MOUNT MERCY ACADEMY February 2010...

MOUNT MERCY ACADEMY February 2010 NewsletterFebruary 2010 NewsletterFebruary 2010 NewsletterFebruary 2010 Newsletter

VOLUME 7, ISSUE 67VOLUME 7, ISSUE 67VOLUME 7, ISSUE 67VOLUME 7, ISSUE 67

S P E C I A L P O I N T S S P E C I A L P O I N T S S P E C I A L P O I N T S S P E C I A L P O I N T S

O F I N T E R E S T :O F I N T E R E S T :O F I N T E R E S T :O F I N T E R E S T :

• Feb. 1: First day of

Second Semester

• Feb. 2: 7:00 PM: Dining Hall-

Academic Honors Award

Reception for incoming

Freshmen

• Feb. 11: 7:00 PM Mercy Chapel

Ring Day Ceremony

• Feb. 11: Anniversary of the

opening of the first House of

Mercy in Buffalo

• Feb. 14: St. Valentine’s Day!

• Feb. 15-19: Winter Break–

NO SCHOOL!

• Feb. 23: MMA—

5:00 pm-7:30 PM– Parent –

Teacher Conferences

• Feb. 26: 7:00 PM Gym–

Father—Daughter Dance

A Message from our Principal

February, 2010 February brings so many interesting celebrations and commemora-tions into our lives. It is Black History Month, American Heart Month, National Dental Month, Chocolate Lover’s Month and National Bird Feeding Month! We celebrate Groundhog Day, Candlemas, Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and Mardi Gras. Our Jewish brethren celebrate Purim and we Christians begin the holy season of Lent with Ash Wednesday. There is so much packed into the shortest month of the year.

For those of us on an academic calendar February reminds us that we are halfway through another school year. Second semester be-gins and with it the relentless plunge toward finals, Regents exams and the end of another school year. February begins new semester courses for some students. Others have to recommit to working hard for the remainder of their full year courses. While all of this is happening our 9th, 10th and 11th graders will be selecting courses for next year and our seniors will be hearing from colleges and making one of the biggest decisions of their lives.

What can you do to help? • Make sure you come to the Parent-Teacher Conference on

February 23. Edline is great but there is nothing like face-to-face contact with your daughter’s teachers.

• Help them make wise decisions when selecting courses for next year. If you are not sure about what your daughter should be taking, talk to her counselor. Be informed and help your daughter make informed decisions.

• This is a stressful time for seniors making college choices. Help them make informed and wise decisions. They need your input now more than ever.

• As far as second semester is concerned, help us to help your daughter. Ask questions about school and homework and by all means contact her teachers or counselor.

• Pray! I’m serious. Pray for your daughter and her teachers. Pray with your daughter. Take the opportunity as we enter the Lenten season to not only pay attention to the academic side of your daughter’s life but to the spiritual side as well. The benefits and blessings will be numerous.

God bless you all. Pray for us here at MMA as we pray for you. Sincerely, Paulette Gaske Principal

From the Tuition Office Financial Aid Information

Financial aid packages for the 2010-2011 school year were mailed on January 29, 2010 to families who applied last year.

Financial aid packages will also be available for students to pick up in the Main Office for those families that did not apply last year.

IMPORTANT DEADLINE! TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FINANICIAL AID,

ALL COMPLETED INFORMATION MUST BE RECEIVED AT THE FACTS OFFICE BY MARCH 26, 2010.

Mt. Mercy Academy is hoping to take the

athletic program to the next level and re-

gain the PRIDE that has always been associ-

ated with playing and cheering for MERCY.

We are starting the Mt. Mercy Sports

Boosters. We hope everyone will join and

show their pride! We invite students, par-

ents, alumni, teachers and friends to be a

part of the fun. All proceeds will go to the

athletic department and funds raised will

be used to buy new equipment where

needed.

Every booster club member will receive a

Mt. Mercy Sports Boosters T-shirt. The

shirt will be royal blue with the Sports

Boosters Logo on the front and the MMA

Magic Pride on the back.

The cost to join is only $10 which includes

the shirt!

In the future we would like to make more

apparel available such as golf shirts, shorts,

hats, hoodies and jackets.

More information will be shared as it be-

comes available.

To join the Boosters and order your t-shirt,

please fill out the form and return to the

MMA book store.

The article above, written by Melanie Griffis, appeared in the Mercy Connections newsletter for associates and employees of the Catholic Health System.

Name ____________________________

E-Mail ___________________________

(For updates on the MMA sports programs)

Address/Advisement Room __________

T-Shirt Size: AS ___AM __ AL __ AXL ___

XXL ___ Total ______ x $10 = _______

If you are interested in helping the Sports

Boosters please check here and you will

be informed of the next meeting.

