Parents eNewsletter: March 2011

Wit's End . . . Notes from the Principal

Fragile. This very small, very common word can describe a piece of porcelain, the wing of a hummingbird, the eco system of a planet, and the tentative bands of a friendship. Above all, it connotes the delicacy of human life, all human life.

In recent days, I have been reminded of this with all too much force and clarity. The earthquake and resulting tsunami in Japan has devastated a part of the globe, a devastation that cannot yet be quantified. Fragile. Thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of lives have been affected. Many lives have ended. Others will know permanent, irrevocable damage. For still others, the mourning of loved ones has begun. The world watches and suffers.

In my tenure as principal over the past 10 years, there have been many reminders for me of the fleeting existence we have on planet Earth. My opening year began with the terrorist attacks on September 11th. It is somewhat startling to recount just a tiny portion of the world events that have followed:

These events do not begin to summarize even a fraction of the loss that we somehow get used to witnessing. In addition, we continue to suffer a financial crisis and the results of an economic meltdown that began in 2007. What deserves note here is that throughout the past decade, we have also marked moments of great human triumph. Two immediately come to mind, the first being the Miracle on the Hudson as it was termed on January 15, 2009. And who can forget the successful rescue of all 33 Chilean miners on October 13, 2010, men who had formed an underground community for 69 harrowing days and nights?

Yes, definitively, life is fragile, and no group of people more fragile than those you place in our charge each day, your daughters. Their needs, their fears, their desires, their doubts, . . . their talents, their shortcomings, their successes, their failures . . . all of these march into the building right alongside them. Each and every day, a singular group of adults meets them and tries, yet again, to engage them in learning. No simple task. The teachers at Mercy High School accomplish what truly can be termed as astonishing. They focus on the education of these teen girls, hoping to convey a passion for their chosen subject area, hoping to connect on a deeper rather than superficial level with each of your daughters. This doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design and by choice. And it does NOT happen at every high school. Our teachers are present, and I mean present in the moment. They set high standards and they expect your daughters to attain greatness. They coach and coax and challenge and defend. They extract more from students than the students know they can give. They tolerate and celebrate and give countless opportunities for growth and change. Certainly at times the results do not come without a fair amount of pain. And yet . . .

Yet, they do all of this in choreographed movement, needing to shift directions completely, and at times instantly, when the focus must turn to a local, national, or international tragedy. Our teachers embrace the larger life view and by doing so, model for the students how one must pursue personal goals and yet always exist and respond to a larger world. This modeling cannot be more important than in the culture of today. Teens, and possibly the rest of us as well, are bombarded by the messages of self-involvement and entitlement. At the core of what we teach at Mercy, in every classroom and in every subject, is the counter cultural. We want each student to position herself in a larger context, responsible to and considerate of others. That includes her classmates, her teachers and staff, the student body, her parents and siblings and relatives, and even further, her neighborhood, her community, and her brothers and sisters across the country and around the world.

The bonds that we work to secure, connecting your daughter to all others, are indeed sacred. This is the work of Mercy. It is what we hold most dear, and like all of human life, it too is fragile.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Witte, Principal

Spring Musical ~ "HELLO, DOLLY!"

“Hello, Dolly! Well, Hello, Dolly! It’s so nice to have you back where you belong.” The show is set for Friday and Saturday, March 18 and 19 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 20 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets, which are $12.00 for adults and $10.00 for students and children, are on sale now at school or may be purchased at the Box Office the evening of the performance. The Box Office and doors will open 45 minutes before curtain and seating is by general admission. We will have both the east and west doors open for easier seating this year.

What’s new and different about the show this year is that 10 Mercy male staff members will portray the “Men of Yonkers” on the musical number “It Takes a Woman.” The men include Mr. Larry Baker (English and Social Studies), Mr. Gary Bank (Technology), Mr. Joe Gerardi (Religious Studies), Mr. Mike Gruber (English), Mr. Steve Morgan (English),Mr. Gary Morris (Social Studies), Mr. Isy Rodriguez (Business Manager), Mr. Tony Scalzi (Math and Science), Mr. Jim Skellett (Religious Studies), and Mr. Tom Sklut (Advancement). These song and dance men will delight everyone. Hope to see you this weekend for this wonderful production!

