Transcript Requests
Capturing Smiles and Creating Memories at Mertz Middle School
The hallways at Mertz Middle School were buzzing with extra energy this week as students and staff celebrated Picture Day, a long-standing tradition marking another year of growth and friendship.
This year’s event focused on more than just looking nice; it was an inclusive celebration of each student’s unique identity. Students proudly wore their cultural clothing, bright colors, or creative hats, showcasing the diverse community that makes Mertz so special.
Our yearbook staff wanted this picture day to really represent every single student, explained 8th-grade student photographer and yearbook club member, Sarah Jenkins. When I took photos for the candid section, like the one of my friend holding her camera, I focused on showing their real personality and joy. It feels great to capture a moment that will help them remember this year.
Teachers noted that the positive atmosphere helped students relax and feel confident. Mertz Middle School Principal, Mr. David Thompson, said he was proud of how the entire school embraced the day. This year’s Picture Day truly highlighted our commitment to creating a sense of belonging for everyone. Seeing the bright smiles and genuine excitement reminds us of the wonderful community we have here at Mertz.
The captured images will be featured in the school’s annual yearbook and made available to families, providing a lasting keepsake from the school year. With each photograph, the Mertz community is not only preserving memories but also celebrating the growth and connection of every student.
Mental Health Resources
While these resources may be beneficial, if you are experiencing a crisis situation at school, please see your counselor immediately. A crisis situation may include abuse (physical, verbal, or sexual), suicidal thoughts or feelings, homicidal thoughts or feelings, substance abuse, and pregnancy. A crisis can be involving you, a friend, or a family member.
Suicide National Suicide Hotline 800-784-2433
Youth Crisis Hotline 800-448-4663
Rape and Sexual Assualt
- Gwinnett Sexual Assualt Center 770-476-4707
- Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network 800-656-4673
- Grady Rape Crisis Hotline 404-616-4861
- YWCA Sexual Assault Hot Line 770-428-2666
Domestic Violence & Child Abuse
- National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233
- Partnership Against Domestic Violence 770-963-9799
- Georgia Domestic Violence Hotline 800-33-HAVEN
- Project Renewal 770-860-1666
- Women's Crisis Center 770-969-6423
- YWCA Domestic Violence Hotline 770-427-3390
- Crisis Resource Center 404-221-0252
- National Child Abuse Hotline 800-422-4453
HIV/STDs
- CDC National STD/HIV Hotline 800-227-8922
American Pregnancy Helpline
1-800-942-6466
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Inc.
404-920-7748
2401 Lake Park Drive, SE, Smyrna, GA 30080
- Pregnancy, parenting education and adoption services
Centro Prenatal De Gwinnett
770-227-0230
575 W. Pike St. Suite 1, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
ChildCare and Parents Services (CAPS) Program
1-833-4GACAPS (1-833-442-2277)
The CAPS program can subsidize the cost of child care for children who are US citizens or legal residents and under age 13. The age can be extended to 18 if the child has special needs.
- DECAL program that provides day care funds for pregnant teens to stay in school after their baby is born.
- Priority is given to currently enrolled students who want to stay in school and students must be under 18 years old to qualify.
To apply for the program:
- Families must be a resident of Georgia; student will need to fill out a child care inquiry form about 1 to 2 weeks before going back to school after the baby is born as well as research day care in her area.
Clinica de la Mama
770-613-0670
- Will work with undocumented individuals in developing a payment plan.
International Women’s Health Services (CIMA)
678-672-4645
5161 Brook Hollow Pkwy., Suite 200, Norcross, GA 30071
info@cimasalud.net
Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday-Friday
OB/GYN Clinic (through the Gwinnett Hospital System)
678-442-4616
Planned Parenthood—Gwinnett Center
404-688-9300
- Services provided includes general health services, men’s and women’s health services, specialist medical services and more.
- Accepts uninsured, underinsured insurance and Medicaid and financial assistance is available.
- Both English and Spanish spoken with other languages by translation service.
Pregnancy Resource Center (Obria Medical Clinic)
770-338-1622
565 Old Norcross Rd. Suite 200, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
info@prcg.org
- Christian confidential help line
404-479-4200 or 1-877-ALL-GA-KIDS (1-877-255-4254)
Hours: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday-Friday
Helps parents access quality, affordable care for all children, including special needs.
- Provides training and resources to child care providers to increase the overall quality of care.
