Merrill Middle School

Jaguar Journal

9/26/25

Dear Merrill Community,

Thank you for a wonderful short week filled with learning, joy, and creativity as your students worked on their portfolios. These portfolios will be showcased during the upcoming Student-Led Conferences.

Merrill’s Student-Led Conferences are scheduled for Wednesday, October 8th, and Thursday, October 9th:

  • Wednesday, 10/8: In-person at Merrill from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM

  • Thursday, 10/9: Virtual from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM (Sign-up link below)

You and your student only need to attend one evening.

We are excited to share that Bennett Dewees invited Lupe Saber and Morgan Hines to the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. These Jaguars selected KOI by artist Jeffrey Raasch to be permanently displayed at Merrill. The artwork will be installed near our library, above the display case. Many thanks to the Dewees family for donating this beautiful piece, generously funded by Cherry Arts!

As we move into October, you can find our October newsletters linked below. We encourage you to take a moment to read about the exciting activities and events happening in your student’s classrooms this month.

  • 6th Grade October Newsletter- Here

  • 7th Grade October Newsletter- Here

  • 8th Grade October Newsletter- Here

  • Elective/SSP/Newcomer October Newsletter- Here

Warmly,
Merrill Leadership

students with art

Fall Virtual Conference Sign Ups

Please find the conference sign ups below.

The list is long! Please scroll to find your student's teachers and select a time with those teachers. Links for the GoogleMeets will go out closer to conferences.

6thGradeConferences

7thGradeConferences

8thGradeConferences

ElectivesandSSPsConferences

Join the Merrill PTSA today!

PTSA QR code

Upcoming Dates

10/7/25- Picture Retake Day- Students must have an order form! Order forms are available in the main office.

10/8/25- Fall Conferences (in person)- AND Merrill Dine out at Chipotle! 2760 S. Colorado Blvd

10/9/25- Fall Conferences (virtual)

10/13&10/14/25- No School

Spirit week flier

Teaching students about mental health wellness and how to care for themselves is important. Feelings of sadness and depression appear to be happening at a much earlier age, and adolescence can feel like a rollercoaster of emotions. Risk factors such as depression and self-injury can be treated. While not every student will experience these feelings, they may be able to help a friend in need. 

Each year, schools teach students how to identify risk factors for depression and how to ask for help from a trusted adult. Classroom lessons also include information on Safe2Tell Colorado. Programming is implemented in 6th grade. If you DO NOT want your child to participate in programming, please reach out to Emily Hill, emily_hill1@dpsk12.net by Sept 23. 

Safe2Tell | 1-877-542-7233 | Website

  • Anonymously report anything that concerns or threatens you, your friends, your family, or your community. We take your reports any time, any day.

    You have the power to make a difference.

Athletics

Boys Baseball:

Boys Baseball next home game is TODAY! Go Jags!!

Girls Soccer:

Girls Soccer plays at Grant Ranch today!

XC info below.

Cross Country Meet Schedule
Cross Country Practice Schedule2
Cross Country Schedule

Merrill Clubs

List of clubs

Merrill Store

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

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

Merrill PTSA~

Merrill PTSA logo with jaguar

The PTSA is a great way to get involved with your student’s education, connect with

community and drive improvements for the school.

The PTSA extends funding to each classroom, teacher and program offered at Merrill,

and we cannot do it without the Merrill parent community!!

If the PTSA can help with anything to guide you through middle school, please reach

out to ptsamerrillmiddleschool@gmail.com

Dine Out to Support Merrill!!

Join us at Chipotle (2760 S. Colorado Blvd.) on Wednesday, October 8 from 4pm-8pm.

Chipotle is donating 25% of all of Merrill’s sales back to our school, so be sure to grab

some grub and remember to mention Merrill when ordering in person!! Ordering online

for pickup?? Be sure to enter promo code 7YKXETJ when ordering!!

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!!