Mothers Club

Mother Daughter Banquet - All Mercy moms and daughters are invited to spend a memorable evening together at the Mother Daughter Banquet Wednesday, March 30 at the Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel. Doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets are $28 and will be on sale at the Reception Area March 14 - March 22. Special thanks to a very nice Mercy mom who created a fun event poster. PLEASE CLICK HERE to view it for all the details.

ALL MERCY MOMS are invited to join us for our next meeting Monday, April 4 at 6:30pmin the Media Center.

DadsClub

Let's Bowl! Whether it's a strike, spare, or gutter ball, it's sure to be a rolling good time with your Mercy girl on Sunday, March 27th at 1pm for the Dads Club annual bowling at Drakeshire Lanes in Farmington Hills. Cost is $11 per bowler and includes two games, shoes, pizza, and soft drinks, and group photo. Space is limited to 80 bowlers, so sign up today. CLICK HERE for more details and registration form. Call David Mahaz at 248.944.5289 or mazlgina@comcast.net with any questions.

FORE! The Dads and Daughters Golf Outing will be held the afternoon of Wednesday, May 18 at Bay Pointe Country Club. More event details coming soon.

Congrats to the Dads Club raffle winners: Mark Hellwig; Trish Beyreis; and Ed Arlin.

Calling ALL MERCY DADS! Join us at our next meeting Wednesday, April 5 at7:00pm in the Cafeteria. And be sure to follow us on Twitter: MercyDads and become a fan on Facebook: Mercy Dads Club!

Thank You from the AUCTION OFFICE!

The 32^nd Annual Mercy Auction has come to a close and we are excited to report the results of this year’s wonderful event. But first, many thank you’s and congratulations are in order. Congratulations to the big winners of the Mercy Tuition Raffle: 3^rd Place: Kathy and Don Noble (Tori Noble ’13); 2^nd Place: Thereas and Richard Donovan; (Maria ’14); and 1^st Place prize of one year tuition: Heather and Eric Gold (Haley Gold ’14).

Thank you to all the families who hosted a gift gathering party! Nancy & Jack Auffenberg (Dearborn Party), Susan & Frank Sovis and Lisa & Gene Capatina (Novi/Northville Party), Patti Little & Mark Lezotte, Anita Sevier & Terry Berg, Charlene Snow & Tom Carey (Detroit U District), Tom & Mary Hamway (Wild West) and Mariann & Bill Bolton (East Side Gathering). The parties are a great asset to our Auction and each evening was so much fun. Your help was invaluable!

Thank you, Committee Chairs! These women all took on a specific aspect of the auction and worked to make everything beautiful and run effortlessly. Ann Gee (Acquisitions), Sandy Johnson (Advertising), Michelle Carroll (Baskets), Andrea Torres (Bid Monitors), Patti Little, Anita Sevier, Lynn Fanelli (Catalog), Nancy Auffenberg (Display), Jackie Dixon (Mailings), Ann Benson (RSVP), Carolyn Donley (Student Production), Lidia Baylis (Student Volunteers, Item Transport).

More thank you's to Erin Pienta '11 for allowing us to show her Pink Glove Video and Kristin LeMarbe for her expertise and time in creating two powerpoint presentations that played during the Auction.

Last, but most certainly not least, the 2010-2011 Auction Team. The five families who supported the Mercy Auction with their time, ideas, talents and enthusiasm are wonderful. Please be sure to thank these dedicated Auction Chairs when you see them: Nancy & Jack Auffenberg; Patti Little & Mark Lezotte; Anita Sevier & Terry Berg; Helen & Brian Stoick; Mary Ann and Dan Verderbar.

Now, the results!!! The key to a successful auction is family participation. This year we had 380 guests and raised almost $10,000 in ads and over $20,000 in raffles. Our silent auction had an remarkable response and the new Experience Parties were well received. The net profit from the auction was….drum roll…$120,000. This is up about 10% from last year. Thanks Mercy Community for your hard work and generosity. We hope to build on this for next year and one tool we are going to use is an on-line survey. You should receive an email soon asking you to take part in a short survey. Please take the time to answer even if you did not attend the Auction.

Student Successes . . . APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!

Emily Shimskey ’11 is one of only six women admitted to the prestigious University of Michigan School of Music, Theater, and Dance. Look for a special spotlight on Emily in the spring MOSAIC magazine!

