Dear Merrill Families,
Happy New Semester! We’ve officially begun semester two of the 2025–26 school year and we’re off to a strong start with projects, field trips, and new classes. We’re excited to keep the momentum going — please take a moment to read our January newsletters: 6th Grade
7th Grade 8th Grade
Electives · SSP · Newcomer A few important reminders:
Student advocacy & communication: One goal this semester is to help students build advocacy and communication skills. Earlier this week your student should have sent an email with their Quarter 2 grades. Merrill uses standards‑based grading, which may differ from grading systems you remember. Please review this presentation to learn how standards‑based grading shows your student’s mastery of grade‑level expectations.
Email delivery issues: We’ve discovered some parent emails have been routed to teacher spam folders. We apologize if you haven’t received a response. Staff have been alerted and will check spam folders regularly. If you email a teacher and don’t get a reply, please call the front office at 720‑424‑0600 so leadership can follow up.
E-Bikes/Bicycle/Scooter- As a reminder all e-bike, bicycles and scooters must be walked off campus (which included Cory) and students should not return to school to ride their e-bike on DPS school grounds.
Winter weather & outdoor time: With snow finally arriving, please make sure your student dresses warmly. We will go outdoors as much as possible this winter to give students movement breaks during the school day. Thank you for your partnership. Merrill Leadership |
1/12/26- 7th Grade Quarter 2 Celebration at Sky Zone 1/19/26- No School- Martin Luther King Jr Day 1/20/26- School Choice Round 1 closes 1/30/26- 8th Grade Quarter 2 Celebration at Skate City |
Dear Caregivers and Family Members,
As you know, we are in the final stretch of our innovation renewal process as an individual school and as part of the Innovation Zone under the Luminary Learning Network (LLN). We are writing today with an important update and a request for your partnership as we work to ensure the continued success and stability of our school and the LLN.
Every three years we must vote and re-apply to keep our innovation status. Innovation status matters to us because it gives our school the flexibility to design programs and learning environments that meet the unique needs of our students and community. Our educators across the entire LLN recently participated in the consent vote required to continue in the Luminary Learning Network. With over 90% of our educators in support, this demonstrates a belief that the LLN helps us better serve students, respond to the needs of our community, and strengthen the learning environment at Merrill Middle School.
The next step now lies with the Denver Public Schools Board of Education. On January 22, 2026, the Board will vote on the renewal of the Luminary Learning Network. Their vote will directly impact the autonomy, stability, and opportunities our school has worked hard to build. It is critical that they hear from the families and community members who know firsthand the difference this model makes.
We are asking each of you to join us in advocating for a “YES” vote from the DPS Board.
Your voice carries tremendous weight. When board members hear from the people most deeply connected to our school, they better understand the value and impact of LLN on our students’ learning and well-being.
Here are a few ways you can help:
-Contact our Board representative and urge them to vote YES on January 22.- Kimberlee Sia at kimberlee_sia@dpsk12.net
-Sign our petition and circulate the petition to others in your network.
Thank you for all you do to make Merrill Middle School such a strong and vibrant community.
With appreciation and partnership,
Merrill Middle School
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Boys Volleyball Practices will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5:15pm
Girls Volleyball Practices are Mon- Thursday 4-5:30pm The Practice Team practices Tuesday and Thursdays from 7:30-8:40am.
Please reach out to vincent_franklin@dpsk12.net with any questions. |
We are looking for volunteers to assist with our school's biggest fundraiser, the Merrill School Auction. If you are interested in any role, please join us for our kickoff auction meeting next Tuesday, January 13th, at 6:30 PM. The agenda will include finalizing the theme, discussing procurements, and organizing various committees.
For meeting location, please contact Naurin Gilger (Nauringilger@gmail.com).
If you're unable to attend and would like to be a part of the event, please contact Danielle Gooden (daniellegumina@yahoo.com) or Naurin Gilger (Nauringilger@gmail.com). Don’t miss this opportunity to make a meaningful impact!
