Merrill Minute
May 6, 2021
Finishing Strong
Here are a few things to think about...
- Have students focus on today. Show up for class today and engage in the current learning.
- Teachers determine topic scores based on a body of evidence and have intentionally planned for multiple opportunities throughout the semester. In addition students are given two weeks at the close of each topic or unit to provide any missing evidence.
- As we close out the semester, Merrill teachers will provide time in class for students to provide additional evidence of their learning.
- If students want additional support, teachers are available from 8:00-9:15 each morning to visit with students, provide additional instruction, or to help students develop a plan for finishing strong.
- If students lack evidence of learning in particular courses, teachers will once again be using the "INC" or "Incomplete" on the grade report instead of an "F". This simply serves as a data point for teachers, curriculum leaders, and families that the learning for that course was incomplete.
Thank you for sticking with us this year. We have learned so much about relationships, student engagement, communication, technology, and partnerships, among a million other things.
Yours in finishing strong,
Kate
Teacher Appreciation Week was May 3-7!
This week we celebrated TEACHERS! Thank you to the Merrill teachers for listening and with an open mind, speaking with care, identifying different perspectives and different experiences, recognizing our common humanity, and continuing to learn and grow. Merrill teachers, you are excellent on purpose. Thank you!
The PTA had several events planned to help us celebrate the Merrill teachers including an ice cream truck for the staff on Friday. Thank you, PTA!
ISASP Testing: Week of May 17th!
Merrill Testing Dates for 6th and 7th Graders
· Monday, May 17th: Testing from 9:15 A.M. - 11:50 A.M. (Reading, Math)
· Tuesday, May 18th: Testing from 9:15 A.M. – 11:50 A.M. (Language, Writing)
Merrill Testing Dates for 8th Graders
· Wednesday, May 19th: Testing from 9:15 A.M. - 11:50 A.M. (Reading, Math)
· Thursday, May 20th: Testing from 9:15 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. (Language, Writing, Science)
Click here to read the Merrill ISASP letter from Mrs. Panek.
If your student is a virtual student and signed up to take the test remotely, please click here for more information.
American Heart Association
Technology Collection
We will be collecting ALL DMPS assigned laptops and hot spots at the end of the school year. If you do not turn in these devices, you could be responsible for the replacement. When school is out for the year, you will need to turn in the following items to Merrill:
- Laptop
- Power cord and adapter (both the cord and the adapter itself)
- Hot Spot with power cable and original box (for those families who have a DMPS hotspot)
- Laptop Bag (in-person students)
(Virtual Families: If your student was assigned a DMPS computer, but has been using a personal computer at home, you may turn in the DMPS computer at any time.)
Friday, May 28:
- We will collect all technology from in-person students during the school day.
Wednesday, June 2:
- 12:30-1:30 Virtual 8th Graders
- 4:00-7:00 Virtual 6th and 7th Graders (To minimize the chance of a big crowd and long lines, please attempt to come at the scheduled time listed below. Thank you!)
Thursday, June 3:
- All technology including lap tops, power cords, and hot spots need to be turned in to the Merrill media center by 11:30 to avoid families being responsible for the cost.
Note: We have a received a few questions from 6th grade parents (and from families of students who have transferred into Merrill this year) about where devices should be returned to. All current Merrill students need to return the computers to Merrill, regardless of which school issued the device.
Technology Collection: June 2 from 4:00-7:00 Virtual 6th and 7th Graders
Find computer and power cord.
Remove decorative stickers.
Pack up hot spot.
8th Grade Celebration
12:00-1:30 8th grade virtual students report to the circle drive to begin the technology collection process. Students need to bring laptops, power cords, and a hot spots (if the student was assigned one).
1:00-1:45 Pizza, drinks, and desserts in the back lawn at Merrill.
1:45-3:25 DJ, Yard Games, Autograph Books, and Fun!
Thank you to the Merrill PTA for sponsoring this celebration! Stay tuned for how you can help us make this a memorable event for the 8th grade class.
Grading and Feedback
SRG
At Merrill, the purpose of reporting on student progress is to clearly communicate where students are in their learning. As always, our learning focus is on the daily work, practice, and growth to support students with achieving or exceeding grade-level mastery.
Our school continues to use standards-referenced grading to track student progress. While scores will be regularly updated in Infinite Campus, feedback on some daily assignments will be housed in Canvas. Also, assignments that only measure one standard will be represented by the scores listed in the table below.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Three subject areas—Physical Education, Spanish, and Visual Arts—are piloting an IB/SRG system this year. In this approach, district and national standards are integrated into the four subject-area IB criterion rubrics and all evidence will be assessed using at least one of these rubrics. Scores of 0-8 will be recorded for each piece of evidence, ranging from minimal evidence of achievement to exemplary performance.
Tracking Student Progress
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 22 for student scores and in-progress grades during second 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.
Student Evidence:
The Merrill Middle School Homework Check-In link can be found on the front page of our website and is your one-stop-shop to accessing the learning materials for each day and staying up-to-date on what is assigned and due. Click here to access the Merrill Middle School Homework Check-in.
Account # 74016
Summer Programming at Central Campus
Registration link: https://dmschools.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Rk92LsgoC2EuPk
Book Talks with Mrs. Kent: Countries and Cultures Part I
How to reserve a book...
Cell Phones
Cell Phones: Cell phones need to be off and put away for the duration of the school day. We define “put away” as in a school bag, 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.
Parents and families who need to contact their student during the school day should call the main office at 242-8448. Students needing to call home during the day may use the phone in the main office. Finally, students may check their cell phones for messages when school is dismissed at 3:25.
Water Bottles
Use of Teams Chat Function
We are taking note of the advantages and disadvantages of turning the private chat off and will make a decision regarding 7th and 8th grade private chat in the coming days.
Roosevelt XC
A few reminders...
Masks
6-Week Rotation
Save to One Drive
Community Resources - Academics
Boys and Girls Club - Summer Programming!
Summer club is free for all middle school and high school aged students from 10:00am - 6:00pm.
Please contact kcox@bgcci.org for more information or call (515) 271-4608.
DSM Tutor Connection
Tutoring
The Des Moines YMCA has graciously opened its doors and provided space for FREE STEM tutoring and FREE ORGANIZATIONAL skills for middle school students.
Tutoring sessions are held on Sundays from 1:00-3:00 p.m. 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
Link to Nurse Menke
Link to Merrill Counseling Office
Calendar
May 31: Memorial Day - No School
June 3: Last Day of School - Early Dismissal
Merrill Middle School
Email: jane.schumann@dmschools.org
Website: merrill.dmschools.org
Location: 5301 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, USA
Phone: 515-242-8448
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merrillpta
Twitter: @MerrillMustangs