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Message from Mrs. Sattler
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Dear Mercy Families,
As I frequently mention, this is a welcoming year of firsts for me at Mercy. Most recently, I had a most impressive experience in attending a night of Bubbles and Bling at Mercy's 39th Annual Auction. The camaraderie and generosity throughout the evening truly made this a remarkable event. If you have never before attended, I encourage you to experience the auction first hand. Whether you chose to bid on a dinner and movie package, or a cruise excursion, there is definitely something for everyone.
This year's Principal's Pick (formerly Witte's Wish) is targeted for necessary improvements to the auditorium lighting, sound system and stage floor. We are overwhelmingly grateful to the generous donors who committed to these projects, as well as to all who gave their financial support throughout the evening. A special thank you is extended to our organizers who worked so creatively and diligently in coordinating this annual tradition to ensure we continually have the resources to provide our students with the best academic and extra-curricular experiences.
Academic News
The World's a Stage: Check out the February edition of Stratford Theater's monthly newsletter, SceneNotes. Stratford is North America's largest classical repertory theatre company, and in this issue our very own senior and National Merit Scholar Finalist Anastasia Warner is featured. In her submission A Piece of Paradise, Anna reflects on what Stratford means to her, why Shakespeare matters and what she learned from fellow audience members.
New World Language Offerings: For the 2018-2019 school year, our World Language department, with enough student interest, will be offering honors courses in French and Spanish. Additionally, a new French course, French in Careers, will allow a fourth year option to students who wish to continue their world language studies, but do not elect to register for AP French.
Exciting Opportunities Course: Our English department had the wonderful idea of consolidating student available contests and enrichment workshops across all curriculum areas! Through the use of the Schoology app which students currently use on a daily basis, they can now find information for exciting opportunities in one place.
Students can view these details in their feeds, and use the links provided to get more information, submit entries, etc. Ask your daughter what might currently be available to support her unique interests and skills!
iExplore: We are excited to introduce a new required semester course for freshwomen that encourages collaboration and problem solving to create solutions for real problems. Students will actively practice science and technology concepts and the engineering design process. This class will develop student STEM awareness in preparation for career and college readiness.
STEM Happenings: Our Robotics team, the Riveters, are ready to kick-off their competitive season having recently been awarded a $2,500 robotics grant from the State of Michigan.
Mercy staff and students will be represented at the State Technology Conference (MACUL) at the Amway Center in Grand Rapids, March 8-9. Cinya Hou, Brooke Madek, Alyssa Johnston, and Mya Williams will join Mr. Tom James and Mr. Larry Baker to present a model program in a session titled Building a Collaborative Global Student Tech Team Project.
Ms. Charli Migoski and Mr. Baker will present, Let's Get Everyone Involved in Our English Class, and Mr. Baker will go solo with Feeling Podcastic, as a Teacher and Administrator.
Having both students and staff involved in multiple presentations at MACUL underscores how Mercy lives up to our designation of being an Apple Distinguished School.
In another tech noteworthy event, students Madison Konja and Alyssa Johnston recently FaceTimed with leaders of the Archdiocese of Gary, Indiana who were attending the Apple Education conference in Chicago. Apple is showing off our Mercy iBook and asked our students to describe how Mercy empowers women through the iWizards tech model.
Health and Safety
Drugs101: We were pleased to recently host a Drugs101 parent workshop in partnership with St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. We also offered this workshop to all staff, and all freshwomen and sophomore students. Student topics covered the dangers of stimulants, inhalants and depressants. The effects of alcohol and smoking, whether through traditional cigarettes or vaping was introduced. The workshop was interactive, and best of all generated much conversation and awareness with our students. I encourage you to ask your daughter to share what she may have learned.
We are committed to the health and safety of all of our students. Therefore, we are grateful to St Joseph Mercy for their willingness to assist us in extending this workshop to all of our upper-classwomen in April.
Catholic Identity
#lMakeLentReal: Our students and staff are being encouraged daily to Live Their Best Lent. Fr. Jerry celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass with us, and introduced a new process of having each student distribute ashes to the girl sitting next to her. This was a powerful experience in underscoring the humility and vulnerability in our personal Lenten journeys.
During the Lenten season, students are offered opportunity to participate in reconciliation, Stations of the Cross and an outreach sock collection. Our Campus Ministry team offers daily Lenten experience for our students, including Take Action Tuesdays, Women and Jesus Wednesdays, Think on This Thursdays and fasting Fridays.
Interested staff members meet each Tuesday morning during Lent before school to reflect on the personal perspective of biblical women who determinedly followed Jesus. And of course, Chef Mike and the Cafe Team creatively work to provide Lenten friendly meals each Friday! Supporting each other through our Lenten commitments and prayer makes each of us stronger in our faith and community.
Did You Know?: A recent Georgetown University study indicates that graduates of Catholic education are 7 times more likely to practice their faith as adults.
Mercy Family
We're Growing!: We are excited to share with you that our Mercy staff family continues to grow!
PE/Swim/Health teacher, Mrs. Brandi Lavely and her husband Jason welcomed son Taven Montgomery on February 1. Taven weighed in at 9 lbs 5 oz and measured 20 inches.
Science teacher Mrs. Vanessa Mallory and her husband Daniel greeted Mark Maurus on February 10. Mark weighed in at 8 lbs 11 oz and measured 22 inches.
Both moms and babies are doing great and appreciate your prayers for continued health, happiness, patience, and peaceful rest!
As you can see, there are many reasons to be proud of our school. As our Mercy students remind us during daily announcements, "it's not what it is, but what it can become". Thank you for allowing us to support your daughter as she becomes a woman who makes a difference!
May God's Grace and Blessings be in your path,
Patricia Sattler
Principal
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