Merrill Area Public Schools

🎙️ Superintendent Shannon Murray and Board President Kevin Blake were recently featured on Bluejay Radio's Community Scan! They discussed highlights from the most recent Regular Board of Education Meeting and shared information about upcoming events across the district. 📻 Tune in to the full interview here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1795SMCs23bsSBTNKCDQVCo5Wq9it9Eq8/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/17DM5JbOSZaycNtuA1BczarKKLPH26Tyu/view?usp=sharing #WeAreMAPS

🌞 Summer School Registration Opens Today! 🌞 We’re excited to welcome students currently in 4K through 4th grade from MAPS and parochial schools to join us for a fun and enriching summer experience! 📅 Registration is open now through April 18 – don’t miss your chance to sign up! Our summer school program includes: ✏️ Engaging math and literacy activities 🤝 Making new friends 🌳 Outdoor fun and games 🎤 Special guest speakers 🏊‍♂️ Swim lessons for students 6 years and older 🎉 A celebration field trip to the outdoor pool to wrap up the session! Register today and get ready for a summer of learning and laughter! For more information on summer school please visit: www.summermaps.com To register fill out this Google form: https://forms.gle/8RGzcRieg7cPiSkZA

🎉 It's National Assistant Principals Week! 🎉 This week, we extend our gratitude to our incredible Assistant Principals for their leadership, dedication, and unwavering support of our students and staff. Their hard work helps create positive learning environments and ensures student success every day! 👏 Thank you to: ⭐ Brad Potter – Merrill High School ⭐ Allie Libby – Merrill High School ⭐ Nate Lemmens – Prairie River Middle School ⭐ Jaime Farkas – Bridges Virtual Academy Your leadership makes a difference! 💙 #WeAreMAPS

📚✨ Happy School Librarian Appreciation Day! ✨📚 Today, we celebrate our amazing school librarians and Library Technology Specialists who inspire a love of reading, support student learning, and create welcoming spaces for exploration and discovery. Their dedication to fostering curiosity and knowledge makes a lasting impact on our schools! Thank you to our incredible LTS staff for all you do! 💙📖 #WeAreMAPS

🎉 Congratulations to our March Youth Optimist of the Month Ben Thom! 🎉 We are proud to recognize Ben for his outstanding dedication, leadership, and positive impact in our school and community. Your hard work and optimism inspire those around you! 👏 Keep up the great work! #WeAreMAPS

🌟Custodial/Maintenance Employee of the Month🌟 🎉Congratulations to Jeffrey Zettler🎉 "Jeff always responds quickly and efficiently and takes care of issues that involve our school. Consistently reliable. " - Ryan M Thank you, Jeff, for your hard work and commitment!💙👏 #WeAreMAPS

🎉 Happy Paraprofessional Day! 🎉 Today, we celebrate and appreciate our incredible paraprofessionals who play a vital role in supporting our students and schools. Their dedication, patience, and hard work make a lasting impact every day. 💙 To all our paraprofessionals—thank you for all you do! Your commitment to student success does not go unnoticed. 👏 #WeAreMAPS

💙🌍 Today is World Autism Awareness Day! 🌍💙 At MAPS, we celebrate the unique strengths, talents, and perspectives of individuals with autism. By fostering understanding, acceptance, and inclusion, we create a supportive environment where everyone can thrive. Join us in recognizing and celebrating the incredible individuals in our community! 💙 #WeAreMAPS

🌟 April is Occupational Therapy Month! 🌟 We want to take a moment to recognize and thank our incredible Occupational Therapist, Carrie Roth, for the dedication and care she brings to our students every day. Her expertise and support help students develop the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. 💙 Thank you, Carrie, for making a difference! 👏 #WeAreMAPS

There is a 2-hour delay for MAPS this morning and no AM 4K. This includes all community AM 4K classes. Please share. #WeAreMAPS

