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MERCY MEMO PARENT E-NEWSLETTER -
January 26, 2018
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Message from Mrs. Sattler
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Dear Mercy Families,
The New Year has begun, second semester is now in full swing, and we are once again in welcoming mode with six new students joining us! We are pleased these young ladies and their families have selected Mercy High School to support them as they continue their academic, spiritual and character development through these formative years. These students received a blessing at our Welcome Back Mass, and we ask you to keep them in your prayers as they transition to a new school.
Academic News
New Course Offerings
:
Is your daughter interested in STEM related fields? When our 2018-2019 course catalog is released in a few weeks, you will notice new semester offerings of Intro to Engineering, and Computer Science. These courses for upper classwomen are facilitated by Lawrence Tech University (LTU) faculty, and students will earn college credit for successful completion. We will need a minimum number of students in order to enter this partnership with LTU.
We are also exploring student interest in Honors World Language courses. We encourage you to review the course catalog with your daughter to help her best align personal interests and opportunities. All new course offerings will be outlined at the front of the catalog.
Years of Service
:
Mercy is well known throughout the Detroit metropolitan area for the strength of our academic curriculum. This is only realized through the hard work, talent, and dedication of our outstanding staff. All of our team members are committed to supporting the needs of each Mercy student. However, this year we recognize the following staff for their dedicated years of service to Mercy High School:
5 Years
Mrs. Rebekah Ferguson (Performing Arts)
Mrs. Lisa Wilson (Science)
Ms. Abbey Youngerman (English/Social Studies)
10 Years
Mrs. Trish Brown (Counseling)
Mrs Hallie Smith (English/Yearbook)
15 Years
Mrs. Julie Earle (Communications/Marketing)
20 Years
Mrs. Carol Baron (Math)
Mrs. Angela Hayes (Business Office)
Mrs. Arpna Hessler (Counseling)
40 Years
Mrs. Vicky Kowalski (Math)
We are blessed and grateful to have these team members as a part of the Mercy family in sharing their many talents with us!
Open House
:
Thursday, February 1 is Mercy Open House! Do you know a family that would benefit from all that Mercy has to offer? Help spread the word that a Mercy education is a faith based education exemplifying academic excellence with award winning programs in journalism, fine arts and performing arts, exemplary technology and student mentoring models, opportunities for extra-curricular faith formation, athletic championship titles, a sisterhood that supports social and character development, and so much more. Please share
information about our Open House!
Health and Safety
ALICE Training:
We are extremely grateful to the Farmington Hills Fire Department for their willingness to work in partnership with us to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Last week, all staff were provided response training should a violent school event occur. This workshop, in addition to the AED/CPR training previously received this year, help to strengthen our crisis management plan.
Vaping Awareness:
The latest report on teen smoking from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows 20 percent of high school students have used at least one tobacco product recently, mostly e-cigarettes. Teen vaping use is present in high schools across the country. At Mercy, all tobacco and electronic cigarette devices are prohibited. When we are made aware of individual use of e-cigarettes on school grounds, we work closely to share resources with both students and parents on the risks and potential consequences associated with vaping. We encourage you to proactively enter conversation with your daughter on vaping use. A parent resource for starting this conversation may be
found here.
Typical Teen's Bedroom?...Or is It?:
We are pleased to announce that through a partnership with St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, a customized program will be offered to students, parents and staff to learn about the signs, symptoms and current trends of teen drug use.
For parents, a highlight of this program is a mock teenager's bedroom set-up for adults to observe and attempt to identify the obvious, and not so obvious, drug related paraphernalia.
This program, "Drugs 101: What Parents Want to Know," will be offered to parents the evening of Wednesday, February 21 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM. Please hold the date for this informative free session. Registration can be done here.
Catholic Identity
Our New Mercy Cross:
Did you notice our new Mercy Cross located in the front lobby over the concession stand? This cross, made by Sister Marie Henderson '66 and former Mercy Art Faculty Member, was made using marble from our original Mercy High School building located at Southfield and Outer Drive. The school was relocated to our current site in 1965. The historical context of this cross is a beautiful way to represent all the many faith filled prayers that are said throughout the halls of Mercy education since 1945!
