DP Lions Share (11–12)
Week of April 1, 2026
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Hello DP Students and Families,
We have only eight weeks remaining in the school year with IB exams on the horizon.
We had a great turn out of parents/guardians of DP science juniors at the group presentations for the Collaborative Science Project last Friday! The juniors also presented to the fourth graders, giving them a preview of what they will experience in the DP one day. I'm very thankful for our incredible team of DP science teachers: Ms. Baker, Ms. Gandhi, Ms. Jacobs, Mr. Morales, and Ms. Sherrill. Read more and see pictures in the Spotlight section below.
Please note these upcoming events!
- Tonight is our annual Experience Meridian Mini-Job Fair from 4:30-6 p.m. Please refer educators you know who are looking for work opportunities for the 2026-2027 school year.
- We are looking forward to the annual Senior Lock-Out this Thursday-Friday, April 2-3. We are still in need of a few more parent volunteers in order for this event to happen!
- I hope you will join us for the last DP Principal Coffee of the year next week on Tuesday, April 7.
- Junior/Senior Prom is next weekend on Saturday, April 11. Please sign up to donate needed items and/or volunteer to support this major event for the students.
Stela Holcombe
DP Principal
Calendar Reminders
- $2 Free Dress Day next Thursday, April 2
- No school for students on Friday, April 3 and Monday, April 6
- Senior Lockout April 2-3
- Subscribe to the calendar to get these dates, and more, on your phone!
DP Principal's Coffee April 7
Tuesday, April 7 from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Our final DP Principal’s Coffee of the year is here! It has been scheduled for April 7 due to a meeting conflict.
What does "NG" mean in Skyward?
If a student has any marks below 50 in Skyward (such as a 0 for missing work), the course grade shows as “NG.” This means that your student is failing the course and immediate action is needed. Ideally, the parent/guardian would talk with the student about what is going on and then the student would take needed action. However, parents/guardians are welcome to email the teacher directly if needed to inquire about their student's performance in the class. If you have questions about how you see grades in Skyward, please contact Wendy Riley.
STAAR Testing Schedule – 11th Grade
Students in 11th grade have one STAAR exam: the EOC (End of Course) exam for US History on Wednesday, April 15. Students should get plenty of sleep the night before and eat a healthy breakfast that morning. See STAAR page.
Chicken eggs available for $4/dozen
Friends of Meridian has shared that the chickens are busy laying eggs, and they’re available for purchase for a discounted $4 per dozen! Proceeds go back to support the coop. Fill out the egg purchase form today.
Statewide Emergency Alert System Test April 2
April 2, from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
The Texas Department of Emergency Management will hold statewide tests of local alert systems on Thursday. If you haven’t already registered for alerts in Williamson County, or if your contact information has changed, now is a good time to visit Warn Central Texas. Learn more about the statewide test.
Meridian plastic film recycling drive with Ridwell
Plastic Bag Drive runs through April 30!
Do you have plastic bags saved up to recycle but don’t know what to do with them? Meridian School has joined Ridwell’s plastic bag recycling drive for schools! During the drive, if ten families become Ridwell members, Meridian will get free plastic film pick up for a whole year!
- During Arts & Science Fest April 18 (Mays Lobby)
- Between April 27-30 (Any Lobby)
RockSports Spirit Wear Sale
Enjoy 20% off all branded Meridian items at the RockSports store through April 6. Short sleeve tees are $12, sweatshirts are $16 (twill version $32), and fleece jackets are just $24!
Senior schedule
The last day of classes for seniors is Wednesday, April 29. However, please note that all seniors will continue reporting to school by 9:15 a.m. daily (or earlier if they have an IB exam) and they will be released after the daily attendance is taken at 9:30 a.m.
IB Exams begin on April 30. See the 2026 IB exam schedule. If your student is taking IB exams, it's important for you to know that they cannot be rescheduled. You will not want to plan travel or make doctor appointments on examination days. If you have an older student graduating from college in May 2026 (or another big family event), please share those dates with me asap so we can see if there is a potential schedule conflict.
The deadline to submit work for Quarter 4 is Friday, May 1 (at teacher discretion).
