Open House Curriculum Nights

Please join us virtually for our Secondary Open House Curriculum Nights next week! We will continue with the flexible online format that we used last year.

First, take time to watch these short videos from your students' teachers (organized as links in this spreadsheet).

Then, mark your calendar for short, 12-minute Q&A sessions with teachers.

Remote Conferencing

The Texas Education Agency recently announced a program to address the educational needs of those students who are home due to a test positive case for COVID-19 or are quarantining due to close contact.

It is called Remote Conferencing. This is an on-line approach that is limited in scope and availability.

Read on for details and rollout.


Vaccinations

We encourage students and adults who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to do so. You can find out where to schedule a vaccine here through the Texas Dept. of State Health Services. Vaccines are free.
2020-2021 yearbook deliveries

Yearbooks have been delivered to all current students. For full distribution details, read on.

Sale of Extra Books

If you did not pre-order a yearbook but would like to buy one, a limited number of extra yearbooks will be sold on a first come, first served basis Thursday, September 2 from 5 pm – 6 pm in the Mays Building Lobby (middle school building) for $60 each. Please bring exact change or or check payable to Meridian School. Thank you!
STAAR Information

This week and next we are administering a Beginning-of-Year STAAR test to students who did not take the STAAR last year. We also will be providing additional instruction during the school day to students who did not pass (did not score Approaches, Meets, or Masters) their STAAR or STAAR EOC test last year (and this is why we are administering the BOY STAAR test to those who did not test last year--to see if they qualify for additional instruction).

All of the above is in accordance with HB 4545, passed by the Texas legislature this past summer. It applies to all STAAR tests in grades 3 through 8, and the high school STAAR EOC tests (Algebra 1, English 1 & 2, Biology, and US History).

Athletics & extracurricular activities for Secondary students

  • Meridian Athletics spirit wear order – Available to the entire Meridian community for a limited time! (closes Sept. 1)
  • Sports registration closes soon for Volleyball (closes Sunday, Aug. 29 at 10 pm), Fall Developmental Dance (closes Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 10 pm), and Swimming (closes Thursday, Sept. 2).
  • Student Manager positions now available!
  • Assistant Coaches needed!
  • 6th-12th Grade Clubs and Student Groups
  • 2021-2022 Model United Nations (registration is Sept. 1 – 9)

Mandatory Model United Nations Info Night 

If your child is interested in participating in Model United Nations (MUN), please join us for an informational meeting via Zoom. Each student and their parent/guardian must attend the Mandatory Meeting if they wish to participate in MUN during the 21-22 school year. This event will take place on Thursday September 2. See the last section of the Extracurriculars page for more information.
MYP Personal Project

Each IB program has a culminating learning experience. In the PYP, this is the Exhibition, completed in 5th grade. In the DP, this is the Extended Essay, begun in 11th grade and completed in 12th grade. The culminating learning experience for the MYP is the Personal Project, begun in 9th grade and completed in 10th grade. 

​​Right now, 10th graders are developing their proposals for the MYP Personal Project. The MYP Personal Project Exhibition will be Thursday, March 10. On this day our 10th grade students will have an opportunity to share their work with other middle and high school students during the day and parents after school. Please mark this special event on your calendar. 

You can learn more about the Personal Project here.
Safety Drills

Meridian follows the Standard Response Protocol for emergency procedures, and we are conducting safety drills over the next few months. 

Our "Secure" drill takes place next week. We will notify families via PikMyKid after the drill.
Please sign up for Class of 2022 Senior Conferences!

Senior Conferences are scheduled through October 6. Each senior is invited to meet with Mrs. Gregg to discuss post-high school plans and review college applications, including transcripts, essays and/or resumes. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to attend with their student, either in person in Mrs. Gregg's office or via Zoom. 
 
We're using SignUp.com to organize conferences.

2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on SignUp)
3. Choose your spot, and include the names of the student and parents/guardians attending the conference. SignUp sends you an automated confirmation and reminders. 
Meet your Administration

Shachon Leaf
Assistant Principal, Grades 8-10
 
We are excited to have Shachon Leaf joining us as Assistant Principal for grades 8 through 10!  For more information on Ms. Leaf, please see her brief bio.


Stela Holcombe
Assistant Principal, Grades 11-12 and IB Diploma Program Coordinator
 
Stela Holcombe is our invaluable AP for grades 11-12 and IB DP Coordinator.  For more information on Mrs. Holcombe, please see her brief bio.
Upcoming Events and Contact Information
Upcoming Events

Holidays and Holy Days

Krishna Janmashtami (Krishna Jayanti) Aug. 30

Read about it in this week's post.
Student or Curricular Concerns

Assistant Principal grades 8-10: Shachon Leaf
Assistant Principal grades 11-12: Stela Holcombe

MYP Coordinator grades 6-10: Kristen Machczynski
IB Diploma Program Coordinator: Stela Holcombe

High School Special Education Coord: April Harris
Secondary Librarian: Tina Van Winkle

Counselors

Grades 8-9: Laura Docherty
Grades 10-12: Nick Manuszak
College Counseling: Kathy Gregg

Additional Contacts

High School Principal: Charles Ryder
High School Attendance: Shawn Seaman
Cafe: Chef Leslie Sterzinger
Thank you for bringing your student masked and ready to learn on campus! Don't forget to have them pack an extra mask or two in their backpack, enclosed in a sealed plastic bag. The school has required mask wearing as of Aug. 23.