Summer Camp 2026!
Contact Merrill Elementary for more information: 989-643-7283 or mccdc@merrillschools.org
Contact Merrill Elementary for more information: 989-643-7283 or mccdc@merrillschools.org
🏀 Now Hiring: Varsity Boys Basketball Coach
Merrill High School is seeking a Varsity Boys Basketball Coach starting in the 2026-27 school year. Please see the job posting for more details and how to apply.
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
Merrill High School is seeking a Varsity Boys Basketball Coach starting in the 2026-27 school year. Please see the job posting for more details and how to apply.
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
🥎 Softball Schedule Update! 🥎
Heads up, Vandal fans! Today's softball game (4/17) is officially cancelled.
We’ve also got a time change for tomorrow (4/18) at Valley Lutheran. Softball games are now set for 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM.
Adjust those calendars and come out to support the team. Go Vandals!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
Heads up, Vandal fans! Today's softball game (4/17) is officially cancelled.
We’ve also got a time change for tomorrow (4/18) at Valley Lutheran. Softball games are now set for 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM.
Adjust those calendars and come out to support the team. Go Vandals!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
Staff Spotlight: Beth Miller
Since 2012, Beth Miller has been a vibrant part of our team, bringing a wonderful sense of kindness and a fun-loving spirit to her role as a cafeteria aide. Known for her thoughtfulness and her constant readiness to lend a hand, Beth makes every day at Merrill a little brighter for students and staff alike. When she isn't busy supporting our school community, her favorite way to enjoy our town is with a stop at the Whippy Dip. We are so lucky to have had her dedication for over a decade—thank you for everything you do, Beth!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
Since 2012, Beth Miller has been a vibrant part of our team, bringing a wonderful sense of kindness and a fun-loving spirit to her role as a cafeteria aide. Known for her thoughtfulness and her constant readiness to lend a hand, Beth makes every day at Merrill a little brighter for students and staff alike. When she isn't busy supporting our school community, her favorite way to enjoy our town is with a stop at the Whippy Dip. We are so lucky to have had her dedication for over a decade—thank you for everything you do, Beth!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
Join us on April 30th for Sips with the Supt.
At Mo Cocos from 7:30a-9:00a
Can't wait to see you there!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
At Mo Cocos from 7:30a-9:00a
Can't wait to see you there!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
Merrill Community Child Development Center:
Warmer weather means more time outdoors, seeing all the little animals that might cross our playground with big smiles from our little learners!
Where little friendships grow and big imaginations shine, we love watching our kiddos explore, laugh, and play together!
Warmer weather means more time outdoors, seeing all the little animals that might cross our playground with big smiles from our little learners!
Where little friendships grow and big imaginations shine, we love watching our kiddos explore, laugh, and play together!
Merrill Elementary 5th grade is getting ready to ACE the MSTEP!
Our 5th graders took some time to prepare mentally for the upcoming MSTEP testing with a pep talk from our amazing Principal and watching the powerful "Handle Hard Better" video by coach Kara Lawson. This inspiring message reminds us that we can overcome challenges with resilience and a positive mindset!
MSTEP testing for our 5th grade begins this week, and other grades will follow next week. To help all our students do their absolute best, we are encouraging a successful testing routine:
-Get a Good Night's Rest: A well-rested brain is a focused brain!
-Eat a Healthy Breakfast: Fuel up for the day with a nutritious meal.
-Arrive to School on Time: Let's start the day on a positive and prepared note.
We are so proud of our hardworking Merrill students. You’ve got this! Let’s go, Vandals!
#MerrillElementary #MSTEP #HandleHardBetter #FutureLeaders #TestPrep
Our 5th graders took some time to prepare mentally for the upcoming MSTEP testing with a pep talk from our amazing Principal and watching the powerful "Handle Hard Better" video by coach Kara Lawson. This inspiring message reminds us that we can overcome challenges with resilience and a positive mindset!
MSTEP testing for our 5th grade begins this week, and other grades will follow next week. To help all our students do their absolute best, we are encouraging a successful testing routine:
-Get a Good Night's Rest: A well-rested brain is a focused brain!
-Eat a Healthy Breakfast: Fuel up for the day with a nutritious meal.
-Arrive to School on Time: Let's start the day on a positive and prepared note.
