The Hive Happenings

I will be in Seattle, Washington next week to be with my mom, Linda. Some of you may remember that she has been walking a long cancer journey with multiple myeloma and recently underwent a stem cell transplant. I wanted to share an update so everyone has the same information.

She continues to fight hard, and we’re seeing some encouraging signs. Her medical team was able to remove one of the IVs supporting her blood pressure, and she’s holding steady with the remaining lines. She’s responding to voice commands — wiggling her toes and squeezing our hands — and her oxygen levels have stayed consistent. She has not had a fever, which is another positive sign, even though she still has a long road ahead.

My family and I are grateful for this hopeful news, and I appreciate you keeping her in your thoughts while I’m away.

If you need an administrator on campus, please do not hesitate to reach out to Coach Doughty or Coach Kerbow.

Even while I am gone, our teachers and staff are prepared and ready for Mock STAAR testing next week. Please take a moment to visit with your child about giving their best effort. These practice tests help our teachers understand exactly where students need support before the real STAAR in the spring.

If we want to move out of a “D” campus rating, it will take all of us working together — students giving their best, teachers using the data to guide instruction, and families encouraging their kids along the way. Your partnership truly makes a difference.

Welcome back from Thanksgiving break! It’s been so good to see our kids return with purpose and energy. This week, students have been getting to class on time, working hard, and showing real focus in their classrooms. We also had several students retaking their STAAR EOCs, and they approached those tests with determination and grit. The overall vibe on campus has been strong, and I’m proud of the way our students and staff stepped right back into the rhythm of learning.

I also want to personally invite everyone to our Jingle & Mingle Breakfast. It’s one of my favorite events of the season, and I’m looking forward to being there with you all. It will be such a bright way to close out the week when I return from Seattle, and I hope you’ll join us for good food, good company, and a little bit of holiday cheer.

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. 💛🖤

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.

Our Meridian Band students and NHS members are honored to partner with Wreaths Across America this year as we work to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach our children the value of freedom.

This year’s ceremony will take place on December 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Meridian Cemetery, with wreath placement immediately following. During the ceremony, volunteers will place wreaths on the graves of our veterans and speak each name aloud—an act of remembrance that keeps their legacy alive.

Our students are working hard to support this event, and we still need 10 more wreaths sponsored to honor every veteran resting at Meridian Cemetery.

You can order wreaths by clicking the button below. 👇👇

For any questions, please contact Daniel Yguerabide.

Thank you for supporting our kids, our community, and the veterans who gave so much for our freedom.

Dual Credit students, next week is finals, please make sure you are studying and paying attention to your grades. I will be in the library on Monday checking grades again so please make sure you are doing what you are supposed to.

Seniors that haven't completed a FAFSA need to get that done ASAP. For seniors that will be going straight to the workforce after high school and have no interest in college, come see me to fill out a FAFSA opt-out form.

Senior Parents if you have not signed up for my Remind I highly encourage you too. I post a lot of announcements and reminders on there for a variety of events pertaining to the seniors.

Seniors, please come by my office so I can take a picture of you to highlight your accomplishments, whether that be places you have been accepted to, if you are enlisting, or even entering the workforce. I want to put your picture on the bulletin board in the cafeteria and post them on Facebook. We want to display your future plans and celebrate your accomplishments!

Seniors, I have posted a few scholarships in the Senior Google Classroom. Go look at them and APPLY! Scholarships=FREE MONEY that you can use for college.

As we head into Mock STAAR testing next week, we’re leaning into this month’s value of Responsibility. These practice assessments give us a clear picture of how our students are growing and where we can support them before spring testing.

This week, we encourage families to have simple, encouraging conversations at home:

• Remind your child that effort matters.

• Talk about setting goals and taking pride in their work.

• Encourage good sleep, good breakfast, and a positive mindset.

• Celebrate progress — big or small.

When students know that home and school are cheering for them, they rise. Thank you for helping us teach the power of responsibility and for partnering with us to support every Yellow Jacket. Together, we can make next week a strong step forward.

**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!

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.

🌟 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):

Coach Sterling was nominated anonymously. They said, "He is always there and has something great to say. He wears alot of hats up here but he never quits. He keeps going and keeps motivating us to do great things. He is a great teacher and a great coach!"

Mr. Martinez was nominated anonymously. They said, "Mr. Martinez is doing a great job of tackling the challenges that this new year has brought for him. I appreciate his hard work!"

Lizette Paceley was nominated anonymously. They said, "Dr. Paceley is always bringing new ideas to the table to try to make our campus and students shine bright."

Karla was nominated anonymously. They said, "Karla comes to class every day eager to learn. She is a role model for other students on what being a Yellowjacket is really all about!"

Shae was nominated anonymously. They said, "Shae is a very bright student who pushes herself and others to new heights each day."

Addy was nominated anonymously. They said, "Addyson has been fantastic to have in the classroom this year. She is very dedicated to her education and models what a Yellowjacket should look like!"

Noah was nominated anonymously. They said, "Noah shows exceptional dedication to his studies and never hesitates to seek additional support when faced with a challenge. His willingness to go above and beyond reflects both maturity and a strong desire to learn."

Afton was nominated anonymously. They said, "Afton consistently goes the extra mile to master the material, even choosing to work on assignments during extended school breaks. Her determination to fully understand every concept sets her apart as a truly committed learner."

Landry was nominated anonymously. They said, "Landry carries such a bright light with her every time she comes to school. She greets everyone with a smile and shares a positive light with all of her peers!"

Abigail was nominated anonymously. They said, "Abigail is a very responsible student who ensures she does not get behind on her work whenever she is out. She is dedicated to representing Meridian ISD well in the various activities that she is involved in. "

Anthony was nominated anonymously. They said, "Anthony is a remarkable student that I have thoroughly enjoyed having in class! He is committed to his learning and is a wonderful peer tutor for his peers!"

Landyn was nominated anonymously. They said, "Landyn has been working extremely hard on his work this 6 weeks. He is a wonderful peer tutor to his peers and does not just give them the answer!"

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

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 November 21, 2025:

6th grade: 97% 🔼

7th grade: 97.03% 🔽

8th grade: 98.22%🔽

9th grade: 96.47%🔽

10th grade: 96.03% 🔽

11th grade: 95.50% 🔽

12th grade: 96.44% 🔽

**Note: Letters were sent home last Friday for absences and tardies! Call the front office for more information.

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!

• 12/06/25 - HS Boys Basketball @ Round Rock
• 12/06/25 - Meridian Christmas Parade
• 12/08/25 - JH Girls Basketball vs Crawford
• 12/08/25 - JH Boys Basketball @ Crawford
• 12/09/25 - JH Academic UIL
• 12/09/25 - HS Girls Basketball vs Gordon/Axtell
• 12/09/25 - HS Boys Basketball vs Cransfill Gap
• 12/11/25 - MES Christmas Program
• 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