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Mount Mercy Academy 88 Red Jacket Parkway Buffalo, New York 14220
Phone: 716-825-8796 WWW.MTMERCY.ORG Fax: 716-825-0976
E-mail: [email protected]
Accredited by The Middle States
Association of Colleges and
Schools
GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT MMA!
Hallmarks of a
mercy education
Dedication to Christian values
Academic excellence Leadership
Service Family in partnership
MMA Outreach Students help decorate Christmas trees for
Light—A– Life.
Christmas elves Anne and Tracy help at Breakfast with Santa
MMA Spirit Club members support the Magic Basketball Team
MMA students Emily and Katie assist a young
SABAH Skater
Katie and Caitlin smile at the Honor’s Assembly
More Mercy smiles from Jasmine,
Zakeria and NaShomi
MOUNT MERCY ACADEMY January 2008 Newsletter
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 42
S P E C I A L P O I N T S O F I N T E R E S T :
♦ Jan. 3: School Resumes
♦ Jan. 9: AP Information Day
♦ January 15: Senior Retreat
♦ Jan. 18: End of 2nd Quarter
♦ Jan. 18—21: Senior Trip
♦ Jan. 21: Martin Luther King
Day– No School
♦ Jan. 22-25: Regents Exams
♦ Jan. 28: Second Semester
begins
A Message from our Principal Sincerely, Paulette C. Gaske Principal
January, 2008 Dear Parents and Guardians, The administration, faculty and staff of Mount Mercy Academy wish all of you health, happiness and the blessings of the New Year. We welcome you back after the holidays and look forward to the prospect of a brand new year. The weather is always a factor we have to contend with in January and we just remind you to listen to the radio or watch TV to find out if Mount Mercy is open or closed during inclement weather. We ask that you do not call the school. If the weather outside is frightful, I’ll be making the closing calls from home and you won’t reach any-one in the Main Office. We will also use the same media to report an early closing or cancelled after school activities. January also brings with it the end of the first semester. Finals for semester courses and Regents exams are scheduled for January 22 – 25. Students will only report to school if they have an exam sched-uled. The exam schedule will be posted on our website and teach-ers will be announcing their exams in class. Students are asked to consult the schedule and/or write down the instructions from their teachers in their agendas. Second semester begins on Monday, January 28. The Parent Association will have its next meeting on Wednesday, January 16 at 7 PM in the academy dining hall. Our guest speaker from Prevention Educators will discuss positive approaches to disciplining adolescents. Your attendance will help earn spirit week points for your daughter’s class. In addition, you could win a drawing for a gas card. Please join us and support your daughter’s education here at MMA. We have many events planned for January. Please be sure to consult the calendars that were mailed to you or the calendar that is available on line. Please make a New Year resolution to participate in the events at Mount Mercy. It will be the best resolution of you life! Sincerely, Paulette Gaske Principal
MMA Seniors Ashley Matte, and Courtney and Cassandra Myers are ready to lead the student
body in song at the Lessons and Carols Assembly
Beautiful Mercy Girl Smiles!
Loren, Bridgette, Jessica (front)
Christine, Katie and Danielle (back)
MMA Photo Album
Living the Mount Mercy Mission
FROM THE OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
2008 McAuley GALA “Celebrate the Seasons”
Parents of the Class of 2010 You’re invited to the 1st Sophomore Parent
Pizza, Wing and Beer Tasting Party!
Please join all the sophomore parents for an evening of food and fun.
Come, drop your daughter off for the Sophomore Sleepover and then head upstairs to enjoy a variety of delicious pizzas and chicken wings from a
number of your favorite pizzerias and sample beers from Flying Bison Beverage!
When: Friday, January 11, 2008 ● 8pm until 10pm
Where: The Third Floor Hallway of Mount Mercy Academy
(Sign your daughter in for the sleepover and then head upstairs for the party!)