Please contact me: ___________

Additional Essay Scholarships Just Announced for Current MMA Students!

For Students in All grades: The Jeanne and Mary Pettys Scholarship: Submit an essay that includes your personal history, what a Mount Mercy Academy education means to you and what gifts you bring to Mount Mercy Academy.

Current Freshman: The Bigelow Family Scholarship: Write an essay on the following topic: You have the opportunity for a fifteen minute meeting with one of the following people: President Barack Obama, Secretary of State

Hillary Clinton, Governor David Paterson, Senator Kristen Gillibrand or Mayor Byron Brown. Explain what issues or concerns you would address and

what solutions you would recommend.

Please submit two copies of each essay and return by February 12, 2010 to Reneé Joldos, room 324.

Living the Mount Mercy Mission

Julia Hall, MMA Class of 1981, and 2009 Distinguished Alumnae Award recipient has agreed to join the Class of 2010 at Commence-ment Ceremonies in June as the keynote speaker. Julia is an attor-ney with Amnesty International’s International Secretariat in London, England. As a researcher on Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights in Europe, she specializes in the human rights implications of counter-terrorism laws, policies and practices in Europe and North America. Julia is an active advocate with respect to the protection of human rights and civil liberties of individuals with extensive work before the United Nations and European Court of Human Rights. She has traveled throughout Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. Julia works from her home office in Buffalo, telecommutes daily and travels frequently to her London office. She lives in the Allentown area with her husband of 16 years, Patrick Mahoney, and her children, Liam, age 9, and Katie, age 7. Julia was featured in an extraordinary story in the January 23rd issue of Artvoice Magazine, “Beyond Guantanamo”, which details the compelling steps she took to repa-triate a long time Guantanamo detainee, proven innocent of charges against him, to Ireland. The entire story can be found at http://cjhsu.wordpress.com/2010/01/23/beyond-guantanamo/#comments.

REMINDERS

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

TO BE HELD FEBRUARY 23, 2010

5:00 PM-7:30 PM

NO APPOINTMENTS NECESSARY

COURSE SELECTIONS

On Saturday, February 16, 2010, the newly accepted members of the incoming freshman class for September 2010 will be selecting courses and receiving schedules for next year. Letters will be sent home regarding scheduled appointment times.

RING DAY CEREMONY

Parents, family and friends are invited to attend the Mount Mercy Ring Day Ceremony for members of the Class of 2011 in the Mercy Center Chapel on February 11, 2010 at 7:00 PM. Please RSVP [email protected] or 825-8796 x 304 if you and other family mem-bers plan to attend the reception immediately following the cere-mony. THANK YOU!

SUNY FINANCIAL AID DAY

The SUNY Statewide Student Fi-nancial Aid Day will be held on Sat-urday, February 27th. SUNY Campuses across New York State will offer financial aid work-shops. A number of campuses will also provide hands-on assistance from SUNY financial aid profes-sionals in completing the Free Ap-plication for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students may register o n l i n e a t w w w . s u n y . e d u /studentevents or by calling the SUNY Recruitment Response Cen-ter at 1-800-342-3811.

A Prayer for Ash Wednesday

Lord,

it feels like we are embarking

on a Lenten journey together.

We consider quietly our need

for redemption.

Help us remember how much we

need you in our lives and how

much our lives need redemption.

On Ash Wednesday, may our

small sacrifices in fasting be a

way to clear away the clutter in

our lives to see you more

clearly. May our longing for

meat and other food, help us to

focus our lives today more out-

side ourselves. Let us be aware

of those who are suffering so

much more than we are and may we be aware of them as the

brothers and sisters you have placed in our lives.

Lord, we know there is darkness within us and around us. Bless

these days with your Word. Let your Light shine in the darkness.

Help us long for that Light until we celebrate it at the Easter Vigil.

May we acknowledge to you our sins and a deep need for your loving

forgiveness and grace. We pray that this Lenten season will make us

so much more aware of how much we need your healing in our lives.

AMEN.

