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Students walk in the Homecoming Parade for Cross Country, holding up a red sign with "We Are Lions XC"
A student practices the flute as they set up for a band performance during Founders Day
Primary students paint on white paper
Students run across a field, the one on the left holding a football (from a recent Flag Football game).
Enjoying the annual World Parade
Students play guitars in music class
Newsletters » DP Lions Share (11–12)

DP Lions Share (11–12)

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Week of February 11, 2026

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Stela

Hello DP Students and Families,

 

I should have mentioned this last week, but we are now halfway through Quarter 3. Now is a good time to check your student's grades in Skyward to see how they are performing in their courses. If your student is struggling in one or more classes, they should attend tutorials with the teacher to ask questions, revise work, and take advantage of retake opportunities.

 

Junior and senior level courses will be put on pause for students tomorrow, Thursday, February 12. Juniors who are writing the EE will prepare for their trip to UT (scheduled for Tuesday of next week) while remaining juniors and all seniors will have a work day.  All juniors and seniors should arrive to school at 8:25–including those that have study hall for 1st period. 

 

I hope to see you this Thursday afternoon at the Jamboree that is being hosted by our Meridian BSU. Come enjoy student speeches, art displays, talent acts, music, snacks, and a great time of fellowship! This event is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. in the Mays Gym.


Lastly, please remember that this Saturday, February 14 is the deadline to buy tickets for Prom 2026. We must know in advance what our budget is for this event. Tickets are not sold at the door (no exceptions).  This year the prom will be at Celebrino of Georgetown; we leased this venue in 2024 and it's just beautiful!

 

Stela Holcombe

DP Principal

No School Friday or Monday

A reminder: there is no school for students Friday or Monday. 👀 Enjoy the four day weekend!

 

DPnews

Tomorrow: Jamboree!

Jamboree Feb. 12 5-7 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 12, The Meridian Black Student Union presents their second annual Black History Month Jamboree! Open to all Meridian families. Enjoy talent acts, visual arts, a fashion show, Black history speeches, and snacks.

Dress Options for Thursday

During the school day on Thursday, February 12, all students and staff are invited to dress in celebration of Black History Month. They may also wear spirit wear or uniforms.

 

Black History Month options include:

  • 'Celebrate Black Culture' spirit wear 
  • Black history/culture themed T shirt
  • Colors (red, black, yellow, green)
  • Do you have roots in African culture? Wear your traditional African attire!
 

The Deadline to Buy Prom Tickets is this Saturday!

Blue wave with "enchantment Under the Sea"The deadline to buy tickets for Prom 2026 is February 14! Tickets are not sold at the door, so this is your final chance to order. Order your tickets today!


  • When and where is Prom? April 11 from 7-11 p.m. at Celebrino Event Center
  • How much do tickets cost? $80 per ticket
  • Can I pay by cash or check? Yes. You may pay via cash or check payable to "Meridian School" to save a 4% MySchoolBucks processing fee
 

Announcements

Upcoming deadlines for World Parade, Festival of Cultures

  • K-12 Students can walk in the World Parade on March 6! ⏰ Today's the last day for us to order a flag if your country is not already on the list.
  • Families: volunteer at the Festival of Cultures or host a country booth!
  • Student Clubs: Host a booth or activity with your club or organization!
Students celebrate cultures

T shirt sales close Monday

Black white cut out of lion logo with Meridian vertically on the left. "Coloring our world since 2011"To guarantee your size shirt for Festival of Cultures/Holi Celebration and Arts & Science Fest, order your shirt on MySchoolBucks by Monday!

 

Sales close Monday evening so that we can order the shirts from RockSports. A limited number of additional shirts will be available at the event.

 

Junior Lock In scheduled for February 27-28

We have finally settled on a date for the junior lock-in! This beloved tradition is an optional overnight event at Meridian in the Mays building and gym.

 

What to expect

The students will enjoy food, games, midnight on the playground, all-night open gym time, and more. The event is chaperoned by Ms. Riley, Ms. Holcombe and parent volunteers.

 

What do do now

Students are advised to make arrangements to get off of work so they can enjoy this event with their peers. Look for a direct email from Ms. Holcombe with more information soon.

 

Report absences on Skyward

When your student is absent, please report it through Skyward as soon as possible.

Report absences on Skyward
  1. Log into Skyward and click on your student’s Attendance tile. 
  2. Click on the green + Add Absence Request to the right side of the Absence Request tab.
  3. Complete the Absence Request Details.
  4. Click save in the upper left corner of the request and you’re done.
 

Have a doctor’s note? You can attach a doctor’s note to your Absence Request before or after you have submitted it. Click edit and then the Attachments link in the upper right of the request.

 

Academics

Juniors: one-on-one conferences with Kathy Gregg

Mrs. Gregg offers an individual conference with each junior to discuss plans for after high school and the college application process. Parents/guardians are invited to attend this meeting with their student, in person or via Zoom. Please schedule the meeting during study hall or during a class when the student can most afford to miss about 30 minutes of instructional time. Conferences are available through March 11.  Reserve your meeting time today! 

