Middle School Mane Weekly Newsletter Grades 6-8
Student Needs Survey

Meridian School is applying for a grant to help meet the academic, social, and mental health needs of our students during the pandemic. Please fill out this short, one-minute survey that will give us baseline data for the grant application and rollout.

You can fill it out once per child. Please take the survey before midnight on Monday, Aug. 23.
Testing Aug 24 – 25: Preparation for next spring, Important STAAR information

This summer, Texas passed legislation (HB-4545) to address learning gaps identified by STAAR performance. In the past, students in 5th and 8th grade who did not pass the reading and/or math STAAR were subject to re-testing and possible retention. This requirement has been removed.

Instead, all students who did not meet standard in STAAR subjects will receive 30 hours of additional small group  intervention/instruction per subject to close these gaps and improve STAAR performance next spring.

Additionally, students who did not take STAAR last year will take a Beginning-of-Year (BOY) STAAR test over last year’s materialFor example; a current 5th grader would take a 4th grade test. The BOY STAAR test is composed of released STAAR questions and is used for internal evaluation only. The results are not reported to the State. If your student does not meet standard, then they will also qualify for the 30 hours of small group intervention.

It is important to note that the intervention will not take the place of regular classes or specials/electives.

Students who did not participate in STAAR (but were eligible) will be taking the BOY Reading and/or Math STAAR next week, August 23-27.  Although this is a new requirement, Meridian is encouraged that the State is providing resources & assistance to help all our students succeed.

You can learn more about House Bill 4545 at TEA Accelerated Learning Resources.

You can access online practice tests here. Please note that Meridian does not expect your student to study for the BOY test, rather this is simply an opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with the test format and questions.
Safety Drills

Meridian follows the Standard Response Protocol for emergency procedures, and we are conducting safety drills over the next few months. Not all drills will be announced in advance. 

Each drill will be repeated during After School activities, and pickup will be paused for 10 minutes. 

Our "Hold" drill takes place this week. Holds are called to keep hallways clear for a short period of time, and are most often used during a medical emergency. For students, work continues on as normal in the classroom during a "hold."

We message families via PikMyKid after each drill both as a notification that it happened and to let you know you would receive a similar message in the event of an emergency.
What's our process if a student or staff member who was on campus tests positive for COVID-19?

If a student/teacher is identified as positive at any grade level, our health team will work with the student, teacher, and parent to identify any close contacts.

  1. Parents of students who are close contacts will be notified directly and quarantine will be recommended.
  2. Families of students sharing any classes (including After School) with the test-positive student will be notified via an emailed letter. Close monitoring is recommended, but the student does not need to quarantine.
  3. The general school population will be notified via the COVID-19 dashboard on our website.

We do offer COVID-19 testing, as supplies remain available. Find the full COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols here: www.mwschool.org/covid/.
Carline ... Now I Know

Do not take Jeffrey to get to the Carline. Round Rock Police Department has asked us not to use it. Do not turn on the road that has the blue Police Department sign. Paloma is the road AFTER the Kia dealership. Take Paloma.

It is illegal to cut across from the IH-35 turnaround to the Fastlane entrance. Instead, take the Old Settlers Blvd. exit and turn left from there.
Athletics & Extracurricular Activities for Secondary Students
Order Meridian Athletics Spirit Wear through Sept 1! Open to the entire Meridian community for a limited time! For current and future student athletes, fans, and anyone who wants a comfortable T-shirt approved to wear on Fridays as spirit wear.

Available in sizes Youth XS – Adult 3XL. $18 – $22, depending on size. Orders will be fulfilled at school in late September. Hurry! This order closes Wednesday, Sept. 1. No late orders accepted. Order now!

Meridian sports are open to 7th – 12th grade students. Learn more about Eligibility.

Registration closes this week/weekend for these Sports: Hurry; no late registrations accepted
  • Dance Team Registration closes at 10 pm Thursday (Aug. 19). A minimum of 11 participants needed!
  • Cross Country Registration closes at 10 pm Sunday (Aug. 22).
  • Tennis (Fall Developmental) Registration closes at 10 pm Sunday (Aug. 22). Spots are limited.
  • Volleyball Registration closes at 10 pm Sunday, Aug. 29
  • Boys Volleyball Open Gyms – Learn more

Sports registering soon:

Sports physical forms are due at the end of the sport's registration window! $20 Sports Physicals are available through Aug. 31.
 
Clubs and Student Groups for 6th-12th grade students will be able to meet in person this year; however, masks are highly recommended. The 2021-2022 Clubs & Extracurricular Activities List is now published and will continue to be added to as new clubs are formed.

2021-22 After School Band and Orchestra - Registration is now open! Hurry; it closes at 10 pm Thursday (Aug 19). No late registrations accepted.
 
2021-22 Model UN - For 6th – 12th grade students. Registration opens September 2 and ends September 9. Save the date for Camp MUN Saturday, September 18! 

Questions? Email Robyn Tester at meridian-athletics@mwschool.org (sports) or secondary-enrichment@mwschool.org (clubs). 
Upcoming Events and Contact Information

Grade Level Teacher Team Leads

6th grade: Nick Pfeifer and Lindsey Jones
8th grade: Rachel Meissner
Principal

Interim Middle School Principal: Crystal Lane

Student or Curricular Concerns

Assistant Principal grades 6-7: Matthew Castaneda
Assistant Principal grades 8-10: Shachon Leaf

MYP Coordinator grades 6-10: Kristen Machczynski
MS Special Education Coord: Haley Weisbrod
Secondary Librarian: Tina Van Winkle
Counselors

6th-7th Grade: Stefanie Zook
8th-9th Grade: Laura Docherty

Additional Contacts

Middle School Attendance: Olga Alexander
Cafe: Chef Leslie Sterzinger