurs., December 28 - Closed to the Public (meeting by appointment only)
  • Fri., December 29 - Closed for Holiday
  • Mon., January 1 - Closed for Holiday
    Tues., January 2 - Regular hours resume on weekdays (8a-4p)
• Jan. 15 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School

Thank you for a fantastic 2023 and your continued support as we embark on 2024!

Dear Families of Seniors - 

As a courtesy, if you are preparing to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, you may be interested in checking out STCU's FAFSA Events in January and February. You can find information about dates, times, locations and preparation info here.

This message does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of this event. Please contact the organization directly for additional information.

Dear Mead School District Families of Grades 5-12,

The STEM Forward Series continues with the annual Bridge Building Competition! Mead School District students in Grades 5-12 are welcome to participate. Read on for more information, dates, locations and registration. 

Registration Information

• Up to Two (2) students per team - Students may compete individually
• Two-part Registration Process - Deadline January 12, 2024

1. Register Participant Names and Shirt Sizes Here
2. Join through Google Classroom for Rules and Requirements
   1. Sign-in to student’s Google Classroom
   2. Click + in top right corner, click “Join Class”
   3. Enter class code: finrxou

Competition Date: Feb. 10 – check-in between 9-9:30 a.m., competition begins at 10 a.m.
Competition Location: Mead High School Field House – 302 W Hastings

Program Information
Using only popsicle sticks and white Elmer’s school glue, each team of one or two students will build a bridge according to the competition's rules and requirements. On competition day, each bridge will be loaded with weight until it breaks and then judged and scored on its efficiency, which is defined as the ratio of its ultimate load capacity to its own weight. Students will need to use creativity, ingenuity, and resourcefulness in order to maximize the strengths and minimize the inherent shortcomings of each material. Plaques and prizes will be awarded to the teams with the top efficiency scores! 

Check out this video from a past MSD Bridge Building Competition to get a flavor of competition day!

Dear Mead School District Families - 

This is a friendly reminder that there is no school this Friday, November 10th, in honor of Veterans Day as we celebrate and appreciate all active and former military members for their service. The full academic calendar for the Mead School District can be found here.

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff - 

The Mead School District Nutrition Services department was recently notified of a nation-wide shortage of school milk cartons that is expected to last at least into early 2024 and possibly beyond. This is a result of supply chain packaging issues and will impact milk served to students across all of our schools at breakfast and lunch. We will see an initial shortage with our chocolate milk selection over the course of the next week.   

The USDA and OSPI State Offices have provided guidance that: “if emergency conditions temporarily prevent a school that normally has a supply of fluid milk from obtaining delivery of such milk, it may allow the school to serve meals during the emergency period with an alternate form of fluid milk or without fluid milk."

In receiving this information, Mead’s Nutrition Services staff has begun looking at options to prepare for the shortage. Making sure our students have what they need to fuel their bodies is a top priority. We will provide additional cups for water and encourage students to bring their own water bottles to fill up. 

Please talk with your student(s) about these anticipated and ongoing shortages around school milk. Thank you in advance for your patience and support as we navigate this challenge. 

If you have any questions, you can reach our Nutrition Services Department at nutrition@mead354.org. 

For more information about the nationwide milk carton shortage from USDA Food and Nutrition Services, click here.

Dear Elementary Families - 

The deadline for registration is Thursday, Nov. 2, for Session 3 of the SYSA Elementary (K-5) After School Sports program! Dates, times, locations and how to register can be found at the link below. For questions, contact Spokane Youth Sports Association directly at receptionist@sysa.com. 

Register your child for Mead After School Sports Program here!

Registration Deadlines:
Session 3 - November 2 (Session runs from (Nov 13-Dec 15):
Please note that transportation info for the After School Sports Program will be sent after the registration deadlines to all participants who are registered.

Paid Lead Coaches and Volunteers Needed!
Lead coaches and volunteers are needed, and no prior coaching experience is required. The lead coach of these four-week sessions will be paid $640, and SYSA provides age-appropriate program curriculum and equipment for each practice session.

Kindergarten & 1st Grade students, Mondays, 3:20-5:00 pm 
2nd & 3rd Graders students, Wednesdays, 3:20-5:00 pm
4th & 5th Graders students, Tuesdays/Thursdays, 3:20-5:00 pm 

Volunteer assistant coaches are also assigned to help with starting the program and aid with curriculum. If you are interested in more information about coaching or volunteer for SYSA After-School Sports, click here to submit your information.

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff - 

With the cold and possibly snowy months ahead creating the potential for a weather event to impact the school day, we wanted to share some information and links to help you be prepared in the case of a school delay or closure! Please read below how a delay will work on our Late Start Wednesdays, too.

There are many factors taken into consideration when deciding whether to delay or close schools for the day. It is always our goal to keep schools open and on time during snowy weather, but safety comes first. Parents, guardians and students should always assume the school day will be conducted as normal unless they hear from the district via phone call, email, district webpage, social media or local media.

These decisions take into account road conditions for our school buses, walking routes to schools and the day’s forecast. Families should take their own situation into account when deciding whether their child should attend school or not and be sure to make an attendance call if staying home is the best option. Our goal is always to make the decision to delay or close by 5:30 a.m., with information pushed out to families, social media and news media before 6 a.m.

Two Hour Delay Information (be sure to read Wednesday info)
A two-hour delay will mean that your bus will be at each stop two hours later than the normal – M, T, Th, F – pick-up time (example: 7:05 a.m. would become 9:05 a.m.). If a two-hour delay occurs on a Wednesday, buses will run two hours later than the regular-day (M, T, Th, F) schedule. This means that if a two-hour delay is called on a Wednesday, just add two hours to the M, T, Th, F bus pick-up and school start-time schedule.

For more information on School Delays and Closures, including snow routes, early dismissal and impacts on before and after-school activities, breakfast programs and preschool, go to www.mead354.org/delay.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

The Mead School District is hosting an informational parents night for the families of students who access special education services in our district. At this event, families will have a chance to hear a presentation from Mary McDirmid, ChSNC, of Special Abilities Network about Special Needs Financial Planning! Check out the attached flyer below for much more information! 

The event is open to the families of Mead School District students ages 3-21 who access Special Education Services on October 26th at 5 p.m. at Shiloh Hills Elementary School (505 E Stonewall). The event will also be available live on Zoom for those not able to attend in person.

Childcare will be provided! If you would like to access childcare at the event please scan the QR code on the flyer.

Dear Middle School Families - 

The STEM Forward Series continues this year with the annual Medical Mystery Investigation event hosted by WSU Spokane, and here is your registration link! Mead School District students in Grades 6-8 are invited. There are only 150 spots available, so don't wait to register! 

Registration: click here to register now!
Register by Friday, Oct. 20
Spots Available: 150

Program Information
This will be a three-week virtual event series with an in-person reveal on the evening of December 1st.  It will involve students watching recorded videos released November 13th, 16th, 21st, 27th, and 29th. The event begins with a Welcome Video and the first clue on November 13th, and then culminates in an in-person celebration event on December 1st to reveal the mystery diagnosis.

Each registered participant will receive a Medical Mystery T-shirt delivered to their school. Participants will watch the videos via Google Classroom. These will be recorded by WSU Health Sciences programs and will include a clue and activity. Using deductive reasoning skills, participants will work throughout the month to discover the cause of the medical mystery.

Participants are able to watch the clue videos on their own time, while also having the opportunity to submit questions throughout the week through the Google Classroom link.  When the clues are revealed, they will include a task for students to complete. Students are encouraged to submit recorded video, photos or written email in the Medical Mystery Google Classroom link to show their participation.

On Friday, December 1st, students will have a chance to make a diagnosis and see if they're correct at the in-person celebration at the downtown campus of WSU Spokane.  This celebration will include a STEM bag, dinner and a Financial Literacy event for students.

***Space and supplies for the Medical Mystery Series are limited to 150 students. Because this is an online event, there will not be a waiting list.***

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff -

Tickets are now on sale to the general public for the 2023 Battle of the Bell football game between Mt. Spokane and Mead High School! We are expecting a sold out crowd at Union Stadium, so don’t wait to check out the information below on how to purchase your tickets. 

Game Information
Varsity Football: Mt. Spokane HS (visiting team) vs. Mead HS (home team)
Friday, October 27, 2022 at 7 p.m.
Union Stadium - 12509 N Market St, Mead WA 99021
* Also televised locally on SWX

Ticket + Attendance Information
Tickets are now available for purchase on the “Tickets” page at https://mead.hometownticketing.com/embed/all.

• Up to four (4) tickets allowed for purchase per account
• Students with current ASB designation on Student ID card and GSL Sports Pass Holders do not need to purchase tickets to attend. Simply show the ID or Sports Pass at the gate to enter.
• Please accompany students 8th grade and younger with an adult if attending the game
• No outside food/drink and no re-entry allowed.
• Purses, diaper bags and clear bags are allowed. 
• No backpacks are allowed, and all bags are subject to search.
• No RV or trailer parking in the paved lots.
• Carpooling is encouraged.

Click here for the parking and entrance map for Union Stadium.

Fill the Bus Donation Drive
Mead High School and Mt. Spokane High School are also collaborating on a food donation drive to benefit the Mead Food Bank. If you wish to contribute, please bring non-perishable food items to the upper parking lot on the south side of Union Stadium just behind the press box to help “Fill the Bus!”

https://mead.hometownticketing.com/embed/all

Dear Mead School District Families - 

Here’s one final reminder for no late start TOMORROW, Wednesday, October 11, 2023 for all Grades K-12! Please be mindful that tomorrow we will be on the regular (M, T, Th, F) schedule for both bus pickup and school start time that day, as stated here:

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 School Start Time Schedule

• Elementary (Grades K-5): 9:00 a.m.
• Middle School (Grades 6-8): 7:55 a.m.
• High School (Grades 9-12): 8:00 a.m.
• *All buses will run on the regular (M, T, Th, F) schedule

This change in schedule is due to parent-teacher conferences week at the elementary level. It allows K-5 students to maximize their instructional day before the K-5 early release at 12:45 p.m. to begin their conferences. Due to that, all K-12 must be on the regular schedule to allow for our buses to run all routes for all grades. 

For elementary only: Early Release Wednesday, October 11th at 12:45 p.m., and no school on Thursday-Friday, October 12-13.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

This message is a friendly reminder that there is no school this Friday, Oct. 6. This day is reserved as a Learning Improvement Day (LID) for our teachers and staff to engage in professional development activities. 

Next week, please note that there will be NO Late Start on Wednesday, Oct. 11. This means school and bus pick-up will start at the normal (M, T, Th, F) time on Oct. 11. Elementary Conferences begin Wednesday with a half-day for K-5 students, followed by no school for K-5 students on Thursday, Oct. 12 and Friday, Oct. 13.

For reference, the full academic calendar can be found on any school or district website under the Academics dropdown menu, or by clicking here.

We hope you enjoy the long weekend and know that our staff is working hard to ensure high levels of learning for all students.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

If you received a call from Nutrition Services about a negative meal balance on your child’s account earlier this evening (Tuesday, Oct. 3), please ignore it. That message was inadvertently sent to many of you who may have positive or zero balances on your child’s meal account. For the up-to-date balance, visit the PowerSchool Parent Portal and click on Purchases and Payments. We’re sorry for the inadvertent message and any inconvenience caused by it. 

Dear Elementary Families - 

The deadline for registration is Thursday, Oct. 5, for Session 2 of the SYSA Elementary (K-5) After School Sports program! Dates, times, locations and how to register can be found at the link below. For questions, contact Spokane Youth Sports Association directly at receptionist@sysa.com. 

Register your child for Mead After School Sports Program here!

Registration Deadlines:
Session 2 - October 5 (Session runs from Oct 16-Nov 10):
Please note that transportation info for the After School Sports Program will be sent after the registration deadlines to all participants who are registered.

Paid Lead Coaches and Volunteers Needed!
Lead coaches and volunteers are needed, and no prior coaching experience is required. The lead coach of these four-week sessions will be paid $640, and SYSA provides age-appropriate program curriculum and equipment for each practice session.

Kindergarten & 1st Grade students, Mondays, 3:20-5:00 pm 
2nd & 3rd Graders students, Wednesdays, 3:20-5:00 pm
4th & 5th Graders students, Tuesdays/Thursdays, 3:20-5:00 pm 

Volunteer assistant coaches are also assigned to help with starting the program and aid with curriculum. If you are interested in more information about coaching or volunteer for SYSA After-School Sports, click here to submit your information.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

We are passing along the following information as a courtesy. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will be conducting a national test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) tomorrow (Wednesday, October 4) at approximately 11:20am PT.

All major U.S. wireless providers will transmit the national test to their subscribers over the course of 30 minutes with each phone receiving the test once. During this 30-minute test window cell phones that are switched on and within range of an active cell tower should be capable of receiving the test message.

Classroom and building operations during this 30-minutes test window could be impacted by student and staff cell phones alerting when they receive the message.

More info on the test below.

FEMA Video on National Test (1:38 in length)

IPAWS National Test 2023 Page

FEMA Press Release on National Test – August 3, 2023

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff - 

The following is courtesy information from Spokane Public Schools about attending events at the new ONE Spokane Stadium in downtown Spokane. 

ONE Spokane Stadium: Know Before You Go!

TRANSPORTATION

• The stadium is serviced by Spokane Transit routes – 11, 26, 27, and 28. Most routes run until 11 p.m., but riders should visit spokanetransit.com for route confirmation and more information.

PARKING

• Free parking for Spokane Public Schools (SPS) events in PFD Lots A, B, and D.
  • A parking pass must be displayed on your dashboard to avoid a potential fine. Parking passes will also be available to pick up at the stadium ticket office.
  • Free parking is valid one hour before and after SPS events.

