April 2, 2020

Dear Mercy Family,

As anticipated, today Governor Whitmer announced the physical closing of schools for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, and allowed for each district to remotely continue with distance learning as best fits their unique needs. This executive order has minimal impact on our Mercy E-LEARNING program that is already robustly in place. Our previous communications to families detailed that all of our digital learning hours to date count for instructional hours. These hours will continue to count as we diligently work to maintain our high academic standards of learning so students may fulfill their academic requirements. Please read the letter from the Archdiocese of Detroit Superintendent of Catholic Schools here.

Given these unique circumstances, we are evaluating and will make necessary adjustments to the academic program and school life calendar, including senior events, to best serve our students. These details will be communicated early next week.  

With our model in place to continue E-LEARNING through the remainder of the school year, a reminder of current dates is as follows:

• E-LEARNING continues through April 7
• Easter Break No School April 8 - 14
• E-LEARNING resumes April 15 

The experiences we have had these past weeks can be likened in some ways to "building a bridge while walking on it." In other ways, our prior experiences prepared all of us to work together as a community to accomplish so much. We are exceedingly proud of the adaptability and resilience shown by our students, parents, faculty and staff during these successful weeks of Mercy E-LEARNING. Be sure to watch for surveys in the next week and respond so we can garner valuable feedback from students, parents and faculty to help us make adjustments to our E-LEARNING model and supporting policies.

Thank you, Mercy Community, for your continued understanding and cooperation as we educate our young women digitally while maintaining important connections. Aside from meeting academic needs, students continue to be supported through AMES and Counseling virtual sessions. Our student leadership builds community through weekly videos, and today we hosted our first virtual prayer service in honor of Mercy family health care workers and first responders. We even continue to hold our online Talk with Tarps so students can share perspective with Mrs. Eleasha Tarplin, Dean of Student Affairs.

As always, yet especially during these challenging times, we hold our Mercy families close in prayer.  May you be blessed and remain healthy. We look forward to joining with you again at Mercy!

In Mercy,

The Mercy Administrative Team