November 13, 2019  |  PARENT ENEWS 

Dear Mercy Families,

 

One of Catherine McAuley's trademarks was her genuine gratitude towards the kindness that others bestowed on her and her ministries. As we have finished up our Giving Week I find the need to echo her sentiments of gratitude.

Thank you so much for the generosity you showered Mercy with through your gifts to the school this past week and the months leading up to it. Your gifts help us to bridge the gap between the true cost to educate a student and the actual cost of tuition. Thanks to the generosity of our alumnae and current families we are able to continue to offer our current programs while imagining the potential for future programs.

With one special gift we are able to begin funding a STEM Program at Mercy. Dr. Pat Bradley and Mr. Yu-Loung Chang will serve as our co-STEM Coordinators, helping to further bridge our math and science departments while developing a STEM Program unique to Mercy. A new STEM Alumnae Advisory Board has convened with the goal of better understanding what skills are necessary to be successful in the STEM fields, so we can add to the courses and content that exist today.

As we look to the future we are excited to work with parents and alumnae on projects like the STEM Program, and are grateful to be in a community that values partnership and generosity!

 

Thanks,
Natalie

Cold and flu season is upon us! The health of our students is of utmost importance. If your daughter is ill, please keep her home to rest. Students who have a fever or are vomiting must stay home for 24 hours without symptoms before returning to school. If your daughter is absent from school for more than three days, please provide a doctor's note upon her return to school. Thank you!

This week is National French Week, our annual celebration of French and Francophone cultures. In addition to having the chance to dress up in different French-related themes, the Mercy community has also gotten the chance to learn phrases of the day, such "Bonjour, je m'appelle ___" ("Hello, my name is ___") and to try French lunch options such as tarte flambée, quiche, and croque-monsieur. The week will culminate with the French Honor Society's annual crepe sale! At Mercy, we always value the opportunity to experience different languages and cultures.

Soup Supper

Thursday, November 14th

Our annual soup supper benefiting Catherine's Center will be on Thursday, November 14th from 6-7:30pm. It is an inspiring and educational evening with a simple soup supper and a speaker from Catherine's Center. The cost of the event is $10.00 per person. The money goes directly to Catherine's Center, which is a transitional program for women transitioning from the justice system into society.  Catherine's Center is sponsored by St. Vincent de Paul and the Sisters of Mercy. Mercy Students will receive 2 hours of LEARNING service hours if they attend. And this year, we are inviting Serra High School to attend this fabulous event! To sign up RSVP email Ms. Simonetti at asimonetti@mercyhsb.com Or Sign up on the front door of the Campus Ministry.

Are You in the Painting Business?
Mercy is currently looking at painting the interior of the 1st and 2nd floor wing over Christmas break. If you are interested in quoting this project please email Lynn Beal at lbeal@mercyhsb.com. Thank you for considering sharing your talents and time with Mercy!

Student Store and Used Uniform Pop-up- Check out our sale prices!

We'll be hosting another student store pop-up Friday Nov. 15th (1-1:35pm) in clock hall during pick-up hour (minimum day)! All student store items are marked down, click HERE for price list  so come pick up some holiday stocking stuffers! If your daughter is looking to replace or add more uniform pieces to her closet, we'll also have used uniforms for sale. We accept cash, card or check. See you there! 

Coffee with the Counselors 

Join us on Friday, November 22nd  at 8:00 a.m. for the Coffee with Counselors. This event is open to all parents who are starting to think about the finals process and how they can support their students during a very busy time.  We will discuss study skills and strategies for students to help ease the stress of finals. Please click here to RSVP! We will be meeting in the reception room of the mansion.  We hope to see you there! 

Financial Assistance Program for 2020-2021

We recognize that families have varying financial needs and make financial sacrifices to provide their daughters with a strong academic education. Awards are made for a one-year period, families must re-apply each year. The application process is fair and confidential, assessed 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 2020-21 school year must complete an online financial aid application and submit all necessary documentation. The deadline for applying is no later than January 15, 2020. Visit the website HERE for more 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.