Collaborative Science project
On Thursday and Friday, Diploma Program juniors worked in interdisciplinary teams across science programs to tackle real world challenges in the annual Collaborative Science Project. This year’s focus was the Science of Food: Designing Sustainable Food Systems for the Future.
They investigated topics like food production, nutrition, waste reduction, and environmental impact, developing creative, evidence-based proposals for a growing global population.
They presented to both our fifth graders and to parents and guardians, giving students an authentic audience for their ideas and showcasing the power of collaboration, communication, and scientific thinking in action.
DPY2 Fine Arts Night at Meridian
Friday, April 10, 2026
Visual Arts Exhibition, 5 - 7 p.m.
The Mays Building will be transformed into an art exhibition space! This culminating senior project aims to showcase the best work of Meridian’s DP Visual Arts students. The students enrolled in DP Visual Arts spend their junior and senior years creating artworks and preparing for this special show. Please join us!
Collaborative Theatre Project Performance, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Our DP Theatre Seniors will present two original works of theater for their Collaborative Project. The show is Friday, April 10 at 7 p.m. in the black box immediately following the Visual Arts Exhibition. Admission is free. We invite audiences willing to take part in a talkback after the pieces are over to share valuable feedback. We encourage all theater lovers to attend in support of our DP theatre seniors!
Annual Senior Breakfast
Friday, April 17 from 7:30-8:15 a.m.
The Senior Breakfast is an annual tradition where we provide a nice breakfast for seniors in their last quarter of high school. This event is being led by parent volunteer Michelle Stone. Parents/guardians: see how you can donate and volunteer.
ViP Social at the PYP Playground
Sunday, April 12 from 3-5 p.m.
ViP hosts their next social for the whole family at the Primary School playground, with snacks and drinks provided! Bring a chair and please RSVP to help them plan.
Arts & Science Fest
Saturday, April 18, 2026
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
It's time for our 4th annual Arts & Science Fest! Enjoy live performances, interactive demos, a mobile planetarium, and exhibits from more than 30 school and community STEAM partners! Discover rockets with Longhorn Rocketry Association and Meridian Aerospace Club. Play with City of Round Rock Park Rangers. Enjoy a whole wing of hands-on science fun with Austin Community College!
⏰ Score a free T shirt if you sign up to volunteer by April 2! ⏰ If you’re not sure if you’re really needed at big events like this, consider this your invitation! We still need at least ten volunteers to make this event a success!
Thank you to our sponsors, ThermoFisher Scientific, Blick Art Materials, Handzies, and A+ Federal Credit Union!
Wizard of Oz: Spring Musical
🌈 Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Meridian’s Musical Production of The Wizard of Oz! There’s no place like our stage! Join us somewhere over the rainbow for a magical evening as our talented students present the beloved musical, The Wizard of Oz.
✨Performances
- April 23, 24, and 25 at 6:30 p.m., with a matinee April 25 at 2 p.m.
🎟 Tickets
- Pre-Sale: $10 Adults | $5 Students (coming soon on myschoolbucks)
- At the Door: $12 Adults | $6 Students
Congratulations to the 2026 TCSAAL Tennis Tournament State Champions!
Meridian Athletics (7-12)
Tennis
Congratulations to our 2026 Texas Charter School Academic and Athletic League (TCSAAL) Tennis Tournament State Champions and State Semifinalists!
State Champions!
Alishia S. & Sridhatri S. - 2026 Girls Varsity Doubles
Gavin H. & Anika P. - 2026 Varsity Mixed Doubles
Leon J. & Vidhi G - 2026 Middle School Mixed Doubles
State Semifinalists!
Yaseen A. & Dru C. - 2026 Varsity Mixed Doubles
Samanvi M. & Tannishtha P. - 2026 Varsity Girls Doubles
Archit S. - 2026 Middle School Boys Singles
Ally S. & Vijeta M. - 2026 Middle School Girls Doubles
Soccer
Upcoming Playoff Games - Coed MS plays in the Area Championship on Wednesday, April 1! The winning team advances to the Regional Championship on Saturday, April 4!
