The first week of school was filled with excitement and anticipation! While there are typically a few challenges and procedural hiccups during this time, our start was very smooth as we officially greeted the 2019-2020 school year.
Staff Welcome Back – Tim Kight
We welcomed guest speaker Tim Kight as he presented to our staff during the Welcome Back Merrill School Improvement Day during the last week of August. Tim Kight is the founder of Focus 3. He helps organizations build better leaders, better culture and better behavior.
The administrative team and administrative assistants have been involved with Tim Kight and Focus 3 for over a year. Since his presentation, all staff members will work through the tools and skills required to create and sustain positive culture district-wide. We share the common belief to become better versions of ourselves. As Tim states, “We must be better today than we were yesterday and we must be better tomorrow than we were today.”
Our students require a positive culture and climate to thrive. A positive environment allows us to address the academic and social/emotional needs of all students as we maximize their potential. During this school year, we are also committed to developing the plan for students to learn how they, through their interactions with others, are responsible for their environment.
The First Week of School
At the conclusion of each summer, I ‘m always impressed with the appearance of our buildings. Our custodial and maintenance departments pushed extremely hard as this summer was shorter than most, thanks to last winter. Maintenance projects were completed, floors were shined, food service areas were prepared and flooring became shiny again. A special thanks to everybody involved in this process!
I always look forward to seeing our classrooms full of students. Our staff greeted many eager faces last week as students were excited to start their year. Welcome student – it’s great having you back! And a special welcome to our new Kindergarteners, the Class of 2032!
Expectations for an Exciting 2019-2020 School Year
Here a just a few things you can expect for the 2019-2020 school year. Additional details will follow.
Focus on the Strategic Planning pillars:
Student Achievement and Success
Community Partnership
Student and Staff Wellness
Fiscal Responsibility
•A senior citizen event at Merrill High School
•ALICE curriculum for students (safety) Pre-K through Twelfth Grade
•Parent survey for the district calendar (2020-2021 and 2021-2022) preferences
•FastBridge progress monitoring (ages 4 through 12th grade) replacing MAP Testing
•MHS tech ed, business and agriculture programs collaborating to create student run enterprises where students will gain real world experiences developing products, creating business and marketing plans, and working with community leaders
•PRMS to develop a Parent Ambassador program similar to the program at the high school
•Kate Goodrich is focusing on relationships by having each intermediate class be a “buddy room” for the primary students, creating opportunities for positive interaction
•Maple Grove will have a Science Fair (November 19) and a History Night (May 19)
•Jefferson is implementing Calming Corners to help students regulate within the classroom and Morning Meetings to help build student relationships
•Washington’s intermediate students will participate in social-emotional learning activities monthly with MHS students
•A coding and programming curriculum is now being implemented K-12 under the direction of computer science teachers and library technology specialists
•PRSYL continues to use Conscious Discipline to integrate social-emotional learning, discipline and self-regulation for students
•Washington and Jefferson have developed new student drop-off and pick up procedures in the interest of student safety
MAPS is a community school district that relies on the support of many. Please don’t hesitate to ask your child’s building principal how you can be involved in the great things we are doing for our students. We appreciate our volunteers and our students greatly benefit from the time many dedicate to our purpose.
John Sample
Proud Superintendent