What to bring: Your appetite AND a minimum donation of $25 per person
and/or a gift that costs $50 or more with a spring theme as a donation to the McAuley GALA
(bikes, lawn furniture, baseball tickets, baby items, gardening supplies, anything that makes you think spring)
All cash donations to go directly to purchasing a large auction item for the 2008 McAuley GALA.
All gifts collected will be auctioned off the Night of the McAuley GALA, Saturday April 5, 2008.
Door prizes and Split Club will be offered.
For more information, RSVP, or to sign up to help out, please contact Kathleen Grimm at 648-7551
A very special thank you to the Parent Steering Committee Sophomore Representatives
Colleen and Jim Kamien and Kathleen and Peter Grimm
This year Mount Mercy Academy students have been working on a new project with the Sisters of Mercy called “Prayer Partners”. Each homeroom is teamed with a group of Sisters from various convents in the Western New York region. Once a month, during Advisement Period, students take time out for reflection and prayer and ask their prayer partners at the convents to pray for their intentions. The Sisters, in turn, pray for the student requests. The intent of the programs is to help establish an ongoing relationship between the Sisters of Mercy and the students at Mount Mercy Academy. Cards, cookies and Christmas presents have been exchanged by the two groups as the program moves into the second part of the school year. A number of 2007 Mercienne yearbooks were sent to some convents to let the Sisters look up “their girls” and the Sisters have sent pictures of themselves to the students to put in advisement rooms. This connection benefits both the students and the Sisters, by strengthening the bond among the women of Circle of Mercy generationally, spiritually and compassionately.
MMA English Teacher Miss P. Burns is surrounded by her
students at the Holiday Dance
These Seniors enjoy the Holiday Dance– Caitlin,
Brianna, Shealyn and Meghan
Gabe and Kelsey lead the procession for
Lessons and Carols
Alyssa and Rachel sing a lovely duet during Lessons and Carols
SAT Test Dates & Registration Deadlines www.collegeboard.com
Mount Mercy Academy Testing Code – 331-065
Test Date Registration Deadline Late Fee Required January 26, 2008 December 26, 2007 January 4, 2008 March 1, 2008 January 29, 2008 February 7, 2007 *May 3, 2008 April 1, 2008 April 10, 2008 June 7, 2008 May 6, 2008 May 15, 2008
*Offered at Mount Mercy Academy – use Test Center code 33-274 to register to take at MMA
ACT Test Dates & Registration Deadlines www.actstudent.org
Mount Mercy Academy Testing Code – 331-065
Test Date Registration Deadline Late Fee Required
Dec. 8, 2007 Nov. 2, 2007 Nov.3-15, 2007 April 12, 2008 March 7, 2008 March 8-21, 2008 June 14, 2008 May 9, 2008 May 10-23, 2008
Counseling Center – Room 201
Phone: 825-8796 Fax: 825-0976 ** CEEB Code: 331-065 Counselors: Grade 9 – Mrs. Katie LoTempio ext. 225 e-mail – [email protected]
Grade 10 & 11 – Ms. Suzanne Perry ext. 211 e-mail [email protected] Grade 12 – Miss Runfola ext. 209 e-mail – [email protected]
Office Assistant: Mrs. Christine Zeitler ext. 213 e-mail – [email protected] Licensed Social Worker: Sister Margaret Quinlan ext. 229 [email protected]
LAST CHANCE!! Dear Senior Parents and Friends:
Believe it or not, your daughter is scheduled to graduate in June! This is a once in a lifetime event and it has been tradition at Mount Mercy for many senior parents to place a message in the yearbook for their daughter. This year, for the first time, the messages will be in color! You may create the ad yourself and send it in ready to be printed, or you may send in the message and pictures and our yearbook staff will create it. Please do not cut the pictures; this makes the task much more difficult. We can crop them with a cropping pencil to show what part of the picture goes in. Looking at your daughter’s old yearbooks will give you an idea of what to do. All pictures will be returned, uncut, in May. The deadline for submission is January 25, 2008 but early submissions are most welcome!! If you have any questions, you may call me, Pat Burns, at 825-8796 ext 221 or email me at [email protected].
