Principal’s Blog 

9-18-13

 

What a Beginning!

We have certainly had quite a kick off to our new school year!  I am extremely impressed by our young Mercy Women as they have fully participated in every activity.  The upperclasswomen are setting a great example for our new freshwomen who are having a great start!

Activity and Service Fairs

In these first weeks back, students have had the opportunity to attend activity and service fairs in our multi-purpose room to review many clubs they may join and organizations they may connect with to offer service.  There are over 30 clubs that our Mercy Women may join from cooking to robotics!  Many community organizations also came to discuss the ways we may be of help to them.  Thank you to Emily Hall who organized the service fair!

 

 

 



Opening of School Mass and Freshwomen Pin Ceremony

On Tuesday, September 10th we welcomed Bishop Cote as he came to celebrate with us the opening of the school year.  At that Mass we also welcomed the freshwomen as new members of our Mercy Community.  They received Junior “Big Sisters” who gave them their Mercy pins and will watch over them in these next two years.  What a wonderful day and start to this new year.

 

 

 

 

 



Hear us “Roar”!

I am sure that you have heard we had two days with the excitement of taping a promotional video that we will use in many ways, most especially recruitment of new students.  Throughout the summer Mrs. Leary, our communications director, worked with teachers and others to plan the sequencing of a video which would include the entire student body.  We used the new song by Katy Perry “Roar” as it was a perfect fit for the “Mercy Tigers”!  You will be able to see the video soon!  Here are some photos taken while we were filming –

 

 



 

Mercy/Xavier Class of 2017 Social

On Friday, September 13^th  Mercy hosted a social for the Xavier freshmen and Mercy freshwomen from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Pizza was served in the cafeteria with a DJ playing music in the multi-purpose room.  This is a longstanding tradition and was very well attended.  Everyone really seemed to enjoy their time getting to know each other!

 

 

 

 



Athletics

 Our athletic teams have begun to compete and are doing quite well.  With teams in cross country, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, swimming and cheerleading at all levels, there is nearly an event a day that can be watched.  With these beautiful fall days it’s a great way to spend an afternoon. 

 Here is a picture of our Cross Country team as they hosted their annual Mercy Invitational.  The team did quite well, winning at both the JV and Varsity levels!

 

Academics

Congratulations to Senior, Emily Hall, who has been named as a National Merit Semifinalist.  Emily is one of approximately 16,000 students across the nation to earn this distinction.  For more information on this award please click here:  NationalMerit Semifinalist

 

Upcoming Events

·         Our Magazine Drive is now underway.  Students have been faithfully bringing in their subscription orders and winning some great prizes while they do so.  For more information on this important fundraiser please go to:  http://www.mercyhigh.com/page/student-fundraisers

·         Mini Class Night:  On Thursday, September 19th we will be hosting our Mini Class Night from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  Parents will have the opportunity to follow their daughter’s class schedule and meet her teachers.  We are also privileged to have with us again this year, Sr. Patricia McCarthy, CND who will speak to the entire assembly.   Your daughter should be bringing home a pink copy of her schedule today (September 18th) so that you may bring it with you Thursday evening. The school store will be open all evening for your convenience.  We look forward to seeing you!

 

·        The visiting team for our NEASC reaccreditation process will be here beginning Sunday, October 6th and continuing to Wednesday, October 9^th.  The self-study process in preparation for this visit has been quite rewarding and we look forward to sharing our findings as well as our Mercy Spirit with the NEASC team.

 

·  The first Progress Report will be posted to MMS on Tuesday, September 24.  If you have not yet created your MMS parent account, see directives below:

 

 

    The MMS Parent Portal enables parents to view their daughter’s schedule, her attendance activity, her two progress reports during each quarter, her report card at the end of each quarter, and also biographical data including parent contact information.  The first progress report will be posted on September 24.

 

If you have an MMS Parent account, go to the Mercy High website www.mercyhigh.com and click on the icon for MMS Parent Portal.  Enter your Username and Password.

 

 If you do not have an MMS Parent account, go to the Mercy High website www.mercyhigh.com and click on the icon for MMS Parent Portal.  Click on Click Here to create an account, and then enter the following information:

·  Your First Name and Last Name must be entered exactly as it appears in one of your daughter’s contact records.