🎙️ Bluejay Radio Community Scan: Featuring Amber Haluska 🎙️ Amber Haluska, Director of Pupil Services/Special Education, recently joined Bluejay Radio's Community Scan to share insights on district initiatives and focus areas. She discussed Literacy Together, Safe and Civil Schools, and the Mental Health Academy, along with exciting upcoming events in the District. 📢 Don't miss out—listen to the full interview here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pDHwNXrz_YHXRFuCstOX7KMZvyNKIQdZ/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qcYm_yDR8vmXiApp3Ggj_A-6xZJz7-Zj/view?usp=sharing #WeAreMAPS

📢 Reminder: Spring Break Next Week! 📢 MAPS will be on Spring Break from March 24-28—there will be no school all week. We hope our students, staff, and families have a restful and enjoyable break! ☀️🌸 Please share. #WeAreMAPS

MAPS Pool will be CLOSED tomorrow, March 19th, due to the inclement weather. There will be no Lap Swim, Open Swim, or Swim Lessons. Thank you for your understanding!

🚨 School Closure Update – Wednesday, March 19 🚨 Due to the incoming winter storm, MAPS is canceling school for grades PK-8 tomorrow (March 19). However, Merrill High School (grades 9-12) will have a virtual learning day. To meet instructional time requirements, please note the following adjustments: 📌 Monday, April 21 – Virtual learning day for grades 9-12 (PK-8 remains an inservice day). 📌 Friday, May 23 – Now a regular school day for all grades (PK-12). Stay safe, and if you have questions, please contact your child’s school. ❄️ Please share. #WeAreMAPS

🍀📚 Title I Fun at Kate Goodrich! 📚🍀 Students in Title I at Kate Goodrich celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with some festive fun! They enjoyed Oreo gold coins, read a St. Patrick’s Day story, and participated in engaging phonics reading and writing activities. ☘️✨ A great way to make learning fun and meaningful! 🍪📖✍️ #WeAreMAPS

🚨 There is no school for students in grades K-4 on Friday, March 21. 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

Kate Goodrich Principal, Heather Kahr, recently joined Bluejay Radio’s Community Scan to share exciting updates from Kate Goodrich! 🎙️✨ Topics Heather discussed: 📚 Literacy Together ✅ Professional learning with LETRS and CHAMPS is driving student success. ✅ 72% of students are making typical or aggressive growth! 📈 ✅ Tom Pease brought joy to Family Night last week! 🎶 ✅ Read Across America Week is coming up with fun activities to celebrate literacy! 📖🎉 🏡 Family Engagement ✅ Focus on bringing families back into the school to celebrate student success! ✅ Family lunches have been a hit, with our highest turnout yet! 🍽️❤️ 💙 7 Mindsets: Attitude of Gratitude ✅ Many tokens of gratitude have been shared throughout Kate Goodrich! 💕 Thanks to Heather Kahr for sharing these highlights! Tune in to Bluejay Radio on Thursdays to hear more about the great things happening at Kate Goodrich Elementary and around the District! 🎧💙 Listen to the full interview here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mcHDOp-muQv_c4rWcnthkN3ZJ8JYMglO/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mcxUAhWZ7FdxvfgsskoVakSqdGUKbjB-/view?usp=sharing #WeAreMAPS

Thank you to Amy Drew and Karrie Honey for putting up this month’s bulletin board at Central Office showcasing the Northern Achievement Center (NAC)! It looks so great! #WeAreMAPS

🎉 Congratulations, Olivia! 🎉 Join us in celebrating Olivia Pajtash as the February Youth Optimist of the Month! 🌟 Her dedication, hard work, and positive impact make her truly deserving of this recognition. Way to go, Olivia! We are proud of you! 💙👏 #WeAreMAPS

🌟 Custodial/Maintenance Employee of the Month 🌟 🎉 Congratulations to Inga Fredericks! 🎉 We want to take a moment to recognize Inga for her incredible communication, organization, and willingness to help. No matter how many times she’s called on the radio, she always responds with kindness and professionalism. Her dedication and efficiency never go unnoticed—whenever she’s given a task, she completes it quickly and thoroughly. Merrill High School is lucky to have her, and we are grateful for all she does to keep things running smoothly. Thank you, Inga, for your hard work and commitment! 💙👏 #WeAreMAPS