A FULLY FLEXIBLE SPACE

When we envisioned transforming the cafeteria, faculty dining room, and kitchen area, our goal was to make these spaces more Mercy-driven, sustainable, energy-efficient, and multi-purpose. That vision has truly exceeded our expectations.

Once we were able to gather after the pandemic, a tremendous variety of spiritual, educational, and social functions filled the areas on a continuous basis. Class Retreats were conducted in the student dining room, and each morning in December a different homeroom gathered for an Advent ceremony to light the advent candle, pray, and sing with seventh grader Max playing violin. Quotes from our foundress, Catherine McAuley, and other Sisters of Mercy are displayed throughout the area. Our New Parents Reception found a home there, as did faculty professional development meetings, which became more efficient with a state-of-the art sound system heightening the presentations.

Pre-K students enjoyed a fun morning of playing Thanksgiving Bingo with their grandparents, big and little buddies in first and fifth grade collaborated to create natural bird feeders from peanut butter and pine cones, and fourth grade students designed and painted vibrant Easter eggs after meeting with Ms. Pavone’s former student Samantha Christian to explain the history of the Pisanki eggs. After dissecting the heart of a pig in their 7th grade science class, the students experienced a visit and presentation from WMA parent Dr. Matthew O’Connor, MD, an attending cardiologist in the Cardiac Center and the Medical Director of the Heart Failure and Transplant Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Using the new Smart TV gave the students a closer look into the inner workings of the human heart.

Parent “Cocktails and Conversation”, eighth grade graduation dance, and end-of-the year celebrations made their way into this re-designed space, as they were transformed into fun and vibrant theme areas.

With a new pizza conveyor installed, students and faculty now enjoy pizza each day instead of once a week. Our Healthy Food Station is stocked with a variety of freshly-made salads, yogurt parfaits, crudite with hummus, and “power packs” with quinoa, hard boiled eggs, and veggies. A selection of beverages is now available to provide different options to accommodate faculty and students’ diverse tastes.

Energy-efficient equipment, maximized use of space, and re-usable trays help to implement the Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy in care of the earth. In fact, many of the items from the previous cafeteria were donated to local organizations. Our old student tables are now in use at St. Martha’s School in Philadelphia and Hope for Kids - a faith-fueled camp empowering lives through mentoring and service.