Returning Student Registration: Action Required by May 16
There are two online forms that must be completed for your student’s returning registration.
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Please log into your Ascender account and click on the Registration button and you will be guided through to complete the forms. In most cases, it should just show as a pop-up option for you. However, if you do not see the Registration pop-up prompt, then click on Summary on the left side of the screen and then you will see it.
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Click here to complete the Registration Questionnaire. If you have more than one child, you must complete one for each child.
If you have a change of address, please email a copy of your most recent utility bill to [email protected]. Please include your student’s full name in that email.
The deadline to complete Returning Student Registration is May 16.
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STAAR Testing
This week we had STAAR EOC tests in Algebra 1, Biology grade 9, and US History grade 11. As these are STAAR tests in high school credit courses, a passing score is required for high school graduation. If students missed taking them this week, they will have another opportunity June 1-3.
Next week, we will have the following tests:
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Tuesday, May 11: STAAR Math (6th and 7th Grade)
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This is Pre-Algebra, officially Texas' 8th Grade Math test; 8th grade students taking Geometry will take the 8th grade pre-Algebra STAAR test (there is no Geometry STAAR test).
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Tuesday, May 11: STAAR Science (8th Grade)
- Brown bag cafeteria lunch to be eaten in testing room
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Wednesday, May 12: STAAR Social Studies (8th Grade)
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Thursday, May 13: STAAR Reading (6th, 7th, 8th Grade)
- Brown bag cafeteria lunch to be eaten in testing room
Lunch Time
Note that the May 11 and 13 STAAR tests are expected to last until after the lunch break. On these days, lunch will be eaten in the testing room. Students should either bring a lunch that does not need to be warmed in a microwave, or if they order cafeteria lunch they will be provided with a brown bag lunch.
On other days, we expect for testing to be over prior to lunch. Students will eat in the cafeteria and may bring from home what they normally would or order a hot lunch from the cafeteria.
Picking up Distance Learning Students
When testing is concluded for the day, Distance Learning students who have come to campus for the day to take STAAR will be given an opportunity to call home to be picked up. Middle School parents will need to come into the office to sign their child out (please remember your Texas Drivers License). If a Middle School parent is picking up a child that is not their own, the parent of record needs to contact the Middle School attendance clerk in advance ( [email protected]).
For any other questions related to testing, please contact:
High School Testing Coordinator & Assistant Principal Crystal Lane
Students who are unable to test on a particular state date will have an opportunity to makeup that STAAR test June 1-3.
Passing STAAR End of Course exams (Algebra 1, Biology, English 1 & 2, US History) is a Texas graduation requirement. Students and parents will be notified in early June if they do not pass a STAAR End of Course exam. Tutorials will be offered June 14-18, and a retest opportunity will be provided June 22-24.
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2021 Teacher of the Year Nominations due May 14 |
Please help us select our 2021 Middle and High School teachers of the year! Not only are your nominations important in helping us to select the award winner, it is also a great way of giving positive feedback to wonderful teachers, as we share what has been written about them (without sharing student or parent names) with the teachers who are nominated.
Nominations are due by next Friday, May 14.
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Register Now for After School 6-12 for '21-'22
Registration for Arts/A la Carte programs has been postponed until July.
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CAS in the IB Diploma Program
One of the requirements for earning an IB Diploma is that students must successfully complete Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS). CAS is intended to help students be balanced, going beyond academics. Over the course of their junior and senior year, students need to be involved in activities that are Creative, physically Active, and Service oriented. For instance, a student might be in chess club or play the piano for Creativity, they might play on the school soccer team or go hiking on weekends for Activity, and they might volunteer at an animal shelter for Service.
These activities should be ongoing over the course of two years. Rather than engaging in a large variety of activities on a surface level, students are encouraged to engage deeply in a few activities that are meaningful to them and help them to grow as individuals. CAS is one reason why colleges are impressed by IB Diploma candidates: they are students who are not only engaged in a challenging, well-rounded courseload, but are also balanced, with a range of interests outside of their studies and a desire to serve their community.
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Senior CAS Project Beautifying Meridian and Honoring Ms. Garbus |
In addition to their ongoing CAS activities, students complete a CAS project, where two or more students work together in planning and executing a project that combines elements of Creativity, Activity, and Service.
For their CAS project, seniors Reese Sherman, Aidan Weatherford, and Roshni Beddhannan enhanced the Kathryn Garbus Memorial Little Free Library and Bench by adding a beautiful flower garden. Then, on our last AB day, several sophomores, juniors, and seniors painted rocks, which were then added to the garden, making it even more colorful. What a wonderful gift to Meridian and beautiful way to honor the memory of Ms. Garbus!
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Distance Learners in Grades K-11: Share CANDID photos taken at home for possible use in the Yearbook!
Parents/guardians of Distance Learners are invited to submit ONE picture of their student attending school from home.
We're looking for the following photos (pick one):
- On Zoom in the home workspace
- Working on schoolwork
- P.E. at home
- First Day of School
- Wearing college shirts
- Playing in the snow during the snow events
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Vision, Hearing and Spinal Screening encouragement for Distance Learning students
Due to challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic and distance learning, your student/s may not have had their vision, hearing or spinal screening last school year or this current year.
Vision and Hearing screenings are mandated for Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th grade and all new-to-Meridian students during the school year. Spinal screening is mandated by the state of Texas for females ages 10 and 12 and males age 13 or 14. This screening can detect abnormal spinal curvatures at an early stage of rapid growth and early detection is important for controlling spinal abnormalities.
Signs your child may have an abnormal spinal curvature:
- Uneven shoulders or hips
- Ribs/shoulder blade (scapula) that are asymmetrical or prominent
- Muscles that are prominent in the lower back or bulge on one side
Therefore, The Department of State Health Services encourages you to take your student/s to a medical provider for a well-child exam, (typically done every year coinciding with a birthday). During this appointment, please request that your physician conducts a spinal, vision and hearing screening.
If your provider screens your child, please provide us results (pass or fail) for our state records by submitting to:
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Upcoming Events and Useful Links |
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Holidays and Holy Days
Lailat Al-Qadr, the 27th night of Ramadan, takes place Saturday. Mothers Day follows on Sunday.
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Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email the appropriate person for support:
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2020-2021 Grade Level Teacher Team Leads
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Principals
Student or Curricular Concerns
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Counselors
Additional Contacts
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