The sizes and prices are as follows: 1/8 page: $40 (3” H by 4 1’4” W) ¼ page: $60 (6”H by 4 1/4” W) ½ page: $ 110 (6” H by 8 ½” W)
Full page: $200 (12” H by 8 ½” W)
MMA YEARBOOK ORDERING UPDATE For the first time ever, the entire Mount Mercy yearbook will all be in color! This one of a kind item will make a great Christmas present for any MMA student from parents, grandparents or other relatives. The cost of the yearbook will be fifty dollars. You may purchase a yearbook as a surprise Christmas present and you will receive a gift certificate for the recipient. Order yours by sending a check; tell us who the book is for and the address to send the certificate to Mount Mercy Academy, attention Pat Burns. Please order by December 15, 2007. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
SAT Prep Course to Be Offered at MMA MMA and Atlas Test Prep have partnered to offer an SAT prep course at MMA in preparation for the May SAT exam. This is an excellent opportunity for MMA juniors to take a convenient and comprehensive course in order to get the edge in the college ad-missions process!
Atlas Test Prep offers unmatched preparation with the highest score improvement guarantee of 200 points, all for less than half the cost of comparable programs. Techniques include interactive class sessions, proctored diagnostic exams, and a thorough review of content and strategies for the exam. Students receive customized help in order to diagnose and remedy weak content areas, maximizing their test results.
Classes begin Saturday, March 8th and run for six weeks. Classes will meet on Tuesdays from 3-6pm at MMA and diagnostic exams will be held on Saturdays from 9am-1pm at Bishop Timon (except the holiday break). Students may register for the class online at www.AtlasTestPrep.com. The course costs $399 and the dead-line to register is March 1st. (Students with financial need should see their School Counselor.)
If you have any questions about the SAT prep course, the SAT exam, or the college admissions process in general, please do not hesitate to contact your School Counselor.
SENIORS: Please remember to bring in ALL scholarship awards and acceptance letters to the Counseling Center as you receive them. It is IMPERATIVE for your Guidance Counselor to have this information in order to accurately announce your awards at your Baccalaureate Mass. Continue completing scholarship applications - they can be found in the Counseling Center, as well as on Ms. Runfola’s webpage.
Seniors: You must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) to apply for federal student aid and to apply for most state and college aid.
Apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
This January 17th, students in Mrs. Huffman’s Forensic Science and Mrs. Utzig’s Digital Photography classes will be treated to a visit by professional forensic photographer John P. Fecio III. Mr. Fecio uses digital photography to record crime scenes for the Buffalo Police Department. John P. Fecio will present a PowerPoint presentation of his photographic work, including both crime scene and landscape photographs. He will discuss his experience using digital pho-tography to record forensic evidence. Students will also have the opportunity to ask questions of the guest speaker.
Forensic Photographer John P. Fecio III to visit MMA Forensic Science and Digital Photography Students
Starting January 7th, the photographic artwork of Mount Mercy Academy sophomore, Tracy Thomas will be featured at the Caz Coffee Café. The winter themed art show will feature over 20 photo-graphs. Tracy’s photographic artwork is inspired upon and taken from the extensive travels she has done with her family. Tracy welcomes the Mercy community to visit her first solo art show. Support one of our local business and a MMA student and visit the Caz Coffee Café during January to see Tracy’s Work. Artwork will be available for purchase. Congratulations on your show, Tracy!
Photograph at Left by Tracy Thomas Letchworth Park February 2007
MMA ART TEACHER ACCEPTED INTO PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM
MMA Art Teacher Ms. Jacqui Welch has been accepted as a participant in the New York Foundation on the Arts MARK professional practice program. The MARK Program provides 100 visual artists throughout New York State with the opportunity to develop skills in goal setting, presentation of the art portfolio, prepa-ration of grant and project applications and public speaking. Artists attend 4 seminars at partnering regional organizations and are expected to complete assignments related to their goals. The program cul-minates in a weekend retreat/conference for all artists in New York City in June 2008. Ms. Welch will be attending the seminars at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center in Buffalo starting at the end of January. Congratulations., Ms. Jacqui Welch!
