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Students talk about wooden toy cars and write down feedback
Students perform in "A Thousand Cranes" with yellow and red banners
JV Soccer team members run up and hug goalie after a win
Roary waves during a parade
Students and families throw colored powder into the air
Students walk in the Homecoming Parade for Cross Country, holding up a red sign with "We Are Lions XC"
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Newsletters » DP Lions Share (11–12)

DP Lions Share (11–12)

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Week of March 11, 2026

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Stela

Hello DP Students and Families,

 

Here we are at the end of Quarter 3. The school year is flying by.

 

Please note that this Friday, March 13 is the last day for students to drop a DP course and have it not appear on their high school transcript. If your student is struggling, now is the time to reach out for a meeting with me.  

 

Today after school, EE juniors are meeting with their EE supervisors. It is so very important that they meet the checkpoints that have been set for them. If your junior is struggling with the DP workload and with the additional requirements of EE, CAS and the TOK course they are taking this semester, please reach out to me so we can meet to discuss your student's academic goals at Meridian and how this relates to their plans post-high school.

 

Attention Juniors: Juniors who are taking a DP science course (including those who are not full IB diploma candidates) need to make sure to be at school on Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27 to participate in The Group 4 Collaborative Science Project. This is Thursday-Friday right after Spring Break. Parents will be invited to hear about their work on Friday after school. I will send an email with more details soon!

 

Lastly, I'd like to ask for your support in regards to student attendance. Our attendance rate took a significant dip in quarter 3. Please urge your student to have the best attendance possible for the last quarter so we don't continue to lose funding. Remember, we get funding when students are present in class at 9:30 a.m. each day. Thank you in advance for your support with this!

 

I wish everyone a great Spring Break!

 

Stela Holcombe

DP Principal

It was a windy and fun World Parade on Friday!

World Parade 2026

 

DPnews

A note: please do not arrive in the pick up line before 4 p.m. (1:25 p.m. Wednesdays). Early secondary drivers have been preventing on-time primary drivers from getting to their students. 

Class of 2027 quarter zip spirit wear closes tonight

Grey quarter zip sweatshirt with blue star and Class of 27

Class of 2027!  Wear your class spirit and order a limited edition embroidered Quarter Zip Class of 2027 jacket.

 

This approved spirit wear jacket can be worn all week over your polo shirt. Available to Class of 2027 students, their families and Meridian staff. Sales close tonight, March 11, at 11:59 p.m.

Spring Scholastic Book Fair runs through Friday

March 9-13

Stack of booksThe Scholastic Book Fair closes Friday! Stock up on good reads for spring break. Every purchase adds more books to our middle school and high school libraries. Students may shop during the day from 7:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. 

 

Preview what’s at the Fair or purchase books online! (To be shipped to your home; book purchases of $25 or more ship free). Add funds to your students’ E-wallet, or we also accept cash, credit card, Apple pay and checks (payable to Meridian World School). Thank you for supporting our libraries!

Senior Assassins Game is Prohibited on Campus

I recently sent this communication to seniors and their parents/guardians (via email) about the Senior Assassins game. This game is not school-sponsored, is absolutely prohibited on campus, and it can be dangerous if played out in the community. Please discuss this game at home. Disciplinary consequences will be assigned to students who engage with this game on campus–including bringing toy firearms to campus.

Announcements

Your help is needed with attendance

Blank calendar iconWith respiratory viruses making their way through the school in January and February, we saw a significant drop in student attendance this quarter. Hopefully, we are getting past that and everyone returns from spring break healthy and strong for the final quarter!  Higher engagement and attendance is something we pride ourselves in at Meridian. 


Studies show that missing even nine days a year (95% attendance rate) can hinder both a student’s learning and grades. Students are at the heart of our mission, and we miss them when they’re not here!

RockSports Spirit Wear Sale

Shirts and sweatshirts in gray and red that say "lions"From March 16 - April 6, enjoy 20% off all branded Meridian items at the RockSports store. Short sleeve tees are $12, sweatshirts are $16 (twill version $32), and fleece jackets are just $24!

Amplify Austin review

Amplify AustinThank you for supporting Meridian World School during Amplify Austin! We raised more than $1,500 in two days. The link is open year-round, and it’s a simple way for members of our community to donate without going through our school donation software. Please feel free to share with extended family and friends any time! 

 

Academics

Required for DP Science Juniors: The Group 4 Collaborative Science Project

Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27

 

Juniors who are taking a DP science course (including those who are not full IB diploma candidates) need to make sure to be at school on Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27 to participate in the Group 4 Collaborative Science Project. Parents will be invited to hear about their work on Friday after school. I will send an email with more details soon!

Support for DP Students

If your student is struggling with the EE, or with the DP workload in general, please reach out so we can schedule a one-on-one family meeting. We have had some meetings in the last few weeks to put plans in place to support students–some involving schedule adjustments that really help a lot. Friday, March 13 is the last day to make changes to DP courses for Semester 2.

 

Spotlight

Third graders test toys made by 8th grade design students

This isn't DP, but we love sharing cross-continuum collaboration!

On Tuesday, eighth grade design students invited third graders to test toys that the older students created. 

