The Hive Happenings
12/12/25
This Week's Attendance Percentage: 96.63% 🔼
A Note from Dr. Paceley
Family Update
Thank you to everyone who has continued to pray for my mom and our family. Your prayers, messages, and kindness have meant more than I can put into words.
Mom is still very lethargic and is not able to talk yet, but we are thankful to share that she is now off many of the life-supporting machines that were needed earlier. While she still has a long road ahead, these steps forward have given us renewed hope.
I will be flying home tomorrow, Saturday, and I plan to return to school next week. I am incredibly grateful for the support, patience, and understanding shown during this time.
Please continue to keep my mom in your prayers as she continues her recovery. We are taking things one day at a time and trusting the process.
Thank you again for standing with us. 💛
Mock STAAR Next Week
Results from the Mock STAAR assessment taken last week will be sent home soon. This report is meant to provide families and teachers with helpful information as we continue to support student growth.
The report will include:
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Your child’s overall score
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Whether the score reflects a pass or fail for the practice test
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Whether your child used accommodations, if applicable
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The length of time spent on the test, which helps us better understand student effort and stamina
This information gives both parents and teachers a clearer picture of how best to support your child moving forward. Please remember that this was a practice assessment, and the results are used for instructional planning and growth—not as a final outcome.
As a reminder, students can continue practicing at home using Istation and Mathia, which are both excellent tools for reinforcing reading and math skills.
Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s success. 💛🐝
🌟 Exciting Things Happening at MHS! 🌟
Final Week Fun & Festivities at MHS
From The Principal's Desk...
We are heading into our final three days of school, and we’re ending the year on a fun and festive note. With Wednesday being a half day, we’ve packed in lots of excitement to celebrate a great school year together.
Monday Morning: Jingle & Mingle Breakfast
Monday morning, bright and early, throw on your ugly Christmas sweaters and join us for our Jingle & Mingle Breakfast. We invite all adults who support Meridian High School—parents, grandparents, community members, and partners—to come enjoy a meal with us as we celebrate the season together. Donations will be accepted and are greatly appreciated.
Three Dress-Up Days Left
Get ready to show your school spirit—we have three dress-up days remaining, and participation is highly encouraged.
Reminder: Everyone better be wearing their pajamas on the last day of school—no exceptions!
Principal’s Concession Stand
Dr. Paceley will be running the concession stand next week. Most items will be $1, and the most expensive item will be $2. Cash App will be accepted. Come grab a treat and help us celebrate the end of the year.
Fun Days Are Coming
We’re looking forward to Fun Days during the last 1½ days of school, giving students a chance to relax, connect with friends, and enjoy the final moments of the school year.
Let’s finish strong, stay safe, and make these last few days ones to remember.
Go Jackets! 🐝💛
Mrs. Kerbow's Busy Elves
Mrs. Kerbow's little elves have been busy working and finishing up their work for the semester. Student's in her Instructional Practices course created a bulletin board to spread some holiday cheer in the MHS hallway!
Jingle & Mingle Breakfast
We’re ending the semester on a joyful note with our Jingle & Mingle Christmas Breakfast! This cozy morning gathering is our way of celebrating the hard work, heart, and community that make Meridian High School so special.
The event is free for all of our Yellow Jacket families. No cost is required — if anyone feels led to support the table, donations are welcome but never expected.
We hope you’ll stop by, share a warm breakfast with us, and enjoy a cheerful send-off into Christmas break. Our students and families are the heart of everything we do, and we can’t wait to celebrate this season with you. 💛🖤
Upcoming Events
Our 6th–12th grade band members will be performing at the upcoming Band Concert. A letter was sent home with all 6th and 7th grade students outlining attire expectations and arrival times, so families should have everything they need to be concert-ready. If you have any questions or need additional copies of the letter, please let us know—we want every student to feel confident and prepared for this special performance.
🎉 Congratulations to Dyna Potter! 🎉
Dyna has earned TGCA Academic All-State honors, a prestigious recognition awarded to seniors who maintain a cumulative GPA of 94 or higher throughout their high school career. We are proud of her hard work, dedication, and commitment to academic excellence. Way to represent Meridian High School!
