COVID 19 Updates

(Below are COVID updates posted by their date of announcement  for the
2021-2021 school year.)

March 5, 2021

Mercy requires a 10-day self-quarantine after out of state travel. Alternatively, a student can have a PCR test after day 5 of returning. If the result is negative and the daily health screening criteria is also met, then she can return to school. 

January 19, 2021

Mercy Wellness Survery (updated) 

November 13, 2020

Letter to Parents - Moving to Remote Learning (Nov. 16 to Dec. 7)

Remote Class Schedule beginning November 16, 2020 (remote schedule for Nov. 16 - Dec. 7)

August 19, 2020

Out of town busing update: 

Mercy and Xavier will issue bus credits if it becomes necessary to convert to fully remote learning during the 2020-2021 school year.  If this becomes necessary a bus refund of $28 a week will be credited to tuition accounts at the end of each semester.

August 12, 2020

Below is the specific language from the CIAC regarding face coverings in athletics:

 Face Coverings – In accordance with CDC guidance, “face coverings are not intended to protect the wearer, but rather to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 from the person wearing the mask (who may not have any symptoms of disease).” (CDC Consideration for Youth Sports, 2020) “Face coverings may be challenging for players (especially younger players) to wear while playing sports.” (CDC Consideration for Youth Sports, 2020) “Face coverings should be worn by coaches, youth sports staff, officials, parents, and spectators as much as possible.” (CDC Consideration for Youth Sports, 2020) Recognizing the benefits and potential concerns of using face coverings during conditioning and physical activity, the CIAC, in collaboration with the Connecticut State Medical Society, Sports Medicine Committee, recommends:

i.                     Cloth or disposable face coverings, approved by local DPHs and school districts, should be worn when not engaging in vigorous activity, such as when sitting on the bench, during chalk talk, interacting with an athletic trainer, etc.

ii.                   ii. Face coverings should not be worn when engaging in high intensity aerobic or anaerobic workouts, distance running, or swimming.

iii.                 iii. Plastic shields covering the entire face (or attached to a helmet) must be approved by CIAC. (2020 NFHS Guidance for Opening up High School Athletics and Activities, 2020)

iv.                 iv. Officials should wear face coverings whenever possible.

v.                   v. Coaches and other contest personnel must wear cloth face coverings. (Artificial noisemakers such as an air horn or a timer system with an alarm can be used to signal in place of a traditional whistle.) (2020 NFHS Guidance for Opening up High School Athletics and Activities, 2020)      

August 4, 2020

July 10, 2020

Letter from the Diocese of Norwich

July 8, 2020

To the Mercy Parents and Families:

I hope you are having a happy and healthy summer. My name is Alissa DeJonge and I am honored to be serving as President of Mercy High School. As a proud alumna from the class of 1995 I am so thankful for what Mercy gave me - from my coursework to enriching my spiritual life to creating lifelong friendships and relationships. I look forward to sharing my story with you and hearing from you what you love about Mercy. I am also very thankful for the foundation and culture that Sister Mary set here and I plan to take those assets and build upon them.

Of course one of the challenges that we are all facing is managing the coronavirus. COVID-19 has upended our current ways of teaching and learning, yet our students and faculty have all shown resilience and flexibility. The Office of the Governor recently released guidelines on what learning inside a school building may look like in the Fall, so we are busy this summer figuring out the logistics of how this can happen. I have formed an internal COVID-19 management team that is meeting regularly to work out the logistics around what our school instruction looks like in the Fall. Our plan is to open on time and in the building while making virtual accommodations for those who desire them. The well-being of Mercy students and their families is of the utmost importance to us, and that is driving our logistics decisions. The CIAC, as of now, is scheduling fall athletics to begin on time and we will continue to look to them for guidance for all athletics. More details will be shared with you in the coming weeks around school instruction and athletics.

If during this summer or coming school year, you or your family make travel plans, please keep in mind the Connecticut travel regulations which would require a 14-day quarantine upon return if you visit certain areas. Please check this  link for a current listing of the states or areas that require a quarantine period.

I look forward to meeting you soon, whether in person or virtually. 

Best,

Alissa

Alissa K. DeJonge ‘95
President