GMA Weekly Mercy Memo 12.14.16

Weekly Mercy Memo 12.14.16

A message from our principal, Mrs. Anne Knapke

Dear Gwynedd-Mercy Academy Family and Friends,

Today, parents have been emailed information regarding how to access our new report cards. The faculty and staff have put forth great effort this trimester to design report cards that best communicate our students' achievements and progress. All Kindergarten through 8th grade report cards have been integrated within RenWeb's ParentsWeb, allowing our parents to access and view report cards for the current year.

While the 4th through 8th grade report cards have minor adjustments, the most significant changes have occurred within our Kindergarten through 3rd grade report cards.

In Grades 1-3, parents will notice two sets of grades: the subject grade average and subject skill set grades. The Marking Code or subject grade average represents a student's achievement throughout the trimester within the subject area. The Performance Indicators or skill set grades within each subject area are determined through various classroom assessments and teacher observations.

In Kindergarten, students are graded only on the skill sets associated with each subject area.

As always, communication is very important to us. If you have any questions concerning your child's report card, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher.

In Christ's love and mercy,

Anne W. Knapke, M.Ed.

Principal

All are welcome to join us at the Christmas Family Prayer Service on Thursday, December 15 at 7:00 pm!

The prayer service will feature first grade's "A Great Day in Bethlehem," followed by the 8th Grade Nativity Tableau. Families are invited to bring a gift offering for a child in need.

Grades K-3: An unwrapped toy (if a doll, please pick a doll of color)
Grades 4-8: An unwrapped article of clothing

If you are unable to join us, we ask that you bring your gift to school on or before December 15th. All gifts will be taken to St. Francis of Assisi and St. Vincent parishes on Friday morning, December 16th.

We're not bypassing the holidays, but we do have a big summer camp announcement!

This summer GMA will be partnering with Lavner Specialty Camps to host a wide variety of summer camps from June 26 to August 18th. More information will be coming your way very shortly, and we are very excited to further serve our busy families in this way.

GMA faculty will continue to host camps the weeks of June 12 and June 19. To more effectively meet the needs of our families, the GMA Faculty Camps will run Monday to Friday and we are considering offering before- and after-care.

The GMA Christmas Market will offer items for sale this Saturday, December 17th, from 10 - 11:30 am in the Gallery. Featured items will make great stocking stuffers or grandparents' gifts. Some GMA Spirit wear in limited quantities and sizes will also be available.

Have you seen a new face in the school hallways? We'd like to welcome 7th grade student, Devon Newell, and his parents to the GMA School Community. Devon joined us in November and has been a great addition to our middle school.

Attention 6th grade student parents! The Middle School Reading Olympics team is in need of four team members. This is an opportunity to earn service points while having lunch with friends and discussing books, and finally enjoying a night of friendly competition at the Reading Olympics Event in March. Click here for more information!

SAVE THE DATE! GMA Parents' Organization will sponsor its 2nd Annual Trivia Night on January 27th! More info to follow, but schedule that babysitter!

Unwanted Gift Cards = #MakeMercyReal

If you are blessed with gift cards this Christmas season that you don't want or can't use, please consider the option of Making Mercy Real and donating your cards to benefit either Project Home or Women of Hope. These Mercy institutions can use gift cards to buy supplies, use as prizes/rewards for residents and serve the homeless. The amount is not important – a $5 gift card to Starbucks would mean the world to a homeless person needing a hot drink and a bite to eat. In the words of Pope Francis, "A little bit of Mercy makes the world less cold and more just." Please send your unwanted gift cards to the Main Office in care of Sue Stephan, and your generosity will be extended to these very worthwhile institutions. Donation letters for tax purposes will gladly be provided upon request.

GMA S'well bottles will be delivered next week!

There are 10 bottles remaining for sale - first come, first serve. Click here if you wish to order one of these popular 9oz stainless steel customized bottles.

There is still space available for Explorer Test Prep @ GMA! This high school entrance exam prep course is designed to prepare your child for the 7th Grade Practice Test and the 8th Grade High School Entrance Exam Process. Click here for more information, including registration. The deadline to register is January 1.

Mercy Connect

You can still sign up for Mercy Connect, a Math/ELA/Homework Helper Program where girls from Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School volunteer to come on Wednesday afternoons from 3:15 to 4:15 to assist children one-on-one or in small groups. Children in Grades 1 through 6 may participate. Click here to learn more about this program!

Unsubscribe Link Archive Link