☕Coffee with the Superintendent ☕

Join Superintendent Shannon Murray for an informal conversation about what’s happening in the district!

🗓 Tuesday, February 24, 2026
🕗 8:00–9:00 a.m.
📍 Pine Ridge Family Restaurant – 1302 N Center Avenue, Merrill

This is a great opportunity to learn more about district updates and ask questions in a casual setting.

Topics will include:
•2026-2027 Budget
• Prairie River Middle School facilities study

We hope to see you there! 💙 Please share! #WeAreMAPS
11 days ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
February 24 Please join us! Coffee with the Superintendent @ Pine Ridge Family Restaurant (1302 North Center Avenue, Merrill) 8-9 a.m. Come chat with Superintendent Shannon Murray
🎉 February is Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month at Merrill Area Public Schools! 🎉

We’re proud to celebrate the hands-on learning, real-world skills, and career pathways our students experience every day through our CTE programs. From manufacturing and engineering to business, agricultural education, family & consumer sciences, and the skilled trades, our students are building the knowledge and confidence needed for future success - right here in our community.

Thank you to our amazing educators, local business partners, and families who support career-ready learning for all Bluejays! 💙

#CTEMonth #WeAreMAPS #FutureReady #HandsOnLearning #CareerReady #CTEWorks
15 days ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
CTE Month inspiring careers for 100 years
📢 Reminder for Families 📢

🚨 No School for Grades K-4 on Friday, February 27, 2026 🚨

This day is dedicated to Professional Learning for our K-4 teaching and support staff. Our team will be focusing on enhancing their understanding and implementation of the Science of Reading through LETRS training.

Thank you for your support as we continue to strengthen literacy education for our students! 📚✨ Please share. #WeAreMAPS
1 day ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
Reminder please check out the reminder in this post.
February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month and students at MHS with an interest in the electrical trade had the opportunity to attend an informative career presentation hosted by IBEW Local 388. MHS alumnus Breck Buntrock, along with membership development representative Andy Becker, shared their personal experiences in the electrical field. They provided valuable insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of an electrician, discussed training and apprenticeship opportunities and highlighted the rewarding career paths available in the industry. #WeAreMAPS
1 day ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
Two adults presenting to a class of students sitting on chairs
🌱🥬 The 4th grade Washington Green Team harvested their latest crop of hydroponic lettuce yesterday! Today they are serving the 3rd graders with home grown salad to complement their lunch. The team meets weekly during their recess and lunch to learn and work on their gardening.

#WeAreMAPS
3 days ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
Students standing at a table with gloves on and potted plants of lettuce
Two students serving fresh grown lettuce in the lunch line
Three students holding condiment bottles in the lunch line
Students gathered in front of a table showing their lettuce growing project
🎉 February is Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month — and we’re celebrating in a BIG way across Wisconsin!

At the Merrill FAB Lab, hands-on learning is turning into real-world success! 🚀

👏 This month, we’re proud to recognize 330 students who earned a nationally recognized 3D printing certification through National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) in partnership with Dremel.

These students are building skills for the future - in manufacturing, design, engineering, and beyond!

CTE is shaping tomorrow’s workforce TODAY! 💡

#CTEMonth #CTEMonthWI #MerrillFABLab #StudentSuccess #FutureReady #HandsOnLearning #CareerTechEd #3DPrintingSuccess #WeAreMAPS
6 days ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
Group of students holding certificates  who earned a nationally recognized 3D printing certification through NC3.
Group of students holding certificates  who earned a nationally recognized 3D printing certification through NC3.
Officers from the Raise Your Voice club at the high school stopped in today to talk with our members here at the middle school about the importance of being a supportive peer and knowing when to connect someone with help.

Our members all became Green Bandana certified, which means they are trained to recognize when a peer may be struggling, offer a supportive listening ear, and connect them with a trusted adult or appropriate resources.

They also helped create clothespins for Random Acts of Kindness Week to spread positivity next week at the high school.

We truly have the most compassionate students here in Merrill! 💚 #WeAreMAPS
7 days ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
Students sitting on stairs at the middle school holding green shirts
Students sitting at tables with markers and clothes pins with green shirts
Students writing at a table
Two students sitting at a table with markers and clothes pins
Students in a classroom sitting at desks looking to the front
In honor of Valentine’s Day and our Attitude of Gratitude mindset, students are celebrating “self-love” by practicing positive affirmations! ❤️ Taking time to recognize their strengths and to speak kindly to themselves is such a powerful way to build confidence and resilience.

We are also reminding our students how important it is to express gratitude each and every day. When we focus on what we are thankful for, we help create a more positive, supportive school community. 💕
7 days ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
Self Love Is...jar notes hanging on a wall
Self Love Is...jar notes hanging on a wall
Self Love Is...jar notes hanging on a wall
Self Love Is...jar notes hanging on a wall
Jar notes hanging on a wall
We are thrilled to bring back sewing to PRMS after 20 years with our brand-new Stitch Studio course for 7th graders! 🧵✨ A huge thank you to Casey's Sewing Center in Clinton, WI and Janome Company for donating 20 sewing machines to make this possible. Our students are excited for this course in which they will create their own drawstring bags, gaining career-ready skills in design, time management, attention to detail, problem solving and precision.

