Last night, our Board recognized Levon Van Der Geest for his donation to the NEST. Levon is a Merrill native, an MHS grad, and is currently a junior at UW Milwaukee pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. Levon is also a local race car driver who was chosen as one of seven national finalists to participate in the Kulwicki Driver Development Program which was founded in honor of the late NASCAR legend Alan Kulwicki. The KDDP finalists are judged not only on their on track stats, but also on their philanthropy and volunteerism. Since Levon’s race car number is 23, he identified 23 local organizations to raise money for and the NEST was lucky enough to make the list. Levon had stickers made for the hood of his race car and invited local businesses and race fans to give $10 to get their name on the hood of his race car for each race on his schedule throughout the season. The local causes he championed included domestic violence, animal welfare, veterans, community service, fighting cancer, community enrichment, food insecurity, mental health awareness and suicide prevention, and homelessness. He also raised money for several organizations supporting kids’ basic needs, positive mentorship and healthy activities. Incredibly, Levon ended up raising over $25,000 for local organizations which is such a testament to the fact that many people doing a little can really accomplish great things. The NEST is a fund run by our school social workers to provide necessities to students and families who are struggling. This was the largest of all of Levon’s fundraisers last season and he presented us with a check for $4,405! #WeAreMAPS
🥬🌱 Green Team Takes Action at Washington! 🌱🥬
Our incredible "Green Team," made up of 10 dedicated fourth graders, has been hard at work growing various types of lettuce in their hydroponic planter. After a month and a half of care and dedication, they proudly harvested their crops! 🥗
These young leaders took turns educating their peers about the process and even served the freshly grown lettuce to both grade levels during lunch. What an inspiring way to promote sustainability and healthy eating! 🌟
Great job, Green Team! 👏 #WeAreMAPS
We're thrilled to announce the new app for MAPS!
It's everything Bluejays, in your pocket.
Download for Android https://aptg.co/GcHy2t
Download for iPhone https://aptg.co/5J2JKd
🔹 No School Friday, January 17, 2025 🔹
January 17th is a Merrill School Improvement (MSI) Day for staff and there will be no school for students. Please share. #WeAreMAPS
Join Superintendent Shannon Murray at Friendship House for an open discussion about what's happening around the District.
This school year, we’re excited to share that our dedicated support staff will be participating in the Strengthening Families Program during 4 scheduled MSI days!
The program will provide our staff with valuable tools to strengthen relationships and support student well-being both at school and at home. What’s even more exciting is how this aligns with our Literacy Together initiative! By fostering strong connections with families and students, we’re building a foundation that not only supports emotional health but also encourages a love for learning—especially when it comes to literacy. 📚
Together, we are creating a supportive environment that empowers our students to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. 💙
#WeAreMAPS See less
🌟 It’s National School Psychology Week! 🌟
This week we celebrate the incredible work of our school psychologists, Von Saunders and Christine Niersel! Their dedication helps foster a supportive and inclusive environment, empowering students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Thank you, Von and Christine, for your unwavering commitment to the well-being of our students! 💙 #WeAreMAPS
Community education and adult enrichment programs play a crucial role in providing lifelong learning opportunities to individuals of all ages. These programs offer a wide range of classes, workshops, and events that cater to diverse interests and skill levels. Whether it's learning a new language, honing artistic abilities, or acquiring practical skills, community education and adult enrichment programs create a supportive and inclusive environment for personal growth and development. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing, these programs contribute to the overall well-being and enrichment of the community.
