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Students preview the 2025 performance of Willy Wonka Jr
Primary students paint on white paper
2025 Dance team performs in blue
Students play guitars in music class
Band performance
Willy Wonka Jr
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Newsletters » DP Lions Share (11–12)

DP Lions Share (11–12)

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Week of April 9, 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Stela

Hello DP Families!

 

Thank you parent volunteer Hannah LeBreton for leading planning for Prom 2025! Thanks also to all others who donated time, materials, and/or gift cards to make this event a success for our students. Pamela Cortinas, the balloon arches added a perfect, magical touch!  DJ Louis Castro kept the kids on the dance floor, and Laura Cunningham (who works at the hotel) got us a great discount! 

Ms. Riley holds a cake that reads, Happy AP Week!"
This week is Assistant Principal Appreciation Week! How lucky are we to have Wendy Riley as an admin in the IB Diploma Program. She is the other half of my brain and I don't know what we would do without her on a daily basis. She greets our students every morning in the high school lobby and is always looking out for their safety and well-being. Thank you, Ms. Riley!

 

Keep reading below for more info on the following:

  • Juniors who have not signed up for the Class of 2026 Senior Trip can get a $300 discount if they sign up by Sunday! 
  • The senior breakfast is this Friday, April 11! Please deliver non-perishables tomorrow. If you are delivering Friday, we need the items by 7:30 a.m. sharp.
  • The deadline to request graduation tickets is this Friday, April 11.
  • The Willy Wonka Musical opens this weekend!

 

Thank you!

Stela Holcombe

DP Principal

DPnews

 

Reminder: Bring $2 Thurs/Fri for a wristband for Free Dress on Monday, April 14!

Important FAFSA reminder for the Class of 2025

It's not too late to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)!  If you choose not to complete the FAFSA, please fill out the attached opt-out form by May 1.  Please email the form to Mrs. Gregg or turn in a paper copy to the Secondary Office.

 

Senior spirit wear order deadline Friday

Senior spirit wear is on sale now through April 11 at 5 p.m. on My School Bucks. The cost is $15 per shirt. Design by Jordin Edrich; senior names are on the back of the shirt. Family members can order shirts, too!

 

Student shirt is black with white and red "Graduation tour 2025" on the front and Lions Pride on the back

 

Senior Breakfast Friday

A world map with "And So the Adventure Begins" on it in scriptThe Senior Breakfast is Friday! Please bring non-perishable items to the high school office tomorrow. Perishable items need to please be delivered by 7:30 a.m. on Friday – please don't send these items with your student unless they plan to arrive by 7:30 a.m.

 

Shout out to Brindley Vancura for leading the planning for this event and for the "Let the Adventure Begin!" luggage tags that she recently gifted to the seniors.

 

 

Senior Lock Out this weekend

Saturday, April 12 at 8 p.m. - Sunday, April 13 at 7 a.m.

 

This is the second and final overnight event for seniors! This event cannot happen without the support of parents/guardians. Please sign up to chaperone and/or bring breakfast items. Students must complete this required permission form with their parent/guardian. Hard copies can be obtained from Mrs. Seaman at the high school reception desk. A packing list is included on this form. This event will be chaperoned by Mr. Manuszak (shift 1) and Holcombe (overnight shift). We look forward to it! Students should eat dinner before arriving.

 

$300 discount on Class of 2026 senior trip to Scotland and Ireland

Scotland and IrelandIf you have not signed up for the senior trip to Scotland and Ireland, you can sign up by April 13 and get a $300 discount on the current price of the trip. If you have questions about the trip, please email Jordan Elbers.

 

DP Teacher of the Year nominations

an appleDue Friday, April 18

 

Students and parents/guardians are invited to nominate a teacher for DP Teacher of the Year! What teacher has made a big difference in your student's educational experience this school year? Nominations will be shared with teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week in May, so I encourage you to take a few minutes to nominate someone. Your kind words mean so much!