TICKETS

• Free admission for GSL Season Pass holders.
• Single game tickets can be purchased at TicketsWest.com or at the stadium ticket window (cash and credit card accepted).  
• Single game tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults (kids younger than high school attend for free with an adult)

Please note: a 10% processing fee will be applied regardless of how a ticket is purchased.

SECURITY

• As at the Arena and Podium, there is a clear bag policy, which allows guests to carry:
  • One clear plastic or vinyl bag no larger than 14” x 14” x 6”.
  • Small clutch bags no larger than 6.5″ x 4.5″ (does not have to be clear).
  • Clear one-gallon zip-top storage bags. 
• No backpacks are allowed. 
• Exceptions for medically necessary items or single-compartment diaper bags (child must be present) will be made.

IMPORTANT TIPS:

• All concessions stands are cashless
• No food or outside drink; competing student athletes may bring bottled water
• No umbrellas
• No strollers
• Service animals only

For more information, please visit ONESpokaneStadium.com.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

The Mead School District is hosting an informational parents night for the families of students who access special education services in our district. At this event, families will have a chance to hear a presentation from Mary McDirmid, ChSNC, of Special Abilities Network about Special Needs Financial Planning! Check out the attached flyer below for much more information! 

The event is open to the families of Mead School District students ages 3-21 who access Special Education Services on October 26th at 5 p.m. at a central location To Be Determined. Location information will be communicated as soon as it is confirmed. The event will also be available live on Zoom for those not able to attend in person. .

Childcare will be provided! If you would like to access childcare at the event please scan the QR code on the flyer.

Save the date!

Dear Mead School District Elementary Families - 

The Mead School District Learning and Teaching Department would like to share information regarding upcoming parent teacher conferences that will take place on October 11-13 in all of our elementary schools. Parents will receive information from each child’s school with a link to sign up for a conference time

This year, these conferences will take place in person. Families may let their classroom teacher know if meeting virtually is necessary. 

Conferences are a valuable resource for parents and teachers alike. They provide an opportunity to build strong communication channels between home and school. Information provided by families during conferences also assists teachers in creating the most effective learning environment possible for each student. 

Conferences take place twice each school year. This first conference will be used to set the stage for the year, with parents/guardians and teachers talking through ways to ensure success for that student. The next conference - taking place in February - is another opportunity for parents/guardians to learn more about their child’s progress. 

Each set of conferences takes place over a three-day period. 

In honoring families who have special circumstances, we do have procedures in place for those of you that need multiple conference times. Please contact the school for assistance. 

If you have other questions, please contact our Learning and Teaching Department at 465-6000.

Dear Mead School District Community -

As shared in my Superintendent Entry Plan, one of my primary goals in these first few months (and throughout this first year) is to do a lot of listening. I have much to learn! I look forward to hosting a number of small group meetings to share some dialogue with parents and community members about our schools. Perhaps you’re interested in hearing about some of the great things going on around the district, or maybe you‘d like to learn a little more about what’s on my mind as the school year gets under way. I know this, I would love to hear what’s on your mind and have an opportunity to answer (or find answers to) your questions.

Please use the QR code or URL below to access a booking page to sign up for one of these small-group opportunities. For those interested in connecting in the morning (7:30 AM to 8:30 AM), you’ll see a sign up for “Coffee and Conversation.”  For those who would like to share some dialogue over lunch (11:30 AM to 12:30 PM), there’s “Soup with the Superintendent.”

There are a number of open dates in the coming weeks for groups of up to 15 people. If there’s strong interest in these initial event dates and they fill up quickly, I’ll be happy to add some additional dates. I am excited to sit down with people in the Mead community and have meaningful conversations about our students and the future of this district!

To sign up for Coffee and Conversation or Soup with the Superintendent, scan the QR code or visit http://bit.ly/meadsupt!

Travis Hanson, Superintendent
Mead School District

Dear Mead School District Grades 6-12 Families - 

Please see the following reminder about Optional Chromebook Insurance. The deadline to purchase is this Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.

As part of our learning program, the Mead School District provides Chromebook access to all students. This device is the property of the Mead School District, and families have the opportunity to enroll in the district’s optional Chromebook Insurance Program (CIP). For Grades K-5 (excludes Mead Learning Options), please note that Chromebook Insurance is NOT being offered for K-5 students, as these students’ Chromebooks will be managed like other K-5 classroom materials.

While not mandatory, this insurance program is highly recommended as it provides coverage in the event the device is lost or damaged. With the insurance, the first incident is covered in full. After the first incident, the family is responsible for full replacement of the damaged device, part or power cord. Associated fees listed in the flyer linked below.

• Secondary (6-12) Chromebook Insurance Flyer

Annual cost is $20 per student for the school year. (Requests for free/reduced lunch options available at your child’s school.) Fees must be paid prior to September 22, 2023. To purchase Chromebook insurance, follow the directions here: Purchasing Chromebook Insurance Using Online Payments.

Opting out of the program means families of students in Grades 6-12 (K-12 for Mead Learning Options) will be held financially responsible for the full cost of repair or replacement associated with any damaged, lost or stolen equipment. A fine will be placed on student accounts for the cost of replacing or repairing the equipment. 

Lack of action prior to September 22, 2023, will be considered an opt-out. 

Questions? Please contact your child’s school with questions on how to purchase Chromebook insurance.

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff,

The Mead School District has become aware of a troubling post that has circulated on Snapchat and shared with school administrators. The Snapchat post referred to threats to school safety, and our School Resource Officers are working closely with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office to investigate. The SCSO shared that at this time there is no specificity to the threat, it does not appear to be credible, and they are continuing to investigate the post.

We have also heard reports from other districts and several states that similar posts are circulating in their schools, too, as part of a national trend. As with every threat brought to our attention, we are closely monitoring the situation and taking it seriously. 

This situation serves as a good example of why it is important to avoid sharing posts online that refer to school safety threats. Even if they are not credible threats, they can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety for our students, families, and staff. We ask our families to monitor their children’s social media activity and speak with them about proper behavior online.

If you or your child become aware of any potential threat posted to social media or anywhere else, please notify law enforcement right away. In addition, you can call or text our Report A Concern line at 509.381.0360, or submit a SafeSchools alert here.

As always, thank you for your partnership as we work to ensure a safe, secure, and positive learning environment for our students.

Dear Mead School District K-6 Families, 

On behalf of Hooptown Youth League Basketball and for those interested, the link below contains more information on the Hooptown Youth League and how to register. The deadline for registration is this Friday, Sept. 15. Have a great season! 

Hooptown Youth League

Please direct questions to: hyl@spokanehoopfest.net.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

This is a reminder that our Wednesday Late Start schedule begins tomorrow, Sept. 13. School will begin 40 minutes later than normal on Wednesdays. Bus routes will also run 40 minutes later than normal, so please plan accordingly. 

• Elementary (Grades K-5) Wednesday: school begins at 9:40 a.m.
• Middle School (Grades 6-8) Wednesday: school begins at 8:35 a.m.
• High School (Grades 9-12) Wednesday: school begins at 8:40 a.m.

Schools will open their doors at the normal time on Wednesdays with supervision available for students who need additional support. This time frame until they transition to breakfast or class lineup will be supervised, but not structured with activities.

Wednesday Late Start does not apply to students in Mead Learning Options programs, including North Star, Five Mile Prairie, Mead Virtual Program, Aspire or Outdoor School. Students in those programs will begin at their normal start time. 

For High School students who attend Skills Center Programs on Wednesday: Each Wednesday, students can board a bus at 8:25 a.m. at Mead High School or Mt. Spokane High School to travel to their program of study at NEWTech Skills Center. Administrators and teachers at NEWTech Skills Center will accommodate our students for any missed time on Wednesdays.

For High School students who attend Zero Hour Courses on Wednesday: Classes start at 7:50 a.m. (edited from originally communicated 8 a.m.) and run until 8:30 a.m.

Bell Schedules for Grades 6-8 and 9-12 are available on school websites at the links below:

• Mead High School
• Mt. Spokane High School
• Highland Middle School
• Mountainside Middle School
• Northwood Middle School

Good afternoon Midway, Northwood and Mt. Spokane Families - 

This afternoon, we received a report of a pair of moose seen in the Blackhawk Drive area, south of Midway Elementary. Since you may have a child riding a bus into that area, we wanted to let you know that it has been reported to WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, our bus drivers are aware, and you may meet your child at the bus stop if you’d like. Thank you for your support and partnership!

Re:  Student Injuries and Insurance
 2023-2024 School Year

Dear Parent/Legal Guardian:

The safety of our students is of critical importance to all of us and we want to protect them from injury. Even so, accidents do happen (at school and elsewhere) and required medical care can be expensive. Please know that your school does not assume responsibility for such costs but does offer you access to several student accident insurance plans for voluntary purchase. Details can be found in the linked brochure/enrollment form from Myers-Stevens & Toohey & Co. here: Student Accident & Sickness Plan.

Options are available to cover your child 24/7, anywhere in the world or you can limit coverage to school-related injuries only. The plans do not restrict your choice of doctors or hospitals. However, you will also have access to an extensive network of providers with discounted fees. Seeking care through contracted providers may further reduce your out-of-pocket costs, particularly if your child needs surgery or hospitalization.

Also offered is the pay-as-you-go Student Accident & Sickness Plan which covers sickness as well as injury, in and out of school. The Dental Accident plan can be of particular value with younger students as final treatment to injured teeth often needs to be deferred until after they mature.

Common emergency benefits – Regardless of the benefit level selected, all of the accident medical plans and the Student Accident & Sickness Plan will cover eligible charges for Ambulance, Emergency Room and Emergency Room Physician at 100% of Usual, Customary and Reasonable charges (UCR) up to plan limits.

Enhanced benefits for qualified concussions – If an insured student suffers a concussion while participating in any covered activity and is consequently removed from play from his/her interscholastic sport per the school’s formal concussion protocols, then any deductible or inside limit features of the plan are waived and eligible charges for the evaluation and treatment of the concussion are paid at 100% of UCR subject to remaining policy terms and conditions.

Interscholastic Sports – Please know that all plans offered (other than the Dental Accident Plan) may be used to comply with applicable state and local insurance requirements for participation in interscholastic sports (coverage for high school tackle football is offered on a stand-alone basis).

You are strongly encouraged to carefully review the information provided. If your child already has health coverage, the student insurance plans offered can also be used to expand your choice of providers and help cover the high deductibles and 30% to 40% cost sharing obligations imposed by many health plans today.

To enroll, please visit www.myers-stevens.com; instructions for enrollment are available on the website.  While your child is eligible to enroll at any time, one-time-pay rates for the accident medical plans and Dental Accident Plan are the same regardless of enrollment date. As such, you are encouraged to consider enrollment now in order to include coverage for this summer and the full 2023-2024 School Year. Once processing is completed, an ID card verifying coverage will be mailed home to you.

 If you have any questions concerning the coverages available or need help with enrollment, please call Myers-Stevens & Toohey at (800) 827-4695. Bilingual representatives are available for parents who need assistance in Spanish.

Dear Mead School District K-6 Families, 

On behalf of Hooptown Youth League Basketball and for those interested, the link below contains more information on the Hooptown Youth League and links to register prior to the September 15th registration deadline. Have a great season! 

Hooptown Youth League

Please direct questions to: hyl@spokanehoopfest.net.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

Welcome to the 2023-24 School Year, let's rock it together! Enjoy your Labor Day off on Monday, and we'll see you for the first day of Grades 1-12 on Tuesday, Sept. 5th (Kindergarten and Transition to Kindergarten begin on Friday, Sept. 8th; Preschool starts on Monday, Sept. 11). Here are some helpful links and information:

• Login to Powerschool here to check grades, add money to lunch accounts, purchase Chromebook insurance and more.
• For bus riders, find your route, stop locations and pickup/dropoff times here.
• Links to student illness guidelines and healthcare plans/forms can be found here.
• Find Lunch Menus here.
• Find the 2023-24 Academic Calendar here.

Please note: this week, there is NO late start on Wednesday. School will begin at the normal time on Wednesday, Sept. 6. Late Start Wednesdays will begin next week on Sept. 13. 

Much more information is available on the Mead School District homepage here, or find your child's school homepage on the school directory here.

Dear Families of Mead School District Bus Riders -

The Mead School District Transportation Department would like to invite you to utilize our new Bus GPS-connected smartphone application. This app, called MyView, replaces our previous app, Stopfinder, after many of you shared issues you had experienced in the launch phase last spring. Our department was able to take the feedback shared and research a new option to provide you with the ability to stay updated on your child’s school bus location. The application is optional and not required for parents. MyView can also send you push notifications or text message alerts when your student swipes their student ID card onto and off of their assigned bus. To get registered, follow the instructions below to be ready to receive geo-location alerts, arrivals and departures once school starts next week! (Please note: Only the primary email address on file for each account will receive this initial invitation. Please forward this email to other parents, guardians or caretakers). 

The setup process is available in two formats, a how-to video or a step-by-step PDF linked below. The process should take between 5-15 minutes to set up the MyView application. The following items will be needed during this process:

• The Mead School District's MyView code: MEA9290
• Your student’s (five-digit) Power School ID, which can be found next to their name in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. For Kindergarten or new families, instructions on setting up your Parent Portal are also at the following link just below the sign in button here: https://meadschools.powerschool.com/public/home.html
• The route number that your student rides during the year, including the Monday through Friday route, the Wednesday Late Start Route and any potential snow routes. This information was sent in a separate email from the Transportation Department.

Once you have located your student’s ID number and bus route number, download the Zonar MyView app at the Google Play Store on Android devices and the App Store for iOS.

Next, you can begin the setup process by following the instructions either on our How-To PDF here, or via this video.

For issues connecting your students or bus route numbers in the app, please call the Transportation Department at (509) 465-6107 or email transportation@mead354.org. 

