Newsletters » MYP Mane (6–10)

MYP Mane (6–10)

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Week of February 11, 2026

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Melissa Reese

Families,

As a reminder, this Friday is a teacher work day, and Monday is a professional development day for staff. There will be no school for students on either day. These are important planning and collaboration days for our team, and we hope your family enjoys the extended four-day weekend.

Before the weekend begins, we invite you to join us for our Black History Month Jamboree on Thursday evening, hosted by the Meridian Black Student Union. All Meridian families are welcome, and students are encouraged to participate in our Black History Month Dress Day during the school day on Thursday. More detailed information about the event and dress options is included below.

There is also important information in this newsletter regarding the Capital Performance relocation to Meridian and our new 6th-grade field trip opportunity to the Space Center Houston. Please review the details carefully to ensure you are aware of key updates and next steps.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Melissa Reese

MYP Principal

No School Friday or Monday


A reminder: there is no school for students Friday or Monday. 👀 Enjoy the four day weekend!

 

MYPnews

Tomorrow: Jamboree!


Jamboree Feb. 12 5-7 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 12, The Meridian Black Student Union presents their second annual Black History Month Jamboree! Open to all Meridian families. Enjoy talent acts, visual arts, a fashion show, Black history speeches, and snacks.

Dress Options for Thursday


During the school day on Thursday, February 12, all students and staff are invited to dress in celebration of Black History Month. They may also wear spirit wear or uniforms.

 

Black History Month options include:

  • 'Celebrate Black Culture' spirit wear 
  • Black history/culture themed T shirt
  • Colors (red, black, yellow, green)
  • Do you have roots in African culture? Wear your traditional African attire!

Review grades in Skyward


We are halfway through Quarter 3. Check your student's grades in Skyward to see how they are performing in their courses. If your student is struggling in one or more classes, they should attend tutorials with the teacher to ask questions, revise work, and take advantage of retake opportunities.

 
Announcements

Class of 2029 Hooded Jacket Spirit Wear


Class of 2029 JacketClass of 2029: you can order a limited edition Class of 2029 hooded zip up jacket today through February 13 at 5 p.m.! This is approved spirit wear that can be worn Monday through Friday.

 

Upcoming deadlines for World Parade, Festival of Cultures


  • K-12 Students can walk in the World Parade on March 6! Today's the last day for us to order a flag if your country is not already on the list.
  • Families: volunteer at the Festival of Cultures or host a country booth!
  • Student Clubs: Host a booth or activity with your club or organization!
Students celebrate cultures

T shirt sales close Monday


Black white cut out of lion logo with Meridian vertically on the left. "Coloring our world since 2011"To guarantee your size shirt for Festival of Cultures/Holi Celebration and Arts & Science Fest, order your shirt on MySchoolBucks by Monday!

 

Sales close Monday evening so that we can order the shirts from RockSports. A limited number of additional shirts will be available at the event.

 

Report absences on Skyward


When your student is absent, please report it through Skyward as soon as possible.

Report absences on Skyward
  1. Log into Skyward and click on your student’s Attendance tile. 
  2. Click on the green + Add Absence Request to the right side of the Absence Request tab.
  3. Complete the Absence Request Details.
  4. Click save in the upper left corner of the request and you’re done.
 

Have a doctor’s note? You can attach a doctor’s note to your Absence Request before or after you have submitted it. Click edit and then the Attachments link in the upper right of the request.

 

Academics

Individual Counselor meetings: 8th Graders


Current 8th grade students and their parents/guardians are invited to meet one-on-one with our counselor, Mr. Reyna, to complete a four-year high school plan.

 

Sign up for a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Reyna during a class period when your student can most afford to miss instructional time (your student should check their ManageBac calendar or ask the teacher if anything essential is happening in class that day). Please note: even if your student is not planning on returning to Meridian in 9th grade, we are required by the State to complete this four-year plan before the student leaves 8th grade.

 

Questions? Reach out to Mr. Reyna.

Individual Counselor meetings: 9th Graders


Current 9th grade students and their parents/guardians are invited to meet one-on-one with our high school counselor, Mr. Manuszak. This is a great opportunity to get individual attention from the counselor and ask questions about course options and pathways in the IB Diploma Program. 

 

Sign up for a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Manuszak during a class period when your student can most afford to miss instructional time (your student should check their ManageBac calendar or ask the teacher if anything essential is happening in class that day).

 

Questions? Reach out to Mr. Manuszak.

Individual Counselor meetings: 10th Graders


Rising IB Diploma Students – The Class of 2028

Our rising IB Diploma Students (current 10th graders) have completed their 11th grade course selection form and these have been collected by the counselor, Mr. Manuszak. 

 

The course selections your student has made on their form are not final. As a next step, students and parents should sign up for an individual conference with Mr. Manuszak to review and discuss their course selections. These meetings need to happen during the months of February and March, so please sign up today!

 

​If you missed the "Introduction to the IB Diploma Program" parent/guardian meeting hosted by Stela Holcombe, DP Principal, you may review her slide deck and reach out if you have any questions. We look forward to welcoming your student to the IB Diploma Program!

 

 

Spotlight

Meridian Students worked hard to help organize SICMUN


Principal Melissa Reese attended this weekend's SICMUN conference at Southwestern University in Georgetown. Meridian's students, families, and staff work together to help put the conference on. Here's Ms. Reese's message:
 
"I want to take a moment to share how incredibly proud I am of our students and staff following SICMUN at Southwestern University on Saturday. Our students represented Meridian with confidence, professionalism, and heart.
 
