In the Strategic Plan, Mercer School has identified six strategic priorities:

• Teaching and Learning
• Environment for Learning
• Developing the Whole Child
• Finance and Operations
• Culture and Community
• College and Career Readiness

Each week, our newsletter highlights stories, projects, and achievements that reflect these six strategic priorities, showcasing the impactful work of our students, staff, and community. By focusing our efforts on these critical areas, we are confident that Mercer School can create the best possible learning environment and opportunities, paving the way for our students' success today and in the future.

For a complete list of events, please take a look at the Mercer Happenings section below. Highlights of a few events are expanded on below:

Attention 12th graders and parents! Join us on Wednesday, January 15, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM in the school library for FAFSA Night. This event is designed to help families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and explore financial aid options for college. Ms. Kopka, our school counselor, will be on hand to provide guidance and answer your questions. Don’t miss this opportunity to take an important step toward college readiness!

Experiences prepare students to identify, create, and seize opportunities that will help them succeed and thrive in the career of their choice.

We are excited to announce that several of our high school students will participate in the Preliminary Welding Event at Nicolet College on Thursday, January 16! This event is an incredible opportunity for our aspiring welders to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience in a professional environment.

During the preliminary round, students will compete alongside competitors from area high schools to demonstrate precision, technique, and craftsmanship. Students who qualify after the preliminary rounds have the opportunity to compete in the final competition, where they will put their talents to the ultimate test.

This event highlights the importance of technical education and prepares students for future success in skilled trades. We are proud of our students' dedication and commitment to honing their craft and wish them the best of luck as they represent our school.

Stay tuned for updates and results as our talented welders advance through the competition!

Experiences prepare students to identify, create, and seize opportunities that will help them succeed and thrive in the career of their choice.

On Monday, January 20, our dedicated staff will participate in a full-day professional training focused on formative assessment and feedback. This important day of learning will equip our teachers with strategies to better understand your child's learning needs and provide timely, meaningful feedback to support their growth.

Formative assessment helps teachers gather real-time insights about student progress, allowing them to adjust their instruction to ensure every student is on track for success. By improving how we assess and respond to student learning, we aim to make our classrooms even more supportive and effective for your child.

While students will not attend school that day, the time invested in this training will directly benefit them by enhancing the quality of instruction they receive. Thank you for your partnership as we continually work to provide the best education possible.

Teaching and Learning: Learners are engaged in high-quality personalized experiences that build identify and agency.

What does it mean to build identity and agency?

Identity refers to students understanding who they are, what they care about, and how they fit into the world around them. Agency means that students have the skills and confidence to make choices, set goals, and take action to shape their future. By focusing on identity and agency, we are helping students become active participants in their own learning and growth, empowering them to succeed both in school and beyond.

Are you looking for a way to support our students and school athletic programs? The Booster Club is a vital part of enhancing student athletics, and we need your help to make it stronger than ever!

We invite all parents, staff, and community members to attend the Booster Club Reorganization Meeting. This is a great opportunity to get involved, share ideas, and help shape the future of the Booster Club. Together, we can ensure our students have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

A culture of partnership, inclusivity and positive relationships, both inside and outside the school, supports students, staff, and the community. Stakeholders actively participate to achieve a shared vision of success.

Click on the link below to download a sponsorship form.

Jan 13 & 14 @10:00 AM Iron County Health will present to our high school health class

Jan 14 11:35 AM-12:05 PM National Guard Lunch Visit for 9-12th grades In the cafeteria

Jan 14 5:45 PM Boys Varsity Basketball @ Home vs Mellen

Jan 14 7:15 PM Girls Varsity Basketball @ Home vs Mellen

Jan15 6:00 PM-7:30 FAFSA Night/12th grade & Parents In Library

Jan 16 9:00 AM-3:00 PM Nicolet Welding Prelims/9-12th grades

Jan 16 5:30 PM-6:30 PM Middle School Volleyball - AWAY @ Hurley

Jan 17 5:45 PM Boys Varsity Basketball @ Home vs Bayfield Schools

Jan 17 7:15 PM Girls Varsity Basketball @ Home vs Bayfield Schools

Jan 19 1:00 PM-4:00 PM Club Volleyball

Jan 20 No School/Teacher In-Service Day

Monday, Jan 13

Bosco Stick, Peas, Mixed Fruit

Tuesday, Jan 14

Chicken Fajita, Mexican Rice, Corn, Pineapple

Wednesday, Jan 15

Hot Turkey & Cheese Sandwich, Carrots, Peaches

Thursday, Jan 16

Pulled Pork, Cheesy Broccoli, Applesauce

Friday, Jan 17
Chicken Patty, Green Beans, Pears

Mercer School understands the importance of providing students with healthy meals to support their learning and overall well-being. That’s why we proudly offer free breakfast and lunch to all students.

