Health & Safety + Back To School Reminders

August 19, 2020

Health & Safety

This Monday, we welcomed our faculty and staff back to the building for a new school year. We are excitedly putting our final touches across the campus as we prepare for a safe return to learning!

We thank you for your partnership in emphasizing the responsibility each of our Mercy girls also has to protect our teachers, staff and fellow Mercy sisters. The most effective way to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 is by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and frequent handwashing. Please review each of the following safety protocols with your daughter prior to her return this week.

Each day prior to entering the building, every student must complete the Student COVID-19 Symptom Tracker. A student answering YES to any of the questions is required to stay home. A link to the symptom tracker has been placed on each student's device, and directions have been emailed to students for conveniently placing a shortcut on their phone.

Masks must be worn at all times by students and staff while on Campus, including while walking outside to and from the parking lot. Masks must completely cover the nose, mouth and chin, and may only be removed while eating or drinking. Masks with valves are not allowed due to updated CDC safety guidelines. Please review with your daughter the proper way to wear and care for facial coverings.
Students are excited to once again greet each other, yet 6' social distancing is required for health and safety. Please encourage your daughter to find creative ways to reconnect with her classmates that do not require physical proximity such as hugging or touching.
Proper handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of disease. Hand sanitizers are located throughout the school and classroom exchange time is extended to allow for routine hand disinfection. Please review proper handwashing techniques with your daughter.
Students should cough and sneeze into their elbow or with a tissue. Used tissues should be thrown in the trash and hands washed immediately using proper hand hygiene techniques.
Students are encouraged to bring a personal supply of hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol base.
Students are required to bring personal disinfectant wipes to clean up their own desk area after eating.
Students should not go to school or any school activities/sports if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Positive COVID-19 test results should be communicated to Mrs. Eleasha Tarplin, Dean of Student Affairs, at edtarplin@mhsmi.org or 248-893-3568.
Please review the following scenarios so you are prepared in the event of an exposure or a positive COVID-19 test result.

We are confident in our adherence to guidelines established by the Oakland County Health Department and the CDC. Thank you for your continued support as we look forward to welcoming your daughter to a new Mercy school year!

Return to School Student Video

Mercy Student Council Executive Board put together this fun video for students to show them all about the return to school health and safety guidelines and important reminders as we start the 2020-21 school year!

Opening Days of School

Thursday, August 20: Only Hybrid Group KC for Welcome Back and Orientation 8:00am - 2:20pm

Friday, August 21: Only Hybrid Group SF for Welcome Back and Orientation 8:00am - 2:20pm

Click here for Student Cohort Group Communication sent 8/14/20.
Students will report to 1st hour at 8:00am, like a regular day, however, the time spent in class will be getting to know your teacher and learning what to expect while Mercy is engaged in our new and exciting hybrid model. Unlike a regular hybrid model day, after 4th hour, students will move to their Adviser Groups for lunch and connection time with Advisers and fellow Advisees. Dismissal is at 2:20pm. Students may be out of uniform on Thursday, 8/20 and Friday, 8/21 and must adhere to the Special Dress Days policy.
Click here for detailed special schedule for 8/20 and 8/21 only.

Monday August 24: Full Instructional Hybrid Model begins with Hybrid Group KC in-person and Hybrid Group SF remote. here.

Students will be required to wear uniforms while present at Mercy beginning August 24.

Additional Notes for Students

All students were sent a detailed email from Mrs. Eleasha Tarplin, Dean of Student Affairs, which contains all of the above health and safety instructions, opening days of school, dress guidelines and links to the handbook and more. We kindly ask you to encourage your daughter to read through this communication in detail. Listed below are some additional notes that were included in the student email for your reference.

Cafeteria/Food Related Info

The Cafeteria will not provide breakfast foods for the foreseeable future. Please make sure you eat breakfast prior to walking in the building. You may not eat in your 1st hour classroom and at this time there is no space designated for eating outside of 4th hour.
The Cafeteria is now divided into two sides. Both sides will have snacks and grab-and-go items for lunch.
The only beverage you may drink throughout the school day is water. This means no Starbucks, Bigby, etc. in the morning or any other time during the school day. You may bring other beverages to drink during lunchtime only.
Lunch will be eaten in your 4th hour classroom, after class. Lunch will not be eaten in the Cafeteria.
During lunchtime, you may talk, however, remain seated and at your desk when you are not wearing a mask. You must replace your mask before getting up to throw your trash away.
Please remember to bring wipes to clean your area after eating.

General Info

Before school or during passing, please stay socially distanced and keep it moving. No socializing, sitting or standing around unless in a classroom.
Students with permanent off hours will go to the Media Center during that hour. Students must check-in with Mrs. Kreucher before sitting.
Students with a permanent 4th hour off will remain in the Media Center for lunchtime. Remember to bring wipes to clean your area after eating.

After School

Students will be socially distanced in the Auditorium/Gym Lobby after school.
Students may eat in this area after school. Remember to bring wipes to clean your area and throw all trash away after eating. Do not leave any trash in your area.

ID Pictures

ID pictures will be taken on either Friday, August 28 or Monday, August 31. You will receive information on purchasing photo packages from HR Imaging via email. If not, here is the order form.
Each student is required to take an ID photo. Purchasing a photo package is optional.
Students will be assigned times throughout the school day to go to the Auditorium/Gym Lobby for pictures.
Students may bring a top to change into for pictures, but must return to full uniform after the picture is taken.

Book Purchasing

BNC K-12 powered by MBS Virtual Bookstore

**SHOP BY SCHEDULE IS NOW AVAILABLE!** Free shipping with purchase of $99 or more through August 28, 2020.

BNC K-12 powered by MBS has worked hard with our Mercy Staff to provide a comprehensive list of books needed for your daughter's courses and offers Shop by Schedule, which enables students to enter their Mercy Student ID in order to access their entire schedule's course materials on the Virtual Bookstore.

*Please note the shop by schedule feature is only available for students who have completed required school forms and current billing account.* This allows your daughter to add all of her course materials to her shopping cart at one time, eliminating the need to select each course individually.

Shop by Course is also available using your student schedule. Feel free to experience this easy and convenient ordering method by visiting our BNC K-12 powered by MBS Virtual Bookstore and try it out for yourself!

Click the "Let's Get Started" button on Mercy's Virtual Bookstore found here
Under "Shop by Schedule", enter your student ID number
Confirm that you are that Mercy student - click "Continue"
You'll see your course materials and can select items to check out when ready

Since every Mercy student will have an iPad to facilitate her learning, consider digital formats in lieu of a hardbound textbook. It's truly a matter of preference. We really hope students take advantage of the many digital book options available; however, please read and follow the Teacher Course Messages listed and carefully check your order details before checkout.

Contact Mercy Book Purchasing Coordinator Kelly Bickes at kabickes@mhsmi.org with any questions.

Medication Release Forms

Students are not permitted to have any medication in their possession, including over the counter/non-prescription medication. A release for dispensing of medication form must be on file in order for the school to administer any prescription medication and a release for dispensing over the counter medication form must be on file in order for the school to administer Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen.

If applicable for your student, turn-in the dispensing medication form and over the counter medication form.

Dispensing Medication Release Form

OTC Medication Release Form

Resource Links

STUDENT RETURN TO SCHOOL VIDEO

POWERSCHOOL

BOOK PURCHASING

HYBRID MODEL COHORT SCHEDULE

HYBRID MODEL DAILY SCHEDULE

FINALFORMS

RETURN TO LEARNING PLAN

PARENT RETURN TO LEARNING VIRTUAL INFO NIGHT