January 20, 2022
FROM THE
PRINCIPAL
We are a little past the halfway mark this year, and it is the time when we start considering choices for next school year. 

Tuesday we had information meetings for parents, and the counselors are beginning to meet with students about planning for next year. 

See below for more information, as well as college planning opportunities.

Charles Ryder,
High School Principal
High School Campus News
Parent Information Meeting for current 9th-10th Graders
Recordings available

Yesterday, January 18, we held a High School Course Selection, IB Diploma Program, and College Information night for parents. In case you were unable to attend, or would simply like a record of the meeting, see below:

8th-9th grade (High School Course Selection, IB Diploma Program, and College Information)

10th grade (IB Diploma Program and Course Scheduling Information)
Course Selection 2022-2023

Schedule of meetings with students:

  • Class of 2023: Mr. Manuszak and Mrs. Gregg will visit 11th grade TOK/Special Topics classes on Monday, Jan. 24 and Tuesday, Jan. 25.
  • Class of 2024: Mr. Manuszak and Mrs. Holcombe will visit 10th grade College and Career Readiness classes on Wednesday, Jan. 26 and Thursday, Jan. 27.
  • Class of 2025: Mr. Manuszak will visit with 9th grade Advisory classes on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday of next week.

Timeline for submitting course requests:

  • Forms to be completed during scheduled class meeting
  • Students will take a photo to share with parents
  • Choices will be reviewed with parents during the spring individual planning conferences (January - March). Conference registration info will be sent out via SignUpGenius

Resources

 
Questions? Please contact Nick Manuszak at [email protected].
Junior Conferences with College Counselor

It's time to sign up for your Junior Conference! Mrs. Gregg will be offering individual conferences for each junior and their parents this spring to discuss high school graduation plans, post-high school planning and the college application process. Conferences will begin on Wednesday, January 26, and are offered in person for students on campus with parents joining via Zoom. Please review the available appointment times and schedule your conference soon!
College Planning Webinar

See this webpage for info about a free college planning webinar scheduled on January 27th by the College Guidance Network that may be of interest to you! There may be a sales pitch involved, but the keynote speakers are well known and the content looks pertinent for these pandemic times.
Athletics and Extracurricular News
  • Club Photos for Yearbook are Fri., Jan. 28. Details soon.
  • Winter Sports Photos for Basketball and Winter Tennis teams are Fri., Jan. 21. Find the schedule.
  • Baseball Registration is open Jan. 26-Feb. 3 for 8th-12th grade students. See tentative practice schedule and learn more here. Baseball Coaches needed! Learn more here.
  • Basketball - 
  • See updated Spectator Restrictions.
  • Please watch the Basketball Game Schedule for last minute cancellations and updates. See the notes column regarding COVID protocols.
  • Playoffs:
  • TCSAAL Regional Tournament will be in San Antonio on Sat., Feb. 5. 
  • TCSAAL State Tournament will be in Houston on Fri., Feb. 11 and Sat., Feb. 12.  
  • See the Basketball Game Schedule and the Athletics Calendar for details and to watch the Lions advance!

Photo: Girls Varsity at Homecoming!
District News
TAPR Presentation
Jan. 24 at 6:30 pm

A public hearing will be held Monday at 6:30 pm to review the 2020-2021 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) for Meridian World School. The report can be found here. The presentation will take place on campus at the designated time of 6:30 pm during the board meeting.
COVID-19 Health and Safety

A school decision tree may help you find out next steps to take if your child is isolating or quarantining for COVID-19. You can find the decision tree on the school's COVID-19 page, or directly here.
Black History Month Art Exhibition Opportunity

Calling all creatives – let's celebrate Black culture! We invite all artists (students, staff and alumni) to create and submit an art piece that embodies Mental Health and Wellness with a fusion of Black culture. Submissions should exhibit social, emotional, and physical health through art forms such as drawing, painting, clay, woodworking, digital art, photography, etc. 

Please submit your art to your campus' front office by February 1. Submitted pieces will be displayed on campus throughout February in honor of Black History month.
Spirit Wear Opportunity: Celebrating Black Culture
Closes today (Jan. 20)

Celebrate Black Culture all year with this new spirit wear t-shirt approved for students and staff to wear at school on Fridays.

Purchase youth and adult sizes through the MySchoolBucks store through Jan. 20. 
Parent Book Club with Counselor Nancy Spence
Canceled

The Parent Book Club meeting in January has been canceled. Please stay tuned for future meetings.
Local Spirit Wear Shopping Opportunity

RockSports has school spirit wear in stock! The shop is open 8 am-5 pm Monday through Friday.
Upcoming Events and Contact Information
Upcoming Events
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

HS Special Education Coordinator: April Harris
Secondary Librarian: Tina Van Winkle

Counselors

Grades 9-12: Nick Manuszak
College Counseling: Kathy Gregg

Additional Contacts

High School Principal: Charles Ryder
High School Attendance: Shawn Seaman
Cafe: Chef Leslie Sterzinger
MERIDIAN SCHOOL | [mwschool.org]