We are so proud of our hardworking Merrill students. You’ve got this! Let’s go, Vandals!
#MerrillElementary #MSTEP #HandleHardBetter #FutureLeaders #TestPrep
Merrill Community Child Development Center:
Creativity in full bloom-
Our little artists had an amazing time exploring colors, textures, and their imaginations during today’s painting activity! From vibrant brushstrokes to big, beautiful masterpieces, every child expressed themselves in their own unique way.
We love providing hands-on experiences that encourage creativity, confidence, and lots of fun (even if it gets a little messy). Check out some of the incredible artwork decorating our space—our classroom is truly coming to life!
Creativity in full bloom-
Our little artists had an amazing time exploring colors, textures, and their imaginations during today’s painting activity! From vibrant brushstrokes to big, beautiful masterpieces, every child expressed themselves in their own unique way.
We love providing hands-on experiences that encourage creativity, confidence, and lots of fun (even if it gets a little messy). Check out some of the incredible artwork decorating our space—our classroom is truly coming to life!
March Super Vandal Student: Joe O'Dell, Merrill High School!
Joe O'Dell is a vital part of our school community. Whether he’s in the classroom, on the field, or helping out with a volunteer event, he shows up with a great attitude and gets the job done every single time. Joe is our first Super Vandal to be nominated by a Merrill student!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
March Super Vandal Staff: Emily Ciszewski, Lead Infant Room Teacher!
Transitioning into the school day can be tough for parents, but Ms. Emily’s presence makes all the difference. One parent shared that Ms. Emily consistently eases their mind, providing a sense of security and peace that their baby is in the best possible hands. She was nominated by an alumnus of Merrill. Thank you, Emily for creating a safe environment for our littlest Vandals!
#WeAreMerrill VandalPride
SPRING BREAK | March 30 – April 6
Wishing all of our Vandals a safe and fun-filled week!
Reminder: School resumes on Tuesday, April 7th.
Wishing all of our Vandals a safe and fun-filled week!
Reminder: School resumes on Tuesday, April 7th.
Staff Spotlight: Suzanna McGraw
We are thrilled to feature Suzanna McGraw for this week’s Staff Spotlight! Suzanna wears many hats here at the middle and high school, serving as a dedicated teacher as well as the advisor for both Student Council and Law Day. An alumna of Indiana Wesleyan University, she finds her daily spark of energy from the students she works with every day. When she’s off the clock, she’s likely playing a match of tennis or cheering on the Tigers and Lions. When asked about her favorite thing about being a Merrill Vandal, Suzanna pointed directly to our the supportive administration that helps our staff and students thrive. We are so lucky to have her on our team!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
We are thrilled to feature Suzanna McGraw for this week’s Staff Spotlight! Suzanna wears many hats here at the middle and high school, serving as a dedicated teacher as well as the advisor for both Student Council and Law Day. An alumna of Indiana Wesleyan University, she finds her daily spark of energy from the students she works with every day. When she’s off the clock, she’s likely playing a match of tennis or cheering on the Tigers and Lions. When asked about her favorite thing about being a Merrill Vandal, Suzanna pointed directly to our the supportive administration that helps our staff and students thrive. We are so lucky to have her on our team!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
Merrill Community Child Development Center:
Our classroom has been full of giggles, curiosity, and fun this week! From sensory play to exploring new toys and enjoying time with friends, these little ones are learning and growing every day.
We love creating a safe, nurturing space where children can discover the world around them—one smile (and bubble!) at a time
Our classroom has been full of giggles, curiosity, and fun this week! From sensory play to exploring new toys and enjoying time with friends, these little ones are learning and growing every day.
We love creating a safe, nurturing space where children can discover the world around them—one smile (and bubble!) at a time
Today was a busy and productive district-wide PD day! We’re sharpening our skills to keep our schools safe, inclusive, and prepared. Huge thanks to our guest experts:
-Jason Louwaert (SEC) for critical district-wide security updates.
-Kim Miller (Saginaw ISD) for empowering our support staff with strategies to support our students with Autism.
-The YMCA for providing essential CPR training to our Early Childhood staff and our newest first-year teachers.
Thank you to our dedicated team for your commitment to our students' safety and success!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
-Jason Louwaert (SEC) for critical district-wide security updates.