Experiences are designed to provide a range of opportunities and supports aligned with interests, aspirations, needs and overall well-being

At Mercer School, we are committed to fostering a culture where partnerships, belonging, and positive relationships thrive. That’s why we are proud to highlight "Connections: Linking Community and Curriculum", a vital initiative aligned with our strategic priority of Culture and Community.

The goal of this initiative is simple yet powerful: to bring together students, staff, families, and community members to create a supportive and welcoming environment. By encouraging active participation from all stakeholders, we are working to achieve a shared vision of success that benefits everyone.

Through "Connections," we aim to:

• Build strong partnerships with community organizations, businesses, and families.
• Foster positive relationships within the school and beyond.
• Ensure that all voices are heard and included in decision-making processes.
• Create opportunities where community expertise enriches classroom learning and vice versa.

This initiative is not just about collaboration—it’s about creating a culture where every student, staff member, and community partner feels valued and empowered to contribute to our shared vision. Together, we can build a brighter future by linking what we do in school with the resources and strengths of our community.

We invite you to join us on this journey. Whether by volunteering, sharing your expertise, or attending school events, your involvement makes a difference. Let’s work together to strengthen our connections and create lasting opportunities for our students and community!

The articles below highlight the many ways our school is building connections through partnerships and positive relationships. These efforts are part of our ongoing commitment to creating a supportive culture that benefits students, staff, and the broader community.

On January 7, our K4-4th grade students had the exciting opportunity to engage in a special project-based learning experience with local community naturalists from the North Lakeland Discovery Center. The naturalists visited our classrooms to lead hands-on games and activities centered around the fascinating topic of migration.

During the session, students explored the incredible journeys that animals take as they migrate across seasons, including birds, insects, and mammals. With the guidance of the naturalists, students learned about the science behind migration, the challenges animals face, and the importance of their travels for ecosystems.

The naturalists led a series of fun and educational activities, such as a migration simulation game that allowed students to experience what it's like for animals to travel long distances.

This hands-on approach helped our students connect with the natural world in a meaningful way, while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills through project-based learning. We are grateful to our community naturalists for sharing their expertise and helping our students make real-world connections to what they are learning in the classroom.

Thank you to everyone who made this learning experience possible, and we look forward to seeing how our students continue to engage with these important topics!

A culture of partnership, inclusivity and positive relationships, both inside and outside the school, supports students, staff, and the community. Stakeholders actively participate to achieve a shared vision of success.

Ensuring a safe and secure environment for our students and staff is always a top priority. To strengthen our safety efforts, we hold regular Safety Committee Meetings in partnership with local law enforcement, transportation, and first responders..

These meetings allow us to conduct thorough safety audits of our facilities, review and update our emergency procedures, and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, each year we train all staff and conduct a response drill focused on school violence scenarios. These drills are planned with the guidance and presence of law enforcement to ensure that staff and students are prepared to respond appropriately in the unlikely event of an emergency.

We take these precautions seriously and assure you that they are part of our proactive approach to fostering a safe learning environment.

Thank you for your support as we work together to keep our schools safe.

The physical, social, and emotional environment for learning is designed and maintained to provide a safe, creative, engaging, and dynamic space for learners.

For children and teens, attending school isn’t just about getting an education. It’s about developing their whole selves—emotionally, socially, and personally.

Attending school regularly and in person gives students the ability to follow daily routines, as well as connect with friends, peers, teachers, and others outside their family circle. They’re able to engage and interact, to use their brains and try new things. They can be part of a team. They have a purpose.

Help your child be their best self. Promote good attendance.

Credit: Adapted from The Ad Council

Stay up to date with the latest news and announcements by using the Mercer School App. You can use the QR code below to download the app:

Email: rmcmurray@mercertigers.org
Website: https://www.mercer.k12.wi.us/
Location: 2690 Margaret Street, Mercer, WI, USA
Phone: 715-388-8274

Mercer Memo is edited using ChatGPT