Principal's Blog  

September 18, 2014

Happy New Year!

I know it's not January 1st but for those connected to schools, the new year really seems to begin in September!  We have had a wonderful beginning of this new school year and are looking forward to the many opportunities for growth that will come.

Orientation Week

 The week of August 25th saw many happy faces as students were reunited with friends they hadn't seen for a number of weeks!  As each class arrived, new screams of joy could be heard with stories of trips, summer jobs and anticipation of new courses.

The Freshwomen arrived on Thursday, August 28, and were warmly greeted by the Senior Class of 2015.  Joining the Seniors were their Junior Big Sisters, ready to help them with lockers and the following of schedules.

Opening of School Mass and Pin Ceremony 

On Friday September 5^th, Bishop Cote presided over the Opening of School Mass and Freshwomen Pin Ceremony.  We are always very happy to greet Bishop Cote as he helps us to welcome our year.  The Freshwomen were given their Mercy pins by their Junior sisters and were officially welcomed into the Mercy community.  That afternoon we all celebrated our new beginnings with a field day which brought together all four levels with friendly advisor group competition.

Activity and Service Fairs

During the week of September  8^th our Activity and Service Fairs were open to allow students to review the many clubs and activities available to them as well as service opportunities.  Our Mercy students are very generous with their time and talents and I know many will benefit from their efforts.

Mercy Cross Country Invitational

The week of September 8^th also saw the beginning of athletic competitions in the state of Connecticut!  Tuesday, September 9^th was the Mercy Cross Country Invitational.  It was a perfect September day to be out and enjoying the competition. Our Tigers had a first place team finish to begin the season strongly.  All of our teams have begun well and I look forward to seeing some great games.  The schedule of games can be found at:  Team Schedules

Academics

Classes are going well as we welcome new faculty members:  Ms. Kathleen Durbois, Social Studies; Ms. Jennifer Crutchfield, Library Media Center Director; Ms. Kelly Brookhart, School Counselor. 

Students have been enthusiastic and are attentive to their new course loads as they work to balance already busy lives!

AP Biology Students

Upcoming Events:

• Mini-Class Night:  Thursday, September 18, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.-  Parents are invited to follow their daughter’s schedule and meet all teachers.  We are fortunate to have Sr. Patricia McCarthy, CND as our featured speaker. Microsoft will have laptops/tablets on display and will be available to answer questions.

• Progress Reports:  The first Progress Report of the first quarter will be posted on Monday, September 22^nd after 5 p.m.   Sr. Peggy O’Neill, registrar, will e-mail parents when reports are available for viewing.

• Magazine Drive:  We are currently in the midst of our annual magazine drive.  Please check with your daughter if you have not yet seen the ordering materials.  It is a great opportunity to renew some of your favorite magazines and support Mercy High School at the same time.

• Mercy Day, September 24:  On Wednesday, September 24 we will celebrate Mercy Day with a special prayer service and refreshments.  A special schedule will be posted for that day.

Be well.

Mercy-Filled Spring

 

With Spring finally arriving, so have the many activities that come with it!  We have especially enjoyed welcoming many alumnae and friends of Mercy who have joined with us in celebrating our 50^th Anniversary. 

Cake Auction

The week before our April break was Spirit Week at Mercy.  We had a “Country Club/Preppy” dress up day and “Worst Outfit” day, but the highlight of the week was the annual cake auction.  This activity is incredible for the generosity of students who bake cakes and then buy them back for charity!  The cakes were wonderful! 

 

 

 

 

 

Field Trips

On our return from April break, the weather was finally cooperating to allow for class outings.  The Spanish National Honor Society traveled to Hartford to the Artists Collective to see the show “Latin Rhythms” and enjoy Paella for lunch at a local restaurant, Costa de Sol.

 

 

 

The Biogeography class traveled to the Bronx Zoo and had a wonderful day as you can see below:

 

 

 

Retreat Day

Each year we take a day as an entire school community to stop to pray and reflect together.  This year the theme was Jesus the Healer and we had as our guest speaker Sr. Karen Schneider, RSM who is a Sister of Mercy and Pediatric Physician.  Sr. Karen works at Johns Hopkins Hospital and also travels to Haiti, Guyana, and Nigeria to care for sick children in those areas.  The students really enjoyed hearing of Sr. Karen’s experiences of serving the poor and of her life as a Sister of Mercy. 

 

Grandparents Day

On April 30 we welcomed nearly 350 grandparents to Mercy for Breakfast, Prayer and tours.  Our Mercy women were so proud to introduce their grandparents to us and give them a tour of the high school.  We enjoyed getting to know these very important people in our students’ lives.

 

 

May Crowning

 

The very next day on May 1^st we had our annual May Crowning.  We had hoped to have it outside this year as had been the tradition for many years, but the weather did not cooperate so the auditorium became the location.

 

 

 

Awards

Amidst the celebrations, we have had many members of our Mercy community win academic and community awards. 

