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MYP Mane (6–10)

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Week of February 4, 2026

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Melissa Reese

Families,

This Friday, our 6th-grade students will participate in a state pilot assessment. This assessment is not the STAAR test that students will take later in the spring and will not count against students in any way. There is nothing families or students need to do to prepare, and students should not feel any pressure or worry related to this assessment. The purpose of the pilot is to help the state review and refine future testing, and it will be administered during the regular school day.

We would also like to recognize and celebrate Counselor Appreciation Week. We are incredibly grateful for the care, guidance, and support our counselors provide to students and families every day. A huge thank you to Ms. Zook, Mr. Reyna, Mr. Manuszak, and Mr. Tate for all that they do for our school community.

Looking ahead, next week will be a four-day school week, with Friday the 13th designated as a teacher work day. There will be no classes for students on that day.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Melissa Reese

MYP Principal

MYPnews

Principals Coffee and Diploma Program Information Night Slides


You can review the slides from Tuesday’s MYP Principal’s Coffee.

And here is the slide deck from Tuesday’s DP Info Night.

Upcoming deadlines for World Parade, Festival of Cultures


Students in cultural dress since on stageDuring International Week, Meridian World School celebrates our global community, heritage, and history! Each year, families miss these opportunities because they forget to sign up.

 

Here are two ways you can participate:

 

K-12 Students can walk in the World Parade on March 6!
  • Parade sign up
  • Please check today if you’re interested to make sure your country is listed. If your country is not on the list, sign up before Wednesday, Feb. 11 so that we can order a flag
  • If your country is on the list, you have until Wednesday, Feb. 25
Families: volunteer at the Festival of Cultures or host a country booth!
  • We have 20 countries represented -- we'd love to see another 20! You make the festival.
  • Booth sign up
  • Sign up by Wednesday, Feb. 25.


Announcements

$2 Free Dress Day


Thursday, February 5

$2 Free Dress DayThursday, students may come to school in regular clothing (not in uniform) when they bring in $2! To participate, they can buy wristbands in the lobbies before school. Wristbands must be worn Thursday. No costumes. Clothing choice must be appropriate for school. Additional $2 Free Dress Days will be March 5, April 2, and May 7. Proceeds support our 8th Grade class trip to Camp Olympia!

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.

 

Meridian named 2025 Honor Roll Recipient


We’re proud to be named a 2025 Honor Roll district recognizing schools in Texas with high performance in math and English. The award was given by Educational Results Partnership, a data science organization. Sponsored by the Campaign for Business and Education Excellence, the ERP Honor Roll establishes a high bar of performance using student assessment data and is a valuable resource for all districts to identify successful peers and learn about best practices that improve student success. Results are based on data of student outcomes on the STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness), for the 2023-2025 academic years. For more info on the ERP Honor Roll program.

Just 14.5% of eligible school districts received this recognition in 2025. Meridian World School is the only district in Williamson County to receive the honor. Way to go, Lions!

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

Counselor Appreciation Week


We celebrate our MYP Counselors this week! A huge thank you to Ms. Zook, Mr. Reyna, Mr. Manuszak, and Mr. Tate! You give your all each week in support of our students’ academic and mental health. We appreciate you!

Smiling faces of our counselors: Mrs. Zook, 6/7 grade; Mr. Reyna, 8/9 Grade, Mr. Manuszak, 10-12 grade, and Mr. Tate, K-12



Upcoming Events

Capitol Performance by Meridian band and choir


Monday, February 16 at noon

Meridian’s band, jazz band, and choir will perform at the Texas Capitol in the rotunda at noon on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 16!

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!

ESL Parent/Guardian Night Tonight


Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 7 - 8 p.m.

 

Parents and guardians of students in the Emerging Bilingual program received an email from Mr. Reyes, PYP Assistant Principal, with a Zoom link to today’s ESL Parent/Guardian Night. The purpose of the School's ESL program is to support Emergent Bilingual students in their linguistic and academic performance. During this event, we'll share how the school accomplishes these purposes and how families can partner with us. If you have questions, please reach out to Mr. Reyes (K-5) or Mr. Verleye (6-12).