 

·  A Login Name that you will use to access the MMS Grade Book.  We recommend that you use your first and last name.  (e.g. JaneDoe)

 

·  The ID Number of your daughter.  If you have more than one daughter at Mercy, they can be added after your account is created.

 

When the above information is entered, click on the Create Account button.  An email is automatically sent to the email address that is on file for this contact record.  You should check your email and look for an email with a subject line of “Parental Access for.”  The email includes the temporary password that you will use to access the MMS Parent Portal.  The first time that you log into the MMS Parent Portal, you will be asked to change your password.  If you need assistance, please call the main office.

 

·         Edline Account:  We have begun to use Edline as the site for our teacher webpages where student homework can be found.  Teachers have been asked to have information on their webpages by Monday, September 23.  Each student and parent has been given an activation code to set up their Edline accounts.  If you have misplaced your activation code letter, we will have copies of the parent letter at Mini Class Night.  If you are unable to attend, please send me an e-mail at mbullock@mercyhigh.com and I will send you your activation code by    e-mail.

 

Be well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  



 

 

 



 





 

 



 

 

June 12, 2013

State Championship Run!
Our Mercy Softball team competed this year above anyone’s expectations winning the SCC Conference championship and making it all the way to the State Championship Finals!  What a game against Southington for the State Championship.  The Mercy crowd was outstanding and they were truly treated to an incredible game.  In the end Southington won with a score of 1-0, but they better watch out because the Mercy Tigers will surely be there again next year!  To read more about the game:  MIDDLETOWN PRESS 

 

 

 

Golf Team
On graduation night, May 30, Emily Fritsch  arrived with a runner-up team trophy for the SCGGL (Southern CT Girls Golf League) Tournament.  Isn’t that impressive?  Our young women have truly had a spectacular year in sports!

 

This is just the tip of the iceberg as far as activities, celebrations and honors for our students at Mercy as the 2012-13 academic year comes to a close.

Class of 2013
The class of 2013 truly was an outstanding class and it showed as they participated in their final class activities.  We began with a Class Night on May 23^rd where they shared in a lovely dinner and enjoyed hearing class superlatives and wills. 

Pictured above are Sr. Marian, Mrs. Nancy Clayton and Sr. Ann who joined the seniors on their class night.  Congratulations go to Mrs. Clayton who is leaving with this class as she retires.  Thank you Mrs. Clayton for your years of dedication to the young women at Mercy!

On the following Sunday, May 26^th the Mercy community came together to celebrate the Baccalaureate Mass.  The Mass was beautiful and the number of awards given at the ceremony following, outstanding!  The class of 2013 received over $6 million in scholarship monies for their continued education.  As it was my first Baccalaureate at Mercy, I was very pleasantly surprised to see the luncheon that was prepared by the Home and School parents for the senior families after the event.  I could not get over the amount and quality of the food offered.  It all helped to make that Baccalaureate Sunday a very special day for our seniors and their families.

 

The picture above is of the 12 seniors with their mothers who are also alumnae of a Mercy high school!

Graduation

Once Graduation day arrived there was not much left to do but hand our young women their diplomas, wishing them all the best and urging them to please come back to let us know how they are doing.  It was a VERY HOT evening, but I think that is how graduations usually are!  The auditorium was packed with proud family members and we were honored and pleased to have Bishop Cote come to hand our graduates their diplomas personally.

After the Graduation ceremony there were light refreshments available in the cafeteria and then students quickly got ready to go to the Safe Graduation party that the Mercy and Xavier parents worked together to plan.  The event takes place in the Freeman Center at Wesleyan University from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.!  It takes much planning to gather the prizes and food for the night and MANY parent volunteers.  Thank you to all who helped to create that event where over 200 Mercy and Xavier graduates participated!

Here is a pic of some participants as they were ready to go!

Non Senior Activities!

 Yes, we actually were also quite busy on other fronts while our seniors were going on their way.  The underclasswomen valiantly moved into final exam mode the day after graduation and were quite successful as their efforts at studying paid off! 

 

Relay For Life

Our Fight Against Cancer Club had a team participate in the Relay for Life which took place on June 1^st at Woodrow Wilson Middle School.  They represented us well and did some great work! 

 

Outstanding Youth of the Year

Congratulations to Erica Nauman who was one of the New Haven Register’s Outstanding Youth of the Year!  She received the award at a banquet on Sunday evening, June 1^st.