Dear Mead School District Families - 

As part of our learning program, the Mead School District provides Chromebook access to all students. This device is the property of the Mead School District, and families have the opportunity to enroll in the district’s optional Chromebook Insurance Program (CIP). For Grades K-5 (excludes Mead Learning Options), please note that Chromebook Insurance is NOT being offered for K-5 students, as these students’ Chromebooks will be managed like other K-5 classroom materials.

While not mandatory, this insurance program is highly recommended as it provides coverage in the event the device is lost or damaged. With the insurance, the first incident is covered in full. After the first incident, the family is responsible for full replacement of the damaged device, part or power cord. Associated fees listed in the flyer linked below.

• Secondary (6-12) Chromebook Insurance Flyer
• Mead Learning Options (K-12) Chromebook Insurance Flyer
  • MLO includes North Star School, Five Mile Prairie School Elementary and Secondary, Mead Virtual Program 6-12, Mead Outdoor School

Annual cost is $20 per student for the school year. (Requests for free/reduced lunch options available at your child’s school.) Fees must be paid prior to September 22, 2023. To purchase Chromebook insurance, follow the directions here: Purchasing Chromebook Insurance Using Online Payments.

Opting out of the program means families of students in Grades 6-12 (K-12 for Mead Learning Options) will be held financially responsible for the full cost of repair or replacement associated with any damaged, lost or stolen equipment. A fine will be placed on student accounts for the cost of replacing or repairing the equipment. 

Lack of action prior to September 22, 2023, will be considered an opt-out. 

Questions? Please contact your child’s school with questions on how to purchase Chromebook insurance.

Dear Mead School District Families, 

Mead School District Nutrition Services welcomes you to the 2023-24 school year. This important newsletter linked below includes beneficial information for all families in our district, including meal payment procedures, free/reduced meal qualifications and forms, and meal prices, which remained the same as last year. Please read through the entire linked document for information pertaining to your family.  

2023-24 Nutrition Services Information Packet (PDF)

For questions regarding meals or Nutrition Services, please email nutrition@mead354.org or call (509) 465-6100.

Thank you,

Mead School District Nutrition Services

With air quality index (AQI) readings in our area currently in the “unhealthy” range above 150, the Mead School District is moving all outdoor athletics and activities practices to inside spaces for Tuesday, Aug. 22. Students and parents should consult building websites for information about the updated schedule for Tuesday. Coaches and band directors will also be pushing out information about Tuesday’s schedule. 

District officials will continue to monitor the air quality while keeping the health and safety of our students the priority. With the unpredictable nature of air quality moving forward through this week and prior to school starting, communication regarding any changes to athletics/activities practice locations or schedules will be shared out directly from individual athletic directors, coaches or band directors.  

Please also see the information below, which is used to guide our district’s decision-making team as the poor air quality continues to impact our region.

———

When wildfires impact air quality in our region, district officials closely monitor conditions and seek to make timely determinations about recess, PE, outdoor learning experiences and extra-curricular activities. Ultimately, decisions are based on information from a variety of local and regional sources, including Air Quality Index information available at airnow.gov. The Washington Children and Youth Activities Guide for Air Quality (available below from the Department of Health), offers health recommendations intended to protect children and youth from fine particle air pollution. The guide is used to make decisions for all practices, games, afterschool programs, field trips and any other outdoor programming or activities where any period of time is spent outside in potentially unhealthy conditions.

As you’ll see in the guide, there are four specific air quality ratings ranging from “Good” to “Unhealthy, Very Unhealthy, or Hazardous.” However, within each of those index ratings, school officials are also asked to consider both activity duration and the relative intensity of the activity when making decisions about activities. After consulting the guide published by the Dept. of Health, decision-making teams also consider a number of questions in their process, including AQI hourly trends, alternate site options, individual health conditions and more. 

Parents are always encouraged to consider the conditions of their neighborhood school and any special circumstances or needs of their students to determine whether to keep their children home from school or activities during adverse conditions.* *NOTE: Asthma Care Plans are followed regardless of air quality for all levels of activity. When air quality is diminished, individuals should pay special attention to their Asthma Care Plan.

With air quality index (AQI) readings in our area currently well above the “hazardous” range, the Mead School District is moving all outdoor athletics and activities practices to inside spaces for Monday, Aug. 21. Students and parents should consult school websites for information about the updated schedule for Monday. Coaches and band directors will also be pushing out information about Monday’s schedule. The forecast calls for the possibility of minor improvements heading into Tuesday, but we’ll continue to monitor the air quality while keeping the health and safety of our students the priority. 

When wildfires impact air quality in our region, district officials closely monitor conditions and seek to make timely determinations about recess, PE, outdoor learning experiences and extra-curricular activities. Ultimately, decisions are based on information from a variety of local and regional sources, including Air Quality Index information available at airnow.gov. The Washington Children and Youth Activities Guide for Air Quality (available below from the Department of Health), offers health recommendations intended to protect children and youth from fine particle air pollution. The guide is used to make decisions for all practices, games, afterschool programs, field trips and any other outdoor programming or activities where any period of time is spent outside in potentially unhealthy conditions.

As you’ll see in the guide, there are four specific air quality ratings ranging from “Good” to “Unhealthy, Very Unhealthy, or Hazardous.” However, within each of those index ratings, school officials are also asked to consider both activity duration and the relative intensity of the activity when making decisions about activities. After consulting the guide published by the Dept. of Health, decision-making teams also consider a number of questions in their process, including AQI hourly trends, alternate site options, individual health conditions and more. 

Parents are always encouraged to consider the conditions of their neighborhood school and any special circumstances or needs of their students to determine whether to keep their children home from school or activities during adverse conditions.* *NOTE: Asthma Care Plans are followed regardless of air quality for all levels of activity. When air quality is diminished, individuals should pay special attention to their Asthma Care Plan.

Please note this is the full version of information for all grade levels. Emails were sent to Elementary, Middle and High School Families with only the portions pertinent to those grades levels or information that applies to all.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

Welcome to the 2023-24 school year! We are looking forward to a great year ahead. Please read carefully below for some important information for all students and their families. Your child’s school principal will communicate school-specific information with you.

Important Notes and Information

• General, non-urgent communications from the district level (not school-specific) will be sent via email, while urgent communications such as late start, delayed start, school cancellation or emergency will be sent via email, robo-call and text message.
• Grades 1-12 start school on Sept. 5.
• Kindergarten and Transition-to-Kindergarten start school on Sept. 8.
• ECEAP and Developmental Preschool start on Sept. 11.
• Late Start Wednesday Information (does not apply to students in Mead Learning Options programs – North Star, Five Mile Prairie, MVP, Mead Outdoor School)
  • School will start 40 minutes later on Wednesdays again this year, with the exception of the following dates. These instances will be communicated multiple times leading up to each date.
    • September 6
    • October 11
    • January 24
    • February 14
    • June 12
  • Please note the first Wednesday (Sept. 6) will be a normal start school day, and the first Late Start Wednesday will be Sept. 13. 
  • For Wednesday Late Start beginning on Sept. 13, if an elementary student needs supervision, parents can drop their child off at the school beginning at 9 a.m. This time frame until they transition to breakfast or class lineup will be supervised, but not structured with activities.
  • Grades 9-12 Zero Hour Courses on Wednesday
    • Teachers of zero hours courses will meet with their students to discuss Wednesday mornings and how they will be impacted due to the late start. More information will be sent home, via email, from your student’s high school. 
  • Grades 9-12 Skills Center Programs on Wednesday
    • Each Wednesday, students must board a bus at 8:25 a.m. at Mead High School or Mt. Spokane High School to travel to their program of study at NEWTech Skills Center.
    • Administrators and teachers at NEWTech Skills Center will accommodate our students for any missed time on Wednesdays. 
• Transportation will be contacting all families of registered bus riders with route and stop information in the coming week. Please be on the lookout! 
  • All bus riders must register each year, so if you still need to register a bus rider, click here.
  • Bus Arrival Times
    • Elementary (Grades K-5) All of our buses are scheduled to arrive at their respective schools around 8:50 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Wednesday Late Start (beginning Sept. 13), the buses will arrive around 9:30 a.m
  • Middle School (Grades 6-8)
    • Highland Middle School:
      • 7:40 a.m. Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri.
      • 8:20 a.m. on Wed. (beginning Sept. 13)
    • Mountainside Middle School:
      • 7:40 a.m. on Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri.
      • 8:15 a.m. on Wed. (beginning Sept. 13)
    • Northwood Middle School:
      • 7:30 a.m. on Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri.
      • 8:15 a.m. on Wed. (beginning Sept. 13)
  • High School (Grades 9-12)
    • 7:40 a.m. on Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri
    • 8:25 a.m. on Wednesday (beginning Sept. 13)
  • Bell Schedules for Grades 6-8 and 9-12 are available on school websites.
    • Mead High School
    • Mt. Spokane High School
    • Highland Middle School
    • Mountainside Middle School
    • Northwood Middle School
• Nutrition Services: 
  • Nutrition Services will be emailing a packet of information with meal details, meal prices and more information soon.
• The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service, click here to learn more and see if you qualify.
• Find a hub of Back to School dates, times and info here or visit District Academic Calendar in printable PDF here.

Have a great year! 

In July, Mead families received a ThoughtExchange survey regarding technology use in schools. The response was fantastic! We received more than 500 “thoughts” and 16,000-plus ratings on those “thoughts”. The level of participation is yet another excellent example of the commitment our families have to informing and supporting our efforts as we prepare students for the future. We value your voice and appreciate your partnership.

The Technology Advisory Committee, made up of six parents/guardians and six staff members, has been analyzing the data collected, sifting through the thoughts and ratings to identify the main themes, desired outcomes, and action steps. As the committee unpacks the results in a thoughtful and purposeful way, we wanted to share the themes that came through and the next steps for developing near-term and long-term action items.

Here’s a summary of what we heard from you:

• Balanced Technology Use:  Technology can provide increased convenience and efficiency and is a powerful tool when used to provide targeted, intentional instructional experiences. Yet, it is vitally important that schools constantly monitor and manage student screen time, attending to developmental appropriateness and ensuring ongoing dedication to hands-on teaching and learning. 
• Safety & Security:  Deepen existing commitment to robust monitoring and filtering of online activity in our schools; use best of breed tools and applications to provide safeguards and maximize security. Maintain clear expectations for responsible use of technology.
• Learning and Skills: Students must develop the skills and healthy habits necessary to use technology responsibly, ethically and effectively. Teaching age-appropriate digital citizenship/digital literacy standards is essential for our students. 
• Parental Involvement: Teachers, administrators, and parents have a shared responsibility in teaching and attending to the appropriate use of technology, prevention of access to inappropriate content, cyberbullying and other negative online issues. 
• Click here for a PDF of the data and top-rated thoughts from the ThoughtExchange survey. 

When reading through the results of the survey, each of the above topics included concerns and solutions regarding both cell phone use and chromebook use, both at home and at school. These two types of technology each represent their own unique challenges as well. Of course, Chromebooks are a school-provided and managed tech tool, while cell phones are personal devices and not managed in any way by the school district (yet, they do present school-day challenges for school employees to navigate).

It is important for us to move forward with timely near-term changes as we head into the school year, while also developing effective long-term processes and technology use expectations. Our action plan for tackling these very complex challenges and concerns begins now with (1) identifying age-appropriate digital citizenship materials, (2) refining our responsible use expectations district-wide, (3) developing parent resources, and (4) sharing a district-wide look at our current monitoring, filtering and technology safety program.

The Technology Advisory Committee and district administrators will keep the dialogue open with regular progress updates and information. Thank you again for sharing your voice and your support of the Mead School District.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

Did you know that you must register your student to ride the bus each year? If your child is new to the district or isn't yet registered to ride the bus in advance of the upcoming school year, please click the link below! 

2023-24 Bus Registration Form - Registration form is required to be completed for each student within a household.

Please note that the Transportation Department will be in contact with route and stop location information in late August.

Transportation Resources

• Transportation Homepage
• Transportation FAQ
• 2023-24 Academic Calendar

Questions? Please contact Transportation Services
Phone: 509-465-6107
Email: transportation@mead354.org

Dear Elementary Families - 

Fall Registration is open for Elementary (K-5) After School Sports through the Mead School District's partnership with SYSA for Sessions 1 and 2 this Fall! Dates, times, locations and how to register can be found at the link below. For questions, contact Spokane Youth Sports Association directly at receptionist@sysa.com. 

Mead After School Sports Program

Registration Deadlines:
Session 1 - August 31 (Session runs from Sept 11-Oct 6)
Session 2 - October 5 (Session runs from Oct 16-Nov 10):
Please note that transportation info for the After School Sports Program will be sent after the registration deadlines to all participants who are registered.

Dear Mead School District Community -  

Here's a friendly reminder that tomorrow -- Wednesday, Aug. 2nd -- Mead School District is hosting a Job Fair for both teaching and support staff positions, like bus drivers, custodians, paraeducators, cooks and more! The drop-in event will be on from 3-5:30 pm at the Northwood Middle School Commons (12908 N Pittsburg). This event has been moved from its previous location of Union Event Center.

All Schools and Departments from the district will be in attendance to provide you an opportunity to learn more about what is happening around the District. An Application Station will also be available with computers and HR staff to help you complete the application process on site. Don't miss out on a chance to explore your career options with Mead School District. 

We look forward to welcoming you to the job fair and helping you on the journey toward a fulfilling career supporting students in our district. Positions are open now, don't hesitate to apply at mead354.org/jobs.

Dear Mead School District Families,

Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits for summer months are now available to eligible K-12 students enrolled in our school district. P-EBT is money for help buying groceries while schools are closed.

