Dear Families,
We had a wonderful week at Merrill! Students were deeply engaged in project‑based learning. Seventh‑grade Language Arts students created mini‑documentary interviews about a Lit Circle character who demonstrated resilience — they wrote scripts with interview questions, filming directions, and planned images and music; editing begins next week, and we can’t wait to see the finished projects. Our ELD students also learned to use WeVideo to illustrate their “I Am” poems. So much outstanding learning is happening!
We also want to extend our gratitude to all Merrill Families who helped support the food drive last week. It is incredibly successful in supporting over 75 families.
Bike & E‑Bike/Scooter Safety We want every student to arrive and leave Merrill in a way that works for their family, but recently we’ve seen an increase in safety concerns involving scooters, bicycles — especially E‑bikes. Staff, Merrill students, and nearby elementary students have narrowly avoided collisions with riders on E‑bikes.
Please note:
Scooter, Bicycles and E‑bikes may NOT be ridden on school property, including sidewalks.
Students must walk their bikes/scooters once on school grounds and only mount them after leaving school property.
Once off campus, students should immediately use the bike lane or other safe route.
To help students know where to mount and dismount, please review the map below. We are also including Colorado state guidance on e‑bike speed/helmet requirements and other safety expectations for youth riders. In addition, we are collaborating with the Department of Climate and Safety for extra support.
Thank you for helping us keep all members of the Cory/C3/Merrill campus — students, families, and staff — safe.
Fall Dance — “Welcome to the Jungle” We’re excited to host our Fall Dance next Friday, November 14, from 5:30–7:00 PM. We encourage all students to attend this fun evening.
Students must be picked up promptly at 7:00 PM.
If a student leaves the dance early, they will not be permitted to re‑enter.
All students will need to be dropped off at in the back, by the black-top, as they will be entering the gym from that door.
We will have food and beverages available for purchase at this event.
We look forward to a wonderful evening together!
Sincerely,
Merrill Leadership
Upcoming Dates
11/9/25 All Campus Clean Up! 9:30-11:30am See Sign up in the "Around the Community" section below
11/12/25- PTSA Meeting at Platt Park Brewing at 6:00pm. DINE OUT at Park Burger! Grab a burger and join the PTSA Meeting across the street!
11/12/25- Merrill Fall Band Concert 5:30pm
11/14/25- Merrill Dance 5:30pm-7pm
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DPS 8th Grade College and Career Fair
When: Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Students need to be on time. We’ll leave at 9 am and return to Merrill at 11:20 am.
Where: Empower Field at Mile High (Denver Broncos Stadium)
Who: All 8th graders at Merrill
Other: Students cannot bring purses, backpacks, or bags due to new NFL security rules.
Dear Families of DPS Eighth grade students,
Eighth grade is a critical time when students begin making educational decisions that will impact their career opportunities for years to come. The Career Fair is set up to help students make these important decisions with the future in mind. They begin by interviewing career representatives in their area of interest to find out what post-secondary training or education they need for various careers. They end by learning about what high school programs or courses may help them prepare.
Athletics
The student registration for Boys & Girls Volleyball for our Winter Prep League season is now open. The deadline to register is set for December 5
Please know that this is different from the 6th grade volleyball, all grades are able to try out for the team. There will be 1 boys team and 1 girls team. Games are slated to start the first week back from Winter break.
Merrill Middle School
Tryout dates are TBD
Any questions please reach out to Mr. Franklin
Flag Football Practice
Boys: Monday and Wednesday 4-5:15pm
Coaches: Tony Aguilar - tony_aguilar@dpsk12.net
Owen Campbell - owen_campbell@dpsk12.net
Practice
Girls: Tuesday and Thursday 4-5:15pm
Coach: Vince Franklin - vincent_franklin@dpsk12.net
Merrill Dance!
Please see the Sign Up for Snacks!
Merrill Clubs
Merrill Store - We want your Halloween Candy!
