December 16, 2020

Dear Mercy Parents,

We look forward to welcoming our students back into the building for our in-person Mercy hybrid instructional model on January 11. We value the personal contact that enriches overall student learning, and are committed to providing as many traditional experiences as is safely and reasonably possible for all students.

We understand that returning to in-person instruction is concerning to our students who have underlying health conditions that put them or family members at increased risk due to the possibility of COVID-19 exposure. For this reason, we will continue to offer the Mercy GOAL (Growing through Online Academic Learning) program at the start of the second semester.

Mercy students who have health or safety concerns may opt to participate in second semester classes 100% remotely through the GOAL program while we are in a hybrid learning model. Registered students commit to the GOAL program until Mercy returns to full in-person instruction. 

Parents must register their student for the GOAL program. Students who participated in GOAL first semester must register again for the second semester.

Students selecting this option will actively participate in real-time instruction sessions as scheduled throughout the school day using enhanced remote streaming technology, and attendance will be recorded. Teachers may opt for GOAL students to work independently and off-line on modified lessons when necessary. 

Students selecting the online option agree to:

• be on time for classes and actively participate in each class lesson and activity.
• complete all class activities, assignments and tests within the assigned due date.
• follow Student Code of Conduct policies as outlined in the Mercy Family Handbook and Code of Conduct for attendance and acceptable course participation protocol.
• remotely attend adviser group, class meetings, club meetings, counseling sessions, open teacher office hours as requested, and any other required extracurricular student meetings/activities.
• meet as requested outside of regular scheduled hours with teachers, student project groups and counselors in order to keep learning on track.
• independently complete alternative assignments or assessments as needed to best demonstrate learning given the possibility of access limitations to classroom materials and resources.

Students participating in the GOAL program are eligible for athletic and extracurricular activities.

Any student who becomes ill throughout the school year, is asked to quarantine, or is unable to return to the classroom for other reasons will temporarily transition to the GOAL program until she is safely able to return to in-person hybrid instruction.

To start the second semester with the remote only learning option, families must request a spot by completing the Online Registration Form before January 4. Registrants will be notified of their acceptance into the GOAL program prior to the start of second semester classes on January 6.

Warm regards, 

Mercy Administrative Team