Parents eNewsletter: October 2010

Wit's End . . . notes from the principal

Be nice. When was the first time you heard those words? Who said them and what were you doing at the time you were told? How old were you? Did the words help? Did you change your behavior?

As parents, what is the youngest aged child to whom you have given that directive? A two year old? Maybe one of only eighteen months? Be nice. When did you stop using those exact words and become a bit more specific? Share your toys. Help your sister. When did you change the focus? Don’t hit her. That’s not nice. You made her cry.

It is widely accepted that human beings are both interesting and complex species. There is an inherent selfish part within each of us. We never completely lose that, and that selfish dynamic contributes positively to our sense of self-worth. In the most simple of terms, we need to think well of ourselves and see ourselves as important in order for others to love us. We also begin to learn at a very young age, that others exist around us and their desires and needs are legitimate. Ah, the world goes beyond me. What an awakening. We guide very young children to consider others. We teach them not only to care deeply about themselves, but also to consider and care deeply about their neighbors. Their understanding of “neighbors” likely begins with their siblings, playmates, pets and objects in their surroundings. Great time and attention is given to this training and it is valuable work. The human being is not born civilized. Civilization, as it were, is learned.

Be nice. So we say this at appropriate times. We also repeat it hundreds or thousands of times as the child grows. When did you first attach consequences if such a directive was ignored? Did you request nice, repeatedly, but never insured that nice is what you got? What accountability have you attached to civil, nice behavior?

Many questions. Here, however, is the direction I’m taking. When was the last time you engaged in this conversation with your children? Now, I am speaking to all parents and especially those who no longer have young children. We spend such an enormous amount of time teaching “nice” to the very young, but sadly I think we have missed the boat in failing to continue the teaching to children as they grow, these children who are 10 or 13 or 15, 16 or somewhere in between. God forbid, but we are surrounded by many human beings who have never learned it at all.

Do you still require your children to be nice? Are you sure that they are? Be careful not to answer too quickly. How nice does your daughter treat her siblings, especially when you are not around? How nice is she to her classmates? This certainly includes the girls she knows and sees often and chooses to hang around, but what about all of the other girls in the building? Does automatic niceness extend to them? What about her treatment of strangers? Is nice extended to people regardless of their age?

We are a civilized society! Many would defend that without question. Really? At all times? Is it shown in the most basic of ways? Is there anything more we can do?

I would argue that there is a great deal more we can do and must do. We must return to the most fundamental lesson and we must teach it with our words and with our own actions and we must accept nothing less. As a society we are lowering the standard. We accept mean spirited behavior. We expect rude and are stunned, quite often, if we get anything better. We speak of respect but we don’t require it and there are too many examples to count. We know what bad behavior, hurtful behavior, looks like and we don’t speak to it when we see it. We experience wrong and we witness wrong and most often we look at our shoes, feel embarrassed, and just hope that the moment will pass quickly. Our silence is part of the problem.

Take a risk. Have a conversation with your daughter about what it means to be a bully to someone else. Ask her if she’s seen others being mistreated? Has she witnessed just plain old mean spirited, nasty behavior? Has she been on the receiving end? Has she ever dished it out to another? If you have the nerve, share with her your own experiences of being mistreated. What happened to you? How did you feel? What did you do? If you had to do it over, what would be different?

In every way and in every minute of our lives, we are teaching others how to treat us. We need to step up the teaching. We need to be part of the change.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Carolyn Witte, Principal

Mercy MOMENT of the Month

THANK YOU for visiting, ARCHBISHOP VIGNERON!

Mercy High School was proud to welcome His Excellency Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron on October 6th. Archbishop Vigneron addressed the Mercy High School senior class of 2011, "Be yourself. Be attentive. Figure out what you hold fundamental and important. God's providence is marvelous and is our partner in life." The seniors asked thought provoking questions and were honored to hear him speak of a faith-filled life.

Archbishop Vigneron celebrated Mass along with Fr. Charlie Fox and the entire student population. During his homily he spoke of the powerful language of prayer, "To pray is to master God's language and each of us brings a particular accent to the way we stand before God. In all of your self discovery, be aware of prayer; it is a grace to talk to God." He gave a special school blessing and commented, "It was a special joy coming to see Mercy and a great blessing to be your minister of prayer." He toured Mercy High School, met with some faculty and staff, and even spoke some French to students in class. The Archbishop plans to visit all the high schools in the Archdiocese of Detroit on a three year rotation to help Catholic schools stay strong and flourish. See more photos from this blessed day!

Mothers Club

New Mercy MOMS received a warm welcome at the 3rd annual Welcome Mass and Dinner held last month. It was a delightful evening with Mass and a glowing reception filled with fine food and even better conversation. THANK YOU to all the gracious Mercy mom hostesses!