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The Merrill Store is designed to promote positive behavior and encourages students to make good choices. They earn Merrill Money throughout their time at school and use it to "purchase" items at the store during their recess. Items include snacks, chips, candy, sports equipment, Merrill gear, fidgets, toys, stickers and most importantly- gift cards! It's so fun seeing your student during the school day! We will have the store open 2 Fridays a month and hope to see you there! SignUpGeniusHere
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Merrill Families Helping Families |
Greetings #FAMILY! Merrill Meals pantry provides free groceries once a month to families in the Merrill community that would like to receive extra food. We understand that everyone could use some support from time to time, and we are here to help.
If you would like to receive extra groceries one-time per month, please complete this private and anonymous survey, so we can provide the food items that your family likes to eat and match your preferences. Please mark the items that you would like to have potentially included in your pre-packed backpack.
MerrillMealsForm Families Helping Families & the Merrill Meals Pantry are looking for volunteers! Volunteers are needed to: Pick up food donations
Stock pantry shelves
Help pack backpacks with food for families in the Merrill community
Our Spring volunteer signup is now OPEN, and we’d love to have you join us for one of our upcoming monthly backpack distributions. Whether you can help once or on a regular basis, your time and energy make a difference.
Don’t see a time that fits your schedule, but still want to help? Email sgrisinger77@gmail.com to join our volunteer list and get updates on future opportunities. |
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Donate Your Longmont Dairy Caps in the Merrill Office Longmont Dairy supports Merrill by giving 5¢ back for every milk cap! So, it's time to drop off all of those extra Longmont Dairy milk caps that you have been saving all summer! Stop on by the main office and help us fill up our collection bin to start our year off strong. Don't have any to turn in quite yet? We will continue to collect milk caps throughout the school year. Encourage your friends and neighbors to help us collect as well to help raise money that goes to support our students and staff.
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Cool Classroom! 6th ELA (Ms. Botello, Ms. Hesseltine, Ms. Cleveland) |
Students had the amazing opportunity to present their non-fiction hidden history project to peers, family, and community members! We had an incredible turn out, and students felt accomplished at the end of the day. |
Denver Public Schools is excited to host a second basketball clinic this school year in collaboration with Bailey Basketball Academy and Joint Effort Community Sports at Denver East High School on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
This is for DPS Middle School students ONLY (no high school students or middle school students from non-DPS schools) and open to the first 100 registrants. Middle school coaches are welcome to attend; we ask that you also fill out the form below.
Please complete this form to register your student(s) for this FREE DPS Middle School Basketball Clinic. Registration must be completed by Wednesday, January 14: January 2026 DPS Middle School Basketball Clinic Registration We will send you confirmation of your attendance or if you are on the waitlist. SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2026 at DENVER EAST HIGH SCHOOL JOINT EFFORT BASKETBALL CLINIC for DPS MIDDLE SCHOOL - BOYS AND GIRLS Clinic Time: 10:00AM - 12:00 PM Check-in beginning at 9:30 AM FREE to all current DPS Middle School Students (6th-8th grade) *Participants must bring their own ball and make sure it is marked Clinic Instructor: Kamau Bailey Former Denver East Basketball State Champion Colorado All State Basketball Player Former Professional Basketball Clinician, Philadelphia 76er's Basketball Camps CEO, Bailey Basketball Academy Sponsored by: Denver Public Schools Athletics Bailey Basketball Academy Joint Effort Community Sports Denver East High School |
DPS Support Opportunities! And MySpark!
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Youth On Record Programs! FREE program offerings for young musicians, and we’d love for you to share this opportunity with any students who might be interested.
Creative Enrichment Classes for middle and high school students. Classes next session include Beatmaking, Songwriting, and Piano Lab.
Studio Bookings young musicians can book out space in our Youth Media Studio for recording, mixing, band rehearsals, songwriting sessions, and jam sessions
Drop-in Fridays - Youth and Families are welcome to drop in on Fridays for tours, studio access, and a regular schedule of events and activations including First Friday Open Mic!
Here is our registration link. |
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