Merrill Area Public Schools

Recognized at last night's Board meeting were the following PRSYL Pupil Service Staff: Mollie Hartwig, Kristine Koerner-Bowe, Nicki Taves, Diane Cashman and Carrie Roth for their unwavering commitment to providing exemplary support to students and families. The dedication they show in continuously evaluating, writing, and revising IEPs, often dedicating countless hours beyond your regular workday, does not go unnoticed. Your efforts make a profound difference in the lives of the children and families you serve. Thank you for all that you do! #WeAreMAPS

Mark Mehlos and his therapy dogs, Kiva and Tucker, have provided extraordinary volunteer service to our schools. They have become an invaluable part of the MAPS community, touching the lives of countless students and staff alike. For nearly 10 years his work has supported and enriched our students' social and emotional well-being in ways words can hardly capture. Mark's therapy dogs have brought comfort and joy to children across all MAPS buildings. From helping students read in the classrooms and library, to providing support in the offices of social workers and counselors, Mark has played an integral role in creating a positive and supportive environment for our students. His dogs have been a source of calm on our playgrounds and have helped students navigate moments of anxiety and stress. Therapy dogs like Kiva and Tucker provide so much more than affection—they help lower anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and create an environment where children feel safe and heard. Whether it’s reading with a reluctant child or offering a comforting paw during a difficult moment, Kiva and Tucker provide therapeutic benefits that support the mental health and well-being of our students. Mark’s unwavering dedication to our students has brought immeasurable joy and comfort to our community. His contributions over the years deserve formal recognition by the school board. #WeAreMAPS

Last night our Board recognized Theresa Swiechowski for being an invaluable asset to assisting and supporting our MAPS families with housing-related challenges. Theresa is in a housing navigator position through a partnership MAPS has with Children’s Wisconsin. She works hand in hand with the school social workers and she works tirelessly to make sure individuals have access to basic necessities. A few words of appreciation from our school social workers: Theresa has a giving heart and is willing to go above and beyond to support families in Merrill when housing does not feel possible. I value her time, thoughts, and her ability to ensure our students are safe and have adequate housing. She thinks creatively and is diligent to ensure our families have all needs met beyond housing. She ensures support continues after housing is secured including transportation, laundry services, food, utilities, and mental health services. Theresa exemplifies the spirit of service and compassion, transforming the lives of the families she assists and creating a ripple effect of positive change within our community. Theresa, thank you for being an amazing and incredible person. You are an absolute gift to our district. #WeAreMAPS

📻 Merrill High School Principal, Trisha Detert, recently joined Community Scan on Bluejay Radio to share some exciting updates! She discussed the start of a new semester at MHS, the Winterfest celebration, and important details about registration for the 2025-26 school year. She also highlighted Scholarship Season, college tours and other upcoming events. Tune in to stay informed about what’s happening at MHS and throughput the district! 💙🎓 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eaF0miFfMrn8SerfcXvOAXfXbkJ7HeHy/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1em6NlCpZSm3L9uF7hk-9FXh9cH56XMJ2/view?usp=sharing #WeAreMAPS

The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Warning for tomorrow so school will be cancelled on Tuesday, February 18th. After school and evening athletic events, and community education classes are NOT cancelled for Tuesday night and will take place as scheduled. Thank you and stay warm. Please share.

Jameson Morgan and Leo Lazare both did an amazing job this past weekend representing MAPS in the Central Wisconsin Children's Theater production of Les Miserables! The show is an amazing exhibition of the theater talent by students across Central Wisconsin. You can still see these students perform next weekend by reserving tickets at https://cwct.booktix.com/. #WeAreMAPS

🎙️ Bluejay Radio’s Community Scan Featuring Ryan Martinovici! 🎙️ Ryan Martinovici, Director of PRSYL/Head Start/4K/Early Childhood, recently joined Bluejay Radio’s Community Scan recently to share exciting updates! Topics included: 🌲 School Forest activities 🥦 Healthy lifestyle lessons for PRSYL students 📚 Literacy initiatives 🎭 Children of Wisconsin 🧠 7 Mindsets & Act 20 training 📅 Upcoming events and more! 🎧 Click the links below to listen to the full interview! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1af4QUaRufOB4UnXPLGeOwPZOEQ8Yt2Fi/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aqGN9JgUlZYrDnPLopIHZUJ3Nv8NCPfB/view?usp=sharing #WeAreMAPS

🔧✨ Celebrating Our SkillsUSA Competitors! ✨🔩 As part of CTE Month and SkillsUSA Week, a few members of our Merrill High School SkillsUSA Team put their skills to the test at a competition at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau! 🏅 Congratulations to Miah for earning 3rd place in the Job Demonstration Competition! 👏 🔢🛠️ We also had strong performances in Related Technical Math and Woodworking Display. We are so proud of all our Bluejays for their hard work and dedication! 💙 #WeAreMAPS

