The Hive Happenings

I hope our students and families enjoy a safe and restful Spring Break. Our Yellow Jackets have worked incredibly hard this semester, and this is a well-earned time to recharge before we finish the year strong.

Please note that I will have limited communication and will not have any Wi-Fi access or cell phone service from Saturday, March 14 through Sunday, March 22. I will respond to messages when I return.

Have a wonderful Spring Break, and we’ll see everyone back refreshed and ready for a strong finish to the semester!

ELAR Overall
Meets Grade Level: 38%
Approaches Grade Level: 64%

Math (Grades 6–Algebra I)
Grade 6 — Meets: 18% | Approaches: 82%
Grade 7 — Meets: 17% | Approaches: 38%
Grade 8 — Meets: 0% | Approaches: 21%
Algebra I — Meets: 12% | Approaches: 46%

Math Overall
Meets Grade Level: 12%
Approaches Grade Level: 47%

Science (Grade 8 & Biology)
Grade 8 Science — Meets: 32% | Approaches: 52%
Biology — Meets: 31% | Approaches: 88%

Science Overall
Meets Grade Level: 32%
Approaches Grade Level: 66%

Social Studies (Grade 8 & US History)
Grade 8 Social Studies — Meets: 12% | Approaches: 44%
US History — Meets: 68% | Approaches: 96%

Social Studies Overall
Meets Grade Level: 42%
Approaches Grade Level: 72%

Today our high school theatre students received a special lesson in stage wound makeup and special effects from one of our Tarleton State University student teachers, Hope Fambrough. Mrs. Dunn is currently her mentor teacher. The hands-on demonstration gave students a behind-the-scenes look at how theatre productions create realistic effects on stage.

We are fortunate to have 11 Tarleton student observers and student teachers on our campus this semester. Their dedication to learning and teaching adds tremendous value to our classrooms and our students.

We have some exciting news buzzing around the Hive!

Meridian High School has been awarded a $14,783 Region 12 Technology Grant to launch a brand-new Digital Media Studio on campus. This project will provide our students with hands-on opportunities to learn real-world media production skills using professional-grade tools.

The grant will fund the creation of a TV studio, audio recording booth, and video editing suite, giving our students the ability to produce:

School broadcast announcements
Social media and promotional content
Yearbook and campus media projects
Student-created video productions

Through this project, students in our Arts, Audio/Visual Technology & Communications (AAVTC) program will gain experience with industry-standard production equipment and editing software, helping prepare them for careers in digital media, communications, and broadcasting.

This is an incredible opportunity for our students to tell the story of Meridian ISD through their own creative lens, and we can’t wait to see the amazing content they will create.

A huge thank you to Region 12 for supporting innovative programs that expand learning opportunities for our students.

The future of Meridian media is bright—lights, camera, Yellow Jackets! 🐝🎥

The votes are in, and Meridian basketball has been recognized for an outstanding season of hard work, skill, and sportsmanship. Please join us in celebrating our District 12-2A All-District selections and Academic All-District honorees.

These student-athletes represented Meridian High School with pride both on the court and in the classroom, and we could not be more proud of their dedication, character, and commitment.

Girls Basketball Academic All-District Honors:

Addy Scott, Dyna Potter, Mailey Padgett, Abigail Dietiker, Sarah Rosales, Tori Bible, Bailey Hay, Katelyn Ramirez, and Brianna Rosales

A big congratulations to these young ladies and to our coaching staff for a season to remember. Thank you for the way you continue to raise the bar for Meridian athletics and represent Yellow Jacket pride so well. 🖤💛

At Meridian ISD, we believe that strong relationships are the foundation for student success. Through Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH), our teachers and staff work intentionally each day to build connections with students, create a culture of respect, and ensure every child feels seen, valued, and supported.

Each month we highlight a character trait that helps guide conversations in our classrooms and reinforces the kind of leaders we hope our Yellow Jackets become.

🌟 This Month’s Character Trait: Courage

Courage isn’t just about big heroic moments. For our students, courage can look like:

Asking a question when something is confusing
Trying again after making a mistake
Standing up for what is right
Stepping outside of their comfort zone to learn something new

Our teachers are encouraging students to show courage in their learning, their friendships, and their daily choices. Growth happens when students are willing to try, fail, learn, and try again.

How Families Can Reinforce Courage at Home

Families play an important role in building confident learners. A few simple ways to support this month’s focus include:

Encouraging your child to try new things
Talking about times when you had to be brave
Praising effort and persistence, not just results
Reminding students that mistakes are part of learning

When our school and families work together, we help students develop the confidence and character they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom.

Together, we are building strong leaders, strong learners, and strong Yellow Jackets.

**Note: Senior Spotlights will feature 2-3 Seniors per week in the newsletters. Students will be put in the newsletter in the order they are received. Reminder that students who do not submit photos will only have their bio posted.**

The journey to graduation is filled with achievements, friendships, and unforgettable moments. Meridian High School is proud to shine a spotlight on this year’s seniors, celebrating their hard work, stories, and the bright futures ahead. Join us in recognizing the Class of 2026 — each week in our newsletter, we’ll share personal highlights and memories from our amazing seniors. Let’s honor their dedication and celebrate the start of their next adventure together!