Next PTSA Meeting

Wednesday, October 8 at Chipotle (2760 S. Colorado Blvd.) at 6:00pm. Grab a

burrito to benefit Merrill and stay to learn about the great things the PTSA has planned

this fall!!

Upcoming PTSA Meetings

Wednesday, November 12 at Platte Park Brewing at 6:00pm. Grab a burger at Park

Burger to support Merrill and then join us across the street for a drink!!

Wednesday, December 10 (Location TBD)

Quick Link to Support Merrill

Enroll Merrill as Your Community Rewards Recipient Under My Account!

Chipotle logo
King Soopers logo

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.

milk Caps for Moola

Secret Staff Spirit Day! Blend in with the building!

Teachers matching lockers
teacher matching locker color
Staff
Staff matching door color
staff looking like a locker

From the Library

Hispanic American Heritage Month is September 15-October 15 focusing on recognizing the history, culture, and achievements of Hispanic Americans in the United States. Students and families can see the Hispanic Heritage Month collection on the DPS Sora collections page. 


Additionally, students may come to our school library during enrichment on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays and during recess on Thursdays to check out books. Highlighted Hispanic Heritage Month books are displayed throughout the library.

Hispanic Heritage Books

Welcome Nurse Stacia!

Greetings Merrill Community! My name is Stacia McNeely, and I am so excited to be your School Nurse. This is my 26th year in DPS, and it is so wonderful to find myself in such a warm and supportive environment. I am here to support you and your students, so please stop by and say hello!

I am originally from New Orleans, Louisiana. I have been in Colorado since my teenage years, and I cannot see myself living anywhere else. I attended Regis University, and I love learning new things, and meeting new people. I am an animal and nature lover, and this is my beloved Shuggie. Shuggie was saved in the nick of time at a shelter in Texas, and he is half Doberman, and half Coonhound. He looks distinguished, but he is a giant goofball and gives the best hugs. I love reading, gardening and learning about people. I am grateful to be here at Merrill and am looking forward to a wonderful year!

photo of dog

Welcome Samea!

Hello Merrill Community,

I am Samea, originally from Afghanistan. I'm so glad for the opportunity to join Merrill Middle School and be a member of this community as a paraprofessional.

Samea

Welcome Ramzia!

Hello everyone!

My name is Ramzia Ahmadi. I’m originally from Afghanistan. I moved here in 2024. I was studying at a medical school in Afghanistan and working as a paraprofessional. I am currently supporting the Newcomer Center at Merrill Middle School. Now, I’m a student at CCD. In my free time, I like to visit new places and read books.

photo

Cool Classroom! Ms. Alex and AVID go to the Rockies

kids at baseball game

Denver South Homecoming!

South Hoco flier

Homecoming Week Pack the Stands!

Thursday, October 2- Softball @ All City Stadium

Friday, October 3- Football @ All City Stadium

South High School Shadow Days!

Sign up HERE for 8th grade Shadow opportunities at South!

South logo

East High Volleyball Futures Night

East HG Futures

DPS Support Opportunities! And MySpark!

Athletics & Beyond (A&B) is excited to partner with families and schools to provide high-quality after-school athletic and academic programming for DPS students. We believe in helping young people win on and off the field by combining sports with life skills, academic support, and social & emotional supports.

Our after-school programs include:
• Sports Training: Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Track & Field, Tumbling, and wrestling
• Academic Support: Tutoring, Homework Help, College & Career Readiness
• Technology & Innovation: STEAM and STEM enrichment, including hands-on projects and coding
• Mentorship & Life Skills: Character development, teamwork, and leadership training

Families with My Spark Denver and Chance Sports cards can use their funds to enroll their students in Athletics & Beyond programs.

For more details about our programming, coaches, and how to enroll, visit:
https://www.athleticsandbeyond.org/blank-1

boxing flier
Athletics and beyond flier
MySpark flier
MySpark flier Spanish