PYP Pride (K–5)
Week of November 20, 2024
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Happy Wednesday!
As Thanksgiving Break approaches, I hope you're ready for some well-deserved rest, relaxation, and time to recharge. This time of year reminds us to pause and reflect on all the things we are grateful for.
I want to take a moment to express how thankful I am for each and every one of you. Your dedication, passion, and hard work make Meridian such a special place. You truly make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and one another.
To spread a little more gratitude, I’d love for you to share something about someone you're thankful for at Meridian! Please take a moment to fill out the form below. We’ll compile your thoughts and share it with them to uplift our community even more.
Wishing you a safe and restful break. Enjoy precious moments with your loved ones, and know how much you’re appreciated!
Take care and be safe,
Melissa Reese,
PYP Principal
Spreading gratitude this season
As we enter this season of gratitude, it’s a perfect time to reflect on those who make a difference in our children’s lives every day — our incredible teachers and staff. Their dedication, care, and hard work help create a positive and nurturing environment for our students to thrive.
We invite you to share a few words of appreciation for a teacher or staff member who has made an impact on your child or family. Simply fill out the form to recognize a staff member for their commitment and support. Your kind words mean so much to them, and it’s a wonderful way to spread joy and gratitude throughout our school community.
$2 Free Dress Day: Support the Class of 2030 Camp Olympia trip
Let’s help 7th graders raise money for their 8th grade Camp Olympia class trip with a free dress day. Students who want to dress in regular clothing (not in uniform) on Thursday , November 21, should bring $2 to their classroom teacher by the morning of Thursday, November 21. No Pajamas. No Costumes. Clothing choice must be appropriate for school.
Scholastic Book Fair: Mark your calendars
December 2-6
The Scholastic Book Fair will be held in the Primary Library the week after Thanksgiving! Students may shop Monday - Thursday with their class. Your student will bring home a book fair flier with their shopping day attached.
Consider setting up an e-wallet to allow your child to shop without having to bring cash to school.
Family shopping hours
- Tuesday and Thursday: 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday: 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Teacher wish lists and gift certificates
The book fair is a great way to shop for holiday gifts for your child’s teacher! Teachers have selected some books they’d love to have in their classroom libraries. Pull a slip from the wish list display in the library and bring it to the register to purchase the book. We also sell gift certificates for teachers during the Book Fair.
The Book Fair is online: December 2-15
Can’t make it to the book fair at school or have relatives out of town? Shop online! All orders ship home; book-only orders over $25 ship free.
IB Initiative: the concept of change
Each week on the primary announcements and in the PYP Pride Newsletter, we share information about an element of the IB or specifically the Primary Years Programme.
This week, we are exploring the concept of change. We can see change in many aspects of life. Change can happen in visible ways. We can see how things have changed over time. We can also change in a cycle as in the life cycle of an animal or the change in seasons. Some concepts related to change can be both external and internal, both natural and human-driven.
One example is growth. Plants grow – we can see it and it’s part of nature. But we can grow socially, mentally, or spiritually and that growth is driven by our choices.
Adaptation is another example of an internal and external concept. We might adapt the earth by building a dam, and we might also adapt our mindset or our behavior to a new situation.
The final thing we will be learning about change this week is that it is inevitable, so we have to choose how we will respond when change happens.
RockSports spirit wear holiday sale
Roary’s Fall Break Scrapbook
Roary is finally done with his Fall Break scrapbook. He wants to thank everyone for including him on break. He hopes you enjoy looking at these memories over Thanksgiving break and wants to let you all know how grateful he is for his Meridian family! Take a look at Roary’s Fall Break memories.
2025-2026 Academic Calendar Approved
The Board approved the 2025-2026 Academic Calendar. You can find it here. It is also on the calendar page on the website.
Teacher Experiences Auction returns Dec. 4-13!
Upcoming enrichment activities
Triple A - After School program themed enrichment activities this month.
November 18 - 21: Give Thanks - Students will be guided through a variety of activities and crafts to demonstrate thankfulness for their home, school, community, each other, and themselves.
November 22: Fall Fashion Show - Students will be able to bring a costume/outfit/prop to show off on the runway during Triple A time. Students are not permitted to wear their costumes during the school day. All items/outfits must be school appropriate and must be kept in the students backpack until Triple A time. This event is for Triple A full time students only, and is not a parent invited event.
December 2 - 11: Winter Holidays - Students will learn about different holidays and festivals through discussion, crafts, and activities.
December 12 - 17: Winter Crafts & Activities -Students will create winter themed crafts and/or play winter themed games.
December 18 - 19: New Year’s Resolutions - Students will learn about New Year's Resolutions and have the ability to create their own before winter break.
Primary 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 1, 3, 5, Heather Mossell
PYP Coordinator grades K-5, Leah Lieurance
SpEd Director, Susan Mais
ARD Coordinator, Anna Brown
504 Coordinator, Dottie Elliott
SpEd Coordinator, April HarrisHelp us reach you
Are you getting our Catapult text messages? 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 to indicate the cell phone number you wish to receive messages on.
PYP Calendar
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Nov 21, 2024
- Kindergarten Fall Showcase - 11:30 am - 12 pm
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Nov 25, 2024
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Nov 29, 2024
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Dec 2, 2024
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Dec 6, 2024
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Dec 13, 2024
- 2nd Grade Fall Showcase - 12 pm - 12:30 pm
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Dec 14, 2024
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Dec 16, 2024
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Dec 18, 2024
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Dec 19, 2024
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Dec 20, 2024
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Dec 21, 2024
- Winter Dance Camp (K-5) - 9 am - 2 pm
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Dec 23, 2024
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Jan 3, 2025
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Jan 6, 2025
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Jan 7, 2025
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Jan 10, 2025
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Jan 20, 2025