April 11, 2019 eNEWSLETTER Head of School In the "welcome back" letter sent to parents/caregivers and students last August, I noted that similar to New York City, "MMA could be known as the school that never sleeps due to the opportunities for involvement that occur year round." Spring brings a series of events that involve students, faculty, staff, families, and alumnae–everyone who is part of the MMA community. Field trips and formal dances, Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation, the Spring Festival of the Arts, outreach projects, lacrosse, softball, and track are part of this busy springtime. Equally, students remain engaged with classes and projects, preparation for AP exams, and the many other activities in which they are involved in and out of school. Here at Merion Mercy Academy, these many opportunities provide our community with both roots and wings.
As a Christian community we will enter into Holy Week and the celebration of the Easter Triduum. May each of you be specially blessed during the Easter season.
Transitions Sue McClatchy, who has been in our Business Office for about six weeks, will complete her time with us on Friday, April 12. We are grateful for how quickly Sue became acclimated to the work in the Business Office and the support she has been. We wish her all the best in the future.
We have identified someone to assume those responsibilities in the Business Office. Her name is Joanne Serici. She will join us after Easter.
We have also identified a new Technology and Information Services Manager. Bill Weschler, former parent and current golf coach, will join our staff full-time on May 1. Over the next few weeks he will be here part-time to begin to orient himself to the function, equipment, needs, etc. that we have and to collaborate with MTG, our external consultant, in identifying steps for the future.
Recently, coaching staff members have made transitions from their roles at MMA. These include: Scott Piffath, Head Basketball Coach, and Rick Pergolini, Assistant Basketball Coach. Each made significant contributions to MMA, and we remain grateful for their work. And while we will miss them, we wish them well in all of their future endeavors.
We welcome Julianne D'Orazio, JV Lacrosse Coach; Emily Corcoran, JV Lacrosse Coach; Meg Waldron, Head Track Coach; and Pat Krouse, Assistant Softball Coach. Office and Department Updates Academic Affairs Narrative progress reports will be written by teachers for students whose academic performance has substantially declined since the March interim 3 progress reports or who may be in danger of failing a course for the semester or the year. The reports will be posted to the online grading portal by Thursday, April 25. Parents of students who have reports will be notified through email on that date.
Please encourage your daughter to continue her best effort throughout the remaining weeks of school. Students are expected to complete all prescribed work. Students whose work is incomplete will be required to remain after school to complete their work.
College Counseling Seniors
Our last "Coffee with the Counselors" will take place on Wednesday, April 24 at 8 a.m. in the Counseling Conference Room. Our topic will be the summer to-do list and the college essay. Please email jobrien@merion-mercy.com if you plan to attend.
Be aware of registration deadlines when planning SAT/ACT testing this spring. The registration deadline for the June 1 SAT is May 3. The registration deadline for the June 8 ACT is May 3. Ministry Office "Relentless in Mercy," the focus of this Season of Lent, has inspired our Ministry girls to engage the school community by developing prayer and raising awareness of the needs of the people in Lebanon, Kenya, Panama, Haiti, and the Philippines through the use of Catholic Relief Services resources. All members of the school community have been invited to be relentless in extending mercy to our brothers and sisters, while recognizing their own need for God's mercy.
Next week is Holy Week–the holiest of days on our Church calendar. All are invited to spend time in prayer and reflection on the mysteries we commemorate through the special rituals of each day. May each of us rise anew on Easter, with a deeper personal awareness of God's transforming love and mercy so that we may be faithful disciples of our crucified Redeemer.
Preparations are underway for the senior class retreat, which will be held on campus in the Convent of Mercy. Preparations for Baccalaureate Mass, the Mother-Senior Mass, and other "end-of-year" liturgical functions are also underway.
Summer Programs Final payment for summer classes is due by Thursday, May 23. You can log back into the registration software and make a payment, call with your credit card (Barbara Harrison, 610-664-6655 ext. 120), or send in a check to school.
Refer a family member, neighbor or friend who has middle school children to our 6th and 7th grade Jump Start, pre-8th grade programs, enrichment classes, or sports camps. There is so much to do at Merion in the summer! Click here for the Summer Programs 2019 brochure.
Student Affairs Senior Families We look forward to hosting and celebrating a May Liturgy on Friday, May 3 at 10:30 a.m. in the Convent chapel, a Mass at which seniors and their mothers, maternal caregivers, or important mother figures are welcome to attend and celebrate with our community. Following the Mass (from approximately 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.), there will be a traditional luncheon party for seniors and their guests back in the dining commons, featuring a catered meal and some entertainment. Invitations and other details about the luncheon, including RSVP forms, menu, and participatory costs, will be distributed by the Office of Students Affairs in the days ahead. We hope you can join us for this celebration of mercy, sisterhood, womanhood, and spring.
Though it's bittersweet to contemplate Graduation, we share with seniors' families the welling pride and excitement that surround the countdown to their daughters' culmination of high school. Plans and preparations are well underway at school for the Baccalaureate Mass in May and Graduation in June; no doubt that is true on the home front as well. In case you are curious, you can now access information online (click here) about these events; our hope is that early communication of expectations will help. MMAnnouncements MMAnnual Fund
Mercy Volunteer Program (MVP) There will be an information meeting for the parents/caregivers of the 2019 MVP summer missioners on Monday, April 29 in the STM meeting room (2nd floor) at 6:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing all of you. Parents Association Father-Daughter Service Project This year's Father-Daughter Service Project will take place on Saturday, April 13 from 9:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. Fathers/caregivers and daughters will work with the staff at Bartram's Garden on seasonal tasks like weeding, planting, cleaning, pruning, and light maintenance. Please click here to register.
Mothers' Cupboard/Food Day Tuesday Thank you for your generosity and continued support of this wonderful effort! For the month of April, we are asking for donations of PROTEINS AND CANNED BEANS (protein suggestions include tuna, chicken, salmon, or sausage in easy open tab cans or pouches; or beans, no dried beans please) for the Food Pantry at Visitation. Please consider adding one item to your grocery list each week and sending it in. Food can be dropped off any day of the week in the bins outside the Advancement Office. As always, if you don't have these items, feel free to send in any non-perishable items. Also, the Pantry is always in need of diapers (all sizes) and baby food, so these items are always welcome.
April's "FOOD DAY TUESDAY SPECIAL EVENT" will be held on April 23. Students who make donations that day will receive a special treat.
General Meeting Our next Parents Association General Meeting (open to all parents and caregivers) will be held on Wednesday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m.
Spirit Shop Spring celebrations are coming up quickly: Soph Hop, Prom, and, of course, Graduation. Show your Merion pride with flags, balloons, napkins, and an array of other entertaining essentials, all available in the Spirit Shop. Plus, check in after Easter when new items will be added to the sale rack as we make room for next year's merchandise.
Interested in volunteering in the Spirit Shop? We could use your help in April and May. Sign up here to join us!
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Merion Mercy Academy 511 Montgomery Avenue • Merion Station, PA 19066 • (610) 664-6655 |