Merrill Community Schools is proud to welcome Jessica Starke as the new Director for the Merrill Community Child Development Center.
Many of you may already know Jessica, as she has spent the last three and a half years serving the District as a dedicated substitute teacher. Her diverse background also includes three years of service in the U.S. Army as a Cryptolinguist Analyst and ten years with the Post Office.
Jessica is highly qualified to lead our center, holding a Master of Science in Administration and a Master of Arts in Reading. She is passionate about creating supportive environments where children and educators alike can excel.
On a personal note, Jessica shares her life with her husband, Nate, and their three daughters, Mary, Victoria, and Elizabeth, and enjoys reading, sewing, and puzzles in her spare time.
We are thrilled to have her step into this leadership role. Please join us in welcoming Jessica!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
Many of you may already know Jessica, as she has spent the last three and a half years serving the District as a dedicated substitute teacher. Her diverse background also includes three years of service in the U.S. Army as a Cryptolinguist Analyst and ten years with the Post Office.
Jessica is highly qualified to lead our center, holding a Master of Science in Administration and a Master of Arts in Reading. She is passionate about creating supportive environments where children and educators alike can excel.
On a personal note, Jessica shares her life with her husband, Nate, and their three daughters, Mary, Victoria, and Elizabeth, and enjoys reading, sewing, and puzzles in her spare time.
We are thrilled to have her step into this leadership role. Please join us in welcoming Jessica!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
Summer Camp is Officially Underway!
We’re so excited to kick off our first week of summer camp at our Merrill Community Child Development Center!
Our classrooms and outdoor spaces are already full of curiosity, creativity, and laughter as children explore, play, and learn together. From hands-on sensory activities to outdoor adventures in our play areas, every day is designed to support growth, imagination, and joyful discovery.
It’s already shaping up to be a summer full of friendships, fun, and meaningful learning experiences. We can’t wait to see all the memories our campers will make this season!
We’re so excited to kick off our first week of summer camp at our Merrill Community Child Development Center!
Our classrooms and outdoor spaces are already full of curiosity, creativity, and laughter as children explore, play, and learn together. From hands-on sensory activities to outdoor adventures in our play areas, every day is designed to support growth, imagination, and joyful discovery.
It’s already shaping up to be a summer full of friendships, fun, and meaningful learning experiences. We can’t wait to see all the memories our campers will make this season!
We want to give a HUGE thank you to our amazing Summer Food Service staff!
They have been working incredibly hard and provided FREE meal boxes to over 575 children yesterday! We are so appreciative of their dedication to keeping our students fed and healthy this summer.
Please join us in thanking this wonderful team in the comments below! 👇
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
They have been working incredibly hard and provided FREE meal boxes to over 575 children yesterday! We are so appreciative of their dedication to keeping our students fed and healthy this summer.
Please join us in thanking this wonderful team in the comments below! 👇
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
Merrill Community Schools is looking for a dedicated Varsity Wrestling Coach to join the Vandal family and lead our incredible wrestling program. See the full post below for all the details and how to apply!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
📢 FREE Summer Meal Boxes! 🍎
Every child ages 1 month to 18 years (or up to 26 with special needs) qualifies for a FREE weekly box containing 7 breakfasts and 7 lunches!
-No income requirements & you don't have to live in Merrill to participate!
-Pick-up: Thursdays from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM at the MS/HS Food Service Delivery Area (555 W. Alice St.)
Dates: 6/18, 6/25, 7/16, 7/23, & 7/30
Middle School Girls' Open Gym Opportunities!
Staff Spotlight: Shannon Jerry
This week, we are thrilled to shine the spotlight on Shannon Jerry, a dedicated educator who wears many hats in our district. Since joining us in 2010, Shannon has been making a lasting impact on students of all ages across multiple subjects!
About Shannon Jerry:
-Roles: Elementary Art Teacher, Middle & High School English Teacher, and Yearbook Advisor
-Years in the District: 16 years (Since 2010)
In Her Own Words
-What is your favorite thing about Merrill Community Schools: "I love our small, tight-knit community."
-What energizes you at work: "Working with my colleagues and seeing growth in a student, whether that growth is academic or personal."
Classroom Highlight: The Kindness Project
In her Humanities 6 class, Ms. Jerry led a project focused on spreading positivity. Each day, students watched an inspirational story about kindness and wrote a nice note to a classmate on a sticky note. Ms. Jerry collected these daily notes, compiled them into personalized scrapbook pages, and surprised the students with them on the last day of school. The students absolutely loved reading the kind words written about them!
Thank you, Ms. Jerry, for your dedication to our students' hearts and minds, and for helping make Merrill such a supportive place to learn and grow!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
This week, we are thrilled to shine the spotlight on Shannon Jerry, a dedicated educator who wears many hats in our district. Since joining us in 2010, Shannon has been making a lasting impact on students of all ages across multiple subjects!
About Shannon Jerry:
-Roles: Elementary Art Teacher, Middle & High School English Teacher, and Yearbook Advisor
-Years in the District: 16 years (Since 2010)
In Her Own Words
-What is your favorite thing about Merrill Community Schools: "I love our small, tight-knit community."
-What energizes you at work: "Working with my colleagues and seeing growth in a student, whether that growth is academic or personal."