 

Adopt a Senior!

Card with "Congrats" on itThe annual Adopt a Senior tradition gives the Meridian community the chance to celebrate Class of 2025 seniors in their last few weeks of high school right when they need it most. You can send a note of encouragement or treat them with their favorite snack or a gift card. Adopt a Senior (or two!) today and deliver your notes and/or small gifts by Friday, May 16. Items can be dropped off at the high school office or to the student's home, if a home address is provided.

 

 

Last call: SBG Survey

Students and Parents/Guardians: We are looking for feedback about our DP grading practices. You're invited to fill out this brief survey about our implementation of Standards Based Grading in the IB Diploma Program. Thank you!


Stop the Bleed first aid training for students in Grades 7-12

April 23 and May 7 (sign up required)

High School Cafeteria 2-3:30 p.m.

 

The Meridian School nurse and clinic staff will offer an educational first aid course, "Stop the Bleed," after school hours to interested students in grades 7-12 and K-12 faculty and staff. The course includes hands-on training of using a tourniquet and pressure dressings, along with the viewing of a 23-minute video by Williamson County EMS. Parents/guardians must sign their student(s) up in advance. Pick up students from the High School Lobby side of the building at 3:30 p.m.

 

  • Wednesday, April 23 for 7th-8th grade
  • Wednesday, May 7 for 9th-12th grade


Texas House bill 496 requires us to offer these training sessions to staff and students. Please reach out to the nurse with questions.

 

IB Exams, IB Oasis

IB exams begin soon! Here is the IB Exam calendar. IB Exam fees are due by next Tuesday. Stela Holcombe will email individual families with outstanding balances after this date.  Pay via My School Bucks or pay by cash or check to save the 4% My School Bucks fee.

 

Note:  We are in need of a parent volunteer to organize donations and create a set-up / tear-down schedule for "the IB Oasis." The IB Oasis is a classroom where we keep snacks for seniors during the IB examination period. If you would like to volunteer to lead this project for the seniors please reach out to Stela Holcombe.

 

 

Senior Slideshow

Parents/Guardians of Seniors, please read this communication from Holcombe about this senior tradition. Action is required by April 18.

Cafeteria Balances

A reminder: Please clear any meal balances owed to the Cafeteria (check MySchoolBucks) before the end of the school year. Any remaining funds will carry over to the next year.

 

Returning Student Registration: Required by Wednesday, April 30

Returning registration icon

Deadline to complete: Wednesday, April 30

 

It’s time to complete returning student registrations for each student! Log into your parent/guardian Skyward account. There is a separate Returning Student Registration tile for each child in your family. 

 

Address changes: If your address has changed, please email a copy of your most recent utility bill to the registrar or drop it off in person.

 

Spring Parent/Guardian Meeting

Parent/Guardian Meeting

April 24 from 6 p.m.- 7 p.m.


We're offering a hybrid Zoom and in-person Parent & Guardian meeting Thursday, April 24. We look forward to seeing you in person at 6 p.m. in the Mays Café or virtually via Zoom webinar.

 

 

Meridian plastic film recycling drive with Ridwell

Drive runs through April 25! Last year's drive yielded enough plastic to fit in a Fit!

 

Meridian School has joined Ridwell’s plastic bag recycling drive for schools! Do you have plastic bags saved up to recycle but don’t know what to do with them? Start saving bags now and bring them to the school between April 22-25 – we’ll turn them into Ridwell to recycle! Read on to find out how you can help Meridian get a year of free plastic film pick up.

 

 

Animal rescue donation drive

April 8-17

 

Help 11th graders Jocelyn, Lillian and Leah on a donation drive for their CAS project (Creativity, Activity, Service, an IB diploma requirement). Now through Thursday, April 17, you can drop off canned/dry dog food, dog treats like Greenies, dog toys, and collars, leashes, and food/water bowls (all new or like new). Boxes are in the Mays/High School lobbies.

