Merrill Area Public Schools

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

At last night's board meeting, Kris Alston from Big Brothers Big Sisters recognized Noah Klug. Noah is the recipient of the 2025 School Based Big of the Year for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Wisconsin. Noah Klug, a MHS Junior, has been volunteering as a School-Based Big Brother since December 2022. Noah is currently participating as a Big Brother to two different Littles at Kate Goodrich Elementary School. This is not typical and has happened because of what an amazing Big Brother and Mentor Noah has been through his time working with BBBS. He has been observed consistently going above and beyond with his mentorship with his Little. In January, Noah was asked by staff to consider taking on a second match for another Little in the BBBS program. Noah didn't hesitate, instead called the BBBS Match Specialist immediately to see if he could take on this second commitment. Noah's sense of responsibility and his kindness has been evident in each of his weekly meetings with his Littles. It has been wonderful and heartwarming to watch both of these matches grow as both one on one mentor relationships continue to thrive into great positive experiences for all involved. Thank you, Noah, for changing lives in the Merrill School District. #WeAreMAPS

🎉 Congratulations to our Merrill High School Youth Apprentices! 🎉 These outstanding students have earned their Certificate of Occupational Proficiency from the State of Wisconsin for the 2024–2025 school year! We’re proud of their hard work, dedication, and the valuable experience they’ve gained through the Youth Apprenticeship Program. 👏 Way to go, Bluejays! 💙 #WeAreMAPS

Please join us in congratulating Steve “Bummer” Weix on his upcoming retirement at the end of this school year! Bummer spent 20 years as a K-3 Special Education Teacher/IDS at Mosinee Elementary School before returning to his hometown, where he’s spent the past 12 years teaching High School Special Education/IDS here at MAPS. As he looks ahead to retirement, Bummer says, “I will do All those Things, That Give Me A Smile & Make Me Happy…” Thank you, Bummer, for your years of care, dedication, and impact on students. We wish you nothing but joy in the adventures ahead! 🎉 #WeAreMAPS #WeAreMAPS

🎉 Please help us congratulate our May Youth Optimist Award winners — Austin Depies and Haylea Drabek! Your leadership, positivity, and dedication make us proud. Way to go! 👏 #WeAreMAPS

📦 End-of-Year Food Drive – May 12–23 Help us support local students and families facing food insecurity this summer by donating non-perishable food items. 🧡 Drop-off at: MHS, PRMS, Washington, or Kate Goodrich 🍎 Suggested items: Canned fruits/veggies, peanut butter, pasta, rice, canned meats, cereal, shelf-stable milk, and more. If your family could benefit from this program, please contact your school’s social worker. Every item makes a difference—thank you for supporting our school community! 💙 #WeAreMAPS

📚✨ Congratulations to the 2025 MHS National Honor Society Inductees! The Viola Holt Chapter held its annual Induction Ceremony on Wednesday, May 7 in the MHS LMC. We’re proud to welcome these outstanding students and celebrate their commitment to scholarship, leadership, service, and character. 👏 A special thank you to our senior officers for your dedication and leadership this year! Inductees: Olivia Barker, Adison Clark, Avery Frisch, Hazeley Gates, Grace Hoff, Addison Jirovec, Brenna Jirovec, Hannah Klinger, Noah Klug, Korina Kraegenbrink, Abbie Krueger, Mark Marvin, Greta Peterson, Derek Schult, Layla Schmidt, Remington Skic, Lauren Zuelsdorff Not Pictured: Erik Grunenwald 2025 Officers: President – Jazi Severt Vice President – Keeley Benedict Secretary – Emily Winter Treasurer – Theo Johnson Historian – Ronan Van De Weerd

🎉 On May 7, the Merrill High School Youth Apprenticeship Program celebrated its Student Stars at a special banquet at the Eagle's Club! Out of 93 students in the program this year, 12 were recognized for going above and beyond in building career readiness skills. 👏 A new "Mentor of the Year" award was also introduced and presented to Greg Gressens of Brickner’s Park City for his dedication and mentorship since the program's start. Congratulations to all our Youth Apprentices and a big thank you to our business partners for helping students build bright futures! Contact Linda Murray or Steve Hintze, Youth Apprenticeship Coordinators at 715-536-4594 for more information or if students or businesses would like to participate in the program next school year. #WeAreMAPS #YouthApprenticeship

After 30 years of dedication to MAPS, Doug Iwen is retiring at the end of this school year! Doug has taught High School Social Studies his entire career in our district! When asked about his favorite memory, Doug shared, "Seeing students’ differing personalities outside of the classroom—like working with students when preparing for Homecoming." What will he miss the most? Doug said, "The day-to-day challenges of trying to explain things so students can relate to the material and understand it better—along with the interaction with the students." Doug, thank you for three decades of inspiring, educating, and connecting with students. We wish you the very best in your next adventures! 🎉 #WeAreMAPS

💙🩺 Happy School Nurse Day! | May 7 🩺💙 Today we celebrate and thank our incredible school nurses for the care, compassion, and calm they bring to our schools every day. Whether it's a scraped knee, a comforting word, or managing complex health needs, our nurses are always there to support students and staff. Thank you for being the heartbeat of student wellness and for all you do to keep MAPS healthy and thriving! #WeAreMAPS

On a recent episode of Bluejay Radio’s Community Scan, Director of Finance Mark Powell shared updates on several key topics: 🧾 State Budget & District Budget Development The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently upheld the $325 per-pupil revenue cap increase, but future state funding remains uncertain. With a Democratic governor and a Republican legislature, there could be extended debate—and final decisions may not come until fall. For now, MAPS is moving forward with a status quo approach to budgeting. 👩‍🏫 Hiring Update MAPS has had a strong hiring season, filling roles such as an instructional coach, Tech Ed teacher, Special Ed aide, two health aides, and clerical support at MADA (Merrill Adult Learning Academy). The District is hopeful for a stable staffing outlook with no major year-end resignations. 🚌 New Busing Contract for 2025–26 Wendorf is exiting the transportation business. Starting in 2025–26, Kobussen—a company based in the Fox Valley with service in Shawano and Marshfield—will take over. Transition planning is underway, and no major changes are expected in the first year. 📣 Additional Announcements Spring sports are in full swing Community Education classes launched this spring, and the team is planning the fall catalog—contact Angie Drew if you’re interested in teaching a class Special School Board meeting on April 28 to elect officers MHS Graduation is May 23 Last day of school is May 30 You can listen to the interview here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IDcfenYd8BYLT7NLrKK_oIrYeG36vPtM/view?usp=sharing #WeAreMAPS

🌟Custodial/Maintenance Employee of the Month🌟 🎉Congratulations to Al Galarza🎉 Al does a great job at PRMS. He is friendly and always willing to help out wherever he can. He is a hard worker and always has a good attitude. - Nate L. Thank you, Al, for your hard work and commitment!💙👏 #WeAreMAPS

🍎✨ National Teacher Appreciation Week | May 5–9 ✨🍎 This week, we celebrate and honor the heart of our schools—our amazing teachers! 💙 Your passion, creativity, and commitment to students make a difference every single day. To all of our educators across MAPS: thank you for inspiring minds, shaping futures, and leading with heart. We appreciate you today and every day! Drop a comment to shout out a teacher who’s made an impact in your life! 👇 #WeAreMAPS