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Newsletters » MYP Mane (6–10)

MYP Mane (6–10)

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Week of April 8, 2026

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Melissa Reese

Families,

We will continue state testing this week. The STAAR ELA for 6th and 7th grade tests are tomorrow. We want to encourage all students to come prepared, well-rested, and ready to do their best.

Looking ahead, EOC exams will take place next week, along with the 8th-grade History STAAR on Thursday. These are important opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning and growth. Please help support your child by ensuring they get a good night’s rest, arrive at school on time, and bring a positive mindset.

This week, we also celebrate our Assistant Principals, Wyatt Verleye and Kim Salazar. They play vital roles in the day-to-day success of our school, and Meridian would not be what it is without their leadership, support, and commitment to both staff and students.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Melissa Reese

MYP Principal

MYPnews

10th Grade Social

Friday, April 17 from 4:30 p.m. - 6:25 p.m.

10th Grade is putting together a social on the Primary Playground! Parents and guardians can help support the event with food and drink donations. If you’re able to contribute, you can see details for the Spring Social. Thank you!

STAAR Testing Schedule  (add to your calendar)

STAARState-mandated STAAR tests take place soon for grades 6-10. The purpose of these tests is to show where our students are in their learning journey.

 

Now is a great time to start having calm, supportive conversations with your students to help ease any testing anxiety. Remind them to take a deep breath, stay confident, and simply do their best. Students do not need to prepare for the tests, but they should get plenty of sleep the night before and eat a healthy breakfast that morning. See STAAR page.

Middle School STAAR Grades 6-8

  • April 9 (Thurs): Reading 6th – 7th
  • April 16 (Thurs): US History 8th
  • April 22 (Weds): Science 8th
  • April 23 (Thurs): Math 8th*
  • April 28 (Tues): Math 6th – 7th*

*7th or 8th grade students enrolled in a non-tested math class (like geometry, for example) take their grade-level course.  

 

High School STAAR Grades 9-11

  • April 14 (Tues): English 1 and 2 EOC 9th – 10th
  • April 15 (Weds): Biology EOC and US History EOC 9th and 11th

April 23 (Thurs): Ninth graders taking Algebra 1

 
Announcements

Call for Topic Experts: 5th Grade Exhibition

5th Grade Exhibition: colorful hands with dialogue and speech bubblesExhibition is the culminating experience of the Primary Years Program. Each year, our students work collaboratively to explore an issue or opportunity of personal significance within a broad concept.

 

We especially love to connect them with people who are closely tied to the topics – either living them out through a career or hobby. Please view this year’s topics and sign up if you are able to provide expert knowledge. 

Assistant Principal Appreciation Week

It’s Assistant Principal Appreciation Week, and we want to thank Wyatt Verleye and Kimberly Salazar! From planning off campus learning experiences and dances to helping our students out on matters big and small on a daily basis, their care and support shines through. Drop them a note of thanks if you see them this week!

Spring Picture Day is April 21

A boy in teal shirt stands in front of four backgroundsAll K-12 students are invited to wear casual or dressy spring attire for Spring Picture Day, scheduled for Tuesday, April 21 with Lifetouch. Students will not need to wear uniforms on this day, although clothing should be school-appropriate.

 

There are three ways to order photos:

 

  • Online pre-order – log into your LifeTouch account or use code EVTBRQKP2. (Secondary only. See primary grade code in PYP Pride). Pre-orders close on April 20. The photo packages will be sent to the school for distribution.
  • In person – Complete the physical form, which should be going home with students next week, and have your student hand it in to the photographer. The photo packages will be sent to the school for distribution.
  • Post-proofs online – log into LifeTouch using the information provided on the proof, which will arrive a few weeks following the picture day. Pictures will be mailed directly to you.


The photos will be available for purchase -- the school does not use these photos in the yearbook. Families always retain the option to opt out of vendor-provided school photography if they choose. Please fill out this form if you do not wish for your child to be photographed during the spring picture day. Otherwise, no action is required.

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. 

Badgerdog Camp Opportunity

Dog with glassesJune 1-19 from 9 a.m. - noon

 
There are spots open in the Library Foundation’s Badgerdog Writing Camp, which takes place at Meridian (and other sites) over the summer! The three week camp is open to 3rd-8th graders and is $595. See details or reach out to the Library Foundation with questions.

Meridian plastic film recycling drive with Ridwell

Ridwell - kids stand with earth

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!
 
Start saving bags now and bring them to Meridian on one of the following days:
  • During Arts & Science Fest April 18 (Mays Lobby)
  • Between April 27-30 (Any Lobby)
 

Academics

Rising 9th Grade: Off Campus PE forms for 26-27 school year

Off Campus PE is offered for high school students (9th grade) only, and allows a school district to award physical education credit for appropriate private or commercially sponsored physical activity programs conducted off campus. The required hours of physical activity for each category are listed in the Off Campus PE application. If your student meets either of these criteria and would like to participate in Off Campus PE, please complete and return the form to Mr. Reyna by May 1, 2026.

 

Spotlight

Staff members honored for 5, 10, and 15 years of service

Staff and faculty stand on risers in the library
Last week, Meridian administration honored 31 staff members who are celebrating 5, 10, and 15 year anniversaries with the school.
 
Last week, Meridian administration honored 31 staff members who are celebrating 5, 10, and 15 year anniversaries with the school. In MYP, Stefanie Zook and Ivan Florez celebrate 5 years. Amy Crowl, Virginie Gentillet, Jennifer Reihman, and Sharon Sheguit celebrate 10 years. Martha MacFarland and Janette Thiem celebrate 15 years!

Upcoming Events

ViP Social at the PYP Playground

Social April 12 from 3-5 PMSunday, 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: Planetarium, Mobile Screen Printing, and more

Saturday, April 18, 2026

2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Arts & Science Fest It's time for our 4th annual Arts & Science Fest! Enjoy live performances, interactive demos, a mobile planetarium (get planetarium tickets now – they always sell out!), 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. Get a screenprinted-while-you-wait T shirt or bag that you can decorate at the Fest! Enjoy a whole wing of hands-on science fun with Austin Community College!

 

There are still a few spots left to sign up to volunteer at the Fest or with the PYP Art Show!

 

Thank you to our sponsors, ThermoFisher Scientific, Sonrisas Dental Center, Blick Art Materials, Handzies, Snapology, 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 (on myschoolbucks)
  • At the Door: $12 Adults | $6 Students

 

enrichment

 

Students stand behind a table with an orange H Logo, soccer ball, and orange balloonsSigning Day was April 2! Congratulations to Daniel H. who signed with Heidelberg University to play soccer!

Meridian Athletics (7-12)

Soccer

Girls Varsity advances to the playoffs! HCAL area playoffs begin April 15. Please watch the 2026 Soccer Game Schedule for updates.

 

 

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!

 

2026-2027 Sports Registration  (current 6-11 / rising 7-12)

Registration for Cross Country, Flag Football, Dance Team, and Volleyball opens Wednesday, April 15 and ends at 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 23.

 

Physical forms for Flag Football, Dance Team, and Volleyball are due April 23.

 

 

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)

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.  – Band Concert
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

 

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, Karina Coburn
6-8 Attendance Clerk, Yasmin Peña
9-10 Attendance Clerk, Tiffany Burnham
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

 
Dean of School Culture, Monique Swain
Child Nutrition Director, Kaylee Torres
Meal Program Application/Café Questions

Skyward Questions

School Nurse
Athletics
Secondary Enrichment
 

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MYP Calendar

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