The Hive Happenings

Week one is officially in the books, and I couldn’t be prouder of our Yellow Jackets! 🐝💛

✅ Attendance: 99.25% — That’s incredible! Our students showed up, ready to learn, and it makes all the difference.

📚 Learning in Action: Classrooms are buzzing with energy. Students are engaged, focused, and—bonus—not distracted by phones. The amount of real connection and learning happening already has me excited for what’s ahead.

🚪 Morning Arrival Tip: We’ve noticed that the closer it gets to the first bell, the longer the line for the metal detector gets. If you can, try to drop your student off a little earlier to keep things moving quickly in the mornings.

This first week reminded me exactly why I love what I do. The energy on campus, the smiles, and the way everyone is settling into routines tells me we’re going to have a fantastic school year. Thank you, parents, for partnering with us to make it happen.

Here’s to keeping the momentum going! 💪🐝

🌟 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. Peer shout-outs are not just welcome—they’re encouraged!

Well… we got a “D.”

And no, not the “diploma” kind, not the “delightful” kind, not even the “donut” kind. The kind of “D” that makes you stare at the ceiling at 2 a.m., replaying every decision you’ve made since the first day of school.

And if the campus is a “D,” then by my math, that makes me a “D” principal. I have only ever made one "D" in my entire life. This is the 2nd. The thought of it makes my skin crawl. But I tell myself that we have to go low before we go high. We have to make our descent up in small steps.

I’ve seen the comments. I’ve heard the chatter. I know there are people out there laughing, pointing fingers, and counting us out. If there's one thing I've learned in Meridian its that we have enough determination as Yellow Jackets that you should NEVER count us out! And to be honest… I can’t wait for us to prove every single one of them wrong.

What they don’t see is the army of teachers staying late, the kids busting their tails, and the staff who care so much they’ll spend their weekends thinking about lesson plans instead of laundry (…most of the time).

But we can’t do this in our own little silos. We need every Yellow Jacket—students, parents, grandparents, alumni, and community members—to suit up, link arms, and push forward.

Because here’s the plan: we’re going to take this “D,” polish it, work it, fight for it, and turn it into the kind of grade that makes people wonder what on earth got into Meridian ISD. Spoiler alert—it’ll be the same thing we’ve had all along: grit, heart, and a hive that refuses to quit.

So yes, for now, I’m your “D” principal. Determined. Devoted. Dead set on getting this right.

— Dr. Paceley

Proud Yellow Jacket!

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Starting Monday, July 21st after 1:00 p.m., incoming Seniors can come by Mrs. Wehmeyer’s office to select their Senior parking spot for the 2025–2026 school year. Students must bring a copy of their driver’s license and a copy of their current insurance card in order to sign up.

Spots are first come, first served, so don’t wait! Please note: parking spots may not be painted with any lewd, inappropriate, or offensive material—final approval is at the discretion of the principal.

At Meridian High School, off-campus lunch is a privilege reserved for eligible Seniors who demonstrate responsibility, punctuality, and good behavior. To earn and keep this privilege, the following criteria must be met:

✅ Eligibility Requirements:

• Reset Every 6 Weeks: Off-campus lunch eligibility is reviewed and reset at the end of each 6-week grading period.

• Attendance:

  • Must have no more than 3 total tardies per 6-week period (includes all class periods).

  • Students with more than 10 unexcused absences for the entire school year will lose the privilege for the remainder of the year.

• Behavior:

  • Must follow all school rules and expectations both on and off campus.

  • Must consistently demonstrate respectful, responsible behavior.

• Lunch Conduct:

  • Students must not return late from lunch or check out early to extend their lunch period.

  • Arriving late to class after lunch will result in an automatic loss of the off-campus privilege for the next 6-week period.

🚫 Loss of Privilege:

Failure to meet any of the above expectations will result in the immediate suspension of off-campus lunch privileges until the next eligibility review period.

We are proud to offer this opportunity as a trust-based privilege—let’s keep it that way by showing leadership and maturity!

