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Newsletters » MYP Mane (6–10)

MYP Mane (6–10)

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Week of December 17, 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Melissa Reese

Families,

As we head into Winter Break, we want to wish all of our students and families a restful, joyful, and safe holiday season. Today is a full instructional day, and please note that there will be no secondary afterschool care tomorrow,a Thursday. Friday is a staff professional development day, so there will be no school for students, and Winter Break officially begins!

We hope this time provides opportunities to rest, reconnect, and recharge. Please remember to stay safe while traveling or enjoying time at home, and we look forward to welcoming students back refreshed and ready to learn in the new year.

Happy Holidays and enjoy your break!

Melissa Reese

MYP Principal

 
MYPnews

Action Required regarding Sexual Education Instruction

Meridian will present sexual education curriculum in January and February for students in grades 6-10. The links below contain both curriculum links for your review as well as a form that you must complete to opt your student in for the presentations. Students who are not participating in the Sex Ed curriculum will have alternative assignments to work on.

 

Please complete the form below for your child by January 9:

 

Announcements

December Schedule Reminders

  • Wednesday, December 17 is a full-length school day, releasing at 4:10 p.m.
  • Thursday, December 18, there will be no Secondary After School programs. Students should be picked up in the Secondary carline at 4:10 p.m. (please update PikMyKid for this day).
  • Enjoy Winter Break Friday, Dec. 19 through Monday, Jan. 5!

Alumni Recognition Day:  January 8, 2026

Alumni DayRSVP Requested – An Opportunity to connect with Meridian Alumni and Parents of Alumni!

 

Every year, Meridian hosts an Alumni Day where alumni return to campus for visits to the high school classrooms, focus groups with current Meridian parents, and lunch with their former teachers. The day ends with a formal ceremony where IB diplomas and certificates are awarded to the preceding year's graduates on stage in front of an audience of current high school students. This year the event is scheduled for Thursday, January 8 (this is the Thursday after Winter Break).

 

An Invitation for Meridian Parents: You are invited to join us for two dialogue sessions on Thursday, January 8. The purpose of these sessions is to provide a space for our alumni--and their parents/guardians-- to share about how the alumni have benefitted from the quality IB education they received at Meridian.  We find that these interactions between our current students /parents and our alumni / parents of alumni are always extremely beneficial and enjoyed by all.  

 

  • Session 1 - 8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.: Meridian Alumni visit with current Meridian parents
  • Session 2 - 9:15 a.m. -10:00 a.m.: Parents of Alumni visit with current Meridian parents

 

If you would like to join us for one or both sessions, please fill out this RSVP Form by Monday, January 5. We will email you a reminder the day before the event, so please type your email address carefully.

Questions?  Please email Charles Ryder.

Host Family Needed for Italian Foreign Exchange Student

We have space to enroll a couple of additional foreign exchange students in Semester 2. If you are interested in hosting a female student from Italy, please email Ms. Holcombe. This student is currently in San Antonio and through no fault of her own, she needs a new host family. Read on to learn more about Lucrezia.

Cafeteria Price Increase in January

To continue offering the high-quality, freshly-made meals that our students and families have become accustomed to, lunch prices must be raised by $0.75 and the “Grab n Go” meal by $0.50 for secondary students and staff. 

 

Adjusted pricing starting Jan. 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.

PSA: safe storage of firearms

Texas law requires school districts annually to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. This page will help you learn about options for safe storage of firearms, as well as how to talk to your child and others.

 

Academics

Parent/Guardian Information Nights and Course Selection

It's nearly time to choose courses for next school year! Check out our news article with the following information for grades 5-11: 

  • January Information Nights for transition years (rising 6th, rising 9th, and rising IB Diploma Program)
  • Course Selection and Counselor information for each grade level
  • Helpful links to help you navigate the process

Winter Concert Accomplishments

The Meridian music programs performed their Winter Concert on Saturday, December 13. Some programs were also entered into a virtual competition during their performances – The Pride of Texas Christmas Festival! The judges of this contest awarded the following programs the highest honor, which is "Rating 1 (Superior)." Congratulations to all our "Superior" music programs!