Vocalists Jaclyn Godwin '13 received a Superior Rating and Maggie Malaney, '13 Veronica Battersby, '12 and Lana Grasser, '14 received an Excellent Rating at the MSVMA District Solo and Ensemble Event. All 4 girls will advance to MSVMA State Solo and Ensemble in mid-April.

Violinist Colette Berg '12 received a 1 rating at MSBOA District Solo and Ensemble and will advance to MSBOA State Solo and Ensemble in Late March.

NAIMUN

A group of eight Mercy students attended the North American Invitational Model United Nations Conference on February 17-21 in Washington D.C. Julia O’Hara, Meredith Barnett, Whitney Morey, Jasmine Wehr, Colette Berg, Elizabeth Lekarczyke, Victoria Noble, and Catherine Denton along with teacher Ms. Robinet joined students from around the country to attend this influential forum. Each year, NAIMUN provides nearly 3,000 high school students with innovative committees that draw in delegates from across the globe to partake in high quality debate and experiences unique to our nation's capital. Victoria Noble and Catherine Denton took home an Honorable Mention in United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and Meredith Barnett and Whitney Morey brought home a second Honorable Mention in the World Health Organization (WHO).

Monthly Reflection

MERCY IS . . . MERCY is giving, loving, kind and gentle. MERCY is tough, strong, unyielding. MERCY makes justice happen. MERCY is forgiving, healing and reconciling. MERCY is compassionate and stays with. . . MERCY seeks out the weak, the under privileged, the marginalized and the poor. MERCY lifts up, sustains and affirms. MERCY is faithful, enduring, and true. MERCY is God’s greatest gift. MERCY IS. . . Lord, we ask you to send forth your Holy Spirit upon us as we strive to live out these statements of "Mercy IS" throughout this Lenten Season. When we live our Mercy values, we follow Christ as disciples.

Women Mean Business 2011

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Mercy High School Gymnasium • 6:00pm - 9:15pm

REGISTER ONLINE NOW!

Last year, many Mercy students and parents were disappointed they missed out on this very dynamic evening. This event is designed as an opportunity for successful women in all of life's endeavors to speak with young women of today. Please join us this year at the 2nd Annual Women Mean Business Symposium to meet some of this region's most powerful and interesting women entrepreneurs. Panelists will tell their career stories, share lessons-learned and forecast their vision for the work world of tomorrow.

Each table will have a local woman professional who will lead the group discussion after the panel presentation and Q & A session. Many of them are Mercy Alumnae! There will also be a networking hour with the panel members and table leaders from 6:00pm - 7:00pm which includes hors d'oeuvres and desserts. Cost is $20 per person.

A Mother’s Retreat

A DAY OF PEACE, REFLECTION, AND FELLOWSHIP

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 • 8:45 AM-2:15 PM

Mothers of Catholic high school students are welcome to attend a special Lenten Day of Reflection at Manresa Retreat House. (Manresa is located on the northwest corner of Quarton and Woodward in Bloomfield Hills.) The Mothers Clubs of Marian and Brother Rice have shared this day together for many years and now the opportunity is open to the mothers of Shrine, Mercy and Sacred Heart Catholic high school students. What better way to have a prayerful reflective experience during Lent. RSVP by March 23. CLICK HERE for more details and registration form.

CHALLENGE BASED LEARNING RESOURCES

Want more CBL? Please visit some of these resource websites which give experience examples of Challenge Based Learning as many Mercy students partake in this engaging journey. Mr. Baker's site allcbl.com is devoted to Apple's Challenge Based Learning, and resources and topics which flow from it. You'll find presentations and reflections he has developed while implementing, training, and reflecting upon this exciting learning design.

Also visit apple.com/education/challenge-based-learning/ and the challenge community site at cbl.apple.com/challenges. Stay tuned for solutions to the multidisciplinary cafeteria design challenge!

