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Mercy High School Monthly Parent E-Newsletter -January 2010
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Wit's End . . . notes from the principal
At this very moment, students traverse the hallways preparing to take a final exam for one of their courses. This action marks a closing of sorts, a response to the work of past months. Next week, a second semester begins, this one initiating either a new course of study or a continuation of the present focus. For all of us, the change in semester allows or even calls us to pause, to note the finish line in our efforts, and to begin again.
I probably oftentimes ignore the importance of this moment in each school year. Because I write this monthly reflection and share it with you, the wider Mercy community of parents, I am at least cognizant that January brings with it this shift, a shift from first to second, from past to future, from ending to beginning. Starting anew should neither be overlooked nor taken for granted. Given the current reality for hundreds of thousands of people across the world, for those not only suffering the devastation in Haiti, but also the millions more who survive on the edge, the very least I can do is pay attention to each and every moment when I am able to start over.
So as you and your daughter begin a new calendar year, and a new school semester as well, I ask you to take a few moments with her and help her to honor the significance of new beginnings. Of what is she most proud as she considers the past semester? What insight has she gained either from an experience of great success that she achieved or, maybe more importantly, from a disappointment or outright failure? What single thing might she do differently as she approaches new classes and new teachers? Praise her. Believe in her initiative and in her resolve. Tell her so.
If there is one thing I know to be true, it is the fallacy of the notion that high school represents the “best years of your life.” For teens, it is a time of many challenges, great expectations, large and small achievements, and significant self doubt. Help your daughter to mine these years, secure in her knowledge that she is not alone.
I close by sharing a poem that a colleague shared with me. The author, although unknown, echoes my sentiments. May you and your daughter embrace its message.
I Am the New Year
I am the new year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.
All that you sought and didn't find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it out with more determination.
All the good that you tried for and didn't achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.
All that you dreamed but didn't dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have - these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.
I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new.”
I am the new year.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Carolyn Witte, Principal
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ATTEND AUCTION 2010!!
Join Us for an Elegant Evening
The invitations have been sent and the donations are still arriving.Now all we need is for you to share this magical evening with us. Experience the Mercy Auction at The Diamond Center at Rock Financial Showplace!Join us on Saturday, February 27th for an evening out on the town to support YOUR Mercy girl with this major school fundraiser.Simply send in your reservation with the return envelope provided in your invitation and reserve the evening on your calendar.Purchase an individual ticket or gather a group of friends and fill a table. Save $25 off the regular $125 ticket price if you purchase by January 31. And . . . don't forget to send in your raffle tickets by January 31 for a chance to win FREE Auction tickets. This evening will truly not be a success without the support of Mercy families like you. See you on February 27th!!! Misplaced your Auction invite? CLICK for invite and RSVP form.
Incredible Items
Take to the skies and be A Pilot for a Day. The winner of this item trains in a fighter plane practicing formations and basic maneuvers and then engages in 5-6 midair dog fights. A cockpit DVD records everything so you can show off your new skills to friends and family.
Love to fish? Captain Vince Brennan welcomes you and four friends aboard the Mary Megan II, a 38 foot Rampage Express, for a great day on the water and a six hour Muskie fishing trip on one of North America’s most productive Muskie lakes, beautiful Lake St. Clair. The trip wouldn’t be complete without food and beverages. Talk to your buddies and bid this one up!
Thank You!
A very special thanks to the Lehman family for hosting a gift gathering party on January 9 at their home. Everyone who came had a fabulous time. The party generated some wonderful gifts and lots of interest for the Auction! It's never too late to donate! An auction isn’t an auction without items to bid on! Need ideas?Click to view our AUCTION WISH LIST and DONATION FORM.
CLICK HERE for all the Auction info or contact Auction Coordinator Kari Weber at klweber@mhsmi.org or 248.893.3535.
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Mothers Club
ALL MERCY MOMS are invited to join us for our nextmeetingMonday, February 1 at 6:30pmin the Media Center.Be sure to read the January Notes from the President and check out the new Moms Business Directory (xls). Plenty of moms are gearing up for the Open House and the AUCTION. Hope to see you there!
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DadsClub
Yee-haw! The Dads and Daughters BARN DANCE held last month was filled with song, dance, food, and fun. CLICK HERE to view more photos of all the hoedown action!
Are you a winner? You could be! Just buy and turn in your Dads Club RAFFLE TICKETS to the Mercy reception area for a chance to win $10,000, $1,500, or $1,000!! Drawing will take place at the DADS and DAUGHTERS DANCE Saturday, February 20.