- Through the above websites, parents can search online for child care, afterschool programs, Georgia Pre-K, Head Start and Early Head Start as well as summer and school-age camps.
- The Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power and Potential (GCAPP) program provides safe, family-like living situations for young mothers, age 13-21, and their children, as well as some pregnant teens. In partnership with the Georgia Department of Human Services, GCAPP operates a network of 7 Second Chance Homes.
- There are no Gwinnett County locations but some in the Metro Atlanta area. Go to the website to obtain contact information as well as access the individual sites directly.
Three Strands Inc.
470-202-8848
1000 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suwanee, GA 30024
threestrandsinfo@gmail.com
- For Birth Moms considering adoption support
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Est ullamcorper eget nulla facilisi. Viverra ipsum nunc aliquet bibendum enim. Nulla aliquet porttitor lacus luctus accumsan. Metus vulputate eu scelerisque felis imperdiet. Scelerisque eu ultrices vitae auctor eu augue. Cursus vitae congue mauris rhoncus. Non pulvinar neque laoreet suspendisse interdum consectetur libero. Lacus laoreet non curabitur gravida. Aenean sed adipiscing diam donec adipiscing tristique risus nec. Eget nullam non nisi est sit amet facilisis magna etiam.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Est ullamcorper eget nulla facilisi. Viverra ipsum nunc aliquet bibendum enim.
Nulla aliquet porttitor lacus luctus accumsan. Metus vulputate eu scelerisque felis imperdiet. Scelerisque eu ultrices vitae auctor eu augue. Cursus vitae congue mauris rhoncus. Non pulvinar neque laoreet suspendisse interdum consectetur libero. Lacus laoreet non curabitur gravida. Aenean sed adipiscing diam donec adipiscing tristique risus nec. Eget nullam non nisi est sit amet facilisis magna etiam.
-
Suicide National Suicide Hotline 800-784-2433
Youth Crisis Hotline 800-448-4663
Rape and Sexual Assualt
- Gwinnett Sexual Assualt Center 770-476-4707
- Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network 800-656-4673
- Grady Rape Crisis Hotline 404-616-4861
- YWCA Sexual Assault Hot Line 770-428-2666
Domestic Violence & Child Abuse
- National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233
- Partnership Against Domestic Violence 770-963-9799
- Georgia Domestic Violence Hotline 800-33-HAVEN
- Project Renewal 770-860-1666
- Women's Crisis Center 770-969-6423
- YWCA Domestic Violence Hotline 770-427-3390
- Crisis Resource Center 404-221-0252
- National Child Abuse Hotline 800-422-4453
HIV/STDs
- CDC National STD/HIV Hotline 800-227-8922
-
-
American Pregnancy Helpline
1-800-942-6466Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Inc.
404-920-7748
2401 Lake Park Drive, SE, Smyrna, GA 30080- Pregnancy, parenting education and adoption services
Centro Prenatal De Gwinnett
770-227-0230
575 W. Pike St. Suite 1, Lawrenceville, GA 30046ChildCare and Parents Services (CAPS) Program
1-833-4GACAPS (1-833-442-2277)
The CAPS program can subsidize the cost of child care for children who are US citizens or legal residents and under age 13. The age can be extended to 18 if the child has special needs.
- DECAL program that provides day care funds for pregnant teens to stay in school after their baby is born.
- Priority is given to currently enrolled students who want to stay in school and students must be under 18 years old to qualify.
To apply for the program:
- Families must be a resident of Georgia; student will need to fill out a child care inquiry form about 1 to 2 weeks before going back to school after the baby is born as well as research day care in her area.
Clinica de la Mama
770-613-0670
- Will work with undocumented individuals in developing a payment plan.
International Women’s Health Services (CIMA)
678-672-4645
5161 Brook Hollow Pkwy., Suite 200, Norcross, GA 30071
info@cimasalud.net
Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday-FridayOB/GYN Clinic (through the Gwinnett Hospital System)
678-442-4616Planned Parenthood—Gwinnett Center
404-688-9300
- Services provided includes general health services, men’s and women’s health services, specialist medical services and more.
- Accepts uninsured, underinsured insurance and Medicaid and financial assistance is available.
- Both English and Spanish spoken with other languages by translation service.
Pregnancy Resource Center (Obria Medical Clinic)
770-338-1622
565 Old Norcross Rd. Suite 200, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
info@prcg.org- Christian confidential help line
404-479-4200 or 1-877-ALL-GA-KIDS (1-877-255-4254)
Hours: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday-Friday
Helps parents access quality, affordable care for all children, including special needs.
