Sections
- Head of School Message
- Academics
- Student Life
- Advancement
- Mercy Parent Association
- Important Dates
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NOTE: THIS EMAIL MAY BE CLIPPED. TO VIEW THE ENTIRE EMAIL, CLICK ON "VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE" AT THE BOTTOM
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Dear Mercy Families,
What a Mercy Week we had! Centered around Mercy Day, the feast of Our Lady of Mercy, on Tuesday, we saw faculty and staff dressed in Mercy plaid, surprised students with donuts as they arrived on campus, passed out Mercy decals for your car windows, provided another surprise with karaoke at lunch on Thursday, and ended the week with our Mercy Play Day, enjoyed by all. The high point was our Eucharistic liturgy on Tuesday: we began by re-introducing the tradition of singing “The Circle of Mercy,” a wonderful song sung in all 53 of our Mercy schools, and we ended with two rousing versions of our alma mater, the first rather serious, the second spontaneously begun as the students really got into it! The students participated so enthusiastically in the liturgy and seemed to take to heart the message that we were celebrating how we carry out in our world what was begun by Catherine McAuley.
Natalia Girlich and Ashley Travis have begun the process of inviting eighth-graders to consider becoming “Mercy girls” by visiting elementary schools, fairs and hosting our popular Skipper Day shadow visits. We are experiencing a surge of enthusiasm for Mercy—at this early stage we’ve already more than 200 inquiries! We’ve also initiated a referral form on our website.
You are Mercy’s best ambassador—if you know girls that you think would benefit from the Mercy experience, please refer them by
completing this simple form.
Finally, I want to gently challenge you to participate in our Parent Pledge Program (thank you to everyone who has already done so!). Any amount is fine; the important thing is that we are able to share with others the high level of support by Mercy families and this is a concrete way of showing that. The faculty and staff are almost at 100% participation in the Employee Giving Campaign; we need the same enthusiasm from you!
As always, may the God of Mercy continue to bless each of you, your families, and the entire Mercy High community with an experience of unlimited love!
In Mercy,
Sister Carolyn
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Late Start Day - Oct. 7
Classes start at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, October 7 (Red Faculty Day).
The campus is open to students one hour before classes start so the campus will open at 8:30 a.m.
Note: WISH Students will be on a hospital visit on Oct. 7.
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Reminder: No School - Oct. 14
There is no school on Monday, October 14 in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day.
Classes Resume Tuesday, October 15.
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Pre-ACT & PSAT - Oct. 16
This Tuesday, our sophomores and juniors completed the pre-administrative portion of the Pre-ACT (Sophomores) and PSAT-NMSQT (Juniors) tests. Please make sure to review the materials your daughters received to help them prepare for the exam.
- Tests will be taken on Wednesday, October 16
- All students must be on campus by 7:45 a.m.
- Sophomores and juniors will report to their homeroom for testing. Be sure that they have number two pencils and a calculator—they may not bring anything else into the room with them
- Seniors will be doing college prep work at this time
- Frosh will be working with our wellness director
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Progress Reports - Oct. 18
Progress Reports will be released on Friday, October 18. Progress Reports are a snapshot of your daughter’s progress in each course thus far. Please review grades and have discussions with your daughter(s) about achievements, struggles, study habits, and best strategy for finishing the term with desired results/grades. This is also a good time to start dialogue with counselors or myself about how the school can support your daughter(s) in a course they might be struggling with.
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Mercy's Library Catalog
Want to check out a book or DVD from Mercy's library, but don't know if we have it? Follow the guidelines below to search Mercy's library catalog!
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Counseling Updates
Attention all parents!
The first quarter grading period is only two weeks away. Please make sure you have your parent Canvas accounts all set up, so you can view your student's daily progress and help them stay on track with their work.
College Visits
More than 50 colleges are signed up to visit Mercy this semester! College representatives will be on campus during lunch or after school. Log into the
Parent Portal to see the college visit calendar. Encourage your daughters to welcome our guests to Mercy as they learn about their colleges.
