Merrill Minute
December 31, 2020
DMPS in Hybrid Model to Start New Year
The DMPS Board of Directors voted on Wednesday to return to the hybrid learning model when school resumes on Monday, January 4.
What does this mean for Merrill students?
- Beginning on Monday, January 4, we will use our Merrill Hybrid Bell Schedule for all students. (Scroll down in the newsletter to view this schedule.)
- The Monday/Tuesday cohort will report to the building on Monday and Tuesday of next week.
- The Thursday/Friday cohort will report to the building on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of next week.
- Virtual students will remain virtual.
- REMINDER: We are still in Semester 1. If you selected a different learning model for Semester 2, that does not begin until Monday, January 25.
If you do not remember which cohort day your student is scheduled for, you can find this information in Infinite Campus.
Below is the Top 10 List for Hybrid students. Please review this list with your student(s) BEFORE returning on Monday, January 4. Thank you!
As 2020 comes to a close, we can see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. Please stay vigilant and help us keep our community safe by wearing your mask, practicing physical distancing, washing your hands, and keeping students at home if they feel ill.
Yours in knowing there are brighter days ahead,
Kate
Kathryn Panek, Principal
Merrill Middle School
Daily Schedule Beginning Monday, January 4

Merrill Top 10 List for Hybrid Students
#1 - Wear A Mask

#2 Bring your computer and charger. Please make sure your computer is fully charged AND don't forget to throw your power cord in your backpack. | #3 Bring earbuds or headphones. Students need earbuds or headphones to help us eliminate feedback with multiple devices on in the same room. | #4 Bring a water bottle and backpack. We have 3 water filling stations throughout the building. Regular drinking fountains are turned off. We are not using lockers. In your backpack you need:
|
#2 Bring your computer and charger.
#3 Bring earbuds or headphones.
#5 Wash your hands. We have sanitizer that you will use when you enter the building. Avoid touching your mask or face. If you do, please sanitize your hands. | #6 Maintain 6 Feet of Physical Distance Be aware of the space between you and others during morning arrival, afternoon dismissal, and when using the restroom. Desks in the classroom and cafeteria are spaced 6 feet apart. | #7 Stay home if you are sick. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home. |
#5 Wash your hands.
#6 Maintain 6 Feet of Physical Distance
#8 No cell phone zone. All cell phones must be off and put away before entering the building and remain off until 3:25. For more information regarding Merrill's personal electronic device policy, please click here. | #9 Grab a FREE "Grab and Go" Meal! ALL students attending DMPS are eligible to receive FREE breakfast, lunch, and "grab and go" meals. Click here to learn more. | #10 Be patient and kind. Be patient and kind and take it one day at a time. |
#8 No cell phone zone.
#9 Grab a FREE "Grab and Go" Meal!
Transportation Info. in Infinite Campus Transportation information for hybrid students is available in the Infinite Campus Portal. Please click "more" and then "transportation" to find bus #s and pick-up and drop-off locations and times. | Where do I go when I get to the building? Students need to log-in to the Infinite Campus Portal and check their schedules to see where to head when they arrive at the building. We will have staff located all around the building to help students find their way. | Merrill Office - No visitors or guests at this time. We will continue to serve you via the phone or curbside service. We will not be allowing families to enter the building at this time. Please call 242-8448 when you arrive and someone will come out and help you . |
Transportation Info. in Infinite Campus
Where do I go when I get to the building?
Day in the life of a Hybrid Student
- 8:15 - 8:45 Doors open at Merrill. Students may grab breakfast before heading directly to the classroom. (Classroom assignments are found under "schedule" in the Infinite Campus Portal.) There will be LOTS of staff available to help students find their way.
- 8:45 - 9:15 In-person hybrid students may participate in guided study at Merrill and can begin arriving at 8:15 OR could potentially arrive at Merrill closer to 9:00 or 9:10 if not in need of additional support. All students who are scheduled for in-person instruction need to be in the classroom, computer started up, and ready to learn at 9:14.
- 9:15-3:25 All students (virtual, "at home" hybrid, and "in-person" hybrid) will either "Team" in to class or attend in-person.
- 3:25-3:30 Staggered dismissal process - walkers and bikers at 3:25, bus riders as each individual bus arrives, and then passenger vehicle riders at 3:26. Teachers will sweep the hallways and all students need to exit the building by 3:30.

Day in the life of a Virtual Student
- 8:15 - 8:45 Virtual students get to sleep in. Enjoy!
- 8:45 - 9:15 Teachers will be available via a Teams link for additional support, targeted instruction, or guided practice.
- 9:15-3:25 Students will join classes virtually.
- 3:25 End of day.
Morning Arrival
Walkers: Please use the crosswalk near the east end of the building to cross Grand Avenue.
Bikers: Please park your bikes at the bike rack near the west end of the building.
Riders: You may drop your student off at three different locations:
- Main entrance loop in front of Merrill
- In front of Merrill in the lane along Grand Ave.
- Shriver: Students then will walk up the path to Merrill and enter through the front doors.
- Passenger Vehicles - Please do NOT use the west bus turnaround in the morning or afternoons. Thank you!
Bus: All students arriving via yellow bus will be dropped off on the west end of the building in the bus turnaround. Please check the Parent Portal on Infinite Campus for routing information.