You may have noticed that the Mercy Cross does not have a crucified Jesus. This is because Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, believed that through prayerful reflection each Sister places herself on the Cross to be like Jesus. The theological meaning is likened to Saint Theresa's prayer, "Christ has no body now on earth but yours
."
Sisters of Mercy across the world wear this cross, and are thus recognizable.
March for Life Trip:
25 students traveled to Washington, DC with the Mercy Pro-Life Club for our annual participation in the March for Life gathering. We thank these students, and staff chaperones Mrs. Hallie Smith and Mrs. Lauren Marquard, as well as parent chaperone Mrs. Heather Krill for representing Mercy in this global concern for the sanctity of life.
Mercy Critical Concerns Awareness:
The Sisters of Mercy were founded out of deep concern for people who were poor. These "five concerns" continue to provide focus for the Sisters in their ministry work, and are woven throughout the experience of a Mercy education.
During our recent professional development day, our Mercy Mission Committee team members hosted an interactive activity for all staff to further promote awareness and discussion of these Mercy concerns. Team members rotated to various stations centered on the Earth, Immigration, Nonviolence, Racism and Women. The day's activity provided valuable opportunity for our team to share ideas and perspective on how these founding concerns are supported across our curriculum.
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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Catholic Schools Week 2018
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Mass
You are invited to Mercy High School for our
Catholic
Schools
Week
Mass and Heart of Mercy Kick-Off
Wednesday, January 31 at 9:30am in the Auditorium. Worship with us!
Catholic
Schools
Week 2018 observes the theme of "
Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed."
Daily Theme Activities
Our Mercy school community will be having some fun, daily surprise events to celebrate being a Catholic School. Themes for the day include: Monday - Community; Tuesday - Staff Appreciation; Wednesday - Nation; Thursday - Vocations; Friday - Student Appreciation. Prayer, trivia, Catholic school spirit attire, Valentines and treats for the Sisters of Mercy, student Lucky Lunches provided by staff, spirit assembly, and more. We are Mercy!
Honor an Educator
Help us recognize an outstanding educator during Catholic Schools Week! Express your appreciation for those at Mercy who have made a difference in your life! Visit
mhsmi.org/donate to make a gift and leave a message of gratitude to the teacher you wish to honor in the comment section. During Catholic Schools Week 2018, we will surprise them with your words of appreciation. Your Tribute Gift will help our Annual Fund which supports campus operating costs, tuition assistance, scholarships, specialized academic programs and highly trained faculty and teaching staff.
Senior Class Alumnae Luncheon
On January
31st, the Class of 2018 will gather with Mercy High School alumnae for a special sisterhood luncheon at Glen Oaks Country Club from 11:30am-2pm. This event promises to be a wonderful opportunity for seniors to meet alumnae from many walks of life and ask them questions about college, careers, and more. Bus transportation will be provided. Professional dress is required (e.g., dress, suit, skirt, or dress pants). All seniors must submit signed permission slip found on our web site
here. Mercy High School Alumna is a title you get to carry with you for life!
More info here.
Legacy moms! If you are a Mercy alumna mom, please consider attending this special sisterhood luncheon to welcome the senior class into the ranks of the Alumnae Association!
Register online here.
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Mercy Mothers Club thanks everyone who participated in the Blanket Service Project!
Please join us for our next General Meeting on
Monday, February 5th at 6:30pm.
There will be the presentation of nominees to the Executive Board for next year, with voting commencing immediately after.
MMC NEWSLETTER
REFLECTION DINNER
Save the date for the Mother Daughter Reflection Evening on Sunday, April 15th with Mass at 5:00pm and dinner immediately following. More information coming soon.
