Skip to main content
Primary students paint on white paper
Enjoying the annual World Parade
Students preview the 2025 performance of Willy Wonka Jr
4th Grade field trip
2025 Dance team performs in blue
Students play guitars in music class
Willy Wonka Jr
Two high school art students draw forms using 3D models
Newsletters » MYP Mane (6–10)

MYP Mane (6–10)

DP Header

Week of August 20, 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPALMelissa Reese

Dear Families,

We’re excited to be moving into our third week of school! While many schools are just now opening their doors, our students and teachers are already settling into routines, diving into learning, and building a strong classroom community. It’s been wonderful to see the excitement and engagement across our campus as we establish a smooth and productive start to the year.

Family Fun – Bingo Night
We hope you’ll join ViP this Friday evening for their second annual Bingo Night! It’s a great opportunity to connect with other families, share some laughs, and enjoy a fun-filled evening together.

Learning & Growth – Parent/Guardian Webinar
If you’re interested in hearing more about how our assessment practices have evolved to better support student learning, we invite you to attend our Parent/Guardian Webinar next Tuesday evening. This will be a chance to hear from our team, ask questions, and see how these updates benefit your child. Link is below.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we move forward this school year. We’re off to a fantastic start, and we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!

Wishing you a wonderful week,

Melissa Reese

MYP Principal

MYPnews

 

Meet your counselors!

Please take the time to fill out our Secondary Needs Assessment and give us feedback to improve our counseling services we provide to our students in grades 6-12.

 

Stefanie ZookStefanie Zook (6-7)

Stefanie Zook is a native Texan. She  grew up in Abilene and Midland, Texas, and later her family moved to the Round Rock area where she graduated from Round Rock High School.

Mrs. Zook attended Texas State University, earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Studies with a minor in Chemistry. While looking for a job in her field of study, she found education when she started substituting in schools and discovered her love of working with kids. She earned her teaching certificates and taught  Special Education and Science.  She went on to earn her Master's of Education in Guidance and Counseling in 2010

 

Mrs. Zook is happily married to her husband, Ed, and they have 5 children together. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, enjoying a cup of coffee, camping,  and traveling (to a beach) whenever possible. 

 

Nolberto ReyesNolberto Reyna, (8-9)

Nolberto Reyna is honored to be a part of the Meridian School family as a counselor. He is in his 18th year of education, where he has served in various roles, including teacher, counselor, Assistant Principal, Director of Academic Programs, and Dean of Admissions and College Readiness. 

 

Nolberto graduated from Tarleton State University with a Bachelors of Business Administration in International Business. He later earned a Master’s of Education in Secondary Education and a Master’s of Science in Educational Administration from Texas A&M - Commerce. He also holds a Master’s of Arts in School Counseling from Amberton University.

 

He is excited to foster new relationships with students and parents to help students meet their full potential and prepare them for the next chapter of their lives after high school. Regardless of what route students take, his goal is to instill in all students the resiliency and grit to tackle any obstacles that they may face.

 
Nicholas Manuszak
Nicholas Manuszak (10-12)

Nick Manuszak is the High School Counselor for grades 10-12. This is his 8th year working at Meridian School. In addition to being counselor, Nick serves as the high school cross-country coach, leads the school pep rallies, and provides DECA competition and travel support. He looks forward to assisting students with course selections, future planning, college applications, and everyday advice regarding the ups and downs of high school life. In his free time he enjoys collecting records, spending time with his dogs, and being outdoors.


Secondary grading practices webinar

August 26 from 6-7 p.m.

See the Webinar link.


Grades, Formatives, and SummativesParents/guardians: want to learn and understand how grades are assigned in MYP and DP? Join us Tuesday, August 26 from 6-7 p.m. for a Zoom webinar where we will review our updated Secondary Assessment Practices (grading).

 

We invite you to review our updated Secondary Assessment Practices document, and share questions/comments via this Google Form before the meeting.  The meeting will be recorded and shared at a later date.

