For over 35 years, BP Sports has been a dedicated supporter of the Merrill community through their custom embroidery and printing services. Their partnership with the district has grown deeply in recent years, reaching every corner of our schools—from sports and music boosters to robotics and LEGO teams. Whether they are providing discounted group pricing, sponsoring events, or opening their building to host local fundraisers, BP Sports consistently goes above and beyond to ensure our students have what they need to succeed.

The team at BP Sports believes that a strong school-community bond is the heartbeat of Merrill. By prioritizing personal connections and local support, they’ve proven that when businesses and schools work together, the whole community thrives. We are so grateful for their long-standing commitment to our Vandals!

#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
about 5 hours ago, Jamie Hooten
Community Partnership  - BP Sports
Tune In: Education Matters!
We are so proud to announce that our incredible Preschool and Kindergarten teams are heading to the big screen!

Catch Candice Gagne, Kat Waterman, and Melissa McNalley Monday morning on WNEM TV5. They’ll be featured on the Education Matters segment to share what makes our Preschool and Kindergarten programs so special.

🗓️ When to Watch:
Day: Monday Morning

Time: 9:00 AM

Channel: WNEM TV5

They will be discussing our fantastic curriculum, our classroom community, and—most importantly—everything you need to know about our upcoming registration events!

Don’t miss out on hearing from the experts who help our youngest learners thrive.

#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
1 day ago, Jamie Hooten
Education Matters
Our Career and Technical Education Month billboards are officially up, and we’re excited to celebrate Davie Sweet, an 11th-grade student in the Cosmetology program at the Saginaw Career Complex. These billboards highlight the real students behind CTE—students who are gaining hands-on experience, earning credentials, and preparing for their future while still in high school.
Go check it out on M-46, East of Meridian Rd and help us celebrate the impact of CTE across Saginaw County.

#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride #SaginawCountyCTE #SCC #ExperienceYourFuture

2 days ago, Jamie Hooten
Davie Sweet, Billboard Picture
We’re Hiring: Classroom Aide!
We are looking for a Highly Qualified Classroom Aide to support our Middle & High School students!

Full job description and application details here: https://www.merrillschools.org/page/employment

Know someone who’d be a great fit? Tag them below!

#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
3 days ago, Jamie Hooten
We Are Hiring: Highly Qualified Aide
Big day of growth for our team! We’re spending our PD day with the CAN Council, diving deep into how both positive and challenging life experiences shape a child’s journey. We also wrapped up an insightful session on Autism training to ensure every child we serve feels supported and understood. #WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
4 days ago, Jamie Hooten
PD Fay
PD Day
PD Day
PD Day
PD Day
PD Day
PD Day

Don’t forget that Monday, February 16th is a scheduled PD Day. While our students get a break, our educators will be spending the day collaborating and growing as learners themselves.

We look forward to seeing everyone refreshed and ready to learn on Tuesday morning!

7 days ago, Jamie Hooten
No School Monday February 16, 2026
Alumni Spotlight: Chloe Woods
From her days spent in the Merrill band room to her current role as a local entrepreneur, Chloe Woods has always understood the value of community. Today, she is the owner of Mo Coco’s Coffee in Merrill, where she manages everything from crafting specialty drinks to planning events and classes. Chloe attributes much of her success to the intrinsic motivation she developed during her school years.

During her time as a student, Chloe found a mentor in Mr. Fletcher, whose encouragement of her interest in science left a lasting impact. While her "day in the life" is now filled with the hustle of growing a business and interacting with neighbors, her favorite place to unwind is at home with her family. Chloe’s journey from a motivated student to a business owner serves as a wonderful reminder of how local roots can blossom into a meaningful career.

#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
7 days ago, Jamie Hooten
Alumni Spotlight Chloe Woods
Did you know that Merrill Community Schools is the proud host of the Knights of Columbus Regional Spelling Bee?

A huge shoutout to our Finance Director, Kathy Nock, for doing a fantastic job welcoming other districts and making this exciting event happen. We also want to celebrate 6th grader Elaina Davis, who competed for the very first time this year! Great job, Elaina!

Interested in joining next year? For more information on how to participate in the spelling bee, please contact Mrs. Nock!

#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
8 days ago, Jamie Hooten
Spelling Bee
Spelling Bee

In honor of Career and Technical Education Month, we are proud to spotlight Tori Starke, an eleventh-grade student enrolled in the HVAC program at the Saginaw Career Complex.

Through hands-on learning and real-world experiences, students like Tori are gaining valuable skills, earning credentials, and preparing for their future—all while still in high school!

📍 Keep an eye out: CTE student billboards will be going up across our community later this month as we celebrate the opportunities available to students throughout Saginaw County.