Upcoming Visits:
- Wednesday, Oct. 2 - University of the Pacific
- Thursday, Oct. 3 - University of Redlands, Beloit College
- Friday, Oct. 4 - Johns Hopkins University, Oregon State University, Chapman University
- Monday, Oct. 7 - Centre College
- Tuesday, Oct. 8 - Xavier University of Louisiana, Saint Mary’s College of California, St. Olaf College
- Wednesday, Oct. 10 -Seattle University, Dominican University, NYU
- Friday, Oct. 11 - UC Berkeley
- Tuesday, Oct. 15 - Lawrence University, Santa Clara University
- Wednesday, Oct. 16 (Senior College Day) - Notre Dame De Namur University, Pace University, The College of Wooster, Grand Canyon University, Dominican University, and more TBD.
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News from Admissions
Refer a Prospective Student!
Mercy parents, grandparents and alumnae are our school’s greatest resource. Please use
this form to help us tell prospective families and their daughters about our Mercy community and share our
calendar of events.
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Mercy’s Dress Code - Formal, Casual Fridays, and Free Dress
Last week we had an excessive amount of dress code infractions for students not following our formal and free dress guidelines. In fact, last Friday the entire student body received a dress code quiz with a short essay response to why following dress code guidelines at a closed campus school are important.
Our uniform guidelines are in the student handbook (linked below and in the
Portal), the planner, and have been reiterated in orientations, homeroom slides, and homeroom PA Messages. For the most part, adherence to Mercy's uniform policy has improved this year, but we are still seeing several infractions. It is imperative that our students follow our dress code guidelines for various reasons, campus safety being the most important among them.
Common dress code violations include but are not limited to:
- Crocs, slides/flip flops
- Crop tops, tank tops, spaghetti strap tops
- Ripped jeans
- Leggings (when worn without the Mercy skirt), yoga pants
- Hats, head wraps
- Nose piercings
Reminder: Free dress (Monthly Birthday Free Dress and select Rallies) and casual dress days (non-liturgy/non-assembly Fridays) are privileges that can be revoked if students do not adhere to our guidelines.
When a student receives an infraction for dress code, they do not receive detention, instead they lose a casual day or free dress privilege.
Parents, please review Mercy’s dress code guidelines with your students. Your partnership with ensuring our students are in dress code is greatly appreciated!
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Past Due Action Item: Read and Sign Student and Parent Handbook Acknowledgement Form
Thank you to all families who completed this task. If you have not read and electronically signed off on the 2019-20 Student and Parent Handbook, it is in the
Portal and was due last Friday.
Please complete this ASAP.
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Earthquake Preparedness Assembly & Earthquake Drill - Oct. 9 & 17
In September, the SFFD came to campus to conduct a surprise fire drill.
Every October, Mercy High School participates in the Great ShakeOut. At 10:17 a.m. on October 17, millions of people will “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” in the Great ShakeOut, the world's largest earthquake drill ever!
In preparation for our earthquake drill, October 9 will be a Red Long Assembly Day. Instead of hosting an all school assembly to review our emergency evacuation areas, our Homeroom Reps and HR teachers will lead two classroom activities to help increase student knowledge about earthquake science and preparedness.
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Learn the Dangers and Risks of Vaping for Teens
Are you concerned about teen vaping? If you'd like to learn more about the dangers and risks, register for this presentation by Dr. Ramo. Danielle Ramo, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist, Research Director at Hopelab and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at UCSF with expertise in adolescent and young adult substance abuse.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 10
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: The Jewish Community High School of the Bay
1835 Ellis St. (between Pierce and Scott)
Parking is available in a secure lot (enter on Pierce between Ellis & Eddy).
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Class of 2020 Senior SoCal Grad Trip!
Students interested in attending the Class of 2020 Senior SoCal Grad Trip attended an info session with the trip moderators. The trip is a 4-day/3-night trip that includes flight, shuttle transportation to and from airports and theme parks, a park hopper ticket to Disneyland and CA Adventures, as well as a ticket to Disneyland’s Grad Nite and a ticket to Universal Studios and Universal Studios Grad Bash!
Below is the link to the presentation they received. Our estimated cost per student for the trip is $900-980 (budget breakdown is on slide 5).
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Intersession 2020 - Payment Due Oct. 22
All payments
MUST
be up to date by the second payment on October 22 to avoid any late fees. Any accounts not up to date will incur a late fee of $25 for every week that it is not current.
Payments should be made to Mercy High School with your daughter's name and intersession course written on it and turned in to Mrs. Tong in the Main Office during normal school hours.
Payment methods accepted: Cash or Check only
Upcoming Intersession Important Dates
- Oct. 22 - 2nd payment due
- Nov. 14 - Parent Night for all overnight trips (6 - 8 p.m.)