Whether it's a strike, spare, or gutter ball, it's sure to be a rolling good time with your Mercy girl on Sunday, March 7 at 1pm for bowling at Drakeshire Lanes in Farmington Hills. Event details and registration info coming soon.
Calling ALL MERCY DADS! We welcome and encourage you to come meet, greet, and eat at our nextmeetingFebruary 2 at7:00pm in the Cafeteria.
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Counseling Corner
KAPLAN Prep Test for Juniors - Earlier this year we announced to you that Mercy recently established a partnership with Kaplan Test Preparation Services. As your daughter begins to plan and prepare for taking the ACT, you may want to consider Kaplan's services and the comprehensive ACT prep course they offer. Kaplan prides itself on helping students raise their test scores and they guarantee results or your money back. CLICKHERE to view flyer which includes registration information and schedule for the Kaplan ACT prep class being offered at Mercy High School to prepare for the June 12th ACT.
Michigan Merit Exam - All juniors will take the Michigan Merit Exam this March. The exam will be given at Mercy over the course of three days: March 9th, 10th and 11th. This three day exam begins with the ACT. In order for the student’s ACT score to be college reportable, she must participate in all three days of testing. The Mercy Counseling Staff will register junior students for this exam. For further details, please visit www.michigan.gov/mme.
College Information Night - SAVE THE DATE for Wednesday, February 24th at 7:00 PM in the Mercy Auditorium. More details will be sent via email and posted on the current announcements web page next month.
Freshwomen Parents - CLICKHEREto read January Ninth Grade Newsletter.
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Welcome Future Women of Mercy
Parents, your enthusiasm for Mercy is the best recruiting tool! Our doors will be open at the Winter Open House on Sunday, February 7 from 1pm - 3pm.
Please encourage any 6th, 7th, or 8th grader youknow to attend. Open House is a unique opportunity for prospective students and families tohave a guided tour, shake hands and meet Mercy faculty, staff, alumnae, see the newly renovated science facilities and most of all . ..discover what it means to be a Mercy Girl!
Contact Maureen Weiss '96 mpweiss@mhsmi.org in the Admissions Office for more information.
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MERCY TECH TALK
On almost a daily basis we have a student down in the Tech Office with a hard drive issue on their tablet. The hard drive is a mechanical device that your tablet uses to store your personal files and the files that run the operating system. A hard drive has moving parts and they can fail. Sometimes when they fail it is not possible torecover files from them. Here are some recommendations for students to avoid losing data.
Back Up Your Data
Save all school related files to your H: drive at least once a week. This puts the files on our network. These files also get backed up every night so even if you accidentally delete or lose them from your H: drive, often times we can get them back. Students have 1 GB of storage in their H: drive folder. If you need more space you can request itby submittinga help desk ticket. Personal files such as pictures, videos and music should be backed up at least once a month to some kind of external device such as a USB Hard Drive, a memory card, USB memory stick, CD or DVD.
All in a day's work for Mr. Bank, Mercy's certified HP warranty repair person!
Maintaining Your Hard Drive
When you drop or jar your tablet you are increasing your chances of a hard drive failure. Use of a protective case is recommended whenever you are carrying your tablet. You should also make sure your tablet is powered off whenever you transport it to/from home. It is also recommended that you run defrag and check disk (chkdsk)on your hard drive once a month. Instruction on how to run these were sent to all student email accounts.
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Student Successes . . . APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!
The American Government students recently concluded a rambunctious simulation during which they feverishly worked to pass three bills based on actual legislation. All of the project materials for this game were produced online. Each student created a web site for her character which hosted detailed information including podcasts, press releases, memos, etc. Mr. Baker selected four exemplary sites to share through the Memo and his blog. Sophomores Annie Griffin, Susan Panetta, Laura Williams, and Audrey Cords, created the sites. Click here to visit their work.
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Latest and Greatest from the Alumnae Office
Lenten Spirtual Evenings for Women
Take time out of your busy life to spend time with other Mercy women during the season of Lent. Join us for these Lenten Evenings of Reflection hosted by the Alumnae Association.
Spiritual Yoga Session
Grace Seroka, yoga instructor at Manresa Jesuit Retreat House, will lead a spiritual yoga session in the Mercy High School Chapel focusing on the season of Lent. Reflections on the Stations of the Cross will be woven into some of the postures. Beginners welcome. Saturday, February 20 from 9:00am to 10:30 am. $10 fee and limited availability.
