Right now, it seems to be Indian summer, but all the signposts are in place for the end of fall and the beginnings of winter.  This is a favorite time of year in Michigan.  I try not to be discouraged by the darker days or rainy skies; they are balanced by so many days of crisp air and sunshine.  I am one who loves the snow and looks forward to the beauty of its blanket - God's artistry.

I hope you were able to connect with your daughter's teachers at conferences last month and I hope it opened a dialogue that will continue and foster success.  As I said at Parent Night, this school IS its teachers, and Mercy is fortunate to have many of the finest in the country.  Your responsibility is to stay abreast of the academic progress (available on K12Planet), but more importantly, support your daughter's effort and assist her in making the necessary choices and experiencing some of the necessary consequences.

This time of thanksgiving is also a time where the needs of others demand our response.  Be generous with your loved ones and extend that generosity to strangers.  Our Focus: Hope Food Drive is an annual activity here at Mercy.  Have a conversation with your daughter.  Once she's purchased the particular food items she agreed upon, have her fill the bag with additional canned goods and other non-perishables and make her monetary donation.  Beyond that, I encourage every family to select a charity this month and do something together to make a difference.  Our children learn to do and value what they see us do.  Our own actions must match what we tell them is important.  There are countless organizations that need our help - food banks, shelters, and soup kitchens to name only a few.

Each of us is richly blessed and we can so easily share those blessings.  We are called to care for one another and this is one time of year when the call must be heard.  May each of you experience a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Carolyn Witte 

On Sunday, November 5th, Mercy hosted almost 300 prospective students and their families at our Fall Open House. 

A big THANK YOU to all of our staff, students, and parents whose dedication and enthusiasm made the day a huge success! 

Last month Mercy Moms hosted a Pampered Chef party.  Click here to see all the wonderful cooking products.  Any purchases in November will result in a small donation to the Mercy Mothers Club. 

Please join us at our next meeting Monday, December 4th at 6:30pm for a Holiday Celebration starring The Mercyaires.

Before Thanksgiving all families will receive two mailings from Mercy.  Mercy's Annual Report for 2005-06 is "hot off the press" and on its way to your home.  In it we recognize our many donors to Mercy's mission.  Thank you!  Thank you!

Also in the mail is Mercy's annual request for your charitable support.  Tis' the season of thanks and giving!  This year's letter comes to you from Ann & Ed Battersby, Mercy parents of Helen '06 and Patricia '10.  Please prayerfully consider what gift you can make to this year's Annual Appeal.

Mercy joined French students across the nation to celebrate National French Week November 2 - 8 sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French.  The week was opened and closed with prayer in French and prizes were awarded for the daily French trivia contest. 

In French classes, students received French pencils, bookmarks, and candies courtesy of the French Honor Society.  The students also ventured out into the community and enjoyed the film "Marie Antoinette" at the Emagine Theatre and tasted a French crepe at Josephine's Creperie in Ferndale where they proudly wore their own handmade shirts crafted in class. 

Congratulations to Freshwoman Ashleigh Ostin who successfully completed the requirements of the senior moves-in-the-field test as conducted by U.S. Figure Skating.  This is the highest attainable moves-in-the-field test in the U.S. Figure Skating test structure.  Click here for more info on Mercy's Figure Skating Team.  

Shakespeare Anyone?

Larry Baker's Shakespeare class was visited by two professional actors, sponsored by the University Musical Society of Ann Arbor, who led a workshop on "Julius Caesar" and then saw a Royal Shakespeare Company dress rehearsal production.  The Shakespeare students felt that reading the play, experiencing the workshop, and seeing the brilliant performance provided a very special enrichment.

Science teacher Gerry Meloche and Religion teacher Terese Traylor Gibb submitted prayers last year for the MSEA Mercy Educator Prayer Book "With Great Confidence in God."  Click here to read their published reflections. 

Take out your Christmas list and head to the computer to click your way through the online shopping mall at  www.schoolpop.com and Mercy will receive a percentage of all sales.   There are hundreds of stores like Target, Barnes & Noble, LL Bean, Discovery Store, Circuit City, Toys R Us, and more!  Simply register your information, select Mercy High School (ID 130214), and shop to earn contributions for Mercy. 

The 2007 Mercy High School Yearbook will be the first in ALL COLOR!  Order your copy December 5 - 6 for $60.  And be sure to get the latest student news from NEWSPRINT.  Yearly subscription now available to parents and alumnae for only $17.  Forms available in October issue or contact lmwaldsmith@mhsmi.org.

You are always welcome to pray with the Mercy Moms Prayer Group Monday afternoons 1:30pm-2:30pm in the school chapel.  This group is dedicated to lifting up in prayer the entire faculty, staff, and student body of Mercy High School.  The format is based on Moms In Touch International and is very informal with no preparation required to attend.  Contact Linda Fiscus at fiscuslmf@hotmail.com for more information.

The Auction Committee needs Acquisition Volunteers to pick up gifts, make follow up phone calls, and visit businesses.  If you are interested or would like to help with other Auction related tasks, please e-mail auction@mhsmi.org.  Save the date for March 3, 2007!

High 5 to the following Sweepstakes Drive winners:

Try it!  You'll like it!  It's easy, fast, and secure! 

Submit information for our next issue by DECEMBER 8 to be e-mailed to your inbox DECEMBER 14.  Contact Julie Earle, Communications Coordinator, at jhearle@mhsmi.org

You're always a click away from more Mercy info @ www.mhsmi.org.