Mercy Technology Blog

We are certainly a learning community here at Mercy.  When it comes to the area of Technology, we can never say, “We know enough”, because it is a field that is constantly changing.  Teachers and students both, are always experimenting, “Googling” and discussing new ways to accomplish specific tasks.  What makes being in a learning community so great is that no one has to “figure it out” alone!

Professional Development Day

On Friday, October 16, Mercy High School was closed for students, but teachers were busy attending various workshops and working on curriculum.  One workshop that a number of teachers attended was at the Microsoft store at West Farms where teachers learned how to use “Office Mix” and “Sway”

Student Learning

When teachers returned from having a day to enhance instruction, the results were seen quickly.  Students in Mrs. Lynn Curello’s Technology Fundamentals classes as well as Personal Finance are seen here learning how to use the presentation program “Sway” themselves!

It is great for students to have another option for class project presentations!

E-TextBooks

The use of e-textbooks has grown over the past few years at Mercy. Many of the digital books bring with them a cost savings as well as a lightening of student book bags!  With our Grade 9 and 10 students using required devices throughout the day, they are experiencing the benefits (and sometimes frustrations) of using these new, often interactive, resources.   

The Theology department has moved to a digital textbook option at all grade levels this year.

Grade 10 Theology Class

Both Spanish and Italian language classes have also moved to online texts which also includes a “supersite” where students do their homework and are able to hear audio clips in the language they are studying as well as post their own!

Italian Language Class

Online Resources

Students have a number of resources available to them as they are working on their various papers and projects.  Mrs. Jennifer Crutchfield, the Director of the Library Media Center, has been holding library orientation sessions with students in the class of 2019 to make sure they know what resources are available.  

There are programs, such as "Grammarly", which assist students with the actual writing of a paper and correct citing of source material.  Many online databases are also available to students at a click of the mouse.  

All of the above can be found on the Library Media Center page on Mercy's Edline website: Library Media Center 

Upcoming Events

·         October 28 – Skype Event with Bro. Guy Consolmagno, Director of the Vatican Observatory.  Students will be able to hear Bro. Guy speak about his work at the Vatican Observatory and ask him questions about his work.  Bro. Guy will be speaking to us live from Rome Italy!  For more information about Bro. Guy and the Vatican observatory, see this YouTube video:

·      October 30 - Walk-a-Thon - A well loved tradition and  
important fundraiser for the school.  Pray for a dry day!

Please click to read Sr. Mary’s letter regarding Walk-a-thon

·         November 1^st – Open House – 1:00 p.m – 4:00 p.m.  Please invite your friends and family to come and see Mercy!  Take a look at our latest video!