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Newsletters » PYP Pride (K–5)

PYP Pride (K–5)

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Week of April 1, 2026

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Brooke Knight, PYP Principal

Happy Wednesday, Primary Families!

Welcome, Meridian families, to the month of April! This is always an exciting and full time on our campus. With just eight weeks remaining, our students continue to build on their learning, take on new challenges, and prepare to finish the year strong.

Tonight, we are excited to host our annual Experience Meridian Mini Job Fair from 4:30 to 6 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase what makes our school community so special. If you know educators who would be a great addition to our team for the 2026 -2027 school year, we would truly appreciate your referrals.

Tomorrow, we hold our final PYP Principal Coffee of the year. Melissa Reese and Stela Holcombe will be joining us to share more about the MYP and DP Programs and how our IB continuum supports students beyond the PYP years. Families are invited to attend either in person or virtually. Please see the link below to register.

Third grade families, please join us tomorrow from 2 to 2:30 p.m. for the Spring Showcase. Our students are excited to share what they have learned and express their creativity, and this is always a special opportunity to celebrate their growth. Please see the grade level newsletter for RSVP details.

Friday, April 3, and Monday, April 6 are student holidays. Enjoy this extra time with your families! When we return on Tuesday, our second grade students will head to The Meadows Center in San Marcos for their field trip. This experience will extend their learning in meaningful ways. Registration is due today, so please check the grade level newsletter if you still need to complete it.

Next week marks our first week of STAAR testing for students in 3rd - 5th grades, with Reading scheduled for Thursday, April 9. A good night’s rest and a filling breakfast go a long way in helping students feel confident and prepared. Please encourage your child to take their time, stay focused, and do their best. Trying their best is all we ask, and we are proud of the effort they show each and every day.

Finally, a quick reminder about our $2 Free Dress Fundraiser tomorrow, April 2. Students may bring $2 to their classroom teacher. Please remember that clothing should follow regular school guidelines, and students should not wear pajamas or costumes.

Have a great rest of your week, and please let us know if we can support you in any way.

Brooke Knight

PYP Principal

Primary news

Calendar Reminders

  • $2 Free Dress Day tomorrow, April 2
  • No school for students on Friday, April 3 and Monday, April 6
  • Subscribe to the calendar to get these dates, and more, on your phone!

PYP Principal's Coffee

Thursday, April 2 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

 

Cappuccino cup with lion logo in frothOur final PYP Principal’s Coffee shows the next stages of schooling here at Meridian. We hear from MYP Principal Melissa Reese about the program for 6th-10th graders and from DP Principal Stela Holcombe about the program for 11th and 12th graders.

 

Join us in-person or virtually: please RSVP using this link so we know to expect you. If you join virtually, you can use this Google Meet link to join the meeting.

STAAR Testing Schedule  (add to your calendar)

STAARState-mandated STAAR tests take place soon for grades 3-5. 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.

Primary STAAR Grades 3-5

  • April 9 (Thurs): Reading 3rd – 5th
  • April 16 (Thurs): Science 5th
  • April 23 (Thurs): Math 3rd – 5th

Spring showcases and 5th Grade  Exhibition

Mark your calendars for our Spring Showcases and the culmination of our PYP program, the 5th Grade Exhibition!

 

  • Kindergarten - Friday, May 15, 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
  • 1st Grade - Thursday, April 16, 12:45-1:15 p.m.
  • 2nd Grade - Thursday, May 7, 1:30-2:15 p.m.
  • 3rd Grade - Thursday, April 2, 2-2:30 p.m.
  • 4th Grade Passion Project - Tuesday, May 19, 2-2:45 p.m.
  • 5th Grade Exhibition - Thursday, May 14, 5-6 p.m. (All families are welcome to attend)

5th Grade Exhibition Call for Experts

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.

 

This year’s Exhibition is exploring the central idea, Challenges and opportunities inspire innovative ideas. Students are exploring past, present, and future innovations in a variety of areas. They will begin their research soon and 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 take a minute to view this year’s topics and sign up if you are able to provide expert knowledge. 

PYP Art Show during Arts and Science Fest

PYP Art Show during Arts & Science

Saturday, April 18 from 2-5 p.m.


The PYP Art Show is coming up! This year, it’s part of the Arts and Science Fest!

 

You can check out the Art Show in the PYP Cafe during the Fest. And don’t miss the rest of the Fest across the campus, including the Mays building.

Announcements

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. 

Statewide Emergency Alert System Test April 2

April 2, from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

 

The Texas Department of Emergency Management will hold statewide tests of local alert systems on Thursday. If you haven’t already registered for alerts in Williamson County, or if your contact information has changed, now is a good time to visit Warn Central Texas. Learn more about the statewide test. 

