Merrill Area Public Schools

📚✨ A group of MAPS principals and teachers spent the first week of summer break learning from Dr. Anita Archer, an expert in explicit instruction and instructional design. This team looks forward to sharing what they’ve learned to help all MAPS teachers continue to grow in their practice! 👏 Thank you to our educators for your commitment to continuous learning. Your dedication helps keep MAPS moving forward! 💙 #WeAreMAPS

🎓 Missed the MHS Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony? If you weren’t able to attend in person, you can still experience this special milestone by watching the full ceremony online! 📺 Watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/CbqzyTSqeBA Congratulations again to our graduates—we’re so proud of you! 💙 #WeAreMAPS

🎙️ Activities Director Chris Hahn recently joined Bluejay Radio’s Community Scan to reflect on a great year in Bluejay activities! He shared highlights from this year’s sports seasons, celebrated the success of the musical, and discussed the upcoming move from the Wisconsin Valley Conference to the Great Northern Conference. Thank you, Mr. Hahn, for your leadership and for keeping us connected to all things Bluejay! 💙🦅 You can listen to the full interview here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TWaVRVxuefMqr-LEyOkQOcVJo71rIVME/view?usp=sharing WeAreMAPS

📸 Please enjoy these heartwarming, end-of-year moments from Pine River School for Young Learners! From hands-on learning and creative play to joyful connections between students, these snapshots capture the spirit of curiosity, growth, and fun that fill the halls of PRSYL every day. #WeAreMAPS

A big thank you to Marcy Cordova, Lindsay Doescher, Hillary Lau, and Megan Sherman for creating this month’s wonderful bulletin boards at Central Office! 📚✨ Their display highlights the incredible work happening in our school libraries and showcases end-of-year data reports. We’re grateful for the dedication and creativity that brings our district’s story to life—one bulletin board at a time! #WeAreMAPS

🎙️ Superintendent Shannon Murray and Board President Kevin Blake were recently featured on Bluejay Radio’s Community Scan, where they provided a helpful recap of the most recent Regular Board of Education Meeting. Thank you to both leaders for keeping our community informed and engaged in the work happening across MAPS! You can listen to the full interview here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T0fZDprpZv53FiUDv-7MB1FJgW4Qaznk/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SvnDFQssWpinng6KkRNW0qfN_KlmpVYN/view?usp=sharing #WeAreMAPS

🎉Congratulations Stephen Holz🎉 Thank you, Steve, for your hard work and commitment!💙👏 #WeAreMAPS

🇺🇸 Honoring Memorial Day 🇺🇸 Today, we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage and dedication will never be forgotten. As we enjoy the freedoms they fought to protect, let us take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of this day. Thank you to all who have served, and to those who continue to serve. #WeAreMAPS

Sarah Christian’s 5th Grade Class had an unforgettable adventure at Camp Birch Trails yesterday! 🏕️ A big thank you to Superintendent Mr. Murray for joining in on the experience — he even managed to dodge the rain! ☀️🌧️ #WeAreMAPS

Please see the attached information about the Free Summer Lunch program offered by Christ United Methodist Church. Lunches will be available for students up to the age of 18. There are no eligibility requirements.

🎓 Tune in Live! 🎓 Join us virtually for two special events celebrating our Merrill High School seniors: 📺 Senior Awards Night – Tonight! Watch live here: https://youtube.com/live/NmQ-hJ8Tt0c?feature=share 🎓 Graduation Ceremony – Friday, May 23 Watch live here: https://youtube.com/live/zyiTdjvRPLo?feature=share Help us celebrate the Class of 2025! 🎉 #WeAreMAPS

🎉 Congratulations to Steve Holz on His Retirement! 🎉 After 27 incredible years of dedication to MAPS, Steve Holz is retiring this summer! Steve has worn many hats during his time with the district — serving as a Night Custodian at MHS and Kate Goodrich, Head Custodian at Scott, Midway, and Washington, and even filling in across nearly every building including the Maintenance Department. If there was a MAPS building that needed a helping hand, Steve was there! When asked about his favorite memories, Steve shared: 💬 “All the children I’ve had contact with and watched grow into young adults. I might not have taught them, but I was able to talk with them — and they would tell me their stories.” What he’ll miss most? 💬 “The children, the teachers, and the support staff I’ve worked with now and over the years.” Thank you, Steve, for your years of hard work, big heart, and steady presence in our schools. Wishing you all the best in your well-earned retirement! 💙 #WeAreMAPS

