Jaguar Journal 9/13/24
#FAMILY
Dear Merrill #FAMILY,
We know that this week has been filled with a lot of emotions and frightening information. We appreciate the care and concern you all consistently show.
We fully understand the gravity and seriousness of any incident that implicates our children and school safety.
Please know that the Merrill specific incident was FULLY investigated. Beyond what was already shared with the community, we can only add that this is all being created through further rumors and absolutely no credible source/facts/evidence/plausibility/etc. There was not a picture of a weapon for our Merrill incident this week.
We can assure you that there is nothing planned for Monday. The Monday rumor was started by one Merrill student and has only spiraled from there. For peace of mind in the community and out of an abundance of caution, we have requested additional security be present on Monday.
This has been a truly devastating situation where inappropriate social media use, words and rumors have spread causing harm and fear. One ask Merrill has is to remember and model focusing on facts, not the end result of over 80 students creating or hearing their own version of something. I ask that we remind students to ALWAYS report anything to adults and utilize Safe2Tell. These are the only ways we can ensure incidents are fully investigated and resolved. Perhaps reassuring our children that they are safe and part of a wonderful, caring, and supportive community could help in regulating the high state of emotions.
We look forward to resolving this as a community as soon as possible and we are so grateful each of our families and students. Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Merrill Leadership
Upcoming Dates!
9/24/24 - PTSA Meeting @ Campus Lounge 6pm
9/27/24 - No School
10/8/24 - In Person Conferences (Sign Up Genius to come)
10/9/24 - Virtual Conferences (Sign Up to come)
10/10-10/14/24 - Fall Break No School
10/18 - Fall Dance
Cool Classroom!
7th Grade Science!
Students in 7th grade science took their learning out of the classroom to collect data for the lab investigation 'Data Toss'! After choosing an independent variable with their group members, each class then tested their hypothesis, gathered data and used a conclusion to determine if their predictions were accurate. 'Hands-on' learning is the best - especially with scientific testing devices flying around!
Merrill Athletics
Hello Merrill Community,
Starting today @ 12pm our Girls and Boys Flag Football registration will open. Registration will close on Friday October 4th.
Please remember an updated physical must be uploaded as well as the $35 fee in order to complete the registration process.
Tryout dates will be released closer to the start of the season.
Games will begin the week of October 21st.
Thanks
Mr. Franklin
From the PTSA!
Calling All Baseball Fans!! Join Us at Coors Field and Support Merrill!
Take me out to the ballgame! It’s Fundraiser Weekend at Coors Field! Sept. 13, 14, 15
Rockies vs Cubs!
Discounted tickets available and with active participation, a portion of sales come back
to Merrill! Get your tickets today!
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:
ï‚· Teacher/Department Grants
ï‚· After School Clubs
ï‚· Student Council
ï‚· Merrill Store
ï‚· Field Trips/Grade Level Celebrations
ï‚· Grant Writing
ï‚· Teacher Appreciation
ï‚· Merrill Spirit Gear
ï‚· International Festival
ï‚· Attendance Reward Parties
ï‚· Families Helping Families & Merrill Meals
ï‚· Dads at Merrill (DAM)
ï‚· Monthly Dine-Out Socials & Grocery Shopping Fundraisers
ï‚· Fundraising for all of the above!
ï‚· If the PTSA can help with anything to guide you through middle school, please
reach out to ptsamerrillmiddleschool@gmail.com
Introducing your Merrill 24-25 PTSA Board
President: Mark Smiley
Co-VPs: Kathleen Chambers/Joanna Shear
Treasurer: Natalie Nove
Secretary: Anastasia Glennie
Communications: Alison Roberts
Upcoming PTSA Meetings
Come hear about the exciting things Merrill has planned this fall!!
September 24 @ 6pm – Campus Lounge
October 22 @ 6pm – Merrill Library
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
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!
Upcoming Dine Out! Reivers October 8!
Be sure to mention you are dining out for Merrill when you place your order!
Upcoming Dine Outs – Details to Come!
October 8 @ Reivers
November 13 @ Beau Jo’s Pizza DU
December 10 @ Raising Cane's - Colorado Blvd 3:00 - 9:00
April 29 @ Campus Lounge - 4:00-10:00
Happening at Merrill!
Families Helping Families
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
Are you interested in volunteering with Merrill Families Helping Families and the Merrill food pantry? The Fall signup is now open to help with the monthly backpack distributions. Currently our biggest need is on the first Friday afternoons packing the bags and distributing the backpacks. Spring volunteer dates will go out toward the end of 2024. Don't see a time that works for you, but interested in helping? Email sgrisinger77@gmail.com to be on the email list.
From the Library!
Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15-October 15 focusing on recognizing the history, culture, and achievements of Hispanic Americans in the United States. Students and families can see the Hispanic Heritage Month collection on the DPS Sora collections page.
MERRILL STORE!
Next Merrill Store -9/20/24!
Next Merrill Store 9/20/24! 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!
The 6th graders were so excited for the Merrill store!!!
Merrill Clubs! Start Monday, September 9!
Club Offerings 24-25
Destination Imagination!
Destination Imagination Information Meeting
Could your student use a creative outlet to learn problem-solving, self-confidence, project management, critical thinking, team work, and risk taking skills? Come learn more about student led projects at Destination Imagination at Merrill!
When: Wed, Oct 2 from 4-5:30
Where: Merrill Room 105
Who: Interested students AND their parents
Contact Erica Ecklund (ericadeckl@yahoo.com) or Jessica Meehan (radishditeam@gmail.com) with any questions!
Secret Staff Spirit Day!
Monochromatic Day!
Around the Community!
South High School Homecoming Parade!
Please join us as we celebrate school spirit with the 4th annual
South High School Homecoming Parade!
Wednesday, Sept 18: 4:45pm
Join along the route to support athletics, clubs, Homecoming Court and more!
Future Ravens Jr. Cheer Camp
We are delighted to have your child join the Denver South Cheerleading Youth Camp! Please fill out this form accurately to ensure a smooth registration process. Camp Dates: September 24th & 25th | 4 pm - 5:30 pm at South High School Game Day: September 26th| Arrival Time at 3:30 pm | All City Stadium Camp Price: $100 per child | Early Registration: $70 What's Included: Future Raven Cheerleader T-shirt, Pom poms, Bows, one-on-one cheer coaching, cheering during the football game, and a gift bag. For any questions or concerns, please contact the Head Coach, Shaniyah, at shaniyah.sullivan@denversouthcheer.com. We look forward to seeing your child at camp!
Here is the Link to sign up!
Free Design Workshop! Design Like a Girl!
DPS is bringing back the Design Like A Girl Workshop Series. Through three immersive full day workshops, participants will team up with female professionals and students in architecture, engineering, and landscape architecture; diving into hands-on activities like sketching, model building, and site visits. We need your help recruiting 6th-8th grade girls that are passionate about design to help fill 20 exclusive spots for this FREE program. The workshops take place on 3 Fridays when DPS does not have school.
Link HERE
Have you Heard About My Spark?!? $1,000 to enroll in After School Activities!!!
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.
Low cost home internet from Xfinity
Xfinity offers packages on home internet ($9.95 or $29.95) to qualified households. Please see the flyer for more information.