Wishing you all a happy winter break from December 22nd to January 6th. Students will return to Merrill on January 7th.

Virtual and Return to in-Person Schedules

Posted September 18, 2020

Thank you for your communication, inquiries and support as we navigate virtual learning and plan for an in person return.  We are awaiting direction from DPS before we are able to provide the level of detail and specificity you deserve, but wanted to communicate what it is we do have planned and in place so that you can make an informed decision about virtual or in-person learning for Quarter 2 by the updated deadline of Wednesday, September 23rd.  

Please note that our schedules were built intentionally to be fluid.  As of the most updated information from DPS we are planning for a return to in school learning on October 21st.  Students have already been scheduled in their cohorts, meaning that their advisor and core content teachers will not change for quarter 2.  They will have the same teachers and classes.  Siblings will be cohorted so that they attend school on the same days.  Due to social distancing guardrails, students will stay in one classroom and teachers will rotate in to the classroom to teach their content.  This minimizes movement and mixing of cohorts, aligned with safety and health practices.  Students will also have portions of their day where they engage in asynchronous or virtual learning; however they will be supervised in the classroom by an adult while they are engaging independently in virtual practice. 

The majority of the day will consist of live instruction by their teachers.   Our virtual program will consist of live streaming all in-person classes which the students can view synchronously or asynchronously as well as daily opportunities to check in with teachers virtually.  The virtual program will be taught by the same Merrill teachers that your child has now. Hours of both the in person and virtual program will be 7:30am – 2:00 pm. 

We are taking safety and social distancing into consideration for our return to in person learning.  All students will be required to wear masks all day, with a 20 minute outside “mask break”.  Students will not be able to access lockers and will therefore be allowed to carry a backpack.  They must bring a mask, headphones, chromebook, charger and water bottle.  Students will be able to refill their waterbottles but may not drink from the fountain.  In addition, we will be using outdoor spaces whenever possible to increase social distancing, so it is imperative that students are dressed appropriately and have adequate layers to be comfortable outdoors for lunch, etc. 

As of last week, DPS stated that parents will be screening their students in the home and we will not be taking temperatures when students arrive at the building; however, we will exercise all appropriate health precautions to ensure the safety of our community. The health and safety of our students and teachers is of the utmost importance. 

Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we prepare for an in-person return to instruction next month! 

Do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. 

Christina Sylvester, Ed.D.

She/Hers

PrincipalMerrill

Middle School