February 2026

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Mead Learning Options Families,

It’s hard to believe we are already halfway through the school year! Over the past months, our students have shown remarkable commitment to their learning and personal growth. We are incredibly proud of the academic progress they’ve made, as well as the social, emotional, and behavioral milestones they continue to reach. From mastering new skills to engaging in meaningful conversations, each student’s journey reflects both their hard work and the dedication of our outstanding staff.

Well done to our students and staff for a fantastic first half of the year!

As we move into the second semester, we are excited about the opportunities ahead for continued learning, exploration, and collaboration. Our team remains committed to providing a supportive, engaging, and challenging environment where every student can thrive academically and personally.

A Note Regarding Parents on Campus and Classroom Visits

We truly value our families and love having parents in our building. As a partnership-based program, family involvement is a foundational part of who we are and what we do. At the same time, we must be mindful of individual student privacy, safety, and the learning environment in our classrooms.

Moving forward, if you need to speak with a staff member, we ask that you please email them in advance to schedule a time to connect before coming to school. If a need arises while you are already on campus, we kindly ask that you first check in with the front office. Our office staff will contact the classroom to see if the teacher is available. If the teacher is not available at that time, we will gladly pass along a message, and the staff member will reach out to you at their earliest convenience.

We appreciate your understanding and partnership as we work together to maintain a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment for all students.

Upcoming Virtual Informational Meetings

We will be hosting two virtual informational meetings toward the end of February for families who would like to learn more about Mead Learning Options. During these meetings, we will also share information about potential structural changes that may take place beginning in the fall. Additional details, including dates, times, and links to join the meetings, will be shared in the coming days. We encourage interested families to attend and look forward to connecting with you virtually.

We are truly grateful for the continued support and involvement of our families and community. Your partnership plays a vital role in our students’ success, and we deeply appreciate the collaboration that makes Mead Learning Options such a special place to learn and grow.

Thank you for being an important part of the Mead Learning Options family. We wish everyone a successful, motivating, and inspiring second semester!

Warm regards,

Mr. Edwards

Principal, Mead Learning Options

nick.edwards@mead354.org

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.

I’m excited to announce that most of our students participated in the winter testing session. Results will be calculated and shared with classroom teachers and mentors. They will be able to provide information to families in regards to MAP, Dibels/MAZE, and RAN.

Upcoming:

February & March:

WIDA ACCESS for multilingual students. Emails will be going out to staff and parents in regards to scheduling students for their English Proficiency assessment. This is not to be confused with the language test that is given in the spring. 

March:

• March 2-6: 2nd grade teachers administer CogAT screener All screeners must be completed by the end of day on March 6.
• March 9-27: Administer CogAT post screener to 2nd graders and full test to all referred students
• All post screeners and full tests must be completed by the end of day on April 3.
• More information on CogAT: https://www.mead354.org/academic-resources/learning-teaching/highly-capablegifted-education

Please feel free to contact me with any questions



Kari.hennessy@mead354.org

Welcome back to school (with a vengeance!) We began with MAP and DIBELS testing for everyone. In our resource program, we offered the option for students with IEPs and 504s to take advantage of a separate setting for their testing if that is listed as an accommodation in their IEP or 504. Parents had the opportunity to sign up for this separate setting via a survey sent in December. If your student is testing and will miss their regular resource time, please let us know. 

Please help us remind students that MAP testing is simply one moment in time, one piece of data in the midst of so many other ones. If they are feeling stressed or anxious about it, we remind them to take a deep breath, understand that it is just one test and do their best for that day.

ALL RESOURCE SERVICES WILL BE OFFERED DURING PROGRESS WEEK AND TESTING TIMES. WE KEEP OUR REGULAR RESOURCE SCHEDULE FOR ALL STUDENTS.

As the new year begins, we focus on continuing growth for our students. If a student has met their IEP goals ahead of that review time, we simply move onto the next challenge in either reading, writing or math skills. Our ultimate goal is to close the gap and move them back to grade level expectations and instruction when they are ready for that change. This is a decision that we make as an IEP team, meeting to review the data, discuss what is happening in other learning settings, and what makes the most sense to continue to support that student. Parents are always welcome to initiate a meeting to discuss a change in their child’s services.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns related to resource or special education services as the new year begins.

Justus Morlock justus.morlock@mead354.org

(Grades K-5)

Tess Baldwin tess.baldwin@mead354.org

(Grades 6-8)

Sonja Svennungsen sonja.svennungsen@mead354.org

(Grades 9-12)

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

NORTH STAR

February Upcoming dates

2/2-6 PROGRESS MEETINGS all week. No clubs, Learning continues at home.

2/9-11 Clubs

2/16-19 Pres. Day NO SCHOOL; WED No Clubs

2/22-24 Clubs

Looking Ahead 

March -

3/2-6 PROGRESS MEETINGS all week. No clubs, Learning continues at home.

Clubs as normal the rest of the month

April -

4/6-10  SPRING BREAK - No clubs

History and Science Museum coming up this month

Here is a look at the science field trip to the City of Spokane Solid Waste site.

Club Leader Supply Request - Jane Tucker

• 15 shoeboxes - please drop off in the front office

MEAD OUTDOOR SCHOOL

During the month of January, we resumed on-site classes, our students conquered MAP testing, and spent time building community with our groups. 

Kindergarten has jumped back into community building and review of expectations along with learning about what it means to be a good community member. They have been practicing at school and sharing ways they can help at home and out in the community. 

First and second grade have been working hard on learning leadership. 

Our 3rd and 4th graders continued learning about dams on Washington waterways and renewable energy sources.  

Thank you to the Mead High School Woodshop class for making cubbies for our greenhouse classroom. It was wonderful to get to partner with another Mead school to make this happen.