Please bring your leftover candy!
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
Merrill Families Helping Families-We need Backpacks!
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
The Merrill Meals program is in need of backpack in new or like new condition for our monthly food distribution. Must be at least 16 inches and made of durable material. Neutral colors preferred. Logos are fine. Please bring donations to the main office. Thank you!
Merrill PTSA~
Give between today and next Friday to be eligible to win a secret giveaway to be revealed next week!
Any donation amount enters you to win! Already donated? You can absolutely donate again to enter.
At over $12k raised so far, the Merrill Movers Giving Campaign has doubled its donations since last week. A huge thank you to those who have already given!!!
Our goal is to raise $57,777 by November 22nd .
We need your support!
Let’s see if we can raise $30k by end of next week.
http://fundrazr.com/merrillmovers2025
We still have a way to go, so let’s keep the momentum going toward our goal of $57,777. There are close to 600 families at Merrill. So far we have participation from 45 families. Imagine what we could do if 100% of our families gave!
Every dollar goes to support every student, and no donation amount is too small!
There are so many ways to give:
Remember, no amount is too small, and you can absolutely give anonymously (just check the box to remain anonymous when you submit your gift).
You can also elect to give a recurring amount of your choosing each month if that is more comfortable. Scroll down the homepage of the giving site for instructions under “How to Donate”.
And don't forget to check in with your employer to see if they offer a company match to your donation. Most large employers do!
Consider donating stock. Did you know if you donate stock directly to a charity, there's no capital gains tax to pay? *Please contact your tax advisor for guidance as it pertains to your personal situation - instructions are at the bottom of the giving site homepage.
Why all the 7's?
Because We are Funding Current and New Initiatives in Merrill’s Seven Key Areas of Success for our Students:
1. Excellence in Academics
2. Varied, High-Quality, Electives, Enrichments and Clubs
3. Upgrading and Improving our Facility and Learning Environment
4. Providing External Learning Experiences
5. Implementing Technology and STEM
6. Promoting Athletics, Wellness and Mental Health
7. Creating Community
Please give! We ask that you give as generously as you can! Together, we can reach our goal!
http://fundrazr.com/merrillmovers2025
Calling all parents!
*Help us create momentum and excitement around this year’s campaign, by donating gift certificates, event tickets and items of value to be used as incentives for boosting donations throughout the campaign!
*Are you considering making a large donation or offering a match? Please reach out before doing so for additional instructions.
For incentive items and large donations, please contact lcervantesglynn@gmail.com
Three Campus Clean Up – This Sunday!!
Join Merrill, Cory and C3 THIS SUNDAY at 9:30am to get our campus ready for winter.
Bring your rakes, blowers, and gloves and let’s get things looking good!!
Dine Out to Support Merrill!!
Wednesday, November 12 – Join us at Park Burger (1890 S. Pearl St.) from 5pm-9pm.
Mention Merrill when ordering online or in person and 15% of sales will be given back to our school!!
PTSA Meeting – Wednesday, November 12
Wednesday, November 12 at Platt Park Brewing at 6:00pm. Grab a burger at Park Burger to support Merrill and then join us across the street for a drink!!
Upcoming PTSA Meetings
Wednesday, December 10 (Location TBD)
Quick Link to Support Merrill
Enroll Merrill as Your Community Rewards Recipient Under My Account!
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.
Coat Drive!
Jaguar families, we need your help! We are collecting new and gently used coats for Merrill students who may not have the resources to purchase their own. We and we want to make sure all kids are able to bundle up. Please bring any new or gently used coats that might fit a middle schooler (please no coats for small children) to the Merrill Main Lobby by November 15th. We are also accepting winter hats and gloves/mittens. Thank you!
Cool Classroom! Ms. Guillen’s STEM class
Students in Ms. Guillen’s STEM class were introduced to the various CTE pathways in high school, as well as exploring the world of virtual reality. Such a cool way to learn about interests and abilities through STEM!