Don't miss all the fantastic fall FASHION at the Mercy Mothers Club FASHION SHOW and BOUTIQUE this Sunday, October 24 from 11:30am to 4:00pm at the Diamond Center at Rock Financial Showplace. Enjoy lunch, shopping, fabulous clothes, handbags, cosmetics, and unique gifts. Plus meet hostess Paigion of 102.7! CLICK HERE for invitation.

ALL MERCY MOMS are invited to join us for our next meeting Monday, November 1st at 6:30pm in the Media Center.

Dads Club

Grab your daughter and dosey doe at the annual Dads and Daughters BARN DANCE on Friday, November 5th from 7pm - 11pm at Lazy J Ranch in Milford. CLICK HERE for all the hoedown details!

Pre-order your Christmas decor through the Dads Club Wreath & Roping Sale. Wreaths are a base of Fraser fir with boxwood, juniper berry, conclour and decorated with pine cones and a red ribbon. Pay for your items when you pick them up at MHS on November 23 and 24 from 12 - 3 at the Mercy Rear Parking Lot.

ALL MERCY DADS are encouraged to meet, greet, and eat at our next meeting Tuesday, November 2nd at 7:00pm in the Cafeteria.

Fall Play - "Little Women"

Join us for the classic tale of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy as they struggle with the trials and tribulations of growing up during the Civil War. You loved the Louisa May Alcott's novel as a child; now relive the March girls' adventures on the Mercy stage. This version of the celebrated novel, adapted for the stage by Kristin Laurence, is an all-female cast of nine women.   Tickets are $8 and all performances are held in the Mercy Auditorium Friday, November 12 - Sunday, November 14.

Student Successes . . . APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!

Shannon Carpenter '11 received a 2010 certificate for superior writing from the National Council of Teachers of English. She was 1 of only 22 students in Michigan who received this prestigious NCTE Achievement Award in writing.

Whitney Morey '11 was named a 2011 National Achievement Scholarship Semifinalist. She was among the highest scoring out of more than 160,000 African-Americans who requested consideration in the 2011 National Achievement Program when they took the 2009 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Mercy swimmer Nikki Barczak '11 was named the Wendy's Student Athlete of the Week on STATE CHAMPS! High School Sports Show. View this feature which aired on October 9th on MY TV20 Detroit.

Be a Mercy Girl!

Prospective students can MEET MERCY at the Fall Open House Sunday, November 7 from 1pm - 4pm. Invite 7th and 8th graders to tour Mercy and discover what it means to be a part of the Mercy family! If someone you know can't make it to the Open House, have them check out our shadow a student program. Contact the Admissions Office at admissions@mhsmi.org or 248.476.2484.

Let's Hear it for the STAFF

Social Studies Teacher and Apple Distinguished Educator '09 Larry Baker attended an Apple "Challenge Based Learning Group Think" in Cupertino, CA to review resources and reflect on the future of CBL.

MONTHLY REFLECTION

A Dream Realized - by S. Marianne Bennett, RSM

Recently I had the joy of realizing a twenty-year dream. My brother, Walt, gave me a pilgrimage to Medjugorje (Bosnia-Herzegovina) in celebration of my Golden Jubilee as a Sister of Mercy. Gospa (Our Lady) began appearing to five teenagers and one little ten year old boy on June 24, 1981. The apparitions continue to this day no matter where the visionaries are on earth – 29 years so far. Our Lady has said that these are her last apparitions and that is why they are lasting so long. Mary’s messages are intended to encourage us during these difficult times in our world. The main theme of her messages are: prayer, conversion, fasting, penance, and peace. Our group prayed the Stations of the Cross as we climbed 1,700 feet up Mt. Krizevac to the Cross on the top.

Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Education Sponsorship Council

Mercy High School President Cheryl Delaney Kreger, Ed.D. and Principal Carolyn Witte pose with members of the WMW Education Sponsorship Council.

The Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Education Sponsorship Council visited Mercy High School on October 4th, enjoying a tour of the school, and meeting faculty, staff and students. Administration and Council engaged in a lunch meeting during which teacher Larry Baker presented Mercy's Challenge Based Learning initiative. The Education Sponsorship Council has responsibility for the Sisters of Mercy schools and educational entities in West Midwest United States. Many thanks to S. Nancy Thompson, RSM who is the WMW Education Sponsorship Council Liaison to Mercy High School.

JUST PEACE

Just Peace Club leaders Jackie Wilke ’12 and Isabelle Larson ’13 along with moderator Mrs. Ann Lusch traveled to Lansing in October to join other student leaders in a non-violence training retreat. Participants Terese Warn ’10 and Julie O’Hara-Fisher ’10 led small groups for part of the weekend. Facilitators Lydia Wylie-Kellermann ’04, former Mercy parent Kim Redigan, and other members of Pax Christi Michigan and Michigan Peace Team hope that this year’s event will be the spark for future retreats and possibly non-violence training in schools. According to Jackie Wilke, “The world would be a much better, peaceful place if everyone in it had the opportunity to attend a training."