-Kim Miller (Saginaw ISD) for empowering our support staff with strategies to support our students with Autism.
-The YMCA for providing essential CPR training to our Early Childhood staff and our newest first-year teachers.
Thank you to our dedicated team for your commitment to our students' safety and success!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
Staff Spotlight: Jennifer Miller
Meet Jennifer Miller, the Literacy Coach who helps our students at Merrill Elementary find their spark! Jennifer’s heart is right here in our halls—when asked about her favorite thing in the community, she shared, "I love our school!" It’s that genuine school spirit that makes her such a joy to work with. For Jennifer, the best part of the day is always the students; it’s "the kids!" who provide her with the daily energy and inspiration to keep our literacy programs thriving. We are so lucky to have her passion and dedication supporting our young readers!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
Meet Jennifer Miller, the Literacy Coach who helps our students at Merrill Elementary find their spark! Jennifer’s heart is right here in our halls—when asked about her favorite thing in the community, she shared, "I love our school!" It’s that genuine school spirit that makes her such a joy to work with. For Jennifer, the best part of the day is always the students; it’s "the kids!" who provide her with the daily energy and inspiration to keep our literacy programs thriving. We are so lucky to have her passion and dedication supporting our young readers!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
Reminder: There is no school for students this Friday, March 20th, due to a Staff Professional Development. Classes will resume on Monday, March 23rd. Have a great weekend!
Merrill Community Child Development Center:
Feeling lucky and full of energy today!
Our little learners celebrated St. Patrick’s Day dressed in green and ready for fun! From festive smiles to active play, the gym was full of laughter as the children showed off their hula hoop skills and kept those bodies moving.
We love combining holiday spirit with healthy activity—what a joyful day!
#StPatricksDay #LuckyLittleLearners #ActiveKids #ChildcareFun
Feeling lucky and full of energy today!
Our little learners celebrated St. Patrick’s Day dressed in green and ready for fun! From festive smiles to active play, the gym was full of laughter as the children showed off their hula hoop skills and kept those bodies moving.
We love combining holiday spirit with healthy activity—what a joyful day!
#StPatricksDay #LuckyLittleLearners #ActiveKids #ChildcareFun
Congratulations to the Merrill High School Concert Band on earning all II's at Festival today! So proud of your accomplishment! Seniors, four years of hard work certainly shows!
#GoVandals #Vandalpride
Alumni Spotlight: Erin (Griffore) Arnst
From the track to the lab, Erin (Griffore) Arnst has carried the Vandal spirit with her since graduating in 2006! While she now serves as a Lead Histocompatibility Specialist at Michigan State University—performing the critical testing needed to match organ donors with recipients—she still draws on core values she learned at Merrill Community Schools. Erin fondly remembers Mr. Wiley as a mentor who pushed her to be her absolute best, whether he was teaching social studies or coaching her on the track. He taught her how to work hard independently while staying humble enough to be a true team player, a balance she uses every day in her highly complex medical career. Whether she’s diving into molecular biology or hearing the opening notes of "Ice Ice Baby" (which still takes her right back to her high school days!), Erin remains a proud example of where a Merrill education can lead. We love seeing our alumni making such a life-changing impact!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
Staff Spotlight: Lauren LaDouce
Lauren LaDouce has been a dedicated teacher at Merrill Community Schools since 2021, teaching High School English and Publishing. She says her favorite thing about being a Vandal is our close-knit staff and the supportive community we share.
What truly energizes Lauren at work is the relationships she builds with her students—a passion she is bringing to her new role as our Drama teacher this year. She is currently hard at work directing our upcoming production, Eclipse. Be sure to mark your calendars for April 17–19 to see her and her students' hard work come to life on stage!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
Lauren LaDouce has been a dedicated teacher at Merrill Community Schools since 2021, teaching High School English and Publishing. She says her favorite thing about being a Vandal is our close-knit staff and the supportive community we share.
What truly energizes Lauren at work is the relationships she builds with her students—a passion she is bringing to her new role as our Drama teacher this year. She is currently hard at work directing our upcoming production, Eclipse. Be sure to mark your calendars for April 17–19 to see her and her students' hard work come to life on stage!
#WeAreMerrill #VandalPride
