October 9, 2019  |  PARENT ENEWS 

Dear Mercy Families,

 

 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and each year, Mercy gathers for activities to raise awareness and to honor members of our community that have been affected. Sponsored by the Girls Athletic Association (GAA), the Dig Pink volleyball game is a highlight of Pink Week, Mercy's Breast Cancer Awareness Week. Last night we had one of the best turnouts ever - the gym was electric with support for our girls. Tomorrow we will hold a Breast Cancer Awareness Rally on the Green, where it is a tradition for students to cut their hair to donate to Locks of Love, an organization that provides hair prosthetics to children with permanent and/or temporary hair loss. This is a cause very close to our community, and we appreciate your support and participation in these activities.

 

Our Foundress, Catherine McAuley once said that "Our charity must be in our hearts and from our hearts." It is a true joy to watch our students live this out, particularly during Pink Week as their selflessness and empathy shine through in the way they genuinely care from the heart about those affected by cancer. Thank you for raising such empathetic and compassionate young woman who so naturally bring our mission alive. It is a true honor partnering with you in the formation of your daughters.

 

Sincerely,
Natalie

Every minute of class time counts! However, we do encourage students to stay home when they are ill. It is very important that a parent/guardian call the Main Office to let the school know their daughter will be absent that day. We have a 24 hour message line that we check regularly. The phone number is (650) 343-3631. For safety purposes we keep attendance records and need to make sure every student is accounted for during every period of the day. Thanks for your cooperation.

Mercy Burlingame will be helping seekers of asylum at the Border in these two ways:

During our Pink Week we will be collecting Bras for women at the Border and we will be partnering with Nuts and Candy on Broadway to buy beanie babies that will be given to the children seeking asylum.  The drives end on Friday, October 11th.

 

HERE for more information on Bras for the Cause

HERE for more information on the Beanie Babies.

The Mercy Student Tech and Innovation Team would like to acknowledge Digital Citizenship Week by addressing an issue facing teens at school and at home: social media programs are finding more and more ways to keep us addicted! 

 

The team would like to invite parents and students to participate in a two day digital detox on October 14th and 15th. For those two days, we ask that you detox from all social media including: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, VSCO, Tik-Tok and anything else that takes your time away from face-to-face interactions! 

 

Students will acknowledge their participation at school, but we encourage parents to participate and have conversations about the process. Thank you for your support.

National Testing Day - Wed., October 16th-Early Dismissal at 11 AM*

*students with extended time will be later
The PSAT will be administered at Mercy on Wednesday, October 16th.

Sophomores and Juniors will take the PSAT/NMSQT and Freshmen will take the PSAT 8/9. This is a way of gaining practice with standardized testing and becoming more comfortable with the thought of taking the official SAT or ACT. More information about understanding the scores and future test prep opportunities will be coming soon. The Student Guides were handed out in advisory and here are the links for reference.

PSAT - 8/9 Student Guide

PSAT/NMSQT - Student Guide

 

Students must report to their advisory with number 2 pencils and calculators. Free dress may be worn. It is important to get a good night's sleep, eat a good breakfast, and come prepared for the exam. 

 

Seniors do not have school the 16th, 17th and 18th and are encouraged to visit colleges and work on their applications.

Join us for a fun and festive evening!
Taste & Take Event at Kohl Mansion
Wine, Spirits, Food & Live Music
Friday, Nov. 22nd • 7-10 p.m. 

Experience the Mansion in its holiday best!
Open to the Public 21 & Over

All Proceeds benefit Mercy High School

$25 in Advance - $30 at the Door

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW & SAVE!

It's time for the MERCY FALL BLOOD DRIVE!

When: October 30th (10:00am-4:30pm)

Where: The Great Hall in Kohl Mansion

Who: Anybody 16 and over that fits the requirements (click here to access the Red Cross site for requirements)

To our parents: We need your help!!! Our girls have a difficult time filling the requirements to donate blood. Please consider helping us reach our goal of collecting 40 pints of blood at our Fall Blood Drive. The Red Cross will be taking donations in the Great Hall. You can register HERE and enter the zip code 94010, scroll to Mercy High School and sign up. If you are having trouble signing up, please contact Dr. Bradley at pbradley@mercyhsb.com.

We're looking for Raffle Items!
Mercy Parent Club raffles make it possible for us to host our traditional events free of cost for our families. For the upcoming Mother Daughter Tea raffle we are looking to fill the following baskets: Formal/Prom (hair/nail services, gift cards to stores for formal wear), Lululemon and Yoga (yoga related items, hydroflask, gift card to Lululemon), Movie (tickets, snacks, food gift cards), Self Care (hair/nail/massage/at home self-care treats, books, tech), Burlingame Ave (coffee, tpumps, shops on the Ave), Sports (Giants/Warriors/49ers related items).
 

If you have any related items you would like to donate or questions please email asilva@mercyhsb.com. 

Mercy Annual Fund Parent Giving Program 
Please help us reach our 100% Parent Participation Goal! Please submit your gift or pledge commitment by Today! All gifts to the Mercy Annual Fund, regardless of the amount, make an impact. To learn more about what is made possible by The Mercy Annual Fund or to make your 100% tax deductible gift, please visit. The Annual Fund Parent Giving web page or download a COMMITMENT FORM HERE. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or to set up a meeting. Thank you for your support! 