Latest and Greatest from the Alumnae Office

Women of Mercy are invited to reflect on life, reconnect with God, and rejoice in all that is good and holy during this special time of year. Two special events have been organized by the Mercy Alumnae Association. Spirituality of Motherhood - Join Mercy during this Lenten season to pray and reflect upon what nourishes your spiritual journey as a mother. Led by Carrie Fling Nantais ’96, a panel of four women; an organizational psychologist, a nonprofit director, a physician assistant, and a Catholic chaplain, will share what keeps them feeling connected to God while nurturing their children and pursuing their careers. Thursday, March 31 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm in the Mercy Chapel. Spiritual Yoga Session - Grace Seroka, Christian yoga instructor at Manresa Jesuit Retreat House and campus minister at Notre Dame Prep Marist Academy, will lead a spiritual yoga session focusing on the season of Lent.Reflections on Mary’s Way of the Cross will be woven into some of the postures. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today. Cost is $10. Bring a yoga mat. Saturday, April 2 from 9:00am to 10:30am in the Mercy Chapel. CLICK HERE for more details and to RSVP for these events contact the Alumnae Office at alumnaeoffice@mhsmi.org or call 248-476-3270.

All Mercy moms are invited to host a table, invite a few friends, and enjoy… Tea Party Fare with a Middle Eastern Flair! 7th Annual Tea for Tuition Sunday, April 17, 2011 2:00pm - 4:00pm Mercy High School This fabulous afternoon will offer gourmet hot and cold teas, appetizers and desserts, and a gift basket silent auction, all for only $25 per person. Proceeds benefit the Alumnae Association Tuition Assistance Fund. Nearly $70,000 has been raised in support of 60+ scholarships for deserving Mercy Girls. Please consider donating a gift certificate, service or gift basket to our popular silent auction. Read more about ways to give and see the online donation form. Contact the Alumnae Office at 248.476.3270 or alumnaeoffice@mhsmi.org to reserve a table or make a donation.

Give Me a M, Give Me an E, Give Me a R, Give Me a C, Give Me a Y!

Way to go Marlins on all your wonderful winter sports finishes! Good luck to Abby Benard '12 and Lauren Jackson '14 who will be competing individually at the Figure Skating State Championships on March 26th. BASKETBALL scored many victories to become both Catholic League and District Champions! Catholic LeagueHonors: All-Academic Elena Vlachos; All-League Candice Leatherwood All-Catholic Janelle McQueen; Central Division Coach of the Year Gary Morris.

BOWLING rolled to a Catholic League Championship. Catholic League Honors: All-Academic Brittany Jones; All-League Kathleen Abenes; All-Catholic Maria Walawender. POMPON captured 3rd place in Catholic League and placed in Class A Division 1 Regionals.

Check out studentandathlete.com for plenty of Marlin sports coverage and Mercy In The News web page for articles.Spring sports are in action so show your Mercy pride and cheer on our Marlins! Link to the athletics schedule on High School Sports and even get driving directions.

SPECIAL EVENT FOR THE CLASS OF 2014

This is a holy time of year as we prepare for Easter, and we have some wonderful news to share. Please click here for a brochure that detailsa specialeventin April at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament -a professional theatrical performance ofThe Living Stations of the Cross.

There are25 performances and it proves to be a moving, spiritual event for all. The ninth grade class will attend as a school field trip, sponsored by a Mercy parent. Parents and families of all students are encouraged to attend one of the performances during this holy season.

SWEEPSTAKES DRIVE - Get ready . . .the 2011 - 2012 Sweepstakes Drive kicks off April 12! CLICK HERE to see this year's winners.

MOSAIC in your Mailbox - Keep your eyes out for the Spring/Summer 2011 issue of the Mercy MOSAIC Magazine featuring 180 Years of Mercy, alumnae class notes, and Heart of Mercy!

Fan Mercy on Facebook!	Follow Mercy on Twitter!	Read Mercy on newsprintnow.net!	Watch Mercy on YouTube!

Snapshot of Mercy

Mercy On The Road!

Have you seen them? Check out our cool electronic billboard advertisements which have been running the past 2 weeks on M-5 north of Maple. We are Mercy High School! If you have a snapshot of Mercy, please send to jhearle@mhsmi.org.

Mercy Month Ahead

TheAPRIL MEMO will be delivered to your inbox April 20.If you have any questions or want to submit information contact jhearle@mhsmi.org. If you have any questions or want to submit any educational stories or share some good Mercy news, contact jhearle@mhsmi.org. Want even more? Click the school year calendar and the Mercy web site. And don't miss all of the latest Mercy In The News articles. Check out the current announcements, view past issues of the MEMO newsletter, and browse the home page yellow box to link to what's happening today @ Mercy.