Jaguar Journal Vol. 5
September 16, 2022
HELLO MERRILL COMMUNITY,
Families, Please help Merrill reach 100% by filling out your lunch opt in/out form. This helps our school and takes only a couple of minutes. Please click this link to fill out this form. If you are opting out, simply click on the box to opt out and hit save. Done! This is due on October 3rd.
Merrill Middle School Zip Code: 80210
You will need to know your student's ID #:
If you have questions, please email our Community Liaison, kathy_swigle@dpsk12.net or call her at 720-424-0645.
Please help Merrill become an Idle-Free Zone during pick-up, and turn cars off until you need to drive. Our students deserve pollution free air as they exit the building. More information is linked below.
Yay attendance! We have a high rate for our students and staff. When calling your student in to the attendance line, please clearly state your full name, your student's full name, the reason ,and date.
Meow Wolf was a GREAT SUCCESS! The museum complimented Merrill and stated we are the best school they have ever hosted. Proud to be a Jaguar!
Thank you,
Patrice Underwood, Molly Zick, Ellie Foust, and Vince Franklin
UPCOMING EVENTS
NO SCHOOL
Virtual Conferences October 12 and 13th.
6th Grade Screening for GT
6th grade students will test on either September 21st or 22nd depending on what day they have social studies.
Here are the links to the district info on NNAT testing, one in English and the other in Spanish.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-AcRKdlA4uiYBqWXIEEyuiX1IaZRRLbOSr-W21wuMQI/edit?usp=sharing
If you have any questions, contact andrew_garland@dpsk12.net.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEEDS
WHAT JOB DO YOU HAVE? WHAT SPECIAL SKILLS HAVE YOU ACQUIRED? WE NEED YOU TO COME SHARE WITH THE STUDENTS WHAT JOBS ARE OUT THERE!
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER AS YOU WAIT TO PICK YOUR STUDENT
7th AND 8th GRADE FIELD TRIP TO MEOW WOLF
Field trips to Meow Wolf are approaching:
Oct 10th and 11th - 7th grade
Nov 14th and 15th - 8th grade
More parent chaperones are needed. Please sign up Here to volunteer for 7th or 8th grade.
6th GRADE HAD FUN AT MEOW WOLF
FORGOT YOUR WATER BOTTLE OR HEADPHONES?
LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO RECYCLE YOUR PAINT? HEAD TO TJ ON SEPT. 24TH!
FREE MATH HELP FOR STUDENTS
Is Your Child On Track in Math? IvyMath is offering free comprehensive math assessments and parent conferences to discuss your child's math strengths and weaknesses and how they compare to grade level
IvyMath will set up a custom learning plan for your child, and schedule 2 free private coaching sessions to work on their weaknesses. This is a great way to make sure your child is on track in math as we start the school year!
These coaching sessions are free for all Merrill Middle families. Popular times fill up, so please register quickly! Signup now at: IvyMath.com/Boost
Thomas Jefferson Shadows & Tours Information
Dates for in-person tours and shadowing for the 2022-2023 school year are listed below. To schedule a tour or shadow, please email Emily Lupo at emily_lupo@dpsk12.net indicating interest in a tour or shadowing with all of the the following information:
* 8th grader name
* Parent name(s)
* Current middle school
* Parent email
* Parent phone number
* Tour or shadow?
* Date (listed below)
Please note we can only accommodate 20 families per tour date and 15 students per shadow date. There are no other tours or shadow dates scheduled at this time. Parents & guardians are welcome and encouraged on tours, however only 8th graders attend shadowing. All tours are from 9-10am and shadowing is from 7:30-11:20am.
Tours:
- 10/5
- 10/19
- 10/26
- 11/2
- 11/9
- 11/16
- 11/30
- 12/7
- 12/14
Shadows:
- 9/28
- 10/5
- 10/19
- 10/26
- 11/2
- 11/2
- 11/9
- 11/30
- 12/7
- 12/14
Tour Resources
2022 TJ Promo
For an extensive look, click here for the full video and for more information about TJ, delivered by our Spartan students!
AVID NEEDS COLLEGE TEES AND SWEATSHIRTS!
For questions or concerns email Lacey_Graves@dpsk12.net
Contact us at PTSAMerrillMiddleSchool@gmail.com
GET MERRILL GEAR AND SUPPORT THE JAGUARS
Help Stock the Food Pantry
Did you know that Merrill has a Food Pantry? Please contact the coordinator Shahla Hebets if you would like to volunteer or donate food: hebets.shahla@gmail.com
Help Stock the Merrill Store
The Merrill Store is for students to spend their hard-earned Merrill Money to buy cool things but we depend on donations from parents. Can you contribute big boxes of Individually wrapped spicy chips or $5 gift cards for Jamba Juice, Starbucks, and Lollicup each month? The kids love spending their "cash" on cool items from the store.
View a list of items needed in this sign up genius.
Top of the Lake Coffee Bean Club Subscription
SAVE THE DATE - THE COLOR RUN
The Color Run is Monday, October 3rd for all
Merrill students! Parents we need your help with
photographers, popsicle or cash donations, popsicle
servers, gas powered leaf blowers to blow all the
chalk off at the end—please sign up here.
MERRILL JAGUAR ATHLETICS
Cross Country – Information
Coaches - Mrs. Steph Graves, Mrs. Jackson, and Mrs. Foust
Season dates 8/23 – 10/14
Softball News:
Contact Vincent_Franklin@dpsk12.net for details.
9/22 Kepner Beacon vs. Merrill @ Merrill 4:00pm
9/27 Merrill vs. KCAA (Kunsmiller) @ KCAA 4:00pm
Soccer News:
Monday 19th September - Training: 4-5:30pm
Tuesday 20th September - Training: 4-5:30pm
Thursday 22nd September - GAME vs Kepner Beacon @ Merrill - 4pm
Monday 19th September - Training: 4-5:30pm
Tuesday 27th September: GAME vs KCAA @ KCAA
Thursday 29th September - GAME vs Grant Beacon @ Grant Beacon
Monday 3rd October - Training: 4-5:30pm
Tuesday 4th October - GAME vs Slavens @ Merrill - 4pm
Thursday 6th October - Training: 4-5:30pm
If you would like to view the full schedule online, please click on the following link: https://athletics.dpsk12.org/prep-league-schedules/#1551293206871-30a8ab8a-2957
Contact Kirk_Heath@dpsk12.net or Joel_Smeded@dpsk12.net for details.
Late Fall Sports
Volleyball, Flag Football, and 6th Grade Volleyball – Season dates 10/3 – 12/2
Volleyball:
Girls Volleyball tryouts will begin on October 3rd. Please be sure to have a current physical on file in order to tryout.
Contact Wendy_Shepard@dpsk12.net if you have any questions.
Here is the link to the Physical Form – all students trying out must have a physical.
Please send all athletic questions to vincent_franklin@dpsk12.net or call 720.424.0621
www.Merrill.dpsk12.org under Athletics/Fall sports
Thanks,
Mr. Franklin
5TH-8TH GRADE B-BALL AT SOUTH LEAGUE
COOL CLASSROOMS!
8th grade STEM with Ms. Guillen
AT HOME CONVERSATION STARTERS
How many times do you typically hit the snooze button in the morning?