January 22, 2020
Sections
  • Head of School
  • Transition Information
  • Academics
  • Student Life
  • Advancement
  • Important Dates
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Parent Connect will be now be sent weekly
to keep you updated with any transition information.
Head of School
Dear Mercy Families,

As we continue dealing with Mercy’s financial situation, we sadly found the need to eliminate three positions at the end of last week. Fortunately, at this time, I do not anticipate the need for any further reductions due to our closure—faculty or staff—until the end of school. 

I would like to express my gratitude to Kathryn Ann Dougery who was Director of Institutional Research; Jim Fambrini, who served as Director of Facilities, and Alexandra Tong, who worked as part-time administrative assistant to our deans and also assisted on taking attendance in the main office. Departures are always difficult and we are sorry to say goodbye to Kathryn Ann, Jim, and Alex and appreciate all that each has done to serve the Mercy High School community.

We also want to thank staff members Monina Enage and Carole Touye who both agreed to reduce their work schedule. We appreciate their flexibility and are happy that they will be able to continue to contribute to our school.

May the God of mercy be a source of healing, a source of understanding, and a source of strength as we move through these days.

In Mercy,
Sister Carolyn
Transition Information
Please check Mercy’s Transition Information Page regularly for the latest, up-to-date information to help ease your transition to another local high school.
High School Fair at Mercy - Jan. 23

A special high school fair for current Mercy students and their families will be held on campus at Mercy on Thursday, January 23 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. in McAuley Pavilion. Local high schools, Catholic and Independent, will be available to answer your questions and provide you with transfer information. A list of schools attending is forthcoming.

See the Transition Information Page on our Mercy Website
San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD): NEW Application Deadline - Thursday, Jan. 23

SFUSD to allow Mercy students to submit applications through email for the 2020-21 school year.

SFUSD will allow Mercy students to submit their application and other related documents to the school district via email by the NEW deadline date, Friday, January 23. SFUSD would like to assist Mercy families by allowing them to submit applications (usually only allowed to be submitted in person by parent/guardian) via email if they so choose. They may email scans/pdfs of their applications and accompanying documentation to [email protected].

Deadline for Application submissions is THIS Thursday, January 23, 2020.

See the Transition Information Page on our Mercy Website
Local Catholic Schools Transfer Application Deadline - Jan. 31

Transfer applications to the Catholic schools are expected to be open sometime next week. The deadline to submit Transfer Applications is January 31. Notification of Admissions decisions will be Friday, February 28. Students must confirm enrollment by March 2, 2020. For questions, contact those high schools directly.

See the Transition Information Page on our Mercy Website for specific school contact and transfer admissions information
​Ruth Asawa School of the Arts - SOTA

SOTA, is accepting applications for rising 9th graders entering the 10th grade. There are a few spots open. If students are interested, families should contact Paulette Cauthorn, immediately. Auditions are February 1 and 8, but applications need to be completed and submitted as soon as possible. Ms. Cauthorn can answer any further questions around SOTA the application process. 
Request for Release of Transcript

Once your daughter's application has been received by a school, they will ask Mercy for a copy of their transcript. Please fill out this form to indicate to which school(s) you are allowing Mercy to release your child's transcript. If your school is not listed on the form, check 'other' and write in the school name. Transcripts cannot be released without parent/guardian consent, so please let us know as soon as possible.


Contact Veronica Zermani, Registrar, [email protected]
Frosh, Sophomore & Junior Families Receiving Financial Assistance

You will not need to fill out a new TADS application as you apply for financial assistance at other Catholic High Schools. You do, however, need to contact TADS directly and ask them to add your prospective high school to the application so that they get your TADS application.
Athletic Transfer Eligibility Procedures

Fall 2020 Transfers
If you transfer for the Fall 2020 semester, see your new Athletic Director and obtain an ELIGIBILITY HARDSHIP TRANSFER form. Once this form is completed and turned into the CCS office, they will then process the transfer. Due to the closing (“hardship”) of Mercy High School, once all of the information checks out, the transfer should be complete and the student-athlete will be able to play immediately.  

Spring 2020 Transfers
If you transfer schools this current Spring Semester there may be a sit-out period or you may not be able to play due to the hardship not being in full effect until June 1, 2020. Winter sports student-athletes are INELIGIBLE to play since they had already begun their season at their previous school. They are not allowed to play for 2 different teams in the same season. Spring student-athletes will need to complete an ELIGIBILITY HARDSHIP TRANSFER form with their new Athletics Director and will need to have a 30-day sit-out period until they are eligible to participate. Once the 30 days are over, the student-athlete will then be eligible to play.  

Please be mindful that it is CCS’s objective to get these student-athletes out on the field/court as soon as possible, but they will need time for these transfers to process.  

Mercy’s Athletics page has updated information about how to transfer for the Spring 2020 and Fall 2020 semesters.

Contact, Pam Alano, Athletics Director, [email protected]
Academics
Fall Semester Honor Roll 
 
Next week we will celebrate students who made the Honor Roll for the Fall semester by earning GPAs that meet or exceed 3.5 for the semester. We are so proud of our students! They will be getting cupcakes and congratulations at lunch. 

Contact Marianne Delaporte, Dean of Academics, [email protected]
Counseling Updates

JUNIOR PARENTS: Junior Class College Night
When: Jan. 28, 6 - 8 p.m.
Where: Rist Hall
Who's Invited: All juniors and their parents
What: Several guest speakers will be discussing the many college options and counselors will be going over the college application timeline. 

