Dear Merrill #FAMILY,

Happy November! This month will only have 3 short weeks of school. Please remember our upcoming break is from November 22nd-December 1st.

As we move forward, I want to emphasize the importance of attendance. Please ensure that your student arrives on time to school each day, as every moment in the classroom counts.

With colder temperatures approaching, please remember that students will be outside in the morning and during lunch for recess. Make sure your student is prepared for the weather to stay comfortable and enjoy their time outdoors.

I invite you to enjoy the November newsletters linked below for more updates and important information.

• 6th Grade
• 7th Grade
• 8th Grade
• Elective/Newcomer/SSP

PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR Tu Voz survey! We are currently at 27%, and have a goal of hearing from at least 50% of families.

We have our Fall Play The Play That Goes Wrong Friday, November 8th at 6:00pm (doors at 5:30) and Saturday, November 9th at 2:00pm (doors at 1:30). Tickets are $5.00. You can buy them at the door cash or card, or use My School Bucks under Play and you will show your emailed receipt at the door.

We also have our Fall Concert Wednesday, November 13th at 5:30pm.

Community Event Expectations: Please ensure your students understand that behavioral expectations are still in place outside of school hours (appropriate language, being seated, being quiet during the performance, etc.). Students that are not in the performance must leave campus and return when the event starts. Families and friends are present to support their student and enjoy the performance. Students and community members are asked to be respectful audience members.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Merrill Leadership

11/7/24 - Denver South Showcase Night @ Denver South HS 6-8PM

Fall Play- Fall Play "The Play That Went Wrong"

11/8/24 6PM

11/9/24 2PM

Tickets will be sold at the door. $5 general admission. Under 2 is free!

11/13/24- Merrill Dine Out at Beau Joes Pizza

11/13/24- Fall Concert 5:30PM

11/14/24- GW Showcase Night 5:30-7PM

*** please bring your extra Halloween candy for the Merrill Store!!

Please check in with your student to ensure they are following the Quarterly Contracts!

Here is a reminder of what is in the contracts:

ATTENDANCE (10/20/24 - 12/20/24)

• I can be prepared and organized for class by bringing my materials (charged chromebook, notebook, pencil, etc.)

• I can be on time for my classes and not have 3 or more tardies in a single class per quarter.}

• I take ownership of my learning by attending all assigned Office Hours/ Lunch Opportunities.

RESPECT FOR SELF AND OTHERS

• I am a responsible and respectful Merrill Jaguar by having no more than 1 OSS/ 2 ISS. If I have any OSS or ISS, I have reflected on my choices and changed my behavior.

• I demonstrate kindness and respect towards my peers and all adults within the building.

• I have reflected on my choices and changed my behavior after receiving a reflection sheet

PERFORMANCE

• I can be accountable for my learning and engaged in my classes by submitting assignments and having no more than 2 missing assignments per class. (Science/Social Studies combined)

Boys and Girls Flag Football teams are doing amazing! Thank you, families, for the continued support.

For any kids who did not make the team, refunds have been issued.

Music students took a trip to see the Colorado Symphony perform a student matinee all about Denver music and history!

Students in Mr. Stock's Integrated Math II class connected trigonometry to the real world by making clinometers out of protractors, string, weights, and straws. Using these clinometers, they were able to calculate the angle of elevation when viewing Merrill's building from certain points outside which they used to draw diagrams and calculate Merrill's height using the tangent ratio! These concepts can be applied in engineering, construction, and forestry and helped students see the connection between the classroom and the physical world

We are 30% of the way to our goal with almost $26k raised so far. A

HUGE thank you to those who have already donated! Let’s keep the

momentum going toward our goal of $77,777. There are close to 600

families at Merrill. We currently have participation from 74 families.

Imagine what we could do if 100% of our families gave!

Every dollar goes to support every student, and no donation amount

is too small!

Give today!!! fundrazr.com/merrillmovers2024

Our goal this year is to raise $77,777. Why all the 7's?

Because we are supporting the Seven Habits of a Highly Successful Merrill!

What are the 7 Habits and what programs do your donations support?

1. Excellence in Academics Funds support Department Grants,

Apps/Software, Teacher Development, Learning Materials, ELA, GT, Special Ed, Learning Interventionists, and Continued Curriculum for and Literature Updates for Novels and Lit Circles

2. Varied, High-Quality, Electives, Enrichments and Clubs Funds support Extra Electives in dance and drama, Materials and Supplies, 3rd Party providers, Club stipends for teachers

3. Upgrading and Improving our Facility and Learning Environment Funds support Furniture Upgrades,

Outside Garden, Outdoor Tables, Trees for Shade, Tech in the Building and Classrooms

4. Providing External Learning Experiences Funds support school wide excursions and Field Trips aligned with Units of Study

5. Implementing Technology and STEM Funds support Updating/Maintaining Classroom Technology, Chrome Books, STEM Lab Upgrades, etc.

