August 7, 2020 Dear Parents,
The 2020-21 school year is happily upon us. It has been five months since our classrooms were filled with joyful, energized, young women. This week we were thrilled to welcome some of our students for two great sessions. Our student leaders were on campus to participate in a Student Leaders Day, where they learned about qualities of an effective leader, brainstormed ideas for spirit activities and celebrations, and more. In addition, many seniors were on campus this week for our College Application Bootcamp to get a head start on their college applications. I applaud our students for their leadership and commitment to excellence!
Although some things about the 2020-21 school year will be different, our mission, our Catholic and Mercy values, and our commitment to providing outstanding academic instruction, remain unchanged. Our students will continue to grow spiritually, academically and emotionally, and all of us at Mercy McAuley will be supporting them and cheering them on every step of the way. Flexibility will be important as all of us adapt to some new procedures and day-to-day processes. As a reminder, all students are required to wear masks. Wolves that wear masks together, stay healthy together!
If you have not already done so, please return the COVID Acknowledgement of Risk Form, which is due today, August 7. Also, any families who wish to participate in the virtual learning option must submit the Virtual Learning Contract today, August 7. Links to both of these forms are found below.
We will closely monitor all of our new processes and procedures, all of which have the health and safety of our students at the forefront, and we will make adjustments when needed. Our students will be a great help as we take care of each other. We cannot wait to see all of our new and returning Wolves next week!
"The tender Mercy of God has given us one another." —Catherine McAuley
Mercy and compassion always in our hearts,
Connie Kampschmidt
Forms Due Today, August 7
All Students May Wear Spirit Wear Next Week Due to the delay in shipment of our uniform polo shirts, all students may wear spirit tops and appropriate length shorts the week of August 10, in order to allow families time to purchase polos. (This also applies to freshman orientation.) More information about purchasing polo shirts is found below.
Uniform Polo Update
Due to COVID-19, we have experienced unexpected delays in the shipment of our uniform polo shirts. We had previously communicated that the polo shirts would be available for sale in our Spirit Shop beginning August 7; however, that is no longer the case. The Spirit Shop will be open on the days and times listed below for you to purchase spirit wear, but polo shirts are not yet available. We will let you know when the polo shirts are at school and available for purchase.
Because the polo shirts are not yet available for sale in our Spirit Shop, all students may wear a spirit top with appropriate length shorts for the week of August 10. (This also applies to freshman orientation.)
Spirit Shop Hours The Spirit Shop will be open the following days and times for the purchase of spirit wear:
Only one family will be permitted in the Spirit Shop at a time, and masks must be worn. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Online Spirit Wear - Spirit wear and polo shirts can also be purchased online at the link below. When placing an order, you must choose "Request Pick Up." Pick-up times will be Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in the Main Office. Any parents who wish to pick up orders must press the buzzer at the front door, and an employee will bring your order to you.
Any Spirit Shop questions can be directed to Mandy Maddox at maddoxa@mercymcauley.org.
Freshman Orientation is Monday & Tuesday
Orientation for all freshmen is Monday, August 10, from 12:30 – 3 p.m., and Tuesday, August 11, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Freshmen must bring their tablets, fully charged, on both days. Freshmen may be out of uniform on August 10. We previously said that they should be in uniform on August 11; however, due to the delay in shipment of our uniform polo shirts, they can now wear spirit wear and appropriate shorts on August 11. Lunch will be provided on August 11. Students can be dropped off at the lower level front entrance. We look forward to welcoming our newest Wolves!
Open Time During open time, students will be permitted to go to the cafeteria, auditorium and library. Social distancing will be in place in all of these areas.
Cafeteria Update & "Bonus Bucks" Offer
All items sold in the cafeteria will be pre-wrapped. There will be very limited breakfast options, and no items will be sold after 7:30 a.m. For lunch, the selection for purchase will not be as robust as in years past, but there will be a variety of items, all of which will be pre-wrapped. Food items will not be sold during open time; food items will only be sold before 7:30 a.m. and during lunches. After routines are established, the cafeteria may be able to add additional food items.
Students will be called to the cafeteria by class. When students are in the cafeteria, they must wear a mask if they are not eating. Students will be required to social distance when in line; markers are placed on the floor indicating where students should stand to space themselves out. Also, microwaves will not be available for use, and students may not use the refrigerators in the kitchen. All tables will be disinfected after each lunch bell.