Testing the toys with the target audience is part of the evaluation stage of the design cycle, which began with researching how children play, creating an isometric drawing in Procreate, building a cardboard prototype, and then creating the final wooden toy with wheels. 

Students are encouraged to donate the toy should they wish to do so.

 

Students hold painted wooden toys and write feedback

 

Upcoming Events

High School "Back to the 80s/90s" Dance

Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 7-10 p.m. for Grades 9-12

 

Get your tickets for the High School Spring Dance! Students are invited to wear school appropriate, casual attire–or they may wear 80s/90s fashion.

If your 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.

90s TV with pink pump high heels and lipstick. DJ, Food, Games

Arts & Science Fest

Saturday, April 18, 2026

2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

 

It's time for our 4th annual Arts & Science Fest! Discover live performances, interactive demos, a mobile planetarium, and exhibits from more than 30 school and community STEAM partners! Past exhibits include lava lamp experiments with Millipore Sigma, egg drops with Dell, art activities, slime making with Thermo Fisher Scientific, and more! Join the fun as an exhibitor or sponsor an activity! Reach out to Lynda Chapel, Community Coordinator.

 

Thank you to our sponsors, ThermoFisher Scientific, Handzies, and A+ Federal Credit Union!

 

GLobe with art and science icons

 

 

enrichment

Girls Varsity Soccer. Photo by Sadia Baloch.

 

Academic Eligibility

Students who are not passing all classes or have any incompletes on their grading period 3 report card will lose academic eligibility as of 4:10 p.m. on March 30. Students must be academically eligible to compete or perform with their extracurricular activities. Learn more: 2025-2026 Academic Eligibility Dates / No Pass No Play for Parents/Guardians and Students

Questions? Please email Secondary Enrichment.

Lettering

High school students who participate in their competitive, performance, or leadership extracurricular or co-curricular activity at the highest level could letter in their activity this year if all lettering requirements are met.  Students who letter are eligible to purchase a Meridian letter jacket and/or jacket sleeve patch representing their activity. Coaches and advisors will nominate students who meet this year’s lettering requirements by the deadline, which is Friday, April 3. The list of students who have lettered in 2025-2026 will be  published on the Lettering Jackets & Lettering web page on April 22. Letter jackets can be ordered on campus on Thursday, April 30 and Friday, May 1. Letter Jackets & Lettering

Meridian Athletics (7-12)

Soccer

Upcoming Home Games

Wednesday, March 11 - Coed MS and Boys JV host Harmony Science! 

Soccer Game Schedule & Results

 

2026 Adults vs. Students Soccer Games! More adult players needed!

Open to all adults in the Meridian community, sign up to play our Meridian Soccer teams in this annual tradition on Friday, March 27. Learn more and sign up.

 

Soccer Senior Night

On March 27, join us for Soccer Senior Night during the Adults vs. Students Soccer Games as we honor our ten seniors in the Meridian Soccer Program: Adeel A., Patrick A., Daniel H., Abdul-Azeez S., Aarush S., Jocelyn G., Lilly P., Collin B., Sai K, Prajwal P.

 

Tennis

Now on Saturday, March 28! 2026 TCSAAL State Tennis Tournament! Due to the threat of lightning last Saturday, the State Tennis Tournament has been rescheduled to the end of the month. Let’s go, Lions!

 

Class of 2026 Signing Day

Save the date for Thursday, April 2. Senior, Daniel H., has signed with Heidelberg University to play soccer! There will be a Signing Day Event in the Mays Lobby during Advisory to honor Daniel and his accomplishment. Please plan to  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.

 

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. Please keep attire school-appropriate. Student athletes may have two family members accompany them. More information will be available closer to the event.

 

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

 

Questions about Athletics? Email Meridian Athletics.

 

Clubs & Extracurricular Activities (6-12)

 

2026-2027 Student Government

Student Government elections are coming soon! Students who want to run for student government should attend both their current grade’s mandatory Interest Meeting and Leadership Camp.

 

  1. Mandatory  Interest Meetings: 

7:55 - 8:15 a.m. in Madame Gentillet’s room (M1.10 in the Mays/Middle School building)

  • Current grades 8-9: Thursday, March 12 
  • Current grades 10-11: Friday, March 13

-and-

  1. Mandatory Leadership Camps:

1:45 - 2:45 p.m. in Madame Gentillet’s room (M1.10 in the Mays/Middle School building)

  • Current grades 6-7: Wednesday, March 25
  • Current grades 8-9: Wednesday, April 1
  • Current grades 10-11: Wednesday, April 8

 

Questions? Please email Dean Swain.

 

Model UN - Congratulations to Meridian Model United Nations! Five upperclassmen traveled to Tuscaloosa, Alabama last week to compete in the ALMUN conference at the University of Alabama. Meridian won Best Small Delegation! Additional awards received include:

Best Delegate- Sean W.

Honorable Delegates - Liam L. and Allison M.

Outstanding Delegate - Sarah O.

 

HOSA (Future Health Professionals)

The HOSA State Leadership Conference is Tuesday, March 24 - Thursday, March 26 in Corpus Christi. Good luck to four Meridian Lions advancing: Yaseen A., EriAnn C., Lydia P., and Grace Z.!

 

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

Questions about Secondary Clubs? Email Secondary Enrichment

 

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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DP Calendar

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