DP Lions Share (11–12)

Week of December 17 2025
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Hello DP Students and Families,
The juniors and seniors enjoyed our annual cookie decorating and hot cocoa study break! Thank you senior parent representative Michelle Stone for organizing the event. Thanks also to parents who donated supplies and/or who volunteered at the event.
Congrats to our DECA students for a wildly successful district competition this week! The students brought home 31 medals. These students will compete at the state level competition in Dallas in February 2026. I'm proud of all of the competitors and thankful for Mr. Holman, our DECA Advisor, and to all the parents who supported as judges and chaperones for this event. I’m sorry I was not able to get a large group picture of all of the winners, but here are a few pictures for you.

Lastly, I'd like to say thank you so much to our ViP Meridian families for the wonderful gift of the holiday cookie buffet! When I see the amazing spread, I imagine all of the time, effort, and love put into baking and delivering all of the goodies. It is a tradition that we all appreciate very much so I thank you on behalf of the DP faculty and staff!
Today is a full day of school and tomorrow is pajama/onesie day. There will be no Secondary After School 6 – 12 tomorrow, Thursday, December 18, so please plan to pick up your student(s) by 4:30 p.m.
I wish everyone a safe and peaceful holiday season. Students return to school on Tuesday, January 6, and we look forward to welcoming our Meridian alumni back to campus on Thursday, January 8th for Alumni Day!
Sincerely,
Stela Holcombe
DP Principal

Alumni Recognition Day: January 8, 2026
RSVP Requested – An Opportunity to connect with Meridian Alumni and Parents of Alumni!
Every year, Meridian hosts an Alumni Day where alumni return to campus for visits to the high school classrooms, focus groups with current Meridian parents, and lunch with their former teachers. The day ends with a formal ceremony where IB diplomas and certificates are awarded to the preceding year's graduates on stage in front of an audience of current high school students. This year the event is scheduled for Thursday, January 8 (this is the Thursday after Winter Break).
An Invitation for Meridian Parents: You are invited to join us for two dialogue sessions on Thursday, January 8. The purpose of these sessions is to provide a space for our alumni--and their parents/guardians-- to share about how the alumni have benefitted from the quality IB education they received at Meridian. We find that these interactions between our current students /parents and our alumni / parents of alumni are always extremely beneficial and enjoyed by all.
- Session 1 - 8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.: Meridian Alumni visit with current Meridian parents
- Session 2 - 9:15 a.m. -10:00 a.m.: Parents of Alumni visit with current Meridian parents
If you would like to join us for one or both sessions, please fill out this RSVP Form by Monday, January 5. We will email you a reminder the day before the event, so please type your email address carefully.
Questions? Please email Charles Ryder.

December Schedule Reminders
- Wednesday, December 17 is a full-length school day, releasing at 4:10 p.m.
- Thursday, December 18, there will be no Secondary After School programs. Students should be picked up in the Secondary carline at 4:10 p.m. (please update PikMyKid for this day).
- Enjoy Winter Break Friday, Dec. 19 through Monday, Jan. 5!
Host Family Needed for Italian Foreign Exchange Student
We have space to enroll a couple of additional foreign exchange students in Semester 2. If you are interested in hosting a female student from Italy, please email Ms. Holcombe. This student is currently in San Antonio and through no fault of her own, she needs a new host family. Read on to learn more about Lucrezia.
Cafeteria Price Increase in January
To continue offering the high-quality, freshly-made meals that our students and families have become accustomed to, lunch prices must be raised by $0.75 and the “Grab n Go” meal by $0.50 for secondary students and staff.
Adjusted pricing starting Jan. 6:
- $5.75 meal / $5.25 GNG for secondary students
- $7.25 meal / $6.50 GNG for faculty & staff
- $5.00 meal for primary students (no change)
Read on for details and to learn about the free and reduced price meal program.
PSA: safe storage of firearms
Texas law requires school districts annually to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. This page will help you learn about options for safe storage of firearms, as well as how to talk to your child and others.
Parent/Guardian Information Nights and Course Selection
It's nearly time to choose courses for next school year! Check out our news article with the following information for grades 5-11:
- January Information Nights for transition years (rising 6th, rising 9th, and rising IB Diploma Program)
- Course Selection and Counselor information for each grade level
- Helpful links to help you navigate the process
ACT Prep Class with Princeton Review
For current 10th and 11th graders
We are looking to contract with Princeton Review to offer an ONLINE ACT Prep Course for Meridian students. This is the first time we have ever done this. This course will be offered on Wednesday afternoons in January-February 2026. This is perfect timing for 11th graders to prepare for the ACT Test they will take at Meridian (for free) on March 3rd. For tenth graders, this is an opportunity for you to begin preparing now for the ACT you will take in March 2027.
I need at least 22 students to commit to taking the course at a cost of $275 before I can proceed with a contract with the Princeton Review. The course would be seven sessions for a total of 15 hours (so this is about $18 per hour for the course, which seems reasonable for a Princeton Review course).
Read on for more information and then sign up to participate. You can email Ms. Holcombe if you have any questions.