Our food service provider, W.g. Grinders, offers an easy way for students to pay for their lunch through a lunch account. Parents may put money into their daughter's lunch account, and the student's ID badge will be swiped when paying for lunch. Grinders is offering a 15% "Grinder Bonus Bucks" opportunity for all families who load their student's accounts between August 3 - August 21, 2020. Accounts can be loaded via check (sent to the school) or at the EzPay link below. Grinder Bonus Bucks have no cash value and are only available for use in the cafeteria.
New Parents - Join us for New Parent Welcome Address on August 10 Parents of freshmen and any new students are invited to join us for our New Parent Welcome Address on Monday, August 10, from 7-7:45 p.m. in the Auditorium. School leaders will provide remarks as we welcome all new parents to the Mercy McAuley family and kick off the school year! Members of Mercy McAuley's Parent Pack will also be on hand to present information about our parent organization. Please RSVP below.
Parent Pack The Parent Pack is Mercy McAuley's parent organization, whose mission is to work in partnership with the school families and the school community to ensure quality, well-rounded, Catholic, Mercy educational experiences for all students. All Mercy McAuley parents are invited to join the Parent Pack; there is no annual fee! Learn more about the Parent Pack HERE.
First Meeting - The Parent Pack's first meeting is Monday, August 24, at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria. All are welcome!
Current Fundraisers
Summer Homework Summer homework assignments for students of all grade levels - including incoming freshmen - are found at the link below. All assignments are due by the first day of class, August 13.
Applications Being Accepted for Student Worker Program Mercy McAuley offers the opportunity for students to earn wages that families can apply towards tuition. Applicants must be 14 years of age prior to beginning the program. Acceptance into the Student Worker Program is based on the financial aid application submitted through FACTS. You must also complete the Student Worker Application available at the link below or in the Main Office. This year, the Student Worker Program will consist of the following:
Cafeteria Lunch Worker
Students who participate in the program must be responsible and committed to reporting for their assignment and perform quality work. Parents are requested to support and work with the school in accomplishing these objectives. Parents must provide a written note if the student needs to withdraw from the program. Given the number of hours that the students work, we ask you please realize that only a portion of the tuition cost can be earned through this program. Questions can be directed to Mandy Maddox at maddoxa@mercymcauley.org.
Note from Mrs. White to Orchestra Students
A note from Mrs. White to all Orchestra and Beginning Orchestra students - On the first day, please meet in Room 7 at 7:30 a.m. Do NOT bring instruments on the first day. Thank you!
Interested in a car pool to school? The Mercy McAuley Car Pool web page is a free service that could potentially match you with other Mercy McAuley families looking to share car pool rides. Individuals who post their information are responsible for all contact, communication and setting up of car pools. No Mercy McAuley employee will be involved in coordinating car pools. To become part of our Online Car Pool postings, click HERE.
Athletics News
Fall Sports - Congratulations to all our Fall athletes! We emailed a welcome letter to Fall sports families with details about the Fall parent meetings. Please check your email, and we look forward to seeing all of you next week!
Fall Pictures - On Monday, Executive Studios will be at school to take individual photos. We will use the individual photos to create a composite. Traditional team group photos will not be taken this year. You will be able to purchase photos online. We will distribute information on Monday or at the parent meetings. We would like all athletes to get a picture taken even if they will not be purchasing any photos. We will use the Senior photos to create the Senior banners!
Change to Physicals for 2020-21 - Please read the letter found HERE from Mercy Health regarding on-site physicals for athletes for the 2020-21 school year. The new Physicals Form can be found HERE; you can also find the Physicals Form on our website HERE, under the "Athletics" tab, and then under "Sports Medicine."
Attention Parents of Seniors All students entering the 12th grade for the 2020-21 school year must have a second dose of meningococcal vaccine (MCV4). The second dose must be administered on or after the 16th birthday. If the first dose of meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) was given on or after the 16th birthday, a second dose is not required. Documentation with the Month/Date/Year of both meningococcal vaccines must be submitted to our school nurse, Kathleen Johnson, prior to the first day of school.
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 10 (12:30 - 3 p.m.)
August 10 • 7 - 7:45 p.m.
August 13 • 8 a.m - 3 p.m. First Day of School for all Students
August 20
August 21 Picture Day
Mercy McAuley High School 6000 Oakwood Avenue • Cincinnati, OH 45224 • (513) 681-1800 |