Head's Weekly Message — April 3, 2020
Dear Mayfield Senior School Parents,
First, I have to say how extremely proud I am of your daughters. From everything I have heard from their teachers, COVID-19 has not defeated them. They continue to be the hard-working, responsible, kind and joyful Mayfield students that we know and love. You are raising amazing girls, and I think they are showing us all how to survive these very challenging times—with grace and determination.
I am also extremely grateful to our teachers who have embraced remote teaching and learning with such a positive attitude. They are working very hard to find the right balance—keeping the learning going forward in a meaningful way without overwhelming their students. We will all be continuing to search for that balance as we learn more each week.
Finally—I just want to acknowledge all that parents are being asked to do right now. While we are trying hard to address our students' needs remotely, you are being asked to support your daughters during unprecedented times while you are experiencing extraordinary challenges yourselves. Please reach out to us if there is anything that we can do to help, especially if your family is experiencing income loss due to the pandemic. This is not going to last forever—we will get through together.
But we are all wondering how long will this last. Of course, the answer is we just don’t know. While the other day an announcement came from Pasadena Unified School District that their campuses would not reopen this school year, along with other Pasadena area independent school heads, I am not ready to make that call. We continue to hope that we will be able to be reunited together on 500 Bellefontaine during this school year. Sadly, some events will need to be cancelled and others rescheduled—but we are committed to doing all we can, especially to honor the amazing Class of 2020.
As our wonderful seniors have been receiving really excellent news from colleges, we know that for many their decision-making process will be more challenging this year because they will not be able to visit campuses. Our alumnae would like to do everything they can to help their Mayfield sisters. Please contact Nicole Cosand, Director of Alumnae Relations, if your daughter would like to be put in touch with an alumna who is attending or has attended a college of interest.
We are also becoming aware that the college process for the Class of 2021 will probably be a bit different—especially with respect to standardized testing. For students taking Advanced Placement classes this year, the exams are being redesigned. The content and skill expectations have been substantially reduced, and the exams themselves will be taken online during a 45-minute window. More detailed information is expected to be released today, but at this point we want to let you know that for this year only Mayfield Senior School is waiving the requirement that all those enrolled in AP classes must sit the exam. That being said, we want to encourage our AP students to go ahead and take advantage of these cumulative assessments. Historically Mayfield students have been incredibly well-prepared for their AP exams—our students and teachers have worked so hard and it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to show the fruits of their labor.
Finally, I want to send my deep gratitude to Nancy Tupy and the other leaders of the Parents Board this year. Their hard work and support have been a blessing beyond measure. Yesterday we met remotely through Google Meet and we decided it would be fun to organize a “virtual happy hour” to allow Mayfield parents to connect with each other and administrators. Please join us today 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at this meeting link (it works best with Chrome)—cocktails are optional!
As we prepare for Holy Week, the most sacred time of the year, I know you join me as we pray for our community and especially those who are working on the front line in essential roles delivering services and taking care of the sick. They are the true heroes, and we hold them in the Light with love and gratitude.
With Love and Gratitude,
Kate Morin
Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.
