Merrill Community Schools News

As we continue to move forward to give your child a great education the K-12 strategic team is rewriting our vision and mission statements. Though often the terms mission and vision statements are used interchangeably there is a difference in what they mean.

A mission statement, is what schools use to describe their founding purpose and major commitments. A mission statement may describe a school’s day-to-day operational objectives, its instructional values, or its public commitments to its students and community. Mission statement declares the practical commitments and actions that a school believes are needed to achieve its vision. A vision statement, describes an end goal. It is what schools use to describe their high-level goals for the future—what they hope to achieve if they successfully fulfill their purpose or mission.

It you wish to sit in on the committee to help rewrite our Mission and Vision statement or you have ideas of what you would want in those please contact me.

Our 1st Marking Period PBIS Assembly was great! The students participated in the Vandal Pledge and we recognized our September and October ticket winners. We also got to see all of the Tater creations done by each classroom as they earned their No Tardy Tater points. We introduced the next lessons the students and staff will be working on which cover Cafeteria Expectations.

Pictured below are students from Mrs. Trudgen’s room demonstrating the cafeteria expectations to follow in our Here’s the Scoop ice cream competition.

Pictured below are the students selected as the PBIS winners for the month of October. Pictured from right to left are:

Jesse Hall (1st grade), Linnia Lednicky (3rd grade), Alexis Lynch (2nd grade), Jaylynn Anderson (4th grade), Ariaha LaPonsie (K), Grant Vedrode (5th grade)

The students were awarded with a pizza party put on by Linda Honaman and myself in the cafeteria. Each student was able to bring a friend. Pictured below is some of the party fun!

During the month of November, we practiced what is called Secure Mode with our students. To secure means to make safe. In this drill we practice staying safe within the building. Rules that we follow during this practice include:

· Classroom doors are locked and closed while the teacher and students are in the classroom.

· An announcement is made over the PA system so everyone knows we are in Secure Mode.

· All windows are closed and shut.

· Any students in the hallways are to be accompanied by an adult.

· All outside doors remain locked. Anyone entering or exiting the building must use the main doors by the office.

· If a Secure Mode were to occur during recess, we would have indoor recess.

This Mode is used when the potential for external threats arise in the surrounding area. We are required to practice it at least once during the school year.

It is with great pleasure that I can announce that a new 5th grade teacher has been hired to replace Ms. McMahan. Her name is Rachel Yurgens. Rachel graduated from SVSU and in addition to her teaching certification is certified to teach elementary and middle school science and social studies. Her passions are reading and technology. She has had direct experience working with 5th grade students in all core subject areas and is excited about the prospect of working with our 5th grade students.

Ms. Yurgens has a lot to offer our students and we look forward to her becoming part of the Merrill Elementary staff.

On October 3, the Elementary students started a new program called “No Tardy Tators”. Each classroom received 1 Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head kit complete with accessories. When students in the classroom come to school on time, (except for excused tardies), that classroom receives 1 “no tardy tator” point allowing them to attach one piece to their class Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head. When a classroom has earned 10 “no tardy tators” points they celebrate by hanging a medallion on a classroom certificate outside of their door. It has been exciting to see all of the classrooms accumulate days with no unexcused tardies.

Earning 30 days are Miller, Yurgens, Hardman, and Glazier. Earning 20 days are Coleman, Trudgen, Stoneman, Peacock, and Waterman. Earning 10 days are Brandle and Seamon. Congratulations to everyone for working so hard to be in class

Thank you to Kara Jiminez, her SVSU students and Mrs. Mager for helping to organize and run this year’s KRTN race and practice opportunities. We had a great turnout of parents, grandparents, siblings and racers on Saturday, November 12 in spite of the cold temperatures. The race started at Merrill Elementary School at 10:30 a.m. and the course ran1 mile through the village. The students and their running buddies ran as fast as they could! Pictured below are the kids with their medals.

Elementary Children participating in KRTN this year are:

Kindergarten Shelby Diehl, Elijah Fischer, Kendall Gath, Sophie Gagne, Hope Jimenez, Eric Mager, Kayla Schoch

First Grade Chance Garno, Kilah Hunter, Kristyn Pratt, Khloe Schoch

Second Grade Abigaile Badder, Elizabeth Carroll, Sawyer Diehl, Eli Evans, Lexie Fordos, Madelyn Hill, Hudson Hedrich, Aiden McMillan, Alyssa Pitts, Taryn Pratt, Victoria Starke, Olivia Villanueva, Cody Weimer

Third Grade Jacob Hodges, Matlyn Miller, Maddy DeSmyter, Jenna Follett, Charlotte Gath,

Fourth Grade Kiley Hill, Ali McMillan, Gracie Neve, Addison Fordos, Hannah Glover, Brent Smith, Justine Volker

Fifth Grade Alivia Heath, Antonio Jimenez, Reece Kenny, Jacob Kroll, Aiden Larner, Blake Mager, Mazzy Mosher, Lillian Platt, Thor Beougher, Mary Burns, Carter Follett, Veda Gagne, Sami Grugbaugh, Derek Schoch, Tyler Smith, Mary Starke, Logan Villanueva, Jett Miller

Maggie Moffett, a biology professor at Delta College was our STEM speaker on November 4th. Her son, Hunter, is in Mrs. Glazier’s fourth grade class. Maggie talked to the students about how many science classes she has taken and that she has a master’s degree. She originally thought about becoming a wildlife biologist, but decided she really loved teaching. She talked about using engineering and math when she sets up some of the 77 labs for which she is responsible. She also told the kids she uses technology like they have in their classroom such as computers and document cameras.

