Dear Merrill Families,
This week and last our students explored and celebrated Black History Month through advisement activities, art gallery visits, and lessons on influential Black Americans and their contributions to our country. Merrill’s Black Student Alliance also visited the museum to view local Black artists’ work.
Ramadan begins soon — we’ll provide an alternative lunch space in the auditorium to support students observing the holiday. Ramadan Mubarak to all community members celebrating. Chinese New Year in 2026 falls on Tuesday, February 17, marking the start of the Year of the Horse. As a Horse year, it symbolizes energy, independence, bravery, and rapid progress.
Thank you to families for supporting our reduced cell phone policy at Merrill. A reminder: all student phones must remain in backpacks or lockers — phones found on a student will be turned in to the main office and must be picked up by a parent at the end of the day. The same rule applies to smartwatches used for texting or social media.
With one month left in the quarter, please check your child’s grades in Schoology and support their success by setting a consistent homework time and quiet workspace, breaking large projects into smaller steps, and using a planner or the Schoology calendar to track deadlines.
This Thursday at the DPS Board meeting, the board will vote on Cole Arts and Science’s Academic Innovation Plan. Please join us in backing Cole by signing this letter of support-Here.
Enjoy the long weekend — school resumes Wednesday after Monday’s holiday and Tuesday’s professional day. Thank you for your continued support.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Merrill Leadership |
2/16/26- No School- President's Day
2/17/26- No School Merrill Professional Development Day 2/27/26- No School District Professional Development Day 5/8/26- Merrill Auction! Match Point and Mulligans Gala 5/27/26- 8th Grade Continuation @ South 5-7pm |
Merrill Store- New Amazon Wish List! |
Even Principal Underwood Loves the Merrill Store! |
Boys Volleyball The boys have their first playoff game on Wednesday vs Montbello at Hamilton at 5:15pm. There will be an end of season celebration on Wednesday February 25th at 4:30pm. Families are welcomed! Girls Volleyball
The Merrill Girls Volleyball team had a great week, winning their match against Slavens. The girls are playing really well and are ready for the playoffs next week. We will play our first match against Hamilton on Wednesday, February 18t at 4:15. Dismissal will be at 3:05 as we will be leaving at 3:15 for the match. Parents, thank you so much for your continued support with taking care of the scorebook, scoreboard and for calling the lines, I truly appreciate it. Schedule for Next Week: Wednesday: Playoff game at Hamilton beginning at 4:15. Thursday: If we win on Wednesday we will be playing again, location to be determined. Friday: Championship game, location to be determined Thank you again for your support! Ms. Wendy Boys and Girls Basketball Thanks to all of the kids who attended tryouts! Thanks to the parents and guardians for getting students to tryouts so early!
Teams will be finalized next week as well as determining practice times. vincent_franklin@dpsk12.net |
Join Merrill’s Unified Polar Plunge Team — March 1, 2026 | Washington Park, Denver! Get ready to make a splash for an amazing cause! On Sunday, March 1, 2026, Special Olympics is hosting the 2026 Polar Plunge & 5K, a fun and impactful fundraiser benefiting Special Olympics Colorado at Wash Park.
By joining Merrill’s Unified Polar Plunge team, you’ll be part of a community of supporters stepping out of their comfort zone to make a real difference. Whether you plunge into the cold water, run the 5K, or cheer on your teammates, your involvement helps create inclusive opportunities and meaningful experiences for Special Olympics athletes.
If you are unable to participate in person but would like to donate to the cause please use the QR code on the following flyer, Be sure to donate on the Merrill link as 50% of the proceeds will come back to Merrill to support the Adapted PE program with new equipment, Thank you for your support! Ms. Wendy and Merrill’s Unified Program |
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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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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BSA went to the Art Museum and explored Black and other art from all over the world and across time periods! Thank you Ms. Esposito and Ms. O’Kelly |
February is Black History Month. It is an important time to honor and celebrate the contributions and resilience of Black individuals throughout history. Here are some book recommendations that can be found on SORA. |
Secret Staff Spirit Day- Happy Valentine's! |
Energy Assistance for Families |
As the colder months approach, we want to ensure that there are no families in our Denver Public Schools (DPS) community facing utility disconnections or struggle to keep their homes warm. The Southeast Community Hub is an officially approved partner of Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC). This partnership allows us to provide direct energy bill assistance and resources to income-qualified DPS families. You can learn more about the programs and resources available through EOC here: https://www.energyoutreach.org Through this partnership, the Hub can assist families with:
Bill Payment Assistance: Emergency help with past-due energy bills to prevent shut-offs. Heating System Repair: Access to the Crisis Intervention Program for emergency furnace repairs. Weatherization: Helping families reduce long-term energy costs through home efficiency. |
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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