Skip to main content
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)

PYP Header

Week of February 25, 2026

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Brooke Knight, PYP Principal

Happy Wednesday, Primary Families!

International Week begins next Monday, and we are so excited! It is truly one of my favorite weeks of the year. There is so much joy in walking the halls and seeing the incredible creativity on display as classroom doors come to life with decorations representing the many cultures and backgrounds within each class. It is especially meaningful to watch our students share their stories and take pride in who they are.

Throughout the week, teachers and students will celebrate cultures from around the world. We look forward to welcoming special guest readers during Morning Meetings who will share books and stories about the countries and cultures represented in our Meridian community. We hope you will join us for Lions Acting Troupe’s performance of A Thousand Cranes on Monday or Tuesday evening. Our students have been working hard in preparation, and they always deliver a wonderful performance. Please see below for more information. We are also hoping for beautiful weather for our World Parade next Friday, which is always a highlight for both students and staff.

We hope to see you at the Festival of Cultures on Saturday, March 7, from 2 to 5 p.m. We are especially excited to watch our primary students perform in the choirs. Stay for our first Holi Celebration on the Front Sport Court at 5:15 p.m. It will be a special way to celebrate together as a community.

We are so grateful for our incredible community and look forward to celebrating this special week with all of you!

Brooke Knight

PYP Principal

Primary news

Lion’s Acting Troupe: call for origami cranes

Monday, March 2 - Tuesday, March 3 at 6 p.m.

A hand holds an origami crane

As part of International Week, the Lion’s Acting Troupe presents A Thousand Cranes, a powerful and moving play inspired by the true story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl in post-war Japan who begins folding paper cranes in the hope of healing, and peace. Performances are March 2 and 3 at 6 p.m. in the Primary School Gym.

Show tickets are $5 each on MySchoolBucks, with limited tickets available at the door if not sold out.

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating art, culture, and our shared commitment to peace.

Fifth Grade students: New Instrument Trial Day

Wednesday, March 4 from 2 - 4:30 p.m. (by appointment)

Is your 5th grader interested in band or orchestra next year? Don't forget to sign up for this hands-on small-group instrument trial (10 minute time slot per student). All 5th grade students are welcome, but this event is by appointment only. Please sign up for the Instrument Trial in advance.  Learn more about what to expect. Registration closes Tuesday, March 3 at 6 p.m.

Announcements

Upcoming Free Dress Days

Friday, March 6: World Parade Cultural Dress

Tuesday, March 10: $2 Free Dress Fundraiser 

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!

Amplify Austin

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! 

Board applications due March 2

Paper with "School Board Applications" written across itMeridian has three upcoming openings for our Board of Directors:

Should you know someone who you would recommend as a community member, send them the packet above or contact the Board! If you’d like to serve as a parent, please submit a completed parent application to the Board. Applications are due by the end of day Monday, March 2.

Last chance: 2026-2027 admissions

If a currently enrolled student's sibling will be new to Meridian in the 2026-2027 school year (in grades K-9), please fill out an application for the sibling before February 28. Siblings only receive priority in the lottery if you apply before the deadline.

Academics

IB Initiative: The Learner Profile Trait of Inquirers

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


Inquirers: figure holding a magnifying glass

Inquirers nurture their curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. They know how to learn independently and with others. They learn with enthusiasm and sustain their love of learning throughout life.

 

IB’s definition of the trait of inquirer points us to the approaches to learning that we focus on within all three IB programs. In order to grow as inquirers, students need to learn research and thinking skills to know how to take action on their curiosity. Self-management skills help them learn independently while social skills help them learn with others. Communication skills help them both take in information and share their passion for learning with others.

 

This week, on the announcements, we are looking at the curiosity types of inventors, scientists, artists, and explorers. Each of these groups of people applies their curiosity about the world to discover or create something new. You can check out the Curiosity Compass resource from Britannica to learn more about these curiosity types. What aspect of life is your child curious about and how can you nurture that curiosity at home or in the community?

 

Find activities and book ideas on Meridian’s website to extend the discussion of what it means to be an inquirer at home.

 

Spotlight

Student Spotlight: Sidharth P.

Student holds a trophy and certificateFourth grader Sidharth P. and his team recently won second place in the regional competition for the FIRST LEGO League Challenge. They scored 440 of 545 points and presented a cost effective solution for a challenge (loss of artifacts) that is faced by Archeologists in dig/excavation sites. 

 

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge is an international STEM robotics program for students ages 9–14. Teams design, build, and program a LEGO-based robot to complete missions and research a real-world problem to present an Innovation Project with their solution. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity.

Upcoming Events

Friends of Meridian's Celebration of Flavors: this Friday!

Friday, February 27 at 6 p.m.

Georgetown Community Center

Friends of Meridian presents their 5th Annual International Celebration of Flavors: Sips, Samples & Silent Auction—an evening of global bites, drinks, and community fun! This will be an age 21+ kick-off for International Week hosted by the Friends of Meridian! Friends of Meridian Celebration of Flavors: Feb. 27 in Georgetown. Tickets on sale now!

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. A reminder: sign up by Feb. 25; no late submissions will be accepted this year.

 

All of Meridian's students and staff stand in front of the Mays buildingAll School Photo

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. 

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

 

district

 

Upcoming Enrichment Activities

Students Choice (February 26 - March 4): Students will choose a topic and do projects, create, and learn about their interests! Each group will be doing something different. Whether it’s STEM, art, film making, animals, students will be given space to explore!

 

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.

 

Note, due to a conflict with Lion’s Acting, the Triple A Talent Show has been rescheduled to these new dates to allow students the ability to participate in both, if you have any questions, reach out to Erin Yielding, the Program Coordinator

 

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. 

PYP Calendar

View All PYP Calendar