Head's Weekly Message — Nov. 2, 2018
Dear Mayfield Senior School Parents,
I have to admit that over the past week I have been tempted to feel a bit despairing. Overwhelmed by the heated election rhetoric, the news of mail bombs, and the hate-filled murders in Kentucky and Pennsylvania, I think this has been a challenging time for many of us—including our girls. But, it’s also times like these that I am especially grateful to be a part of our Mayfield community because it is really impossible to lose hope surrounded by so much love.
I feel so blessed to be able to witness that love in action every day. On Wednesday in particular I was struck by goodness. Amidst all the wonderfully creative, beautiful and/or hilarious Halloween costumes, I was given a lovely unexpected experience of grace as I observed a 10th-grade theology class. While leading her sophomores in a discussion of Original Sin, our beloved faculty member, Michelle Gergen, helped her students truly feel their own power to reject division and choose connectedness through compassion and generosity. The thoughtful wisdom that our students expressed was more than heartening—it was healing.
Our All Saints’ Day Liturgy yesterday was also filled with grace as we welcomed Father Alan Phillip, C.P. to Mayfield. In his beautiful homily Father Phillip gave us an image that will stick with me. Referring to stained glass windows depicting the images of holy women and men he told us that saints are those people whom the Light of God shines through. How blessed am I that Mayfield is a place so full of God’s Light.
The image of light is also a central theme in our fall play—The Miracle Worker. This heroic and inspiring drama tells the story of Helen Keller and how her teacher, Annie Sullivan, helped free her from a world of dark and silent isolation. Director Andrea Sweeney ’12 has led the cast with creativity and care—helping them grow in empathy and sensitivity for the disabled. The curtain in Pike Auditorium rises on Thursday, November 8 at 7:00 p.m. with shows on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Please mark your calendars and reserve tickets—it is going to be an awesome production!
Today, administrators will complete the proofreading process for first quarter grades and comments. These will be posted tomorrow—scroll down for instructions on how to access them. Please take some time over the weekend to review the teacher comments with your daughter to help her develop goals for the next few months. Remember and remind her—this is just a snapshot of her progress so far this year. These grades do not go on her transcript, and there is plenty of time to make adjustments.
Finally—now that Halloween is over—it is really, truly time to start thinking about Christmas! Click here and buy your tree, wreath and garland from the Mayfield Booster Club before next Friday, Nov. 9. Our Cubs will be very grateful!
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.
