FEATURE
Mercy is more than an academic learning environment
—it’s a community, a culture, and a mindset
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n a matter of weeks, our lives were turned upside down by the COVID-19 global pandemic. We were updated daily with news of restrictions and closures, and were forced to watch and wait while processing fears, frustrations, and worries about the health of our loved ones. But Mercy came together, leaning on our faith and the wonderful gift of community. To ensure the safety of our families, friends, and neighbors, we committed to a ‘new normal’ with Shelter In Place. The strength of Mercy High School truly shined when faced with the unknowns of COVID-19. Our world shifted immediately and drastically, but Mercy was prepared. We had piloted the program in the fall, and have been using digital platforms that support Distance Learning for years.
In a testament to the skill and flexibility of our faculty and staff, our students went from walking into classrooms to logging into classes over a weekend. There was no gap in their curriculum. They engaged with their teachers and classmates in academics, and participated in spiritual, wellness, and extracurricular enrichment. When other schools took weeks or even months to transition, Mercy pivoted seamlessly. We reimagined our liturgies, club meetings, major events, faculty meetings, and even lunches to support this new normal. We cared for, comforted, and supported each other. Mercy was truly revealed in our community.
g n i n i L r Silve —Michelle T., Senior Parent
Though the impact of COVID-19 and Shelter in Place has been profound, many in our community shared that they had sought to find and experience the ‘silver lining’ lessons and experiences of value that they want to take with them when life returns to normal.
Whether it was playing a weekly virtual game with friends, developing a meaningful new family tradition, or practicing a new personal hobby, members of our community chose to honor the present moment by making the best of it. Here are a few stories they have shared: 4 MERCY HIGH SCHOOL BURLINGAME
In a given week, Mercy offered virtual community activities including: • Lunchtime Prayer with Campus Ministry • Workouts with Mercy’s Athletic Trainer • Lunch with Pets • After School Meditation and Yoga • Spring Sports Virtual Team Meetings • Parent College Counseling Support • Parent Mixers • Parent Check-In with Head of School
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Before Shelter In Place, my husband and I carpooled to work, which gave us time for meaningful conversation. Since the orders, we have made it a priority to walk every single day for 1-2 hours. This allows us to stay connected and have those discussions (it's amazing we still find things to talk about after 28 years). We are fortunate to live a block from the ocean, so our walks are filled with beauty and we have been able to discover more about the area we live in. —Patricia Bradley, Science Teacher
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“Kudos to Mr. Offield for having AP Lit class online and holding every student’s attention!! After the lesson, I was excited to see that the students broke out into collaborative groups on zoom to discuss, and then came back together as a class. As a teacher and parent this made my day...especially his suit and tie! Impressive teaching!”
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