Mercy Parent eNews - January 17, 2018

*Dear Students and Parents:

Teachers are making their final recommendations for class placement in 2018-2019 for each student this week. Teachers will review eligibility with students this week. Students who wish to challenge eligibility should review the challenge process with their current teachers this week.

As a family, please review the 2018-2019 Course Catalog prior to Feb. 5, when the course request system opens. Here you will find the course offerings for the next academic year, as well as the planning tools and information needed to complete the course request process.

Course requests will open on Feb. 5 and remain open until March 2. Counselors will meet with each student to ensure a rigorous, yet balanced course-load.

Students requesting an AP course should complete and hand in the AP Contract by Feb. 2. Students requesting an off-campus Tri-School class should complete the contract by April 20 and are required to attend the orientation at Serra on April 16. Should you have any questions about the process, please contact your academic counselor.

Best,

Lauren Conklin

Assistant Head of School for Academics

*Curriculum Presentation

Freshman, Sophomore and Junior Parents:
Students had a curriculum presentation during collaboration on 1/11, click HERE for the presentation. Please see the important links and reminders below.

AP Contracts are due to Mrs. Morello by February 2nd. Click HERE for form.
Teachers determine eligibility for next year's courses. Click HERE for recommendation process.
PowerSchool opens for registration on February 5th and closes on March 2nd.
Please make your initial course selections with your parents in PowerSchool. Your academic counselor will meet with you during the course registration period to review your course requests.
If you are interested in taking a Tri-School class at Serra, you must attend an informational session on 4/16 at 7pm. You also need to complete the Tri-School Contract and turn that in by 4/20. Click HERE for Tri-School contract.

Students should contact their academic counselor if they have any questions.

Ms. O'Sullivan (Class of 2019 and Class of 2021)

Ms. Franco (Class of 2020)

Curriculum Presentation 
Course Catalog

Wouldn't you love to be able to approach conflict with your teen in a way that ensures both of you feel heard, and allows you to find a solution together? When you learn the Collaborative Problem-Solving Process, you'll understand how to connect with your teen so they will listen to you, as well as share their own ideas. In this workshop on transforming conflict into cooperation, the skills you learn can even be applied to family, friend, and coworker relationships. This philosophy empowers parents and provides a concrete and hope-filled path to turn family conflicts into effective, collaborative discussions.

Cynthia Klein is a psychologist, educator, author and public speaker who has been coaching parents for over 20 years. Click here to learn more and to register for the event!

Formal Info/Expectations
signature required

Guest Permission form

Winter Formal!
This year's formal "A Night at the Museum" will be at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. Tickets go on sale on Friday for $85 per guest through December. In January the price will rise to $95 per guest. To buy a ticket Mercy students and guests must have their permission slips filled out and signed by a parent, as well as the ticket fee. Both cash and checks are accepted made out to Mercy High School.

*Author Visit - Dhonielle Clayton

February 7

The library is pleased to announce our final author visit for this school year will be held on February 7. During the day some classes will have the opportunity to hear Dhonielle Clayton, author of the soon to be released book The Belles speak about her book and the issues of diversity in YA literature. If your daughter would like to acquire a signed copy of this fascinating and inventive book please click HERE for form, complete and bring it, with a check made out to Kepler's books, to the Mercy Library by February 5.

Thank you - Sarah Murphy

Financial Assistance Program for 2018-19
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 2018-19 school year must complete an online financial aid application. Applications must be submitted by February 9, 2018* 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. Late applications are processed and reviewed, but meeting the appropriate deadline is strongly recommended to be included in the first round of aid awards. 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 9, 2018. Families that have both an applying 8th grader and returning student must meet the December 11, 2017 deadline.

Mercy Burlingame & SF
Spring Break Sacramento Immersion Trip! When: April 3-6

Price: $250

We will be working with Loaves and Fishes which was started by a Sister of Mercy. We will learn about sustainable farming vs. commercial farming. Also, we will be visiting UC Davis and Chico State. Click HERE for flyer.

Sign up on the Seholo.com Event Calendar.

Contact Mr. Diaz, pdiaz@mercyhsb.com or Ms. Connolly, kconnolly@mercyhsb.com if you have any questions

*Chicago Immersion Trip information night!

Parents and students!

1/17/18 - 6:30pm in rm 215

Mercy Burlingame

Summer Chicago Immersion Trip!
When: June 8-16

Price: $1,500

We will be working with Misericordia which was started by a Sister of Mercy. Also, we will be visiting Loyola Chicago and University of Chicago. Click HERE for flyer.

Sign up on the Seholo.com Event Calendar.

Contact Mr. Diaz, pdiaz@mercyhsb.com or Ms. Connolly, kconnolly@mercyhsb.com if you have any questions.

Spring Sports first official day is Jan 29th
If your daughter is planning on playing a spring sport, please make sure they are fully registered and cleared thru the Magnus system. Parents must register thru the Parent portal of Powerschool. Each athlete must be cleared to participate before they can start a sport. If your daughter needs a sports physical, please get one done during the Holiday break. All athletes must be registered and cleared by January 29 or they will not be able to start the spring sport in which they want to participate in.

Conditioning sessions have started back up. All athletes planning on participating in a spring sport are expected to utilize the conditioning times in January to be ready for the start of spring sports on January 29.

