Jaguar Journal 11/15/24
#FAMILY
Dear Families,
Thank you for a wonderful week with our students! This upcoming Wednesday, all our 8th graders will be attending DPS Career Fair, which a variety of careers, colleges, and high schools will be present. This is an excellent opportunity to discuss with your student their preferences for high school. Please consider using some of the questions below to guide your conversation.
- What type of academic environment do you want?
- Are there any specific subjects or programs you're interested in?
- Do you prefer a school where you already know some people, or are you excited to meet new students?
- Would you prefer to attend a larger school with more options and resources, or a smaller school where you might get more personalized attention?
- How do you think this school will help you prepare for your future career or college?
- What kinds of extracurricular activities or sports are important to you?
- What would make you feel most excited about a school?
Additionally, we celebrated a successful band concert and the fall play, showcasing our students' hard work and talent. Way to go Jaguars!
As a reminder, there will be no school this Friday, and we will have a week off for Thanksgiving break.
Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Merrill Leadership
Upcoming Dates!
11/19/24 - PTSA Meeting @Goosetown Tavern 6:30PM
11/20/24- Rescheduled South High School 8th Grade Showcase 5:30-8PM
*** please bring your extra Halloween candy for the Merrill Store!!
Quarterly Contract Reminders
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)
Merrill Athletics
Boys and Girls Flag Football teams are doing amazing! Thank you, families, for the continued support.
Cool Classroom!
BSA (Black Student Alliance)with Ms. Gelinas
The Black Student Alliance got to participate at the African American Young Ladies Summit. These ladies got to engage with other high schools & middle school’s by having multiple meaningful conversations, participating in workshops, and career fairs. A highlight was the friendships they created with other African American Young Ladies, as they explored different careers options based off of their personality & strength tests. They also engaged with a panel of strong leaders within our community, & had the opportunity to create an action plan for a problem they want to change within their community. These young ladies are truly incredible & leaned into considering how they can be leaders.
From the PTSA!
Merrill Families! We’ve raised $32,743. Way to go!
We still have a way to go to reach $77,777 by winter break.
Give today and help us reach our goal.
Donate here!!! 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
Join Us for Our Next PTSA Meeting!!
Tuesday, November 19 th at Goosetown Tavern!
Hey Merrill Families!
Thanks for signing up to join this year’s Merrill PTSA.
While we love to have you sign up for committees, help with fundraising
and assist with on-site events for our kids, we would also just like to get to
know you!
Come join us for a drink and/or bite to eat and find out what’s going on with
the PTSA at the:
GOOSETOWN TAVERN
3242 E. COLFAX AVE.
DENVER, CO 80206
November 19 th at 6:30pm
See ya there!
(We will be in the back room!)
Special Thanks to Gwen Campbell, Merrill Parent & Owner of the
Goosetown Tavern
https://goosetowntavern.com/about-us/
https://goosetowntavern.com/menu/
https://www.facebook.com/goosetowntaverndenvercolorado
Upcoming PTSA Meetings
December 10 @ 6pm – Junction Food Hall
Thanks to all who came out to Beau Jo’s to support Merrill!!
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 Outs!
December 10 @ Raising Cane's - Colorado Blvd 3:00 - 9:00
April 29 @ Campus Lounge - 4:00-10:00
Gift Card Drive!
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!
Happening at Merrill!
From the Library!
November 13th-19th is Transgender Awareness Week. Here are some book recommendations that can be found on SORA.
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
MERRILL STORE!
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!
Merrill Clubs!
Club Offerings 24-25
Around the Community!
South High School Raven Rally!
South's annual fundraiser is coming up next week! Whether you have a student at South or will have one there soon- check it out!
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.