JUNIOR PARENTS: SAT & ACT Practice Exams
Mercy High School has teamed up with Revolution Prep to offer full-length SAT & ACT Practice Exams on campus. 

When: 
SAT Practice Exam - Saturday, Feb. 1 at 9 a.m.
ACT Practice Exam - Saturday, Feb. 22 at 9 a.m.
Where: Mercy High School Media Center - Room 302 
Cost: $10

Registration is open now! Click for more information and to register.

SOPHOMORE PARENTS: Career Exploration Workshop

During the month of January, your student will attend a Career Exploration Workshop. They will complete a career assessment powered by YouScience. The workshop will be followed up with a meeting with their counselor to discuss the results. 

  • Homeroom 10-1 - Jan. 9, 8 - 8:45 a.m.
  • Homeroom 10-2 - Jan. 15, 8 - 8:45 a.m.
  • Homeroom 10-3 - Jan. 29, 8 - 8:45 a.m.


Contact Counselors Siobhan McVeigh, [email protected] or Margaret Wickham, [email protected]
Library Volunteer Opportunity (11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Tuesdays)
 
Be a parent volunteer in our library during lunch! There is no prior experience necessary in library work, just a willingness to be with our students and watch over them. 
 
We need volunteers most Tuesdays from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. If you are interested in learning more and/or volunteering, please email Kathryn Ann with your availability.
 
Library Hours Calendar
The library hours calendar for student makeup tests and studying are available in Portal.

  1. Login to Portal
  2. Click on Calendar
  3. Look for the Blue "Library Hours" Calendar

Times noted with a "Proctor" are when students may make-up missed tests or use the library to study. "Study Hall" is time for studying only. 
 
Contact Marianne Delaporte, Dean of Academics, [email protected]
Student Life
Student Support Sessions

The recent news about Mercy’s closure has brought challenging times for everyone here at Mercy. Our emotions are intense, raw and varied. Ms Hui invites all interested students to come have continued conversations about their experiences.

What: Support Sessions
Where: Wellness Center
When: Tuesday Jan. 21 - Friday, Jan. 24 at Lunch

Space is limited...students should RSVP by 10 a.m. the morning they would like to join a session.

Contact Yen Hui, Director of Wellness, [email protected]
Winter Dance Concert:
Ode & Homage

OPENING WEEKEND

Dates: Jan. 24, 25, 31, Feb. 1
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Mercy High School Theatre
Cost: $15 General Admission, $10 Mercy Student

Contact Josh Ornelas, Dance Program Director, [email protected]
Athletics Updates

Come out and cheer on Mercy basketball in our beautiful gym for our last season. Our girls need your support now more than ever.

Upcoming Basketball Home Games:
  • Jan. 25: vs. Notre Dame Belmont
  • 2 p.m. JV, 3:30 p.m. Varsity
  • Jan. 27: vs. Notre Dame San Jose
  • 5 p.m. JV, 6:30 p.m. Varsity
  • Jan. 31: vs. Mercy B
  • 6:30 p.m. Varsity
  • Jan. 31 vs. Shasta High School
  • 5 p.m. JV
  • Feb. 4: vs. Crystal Springs
  • 6:30 p.m. Varsity

Contact Pam Alano, Director of Athletics, [email protected]
Intersession 2020 - Payment due Jan. 24

Upcoming Intersession Important Dates 
  • Jan. 24 - 4th/final payment due (if necessary)
  • Feb. 3 - Parent Night for all overnight trips (Rescheduled from Nov. 14)
  • Mar. 2 - 6 Intersession Week

All payments MUST be up to date. Please do so immediately to avoid any late fees.

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 

Important announcements are posted on your daughter’s Intersession bulletin board in the Portal. Refer to your How to Guide for the Mercy Parent Portal for instructions on accessing your daughter’s Intersession group.

Contact Pam Alano, Intersession Coordinator, [email protected]
Purchase a Yearbook Ad to Celebrate Your Senior

From now until February 16, you can create a yearbook ad to celebrate your Senior and her upcoming graduation.

View the flyer for new pricing and all the information you need to create your ad. 
 
Contact Karen Vanuska, Yearbook Advisor, [email protected]
Advancement
Crab Feed - Feb. 8
ALMOST SOLD OUT!

Date: Saturday, Feb. 8
Time: 5:30 p.m. Beer & Wine Social Hour, 6:30 p.m. Crab Dinner
Location: McAuley Pavilion
Cost: $60 (Individual), $450 (Table of 8), $1,000 (Sponsor)


Contact Bekah Paige, Director of Development, [email protected]
Important Dates
Thursday, Jan. 23
  • High School Fair
  • McAuley Pavilion
  • 6:30 - 8 p.m.
  • SFUSD NEW Application Deadline

Friday, Jan. 24
  • Intersession Payment Due

Friday, Jan. 24 - Saturday, Jan. 25
  • Winter Dance Concert
  • Mercy Theatre
  • 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 28
  • Junior Class College Night
  • Rist Hall
  • 6 - 8 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 31
  • Local Catholic Schools Transfer Application Deadline
Friday, Jan. 31 - Saturday, Feb. 1
  • Winter Dance Concert
  • Mercy Theatre
  • 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 1
  • SAT Practice Exam
  • Media Center - Room 302
  • 9 a.m.

Monday, Feb. 3
  • Parent Night for overnight Intersession trips

Saturday, Feb. 8
  • Crab Feed
  • McAuley Pavilion
  • Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Giving is a True Act of Mercy
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.