Chamber Choir

The Chamber Choir went to Hartford on June 5^th to sing for an event called “Honoring Community Safety and Bravery: A Student Tribute to Newtown and Connecticut.”  The event took place at the Legislative Building and began outside where they sang “The Prayer of the Child” beautifully.  It was a quite moving experience and I know those in attendance were quite impressed with our young women.

They did also get to tour the Capitol Building and even get a quick meeting with the Governor!

Basketball Championship Banquet

On Thursday evening, June 6, we celebrated the state championship won by our basketball team this year at Mohegan Sun!  It was a great evening which brought back many of the players from past teams.   Ms. Jennifer O’Brien ’96, a member of the 1996 state championship team, spoke to the group and shared how her experience on that winning team has given her the skills which helps her with her successes in life.

Making the evening even more special was Bishop Cote who joined us for dinner and shared a few words of congratulations.  Mayor Drew of Middletown also came to present a town Proclamation.

Mercy Golf Tournament
On Monday, June 10, we held the 21st Mercy Classic Golf Tournament at Lyman Orchards Golf Club.  Over 100 golfers enjoyed the day and helped to support the Mercy Scholarship Fund.  Here is a picture of some current and past Mercy dads enjoying the day!

Upcoming Events:

·         Summer Hours for Main Office:  June 17 – August 9,

             8:30  a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

·         HAP – Higher Achievement Program.  We are still taking registrations for our summer HAP program for rising 7^th and 8^th grade girls.  The program is from July 8 – 19 with an optional third week of July 22-26^th.  The mornings consist of academic work related to preparation for the High School Placement Test and the afternoons will have more recreational type activities.  If you are interested please click below for more information:

       Higher Achievement Program

·         SAT Prep Course:  This will take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from June 25 – August 6^th, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

·         Mercy Summer Basketball Camp:  For girls entering grades 5 -9.  July 22-26, 9:00 a.m. – noon.  Click below for more info:

          Mercy Basketball Camp Info

 

• Report Cards:  You will be receiving an e-mail from Sr. Peggy when the report cards are ready for viewing.  This should occur by this evening, June 12th.

 

This concludes the Principal's Blog for the 2012-13 school year.  It has been a wonderful year and I look forward to continuing this practice in 2013-14.  Do not be surprised if you receive an update now and then through the summer and you will surely have an update in the middle of August with needed information for the beginning of the new school year.

 

Enjoy these summer days!

 

Be Well.

 

 

 

 



Principal’s Blog

 

May 23, 2013


Senior Farewell

We have had an incredible two weeks of activities as we began the process of saying goodbye to the Class of 2013.  There are so many traditions in place to help us transition our seniors to their place as Mercy alumnae, and so many involve food!!!   Mercy women certainly know how to celebrate accomplishments.

 

Ascension Thursday/Senior Farewell Mass

On May 9 we began with our Ascension Thursday Mass which would also be the last school Mass attended by the Class of 2013.  Their junior sisters who are peer ministry candidates helped to prepare the Mass.  A special blessing was prayed over the seniors and charms given to them of words such as Faith, Hope, Love, Friendship.

 

Junior Prom

With the theme of the New York City Skyline our Junior Class really outdid themselves in preparations and decorations for their Junior Prom.  The Juniors looked beautiful and a great time really was had by all!

 

Academic Honors Assembly

On Tuesday, May 14 we gathered as a school community to honor the academic achievements of our student body.  There were over 20 Book Awards presented as well as numerous academic department awards.  We also had students who received prestigious awards such as:

The Rensselaer Medal which is awarded to a promising student who has distinguished herself in the areas of mathematics and science.  This award guarantees a minimum $15,000 per year scholarship for each Medalist who applies, is accepted, and chooses to enroll at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  This year’s recipient was Alexandra Caudullo.

The Elmira College Key Award is sponsored by the Elmira College Alumni Association. The Key holds a monetary scholarship value of $15,000 per year upon enrolling at Elmira College.  The Elmira College Key was awarded to Abigail Nagy. 

 

The National Society of Women Engineers presents an Academic Achievement Award in recognition of three years of excellence in science and mathematics.  This award was presented to Rachel Dziatko and Julie McLaughlin

 

Our Seniors will receive their awards at the Baccalaureate Mass which will take place on Sunday, May 26.

