Dear Merrill Families,

As we approach the last week of the semester, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful support and community we have experienced this year.

Please remember that all student work is due by December 17th, allowing teachers time to grade before the winter break. We encourage you to discuss grades with your students this weekend and assist them with any missing assignments.

We also want to thank all the families who contributed to our giving tree. We are pleased to share that all ornaments have been picked up for our Merrill students.

Looking ahead, we have exciting celebrations planned for Quarter 2 when we return from winter break:

• 7th Grade: January 10th at Sky Zone

• 8th Grade: January 14th at Skate City

• 6th Grade: January 15th at Skate City

As temperatures drop in the second semester, please ensure your student is wearing appropriate winter clothing, as we will be outside as much as possible during lunch and recess.

Wishing you all a happy winter break from December 22nd to January 6th. Students will return to Merrill on January 7th.

Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Merrill Leadership

12/17- Raising Cane's Dine Out! 3-9pm! 1190 S Colorado Blvd

** mention Merrill!!**

Winter Break- 12/23/24-1/6/25. Students back 1/7/25!

We love our #FAMILY!!! All of the ornaments have been taken from the Giving Tree! Thank you to everyone who sponsored a student/family! Please return wrapped gifts to the main office 12/16/24 with the ornament attached. Gift will be distributed 12/18/24.

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up!

The PTSA is hosting a Teacher Appreciation Breakfast on Wednesday, December 18. Please review the link to sign up for available slots to donate items for the breakfast and/or volunteer to assist with set up on the morning of Dec 18th. Thank you Merrill #Family!

Merrill Teacher Appreciation Breakfast

Girls Volleyball Tryout Info:

12/16- 6th grade tryout 7:30am-8:30am

12/16- 7th grade tryout 4pm-5pm

12/17- 8th grade 7:30-8:30am

Call backs 12/17 4-5:30pm

12/17 and 12/18- Boys Volleyball Tryouts 4-5:15 in the North Gym (C3 gym)

Thanks

Mr. Franklin

Animal Onsies!

Students in Ms. Wang’s and Ms. Tennyson’s classrooms were able to experience several different places all in the comfort of their classroom through the use of virtual reality!

Spring Auction Kickoff Meeting!

Thursday, January 9 th – Details to come!

Come join a great group of people to help plan Merrill’s biggest party and fundraiser of the year!

Upcoming Dine Outs - Remember to Mention Merrill When Ordering!

December 17 from 3pm-9pm at Raising Cane’s

January 15 from 4pm-11pm at Goosetown Tavern

February 6 all evening at Postino at 9 th

March 10 all day at Ester’s

April 29 from 4pm-10pm at Campus Lounge

Dads at Merrill (D@M)

The rumors are over!

Dad Band IS returning again next year to help Merrill raise money for its teachers and staff.

On January 15, in addition to what will be a Merrill Dine Out night at Goosetown Tavern, 3242 E Colfax Ave, Dad Band will be performing a mix of new modern faves to the classics from past decades.

Performance time: approximately 6:00pm to 9:00pm.

Dads at Merrill (D@M)

Are you a Dad reading this?

Connect with other Jaguar Dads by emailing john.hesse@me.com

Click to gear up your Jaguar with 20% off code: SAVE20

Quick links to support Merrill:

Donate your Longmont Dairy Caps

in the Merrill Office

Longmont Dairy supports Merrill by

giving 5¢ back for every milk cap!

Start collecting and tell your neighbors

that Merrill is a drop off location for

Longmont Dairy milk & juice caps!

Enroll Merrill as your Community

Rewards Recipient under My Account!

Greetings #FAMILY! Merrill Meals pantry provides free groceries once a month to Merrill families that would like to receive extra food. We understand that everyone could use some support from time to time, and we are here to help.

If you would like to receive extra groceries one-time per month, please complete this private and anonymous survey, so we can provide the food items that your family likes to eat and match your preferences. Please mark the items that you would like to have potentially included in your pre-packed backpack.

***NOTE: Not all items are available, but we will match your request with whatever is in stock! Thank you.

Form can be found HERE

The Merrill Store is designed to promote positive behavior and encourages students to make good choices. They earn Merrill Money throughout their time at school and use it to "purchase" items at the store during their recess. Items include snacks, chips, candy, sports equipment, Merrill gear, fidgets, toys, stickers and most importantly- gift cards! Please see the Sign Up Genius below to sign up to donate items and to volunteer at the store. It's so fun seeing your student during the school day! We will have the store open 2 Fridays a month and hope to see you there!

MerrillStoreSUG

The Jaguar: A Symbol of our School Spirit

Have you ever wondered why the jaguar is the mascot of Merrill? The story is a remarkable journey that blends community spirit, youthful enthusiasm, and a connection to the Denver Zoo's history. Here's how it all came to be, pieced together from undated newspaper clippings found in Merrill’s history box.

The Beginnings: Denver Zoo's Feline House

The tale begins in May 1964 when the Feline House was added to the City Park Zoo, now known as the Denver Zoo.

The Contest and Student Involvement

At the heart of this story is a contest that involved all 1,200 students at Merrill Junior High. The students were tasked with raising funds to expand the "Children’s Ranch" at the zoo. The winning team earned the privilege of suggesting an animal to be added to the zoo. Their choice? A 4-month-old jaguar, which soon became a beloved attraction, as seen in a heartwarming photo of the young jaguar with its playmate at six months old.

Continued Community Support

The community's involvement didn't stop there. In June 1965, relentless fundraising efforts led to the addition of a two-year-old jaguar to the zoo. Interestingly, the funds used for this purpose were initially raised for another cause but were redirected after being refunded. This decision reflects the community's deep commitment to both the zoo and the school's mascot.

The Jaguar Yearbook

Merrill Junior High opened its doors in 1953, and the first available yearbook dates back to 1958. Initially, these yearbooks had various themes, but a significant change occurred in 1968 when the yearbook was titled "Jaguar 68." This change marked the official adoption of the jaguar as the school's mascot, cementing its place in Merrill’s history. The 1968 Jaguar Yearbook even includes a picture capturing the spirit of that year.

Discover More About Merrill's Rich History

If you're intrigued by Merrill’s past and the story of the jaguar mascot, there's more to explore. A dedicated history page is now available on the Merrill website, where additional materials and treasures from the school’s history box are continually being added. This page offers a deeper dive into Merrill’s rich heritage and the stories that have shaped its identity.

The journey of Merrill's mascot is more than just a tale of a school symbol; it's a narrative of community, collaboration, and a shared love for wildlife. The jaguar stands as a testament to the enduring spirit and collective efforts of the Merrill community.

Club Offerings 24-25

School’s Out, but Tasty Food is IN!
Youth ages 3-18 can enjoy FREE meals and snacks during winter break, 12/23/24 – 1/3/25.

No ID or registration required!
Find a location near you: denvergov.org/tastyfood

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Register for the We Belong Social on Wednesday, Dec. 18! All DPS team members and their families are welcome. Join us any time between 4-7:30 p.m. at the North High School cafeteria to network, learn about the different Belong Groups, feast, play games and make meaningful connections!

This new pilot program will provide 4,000 eligible Denver Public Schools middle school students with $1,000 to enroll in afterschool programs. As students enroll in participating programs, My Spark Denver will also invest $4 million in afterschool activities.

My Spark Denver gives parents the agency to decide how they want to use the money, which is provided to them in the form of a restricted debit card that can be redeemed across 100+ afterschool providers, big and small. Every kid is different and what parents really need are the resources to help their children pursue their sparks, whether it's fencing, football or fashion design.