Our DK kids are having fun learning about graphs!

Some were surveying friends and recording their responses to questions like, "Which are more sour, lemons or lime?" and "Do you like chocolate or candy better?" They used graphs to help collect the data. They also had fun playing "roll a rainbow" to practice their graphing skills.
28 days ago, Brandywine Community Schools
little girl making graphs smiling
little boy showing notebook
two little girls building graphs
little boy look at notebook
Our DK students are learning about flowers and plants! They've painted flowers and created a little flower shop for their creations.
29 days ago, Brandywine Community Schools
little boy playing with flower seeds
little girl with bouquet of flowers
little boy playing with flower seeds
little girl with bouquet of flowers
students sitting around tables painting flowers
Our November and December Supercats were finally celebrated on Friday, after several snow day cancellations!

Want to hear more about what it means to be a Supercat? Listen to the latest episode of Cat Chat and hear directly from some of our Supercats: https://sites.libsyn.com/497938/season-3-episode-10-supercats
about 1 month ago, Brandywine Community Schools
supercars
Ms. Gmeiner's DK class had Community Circle time today! They discussed what makes someone a good friend. There are a lot of good little friends in this group!
about 1 month ago, Brandywine Community Schools
class sitting around in a circle with teacher on floor
Frijole Fiesta is BACK at the Hacienda on Portage Road in South Bend.

From March 2-13, students in grades 1-6 will have their Bean Art displayed at Hacienda. On March 12, there will be a giveback night for the Brandywine elementary art program. Students who participated will also receive a coupon for free ice cream!

about 1 month ago, Brandywine Community Schools
frijole fiesta students in grades 1-6 will have bean art displayed at hacienda on portage road march 2-13. giveback night is march 12
young girl working on bean art
two girls working on bean art
three girls working on bean art
young boy creating bean art
Mrs. Ramos' kindergarteners were forecasting the weather for the week today!
about 1 month ago, Brandywine Community Schools
little girl working on writing out the weather for the week
We're highlighting members of our staff! 🐾

Meet Mitchell Gourlay, Library Attendant at Merritt Elementary. Mitchell has been at Brandywine for three years now, and loves connecting students with educational reading materials.

Mitchell is a new parent to a little boy and the happy husband of a super mom.
about 1 month ago, Brandywine Community Schools
Mitchell gourlay
Yesterday was Cozy Up and Read Day for our first graders!
about 1 month ago, Brandywine Community Schools
kids sitting at desks eating donut holes
Preschoolers enjoyed the melting snow yesterday in their froggy suits! Our little learners dressed up in their wet suits and pretended to fish in "Lake Merritt" on the playground. They experimented with leaves, ice, and wood chips to see if things would sink or float!
about 1 month ago, Brandywine Community Schools
kids looking at water in froggy outfits
class in froggy outfits
little kids in froggy outfits looking at water
The Valentine's Day parties at Merritt Elementary were the bee's knees!
about 1 month ago, Brandywine Community Schools
class of kids in valentine's crowns
kids playing a game at Valentine's Day party
two kids holding heart shaped cookies
kids playing a game at Valentine's Day party
kids playing a game at Valentine's Day party
kids playing a game at Valentine's Day party
Second graders had a special Valentine's Day treat yesterday - they went to Wonderland Cinema in Niles to see Zootopia 2!
about 2 months ago, Brandywine Community Schools
three little girls at movie theater
three little boys at movie theater
three little boys at movie theater
little girl with adult
little boy with his dad
It's the 100th Day of School! Our kindergarteners and first graders dressed up for the parts! These little "old people" sure are cute!
about 2 months ago, Brandywine Community Schools
little boy dressed as old people
little boy and little girl dressed as old people
teacher and a little girl and little boy dressed as old people
3 little boys and a little girl dressed as old people
a little girl and little boy dressed as old people
little girls dressed as old woman
teacher and 7 kids dressed as old people
teacher with 6 kids dressed as old people
little girl dressed up like old woman
little girls dressed up like old woman
Our students in Ms. Little's DK class made heart sun catchers yesterday, just in time for Valentine's Day!
about 2 months ago, Brandywine Community Schools
little boy and little girl making heart sun catcher
heart sun catchers
little girl and little boy making heart sun catcher
little girl making a heart sun catcher

Second graders dressed up like they're 99 years old for the 99th Day of School! They have a field trip tomorrow, so they celebrated a little early. Look at these cuties!

about 2 months ago, Brandywine Community Schools
group of second graders dressed as 99 years old
group of second graders dressed as 99 years old
group of second graders dressed as 99 years old
group of second graders dressed as 99 years old
Reminder! The 100th Day of School is coming up on Thursday, February 12 (barring anymore snow days) and our Merritt Elementary students will be celebrating in style - 100 year old style!
about 2 months ago, Brandywine Community Schools
100th day of school for Merritt elementary is February 12 so students should dress up like their 100 years old
1 fish, 2 fish... our DK students are counting goldfish to count and compare numbers!
about 2 months ago, Brandywine Community Schools
little boy counting fish
a little boy and a little girl counting fish

Brandywine is now accepting applications for preschool for the 2026-2027 school year. This applies to the Headstart program, as well as the Merritt Great Start Readiness Program. If your child will be 4 by or on September 1, 2026, they are eligible to apply. If they will 4 between September 2 and December 1, they can apply and be on the waitlist until after September 1.

To get an application, pick one up at the Merritt Elementary office or contact Preschool Teacher Maddi High at mhigh@brandywinebobcats.org.

about 2 months ago, Brandywine Community Schools
accepting applications for Brandywine preschool 2026-2026
We're highlighting members of our staff! 🐾

Meet Brittney Gmeiner, Developmental Kindergarten Teacher at Merritt Elementary. Ms. Gmeiner has a master's degree in elementary and early childhood education and has been teaching at Brandywine for 11 years now! Her favorite part of the day at Brandywine is watching the wonder and curiosity on her students' faces as they make new discoveries and enjoy learning with their friends.

In her free time, she loves paddle boarding with her golden doodle, baking, and spending time at the beach.
about 2 months ago, Brandywine Community Schools
Brittney gmeiner with dog Lucy
Mrs. Hefner's first graders had their "Cozy Up to a Good Book" day yesterday and read "If You Give A Pig a Pancake." They celebrated with a snack of mini pancakes and a writing craft.
about 2 months ago, Brandywine Community Schools
little girl holding picture of mini pancakes
little boy holding picture of mini pancakes
little girl holding picture of mini pancakes
kids eating mini pancakes
First graders in Ms. Janke's class are over the moon!

Today in their Astronomy unit, they learned some of the phases of the moon, and practiced creating them with Oreo cookies! The best part - they were able to eat their moons afterwards.
about 2 months ago, Brandywine Community Schools
little girl and boy creating moon phases out of Oreos
little boy smiling making moon phases out of Oreos
little girl and boy creating moon phases out of Oreos
little girl creating moon phases out of Oreos
students at table with Oreo moons raising their hands