January 2026

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Mead Learning Options Families,



Happy New Year, and welcome to 2026! I hope your winter break was filled with rest, joy, and meaningful time with loved ones. As we step into January, I’m energized by the promise of a new year and the fresh opportunities it brings for our students, families, and staff.

The start of a new year is always a meaningful time to reflect on our collective accomplishments and look ahead to the growth still to come. At Mead Learning Options, we remain committed to providing flexible, engaging, and innovative learning experiences for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. I continue to be inspired by the resilience and enthusiasm our learners bring to their educational journeys, as well as the unwavering support from our families and staff.

Speaking of coming together and focusing on our foundation, I also want to share that we are beginning to explore some possible changes to the overall structure of our programs. As many of you know, we have experienced significant growth and transformation over the past several years. I am incredibly proud of what our programs offer our students, families, and the greater Mead community. With that growth, it is natural—and healthy—for any organization to pause, reflect, and evaluate how to best sustain and strengthen its future.

In the coming months, I will be sharing important information about some of our systems and structures as we take a thoughtful look at what will support a high-quality and sustainable experience for years to come. Should any adjustments be made, those changes would begin in the fall of 2026.

This month, we will continue building on the strong foundation we’ve created together—strengthening relationships, supporting individual learning pathways, and fostering a community where every student can thrive. Thank you for your trust and partnership; your involvement truly enriches the work we do each day.

I look forward to the progress and connection 2026 will bring for our Mead Learning Options community. Here’s to a positive and productive start to the year!

Warm regards,

Nick Edwards

Principal

Mead Learning Options

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) at MLO

At MLO, we use a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to ensure all students have what they need to be successful—academically, behaviorally, and socially. A key part of MTSS is setting clear, consistent expectations across all school settings.

This year, we’ve updated our MLO Expectations Matrix. The matrix helps students know what being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible looks like in every area of school, whether that’s the classroom, cafeteria, playground, or common spaces.

Highlights include:

• Voice Levels: Students learn when to use silent voices (0), partner voices (2), or outside/playground voices (4).

• Be Safe: Keep hands, feet, and objects to self; walk at all times; use equipment and supplies as intended.

• Be Respectful: Use school-appropriate language, listen to others, and include classmates.

• Be Responsible: Follow adult directions, complete tasks on time, clean up after yourself, and take care of materials.

January Testing Schedule 2026

We will be trying a slightly different testing approach in January. Please see the details below for your program. PLEASE BRING YOUR CHARGED CHROMEBOOK. Kindergarten: Dibels and RAN

Five Mile Elementary & Middle School

January 5–8, 2026

Schedule:

 • Five Mile Elementary School (K-5th grades and Mrs. Warren’s 6th grade students)

January 5th & 7th.

Please attend school on your typical school day. MAP testing will take place in your classroom on January 5th or 7th. Other testing will be done during that week or within the month of January. If your student has a separate setting or an IEP or 504 plan, a survey was sent out to you. Please fill it out so we know if you want a separate setting or not. Your student will still test on their typical school day.

• Five Mile Middle School (7th & 8th)

January 6th & 8th

Please attend school on your typical school day. MAP testing will take place in your History class on January 6th and 8th. Make-ups will take place several days throughout the month. If your student has a separate setting on an IEP or 504 plan, a survey was sent out to you.

• Five Mile Middle School (6th grade – Jenn Wheeler’s class will test on their typical school day)

January 12 & 14: Monday/Wednesday students.

January 13 & 15: Tuesday/Thursday students.

MOS

January 12–16, 2026 

  If your student has a separate setting on an IEP or 504 plan, a survey was sent out to you.

January 12 & 14: Monday/Wednesday students

January 13 & 15: Tuesday/Thursday student

Northstar

January 5–9, 2026

Schedule: 

Grades 1st -8th

MAP test sessions will be signed up through a survey. One session will be offered each day of testing, January 5-8 from 9:00-12:00. More testing times and make-up sessions will be offered throughout the month. Testing will take place in Room 318. Please wait in the multipurpose room and a staff member will walk you to Room 318. If your student has a separate setting on an IEP or 504 plan, a survey was sent out to you.

• 1st- 8th grade students will sign up through the online survey. Please watch your email.
• Kindergarten will do their assessments throughout the month. They do not sign up on the survey.

IEP’s and 504’s

January 5–9, 2026

Portable 2 with Justus Morlock from 9:00-12:00

A separate setting will be offered to students who have a separate setting accommodation on a 504 or an IEP. This will override the testing schedule above. An email/survey will be sent.

If your child attends FME or FMM they will test on their typical school day during that time. 



If your child attends MOS or Northstar they will sign up through a survey for a session during January 5-9 from 9:00-12:00.

Parents & families, please submit a pre-order for the 2025-26 yearbook by clicking below...

NORTH STAR

January Upcoming dates

1/1-2 Christmas Break

1/5-9 PROGRESS MEETINGS all week.

    No clubs, Learning continues at home.

    MAP testing through the testing center??

1/12-16 Clubs

1/16 Last day for HS work for semester 1 grades

1/19-21 MLK Day NO SCHOOL; WED No Clubs (IEP Services continue)

1/26-28 Clubs

2nd semester begins

Thank you for joining us in December for the presentation and beautiful excerpts from

Spokane Youth Ballet’s upcoming performance of The Snow Queen .

Students learned about the ballet’s story and many details about ballet including

pantomime, choreography, expression, and expression through dance rather than words.

MEAD OUTDOOR SCHOOL

December was a fun-filled month of offsite learning and conferences. Thank you to the families who coordinated and participated in events at The Spokane House, the North Spokane Library, our MOS Holiday Party, our Washington State History Celebration and the various other events planned by families. We hope you have enjoyed spending more time at home with your families this month. 

We will return to the Dart-lo campus the week of January 5th. It is hard to say what kind of weather we will have, so please make sure you are paying attention to forecasts and projected temperatures as we return to campus. We hope you have a wonderful winter break. See you in 2026!

Calendar at a Glance

Jan 5- Back on MOS campus

Jan 5- Yearbook Artwork Due

Jan 9- IXL Data Pull

Jan 12- 15 MAP Testing 

Jan 19- MLK Day (no school)

Jan 20- No on-site classes, teacher PLC, family conferences