Sign up today to help at two of our upcoming fun events! We have a busy end of the year coming up and we need helping hands at our upcoming events! Help us celebrate Mercy and open our doors to the community! Want to attend the event? No worries! You can sign up for a shift or two and still enjoy the rest of the evening. Any and all help is appreciated.  

TASTE AND TAKE (Wine Tasting) Friday, Nov. 22nd 

CHRISTMAS AT KOHL Wednesday, Dec. 4th

 

For more information please contact Amaré Silva at asilva@mercyhsb.com.

Please join us at this fun and festive event!

 Sample a variety of wine, spirits, and
food from local vendors! 

Invite friends - Purchase tickets - Volunteer!

Friday, Nov. 22nd ⋅ 7:00-10pm

For more information, contact Jennifer Munsey at jmunsey@mercyhsb.com or 650-762-1199.

 

› Event Info & Shareable link

› Tickets & Sponsorships

› Volunteer link 

 

Adult Only Event Volunteer Sign Up  

The Annual Taste & Take Wine, Distilled Spirits, & Brew Event is Friday, November 22nd and preparations are underway for what is sure to be a wonderful evening.  Please take a moment to review all the volunteer opportunities. We hope you can lend your time and talent to this event. All volunteers are welcome to come and help even if you are unable to help for the entire shift!

Click HERE for the sign up form. For more information contact Amare Silva at asilva@mercyhsb.com

Open House

Open House is Monday, Dec. 2 from 5-7pm. Make sure to tell all your friends and family with middle schoolers to attend! Register online here. 

 

Open House Lawn Signs 
Grab a sign and display it in your home or business to promote Open House! You or your daughter can pick one up in the Main Office. 

SAVE THE DATE

Christmas at Kohl is Coming!
Wednesday, December 4 • 5:00-9:00pm

Please join us for Christmas at Kohl Holiday Boutique! We will have over 65 vendors, and the Mansion will be decorated for the holidays. It is a great night to come with friends and family to kick off the holiday season!

SAVE THE DATE

Winter Chorale Concert

Christmas is awe...some!
Tuesday, December 10th

7:00PM - Kohl Mansion
Mercy Chorale, Tri-School Chorus and

Mercy Tri-M Music Honor Society 

SAVE THE DATE

Mercy Dance Presents

It's Christmas at Mercy!

Thursday, December 12th

6:30PM

Mercy SF Theatre

3250 19th Ave.

San Francisco, CA 94132

Don't miss out! 
The Alps to the Mediterranean - Summer 2020 European trip for Mercy students only!
(Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, France, and Spain in one trip)
The trip will start to fill up over the next month as it is getting closer to the deadline of December 25th.

This can make a great Christmas gift from parents or grandparents, or a graduation gift before they head off to college. Send your daughter on a trip of a life-time to places that they may never get the opportunity to go. Many people visit London, Paris, and Rome, but beautiful Lucerne in the Alps, the Tuscan region in north Italy, the luxurious Monaco, the French Riviera, and festive Barcelona, Spain are places that are rich in history, fun to shop, and gorgeous to view. Parents have the opportunity to sign their daughters up for this educational excursion (during which you get a vacation at home) happening July 22-Aug 1 give or take a few days.

The enrollment is limited to 30 students. Some students have already enrolled. Open to students only.

Click HERE to find out more about what your daughters will experience and how to sign her up. 

 

For more information visit the EF Tours website or email Randall Watts at rwatts@mercyhsb.com

Tour Number: 2271527NN

Enrollment Website: www.eftours.com/2271527NN

If families want to enroll via a customer service rep, then they can call 800-665-5364.