#WeAreMAPS
8 days ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
Seven people posing - three students holding sewing machines
🔧✨ Celebrating CTE Month at Merrill High School! ✨🔧

We’re proud to highlight the incredible work happening in the Merrill High School FAB Lab — where creativity meets real-world skills every day! From hands-on manufacturing and design to problem-solving and innovation, our students are gaining career-ready experience that prepares them for the future.

CTE isn’t just learning - it’s doing, building, and creating. And the FAB Lab is a perfect example of how Merrill is shaping tomorrow’s workforce today!

👏 Way to go students and staff for the amazing work you do!

#CTEMonth #MerrillHighSchool #FABLab #FutureReady #HandsOnLearning #CTEProud #WeAreMAPS
8 days ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
Three students measuring a rope while a student poses for the camera
5 students posing for the camera in the FAB Lab
Two students at a computer looking at the 3D/Laser printer as it does a job
🌟 February Youth Optimist – Congratulations, Jazi! 🌟

Jazi has been named the MHS February Youth Optimist! Nominated by Mr. Rob Klug, she is recognized for her strong work ethic, positive attitude, and dedication both in and out of the classroom.

A true leader at MHS, Jazi is actively involved in Jr. Optimist, Raise Your Voice, National Honor Society, Student Council, varsity athletics, and much more.

After graduation, she plans to pursue a degree in Exercise Science and become an Occupational or Physical Therapist.

We are proud of you, Jazi! 👏💙 #WeAreMAPS
9 days ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
Picture of student standing on a gravel road in front of greenery
Registration for the 4th Annual UCA Cheer Camp is open now through March 20th! This camp is open to students in grades 6-12 for the 2026-2027 school year.

https://forms.gle/VbbXJMNDJ7aZ8qzy5

Thank you ~~ Coach Sarah
10 days ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
2026 UCA Summer Cheer Camp Friday, July 31, 2026-Saturday, August 1, 2026 - Registration for the 4th Annual UCA Cheer Camp is open now through March 20th!  This camp is open to students in grades 6-12 for the 2026-2027 school year.   Cost is $207 - Thank you ~~ Coach Sarah
Happy CTE Month!

Family and Consumer Sciences is so much more than cooking and sewing. It’s about building real-life skills that students will use forever.

Family & Consumer Sciences helps students become confident, capable, and career-ready. Whether they’re heading straight into the workforce, technical college, or a four-year university, the skills learned in FCS set them up for success in life.

We are proud to empower students with hands-on experiences that connect learning to the real world every single day.

#WeAreMAPS
10 days ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
Student holding a flower made out of food
Two students holding a strawberry
Two students making pretzels
Two students holding homemade pretzels
Student holding a flower made out of food
🚍 Bus Driver Appreciation Week | February 9–13, 2026

This week, we celebrate our incredible bus drivers who safely transport our students each day with care, patience, and a smile. Rain, snow, early mornings, and long routes—our drivers do it all. Thank you for being such an essential part of our school community. We appreciate you! #WeAreMAPS
12 days ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
Wisconsin school bus driver appreciation week Feb 9-13
Superintendent Shannon Murray recently joined Jeff on WJJQ Radio in Tomahawk for a conversation about property taxes and district-related topics. Thank you to WJJQ for the opportunity to share important information with our community.

🎧 Listen to the interview here: https://www.wjjq.com/pg/podcasts_news

#WeAreMAPS
16 days ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
Radio microphone
Shannon Murray headshot
Superintendent Shannon Murray to the rescue! 🙌 Last Friday, he picked up our middle school Ski Club students and drove them to the high school. Just another example of how he wears many hats to support our students and schools. Thank you, Mr. Murray—we appreciate you! #WeAreMAPS
19 days ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
Mr. Murray in the drivers seat of a bus full of students and staff
❄️ Behind the Scenes of a Snow Day ❄️

Ever wonder how a snow day decision is made? From early morning road checks to weather data and safety considerations across our large district, there is a lot that goes into the call.

The latest Superintendent’s Corner is now live and gives a behind-the-scenes look at how MAPS makes weather-related decisions - with student safety always coming first.

👉 Click the link here to read more - https://www.mapsedu.org/page/superintendents-corner
#WeAreMAPS
23 days ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
Head shot of Shannon Murray

Check out the new spring Community Education catalog - registration opens January 29, 2026!

https://www.mapsedu.org/o/community-education

#WeAreMAPS

24 days ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
Community Education Registration opens January 29! Here's a sneak peek of the new spring catalog - www.mapsedu.org/o/community-educaiton
📢 Reminder for Families 📢

🚨 No School for Grades K-4 on Friday, January 30, 2026 🚨

This day is dedicated to Professional Learning for our K-4 teaching and support staff. Our team will be focusing on enhancing their understanding and implementation of the Science of Reading through LETRS training.

Thank you for your support as we continue to strengthen literacy education for our students! 📚✨ Please share. #WeAreMAPS
29 days ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
Reminder please check out the reminder in this post.
Due to the extreme cold weather warning that we are under, MAPS Schools will be closed Friday, January 23, 2026. This includes all after school activities on Friday. Please share. #WeAreMAPS
about 1 month ago, Merrill Area Public Schools
Graphic that says important announcement