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MERCY DADS CLUB MONTHLY EVENT
Join other Mercy Dads at our next monthly event
Tuesday, February 6th at 6:30pm in the Cafeteria. We will focus on
Dads Expo: Guys' Stuff. Hope to see you there!
FAMILY LITURGY & BREAKFAST
You are cordially invited to join the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy moms, dads, students and alumnae at
10am Sunday, February 11, 2018 for Mass at the Mercy Center's Main Chapel. Celebrant will be school Chaplain Father Jerry Brzezinski. A light breakfast and refreshments will be served afterwards.
The Mercy Center is next door to the school and located at 28650 W 11 Mile Road. Enter at the Costick Drive and follow the signs to Building D. The entrance has a blue "Mercy Center" awning.
This event is open to the entire Mercy community, so please join us with your family and show your love to the Sisters of Mercy and their commitment to God.
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Regional Scholastic Art Awards
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Congratulations to the 14 students from Mercy's Art Department who won 34 awards in this year's Regional Scholastic Art Awards competition.
Special congratulations to seniors
Mayssa Fakih and Olivia Gibaratz. Their portfolios made finalist status and will compete in New York City for talent scholarships. Several Mercy students also won gold keys (first place) and their pieces will compete in New York for national awards in March. These students are: Olivia Gibaratz (one gold key in painting), Seung Yeon Lee (one gold key in drawing), Madeline Patterson (one gold key in photography), Sojourner Posch (two gold keys in photography), Angela Rea (one gold key in drawing), and Clarisa Russenberger (four gold keys in photography).
The College for Creative Studies sponsors the Southeastern Michigan Art Region, which, this year, received more than 6,400 individual entries and 263 senior portfolios from students in Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne Counties. Jurors selected 1103 individual category works to receive gold key, silver key, and honorable mention awards. 101 gold key portfolios were selected from 263 submitted.
Regional winning entries will be on display in the exhibit at the College for Creative Studies, Walter B. Ford II Building from Monday, February 5th - Friday, March 2nd. Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday, noon - 5:00 pm Saturday and Sunday. The regional ceremony for Oakland County Private schools will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. in the Detroit Film Theater of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Photo gallery of Mercy student award-winning pieces are posted
here.
Sophia Agrusa '20 Drawing - Honorable Mention
Lauren Chalker '19 Drawing - Honorable Mention
Mayssa Fakih '18 Art Portfolio - Gold Key; Painting - Silver Key; Painting - Silver Key
Olivia Gibaratz '18 Art Portfolio - Gold Key; Painting - Gold Key; Painting - Silver Key; Painting - Honorable Mention
Sarah Gormley '19 Photography - Honorable Mention
Abbey Hembree '18 Photography - Silver Key; Photography - Silver Key; Photography - Silver Key; Photography - Honorable Mention; Photography - Honorable Mention; Photography - Honorable Mention
Jennifer Jaramillo '20 Drawing - Honorable Mention
Seung Yeon Lee '19 Drawing - Gold Key; Drawing - Honorable Mention
Madeline Patterson '20 Photography - Gold Key; Photography - Honorable Mention
Sojourner Posch '19 Photography - Gold Key; Photography - Gold Key; Photography - Silver Key
Angela Rea '20 Drawing - Gold Key; Drawing - Silver Key
Karina Roberts '21 Photography - Silver Key
Clarisa Russenberger '18 Photography - Gold Key; Photography - Gold Key; Photography - Gold Key; Photography - Gold Key; Photography - Silver Key; Photography - Silver Key
Jordan Tomei '18 Drawing - Silver Key
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| Mercy students and staff members joined with hundreds of thousands of others in Washington, D.C. January 19, 2018, for the 45th Annual March of Life. Marchers walked from the National Mall to the Supreme Court to peacefully protest the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in all 50 states, for any reason. Prior to the March, students attended the Youth Rally and Mass at the Verizon Center and the rally at the National Mall, which featured a number of speakers including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. President Donald Trump also spoke to the crowd, becoming the first sitting president to directly address the marchers, speaking via satellite from the Rose Garden. Mercy students and staff joined hundreds of other from the Archdiocese of Detroit, proudly carrying the banner with Fr. Stephen Pullis.