MMA Student Reflection Catholic Health Partnership M*A*S*H Camp Experience by Sophomore Kelly Hess

Attending the Maternity M*A*S*H Camp at Mercy Hos-pital to learn about medical technology jobs and working

environments broadened our horizons. Ms. Mary Ann Murphy, the nurse who showed us around the ward, was very passionate about her job, verifying our interest in future careers in the medical field. The information given was extensive and interesting. She showed us each department of the Maternity Ward, including the patient rooms and equipment used in each department, and introduced us to the doctors. When we first arrived, Ms. Murphy showed us the nursery. In the nursery, there was a baby girl who was born the previous day. I am pretty sure this was everyone’s favorite part of the tour. She pointed out how every baby needs to be clothed, how they are identified with their mother, and the nurse’s role in this department of the ward. The baby needed a warm hat covering her ears, a blanket and an ID sen-sor. The ID sensor goes off when the baby gets too close to the exit. This ID makes sure that the baby’s mother is the only one who is able to take the baby out of the hospital. The nurses in the nursery are trained specifically to help keep the babies healthy in their first days of life. After visiting the nursery, we were showed the special care nursery. The special care nursery is for babies who have special needs after birth. For example, if a baby is born prematurely, or if a baby has low blood sugar, the baby will go to the special care nursery for more specific care. This nursery can care for babies born up to ten weeks early. Ms. Murphy pointed out that the environment of this special care nursery was different from the regular nursery. We no-ticed that the lights in this nursery were dimmed and were told it was much warmer in this nursery, more like it would be in the womb. It was interesting to find out things that we never knew before this ex-perience. We were told about the multiple job positions that are held in this labor and delivery department. In the birthing room we were told about different types of delivery, and the role of the nurses that aid mothers through labor. Ms. Murphy told us many stories of her job in this room, all of them very inspiring and touching to hear. We were shown renovated post-partum rooms and how they are made to be very family friendly. The experience was very reassuring that careers in the health care field is where we want to be. We enjoyed it thoroughly and learned interesting information about the Maternity Ward. Ms. Mary Ann Murphy was very knowledgeable and taught us a lot about this hospital ward. We all had a great time and learned so much about the Maternity Ward. It was a great experience!

Chemistry Review Thursday After School

2:45 - 3:30pm Wed. morning 7:30 - first bell

Congratulations to….

Mrs. Teresa Melonson, Campus Minister at Mount Mercy Academy. Mrs. Melon-son has been awarded one of four Oishei Scholarships for the Teacher Leadership pro-gram at Canisius College. The

purpose of the Leadership Program is to help current teachers develop leadership skills and prepare them to take on position of lead-ership within their school. The program includes classes in Instruc-tional Program Design and Emerging Issues in School Leadership. The program also includes a research component. We applaud Mrs. Melonson for taking on the academic challenge and are proud of her achievement.

MMA Freshman Rachel Singer, Merit Prize Winner in the 2009 the Big Read “American Dream” Essay Contest at the Erie County Public Library. Her essay was featured in the

Buffalo News “NEXT” magazine. Well done, Rachel!

MMA Vocalists who have qualified for the Erie County Junior and Senior High All-County Chorus under the direction of Music Director Mr. Fred Kirisits:

Living Environment Review Tuesday After School

2:45 - 3:30pm Friday Morning 7:30 - first bell

Nicole Vertino Desiree Desiderio Marjorie Bishop 1st Soprano 2nd Soprano Alto

Evania Santiano Colleen Burke Paige Ogden Alto 1st Soprano 1st Soprano

Lauren Buzzanca Kyra Krafchak Alto Alto

Ms. Mary Ann Murphy, R.N., guides MMA students on a tour through the Mercy

Hospital Maternity Ward as part of the MMA –Catholic Health Partnership

Mt. Mercy Academy Responds

Only about a half an hour into the year 2010, a terrible accident oc-curred on Route 400, injuring four young people on their way home from First Night activities and the celebrated New Year’s Eve ball drop in downtown Buffalo. A young man, critically injured, did not survive. Two young women were badly shaken, one losing consciousness for a brief time, the other able to phone for medical assistance, and the third seriously hurt. Two of the passengers involved in the one-car crash were Mt. Mercy students, sisters Mary (Marsie) and Emily Gangloff. Marsie is a senior and Emily a freshman at MMA. Marsie was the only person conscious after the accident and able to dial 911 for help. Emily was severely injured and in desperate need of medical attention. The incident brought immediate re-sponse from the Mt. Mercy Academy community. Everyone was eager to offer whatever help the Gangloff family needed. In an effort to coordinate the numerous suggestions and ideas on how to assist the family, the Vision of Mercy Committee held an emergency meeting and decided to find out what the immediate needs of the family were and how to best respond. The first request from the family was for prayers for Emily, whose status remained critical. On January 4th, the day school resumed after the Christmas holiday break, the entire faculty and student body gathered to-gether to offer prayers for Emily, the other victims of the crash, and their families. The sincerity of the prayers offered by friends, classmates and teachers was heartfelt, all so aware of the gravity of the situation. Once efforts were coordinated and underway, and contact was made with the Gangloff family, a suggestion made by MMA Art Teacher Ms. Jac-queline Welch came forth which would unite the Mercy community together in an effort to let Emily know that we were thinking of her and praying for her. Ms. Welch knew of the Japanese legend of the crane, which is said to live for a thousand years and bring good health and happiness to those in need. When someone in need makes or receives 1000 paper cranes, the person’s wish is said to come true. Ms. Welch and her talented and patient students moved swiftly to teach the entire student body, faculty and staff the art of origami paper folding to create the 1000 paper cranes for Emily. In less than a week’s time, the paper cranes were created and delivered in several huge plastic bags to Emily’s hospital room. We are pleased to be able to report that at this time, Marsie is back in school and Emily is improving much more rapidly than first anticipated by her doctors, and will continue her recovery at home.

