― Franklin D. Roosevelt /
Principal’s Corner / April 11th
April 15th
Jaguar Families,
As you know, I have accepted the principalship of Northfield High School for the 2016-2017 school year. Northfield currently needs support with hiring, spring orientation/registration and 2016-2017 student scheduling. I will be leaving Merrill for the month of April to assist the Northfield team. I will return to Merrill full time the week of May 2nd. During my absence we will have additional district personnel serving as Principal, supporting our school. Ed Salem will be serving as Principal support the week of April 11th. As always, you can reach out to our leadership team, Ed, Brett Stringer, Courtney Wickham, Vince Franklin for any questions or concerns that you may have.
Thank you for your continued support of our students at staff at Merrill.
Amy Bringedahl; Principal / Events
No School
Monday, April 11th
Mark Your Calendar
April 18th @ 3:45
Boys Baseball Game
Location: Place / April 18th @ 3:45
Girls Soccer Game
Location: Place
April 20th 6:30-8:00
Principal Candidate Night
Location: Merrill / April 21th @ 6:15
PTSA Meeting
Location: Merrill
April 26th @ 3:45
Boys Baseball Game
Location: Merrill / April 26th @ 3:45
Girls Soccer Game
Location: Roberts
Principal Candidate Night
Please come to “Candidate Night”
On Wednesday, April 20th at 6:30 – 8:00PM
Our DPS Instructional Superintendent, Ms. Dori Claunch has been working with the Advisory Committee for Principal Selection to interview applicants. The top finalists will be introduced at this meeting and will have the opportunity to answer questions that have been submitted prior to the meeting. If you have a question that you would like both candidates to answer, please write it on a 3x5 card and stop by the Main Office to drop it off. At the meeting, Ms. Dori Claunch will introduce the candidates to the group, ask them to share a bit about themselves and then ask questions from the collected 3x5 cards. Staff/parents will have a comment sheet that they will turn in at the end of the evening. Remember, your voice matters! So please make sure to write down any questions that you have.
If you have any questions, please contact Parent Liaison Heba Nabhan at 720.424.0645 or .
Yearbook!!!We are extending our yearbook pre-orders. Please stop by to purchase a yearbook for $18, if your student has not done so. The yearbook team is so excited to show off all their hard work!
CMAS ScheduleOur students will be taking CMAS as we return from break. The purpose of the test is to formally assess how students can perform in regards to grade level Common Core Standards, as well as a measure of how our students are prepared in regards to college and career readiness. This is also an accountability measure to ensure that schools are adequately preparing students. We will receive the results in much more timely fashion this year. This will allow us to adjust school-wide instructional strategies at the beginning of the year. We are glad to say this is a much better set up than last year.
Below are the dates we will be testing. Students will take three assessments per day, so it is extremely important that they are well rested and at school on time. We appreciate your support!
6th Grade / 7th Grade / 8th GradeLiteracy and Math
April 5th and April 12th / Literacy and Math
April 6th and April 13th / Literacy and Math
April 7th and April 14th
Science
April, 19th, 20th and 21st (mornings)
School Satisfaction Survey
The School Satisfaction Survey window opens on Monday, April 4th. Your child will receive instructions, survey, and envelope from their Period 1 teacher on Monday. We want to hear every family's voice about strengths and areas of improvement, so please connect with your child after school on Monday to receive the survey. We appreciate your prompt response to this request. Our goal is to receive all surveys back by Friday, April 8th.
Parent Volunteers NeededParent Volunteers Needed for Wash Park Excursions April 12-14
Ms. Wickham and Mr. Franklin are coordinating excursions to Wash Park during our CMAS testing window. Students will have the opportunity to burn off some energy while collaborating with others in a bootcamp session and a special Merrill student edition of the Amazing Race Wash Park. Please see below for dates:
7th Grade: April 12th 8:30-11:30
8th Grade: April 13th 8:30-11:30
6th Grade: April 14th 10:30-1:30
If you can help escort students to/from park and/or help run activities in the park on any of the above days, please contact Courtney Wickham at
Free Bread!Panera Bread is providing Merrill with bread and pastries every Monday morning. Please feel free to stop by and grab some delicious baked goods. Special thanks to the Hands Up For Children Organization!
