MMA Weekly • October 24, 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,
We are all familiar with the adage "A picture is worth a thousand words" and know that often multiple ideas can be conveyed by a single image.
As I was looking through our website photo gallery this week, I recognized what a vibrant first few months of school we have had together. I invite you to take a look too!
Aside from providing a visual archive of the school year, so many of these photos capture the essence of some very meaningful moments for our school. When I look at the photos of freshman orientation alongside shots of seniors enjoying their final Harvest Moon, I see a special MMA thread that connects our girls through their high school experience. These four years comprise incredible growth and many milestones, marked with so many "Merion moments," yet paradoxically, they are a brief passage of time.
We know that parents want these high school years to matter in countless ways and for these remarkable students to grow in character, to deepen their spiritual foundations, and to find their voices.
We share these goals—and more! We also all work to support our students in becoming the best versions of themselves, uniquely prepared to face the world with confidence.
How true it is that these pictures are worth a thousand words. They are not just images capturing events, but up-close, real-time views of 401 young women living rich, purpose-driven lives. How fortunate are we to both watch these memories being made and also to know that the unique and beautiful story behind every face is just beginning to be written.
Warm regards, Announcements Join Us for Puffs
"For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs... who just happened to be there too."
Merion Mercy Music Theater (MMMT) is proud to present Puffs.
Written by Matt Cox, Puffs is a comedic retelling of the Harry Potter book series by J. K. Rowling.
Show dates are November 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. and November 7 at 2 p.m.
Stay tuned for ticket information. Academics Interim 1
The interim 1 grading period ended on October 15; grade narratives will be posted in MyMMA on October 29. Student Life Community Space and Calendar Notes
Community Space this week involved Freshman Elections and Weenie Roast practice, two wonderful elements that help strengthen the community in our school!
There will be two more preparation periods—October 22 and October 26—for Weenie Roast until the big day on October 29!
Uniforms and Dress Code
Last year the dress code felt different due to the nature of the pandemic. At Community Space this week, students were celebrated for their awesome efforts with not wearing sweatshirts during the school day; they were also introduced to the next phase of our dress code initiative: no sweatshirts and no sweatpants, only white crew socks, and only the uniform boat shoes.
Beginning on Monday, November 1, the winter uniform will go into effect. As we welcome the arrival of colder weather, please prepare for this change in the school dress code. Click here for more information on uniforms.
As alternatives to tights, students may also wear fleece-lined tights or solid, label-less, navy blue leggings. If you are curious as to where you can purchase fleece-lined tights, please visit Amazon. If you are curious as to where you can purchase plain, label-less, solid, navy blue leggings, please visit either our school store's website, FlynnO'Hara, or Amazon. These are not the only places where plain, label-less navy blue leggings are available, but they are an option should you like one. The only acceptable "label" on the leggings is the MMA logo, should you purchase them from the school store's website.
It is important to note what is expected of the leggings:
We recognize that FlynnO'Hara may still be experiencing delays with uniforms, so if you are having any trouble securing the winter uniform, then please contact Dean of Students Olivia Sharkey at osharkey@merion-mercy.com.
Parking Updates
Seniors have been very helpful in discussions regarding senior privileges. (Seniors, an email was sent Friday, October 22 from Ms. Sharkey with some updates, so please be sure to check out that email.)
A general reminder that only seniors are able to park in the parking lot; juniors need to park on Meeting House Lane. Juniors have been reminded of this via email.
We also ask that parents refrain from parking in handicapped parking spots in the morning or afternoon since we have several parents and community members who require those spots. Thank you for your consideration. Ministry All Saints Day Mass
With great joy we announce that Alexander Thompson, infant son of MMA Theology teacher Dr. Kyle Thompson and his wife, Kelly, will be baptized at our All Saints Day Mass on November 1. Dr. and Mrs. Thompson wish to include all of the members of our Merion Mercy community in this sacrament of initiation. Alexander's baptism will take place during the November 1 Mass, which will happen during regular school hours. November 1 is a Holy Day of Obligation as recognized by the Catholic Church.
All MMA students study the sacraments as part of our theology curriculum, and theology teachers will be reviewing this material prior to November 1 to prepare students for the baptism.
If you have any questions, please contact Sister Danielle Gagnon, RSM, Director of Campus Ministry, at 610-632-4163 or dgagnon@merion-mercy.com. Health Center Surveillance Testing
We have decided to put a hold on surveillance testing at this time. Our students are doing a good job at masking, and there has been a relatively low incidence of positive COVID-19 cases so far this school year.
We are aware of some predictions that the situation may be worse in the winter, and we may revisit conducting surveillance testing at that time.
Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our community healthy. Athletics Winter Sports
Are you interested in participating in basketball, swimming, or crew training this winter? For our planning, we ask that anyone interested in these sports please fill out the form here. Parents Association Sip 'n Bid: Let it Snow!
Excitement is building for our 45th annual Sip 'n Bid! Your invitation should arrive shortly in the mail, and we hope you'll join us.
Our last in-person Sip 'n Bid was two years ago, so here are some highlights for anyone who is unfamiliar with our largest fundraiser—and friendraiser!—of the year:
Please remember that we need your support to make Sip 'n Bid a success! We are still in need of auction items, large and small, so please check the Sip 'n Bid webpage for details on suggested items, our Amazon Wish List, our donation form and our underwriting and sponsorship form. Many of our sports teams and neighborhood families are gathering together to donate items; please know that we appreciate your generosity and do not expect you to donate to multiple groups if asked.
We count on your volunteer support as well to ensure a successful evening. If you have already volunteered to help with Sip 'n Bid, thank you—work will be gearing up, so our committee will be reaching out this week. If you'd like to join the fun and get involved, please email auction@merion-mercy.com. Spirit Shop Spirit Shop News
The Spirit Shop sells navy blue leggings that are now an acceptable addition to the winter uniform. These leggings feature the school shield embroidered at the hem of the left leg. Our stock right now is low, but we have reordered and are waiting for a delivery estimate—most likely they will not arrive in time for the start of winter uniforms, but they should arrive later in November. You may pre-order here with coupon code LEGGINGS for a 15% discount off the $30 price (through December 1), and we will notify you when your order is ready for pickup.
Visit us online here or in person during regular shopping hours: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. And remember, it's easy and fun to volunteer in the Spirit Shop. We are hoping to open daily in December as we count down to Christmas, so we invite you to view the schedule and sign up here. Questions? Contact Mrs. Debbie Bevilacqua at dbevilacqua@merion-mercy.com. Development Recent News & Happenings Ministry Team Wins Moulton Student Global Citizen Grant from the National Coalition of Girls Schools Calendar |