Skip to main content
Students play guitars in music class
Lions Acting Troupe 2024
Two high school art students draw forms using 3D models
Primary students paint on white paper
Newsletters » PYP Pride (K–5)

PYP Pride (K–5)

PYP Header

Week of February 19, 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Reese

We are thrilled to  kick off International Week on Monday and can’t wait to see the creativity on display as our classroom doors come to life with decorations as we come in on Monday! Throughout the week, teachers and students will be working together to decorate their doors and celebrating cultures from around the world. We’re also hoping for perfect weather for our World Parade next Friday!

We also hope to see you on Saturday at the Festival of Cultures on March 1 from 2 - 5 p.m. We are especially excited to watch our primary students perform in the choirs! Don’t forget—if your student attends the festival and gets their festival passport stamped, they can turn it in for a wristband to wear free dress day on Monday, March 3!

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to celebrating this special week together!

Best,

Melissa Reese

Primary news

Kindergarten students stand in front of a fire truck with their kindergarten teachers and fire fightersKindergarten students who won the Teacher Experiences Auction in November visited the local fire department as part of Be Sweet to Others Day. All students had the opportunity to bring in items for gift baskets to the fire station and police department!

Carline: two important safety updates

Yellow and green lanes enter from North Mays southward; blue lane enters by turning left on MaysBlue/Yellow Lane Changes

If you are picking up your kindergarten student, please enter the yellow lane directly by coming southbound on Mays. It's quicker, too! 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).

 

Designated student drop off areas

Please pull past the crosswalks to the designated drop off locations before allowing your student to exit the vehicle. When they leave the vehicle in the middle of the line, it puts them in danger of drivers who may not see them. Please also remind students to then use the crosswalks to get to the buildings. It takes all drivers, students, and staff working together to create a safe carline.

Counselor’s Corner

Counselor's Corner in chalkboard text boxesThe Region 13 Education Service Center has created a series of mindfulness video topics to help parents talk to their children about different social-emotional topics and recognize when there might be a problem that needs to be addressed with a professional counselor or therapist.


The next video in the series we would like to share is on Being Mindful: Depression. Watch the video to learn more about recognizing symptoms of depression in children. If you have any questions, please reach out! Dana Burks (K, 2, 4) or Heather Mossell (1, 3, 5).

 
 

Black History Month Jamboree & Dress Day

Friday, February 21, students 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!
 
Then, come back to campus for the Jamboree from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.!
 

The Meridian Black Student Union presents a Black History Month Jamboree: Celebrating Black Culture! Open to 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. RSVP to attend!

 

Black, red, yellow, green graphic

 

 

Charter School Support Petition

$220 per student in 2017; $157 per student in 2024Public charter schools receive $1,600 less per student than other public schools. Why? The funding gap is caused by unequal facilities funding. State law caps the total amount of dollars that public charter schools receive to buy and maintain their buildings.

 

As a result, public charter schools must pull funding from other priorities — such as teacher salaries, technology, and tutoring — to cover facilities expenses. You can sign this petition from the Texas Public Charter Schools Association and help show your support of charter schools!

 

Yearbook sales close Friday

It’s your last guaranteed chance to buy a K-12 yearbook! Not sure if you ordered one? Check for an email from Stela Holcombe on February 12. Order today!

A yearbook spread featuring Spanish and French classes, along with Media Literacy

 

Festival of Cultures

March 1 from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Please join us for the Festival of Cultures! Visit more than 30 cultural booths and activities, hosted by families, student groups, and local restaurants. Enjoy Primary performances led by Ms. Stow, and our very own Black Culture Choir!

There’s still time to sign up to host a country booth today!

Swedish booth; students singing in cultural dress

Arts and Science Fest

Arts and Science Fest logo

April 5 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Save the date for our Arts and Science Fest! Enjoy hands-on activities from local community partners, from a planetarium to elephant toothpaste demonstrations to slime-making.

 

IB Initiative: The Learner Trait of Principled

This quarter, our IB Initiative each week will focus on one of the learner profile traits.

Inquirers  •  Knowledgeable  •  Thinkers  •  Communicators  •  Principled

Open-Minded  •  Caring  •  Risk-takers  •  Balanced  •  Reflective

Principled: two human forms shake hands

 

Ask a child what it means to be principled and they will usually say it means doing the right thing even if no one is looking. This is a great foundation to a deeper understanding.

 

According to IB, to be principled is to act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. 

Principled people take responsibility for their actions and their consequences.

 

This week, our exploration of this trait on the announcements will help us see some key components of being principled:

  • Let your principles (your beliefs and values) guide your actions.
  • Notice problems in your world and take action to try to solve them.
  • Seek justice and respect for all.
  • Be willing to stand up for what you believe is right.

 

Find activities and book ideas on Meridian’s website to extend the discussion of what it means to be principled at home.

district

Lion's Acting Troupe Interest Form Now Open! 
 
Interest in joining this semester? Fill out the interest form today! Limited spots available. 
 

Spots Available for Pro-Skills Sports!

We have openings for Pro-Skills Basketball (2nd-5th grade) and Pro-Skills Volleyball (2nd-5th grade). Register today!

Upcoming enrichment activities 

February 13 - 19: Better Together - Students explore the meaning of equity and practice ways to understand empowerment and inclusion.

February 20: Discover Your Talents - Students show off their talents within their Triple A groups.

February 21: Talent Show - Students have the opportunity to show off their talents in the Triple A Talent Show. Parents and guardians are invited to this event, which starts at 4:30 p.m.

Talent Show 2.21.25 at 4:30 pm. Families invited

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
 

Help us reach you

Are you getting our Catapult text messages?
  • Please check your email and cell on Skyward for errors. If they are correct, please check to make sure you didn't accidentally un-enroll in updates by opting back in here.
  • 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 with the cell phone number.

PYP Calendar

View All PYP Calendar