6. Promoting Athletics, Wellness and Mental Health Funds support providing more athletic opportunities, equipment and uniforms, advisement wellness education support, and additional Mental Health staff

7. Creating Community Funds support events like the Student Dances, Quarterly Celebrations, Teacher

Appreciation, 8th Grade Continuation

PTSA Membership Drive!!

Click HERE Now!

Please help support your kiddo and the amazing teachers and staff at Merrill by joining

the PTSA. The PTSA extends funding to each classroom, teacher and program offered

at Merrill and we cannot do it without the Merrill parent community, plus you get a closer

look into your child's school with PTSA involvement! Here are the initiatives where the

PTSA provides support:

 Teacher/Department Grants

 After School Clubs

 Student Council

 Merrill Store

 Field Trips/Grade Level Celebrations

 Grant Writing

 Teacher Appreciation

 Merrill Spirit Gear

 International Festival

 Attendance Reward Parties

 Families Helping Families & Merrill Meals

 Dads at Merrill (DAM)

 Monthly Dine-Out Socials & Grocery Shopping Fundraisers

 Fundraising for all of the above!

 If the PTSA can help with anything to guide you through middle school, please

reach out to ptsamerrillmiddleschool@gmail.com

Upcoming PTSA Meetings

Come hear about the exciting things Merrill has planned this fall!!

November 19 @ 6pm – Merrill Library

December 10 @ 6pm – Junction Food Hall

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!

Jaguars Next Dine Out – Wednesday, November 13 th at Beau Jo’s DU

Join us on Wednesday, November 13th – Beau Jo’s will donate 20% the pre-tax sale to

Merrill!

December 10 @ Raising Cane's - Colorado Blvd 3:00 - 9:00

April 29 @ Campus Lounge - 4:00-10:00

The Families Helping Families Committee is collecting grocery gift cards to help Merrill families in need over the holidays. Please bring $25 Safeway or King Soopers gift cards to the Merrill front office by December 4th. Thank you!

November is National Native American Heritage Month. We celebrate the cultural wealth of achievements and contributions that all Native Americans have provided and continue to bring. Below are some book recommendations that can be found on Sora to help with appreciating the cultural importance of Native American people.

Please see the below sign ups for 5th Grade Shadows and Prospective Parent Tours! We can't wait to welcome future Jaguars to Shadow current 6th Grade Ambassadors! Contact Jordan Locklear with any questions! jordan_locklear@dpsk12.net

5thGradeShadows

ProspectiveParentTours

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

Club Offerings 24-25

Thank you for your interest in Denver South High School. We will have two showcase nights this school year. We encourage parents and students to attend one of the nights to find out more information about South! We will have rotations by alpha between our academics, arts, college readiness, and athletics and activities stations.

We will conclude the night with a panel consisting of our students, parents, and staff.

Showcase Dates
November 7th 6-8pm
January 28th 6-8pm

Below is an overview of the schedule.

8th Grade Showcase Night Overview
5:30pm – Doors Open
6:00 – Principal Welcome

Breakout Sessions by Alpha
6:15 – 6:30pm – First Rotation
6:35 – 6:50pm – Second Rotation
6:55 – 7:10pm – Third Rotation
7:15 – 7:30pm – Final Rotation

7:35 – 7:50pm – Q & A Panel
Parents will be in the auditorium
Students will be in the Main Gym

7:50 – 8:00pm – Tours (optional)
Hosted by JROTC

We are offering shadows for students only in 2024-25. During your shadow date, your student will be paired with a student ambassador with similar interests.

Shadows are scheduled Thursday afternoons at the following times:

• Thursdays – 12:30 – 2:00pm

Below is the schedule your student will follow during their time at South.

• 12:40pm – Begin in the South auditorium with a South Hype Video, Staff Introductions, and pair up with Ambassadors
• 1:15pm – 1:40pm – Building Tour and classroom visits
• 1:40 – 2:00 — End in the Cafeteria for small group Q&A and panel discussion
• 2:00 pick-up out front

Our First Semester seats are all FULL!! Second Semester will be posted NEXT WEEK! Hang Tight.

Please note that we cannot accommodate reserving seats for friends.

Prospective families are encouraged to attend one of our 8th Grade Showcase Nights.

Shadow Common Q&A
Shadow Tour Stops

Join us for our Future Patriots Showcase on Thursday, November 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Please arrive 15 minutes early for check-in. This event will provide an in-depth look at how we support our students' success both inside and outside the classroom. We’ll start in the George Washington High School Auditorium, followed by breakout sessions throughout the campus where you can explore specific topics and ask questions to our staff and student ambassadors. Registration link can be found here.

The Family Cultural Festival is a unique celebration that engages families and communities by promoting fun, learning, and meaningful connections. Taking place on Saturday, November 9th, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, this event celebrates multicultural diversity and provides resources to foster wellness and socioemotional growth.

The Families will have the opportunity to learn about restorative practices and take part in a welcoming environment focused on family well-being. Together, we aim to strengthen relationships within the Denver Public Schools (DPS) community and celebrate the cultural diversity that makes our district vibrant.

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.