 

Animal Rescue drive for "Cuz I Matter"

 

 

Advocacy corner

Charter Funding Support Petition

 

Public charter schools enrich our education system with more high-quality options. That means more Texas children — no matter their background or needs — can thrive.

 

However, charter schools receive on average $1,600 less per student than other public schools. Your voice matters! Please take a moment to sign this petition. 

 

Local election information

 

Local elections are important because the decisions made by local elected officials have great impact on our daily lives. Early Voting in Williamson County goes from April 22 to April 29, with the final voting day of May 3.

 
 

Willy Wonka Jr.

April 11, 12, 25, 26

 

Join us for a world of pure imagination! The Meridian Mechs proudly present Willy Wonka Jr. on April 11, 12, 25, and 26, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Mays gym. Bring the whole family for a delightful evening of music and magic. Tickets will be available Friday on MySchoolBucks. Don't miss out! 

 

Willy Wonka Jr.

 

enrichment

Girls Varsity Soccer advances to the State Semifinals on Friday, April 11!

 

Meridian Athletics

 

Soccer

Girls Varsity Soccer is State bound!

Girls Varsity Soccer won the Regional Championship and is advancing to the Soccer State Semifinals on Friday, April 11 at 4 p.m. in San Marcos! Upon winning, the team will advance to the State Championship on Saturday, April 12 in San Marcos! Roar, Lions, Roar!

 

This Thursday, April 10! 4th Annual Adults vs. Students Soccer Games!

Come join the fun! All adults in the Meridian community are invited to join in this fun Meridian tradition on Thursday, April 10! Learn more and sign up to play! Adults vs. Students Soccer Games

 

Dance Team

2025-2026 Dance Team - Registration ends Thursday!

Registration for the 2025-2026 Dance Team for rising 7th-12th grade dancers is now open! Hurry! Registration ends at 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 10. No late registrations accepted. Dance Team Registration/Check registration status

 

Physicals Day

Get your sports physical done for $20 on Monday, April 14 at McNeil High School! See Physicals Day-2025 for details.

 

 

The Athletics Newsletter and the Athletics web section offer more information about Meridian sports.

 

Questions? Email Meridian Athletics.

 

Extracurricular Activities and Clubs

 

Wonka, Jr.!

Meridian’s after school theatre company, the Meridian Mechs, presents the Spring Musical, Wonka, Jr. The production, with a cast and crew of students in grades 6-12, has performances April 11, 12, 25, and 26! Get your golden tickets on MySchoolBucks!

 

2025-2026 Model United Nations

Model UN is Meridian’s most popular club with more than 160 members this year! Annual membership registration for 2025-2026  Model UN will be Wednesday, September 3 through 9 p.m. on Thursday, September 11. No late annual membership registrations will be accepted. About Meridian Model UN

 

 

2024-2025 Secondary Clubs and Student Groups (6-12)

Find the Clubs List for this school year. 

See Daily Announcements.

 

Questions? Email Secondary Enrichment

Important DP Program Contacts

DP Principal, Stela Holcombe
DP Assistant Principal, Wendy Riley
DP Coordinator, Charles Ryder
 
Secondary Librarian and EE Coordinator, Renée Ramirez
Counselor for Grades 10-12, Nick Manuszak
College and Career Counselor, Kathy Gregg
HS Campus Coordinator, Jessica Kress
Receptionist / Attendance Clerk, Shawn Seaman
Report absences on Skyward
 

SpEd Director, Susan Mais

ARD Coordinator, Anna Brown

504 Coordinator, Dottie Elliott

SpEd Coordinator, April Harris
 
Registrar, Janette Gaudiesus

Dean of School Culture, Monique Swain

Child Nutrition Director, Kaylee Torres
Meal Program Application/Café Questions
Skyward Questions
Athletics
Secondary Enrichment
 

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