NO BREAD ON MONDAY, April 11th
Student RecognitionElla Fling and Caul William were the winners of the Colorado Youth Citizenship Award. This award is given to students who have demonstrated outstanding citizenship, respect, and loyalty in their school and community. Congratulations to the following Jaguars Ella and Caul!
After-School ProgramsAfter School Program Spring Updates:
Fitness Bootcamp is back! Students interested in body awareness and agility and strength training should join this Wednesday after school experience. Spring session of Fitness Bootcamp begins on Wednesday, April 6th--3:45 to 4:45.
Spoken Word is an opportunity for students to share their voice loud and proud with a community of writers/performers in and beyond the Merrill School community. Students will come together every Friday starting April 8th from 3:45 to 4:45 to write, share, revise, and perform their original pieces. High school students and local SLAM competitors will join sessions to provide expertise and inspiration.
PTSA NewsPTSA Meeting – Thu 4/21/16 – 6:15 in the library
Please join us for the next PTSA meeting. Agenda items to date:
- International Festival
- All In Celebration to support 2016-2017 Student Support Services
Merrill Community Fund – New Kiln
We did it! The Merrill Community rose over $2500 towards the new kiln for the Art Department. The PTSA will vote on 3/17 to procure the kiln and donate it to the school. We thank you for all your support to enrich our students.
There’s much more to do at Merrill. Can you contribute $5, $25, $100 to make this dream a reality? Every little bit helps. Your tax deductible donation will put the Merrill Community Fund on FIRE! Click here to make your donation.
Want to help out? We need volunteers!
Check out the upcoming events and what you can to do to support your kids.
Makin’ Copies! – everyday
Click here to help out…
Merrill PTSA Membership
Now that we are a PTSA, we are asking you to join us by becoming a member! Being a member of the Merrill PTSA will provide you a VOICE at Merrill and it’s just the RIGHT thing to do. We encourage you and your student to join the Merrill PTSA to help enrich the Merrill experience.
Parent/Community membership is $10 each
Student/Teacher memberships are $7
- Consider paying for a membership for a teacher….just a thought!
Click here to join us
Please direct PTSA questions to
Save the Date! International Celebration**SAVE THE DATE! **
Merrill International Celebration- ALL IN!
When: Friday, May 6th, 6 pm - 9 pm
Where: Cableland, the 19,500-square-foot mansion and official residence of the Mayor of Denver
We are so excited for the parents and staff to come together in celebration of Merrill’s dynamic community and culture, while raising funds to support our much needed social services. Featuring diverse international cuisine, music, and dancing along with some amazing raffle items, this is the beginning of a Merrill tradition, and we hope you are all a part of it!
If you would like to assist with donations (food, drink, raffle items, services), please contact Emily Brouillette at .
Mark your calendar and book the sitter! Together we can keep making amazing things happen for all of our kids.
Are you "ALL IN”?
Jewish Family ServicesThis school year, Jewish Family Service KidSuccess Program is partnering Merrill to provide school-based counseling services to Merrill students and their families.
The services provided promote a supportive school environment for students that will foster achievement, increase self-esteem, resiliency, personal responsibility and leadership. These services may consist of:
- Student Counseling and Family Counseling
- Group Facilitation
- Staff Consultation
- Parent Support
- Referral to Community Resources
Taekwondo
Our taekwondo instructor, LaRon Younger, is offering classes for both adults and students. Please visit his website You can also reach him at 720.249.6999 or with any questions.
Stay ConnectedDon’t miss out on what happens on a daily basis at Merrill. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram (MERRILL_JAGUARS) and twitter (@merrill_jaguars).
After School ClubsThe following after school clubs will resume the week of January 11th:
- Pokemon Club: Mondays in 213 (Ms. Zick)
- Gay-Straight Alliance: Tuesdays in 223 (Ms. Wucherpfennnig)
- Smart Boys: Wednesdays in Library (Mr. Eustis)
- Video Gaming Club: Wednesdays in 116 (Mr. Thomas)
- Book Club: Wednesdays in 209 (Ms. Welsh)
- Smart Girls: Thursdays in 101 (Ms. Wickham)
- Yearbook Club: Thursdays in 103 (Ms. Nabhan)
- Anime Club: Thursdays in 220 (Ms. Begovic and Mr. Patterson)
Your child can still join any of the above clubs. Please have him or her reach out to the club sponsor. Other after school programs will begin in March. Please reach out to Courtney Wickham at with any ideas or suggestions for other after school offerings.