Get Ready for St. Patrick’s Day

Junior and Senior Class Parents and Athlete Gift Gathering Party

Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010 Cost: $25 a person or $40 a couple Or a gift valued at approximately $50.

Time: 6:00 p.m. Includes: Pop, Beer, corned beef sand-wiches, potatoes, snacks and desserts. Place: Mount Mercy Academy Gym

Featuring: Live Music by Bill Larausch

Performance by the O’Sullivan Irish Dancers

‘Tis a great time of the year for Mercy friends and parents to get out and min-gle a wee bit. Why not celebrate with some Irish food, beverages, live music and a performance by Irish Dancers while we gather gifts or some “green”

for the McAuley Gala!

The gifts gathered at the party serve as the basis for the silent and live auction and are VITAL to the success of the Gala. Proceeds of the Gala go directly

to the Academy to support the educational needs of our students. RSVP: By Monday, February 15th –

[email protected] or 825-8796x306

Contact your leprechaun hosts and Gala Committee members with any questions.

Ed & Grace Jackson @ 828-1998 or

[email protected];

[email protected]

Tim & Mary McDonald @ 868-9535 or

[email protected]

Kathy & Joe Murphy @ 824-3561 or

[email protected]

Pattie & Dan Marren @ 675-9270 or [email protected]

Sharon & Doug McCormick @ 674-0802 or

[email protected]

Colleen & Jim Kamien @ 649-5883 or

[email protected]

Rana & John Piegay @ 677-4555 or

[email protected]

Jack Hess @ 867-5312 or [email protected]

If you are not able to attend, we’ll be more than

a wee bit disappointed! But feel free to drop a gift to the Advancement Office.

Mt. Mercy Academy Alumnae Association Fish Fry! Mark your calendar!!!

You are invited to bring your family and friends to the Mt. Mercy Dining Hall on FRIDAY, MARCH 5th, from 4:30-7:30 PM

to enjoy a delicious fish fry. Curb-side take-out also available!

Pre-Sale Fish Fry: $8.00 Fish Fry at the Door: $9.00

Pre-Sale Kid’s Chicken Finger Dinner: $6.00 Kid’s Chicken Dinner at the Door: $7.00

Pre-sale tickets available at Mt. Mercy Alumnae Office or Main Office Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, or by calling or emailing Grace Jackson at 825-8796 x 306 or [email protected].

MOUNT MERCY ACADEMY PROUDLY ANNOUNCES 2010-2011 ACADEMIC HONORS AND SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Scholarships are based on High School Entrance Exam Results

ALUMNAE SCHOLARSHIP Full four year tuition to the student scoring highest on the Catholic High Entrance Exam

Caitlin Matuszak, Queen of Heaven

PRINCIPAL’S SCHOLARSHIP Four year half-tuition to the student scoring second-highest on the Catholic High School Entrance Exam

Kathryn Collins, Orchard Park Middle School

CATHERINE McAULEY SCHOLARSHIP Four year $1,500.00 academic scholarship awarded to the following students

Mary Bamrick, Notre Dame Academy Emma English, St. Bernadette

Sarah Emmerling, St. Bernadette Lauren Szymanski, Queen of Heaven

MOUNT MERCY ACADEMY ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP Four year $1,000.00 academic scholarship awarded to the following students

Jordan DeMartino, Lakeshore Middle School Ashley O’Hanrahan, Ambrose Catholic Academy Emily Prendergast, Ambrose Catholic Academy

Julia O’Sullivan, Our Lady of Victory Kathleen Weaver, Trinity Catholic Academy Isabella Spann, Northern Chautauqua Catholic

MOUNT MERCY ACADEMY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD One year $500.00 academic scholarship awarded to the following students

Erin Glascott, Southtowns Catholic Nicole Fitzgerald, St. John Vianney

MOUNT MERCY ACADEMY February 2010...

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