*Reaccreditation visit at Mercy

Mercy High School will welcome a visiting team of educators next week as we undergo the final phase of our reaccreditation process. Every six years schools throughout the nation have their accreditation reevaluated. Since April, 2014, we have been studying all areas of the school – mission, academics, student life, advancement, admissions, facilities, finances. It started with departments assessing their programs, followed by groups meeting to evaluate various areas according to standards set by WCEA (Western Catholic Education Association) and WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges). Faculty, staff and administration joined by students, parents and alumni then compiled a self-study report on each section along with a review of actions taken after the previous reaccreditation and an educational improvement plan for the next six years.

Our visiting team will arrive on Sunday evening and spend the next three days visiting classes, having lunch with and interviewing students, meeting with various departments and groups. On Wednesday afternoon they will present their findings.

This has been a long but beneficial process that helps Mercy High School determine our best practices and areas where we can be better. The findings are data-driven, so it has been at times a challenge to collect all the statistics and information needed. What we have already learned about ourselves and what we will glean from the experience and advice of our visiting team members is invaluable. The next step will be to begin to implement all facets of the improvement plan for an even stronger program at Mercy.

To end this very intense week there will be no school on Friday, February 12^th . This allows everyone to have an extra long Presidents Day Weekend. Students will also be off on Tuesday, February 16th is our faculty and staff have their annual retreat. 

All school information

Dear Mercy Famillies:
It's almost time for re-registration and course requests for the 2016-2017 academic year. The course request window opens Feb. 8. Click HERE to see the letter with instructions and links to resources for course requests. You may also click HERE to see the letter posted to students on Schoology. 

Freshman, Sophomore and Junior Parents:  
Last week we had our Curriculum Presentation during collaboration.  Here is a YouTube link (https://youtu.be/Q3Qe_SiCsx0) so that you can view the presentation as well.  PowerSchool will open to accommodate course requests on February 8th and will close on March 4th.  Counselors will meet individually with students during that time.  If you would like to be a part of that meeting, please reach out to your daughter's academic counselor.  Below are several helpful links to assist you and your student in planning courses for next year. 
Please let us know if you have any questions!

Michele Macmillan (mmacmillan@mercyhsb.com) / Lauren Totah (ltotah@mercyhsb.com)
Caroline O'Sullivan (cosullivan@mercyhsb.com)

• 2016 Course Request Letter
• Class of 2017 & 2018 Four Year student Planning Guide
• Class of 2019 Four Year Student Planning Guide
• Class Offerings Flow Chart
• What to Expect in AP Classes 

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PowerSchool App: If you have not already done so, download the PowerSchool Mobile app for your mobile device via the App Store or Google Play. This will allow you to access your portal easily throughout the school year. Once downloaded, input our district code: NZFS and your login information. If you have any questions, or have lost your login information, please contact Stephanie Montoya. 

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Students and Parents, PSAT 9/10 and PSAT scores are now available. Please go to the score reports home and sign in to view your scores and your AP Potential reports. Paper score reports will be mailed home this week. 

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Host a French Student!
April 10-April 24
For the past three years we have had the pleasure of hosting French students in April. These students live with our Mercy families while attending classes with their "host sister." The girls are 15-16 years old, have studied English and speak it well enough to converse easily with everyone and attend classes. They are very eager to experience American family and school life. Students who want to be hosts do not need to be enrolled in French or speak French. It has always been a rewarding experience on both ends and some students have maintained a friendship over the years. Click HERE for detailed information. If you are interested, please contact Liz Barthe, French Department Chair at lbarthe@mercyhsb.com and I will supply you with a host application and profiles of the students
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Host an International Student
with gphomestay!
Looking to share an international experience with your family without leaving the comfort of your home? Open your home to an international student and receive a monthly stipend of $1500! We’ve partnered with gphomestay and together, we are looking for caring host families for the FALL 2016 semester. Visit www.gphomestay.com for more information on how you can benefit from this cross-cultural experience. Contact info@gphomestay.com or click here to fill out a Host Inquiry Form. Click here for flyer.

Mercy Parent Club

*Father Daughter Dance  
A Night to Remember!