Juniors: Course Selection for 2026-2027

Mr. Manuszak visited with the juniors in their US History class to guide them in the completion of their 12th grade course selection form. Students will continue their two-year IB Diploma Program courses, but there are decisions to make in regards to taking an elective vs. taking a study hall. The choices students make are not final.

 

Spotlight

Meridian Students worked hard to help organize SICMUN

Principal Melissa Reese attended this weekend's SICMUN conference at Southwestern University in Georgetown. Meridian's students, families, and staff work together to help put the conference on. Here's Ms. Reese's message:
 
"I want to take a moment to share how incredibly proud I am of our students and staff following SICMUN at Southwestern University on Saturday. Our students represented Meridian with confidence, professionalism, and heart. Hearing our very own Karalei Nunn speak during the opening ceremonies was a powerful moment, and having Sal Stow’s 5th Grade choir perform truly brought tears to my eyes. Thank you to Leah Trainham and Simon Nichols for preparing our students for such a special event. Meridian was exceptionally well represented.
 
I would also like to extend a sincere thank you to our students and teachers who welcomed our student delegates from Mexico into your classrooms on Friday. Your openness and hospitality reflected the very best of who we are as a school community."
 
See details in the Extracurriculars section below!

Fifth graders sing; Ms. Nunn stands with student organizers

Upcoming Events

 

Extended Essay (EE) Research Trip to UT Austin

Tuesday, February 17

We are taking our EE juniors on a field trip to do research for the Extended Essays at the UT libraries on Tuesday, February 17. Each student/family is asked to pay $10 to help cover half the cost of transportation.

 

If you did not attend the webinar that Mr. Ryder hosted about the Extended Essay in November, please watch the recording (enter Passcode: q&N8d6cq) and accompanying slideshow. It covers requirements for earning the IB Diploma and the Extended Essay process that your junior will be working on through October.

 

Friends of Meridian's Celebration of Flavors kicks off International Week

Friends of Meridian Celebration of Flavors: Feb. 27 in Georgetown. Tickets on sale now! 

enrichment

The Fierce Dance Team performed well at the Leander Winter Dance Classic on Saturday, February 7.

Clubs & Extracurricular Activities (6-12)

Model UN (6-12)

SICMUN - More than one-hundred  members of Meridian Model UN participated in the SICMUN conference at Southwestern University on Saturday, February 7! Congratulations to all participants! Meridian received 21 awards!

Best Delegate Awards: Emmanuel N., Finnegan R., Kaleb D., Lucky M., Sanjeev H., Srivanth G.

Best Legislator Awards: Saaketh G., Vehaan S.

Best Negotiator Awards: Anya A., Asad H., Eesha S., Sanav S., Sanvi N., Shoumik R.

Best Position Paper Awards: Anusha S., Hanish S., Leon J., Nikhil D., Prayati S., Zahraa A.

Meridian’s Middle School participants also received Best Large Delegation!

 

HOSA (9-12) 

Spring Leadership Conference - Good luck to the fifteen members of Meridian’s high school Health Professions Club who are participating in the Spring Leadership Conference in San Antonio on Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14! Let’s go, Lions!

 

DECA (9-12) 

State Competition -Thirty-one high school students are advancing to the DECA State Competition in Dallas next week! Good luck to those members of Meridian DECA! (DECA is a global non-profit student organization that prepares high school students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.)

 

2025-2026 Clubs List / Clubs & Extracurriculars / Enrichment & Extracurricular Calendar

Questions about Secondary Clubs? Email Secondary Enrichment

 

Meridian Athletics (7-12)

 

Basketball

Congratulations to the Meridian Basketball teams on a great season!

Girls Middle School finishes the season as Area Champion and Regional Runner-Up!

Boys Varsity Basketball is Division Champion and Area Runner-Up!

 

See Athletics Accomplishments for more achievements in Meridian sports.

 

Tennis

Tennis Senior Night is Thursday, February 19! Please join us as we recognize the class of 2026 seniors in the Meridian Tennis program: Dru C., LaMark C. Jr., Gavin H., Isaac L., and Leah P. The ceremony will be at 6 p.m. at the Cimarron Hills Tennis Center. Then stay to enjoy the traditional Red vs. Black Match as the Varsity team prepares for the TCSAAL State Tennis Tournament on March 7!

 

 

Athletics Newsletter / Athletics Calendar / 2026-2027 Sports Registration (Subject to change)

 

Questions about Athletics? Email Meridian Athletics.

Important DP Program Contacts

DP Principal, Stela Holcombe
DP Assistant Principal, Wendy Riley
DP Coordinator, Charles Ryder
 
Secondary Librarian and EE Coordinator, Renée Ramirez
Counselor for Grades 10-12, Nick Manuszak
College and Career Counselor, Kathy Gregg
HS Campus Coordinator, Jessica Kress
Receptionist / Attendance Clerk, Tiffany Burnham
Report absences on Skyward
 

Director of Special Education, Susan Mais

LSSP/Assistant Director of Special Education, Jennifer Kuester

ARD Coordinator, Anna Brown

504 Coordinator, Dottie Elliott

 
Registrar, Pamela Marmarinos

Dean of School Culture, Monique Swain

Child Nutrition Director, Kaylee Torres
Meal Program Application/Café Questions
Skyward Questions
Athletics
Secondary Enrichment
 

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