St. Mark School
A National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
St. Mark School is a Christ-centered learning environment that teaches Gospel values and fosters academic excellence. Aware of the dignity and uniqueness of all students, we are committed to the spiritual, intellectual, moral, social, and physical development of each child.

February 14, 2021
Dear St. Mark Families,

Today’s Gospel invites us to think about the choices we make as individuals and as a family. Jesus was faced with a choice in today’s Gospel. By choosing to heal the man with leprosy, Jesus showed God’s compassion for the sick and the outcast. The man knew that Jesus had a choice and that Jesus could reject his request. The man with leprosy is a symbol of all those in need. The sick and the outcast of our world are watching us, to see if we, as Christians will choose to extend ourselves to others in need of healing and compassion. At St. Mark School, service to our community is one our most cherished traditions. Recently, our students and families collected hats and socks for the less fortunate, and sent Lenten crosses to homebound parishioners of St. Mark Church during Catholic Schools Week as part of our continued commitment to service.

As we continue on in this school year with the theme of gratitude, let us be grateful that God has protected our students, and ask for His continued blessings on our St. Mark School community. Let us continue to pray for our leaders, for civil servants, for first responders and all who currently suffer and struggle as we continue to navigate a global pandemic.

I wish you all continued good health and God's blessings.

Yours in Christ,
Melissa Warner 

© Loyola Press Sunday Connection

Please do not reply to this email. If you have questions, comments or concerns please email me directly. 
Lent

Wednesday, February 17th marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. Lent is a time for quiet contemplation, so that we may listen to the Word and “return to God with our whole heart.”

This year, ashes will be distributed on Wednesday to students in their classroom by Mrs. Nettleton, St. Mark Parish Director of Religious Education within Diocesan safety precautions and health protocols.
100th Day of School

St. Mark students, faculty, and staff will celebrate the 100th Day of School on Thursday, February 18th!

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to “Dress like you are 100 years old." It will be a free dress down day for those that participate. Participation is optional. However, if students choose not to participate, they are expected to be in proper school uniform. Our teachers have planned several 100th day fun for students to celebrate and enjoy!

Please be advised that due to the 100th Day of School dress down, the February $1 Dress Down Day has been rescheduled to Thursday, February 25th.
Current Family Registration

Registration for current St. Mark families is open for the 2021-2022 school year. Both the Current Family Registration form found here and the registration fee must be submitted for your registration to be complete. Click here for 2021-2022 registration and tuition rates.

As you may know, we have had a lot of new families express interest in St. Mark School and we expect to have wait lists in multiple grades next year.
Enrollment from new families will be accepted beginning on Monday, February 8, 2021.

Current families are strongly encouraged to complete registration for the 2021-2022 school year to hold your child's seat in his/her class. Due to social distancing protocols, many of our current classes are at capacity, and we continue to receive inquiries in grades K through 8 for next school year. We regret that we cannot hold a seat in your child's class for the 2021-2022 school year without a complete registration. Failure to register your child(ren) in a timely fashion risks loosing the seat to a new family if the class has reached capacity.

Please contact our admissions team at AMENteam@stmarkschool.org with any questions.
Bishop's Scholarship Fund

Bishop’s Scholarship Fund (BSF) provides tuition assistance to help families afford a Catholic Education. 


Applications are now being accepted for the 2021-2022 school year! 


All families with students in next year's grades Kindergarten through Grade 8 are eligible to apply.


Families with multiple children registered in a Catholic School are automatically awarded a scholarship, regardless of income.

Families apply online via FACTS Grant & Aid, making certain to complete all questions regarding BSF, submit supporting documentation and the $30 FACTS processing fee.

Application requires the entire 2019 IRS Federal tax return along with 2020 W2s. If applicants do not receive W-2s, then they must submit 2020 tax return. 

Deadline to apply
  • March 15 for current families
  • April 15 for new families 

Award notifications
  • Early May for current families
  • Late May for new families 

For more information visit: 
Children's Educational Opportunity Foundation of Connecticut, Inc.

Since 1995, Children's Educational Opportunity Foundation of Connecticut, Inc. (CEO), has been awarding scholarship monies to families residing in Bridgeport, Hartford, East Hartford, and New Haven
who strive to have equal access to quality education for their children.

CEO will provide half of the annual tuition – up to a maximum of $2,100 per academic year.

Guidelines:
  • Students must reside in Bridgeport, Hartford, East Hartford or New Haven and live in the home of the applicant parent or guardian.
 
  • Students may enter CEO between grades K-5.
 
  • Renewing students may be supported through grade 8.
 
  • Families may choose any accredited private or parochial school in Connecticut.

Online applications will be available on www.ceoct.org beginning on
March 1, 2021 for the 2021-2022 school year!
Dismissal

If there is a change to your child's dismissal, parents are asked to send a note into school with your child in the morning. You can also contact Mrs. Mannino at cmannino@stmarkschool.org or (203) 375-4291.

Please call the Main Office at the number above prior to pick-up, to allow enough time for the classroom teacher and your child to gather and pack-up his or her belongings in advance of your arrival.

Any student being dismissed early from school is requested to be picked up no later than 1:50pm.
In the Classroom

Due to weather related interruptions to our Catholic Schools Week events, students in Preschool through Grade 8 participated in Silly Hat/Silly Sock day and Color Wars this week!
Color Wars is always one of the highlights of Catholic Schools Week events. This year, St. Mark Students showed their school spirit by dressing all in blue, green, yellow, red, and purple. Grades 8 and Kindergarten wore a combined total of 409 pieces of blue clothing and accessories! Congratulations to the Kinder/Gr. 8 team, for winning an ice cream treat in the Spring!
The Power of Prayer

If you have a prayer intention, please submit your request to St. Mark School's prayer line by clicking here. Your intention will be remembered during our Afternoon Prayers and Announcements.
For Parish information, visit: https://www.saintmarkchurchstratford.org/

For important information and updates on COVID-19, visit the
Please visit our school website regularly at www.stmarkschool.org. Important school updates including copies of notices, newsletters, HSA links, and school calendars can all be accessed on the website.

Visit our social media pages for updates on our school community.
  • Monday, February 15th: No School

  • Wednesday, February 17th: Ash Wednesday

  • Thursday, February 18th: 100th Day of School Celebration

  • Thursday, February 25th: Dress Down Day, $1
St. Mark School | 203-375-4291 | www.stmarkschool.org
500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, CT 06614
The secret to happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us everyday in His goodness.
Saint Gianna Beretta