Volunteers in Partnership

Volunteers in Partnership (ViP) is our parent-run volunteer organization. No dues required – you're automatically a member!

ViP partners with Meridian to support staff, students, and Meridian’s mission. ViP is not affiliated with PTA, which makes it different from what many parents may be accustomed to.

We ask each parent to volunteer 20 hours over the school year – there are many ways to help!

Matching Gift and Volunteer Grant information provided by

Why volunteer?

Parent involvement is vital to Meridian's success and to the success and achievement of each child. Each parent's talents, skills and energies are wholly welcomed toward that end.

Research on student achievement shows that when parents are active members of the child's school life, the child's academic progress accelerates and self-esteem blossoms.

Based on this research, parents are strongly encouraged to be involved by volunteering.

Record/log your hours

After you volunteer, don't forget to log your hours.

Why does Meridian ask volunteers to log hours?

You get a chance to eat lunch with your child after every 20 logged hours, and you get entered into a bypass afternoon carline parking spot for a month!
It helps Meridian properly acknowledge and recognize your dedication
It demonstrates to our children your commitment to their education, and they see the positive impact those hours can make.
Celebrating volunteerism helps encourage engagement throughout our community!

So, have you done -- AND logged -- your 20 (or more) hours? Log your hours today and enjoy perks like lunch with your students and more! To earn your lunch perk, you must log your hours.

Not sure how many hours you have logged? You can check your email for a confirmation from Google Forms, subject: ViP Volunteer Hours. You may also email [email protected] for a total of your hours to date.

Volunteer perks

Afternoon carline parking space drawing!

Want to skip afternoon carline? Every volunteer who completes and logs 20 volunteer hours will be entered into a monthly drawing for a special parking space to skip afternoon carline for a whole month! Volunteers earn one entry per 20 hours. Entries roll over to the next month for those not selected.

Drawings will take place at the beginning of each month, so start volunteering and log those hours!

Enjoy lunch with your student!

Parents and guardians who log 20 volunteer hours get an opportunity to schedule a lunch date with their students. Lunch dates take place at the courtyard (primary) or the Mays lobby (secondary).

Volunteers in Partnership sends out a Sign Up to volunteers who have completed 20 hours or more, where you can register for a lunch date. Lunches must be scheduled in advance so that teachers can make the appropriate arrangements for your child.

Shop Early at the Uniform Exchange

Volunteers who have completed 20 hours of service the year prior get to shop a half hour early at the fall Uniform Exchange. Volunteers who have completed 20 hours this school year get to shop a half hour early at the winter/spring Uniform Exchange (if scheduled)!

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

Ongoing Opportunities

Morning Carline

We always need helpful and friendly volunteers during morning carline. You'll help open doors for younger students and remind drivers and walkers of the rules. No sign up is needed. Just show up as close to the start of carline as you can and try to stay until at least 8 a.m. This is a great before-work volunteer opportunity and relieves our teachers and staff to allow them time to be inside to prepare for their students.

Athletics

Athletics is always looking for interested parents to help with concessions, scoring, game admissions, clock managers and more! Check with athletics for opportunities.

Meridian Chicken Care

Want to help care for the chickens at our chicken coop on the primary playground? Join the Chicken Committee! This committee oversees chicken care. Reach out to Friends of Meridian and see the Fall Sign Up.

Primary Lost and Found

Our primary students leave items behind every day! Volunteers can help keep it as organized as possible. Learn more on the volunteer process document and sign up.

Volunteers in Partnership Leadership Team 2026-2027

Co-President, Julie King

Co-President, Brindley Vancura

Secretary, Vanessa Klar

Treasurer, Sara Kealy

Staff Appreciation Lead, Jeanne Batterton

PYP Representative, Sky Canaves

MYP Representative (6-8), open

MYP Representative (9-10), open

DP Representative, Lori Murphy

Social Media Lead: Vida Harris
Member-at-Large: Crystal DuRette
Member-at-Large: Sara Ignal

Contact the leadership team at [email protected]

Meet the Team!

