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Newsletters » MYP Mane (6–10)

MYP Mane (6–10)

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Week of January 7, 2026

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Melissa Reese

Families,

As we return from winter break, we hope your family has had time to rest, reconnect, and recharge. This new semester brings fresh energy, renewed focus, and many exciting opportunities for our students as we move forward together.

The weeks ahead will be busy with important events, activities, and academic milestones. We ask that families continue to read school communications carefully so you don’t miss key dates, updates, and opportunities to stay connected. Your partnership makes a meaningful difference in helping students stay organized, confident, and prepared.

We are excited to welcome students back and look forward to a strong and successful semester ahead. Thank you for your continued support as we guide students through this next phase of growth and learning.

Melissa Reese

MYP Principal

 
MYPnews

Action Required: Sexual Education Instruction

Meridian will present sexual education curriculum in January and February for students in grades 6-10. The links below contain both curriculum links for your review as well as a form that you must complete to opt your student in for the presentations. We are still missing responses from more than 100 families. Students who are not participating in the Sex Ed curriculum will have alternative assignments to work on.

 

Please complete the form below for your child by Friday:

Alumni Recognition Day: tomorrow

Alumni Day

Every year, Meridian hosts an Alumni Day where alumni return to campus for visits to the high school classrooms, focus groups with current Meridian parents, and lunch with their former teachers. Meridian parents and guardians are invited to talk with alumni and alumni parents/guardians on how the alumni have benefitted from the quality IB education they received at Meridian.  If you would like to meet the alumni and their parents tomorrow, please RSVP.

Rising 9th Grade Information Night January 15

Current 8th Grade families are invited to attend the 9th Grade Information Night Thursday, January 15 (and are also welcome to attend the DP Information Night January 27.)

 

Announcements

$2 Free Dress Day January 15

$2 Free Dress DayNext Thursday, students may come to school in regular clothing (not in uniform) when they bring in $2! Free Dress Day wristbands will be sold for $2 in the Mays and high school lobbies before school starts next week until the morning of Thursday, January 15. Students who purchase a wristband may wear free dress on Thursday, January 15. Wristband must be worn on January 15. No costumes. Clothing choice must be appropriate for school.

 

Save the dates: additional $2 Free Dress Days will be February 5, March 5, April 2, and May 7. All proceeds support our annual 8th Grade class trip to Camp Olympia!

Teacher Experiences Auction raised nearly $10,000!

Thank you for supporting our Teacher Experiences Auction! Together, we raised $9,400 to be used toward special school projects like a marquee. 

Federal Report Card available

The 2024-2025 Federal Report Cards for Texas schools are now available through the TEA website. See what information federal report cards contain and review Meridian’s 24-25 Federal Report Card here.  

Reminder: Cafeteria Price Increase

A bowl of taco soup with milk and sidesTo continue offering the high-quality, freshly-made meals that our students and families have become accustomed to, lunch prices increased January 6.

 

  • $5.75 meal / $5.25 GNG for secondary students
  • $7.25 meal / $6.50 GNG for faculty & staff
  • $5.00 meal for primary students (no change)

 

Read on for details and to learn about the free and reduced price meal program.

2026 Yearbook Cost rises to $75 on January 19

Two older yearbooks

A reminder, the yearbook cost will rise from $70 to $75 on January 19. Get yours today at a cheaper price! Need to pay over time? Jostens has a payment plan option. Yearbooks are delivered in the late spring semester.

Academics

ACT Prep Class with Princeton Review

" "Princeton Review will offer an ONLINE ACT Prep Course for Meridian students on Wednesday afternoons in January-February 2026.  This is perfect timing for 11th graders to prepare for the ACT Test that they will take at Meridian (for free) on March 3. For tenth graders, this is an opportunity for you to begin preparing now for the ACT you will take in March 2027. 

 

The course is currently full, but if you want to be added to a waiting list, please email Stela Holcombe and I will inform you if a space becomes available for your student. Read on for more detailed information about this course.

 

Spotlight

MLK Ceremony & March

MLK MarchWednesday, January 14 at 4:30 p.m.
 
Triple A hosts this beloved annual event, and all families are invited! The program starts with student speeches and a performance from the Black Culture Choir.
 
Afterwards, everyone is invited to participate in a march around the main school parking lot, led by the students.
 

 

Upcoming Events

Spring Semester Preview

Want a quick look at the Spring Semester’s events and programs? Check out this news article. Just know that this far out, dates and times might change!

 

For up-to-date information, subscribe to our Events listings by clicking on the “subscribe” link at the top right side of the page. 

  • Choose iCal or Google Calendar. (The Download .ICS option will not update when times or dates change.)
  • You can subscribe to our main calendar or campus-specific calendars.

 

enrichment

Boys JV Beast Basketball defeated Austin Peace Academy in a close away game on December 10. Photo by Laura Harris.

Academic Eligibility

It is time to check grading quarter 2 report cards. Students who have an incomplete or are failing any classes on their grading period 2 report card will lose academic eligibility as of Monday, January 12. Students who are academically ineligible cannot compete or perform with their extracurricular activities. 

 

Helpful Resources:

Meridian Athletics (7-12)

 

Basketball

Upcoming home games:

Thursday, January 8 - Girls MS, Boys MS Beast, Boys Varsity

Friday, January 9 - Girls Varsity, Boys JV Bold, Boys JV Beast

Let’s go, Meridian Hoops!

Attending Home Games / 2025-2026 Basketball Game Schedule & Results 

 

Basketball Senior Night!

Thursday, January 15 at 7 p.m.

Help us celebrate the seniors in the Basketball program! Patrick A., Krish B., Vivaan P., Wyatt R., and Sarah O.

 

Dance Team

The competition schedule for Meridian’s Dance Team has been updated. Let’s go, Fierce!

 

 Athletics Newsletter / Athletics Calendar 

 

Questions about Athletics? Email Meridian Athletics.

 

Clubs & Extracurricular Activities (6-12)

 

Secondary clubs & student groups yearbook picture day

Please save the date for the secondary clubs and student groups yearbook picture day, which is Thursday, January 22 during school . There are no make-ups available, and students who miss Club Picture Day will be noted in the yearbook as “not pictured” if they are on their club’s official roster. More information will be shared by club advisors closer to the date.

 

Model United Nations

Meridian’s Model UN club has its second interscholastic competition this week!JMUNSA (6-8) is Thursday, December 8 and MUNSA (9-12) is Thursday, December 8 and Friday, December 9 at Trinity University in San Antonio. We wish the members of Model UN who are participating a successful conference!

 

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
Secondary Enrichment
 

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