- Provides training and resources to child care providers to increase the overall quality of care.
- Through the above websites, parents can search online for child care, afterschool programs, Georgia Pre-K, Head Start and Early Head Start as well as summer and school-age camps.
- The Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power and Potential (GCAPP) program provides safe, family-like living situations for young mothers, age 13-21, and their children, as well as some pregnant teens. In partnership with the Georgia Department of Human Services, GCAPP operates a network of 7 Second Chance Homes.
- There are no Gwinnett County locations but some in the Metro Atlanta area. Go to the website to obtain contact information as well as access the individual sites directly.
Three Strands Inc.
470-202-8848
1000 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suwanee, GA 30024
threestrandsinfo@gmail.com- For Birth Moms considering adoption support
-
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Est ullamcorper eget nulla facilisi. Viverra ipsum nunc aliquet bibendum enim. Nulla aliquet porttitor lacus luctus accumsan. Metus vulputate eu scelerisque felis imperdiet. Scelerisque eu ultrices vitae auctor eu augue. Cursus vitae congue mauris rhoncus. Non pulvinar neque laoreet suspendisse interdum consectetur libero. Lacus laoreet non curabitur gravida. Aenean sed adipiscing diam donec adipiscing tristique risus nec. Eget nullam non nisi est sit amet facilisis magna etiam.
-
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Est ullamcorper eget nulla facilisi. Viverra ipsum nunc aliquet bibendum enim.
Nulla aliquet porttitor lacus luctus accumsan. Metus vulputate eu scelerisque felis imperdiet. Scelerisque eu ultrices vitae auctor eu augue. Cursus vitae congue mauris rhoncus. Non pulvinar neque laoreet suspendisse interdum consectetur libero. Lacus laoreet non curabitur gravida. Aenean sed adipiscing diam donec adipiscing tristique risus nec. Eget nullam non nisi est sit amet facilisis magna etiam.
Supply Lists
-
- 1 pack of crayons (24 count)
- 1 pack of washable markers (10 count, classic colors)
- 1 pack of colored pencils (12 count)
- 4 glue sticks
- 1 bottle of liquid glue (4 oz.)
- 1 pair of safety scissors (blunt tip)
- 2 packs of #2 pencils (pre-sharpened, 12 count each)
- 1 large pink eraser
- 1 pack of construction paper (multi-color)
- 1 box of tissues
- 1 container of disinfecting wipes
- 1 bottle of hand sanitizer (8 oz.)
- 1 set of headphones (over-ear, for use with tablets/computers)
-
- 2 packs of #2 pencils (pre-sharpened, 24 count each)
- 1 pack of eraser caps
- 2 large pink erasers
- 1 pack of crayons (48 count)
- 1 pack of washable markers (10 count, broad tip)
- 1 pack of colored pencils (24 count)
- 6 glue sticks
- 1 bottle of liquid glue (4 oz.)
- 1 pair of safety scissors (pointed tip)
- 2 highlighters (yellow)
- 3 pocket folders (plastic, with prongs - red, blue, green)
- 2 spiral notebooks (wide-ruled, 70 pages each)
- 1 composition notebook (wide-ruled)
- 1 pack of index cards (3x5, ruled, 100 count)
- 1 pack of sticky notes (3x3, multi-color)
- 1 pack of dry erase markers (8 count, assorted colors)
- 1 dry erase eraser
- 1 ruler (12 inches, with centimeters)
- 1 box of tissues
- 1 container of disinfecting wipes
- 1 bottle of hand sanitizer (8 oz.)