Upcoming Home Games - On Saturday, April 4, Boys Varsity & Girls Varsity will host IDEA Pflugerville at the Round Rock Multiplex!
Soccer Game Schedule & Results - Varsity playoff information coming soon!
Dance Team
The Dance Team is hosting a Spring Dance Camp for Meridian Lions in kindergarten through 5th grade on Saturday, April 11. Both the Dance Camp participants and Fierce Dance Team will perform at the 2026 Arts & Science Fest on April 18!
Class of 2026 Signing Day
Senior, Daniel H. has signed with Heidelberg University to play soccer! There will be a Signing Day Event in the Mays Lobby on Thursday, April 2 during Advisory (1:50 - 2:20 p.m.) to honor Daniel and his accomplishment. Please stop by to congratulate Daniel and to wish him luck with his next team!
Get ready for 2026-2027 Sports! (current 6-11 / rising 7-12)
Originally communicated on January 28
Registration for Competitive Cross Country, Competitive Dance Team, Competitive Flag Football, and Competitive Volleyball opens Wednesday, April 15 and ends at 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 23. Find each sport’s physical form deadline and tryout dates on the Meridian Athletics landing page. Practice schedules and participation fees will be available by the time registration opens.
Athletics Awards Ceremony
All students who participated in Meridian competitive sports this school year are invited to attend the Athletics Awards Ceremony in the Mays Gym on Monday, April 27 at 5:30 p.m. Student athletes are encouraged to dress up for this event and are welcome to invite their parents/guardians to join them. RSVP by April 22.
Athletics Newsletter / Athletics Calendar / 2026-2027 Sports Registration (Subject to change)
Questions about Athletics? Email Meridian Athletics.
Clubs & Extracurricular Activities (6-12)
HOSA (Future Health Professionals)
The HOSA State Leadership Conference was in Corpus Christi last week. Meridian’s team won the Secondary Division of the National Marrow Donation Program Award for their fundraising efforts!
After School Band and Orchestra
New Spring Concert date and times!
The Spring Concert has been rescheduled to Saturday, May 16. There are also new performance times:
- 1 p.m. – BandConcert
- 3 p.m. – Orchestra Concert
2026-2027 After School Band & Orchestra (Subject to changes before school starts)
- Open to 7th-12th grade intermediate musicians next year!
- Student musicians must meet prerequisites to participate.
- Registration opens Wednesday, August 12 (first day of school).
- Registration ends Thursday, August 20 at 9 p.m. No late registrations accepted.
- Rehearsals start the week of August 31.
2025-2026 Clubs List / Clubs & Extracurriculars / Enrichment & Extracurricular Calendar
Questions about Secondary Clubs? Email Secondary Enrichment
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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Apr 3, 2026
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Apr 6, 2026
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Apr 7, 2026
- New Date: DP Principal's Coffee - 9 am - 10 am
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Apr 8, 2026
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Apr 10, 2026
- Senior Year - DP Fine Arts Night - 5 pm - 9 pm
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Apr 11, 2026
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Apr 12, 2026
- ViP Social - 3 pm - 5 pm
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Apr 17, 2026
- Senior Year - Senior Breakfast - 7:30 am - 8:15 am (HSC)
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Apr 18, 2026
- Arts & Science Fest - 2 pm - 5 pm
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Apr 21, 2026
- Spring Picture Day
- Senior Year - Cap & Gown delivery - 1 pm - 2 pm
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Apr 23, 2026
- Spring Musical: The Wizard of Oz - 6:30 pm (Mays Gym)
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Apr 24, 2026
- Senior Year - Last Day of Recess - 1:50 pm - 2:20 pm
- Spring Musical: The Wizard of Oz - 6:30 pm (Mays Gym)
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Apr 25, 2026
- Spring Musical: The Wizard of Oz - 2 pm (Mays Gym)
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Apr 27, 2026
- Athletics Awards Ceremony - 5:30 pm - 7 pm (Mays Gym)
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Apr 29, 2026
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Apr 30, 2026
- IB Exam: Computer Science - 12:30 pm - 2 pm
- IB Exam: Environment and Societies - 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm