DP Lions Share (11–12)

Meeting Thursday: Summer study abroad opportunities

Interested in study abroad opportunities for high school students in countries like Japan, Italy, France, Spain, Costa Rica, and more?  The Council On International Educational Exchange (CIEE), a non-profit organization dedicated to global education for over 75 years, offers programs for high school students and graduating seniors. Read on for details and a link for a virtual informational meeting Thursday, Nov. 6.

Friday: Fine Arts Field Trip to UT

All DPY1 and DPY2 fine arts students (DP Visual Arts and DP Theater) will attend a field trip to UT this Friday, November 7. The  students will visit the Blanton Museum of Art and see a theater performance. I will share some photos in next week's newsletter. 

Meridian’s Fall Show, These Shining Lives, opens Friday

Based on a true story, this inspiring play follows four women in the 1920s and 30s who paint watch dials with radium. As their health begins to fail, they band together to fight for justice and make their voices heard.

Recommended audience age is 9th grade and up.

Show Dates: November 7, 8, 14, and 15

Get tickets through MySchoolBucks. Pre-sales close on Thursday at 5 p.m. each week before the shows.

• Pre-Sales: $5/$10           
• At Door $6/$12

Proposed 2026-2027 Academic Calendar

Next week, our board will vote on the 2026-2027 school calendar. 

• The first day of school, August 12, will continue to be an early release Wednesday. 
• While we have typically held a Faculty & Staff Work Day over Easter Weekend, due to Spring Break and Easter Weekend being so close to each other, the Work Day has been moved to April 19. 
• As in the past, the calendar allows for two bad weather make-up days without canceling any holidays. Winter and Spring breaks are aligned with RRISD’s approved calendar.
• The first semester is shorter than it has been the past few years due to Memorial Day falling later in May.

Black Student Union selling Spirit Wear

The Black Student Union is selling their annual “Celebrate Black Culture” T shirts. These are approved spirit wear. Short sleeved option $20; long sleeved option $25.

You can order on My School Bucks through November 19.  

Become a substitute teacher!

Meridian is looking for 8-10 additional substitutes! Substitutes at Meridian can earn $100 per day ($120 per day if certified teachers). If you work 15 or more days in a quarter, you earn an additional $25 for every day worked (paid in a lump sum at the end of the quarter)! Apply today. 

How does it work? You can log into our substitute management system to pick up jobs when you're available. You're in control of when you work and which grades you teach!

Monday: Extended Essay meeting for Class of 2027 parents

Monday, November 10 from 6-7 p.m.

If your student is a full IB diploma candidate, they will learn about the Extended Essay tomorrow, Nov. 7. Parents and Guardians are asked to attend a Zoom Meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, where we will introduce you to the Extended Essay (EE). The EE is a complex research task that is required for the IB diploma. We want to make sure that both students and parents/guardians understand the expectations as students embark on their EE journey in the month of November.

Las Ofrendas para Día de los Muertos

Each year, our Spanish and art classes work together to create ofrendas for Day of the Dead. Each campus makes it their own as this tradition continues!

Senior Picture Days are next week!

Senior Group Photo on November 13

Senior Individual Yearbook Portraits on November 13 and 14

The tradition of taking senior photos on campus in our beautiful courtyard began with our first senior class in 2016! Individual Senior Yearbook Portraits will be taken on November 13 and November 14. A picture day schedule and dress requirements will be shared via a direct email from Holcombe this week!

The annual Senior Group Photo will be taken on Thursday, November 13 at 8 a.m. in the Mays Lobby. Please do not schedule doctor appointments on this date. If you have a college visit planned on this date, please let me know asap.

Our New Photographer, Paige Budde, has been a professional photographer since 2011, specializing in seniors, portraits, and corporate events. With a background in weddings and a passion for connecting with her subjects, she creates images that are timeless, personal, and full of personality.

Winter Uniform Exchange

Saturday, November 15 from 10 a.m. to noon

ViP is holding a Winter Uniform Exchange. Shop gently used uniform pieces, including long sleeves, pants, spirit wear, college shirts and more! Each item is only $2, and all funds raised go back to Teacher Grants. 

Parents who have volunteered and logged their 20 hours this year will be given early shopping access at 9:30 a.m. (There will be a list to check your name at the door.)

If you'd like to receive early shopping access, please sign up to volunteer for the sale. Volunteers can shop before anyone else!

Meridian School Board Meeting and Public Hearing for FIRST

On Thursday, November 13 at 6 p.m., administration will present the school’s State Financial Accountability Rating prior to the Board meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss Meridian School's Superior Achievement rating and a score of 94 on the state’s financial accountability system.