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Newsletters » DP Lions Share (11–12)

DP Lions Share (11–12)

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Week of January 7, 2026

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Stela

Hello DP Students and Families,

 

Happy New Year! We were happy to greet our students back from break yesterday and we are ready for Quarter 3! 

 

January is packed with exciting events, including Alumni Day, a MUN Conference, the new online Princeton Review ACT course, a Debate Team competition, our annual MLK march, Club Picture Day for the yearbook, a high school dance, the Career Exploration and Volunteer Fair, and a pep rally. Whew—that’s a lot! I’m incredibly grateful to our school staff for organizing these enriching experiences for our students, and to our parents and guardians who consistently step up with donations and volunteer time whenever needed.

 

Tomorrow, the alumni return to campus for our annual Alumni Day! They will visit with current Meridian students and parents to share about their transition from the IB Diploma Program to college and beyond.  We will also have a session where the parents/guardians of alumni will share about why they chose Meridian and about how the IB education their student received at Meridian benefited them post-high school. If you would like to meet the alumni and their parents tomorrow, please RSVP. 

 

Teachers returned to work Monday and have finalized grades for Quarter 2/Semester 1 in Skyward. Student report cards can be found in their portfolio in Skyward. As always, if you have concerns about your student, I encourage you to reach out to their teacher and/or admin so we can support as needed.

 

Sincerely, 

Stela Holcombe

DP Principal

 
DPnews

Alumni Recognition Day: tomorrow

Alumni Day

Meridian Parents & guardians are invited to join us for two dialogue sessions on Thursday, January 8. RSVP here!

 

  • 8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.: Meridian Alumni visit with current Meridian parents
  • 9:15 a.m. -10:00 a.m.: Parents of Alumni visit with current Meridian parents

 

 

Announcements

$2 Free Dress Day January 15

$2 Free Dress DayNext Thursday, students may come to school in regular clothing (not in uniform) when they bring in $2! Free Dress Day wristbands will be sold for $2 in the Mays and high school lobbies before school starts next week until the morning of Thursday, January 15. Students who purchase a wristband may wear free dress on Thursday, January 15. Wristband must be worn on January 15. No costumes. Clothing choice must be appropriate for school.


Save the dates: additional $2 Free Dress Days will be February 5, March 5, April 2, and May 7. All proceeds support our annual 8th Grade class trip to Camp Olympia!

It's time to order Senior Yard Signs!

Parents and guardians of seniors it's time to order senior yard signs.  This is an optional way for your family to celebrate your senior with either a "generic" or "personalized" senior yard sign for your front yard.  The cost for each sign is $9. Orders are due by February 1. No late orders will be accepted. 

Class Signs(L: generic sign; R: personalized sign with name and photo). There is a third option: a personalized sign with name but no photo. Order yours today!

Teacher Experiences Auction raised nearly $10,000!

Thank you for supporting our Teacher Experiences Auction! Together, we raised $9,400 to be used toward special school projects like a marquee. 

Federal Report Card available

The 2024-2025 Federal Report Cards for Texas schools are now available through the TEA website. See what information federal report cards contain and review Meridian’s 24-25 Federal Report Card here.  

Reminder: Cafeteria Price Increase

A bowl of taco soup with milk and sidesTo continue offering the high-quality, freshly-made meals that our students and families have become accustomed to, lunch prices increased January 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.

 

2026 Yearbook Cost rises to $75 on January 19

Two older yearbooks

A reminder, the yearbook cost will rise from $70 to $75 on January 19. Get yours today at a cheaper price! Need to pay over time? Jostens has a payment plan option. Yearbooks are delivered in the late spring semester.

Academics

Rising 12th Grade Course Selection

Course SelectionMr. Manuszak will visit with 11th graders in their US History class on Monday, January 26 (B) and Thursday, January 29 (A) to guide them in the completion of their 12th grade course selection form. 

Important Financial Aid Reminder

From College Counselor, Kathy Gregg

 

FAFSA logo with students looking at laptops and phonesThe FAFSA priority deadline for Texas colleges is January 15.  At most schools, you have to apply and be accepted before a financial aid package will be offered, but funds will be allocated quickly after January 15.  Submit any additional admissions applications ASAP. 

Learn more about the Texas Education Agency Financial Aid requirement.

 

ACT Prep Class with Princeton Review

" "Princeton Review will offer an ONLINE ACT Prep Course for Meridian students on Wednesday afternoons in January-February 2026.  This is perfect timing for 11th graders to prepare for the ACT Test that they will take at Meridian (for free) on March 3.

 

The course is currently full, but if you want to be added to a waiting list, please email Stela Holcombe and I will inform you if a space becomes available for your student. Read on for more detailed information about this course.

 

Spotlight

MLK Ceremony & March

MLK MarchWednesday, January 14 at 4:30 p.m.
 
Triple A hosts this beloved annual event, and all families are invited! The program starts with student speeches and a performance from the Black Culture Choir.
 
Afterwards, everyone is invited to participate in a march around the main school parking lot, led by the students.

Upcoming Events

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.

Yearbook Club Photos January 22

Save the date for Thursday, January 22! Club and student leadership organization group pictures will be taken during the school day. No make-ups are available. More information will be provided closer to the date.

Class of 2027: Support the Fairy Tale Dance!

Fairytale DanceThe Class of 2027 hosts the annual Parent/Child Fairy Tale Dance for primary families on Saturday, January 31. This event will be our one BIG fundraiser, resulting in funds that will benefit the class during your senior year at Meridian. 

 

For this event to be successful, we need ALL 11th grade students to participate – and as many parents as possible to donate items and/or volunteer. Find details here. Students and parents can sign up to volunteer and/or donate materials.

 

Students and parents: with your help, the Parent/Child Fairy Tale Dance will make fun memories for primary students, the Class of 2027, and parents, too. Let’s make this dance magical, together!

High School Winter Dance

Saturday, January 24, 2026

 

This is the second and final high school dance of the year (except for Prom which is for 11th-12th graders only). Tickets will be on sale in My School Bucks Monday, January 12 - Friday, January 23 at noon. A link will be shared next week for parents to sign up to support the dance with food donations/ volunteer slots.

 

This is not a formal or semi-formal 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 by January 23.

Back to the 80sand 90s Dance. Gardes 9-12. Tix on sale in January. DJ, food, games. Casual attire.

 

enrichment

Boys JV Beast Basketball defeated Austin Peace Academy in a close away game on December 10. Photo by Laura Harris.

Academic Eligibility

It is time to check grading quarter 2 report cards. 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:

Meridian Athletics (7-12)

 

Basketball

Upcoming home games:

Thursday, January 8 - Girls MS, Boys MS Beast, Boys Varsity

Friday, January 9 - Girls Varsity, Boys JV Bold, Boys JV Beast

Let’s go, Meridian Hoops!

Attending Home Games / 2025-2026 Basketball Game Schedule & Results 

 

Basketball Senior Night!

Thursday, January 15 at 7 p.m.

Help us celebrate the seniors in the Basketball program! Patrick A., Krish B., Vivaan P., Wyatt R., and Sarah O.

 

Dance Team

The competition schedule for Meridian’s Dance Team has been updated. Let’s go, Fierce!

 

 Athletics Newsletter / Athletics Calendar 

 

Questions about Athletics? Email Meridian Athletics.

 

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 this week!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 a successful conference!

 

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, 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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