"Love Does Such Things"
Sister Rachelle Harper, RSM ‘52 will lead us in a conversation on how God's love for us calls us into a specific way of being and responding to life. Enjoy a simple soup supper with prayer and reflection in the Mercy High School Chapel on Thursday, February 25. 5:30pm to 6:30pm is the Soup Supper and 6:30pm to 8:30pm is Reflection and prayer with Sister Rachelle Harper, RSM ‘52. Free will offerings greatly appreciated.
Please contact Jennifer Stark in the Mercy Alumnae Office to RSVP. Call 248.476.3270 or email alumnaeoffice@mhsmi.org.
Maroon vs. Gold
Twenty three Mercy alumnae laced up their sneakers for the Mercy Alumnae Basketball game on December 27. The Maroon team led by Karen Kluk Rotondo ’80 and Lisa Morris ‘80 took on the Gold team led by Larry Baker and Mike King. The Maroon team won with a close game of 43 to 30. CLICK HERE to see our awesome athletic alums!
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| MNotes . . . miscellaneous info you need to know!
Dance with DAD - The Junior Class invites you to attend the 2010 Father and Daughter Dance Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 8pm in the Mercy Gymnasium. Tickets are $25 and will be on sale in February. And don't miss the big money Dads Club Raffle Drawing!
President Search Committee - Mercy High School is seeking a new PRESIDENT for the 2010 - 2011 school year. The President is responsible for the business aspects of the administration including budgeting, finances and investments, advancement operations, strategic planning, public relations, buildings and grounds and the external operations of the institution. CLICK HERE for President position posting and how to apply.
Faith on Fridays - In honor of Catholic Schools Week there will be morning Massat 7:25amin the chapel before school on Friday, February 5th. There will also be morning Mass at 7:25am on Friday, May 14.
Look who is aSweepstakes Drive winner!
Scholarships and Tuition Assistance for 2010 - 2011 School Year - Sr. Regina will announce the Named Scholarship and Tuition Assistance Program application information to the entire school on February 15th. More details will be included in the FEBRUARY MEMO and be sure to visit mhsmi.org/admissions/mercy_named_scholarships.html and mhsmi.org/admissions/mercy_tuition_assistance.html for the most current information.
AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING - The National Honor Sociey will offer after school tutoring on Wednesdays from 2:45pm - 3:30pm throughout the school year. Tutoring sessions will have 4to 5 NHS members in the Media Center to tutor in all subject areas.
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Snapshot of Mercy
Oh, wait, it's a SLAPSHOT of Mercy . . .
Marlins hit the frozen waters to capture 1st place in the 2009 Suburban Girls High School Classic Ice Hockey Tournament last month. Cheer them on at their next game Tuesday, January 26 against Walled Lake. And . . .support BASKETBALL as they battle against Ladywood this Friday, January 22!! CLICK HERE for Athletics Calendar.
If you have a snapshot of Mercy, please send to jhearle@mhsmi.org.
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Mercy Month Ahead
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EVENT
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DATE / TIME
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LOCATION
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| No School |
Jan 22 |
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| Second Semester Begins |
Jan 25 |
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Catholic Schools Week
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Feb 1 - 5
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MHS |
| Mercy MOMS Meeting |
Feb 1 / 6:30p |
Media Center |
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Feb 2 / 7p
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Cafeteria |
| OPEN HOUSE |
Feb 7 / 1p - 3p |
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| Ash Wednesday Service |
Feb 17 |
Auditorium |
| Winter Break - No School |
Feb 19 |
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Father Daughter Dance
DadsClub Raffle
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Feb 20 / 8p |
Gymnasium |
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New Student Information Meeting
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Feb 22 / 7p
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Auditorium |
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College Information Night
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Feb 24 / 7p
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Auditorium |
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Black History Month Assembly
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Feb 25
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Auditorium |
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Winter Break - No School
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Feb 26
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| AUCTION |
Feb 27 |
Diamond Center |
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THANK YOU for taking the time to read the MERCY MEMO. The purpose of this parent newsletter is to inform, enlighten, and entertain.TheFEBRUARY MEMO will be delivered to your inbox by February 18.If you have any questions or want to submit information contactjhearle@mhsmi.org.
Want even more? Click the school year calendarand the Mercy web site. And don't miss all of the latest Mercy In The News articles.Check outthe current announcements, view past issues of the MEMO newsletter, andbrowse the home page yellow boxtolink towhat's happening today @ Mercy.
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