Mercy Parent eNews - January 31, 2018

*Mercy Athletics is seeking a shuttle driver to help drive athletes to practice within the Burlingame area. Parents or volunteers will drive a Mercy van in a one way trip to practice between 2:30 and 3:00. They must be cleared by the DMV and present a copy of their Insurance Policy (forms below). If anyone is interested, please contact Assistant Head of School, Claire Rietmann-Grout. crietmanngrout@mercyhsb.com.

*Dear Students and Parents:

Teachers are making their final recommendations for class placement in 2018-2019 for each student by the end of January. Students who wish to challenge eligibility should review the challenge process with their current teachers as soon as possible.

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. Please complete the course requests in PowerSchool as a family when PowerSchool opens on Feb. 5th. Counselors will follow up and meet individually 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

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.

Mystery at the Mansion

Saturday, March 3, 2018

Tickets are on sale now! $75 per person
$65.00 per person on or before Feb. 14th

Please support Mercy's major fundraiser:

- Donate an item for our live or silent auction

- Become a sponsor for the event

- Volunteer in the planning and\or at the Event

- Attend the Event

All proceeds from this event directly benefit all current
Mercy HSB students and programs.

Please visit the event website using the button below for
All Event Details and information including:

Donation forms, Sponsorship, underwriting, & advertising opportunities!

Item donation forms are available on the event website, and
hard copies are available in the Mercy Main office!

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

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.

*Practices/Tryouts will be held at the following locations. Each sport will be
Monday-Friday unless coach informs team of different schedule

Softball: Cuernavaca Park in Burlingame 3-5pm.
Track and Field: Meet at Mercy Grassilli Center. 3:30-5:30pm
Lacrosse: Franklin Field in Burlingame 3-5pm
Swimming: Starting Feb 5- 3-4:45pm at Highland Swim Center in San Mateo. In addition, on Monday and Friday there is Dryland practice 6:30-7:30am in Grassilli Center
Gymnastics: Gymtowne Gymnastics in South San Francisco 3-5pm

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

*Mercy Athlete of Week:
Varsity Basketball Player - Junior Alayne Buban
Alayne is the starting point guard on this year's Varsity team. Her ability to drive to the basket is a key part of her game. The offense of the team is also very reliant on Alayne being able to distribute the ball to the other girls. The team went 1-1 this past week in which, Alayne had 14 points, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. The team is in the hunt for a possible post –season CCS berth and Alayne will be a big part of that drive. Great job Alayne!.

*Click HERE for the schedule for team events for the
upcoming week of - Feb. 1-7

*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.

*We are starting to hear more and more about decisions so be sure to update your Naviance and come by and check in with me! We will be updating the map over the next few weeks so stay tuned for that fun!

Below you will find some exciting updates from College Counseling:

Check your Portals: Mid year reports have been sent. Please check in with your schools to make sure they have everything that they need for admission. Your school specific portal is a great place to start!

Test Scores at the CSU's: Some of the CSU's are having trouble uploading the test scores. Please check your CSU portal and check to see if that CSU is one of the schools that is having trouble. For example, SF state and CSU Monterey Bay are having trouble if you sent them to the main CSU number, but Chico is not having a tough time.

Apply for the FAFSA: It is financial aid time! Be sure to submit your FAFSA. We will submit your grades for the GPA and you can check your Cal grant Eligibility HERE, but you must complete a FAFSA in order to be eligible.

Update your Naviance: Once you hear from a school, be sure to update your Naviance with the responses.

Scholarships: Did you receive scholarships when you were admitted to different schools? Please email me with the school, name of scholarship and the amount of the scholarship over four years. We will include this in the graduation program!

Come by and see me if you have any questions about your applications and things that are going on with your applications.

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

MUSIC AT KOHL MANSION THANKS
ITS VOLUNTEERS

Music at Kohl Mansion would like to thank the following volunteers for helping with our concert and reception on Sunday night, January 21: Leia Chan, Sam Doles, Judy Gee, Brandon Gregg, Ruby Mayne, Kat McGee, Kelsey Popa, Mike Popa, Megan Samn, Tatyana Thumas, Evelyn Yturralde, and Reception Coordinator, Carmen Siu for all her leadership. The Parker Quartet was well received and our patrons enjoyed their entire evening, thanks to the fabulous hard work of these volunteers.

Our next concert is on Sunday, February 4. Please contact Yvonne Wun, Program Administrator at admin@musicatkohl.org if you would like to volunteer to help.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Catholic Schools Week
January 29 - February 2

Father Daughter Dance

February 2

Ash Wednesday

February 14

Presidents' Day

Holiday- No School

February 19

Mystery at the Mansion
March 3

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