- Nov. 22 - 3rd payment due
- Jan. 24 - 4th/final payment due
- Mar. 2 - 6 Intersession Week
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Athletics Updates
Mercy Volleyball:
Pack the Pavilion Pink
Date: October 3, 8, and 24
Time: Frosh 4 p.m. | JV 5 p.m. | Varsity 6:30 p.m.
Location: McAuley Pavilion, Mercy SF
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Wellness at Mercy
Wellness Programming
- Hope and Help: Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (September)
- Frosh Workshop: Anti-bullying and Kindness (October)
- Senior Workshop: Mental Health 101 (October)
- Mercy Parent Association: Mental Health 101 (October)
- One Love: Healthy Relationships (February/March)
- Mental Health Awareness (May)
- Monthly Workshops: relaxation techniques, managing stress, knowing the signs of anxiety, depression, etc.
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Chamber Performance Choir & Liturgy Band
Is your daughter interested in being a part of Mercy‘s new chamber performance choir and liturgy band? Check out
the HR slides to learn more about it! The chamber choir practices include vocal training and instruction and they will be planning to go on a choir trip to Disneyland in June.
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Special Discount Pricing for Senior Yearbook Ads through Oct. 31
Do you want to celebrate your daughter's accomplishments with a page you design in Mercy's 2020 yearbook? From now until October 31, you can purchase an ad at reduced prices.
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Parent Pledge - Make Your Gift Today
Please make your gift today so we can reach our goal of 100% parent participation.
The Parent Pledge is a multi-year gift that gives our parents the opportunity to help offset the financial gap between tuition and the actual cost of educating your daughter. Rather than raising tuition, we rely on our parents to support Mercy by making a tax-deductible gift that is both generous and reasonable for each family.
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Holiday Boutique Vendors Wanted!
Date: Saturday, December 7
Time: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: McAuley Pavilion
Are you an artist, designer, or crafts(wo)man? Do you own a small business? Come be part of the holiday season at Mercy by joining us as a vendor at our annual Holiday Boutique!
Friends, parents, and community members will gather at this festive event, raising essential funds that directly support our school and our students.
If crafting isn’t your thing, you or your employer can become a Holiday Boutique sponsor! Sponsors are valuable event partners who will be featured on event signage and will receive name or logo recognition on our website and e-newsletter.
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Mercy Parent Association Meeting - TONIGHT
Our first of four Mercy Parent Association (MPA) meetings will be held on tonight, October 2. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. and the meeting agenda will begin at 6:45 p.m. Please be sure to attend.
The following are MPA Meeting dates for the 2019-20 school year:
- October 2
- December 4
- February 5
- May 6
Every parent is a part of the MPA and are strongly encouraged to attend these meetings. This is your opportunity to receive important information, meet other parents, and stay involved in the Mercy community.
Email reminders will be sent before each meeting and are also included in Parent Connect. We hope you will join us for all meetings.
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Parent Volunteer Opportunities: 2019-20 School Year
Parents are asked to complete 15 volunteer hours each school year. Parent volunteer signups for the 2019-20 school year are available on our website year round. Be sure to check
mercyhs.org/volunteer to sign up! Don't forget to check back throughout the school year as new opportunities may be added.
Your participation is crucial to the success of our school community and we are so grateful for all you do to support your daughter's school.
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Wednesday, Oct. 2
- MPA Meeting
- 6 p.m. Dinner
- 6:45 p.m. Agenda
- Rist Hall
- PAPA Meeting
- 6 p.m.
- Patrick's Place
Thursday, Oct. 3
- Pack the Pavilion Pink
- 4 p.m. Frosh, 5 p.m. JV, 6:30 p.m. Varsity
- McAuley Pavilion
Tuesday, Oct. 8
- Pack the Pavilion Pink
- 4 p.m. Frosh, 5 p.m. JV, 6:30 p.m. Varsity
- McAuley Pavilion
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Wednesday, Oct. 9
Monday, Oct. 14
Wednesday, Oct. 16
Thursday, Oct. 17
Tuesday, Oct. 22
- 2nd Intersession Payment Due
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Giving is a True Act of Mercy
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Our Mission
Mercy High School, San Francisco, educates women to pursue lives of spiritual and intellectual depth, determination and daring action to improve our world as an inclusive, Catholic, college preparatory community enlivened by the Gospel of Jesus and the charism of the Sisters of Mercy.
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