While plans to tour the Capitol were halted because of the government shutdown, the group was able to visit a number of Smithsonian museums
before concluding the trip with Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Joining chaperones Mrs. Lauren Marquard, Mrs. Hallie Smith, and Mrs. Heather Krill were Taylor Bahoora, Caroline Carlson, Libby Chevalier, Emma Dompierre, Maggie Dwyer, Deirdre Eusebi, Mallory Evatz, Grace Fadool, Erin Haapala, Lourdes Haddad, Kaity Hamzey, Lily Hargrove-Thomas, Jenny Jaramillo, Chloe Kilano, Lauren Krill, Jaclyn Lewandowski, Magdalen Meconi, Sarah Pegler, Mary Powers, Alexa Rybicki, Alison Rybicki, Grace Shallal, Carolina Suero and Kristin Suero. Thank you for being women who make a difference, advocating for the Mercy values of Human Dignity and Justice!
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Student & School Successes
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Instrumental Solo & Ensemble - The following students participated in the District 4 Instrumental Solo and Ensemble on January 19th: Sophie Vanderweele, Emily Susitko Hana Tourner, Lili Omilian, Kamerin Williams, Isabelle Fanning, Candice Threat, Hannah Blakey, Peyton Babb, Cinya Hou, Aisling Heaphy, Kathryn Wolf, Lily Beasley, Sophia Tesic, Marissa Ernat, and Mackenzie Farrow. Going on to the State Festival on
March 17th and having received a Division I rating, will be Kathryn Wolf, Lily Beasley, Cinya Hou, Sophia Tesic, Sophie Vanderweele, Aisling Heaphy and Mackenzie Farrow.
Forensics - The
Mercy Forensics team competed on Saturday, January 20th in their first tournament of the season. The team performed exceptionally well and was awarded the following ribbons:
Oral Interpretation:
1st. Avalon Barr
2nd. Katie Mueller
4th Ryann Rapson
5th Olivia Fras
6th Zhane Coleman
Dramatic Performance:
1st. Cara Forfinski
2nd Caitlin Griffin
3rd Maggie Ewald
4th Elly Bryant
5th Lauren Piziali
6th Genesis Gonzales
Declamation:
1st. Angela Rea
3rd. Rachel Glowzinski
4th: Cayla Stus
5th: Maddie Keuten
Original Oratory:
1st: Abbey Hembree
Extemporaneous Speaking:
1st: Suha Qashou
2nd: Dani McClain
MSVMA District Solo & Ensemble - The Mercyaires performed along with the following students who worked hard to prepare solos for the MSVMA District Solo & Ensemble held the weekend of January 19th. Those who earned a *Division 1 rating advanced to State: *Yana Ebbing '21; *Cara Forfinski '18; *Nathalie Gijsbers '19; Bridget Hardigan '18; *Kylie Kreucher '19; *Alana O'Donnell '18; *Anna Sauer '20; Raquel Segars '21; *Cayla Stus '20; *Madeleine Surowiec '21. Bravo!
State Honors Choir and Solo & Ensemble - Congrats to the following students were also selected by audition to represent the Mercy vocal music department at the MSVMA State Honors Choir: Kylie Kreucher '19; *Alana O'Donnell '18; Cayla Stus '20.
Business Professionals of America - Mercy students were among the more than 750 students who competed at the Business Professionals of America Region 6 Leadership Conference on January 6, 2018 at Henry Ford College. Students who placed in the top 10 at the conference include: 2nd Place Broadcast News Production Team - Supreet Nirman, Bri Buchanan and Sarah Pegler; 9th Place Entrepreneurship - Sarah Pegler; 7th Place Medical Office Procedures - Kate Zablock. Nirman, Buchanan and Pegler will compete in Broadcast News Production Team at the State Leadership Conference which will be held
March 15-18, 2018, at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids. In addition, Buchanan and Pegler both received their Diplomat Torch Awards which recognizes
their involvement in activities that promote leadership, service, patriotism, friendship and knowledge.