Brindley Vancura, Co-President

Julie King, Co-President

This will be my 6th year on the ViP Leadership team; I served as the Primary Rep for 2 years and this will be my 4th year serving as a Co-President. I love volunteering at school because I get to know the staff and teachers, and it makes me happy to work behind the scenes to make it all happen.

Jeanne Batterton, Staff Appreciation Lead

My family has been a part of the Meridian community since the doors first opened in 2011. My husband, Peter, and I are proud parents of two boys - a 2019 Meridian graduate and a 10th grader who has just three more years to go! For the past 8 years, I’ve served on the VIP Leadership Team, including two years as President, as Vice President & Treasurer. The more I volunteer, the more connected I feel to our amazing teachers, staff, and administration.

Sara Kealy, Treasurer

I’m excited to continue serving as Treasurer of ViP this year! I enjoy working behind the scenes to help support the teachers and events that make our school such a special place. I have two boys at Meridian, one starting 5th grade and the other starting 3rd. Our family loves being part of this school, and we’re looking forward to another great year ahead!

Sky Canaves, Secretary

I’m happy to be returning to the ViP board as Secretary for another year. My daughter started at Meridian in 2022 and is now in 4th grade. Volunteering is such a great way to connect with the Meridian community, model the ideals of service for our kids, and even see them in action. There is truly something for everyone to do whether you prefer reading, creating, being handy, or getting out with the chickens.

Vanessa Klar, Secretary

This is my family’s 8th year at Meridian, and my 2nd year on ViP as the Primary Rep. I’ve loved being involved with volunteering at the school because I’ve gotten to meet so many other parents and teachers.

Crystal DuRette, Member-at-large

This is our 14th year at Meridian. Volunteering has been an awesome opportunity to get to know the staff and parents of my kids' friends, which is what makes Meridian feel more like a community than just a school.

Lori Murphy, DP Rep

I’m Lori Murphy and I’m serving my second year as the VIP 9th and 10th Grade Representative. I’m looking forward to working with our wonderful volunteers to make this year super special for our students and staff.

Go Lions!

School Calendar

Aug 26, 2026
- College Shirt Wednesday
Aug 28, 2026
- ViP Bingo Night
Sep 4, 2026
- Teacher Workday / No School for Students
Sep 7, 2026
- Labor Day / School Closed
Sep 11, 2026
- ViP Pins and Wheels Spirit Night - 4 pm - 11:59 pm
Sep 12, 2026
- SAT at Meridian
Sep 17, 2026
- Board Meeting - 6 pm - 8 pm
Sep 23, 2026
- College Shirt Wednesday
Oct 5, 2026
- Fall Break / School Closed
Oct 6, 2026
- Fall Break / School Closed
Oct 7, 2026
- Fall Break / School Closed
Oct 8, 2026
- Fall Break / School Closed
Oct 9, 2026
- Fall Break / School Closed
Oct 12, 2026
- Staff PD Day / No School for Students
Oct 14, 2026
- Staff Appreciation Luncheon
Oct 15, 2026
- Wear Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness
Oct 17, 2026
- Founders Day - 4 pm - 7 pm
Oct 23, 2026
- Homecoming Volleyball Games - Girls Varsity & Boys Varsity - 5:30 pm - 9 pm (Home - Mays Gym)
Oct 26, 2026
- Red Ribbon Week
Oct 27, 2026
- Red Ribbon Week

View All School Calendar

Volunteers in Partnership

Volunteers in Partnership Leadership Team 2026-2027

School Calendar

Aug 26, 2026

Aug 28, 2026

Sep 4, 2026

Sep 7, 2026

Sep 11, 2026

Sep 12, 2026

Sep 17, 2026

Sep 23, 2026

Oct 5, 2026

Oct 6, 2026

Oct 7, 2026

Oct 8, 2026

Oct 9, 2026

Oct 12, 2026

Oct 14, 2026

Oct 15, 2026

Oct 17, 2026

Oct 23, 2026

Oct 26, 2026

Oct 27, 2026