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Students preview the 2025 performance of Willy Wonka Jr
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2025 Dance team performs in blue
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Band performance
Willy Wonka Jr
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Newsletters » PYP Pride (K–5)

PYP Pride (K–5)

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Week of April 9, 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Reese

Happy Wednesday, Families!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for last week’s Principal’s Coffee! If you weren’t able to attend, you can check out the slides—we appreciate your continued partnership.

This week is a big one! Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students will take the Reading STAAR tomorrow. Please help your child start the day strong with a healthy breakfast and some encouraging words. We know they’re ready to shine and show what they’ve learned!

Be sure to take a few minutes to review the important updates and events happening between now and the end of the school year. This is such a special time for our students, and we want you to be part of it every step of the way.

And this week is Assistant Principals Week, and I personally want to thank our two wonderful assistant principals, Donida Garcia and Brooke Knight! They are so vital to our school, and I wish we could celebrate them every day!

With gratitude,


 Melissa Reese
 Primary Principal

Primary news

Note: Bring $2 Thurs/Fri/Monday for Free Dress on Monday, April 14! Benefitting Camp Olympia.

Triple A After School Program Openings!

The Triple A Program now has spots available for 3rd-5th grade students! Give your child a fun, safe, and enriching after school experience. 
For availability, please email Torrie De La Cruz. 

Carline lane changes

If you are picking up your kindergarten student, please enter the yellow lane directly by coming southbound on Mays. Carline has been backing up with multiple vehicles entering blue lane by turning left on Mays, and then transferring to the yellow lane (and holding up blue lane traffic).

Yellow, green, and orange lines all enter from the north heading south

 

Student Placement Survey 2025-2026

Administration works hard to balance classrooms and create the best learning environment for each of our students. We invite you to fill out this form by May 12 to help us make the best decisions for your child.

 

STAAR Dates (add to your calendar)

Now is a great time to start having calm, supportive conversations with your students to help ease any testing anxiety. Remind them to take a deep breath, stay confident, and simply do their best. As I always say: “Just show us what you know!” Students do not need to prepare for the tests, but they should get plenty of sleep the night before and eat a healthy breakfast that morning. 

State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness

  • Reading STAAR (3rd-5th) – April 10
  • Science STAAR (5th) – April 17
  • Math STAAR (3rd-5th) – April 24

 

Student Spring Showcases

Check your grade level newsletters for details.

Kindergarten: Animal Showcase - Friday, May 16 from 11:30 a.m. – noon

1st Grade: Regions Showcase - Wednesday, April 16 from 11:30 a.m. – noon (RSVP)

2nd Grade: Author’s Tea - Thursday, April 17 from 2–2:45 p.m. (RSVP)

4th Grade: Passion Project - Tuesday, May 20 from 2:00-2:30

5th Grade: Exhibition Thursday, May 15

 

Field Days

First graders play Tug-of-War

 

Each grade level enjoys a fun field day on a Wednesday during April or May, and we rely on volunteer help to make these happen. This year we ask volunteers to commit to the same station throughout the event (8:20 a.m to 12:30 p.m.), with a 50 minute break in the middle. Any questions can be directed to Coach Colón.

 

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.

 
 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

It's time to Adopt a Senior!

Card with "Congrats" on itThe annual Adopt a Senior tradition gives the Meridian community the chance to celebrate the Class of 2025 seniors in their last few weeks of high school right when they need it most due to IB exams and the emotion of their upcoming graduation. Adopting a senior can involve sending a note of encouragement or treating them with their favorite snack or a gift card. Adopt a Senior (or two!) today and then deliver your notes and/or small gifts by Friday, May 16.


Notes and treats can be dropped off at the high school office or to the student's home, if a home address is provided.  Thank you for  participating in the Adopt a Senior tradition to offer some much needed encouragement to the seniors in the home stretch of their Meridian career!

 

IB Initiative: The Transdisciplinary Theme of Who We Are

Who We Are  •  Where We Are in Place and Time  •  How We Express Ourselves

How the World Works  •  How We Organize Ourselves  •  Sharing the Planet

 

The theme of Who We Are is an inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human.

 

Children develop their sense of identity through their relationships, their personal experiences, their culture, and their community. As parents, you share your beliefs and values, your culture, and your sense of right and wrong. Children learn about differences in these as they engage with others and eventually develop their own sense of self that incorporates their own unique perspective on the world.

 

At Meridian, all grades study the theme of Who We Are through the following central ideas:

 

  • Kindergarten - Our relationships impact ourselves and others.
  • 1st Grade - Our understanding grows through learning and reflection.
  • 2nd Grade - Individuals and experiences can influence our values.
  • 3rd Grade - Communities foster well-being
  • 4th Grade - Significant events and people help promote growth.
  • 5th Grade - Relationships influence identity.

district

 

Upcoming enrichment activities

April 2-11: Science Rocks - Science experiments and the ways we use science in everyday life

April 14-22: Spring Crafts - Spring themed activities prepared by group leaders

April 23-29: Asian American Pacific Islanders - Contributions and achievements of Asian American Pacific Islanders

resourcesPrimary Resources

Daily Announcements: Did you know you can watch the daily morning announcements that your student sees? Watch them on Ms. Lieurance’s Announcements Channel.

 

Toddle: Our one stop site/app for everything PYP. Curriculum, family communications, student portfolio, and more. Learn more about Toddle and sign in.

 

Skyward: To check report cards, submit an absence, fill out paperwork, and update your contact information, log in to Skyward using this link.
 

Important Contacts

PYP Principal, Melissa Reese
PYP Assistant Principal Grades K, 2, 4, Donida Garcia
PYP Assistant Principal Grades 1, 3, 5, Brooke Knight
 
PYP Counselor K, 2, 4, Dana Burks
PYP Counselor 1, 3, 5, Heather Mossell
PYP Coordinator grades K-5, Leah Lieurance
Media Literacy/Library, Kelly Chapman
 
Campus Coordinator, Kathy Finch
Report an absence 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
 

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