The Merrill Minute
March 23, 2020
Update from K.P.
I'm hoping this note finds you in good health. This is uncharted waters for all of us, but I'm overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support that we continue to see from both our global and local communities. We've experienced singing from the rooftops, extra snuggle time with our families, local organizations feeding our community, family and friends connecting in new ways online, neighbors rediscovering the outdoors, and time to focus on what really matters. During this time of uncertainty, let's deal with each challenge that comes our way, one day at a time.
I would like to send a huge shout out and virtual hug to all of you out there who continue to serve our community around the clock by transporting needed goods, restocking shelves, providing medical aid, and maintaining emergency services. Your courage and strength bring us hope. Thank you for your service.
Leadership from across our district met this afternoon to connect, make plans, and continue on our mission to ensure that students possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be successful at the next stage of their lives. Please continue to follow the DMPS social media websites and School CNXT for regular updates.
I am working from home for the next few weeks, but am happy to connect with you via e-mail, phone, or video. We are using Skype, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom to connect with each other during this time of social distancing. Please don't hesitate to reach out and I will figure out how to get us connected.
Yours in strength and well-being in the days ahead,
Kate
Kathryn Panek
Merrill Middle School, Principal
Grab and Go Lunch
Supporting Student Learning
In the meantime, I encourage all students to set aside time each day to pick up a good book. If you need a book or have a few to donate, please check out the Little Free Libraries around our community - at Merrill, at Deer Ridge, and on 63rd Street North of 235.
Merrill Spring Fundraiser
Greetings,
First, we hope you and your family are well. The PTA wanted to provide an update on the March 28th, Merrill Spring Fundraiser/Get Together. Merrill PTA relies on this fundraiser greatly to provide direct support for our students and teachers. Obviously, it is not prudent to host the in-person event, but rather than cancel completely, we will take the fundraising aspect exclusively online. We will email details out as soon as we can get the online platform set-up.
Also, we have chosen to donate 20% of our proceeds to DMARC and Food Bank of Iowa, our community partners supporting our students and working very closely with our community partnership team at the district level.
If you have already purchased tickets for the in-person event, please contact us (emails below) for a refund, or consider donating your ticket to the PTA. Last, if you would like to donate something to our online auction, please reach out asap. We thank the many families and local businesses that have already contributed so generously to this event.
- Bidding on select online auction items or funding specific needs through BiddingOwl.com
- Donating any amount through Eventbrite or Facebook.
Be well,
Merrill PTA
Rose Green & Holly Kilborn O'Neall
Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP)
Greetings, Merrill Families,
At this time the statewide assessment known as ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) has been suspended until further notice. The results of these assessments help inform students, families, school faculties, communities, and the Department of Education of the academic progress of our students.
In a typical year, Merrill 6th and 7th grade students would take the reading, math, and language/writing test, while Merrill 8th grade students would have an additional test, the science test.
Iowa Testing Programs and Pearson deliver this statewide assessment online and have provided resources at http://iowa.pearsonaccessnext.com for students and families to prepare for the assessments. Click on the “Test Preparation” tab at the top of the webpage to view tutorials on how to maneuver in the system, as well as to view sample tests at each grade level. If we are able to test this year, we will help orient students to this testing system the day prior to testing.
If your student tested with DMPS last year, you may view the results by logging-in to the Parent Portal, clicking “More”, and then clicking “Assessments”. If you have any questions about the Parent Portal or need support setting up your account, please contact Jane Schumann at jane.schumann@dmschools.org.
As always, please let me know if you have questions.
Kate
Kathryn Panek
Principal
Merrill Middle School
Battle of the Books - Regional Qualifiers
Assuming we are able to reconvene school on April 13th, the following students will be moving onto the regional competition at Central Campus on April 14th:
- 1st Place- Sabine C., Manny C., Lilia F., Ben H., Comfort T.
- 2nd Place- Elliott A., Aidan D., Henry G., Lydia J., Max K., Egan M., Joe S.
The district finals will be held on April 24th at the Des Moines Public Library. Go, Mustangs!
Respect Week at Merrill Middle School
During the week of March 2, Merrill students participated in Respect Week. Sponsored by Best Buddies and Special Olympics, this week was devoted to promoting social inclusion of students with and without intellectual disabilities and opening avenues for advocacy, awareness, and acceptance of students with varying needs.
