Skip to main content
Two high school art students draw forms using 3D models
Primary students paint on white paper
Five students jump for joy in the playground
Newsletters » DP Lions Share (11–12)

DP Lions Share (11–12)

DP Header

Week of December 18, 2024

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Stela

Greetings DP Families!

 

The juniors and seniors enjoyed our annual cookie decorating and hot cocoa study break! Thank you senior parent representative Brindley Vancura for organizing the event. Thanks also to parents who donated supplies and/or who volunteered at the event. 


Seniors stand with their parents during the cookie decorating event

Tomorrow is pajama/onesie day. There will be no Secondary After School 6 – 12 tomorrow, Thursday, December 19, so please plan to pick up your student(s) by 4:30 p.m.

 

Thank you so much ViP Meridian families for the wonderful gift of the holiday cookie buffet! When I see the amazing spread, I imagine all of the time, effort, and love put into baking and delivering all of the goodies. It is a tradition that we all appreciate very much so I thank you on behalf of the DP faculty and staff!

 

I wish everyone a safe and peaceful holiday season. Students return to school on Tuesday, January 7!

 

Stela Holcombe

DP Principal

DPnews

Save the dates 👀

  • District: School resumes Tuesday, January 7
  • 6th-12th grades: Clubs and student leadership group yearbook photos on January 23  
  • 11th grade: ACT exam on March 4
  • 12th grade:  Senior Trip Pre-Departure Meeting on February 11

 

Parent RSVP Requested: An opportunity to connect with Meridian Alumni & Parents of Alumni!

An Invitation for You! 

Meridian parents/guardians are invited to join us for two dialogue sessions on Alumni Day. Read more and RSVP!

Alumni Day is Jan. 10. Click the link to RSVP and learn more!

 

 

'25-'26 Course Selection for Current 11th Graders

The course selection process for the 2025-2026 school year will be underway soon! Here are the dates that students will complete course selection forms in class:

 

Class of 2026 (Current 11th Graders)

Mr. Manuszak will visit with rising 12th graders in their US History class on Thursday, January 23 (B) and Friday January 24 (A) to guide them in the completion of their 12th grade course selection form.

 

Please note that the choices students make on these forms are not final! Students and parents will be invited to sign-up for individual planning conferences with Mrs. Gregg at the start of February to discuss their selections. The sign-up will be sent out after winter break. Questions? Please contact Nick Manuszak

 

CIEE Study Abroad Information

As promised, here is the information about the CIEE Study Abroad Program.  

Please direct all questions to CIEE Representative Erin El-Tawil at:  [email protected]

 

College Updates for Seniors & Parents/Guardians

The big fall deadlines have passed, and students should now be activating their portals at the schools where they submitted applications in order to keep track of their admissions progress.

 

The next round of applications will be after we return to campus on January 7. If a student has already used Common App, there is no need to request documents from the school for additional applications. However, if they are submitting their first application they will need to see Mrs. Gregg or Mr. Manuszak as soon as possible after we return on January 7 to be sure everything is submitted correctly.

 

The  FAFSA opened on December 1, and the Texas priority deadline is February 15. The first step for both parents and students  is to set up an account so you're ready to submit the FAFSA.  Read this great FAFSA resource for answers to all your FAFSA questions.

Junior Lock-In: Action items and details

Friday, January 31 at 7 p.m. – Saturday,  February 1 at 7 a.m.

 

This annual tradition requires parent support. Read on for forms and actions!

 
  • To donate money for breakfast, sign up here.
  • Students, please RSVP here.
  • Students and parents/guardians must complete and return this form (with pizza money attached) by 2 p.m. Friday, January 31 to be included in the pizza order. If the student does not want pizza, the completed permission form can be brought to the lock-in.
  • Drop off / pick up from the Mays Building please (we will NOT be in the high school). Parents/guardians, please pick up on time (by 7 a.m.) so staff can go home and get some sleep! 
 

Questions? Please email [email protected].

