Primary Pride

We are used to the traffic in the halls, around the copier and laminator the week before school starts. The hum of all the teachers trying to get their rooms ready before the Meet the Teacher Nights and the excitement as our students walk in the building for the first time since they left for summer.

This year is different. Distance learning, Zoom meetings, SeeSaw, and Google Classroom have become our new vocabulary and our focus for our professional development this week.

Our teachers have put in an endless amount of time and effort to plan for this very different school year. Even though it is very different, we are positive and are embracing whatever this year brings. We will rise above this challenge.

Are we ready? YES, WE ARE!

Please enjoy these pics from our Zoom Primary meeting where we shared our words of encouragement for this year.

-- Melissa Reese, Primary Principal

School Supply Pick Up Friday, Aug. 7

This Friday, primary families will pick up school supplies for distance learning. This includes supplies from the school supply pack, workbooks and other materials from the classroom teachers, requested technology devices, and last year’s materials that weren’t picked up.

The pick up window is from 2 pm to 6 pm, with 15 minute windows according to your car tag number. Please read on for details, including a link to confirm your pick up time.

Supply Pick Up Details

Meet your Assistant Principals

I am so excited to be beginning another year at Meridian. I am the Assistant Principal over K, 2, 4 this year.

Although there are many unknowns facing us during this school year, please know that we are here for you and your family during this time of uncertainty.

We will all get through this together, and when we are able to all be together again, I know it will be a wonderful reunion!

Feel free to email or call me at any time with questions or concerns!

Ashley Larkey

(512) 814-2613 ext. 201

I am your new primary assistant principal and will be covering grades 1, 3 and 5. I bring over 18 years of experience in education from elementary to high school and began my career as a Math teacher in San Marcos, Texas.

Even though this is a year unlike any other, our students will receive the academic and mental support required to be successful in times like these.

Our daily schedule has set up your student for success in a next-generation digital learning environment. Your child’s teacher, administrator and counselor are here to support them. Please do not hesitate to reach out by email or phone.

I am very happy to be a part of this school family that believes in addressing the needs of the whole child and I look forward to working with each of you.

It is a great day to be a ‘Lion’.

Beverly Al-Tabatabaie

What is a Learning Coach? How can I be a better learning coach during distance learning?

The Learning Coach is the adult in the home who assists the student with completing their daily tasks. The amount of assistance depends on the student's grade level and the student's ability to complete work independently.

What is the role of a learning coach?

A learning coach is there to support a student when needed. This may include giving clarification when needed, giving guidance, and helping to reword something to aid in understanding. It is important that a learning coach allows the student to make mistakes and guides them to learn from those mistakes. When teachers indicate that something should be done independently, a learning coach steps back to allow work to truly reflect what the student knows. To build independence, a learning coach should be nearby to help when needed, but should not sit next to their student during the entire lesson.

How can you be prepared to help?

Become familiar with the learner platforms that your child will use. Videos to help with this will soon be posted on the distance learning page of the Meridian website.
Help to create a designated space for students to work and participate in Zoom calls, free of as many distractions as possible.
Help students maintain their daily schedule and check for completion of daily assignments.

Meeting Your Child's Teacher

Parents received an email on Monday informing them of their child’s teacher for this first part of distance learning. If you did not get an email, please check your “junk” mail.

Also, be on the lookout from the assigned teacher with information about our virtual one-on-one meet the teacher sessions and other information for the beginning of the year.

Last Chance for Technology Request Form and G Suite for Education Approval

Tomorrow, Aug. 5, is the deadline to request loaner devices for all grades (if needed) and to approve G Suite for Education for your 2nd-5th grader. Your approval is required before G Suite accounts can be created for students, which they will use beginning the first day of school.

Details and Consent Form

Vaccine Reminder to Parents of Rising Kindergartners and New Students

Your nursing staff needs verification of a complete vaccination record for every student before August 10, according to the CDC and Texas Department of Health requirements. This applies even if students are doing distance learning.

Thank you very much to everyone who has submitted their student's updated vaccination record! We appreciate everything you do to help us provide a safe and healthy environment for your student.

Email Immunization Records