Continue reading »]]> Attention all incoming 6th graders! If you were not able to make our 5th Grade Transition Night a couple of weeks back, you most likely did not get the chance to pick your electives for next year. Attached you will find the selection form. Please fill it out and either send it to the school or email it to Brett Stringer (brett_stringer@dpsk12.org) or Sharon Hastings (sharon_miles-hastings@dpsk12.org).

Thank you!

Course Selection Form 13-14 (Incoming 6th Graders)

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The budding Shakespeare thespians at Merrill in 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade GT classes have acquired not only Shakespearian eloquence this year but have also snatched 3 out of the 77 stages for this year’s Shakespeare Festival on Friday, April 26^th at The Denver Center of Performing Arts!  The students from all three GT classes auditioned before Shakespeare judges the day before spring break, which was impressive for the Merrill’s return to the festival.  A big congratulations is in order to the following students:  Alexander Jacobius, Ariana Cutler, Perla Vargas-Lara, Brian Roman-Carreno, Jamal Giornazi, Naylea Contreras-Rodriguez, Osiris Vera-Mundo, Claudia Saavedra-Jaime, Chenoa Francis, Jackie Alfaro, George Filhom, John Clayton, McKenna Gawler, Kate Owens, Henry Burke, Micah Isimang- Baron, Kalvin Olson, Joe Suematsu, Alexander Andiotis, Braina Clementz, and Emily Lear.  400 teams auditioned for stages across the district and 77 teams were awarded with stages.  Kudos to these accomplished actresses and actors!  Also, a big SHOUT-OUT is in order for parent volunteer, Lisa Filholm for spending hours working with the students on scene selections, Shakespeare interpretation and acting techniques.  The endless hours she put into Shakespeare performance coaching contributed greatly to the “To Be or Not to Be……….”dramatic success of Merrill this year in Shakespeare!

Grace Hopley

Please see the following Youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL3UJZMMGWA&feature=youtu.be to view pictures of the Shakespeare Festival.

Continue reading »]]> Students and Parents,

Attached you will find a letter that was sent home with students on April 16th. The letter outlines all the amazing events our 8th graders have earned through their hard work and dedication. The letter also outlines our expectations of all 8th graders from now until the end of the year. Please take the time to review the important dates and our expectations with your student.

As always, thank you for your support!

8th Grade Spring Continuation Letter

Continue reading »]]> It’s that time of year again, where our 6th and 7th grade students choose their Elective courses for next year! Students went home on Friday with their Course Selection Forms. These are due to their Homeroom teachers by Tuesday, March 19th. Below is a video highlighting our Electives.

Contact either Mr. Stringer (720.424.0612) or Dr. Hastings (720.424.0608) if you have any questions regarding the process.

Electives for 2013-2014 from Merrill Middle School on Vimeo.

7th Grade Course Selection Form

8th Grade Course Selection Form

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Each year, the Colorado Department of Education recognizes public schools in the state that enroll a student population of which at least 75 percent are at-risk pupils and that demonstrate the highest rates of student longitudinal growth, as measured by the Colorado Growth Model. On the school performance framework that is used by the state to evaluate schools, these schools have demonstrated impressive results on the indicator relating to longitudinal academic growth.

Merrill Middle School is the ONLY traditional middle school in the state to be honored as a Center of Excellence, and is one of 17 schools statewide to be given the award. Being named a Center of Excellence by the state only validates what we have known to be true and is reflected in our school’s vision: Merrill will uphold a culture of excellence that prepares all students for success in college, career and the world around them.

Continue reading »]]> Jennifer Teaches Us Something New

In Merrill’s SmartLab, Jennifer Roby discovered something new through her struggles with computer-based programming with Lego NXT Robotics.  The curriculum supporting the Lego NXT Robotics referenced only the computer interface.  Jennifer realized the computer/robot communication was Bluetooth-based and she knew her phone had the same capabilities.  Her smartphone was one step away from controlling and programming her robot and bypassing the computer all together.  Today’s students approach technology with a different perspective. Given the freedom the SmartLab provides, students are able to solve problems and approach academic challenges in new and different ways.  This is the goal of the SmartLab at Merrill, to have student-centered learning by putting technology in the hands of the students.  This is the heart of 21^st century skills.

For more information visit:

http://www.creativelearningsystems.com/student-project.aspx?project_id=37