President's Page Admin Login
|
 |
Happy February!
posted on 02/01/12 @ 12:36pm
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As I write this letter, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is considering the appeals made by many Catholic elementary schools and several Archdiocesan high schools slated for closing or merging by the Blue Ribbon Commission. The administration and faculty of Mercy Vocational High School realize the pain and loss that will accompany the final decisions which Archbishop Chaput will announce on February 15th. We do offer our prayers for all administrators, faculty, parents and students who will be affected.
Because Mercy Vocational High School is a sponsored educational ministry of the Sisters of Mercy, we are not affected by these decisions. Mercy will welcome prospective parents and students to a special Open House on Saturday, February 4 beginning at 9:00 AM. You will be able to speak to faculty and students, walk the halls and visit the career/technical shops in the only Catholic, co-educational, vocational high school in the United States. Come and see how Mercy Vocational High School builds tomorrow’s workforce today.
During the month of February our present freshmen take a significant step toward shop selection for their next three years of study at Mercy. Each freshman will have the opportunity to visit vocational areas and hear from “the masters” the specific requirements necessary to meet success in that particular trade. After Easter freshmen parents and guardians will have a similar opportunity to meet with shop teachers before final shop selections are made.
During this month of February the Church, too, has a message for us. We celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord at the beginning of the month. In describing the Child Jesus, Simeon in the Gospel of Luke states that he “is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel”. This phrase could apply to all of us, who fall and rise many times in the course of our lives, but are ultimately saved, thanks to God’s grace. Toward the end of February the Christian world observes Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Throughout the Lenten season we are encouraged to live the Paschal Mystery with Jesus, believing that we, too, will rise with him.
Throughout the weeks ahead, please continue to check your son/daughter’s academic progress, attendance and conduct regularly on Power school, especially as it concerns supervision of student homework and completion of assignments. Success or lack of success should never be a surprise on a student’s report card.
We continue to be grateful for your partnership and cooperation, Together, we guide the young men and women God has entrusted to our care. May God bless us all!
Sincerely,
Sister Rosemary Herron, RSM
President
|
|
|
Sr. Rosemary Herron, RSM
Email: rherron@mercyvhs.org
Biography:
In the spring of 2007, the Board of Trustees recommended the appointment of Sister Rosemary Herron to the position of President of Mercy Vocational High School, and this appointment was affirmed by the Leadership Team of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, MidAtlantic Community, effective July 1. 2007. Sister Rosemary had been the Principal of Mercy Vocational High School since 1997.
In this two-tired model of administration, the President takes on the overall leadership of the school as well as the non-academic responsibilities of institutional finances, management and advancement, maintenance of the facilities, recruitment, communications and public relations. Mercy Vocational High School moved to a governance structure of a Board of Trustees in 1997, and Sister Rosemary is directly accountable to the Board for the advancement of the school’s mission. Mercy Vocational High School became separately incorporated in 2000.
During her ten years as principal, Sister Rosemary restructured the administrative team of Mercy Vocational High School and collaborated with them to provide for recruitment of students, more effective supervision and guidance, enhancement of school ministry, and an ever-growing development program. Also during these years the McAuley Program for students needing learning support, and additional vocational shops including the Certified Nursing Assistant Program, HVAC and Computer Technology were added to the education offerings. In collaboration with the Board of Trustees, Sister Rosemary implemented the first five-year Strategic Plan in 1999. Mercy Vocational received Middle States accreditation in 1999 and was fully re-accredited in May, 2007. Mercy Vocational is now in the midst of a new strategic planning process.
Sister Rosemary was born in South Philadelphia and is the oldest of eight children. She grew up in Southwest Philadelphia, attended Most Blessed Sacrament School, West Philadelphia Catholic High School and is a graduate of Archbishop Prendergast High School in Drexel Hill. She received a B.A in History from Gwynedd Mercy College and an M.A. in Theology from the University of Dayton. She is permanently certified in both elementary and secondary education, and also holds a citation and certificate from the Catholic Healthcare Administrative Personnel Program.
Additional experiences include teaching middle school and junior high in the Archdioceses of Philadelphia and Miami as well as in the Diocese of Allentown. Sister Rosemary has been an evaluator and reader for Middle States, a member of the Screening Committee for Mercy Volunteer Corps, a member of the Advisory Board of Gwynedd Mercy High School and a Trustee of Grey Nun Academy. Presently she is a member of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Advisory Board of St. Malachy School.
Prior to her ministry at Mercy Vocational High School Sister Rosemary was the principal of St. Elizabeth School, Whitehall, PA for four years and the principal of Gwynedd Mercy Academy for thirteen years. Sister Rosemary enjoys spending her free time with her siblings and eighteen nieces and nephews, reading, and traveling with her family and friends. Most of all, she loves her ministry at Mercy Vocational!
|
|
