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Newsletters » DP Lions Share (11–12)

DP Lions Share (11–12)

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Week of December 4, 2024

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Stela

Greetings DP Families!

 

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Break. I enjoyed time with my college kids who were home for the week.

 

We are in the home stretch of Quarter 2/Semester 1. Students are wrapping up their EEs, working on IAs, and preparing for end of semester summatives. 

 

This coming Friday-Saturday (December 6-7) is our annual Senior Lock In! Thank you to the parents who have stepped up to make this event possible by volunteering to chaperone and donating funds for breakfast. See more details about this event below. 

 

Stela Holcombe

DP Principal

DPnews

Secondary Uniform Reminders

Please see this communication for important reminders about our school uniform policy. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to your DP Principal, Stela Holcombe.

 

Senior 24-hour Lock-In: Action items and details

Friday, December 6 - Saturday, December 7

 

We have the parent chaperones we need to make this event possible! Thank you to the Vallejo, Cortinas, and Edrich families! This annual tradition requires parent support. Read on for forms and actions:

 
  • Check here to review the sign up for volunteering/donating items.
  • Students, please RSVP here.
  • Students and parents/guardians must complete this form.
  • Give pizza money to Holcombe by 2 p.m. Friday to be included in the pizza order.
  • Drop off / pick up from the Mays Building (we will NOT be in the high school).
    • Parents/guardians, please pick up on time (by 7 a.m.) so staff can go home and get some sleep!

Questions? Please email [email protected].

 

Meeting recording for Full Diploma juniors & parents/guardians

If you were unable to attend the required Zoom meeting about the Extended Essay (EE)  last night, here is the recording, and here is a link to the presentation that was reviewed about the Extended Essay (EE).  Please watch the recording so that you are aware of the timeline and expectations for this large task – a task that is required for students pursuing the IB diploma.  The first few minutes of the meeting were not recorded, but you can see the information you missed on the first two slides of the presentation. If you have any questions, please email DP Coordinator Charles Ryder at [email protected].

 

Interested in summer study abroad opportunities?

Zoom Meeting Tuesday, December 10  at 6:30 p.m. via zoom (link)Two students smile and wave as they tour abroad

 

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. Their Summer Abroad programs are 3-4 weeks and cover topics from World Languages to STEM, Business, Arts, Social Change, and Leadership.

 

Monday, December 9 during advisory, a CIEE representative will present to our students. Some Meridian students have participated in these programs in the past and shared favorable reviews about their experiences.


If interested, please review this flier and join us for a 45-minute Zoom call with our CIEE representative, Erin El-Tawil Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 6:30 p.m.

 

Seniors: IB Exam schedule and billing for May 2025

Mr. Ryder has  wrapped up IB exam registration with the seniors! The cost per exam is $125. Families will be billed for this via MySchoolBucks later this month. There is a 4% MySchoolBucks fee; you are also welcome to bring a personal check payable to "Meridian School." 


The IB exam schedule for May 2025 will be published in this newsletter next week. If your student is taking IB exams, it's important for you to know that exams cannot be rescheduled. Don't plan travel or make doctor appointments on examination days. If you have an older student graduating from college in May 2025 (or another big family event), please share those dates with me asap so we can see if there is a potential schedule conflict.

 

Secondary Holiday Fun Week!

December 16-19Students wear Santa hats with Ms. Cullen; one student has a holiday tie and jacket.

 

Get ready for winter dress up week! The week of December 16, before winter break, students may wear the following:

 

Monday, Dec 16:  Regular Uniform with Holiday Accessories (socks, Santa hats, antlers,  blankets, holiday slippers, etc.)

 

Tuesday, Dec 17: Holiday Sweater Day / Do It Yourself "DIY" Ugly Holiday Sweaters

 

Wednesday, Dec 18 (full day of school):  Wear Plaid or a College Shirt


Thursday, Dec 19:  Pajamas/Onesie Day

 

 

Save the Date for Graduation Regalia Orders

Monday, February 10 and Tuesday, February 11

Students and/or parents/guardians place orders for graduation regalia (cap and gowns) and graduation announcements in February. The vendor for our school is Herff Jones. Learn about graduation regalia from this helpful slide created by Robyn Tester:

Total for required regalia is $74.95. You may reuse older siblings' regalia if it fits. Optional regalia includes an NHS stole, IB medal, and IB Programme Cords

RockSports spirit wear holiday sale

Now through Jan. 1, enjoy 25% off long sleeved tees and printed crewneck sweatshirts at RockSports! Check out designs on sale.

 

Schedule Update: Wednesday, Dec. 18 and Thursday, Dec. 19

Wednesday, Dec. 18 is a full school day for all students to allow for secondary students to take exams. Primary pick up starts at 3:40 p.m. and secondary pick up starts at 4:10 p.m.

 

Thursday, Dec. 19, there will be no After School 6-12. Students will need to be picked up during secondary carline. This allows our After School staff to join the staff holiday party. Thank you!

 

The Teacher Experiences Auction is back!

Bid on one-of-a-kind experiences with Meridian faculty and staff during this online auction Dec.4-13! Build community and enjoy special time with your teachers outside of class. This special Meridian event is coming back for the first time since 2020, and funds raised support special campus projects. 
 
In addition to teacher-led experiences like science experiments, game nights, and trips to the museum with your teachers, we have fun community opportunities like tickets to Kalahari and special gift baskets. See more!

 

 

Teacher Experiences Auction

 

enrichment
 

Meridian Athletics

 Boys Varsity Basketball huddles during a recent home game.

Boys Varsity Basketball in a home game huddle. Photo by Linda Mosqueda.

 

Basketball

Upcoming home games!

Wednesday, December 4 - Girls MS and Boys MS Beast

Monday, December 9 - Girls MS, Boys MS Beast, Boys Varsity

Tuesday, December 10 - Boys JV Bold

Wednesday, December 11 - Boys MS Bold

 

See the Athletics Newsletter and the Athletics web section for more about Meridian sports.

 

Questions? Email Meridian Athletics.

Extracurricular Activities and Clubs

 

School of Rock and Pop (9-12)

Now registering! The School of Rock and Pop is a spring semester after school program for high school musicians and vocalists. Registration is now open and ends at 9 p.m. on Thursday, December 12.  No late registrations will be accepted. Mandatory auditions are Tuesday, December 17. 

 

2024-2025 Secondary Clubs and Student Groups (6-12)

Find the Clubs List for this school year. 

Learn how students can start or reactivate a club. 

See Daily Announcements.

 

Questions? Email Secondary Enrichment

Important DP Program Contacts

DP Principal, Stela Holcombe
DP Assistant Principal, Wendy Riley
DP Coordinator, Charles Ryder
DP Team Lead, Ray Ciccolella
 
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, Shawn Seaman
Report absences on Skyward
 

SpEd Director, Susan Mais

ARD Coordinator, Anna Brown

504 Coordinator, Dottie Elliott

SpEd Coordinator, April Harris
 
Registrar, Janette Gaudiesus

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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