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Students walk in the Homecoming Parade for Cross Country, holding up a red sign with "We Are Lions XC"
A student practices the flute as they set up for a band performance during Founders Day
Primary students paint on white paper
Students run across a field, the one on the left holding a football (from a recent Flag Football game).
Enjoying the annual World Parade
Students play guitars in music class
Newsletters » PYP Pride (K–5)

PYP Pride (K–5)

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Week of March 4, 2026

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Brooke Knight, PYP Principal

Happy Wednesday, Primary Families!

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family doing well. As we head into our final week before Spring Break, there is a lot happening around campus! Teachers are wrapping up Quarter 3 grades, and classrooms are staying busy as students work to finish the quarter strong before the break.

 

Spring classroom parties will take place next Friday, March 13. Please be on the lookout for more information in your child’s grade-level newsletter regarding party details and any volunteer opportunities.

 

We also hope to see many of you this Saturday, March 7, from 2–5 p.m. for our Festival of Cultures! Be sure to arrive early to watch our Primary students perform in the choirs, and plan to stay afterward for our first Holi Celebration on the Front Sport Court at 5:15 p.m. (weather pending for the color throw) It will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our community together. You can find more information about the event below.

 

Finally, a quick reminder about our $2 Free Dress Fundraiser on Tuesday, March 10. Students may bring $2 to their classroom teacher on Monday or Tuesday morning and wear free dress on Tuesday. Please remember that clothing should follow regular school guidelines, and students should not wear pajamas or costumes.

 

If you need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out. As always, we appreciate your support. Enjoy the rest of your week!

 

Brooke Knight

PYP Principal

Primary news

Fundraising Opportunity: Water for Africa

Three sets of legs with colorful socks5th grade students are excited to launch a meaningful fundraising campaign to help provide clean drinking water to communities in Africa. Through We Help Two, we are selling fun & comfy socks to raise funds for a clean water well project.
 
Every pair purchased brings us one step closer to making a real difference. Join us in turning something simple — like socks — into a life-changing impact!
We Help Two
 
What: Fundraiser for Water for Africa
When: February 25-March 11
To purchase: Use this link!

Announcements

Upcoming Free Dress Days

  • Friday, March 6: World Parade Cultural Dress. Students and staff may choose to wear cultural wear or national team jerseys to celebrate their culture or heritage!
  • Tuesday, March 10: $2 Free Dress Fundraiser. Bring $2 to your child’s classroom teacher next Monday or Tuesday morning and your student can wear free dress on Tuesday! (regular, school-appropriate clothing – no pajamas/costumes). 
 

Amplify Austin: today and tomorrow

March 4-5

 

Amplify Austin: I Live Here I Give HereMeridian World School is taking part in Amplify Austin this year! It’s Central Texas’ biggest giving day of the year, and it’s an easy way for you to share support of Meridian with friends, family members, and colleagues.

 

What we’re asking: Please share our giving link on your social media channels, as well as to friends and family members.  It’s an easy low stakes way for our community to donate to the school. 

 

Make it extra special by sharing a story about what Meridian has meant to you and your family on social media or share with us at [email protected] and we will feature it on our Amplify Austin page

 

Our goal is to raise $2,000 in community support through March 5, and we need your help spreading the word! 

A message regarding Lifetouch Photography Services

We are aware of recent concerns that circulated on social media regarding Lifetouch, the company we work with to take student photos. With Spring photos scheduled for April 21 (grades K-12) and primary classroom group photos scheduled for March 24 (grades K-5), we want to share what we have learned, and to assure you that student safety and data privacy remain our highest priorities.

 

According to Lifetouch:

  • Student images are used solely for school records and parent purchases.
  • Images are never shared, sold, or used to train artificial intelligence. 
  • Lifetouch remains in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, including FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).

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 and primary class photos. Otherwise, no action is required.


To learn more directly from Lifetouch, you review their safety and security protocols and a statement from their CEO.