Over 200 Mercy Dads and daughters enjoyed Sweet Moments in CANDYLAND last Friday at the Kohl Mansion. 

Special thanks to Event Chair Kari Gould and the following volunteers for making this a fun night: Kelley Chawke, Victoria Baldocchi, Noelia Vargas, Emilia Kibblewhite, Kelley Chawke, Delea Magana, Erin Macias, Vicky Francisco, Karen Cagne, Gloria Vargas, Gale Winningham, Geraldine Letele, Kelly Lustenberger, Jacqueline Bigelow, Linda Mobraten, Tricia Buban,  Christy Eleazar, Siu Lataimua, Maggie Velazque, Judy Ajam, Libby Schaul and Martha Ann Milliken.  

Many thanks to the following people for food donations: Kelley Chawke, Laura Blue, Sharon Oosterman, Janie Dawes, Susan Mchale, Katherine Ragusa, Angela Camp, Jacqueline Bigelow, Colette Grady, Karen Miller, Connie Veilleux, Noelia Vargas, Gale Winningham, Bernadette Hurley, Pam Morey, Jennifer Shapona, Gale Winningham, Andrea Yew, Cathy Siri, Siu Lataimua, Jamee Schorno, Margie Curran.

Our apologies if we missed any names…please let us know so we can thank you in our next E-News!  

*Lost and Found!  Missing: Alfani pin-striped coat  Found: checkered pattern coat
 Please contact Jennifer Munsey jmunsey@mercyhsb.com for more info.

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*Invitations are out and online reservations are on sale now!
Mai Tais at the Mansion! 
Saturday, March 5, 2016

Click the "Purchase Tickets" button at
left to reserve your spot now! Questions? Contact Event Coordinator Jennifer Munsey at 650-762-1199 or jmunsey@mercyhsb.com. 

SPONSORSHIP & ADVERTISING: Please consider sponsoring this event! You can be a Sponsor, Advertise your business or make a cash donation to help make the event a success! Click on the Sponsor and Advertising buttons to learn more!

DONATIONS: 

• Donations, especailly those from the Mercy Community help to make this night a success and impact school programs that benefit all current Mercy students. Donations of services, gift cards\certificates, vacation homes, event tickets, unique experiences are needed and appreciated!  DONATION ITEM Wish List:  Dinner Parties; Restaurants or eatery gift cards; Wine & Craft Beer; Pro & College Game day tickets-Warriors, Giants, A's, Stanford, Cal, Santa Clara; Golf & Spa packages; Dance, Cheer, Art instruction or lessons; Concert Tickets; Vacation Getaways- Tahoe, Hawaii, Napa, Half Moon Bay; Corporate Tours, mentorship; Local Outings & museums -Alcatraz, boat trips, DeYoung...; Jewelry; Gift cards- Macys, Sports Authority, Amazon, Visa or MasterCard cards, Starbucks, Spa,nail salons, MAC, Sephora...
• Click the Donate an Auction Item button above or click HERE for a printable donation form which may be turned in to the Mai Tai's at the Mansion Donations BOX in the Mercy main office! 
• Mercy Family Donation Incentive for Mercy Students! Turn in a Donation form and item with your Family & students name and your student will get a free Spin on the Mercy Prize wheel during her lunch period.  STARTING TOMORROW donations turned in will qualify your student for a FREE spin beginning next Wednesday February 3rd. Each donation turned in qualifies for a spin the following Wednesday, 2\3-2\17. (spin prizes value range from$10-$25)
  Lunch Time Spin Dates: 2\3, 2\10 & 2\17! 
  * Lunch time SPIN WINNERS for 2/3:  
  Emmerson Dawes '19 and Marie Rock '19   

Senior parents

Career Day has been moved to February 23rd. Seniors are expected to be on campus until 2:30pm on the 23rd. 

Educational Travel

Educational Travel  - click here for all educational trips

financial assistance  

Financial Assistance Program for 2016-2017
Mercy High School recognizes that families have varying financial needs and make financial sacrifices which include adjusting spending priorities and maximizing both parents’ earnings to provide their daughters with a strong academic education. The Financial Assistance Program at Mercy strives to help those families who, even with personal sacrifices, have a difficult time meeting the full tuition obligation. Awards are made for a one-year period, families must re-apply each year.