Conditioning Schedule for the Spring Quarter Sports:
Meet in the Grassilli Center

Monday and Friday: 6:30-7:30am - Swimming
Monday and Wednesday: 3:00-4:00pm - Softball
Tuesday and Thursday: 3:15-4:45pm - Track and Lacrosse
Gymnastics will have conditioning Monday-Friday 3-4pm at Gymtown Gymnastics in South San Francisco

*Mercy Athlete of Week:
Varsity Soccer Player Alexa Ulrich
Alexa, a sophomore, is one of the key defenders on the backline for the soccer team. She is a consistent lockdown player who is solid in central defense. She was named player of the game by the coaches during the Firebird Classic against Notre Dame Salinas for her outstanding defensive plays throughout the contest. Alexa can always be counted on to be at games and practices. She is very coachable and has a great attitude as well as very supportive of her teammates. Great job Alexa!

*Click HERE for the schedule for team events for the
upcoming week of - Jan. 18 - Jan 24

*Make sure to follow all of our team results as they happen via our Mercy athletics twitter page. Mercy Athletics @MercyAthletics

All results of each team can be found in the Mercy scoreboard-
https://www.mercyhsb.com/athletics/scoreboard-enews

Treatment times: Any athlete who is in need of treatment for injury, Emerald is available in Grassilli Center Monday and Wednesday from 4-5pm

Year of Outreach and Solidarity

The Sisters of Mercy invite you to a year of special gatherings to enable Outreach and Solidarity with our neighbors who are suffering hate crimes, discrimination, and fear of deportation. During this year long program we will highlight the sacredness of each member of the human family in our global village. All events in the Year of Outreach and Solidarity are free and open to all. Free will offerings will be possible to support the ministries of the Solidarity Committee.
Please click HERE for the Program Calendar.

*UC Application verification process: Students randomly selected to verify information in their application were notified by the end of Dec. 2017. The deadline to respond is Jan. 31, 2018. A small number of students were asked to provide documentation of 7/8th grade geometry. A non-response to the request for verification will result in cancellation of the application.

Complete your FAFSA: Here is the link to FAFSA. Please be sure to submit this by the deadline for your school.

CSS Profile: Please remember to complete the CSS Profile if you school requires it by the financial aid deadlines.

*Check your portals: Check in with your school portals to make sure your schools have everything they need. Some of the CSU's will require a transcript so please let me know if you receive this notification from the school. If you are missing something, please come and see me right away.

*Mid-year Reports: These will be sent over the weekend so feel free to check your naviance for when they are sent. I will also send out an email letting you know when all have been sent.

*Update your Naviance: Be sure to update your naviance with different decisions from the schools. Also if you need more materials sent, please let me know right away.

Francesca Mallegni Ohanessian

College Counselor

SENIOR PANORAMIC PHOTO

If you would like to purchase a copy of the 2018 Senior Panoramic Photo please use the link below. http://www.orderschoolportraits.com/Mercy-HS-Burlingame-C74.aspx

Attention Mercy Parents for Graduating Class of 2018
As your graduating senior's High School career comes to its conclusion, what better
way to celebrate their successful journey through High School than with a
celebratory announcement of pride in your child's yearbook?

To purchase, follow the link below to get started. Prices for Senior Celebration Ad space start at $140, so be sure to purchase your ad space as soon as possible. Spaces are limited, so hurry now and claim your spot!

Follow the link to start the process: http://jostensadservice.com/?REF=A00543500

*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 daily salad selections

Thursday - 1/18 - Greek Style Meat Pasticcio

Friday - 1/19 - Flat Bread Pizza

*MENU WEEK of January 22 -

Monday: Talk about the Chicken Burrito....tender and juicy seasoned shredded chicken breast with well seasoned pinto beans and perfectly cooked Mexican rice wrapped in an x-large flour tortilla filled with lettuce, cheese and Salsa to tie it all together..

Ask me in the morning for the vegetarian

Tuesday: Pasta Primavera - Creamy Alfredo sauce with a vegetable medley and Chicken breast chunks, served with a green Salad and Italian Vinaigrette

Wednesday: Broccoli Cheddar Soup With Cornbread Crisp broccoli florets in a creamy cheddar soup served with a side of amazingly moist cornbread....New Item that will become your new FAV

Thursday: Chicken Pot Pie - Chunks of chicken breast cooked in a creamy sauce with peas, carrots and potatoes baked in a flaky puff pastry dough to golden brown, served with hearts of Romaine and Ranch dressing

Friday: Meat Ball Sub Our home made all beef meatballs served in a toasted french roll with our famous marinara sauce. Served with a side Caesar Salad

Don't forget to check out the variety of specialty Salads daily changing to fit your taste and busy schedule....and if you ask the day before for a specialty Salad, we will gladly prepare it for you. Feed back is greatly appreciated on menu and new items, we are here thriving to please your taste buds :=)

MUSIC AT KOHL NEEDS VOLUNTEERS FOR JANUARY 21 CONCERT

Music at Kohl Mansion invites all Mercy students and family to volunteer at our next concert on Sunday, January 21, featuring the Parker Quartet. We need help in the front of house (distributing programs, taking tickets, ushering) as well as with our post concert reception (preparing food platters, setting up, serving, cleaning up). Service credit is available for volunteer hours. It's a fun way to spend a Sunday evening with friends and meet other Mercy students and parents. Volunteer hours are generally between 6-10 pm, though we do need someone a little earlier at 4:45 (ending time can be anytime between 8-10pm for this shift).

If you're interested or have questions, please contact Program Administrator Yvonne Wun at admin@musicatkohl.org. We hope you can join us!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mercy Formal
January 26

Catholic Schools Week
January 29 - February 2

Father Daughter Dance

February 2

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