#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride #SaginawCountyCTE #SCC #ExperienceYourFuture

9 days ago, Jamie Hooten
Tori Starke HVAC Program
Spring Count Day is Tomorrow!
10 days ago, Jamie Hooten
Spring Count Day is February 11, 2026  Please help us secure vital funding for our school district by having your student in attendance.   Thank you!
NHS Students Support Special Olympians at Hartley!
Thursday our NHS students volunteered at the Special Olympics. NHS students are focused on serving the community with open arms. The experience made a great impact on both participants and volunteers. Thank you for leading by example!
14 days ago, Allison Jordan
Volunteer and olympian
Warming up in the cabin!
Sledding fun!
Volunteer and olympian
Friendly Reminder - There will be no school Monday, February 9th. Enjoy the long weekend!
14 days ago, Jamie Hooten
Friendly Reminder: No School Monday Feb 9, 2026

Staff Spotlight: Melissa McNalley

Merrill Community Schools is excited to highlight Melissa McNalley! Now in her 12th year as our Lead GSRP Preschool Teacher, Melissa brings nearly 20 years of experience and a passion for early childhood education to Merrill Community Schools. A Saginaw Valley State University graduate, she specializes in Early Childhood Education.

In her classroom, Melissa follows the Mister Rogers philosophy: “Play is really the work of childhood.” Her students grow through hands-on fun, routines, and building friendships. When she’s not teaching, Melissa loves exploring the outdoors, four-wheeling, and hosting game nights with her husband, their two sons, and two dogs.

Join us in thanking Ms. Melissa for being such a vital part of our school family!

#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride

14 days ago, Jamie Hooten
Staff Spotlight Melissa McNalley

WE ARE HIRING!

We’re looking for passionate educators to join our team:
-Lead Tuition Preschool Teacher
-Infant & Toddler Assistant Teacher

Help us create a bright future for our students!
Visit www.merrillschools.org/page/employment for job descriptions and how to apply.

#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride

17 days ago, Jamie Hooten
We are hiring post
It’s National School Counseling Week! Today and every day, we celebrate our School Counselors for being the heart of our campus.

From helping students navigate tough days to cheering them on as they reach their biggest milestones, our counselors provide the support, empathy, and guidance that make our school a better place.

Thank you for always putting students first!

#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
17 days ago, Jamie Hooten
National School Counseling Week Flyer - orange background with 5 pictures of the counseling staff
Congratulations to our January Student Super Vandal!

Lillie Miller, was nominated for her outstanding reliability and her heart for others. Whether she is stepping up to help a peer master a difficult concept or making sure every birthday in her class is celebrated with a homemade treat, Lillie embodies the spirit of kindness and community we love to see in our Vandals.

Congratulations, Lillie! Thank you for making our school a sweeter place to be.

#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
21 days ago, Jamie Hooten
Lillie Miller Super Vandal
We are incredibly proud to announce Mrs. Badder as our Staff Super Vandal for January!

Mrs. Badder was nominated by a grateful parent who wanted to highlight the profound impact she has on her students' lives. It is clear that her classroom is a place where students don't just learn—they thrive.

It’s teachers like Mrs. Badder who remind us of the power of "going the extra mile." Her ability to make every student feel capable of greatness is exactly what being a Vandal is all about.

#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
21 days ago, Jamie Hooten
Kayla Badder
We are thrilled to highlight a familiar face from the Class of 1989, Michele Lednicky! After a 30-year Merrill teaching career inspired by the legendary Mr. Krause, she just couldn't stay away and is already back in the halls as a daily substitute. Michele fondly remembers the magic of visiting Hartley in 5th grade and loved getting to relive that experience 17 times over with her own 6th-grade students! Now, she’s enjoying the "something different" that every day of subbing brings while encouraging current students to trade their insecurities for confidence. We’re so lucky to have Michele's heart and history still roaming our hallways! #WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
21 days ago, Jamie Hooten
Black, orange, grey background with the words merrill community schools alumni spotlight michele lednicky class of 1989 and a picture of a female in a red sweater

Principal Wiley took his 30 years of expertise to his alma mater, Alma College, to guest lecture on Ethics, Communication, and Professional Growth. Mr. Wiley shared his veteran perspective on the Mid-Michigan education landscape with a bright group of future teachers. It was a great session of real-talk about the current climate of education and answering the tough questions about the road ahead. Proud to have our Principal leading the way!

#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride

22 days ago, Jamie Hooten
Mr. Wiley and 2 students
Mr. Wiley
Attention future Vandals! Join us for the 2026-2027 Preschool & Kindergarten Roundup. This is a great time for students to meet their teachers, visit classrooms, and tour the school. We hope to see you there!

#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
24 days ago, Jamie Hooten
Orange Background with Merrill kindergarteners