There is no need to apply to receive these benefits. Each eligible student will receive benefits on an EBT card. If the student has an existing card, no new card will be issued, but the family will receive a notification letter. If this is a new benefit, the student will receive a card in the mail. Please make sure your address is correct with your school office. If your eligible student received P-EBT benefits last year and you have an address change or lost card, please call 1-833-518-0282.

Benefits are available to students who are:

• eligible for free and reduced-price school meals AND
• enrolled in our school district
• attend a CEP school - Creekside, Farwell, Evergreen, Shiloh Hills elementary schools  

Information will be provided with the card on how to decline benefits. These benefits are not transferable and cannot be gifted or donated. If you have not applied for meal benefits and think your family would qualify, please submit an application at mead.familyportal.cloud and click on Apply for Benefits.

Do you have any questions about P-EBT? If so, call the P-EBT Contact Center at 1-833-518-0282 or visit www.dshs.wa.gov/pebt.

Sincerely,

Nutrition Services

Dear Elementary Families - 

Fall Registration for Elementary (K-5) After School Sports through the Mead School District's partnership with SYSA is open for Sessions 1 and 2 this Fall! Dates, times, locations and how to register can be found at the link below. For questions, contact Spokane Youth Sports Association directly at receptionist@sysa.com. 

Mead After School Sports Program

Registration Deadlines:
Session 1 - August 31 (Session runs from Sept 11-Oct 6)
Session 2 - October 5 (Session runs from Oct 16-Nov 10):
Please note that transportation info for the After School Sports Program will be sent after the registration deadlines to all participants who are registered.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

Thank you to all who have chimed in on our ThoughtExchange conversation about student use of technology in our schools! This is a friendly reminder to join if you haven’t already, or if you have, return to the platform to see what else has been shared and rate more comments. 

As we mentioned in our initial launch of the ThoughtExchange platform, the power is not simply in gathering input and feedback, but in the way the platform allows participants to apply ratings to thoughts. We hope you’ll participate by leaving some thoughts and then spending some time viewing and rating thoughts from other parents/guardians. It’s important to point out that all feedback and all ratings are submitted anonymously.

It’s only open through this Thursday, June 22, so join the conversation, check out new thoughts and see what has resonated the most with our community here: https://tejoin.com/scroll/703648599

Available for translation at the link above in a number of additional languages!

Dear Mead School District Families - 

With summer right around the corner, below are some resources and information that we thought you might find helpful! 

Free Meals For Kids

Healthy, nutritious meals for kids younger than 18 years old are available at two nearby locations. There is no cost or sign-up required.

• Monday through Friday
  • June 26-Sept. 1: Boys & Girls Club, 13120 N Pittsburg St.
    •  Breakfast at 8:30-9:30 a.m. & Lunch Noon-1 p.m.
  • July 10-August 11: Shiloh Hills Elementary, 505 E Stonewall Ave.
    •  Breakfast at 9-9:30 a.m. & Lunch Noon-1 p.m.

Summer Camps in Mead School District

Camps in our district are available for a variety of sports and activities across ages ranging from preschool to high school. Age availability varies by camp.

• Mead High School Summer Camps
• Mt. Spokane High School
• Mead Summer STEM Academy
• Mt. Spokane Kids Culinary Camp

Local Summer Camps and Activities

• Visit Spokane Local List (camps at this link are not sponsored by Mead School District and provided only as a courtesy, please reach out to each respective organization with questions)

Summer Preparedness Info from Spokane Regional Health District

• Extreme Heat Preparedness  
• Wildfire Smoke Readiness
• Swimming Safety
• Summer Pests and Bugs

And don’t forget to check off a couple of those To-Do’s before summer gets away…

• Bus registration is required for each student each year, so get your child registered to ride now for 2023-24, which will help our Transportation Department plan ahead! Link here.
• If you have an incoming kindergartener or a new student to the district, enrollment is open here.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

You’ll hear more in the coming weeks about our new partnership with ThoughtExchange, a platform designed to help us gain valuable insight and feedback from our community that leads to action! We are excited to launch our first ThoughtExchange on behalf of the Technology Advisory Committee (TAC). The TAC is made up of six parent volunteers and six staff members from around the district. Please check out this quick video to learn more about this group and why it is important to take part in the ThoughtExchange.

Click here for a video message from the TAC!

This first ThoughtExchange is centered on student use of technology in our schools. ThoughtExchange often says their platform is “…like a survey, but better,” as the power is not simply in gathering input and feedback, but in the way the platform allows participants to apply ratings to thoughts. We hope you’ll participate by leaving some thoughts and then spending some time viewing and rating thoughts from other parents/guardians. It’s important to point out that all feedback and all ratings are submitted anonymously.

The ThoughtExchange platform is highly intuitive, and with excellent participation, can help give us a clearer picture of where we need to go from here. Great participation includes not only entering thoughts, concerns, and ideas, but also returning to the platform multiple times over the course of a few days to rate additional thoughts shared by others - while also getting a chance to see which thoughts are receiving high ratings.

Click below to help provide input on student use of technology in our schools in relation to screen time, safety/security, instructional value, usage and more! We look forward to hearing from you, so click the following link and get started!  https://tejoin.com/scroll/703648599

Available for translation at the link above in a number of additional languages!

Dear Mead School District Families - 

Here’s one final reminder for no late start TOMORROW, Wednesday, June 14, 2023! Please be mindful that tomorrow we will be on the regular (M, T, Th, F) schedule for both bus pickup and school start time that day, as stated here:

Wednesday, June 14, 2023 School Start Time Schedule

• Elementary (Grades K-5): 9:00 a.m.
• Middle School (Grades 6-8): 7:55 a.m.
• High School (Grades 9-12): 8:00 a.m.
• *All buses will run on the regular (M, T, Th, F) schedule

This change in schedule is due to finals week at the high school level during the end of the first semester. High school finals need the full day, and due to that, all K-12 must be on the regular schedule to allow for our buses to run all routes for all grades.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

Near the start of school today our Mt. Spokane High School's lockdown alarm was tripped, and the building went into lockdown. We were able to work with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and our district networking administrator to quickly determine that there was an electrical issue that could have stemmed from last week’s thunderstorm. At no time was there a threat to Mt. Spokane High School, nor were students and staff in danger at any point. 

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office did a complete sweep of the school building out of an abundance of caution and determined that it was safe for students and staff to continue with their school day. Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies will remain at MSHS throughout the day.

We understand that situations like these can be unsettling and cause a great deal of anxiety for our staff and students. We are grateful this situation was resolved quickly. Our school is prepared to support our students if they should need to connect with our counselors or administrators regarding this incident. The safety of our students and staff is paramount, and our staff is working on remedying the electrical issue. 

Dear 6th-11th Grade Families, 

As the summer break is quickly approaching, we wanted to communicate some important information specific to your student’s Chromebook.  

To accommodate our high school Summer School program, district Chromebooks will remain “on” from Wednesday, June 21st through Friday, June 30th. Middle school and high school students, however, will not have access to the internet from 10:00pm to 6:00am during this 10-day period in June. 

Starting on Saturday, July 1st, all district Chromebooks will be disabled. “Disabled” means that Chromebooks will not be able to access the internet. While your student may see a login screen, please know that the device will not let them proceed further. 

District Chromebooks will remain disabled until Tuesday, August 1st.  When Chromebooks are enabled on August 1st, students will have the ability to access the internet with the exception of the 10:00pm to 6:00am window of time each day.  Making Chromebooks available on August 1st is a necessity for our incoming senior students as they begin the process of applying to colleges and universities.  At this time, there is no way to open up Chromebooks for one grade level or group of students. 

Enabling district Chromebooks a month before school starts does have positive benefits. Students will be asked to charge their device, turn it on, and automatically receive software updates that were available during July and into August. All these things will help support a successful start to the school year.

Thank you for your continued support!  

Dear Mead School District Families - 

Please mark your calendars for no late start on Wednesday, June 14, 2023! We’ll send an additional reminder the night before, but please be mindful that school will be on the regular (M, T, Th, F) schedule for both bus pickup and school start time that day, as stated here:

Wednesday, June 14, 2023 School Start Time Schedule

• Elementary (Grades K-5): 9:00 a.m.
• Middle School (Grades 6-8): 7:55 a.m.
• High School (Grades 9-12): 8:00 a.m.
• *All buses will run on the regular (M, T, Th, F) schedule

Please note that ECEAP and Developmental Preschool end on June 8th, so this does not apply to those programs. 

This change in schedule is due to finals week at the high school level during the end of the semester. High school finals need the full day, and due to that, all K-12 must be on the regular schedule to allow for our buses to run all routes for all grades. 

Dear Families of 9th-11th Graders - 

Students in Grades 9-11 can access high school credit recovery courses online via Edgenuity. There are no fees for families to pay this summer to participate in Summer School 2023. 

Click here to check out general information, a video from our summer school team and a PDF that contains classes offered, registration links and contacts.

Please contact our Site Administrators with any questions specific to Summer School 2023:

• Mead High School - Rick Pelkie - rick.pelkie@mead354.org
• Mt. Spokane High School - Josh Cowart - josh.cowart@mead354.org
• Mead High School - Office Line - (509) 465-7000
• Mt. Spokane High School - Office Line - (509) 465-7200

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff - 

The Weekender is just one vehicle our district utilizes to highlight some of the great things that are happening in the Mead School District. Today, we’ve got a double-dose of news to highlight with today’s DLC Olympics and Northwood Middle School teacher Dave Gamon up for a national award! Check it out! 

What a day at the DLC Olympics! 

Since 2003 – with the exception of a couple rain-outs and missed years due to COVID – the Developmental Learning Center Olympics has been going strong, and this year was no different! Our Special Education students and staff from around the district came together at Mead High School on Friday morning and rotated through 16 stations of fun events and activities. From volleyball to wiffle ball to bowling to ring toss and more, it was a day filled with smiles and pride! Tap the photo below for a whole gallery of shots from the day! 

Finalist for Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching

A huge “Congratulations!” goes out to our very own Dave Gamon for being selected as one of four teachers in Washington as a finalist for the national Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Finalists are selected by a statewide selection committee comprised of classroom teachers, school district staff, subject matter experts, and other education stakeholders. State-level finalists are recognized by state and regional math and science associations, and are invited to several state events for award-winning educators.

After being selected as state-level finalists, the national PAEMST committee will choose national awardees based on mastery of content, effective instructional approaches that support student learning, effective use of student assessments to guide learning, reflective practice and lifelong learning, and leadership and equity in education inside and outside of the classroom.

National awardees will be announced by the National Science Foundation and the White House at a later time. Those selected as national awardees will travel to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional learning experiences, receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, and accept a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff - 

This morning, community members and staff may have noticed an increased presence of law enforcement at Northwood Middle School. A call came into the Idaho State Patrol tip line about a school threat at Northwood. Law enforcement quickly determined that this threat was directed towards a school with a similar name in Indiana. We appreciate their quick response and support.  

There have been a series of hoax calls throughout the country directed at schools. We did not receive a direct call, but we will always take threats of any kind seriously and should always be vigilant. We greatly appreciate our school resource deputy and our partnership with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

As the school year winds down toward its final month, we hope you find the following reminders and information helpful! 

• Up-to-date current-year Academic Calendar. Mark your calendars with these dates: 
  • Friday, May 26 is a regular school day. It was originally scheduled as a snow make-up day that will now be used for school due to a snow day on Dec. 2.
  • Monday, May 29 - Memorial Day, no school
  • Friday, June 16 is a regular school day
  • Monday, June 19 - Juneteenth, no school
  • Tuesday, June 20 is now the last day of school due to a snow day on Feb. 28. This day will be early release with no lunch served. Grades 9-12 will be released at 10:40 a.m., Grades 6-8 will be released at 11 a.m., and Grades K-5 will be released at Noon.
• Graduation Ceremonies
  • Mead Learning Options (North Star, Five Mile Prairie, MVP, Aspire) - June 8th at 6 p.m. at Mt. Spokane HS
  • Mead High School - June 9th at 5 p.m. at McCarthey Athletic Center
  • Mt. Spokane High School - June 9th at 8 p.m. at McCarthey Athletic Center
• Enrollment
  • Enrollment is open now for incoming Kindergarteners at www.mead354.org/enroll
  • The free Transition to Kindergarten (TTK) program is also expanding throughout the district for students who will be Age 4 on August 30 and have limited experience in preschool (subject to screening). More info here: www.mead354.org/ttk. 

And, to all of the moms out there, Happy Mother’s Day!

Dear Mead School District Middle School Families, 

Last month, you may recall that we moved to a "healthy hours" schedule with our student chromebooks to help reduce screen time and address concerns with misuse of technology. As our district continues to review and assess use of student-assigned chromebooks, we are reaching out to share that beginning this Monday, May 1st, middle school students will no longer have the capability to email one another using their district-issued email addresses. This restriction will be in place for the remainder of the 2022-23 school year, but it will not affect students' ability to email school staff, teachers or family members. 

This change will allow our technology staff and administration to take the time necessary to review expectations for students heading into the 2023-24 school year. 

Thank you for your continued support of the Mead School District. 

Dear Mead School District Families - 

The Week-Ender is just one vehicle our district utilizes to highlight some of the great things that are happening in the Mead School District. And, April is National Volunteer Month! Read on….

This Week: Celebrating National Volunteer Month with a ‘Thank You’

April is National Volunteer Month in the United States, and we’d like to take this opportunity to say “THANK YOU!” to our more than 1,700 volunteers in the Mead School District. Our students and staff are so lucky to have such unbelievable support from community members in our schools. It enhances the experiences of our students, it lends a helping hand to our staff and it shows that we are all committed to working together.

Volunteers in our district support learning activities in the classroom, chaperone events, assist with coaching, serve behind the scenes and the list goes on and on…. For all of our volunteers out there, again, “THANK YOU!”