Flamenco Denver loved presenting and performing at Merrill today to our World Affairs and 7th/8th grade Dance electives. They shared flamenco through dance, singing, and guitar which are the three major elements of flamenco. It was a lively interactive performance. If you or your student would like to learn more, please reach out to the Flamenco Denver studio at 1934 South Broadway in Denver or by contacting Maria Vazquez at flamencodenver@gmail.com. The first class is free. You can learn more at www.flamencodenver.org.
From the Library
November is National Native American Heritage Month. We celebrate the cultural wealth of achievements and contributions that all Native Americans have provided and continue to bring. Below are some book recommendations that can be found on Sora to help with appreciating the multitude of accomplishments of Native American people.
Merrill Memories
Merrill Memories - Prologue - Merrill Dedication, November 24, 1953 at 8pm - Scene IV
In case you missed it, a few years back, I received a wonderful box filled with memorabilia from Merrill History. It has been a joy to explore these historical treasures and share them with our Merrill community through the school website, the display case outside the library, and Merrill Memories articles in the Jaguar Journal.
Recently, I discovered another special piece: the prologue from our school’s dedication ceremony. Titled “Louise Merrill as We Knew Her,” it can be found on page 6 of the dedication program linked here.
Click here to read the Merrill Dedication Ceremony Prologue. Or click here to see a typewritten copy of the Prologue from Merrill’s Dedication.
Respectfully submitted,
Alise Lawrence
Around the Community!
We’re excited to host our joint Clean-Up Day across Cory Elementary, C3 Elementary, and Merrill Middle Schools!
Please join us on Sunday, November 9th between 9:30–11:30AM as our school communities come together to care for our shared campus.
See the Sign Up Genius below!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849ADAA22A0F49-59519801-fall#/
Food Resources
If you need support securing food…
City and County of Denver: Visit their website to find food assistance across the city.
Tasty Food Program: Afterschool meals for children will be offered at Denver recreation centers. Visit the Tasty Food website for locations and hours of operation.
Food Bank of the Rockies: Find a food pantry near you using their Pantry Locator tool.
Colorado 211: This confidential and multilingual service connects people to vital resources across Colorado. Call 2-1-1, 866-760-6489 or visit 211colorado.org. Note: The hotline is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, however, expect long wait times. To avoid waiting, use the call-back feature.
Feeding Colorado: The collaborative effort of the 5 Feeding America food banks that serve Colorado and Wyoming to coordinate and enhance food resources, ensuring food insecure Coloradans have access to healthy, fresh foods. Visit feedingcolorado.org/find-food or email info@feedingcolorado.org.
Hunger Free Colorado: Connects Colorado families and individuals to SNAP/food stamps, food pantries, free meal sites, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) and other nutrition programs geared toward families, children and older adults. Call 855-855-4626 Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The City and County of Denver’s Department of Human Services (DHS) will continue processing SNAP applications and renewals to make sure benefits are processed in a timely fashion as soon as the government shutdown ends. SNAP beneficiaries will receive SNAP benefits retroactively once the government reopens. DHS strongly encourages families to continue submitting SNAP paperwork in the meantime.
If you would like to support local efforts…
Denver Public Schools Foundation: Support the DPS community by donating to the DPS Foundation Food Security Fund.
City and County of Denver: Visit their website to learn more about donating food, money and/or time.
Denver Recreation Center Drop-off Locations: Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at any Denver rec center. Visit the City and County of Denver website to learn more.
Denver Animal Shelter: Donate pet food to the Denver Animal Shelter located at 1241 W. Bayaud Ave. or through their Amazon wishlist.
10 Ways to Support Your Community Now:This slide deck from the City and County of Denver provides resources, suggestions and ideas on how to take immediate action in your community.
East Angels Futures Info!
DPS Support Opportunities! And MySpark!
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.
