The Merrill Minute
August 16, 2019
Arrival and Dismissal
Greetings, Mustangs,
One week from today we will be welcoming 800+ students to Merrill. Construction and custodial crews are working around the clock to finish up the construction project just in time for students. Teachers arrived today and collaborated to plan engaging inquiries for students across all grade levels. Bring on School Year 2019-2020!
Below is some information to help make the first few days go smoothly.
Morning Arrival: Students may arrive at the building beginning at 8:00 AM. School hours are 8:30 AM to 3:25 PM, with the first bell ringing at 8:25 AM. This year you may drop your student off at three different locations:
· Main entrance loop in front of Merrill
· West entrance loop at the west end of Merrill (formerly known as the bus turnaround)
· Shriver: This year the northeast doors of the building will be unlocked in the AM.
All students arriving via a yellow bus will be dropped off in front of Merrill in the new bus lane on Grand Avenue. Please check the Parent Portal on Infinite Campus for routing information.
Upon arrival students will bypass their lockers and head to the gym (6th and 7th graders) or cafeteria (8th graders). Students remain in the gym or cafeteria until they are dismissed for class, unless they have a pass from a teacher. The restrooms near the gym/cafeteria are available to use during this time. Other restrooms around the building remain closed until the start of the school day. Students may come to the main office beginning at 8:05 for any business before school starts.
Breakfast: Breakfast is served in the cafeteria from 8:05 to 8:25.
Dismissal: School dismisses at 3:25 PM. In order to ease the congestion on Grand, we have established a new traffic pattern for dismissal for students being picked up by a family member.
· 6th and 8th grade students: Depart from west entrance loop at the west end of Merrill.
· 7th grade students: Depart from main entrance loop in front of Merrill.
· Students may walk a short distance to Shriver or the Temple B’Nai Jeshurun for pick up.
All students departing on a yellow bus will be picked up in front of Merrill in the new bus lane on Grand Avenue.
Unless students are under the direct supervision of an adult (homework help, clubs, activities, etc.), all students need to exit the building by 3:45. If you are still looking for an after school option, please click here to learn more about our partnership with Campfire-Sparks After School Program.
Yours in an attempt to ease the congestion on Grand Avenue,
Kate
School Supply Kits and Student Schedules
A huge thank you to Emily Cataldi and the PTA for organizing the ordering and delivery of the school supply kits. Below are the times and locations for students to pick up their school supply kits (if they ordered one) and grab a fresh copy of their schedule.
6th
- Schedules: 1st day of school – Gym 8:00 AM
- Supply Kits: 2nd day of school – Gym 8:00 AM
7th
- 1st day of school – Gym 8:00 AM
- 1st day of school – Gym 8:00 AM
8th
- 1st day of school – Cafeteria 8:00 AM
- 1st day of school – Cafeteria 8:00 AM
Office Manager
Office Assistant
Attendance
New Personal Electronic Device Policy
We believe that full engagement in learning is essential to student success. After surveying students and staff, visiting with community members, examining the latest research, and reviewing policies across our district, we have decided to pilot the below policy.
Personal Electronic Devices: Personal electronic devices (cell phones, ear buds, tablets, etc.) need to be off and put away for the duration of the school day. We define “put away” as locked in a locker, checked-in to a trusted teacher at the start of the day, or left at home. We define “school day” as the time from when the student enters the building until 3:25.
Click here to read the full memo from Mrs. Panek regarding the new policy.
Open House
I want to invite all of you to join us on Thursday, August 29 for our Back to School Open House from 5:00-7:00 PM. It will be a chance for you to walk around and see the newly remodeled space, meet all of the teachers, and let us know how the first few days went for your student.
New to Merrill?
Getting to Know Merrill
On August 29, during Open House, we will be hosting a "Getting to Know Merrill" session every 30 minutes for those of you who may have missed orientation in the spring or just want to learn a little bit more about our learning community.
Upcoming Dates
First Day
Friday, August 23
Open House
Thursday, August 29 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Labor Day - No School
Monday, September 2
School Picture Day
Friday, September 6
No School - Professional Development
Friday, September 27
Fall Conferences:
October 31 from 8:15 AM - 3:15 PM
November 4 from 4:00 PM -7:30 PM
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