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Merrill Minute

August 1, 2024

Merrill MinuteAugust 1, 2024

Welcome!

Greetings, Mustang Families,


The 2024-2025 school year is just around the corner and we are looking forward to welcoming approximately 685 Merrill Mustangs on Monday, August 26 for the first day of school! Our mission at Merrill is “to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful, liberated world." While at Merrill students will forge new friendships, navigate and engage in rigorous coursework, participate in clubs and activities after school, and ultimately become more independent learners and young adults before they leave us and head off to high school.


Mustang Launch:

We have several events planned to support students and families in the transition from summer mode to school mode. Mark your calendars for the events below.


  • Infinite Campus Portal: Schedules will be made available for viewing on the Infinite Campus Portal at the end of the day on Monday, August 12. Students and families may log in and view student schedules and begin to become familiar with the flow of the day. Classroom numbers in the 100s are downstairs and classroom numbers in the 200s are upstairs.


  • Back 2 School Night: Back 2 School Night is scheduled for Thursday, August 22 from 2:00-4:00 PM. Students and families may stop by Merrill to walk the building and become familiar with classroom locations, meet teachers, drop off any bulk school supplies, and visit with staff regarding any unanswered questions.


  • 1st Day: The first day of school is Monday, August 26. On the first day, and continuing into early September, we will focus on getting to know students, building community, helping students navigate the Merrill campus (lockers, lunch, schedules, etc.), and supporting students emotionally and academically as they return to school.


You can do this!

Some students are excited and ready for the new adventures of middle school and a new year, while others are anxious and intimidated. Most students are a little of both. We are here to help you navigate all of the emotions, learning, and logistics of middle school. Please don't hesitate to reach out. Welcome to Merrill!


Yours in making '24-'25 the best school year yet,


Kate

Kathryn Panek

Merrill Middle School, Principal

kathryn.panek@dmschools.org

Top 5 Tips from Former Merrill Students

#1 Get Involved

We encourage all students to join a before or after-school club or activity. Each year we offer upwards of 30 different clubs for students to participate in including Battle of the Books, soccer, Best Buddies, Drama, Mustang TV, Minecraft, Gardening Club, All the People All the Time (APAT), and Girls Voices, to name just a few. Clubs and activities provide students opportunities to try new things, meet new friends, and engage more deeply with our school community.

#2 Speak Up

Encourage your student to speak up and share both celebrations from the day, as well as any concerns or questions they might have. We want to know how students are feeling. Students can talk to a teacher or administrator, email a staff member, or tell a family member who can then call the school. We want to hear from you and work with your student as they navigate middle school.

#3 Technology

At Merrill cell phones are required to be off and put away during class. For some students, this is a difficult transition. All students will be issued a laptop computer to access 21st-century learning tools and inquire into the endless sources of information available at their fingertips. Now is the time to have conversations at home about screen time, when electronic devices are helpful, and how to recognize when devices become items that students are passively gazing at.

#4 Practice

August is the time to practice the routines that will come in handy during the school year. Students should practice sustaining an enjoyable activity for approximately 50-60 minutes, which is the length of a class period. Have students select an activity from a menu of options such as reading a book from the public library, building something out of materials, listening to a podcast and sharing the highlights with you, or inquiring into a social issue and writing about it.

#4 Practice Continued

August is also the time to determine a reasonable bedtime and wake time for students that will be routine during the school year. The more accustomed students are to this schedule before school starts, the better. Children aged 6-12 should regularly sleep 9-12 hours, while teenagers should regularly sleep 8-10 hours.

#5 Give it Time

Middle school is a big jump from elementary. Students transition from just a few teachers to having 7-8 teachers throughout the day. Many students will learn to navigate a new building that is 2-3 times larger than their elementary building. New friendships don't always develop overnight, but we encourage students to get involved, speak up, practice healthy habits, and use technology as a powerful learning tool. Over time, students will settle into the learning community and be the next experts to offer advice to our new group of Mustangs.

Back 2 School Night

What should students bring each day?