Dear Mead School District 2nd-8th Grade Families - 

Camps at the 2023 Mead Summer STEM Academy (MSSA) are filling up fast! For students currently in 2nd through 8th grade, registration is open.

We'd like to highlight our camp called Force Olympics! In this camp, students will get to test Liquid Nitrogen cannons to measure mass, volume, pressure and force as they blow ping pong balls high into the sky! Click the link below for how to register for Force Olympics and other available camps.

Visit the MSSA Homepage here for camp schedules, information about each module and videos from camp supervisors!

Dates: July 10-13, July 17-20, July 24-27
Location:  Northwood Middle School Building, 12908 N Pittsburg, Spokane WA  99208
Time:  Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day
Cost:  $150 per module*
*Breakfast, Lunch, and Camp T-shirt are included

Each module is limited to 20 students and are for students currently in Grades 2-8 in the Mead School District. Check the camp listings at the link above to see which modules are available for each grade. Questions? Email msdstem@mead354.org.

Dear Mead School District Families,

The Mead School District looking for volunteers to help us serve students, staff and families in how we utilize and manage technology.

Technology has become a constant in our lives, even more so over the past three years of working through remote learning and the shift of access to curriculum to online platforms through our curriculum providers. As many of you know, we are a 1:1 technology district with each student assigned a Chromebook. As we take a look at what the future holds for technology usage, and in the spirit of collaboration, we are looking to put together a Technology Advisory Committee that consists of six community volunteers and six staff members. This group will serve the district by providing an avenue for parents, staff and students to share concerns regarding technology usage and management, and then work together to create solutions that address those concerns.

The deadline to apply through the form below is Friday, April 28.

Once applications are received, district administrators will review them and select six community members. The group selected will: (1) represent a geographical spread of the school district by address and school boundary area, as well as a combination of parents/guardians who represent elementary, middle school and high school students; (2) meet twice per month initially and likely move to once per month as established; and (3) decide future dates/times of subsequent meetings. The first meeting will take place at the District Office on Tuesday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m.

Submit an application here.

Dear Families of 5th-8th Graders: 

Mead School District is once again partnering with Historic Flight Foundation to bring you Flight Night, a STEMForward event, on Wednesday, April 19! This event is nearly identical as the Flight Nights held last year, so please give others a chance to participate if you've already attended. The registration is limited to 60 participants. 

Click here to register!

Participants will meet at the Historic Flight Hangar at Felts Field (5829 E Rutter Ave., Spokane, WA 99212) and explore the world of aviation. The group will tour the facility, learn about the history of aviation, do a skill-build on their own aircraft and take part in a paper airplane competition. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for check-in. At 6 p.m., we will begin with a welcome and introduction before heading into the stations of exploration until 8:00 p.m. when parents can pick up their aviators. Parents are welcome to tour the facility or enjoy a night out. For more information about HFF, visit the website at https://historicflight.org/.

If the registration link above is full, click here for the WAITING LIST.

Dear Mead School District 2nd-8th Grade Families - 

The Mead School District is excited to announce the schedule for the 2023 Mead Summer STEM Academy (MSSA) for students currently in 2nd through 8th grade! This year's theme is "Curiosity" and registration opens on Wednesday, April 12. Participants will learn about Historic, Current and Future Explorations, Robotics, Food Chemistry, Game Design, Digital Photography, Flight and Space, Nature, Planet Earth, and the Little Spokane River.

Visit the MSSA Homepage here for camp schedules, information about each module and videos from camp supervisors!

Dates: July 10-13, July 17-20, July 24-27
Location:  Northwood Middle School Building, 12908 N Pittsburg, Spokane WA  99208
Time:  Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day
Cost:  $150 per module*
*Breakfast, Lunch, and Camp T-shirt are included

Each module is limited to 20 students and are for students currently in Grades 2-8 in the Mead School District. Check the camp listings at the link above to see which modules are available for each grade. Questions? Email msdstem@mead354.org.

Registration Opens April 12, so be on the lookout tomorrow (Wednesday) at 4 p.m. for how to register!

Dear Families of Incoming Kindergarteners - 

Welcome to the Mead School District! As the parent or guardian of a recently-registered incoming kindergartener for the 2023-24 school year, we wanted to reach out to share an opportunity to hear more about our Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program at Midway Elementary School. DLI Program Directors are hosting an  informational night on April 18 from 6-7 p.m. at Midway (821 E Midway Rd, Colbert, WA 99005).

More information about the program can be found at www.mead354.org/dli.

It is not required to attend the above informational session to submit an application.

Participation in our Dual Language Immersion Program is voluntary and application is open to any incoming Kindergarteners throughout the district. Transportation is provided from each student's neighborhood school to and from Midway Elementary. Students do not need to reside in the Midway Elementary boundary to apply.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

Sending anyone interested a friendly reminder about the Outdoors For All Foundation (OFA) Adaptive Cycling event right here in our school district later this month. OFA will be on site with a trailer full of adaptive bikes for students to try out! The event will give students who may have never been able to engage in bicycle riding due to a disability an opportunity to try different adaptive bikes that meet their physical needs. OFA staff will also be available to provide information about upcoming grant opportunities and how to apply for these funding sources, which could cover as much as 100% of the adaptive equipment costs for individuals with disabilities.

Check out this video from Issaquah School District on a similar event put on by OFA or read more about OFA here.

Families wishing to attend will need to register in advance and be in attendance for the event with their child. Register early if you are interested as there are a limited number of one-hour time slots available: 

• For preschool through 5th grade students: 
  • Tuesday, April 25th at 5-8 p.m. at Mead High School Fieldhouse
• For 6th-12th grade students:
  • Friday, April 28th: 5-8 p.m. at Mt. Spokane High School Fieldhouse
• Families may register for either event regardless of student age, but it is encouraged to register for the event appropriate to the age of the student to help event organizers manage the expected turnout.

Registration and Liability Waiver
Click here to get your student registered by April 19 to help event organizers prepare: Tuesday  |  Friday

• OFA will contact registrants directly after they have completed the liability waiver to set up a time slot on the desired day chosen by the registrant. Time slots are in one-hour increments at each event: 5-6 p.m., 6-7 p.m., 7-8 p.m. If you have a specific time-slot need, please email Kyle at kyleh@outdoorsforall.org.  

Please note: for young adults outside of preschool-12th grade, Outdoors For All is putting on additional events in the Spokane area in late April. Please reach out directly to OFA for referral to these events at kyleh@outdoorsforall.org. 

Dear Families of 5th-8th Graders: 

Mead School District is once again partnering with Historic Flight Foundation to bring you Flight Night, a STEMForward event, on April 19! For those that attended Flight Night earlier this fall or last year, this event is nearly identical, so please give others a chance to participate! 

This is a courtesy email to inform those interested that a link to registration information will be emailed out this Thursday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m. If interested, please monitor your email at that time as this event has just 60 available spots for 5th-8th graders from district schools.

Participants will meet at the Historic Flight Hangar at Felts Field and explore the world of aviation. The group will tour the facility,  learn about the history of aviation, do a skill-build on their own aircraft and take part in a paper airplane competition. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for check-in.  At 6 p.m., we will begin with a welcome and introduction before heading into the stations of exploration until 8:00 p.m. when parents can pick up their aviators. Parents are welcome to tour the facility or enjoy a night out. For more information about HFF, visit the website at https://historicflight.org/.

The Mead High School Pantera Yearbook group (photo attached) won its second-ever Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Crown Award for the 2022 yearbook titled “In Case You Didn’t Know”. The CSPA is one of two national associations that oversee student journalism programs nation-wide. For those getting up-to-speed with student journalism, winning a Gold Crown is like winning the Super Bowl in the journalism world. Winning back-to-back Gold Crowns is even more rare, so much so that MHS is the ONLY school in Washington's history to ever win this national award back-to-back. 

The Pantera Yearbook crew is also a National Scholastic Pacemaker Finalist (the other national award given to the top programs across the nation). Pacemaker winners will be announced on April 21st in San Francisco this spring. Stay tuned for that! 

For more information on the CSPA Gold Crown Awards, click here. And help us wish a well-deserved congratulations to Pantera Yearbook students and Advisor Makena Busch! 

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff - 

The Outdoors For All Foundation (OFA) is putting on an Adaptive Cycling event right here in our school district in late April with a trailer full of adaptive bikes for students to try out! The event will give students who may have never been able to engage in bicycle riding due to a disability an opportunity to try different adaptive bikes that meet their physical needs. OFA staff will also be available to provide information about upcoming grant opportunities and how to apply for these funding sources, which could cover as much as 100% of the adaptive equipment costs for individuals with disabilities.

Check out this video from Issaquah School District on a similar event put on by OFA or read more about OFA here.

Families wishing to attend will need to register in advance and be in attendance for the event with their child. Register early if you are interested as there are a limited number of one-hour time slots available: 
 

• For preschool through 5th grade students: 
  • Tuesday, April 25th at 5-8 p.m. at Mead High School Fieldhouse
• For 6th-12th grade students:
  • Friday, April 28th: 5-8 p.m. at Mt. Spokane High School Fieldhouse
• Families may register for either event regardless of student age, but it is encouraged to register for the event appropriate to the age of the student to help event organizers manage the expected turnout.

Registration and Liability Waiver
Click here to get your student registered: Tuesday  |  Friday
 

• OFA will contact registrants directly after they have completed the liability waiver to set up a time slot on the desired day chosen by the registrant. Time slots are in one-hour increments at each event: 5-6 p.m., 6-7 p.m., 7-8 p.m. If you have a specific time-slot need, please email Kyle at kyleh@outdoorsforall.org.  

Please note: for young adults outside of preschool-12th grade, Outdoors For All is putting on additional events in the Spokane area in late April. Please reach out directly to OFA for referral to these events at kyleh@outdoorsforall.org. 

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff,

I am reaching out to you today with extreme sadness after a senseless act of gun violence at the Covenant School in Nashville. It is truly tragic for the families, students and staff members personally impacted, and our thoughts go out to all those faced with having difficult conversations with children concerning this horrendous act.

Each time something like this happens in a school a handful of concerned community members reach out to us for reassurance that we place student safety in the highest regard. I want to take this opportunity to outline some of the things we have in place to keep our students safe. While this list isn’t all-inclusive, it will give you an idea of what we have been working on for the last decade to greatly minimize the chance something like this were to happen in our school district. 

• The Mead School District has Crisis Management Plans in each building, as well as a District-wide Crisis and Emergency Response Plan. Over the years we have built a very strong relationship with Spokane Emergency Management, as well as local law enforcement agencies.
• Our schools have single points of entry. Visitors must be granted access to the buildings via the main entrance. All exterior doors remain locked during the day.
• Interior classroom doors are always locked and ready for a quick lockdown in the event of an emergency. 
• Our district has a robust Threat Assessment Team in place. The Threat Assessment Team is made up of community experts and they meet regularly to go over safety concerns regarding specific students. The goal of these meetings is to ensure that students of concern have appropriate support in place to be successful. We recently hired a full time staff member to facilitate the threat assessment process. 
• The District also has an anonymous “Report a Concern” button on our district and school web homepages, and 509-381-0360 can also be called to report any situation that may pose a threat to students or staff of Mead School District. 
• This school year, the District has begun conducting building safety and security assessments for each of our school sites. We are in the process of completing round two this month. 

Please be assured that we take many other precautions to help ensure the safety of our students. Students may be anxious or worried in the coming days at school. Below are some resources to help your child respond to this incident. Counselors will be available to meet with students and help them process this event, as needed

Link to Parent Resources

If you have questions or concerns about school safety, please feel free to contact me or your child's principal.

Sincerely,

Shawn Woodward
Superintendent

The group of 14 Mt. Spokane Wildcats that make up the debate team under the leadership of head coach Jessica Klingback compiled an average GPA of 3.81 to earn the title of Academic State Champions in Debate/Forensics category. Recognized by the Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association (WIAA), the team/group with the highest average GPA for its activities and classification is recognized as Academic State Champion. 

Pictured below, from the bottom to the top, and left to right: 
1st row: Kyra Young, Emma Bryant, Eleanor Weitz, Aliyah Pitts, Cairo Weitz, Raymond Vallejo
2nd row: April Witham, Julia Kolman, Kyleigh Campbell, Ellie Henshaw, Alexis Mohn 
3rd row: Tori Hausmann, Dillan Sessler, Luke Blue, Payton Frederick, Evan Schmidt 
4th row: Noah Pounder, Beau Tampien, Connor Robert, Eric Agius, Nate Sexton 
Not pictured: Nicole Ostlie and Samiele Christensen

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff --

The Mead School District Board of Directors, pending successful contract negotiations,  selected Travis W. Hanson as Mead School District’s next superintendent during the regular meeting of the board on Monday, March 13, 2023. 

Hanson, who is currently the Superintendent of Deer Park School District, is expected to take over as Superintendent on July 1, 2023, replacing departing Superintendent Shawn Woodward who has accepted a similar position in Monroe (Wash.) School District. 

“We are very excited for the future of the Mead School District under Travis’ leadership,” Board President Denny Denholm said. “After reading through our community’s feedback obtained from a recent survey, working through hiring process options and reviewing previously vetted candidates for the position, it was clear to us that Travis checked all the boxes.”

Hanson has served as the Superintendent of Deer Park School District since 2013, beginning his work there in 2005. A product of the Mead School District, Travis graduated in 1990 from Mead High School, where he returned to teach in 1996. This was followed by a brief period of time working at Mead’s District Office as a Curriculum & Technology Specialist. His two daughters are graduates of Mt. Spokane High School. 

