General Information

Academics

 
Mount Merici graduates consistently lead in academic endeavors, extra-curricular activities and standardized testing results at local high schools and at post secondary institutions. Over the last several years we have been tracking our alumni and focusing on how well they do at other schools. Approximately 80% of Mount Merici School graduates go on to make the honor roll each quarter at the surrounding junior high and high schools. At Mount Merici, students receive a strong foundation for future success. Students consistently average above-grade-level proficiency on standardized testing. Upper grades perform three grade levels above average compared to students nationally.
 

French

French is taught at Mount Merici beginning in Kindergarten. All levels of French begin with the basics, starting with the alphabet, numbers, days of the week, months of the year, colors and basic everyday conversation. Constant, varied repetition of material is necessary in the study of any foreign language, especially at the elementary level. We begin each lesson, at all levels, with basic introductory conversation. 

Books are eventually used in grades 3-6. The books are used to build conversation skills. The focus is always on the spoken rather that the written French. In order to maintain interest; games, poems, songs, and occasionally videotapes are used in class. Often times, aspects of French culture are introduced to present a well rounded picture of both the language and the people. 

With each subsequent year of French, vocabulary and conversational skills are expanded. Often the lessons are augmented with supplementary material to strengthen the application of what is being taught in the book. 

A constant effort is made to keep the subject matter light and enjoyable. It is important at this level of French to keep interest up so that the value in being exposed to a foreign language at such a young age is most beneficial. You may visit the Mount Merici French web page by clicking here.
 

Sports

The basic philosophy of the After School Sports Program is that what counts is sportsmanship, a positive attitude and being a team player. Ms. Russo shares the following thoughts on the main objectives of the athletic program. "To help the kids feel good about themselves, develop self-esteem, learn to try new things, develop fundamental skills and not be intimidated by those more skilled."
 

Aftercare

Mount Merici School recognizes that many students have parents that are both working. To help our students and parents, we have organized an after school care program. Parents can depend on their children being cared for until 5:30 every school day afternoon.

 

Uniforms

All students are required to wear uniforms daily unless a uniform holiday has been declared by the principal. The official school uniform is supplied by Northeast School Uniforms, Inc. of Waterville. Order forms are available at the office. 

A uniform negligence form will be sent home when a student is missing part of his/her uniform. Parents are asked to sign and return this form to the office. If, for a serious reason, the student must be out of uniform for a day, a note to the homeroom teacher will excuse him/her.
 

Boys Uniform 

• Navy blue pants - twill or corduroy (NO jeans).

• Long or short sleeve white collared cotton blend uniform shirt.

• Tie - navy blue or Mount Merici plaid
  Sweater - cardigan, long sleeve pull-over or vest.

• Grades K through two: Red sweaters.

• Grades three through six: Navy blue sweaters.

•  Sweaters and vests with Serviam Shield patch (worn on the left side) are part of the uniform and must be worn except when the weather is too warm.

• Sturdy ALL black or ALL brown shoes (Loafers, Dockers, ankle height tie shoes).
   

Girls Uniform
 

• Mount Merici plaid jumper for grades kindergarten through three; grades four through six wear Mount Merici plaid jumper or skirt.

• Long or short sleeve white collared cotton blend uniform blouse Sweater - cardigan, long sleeve pull-over or vest.

• Grades kindergarten through two: Red sweaters.

• Grades three through six: Navy blue sweaters.

• Sweaters or vests with Serviam Shield patch (worn on the left side) are part of the uniform and must be worn except when weather is too warm.

• Sturdy ALL black or ALL brown shoes (Loafers, Dockers, ankle height tie shoes).

• White tights, knee socks, or ankle socks
   

Students are expected to be in complete neat and clean uniforms every day unless a uniform holiday is scheduled. All pieces of the uniform as well as other belongings should be labeled with the child's full name.
 

Family Participation

The participation of our families in the work of our school helps to guarantee the opportunity to choose Catholic education to all who wish to have it. The 20 hours of service per family yearly is very much appreciated and crucial to the mission of our school.

• Witness to the gospel message by providing examples of charity and service to students.

• Form friendships and build community as they work with other parents, alumni, teachers, and administrator.

• Supplement formal instruction and enrich students, academic experience.

• Help stabilize the operation budget, recruit new families, and retain current ones, project a positive image.