Ms. Moffett explained to the kids that she teaches a college biology class to students here at Merrill High School and they earn college credit for it. She showed how she knew this was a female frog because of the size of the fingers. She told us it would be full of eggs (it was). Maggie dissected the frog under the document camera for the kids to see. She even cut open the frog’s stomach so they could find out what the frog had had for its last meal (three water beetles). The frog’s internal organs are very similar to a human’s. Most kids were totally thrilled to watch the dissection, but a few were squeamish and think this would not be a career path they want to pursue.

The kids were excited to receive a prize bag from Delta that had a color wheel highlighter, pencil, and sunglasses.

The Cyber Knights, Merrill MS Robotics team, finished 7th in a regional FTC competition. 35 teams competed at this event on Saturday, November 12, at Bullock Creek High School. As a member of FIRST FTC, students have to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge. Congratulations on a successful season!

In May of 2015-2016 school year, Mrs. Kosick’s 6th grade art class and Mrs. Fordos’ 8th grade STEM class participat

ed in the 7th Annual Community Calendar Art Contest sponsored by Hemlock Semiconductor Operations and Dow Corning. Students illustrated a picture that reflects the theme of My Dream STEM Job. On November 9th, 2016, an awards ceremony was held at the Saginaw Anderson Enrichment Center. The ceremony recognized those students whose artwork were selected for the calendar, as well as the finalists. This year Merrill had four students selected as finalists for the contest: Carmen Tack, Logan Sporcic, Riley Hill and Elizabeth Fischer. Congratulations to these students on a job well done!

A team of writers at the high school level has been created to participate in the MSAC competition for three meets this season. The team also has participated at events at Saginaw Valley State University. Coached by Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. Pratt, the students participated in competitions in short story, expository writing, and poetry. This team is a great way for students to show their academic skills off to a much larger community. Competitions run through the second of December.

On November 7th, six new members joined the National Honors Society chapter here at Merrill High School. These students have a minimum GPA of 3.5, have fewer than eight absences, and have been selected by the faculty counsel based on their leadership, scholarship, character, and service activities. Merrill is proud to have such leaders in our building. Thank you to all of the faculty, board and community members who attended to help support our students.

Returning NHS Members are Kaylie Brown, Morgan Dubay, Jacob Kaufman, Erica Markel and Chloe Woods. New members are Hallie Briggs, Samantha Clark, Zoe Leveto, Olivia Fleming, Caitlin Lisee, and Morgan Pratt.

In collaboration with the churches and businesses within our community, the National Honors Society has begun their part in helping with the food drive for Caring is Sharing. Please continue to send your nonperishable food items into the Middle School/High School with your student so that we can help those in need in our community this Christmas season. Thank you, for all of your support!

Thank you to all of the families and learners in attendance at Fall 2016 conferences. Communication between families and school is essential to student success. Please feel free to contact instructors via email or phone to discuss any questions or concerns related to your student. Report cards were sent home with students. If have not received your student’s report card, please contact Hannah Coston at coston@merrillschools.org or 989.643.7231 to receive a new copy.

2016 MSAC All Conference Selections

1st Team - Derick Cassiday - Linebacker

1st Team - Levi Gross - Linebacker

1st Team - Cameron Siler - Defensive End

1st Team - Traves Stallings - Defensive Back

1st Team - Jaden Reiber - Split Back

1st Team - Joe Felker - Offensive Lineman

2nd Team - Jake Knierim - Quarterback

Honorable Mention - Nathyn Knowles - Defensive End

Honorable Mention - Elijah Glazier - Safety

Honorable Mention - Montana Glazier - Wide Receiver

Honorable Mention - Jacob Kaufman - Offensive Lineman

Honorable Mention - Tucker Breasbois - Defensive Lineman

2016 Midland Daily News Dream Team

Dream Team - Derick Cassiday - Linebacker

Dream Team - Jaden Reiber - Split Back

1st Team - Jake Knierim - Quarterback

1st Team - Levi Gross - Linebacker

1st Team - Cameron Siler - Defensive End

2016 Saginaw News Dream Team

Honorable Mention - Derick Cassiday - Linebacker

Honorable Mention - Jaden Reiber - Split Back

Honorable Mention - Jake Knierim - Quarterback

Honorable Mention - Levi Gross - Linebacker

Honroable Mention - Cameron Siler - Defensive End

2016 AP Division 7-8 All-State Team

Honorable Mention - Jake Knierim - Quarterback

Our Merrill Volleyball Program has had a great season. They were able achieve many goals. Coach Ann Wiley is in her second year of taking over our volleyball program and has done an awesome job of showing the students that hard work, fundamentals and teamwork are the recipe for success. She works closely with the other coaches and athletes from all levels, including running a youth volleyball clinic.