“Through our conversations with Travis, and knowing he went through our hiring process as one of three finalists  just four years ago, it became clear he was the right person to lead our school district,” Board member Michael Cannon said. “During his decade as a superintendent, Travis has proven himself to be well-respected Statewide. That experience, coupled with his familiarity with the Mead community and his strong background in managing a district budget, directly aligns with the top themes from our community survey and discussions as a board.”

“I'm humbled and honored to be selected as the next superintendent of this incredible school district,” Hanson said. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to return to Mead and look forward to being a part of the exciting things being done every day both inside and outside the classroom. I have fond memories of my time as both a student and teacher in Mead and will work tirelessly to ensure young people continue to experience all that has made a Mead education special.”

The Board of Directors will begin contract negotiations immediately. Current MSD Superintendent Shawn Woodward will continue in the role until June 30, 2023.

Dear Mead School District Families: 

Mead School District Special Services is hosting an informational parents' night for the families of students who access special education services in our district. Families will have a chance to learn more about the components of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and navigate their student’s individual support!

The event is open to the families of Mead School District students ages 3-21 who access Special Education Services on Thursday, March 16, from 5-7 p.m. at the Union Event Center (12509 N Market St., Building D - directly south of Union Stadium). The event will also be available live on Zoom for those not able to attend in person.

Zoom Information:
https://mead354-org.zoom.us/j/89059479044 
Zoom Meeting ID 890 5947 9044

Dear Grades 5-8 Families, 

The Mead School District STEM Forward Series continues this year with STEMPlosion at Whitworth University. Mead School District students in Grades 5-8 are invited. The registration for this event will open Wednesday, March 8 at 7 p.m. via a link sent to all families of students in Grades 5-8 at that time.

Program Information: STEMplosion at Whitworth University
You're invited to a STEMplosion taking place in the Johnston Science Center at Whitworth University from 6 - 8pm on March 14th, 2023! This free event is open to 60 students in Grades 5-8.  Students will meet in the auditorium of Whitworth's Johnston Science Center (39 on the map linked below). Parents are welcome to stay for the introduction and learn more about Whitworth and the college application process.

This is an opportunity for students interested in Computer Science and Informational Technology to participate in a variety of activities,  including computational games, Hour of Code, Whitworth CS projects and programming puzzles. Students will meet faculty and students from the college's computer science department and learn about their involvement in the Spokane Hackathon.  Students will gain a broader understanding of the exciting opportunities in the field of computer science and information technology. Parents can leave and come back, tour the campus, or wait for students in the HUB. Whitworth map: https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/about/map-and-directions/

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff, 

The Mead School District Board of Directors will hold a Special Board Meeting on Tuesday, March 7, 6 p.m. at Union Event Center (12509 N Market, Building D). The meeting will also be streamed live on Zoom at the link below. At the meeting, the Board will discuss the hiring process for the District’s next Superintendent: Click here for Meeting Agenda.

Special Board Meeting
Tuesday, March 7 at 6 p.m.
Union Event Center, 12509 N Market St. (Building D)
Zoom: https://mead354-org.zoom.us/j/82462590195 

At the most recent Regular Board Meeting on Feb. 27, the Board discussed the results of the community-wide survey regarding the hiring of a new superintendent. A recording of that meeting and a link to the minutes can be found here.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

As part of the Mead School District's commitment to the strategic priorities, improving communications and maintaining a strong two-way communications model are areas of focus. Via the survey link below, the district is looking to identify how best to communicate information to our stakeholders.

We welcome your open and honest feedback about the frequency, channel, timing and delivery of communication you have received from the Mead School District during this school year. You can expect this survey to be sent out annually, which will give us year-to-year data and comparisons to understand where we need to improve.

The anonymous survey, located at the link below, should take 5-10 minutes. It will be open for two weeks, closing on Friday, March 16, 2023.

***Please note: this survey covers communications from the district level, not the individual schools.***

Click here to complete the 2022-23 Family Communications Survey.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

Enrollment for 2023-24 is now open for incoming kindergarteners and new K-12 students to the Mead School District. Please visit www.mead354.org/enroll for more information and links to online registration or PDF paper registration packets. 

Current Mead School District students do not need to re-enroll. Students are eligible to register for Kindergarten if they turn 5 years old prior to September 1, 2023. 

Online Registration for New Student Starting 2023-24 (K-12 Only).

For general enrollment questions, please call the Mead School District at (509) 465-6000.

The Mead School District is also accepting applications and interest forms for students in the following programs:

• Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program at Midway Elementary
  • Only accepting applications for Kindergarten-age students (Age 5 before Sept. 1)
  • 20 spots available through lottery process after applications are received 
  • Regular kindergarten registration must be completed prior to submitting DLI application
  • Click here to find information and application forms for our Dual Language Immersion Program
• Transitional Kindergarten (if Age 4 after Sept. 1, 2023) 
  • Free, full-day early entrance kindergarten for children who are 4 years old by August 31, 2023
  • Students must demonstrate financial, academic or social-emotional need and cannot be currently enrolled in another early learning program
  • Click here to find more information and interest forms for our Transitional Kindergarten Program
• Mead Learning Options 
  • Mead School District’s non-traditional options for students and families that cover a range of teacher-directed and parent-directed learning, as well as available virtual and outdoor learning options
  • Click here to find more information and interest forms for Mead Learning Options

Dear Mead School District Families, 

Due continued worsening weather conditions and difficult roads, the Mead School District is cancelling school for today, Tuesday, Feb. 28. This includes cancellation of all after-school activities.

Dear Mead School District Families,

Due to inclement weather and difficult road conditions, the Mead School District will be on a two-hour delay to start school today, Wednesday, Feb. 22. Buses will also run two hours later than the normal (M,T, Th, F) schedule. 

With this two-hour delay occurring on a Wednesday, buses will run two hours later than the regular-day (M, T, Th, F) schedule. This means add two hours to your M, T, Th, F bus pick-up and school start-time schedule.

Wednesday, Feb. 22 - School Start Time:

• K-5 Elementary - 11:00 a.m.
• 6-8 Middle School - 9:55 a.m.
• 9-12 High School - 10:00 a.m.

In addition to school starting two hours late, please note the following:

• NO Breakfast Program
• NO AM Preschool
• NO Before School District Programs (academic, music, athletic, extra-curricular, etc.)
• NO AM NEWTech Skills Center Busing 
• NO Zero-hour classes for high schools

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff - 

As some of you may know, our Superintendent Shawn Woodward has recently accepted a superintendent position in Monroe (WA) School District, effective July 1, 2023. The Mead School District Board of Directors is in the early stages of the superintendent hiring process and is seeking community input on the qualities, skills and qualifications you'd like to see in our next superintendent. The Board will compile the results of the survey linked below and build a profile that will help guide them throughout the superintendent search process.

The survey will take approximately 5-10 minutes and remain open to the public until February 23, 2023. Click here to complete the survey, and look for future updates on the selection/hiring process on the district’s homepage, as well as via email notifications.

Regarding his departure, please read the community letter below, sent on behalf of Shawn Woodward:

It is with many emotions that I reach out to share that I will be moving on from the Mead School District at the end of this school year. I feel immense gratitude for the way students, staff and families of this school district welcomed my wife and I nearly four years ago and all that we accomplished along the way. As I look back, I know that we faced unprecedented challenges that were some of the biggest of my career thus far in education, but together we overcame them.

We moved to the east side of the Cascades almost 11 years ago with our three children, and now that we are empty-nesters, my wife and I are at a time in our lives where we wish to be closer to our family. The bulk of our family lives in the greater Puget Sound area, including one of our daughters. For this reason, at the end of this school year, we will be moving to Monroe, WA, where I will begin serving as the Superintendent of the Monroe School District beginning July 1st. 

Thank you for your continued support of the Mead School District. I’m confident that the systems and supports that have been established have the school district on a great trajectory. You are a special community that I am proud to have served as superintendent.

Sincerely,
Shawn Woodward

Dear Mead School District Families - 

Due to conflicting events going on around the district, the Special Education Information Night: IEP Support has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 16 at 5-7 p.m. from the original date of Feb. 21. The location will remain the same: Union Event Center (12509 N Market St., Building D - directly south of Union Stadium). Read on for a reminder of the event details.

Mead School District Special Services is hosting an informational parents' night for the families of students who access special education services in our district. Families will have a chance to learn more about the components of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and navigate their student’s individual support!

The event is open to the families of Mead School District students ages 3-21 who access Special Education Services on Thursday, March 16, from 5-7 p.m. at the Union Event Center (12509 N Market St., Building D - directly south of Union Stadium). The event will also be available live on Zoom for those not able to attend in person - check back here just prior to the event for the Zoom link. 

Please note that this event has been rescheduled for March 16 from the original date of Feb. 21.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

The Mead School District is hosting an informational parents night for the families of students who access special education services in our district. Families will have a chance to learn more about the components of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and navigate their student’s individual support!

The event is open to the families of Mead School District students ages 3-21 who access Special Education Services on Thursday, March 16, from 5-7 p.m. at the Union Event Center (12509 N Market St., Building D - directly south of Union Stadium). The event will also be available live on Zoom for those not able to attend in person. 

Save the date! 

Dear Elementary Families - 

The Mead School District Learning and Teaching Department would like to share information regarding upcoming parent-teacher conferences that will take place on February 15-17 in all of our elementary schools. 

As with conferences that took place during October, these conferences will take place in person. Families may let their classroom teacher know if meeting virtually is necessary. Parents will receive information from each child’s school with a link to sign up for a conference time. 

Conferences are a valuable resource for parents and teachers alike. They provide an opportunity to build strong communication channels between home and school. Information provided by families during conferences also assists teachers in creating the most effective learning environment possible for each student. 

Conferences, which take place twice each school year over a three-day period, are a valuable resource for parents and teachers alike. They provide an opportunity to build strong communication channels between home and school, while allowing time for parents/guardians to learn more about their child’s progress. Information provided by parents during conferences also assists teachers in creating the most effective learning environment possible for each student. 

In honoring families who have special circumstances, we do have procedures in place for those of you that need multiple conference times. Please contact the school for assistance. 

If you have other questions, please contact our Learning and Teaching Department at 465-6000.

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff - 

Our schools have a fantastic (and friendly) clothing donation drive competition set to run from Jan. 30-Feb. 27 to benefit the Mead Student Resource Hub in partnership with Teen & Kid Closet. Organized by Mead High School ASB Advisor Skyler Lamberd, 14 district schools will have a donation box located at or near the entrance of the school to see who can collect the most items. 

More than 50 students from MHS ASB and Farwell Elementary ASB got together last week to decorate and deliver the oversized cardboard donation boxes for all participating schools. Youth in the Mead School District and surrounding communities will directly benefit from the drive through the district’s Student Resource Hub, a free clothing and school supply resource in North Spokane for local students and families in need. Click here to read more about it!

“The idea behind [the donation drive competition] is not so much what they’re going to win, but what they’re contributing,” said Kelly Schultz, Mead School District Student and Family Services Coordinator. “We feel it’s essential for our students to have a sense of community and understanding that they could be helping a neighbor.”

For those interested in donating clothing to benefit the drive, please look for the donation boxes at participating schools. And, if you are looking for ideas on what to donate, check out the Student Resource Hub’s up-to-date needs list here.

Dear Mead School District Families,  

The Mead School District is preparing to launch a new app-connected GPS system in our school buses!  On January 30, the primary email address that we have on file for your child(ren) -- if they currently ride the bus -- will receive an invitation that includes a unique link for getting connected to this new service called Stopfinder. After piloting the program with a small group of bus routes, we are ready to provide it district-wide. The new service is an easy-to-use, all-in-one parent app that will enable you to see your student’s bus schedules and bus location in real-time using the bus GPS through geo-alerts that you customize. 

​In addition, you will be able to stay connected to our District Transportation Department by sending and receiving messages through the secure Stopfinder app. As the weather turns cold, snowy and otherwise unpredictable, it is a great time to use this solution to ease family stress and be able to confirm a child’s bus location or communicate directly with the Transportation Department. Please note that this system only tracks the location of the bus vehicle, not of an individual student, so you may receive alerts of your student’s bus even if that student chose not to ride the bus on a given day.

And the best part is: the alerts, messages and sharing settings for your student’s schedule are controlled only by you!

What the Stopfinder App Can Do

• View your student’s daily transportation assignments
• Securely share your student’s schedule with caregivers
• Send private messages to Mead School District Transportation Department
• Receive notifications and updates related to transportation
• Send real-time vehicle location notifications based on GeoAlert regions you create for your student.

Look for that emailed invitation on January 30th for more information and your unique link to register!

Read more about StopFinder here.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

Please read the below information carefully for some important upcoming date reminders! 

• For students in Grades 6-12: this Friday, Jan. 27, is an early release for middle schools and high schools. Students in Grades 6-12 will be released at 11 a.m. from school.

• For all students: Monday, Jan. 30, will be a regular school day. It was originally scheduled as a Snow Day, but is now being utilized as a regular school day due to the Snow Day school cancellation the district experienced on November 30. 

• For students in Grades K-5: Friday, Feb. 3, is a scheduled early release day for all elementary schools. Students in Grades K-5 will be released at 12:45 p.m.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

Here’s one final reminder for no late start TOMORROW, Wednesday, January 25, 2023! Please be mindful that tomorrow we will be on the regular (M, T, Th, F) schedule that day for both bus pickup and school start time, as stated here:

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 School Start Time Schedule

• Elementary (Grades K-5): 9:00 a.m.
• Middle School (Grades 6-8): 7:55 a.m.
• High School (Grades 9-12): 8:00 a.m.
• *All buses will run on the regular (M, T, Th, F) schedule

Please note that ECEAP and Developmental Preschool will also start on its normal (M, T, Th) schedule on Jan. 25th. 

This change in schedule is due to finals week at the high school level during the end of the first semester. High school finals need the full day, and due to that, all K-12 must be on the regular schedule to allow for our buses to run all routes for all grades.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

Free family event this Wednesday! 

