Dear Parents:

In the last 24 hours the email system for Mercy High School experienced a security breach. As a consequence of this breach, messages were sent out to you with the subject line, "Important Document" and requesting you open and sign the document via e-Sign Disclosure.  This was from a Mercy High School email.  We did not create or distribute this message. We believe the message contains malicious code and that the threat to your email security is credible. As a precaution we would advise you to delete said message. Additionally, if you acted on the message by clicking the link within it we recommend that you change your email password immediately.

Thank you for your patience....this is one of the unfortunate consequences of this age of technology.

Karen Hanrahan
Head of School
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IMPORTANT SCHEDULE CHANGE

Thursday, April 7th is listed as a late start day on the school calendar. School will start at the normal time,7:55 a.m. on Thursday. There will be zero period classes on Thursday.

Also, Thursday will be a special free dress day for the Giants home opener. Students can wear GIANTS gear or black and orange, if they wish to wear free dress. 

The late start day has been moved to Tuesday, April 26th. 

all school information

*All students who intend to take a Tri-School class next year, 2016-2017, are required to attend the Tri-School Orientation night at Serra High School, Monday, April 11 from 7-8 p.m. Parents are welcome.
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Click HERE for the Summer School Course Catalog. Classes are available for advancement and remediation. Please sign up early so we can ensure that we have enough classes available. Your daughter should fill out the Summer School Request Form so that her schedule in the fall is accurate. 
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Adult Close-up Inaugural Program
Since this inauguration is a historic event, Mercy is opening enrollment to parents who would like to participate in the Adult Close-up Inaugural Program. The cost is $3,427 per adult. The adult program is separate from the student program and can include several highlights (subject to change).  Some of the options listed on the brochure are: a visit to Montpelier, Guided tours of the memorials, Guided tour of the Smithsonian Renwick Art Gallery,  a tour of the hidden memorials (American Veterans Disabled for Life,  Japanese American Patriotism, and Victims of Communism memorials),  Listening to Supreme Court Arguments, Tudor Place, Anderson House, Leesburg, Ball’s Bluff Battlefield, Morven Park, George C. Marshall’s House, Postal Museum, National Public Radio Studio, Octagon House, and the other typical sites. Please contact Mr. Wootten at twootten@mercyhsb.com if you have questions or would like to reserve a spot. Registration will close by May 1^st and the first payment of $600 dollars is due by the end of May. 

Freshman parents

*Freshman Retreat
Friday, April 27th
Fort Miley-Ropes Course
The freshman retreat offers freshmen a chance to step away from their “inside” world and to enjoy God’s creation while developing confidence, trust, support, communication, cooperation and leadership skills.  The retreat is on Friday, April 27th at Fort Miley.  The program uses team and trust activities in combination with higher climbing elements. Below are two permission forms that need to be completed and returned to the student’s religion teacher.  These forms will also be given out during their religion classes this week.
Freshman Retreat Permission Form
PLI Release Form

upcoming events

Year of Mercy Event
Living Mercy in Public Life:
US Congresswoman Jackie Speier
Saturday, April 23

The Sisters of Mercy invite you to a Year of Mercy Event. We are honored to present Mercy High School Burlingame Alumna and U.S. Congresswoman (14th District) Jackie Speier who will address the topic, Living Mercy in Public Life.  Congresswoman Speier was present when Pope Francis addressed the United States Congress during his historic visit in September 2015. Opportunity for dialogue and refreshments with Congresswoman Speier will follow her presentation.

Please join us on April 23, 2016, 2:00-3:30pm at Mercy Center.

If you plan to attend, please register using this link so we know how many people to expect.
https://livingmercyinpubliclife.eventbrite.com

Hope to see you there as we continue to celebrate this year of Mercy!

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Spirit Spectacular
Friday, April 15th
Serra High School Gym 

Know any middle school cheer teams interested in a competition?  Encourage them to enter into Mercy's Spirit Spectacular!  Friday April 15th, at Serra High School's Gym.  Please click HERE for flyer with more information.  

senior parents

*SENIOR NIGHT AT THE MANSION  IS
RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER! 
Friday, April 8, 2016   
7:00 – 11:00 P.M.

Seniors come for an AWESOME EVENING sponsored by your Senior Council. Enjoy dinner, games, and a movie in the Mansion. Create one final high school memory. Permission forms are due by Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Please click HERE for permission form.

MPC - Mercy Parent club

*Last Call for Bunko!
Attention Auction Attendees 
If you raised your paddle to purchase Bunko and it was not on your check out and you would still like to attend, please contact Jennifer Munsey in the Mercy Advancement department by email jmunsey@mercyhsb.com
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SAVE THE DATE
Mother Daughter Senior Mass & Brunch
Sunday, May 15
10:00 a.m.

Formal invitation to follow. Questions? Please contact Jennifer Munsey, Mercy Advancement Events Coordinator @ jmunsey@mercyhsb.com or 650-762-1199

Educational Travel

Educational Travel  - click here for all educational trips

Iceland Spring 2017
Next year our science department is taking on ICELAND!  What an exciting place to learn about FIRE AND ICE.  Read about the trip below and in the attached itinerary.  We will be going for 5 days during Spring break (April 15-20, 2017) at a cost of approximately $2400.  We need to have at least 20 students interested for this trip to happen.  If you are interested, please email pbradley@mercyhsb.com by April 30.  Iceland: Fire & Ice | Reykjavik & The Westman Islands, Iceland 5-days / 4-nights in destination This picturesque island contains some of the most impressive natural wonders found anywhere in the world. Spectacular phenomena include smoldering volcanoes, slow-flowing glaciers, extruding lava, gushing geysers, bubbling mud pots, soothing thermal pools and, in the darkness of winter, the magical northern lights. With a focus on volcanology and geothermal science, we’ll uncover geysers, glaciers, thermal pools, waterfalls, wildlife and more as we soak up the Viking history that dominates this awesome place.  Click HERE for itinerary.
 