📖 Words from Miss Whitmer🎓
If you have not already, please sign up for Miss Whitmer's Remind.
💛 Capturing Kids’ Hearts Corner 💛
December’s CKH Trait — Responsibility
Responsibility means owning our choices—both the good ones and the tough ones. At Meridian High School, we show responsibility by coming to class on time, being prepared, completing our work with integrity, and following through on our commitments. When we make a mistake, we take accountability, learn from it, and do better next time. Being responsible isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being dependable, respectful, and willing to grow. When each Yellow Jacket takes responsibility, our entire Hive is stronger. 🐝💛
🎓Senior Spotlights 🎓
**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. As of 11/09/2025, no other seniors have submitted their bios.**
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!
Anahy Solis
Anahy Solis is a senior at Meridian High School who has made the most of her time on campus through academics, athletics, and involvement. During her junior high years, she participated in volleyball and track, and later competed in varsity softball during her sophomore year. In her senior year, she stepped outside her comfort zone by joining FCA, adding another meaningful experience to her high school journey. She has also been actively involved in TRIO throughout high school.
Through her involvement in extracurricular activities, she learned how to be both a strong athlete and a better student. These experiences helped her grow in responsibility, teamwork, and perseverance.
Her favorite subject has always been English, as she enjoys writing and expressing her thoughts. One teacher who has made a lasting impact is Mr. Martinez. Even though he does not teach English, he has been a constant source of encouragement. His positive and humorous attitude made his classroom a welcoming place, and he was always willing to help and understand when students felt stuck.
One of her favorite high school memories is simply being in class—getting her work done while talking and laughing with friends. Those everyday moments made her high school experience special.
The people who have influenced her the most are her parents. They taught her the importance of being a hard worker, trying her best, and never giving up, no matter how challenging things may become. They always made time to support her at school and community events and helped prepare her for the real world by teaching her to be independent. They are the two people she looks up to most.
After graduation, she plans to attend Tarrant County College, where she will pursue a degree in Criminal Justice with the goal of becoming a Texas State Trooper. Her desire is to protect and serve her community and help keep others safe. After achieving that goal, she plans to attend Texas A&M University School of Law in Fort Worth to become an Immigration Lawyer, allowing her to help immigrants achieve their dreams of living, working, and building successful lives in the United States.
🖤 MHS Hive Heart Volunteers 🖤
Volunteer Opportunities
None at this time.
A fantastic idea from one of our parents: Meridian High is looking to launch a volunteer program—much like classroom moms but for our whole school! We’d love for parents or family members to help greet students, decorate hallways, make positive phone calls home, and support other school activities. This is a wonderful way to build connections and celebrate our students. Interested in joining the volunteer team or learning more? Let us know by filling out the form.
We will send out a monthly sign up sheet requesting volunteers for events happening at the school. Sign up for one or all. Anyone is welcome! Volunteer forms must be signed in order to participate during school hours.
Save the Date!
⭐🌟🌟Giving Gold Stars🌟🌟⭐
🌟 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 Stars🌟🌟⭐
This week's Gold Star Nominations were (insert drum roll here):
Leigh Bailey
⭐ Gold Star Students ⭐
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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 Incentives
Current Attendance: 96.60% 🔽
🔼Attendance by grade level as of December 12, 2025:
6th grade: 97.08% 🔼
7th grade: 97.03% 🔽
8th grade: 98.34%🔼
9th grade: 96.22%🔽
10th grade: 95.98% 🔽
11th grade: 95.41% 🔽
12th grade: 96.46% 🔼
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!
Upcoming MHS Events
- 12/12/25 - Varsity Girls Basketball @ Lone Oak
- 12/12/25 - Varsity Boys Basketball @ Covington
- 12/14/25 - Winter Concert (Full Band Program 5th - 12th)
- 12/15/25 - JH Girls Basketball @ Itasca
- 12/15/25 - JH Boys Basketball vs Itasca
- 12/16/25 - JV/V Girls Basketball vs Valley Mills
- 12/17/25 - End of 3rd Six Weeks
- 12/18/25 - Boys Basketball vs Waco Christian Academy
- 12/18/25 - 01/06/26 -- Christmas Break