DP Lions Share (11–12)
Week of May 8, 2024
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Hello DP Families!
This week is Staff Appreciation Week! I invite you to take a few minutes to reach out to a teacher or other staff member who has made a difference in your student's school experience this year. Above all else, an email or note of thanks are the most appreciated gestures during this time. We have an incredible team of educators at Meridian; please let them know that you value their dedication and hard work to the students at our school!
We are in week two of the IB examination period. Thank you to all who have donated food and time in the IB Oasis! We hope the seniors and their families are enjoying their senior yard signs. There are a few more that will be delivered this week!
Graduation is just 16 days away! Graduation tickets are being printed this week! We will count and sort them for distribution ASAP. Otherwise, everything you need to know (including information about seating for the disabled) is included in this Graduation Guide
that Robyn Tester and I have put together for you.
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns as we draw closer to the end of the school year. It's a very busy time but we are always here for you and your family!
Sincerely,
Stela Holcombe
DP Principal
Please log into your students’ MySchoolBucks account and pay any outstanding lunch balances before the end of May. Lunch balances carry over from year to year and can prevent a student from participating in extracurricular activities.
Any extra funds in your child's school lunch account automatically roll over to the next school year. If you have any questions, please contact Kaylee Torres.
Staff Appreciation Week: This week!
Teachers, IB Coordinators, Nurses, Coaches, Administration, Support Staff and more! It takes a village and we have one of the best! Staff Appreciation Week is this week and there are a few ways you can help make it extra special.Next week: Ridwell plastic film recycling drive
Do you have plastic bags saved up to recycle but don’t know what to do with them? Join our Ridwell recycling drive! This is what can be recycled. Drop off is next week!- May 13-16: Drop them off in one of our labeled bins in each school lobby!
- Through May 31: If 10 people sign up for Ridwell services through this link, the school will receive free plastic film recycling all next year!
Public Service Announcement: safe storage of firearms
Texas law requires school districts to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. This page will help you learn about options for, as well as how to talk to your child and others about, the safe storage of firearms.
Senior obligations
Must be cleared by Friday, May 17
Seniors will not be permitted to participate in senior fun week activities until they clear all obligations: library books, library fines, lunch account balances, etc, so please take care of these obligations by May 17. Some seniors currently owe money for lunch in MySchoolBucks. Please login and clear these obligations asap. This will save Ms. Holcombe the time of having to email families individually.
Graduation medals for Full IB Diploma Candidates - $14 in MySchoolBucks
Full IB Diploma candidates have the option of wearing an IB medal as part of their graduation regalia. If you would like to buy this item for your graduate, you can find the invoice for $14 in MySchoolBucks. Again, this is an optional purchase for seniors who are full IB diploma candidates.
ASVAB testing for Juniors
Wednesday, May 15
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. Students (9-11) who are interested in the military should sign up for the test and plan to stay after school on Wednesday, May 15 to take it. Testing will begin right after school at 1:30 p.m. Questions? Email Mr. Manuszak.
IB Exam schedule and review sessions
IB exams for seniors began last week and they continue through May 17 (DP May 2024 Exam Calendar).
The IB Oasis for Seniors
Thank you to the parents who have donated food and volunteered time in the IB Oasis! Our seniors need and truly appreciate this support during the IB exams. Here is the sign up; please check to see if there are any remaining needs as of today.
Graduation updates
Graduation is just 16 days away! Graduation tickets are being printed this week! We will count and sort them for distribution ASAP. Otherwise, everything you need to know (including information about seating for the disabled) is included in this Graduation Guide
that Robyn Tester and I have put together for you.
Registration for Fall Competitive Sports ends at 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 8!
Registration ends at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8 for Cross Country, Flag Football, and Volleyball for rising 7th-12th grade students! Find details about each sport on the Athletics website: Cross Country, Flag Football, and Volleyball. Check your registration status.
Varsity Flag Football & Boys Varsity Volleyball are at risk of not forming due to insufficient registration! If you want to participate, please register before it’s too late!
Late registration will be open from July 24 to 9 p.m. on July 31 for Fall Competitive Sports/teams that meet their minimum participants needed by this Wednesday, May 8. The late registration fee is $104.60, instead of the regular registration fee of $52.30.
Registration for Summer Sports Camps is now open!
Summer Sports Camps are available for rising 7th-12th grade students for Basketball, Soccer, and Volleyball. Spots are limited! Registration is now open and ends May 15 at 9 p.m., or sooner if the limited spots fill up first. Register for each sports experience separately: Basketball Summer Camps / Soccer Summer Camp / Volleyball Summer Camps. Learn more.