Stay tuned for inspiring stories and help us cheer on the Class of 2026!

Addyson Scott

Meet Addyson Scott, a proud senior at Meridian High School who has made the most of her time as a Yellow Jacket through athletics, service, and leadership.

During her years at MHS, Addyson has been involved in varsity basketball, softball, and track. She has also served as a manager for powerlifting, volleyball, and baseball, supporting her teammates and coaches behind the scenes. In addition, Addyson was inducted into the National Honor Society last year and is currently in her second year as a member.

One teacher who has had a meaningful impact on Addyson is Mr. Dagley. Although he began teaching at Meridian this year, he quickly became someone who made a difference in her high school experience. Through his class, Addyson discovered a new passion for photography—something she may never have explored otherwise. She shares that Mr. Dagley is also someone students can count on, whether they need help, encouragement, or simply someone to listen.

Some of Addyson’s favorite high school memories come from basketball season, especially the time spent with her teammates. She says her senior season was one of the most memorable because of the fun moments and strong friendships they shared. One memory that still makes her laugh is from a tournament trip when a teammate jokingly compared another teammate’s bedtime hairstyle to a character from The Polar Express—a moment that had everyone laughing for hours.

The person who has influenced Addyson the most is her mom. She credits her mother for teaching her what it means to stay strong and keep pushing forward, even when things are difficult. Addyson says her mom has always supported her and shown up for every event, demonstrating what unconditional support truly looks like.

After graduation, Addyson plans to attend Baylor University and major in Kinesiology. She hopes to pursue a career in physical therapy or athletic training, with the goal of helping injured athletes recover and return to the sports they love. While she may not continue competing in college athletics, she knows she still wants to remain connected to the world of sports.

We are proud of the leadership, determination, and heart Addyson has shown during her time at Meridian High School. The future is bright for this Yellow Jacket! 🐝

Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you to my volunteers for perfect attendance lunch -- Cindy Denman, Rosie Guerrero, and Ashleigh Hines!

Hive Heart Volunteer Form

MHS Faculty/Staff/Student Recognition Form

🌟 Gold Stars: Celebrating Our Everyday Heroes

Every week, we’ll shine a little spotlight on moments—big and small—that make our campus stronger, kinder, and more connected. Gold Stars aren’t about titles or checklists; they’re about the heart and hustle we see in each other every day.

💡 Want to nominate someone for a Gold Star? Send me a quick note with their name and what they did. All shout-outs are not just welcome—they’re encouraged!

This week's Gold Star Nominations were (insert drum roll here):

Megan Chaney

Dr. Paceley is recommending Ms. Chaney for a Gold Star. "Ms. Chaney is such a rockstar teacher and on the path to becoming a great administrator. I am so proud to be her colleague! Keep up the great work."

None at this time.

---------------------

Remember anyone can nominate a teacher, staff member, or student! Let's help build each other up this year to make this the best school year ever! Go Jackets!!

🔼Attendance by grade level as of March 12, 2026:

6th grade: 96.81% 🔼

7th grade: 96.16% 🔼

8th grade: 98.17%🔼

9th grade: 96.02%🔼

10th grade: 94.78% 🔼

11th grade: 94.94% 🔼

12th grade: 95.54% 🔼

Note: A student may not have any absences or tardies to earn the library lunch.

For field trips, a student can have zero unexcused absences, no more than 2 excused absences, and no more than three tardies.

It will reset every three weeks for the lunch and every six weeks for the field trip!

03/13/26 – Boys Powerlifting
03/14/26 – Baseball Tournament @ Abbott
03/16/26 – 03/20/26 – Spring Break (Student/Staff Holiday)
03/16/26 – Golf Tournament: Valley Mills Invitational
03/16/26 – Baseball @ Lipan
03/20/26 - Baseball @ Frost
03/21/26 - Track @ Graham
03/23/26 – JH Track @ Meridian
03/23/26 – District Golf (Gatesville)
03/24/26 – Varsity Baseball vs. Meridian
03/24/26 - Tennis @ Godley
03/24/26 - Baseball vs Frost
03/25/26 - High School Academic UIL @ Rio Vista
03/23/26 – HS Track @ Meridian
03/26/26 – HLSR Steer Show
03/26/26 - Tennis @ Alvarado
03/27/26 – HS Academic UIL @ Rio Vista (pt 2)
03/27/26 – Varsity Baseball @ Rio Vista
03/30/26 – Varsity Baseball vs. TBD
03/30/26 – District Golf (Gatesville)
03/31/26 - Baseball vs Rio Vista
04/01/26 - OAP Bi-District @ Waco Connolly
04/02/26 – End of the 5th Six Weeks
04/03/26 - Good Friday (No School)
04/06/26 - District Track @ Rio Vista
04/07/26 - Varsity Tennis @ Madisonville
04/10/26 - JH District Track @ Meridian
04/13/26 - FFA District Convention @ Whitney
04/14/26 - Varsity Baseball @ Itasca
04/16/26 - Science STAAR
04/18/26 - Band Gala Fundraiser
04/21/26 - Baseball @ Italy
04/24/26 - Varsity vs Italy
04/27/26 - No School
04/30/26 - MISD Band Program Spring Concert (4-12)
05/01/26 - Bad Weather Day

The Hive Happenings