February 26, 2020
Ever wonder... Why does an all-girls environment matter?
Leadership through the lens of an all-girls Mercy education.
Open House Sunday, Oct. 4 11AM - 2PM
VISIT GWYNEDD!
Half-Day Visits for 7th Graders Wednesday, March 4 Wednesday, March 25* *Terra Nova Testing Day Wednesday, April 22 Thursday, April 23
Morning Tours Tuesday, April 28 Register for a Morning Tour
Evening Tours Wednesday, March 18 Wednesday, April 1 Register for an Evening Tour
Spotlight: Mrs. Rebecca Rose-Howell, M.B.A. College Counselor
The mission of the College Counseling Department at Gwynedd is to guide students through the college process from start to finish. Our students accomplish incredible things inside and outside of the classroom. In many ways, the college process feels like a culmination of these achievements as students move on to their next academic home. Our goal is to bring joy to the college process and celebrate the amazing young women that walk through our red and gold corridors. I feel so lucky to have joined the Gwynedd community this year. I've had the privilege of spending almost fifteen years working in College Admission Offices in Illinois and here in the Philadelphia area. It has been a pleasure helping families navigate the college application and financial aid process while helping students find their best-fit schools. The College Counseling Department at Gwynedd has programming geared towards all grade levels including a Financial Aid Night, information on standardized testing, and hosting a College Fair. This year, we have almost 70 colleges and universities registered to attend the fair! We also introduced a new software called SCOIR (pronounced SCORE) designed to assist with the college and career exploration process.
It might seem daunting to think ahead to the college application process as you are just completing the high school process. We want you to know that your daughter will be well taken care of at Gwynedd Mercy. Our intention is to make the process as stress-free as possible and bring joy to the process. Your daughters are amazing young women and they deserve to be celebrated. They truly are the future!
PAL (Peer Advisory League) is a Gwynedd program run by upperclasswomen who serve as peer mentors to small groups of freshmen. Under the direction of a faculty advisor, PAL groups meet regularly through freshmen year to discuss the realities of transitioning to high school well as important adolescent issues. Our Freshman Advisory class supports our student through the high school transition. Students learn time management and study skills along with goal setting.
Mercy Effect is an organization that works to raise money for a specific global cause each year. In the past the group has sent money to aid in the building of both medical facilities and schools in places such as Cameroon and Haiti.
On Saturday, February 8, Gwynedd's Mercy Effect club hosted the first "Superhero Breakfast". Young heroes and heroines were invited to meet and learn with some of their favorite characters. Over 200 attendees were in attendance!
Over the weekend, Gwynedd's esteemed Speech and Debate team hosted the District 11 and 12 PHSSL qualifiers. District champions will move on the states.
Gwynedd's Mock Trial team recently competed in a regional Mock Trial Competition at the Montgomery County Courthouse. This year, the club was assigned a civil case, the first in years! Participants acted as lawyers and witnesses under the guidance of a Montgomery County judge and local lawyers.
Creativity and artistry of Gwynedd Girls abounds beyond our Art Studio. Works developed in Dr. Derstine's '01 History classes can be found on display in the PAC Lobby area. The classroom lesson focused on the Critical Concerns of Women and Racism to ensure equitable representation of Black and African American Women's contributions in American History. The women selected represent "Hidden Figures," the unsung leaders, heroes and trailblazers who deserve to be elevated to the same level as their more commonly recognized contemporaries.
Gwynedd Swimming & Diving finished in 3rd place at the AACA League Championship Meet. Megan Iatesta '21 medaled in 4th place at the District 1 2A Diving Championship which earned the team 15 points towards the District 1 2A championship being held this Thursday and Friday.
Gwynedd's AACA Basketball League All Stars! Sarah White '20, 1st Team All Star
On Saturday, February 22, Gwynedd basketball won the District 1 4A Championship over Villa Joseph Marie. The final score was 57-38.
As the end of Black History Month draws near and Women's History Month begins, Gwynedd continues to focus on the Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy. On Monday during 9th period, Gwynedd will welcome a, "merciful in spirit, innovative in thought, and courageous in leadership," member of the Richmond 34, Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson Rice. Mrs. Johnson Rice's actions were essential in helping desegregate the city of Richmond, and she will share her experience with the Gwynedd community. Students will also be given the opportunity to ask questions of this incredible female leader who stood up to injustice. Described by Julian Bond of the SNCC and a leader of the American Civil Rights Movement, Mrs. Johnson Rice is an "ordinary person, who did an extraordinary thing."
Recently, Dr. Ken Ginsburg visited and spoke with parents, as part of a Gwynedd's Speaker Series, on the topic of, "Building Resilience in Teens."
Dr. Ginsburg was well-received, with one mother sharing: "With the cold and rainy weather, and the fact that my kids are almost grown, I thought, "What more can I really do to parent them?". Well, I am so glad that I attended his talk. I learned about mistakes I've made as a parent and things I've done well. Most importantly, even with kids who are 17 and 19, it was clear that I am still relevant to them and their emotional health. Dr. Ginsburg gave us talking points and tools to help guide our children to become successful adults. It was a lovely, intimate, and frank conversation." - Mrs. Kathy Fluehr P '20 Dr. Ginsburg shared resources for both parents and teens: parentandteen.com
TELL YOUR FRIENDS!
Gwynedd will be hosting two Tech Girlz Workshops, for girls grade 5-8, on March 28 and April 4! These events are free and open to the public! To register, visit gmahs.org/techgirlz.
Questions? Email Mrs. Melinda O'Neill at moneill@gmahs.org!
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 |