Daily activities were selected by Mrs. Allison's SLC classroom and included a special announcement each morning, a scavenger hunt, poster making with uplifting messages to be posted throughout the building, and daily challenges for students and staff to demonstrate respect and inclusion.
Band Solo and Ensemble Contest
On Saturday, February 29, Merrill hosted the 2020 band solo and ensemble contest. Over 45 students participated with 25 blue ribbon I+ ratings (superior performance crafted to the highest level), 19 blue ribbon I ratings (superior performance), and 1 red ribbon II rating (excellent performance with only minor flaws). Congratulations, Merrill students!
Thank you to Mr. Morgan for organizing the event from start to finish. Also, thank you to our amazing PTA for funding the event - including judges, ribbons, etc.
Jazz Fest
Congratulations to the Merrill Jazz Band for their 2nd place finish at the 49th annual Hoover High School Jazz Festival! The band placed high scores against both DMPS and surrounding suburban districts. The following students received the Outstanding Jazz Soloist Award: Camille Page, Jack Keenan, Aidan Champion, and Joe Carpenter. The trophy is currently on display in the Merrill office. Congratulations!
One Run - Postponed
We will have to wait to lace up our shoes, put on your navy and white, and hit the streets of Des Moines in support of Merrill Middle School. OneRun is a district-wide fundraising event for the Des Moines Public Schools Foundation, in support of K-8 schools at DMPS...and it is free! This two-mile fun run/fundraiser has been postponed until we can all gather together again.
Camp Fire 2020 Absolutely Incredible Kid
Congratulations to Janna N. for being selected by Camp Fire Heart of Iowa as their "Absolutely Incredible Kid"! Here is what the organization had to say about Janna:
“Janna is an incredible kid because at 12-years-old, she advocates for kindness and stands up people living in the margins. Janna immigrated to Iowa from Iraq as a child, and has faced discrimination and challenges with strength. She has big heart and loves serving others. Her mother is an advocate at Support for Arab Families in Iowa (SAFI), a sister program incubated by Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity, a nonprofit serving victims/survivors of gender-based violence in Asian and Pacific Islander communities in Iowa. Janna is constantly immersing herself in Monsoon and SAFI events, activities and training, oftentimes contributing to discussion of heavy topics such as women's rights, dating violence, and racial and social justice. Most recently, Janna spent much of 2019 volunteering to assist with the planning and facilitation of youth-led events for Arab youths in Des Moines. Event workshops covered topics such as bullying, harmful gender roles and mental health in Arab communities. Janna is a wonderful young girl and the future is brighter because of incredible kids like her.”
Congratulations, Janna!
DMPS Board Goals
- Student Expectation Goal 1: The percent of all third grade students on track in reading will increase from 52% to 72% by June 2023, as measured by FAST.
- Student Expectation Goal 2: The percent of black male third grade students on track in reading will increase from 35% to 72% by June 2023, as measured by FAST.
- Student Expectation Goal 3: The percent of black male students completing Algebra I with a B or higher by the end of grade 9 will increase from 17% to 35% by August 2023.
Click here to learn more about our progress.
Merrill Middle School Goals
- Student Expectation Goal 1: The percent of black male 6th – 8th grade students on track in reading (exceeding at-risk cut point 30th%ile) will increase from 53% to 75% by Spring 2023, as measured by NWEA MAP.
- Student Expectation Goal 2: The percent of black male 6th – 8th grade students on track for college & career readiness in math will increase from 12% to 29% by Spring 2023, as measured by NWEA MAP.
- Student Expectation Goal 3: The percent of 6th – 8th students with positive results will increase from 34% to 75% by spring 2023, as measured by the Conditions for Learning Survey.
Upcoming Dates
April 13th: Tentative Reopen Date
April 30th: Rising 6th Grade Orientation 5:30
May 27th: 8th Grade Promotion 6:00 at Roosevelt
Contact Information
Email: merrill@dmschools.org
Website: https://merrill.dmschools.org/
Location: 5301 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, USA
Phone: (515) 242-8448
Twitter: @MerrillMustangs