Student Drop-Off and Pick-UpStudents may arrive at school as early as 7:30 AM, and should be dropped off on Iowa, which is on the south side of the building. Students will walk from Iowa to our blacktop, where all students line up in the morning for school.
Students may be picked up in front of the school on Monroe at 3:35 PM. Please note that C3 parents are picking their students up on Monroe starting at 2:45. The parking lots on the north side (off Florida) and south side (off Iowa) are for staff only. Please do not use it to park. Thank you.
Because we do not have supervision after 3:50, students MUST be picked up no later than 3:50 every afternoon. Thank you for your support.
Also, please park along the sidewalk. FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN, NO DOUBLE PARKING.
What’s Up at the High Schools?Each week we will highlight events happening at our surrounding high schools. We encourage our families and students to get out and support our community!
Shadowing and Touring: CLICK HERE to schedule a shadowing experience at South!
Shadowing and Touring: CLICK HERE to schedule a shadowing experience at Thomas Jefferson High School!
Sports ScheduleApril 18th @ 3:45
Boys Baseball Game
Location: Place / April 18th @ 3:45
Girls Soccer Game
Location: Place
April 26th @ 3:45
Boys Baseball Game
Location: Merrill / April 26th @ 3:45
Girls Soccer Game
Location: Roberts
May 2nd @ 3:45
Boys Baseball Game
Location: Merrill / May 2nd @ 3:45
Girls Soccer Game
Location: Slavens
May 9th Playoffs Begin
Boys Baseball / May 9th Playoffs Begin
Girls Basketball
Floor Hockey Updates
The Merrill Jaguars Floor Hockey Team (Team 2) played against Hill MS this past Wednesday. Our Jaguars performed admirably, defeating Hill by a score of 17 - 0 in our first playoff game. Several players contributed to our score including John Larchenko (7 goals), William Fleet (2 goals, 1 save), Marcus Stokes (2 goals), Grayson Shearer (0 goals against), Sonny DuBart (0 goals against), Violet LeTendre (3 assists), Joe Compton (2 assists, 1 goal), Alex Larchenko (2 goals), Ben McManus, (4 assists). We are waiting to hear when our next playoff game is, stayed tuned for more terrific performances!
Girls Soccer UpdatesOur girls’ soccer team has been playing their hardest. They defeated Denver Green, with a score of 4 – 3. We lost our game to Hill, 1-3. The girls have been doing their best during practice as well as during the games. Go Jaguars!
Washington D.C. TripAttention 6th Grade Parents and Guardians,
We have our next Washington D.C. trip planned for April 2017 for our current 6th and 7th Graders (who will be our 7th and 8th Grade students in April of 2017). No set dates yet, though we usually go mid-April. This is our first notice to begin planning and saving for the trip.
The cost is estimated to run between $1,500 and S1,600 per student. Cost includes all airfare expenses, all hotel expenses, all meal expenses, - basically all expenses except souvenirs.
Our last trip in April of 2015:Day 1- Upon landing:
White House Visitor Center-
White House Group Photo Stop- Front Gate
Washington Memorial
WWII Memorial
Museum of American History
Lincoln Memorial
Korean Memorial
Hotel Check-in
Day 2
Arlington National Cemetery
Kennedy Gravesites
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Changing of the Guard
Iwo Jima Marine Memorial
National Archives
The Holocaust Museum
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
FDR Memorial
Jefferson Memorial / Day 3
U.S. Capital Tour
Library of Congress
Supreme Court
Mt. Vernon – George Washington Home Tour
African Slave and Servant Memorial
Alexandria Colonial Ghost Tour
Hotel
Day 4
National Museum of Natural History
IMAX – Titans of the Ice Age
National Gallery of Art
Air and Space Museum
Airport - Depart
The Registration Process does not open until the next academic year- 2016/2017. For now, this is just an initial notice to begin planning, and saving in order to join the trip.
We have an excellent working relationship with Worldstrides, and they have more information on their website- Worldstrides.com. Working with them we have always had safe, incredibly active, and fun trips to D.C.
Sincerely,
Tim Patterson
D.C. Coordinator/Visual Arts
Jaguar Journal / April 8, 2016