May 4, 2018
Dear Mercy Families:
At last we have reached spring temperatures and the school is beginning to buzz with end of year activities! Our seniors are preparing for the traditions that await their graduation celebrations, spring sports and clubs are in full swing, and plans are being put into place to ensure our continued academic and enrichment student opportunities for our next school year.
We are excited and grateful to share that this summer our stage floor will be renovated and enhanced theater lights put into place. These improvements allow us to maximize our theater potential. Thank you to our generous donors that made this year's Principal's Pick a reality!
Academic News
Driver's Education: We are entering into partnership with All Star Driver Education to offer Segment 1 and Segment 2 programs on site to our Mercy students. Classes will start May 7 directly after school. More about All Star Driver Education offerings may be found here.
Robotics: Thank you to our team mentors who recently supported an event at the FIRST State of Michigan Championship honoring Dean's List candidates. Our Mercy Riveter team is one of two "Super Teams" and will receive $10,000 each year for 5 years from both DTE and Consumer Energy.
We are grateful to our mentors and these companies who so willingly support our students. At the event, the Mercy Riveters spent time in discussion with Ms. Patti Poppe (CEO Consumers Energy) and Mr. Shawn Patterson (Chief Learning Officer for DTE Energy). What great exposure for our students to interact in this capacity!
Mercy Tech Talk: Do you work within a school district? Mark your calendars for our strongest program yet for the sixth annual Mercy Tech Talk on Friday, November 2, 2018. The keynote speaker will be former NASSP Digital Principal Award winner, Eric Sheninger. School groups of five or more can reserve an at-cost price of $35 per registrant. Be sure to spread the word!
End of Semester: As we begin rounding the corner towards the end of the school year, students begin to focus on semester grades and preparing for final exams. We encourage you to ask your daughter about any missing work or quizzes/tests that might still be accepted. Ask her to share with you about upcoming projects and deadlines. Teachers are always willing to communicate what is needed for a student to be successful in class, and are additionally available during unscheduled days to offer support.
Health and Safety
ALICE Training: This year, all Mercy staff received ALICE training, a new strategy for "lockdown" procedures and we are now rolling out the ALICE Plan to students. Students have informally practiced crisis reaction using ALICE strategies within their Adviser Groups. We will soon begin practices with the Farmington Hills Police Department to help students become more familiar with the Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate plan. Ask your daughter to share with you what they are learning in support of this new training!
Mental Health Awareness Week: This is a busy time of year for our students, and they have been spreading awareness this week on strategies to alleviate stress. Planned activities included discussion on pacing workload, sharing of resources, emphasizing downtime - and we even had therapy dogs available for students to pet!
Catholic Identity
Mercy Campus Minister Gathering: Our Mercy Campus Minister Mrs. Judi Griggs-Dennis recently met
with fellow Campus Ministers from other Mercy Schools in St. Louis. The gathering included prayer, conversation and community as the ministers got to know one another and share experiences from their school ministry. The focused discussions dwelled on "how do you balance being Catholic and Mercy" in your school community? Mrs. Griggs-Dennis returned with new ideas from the great discussions that ensued.
Habitat for Humanity: Over Easter break, 12 Mercy students participated in alternative spring break for Habitat for Humanity in Kentucky. Aside from rebuilding a home, students also attended the Women Build workshop, a partnership between Habitat for Humanity and Lowe's Home Improvement where students polished their painting techniques and learned to spackle. Mercy students were so impressive they even made the local news! A site manager said the Mercy girls came focused and ready to work. Yes, they did - check out this video to see for yourself!
Spanish Honor Society Outreach:Thank you to our generous students and families! Through your contributions, the Spanish Honor Society was able to raise over $1,000 to support relief efforts in Puerto Rico. ¡Muchísimas gracias!
Michigan Catholic May Crowning: The Michigan Catholic invites families from across the Archdiocese of Detroit to attend the Mass for the New Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church and then take part in a procession through the closed streets of Greektown as true witnesses to our faith. This event will provide a great opportunity for families to be part of a larger event and also to learn why Pope Francis is creating this new feast day, which will be celebrated for the first time ever on May 21st beginning at 5:30 PM at Old St. Mary's (646 Monroe Street in Greektown).
Mercy freshwoman Laura Boesch will participate in the Crowning of Mary. Put on your Mercy spiritwear and join us there!
Chaplain Visits: We are grateful for our Mercy Chaplain Fr. Jerry Brzezenski and the time he has spent getting to know us this year. For the 2018-2019 school year, Fr. Jerry will plan to be present on a monthly basis aside from Masses in order to be available to students who may wish to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or simply stop by to visit.
Next week we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. Mercy teachers and staff have an outstanding commitment to our students and truly work each day to make the difference that defines a Mercy education. We are blessed that each of them choose Mercy High School to be their work family. Please keep our teachers and staff in your prayers so that they may realize the impact their gifts and talents have on our community.
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 the warmth of spring bring you renewed energy and wonder in the beauty of this season,
Patricia Sattler
Principal