Works of MMA Photography Student
Featured in Solo Art Show
MMA WEBSITE INFORMATION Please be sure to visit the MMA website often for news and updates. All sports team results are posted on the site. The MMA Parent Newsletter can be found, as well as links to individual Teacher pages. MMA Library Media Specialist Mrs. Michele Kujawinski’s homepage contains links to many use-ful databases and tools for students and parents alike. Many teachers post assignments and projects on their webpages. Check it out!
SENIOR RETREAT INFO
MMA Seniors will attend their senior retreat on January 15th . The cost is $15.00- and a pizza lunch/desert/snack is included. Students need to bring in ONE photo that can be cropped to a 2x3 inch size. The photo should be of themselves and someone (or some people) dear to them. Parents- please encourage your daughter to attend this very special event in the final year your daughter attends MMA. It always proves to be and emotional and uplifting experience for the students.
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER AT MMA
Mr. Andrew LoTempio, a Buffalo attorney, will be visiting Mt. Mercy on January 14th to speak to Ms. Huffman's Forensic Science class. Mr. LoTempio will discuss the use of evidence in the court room, how evidence can be collected, and the workings of the court-room. Mr. LoTempio is currently in the news as the attorney of Lynn DeJak.
Beautiful MMA Juniors Angela Kresic, Stephanie Villafranca, Kaitlyn Keisic and Christine Lauber smile for the camera at the Holiday Dance.
Written by Kelsey Badaszewski, Rachel Norton and Molly Gasuik
On Monday November 19th 2007, Mrs. Melonson’s 2BDF Religion Class participated in a sophomore retreat at Hospice House. Hospice House is a facility where patients who have a prognosis of living just six months or less can live, however they also provide services at some patient’s homes. This is important if the patient has the wish to die at home because it can be easier on the family. If a patient is at Hospice, they are made to feel as comfortable as possible in a home-like environment. Additionally, Hospice provides counseling for anyone who needs it, such as; patients, children, and families. They also provide child care on the campus and in homes when needed. It is difficult for the family to accept a loved one is going to the facility, so having services such as these are a great comfort to them. While our class was at Hospice we performed many different tasks. One group had to completely reorganize a closet, by separating things such as; markers, string, glue, cards and chalk into different boxes. Another group stuffed envelopes with brochures and information about Hospice. The third group had 3,000 snowflakes to prepare for a fundraiser throughout this holi-day season at the Galleria Mall. Overall, the class enjoyed doing these services very much. They realized that they were freeing up the hospice staff so that they could spend time caring for pa-tients. Our willingness to help in these ways demonstrates commitment to service, a characteris-tic that all Mercy students learn. We also received a tour of Hospice House. On the tour students became very quiet because it reminded them of a time that they lost a loved one. It was also very scary to realize they might have to someday experience putting a family member in Hospice House. Mercy students learn that one of the hallmarks of a Mercy education is dedication to Christian values. On our retreat we showed Christian values by being polite, respecting the staff and patients, and helping out as needed. Mother Catherine McAuley, the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, said “Each day is a step we make towards eternity and we shall continue thus to step from day to day until we take the last step, which will bring us into the presence of God.” God hints to us if we do help people, we will be taking a step towards something good. Our service experiences help us to do this and will lead us in the right direction for living a happy life.
Models of Mercy
Campus Ministry Mrs. Teresa Melonson Mercy Spirit on Display
Mount Mercy Freshmen Nicole Tombolisi and Maria Colosi spent a cold Sunday in December painting four winter nature scenes
(designed by Nicole) on vacant storefront windows as part of “Christmas in Seneca-ville”.
A Christmas Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Just as your star guided the shepherds and Magi to the stable in
Bethlehem, we ask that Your light guide us again this Christmas. We
come with adoration and gratitude, as we kneel before the manger of
Your only-begotten Son. Help us to rejoice in Your love that You so
faithfully renew in us day by day and send forth Your Spirit this
Christmas to soften our hearts once more.
