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16 December 2019
Dear Families,
It’s that time of year when we drive to school in the dark and then, at the end of the day, drive home in the dark. Having reached the third Sunday in Advent, Gaudete Sunday, it’s not hard to appreciate how important it is to be anticipating the Light of the World. We need light so desperately, as light is inspiration; it’s direction. Without light, we can only just muddle along. As we prepare for the coming of the Light of the World, this particular week we anticipate the coming of Jesus with great joy. The pink vestments at liturgy on Sunday and the pink candle lit on the Advent Wreath denote joy. Last evening, the antiphon was, “Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.” To be firm in our joy is central to our faith.
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We begin the week with a snow day. As you know, after the second snow day, we will be using online learning, so that our Mercy Girls can maintain the momentum of their schoolwork. Online learning is outlined in the Student/Parent handbook, but one important item to note is that if, for some reason, a Mercy Girl cannot access the internet during online learning, she must bring a note from a parent or guardian to me, not to her teachers, when school resumes.
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This week, our Student Council has planned Christmas festivities.
- Tuesday is Festive Sweater Day, and Santa will visit Mercy during both lunch periods.
- The Cookie Bake Off and Sale, with the proceeds being donated to The Mercy Girl Effect, originally scheduled for today, has been moved to Wednesday.
- On Thursday, students will Wrap a Mercy Girl at lunch and the Student Council will also hold a contest with Christmas Trivia.
- On Friday, there will be a hot chocolate bar at both lunches.
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When we return to school after Christmas, there will be a week of classes before semester exams begin. The school schedule is different during the exam period, as, although in full uniform, Mercy Girls report only for the exams that they are taking, not for a full day of school. The exam schedule is posted on the Mercy website, as is a complete guide for what happens during the school day over the exam period. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to be in touch.
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The Winter Concert, featuring the Madrigals and Ensemble Players, will be held on Thursday evening, December 19 at 7:30 pm. Please join our community to support our choral and instrumental musicians for their Christmas performance. There will also be special performances by The Piano Quartet, The Dance Troupe, and The Apprentice Dance Company. School will be dismissed on Friday, December 20 at 3:10 pm, beginning Christmas vacation. Classes will resume on Monday, January 6.
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Finally . . .
During this joyful week, as we prepare for the Light of the World, and for Christmas and its many celebrations with family and friends, I hope that you are able to reflect on the story of the Holy Family. Their strength and courage as they traveled first to Bethlehem and later to Egypt, were amazing. There is much to ponder in their simple, quiet joy.
All the best,
Jeanne A. Blakeslee
Principal
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