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 Miss Malta 2018 Senior Annie Acho Tartoni
Special Recognition - Congratulations to Annie who was recognized on the Capital House Floor by Rep. Klint Kesto in Lansing as Miss Malta 2018. Rep. Kesto, along with Rep. Darrin Quiroz Camilleri and Rep. Christine Greig, presented her with a lovely certificate. Annie
had the opportunity and pleasure of spending the day with Rep. Kesto and was introduced to a number of Representatives for the State of Michigan. Annie's
platform as Miss Malta is Safe Driving by Avoiding Texting, which has gained recognition from Ford Motor Company. She will be working with "Ford's Driving Skills for Life" program and speak to teens on the importance of safe driving.
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Mercy Quiz Bowl Team - Sophia Tesic '21, Ever Robak '21, Lili Omilian '20, Grace Kruse '20, and Rachel Vinarcik '20 competed at the Catholic League Kick-off tournament at Divine Child
last month. The girls competed against a field of very strong teams in 10 action packed games, with a 5-5 record overall and a placing of 7 out of 14 overall. They all competed incredibly well, and a special shout out to sophomore captain Rachel Vinarcik who individually placed 3rd overall out of over 50 people. Congratulations, girls!
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Marlin Madness Live Rock Show TONIGHT!!
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Mercy High School presents Marlin Madness, a Live Rock Show for high school students featuring: Brother Son and Opening Act Virginia Violet & Joe Myers.
TONIGHT, Friday, January 26, 2018
Doors Open at 7:30pm
8pm-10pm
High School ID required
Wristband admittance is $10 per student and are available for
purchase online here, at the Mercy Reception Area and at the door.
Concert proceeds benefit the renovation of the Marlin Shop.
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Mercy students, parents, staff and alumnae: your word of mouth is Mercy's best advertising! Help us spread the word about the benefit of a Mercy education by simply referring a prospective 7th or 8th grader to our upcoming Winter OPEN HOUSE on Thursday, February 1, 2018.
Mercy Alumnae and their families are invited to an early open house legacy tour from 6:00pm - 6:30pm. Arrive at the Chapel entrance. General Open House is from 6:30pm - 8:00pm beginning at the Lobby entrance.
Open House is a great opportunity for prospective families to learn more about Mercy. Families will receive a student-guided tour and meet administrators, teachers, parents and alumnae. More information about the admissions process can be found on our website at mhsmi.org/admissions.
If you know of a future Mercy girl in your parish or neighborhood, please encourage her to contact the Admissions Office at [email protected] and arrange a day to shadow a student.
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Join us for one more Gift Gathering Party! Generous and gracious hosts are opening their homes to provide a warm and welcoming opportunity for you to become acquainted with other Marlin parents while collecting donated items for the Auction.
Click here for date and RSVP info.
Donate & Advertise! Successful auctions always depend on fabulous gifts. Check out the
auction wish list of suggested donation ideas. If every family obtained one gift for the auction, we would have more items than ever before!
Acquisition contracts available online
here. Please bring donations to the school by
January 31st. Do you have a product or service not conducive for bidding?
Advertise! From business card to full page color sizes we have a spot for all. Advertising contracts are available online
here.
Attend! Invites have been mailed and we hope you will join us on
Saturday, February 24, 2018 for a night of fun, food and friends at St. Mary Cultural Center in Livonia.
Register online here.
Please contact Olivia Hanna in the Special Events Office at 248-893-3535 or
[email protected] with any questions. Thank you for supporting the Mercy High School 39th Annual
Auction!
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Winter sports are underway and spring registration is February 12 - 26, so please submit your athletic forms and physicals digitally. This will allow you to update from year-to-year with a few clicks.
