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Newsletters » PYP Pride (K–5)

PYP Pride (K–5)

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Week of January 15, 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Reese

Happy Wednesday!

Dear Families,

If your child is in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade, we have STAAR interims beginning next week. These assessments are very important for us to see how we can better support your student before the state assessment later in the spring.

 

Make sure your student is well-rested, has a good breakfast, and has a positive start to the day to set them up for success! Reading is on January 21, Math is on January 30, and Science (5th grade only) is on February 5!

 

Have a great week and please remember that tardies are taken after 8:05 a.m. every morning. If our students are on time, they start their day in a positive way!

 

Reminders:

  • Next Monday, January 20,  there is no school in observance of MLK Day.
  • Today, Jan. 15, the parking lot will be closed between 4 - 5 p.m. for the MLK March. Please park on the grass if you need to enter during this time. Triple A pick up will be paused.

Warm regards,

Melissa Reese,

PYP Principal

Primary news

Founder & CEO Karalei Nunn talks to 1st grade about MeridianFounder & CEO Karalei Nunn gives her annual presentation to first graders on the history of Meridian School. The students asked great questions, demonstrating the International Baccalaureate's goal to encourage student curiosity and inquiry!

PYP (K–5) Principal’s Coffee

Cappuccino mug with lion logo in the frothYou’re invited to join us on Thursday,  January 23, at 8:30 a.m. for the Principal’s Coffee. Special guests this time include our DP Principal, Ms. Holcombe, who will share the benefits of the continuum through the DP programme, as well as our PYP counselors. We look forward to seeing you! RSVP to let us know you are planning to attend. We will also have a virtual option as well. The Google Meet link will be in the next newsletter.

Parking: First, drop your students off using carline; do not walk them in. Please park in the designated visitor parking spots on this map. Doors won’t open until 8:15 a.m. to give us time to clear the lobby for your arrival.

 
 

Reminder: sign up for Festival of Cultures performances

Class of 2033 performs a song during the Festival of Cultures

Saturday, March 1

 

Our primary students have a special opportunity to perform at the Festival of Cultures! If your student would like to participate, please fill out this form (per student) by February 7.

 

Two actions re: 2025-2026 School Year

January 1 – February 28


Siblings new to Meridian (K-9): apply now for next school year!

If a currently enrolled student's sibling will be new to Meridian in the 2025-2026 school year (in grades K-9), please fill out an application for the sibling before February 28. Siblings receive priority in the lottery but must apply before the deadline.


Currently enrolled students: One-question Commitment Form

Please fill out a one-question Commitment Form on Skyward. The form is available to the primary parent (the one listed first) on Skyward. There are three options for the answers: returning, not returning, not sure yet. This is not a final answer; this allows us to plan for the admissions process.


If you have questions please email [email protected].
 

IB Initiative: Learner Profile trait of Risk Taker

Over the next 10 weeks, our IB Initiative each week focuses on one of the learner profile traits.

 

Inquirers  •  Knowledgeable  •  Thinkers  •  Communicators  •  Principled

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

 

These traits are part of all IB programs and help us become internationally-minded individuals. On the announcements each week, we will share about the trait and then examine the lives of individuals past and present who exhibit the trait of the week to see what we can learn from their lives about what it looks like to demonstrate that trait.

 

To be a risk-taker, according to IB, means:

  • we approach uncertainty with forethought and determination
  • we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies
  • we are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.

 

What does a risk taker look like? This week, on the announcements, we are looking at the lives of groups of people like explorers, adventurers, and inventors to see what we can learn about what it looks like to be a risk taker. We will also think about how Martin Luther King, Jr showed the trait of risk-taker in his actions as well. We will see that risk takers try new things, new ideas, and new ways of doing things. They see challenges as opportunities and persevere through failures. Risk takers might take risks that seem dangerous but they do it with the knowledge needed to make it safer. They do the right thing even if it’s not the easy thing. All of the risk-takers we will look at wanted to make the world a better place, and they took risks to make it happen.


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

 

Teacher Experiences Auction raised nearly $10,000!

Thank you for supporting our bi-annual Teacher Experiences Auction! Together, we raised $9,511 to be used toward special school projects like a marquee.

 

Federal Report Card available

The 2023-2024 Federal Report Cards for Texas schools are now available through the TEA website. See what information federal report cards contain and review Meridian’s 23-24 Federal Report Card here. 

 

MYP Theatre Class presents: Anon(ymous)

January 29 at 6 p.m.

 

Join Advanced MYP Theatre in the Black Box for a free performance of Anon(mous), by Naomi Izuka. Separated from his mother, Anon, a young refugee, journeys through the United States, encountering a wide variety of people -- some kind, some dangerous and cruel -- as he searches for his family. From a sinister one-eyed butcher to beguiling barflies to a sweatshop, Anon must navigate through a chaotic, ever-changing landscape in this entrancing adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey.

 

Anon(ymous)

district

2024 Tax Statements 

You can request consolidated statements by emailing [email protected]. It takes 3-5 days for processing.

 

Upcoming enrichment activities:

January 7 - 15: MLK - Students learn about the life of MLK Jr. and write speeches to commemorate the day.

January 16 - 22: Chinese New Year - Students learn about the history, traditions, and celebrations of The Chinese New Year.

January 23 - 29: Animal Planet - Students learn about different animals and their habitats.

January 30 - February 5: Black History Moments - Students learn about and celebrate the lives and contributions of African Americans.

We invite you to participate in Triple A's Annual Martin Luther King Jr. March. Together, we'll honor Dr. King's legacy as we march around the parking lot and unite in singing Lift Every Voice and Sing and Happy Birthday.

Event Details: MLK March

January 15, 2025

Primary Lobby

4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

*There will be no pickup during this time so please plan accordingly. Students can be picked up prior to the event or after it’s over. 

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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