Preparing our students to be future ready is multifaceted and having the skills to navigate challenges, be resilient, and care for oneself is critical. As the second event of our Future Ready Series, the Mead School District is excited to provide an opportunity for our community to hear about our district’s team approach to building future-ready youth, connect with local organizations that support this work and even win some really cool raffle prizes. See below for more details!

Future Ready Event #2: Team Approach to Building Future-Ready Youth
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023
Time: Doors open 5:30 p.m., Event ends at 7:30 p.m.
Location: Mt. Spokane High School (6015 E Mt. Spokane Park Dr., Mead, WA 99021

5:30 p.m.

• Check-in to child care (if needed), grab some refreshments, visit our partner booths, raffle sign up (The MSHS Commons)

6:30 p.m.

• Keynote Speaker, Staci Cornwell - MSD Mental Health Coordinator

7:30 p.m.

• Closing Remarks and Raffle Winner announcements
  • Thank you to all of our amazing partners and organizations who donated the fantastic raffle prizes: 
    • 12 month membership to MUV fitness
    • 2 week passes to MUV fitness
    • Papa Murphy's Pizza
    • Dickey's BBQ 
    • Starbucks Coffee
    • Sonicare toothbrushes
    • $100 gift card for a Photo Canvas wrap
    • Pet Goodie basket
    • Mrs. Cavanaugh Chocolates
    • Village Cinemas
    • ACE Hardware Bucket of Household Items
    • And more…

Dear Mead School District Families -

The Mead School District is continually exploring options to serve our families, and one way we’ve done that recently is the launch of our Transitional Kindergarten (TK) at Shiloh Hills Elementary. We are looking at the possibility of expanding the TK program to additional elementary schools based on interest from families and students throughout our district. 

Below is a link to a short (1-2 minutes) survey to gauge potential interest from families in our community who may have children who qualify for TK. This survey is optional, does not collect any contact information and is not a commitment to any future program.

The deadline to complete this survey is Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

Click here for more information on Transitional Kindergarten and to complete the survey.

Thank you!

Dear Mead School District Families - 

Here’s a friendly reminder to mark your calendars for no late start next Wednesday, January 25, 2023! We’ll send an additional reminder the night before, but please be mindful that we will be on the regular (M, T, Th, F) schedule that day for both bus pickup and school start time, as stated here:

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 School Start Time Schedule
Elementary (Grades K-5): 9:00 a.m.
Middle School (Grades 6-8): 7:55 a.m.
High School (Grades 9-12): 8:00 a.m.
*All buses will run on the regular (M, T, Th, F) schedule

Please note that ECEAP and Developmental Preschool will also start on its normal (M, T, Th) schedule on Jan. 25th.  

This change in schedule is due to finals week at the high school level during the end of the semester. High school finals need the full day, and due to that, all K-12 must be on the regular schedule to allow for our buses to run all routes for all grades. 

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff, 

We are excited to share with you a save-the-date for the second of three family engagement community events we'll host this year as part of our Future Ready initiative. This event will feature a keynote speaker and a number of community partners to help connect our families and staff with local mental health resources and other information on January 25th at 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Check out the flyer below for more! 

A week prior to the event, we'll send out more specifics about our community partners and timeline for the evening.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

Please mark your calendars for no late start on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. We’ll send additional reminders leading up, but please be mindful that school will be on the regular (M, T, Th, F) schedule that day for both bus pickup and school start time, as stated here:

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 School Start Time Schedule
Elementary (Grades K-5): 9:00 a.m.
Middle School (Grades 6-8): 7:55 a.m.
High School (Grades 9-12): 8:00 a.m.
*All buses will run on the regular (M, T, Th, F) schedule

This change in schedule is due to finals week at the high school level during the end of the semester. High school finals need the full day, and due to that, all K-12 must be on the regular schedule to allow for our buses to run all routes for all grades.

Dear Elementary Families - 

Registration for Elementary (K-5) After School Sports through the Mead School District's partnership with SYSA is open for Sessions 4 and 5! Dates, times, locations and how to register can be found at the link below. For questions, contact Spokane Youth Sports Association directly at receptionist@sysa.com. 

Mead After School Sports Program

Registration Deadlines:
Session 4 – January 5th (Session runs Jan 16-Feb 10)
Session 5 – February 16th (Session runs Feb 27-Mar 24)
Please note that transportation info for the After School Sports Program will be sent after the registration deadlines to all participants who are registered.

Dear Elementary Families - 

Registration for Elementary (K-5) After School Sports through the Mead School District's partnership with SYSA is open for Sessions 4 and 5! Dates, times, locations and how to register can be found at the link below. For questions, contact Spokane Youth Sports Association directly at receptionist@sysa.com. 

Mead After School Sports Program

Registration Deadlines:
Session 4 – January 5th (Session runs Jan 16-Feb 10)
Session 5 – February 16th (Session runs Feb 27-Mar 24)
Please note that transportation info for the After School Sports Program will be sent after the registration deadlines to all participants who are registered.

Dear Mead School District Families, 

Due to icy, difficult road conditions, the Mead School District will be on a two-hour delay to start school today, Friday, December 9. Buses will also run two hours late. 

In addition to school starting two hours late, please note the following:

• NO Breakfast Program
• NO AM Preschool
• NO Before School District Programs (academic, music, athletic, extra-curricular, etc.)
• NO AM NEWTech Skills Center Busing 
• NO Zero-hour classes for high schools

Dear Mead School District Families - 

The Mead School District has continued to monitor the difficult road conditions, especially on the residential streets. Today, some of our buses had a challenging time navigating side streets, and Spokane County officials informed us this afternoon that residential streets will not be plowed until Sunday. Given these factors and expected worsening road conditions this evening into tomorrow, all extra-curricular events this evening have been canceled, and school will be canceled for tomorrow, Friday, December 2, 2022. This school day will be made up during a Snow Make-up Day scheduled for May 26, 2023. 

Dear Mead School District Families,

Due to inclement weather and difficult road conditions, the Mead School District will be on a two-hour delay to start school today, Thursday, December 1. Buses will also run two hours late and on snow routes. 

In addition to school starting two hours late, please note the following:

• NO Breakfast Program
• NO AM Preschool
• NO Before School District Programs (academic, music, athletic, extra-curricular, etc.)
• NO AM NEWTech Skills Center Busing 
• NO Zero-hour classes for high schools

Dear Mead School District Families,

Due to inclement weather forecasted overnight, activities scheduled to start before school are now canceled for Thursday, Dec. 1. As of this notification, school will begin on time, but all before-school activities, including athletic practices, zero-hour classes, clubs, music and other extra-curriculars are canceled for Thursday morning.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please monitor email, phone and the district website for updates about the start time for school tomorrow. District administrators are continuing to monitor the weather forecasts and the impacts it may have on our school district. You will be notified as soon as any additional delay or closure decisions are made. 

Dear Mead School District Families, 

Due to inclement weather and difficult road conditions, the Mead School District is canceling school for today, Wednesday, November 30, 2022.

This is includes the cancelation of all after-school activities, including athletic practices, plays, concerts, games and clubs.

This school day will be made up during our first scheduled Snow Make-up Day on January 30, 2023.

Dear Mead School District Families,

Due to inclement weather forecasted overnight, activities scheduled to start before school are now canceled for Wednesday, Nov. 30. As of this notification, school will begin on time, but all before-school activities, including athletic practices, zero-hour classes, clubs, music and other extra-curriculars are canceled for Wednesday morning.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please monitor email, phone and the district website for updates about the start time for school tomorrow. District administrators are continuing to monitor the weather forecasts and the impacts it may have on our school district. You will be notified as soon as any additional delay or closure decisions are made. 

For those who would like to opt-in to receiving SMS text message alerts from the Mead School District, you can do so by sending the word "YES" to 67587 on your mobile phone.

Due to icy, difficult road conditions, the Mead School District will be on a two-hour delay to start school today - Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Buses will also run two hours late. 

In addition to school starting two hours late, please note the following:

• NO Breakfast Program
• NO AM Preschool
• NO Before School District Programs (academic, music, athletic, extra-curricular, etc.)
• NO AM Skills Center Busing 

For more information about two-hour delays, click here.

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff - 

With the cold and possibly snowy months ahead creating the potential for a weather event to impact the school day, we wanted to share some information and links to help you be prepared in the case of a school delay or closure! Please read below how a delay will work on our Late Start Wednesdays, too.

There are many factors taken into consideration when deciding whether to delay or close schools for the day. It is always our goal to keep schools open and on time during snowy weather, but safety comes first. Parents, guardians and students should always assume the school day will be conducted as normal unless they hear from the district via phone call, email, district webpage, facebook and twitter accounts or the local media.

These decisions take into account road conditions for our school buses, walking routes to schools and the day’s forecast. Families should take their own situation into account when deciding whether their child should attend school or not and be sure to make an attendance call if staying home is the best option. Our goal is always to make the decision to delay or close by 5:30 a.m., with information pushed out to families, social media and news media before 6 a.m.

Two Hour Delay Information (be sure to read new Wednesday info) 
A two-hour delay will mean that your bus will be at each stop two hours later than the normal – M, T, Th, F – pick-up time (example: 7:05 a.m. would become 9:05 a.m.). If a two-hour delay occurs on a Wednesday, buses will run two hours later than the regular-day (M, T, Th, F) schedule. This means that if a two-hour delay is called on a Wednesday, just add two hours to the M, T, Th, F bus pick-up and school start-time schedule.

For more information on School Delays and Closures, including snow routes, early dismissal and impacts on before and after-school activities, breakfast programs and preschool, go to www.mead354.org/delay.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

With Washington’s State of Emergency coming to an end at midnight today (Monday, Oct. 31, 2022), the Department of Health (DOH) has revised its illness-related guidance in regards to COVID-19. 

The full document, which covers requirements, recommendations and strategies for disease mitigation, can be found here: 

• Washington DOH K-12 Guidance
• Spokane Regional Health District K-12 Guidance is expected to be updated this week. It will be linked on our District website as soon as it is available. SRHD has shared that its guidance will be similar to the DOH document above and reinforce strategies for preventing and responding to COVID-19. 

The school district is required by the document linked above to do two main things: (1) work with the Local Health Jurisdiction – SRHD – in the investigation of cases, suspected cases, outbreaks and suspected outbreaks that may be associated with the school, and (2) to continue posting the number of positive case of COVID-19 at each of our schools on our COVID-19 Dashboard. 

Overall, students who are ill should stay home, and then return to school when symptoms have mostly resolved. This prevents both recurrence of the illness and exposure to others, which keeps our population of students and staff at its healthiest. Our schools will follow school district Illness Guidelines for all symptoms (found here) as had been done prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Please know that testing for COVID-19 will also be available for all students and staff at our schools who choose to get tested due to symptoms or exposure. 

So far this year, our school nurses have seen a number of cases of COVID-19, Influenza and RSV that have contributed to illness in our schools. For those who are interested, here are some helpful resources and recommendations:

• SRHD Influenza Resources
• SRHD RSV Information  |  CDC RSV Resources
• Additional Resources from SRHD for Communicable Diseases

Thank you for your help and diligence as we work together to keep our students and staff healthy! 

Dear Mead School District Families,

Over the past couple of months, our community has asked a lot of great questions about what our students are learning in the Mead School District. This interest has given us an opportunity to reflect on our current practices and work together to ensure we are meeting the ever-changing needs of our students. Community inquiries have led to us utilizing our website to put more information at our community’s fingertips and presenting reports on policies and procedures related to curriculum materials, libraries and learning standards. 

At the September 12th Board Meeting, the District presented reports on Library Media Center policies and procedures, Curriculum Adoption policies and procedures, and processes for community members to share curriculum or book concerns. Following that meeting, a community member shared some concerns with an online materials collection accessible to some students. The websites listed in the collections were posted online for a high school research assignment in 2015 and had not been reviewed for content since that time. The collection was immediately reviewed and subsequently removed due to being out of date and no longer being utilized. The district has made specific changes moving forward to enhance screening of library resources meant to be used for classroom assignments. 

We’ve also committed to creating an easy way for our community to access curriculum and learning standards for every grade, course and content area in the Mead School District. On the district website, we have begun a long-term project to outline all learning standards, curriculum and supplemental materials used in our classrooms. We’ll be adding more on a weekly basis; please click here to see the progress we are making so far with our elementary grades. 

Finally, we’ve also received significant interest from parents/guardians who’d like to review lists of book titles available in our libraries and/or to have access to books their child may be checking out. To access our libraries, parents can utilize Follett Destiny to search collections, check out books or place holds (click here for how to login). Furthermore, if you have concerns about materials in our libraries, the process for “reconsideration” of library materials can be found here. 

We are proud of the efforts of our educators to live our mission of “Ensuring high levels of learning for ALL students” each and every day in the Mead School District. We will continue to do whatever it takes to also ensure our families stay apprised of what that learning looks like in our classrooms. 

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,
Shawn Woodward
Superintendent 

Dear Mead School District Families - 

Next month, the Mead School District is hosting an informational family night for the families of students who access special education services in our district. Parents will have a chance to connect with staff members and volunteers, ask questions and learn more about the district's special education services. 

The event is open to the families of Mead School District students ages 3-21 who access Special Education Services on Thursday, November 10th from 6-8 p.m. at Mead High School, 302 W Hastings Rd.

Save the date! 

Dear Middle School Families - 

The STEM Forward Series continues this year with the annual Medical Mystery Investigation event hosted by WSU Spokane. Mead School District students in Grades 6-8 are invited. The registration for this event will open Monday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. via a link sent to all families of students in Grades 6-8.