If you completed your Privit Profile already, you are set until the 2018-19 school year! If you already turned in a paper physical, it will be uploaded to your account. If you have any questions, please
[email protected].
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Registration going on now for Archery!
 Want to try archery? Last year, 43 students participated on Mercy's archery team. There are no cuts and beginners are welcome! This is run through the city of Farmington Hills, so please note that you should mail, fax, or walk-in your registration to the Costick Center located next door to the Mercy High School campus. All archery activity is conducted at Heritage Park in Farmington Hills. Click here for all the registration information.
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Pizza with a purpose!
The senior class is holding a FUNdraiser at California Pizza Kitchen the same day as Parent Teacher Conferences
Thursday, March 1st. Simply
bring in this flyer, (hard copy or on your phone), present it to your server, and CPK will donate 20% of your check to Mercy High School Class of 2018.
Includes dine in, take out, catering and beverages. Valid at Twelve Oaks Mall, Laurel Park Mall and Farmington Hills Hunters Square.
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2018-19 Financial Aid Program
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The Mercy High School Financial Aid program for the 2018-2019 school year is now in progress. Please visit Mercy's website
mhsmi.org/admissions/financial-aid for further information. The deadline for submitting applications is April 30, 2018.
The Mercy High School Financial Aid program consists of tuition assistance and named scholarships. Financial aid is awarded annually by the Mercy High School Financial Aid Committee on the basis of financial need as determined by FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment (FACTS). Families must apply for Financial Aid each new school year.
Mercy High School is grateful for the donors who have generously created a legacy that will enable us to continue to offer learning opportunities to students who are in need of financial help through the Circle of Mercy Named Scholarship and Tuition Assistance programs.
The Archdiocese of Detroit, as a result of the Stewards for Tomorrow Fund, will award tuition assistance grants again this year to Catholic families who qualify. Visit links below for more details:
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MNotes...Miscellaneous Info you Need to Know
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CAFE INCENTIVE TIME - Only one more day to take advantage of the cafe incentive! Load $200 or more onto your student ID card and receive an extra 10% now through Friday, January 26, 2018. Read more about the incentive here.
Yearbook - If you haven't yet reserved what is sure to be another prize-winning yearbook, do it today. We have reserved a few extra copies so make sure your daughter is guaranteed one. Not sure you've purchased a copy?
Check this list. Yearbooks are $70 and available online at
yearbookordercenter.com
. Type in code 13826 to be directed to Mercy's page. Yearbooks can also be purchased through
Mrs. Hallie Smith.
Senior Parents - The Class of 2018 receives a lot of information in regards to upcoming activities, events, and deadlines. Stay connected to the Class of 2018 web page for all the info: mhsmi.org/mercy-life/student-activities/class-2018.
Daddy / Daughter DANCE - Dads and daughters be sure to mark your calendars for the annual Daddy & Daughter Dance on
Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 8pm at Mercy hosted by the junior class. New this year...it will be open to alumnae and their dads as well! Tickets are
available for purchase online as well as at school. Contact Mrs. Perry,
[email protected], or Mrs. Shea,
[email protected], with questions.
AmazonSmile Program - You can contribute to Mercy every time you shop at Amazon. Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to
Mercy High School whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.
Click here to get started.
Student Directory - Please note that the student directory of Mercy families is available for parents in
PowerSchool. After login, please see the line link at top which reads, "
Click here to access the student directory."
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The Gritty Games Club took on the challenge of building a tower using only clothespins, binder clips and craft sticks. Awesome job of working together and showing such ingenuity!
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Download Mercy Mobile App!
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Stay up to date this school year with Mercy on the go! The all-new
Mercy High School MI App allows students, staff, parents, alumnae and supporters quick access to the latest Mercy news, events, activities and announcements. Receive notifications, sign-up for e-newsletters, upload a photo, submit a prayer request, view calendars and connect to Mercy social media.
Please note the older App version is no longer compatible and should be deleted from your device. Be sure to download this version of the Mercy App today! You can also search Mercy High School MI in the App store.
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