The Varsity Volleyball Team, coached by Ann Wiley and Gwen Glazier, had an overall record of 30 wins, 10 losses and 6 ties. They also had a lot of success in their MSAC conference, ending the season 6-1, and finishing 2nd place. In addition to this success they won the Vassar Invitational championship, the Michigan Lutheran Seminary Invitational Championship and were the Ithaca Tournament Silver Bracket Champion.

In addition, the JV Volleyball team, which is coached by Tina Fischer and Nicole Fleming and the 8th graders, who are coached by Ann Wiley and Gwen Glazier, finished the season undefeated. Our freshman volleyball players also won the Swan Valley Freshman Tournament under Coach Wiley and Coach Fischer’s direction. Our 7th graders, both an A and B team, were coached by Karah Schwalm, who helped her athletes learn the fundamentals and develop their interest and love for the game.

In the MSAC conference, our varsity players were honored by the other coaches with many accolades. Receiving 1st team All Conference was Olivia Fleming and Ashtyn Hescott. Second team All Conference honors went to Kaylie Brown. Also, receiving Honorable Mention were Olivia Glazier, Taylor Buckley and Zoe Fleming. The team awards were: Most Valuable Player - Kaylie Brown, Most Improved Player - Ashtyn Hescott, and Hustle Award - Zoe Fleming.

Mrs. Jordan has been chosen to present two sessions at the MRA: Passports to Possibilities conference this coming March in Grand Rapids. The two sessions will be focused on reading and writing in the workshop model at the high school level. The Michigan Reading Association is working hard to bring more high school and middle school programing to the state conference, and a great way to keep Merrill on the map as a leader in student centered learning. Mrs. Jordan was also selected to present at the MAISA workshop for teachers this June in Lansing on similar topics.

On November 1st teachers professional development consisted of 5D+ teacher evaluation training. Very successful day with much information presented.

November 21, 2016 the school board accepted Mr. Barraco’s voluntary resignation from the Middle/High School Principal’s position. Mrs. Mager will remain in the role as interim principal through the remainder of the 2016-17 school year. Mrs. Rosebush will continue as Middle/High School Counselor.

I am confident as we move forward that the entire 6-12 staff will continue to give your child positive educational experience they deserve.

If you have any questions or concerns as the year progresses please call, email, or stop by to see me.

Dear Merrill MS/HS Families,

As a member of the Merrill community, it is with great pride that I continue my service to the families and students of Merrill Middle/High School as the interim principal. After twelve years of serving as the MS/HS Guidance Counselor, I feel I have a strong understanding of the educational excellence provided by Merrill Community Schools and look forward to fostering continued academic growth of all students.

For those who do not yet know me, I am a graduate of Merrill High School and live in the Merrill community with my husband, Adam, and our four children, Ella, Blake, Erik, and Alyse, all who attend Merrill Schools. In addition to a Master's degree in Counseling, I have spent a great deal of time preparing to be the educational leader of our school, through both on-the-job training and professional development.

In my role as principal, I am responsible to help establish a clear direction for our school and support actions that will help all students succeed. To that end, I will work with families, students, staff, and community members to outline goal and develop activities to achieve them. The first step in this process is to create an action plan that will help us move forward during the next 100 days and beyond. To create this plan it is necessary to work with all members of the community to ensure everyone has a voice.

As we continue exploring a focus for the remainder of the 2016-2017, input from individuals like yourself will be collected in upcoming Listening and Learning meetings, interviews, and surveys opportunities. Enclosed is information regarding these upcoming events. I hope you will consider attending to give your input. If you are unable to attend one of these meetings, please consider emailing me at mager@merrillschools.org or call 989.643.7231 to discuss a more convenient time to meet.

I look forward to the challenges ahead and ask for your help in making our school an even better place to educate the students of our community. Working together I know we can help our students gain the knowledge and skills necessary for their future success and to lead our world tomorrow.

Kind Regards,

Tara Mager

Please join us in an opportunity to share your insights regarding the future vision for Merrill MS/HS!

Several Listening and Learning forums are scheduled in December and January to give all families, community members, and students an opportunity to discuss the strengths, areas of opportunity, and future goals of Merrill MS/HS.

Student Input Forum

All forums will occur at Merrill MS/HS Media Center

Friday, December 16th, 11:00-12:00 PM

Monday, December 12th, 11:00-12:00 PM

Tuesday, December 13th, 11:00-12:00 PM

Community Input Forum

All forums will occur at Merrill MS/HS Media Center

Monday, Dec. 12th, 6-6:45 PM

Tuesday, Dec. 20th, 6-6:45 PM

Monday, January 9th, 7-8 PM

Individuals unable to attend are encouraged to complete our online survey: https://goo.gl/forms/NebZYhE4I4DA5A6D2 or schedule a face to face meeting with interim principal, Tara Mager at mager@merrillschools.org, 989.643.7231.