 

College Shirt Day

College ShirtsWednesday, August 27

The last Wednesday of each month is College Shirt Day, a day for students and staff to show their college spirit! Next Wednesday, August 27, is our first one of the school year. Students may wear a T-shirt or sweatshirt with the name/logo of their favorite university.


Final Reminder! Does your child ride a bike or walk off campus after school?

Our school is in a high-traffic area. If your family is making the decision to allow your secondary student (grades 6-12) to walk or ride a bike to / from school, the parents must fill out this permission form to give consent and release the school from liability. A new form is required each school year. For safety reasons, primary students are not allowed to walk off campus with secondary siblings.


Save the Date for Homecoming 2025 Semi-Formal Dance

High School Dance (Grades 9-12)

Saturday, September 27 from 7-10 p.m.


Tickets go on sale in My School Bucks on September 8. Students who wish to bring a non-Meridian guest must complete a guest permission form in advance. Stay tuned for information in future newsletters about how parents/guardians can contribute to make this dance a success!

 

Moonlight Masquerade Sept. 27. Mask-making, door prizes, semi-formal attire.

 

Meridian earns all seven academic distinctions in latest TEA ratings

TEA "Report Card"

Meridian World School is proud to announce that the district earned a High A rating of 97 in the 2024-2025 School Accountability Ratings, earning all seven academic distinction designations available in the Texas Education Agency’s ratings system. See details.

 

Safety drills

Standard Response Protocol: Hold, Secure, Evacuate, Shelter, Lockdown

Meridian follows the Standard Response Protocol and completes safety drills each semester. There are two upcoming drills:


“Shelter for Severe Weather” – Students, staff, and visitors will move to designated shelter locations. A Shelter would be called during severe weather warnings like a tornado.

 

“Lockdown” – Classrooms practice “locks, lights (turned off), out of sight.” A lockdown would be called to secure interior portions of the school in the event of an imminent threat of violence.  Read more about SRP  in this news article. 


Partner with Meridian

Heart and Hands iconCalling all local businesses and organizations – we’d love to partner with you at festivals, Career Fair, and more! Fill out this short interest form today.


Meridian Wears Pink!

Pink shirt, front and back, says, "We Wear Pink" and "Fight like a Lion"

Show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness in style with the Black Student Union’s officially approved spirit wear! Grab your hot pink “We Wear Pink” shirt—perfect for wearing on Tuesday, October 21 for Meridian Wears Pink Day and on Fridays for Spirit Wear Days. Let’s stand together, show our spirit, and support a powerful cause! You can purchase shirts on MySchoolBucks.

 

ViP Hosts 2nd Annual Bingo Night

Bingo Night with familiesFriday, August 22, 6:30 p.m.

Mays Cafe (enter through Patio Door)

 

ViP invites you to enjoy a FUN evening of bingo with our school community. This is a ViP fundraiser, with all proceeds going towards the ViP Fall Teacher Grants. Open to all ages. Get your cards today! ($15 buys 15 bingo cards: five games with three cards per game).


Back-to-School Chicken Party

Chicken Party!

Hosted by Meridian Chicken Tenders

Primary Playground Coop

Saturday, September 6 from 9 a.m. to noon


Meridian Chicken Tenders are a group of volunteers who maintain the chicken coop at the primary playground and care for the chickens. They invite families to this fall event, whose purpose is to educate, encourage volunteering, and have fun. Learn about sponsorship and volunteer opportunities. Enjoy $1 Lemonade and $18 shirts. Free, donations accepted. Learn more!


Founders Day & Homecoming

Founder’s Day is September 20 from 4-7 p.m. Join us for this family-friendly event and celebrate Meridian with fun games, activities, and food! Please help us make this event successful: sign up today to volunteer a shift!


Founders Day kicks off Homecoming Week, which includes Volleyball Games, a Homecoming Parade, Secondary dress up days, Mums and Garters, and more! Find details on our Homecoming Page!

 

Founders Day

 

enrichment

 

MLDC Aug 29-30 at Round Rock Sports Center

The 9th annual Meridian Labor Day Classic is Friday, August 29 and Saturday, August 30 at Round Rock Sports Center. All Lions invited!

Meridian Athletics (7-12)

 

Home Volleyball Games!

