Merrill Area Public Schools

#MotivationalMonday #WeAreMAPS

🚌💙 Celebrating 65 Years of Service! Tonight, our Board of Education proudly recognized Dave Wendorf, Sara Wendorf, Rachel Ferguson, and the entire Wendorf Bussing crew for an incredible 65 years of transporting generations of families in the Merrill Area Public Schools District. This school year marks the final year of service for Wendorf Bussing, closing a remarkable chapter of dedication, care, and commitment to our students and community. From early morning pickups to safe after-school drop-offs, your impact has been felt far and wide. 👏 Thank you for your decades of dependable service, friendly smiles, and for always going the extra mile—literally and figuratively! We wish you all the best as you head into your next chapter 💙 💛

Hello Merrill Community! 🏊🏻 We are excited to announce that Session 1 of swim lessons will be starting in just 1 week and we can’t wait to welcome swimmers of all ages and skill levels! Classes are filling up quickly — a big thank you to everyone who has already signed up! With that being said, there is still plenty of room available across the different sessions and levels. We would love to have you join us! 💦 Go here to sign up: https://www.mapsedu.org/page/pool-schedule-information #WeAreMAPS

#MotivationalMonday #WeAreMAPS

🌞 Our 4th graders in summer school at Kate Goodrich are spreading kindness all around! 💛 They’ve been busy: ✨ Creating stained glass wind chimes as gifts for someone special 🪨 Painting kindness rocks to hide on the playground for younger students to find 🎭 Reading and acting out plays focused on kindness and chivalry 🧵 And next up—they’re planning to make blankets to donate to those in need Kindness truly rules in 4th grade this summer! 💙 #WeAreMAPS

🎙️ Bluejay Radio Update Amber Haluska, Director of Pupil Services/Special Education, recently joined Community Scan to share exciting MAPS updates! 📚 Summer School: Elementary students will attend from June 4–18 at Kate Goodrich with a focus on reading, math, and even swimming lessons! High School summer school includes credit recovery opportunities. Plus, summer band camps and weight training will be available for older students. 🌟 New This Year – Smart Start: A focused reading program for students entering grades 1–4, held at Washington in early August to support continued reading growth. 🚌 Transportation Update: Beginning in the 2025–26 school year, MAPS will partner with Kobussen Buses, a family-owned company serving Wisconsin for over 85 years. They're currently hiring for several roles in Merrill! 🥣 Meal Program Notice: Universal free breakfast will end this fall due to depleted funds. Families are encouraged to apply for free/reduced meals as needed. Tune in here to hear the full interview ➡️ https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YWJ-0mB8G3stdcIMqvvDk0Kim59bmj6x/view?usp=sharing ➡️ https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KXV0Y7fpnBEUrADyEzQbXl6FvxLCc3TA/view?usp=sharing

📣 We’re excited to share that MAPS was recently featured in the 7 Mindsets newsletter! The article highlights a recent visit to Merrill High School and Prairie River Middle School, showcasing how our staff and students are using 7 Mindsets to build positive school culture and empower student leadership. 🌟 We’re proud of the meaningful work happening in our schools and grateful to be recognized for the ways we’re supporting mental health, resilience, and student growth. 📰 Read the full article here: https://7mindsets.com/7-mindsets-in-wisconsin-transforming-school-culture-and-empowering-student-as-leaders/ #WeAreMAPS #7Mindsets

#MotivationalMonday #WeAreMAPS

📚✨ 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