Middle School Mane August 26, 2021

FROM THE

PRINCIPAL

Greetings Families,

In three short weeks, so much learning can happen!

A noticeable difference can already be seen in the six grade music classes. Students went from learning how to hold their instruments to playing their first song.

Please encourage your student to check out Ms. Van Winkle’s Inquiry Board in the library. She has a riddle posted. Students who solve the riddle will receive a small prize.

Crystal Lane,

Interim Middle School Principal

Changes to STAAR Beginning of Year test

The Beginning of Year (BOY) Math test has been rescheduled for Monday, August 30. This assessment is only for students who did not complete the STAAR math test last spring.

Online practice tests may be accessed here. 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.

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.

Monday, Aug. 30 – Middle School Q&A session schedule (via Zoom/Google Meet)
Tuesday, Aug. 31 – High School Q&A session schedule (via Zoom/Google Meet)

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.

If you have a current student AND a student who graduated in 2021 or has withdrawn from Meridian, and you would like for the yearbook to be sent home with their currently enrolled sibling, please email Mr. Manuszak at n.manuszak@mwschool.org.

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!

For full distribution details, read on.

Safety Drills

Meridian follows the Standard Response Protocol for emergency procedures, and we are conducting safety drills over the next few months. Each drill will be repeated during After School activities, and pickup will be paused for 10 minutes.

Our "Evacuate" (fire) drill takes place this week. 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.

Carline ... Now I Know

Please use designated turn lanes to enter Meridian School. Thank you for arriving after 3:50 pm / 1:20 pm Wednesdays for dismissal.

Athletics & Extracurricular Activities for Secondary Students

Please open Athletics and Extracurricular Activities for Secondary Students for information on:

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 UN Informational meeting Sept. 2

Thank you for bringing your child masked and ready to learn on campus! Don't forget to 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.