Latest and Greatest from the Alumnae Office

The Alumnae Association hosted a Mercy Legacy dinner on October 12th for alumnae mothers and their daughters. 50 women gathered to share Mercy memories and traditions both new and old. Congratulations to Marisa Petrella ’77 who won the Legacy Lottery of $1,000 toward tuition for her daughter Cristina Petrella ’13.

Alumnae Memorial Mass - Mercy High School remembers our loved ones. Please join us for Mass to commemorate the lives of Mercy’s deceased alumnae, staff, family, friends, and benefactors on Sunday, November 14th at 12pm in the Mercy Chapel. If you are unable to attend, please contact the Alumnae Office with the names of those family and friends you would like included in our prayers and book of remembrance. An informal reception will follow in the Advancement office.

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

Swim and Dive Team captured the Oakland County Championship for the SIXTH consecutive year. Golf played superb finishing as Catholic League Runners-Up, Division 2 Regional Champions, and a resounding 3rd place at STATE FINALS! All-Catholic golfers are Maggie Lentz '11, Maddy Asta '11, and Brenna Hammond '13. Maggie Lentz also finished in the TOP 10 at States.

Volleyball has been spikin it up and all 3 teams beat MARIAN and Varsity is now tied for first place in the Catholic League!

Winter sports registration is going on now! All athletes must email kmscalzi@mhsmi.org. Mercy athletes are making headlines! CLICK HERE to read about some of them in all their Marlin glory. Brush up on your Marlin cheers and chants and see our teams in action! CLICK HERE to view the Athletics Calendar and even get driving directions.

THE LORE

Congratulations Lore Yearbook Staff: The Lore yearbook staff was recently notified that its 2010 yearbook The Road Ahead was awarded the Spartan award. This award, given out by the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association, recognizes the top publications in the state for their excellence in a number of categories. The book was also selected to the Walsworth Publishing Company's Gallery of Excellence and earned a second-class rating from the National Scholastic Press Association.

A U C T I O N 2011

The kick-off meeting for the 32nd Annual Auction was held on October 12. The turnout was great and there are wonderful committees set up and running. Successful auctions, however, depend on fabulous gifts. Start thinking about your auction donation now. Do you have a special talent? Access to phenomenal tickets? How about that gift you bought and never gave? Acquisitions are being accepted now in the Advancement Office. For more information or help with planning contact Mercy’s Auction Coordinator, Kari Weber, at klweber@mhsmi.org and CLICK HERE for all things AUCTION!

MNotes . . . miscellaneous info you need to know!

AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING - The National Honor Sociey will offer after school tutoring in all subjects on Wednesdays from 2:45pm - 3:30pm. No sign up required. Encourage your daughter to stop by N12 and get the help she needs to do better in her classes.

Senior Parents - Senior All Night Party PARENT Planning Meeting will be held Tuesday, October 26 at 6:30pm in the Mercy Cafeteria

Subscribe to NEWSPRINT, the student voice of Mercy High School! A complete 12 page newspaper filled with everything from school news to world events, exciting features, sports, and entertainment. Newsprint is the source that links the Mercy community to the rest of the world. Support the staff of talented young Mercy women and enjoy informative and entertaining features by purchasing a subscription to this award-winning, student produced paper. Newsprint is distributed to students at school but it can also be delivered directly to your home or place of work. The price is $12 for the year (6 issues). Please send your name, preferred mailing address and email, along with a check payable to Mercy High School to Ms. Lynn Waldsmith, Newsprint Advisor Mercy High School, 29300 W. 11 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336-1409. Visit mhsmi.org/newsprint to view past issues.

Ninth Grade News - Frosh parents stay in touch with your daughter's Ninth Grade Counseling News. CLICK HERE to read the October issue from Frosh Counselor Trish Brown.

Snapshots of Mercy

PINK POWER!

Mercy students and staff added a pink accessory to show their support for breast cancer awareness during the filming of the Mercy school Pink Glove Dance earlier this month. This initiative was put together by NEWSPRINT and the video will soon debut on the Mercy YouTube Channel. Stay tuned to see the Mercy family step, shimmy, shake, wave, groove, and get down to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

Plus the out of uniform Jeans Day held Wednesday, October 20 raised $4,000! $2,000 will benefit Sharing and Caring at Beaumont Hospital and $2,000 will benefit The Marian Women's Center St. Mary Mercy Hospital. If you have a snapshot of Mercy to share, please send to jhearle@mhsmi.org.

Mercy Month Ahead

THANK YOU for taking the time to read the MERCY MEMO. The purpose of this parent newsletter is to inform, enlighten, and entertain. The NOVEMBER MEMO will be delivered to your inbox November 18. If you have any questions or want to submit information 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.