Getting Involved:
An Introduction to the Merriam Community

Revised Dec. 2, 2007.

Everyone associated with Merriam is part of the Merriam community, but special groups and events have been organized as focal points for that community:

The Merriam School Council

The Merriam School Council consists of staff, parents and community members. The Council serves a vital role in policy making, direction-setting and coordination among the various working groups in the school. Each year, the number of openings on the Council are announced to the school community. Interested parents and staff are encouraged to submit their names at the Merriam School Office in the first week of the school year. The Council meets 8-9 times a year. The meeting dates are announced in the Newsletter. All meetings are open to the public and visitors are welcome. (Return to the top.)

The Merriam School Parents-Teacher Organization (PTO)

The Merriam School PTO has regular meetings scheduled throughout the year and maintains its own web site. All parents/guardians and teachers are members of the PTO. The purpose of the PTO is to:

  • Promote and facilitate parent and faculty communication
  • Advocate for Merriam's students
  • Encourage parent involvement
  • Enhance Merriam community relations
  • Raise funds to enrich the educational experience at Merriam School

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Merriam Subcommittees

Teachers and parents work together on a variety of subcommittees to accomplish the many tasks required for a strong school foundation. Parents and staff may suggest the formation of a new subcommittee to the School Council or Principal whenever the need arises. Subcommittee size is determined by interest and need. Parents are encouraged to submit their names to the appropriate subcommittee contact person when interested in serving on any subcommittee. A list of subcommittee contact persons is included frequently in the Merriam Community Newsletter. News from the various subcommittees is reported in the Merriam Community Newsletter. The subcommittees are as follows:

  • Cultural Enrichment
  • Fundraising
  • Gift Book Program
  • Hospitality
  • Library Parent/Teacher
  • Traditions & Celebrations
  • Welcoming (new families)

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Acton School Committees

Parker Damon Building Steering Committee

The Parker Damon Building Steering Committee has ten meetings a year. Merriam School and McCarthy Town School share the Parker Damon Building. The PDBSC works to make sure the two school communities collaborate well in this shared space. There are five standing PDBSC subcommittees:

  • Friends of PDB (fundraising)
  • Celebrations Committee
  • Joint Creative Projects
  • Landscaping Committee
  • Playground Committee

Other Acton Community Committees

  • Inter school Council
  • PTO Chairs
  • Superintendent's Advisory Council on Health

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Community Events

The Merriam School is a community of learners to which all belong and have a sense of responsibility. All individuals within the community are respected and valued as contributing members. The community is at the heart of the school. Check the Calendar page for the actual times and schedules for these events (where appropriate).

Community Events for All Students, Parents and Staff:

  • Merriam School community picnics in September and June
  • School fundraising and social events
  • Open houses
  • Student exhibitions
  • Grade level presentations

Collaborative Events between Parents and Staff:

  • Parent-Teacher conferences in Fall and Spring
  • Ongoing subcommittees and School Council work
  • Monthly and bimonthly communications between classrooms/school and home
  • PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) monthly during the school year

Community Events for All Students and Staff:

  • All-School Meetings every Monday morning and Friday afternoon
  • Mixed-Age Groupings for activities, including all-school field trips, school theme day celebrations and reading, writing and math buddies.

Collaborative Events Between Students and Parents:

  • Student-Parent conference mid-year for all Merriam students
  • Homework activities
  • Special project work

Volunteers

Sandra and the whole school wants to thank all of our volunteers. Merriam could not function without all the volunteers who helped during the year. So a great big thank you to the people who fill all these roles:
  • School Council
  • PTO
  • Parent volunteer coordinator
  • Interschool Council
  • Welcoming
  • Cultural Enrichment
  • Sixth Grade Yearbook and other celebratory events
  • Yard Sale Fundraiser
  • PDB Steering Committee
  • Hospitality
  • Merriam After Hours
  • School Event Photographer
  • Merriam Newsletter
  • Fundraising
  • Landscape
  • Auction
  • Family Portraits
  • Gift Wrap Sale
  • Book Fair
  • Summer Camp Fair
  • drove and participated in field day
  • helped plan and/or worked at Theme Day
  • helped in the classroom
  • helped in the computer lab
  • helped in the library
  • helped in the office
  • helped plan and/or worked on fundraising events
  • stuffed Friday mail envelopes
  • served as classroom representatives
  • provided birthday cakes for birthday lunch

It is obvious from this list how much parental involvement goes into the Merriam experience. We have over 100 parent volunteers who fulfill weekly roles supporting the school. If you were inadvertently left off this list, please accept our apologies and know that you are truly appreciated!

(Return to the top or to the Merriam School Home Page.)