Hearing our very own Karalei Nunn speak during the opening ceremonies was a powerful moment, and having Sal Stow’s 5th Grade choir perform truly brought tears to my eyes. Thank you to Leah Trainham and Simon Nichols for preparing our students for such a special event. Meridian was exceptionally well represented.
 
I would also like to extend a sincere thank you to our students and teachers who welcomed our student delegates from Mexico into your classrooms on Friday. Your openness and hospitality reflected the very best of who we are as a school community."
Fifth graders sing; Ms. Nunn stands with student organizers
 

Upcoming Events

Capitol Performance moved to Meridian


Meridian’s band, jazz band, and choir will now perform at Meridian on Monday as a special performance for faculty & staff members. Parents and guardians of performers – look for an email from Mr. Rine with details.

6th/7th Grade Dance


February 28 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Save the date! Saturday, FebruaGlow in the Dark Dance: a poster with neon lightsry 28, 6th and 7th graders can enjoy a Glow in the Dark themed dance! Wear white or neon.

 

Tickets go on sale February 11-26 for $12 on MySchoolBucks, or will be $20 at the door. Volunteer information coming soon!

 

6th Grade Off Campus Learning Experience


March 27, 2026 from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Register by Feb. 27)

Dark lobby with bright space lights and families standing under a Mars Rover replicaGet ready for a mission to the stars! Our 6th-grade class is heading to NASA for an out-of-this-world field trip. Students will explore the frontiers of space exploration, see real rockets up close, and engage with the science that powers our journey into the cosmos. The cost is $82 per student. Families participating in the Free/Reduced Lunch Program: you'll receive an adjusted invoice from the Business Office.

 

There are two actions to take:

  1. Complete the OCLE Registration form by February 27
  2. Pay for the visit to Space Center Houston on MySchoolBucks through March 6.

Please contact Assistant Principal Wyatt Verleye with questions.

 

Friends of Meridian's Celebration of Flavors kicks off International Week


Friends of Meridian Celebration of Flavors: Feb. 27 in Georgetown. Tickets on sale now!
enrichment

The Fierce Dance Team performed well at the Leander Winter Dance Classic on Saturday, February 7.

Clubs & Extracurricular Activities (6-12)

Model UN (6-12)

SICMUN - More than one-hundred  members of Meridian Model UN participated in the SICMUN conference at Southwestern University on Saturday, February 7! Congratulations to all participants! Meridian received 21 awards!

Best Delegate Awards: Emmanuel N., Finnegan R., Kaleb D., Lucky M., Sanjeev H., Srivanth G.

Best Legislator Awards: Saaketh G., Vehaan S.

Best Negotiator Awards: Anya A., Asad H., Eesha S., Sanav S., Sanvi N., Shoumik R.

Best Position Paper Awards: Anusha S., Hanish S., Leon J., Nikhil D., Prayati S., Zahraa A.

Meridian’s Middle School participants also received Best Large Delegation!

 

HOSA (9-12) 

Spring Leadership Conference - Good luck to the fifteen members of Meridian’s high school Health Professions Club who are participating in the Spring Leadership Conference in San Antonio on Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14! Let’s go, Lions!

 

DECA (9-12) 

State Competition -Thirty-one high school students are advancing to the DECA State Competition in Dallas next week! Good luck to those members of Meridian DECA! (DECA is a global non-profit student organization that prepares high school students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.)

 

2025-2026 Clubs List / Clubs & Extracurriculars / Enrichment & Extracurricular Calendar

Questions about Secondary Clubs? Email Secondary Enrichment

Meridian Athletics (7-12)

 

Basketball

Congratulations to the Meridian Basketball teams on a great season!

Girls Middle School finishes the season as Area Champion and Regional Runner-Up!

Boys Varsity Basketball is Division Champion and Area Runner-Up!

 

See Athletics Accomplishments for more achievements in Meridian sports.

 

Tennis

Tennis Senior Night is Thursday, February 19! Please join us as we recognize the class of 2026 seniors in the Meridian Tennis program: Dru C., LaMark C. Jr., Gavin H., Isaac L., and Leah P. The ceremony will be at 6 p.m. at the Cimarron Hills Tennis Center. Then stay to enjoy the traditional Red vs. Black Match as the Varsity team prepares for the TCSAAL State Tennis Tournament on March 7!

 

 

Athletics Newsletter / Athletics Calendar / 2026-2027 Sports Registration (Subject to change)

 

Questions about Athletics? Email Meridian Athletics.

 

resources

MYP Resources

 

Important MYP Program contacts


MYP Principal, Melissa Reese
MYP Assistant Principal Grades 6-7, Wyatt Verleye
MYP Assistant Principal Grades 8-10, Kim Salazar
MYP Coordinator Grades 6-10, Kimberly Ogo
 
Counselor for Grades 6-7, Stefanie Zook
Counselor for Grades 8-9, Nolberto Reyna 
Counselor for Grades 10-12, Nick Manuszak
College and Career Counselor, Kathy Gregg
Secondary Librarian and Extended Essay Coordinator, Renée Ramirez
 
MS Campus Coordinator, Karina Coburn
MS Attendance Clerk, Yasmin Peña
Report Absences on Skyward
MS Receptionist, Karen Laywell
 

Director of Special Education, Susan Mais

LSSP/Assistant Director of Special Education, Jennifer Kuester

ARD Coordinator, Anna Brown

504 Coordinator, Dottie Elliott

 
Dean of School Culture, Monique Swain
Child Nutrition Director, Kaylee Torres
Meal Program Application/Café Questions

Skyward Questions

School Nurse
Athletics
 

Help us reach you


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