20 | ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Experiential, hands-on project-based learning provides opportunities for students to develop skills, self-confidence, a sense of responsibility, and enthusiasm for learning. Merriam emphasizes community building, supported by activities like our weekly All School Meetings. Special activities with our multi-age “family groups” include Community Day and two Theme Days. Students stay with the same family groups through- out their time at Merriam, gradually assuming leadership roles as they progress through the grades. Highlights of the year included: • This year’s theme for Merriam was our core values of Risk-Taking, Persistence in one’s own Learning, and Respect . Students were reminded of these core values on a daily basis and participated in activities centered around these values during Community and Theme Days. Next year, we look forward to celebrating Merriam’s 30th Year Anniversary! • We continued our monthly STEAM challenges coordinated by our STEAM and Digital Literacy Coaches. This past winter, we had a parade where students created puppets, floats, and “balloons” in recognition of the various parades that different cultures have as celebrations.
• As part of the District Initiative for MTSS, all grade levels implemented daily flex blocks where students could receive tiered intervention in math and literacy. • During Literacy Week , high school students read books to students in various languages, and we had authors visit every classroom! We added a new element to our “ Tournament of Books ” where students provided and read acknowledgements for the books that did not move forward in the tournament to highlight the wonderful aspects of each piece of literature. • Merriam 2nd graders worked in our STEAM lab to develop rescue efforts for injured animals as part of their Habitats project. • As part of Merriam’s new PTO bylaws, the s chool and parent organization worked collaboratively to provide all of the educators in the building with $205 gift cards to Silver Unicorn Bookstore in order to purchase culturally responsive literature to add to their classroom libraries.
Bryant Amitrano INTERIM PRINCIPAL Lynne Newman INTERIM ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Merriam Core Values • Risk taking • Persistence in Learning • Respect
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