 

Black History Month Jamboree & Dress Day


Jamboree Feb. 12 5-7 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 12, The Meridian Black Student Union presents their second annual Black History Month Jamboree: Celebrating Black Culture! Open to all Meridian families (grades 8-12 can attend without a guardian, but we highly encourage parent/guardian attendance). Enjoy talent acts, visual arts, a fashion show, Black history speeches, and snacks.

 

During the school day on Thursday, February 12, all students and staff are invited to dress in celebration of Black History Month and the Jamboree!

 

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!
 
 
enrichment

Congratulations, Girls Middle School Basketball! Area Champions and Regionals Bound on Saturday! Photo by Stacy Wilson.

Meridian Athletics (7-12)

 

Basketball

Girls Middle School Basketball advances to the Regional Championship!

Saturday, February 7 - Please watch the Athletics Calendar for the tip-off time, opponent, and admissions information. Let’s go, Lions Hoops!

 

Congratulations to Boys Varsity Basketball – Division Champ and Area Runner-Up!

 

Dance Team

Meridian’s Fierce Dance Team participated in their first competition of the season on Saturday, January 31. The team earned first place awards for all five ensembles entered in the Cedar Park High School competition! 

 

Saturday, February 7 - Leander Winter Dance Classic! Fierce Dance Team performs in the second competition of the season at Leander High School this Saturday! Break a leg, Fierce Dance Team!

 

Tennis

Three matches this week!

Wednesday, February 4 - Varsity Tennis plays at Liberty Hill High School

Thursday, February 5 - Middle School Tennis hosts Brentwood Christian Academy at home

Monday, February 9 - Varsity Tennis challenges Great Hills at Cedar Park High School

Roar, Lions, Roar!

 

Soccer

Home Games this week!

Wednesday, February 4 - Coed MS and Boys JV at McMaster Field

Friday, February 6 - Meridian Friday Night Lights! Boys Varsity plays KIPP Paseo at Robin Bledsoe

Saturday, February 7 - Boys JV and Coed MS at McMaster Field

Let’s go, Lions!

 

Free Heart Screening

Saturday, February 7 - High school student athletes can register for free heart screening at Dell Children’s.

 

Get ready for 2026-2027 Sports! (current 6-11 / rising 7-12)

New! Flag Football and Volleyball tryouts will be held in May! Dance Team tryouts will be in April!

Registration for Competitive Cross Country, Competitive Dance Team, Competitive Flag Football, and Competitive Volleyball opens Wednesday, April 15 and ends at 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 23. The only competitive sport with a late registration will be Cross Country because Cross Country’s tryouts will be shortly after school resumes in August. The following is a snapshot of each Fall Competitive Sport. Dates remain subject to change.

 

Competitive Dance Team (current 6-11 / rising 7-12)

Registration: April 15 through 9 p.m. on April 23. No late registration available.

Physical Forms: Due April 23.

Mandatory Pre-Tryout Clinics: April 27, 28, 29.

Mandatory Tryouts: Thursday, April 30.

 

Competitive Flag Football (current 6-11 / rising 7-12)

Registration: April 15 through 9 p.m. on April 23. No late registration available.

Physical Forms: Due April 23.

Mandatory Tryouts: Friday, May 15 after school and Saturday, May 16

 

Competitive Volleyball (Girls Volleyball = current 6-11 / rising 7-12; Boys Volleyball = current 7-11 / rising 8-12)

Registration: April 15 through 9 p.m. on April 23. No late registration available.

Physical Forms: Due April 23.

Mandatory Tryouts: Wednesday, May 13 and Thursday, May 14 after school.

 

Competitive Cross Country (current 6-11 / rising 7-12)

Regular Registration ($52.30): April 15 through 9 p.m. on April 23. 

Late Registration ($104.60):  July 22 through 9 p.m. on July 30. This is the only sport with a late registration.

Physical Forms: Due August 1.

Mandatory Tryouts: Saturday, August 15.

 

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

 

Questions about Athletics? Email Meridian Athletics.

 

Clubs & Extracurricular Activities (6-12)

Model UN

SICMUN - An impressive 101  Meridian Model UN members in grades 6-12 are participating in the SICMUN conference at Southwestern University this Saturday, February 7! Good luck to Meridian Model UN!

 

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

Questions about Secondary Clubs? Email Secondary Enrichment

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
 

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