Mrs. Goeden's class was the first 5th grade group to go out to Camp Birch Trails for their spring school forest trip. It was a great day of learning about water ecology, and of course the traditional turtle race. #WeAreMAPS

Dear Merrill Community, We are excited to announce that registration for Summer Swim Lessons at the MAPS Pool is now open! Whether your child is just starting out or looking to improve their swimming skills, our summer classes offer a great opportunity to stay active and safe in the water. To view class schedules and additional details, please visit: 🔗 https://www.mapsedu.org/page/pool-schedule-information Please note: All swim lesson registrations will now be processed through our Community Education program. To sign up, simply create an account on RecDesk and follow the prompts to register. We truly appreciate your continued support of the MAPS Pool and our community programs. Thank you for helping us keep this vital resource thriving for all Merrill families! #WeAreMAPS

Please help us give a warm welcome to the new Student School Board Representative for the 2025-2026 school year — Erik Grunenwald! Erik will join returning representative, Parker Wagenaar, in providing updates to the School Board on high school activities at their monthly meetings. We’re excited to hear your insights and see the impact you'll make! Welcome aboard, Erik — you're going to be great! 💙 #WeAreMAPS

🎓 Recognizing Student Leadership at MAPS 🎓 At last night’s Regular School Board Meeting, we celebrated the contributions of our Student Board Representatives – 👏 Max Black, who is concluding his term, and 👏 Parker Wagenaar, who will be returning next year. Your voices, perspectives, and leadership have been incredibly valuable. We’re so proud of the thoughtful way you’ve represented your peers and our school community. 💙 Thank you both for your commitment to making a difference at MAPS! #WeAreMAPS

Please help us recognize the NTC MSI Day Planning and Presentation Team of Kasie Holt, Bree Kratz, Trina Knospe, Josh Zalewski, Marcy Cordova, and Lindsay Doescher. This team each took a role in planning and presenting at the Northcentral Technical College MSI Day on Monday, April 21, 2025. All 5th - 12th grade teachers, plus all Pupil Services, Encore and Therapists attended the day and learned about the DPI K-12 College Readiness Standards, took a tour of the entire NTC campus, and learned about Artificial Intelligence from NTC's AI Project Manager. This group assisted in planning the day and provided valuable insights during the day to teachers that linked what is happening at NTC to the experiences of our MAPS students. Their leadership helped to make the day successful and ensure teachers felt supported in the new learning. #WeAreMAPS

Last night the Act 20 Implementation Team was recognized: Jaime Farkas, John Hagemeister, Heather Kahr, Megan Kautzer, Ryan Martinovici, Danielle Schultz, and Rachel Sippel. This team has been key to the implementation of Wisconsin Act 20 - the Early Literacy Bill. This group has taken on the leadership to plan and support all 4K-3rd grade teachers in utilizing the new early literacy assessments, guidance and support to write personal reading plans, and implement additional literacy supports to struggling readers. Danielle and Rachel additionally were trained as LETRS Volume 1 trainers and have supported all 4K-4th grade teachers with LETRS training this year. The combination of each of their leadership has ensured a cohesive and successful first year of implementation of Act 20 where teachers have the information they need to best support our early learners with literacy. #WeAreMAPS

🎤 Congratulations to the Merrill Forensics Team! 🎉 Last night, the School Board recognized our incredible Merrill Forensics Team, who competed at State in April — and brought home some amazing individual awards! 🏅 Emily Raymer – Impromptu – Gold Medal 🥈 Harley Staeven – Poetry – Silver Medal 🥇 Isabella Stutting – Solo Acting – Gold Medal 🥈 Isabella Stutting – Storytelling – Silver Medal We’re so proud of your hard work, talent, and the way you represented Merrill at the State level. Way to go! 💙 #WeAreMAPS

Kris Alston from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Wisconsin also presented recognition to the MAPS Student Support Team (Erin Bahlow-Ingersoll, Mary Jo Beyer, Laura Clabots-Forster, Grant Dahlke, Jessica Frick, Sarah Grunenwald, Tara Hannemann, Casey Hanson, Kasie Holt, Miranda Johnson, Sara Klebenow, Trina Knospe, Bree Kratz, Trisha Kubichek, Toni Moldenhauer, Kelli Morgan, Christy Nowinsky, and Jason Wadzinski) for receiving the 2025 Community Partner Award. This team goes above and beyond for their Littles and Organization – from the amazing partnership with the SPARK Program to the incredible partnership with Pine Crest Nursing Home Bigs and Washington Elementary Littles! And of course, all of the referrals and support we receive from the entire team. Thank you for your support! #WeAreMAPS