The application process is fair and confidential. Assessments are done by an outside firm (TADS) that specializes in school financial assistance programs. Financial aid awards are made based on a family’s demonstrated need and the availability of school funds.

All families who would like to be considered for financial assistance for the 2016-2017 school year must complete an online financial aid application. Applications must be submitted by February 12, 2016* with all necessary documentation.  This link https://www.mercyhsb.com/admissions/financial-aid-clone will direct you to our website for further information and the online TADS application.  Please contact Lynn Beal at 650-762-1101 or lbeal@mercyhsb.com if you have any questions.

*Please note returning 10th, 11th and 12th grade families must apply by February 12, 2016. Families that have both an applying 8th grader and returning student must meet the December 14, 2015 deadline. Late applications will be processed and reviewed, but meeting the appropriate deadline is strongly recommended.

Athletics

Very Important: Every student who plays on a Mercy athletic team must be fully registered with the Appryse system.   Each athlete must have their completed physical that shows they have been cleared to participate in sports. If your daughter has not been cleared to play sports, she will not be able to start practice and/or tryouts.You can access thru the Mercy website under Athletics/Forms. 

Any student athlete participating in a sport must turn in both the athlete and guardian contract found in the Athletic Handbook. If the signed forms by both student and guardian are not turned in, the student will not be allowed to tryout. Click on the handbook link and print a copy of the contract after you have read the handbook. The Athletic Handbook can be found on the website under Athletics/Forms & Athletic Qualifications. The contracts to be signed are at the end of the handbook. The completed contracts must be returned to the Athletic Director or to the main office. 

The following locations will be where students should continue to be for their tryouts and/or practice:

• Gymnastics-Gymtown Gymnastics: 389 Oyster Point Blvd. Suite 5, South San Francisco-Sessions will take place on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 3-5pm. 
• Lacrosse: Franklin Elementary School turf field: 2385 Trousdale Dr., Burlingame. Tryouts will take place Monday-Friday 3:00-4:30pm. If you have goggles, mouth guard and stick, please bring them.
• Softball: Bayside Park Field 1: 1125 Airport Blvd., Burlingame- Tryouts will be Monday-Friday 3-5pm.
• Swimming: Mercy Pool on Campus: Monday-Friday 3:45-5:45pm.
• Track and Field: For February 1-5, Mercy Campus, meet on grass area by pond: Monday-Friday 3:00-5:00pm. Starting on Feb 8, practices will be held at Serra.

We bought a rowing machine and a couple of exercise bikes for the Grassilli Center weight room. All girls are encouraged to utilize the facility. All girls need to check with the AD to coordinate times for use. Adult supervision is required for any use of the weight room by our students.

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Any Parent who is available and/or willing to drive students to games must turn in all the paperwork to the main office in order to be cleared to drive. This would be for your own car or a school van. The forms can be downloaded from the Mercy website, Athletics/Forms or click HERE.  
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From counseling

*Navigating the Tides of Adolescence
A FREE panel discussion on the challenges
facing our teens today, including stress, mental health
and wellness.
Monday, Feb. 29 - 7PM
Hillsdale High School
 
Mercy parents, February 29th at 7 pm StarVista and the San Mateo Union School District are hosting “Navigating the Tides of Adolescence” a FREE panel discussion on the challenges facing our teens today, including stress, mental health, and wellness. The panel will be moderated by Rachael Myrow of KQED. Panelists include Dr. Steven Adelsheim, Stanford child psychiatrist and Director of Community Partnerships at the Stanford School of Medicine; Gunn High School parent Kathleen Blanchard; and Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of the highly acclaimed book, “How to Raise an Adult“ and former freshman dean at Stanford University. Please click HERE flyer with registration details and more information about the event.

College Counseling 

*Applying to a Community College? Applications to the California Community Colleges are now being accepted.  Log on to the school's website and choose the Summer/Fall term.  
CSM will be on campus on March 14th at 12:30 to discuss the application and registration process. 

