January 17, 2020
Welcome to the Monarch News, a bi-monthly e-newsletter from Gwynedd's Admissions Office. With the start of not only a new year, but a new decade, where will your daughter be at this time in the next decade? The Monarch News will keep you and your daughter up to date on all the events and deadlines connected to the admissions experience. In every edition of the Monarch News a variety of topics may be highlighted: "Goings-on-at Gwynedd", fast facts, features on a "Mercy-Minded" person, and faculty/staff/departmental updates so you never miss a moment!
7th Graders (Class of 2025): This is the perfect time to begin the high school selection process. We look forward to seeing you and your daughter on campus this spring at a Gwynedd event and at our 7th Grade Practice Test!
6th Graders (Class of 2026): While high school may seem far away, now is the best time to start thinking about what you and your daughter are looking for in a high school experience. We invite you to campus to see what Gwynedd has to offer. We are hosting a 6th Grade Practice Test for the second time this April. The practice test is an opportunity for your daughter to see how timed, standardized testing works.
When the Monarch News arrives in your inbox you will have access to the latest registration details and announcements for future events (like camps and sports clinics this summer)!
Your daughter is the future and we look forward to welcoming your family to Gwynedd! GET ON CAMPUS!
Morning Tours Tuesday, February 4 Tuesday, February 11 Tuesday, March 10 Tuesday, April 28 Register for a Morning Tour
Evening Tours Wednesday, March 18 Wednesday, April 1 Register for an Evening Tour
Half-Day Visits for 7th Graders Thursday, February 13 Tuesday, February 25 Wednesday, March 4 Wednesday, March 25 Wednesday, April 22 Thursday, April 23 Register for a Half-Day Visit
6th Grade Practice Test Saturday, April 25 OR Sunday, April 26 Register
7th Grade Practice Test Saturday, April 25 OR Sunday, April 26 RegisterMrs. Kimberly Dunphy Scott '84, P'16, '16 Director of Enrollment Management 215-646-8815, x: 329
Mercy-mester is Coming! – Next week, Gwynedd students in grades 9, 10, and 11 will explore passion-based learning in classes outside of our academic curriculum. Some of the opportunities offered to students are woodshop, nutrition, sewing, adulting 101, pharmacology and chemistry, and off-campus field trips! Meanwhile, our seniors will be on a special, class-wide spiritual retreat experience called, "Emmaus", to deepen the girls' connection with God and one another. Please join us in praying for our young women during their journey.
Monarch Mornings – During an extended homeroom period, students are able to meet and break into groups with faculty and staff or guest speakers. Sessions may focus on topics such as wellness, the school-wide read, social media, and more! Yesterday, Amie Konwinski from SmartGenSociety spoke with students about social media responsibility and safety. Smaller breakout groups learned about topics including self-care, self-defense, career planning, and more!
School-wide Read – This semester, the entire school will participate in a school-wide read. The book, "The Other Side of Beauty", written by Leah Darrow focuses on the real meaning of beauty and learning to see ourselves as God does. In the Spring, we will welcome Ms. Darrow to Gwynedd as a special guest speaker, as well.
The Speech and Debate team traveled to sunny Florida for the Sunvitational Tournament! Congrats to Kathryn '20, quarter finalist in OO and 11th in Informative and Sahiba '21, 10th in Informative and 8th in Oratory.
On Thursday, 1/16, Gwynedd Basketball coach Tom Lonergan reached his 700th career win when the varsity team defeated Nazareth Academy 42-31!
On Thursday, 1/16, the Gwynedd rowing team took a cycling class at Cyclebar in North Wales. It was a great opportunity to workout and focus on team bonding!
Last week, the Leadership Department announced the "Ethical Leader Award" for the month of December. Isabelle Bosca '20 was nominated by faculty member Mrs. Trish Giangiulio for being a quiet, but compassionate leader on stage crew.
Students in Freshmen Technology used their Computational Thinking Skills to solve 225 Rubik's Cubes. The cubes created a mosaic, displayed in the Learning Commons, of Nikola Tesla, a STEM pioneer. Students will now work to apply their group problem solving skills in Javascript Code.
Chef Craig Paulus Craig Paulus, chef and culinary manager from of our Monarch Cafe, joined the Gwynedd family in August of 2018 from our dining partner, Brock Premier Culinary Services. Since then, Chef Craig has lead his small and mighty culinary team, joined by Sue and Ryan, proudly delivering delectable delights of all kinds to ensure all students' tastebuds are pleased and dietary needs are met. He enjoys seeing the students and staff at Gwynedd every day and values their feedback and input.
When reflecting on experiences at Gwynedd and experiencing mercy, two qualities of the community shine the brightest. The first is how welcome and included everyone has made Chef Craig feel. The second would be the most meaningful, and that is having the opportunity to work with the students on the casserole event. Being able to give back to the community is something Craig is passionate about.
Chef Craig studied Culinary Arts at Pennsylvania Culinary of Pittsburgh. He developed his love for cooking and hospitality over the years while working for many different restaurants, businesses and colleges. He believes food is a way to bring people together and nothing makes him happier than seeing a group of people truly enjoying the food he has prepared. Chef Craig is honored to have so many people show their appreciation for the work he and his staff brings on a daily basis.
Chef Craig's talents and his team's service cannot be underscored enough as he has assists all departments at Gwynedd with preparing food and dinning services for events before, during, and after our school day, as well as on locations off campus. Chef Craig is also an instrumental part of our Ministry and Service Casserole Program. Each month, eight students meet with Chef Craig to make 30 family-size casseroles which are donated to St. John's Hospice in Philadelphia, a shelter caring for local homeless men.
This year, as an extension of Gwynedd's leadership program, Chef Craig is accompanied in the kitchen by a student intern. A valuable hands-on, real-world learning experience, the internship opportunity was available for a senior student with an interest in the culinary field. Juliana Valerio '20 is currently learning about food safety and service, cafeteria marketing, and dining and catering. Juliana is getting a lot of culinary experience and insight thanks to our very own Chef Craig!
Leadership Department Starting this January, with the help of "Lead4Change", the student leadership team will be helping to plan six lessons that will provide opportunities for collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and reflection. Through the leadership lessons and projects, students will increase their understanding of practical leadership skills as they take action to make a positive impact on their school and community. In the coming months, be sure to look for spotlights on the program developments and lessons on through various Gwynedd communication channels!
Stay Connected to Gwynedd! SHE IS THE FUTURE. ©2020 | Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School P.O. Box 902, 1345 Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437 (215) 646–8815 gmahs.org |