Head's Weekly Message — Oct. 2, 2020
Dear Mayfield Senior School Parents,
Greetings from the East Coast! Skip and I travelled to New York last week to celebrate our granddaughter Maddie’s second birthday. In the midst of all these challenges and uncertainties, it was wonderful to be with family. We find such joy in our little one, and we are very excited to announce that grandchild number two is on the way. Our eldest son Aubrey and his wife Haley are expecting a baby boy in April—such a blessing!
I feel a little guilty to be missing this latest heatwave, and I hope that you are all staying safe and cool. We were disappointed to have to cancel a few days of our new Cubs conditioning program—I know our girls really enjoyed being back on campus despite the terrible heat. With the start of October, we pray that we will begin to feel some autumn in the air.
Even during this very hot weather our amazing facilities crew has continued to work tirelessly to prepare our campus for the return of our students. We are so fortunate to have such lovely outdoor spaces that we can use once we are back together, and we have invested in the needed materials to make this happen. I am particularly looking forward to the day when I can welcome our Seniors into their very own tented “locker-room,” aka Cornelia’s Courtyard. I believe that the Seniors have already created their traditional locker-room wall paintings on portable surfaces—I can’t wait for the installation!
With all the extra resources that we have been investing to prepare our campus for a safe and healthy reopening, we are more dependent than ever this year on the generosity of our community. As you know, we also made the important decision to increase our financial aid budget to make sure that every single student could stay at Mayfield despite the economic challenges faced by some of our families due to the pandemic. Your financial support is crucial because it allows us to continue to provide the excellent academic, extracurricular and spiritual programs that our students deserve. We are hoping for 100% parent participation in our Annual Fund, and we are so grateful for your help.
I am also so grateful for our Campus Ministry programs and leadership as we maintain focus and support on our sustaining Catholic faith. During times like these, prayer is a lifeline. Our students have the opportunity to pray together every school day through our morning announcements, and on “Wellness Wednesdays,” they have a special opportunity to gather remotely for our “Cor Unum” prayer circle at 11:30 a.m. Parents also have the opportunity to pray the Rosary together every Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. Today we pray in a special way for all those who have contracted the COVID-19 virus, including the President and First Lady, hoping that they have a very speedy recovery.
I feel particularly blessed today to have the opportunity to pray with our sophomores during their class retreat. The theme of the retreat—“Choices”—is especially inspiring to me as we are faced with so much uncertainty right now. It reminds me that we always have the power to choose hope rather than despair, knowing that our God will continue to show us the way forward with love and compassion.
Finally, please be on the lookout on Monday for an email inviting you to our remote “Back to School” presentations. All of your daughters’ teachers are preparing short video messages that you will be able to view on iMSS at your leisure. I know you will be impressed!
With Love and Gratitude,
Kate Morin
Back
Greetings from the East Coast! Skip and I travelled to New York last week to celebrate our granddaughter Maddie’s second birthday. In the midst of all these challenges and uncertainties, it was wonderful to be with family. We find such joy in our little one, and we are very excited to announce that grandchild number two is on the way. Our eldest son Aubrey and his wife Haley are expecting a baby boy in April—such a blessing!
I feel a little guilty to be missing this latest heatwave, and I hope that you are all staying safe and cool. We were disappointed to have to cancel a few days of our new Cubs conditioning program—I know our girls really enjoyed being back on campus despite the terrible heat. With the start of October, we pray that we will begin to feel some autumn in the air.
Even during this very hot weather our amazing facilities crew has continued to work tirelessly to prepare our campus for the return of our students. We are so fortunate to have such lovely outdoor spaces that we can use once we are back together, and we have invested in the needed materials to make this happen. I am particularly looking forward to the day when I can welcome our Seniors into their very own tented “locker-room,” aka Cornelia’s Courtyard. I believe that the Seniors have already created their traditional locker-room wall paintings on portable surfaces—I can’t wait for the installation!
With all the extra resources that we have been investing to prepare our campus for a safe and healthy reopening, we are more dependent than ever this year on the generosity of our community. As you know, we also made the important decision to increase our financial aid budget to make sure that every single student could stay at Mayfield despite the economic challenges faced by some of our families due to the pandemic. Your financial support is crucial because it allows us to continue to provide the excellent academic, extracurricular and spiritual programs that our students deserve. We are hoping for 100% parent participation in our Annual Fund, and we are so grateful for your help.
I am also so grateful for our Campus Ministry programs and leadership as we maintain focus and support on our sustaining Catholic faith. During times like these, prayer is a lifeline. Our students have the opportunity to pray together every school day through our morning announcements, and on “Wellness Wednesdays,” they have a special opportunity to gather remotely for our “Cor Unum” prayer circle at 11:30 a.m. Parents also have the opportunity to pray the Rosary together every Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. Today we pray in a special way for all those who have contracted the COVID-19 virus, including the President and First Lady, hoping that they have a very speedy recovery.
I feel particularly blessed today to have the opportunity to pray with our sophomores during their class retreat. The theme of the retreat—“Choices”—is especially inspiring to me as we are faced with so much uncertainty right now. It reminds me that we always have the power to choose hope rather than despair, knowing that our God will continue to show us the way forward with love and compassion.
Finally, please be on the lookout on Monday for an email inviting you to our remote “Back to School” presentations. All of your daughters’ teachers are preparing short video messages that you will be able to view on iMSS at your leisure. I know you will be impressed!
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.