Classroom Highlight: The Kindness Project
In her Humanities 6 class, Ms. Jerry led a project focused on spreading positivity. Each day, students watched an inspirational story about kindness and wrote a nice note to a classmate on a sticky note. Ms. Jerry collected these daily notes, compiled them into personalized scrapbook pages, and surprised the students with them on the last day of school. The students absolutely loved reading the kind words written about them!
Thank you, Ms. Jerry, for your dedication to our students' hearts and minds, and for helping make Merrill such a supportive place to learn and grow!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
May Super Vandal: Sophie Pappas
Sophie is a shining example of what it means to be a Super Vandal. Exceptionally kind and welcoming, she goes out of her way to greet students, staff, and visitors alike with a positive attitude. Sophie is deeply involved in school life—exceling in athletics, band, Law Day, and even serving as our school mascot. Highly reliable and always ready to volunteer, she treats everyone as a friend and consistently promotes our school in the best possible light.
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
Sophie is a shining example of what it means to be a Super Vandal. Exceptionally kind and welcoming, she goes out of her way to greet students, staff, and visitors alike with a positive attitude. Sophie is deeply involved in school life—exceling in athletics, band, Law Day, and even serving as our school mascot. Highly reliable and always ready to volunteer, she treats everyone as a friend and consistently promotes our school in the best possible light.
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
May Super Vandal: Cassie Mueller
Cassie quietly makes an impact everywhere she goes, wearing countless hats—from recess aide and classroom assistant to before-school and infant care. No matter where she is needed, she steps in without hesitation, always keeping student success at the heart of her work. Cassie has an incredible ability to connect with students, especially those who are struggling. With patience and empathy, she focuses on relationships and restorative conversations, ensuring every child feels safe, valued, and respected. Coachable, dependable, and flexible, Cassie genuinely loves our students. Our Vandal family is incredibly fortunate to have her wholehearted dedication.
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
Cassie quietly makes an impact everywhere she goes, wearing countless hats—from recess aide and classroom assistant to before-school and infant care. No matter where she is needed, she steps in without hesitation, always keeping student success at the heart of her work. Cassie has an incredible ability to connect with students, especially those who are struggling. With patience and empathy, she focuses on relationships and restorative conversations, ensuring every child feels safe, valued, and respected. Coachable, dependable, and flexible, Cassie genuinely loves our students. Our Vandal family is incredibly fortunate to have her wholehearted dedication.
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
As another wonderful school year comes to a close, we want to wish the entire Merrill School Community a joyful and safe summer break. Thank you to our dedicated staff, amazing students, and supportive families for your hard work and Vandal Pride this year. May your summer be filled with relaxation, fun, and special memories with loved ones.
See you next school year!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
See you next school year!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
#WeareMerrill
Our latest alumni spotlight shines on Lillian Sweet from the Class of 2024! During her time at Merrill, Lillian loved spending time in the media center and Mrs. Jordan’s office, noting that Mrs. Jordan got her on the right track and truly helped shape the person she is today. If she could relive any high school memory, it would be the Senior Sunset—a stark contrast to her busy present spent working at a bar in Hemlock, enjoying family time, and attending her younger siblings' events. Armed with the valuable leadership skills she developed in Student Council, Lillian is now preparing to head to Central Michigan University this fall to study social work. Looking back, she encourages current students to "give it your all because you will do great things!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
We Are Hiring: JV Boys' Basketball Coach!
Please join us Thursday, May 28th for Sips with the Supt. at Mo CoCos from 7:30am - 9:00am!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
5th and 6th grade families can join us to start gathering information for the Washington DC trip happening in October of 2027! We have a full year to fundraise!
5th and 6th grade families can join us to start gathering information for the Washington DC trip happening in October of 2027! We have a full year to fundraise!
Friendly Reminder: There is no school tomorrow, Friday, May 22, through Monday, May 25.
Have a wonderful and safe extended weekend!
#VandalPride #WeAreMerrill
Have a wonderful and safe extended weekend!
#VandalPride #WeAreMerrill
Please be advised that the upcoming Board of Education meeting has been rescheduled.
Below are the updated details for the rescheduled meeting:
Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Merrill Middle/High School
Room: Media Center
Thank you for your continued support of Merrill Community Schools.
Below are the updated details for the rescheduled meeting:
Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Merrill Middle/High School
Room: Media Center
Thank you for your continued support of Merrill Community Schools.
What a wheel-y fun day at preschool!
Our students had an amazing time showing off their bikes and scooters during Bike Day. From helmets to big smiles, the excitement was nonstop as the children rode around, practiced safety skills, and enjoyed time with their friends outdoors.
Thank you to all of our families for helping make this special day such a success!
Our students had an amazing time showing off their bikes and scooters during Bike Day. From helmets to big smiles, the excitement was nonstop as the children rode around, practiced safety skills, and enjoyed time with their friends outdoors.
Thank you to all of our families for helping make this special day such a success!
Congratulations to Jared Barham and Samantha Allore on receiving the Turnaround Achievement Award! This honor recognizes students who have shown incredible effort, perseverance, and commitment to personal growth.
We are beyond proud of your hard work and dedication. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
We are beyond proud of your hard work and dedication. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
