Middle School Mane January 12, 2022

Middle School Campus News

Meridian Ocean Liner sets sail on Tuesday, Jan. 18

During the A/B day on January 18, we will be hosting an Approaches to Learning (ATL) day. Students will attend all of their classes in the same schedule. However, each class will have an oceanic themed activity that will help build ATL skills such as organization, communication, and reflection. The day will consist of cruise ship themed activities such as packing, muster drills, and jungle tours.

Students can come dressed for a cruise! They can choose to wear tropical shirts, tennis shoes, dress up like a ship captain, etc. (No swim suits or flip flops; clothes should be school and weather-appropriate.)

The day will be filled with prizes, games, and opportunities to build those nonacademic skills that lead to success.

Backpacks needed

We are in need of used backpacks for our A/B day activities. We will gladly accept any backpack you are willing to donate. Please drop them off in the Middle School lobby by this Friday.

Homecoming Week Dress Up Days, Continued

Therapeutic Thursday – students may wear comfy clothes/pajamas

Color War Friday – 6th Grade (grey), 7th grade (white), 8th grade (red)

Parent/Guardian information Night for 8th through 10th grade

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

This coming Tuesday, January 18, we will hold a High School Course Selection, IB Diploma Program, and College Information night for parents and guardians. This night will have two portions, one intended for parents of 8th and 9th grade students (though any parents are welcome to attend), and another for 10th grade parents that is more focused on 2022-2023 school year IB DP scheduling choices.

6 pm – 7 pm: 8th & 9th grade parents will learn about high school course selection, the IB Diploma Program, and college information
7:15 pm – 8:30 pm: 10th grade parents will learn about the IB Diploma Program and course scheduling information

The meetings will be held via Zoom (link).

Meeting ID: 889 8370 2039

Passcode: 960742

Athletics and Extracurricular News

Club Photos for Yearbook will be Fri., Jan. 28
Congratulations to Model United Nations San Antonio (MUNSA) award recipients!
Basketball
COVID-19 Updates:
See updated Spectator Restrictions.
Please watch the Basketball Game Schedule for last minute cancellations and updates. See column H 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!
Baseball registration opens Jan. 26 – Feb. 3 for 8th-12th grade students.
Winter Sports Photos for Basketball, Soccer, and Winter Tennis teams are on Fri., Jan. 21. Find the schedule See the schedule.
Baseball Coaches needed! Learn more Learn more.

Photos here and at top of newsletter show middle school basketball teams after recent wins.

District News

Best in the Bunch

Meridian School has been recognized as "Best of the Bunch" during the Texas Department of Agriculture's Farm Fresh Challenge for the 3rd year in a row!

Congratulations to Chef Leslie Sterzinger and our Cafe Crew for this accomplishment. At Meridian, students eat local every day! Milk, veggies, salad ingredients, tortillas, and hamburger patties/buns are all locally sourced.

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.

Submissions will be accepted January 17 through February 1. Submitted pieces will be displayed on campus throughout February in honor of Black History month.

COVID-19 Health and Safety

A new 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.

The school is following last week's guidance from TEA and DSHS for staff to heed CDC quarantine and isolation guidelines. They have determined not to change guidelines for students yet. As further guidance comes out, it will be shared.

Spirit Wear Opportunity: Celebrating Black Culture

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 January 6-20, 2022.

Siblings new to Meridian next year: Applications for lottery open through Feb. 28

Applications are being accepted for prospective students for the 2022-2023 school year. Currently enrolled students do NOT need to complete an application, but they will need to complete returning registration in the spring.

However, if a currently enrolled student's sibling will be new to Meridian in the 2022-2023 school year (in Kindergarten or any grade), please turn in an application for the sibling between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28. Siblings receive priority in the lottery.

Choir Opportunity (Extended Deadline)

Songs: "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and "It's Time"

Meridian students in grades 1-12, staff, and alumni have the opportunity to join a choir in celebration of Black History Month.

The performance has been postponed to a later date, and so the sign up deadline has been moved to Thursday, Feb. 3. Submit one interest form per person. The choir is led by Sal Stow and Monique Swain.

"Lift Every Voice and Sing" was written by James Weldon Johnson in 1900 and composed by his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson, in 1905. "It's Time" was released in 1990 by The Winans, an American gospel quartet from Detroit, Michigan.

Parent Book Club with Counselor Nancy Spence

January 25, noon – 1 pm (via Zoom)

The Parent Book Club returns in January! The book is "Hunt, Gather, Parent," by Michaeleen Doucleff, Ph.D. Readers can compare/contrast parenting cultural practices and delve into what they find interesting in the book and the author's perspectives on parenting. Questions? Email n.spence@mwschool.org. Please RSVP here so that we can gauge number of participants.

Local Spirit Wear Shopping Opportunity

Meridian School has partnered with RockSports to carry school spirit wear! Stop by RockSports to purchase spirit wear items. The shop is open 8 am-5 pm Monday through Friday.