Merrill Area Public Schools

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

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. 💕

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

🔧✨ 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

🌟 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

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

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

☕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

🚍 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

🎉 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

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

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

❄️ 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

📢 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

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

🌲✨ Merrill School Forest Family Fun Day ✨🌲

Join us on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for a fun-filled day at the Merrill School Forest!

✔️ Free equipment rentals
✔️ No admission fee
✔️ Free food

📍 Location: N4740 State Highway 107, Merrill, WI 54452

This is a great opportunity for families to enjoy the outdoors together. Be sure to check out the attached flyer for more details. We hope to see you there! 💙🌳 #WeAreMAPS

☕Coffee with the Superintendent ☕

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

🗓 Tuesday, January 27, 2026
🕗 8:00–9:00 a.m.
📍 Auntie Ray’s Coffee House – 812 E. 1st Street, Merrill

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

Topics will include:
• Property taxes and school funding
• Prairie River Middle School facilities study
• School improvement efforts
We hope to see you there! 💙 Please share! #WeAreMAPS

The Nest is so fortunate to have been chosen by The Eagles Club of Merrill as beneficiaries of their next pancake feed. Please come and support this wonderful initiative. #WeAreMAPS

📅 Reminder for Families:

There will be no school for students on Monday, January 19, 2026, as it is a Merrill School Improvement (MSI) Day for staff.

Thank you for your understanding as our staff uses this time for professional learning and planning to support student success. 💙 Please share. #WeAreMAPS