 

Seniors: IB Exam schedule and billing for May 2025

The IB exam schedule for May 2025 is live. If your student is taking IB exams, it's important for you to know that exams cannot be rescheduled. Don't plan travel or make doctor appointments on examination days. If you have an older student graduating from college in May 2025 (or another big family event), please share those dates with me asap so we can see if there is a potential schedule conflict.

 

Stay tuned for an invoice for exams via MySchoolBucks in December, or you can bring a personal check payable to "Meridian School." The cost per exam is $125, plus a 4% MySchoolBucks fee.

 

Reporting absences: reminder

It's that time of year! If you are trying to remember how to report an absence, see here for details.
 

RockSports spirit wear holiday sale ends Jan. 1

Through Jan. 1, enjoy 25% off long sleeved tees and printed crewneck sweatshirts at RockSports! Check out designs on sale.

 

Public Service Announcement: safe storage of firearms

Texas law requires school districts annually to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. This page helps you learn about options for safe storage of firearms, as well as how to talk to your child and others.
 

Opportunity to engage in Advocacy

Texas Public Charter School Association (TPCSA) invites Meridian families to join their mailing list to receive action alerts and other emails this upcoming legislative season. If interested, please subscribe to their emails here. To learn more about the upcoming session (which starts January 14) and charter school priorities, you can visit TPCSA’s site. 

 

TPCSA is a statewide organization representing Texas charter schools and works closely with us to advocate for public charter schools and the thousands of students we educate.

 

Schedule reminder

Full school day Dec. 18; no Triple A/After School 6-12 Dec. 19

enrichment
 

Meridian Athletics

Varsity Basketball players on the court, NYOS has the ball

Boys Varsity Basketball defeats rival NYOS on December 10. Photo by Linda Mosqueda.

 

Basketball

Upcoming home games!

Wednesday, December 18 - Boys MS Bold, Boys JV Bold, Boys Varsity

Wednesday, January 8 - Girls Varsity, Boys Varsity, Boys JV Beast

 

Dance Team

Wednesday, January 8

Fierce Dance Team performs between Varsity games!

Dance Team Senior Night!

 

Tennis

The 2025 Match Schedule is now available! (Subject to change.)

 

Soccer

Sports photos are Saturday, January 25! No make-ups are available.

 

Spring Developmental Sports (6-11)

Coming soon! Spring Developmental Sports experiences for students in 6th-11th grades, all genders. Registration for the following Spring Developmental Sports will open Wednesday, February 5 and end at 9 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, or sooner if the limited spots fill up first.

  • Spring Developmental Flag Football
  • Spring Developmental Running (prepare for 2025 Cross Country)
  • Spring Developmental Volleyball

Spring Developmental details will be available by February 5. Physical forms are due by February 13.

 

See the Athletics Newsletter and the Athletics web section for more about Meridian sports.

 

Questions? Email Meridian Athletics.

Extracurricular Activities and Clubs

 

Academic Eligibility Checkpoint coming soon.

In accordance with state law, No Pass No Play, students must pass all classes on their grading period 2 report card in order to remain academically eligible to compete or perform with their extracurricular activities.  Students and parents/guardians should check grading period 2 grades in Skyward after 10 a.m.  on Tuesday, January 7.

 

Find this year’s academic eligibility dates. See Eligibility.

 

Yearbook Club Pictures

Save the date for Thursday, January 23! Club and student group pictures will be taken during the school day. No make-ups are available. More information will be provided closer to the date.

 

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

Find the Clubs List for this school year. 

Learn how students can start or reactivate a club. 

See Daily Announcements.

 

Questions? Email Secondary Enrichment

Important DP Program Contacts

DP Principal, Stela Holcombe
DP Assistant Principal, Wendy Riley
DP Coordinator, Charles Ryder
DP Team Lead, Ray Ciccolella
 
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
 

Help us reach you

Are you getting our Catapult text messages?
  • 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 in updates by opting back in here.
  • 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.

DP Calendar

View All DP Calendar