📣 Registration Now Open for the 3rd Annual UCA Cheer Camp! 🎉📢 Calling all future cheerleaders! Registration is officially open for the 3rd Annual UCA Cheer Camp, happening soon! This camp is open to students entering grades 7-12 for the 2025-2026 school year. 📅 Registration Deadline: February 28th 📍 Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to learn, grow, and cheer with the best! Sign up today and join us for an unforgettable experience! https://forms.gle/NUWDTp3xvhqGWwY38 Thank you, ~~ Coach Sarah #WeAreMAPS

📢 Exciting News! More Winter Swim Lessons Added! 🏊‍♂️❄️ Due to high demand, we’re opening up Session 3 of winter swim lessons! If you were on the waitlist or missed out on registration, now’s your chance! 📅 Dates: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings 📍 Session 3 Runs: March 3 – March 21 🏊‍♀️ Available Levels: Learn to Swim Levels 1 & 2 Spots are limited, so be sure to sign up soon! For more details and registration info, visit https://www.mapsedu.org/page/pool-schedule-information or contact Eric Ball, MAPS Aquatics Director - 715.536.9593, ext. 17030 eric.ball@mapsedu.org. Please share! #WeAreMAPS

📢 A huge thank you to Alyssa Hahn at PRSYL for putting up this month’s bulletin boards at Central Office! Your creativity and effort help keep our space engaging and informative. We appreciate all the time and care you put into making our bulletin boards look great! 💙#WeAreMAPS

🚨 Reminder! No School for Students Next Week🚨 📅 Thursday, February 13 – No school for students due to MSI (Merrill School Improvement) Day 📅 Friday, February 14 – No school Please share. #WeAreMAPS

🎉 February is Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month! 🎉 CTE provides students with hands-on learning experiences, career exploration, and valuable skills that prepare them for success in college, careers, and beyond. We’re proud to offer diverse CTE programs that empower our students to explore their passions and build bright futures! 📜 Check out the official CTE Month Proclamation by Governor Tony Evers here: https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/cte/pdf/2025_CTE_Month_Gov_proclamation.pdf #WeAreMAPS

🌟 Congratulations to Madison McCoy - January Youth Optimist of the Month! 🌟 We are proud to recognize this outstanding student for her positive attitude, dedication, and contributions to our school and community. Keep up the great work! 👏💙

MAPS is excited to offer classes to the community. Explore our catalog to discover new learning opportunities, or sign up for a fun, creative project. Visit the MAPS Community Education page!

☕ COFFEE WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT ☕ Please join MAPS Superintendent, Shannon Murray, for coffee and conversation next Tuesday at Friendship House Family Restaurant from 8 am to 9 am. Coffee with the Superintendent is a monthly, informal opportunity to learn about things going on in the district and to get your questions answered. Topics will include an update on the sale of Jefferson Elementary, strategic planning, school safety, bussing changes, and whatever is on your mind! Hope to see you there! #WeAreMAPS

🚨 There is no school for students in grades K-4 on Friday, January 24. This day is dedicated to Professional Learning for our K-4 teaching and support staff. Our team will be focusing on enhancing their understanding and implementation of the Science of Reading through LETRS training. Thank you for your support as we continue to strengthen literacy education for our students! 📚✨ Please share. #WeAreMAPS

Nick Wszalek, Director of Buildings & Grounds, recently joined Artie on Bluejay Radio's Community Scan to discuss several key updates and topics: ➡️ Improvements around the district following the sale of Jefferson, including efforts to enhance building efficiencies and save taxpayer dollars. ➡️ A heartfelt thank-you to the Wendorf family and all busing staff for their incredible service to our community as they prepare to step away from the busing business at the end of the school year. ➡️ Challenges ahead as we transition to a new busing company—parents, please keep an eye on our website for important updates and notices in the coming months. ➡️ Community outreach opportunities and a shoutout to MHS for hosting a successful wrestling tournament last weekend! Tune in to hear more about these important updates and exciting happenings: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VshGGwjUwBWpEoJNoDdM4jcnDNJsLlS1/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vx-4MUDBmCHC_HNt_TPQt0TdnGCRMoF8/view?usp=sharing

🌟 Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day 🌟 Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a visionary leader who inspired change through his message of equality, justice, and nonviolence. #WeAreMAPS

📢 Reminder for the Community 📢 We previously shared that all school activities are canceled on Monday, January 20th, and Tuesday, January 21st—please know this also includes all pool activities on these dates. Thank you for your understanding, and please stay warm! ❄️💧