MMA Weekly • September 19, 2021 The MMA Weekly covers important announcements, the school calendar, and other co-curricular updates. Since the calendar is subject to occasional adjustments, please be sure to visit the calendar on the MyMMA platform or check the live calendar on our website.
Do you have a great photo that showcases a great "Merion moment"? If so, please email your photo to Kristina Cawley at kcawley@merion-mercy.com. Head of School Dear Merion Mercy Community,
Each year, September 24 unites the Mercy community in the celebration of Mercy Day. On that date in 1827, Catherine McAuley opened the House of Mercy on Baggot Street in Dublin, Ireland to provide a school for children in need, a shelter for girls coming from the farms to find work, and a place where girls could learn a trade and sell their goods. These works became the foundation for Mercy values.
As we look to Mercy Day this year, some of you may have noticed a Core Values infographic we have been using. This visual brings to life the central focus of every Mercy student's educational journey. These Core Values were recently developed by Mercy Education. Mercy Education supports Mercy schools through a variety of programs and resources for leaders, educators, and students. We have embraced these Core Values and are intentionally incorporating them into almost every facet of school life.
The values are the hallmarks of a Mercy Education and help all of us better appreciate what makes a Mercy Education special. They are the ideals we stand up for and strive to live up to each day. We hold ourselves to these standards as an institution, as a community and as individuals. Each is interconnected and necessary as we take Mercy into the world and "Live Mercy. Seek Justice."
Warm regards, Announcements Ruvna We will continue to conduct daily screenings via the Ruvna platform, asking that students, faculty, and staff members check daily for COVID-19 symptoms.
Self-screening is an important component of our prevention plan, and we need everyone to participate by completing it.
The Ruvna screening will go to students' cell phone numbers. Please be certain that your student's cell phone number (or parent/caregiver, if student does not have a cell phone) is entered into MyMMA.
Play, Ring, and Sing at Merion
Please click here for details on various music offerings at Merion, including Orchestra, Chorale, A Cappella, Handbell, Gospel Choir, Chamber Ensembles, and Private Lessons in Piano, Voice, Guitar, Cello. Academics Back-to-School Night
We are excited to welcome you to campus for Back-to-School Night this Tuesday September 21 from 6-9 p.m. Please click here to review an email sent last week with details for the evening. Student Life Mercy Day and New Dismissal Time on September 24
Community Space
The theme for this past Thursday's Community Space was communal health, and it built on last week's theme of holistic health. As mentioned in last week's Weekly, we introduced students to the Safe2Say Something (S2SS) program—a government program focused on providing students the skills to recognize warning skills of concerning behaviors in themselves or others, as well as a confidential space to report those concerning behaviors. The goal of S2SS is to prevent violence, protect students, and empower students to speak up and "say something." For more information about the S2SS program, please click here. We would like our students to care not only for themselves, but for their peers as well and to voice concerns when they have them.
Another element of communal health is diving into aspects of our own identities, other's identities, or issues of concern to our Catholic identities. We did just that by having optional affinity groups during Community Space, which were organized by Ms. Rebekah Adens, our Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Affinity group topics were submitted by students the week prior. Those who were not interested in participating in an affinity group remained in the gym for games—you know our Merion students enjoy a friendly competition!
Study Hall Attendance
A general reminder that students are permitted to not be on campus when they have a first or last period study hall—the only exception is on Thursday afternoon for Community Space or Mass; all students are expected to be at those events and attendance will be taken.
Students are not permitted to leave campus when their study hall is not the last period of the day. Health Center Masking Update
As we continue to review our policies almost daily, guided by our core values and using the most current information, we had the opportunity to engage in further discussion with the Montgomery County Office of Public Health. Based on this briefing—in which they offered further clarification on their masking recommendations—and on an uptick in the number of students who have been vaccinated, we are revising our policy on outdoor masking.
Masks are not required on campus outdoors except for student athletes on the bench. Masks may be required for outdoor events for groups of more than 250, depending upon the nature of the event.
Development Parents Association Save the Date for Trivia Night!
MMA Trivia Night will be held on Friday, October 15: Call your friends and put a table together—or let us seat you with other MMA parents. The winning tables get bragging rights and small prizes. Details will follow, but be sure to save the date!
If you would like to volunteer to help with Trivia Night, please click here.
Sip 'n Bid
Mark your calendar now for the school's largest social fundraising event of the year: Sip 'n Bid 2021 on Saturday, November 20! Planning is now underway, and if you would like to volunteer, you may sign up here. We need help with everything from item and sponsor solicitation to decorations, basket packaging, technology assistance and help during the event. Please join us in making this a successful event while having fun and meeting other parents!
If you would like to volunteer, please sign up on our Sign Up Genius or email auction@merion-mercy.com, and we will be sure to follow up with you.
We are Actively Looking for Volunteers
The Parents Association welcomes your involvement! We are looking for volunteers for upcoming programs and events. Click here to view current volunteer opportunities and to sign up. (Please click here to volunteer for Sip 'n Bid and here to volunteer in the Spirit Shop.) Food Services Servery
Merion Mercy's cafeteria will once again offer a limited number of breakfast items in the morning, snacks, and a variety of hot and cold lunch options for purchase each school day. These may be purchased using funds added to student IDs through "myschoolaccount.com" or cash. Please note, for this coming week, we will have limited breakfast and lunch menus. Spirit Shop Spirit Shop News
New League sweatshirts have arrived just in time for cooler fall weather: the navy hoodie with front pockets is now also available in white, and it looks great! We also have a new vintage-inspired denim crew neck imprinted with an eco-friendly ink. Also check out our key straps, new small thermal tumblers, restocked large tumblers, and anorak jackets. Remember, tee-shirts are 10% off during September, and they are going fast. If you're ordering online, be sure to use code WELCOMEBACK at checkout.
Regular in-person shopping hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. You can always shop 24/7 online here. Request "pick up" and your daughter can pick up your order at the Spirit Shop.
The Spirit Shop will also be open for Back-to-School night on September 21.
Volunteers Recent News & Happenings Calendar |