Water Bottles

We encourage all students to bring a water bottle. Water bottle refilling stations, as well as drinking fountains, are located throughout the building. To limit the time students are out of class, please be sure your student has a water bottle.

Technology

All students will be issued a laptop or tablet this fall. We will devote time during the first few days to distribute technology, demonstrate to students how to log in and operate the technology, and to practice using the technology as a learning tool.

Backpacks

Students may carry a backpack to and from school. We will issue each student a locker to share with one other student. Teachers will continue to provide time for students to practice opening their lockers until they feel confident to open them independently. Backpacks need to be stored in the locker.

PROUD to be a Mustang!

Merrill Mustang Building-Wide Expectations

Our mission at Merrill is to create a better and more peaceful, liberated world. In doing so we partner with students to establish a culture that supports improving social, emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes for all students.


Students are introduced to our building-wide expectations, PROUD to be a Mustang, during the first few days of school where we converse, teach, and provide students time to practice the expectations listed below in the hallways, restrooms, buses, cafeteria, and recess area. PROUD to be a Mustang is an acronym for being PREPARED, being RESPECTFUL, taking OWNERSHIP, being UNDERSTANDING, and DREAMING big. We will continue to strengthen our learning community throughout the year and celebrate student success! We are PROUD to be a Mustang!

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

Day In The Life of a Merrill Student

  • 8:10 A.M. Doors Open Doors will open at Merrill at 8:10 each day. Students may head to the cafeteria for breakfast or to the gym where they are welcome to sit in the bleachers and socialize with friends.


  • 8:30 A.M.1st Period Begins Students will engage in six courses, plus an advisory/Mustang Minutes, throughout the day. Core classes (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies) are approximately 60-minutes in length, and Extended core classes (Spanish, Business, Health, Art, PE, Choir/Band/Orchestra) are 45-minutes in length. At the end of each class period, students will head out the door to their next class. Most classes are located near each other. Staff members will be available in the hallways to help students find their way.


  • Lunch: We have split students into two, 30-minute sections of lunch per grade level. This reduces the number of students in the cafeteria at any given time and promotes a more enjoyable and relaxing lunch experience. Teachers will help students navigate which lunch students have been assigned, and it is also listed on student schedules. When students are finished eating, we do encourage them to go outside to get some fresh air.


  • Mustang Minutes: Mustang Minutes, more traditionally referred to as homeroom or advisory, is used to provide additional academic, social, and emotional support for students.


  • 3:25 P.M. Dismissal All students are dismissed at 3:25.


  • 3:35 P.M. After School All students not participating in a club or activity need to exit the building by 3:35. Families who need an after-school option may click here to learn more about our partnership with the Boys and Girls Club or here to learn more about Wilkie House.

Merrill Links of Interest

Conferences

While conferences have traditionally been an "event", they are not always timely. So, please don't hesitate to give us a call when you have a question or concern, and we promise to do the same. Conferences for the '24-'25 school year are scheduled for October 9 from 12:00 PM - 7:45 PM, February 10 from 3:45 PM - 7:45 PM, and February 11 from 12:00 PM - 3:45 PM.

Opportunities to Join the Team!

Volunteers

Merrill has a goal of engaging 100% of our students in a club or activity. We are always looking for volunteers to facilitate after school clubs and activities. If there are other clubs you or your student would like to start, please reach out to martin.luft@dmschools.org. We will have numerous volunteer opportunities throughout the school year. Thank you!

Guest Teachers, Associates, and Nurses

We continue to need guest (substitute) teachers, associates, and nurses. If you are interested in learning more, please contact substitutecenter@dmschools.org or call 515-242-8100. Thank you!

DMPS - Join the Team!

With nearly 31,000 students, 5,000 teachers, and 63 schools throughout our city, DMPS has a wide variety of career opportunities for you. Click here to see a list of current openings, as well as an overview of salaries and benefits. Come join the team!

Transportation Eligibility

Middle school students must live more than 2.0 miles from Merrill to qualify for transportation. (6th Grade Families: Elementary students are eligible at 1.5 miles. If you live 1.5-2.0 miles from Merrill, this could impact your eligibility for transportation.) There are a few exceptions. For more information, please click here.

