December 11, 2019  |  PARENT ENEWS 

Dear Mercy Families,

 

I am a firm believer that the gift of a Mercy education is the greatest gift you could give your daughter. I know this, because I know in my heart that Mercy was the greatest gift my parents gave me. My parents gave me my roots, and Mercy gave me wings, and I will forever be thankful.

 

Though your daughters might not know it now, I know that one day they will come to realize that they are who they are because of their experiences at Mercy. They will stand a little taller in moments when others try to shrink down. They will use their voices when others want to remain silent. They will stand for principles when others simply take sides.

 

On behalf of your daughters who might not quite realize just how extraordinary the gift is yet, thank you for giving them the gift of a Mercy education. Thank you for making daily sacrifices so that they can have greater opportunities. Thank you for seeing the gift that Mercy is. Thank you for giving us the gift to know all the beautiful pieces of your daughters.

 

Thanks,
Natalie

Good luck to all students on their finals!

School is closed for Christmas Break from December 23rd to January 6th. All classes, including Tri-School, resume on January 7th on an A Day.

Mercy Annual Fund Parent Giving Program
Your kindness and generosity creates possibilities for the future!  There's only a short time left to make a difference this calendar year.  As of today, we have raised $141,679 of our $237,000 school-wide goal for the Mercy Annual Fund Parent Giving Program. Your gift helps us to bridge the gap between the true cost to educate a student and the actual cost of tuition. Your support, no matter the size combined with all gifts, inspires corporations and foundations to increase their own support to Mercy.  

Help us reach our goal by making a tax-deductible gift before the clock strikes 12 on New Years eve! 

Click HERE to make a gift online or download the pledge form as gifts may be pledged and paid by June 30, 2020. 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

A Huge Thank You to our Volunteers! 

Christmas at Kohl was a huge success welcoming over 750 guests through our festive doors! We could not have done it without our incredible volunteers! Thank you to our Mercy parents Elizabeth Agler, Heidi Bojorquez, Ana Cistaro, Bridget Collaco, Steve Fischbeck (super all-day helper!), Rena Gilligan, Vikki Gomez, Hope Hanson, Melinda MacNaughton, Lisa Mcguire, Linda Montenegro, Saravy Murray, Carol Orlando, Elizabeth Reynoso, Anne Rocha, Virginia Sandino, Marta Sangervasi, Heng Sim, Susan Torres, Helen Vo, and our Mercy students Emily Gomez, Emma Hanson, Maya Pahre, Summer Mcguire, Amanda Reynoso, Isabella Reynoso, Rebecca Rocha, Isabella Sandino, Olivia Sim, and Sydney Farrell! 

PSAT scores are now available on Collegeboard. Log in or create a username and profile to see your scores.  If you have any questions about your scores, please feel free to reach out to your grade level counselor. 

 

For juniors, we will be offering an SAT Prep course through AJ Tutoring.  This will be offered on campus, afterschool and on weekends click HERE for schedule.  It will help students prepare for the March SAT.  Please see the attached flier and feel free to contact Francesca Ohanessian or Pat Hennes with any questions. 

Tuesday, Dec. 17

8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Period 1

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Period 4

 

Wednesday, Dec. 18

8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Period 2

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Period 5

 

Thursday, Dec. 19

8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Period 3

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Period 6

 

Friday, Dec. 20

8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Period 7

Paint & Sip Mom's Mixer 
Thursday, January 9th

6:30-8:30pm - Mercy Cafe

Moms and Guardians are invited to join us for a Paint and Sip night! We will be hand-painting personal mugs that will be finished and glazed by our Mercy girls. Entry is $25 per person to cover the cost of materials, wine, refreshments and snacks that will be served. This event is kindly hosted by the Mercy Parent Club. Due to limited space availability, this event is only open to moms and guardians of current Mercy students. Reserve your space HERE. 

Beach Clean Up Dad's Mixer

Saturday, January 11th

9-11am - Shark Park in Pacifica

Dads and Guardians are invited to join us for a Beach Cleanup at Sharp Park in Pacifica. You're welcome to invite your daughters and families as well! Please RSVP HERE.