-
- 1 pack of crayons (24 count)
- 2 highlighters (yellow)
- 2 packs of #2 pencils (pre-sharpened, 12 count each)
- 1 pack of colored pencils (24 count)
- 1 composition notebook (wide-ruled)
- 2 pocket folders (plastic, with prongs)
- 1 large pink eraser
- 4 glue sticks
- 1 box of tissues
- 1 pack of washable markers (10 count, broad tip)
- 1 pair of scissors (pointed tip)
- 1 pack of loose-leaf paper (wide-ruled, 100 sheets)
- 2 spiral notebooks (wide-ruled, 70 pages each)
- 1 container of disinfecting wipes
- 1 ruler (12 inches, with centimeters)
-
- 2 packs of #2 pencils (pre-sharpened, 12 count each)
- 1 large pink eraser
- 1 pack of colored pencils (24 count)
- 1 pack of washable markers (10 count, broad tip)
- 1 pack of crayons (24 count)
- 4 glue sticks
- 1 pair of scissors (pointed tip)
- 2 highlighters (yellow)
- 2 pocket folders (plastic, with prongs)
- 2 spiral notebooks (wide-ruled, 70 pages each)
- 1 composition notebook (wide-ruled)
- 1 pack of loose-leaf paper (wide-ruled, 100 sheets)
- 1 ruler (12 inches, with centimeters)
- 1 box of tissues
- 1 container of disinfecting wipes
-
- 3 packs of #2 pencils (pre-sharpened, 12 count each)
- 1 pack of mechanical pencils (0.7mm lead)
- 1 pack of pencil lead refills (0.7mm)
- 1 large pink eraser
- 1 pack of eraser caps
- 1 pencil sharpener (with shavings catcher)
- 1 pack of colored pencils (24 count)
- 1 pack of washable markers (10 count, fine tip)
- 1 pack of crayons (24 count)
- 4 glue sticks
- 1 bottle of liquid glue (4 oz.)
- 1 pair of scissors (pointed tip)
- 4 highlighters (assorted colors)
- 4 pocket folders (plastic, with prongs - red, blue, green, yellow)
- 4 spiral notebooks (wide-ruled, 70 pages each)
- 2 composition notebooks (wide-ruled)
- 1 pack of loose-leaf paper (wide-ruled, 200 sheets)
- 1 pack of graph paper (4x4 quad ruled, 100 sheets)
- 1 three-ring binder (1 inch, with pockets)
- 1 set of binder dividers (8-tab)
- 2 packs of sticky notes (3x3, multi-color)
- 1 pack of index cards (3x5, ruled, 100 count)
- 1 ruler (12 inches, with centimeters)
- 1 protractor
- 1 pack of dry erase markers (8 count, assorted colors)
- 1 dry erase eraser
- 1 pencil case or pouch
- 1 box of tissues
- 1 container of disinfecting wipes
- 1 bottle of hand sanitizer (12 oz.)
- 1 pack of resealable plastic bags (gallon size)
- 1 pack of resealable plastic bags (quart size)
- 1 set of earbuds or headphones (for use with computers/tablets)
-
- 3 packs of #2 pencils (pre-sharpened, 12 count each)
- 1 pack of mechanical pencils (0.7mm lead)
- 1 pack of pencil lead refills (0.7mm)
- 2 large pink erasers
- 1 pack of eraser caps
- 1 pencil sharpener (with shavings catcher)
- 1 pack of colored pencils (24 count)
- 1 pack of washable markers (12 count, fine tip)
- 1 pack of crayons (24 count)
- 4 glue sticks
- 1 bottle of liquid glue (4 oz.)
- 1 pair of scissors (pointed tip)
- 4 highlighters (assorted colors)
- 5 pocket folders (plastic, with prongs - red, blue, green, yellow, purple)
- 4 spiral notebooks (wide-ruled, 70 pages each)
- 2 composition notebooks (wide-ruled)
- 1 pack of loose-leaf paper (wide-ruled, 200 sheets)
- 1 pack of graph paper (4x4 quad ruled, 100 sheets)
- 1 three-ring binder (1.5 inch, with pockets)
- 1 set of binder dividers (8-tab, with pockets)
- 2 packs of sticky notes (3x3, multi-color)
- 1 pack of index cards (3x5, ruled, 100 count)
- 1 ruler (12 inches, with centimeters)
- 1 protractor
- 1 compass (for drawing circles)
- 1 pack of dry erase markers (8 count, assorted colors)
- 1 dry erase eraser
- 1 pencil case or pouch
- 1 box of tissues
- 1 container of disinfecting wipes
- 1 bottle of hand sanitizer (12 oz.)
- 1 pack of resealable plastic bags (gallon size)
- 1 pack of resealable plastic bags (quart size)
- 1 set of earbuds or headphones (for use with computers/tablets)
Helpful Links
-
After School Program Brochure
Discover a world of knowledge with our after-school program, where students can dive into various academic subjects. Engage in hands-on activities, projects, and collaborative learning to spark curiosity and creativity. Join us to unlock new interests and build essential skills for the future!
-
Sign Up Now
Give your child the gift of exploration and growth by signing them up for our after-school program! They’ll enjoy engaging activities, make new friends, and discover new passions. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enrich their learning experience—enroll today!