 

 CAS Outstanding Arts Award:  Aleksandra Malz and Ashley Chase

 

 

CAS-CIAC Scholar Athlete Award:  Astin Donovan

 

 

 

DAR Good Citizen Award:  Abigail Nolan

 

Latin Exam Awards

Latin I                                                                Latin II

Danielle Andrews                                            Kimberly Arnold

Samantha Griswold                                         Michelle Reinert

Meghan Long                                                    Allison Wojciechowski

Suzanne O’Hara

Jamie Wyman

 Poetry III                                  Poetry IV                    Latin V

Christine Cammisa                  Ciara Hickey              Alice Ochterski

Savanna Hajdasz                      Madeline Kumm

 

SCC Scholar Leaders:  Stephanie Case and Alyssa Case

 

 

 And last but not least, our Third Quarter Honor Roll has been posted at:  Honor Roll

 

 

Senior Prom

The senior activities have begun as they will soon be graduating this month!  On Friday, May 2^nd the seniors gathered at the Aqua Turf for a great night of dancing and enjoying time together.  They looked beautiful as you can see!

 

 

 

 

50^th Anniversary Celebration

Sunday, May 4^th was a great day of celebrating 50 years of Mercy High School.  We began with a well- attended Mass in morning, followed by a Brunch prepared by the Home and School Association.  Alumnae, parents and friends were able to go on tours and see memorabilia throughout the school building as well as the Art Show featuring work done by current students in art classes.

 The second half of the day featured a show entitled “We Know by Heart, 50 Years of Mercy”, written by Rose Masselli Morse, a current teacher and alumna of Mercy.  The show consisted of songs and memories from the past 50 years and was a great tribute to those who were here before us.

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Events:

·         Course Lists for 2014-15:  All freshwomen, sophomores and juniors will receive their 2014-15 Course lists on Wednesday, May 7, in advisor group.  Incoming freshwomen will receive their course lists the middle of June.  You will need this list to order your books during the summer.

Students should see Sr. Peggy by Friday, May 23, if there are any errors on this list or if the student has changed her mind about any of her elective courses.

·   Junior Prom, Saturday, May 10 at 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

 

·   All are invited to attend the Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.  I am hearing great music coming from the music room so I know it will be a very entertaining evening.  The winning ticket for the Tuition Raffle will be drawn during this event.  Don't miss your chance to purchase a ticket at:  Raffle

 

·  On Thursday, May 15^th the Senior Farewell Mass, Tree dedication and yearbook distribution will occur.  The last day for our senior class will be Friday, May 16^th.

 

 

 

 

Celebrations!

With Spring comes the beginning of a season of celebrations.  From the “wearin’ o’ the green” for St. Patrick’s Day to remembering  50 years of Mercy education!

 

 

 

 

Senior Class Trip

Our Seniors traveled to NYC on March 19 on their last trip together as a class.  They had lunch at an Italian restaurant in Manhattan called Bucca de Peppo and then saw Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella on Broadway.  What a great day!

 

 

 

Language Honor Societies Induction

From the Italian restaurant to the celebration of Language study here at home, we recognized the hard work of our language students with their induction into the Spanish, French and (for the first time) Latin National Honor Societies.  The ceremonies were beautiful and reflective of each culture honored.

 

 

From April 1^st to the 4^th we have continued our celebration of world cultures and language with “World Language Week”.  Each morning we have begun with a prayer recited in a different language, student made t-shirts are being worn honoring their language of study and we began the week on Tuesday with an assembly on African dance and storytelling.  What a great experience for all at Mercy!

 

 

50th Anniversary Celebrations

On March 22, 1964 ground was broken for the construction of Mercy High School.  On Monday, March 24, 2014 a Mass of Celebration was held in the Mercy High School Auditorium for students and nearly 100 guests with Bishop Cote presiding.  The Mass was beautiful followed by lunch for all.  A spirited assembly followed where the Mayor of Middletown, Daniel Drew, greeted the assembled and congratulated all on 50 years of Mercy education in Middletown.   All were then treated to a presentation of Mercy picture memories and the gift of an anniversary bracelet. (available at the Mercy online store)

 

Here are some pictures of that day:

 

 

On Saturday of that week, March 29, we held our Anniversary Dinner.  Over 400 guests came to share memories and see good friends.  It was a great night with good food and time spent together. Thank you to the dinner committee and memories committee that worked so hard to have the evening be a success!

 

 

 

 

 

The celebrations are not over!  On Sunday, May 4^th a 50^th Anniversary Day of Celebration has been planned.  For more information check on our website at:  50thAnniversary

 

 

Upcoming Events:

·          Lenten Prayer Service, Wednesday, April 9

 

·         Mercy Spirit Days, April 9 – 11.  This will include the  event that all are waiting for…….the cake auction on Thursday, April 10! 

 

·         Sophomore Ring Measurements for their class rings, April 10 & 11 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

 

·         Progress Reports for the 4^th quarter will be posted online after 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 11.

 

·         Spring Break:  Tuesday, April 15 – Monday, April 21^st with classes resuming on Tuesday, April 22^nd.

 

·         Don’t’ forget to buy your Mercy Education Raffle ticket! 

        The winner will be drawn on Wednesday, May 14.  For

        more information click here:  Raffle