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)

RockSports Spirit Wear Sale

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

 

 

Academics

IB Initiative: Bringing Together the Learner Profile Traits

Over the past 10 weeks, we’ve explored each learner profile trait individually and looked at the lives of people throughout history and around the world who have demonstrated each trait, but these traits don’t live in isolation. The Learner Profile is modelled by a person who demonstrates ALL of the learner profile traits and considers how, when combined, they lead to greater depth of understanding. For example, we know a risk-taker is willing to try new things, but pair that with other learner profile traits and you have new things to consider. For example, what does it mean to be a knowledgeable risk-taker or a principled risk-taker? The learner profile is the easiest piece of IB to bring home for conversations. So, continue to have conversations with your child about how they are being: 

Inquirers  •  Knowledgeable  •  Thinkers  •  Communicators  •  Principled

Open-Minded  •  Caring  •  Risk-takers  •  Balanced  •  Reflective

 

Spotlight

Student Spotlight

Meridian students from 3rd grade participated in the First LEGO League Explore event this past weekend and were awarded the Best Team Model Award. Congratulations to Gabriela A, Maha Lakshmi G, Evelyn P, and Vanshika T! This achievement reflects their teamwork, creativity, and dedication.

 

Students stand in front of the Meridian logo wall

Upcoming Events

Spring Dance Camp

Saturday, April 11

Registration closes April 8

 

Dance team at pep rally

Spring Dance Camp (K-5) - Registration is now open!

Meridian’s Dance Team is hosting a Spring Dance Camp on Saturday, April 11 for Meridian Lions in grades K-5.  Participants will also perform in the 2026 Arts and Science Fest on Saturday, April 18! Hurry! Registration ends at 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 8, or sooner if the limited spots fill up first.

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

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, 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. Enjoy a whole wing of hands-on science fun with Austin Community College!

 

⏰ Score a free T shirt if you sign up to volunteer by April 2! ⏰ If you’re not sure if you’re really needed at big events like this, consider this your invitation! We still need at least ten volunteers to make this event a success!

 

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

district

Upcoming Enrichment Activities

 

Easter (March 30 - April 1) - Students will learn about Easter traditions around the world, and explore the meaning and history behind the holiday!

 

Science Rocks! (April 2 - 10) - Students will learn about the scientific method, and do a science experiment of their choice through the week. On Friday, April 10, students will have a Science Fair during Triple A where they will showcase their experiments and explore what other groups worked on!


Spring Crafts (April 12 - 21) - Students will be able to explore the joys of Spring, the changing of seasons, through themed crafts! They will learn about the changing seasons, life cycles, insects, birds, and plants!

 

Transportation Changes: If your student will be absent from school or has a change in transportation, email the Triple A Administrative Assistant, the A la Carte Instructor, and your student's school day teacher. Be sure to send the email at least two hours prior to school dismissal. Also, remember to update your student's pick up mode in PikMyKid.

 

Kids play with hula hoops on playground

Triple A had a blast at our Sports & Fitness Day!

 

Enrichment Schedule: 

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday - 4:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday - 2:10 p.m. and 3:55 p.m.
  • Early Release Wednesday Only - 2:55 p.m.
Triple A Registration opens May 1 at 6 PM

resourcesPrimary Resources

Daily Announcements: Did you know you can watch the daily morning announcements that your student sees? Watch them on Ms. Lieurance’s Announcements Channel.

 

Toddle: Our one stop site/app for everything PYP. Curriculum, family communications, student portfolio, and more. Learn more about Toddle and sign in.

 

Skyward: To check report cards, submit an absence, fill out paperwork, and update your contact information, log in to Skyward using this link.
 

Important Contacts

PYP Principal, Brooke Knight

PYP Assistant Principal Grades K, 2, 4, Rachel Gabriel

PYP Assistant Principal Grades 1, 3, 5, Dion Reyes

 

PYP Counselor K, 2, 4, Dana Burks

PYP Counselor 1, 3, 5, Heather Mossell

PYP Coordinator grades K-5, Leah Lieurance

Media Literacy/Library, Kelly Chapman

 

Primary Campus Coordinator, Kathy Finch

Report an absence, Skyward

 

Special Education

Director of Special Education, Susan Mais

LSSP/Assistant Director of Special Education, Jennifer Kuester

ARD Coordinator, Anna Brown

504 Coordinator, Dottie Elliott

 

Registrar, Kelly Abbett

Dean of School Culture, Monique Swain

Child Nutrition Director, Kaylee Torres

Meal Program Application/Café Questions

Skyward Questions

School Nurse

Triple A

 
 

Help us reach you

Do you get our Catapult text messages? If not, try these two steps:
  • 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 and opt back in.
  • 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. 

PYP Calendar

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