Save the Date for the Dad and Daughter Dance 

Mark your calendars for the Dad and Daughter Dance on Friday February 7th, 8-10pm at Kohl Mansion. Look out for the reservation link coming soon! Students are welcome to bring their dad, guardian, or special adult in their life! It will be 50's Diner Style so bring your dancing shoes! 

Looking for creative minds to take Mercy back to the 50's- email asilva@mercyhsb.com if you're interested in event prep and DIYing.

Save the Date!

In collaboration with Music at Kohl Mansion and Violins of Hope, Mercy High School's Campus Ministry will host a special private session for our Mercy Community.

January 16th
11:15am - 12:15pm

Mercy Chapel 

Click HERE to reserve your seat.

Violins of Hope

From January 16 through March 14, 2020, Burlingame's Music at Kohl Mansion will host Violins of Hope San Francisco Bay Area, an immersive eight-week celebration of the remarkable resilience of the human spirit.Violins of Hope will showcase a collection of string instruments once played by Jews in concentration camps during the Holocaust. Lovingly restored by Israeli violin-makers Amnon and Avshalom Weinstein, the Violins are now touring worldwide. This first West Coast appearance of the Violins of Hope commemorates the 75th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Performances hosted by Music at Kohl Mansion January 18 & 19 for more info and tickets visit https://musicatkohl.org/violins-of-hope

Volunteer with Music at Kohl Mansion's special Holiday Gala Concert!  We need a few extra hands for this extra festive event!  Mercy students receive service credit hours; adult volunteers receive our utmost gratitude – and a fun evening!  December 15th, 6-10pm.  Please contact Katie Riggs at admin@musicatkohl.org or (650)762-1130.  For more information on Music at Kohl Mansion's 37th season, please visit www.musicatkohl.org

 

Join us in celebrating your senior by placing a Yearbook Recognition Ad for your student as the deadline has been extended to December 31st. 

To purchase, click HERE to begin. Ad space is limited so purchase yours today!

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

 Athlete of the Week 
Basketball player Serena Calsada.

Serena, a Senior, has been a member of the basketball program all 4years at Mercy. Her leadership skills will be a much needed tool for this year's team. Serena paced the squad to their first win of the season this past Friday vs. Nueva with a well rounded game. 11points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists. Serena's experience, calm demeanor and court awareness will be valuable assets as the season progresses. Great job Serena, keep it going!!!

Games & Practice Schedule

December 12-18

Many thanks to all the Mercy families and students who attended the Soccer game vs NDB last night at Avaya Stadium. It was an incredible experience for the players to be able to play in such a great venue. The soccer program appreciated all the support!

Spring Sports Conditioning  
We will resume sessions on January 8. Spring Sports start on Feb 3, 2020 

• 3:15-4pm-Softball and Swimming
• 4:00-4:45pm-Lacrosse, Gymnastics and Track and Field

Purchase Fall Team Photos
Winter Team pictures will be posted soon, we will notify families once they are available.

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

It is cold outside and we want all students to be comfortable at school in their uniform. Students are encouraged to wear black, ankle length leggings or tights under their skirts. Sweatpants and Pajama pants are not allowed under uniform skirts.

 

Uniform regulations are not dependent upon the weather. However, from November 2019-February 28, 2020, students are allowed to wear non-Mercy winter jackets with a hood and vests. Acceptable colors are navy blue, black, white and gray. This does not apply to fleece, sweatshirts and windbreakers. Students can wear rain boots on days when rain is predicted, but this does not include Uggs. Students should leave all blankets at home. Please do not wear non-Mercy outerwear on formal uniform and liturgy days. A student will receive a uniform infraction if she fails to comply with the preceding.

Winter Formal - SF Galleria Design Center

Formal tickets at the SF Galleria Design Center are on sale tomorrow at the discounted price! Tickets are $100 for Mercy students before Winter Break. If you are bringing a guest who is not from Mercy, tickets are $95 before Winter Break. After break all ticket prices rise to $110.

Click HERE for Permission slip for Mercy Students and HERE for Guest Permission slip. Permission slips must be turned in at the time of purchase. Make sure to read all of the guidelines, especially the dress code! If you are not sure if your outfit is within dress code, you may bring it or a photo to Coach RG's office. Looking forward to a fun night on January 24th!

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. 

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.

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.