January 8, 2020  |  PARENT ENEWS 

Dear Mercy Families,

 

Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed the extra time at home with your daughters. Thanks to the break we were able to surprise the students with newly painted hallways. Updates like these are only possible through the generous support of our parents and donors so please accept a big thank you from us!

 

We were incredibly proud of how well our students performed academically last semester- it was one of the best academic semesters our students have had in recent years, and we are very happy for them.

 

Catherine McAuley always reminded her friends that we "must take one day at a time." As we begin our final five months of school I invite you to use these words as a simple reminder for your daughters to take each day as it comes and to focus their energy, time, and strengths on their everyday. May your daughters have a blessed, successful, and happy semester.  Please don't ever hesitate to reach out should you need anything.

 

Thanks,
Natalie

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.

The concert performances at Kohl Mansion are sold out, visit the link below for a full array of Violins of Hope events from Jan.16 to March 14 https://violinsofhopesfba.org/

Mercy Annual Fund Parent Giving Program

Thank you for your kindness and generosity! 

Collectively, the Mercy Parent and Alumnae communities have raised $330,132 of our $450,000 19-20 Annual Fund Goal! Your gifts help 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.  

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

Grandparents/Special Elders Day

At Mercy we recognize that many special people participate in the growth and development of our students. Often grandparents and significant elders have a profound impact on our students lives. As a way to honor those special relationships, Mercy will hold a Grandparents/Special Elders Day on January 31, 2020 from 12:45pm-2:30pm. Our special guests will have the opportunity to tour the school and meet your daughter's teachers and friends. In the coming week Ms. Simonetti will send out a Google Form so students can sign up to bring a guest. Please encourage your daughter to invite a special guest and sign up on the Grandparents/Special Elders Day document. Please keep in mind our campus has special challenges, so if a guest has special needs please let us know by contacting Angie Simonetti at            650 762-1149 or asimonetti@mercyhsb.com.

Donate to the Dad & Daughter Dance Raffle! 

Mercy Parent Club raffles make it possible for us to host our traditional events free of cost for our families. For the upcoming Dad Daughter Dance raffle we are looking to fill the following baskets: Sports (Giants/Warriors/49ers etc. related items), Things Dads Love (tech, activities, experiences!), Formal/Prom (hair/nail services, gift cards to stores for formal wear), Lululemon and Yoga (yoga related items, hydroflask, gift card to Lululemon), Friday Night (movie tickets, snacks, food gift cards), Burlingame Ave (coffee, boba, shops on the Ave). Please include your name and the estimated amount to thank you!

 

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

Paint & Sip Mom's Mixer - Tomorrow Night!
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. 

RESCHEDULED - Beach Clean Up Dads Mixer- Date TBD 

Due to potentially wet and chilly weather we are rescheduling the beach cleanup to a date later in the Spring. Look out for a new invite and details to come! You are welcome to come as a family to help our coast stay clean! 

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.

 

Volunteer with Music at Kohl Mansion
Our special Violins of Hope concert is January 19th and we need some volunteer help!  Mercy students receive service credit hours; adult volunteers receive our utmost gratitude – and a fun evening! Jan 19th, 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 on Friday, January 17th at 8:00 a.m. for the Coffee with Counselors. This event is open to all seniors parents who are interested in looking at financial aid award letters and packages.  We will do a quick overview of the financial aid awards and discuss the many options students have for scholarships. This event is mostly geared towards senior parents. Please click here to RSVP! We will be meeting in the reception room of the mansion.  We hope to see you there! 

 Yearbook Recognition Ad

Join us in celebrating your senior by placing a Yearbook Recognition Ad for your student. The final deadline is January 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

 

Track and Field Athletes: There will be an interest meeting with Coach Garcia on Thursday January 9 immediately after school at 2:30pm in the Grassilli Weight Room.

We currently have coach openings in the following sports. If you are aware of a potential candidate, please tell them that we are accepting resumes. All interested coaches should contact Athletic Director Charlie Dougherty.

• Varsity Head Coach Volleyball-Fall of 2020

• Assistant Varsity Coach in Swimming-Spring of 2020

 Athlete of the Week 
Basketball player Gabby Ravelo

Gabby, sophomore point guard, has taken over as the go to person with the ball on offense. A quiet leader who leads by example, Gabby will be counted on to play solid defense in addition to her point guard responsibilities. During the Holidays, her all around play helped the team to a huge win over Notre Dame Belmont in which she had 9 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. In games vs. Burlingame she had 12 points and then followed up with 7 points vs. Monta Vista. The team opens league action this week and Gabby will play a big part in the team's play. Great job Gabby, keep it going!

Games & Practice Schedule

January 9-15

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 and WINTER Team Photos

If you would like to purchase photos taken by Lifetouchplease use this link to access pictures. events.lifetouch.com/mercyburlingamehighschool

Winter Formal - SF Galleria Design Center

Tickets are $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!

Winter VPA Concerts

Congratulations to Mercy's Dance and Chorale students on beautiful Winter Concerts! Thank you to all that attended. 

 

Click HERE to view a sample of photos from the concerts, as well as other events from the school year. 

 

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. 

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.