See Sports Registration for additional 2024-2025 sports experiences and their registration windows.
Additional extracurricular options for 2024-2025
Check out these opportunities to help you plan for 2024-2025. Practice dates are now available for these extracurricular activities as well as Fall Competitive Sports. Students who wish to participate in more than one activity should check to make sure the practice dates don’t conflict before registering.
Secondary After School Music (7-8)
- After School Band: Practices Thursdays from 4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. in the Music Room. Students should have a minimum of one full academic year of beginning Band or one full year of ensemble experience. Directed by Cayden Garvey.
- After School Orchestra: Practices Mondays from 4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. in the Music Room. A minimum of one full academic year of beginning Orchestra or one full year of ensemble experience. Directed by Monique Dacheff.
- After School Choir: Practices Fridays from 4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. in the Music Room. No minimum requirements. Appropriate for all levels. Directed by Monique Dacheff.
Registration for these after school music activities opens on the first day of school, August 7, and ends at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14. No late registrations will be accepted. A minimum of 20 participants is needed for each group to form.
Model United Nations (6–12)
Model United Nations is a very popular extracurricular activity at Meridian! In 2023-2024, the competitive organization had more than 170 members! Model UN gives students the opportunity to work on their research, public speaking, and diplomacy skills. Middle school and high school members can participate in conferences in the central Texas area, and high school students will also have the option to participate in an out-of-state conference in the spring.
Registration for 2024-2025 Model United Nations opens on Wednesday, August 28 and closes at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4. No late registrations will be accepted.
For the 2024-2025 academic year, Middle School and High School participants will have different weekly meeting days:
- Middle School will meet on Tuesdays from 4:10 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. (first meeting September 10)
- High School will meet on Fridays from 4:10 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. (first meeting September 6)
Miss the letter jacket sizing and ordering event?
In recognition of the dedication and commitment required to be an IB student, all Meridian juniors and seniors have the privilege of purchasing a letter jacket with the Meridian "M" on the front. In the spring of each year, sophomores may also order their jackets to wear starting in the fall of their junior year.
High school students who lettered in their activity can also purchase a Meridian letter jacket, and they can purchase a patch for the jacket sleeve representing their activity. 2023-2024 Lettering List
If you missed the ordering and sizing event, please reach out to our letter jacket partner directly:
Herff Jones/Overall Recognition
512-243-7901
202 Laurel Dr., Round Rock, TX 78664
Please note that all orders must be verified by the school for eligibility.
Letter jackets and patches ordered in May are expected to arrive at the school for distribution in August.
Secondary Enrichment dates
May 8: Registration ends at 9 p.m. for Fall Competitive Sports (Cross Country, Flag Football, Volleyball)
May 8: Registration opens for Summer Sports Camps (Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball)
May 9: Orchestra Spring Concert from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Mays Gym (doors open at 5 p.m.)
May 10: Band Spring Concert from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Mays Gym (doors open at 5 p.m.)
May 15: Registration ends at 9 p.m. for Summer Sports Camps (Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball)
Check out more enrichment dates on our school calendar of events.
Questions about secondary extracurricular activities, eligibility, or letter jackets?
Email [email protected].
Secondary Daily Announcements
Curious about daily announcements? Take a look at the daily announcements slides.
Upcoming Events and Dates
May 6-10: Staff Appreciation Week
May 16: Board Meeting
May 17: AB Day
May 17: NHS Field Day
May 17-18: Senior Lock-in
May 17-23: Secondary Book Fair
May 20: School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) meeting
May 20-23: Secondary end of semester exams
May 20-23: Senior Fun Week
May 21: Senior Cap and Gown Parade
May 22: Senior Wave Out
May 22: Full day of school no early release
May 23: Last Day of School
May 23: No Triple A or Afterschool 6-12
May 24: Graduation 2024 at the Round Rock Sports Center from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Check out our online calendar of events for more upcoming dates.
DP Resources
School Calendars and Bell Schedules (including A/B)
Link to A/B Google Calendar
(to add A/B days to your personal Google Calendar)
DP Course Syllabi and Tutorial Schedule
Secondary Academic Guide 23-24
College Visit Opportunities 2023-2024
On instagram? Follow us at meridianschool_dpcommunity
Important DP Program Contacts
Counselor for Grades 10 – 12, Nick Manuszak
College and Career Counselor, Kathy Gregg
Dean of School Culture, Monique Swain
Help us reach you
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