The Hive Happenings

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up May 4th–8th, and I want to take a moment to speak plainly about the work our teachers do every single day.

Teaching is not easy work. It’s early mornings and late evenings. It’s standing on your feet all day, answering questions, redirecting behavior, reteaching the same concept in multiple ways, and still finding the energy to encourage a student who is struggling. It’s balancing lesson plans, grading, testing pressure, parent communication, and the emotional needs of students—all at once. Our teachers show up tired, stretched thin, and still give our kids their very best.

And they do it because they care deeply about your children.

In a couple of weeks, we want to love on them right back.

We are looking for community members and families who would be willing to donate snack items or canned sodas to help us celebrate our staff throughout that week. If you would like to contribute, items can be dropped off at the high school anytime leading up to May 4th.

For more information, or if you would like to help, please text or call Dr. Paceley at 817-841-9249.

Our teachers pour everything they have into our students. Let’s take this opportunity to pour a little back into them.

Thank you for always supporting our school and the people who make it so special. 💛🖤

We are proud to recognize six outstanding students who advanced to the Regional Academic UIL Meet!

Hannah Beaudin, Kerrington Dagley, Mailey Padgett, Arianna Sandley, Noah Smith, and Afton Smith represented Meridian High School at the Regional competition held at Grayson College in Denison, Texas. They competed in Literary Criticism, Feature Writing, Science, and Prose, going up against some of the top students in our region.

These students have put in long hours preparing, practicing, and pushing themselves to compete at a high level. We are incredibly proud of their hard work, dedication, and the way they represented our school.

Way to go, Jackets! 💛🖤

Dear Senior Families,

We are getting closer each day—graduation is right around the corner, and we are excited to celebrate this incredible group of seniors!

As we move into a new week, I want to share a few important reminders. We are continuing to see a rise in senior absences. Just last week, on April 24th alone, one-third of the senior class was absent. I know this is a busy and exciting time, but it is important that seniors are at school each day. Attendance still matters, and it directly impacts our campus accountability as well as your child’s ability to stay on track.

Please continue to encourage your senior to:

• Attend school daily and be on time
• Stay on top of assignments and deadlines
• Make positive choices as we finish out the year

Graduation Reminders

• Each senior will receive 5 floor tickets
• Bleacher seating is unlimited (first come, first served)
• Graduation will be live-streamed on YouTube and shown in the cafeteria

We want every senior walking that stage with confidence, pride, and everything completed. Thank you for your continued support in helping us get them across the finish line strong!

We are excited to share that the following athletes have advanced to the Regional Track Meet, which will be held May 1–2 at Springtown High School. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication!

Victoria Bible – 4x100 Relay

Bailey Hay – Pole Vault, 4x100 Relay

Brianna Ortiz – 4x100 Relay

Guillermo Ortiz – Triple Jump

Dyna Potter – 4x100 Relay

Let's cheer on our Jackets as they compete at the next level.

The "All-In Era" is officially in full swing. We are on a 30-day mission to fund a free yearbook for every single student and staff member at Meridian ISD, but we don’t just want to provide the book; we want you IN it.

We’ve opened up a digital "Community Era" vault, and we’re inviting every parent, fan, and neighbor to share their receipts from the year. Whether it’s a shot from the sidelines, a community event, or a "behind the scenes" Meridian moment, we want to see it!
*Disclaimer: By uploading any photos or videos to the shared folder, you grant us permission to use them in both the physical and digital versions of the yearbook.

How to Get Involved Today:
1. Become a Legacy Partner (The Support)
Help us cross the finish line! View our sponsorship tiers and secure your business’s place in Meridian history. Every partnership puts books directly into the hands of our kids.
https://www.meridianisd.org/page/yearbook26

2. Upload Your Photos (The Story)
Got a great shot? Drop it in our community folder! Your photos could be featured in the physical yearbook or our digital edition.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1whTlbQA1z0MzddMQdeOMc7Qk4SRGBMNZ?usp=sharing

3. Spread the Word
Share this post! The faster we reach our goal, the sooner we can guarantee a book for every Yellow Jacket.

Meridian is more than a town—it’s an Era. Let’s capture it together.

As we close out April, I’m reminded that what matters most isn’t just what our students learn—it’s how they feel when they walk through our doors each day. Do they feel welcomed? Do they feel known? Do they feel like they matter?

When students feel safe, valued, and connected, they’re willing to take risks, push through challenges, and grow in ways that go far beyond the classroom.

Thank you for helping us create a school where every student is seen, supported, and truly belongs. Let’s finish this year strong—together. 💛🖤

Hive Heart Volunteers 💛🖤

Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4–8) is coming up! We’d love help with snack donations or a 12-pack of drinks for our staff. If a few families each bring one item, we can cover the whole week!

We also need a few volunteers on Friday, May 8th to help supervise students in the gym.

If you can help, please reply here or text Dr. Paceley. Thank you for loving on our teachers!

🌟 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):

Miss Whitmer was nominated by Michelle Perry. She stated, "She is kind, and very helpful. She has helped my student, and family navigate this year with all the senior to do lists that need to be done. Thank you! "

Kouper Tubbs was nominated by Mrs. Kerbow. She stated, "Kouper has done a really good job at locking in and keeping up with the workload in all of his classes. I am really proud of his efforts!"

Sophie was nominated by Mrs. Kerbow. She stated, "Sophie provides really great responses on her assignments. They are well thought out and purposeful."

Sophie was nominated by Mrs. Kerbow. She stated, "Sophie has a quiet sense of humor that makes me laugh. She has really started to come out of her shell this semester in our classroom and when helping at the elementary school. "

Alyssa Fry was nominated anonymously. They stated, "I'm giving a gold star because she's kind, and she helps people no matter what, and never actively bullies or hurts anyones feelings."

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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 by grade level as of April 24, 2026:

6th grade: 96.87% 🔼

7th grade: 95.94% 🔽

8th grade: 97.78%🔽

9th grade: 96.04%🔼

10th grade: 94.81% 🔽

11th grade: 95.00% 🔼

12th grade: 95.15% 🔽

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!

• 04/27/26 - No School (Staff Workday)
• 04/30/26 - MISD Band Program Spring Concert (4-12)
• 05/01/26 - Bad Weather Day
• 05/01/26 - HS Regional Track Meet
• 05/07/26 - Band Banquet
• 05/09/26 - Grand March / Prom
• 05/11/26 - MHS Awards Night @ 6:00 p.m.
• 05/12/26 - FFA Banquet
• 05/14/26 - Athletic Banquet
• 05/15/26 - Senior Robing Ceremony @ 10 a.m.
• 05/17/26 - Baccalaureate @ Methodist church - 6 p.m.
• 05/21/26 - Last day of School
• 05/22/26 - Graduation