Alumni Spotlight: Abigail Sirngot, Class of 2025
We love hearing what our alumni are learning and doing after they graduate! This series spotlights alumni and will run throughout the year.
Abigail Sirngot, Class of 2025, is finishing up her first semester at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She was recently accepted into the Turner Scholars Program, a four year academic program meant to guide students through their college journey. The program offers academic counseling, designated study facilities, and a bright community of learners. They offer a close-knit community environment through community dinners and networking events.
She’s settled into the new city as she studies biology on a Pre-Health track, with a goal to become a Physician Assistant or an Anesthesiologist Assistant.
Read a Q&A from Abigail on her advice for current Meridian students and how Meridian has helped to shape her path!
Spring Semester Preview
Want a quick look at the Spring Semester’s events and programs? Check out this news article. Just know that this far out, dates and times might change!
For up-to-date information, subscribe to our Events listings by clicking on the “subscribe” link at the top right side of the page.
- Choose iCal or Google Calendar. (The Download .ICS option will not update when times or dates change.)
- You can subscribe to our main calendar or campus-specific calendars.

If you student would like to bring a non-Meridian guest to the dance they must print and complete the Winter Dance Guest Approval Form in advance!

Girls Middle School Basketball defeated Central Texas Christian School in a hard-fought away game on Friday, December 12. Photo by Stacy Wilson.
Academic Eligibility
As we approach the end of the grading period, students are encouraged to work hard to finish strong. Please make sure all missing assignments that are still being accepted are completed and submitted. Please take advantage of any remaining opportunities to retake summative assessments. Students who have an incomplete or are failing any classes on their grading period 2 report card will lose academic eligibility as of Monday, January 12. Students who are academically ineligible cannot compete or perform with their extracurricular activities.
Helpful Resources:
Clubs & Extracurricular Activities (6-12)
Secondary clubs & student groups yearbook picture day
Please save the date for the secondary clubs and student groups yearbook picture day, which is Thursday, January 22 during school. There are no make-ups available, and students who miss Club Picture Day will be noted in the yearbook as “not pictured” if they are on their club’s official roster. More information will be shared by club advisors closer to the date.
Model United Nations
Meridian’s Model UN club has its second interscholastic competition right after Winter Break. JMUNSA (6-8) is Thursday, December 8 and MUNSA (9-12) is Thursday, December 8 and Friday, December 9 at Trinity University in San Antonio. We wish the members of Model UN who are participating in this conference successful preparations over Winter Break and a fantastic conference in early 2026!
2025-2026 Clubs List / Clubs & Extracurriculars / Enrichment & Extracurricular Calendar
Questions about Secondary Clubs? Email Secondary Enrichment
Athletics (7-12)
The Athletics Department will be closed over Winter Break. Please plan accordingly.
Athletics Newsletter / Athletics Calendar
Questions about Athletics? Email Meridian Athletics.

DP Resources
Important DP Program Contacts
Counselor for Grades 10-12, Nick Manuszak
College and Career Counselor, Kathy Gregg
Director of Special Education, Susan Mais
LSSP/Assistant Director of Special Education, Jennifer Kuester
ARD Coordinator, Anna Brown
504 Coordinator, Dottie Elliott
Dean of School Culture, Monique Swain
Help us reach you
- Please check your email and cell on Skyward for errors. If they are correct, please check to make sure you didn't accidentally un-enroll in updates by opting back in here.
- If you have a landline as your primary contact you will not receive Catapult text messages. You may change this in Skyward or fill out the google form with the cell phone number. Please only complete the form if your cell phone is not in Skyward.
DP Calendar
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Dec 22, 2025
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Jan 5, 2026
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Jan 6, 2026
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Jan 8, 2026
- Alumni Day
- MUN Conference - MUNSA (9-12) (Trinity University San Antonio)
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Jan 9, 2026
- MUN Conference - MUNSA (9-12) (Trinity University San Antonio)
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Jan 14, 2026
- Princeton Review ACT Course Begins
- Annual Triple A MLK Ceremony and March - 4:30 pm - 6 pm
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Jan 15, 2026
- Fundraiser: Free Dress Day
- Basketball Senior Night! - 7 pm - 7:30 pm (Home - Mays Gym)
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Jan 19, 2026
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Jan 22, 2026
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Jan 23, 2026
- Last Day to Buy Prom Tickets
- Career Exploration and Volunteer Fair - 9:20 am - 1 pm
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Jan 24, 2026
- High School Winter Dance - 7 pm - 10 pm (Mays Cafe)
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Jan 26, 2026
- DP Principal's Coffee - 9 am - 10 am
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Jan 28, 2026
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Jan 31, 2026
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Feb 2, 2026
- Senior Year - Graduation Products information meeting - 2 pm - 2:30 pm (High School Café)
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Feb 4, 2026
- ESL Parent/Guardian Night - 7 pm - 8 pm