 

Music at Kohl Mansion offers a big THANK YOU to our wonderful team of volunteers who helped with our concert on November 10, 2019: Dana Lai, Lisbeth Vargas, Maya Pahre, Melinda MacNaughton, Noelia Vargas, Brandon Gregg, Mike Popa, and Yohko Fick.   

Dear Senior Parents,

Graduation diplomas will be ordered soon!  Please complete this very short form with your senior's name as you wish it to appear on their diploma. Please click HERE and complete the form. If you have any questions please email: csmall@mercyhsb.com.

 

Senior Parents:  Join us in celebrating your senior by placing a Yearbook Recognition Ad for your student by Saturday, November 30th.  To purchase, click HERE to begin. Ad space is limited so purchase yours today!

 

A few tips for creating your ad

Words: Think about the message from the point of view of your daughter: 

• What moments in their life were the most significant? 
• Does the family have any inside jokes that would make the tribute special for her? 
• What do you admire most about her?

Photos: 

• The ad will look better if the photos have the same orientation as the picture box
• Use clear high-resolution photos. If a photo is blurry, it will be blurry in the ad
• Use the cropping tools on the website to crop out unnecessary background to focus on your student

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

 

Fall Sports Awards Night

TONIGHT - Wednesday, Nov 13 

6:30pm - Great Hall

 

 

Uniform Returns: Please have all uniforms/Mercy gear returned cleaned/washed once your daughters fall season is completed. All items should be returned to the office of the Athletic Director Charlie Dougherty

Purchase Fall Team Photos

If you would like to purchase photos taken by Lifetouch for Fall Sports, please use this link to access pictures. events.lifetouch.com/mercyburlingamehighschool

Games & Practice Schedule

November 14 - 20

Congratulations to all the players who went thru the tryout process for our winter teams of basketball and soccer. Teams have been finalized and the girls are already working hard to get ready for their games that will start in late November.

Athlete of the Week:
Cross Country Runner Joanne Hui
Joanne has been the top runner for Mercy the entire season. This past Friday, she finished in 16th place at the WBAL Finals with a time of 20:45 on the 2.95 mile championship course. Her efforts ranked her as the top individual qualifier in the league to advance to the CCS Championships. Joanne has now qualified for the CCS meet in all three of her seasons of cross country. She is primed to run her personal best this weekend at the CCS Finals and improve her #8 ranking on the Mercy All-Time list for the Crystal Springs Course. Good luck Joanne. Great job and keep it going!!!!!

Spring Sports Conditioning will start on Wednesday November 13: Sessions will be held each Monday and Wednesday that school is in session thru Dec 11.  We will resume sessions on January 8. Spring Sports start on Feb 3, 2020

• 2:45-3:30pm-Softball and Swimming
• 3:30-4:15pm-Lacrosse, Gymnastics and Track and Field

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

Shop for Mercy this Holiday Season

With the holiday season quickly approaching, we want to share a few ways you can give back to Mercy through your holiday shopping at no additional cost to you! Check out our Shop for Mercy page for information on the shopping programs that benefit our school as you shop online and in stores. 

Mercy is building a simple grotto!  We are looking for anyone with carpentry skills who can help with this project.  If this fits YOU and you are willing to help in the next few months, please email Angie Simonetti at asimonetti@mercyhsb.com.

Lobster Feed Benefiting Children in Kenya

Please join members of the OLA parish community and Mercy High School in supporting Mercy Alum Michele Ostertag '87 who founded Rafiki we Maendeleo Trust an organization that serves orphans in Kenya, through medical and educational services. The Lobster Feed will be at OLA gym on November 16, 2019 @ 6pm. Please see the attached flyer for details. If you would like to volunteer as a server at the event please contact Sandy Flaherty at Mercy sflaherty@mercyhsb.com. Please click HERE for flyer.

Mills Uniform Company's 2019 Fall Sale

November 2-16 
15% Off everything / 25%+ and More Off Clearance items and $5 shipping on orders $100+ placed during the sale. Click HERE for flyer.