 

Friday, August 22

Home games this Friday! Girls JV and Girls Varsity are hosting Griffin School starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Mays Gym. 

 

  • Cash only admissions. $5 adults; $3 students; $1 if wearing Meridian spirit wear; Meridian staff are always admitted for FREE with their badge.
  • New this year! Meridian students will be admitted for free when wearing Meridian spirit wear or Meridian school uniform! Come ROAR for your Lions!

 

For Students Attending Home Volleyball Games

Secondary students can attend home games without their parents/guardians in attendance; however, they must follow the behavior expectations to keep this privilege.  

 

Students who wish to attend home games must be supervised until 30 minutes before the first game, when the gym doors open. Wandering around campus is not permitted.

  • Students must be picked up at dismissal and returned to campus for the game (or up to 30 minutes before the start of the first game), or
  • Students must attend After School 6-12 until 30 minutes before the first game (After School 6-12 requires registration.) Those attending After School 6-12 who wish to be dismissed from the program to attend home games will need their parent/guardian to email Mrs. Powers to grant permission for her to release them from After School 6-12 for home games.
 

Attending Home Games

 

Fall Pre-Season Basketball (7-12)

Get ready for Basketball tryouts with Fall Pre-Season Basketball! This is a training-only sports experience that is open to Girls and Boys Basketball players! Registration for Fall Pre-Season Basketball opens Wednesday, August 27 and ends at 9 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, or sooner if the limited spots fill up first. Physical forms for Pre-Season Basketball are due by Thursday, September 4. This short training-only sports experience will end just before Basketball tryouts, helping Basketball players be better prepared for tryouts.

 

Registration for Competitive Basketball tryouts opens Wednesday, September 10 and ends  at 9 p.m. on Thursday, September 18. Competitive Basketball tryouts are in the afternoon of Sunday, September 28. Physical forms for Competitive Basketball are due by September 18.

 

No other Fall Developmental/Pre-season sports will be offered this fall. Please see Sports Registration for additional upcoming sports opportunities.

 

The Athletics Newsletter and the Athletics web section offer helpful information about Meridian sports. For families who are new to  Meridian Athletics, the Introduction to Meridian Sports provides a great place to start.

 

Questions? Email Meridian Athletics.

 

Clubs & Extracurriculars (6-12)

 

Leadership Camp (6-12)

Wednesday, August 27 from 1:45 - 2:45 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre

 

Calling all secondary students! Help us enhance our school culture by joining us for Leadership Camp. Learn the importance of community engagement, and help us prepare for Homecoming and Founder’s Day! No registration required. Free for all secondary students to attend. Contact Dean Swain with questions.

 

Model United Nations (6-12)  - The Annual Membership Registration for Model UN will be open September 3 through 9 p.m. on September 11. No late registration will be available. Model UN.

 

Information about additional secondary clubs and extracurriculars is expected to be available in September. Students should watch the daily announcements for updates.


Questions about secondary clubs and extracurriculars? Email Secondary Enrichment

resources

MYP Resources

 

Important MYP Program contacts

MYP Principal, Melissa Reese
MYP Assistant Principal Grades 6-7, Wyatt Verleye
MYP Assistant Principal Grades 8-10, Kim Salazar
MYP Coordinator Grades 6-10, Kimberly Ogo
 
Counselor for Grades 6-7, Stefanie Zook
Counselor for Grades 8-9, Nolberto Reyna 
Counselor for Grades 10-12, Nick Manuszak
College and Career Counselor, Kathy Gregg
Secondary Librarian and Extended Essay Coordinator, Renée Ramirez
 
MS Campus Coordinator, Melissa Harvey
MS Attendance Clerk, Pamela Marmarinos
Report Absences on Skyward
MS Receptionist, Karen Laywell
 

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

School Nurse
Athletics
Secondary Enrichment
 

Help us reach you

Are you getting our Catapult text messages?
  • 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 messages. You may change this in Skyward or fill out the google form with the cell phone number. Please only fill out this form if your cell phone is not in Skyward.

MYP Calendar

View All MYP Calendar