O Father, help us to share Your love with others, especially the needy in spirit, soul,
and body. Help us to take the time, especially with our loved ones, to look into their
eyes, to hear the message of their hearts sometimes hidden behind their words, and
to appreciate the deep worth of each person who crosses our path.
Help us also take time to seek You in the quiet of our hearts, homes, and churches.
Watch over our loved ones near and far, especially those who protect us at home and
abroad. Bring peace to every part of our world, every room of our homes, and every
corner of our hearts.
Dear Jesus, may You be born again in us this day. Amen.
MMA STUDENTS HELP FAMILY
Recently, students at MMA were so moved by the plight of the relatives of MMA senior Olivia Schlager who suffered the effects of a devastating fire that they quickly moved into action and organized a fund-raiser for the family. Over $500 in dona-tions was raised in a very short period of time. Students also purchased gifts for the family who lost almost everything they owned in the blaze, as they wanted to be sure that the family was able to have a Christmas this year. Although no one was hurt, the family will be displaced for 6-8 months until the house can be re-built. This is just another way MMA students live the Mount Mercy Mission, by demonstrating compas-sionate service.
It has been a busy time for the Mount Mercy Academy Magic Belles and Pure Magic Show Choir, who performed for appreciative audiences at vari-ous venues throughout the area this season and concluded their tour during the MMA Christmas Concert on the evening of December 18th at the Mercy Center Auditorium. Directed by Mr. Fred Kirisits, chairperson of the music department at the academy, these talented and entertaining young choir members spent months preparing for the performance, which was filled with Christmas carols both classic and contemporary. In their first appearance as a vocal choir, the MMA Freshman Chorus performed “We Need a Little Christmas”, “Here We Come A-Caroling”, and “So “Baroque” At Christmas” , based on themes from Handel’s “Messiah”. The Women’s Chorus entertained with their renditions of “Riu, Riu, Chiu,” a Spanish carol, “One Still and Silent Night”, and a classic Christmas celebration medley including “Christmastime”, and O Come, All Ye Faithful” featuring vocal soloist Ashley Matte and the wonderful voices of the children’s chorus from the “Church Mice of St. Bernadette’s”. The Beginner Handbell Choir presented the Austrian carol “As Lately We Watched”, followed by the traditional “ Parade of the Tin Soldiers”.
This year, The Magic Belles, the Academy’s award winning handbell choir, enchanted listeners with their versions of the French carol “He Is Born”, “Up on the Housetop” “Twas in the Moon of Wintertime” and ended with a captivating Sleigh Ride” finale. Audiences continue to be amazed by these poised and polished young women as they present the melodious sounds of the season. The Pure Magic Show Choir, an energetic group of talented dancers and singers, enthusiastically performed upbeat and cheerful numbers again this year, opening with “The Holiday Season” and the familiar “Winter Wonderland”, along with “An Old Fash-ioned Christmas” featuring vocal soloist Alyssa Haj. The audience was drawn into the festive feeling of the season as the troupe per-formed “Frosty the Snowman”, “Carol of the Bells” , and “Getting in the Mood for Christmas”. Vocalist Stephanie Klajbor charmed all with “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, and spectators left in the holiday spirit by the group’s interpretation of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”. Mr. Kirisits was accompanied on piano by MMA Guidance Counselor, Ms. Suzanne Perry.
From the Chief Financial Officer
On January 18, 2008 the FACTS financial aid package will be mailed to all families that applied last year.
Financial Aid packages will also be available in the tuition office for those families that have never applied before.
Please call the tuition office at 716-825-8796 x 234 or email [email protected] if you would like a financial aid
package mailed or sent home with your daughter. Forms must be completed and sent back to FACTS by February 15, 2008 to be considered for financial aid for the 2008 - 2009 school year.