Grading and Feedback during a Global Pandemic
Des Moines Public Schools is not unique in facing the challenges of a global pandemic. We, like other urban school districts in Iowa and across the nation are working to balance learning, safety, and long-term solutions to problems created by COVID-19. We understand that the virtual learning model, although the right choice for the health of our community, may reveal and deepen existing inequities impacting student learning despite real progress on making grades in DMPS about what students know and are able to do.
Our secondary students, particularly high school students, face post-secondary consequences that impact everything from solid employment, access to health benefits, scholarship opportunities, military recruiting, college athletics, access to post-secondary career training, and much more. An “F” or course failure on a grade report or transcript during a global health crisis is not equitable or informative of student learning and may have immense impacts on future opportunities. For these reasons, the following changes will be made to 6-8 and 9-12 grading for the 20-21 school year:
- A statement will be included in transcripts to indicate the unique circumstances in which the course was taken.
- A designation of “incomplete” will be used for any course failure.
- Students who receive an “incomplete” will be given opportunities to re-engage and complete their learning.
To track your student’s progress throughout the year, we suggest two steps:
Join Canvas as an Observer so that you can see the assignments that your student is being given, the work that is submitted, and the feedback that is received.
Check Infinite Campus periodically for updates on SRG topic scores, being sure to select Term 12 for student scores and in-progress grades during first semester.
For more information about SRG in Des Moines Public Schools, please click here. For additional information or questions about Infinite Campus or Canvas navigation, please contact Danielle Taylor or Allison Chartier, Merrill Instructional Coaches. For course specific questions, please contact your child's teacher.

Hey, Merrill Mustangs! What are you reading?
Merrill Staff Book Club
The Tao of Raven: An Alaska Native Memoir | Staying Connected! The Merrill staff is staying connected and learning together during this global pandemic. #bettertogether | The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir |
Love and Logic Orchard Place is offering a FREE six-week program designed by the Love and Logic Institute to support parents and families who are trying so hard to manage the competing demands put on us during the pandemic. Click here to learn more. | Equity Series Thank you to all who attended the Hanawalt PTA's session with Peter LeBlanc on Tuesday, December 8. In case you missed the session and are interested in listening in, here is a link to the presentation. | TutoringThe Des Moines YMCA has graciously opened its doors and provided space for FREE STEM tutoring for middle school students. Tutoring sessions will resume on Sunday, January 10th. An eager and gracious group of Central Academy students will be on hand to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for science and math curriculum. For more information, please contact David Primeau at (515) 229-3277. |
Love and Logic
Equity Series
Tutoring
The Des Moines YMCA has graciously opened its doors and provided space for FREE STEM tutoring for middle school students.
Tutoring sessions will resume on Sunday, January 10th. An eager and gracious group of Central Academy students will be on hand to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for science and math curriculum.
For more information, please contact David Primeau at (515) 229-3277.

Merrill Links - We are here for you!
Link to the Merrill Website Ms. Schumann updates the website almost daily. Here you will find links to previous Merrill Minutes, the Merrill Virtual Schedule, links to the counseling center, and tabs full of information for both parents/caretakers and students. | Link to Nurse Menke Students may now schedule appointments to meet with the nurse virtually through Microsoft Teams. This would be used when the student is learning at home and would like to consult with the nurse for health issues or concerns. Scheduling virtual visits will help ensure the nurse is available to meet at a time convenient for the student. Click here to schedule an appointment. | Link to Merrill Counseling Office |
Link to the Merrill Website
Link to Nurse Menke
Positive Cases per 100,000 Full Virtual = 100 or more positive cases per 100,000 total in previous 7 days in Polk Co. Hybrid = 11-99 positive cases per 100,000 total in previous 7 days in Polk Co. Full In-Person = 10 or fewer positive cases per 100,000 total in previous 7 days in Polk Co. | Positivity Rate Full Virtual = 14-day rolling average above 10% positivity in Polk Co. Hybrid = 14-day rolling average 5-10% positivity in Polk Co. Full In-Person = 14-day rolling average below 5% positivity in Polk Co. | Student and Staff Absenteeism Full Virtual =
Hybrid =
Full In-Person = below 5% for students and staff |
Positive Cases per 100,000
Hybrid = 11-99 positive cases per 100,000 total in previous 7 days in Polk Co.
Full In-Person = 10 or fewer positive cases per 100,000 total in previous 7 days in Polk Co.
Positivity Rate
Hybrid = 14-day rolling average 5-10% positivity in Polk Co.
Full In-Person = 14-day rolling average below 5% positivity in Polk Co.
DMPS Hybrid Cohort Calendar

DMPS 2020-2021 Calendar

Calendar
January 4: First Day of Hybrid Classes for Monday/Tuesday Cohort
January 6: First Day of Hybrid Classes for Thursday/Friday Cohort
January 18: No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 22: End of 1st Semester
January 25: Begin 2nd Semester