Academics

IB Initiative: The Learner Profile Trait of Open-minded

This quarter, our IB Initiative each week will focus on one of the learner profile traits.


Inquirers  •  Knowledgeable  •  Thinkers  •  Communicators  •  Principled  •  Open-Minded  •  Caring  •  Risk-takers  •  Balanced  •  Reflective


Open Minded - colorful figures surround the earth

To connect with International Week at Meridian, we are exploring the learner profile trait of open-minded. According to the IB, to be open-minded means to  critically appreciate our own culture and personal history, as well as the values and traditions of others. Open-minded individuals seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.

 

This week, on the announcements, we will explore a broad range of people and groups to consider what they can teach us about being open-minded. We will learn that open-minded people and groups:

 

  • embrace the ideas and cultures of others and see value in other people.
  • see potential in everyone which leads to success in areas of enjoyment
  • are willing to grow and change as they consider the perspectives of others.
  • stand up against close-minded people to try to broaden their perspectives.

 

 

Spotlight

Students collaborate on Regional Science Fair

On February 21, eight third- and fourth-grade students proudly represented our school at the Greater Austin Regional Science and Engineering Fair. They all performed exceptionally well, showcasing their creativity, critical thinking, and dedication. Some students collaborated as teams, while others independently designed and presented their own projects — each demonstrating impressive effort and achievement.

Students show ribbons: How Strong is an Egg without Its Shell; Impact of Ocean Acidification on Marine Animals; Flat vs Truss Bridges

Lions Acting Troupe Closed 25-26 Season with a tribute to International Week

Lions Acting Troupe wrapped up their spring play, A Thousand Cranes,  on Tuesday with a moving tribute to Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who attempted to fold 1,000 cranes while in the hospital with leukemia from the Hiroshima atomic bombing. 


The Troupe will host crane folding at Saturday’s Festival of Cultures. Their goal is to fold 1,000 cranes (senbazuru, or 千羽鶴) to send to the Children’s Peace Monument in Hiroshima, Japan, as an offering of hope and peace from our learning community.

Students wave bright banners; fifth grade students wave on stage following their final performance

Upcoming Events

World Parade + Photo

Friday, March 6

 

No entry or early dismissal between 1:30 - 3:15 p.m.

The parking lot will be closed between 1:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. for the parade and photo. If you need to pick up your student early on March 6, please arrive before 1:25 p.m.

 

Parade

Students may walk in this beloved annual parade under a country of their heritage/choice. Those not marching watch as spectators. Students can wear cultural wear or national team jerseys.

 

All School Photo (will be canceled if raining/wet)

Following the World Parade, we will gather students, faculty, & staff for an all-school photo! This is a tradition once every five years, and this year, we celebrate 15 years at Meridian. Students not in cultural wear are encouraged to wear their red polo shirt or red spirit wear.

Festival of Cultures + Holi Celebration

Saturday, March 7 from 2-5 p.m. Holi Celebration starts at 5:15.


Explore family- and student club- led country and culture booths in this 9th annual Festival of Cultures! Learn about countries, sample food, try games and make crafts! Enjoy Primary Student Performances, the Black Culture Choir, and the Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team. Celebrate your family’s culture and heritage with a country booth, or volunteer. 

 

Note: the Holi Celebration will depend on the weather. If it is raining, we will not be able to hold a color throw. We will continue in the Mays lobby with performances only.

students celebrate their cultures through food samples, singing, and flags

 

district

 

Upcoming Enrichment Activities

 

Billboard: Triple A Talent Show Update: March 6 4:25 p.m.Triple A Talent Show (March 5 and 6): The Triple A Talent show is an annual parent - invited event where students are given the opportunity to showcase their skills! Sign up and auditions have already taken place. Students performing will rehearse on March 5. The actual event will take place on Friday,  March 6. Though there are limited spots in the Talent Show, Triple a will host mini Talent Exhibitions within groups on March 5.

 

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.

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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