The Mentone Educational Resources Foundation (MERF) would like to welcome back all of our teachers, students, parents, and families for another school year. We also want to extend a special welcome to our new teachers and thank our returning educators for » Read More
Back in March, it was finally time to put a grant we received last summer from the Alabama Association of RC&D Councils into action. The plan was to transform the Valley Head School Memorial Courtyard into a pollinator garden and outdoor » Read More
The recent Tiger Art Gallery at VHS was a wonderful community event that brought together students, families, and staff to celebrate creativity and learning. Student artwork created throughout the year was proudly displayed, featuring a variety of media, including clay, watercolor, » Read More
Art is not a regularly offered class throughout DeKalb County — it’s a rarity. For over 30 years, MERF has worked to change that, providing arts education through the support of donations, grants, and community involvement. MERF is proud to have » Read More
Sometimes when you return to where you’re from, you end up receiving far more than you ever expected. One of the things I appreciate most about living here in Mentone is the quiet. The absence of big traffic and airplanes is » Read More
The past month has been a full and meaningful one for MERF as we’ve continued preparing for the 2026 Taste of the Mountain and Art Auction and moved forward with several projects that support our school and community. Our Groundhog volunteers » Read More
The MERF House restoration is officially complete, which is a big milestone for MERF and for the Mentone community. After months of steady work, the building now meets current safety and structural codes and is ready to once again serve the » Read More
MERF continues to support Valley Head students by making hands-on, real-world learning possible. This fall, MERF helped send Valley Head FFA officers to the National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis — one of the largest student leadership gatherings in the » Read More
This year’s slide into autumn finds us preparing to move back into the MERF House, keeping the gears turning, and looking ahead to what’s next. The art program at Valley Head School is running strong, with Sherryl Lewis carrying MERF’s mission » Read More
Things have been full steam ahead at MERF! From planning fall programming and writing grants to coordinating Senior Lunches and overseeing the restoration of the MERF House, we’ve been busy behind the scenes. We’re so grateful to all the helping hands » Read More