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Newsletters » PYP Pride (K–5)

PYP Pride (K–5)

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Week of April 15, 2026

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Brooke Knight, PYP Principal

Happy Wednesday, Primary Families,

As we continue through the testing season, I want to recognize the focus and effort across our entire campus. While our students in grades 3–5 are actively engaged in STAAR assessments, including 5th grade Science tomorrow and Math next Thursday, April 23, our Kindergarten–2nd grade students have also been impacted by adjusted schedules and changes to their day on testing days. We are proud of all of our students for their flexibility, patience, and positive attitudes during this time. Our 3–5 students continue to approach this season with care, taking their time and showing what they know, demonstrating IB traits as they remain principled, reflective, and thinkers committed to doing their best.

Tomorrow we are looking forward to welcoming our 1st grade families to campus for the 1st Grade Showcase. Students will be sharing their research on a specific region, and we are excited for them to step into the role of communicators as they present their learning. If you have not signed up, please see the RSVP link below. We hope to have all of our 1st grade families join us.

We are also looking forward to the Arts and Science Fest this Saturday. There will be a variety of performances, exhibits, and demonstrations, and you will have the opportunity to view student artwork from Ms. Lee’s class. It is always a great event and a meaningful way to celebrate our students and our community.

Next week, Spring Pictures will take place on Tuesday, April 21. This will be a free dress day, and students do not need to wear their uniforms. They should come in school appropriate, picture ready attire. See below for information about ordering pictures. 

As always, thank you for your continued support. If there is any way we can support you or your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Admin Team. 

Have a great rest of the week. We hope to see you at the Arts and Science Fest!

Brooke Knight

PYP Principal

Primary news

🎭 Village Theatre Summer Camp 🎭

Kids with arms raisedCreate It. Rehearse It. Perform It.
Watch your child’s story come to life on stage.
 
This two week summer camp invites students ages 8 to 12 to create, rehearse, and perform their own original plays in a fun, creative, and supportive environment. Running June 8 through 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, the camp is led by experienced educators Molly Chapman and Corey Franklin and is designed to build confidence, creativity, collaboration, and performance skills. Tuition is $595, with a discounted rate of $495 for each additional sibling. Early drop off and late pickup options are available. Families and friends are invited to a final performance at 3 p.m. on June 19. Limited spots available.
 
Ready to register? Complete both the registration form and payment to reserve your child’s spot. Link to the payment form is found at the end of registration.

Student Placement Survey 2026-2027

Administration works hard to balance classrooms and create the best learning environment for each of our students. We invite you to fill out this form by Friday, May 8 to help us make the best decisions for your child.

STAAR Testing Schedule

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 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. (Link to RSVP)
  • 2nd Grade - Thursday, May 7, 1:30-2:15 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)

Field Days

Kids play four square

We are excited for our upcoming Field Days and would love your help to make it a fun and successful event for our students!

 

We are looking for parent volunteers to help manage our activity stations and support the fun throughout the day. It will be a sack lunch day from the cafeteria.

 

Students should bring:

 

  • A towel (for the water station)
  • Water bottle
  • Sunscreen (applied before school)
  • Hat (optional)
  • Triple A students can bring a change of clothes. Other students won't have time to change because they will be dismissed right after their final station. 

 

Your support makes a huge difference, and we truly appreciate it. We can’t wait for a fun-filled day! Any questions can be directed to Coach Colón.

 

April 22 - Kindergarten and 1st grade - Sign up to help!

April 29 - 2nd and 3rd grade - Details coming soon on Toddle

May 6 - 4th and 5th grade - Details coming soon on Toddle

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.

 

Ms. Lee also needs Art Show volunteers to help set up, clean up, and monitor artwork during the show!

Announcements

Help us celebrate our amazing staff!

colorful paper with thank you in langaugesPlease take a moment to write a kind message to a staff member. Your message will be shared with them during Staff Appreciation Week. See the form and details.

Returning Student Registration: Required by Thursday, April 30

colorful paper with thank you in langaugesIt’s time to complete returning student registrations for each student! Log into your parent/guardian Skyward account. There is a separate Registration 26-27 tile for each child in your family.

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.

 

Please note three important updates:

  • If ordering with physical form: New Policy – LifeTouch will not accept any paper forms or payments after the photograph is taken. If you use the physical form, make sure your child knows to bring it with them to hand directly to the photographer. 
  • If ordering online: make sure you choose the right year (25-26 Spring Pictures). If it doesn’t populate for your student, try using the code instead.

 

There are three ways to order photos:

 

  • Online pre-order – log into your LifeTouch account or use code EVT2363VC. (Primary only. See the secondary code in MYP Mane). 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.

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

IB Initiative: The Transdisciplinary Theme of Where We Are in Place and Time

Who We Are  •  Where We Are in Place and Time  •  How We Express Ourselves

How the World Works  •  How We Organize Ourselves  •  Sharing the Planet

 

This week, we are exploring the theme of Where We Are in Place and Time. IB’s new descriptor for this theme is an inquiry into histories and orientation in place, space, and time through:

  • periods, events, and artifacts
  • communities, heritage, culture, and environment
  • natural and human drivers of movement, adaptation, and transformation

 

It is important for children to explore how events of the past can impact our lives today, how our surroundings play a role in our lives and how movement of people and ideas can shape the world we live in. We want students to understand that they are a small part of a big world.

At Meridian, only 1st-5th graders study the theme of Where We Are in Place and Time through the following central ideas:

  • 1st Grade - Representations help us understand a complex world.
  • 2nd Grade - Innovations pave the way to where we are today.
  • 3rd Grade - Living things adapt to an ever changing environment.
  • 4th Grade - Exploration can present challenges and opportunities.
  • 5th Grade - Conflicting perspectives demand resolutions.

 

Spotlight

Arts & Science Fest: Rain or Shine

Exhibitors are still rolling in for another dynamic Arts & Science Fest! Check out the list. 

 

Rain or shine, 

  • Explore CSI, geology, space science, AI, and more
  • Enjoy hands-on science and art experiments
  • Hear Round Rock Drums and 5th Grade French class
  • Experience a mobile planetarium sponsored by ThermoFisher Scientific!
  • Watch a mobile printing press and color in your freshly-printed T shirt or bag! 

Get planetarium tickets in advance and save time in line! These always sell out.
 
 
Families play with science experiments and view art

Special thank you to Second Grade Families

Thank you to our second grade families who worked on the Butterfly Garden this Saturday! They planted, weeded, repaired irrigation, and mulched -- all before the rain!

 

Students and parents garden next to bluebonnets and other native plants

Upcoming EventsWizard 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

district

Upcoming Enrichment Activities

 

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.

 

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. 

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