My name is Blake Dagley, and I'm thrilled to join Meridian ISD as the Audio, Visual Technology teacher. With more than two decades in the AV industry and prior classroom experience, I'm ready to share my knowledge and experience. As the son of a long time dedicated teacher and coach, I've always had a passion for inspiring young minds and I look forward to fostering that growth here.

I’m excited to begin my journey as the new boys’ basketball coach at Meridian High School! I am a proud graduate of Austin College (Go Roos!) and later completed my master’s degree at APU. This year marks my 13th in education and my 9th as a head boys’ basketball coach. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to coach at schools ranging from 2A to 6A, gaining valuable experience and building programs at every level. I’m also a proud father to two amazing elementary-aged kids—my son, Grayson, and my daughter, Harper—who keep me grounded and motivated every day. It means a great deal to join a community like Meridian, a place that has meant so much to my family. I’m eager to get started and to contribute both on and off the court.

Hello!

My name is Nicholas Jeter, and I am very excited to be given the opportunity to work as an assistant Band Director for the Meridian Band! As of May, I am a graduate of Tarleton State University, from which I obtained my degree in Music Education with a minor in English; I am still pursuing my master's degree in music. My fiancé and I currently reside with my two dogs in Stephenville. This is my first year in teaching, as I recently completed my final semester, so I am looking forward to teaching at such a great district!

Coach Smith joins us from the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw school district, where he taught

Health Sciences for seven years. Previously, he served for just over 21 years in the U.S.

Navy. Coach Smith has three daughters: Emily, Madeline, and Sophie, who are 27, 22,

and 20 years old, respectively. He grew up in South Dallas and graduated from

Duncanville High School in 1993. Before entering the Navy in 1995, he completed two

years at Mountainview (Dallas County Community) College. In 2004, he earned his

bachelor’s degree in general studies, and in 2025, he completed his master’s degree in

education. Coach Smith enjoys reading, riding his motorcycle, and hunting for cool

antiques. He’s excited and proud to be one of the newest Yellow Jackets.

We’re excited to welcome Zack Sterling to the Jacket Staff! A proud Bosque County native and Army veteran, Zack has long been a dedicated supporter of our community. From serving with the Booster Club to volunteering with Meridian Youth Sports, he has always gone above and beyond for our students. We’re thrilled to have him officially join the team!

My name is Estafana Whitmer, and I’m honored to begin a new chapter in my journey with Meridian ISD as the Academic Advisor at Meridian High School. Over the past seven years, I’ve had the privilege of serving in various roles on the elementary campus—first as a substitute teacher, then as a paraprofessional, and most recently as a classroom teacher for the past three years.

I graduated from Texas Tech University in 2019 with a Bachelor of General Studies. Currently, I’m pursuing my Master of Science in School Counseling degree, and I’m thrilled to be furthering my education so I can make a greater impact in the lives of our students.

As I step into this new role, my goal is to support all students in reaching their goals and guide them toward a successful future. I’m eager to learn and grow alongside the incredible team here at MHS. My heart truly belongs to the wonderful students of this community, and I feel incredibly blessed to continue serving them in this new capacity.

• 08/18/25 - Regular Board Meeting @ 6:30 p.m.
• 08/19/25 - HS Volleyball vs Penelope @ 4:00 p.m.
• 08/20/25 - HS XC @ Poolville
• 08/21/25 - Varsity Football Scrimmage vs Cross Plains
• 08/22/25 - Media Day -- Fall Athletic Picture
• 08/22/25 - HS Volleyball @ Oglesby
• 08/25/25 - JH Volleyball vs. Rio Vista
• 08/26/25 - HS Volleyball @ Evant
• 08/27/25 - HS / JH XC @ Keene
• 08/28/25 - HS Volleyball @ Rio Vista Tournament
• 08/29/25 - HS Football @ Bruceville-Eddy
• 08/30/25 - HS Volleyball @ Rio Vista Tournament
• 09/01/25 -- School Holiday