 

Jennifer Munsey
Mercy Annual Fund and Donor Stewardship Manager
jmunsey@mercyhsb.com 650-762-1199

Mom's Mixer - Tomorrow Night!
Thursday, October 10th 7-8:30pm - Mercy Cafeteria 

Come share sweet treats, wine, and other refreshments as you get to know one another! In addition to the mix and mingle, we'll have an activity that helps Mercy too! We'll be putting together Mercy baskets for local K-8 school auctions, and planning for our Mercy raffles that make it possible for Mercy Parent Club to host our traditional events at no cost to families! Even if you don't think of yourself as the creative type, please come and join us, as there will be something for everyone to do! View the list of basket filler requests HERE. RSVP HERE.

Mercy Parent Club Meeting- en Español! 

Thursday, Oct. 24th - 7-8:30pm - Mercy Cafeteria

La escuela Mercy tendrá una reunión del Club de Padres para las familias que hablan español! La Directora de la Escuela, Sra. Cirigliano-Brosnan, y las Profesoras de Español, Sra. Castillo y Sra. Orantes estarán presentes para hacer una presentación al club de padres y hablar de las diferentes maneras en que puedan participar en la vida de la escuela. También habrá tiempo para preguntas y comentarios acerca de lo que les ayudaría saber. Acompáñanos el jueves 24 de octubre de 7-8:30 pm en la cafetería de Mercy. Favor de responder si nos pueden acompañar antes de Oct. 17th. 

 

Mercy is hosting a Mercy Parent Club meeting for our Spanish Speaking Families! We will be joined by the Head of School, Ms. Cirigliano-Brosnan, and Spanish Teachers, Ms. Castillo and Ms. Orantes, to give an introduction to our parent club, discuss ways to get involved at Mercy, and allow for questions and feedback on what resources you'd like to see. Join us Thursday, October 24th from 7-8:30pm in the Mercy cafeteria. Please RSVP by Oct. 17th. 

Mother Daughter Tea- Dads/Guardians
we need your help!  
Sunday, October 27th • 11am-1:30pm 

Kohl Mansion

You are invited to Mercy's 2019 Mother Daughter Tea - a long-loved tradition at Mercy where daughters and moms/guardians share brunch, tea, and the company of other Mercy sisters! This event is generously hosted by the Mercy Parent Club. Please RSVP by October 22nd 

 

Dads/Guardians! We need 20 helping hands to work at the Mother Daughter Tea so that all of our moms/guardians can attend! Click HERE to volunteer.

Volunteers Needed for Music at Kohl Concert

Music at Kohl Mansion needs volunteers for the first concert of our season, Sunday, October 20. Volunteers are needed from 6-10pm to help with concert and reception. Student volunteers receive 4 hours of service credit. Parent volunteers receive our undying gratitude and everyone gets to enjoy the concert! Please contact Katie Riggs at admin@musicatkohl.org. To learn about our concert series visit www.musicatkohl.org

Thank you to all who attended the
Junior Parent Meeting!  

Click HERE for the slides from the meeting and feel free to email Francesca Ohanessian or Caroline O'sullivan with any questions. 

Juniors, The final payments are due for your class rings. Bill Reid from Jostens will be at school on October 10 and 11 during lunch in the cafeteria to accept payments.

Save the Date!

Junior Ring Ceremony

Wednesday, Oct. 23 - 1:30pm

Mercy Chapel

Reception to follow in the Great Hall

 

Click HERE for invite

Please feel free to contact me anytime with concerns or comments at 650-762-1107. I am looking forward to a great 2019-20 with Mercy Athletics!

Charlie Dougherty, Athletic Director

 

Follow Mercy Athletics on Twitter for game updates and scores!

All results of each team can be found in the Mercy scoreboard-place HERE

Thanks to all of the students and families that came to the Dig Pink Volleyball games last night vs. NDB. It was one of the largest and most spirited crowds we have seen in recent times for one of our athletic events.

Winter Sports tryouts will start on Nov 4. Basketball tryouts will be at College of San Mateo. Soccer tryouts will be at Skyline College in San Bruno. Make sure you have completed all the Magnus registration showing full athletic clearance. No athlete will be allowed to start a tryout if they are not cleared.

Games & Practice Schedule

October 10-16

Athlete of the Week
Tennis Player Sophomore Sadie Williams 
A Sophomore, Sadie Williams has grown in confidence with her play and has stepped up her game. Sadie is playing on our top Doubles team. In her second season of playing at Mercy, she is developing her skills in practice and it shows as she is beginning to understand how to play under pressure in matches. Sadie has also grown as a team leader and taken the lead both on and off the court. Great job Sadie, keep it going!

For Parents:

Last month our students had a school-wide assembly to learn more about the dangers of vaping and e-cigarettes. If you are concerned about this topic and would like to learn more, you might be interested in this event:  

POP-UP EVENT: Warning Signs - An Update on Dangers and Risks of Vaping for Teens 
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Click HERE more information.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance.

Magnus Health - Urgent - Action Required!
Please update all student information in Magnus Health.
This was due before the start of the school year.
This information is mandatory and must be updated each year for student safety. It is important that we know how to contact parents/guardians or emergency representatives in cases of emergency or a school wide evacuation. Magnus also stores all student health information like allergies, medications, instructions and history so we will be able to assist your daughter when necessary.

Mercy High School is excited to begin our Fall Admissions Season!

We offer a number of opportunities for prospective students and families to visit campus and get to know Mercy. If you know someone that would be a great addition to our community, we welcome your referral! Click HERE for our Admission Events. 

 

It's back-to-school time and we know that means shopping lists for the family! Mercy earns a percentage when you shop on Amazon, shop for groceries, eat out, travel, etc. at no cost to you! Visit our SHOP FOR MERCY page to learn more.