Attention 7th Grade Families!

The Iowa Department of Public Health requires all students in Iowa entering 7th grade to have a Meningitis and Tdap (whooping cough) vaccine. The vaccinations need to be completed by August 23rd to start school on August 26th. Please email an updated vaccination record to Merrill (kelli.luft@dmschools.org). Do you have an appointment set up for your child yet? Is there anything I can do to help you?" If families do not have a medical home, they can call Polk County Health Department at (515) 286-3798.

Online Registration

The annual online registration for the '24-'25 school year is open. Families should have received a unique link to register in the parent portal account on Infinite Campus. Click on the link to verify the information and upload relevant documents. For help navigating online registration, click here. If you do not have a parent portal account through Infinite Campus, please contact the Merrill Office Manager, Brooke Austin, for information and assistance by calling (515) 242-8448.

Boys & Girls Club: After School Programming

The Boys & Girls Club (Drake University location) offers a wide range of programming to support academic success, character and leadership development, and healthy lifestyles for Des Moines area youth. After-school programming information will be available soon. For more information, please click here or contact:


Abby Block

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa

Gregory & Suzie Glazer Burt Club

2500 Forest Ave I Des Moines, IA 50310

o. 515-271-4569

kablock@bgcci.org l www.bgcci.org l find us on Facebook

Willkie House: After School Programming

The Willkie House offers child care services to children ages 5-12 (must at least be in kindergarten) Monday through Friday 2:40 PM to 6:00 PM when school is in session. The middle school program is free.

We currently serve the following schools:

  • Elementary Schools - Edmunds, Walnut Street, Perkins, Hubbell, Samuelson, and Downtown School

  • Middle Schools - Callanan, Merrill, and Meredith

For more information, please click here.

Meet the Merrill Support Team

Brooke Austin: Office Manager

brooke.austin@dmschools.org

Kathryn Panek: Principal

kathryn.panek@dmschools.org

Patricia Combs: Attendance/Office Associate

patricia.combs@dmschools.org

Danielle Taylor: Associate Principal

danielle.taylor@dmschools.org

Ryan Daugherty: Associate Principal

ryan.daugherty@dmschools.org

Martin Luft: Student Engagement Coordinator

martin.luft@dmschools.org

Kimber Foshe: School Counselor

kimber.foshe@dmschools.org

If your student's last name begins with A-K, please contact Kimber Foshe (School Counselor) with questions.

Emma Althaus: School Counselor

emma.althaus@dmschools.org

If your student's last name begins with L-Z, please contact Emma Althaus (School Counselor) with questions.

Paige Dahms: Behavior Interventionist

paige.dahms@dmschools.org

Kelli Luft: Nurse

kelli.luft@dmschools.org

Media Specialist Carrie Kent

carrie.kent@dmschools.org

Community School Coordinator: Simone Freeman

simone.freeman@dmschools.org

Andrew Pavelka: Success Case Manager

andrew.pavelka@dmschools.org

Katie Pilcher: Advanced Learning Program

kathryn.pilcher@dmschools.org

Channtha Vann: Building Chief

channtha.vann@dmschools.org

James Turner: Restoration Safety Coordinator

james.turner@dmschools.org

Rakim Tullis: Campus Monitor

rakim.tullis@dmschools.org

Adam Hulten: Campus Monitor

adam.hulten@dmschools.org

Join Us for One Run in Support of Merrill

Lace-up your shoes, put on your navy and white, and hit the streets of Des Moines in support of Merrill Middle School! OneRun is a district-wide fundraising event for the Des Moines Public Schools Foundation, in support of K-8 schools at DMPS...and it is free! This two-mile fun run/fundraiser is set for Saturday, September 21 at Water Works Park!


Registration will be paid by corporate sponsors directly to the schools. Each participant may designate one school. The more participants, the more money for our school, so invite your family and neighbors to register! Please be sure to designate Merrill Middle School as your home school when registering! Click here to learn more about the event and to register online.

DMPS '24 - '25 School Calendar

Kathryn Panek
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