 

Senior Tree Dedication

A tradition at Mercy High School that goes back many years is that of the Senior Tree Dedication.  As I arrive each morning I walk by a tree that has a tag noting that it was dedicated by the Class of 1990.  This tree is tall and beautiful and on Thursday, May 16^th I was able to participate in the dedication of the tree for the Class of 2013.  It is a way of showing the rootedness of each class that graduates from  Mercy High School and how they are always a part of us here.  What a wonderful ceremony and I look forward to watching this tree grow as proud and strong as the others I see.

Spring Concert

Also on Thursday, May 16^th we had our Spring Concert which included presentations by our various music ensembles, the Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Choralations, Wind Ensemble and “No Man’s Jazz Band”.  What a wonderful evening of music!  The Chamber Choir performed one song dedicated to the children of Sandy Hook which they have been chosen to sing at the State House in Hartford on June 5^th.  We are very proud of Mr. Link and all our young women performers.

 

Theater Arts Performance

The Fine Arts Curriculum at Mercy also includes a class on Theater and this semester they wrote, and performed in their own version of Cinderella.  Students, with the help of their teacher Ms. Morse, were able to share their work by performing for some of the students at St. Mary’s School in Middletown.  Thank you to Mrs. Peck and all at St. Mary’s for being such wonderful hosts!  To see a video of the performance click here:  Theater Arts Cinderella

 

Governor’s Scholar Award

Each year, the Connecticut Association of Schools and Big Y World Class Market, collaborate to coordinate the Governor’s Scholars Program.

The purpose of the program is to recognize and to honor academically talented high school students throughout the state, and to present thirty students for special recognition to the Governor of Connecticut. Congratulations to Emily Hall who was selected as one of these thirty scholars in the state.  Here is a picture of Emily with the Governor of Connecticut and the other awardees.

Seniors Last Day

Friday, May 17^th was the last class day for our Seniors.  What a wonderful day filled with the celebration of friendship, farewells and class stepping up.  The seniors began their day decorating their cars and eating breakfast in the parking lot!  It was a beautiful Spring day and at noon we gathered the entire school for a picnic on the grounds.  We ended the day with a Spirit Assembly where our class officers were inducted and the Seniors and others entertained.  The assembly ended with each class taking its new designated place in the auditorium.

 

Graduation Rehearsal

This week the class of 2013 is returning for their graduation rehearsals.  On Tuesday, May 21^st the Alumnae sponsored a breakfast for them to welcome them into Mercy Alumnae membership.

Upcoming Events:

·         Safe Graduation:  On Thursday, May 30^th there will be a Safe Graduation Party for the Mercy and Xavier Class of 2013 Graduates at Wesleyan University.  The cost of the evening is $50 and permission slips can be found in the Mercy High School main office.  Thank you to all the parent volunteers who have worked so hard to make this evening possible!

·         The Mercy High School Basketball State Championship Banquet will be held on Thursday, June 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Mercy High School.  Please come and help us celebrate the team’s success!  Click here for more information and to register:  Mercy BasketballBanquet

 

·         21^st Annual Mercy Golf Classic:  The annual Golf Classic will take place on Monday, June 10 at Lyman Orchards Golf Club in Middlefield.  All proceeds benefit the Mercy Scholarship Fund.  For more information and to register click here:  Mercy Golf Classic

 

·         Book Buy Back and Rental Return:  Will occur in the Multipurpose Room:

 

June 5, 2013 – 9:00 a.m. – noon

June 6, 2013 – 10:00 a.m. – noon

 

Buy Back:  Students bring in books they own for purchase by Follett (usually a check is issued and sent to the student/parent at their home address sometime during June)

Rental Return:  Students bring in the books they rented from Follett

For more information click here:  Book Buy Back

 

·         Fall Sports Physicals:   Avoid the August rush for a sport physical.  We will be doing sports physicals on June 3^rd and June 6^th at 12 noon. You must sign up beforehand and we are limited to 25 per day. To register, please call the nurse, Mrs Romegialli. The August physicals are on the 5^th and 7th. They also are 25 per day. Please call to reserve a spot.

 

 

·         Monday, May 27^th is Memorial Day – School Closed

        Wednesday, May 29 – End of Term Four

        Thursday, May 30 – Mercy Graduation – No School

        Friday, May 31^st – Final Exams Begin

 

Be Well.