Registration Begins: 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 24, with a link to registration emailed to Grades 6-8 families
Spots Available: 150

Program Information
This will be a three-week virtual event series, with an in-person reveal on the evening of December 2nd.  It will involve students watching recorded videos released November 14th, 17th, 22nd, 28th, and 30th. The event begins with a Welcome Video and the first clue on November 14th and culminates in an in-person celebration event on December 2nd to reveal the mystery diagnosis.

Each registered participant will receive a Medical Mystery T-shirt delivered to their school. Participants will watch the videos via Google Classroom. These will be recorded by WSU Health Sciences programs and will include a clue and activity. Using deductive reasoning skills, participants will work throughout the month to discover the cause of the medical mystery.

Participants are able to watch the clue videos on their own time, while also having the opportunity to submit questions throughout the week through the Google Classroom link.  When the clues are revealed they will include a task for students to complete. Students are encouraged to submit recorded video, photos, or written email in the Medical Mystery Google Classroom link showing their participation.

On Friday, December 2nd, students will have a chance to make a diagnosis and see if they're correct at the culminating in-person celebration at the downtown campus of WSU Spokane. This celebration will include a STEM bag, dinner and a Financial Literacy event for students.

If interested, please look for a link sent via email at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24 to register!
Because this is an online event, there will not be a waiting list.

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff -

Tickets are now on sale to the general public for the 2022 Battle of the Bell football game between Mt. Spokane and Mead High School! We are expecting a sold out crowd at Union Stadium, so don’t wait to check out the information below on how to purchase your tickets. 

Game Information

Varsity Football: Mead HS (visiting team) vs. Mt. Spokane HS (home team)

Friday, October 28, 2022 at 7 p.m.

Union Stadium - 12509 N Market St, Mead WA 99021

Televised locally on SWX

Ticket + Attendance Information
Tickets are now available for purchase on the “Tickets” page at gowildcatsgsl.org or by scanning the QR code below!

• Up to four (4) tickets allowed for purchase per account
• High school students with current ASB designation on Student ID card and all GSL Sports Pass Holders do not need to purchase tickets to attend. Simply show the ID or Sports Pass at the gate to enter.
• Please accompany students 8th grade and younger (ticket required) with an adult if attending the game
• No outside food/drink and no re-entry allowed.
• Purses, diaper bags and clear bags are allowed. No backpacks allowed, and all bags are subject to search.
• No RV or trailer parking in the paved lots.

The 2022 Battle of the Bell football game between Mt. Spokane and Mead High School is right around the corner, and we are expecting a sold out crowd at Union Stadium! If you are interested in attending, here’s your early heads up on the ticket availability and sales process. 

Game Information
Varsity Football: Mead HS (visiting team) vs. Mt. Spokane HS (home team)
Friday, October 28, 2022 at 7 p.m.
Union Stadium - 12509 N Market St, Mead WA 99021
Televised locally on SWX

Ticket + Attendance Information
Ticket sales will go live to the general public this Monday, October 17th at 3 p.m. on the “Tickets” page at gowildcatsgsl.org! You will also receive an email at that time with a link to purchase tickets.

• Up to four (4) tickets allowed for purchase per account
• Students with current ASB designation on Student ID card and GSL Sports Pass Holders do not need to purchase tickets to attend. Simply show the ID or Sports Pass at the gate to enter.
• Please accompany students 8th grade and younger (ticket required) with an adult if attending the game
• No outside food/drink and no re-entry allowed
• Purses, diaper bags and clear bags are allowed. No backpacks allowed, and all bags are subject to search.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

This message is a friendly reminder that there is no school this Friday, Oct. 7. This day is reserved as a Learning Improvement Day (LID) for our teachers and staff to engage in professional development activities. Our school district has two LID days scheduled each academic year – Oct. 7 and March 17 this year. 

For students who access before and after school programs at either the YMCA or Boys and Girls Club, please note the following:

• YMCA Before and After School Programs will take place at the YMCA on Friday, Oct. 7, Thursday, Oct. 13 and Friday, Oct. 14 for students that are enrolled in those programs. Questions can be directed to Multisite Coordinator Payton Williams at 509-777-9622.

• Boys and Girls Club will be closed on October 7th and October 12th-14th due to insufficient staffing. Questions can be directed to Club Director Nick Neely at lsgprogram@bgcspokane.org. 

For reference, the full academic calendar can be found on any school or district website under the Academics dropdown menu, or by clicking here.

We hope you enjoy the long weekend and know that our staff is working hard to ensure high levels of learning for all students!

Dear Elementary Families - 

The Mead School District Learning and Teaching Department would like to share information regarding upcoming parent teacher conferences that will take place on October 12-14 in all of our elementary schools. 

This year, these conferences will take place in person. Families may let their classroom teacher know if meeting virtually is necessary. Parents will receive information from each child’s school with a link to sign up for a conference time. 

Conferences are a valuable resource for parents and teachers alike. They provide an opportunity to build strong communication channels between home and school. Information provided by families during conferences also assists teachers in creating the most effective learning environment possible for each student. 

Conferences take place twice each school year. This first conference will be used to set the stage for the year, with parents/guardians and teachers talking through ways to ensure success for that student. The next conference - taking place in February - is another opportunity for parents/guardians to learn more about their child’s progress. 

Each set of conferences takes place over a three-day period. 

In honoring families who have special circumstances, we do have procedures in place for those of you that need multiple conference times. Please contact the school for assistance. 

If you have other questions, please contact our Learning and Teaching Department at 465-6000.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

On September 20, the Mead School District hosted the first of three events in our Future Ready Series. Hosted at Mead High School, the event drew more than 250 community members! Attendees were able to connect with more than 25 local partner organizations, listen to a keynote speaker and take part in a Q&A with local mental health professionals. The event is part of our commitment to providing an educational experience in which all students feel welcome, supported, and are ready for their future.  In order to support that commitment, our district will be hosting two more Future Ready community events during the 2022-23 school year, and we want to hear from you!

Below is the link to a survey for us to gather feedback from both community members who attended the event and others who weren't able to attend. This information will help us plan our next event.

The survey will take about 5-7 minutes to complete. We appreciate your time and support!

Click here to complete the survey.

Dear Mead School District K-6 Families, 

On behalf of Hooptown Youth League Basketball, the link below contains more information on the Hooptown Youth League and links to register. The deadline to register is Thursday, Sept. 22. 

Hooptown Youth League

Please direct questions to: hyl@spokanehoopfest.net.

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff - 

Preparing our students to be future ready is multifaceted and having the skills to navigate challenges, be resilient, and care for oneself is critical. As the first event of our Future Ready Series, the Mead School District is excited to provide an opportunity for our community to come together with local agencies to discuss student wellness and mental health, as well as connect with some of the resources available to our families. See below for more details!

Community Resource Event feat. Guest Speaker Tessa Stuckey
Date: Tuesday, September 20th, 2022
Time: Doors open 5:30 p.m., Event ends at 8:30 p.m. 
Location: Mead High School Mall and Theater

5:30-6:00 p.m.

• Hotdog and chips served
• Book fair available
• Childcare check-in
  • Childcare available in the library for kids ages 5-10

6:00-7:00 p.m.

• Guest Speaker, Tessa Stuckey - Author of For The Sake Of Our Youth
  • Raising kids in a digital and social media world brings unique challenges. Tessa will speak to the importance of connecting with kids and establishing the protective factors necessary to help our kids when they need it most.  

7:00-7:30 p.m.

• Community Resource Fair
  • Visit with community agencies from the Spokane area to learn more about the services they offer to support mental health and wellness.  

7:30-8:15 p.m. 

• Panel Discussion
  • Ask questions of our guest speaker and our community partners as part of a forum discussion related to student wellness.  
  • Topics will include: Understanding our Youth, Building Resiliency, Enhancing Protective Factors, Developing and Reinforcing Positive Relationships.

Dear Mead School District Families -

The Mead School District is continually exploring options to serve our families, and one way we’ve done that recently is the launch of our Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program in the Spanish language at Midway Elementary. This program was made possible by state grant funding, and as a requirement to this grant, we are looking at the possibility of expanding the DLI program to an additional elementary school in the district based on interest from families and students. 

Below is a link to a short (1-2 minutes) survey to gauge potential interest and languages of interest from our community. This survey is optional, does not collect any contact information and is not a commitment to any future program.

The deadline to complete this survey is Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.

Click here for the Dual Language Program Potential Expansion Interest Survey

Dear Mead School District K-6 Families, 

On behalf of Hooptown Youth League Basketball and for those interested, the link below contains more information on the Hooptown Youth League and links to register. 

Hooptown Youth League

Please direct questions to: hyl@spokanehoopfest.net.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

This is a reminder that our Wednesday Late Start schedule begins tomorrow, Sept. 7. Bus routes will run on the 40-minute late start schedule, so please plan accordingly. 

• Elementary (Grades K-5)
  • Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.: 9:00 a.m.-3:20 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 9:40 a.m.-3:20 p.m.

• Middle School (Grades 6-8)
  • Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.: 7:55 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 8:35 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

• High School (Grades 9-12)
  • Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.: 8:00 a.m.-2:35 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 8:40 a.m.-2:35 p.m.

Schools will open their doors at the normal time on Wednesdays with supervision available for students who need additional support. This time frame until they transition to breakfast or class lineup will be supervised, but not structured with activities.

Wednesday Late Start does not apply to students in Mead Learning Options programs, including North Star, Five Mile Prairie, Mead Virtual Program, Aspire or Outdoor School. Students in those programs will begin at their normal start time. 

Reminders for High School students who attend Skills Center Programs on Wednesday:  Each Wednesday, students must board a bus at 8:40 a.m. at Mead High School or Mt. Spokane High School to travel to their program of study at NEWTech Skills Center. 

For more information about Late Start Wednesdays, click here.

Dear Mead School District Families and Staff, 

We are excited to share with you a save-the-date for the first of three family engagement community events we'll host this year as part of our Future Ready initiatives. This first event will feature a guest speaker and a number of community partners to help connect our families and staff with local mental health resources and information on Sept. 20 at 5:30-8:00 p.m.

A week prior to the event, we'll send out more specifics about our guest speaker, community partners and timeline for the evening.

Please look for more information in the near future! 

Dear Mead School District Families - 

As part of our learning program, the Mead School District provides Chromebook access to all students. This device is the property of the Mead School District. Families have the opportunity to enroll in the district’s optional Chromebook Insurance Program (CIP) annually. 

While not mandatory, this insurance program is highly recommended as it provides coverage in the event the device is lost or damaged.  

To opt into the insurance program, there is an annual fee. Free/Reduced lunch options requests available at your school.  Fees must be paid prior to September 16, 2022.  To purchase Chromebook insurance, follow the directions here: Purchasing Chromebook Insurance Using Online Payments.

Chromebook insurance costs, coverages and more information are available at the links below:

• For Grades K-2 (excludes Mead Learning Options), please note that Chromebook Insurance is NOT being offered for K-2 students, as these students’ Chromebooks will reside mainly in the classroom and will be managed like other K-2 classroom materials.
• Elementary (Grades 3-5) Chromebook Insurance Flyer
• Secondary (6-12) Chromebook Insurance Flyer
• Mead Learning Options (K-12) Chromebook Insurance Flyer
  • MLO includes North Star School, Five Mile Prairie School Elementary and Secondary, Mead Virtual Program 6-12, Engine K-5 Mead Virtual Program, Mead Outdoor School

Opting out of the program means families of students in Grades 3-12 (K-12 for Mead Learning Options) will be held financially responsible for the full cost of repair or replacement associated with any damaged, lost or stolen equipment. A fine will be placed on student accounts for the cost of replacing or repairing the equipment. 

Lack of action prior to September 16, 2022, will be considered an opt-out. 

Questions? Please contact your child’s school with questions on how to purchase Chromebook insurance.

Dear Mead School District Families - 

The Washington Department of Health released updated K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for the 2022-23 school year - the full document is linked here. Important changes to the state guidance are listed below, but please refer to the DOH document linked above to get the full update.

• Students or staff who have tested positive are required to isolate for 5 days before returning on Day 6. The date of symptom onset or positive test is Day 0, the following day is Day 1. 
  • The individual may return to school/care after the isolation period if:  
    • Their symptoms have improved or they are asymptomatic, AND 
    • They are without a fever for the past 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medications.
• Students/staff who have symptoms of COVID-19 are required to follow this symptom flowchart here. 
  • COVID tests are available at school. 
• The District will update our COVID-19 dashboard and report to SRHD with positive cases on a weekly basis. 

Our goal is to keep our classrooms healthy and safe, and the best way to do that is to keep students/staff home who are sick. Thank you for your assistance in keeping our schools a positive and healthy environment!

The following message was sent to families of students who are registered to ride the bus for the 2022-23 school year.

Dear Parents/Guardians, 

Thank you for registering your student(s) to ride the bus with Mead School District Transportation Department. Your student(s) have been assigned to a bus and routed for the upcoming school year. Please confirm your student(s) bus route number, departure/arrival time and bus stop location before the start of school. You can access this information here by entering your Home address.

Important note: Beginning on Sept. 7, bus riders will be picked up 40 minutes later on Wednesdays.

If your student(s) is a pre-schooler or has an IEP, you should receive a phone call from our office staff no later than the following Friday. 

For questions, please contact us by email at transportation@mead354.org or by phone at (509) 465-6107.

Sincerely,
Mead School District Transportation Department

Dear Mead School District Families, 

Mead School District Nutrition Services welcomes you to the 2022-23 school year. This important newsletter linked below includes beneficial information for all families in our district, including meal prices, meal payment procedures, free/reduced meal qualifications and forms. Please read through the entire linked document for information pertaining to your family. 

For questions regarding meals or Nutrition Services, please email nutrition@mead354.org or call (509) 465-6100. 

2022-23 Nutrition Services Information Packet (PDF)

Thank you,

Mead School District Nutrition Services