Mount Mercy Students Perform
SOPHOMORE SLEEP-OVER INFO
The sleepover will take place at MMA from 8 PM Friday, January 11th, to 7 AM Saturday, January 12th, with check in from 8-9 on Friday. Sophomore Ski Club
members will be allowed to enter the building after returning from Holiday Valley.
Parents are invited to stay
How does one start to discipline adolescents when nothing seems to work? Learn about innovative strategies for reaching your teen. This presentation will focus on communication strategies, partnership skills, and positive approaches to disciplining teenagers.
WHEN: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 7:00 PM WHERE: MMA Academy Dining Hall WHO: Sponsored by the MMA Parent Association and Mount Mercy Academy
The presentation at this Parent Association meeting will be provided by Prevention Educators.
Earn Spirit points for your daughter’s class and put your name in for a gas card drawing! Be a part of your daughter’s education. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend!
MATH A EXAM INFORMATION
Is your daughter taking the Math A Regents Exam in January? A good website to go to is www.regentsprep.org and check Math A. There she can find individual topics and practice problems. From that site she can click on SED & OLD EXAMS. There she can work through actual exams and check her answers for practice.
MATH A REVIEW SCHEDULE
(All reviews start at 2:50 p.m.) January:
Every Monday and Wednesday: Room 3 Every Tuesday and Thursday: Room 1
(Except Tuesday 1/15-no review) Thursday, January 24 (Exam Date)
Room 3 at 9:00 a.m.
MATH A EXAM Thursday, January 24, 2008
Any student taking this exam should be in her assigned classroom by 11:30 a.m.
MMA Grammar School Invitational
Basketball Tournament Results
Congratulations Ambrose Catholic Academy— Tournament Champions!
Great job runner up 14 Holy Helpers!
Second Place 14 Holy Helpers
Nicole Borodzik Stephanie Cronmiller Kelly Hess Cassidy Janiszewski Kimberly Kocol Ellen Lema Jennifer Maguder
Champions Ambrose Catholic Academy
Name Rebecca Alvira Emily Barrett McKayla Burvid Zoe Jennings Brittany Lawson Coaches: Tom Barrett Joe Sullivan
Jenna Morrison Mara Shanahan Megan Sheehan Kelsie Sullivan Abbie Sumbrum Meredith Vivian
Bronwyn McAuley Jackie Myers Gabrielle Rodriquez Stephanie Sherwood Coaches: Jack Hess, Meghan Hess, Marleah Martinez, Shea Sullivan, Caitlin Kubera
ENGLISH III REGENTS REVIEW CLASSES
-ALL JUNIORS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND -SESSIONS ARE IN 313 FROM 2:45-3:30
-INDIVIDUAL HELP AVAILABLE AS WELL BY APPOINTMENT
THURSDAY JANUARY 3 LISTENING FRIDAY JANUARY 4 CRITICAL LENS
MONDAY JANUARY 7 PART II TUESDAY JANUARY 8 CRITICAL LENS WEDNESDAY JANUARY 9 LISTENING THURSDAY JANUARY 10 PART III FRIDAY JANUARY 11 PART II/III
TUESDAY JANUARY 15 PART III WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16 CRITICAL LENS THURSDAY JANUARY 17 PART III FRIDAY JANUARY 18 GENERAL REVIEW
JAN. 22 TUESDAY
JAN. 23 WEDNESDAY
JAN. 24 THURSDAY
JAN. 25 FRIDAY
8:15 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 8:15 a.m.
RE in Global History & Geography Participation in Gov’t
Comprehen-sive French* Comprehen-sive Spanish
Physical Setting/Earth Science
RE in U.S. History & Government Economics
Living Environment Mathematics B Chemistry Mid-Term
12:15 p.m. 12:15 p.m. 12:15 p.m.
Comprehen-sive English: Session One
Comprehen-sive English: Session Two
Math A
Physical Setting/Chemistry Physical Setting/Physics
Regents Exams
School Exams
JANUARY 2008 NYS REGENTS EXAM SCHEDULE
