"The blessing of unity still dwells amongst us and oh what a blessing,
it should make
all else pass into nothing."
Catherine McAuley letter to Elizabeth Moore, Easter, Monday 1841
|
|
| Leadership Academy |
The program and registration information for the eighteenth annual Mercy Education Leadership Academy has been sent by email to Mercy school presidents and principals and is posted at the Network website. The 2012 academy, which will be held July 25-26, 2012 is a gathering of Mercy educators committed to furthering the charism, values and tradition of Mercy. The experience together with input from colleagues, opportunities for dialogue, and time for reflection on what it means to be called to leadership in a Mercy school is a source of inspiration for now and into the future. The 2012 academy will be held at the Four Points by Sheraton, BWI, 7032 Elm Road, Baltimore, MD 21240. For further information, please check the Network website. |
| Collaboration | |
We know that in each Mercy secondary and elementary school and educational center there is commitment and efforts toward collaboration. We highlight in this newsletter an example that is the result of a number of years of hard work, commitment, and dedication to bring a program to a Mercy secondary school which would benefit so many. Congratulations to Sister Mary Ellen Twist, RSM, President of Mount Mercy Academy, Buffalo, NY, and the administration, faculty and students of Mount Mercy Academy for the Academy of Science and Healthcare in Partnership with Catholic Health. Learn more.
|
| Technology Gathering |
The Network wishes to extend its gratitude to the nearly twenty Mercy Directors of Technology/IT persons who gathered in Philadelphia on February 23rd. The meeting agenda was planned and led by the tech persons and included topics such as "Managing the Technology Decisions Made," "Professional Development for Teachers," "Tablets, PC Devices and IPADS," "Digital Curriculum," "Best Practices" and more. Two Mercy educators attended a number of sessions via Skype. This way of attending a Network gathering will hopefully be replicated for not only the tech persons but for others. There is more to learn and refine, but the capability was demonstrated. The Network thanks Anne Foley of Merion Mercy Academy and Catherine Glatts of Mercy Vocational High School for their special assistance in the program and its logistics. All gathered agreed that they wished to continue to meet. The Network is in the process of planning for follow-up and shared leadership for the tech persons to continue collaboration. More information to come! |
| Sponsorship Seminar held in New York | |
March 11-12 twenty eight Mercy educators representing each of the six Communities gathered in New York for reflection, sharing, and input. Central to the time together was "Raising the Questions of Our Time" and "Affirming and Envisioning Response to the Questions of Our Time" a facilitated process led by Sister Lisa Gambacorto, RSM, the Directress of Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung, NJ. To this process Sister Lisa invited sharing, meeting with a variety of persons to gather ideas and careful listening. The fruits of this process are being compiled and will be shared with all participants. The Network wishes to thank Karen Calta, the Assistant Directress of Mount Saint Mary Academy for her generous assistance in compiling the ideas put forth.
Believing also in the power of witness, the seminar was planned to include remarks from Ms. Becky Henle, Principal of Assumption High School, Louisville and Ms. Peggy Lake, Co-Principal, Catherine McAuley High School, Brooklyn, NY on "Claiming a Source of Strength and Inspiration - Catherine McAuley". There was consensus after the presentations that their words were inspirational, moving, deeply from the heart, and a source of support and encouragement.
The Network thanks all presenters, attendees and those who helped make the seminar possible and looks forward to continued opportunities for Mercy educators to gather, share, and help shape a preferred future for this vital ministry.
|
| Mercy Learning Online | |
The Network wishes to thank all the Mercy schools which have shared in the conference calls and completed the survey providing input and direction for the Mercy Learning Online program. A recent summary was sent to all participating and it includes information about two new offerings for summer 2012. Speech will be added for summer 2012. In addition, Anatomy will be developed and offered for summer 2012. Registration opens April 16th, 2012 and the link has been sent to all participating schools.
Etymology will be developed and offered for second semester of the 2012-2013 school year and offered for summer of 2013. Geography, Intro to Computer Programming and Creative Non-fiction will be developed and offered for summer 2013.
The schools which are involved in or expressed interest in further discussion of Latin, which was begun in 2011-2012 met again on March 21st and follow up planning is continuing.
There was interest expressed in potential online learning for faculty development in the use of the IPAD. Rather than an online course, a potential vehicle may be an online meeting which can take place through a variety of platforms. This desire for ongoing learning is consistent with that discussed by the technology directors so further development will be discussed with those Mercy educators also.
Please visit the Mercy Learning Online section of the Network website for up to date information on the online program.
|
Mercy Secondary Education Conference
Committee Membership |
The Mercy Secondary Education Conference Committee wishes to share that it is seeking volunteers for membership beginning January 2013. Committee members work collaboratively to plan the annual conference for Mercy secondary educators. Persons interested are invited to send in a 1 page letter giving your current role and responsibility in a Mercy secondary school and a statement sharing why you are interested in serving on the MSEC committee. Please also include a statement of support from your school administrator if you serve in a role other than president or principal.
Members need to be able to attend a 3-4 day meeting held generally the second week of January for conference planning and also travel 1-2 days in advance of the October conference for pre-conference meetings. Conference call meetings are scheduled in February, April, June and September.
Mercy secondary educators who have worked collaboratively to plan the annual conference have often commented on the friendships that have been established or developed in the process. Moreover, service on the committee is a gift to all Mercy schools and appreciated by all who attend the annual conference and benefit from it.
Please send your letter of interest to Laura Held, President, Mercy High School, Burlingame, CA, Mercy Secondary Education Conference Committee Chairperson via email at lheld@mercyhsb.com by
June 15, 2012.
|
| AMSSA | Sister Frances Fitzpatrick, The Executive Officer of the Australasian Mercy
Secondary Schools Association sent the Network a copy of their newsletter which includes the announcement of their 2013 conference in Auckland. She invited us to share this information. |
|
Thank you for reading this newsletter. Please send a note if you see any errors or send ideas for future issues. Sincerely,
Sister Corinne Raven, RSM
Network for Mercy Education |
|
|
|
Who Will Tell the Story
| |
| |
Pictures- shared by schools - Thank you
|
| Network News | |
Network News is a publication of the Network for Mercy Education distributed approximately every six weeks to Sister of Mercy Leadership, Mercy secondary and elementary presidents and principals, the Network Board, persons in sponsorship roles, Mercy friends and more.
For information or resources, contact the Network
|
|
|
Please
Remember in Prayer
| | Please hold in prayer the school community of Mt. St. Joseph Prep School in Mandeville, Jamaica. Fire tragically destroyed parts of the school at the end of February. Photos shared show some of the scope of the damage done. One can only imagine the feelings of loss, and yet the commitment to rebuild is strong. The Mt. St. Joseph Restoration Project carries the focus "Poised to Rebuild for Our Children." Donations can be sent to: Mount St. Joseph Fund, care of the Mission Advancement Department, Mercy Administration Center, 101 Mercy Drive, Belmont, North Carolina 28012-2898. | |
|
| Administrative Openings | The Network posts administrator openings at the request of a Mercy secondary or elementary school or educational center.
Two new openings have been posted:
 President, Mount Saint Mary Academy, Little Rock, Arkansas
 Assistant Principal, St. Catharine Academy,
Bronx,NY
|
|
Sisters of Mercy
New York,
Pennsylvania
Pacific West
Community
| |
Please hold in prayer the NYPPAW Community who will gather in Assembly April 17-22, 2012. We pray that the Spirit will be with them as they gather and set direction for the Community and elect the new Community Leadership Team.
|
|
|