• Ensure a broad base of support for development and fundraising efforts.

An excellent and fun filled opportunity to render much needed service to the school is volunteering at the Harvest Fair. The Harvest Fair has grown considerably over the past several years. Along with the excitement and benefits of the growth, the demand for an expanded work force has resulted. Extended family members and friends are also welcome to volunteer at the fair.

A Family Participation Program Log sheet for you to record service hours for the school year was included in the First School Day Packet. If you need another sheet, please contact the school office (873-3773).

Thank you for your assistance and for helping Mount Merici School be a Christ centered education environment where a proud tradition embraces a promising future. 
 
These activities are made possible through family contributions and support provided by the School Life Committee. As in the past, we are asking for a $5.00 donation per child, maximum $10.00 per family.

The school has instituted a Rainbows program that meets on a need basis after school. Rainbows is a Catholic support based program that aids children deal with the sense of loss over separation, divorce, and death.

Field trips, assemblies, and other activities extend the classroom experience. Field Trips include trips to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Manter's Apple Orchard, Wright Farm, and Norlands Living History Center. Assemblies include Masses celebrated at the school, the Friday morning assembly, and other celebrations.
 

Bus Transportation

Bus transportation is available to students living within the City of Waterville.
 

School Life Committee

The School Life Committee is a group of parents who serve as representatives for their child's classroom, on a planning board that meets once a month at Mt. Merici School. Our meetings are open to the entire school community at all times! We meet monthly on the first Tuesday of each month, at 7:00 p.m. in the library.

The School Life Committee has two basic functions:

One is to help support the school financially by sponsoring fund-raisers throughout the year. Our largest, and most important fund-raiser, is the Harvest Fair. We also sponsor the Book Fair and the Heart of Gold Lottery. By helping to organize and run these fund-raisers, we have been able to assist the school in providing our students with such things as the Arts Program, new books for our library collection, and just this past year we were able to purchase two new computers and printers. Because we are all parents of Mount Merici students, we are able to directly see the benefits of our fundraising efforts through our own children as they continue their education here at Mount Merici.

Our second function is equally as important as the first. This is to provide opportunities for the families to gather socially as a school community and enjoy each others' company. We do this by hosting all of our social events such as the beginning of the year Pot Luck Supper, a Mother's Breakfast, an Italian Dinner during Catholic Schools Week, a Spring Fling, and a Teacher's Banquet and an End of the Year Barbecue. All of these events are hugely attended by our school community. They are a fantastic opportunity for us to meet friends, new and old, in a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere. There is always a lot of music, food, conversation, and FUN!! These events have helped to build a unique feeling of community here at Mount Merici that is invaluable.

Each classroom has two or three parents who serve as classroom representatives on the School Life Committee.
 

Student Community Service

At Mount Merici, children learn the importance of being of service to their families and others.
The sixth grade is a special year for Mount Merici students. A special focus is made on service to others. The Mount Merici sixth graders will be involved in service projects Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the school year. These service projects include the Sacred Heart Soup Kitchen, The Muskie Center or working in the younger level classrooms. 

We feel the Service Projects are effective and important in the education of our students. Our students who have participated in these projects have experienced a feeling of pride for helping those in need. The sixth graders began to appreciate aspects of their lives that had sometimes been taken for granted -- not only food, clothing, and shelter, but also the love and care that many of the people they visit do not receive. We are looking forward to another successful year, with this and other sixth grade projects.

Many of these students continue to participate in service projects they began in the sixth grade. It is not unusual to see our alumni continue to work at the Parish of the Holy Spirit Soup Kitchen or to be ringing the bell for the Salvation Army during the holidays. We often see them as Eucharistic Minister and lectors in our local churches.

Tuition Information

2007-2008

Nursery School Program (Ages 3 and 4) $10/2hour-session
2,3,4 or 5-day options

PreKindergarten (Ages 4 and 5) $2,625
Five-day program 7:45 - 11 a.m.)

Full Day Kindergarten, Grades 1 -6 $3,310

Multiple Child Credits:
First Child $0
Second Child $300
Third Child $150
Fourth Child $100

Tuition Assistance Program: Financial needs-based scholarships are available to qualified applicants.

Smart Program: Allowing tuition payments to be divided into 10 monthly installments, July through April.

For more information, please contact the school at (207) 873-3773.