G’Day Mates - Fancy a snuggle with a Koala? Ever want to box a kangaroo? Maybe we will all just have our feet waxed in Hobbiton. If this sounds like your type of trip then throw a shrimp on the barby and grab your suitcases for our 2017 VPA trip down under to both Australia and Zealand. During this 15 day trip we will immerse ourselves in art by seeing a musical/ballet or opera at the world famous Opera House and explore the architectural marvels like the skyline Gondolas and the town of Hobbiton from the acclaimed series “The Lord of the Rings”.For more information contact Gary Ferguson gferguson@mercyhsb.com or visit  http://www.eftours.com/tour-website/1812821VB?utm_source=link&utm_medium=RC&utm_campaign=sharetrip
 

Music Festival in Dublin Ireland 2017 - For all Mercy girls who plan or are hoping to be in Mercy Chorales  during the 2016-2017 school year!  We are planning an amazing trip to Ireland!  This will be in June, 2017 and of course recent graduates will be invited to participate! We will be participating in a Music Festival in Dublin, Ireland with participants potentially from all over the world and the festival will be hosted by the renowned educator and composer, Henry Leck.   This is a rare and wonderful opportunity and we think that aside from performing programs and seeing the sights we will get to visit Baggot Street, where Catherine McAuley began the Sisters of Mercy. I will be sharing more about our plans...but in the meantime, don't hesitate to get in touch with me! Mrs. Matthews pmatthews@mercyhsb.com.

Athletics

*We hope everyone enjoyed their Spring break. All of our teams are now going to be starting league play. Good luck to all of our athletes.

All student athletes who are on a Spring sport team should now be purchasing their Crusaderwear gear designed specifically for their respective team. The site to purchase the gear can be found on the Mercy website under Athletics or click HERE.

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. 

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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We have upgraded the 2 elliptical machines and a treadmill machine in the weight room. This is in addition to the purchase of 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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College Counseling 

*SAVE THE DATE:
Serra High School Junior Case Studies night
April 25th at 6:45 at Serra High School.  Details to follow.
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Tri-School California College Night at NDB
Wednesday, April 27 -  7:00PM
Notre Dame High School Belmont - Moore Pavilion
Click HERE for flyer and more info 
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Below you will find a list of dates that other Bay Area Community Colleges will begin accepting applications. 

CSM - Available now.  Apply for the Summer/Fall Term. Apply on line here!

Skyline - Applications are available now for the fall!  Click here to apply online!

Foothill College - Applications will not be available until July 5th.  Click here to sign up for summer classes!

Canada College - Applications are available now!  Click here to be linked to the application!

DeAnza College - Most likely available in April.  Check the website for more information in late March.  

City College of San Francisco - Applications are available!  Click here to apply!

The application process will be fairly straight forward.  You will most likely need to attend an orientation and placement test.  In addition, you will also most likely need to meet with an advisor before you register for classes. The earlier you apply, the sooner you will get the classes that you are interested in.  

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Upcoming college fairs:

NACAC College Fair
April 30th from 1:30 - 4:30
Cow Palace
Click here for more information and a list of all the colleges attending!

WACAC College Fairs
Various Location and dates in May
Click here to see the dates, times and locations and to register online!
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PSAT booklets available.  Now that you have your daughter's PSAT scores have been released, please have her come by Mrs. Ohanessian's office for her PSAT test booklet.  You will be able to see exactly which questions she scored incorrectly.  This will help with any test prep you might have coming up!
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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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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!

Be a host

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.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Dear Parents, This is a reminder that all service hours are due Wednesday, May 11. Spring break is a perfect time for students to get caught up and/or finish any remaining hours. Any student who has completed over 100 hours should submit her hours at least a month in advance so that all paper work will be processed and awards given out on time. If you have any questions 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 4/7: Foccacia Chicken Sandwich - Our Secret Recipe Grilled to perfection Chicken breast served on our soft and fluffy home made Rosemary and Chives Foccacia bread.  A side of Spring mix salad and our home made Balsamic Vinaigrette will complete this gourmet meal.

Friday 4/8: Thai Chicken Wrap - Chunks of chicken simmered is coconut curry sauce over steamed rice wrapped in a tortilla with a ginger cabbage slaw, shredded carrots and red bell peppers

NEXT WEEK's menu April 11-15 will be posted through Schoology.

Musc at Kohl

*THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS, From Music at Kohl
*VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for April 17 concert

Music at Kohl Mansion thanks the following volunteers for their help at our concert and reception on Sunday, April 3, 2016: Ron Berger, Cher Fuentes, Brandon Gregg, Stathis Kavantzas, Samantha Reyes, Gabriel Rodriguez, Alexis Solorzano, Alan Wald, Paula Wong and Scott Wun. The Israeli Chamber Project concert was well received and inspiring and the reception was a nice way to end the evening.

Our next concert is coming up soon on Sunday, April 17, featuring the Harlem Quartet. If you are available to join us, please contact Yvonne Wun, Program Administrator at admin@musicatkohl.org. We need help with front of house duties (taking tickets, distributing programs, ushering) and with the reception (preparing food platters, setting up, serving and cleaning up). Volunteer hours are approximately 6-10 PM (need one person from 4:45 pm, or whatever part of that time period you are available.) Mercy and Serra students will earn service credit for hours served.