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*Princeton Review ACT Prep classes will begin. 
Click HERE for the flier 
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Applying for Financial Aid - The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is now available online.  Please complete this form if you are planning to apply for financial aid. https://fafsa.ed.gov/  Some colleges require this by February 1st.  If you do not have your taxes done by February 1st, estimate or use last year's tax paperwork.  You can go in and change it once your taxes are completed.  Some schools require the CSS Profile.  Please click on this link to find the profile. https://student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile  If you have any questions about the FAFSA or the Profile, please email Mrs. Ohanessian.
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Mid Year Reports - Mid year Reports have been sent.  If your school has not received it yet, please let Mrs. Ohanessian know.
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Update your Naviance - As you hear back from schools, please update your naviance so we can track what schools need the appropriate paperwork.
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Scholarships - Did you receive a scholarship from a school?  Email Mrs. Ohanessian the name of the school, the scholarship, and the amount.  We like to commend our students on all of their accomplishments.
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Senior Parents - If you have questions about the FAFSA or the forms for financial aid? or you need help navigating all the upcoming requirements, schedule a meeting with Mrs. Ohanessian by sending her an email at fohanessian@mercyhsb.com
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Junior Parents - Schedule your college meeting with Mrs. Ohanessian today!  Email Mrs. Ohanessian (fohanessian@mercyhsb.com) to schedule your daughter's preliminary college meeting today!

Clubs

*RED CROSS CLUB
Blood Drive a Huge Success! 

A huge thank you to those from our Mercy community that participated in our first ever Red Cross Blood drive hosted by our newly organized Red Cross Club.  The Mercy mansion dining room was converted into a blood donor room with 6 beds and several areas to register and many Red Cross personnel all to take our blood.  It was a huge success with members from our local community, parents of our Mercy students, Mercy students as well as many of our faculty and staff participating to donate 43 bags of blood.  The Red Cross was amazed at the response and very pleased given the recent blood shortage that has hit our area (see the link below for details on this critical shortage).  Many of our Mercy girls donated and/or volunteered to help make this event run smoothly, and all of their hard work and blood donations are greatly appreciated.  The Red Cross Club is hoping to hold a similar blood drive each year in order to help our community.  Thank you again for this very successful event.

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2016/01/23/stanford-blood-center-donations-shortage/  

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

If you have any questions about the following service opportunities please contact Mr. Diaz at pdiaz@mercyhsb.com

Pacifica Beach Coalition MONTHLY beach cleanup 

Click HERE for Saturdays of Service 

Cafeteria Specials

Lunch Order Form - to save time, students may fill out this form and drop off at the Cafeteria in the morning. Please Visit the cafeteria for our NEW and improved daily salad selections

Thursday, Feb. 4: Foccacia Chicken Sandwich
Friday, Feb. 5: Thai Chicken Wrap (a must try new item)

*Lunch Specials the Week of February 8th
(click HERE for full description of the specials and vegitarian options.)

Monday:  Kefta Kabob with Rice and Cucumber Yorgurt Salad
Tuesday:  Lemon Dill Chicken with Rice Pilaf
Wednesday:  Grilled Cheese sandwich with Cilantro Tomato Soup
Thursday:  Orange Glazed Chicken wih STeamed Rice and Asian Veggie blend
Friday: Holiday

Please Visit the cafeteria for our new and improved daily salad selections. 
Click HERE for our updated order form.

Musc at Kohl

*MUSIC AT KOHL 

Our next concert is on Valentine's Day, February 14, featuring the Boreal Trio. Please let me know if you would like to volunteer. Yvonne Wun, Program Administrator at admin@musicatkohl.org or 650.762.1130.

*VOLUNTEER HELP NEEDED ON WED, MARCH 2
Music at Kohl Mansion's Children's Concert
Our annual Children's Concert is on Wednesday, March 2 (a non-school day). We have three performances and could use some help from 8:45 to 12:30 managing the 600+ concert guests, many students from our local schools. Mercy students will earn service credit for volunteer hours.The Aurio Trio (accordian, tuba and bassoon) are performing a lively, engaging concert for children of all ages, including members of our senior community.

Please contact Yvonne Wun, Program Administrator at admin@musicatkohl.org if you are interested in helping out.