  • Beginning Band
  • Jazz Band
  • Woodwinds entry
  • Brass entry
  • 6th grade Choir (also known as Honor Choir)
  • 7th & 8th grade After School Band (also known as Honor Band)
  • High School Symphonic Orchestra

ACT Prep Class with Princeton Review 

For current 10th and 11th graders

 

We are looking to contract with Princeton Review to offer an ONLINE ACT Prep Course for Meridian students. This is the first time we have ever done this. This course will be offered on Wednesday afternoons in January-February 2026.  This is perfect timing for 11th graders to prepare for the ACT Test they will take at Meridian (for free) on March 3rd. For tenth graders, this is an opportunity for you to begin preparing now for the ACT you will take in March 2027. 

 

I need at least 22 students to commit to taking the course at a cost of $275 before I can proceed with a contract with the Princeton Review. The course would be seven sessions for a total of 15 hours (so this is about $18 per hour for the course which seems reasonable for a Princeton Review course).


Read on for more information and then sign up to participate. Email [email protected] if you have any questions.
 

 

Spotlight

Alumni Spotlight: Abigail Sirngot, Class of 2025

Alumni spotlight: Abigail Sirngot, Class of 2025, stands in front of a tree background.We love hearing what our alumni are learning and doing after they graduate! This series spotlights alumni and will run throughout the year.

 

Abigail Sirngot, Class of 2025, is finishing up her first semester at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She was recently accepted into the Turner Scholars Program, a four year academic program meant to guide students through their college journey. The program offers academic counseling, designated study facilities, and a bright community of learners. They offer a close-knit community environment through community dinners and networking events.

 

She’s settled into the new city as she studies biology on a Pre-Health track, with a goal to become a Physician Assistant or an Anesthesiologist Assistant.

 

Read a Q&A from Abigail on her advice for current Meridian students and how Meridian has helped to shape her path!

 

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.

Parent/Guardian Information Nights

As referenced above, save the date for the 9th Grade Information Night January 15 and the DP Information Night January 27.

Save the Date for 10th Grade College Trip

Monday-Tuesday, March 30-31, 2026


In this overnight trip to the Dallas area, we will attend the annual IB College Fair hosted by Texas IB Schools and do college tours at three universities. The cost for the trip will be approximately $175 per student. Financial assistance/payment plans will be offered. Save these dates on your family calendar!  Find more info on this 10th grade College Fair flyer from Texas IB Schools.

enrichment

Girls Middle School Basketball defeated Central Texas Christian School in a hard-fought away game on Friday, December 12. Photo by Stacy Wilson.

Academic Eligibility

As we approach the end of the grading period, students are encouraged to work hard to finish strong. Please make sure all missing assignments that are still being accepted are completed and submitted. Please take advantage of any remaining opportunities to retake summative assessments. 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:

 

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.

 

After School Band (7-8)

The After School Band (also known as the Honor Band) performed in the Winter Concert on Saturday, December 13. The ensemble also participated in a virtual contest called "The Pride of Texas Christmas Festival" during their concert. Meridian's 7th and 8th grade After School Band received a Rating 1 (Superior) in the contest! Their stunning performance was “25 or 6 to 4” from the 1980’s group Chicago.  Congratulations to the After School Band!  Their next performance will be a 30-minute performance at the rotunda at the Texas State Capitol on February 16.

 

Model United Nations

Meridian’s Model UN club has its second interscholastic competition right after Winter Break. 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 in this conference successful preparations over Winter Break and a fantastic conference in early 2026!

 

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

Questions about Secondary Clubs? Email Secondary Enrichment

 

Athletics (7-12)

The Athletics Department will be closed over Winter Break. Please plan accordingly.

 Athletics Newsletter / Athletics Calendar 

 

Questions about Athletics? Email Meridian Athletics.

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
MS Attendance Clerk, Yasmin Peña
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
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