Please download the Mid-Year Report 2012-2013

The Merrill Area Public Schools offers quality learning opportunities for three, four and five year old children. These opportunities include Head Start for children from low income families, Early Childhood for children with special needs and Prekindergarten. All three of these programs are offered at Pine River School for Young Learners located at W4165 State Highway 64.  Head Start/Early Childhood has been a part of MAPS for over thirty years.  However, 2012-13 is our first year in the location at Pine River School. 

It is our mission to engage, educate and empower all young children and their families.  Educational research and our own experience has taught us that three, four and five year old children learn best through three dimensional, multi-sensory, whole body experiences of exploration, discovery and collaboration.  Simply, we believe children learn best through play.  Play with a purpose.  Our curriculum includes rigorous learning in language arts, literacy, math, science, and social studies.  We also have an emphasis in social/emotional learning such as self-regulation, problem solving, sharing and team work.  The brain is developing at a rapid rate in the early childhood years.  All of our DPI certified staff are very conscious of brain research and educational best practice.  We are preparing our learners for not only elementary school but for life. 

New in 2012-13 we will offer Physical Education in our own gym.  Also we will share a district music teacher.  Pine River School has a large natural playscape that is fenced in for children’s safety.  On the playscape children build their bodies as well as their brains as they overcome challenges, discover natural wonders like slugs hiding under rocks and work together to move sand and water. 

Pine River School for Young Learners is a half day program with morning or afternoon sessions.  Students attend the program Tuesday through Thursday.  Mondays are spent on our home visiting program.  Each student receives visits from our classroom staff and family service workers in their home.  This home /school connection is vital to laying the foundation of learning success.  Parents, their child’s first and most important teacher, are our partners in learning.  Pine River School for Young Learners is dedicated to young children, their families and learning.