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St. Mark School
A National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
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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.
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Dear St. Mark Families,
In this Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus teaches that his disciples are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Following upon the teaching of the
Beatitudes
, Jesus uses the now familiar metaphors of salt and light to describe the life of discipleship. Jesus’ call to be salt for the earth and light for the world powerfully states our mission as Church and as Christians. At St. Mark School, our commitment to service flows from the exhortation that Jesus gives us in the Gospel.
This week, I encourage you to take time with your children to share ways they are living the life of discipleship in their own special way at home and at school. When we strive to better our community through a smile, a friendly greeting, stretching out a helping hand, or participating in an act of service, we show ourselves to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Yours In Christ,
Melissa Warner
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Thank you to Ms. Sarah Carrano for updating our Innovation Zone windows!
The visual representations of faith, innovation, and creativity are a bright and inspiring symbolys for our students to see every day as they walk our hallways!
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Sharing our Mission
We are proud to share the many great things happening at St. Mark School. Please enjoy this short video presentation of how we balance our commitment to Academic Excellence with Faith to foster the spiritual, moral, and social development of each child.
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Knights of Columbus
Catholic School Spelling Bee
This week, students in grades 4-6 participated in a preliminary round of the Connecticut State Council, Knights of Columbus Annual Catholic School Spelling Bee. Each grade level began their preliminary round in their own classrooms. On Thursday afternoon, our entire school community gathered in the gym to watch the final contestants compete to name a winner and alternate winner. It was an exciting competition and the gym was filled with positive school spirit!
Congratulations to Julianne Gonzalez (grade 4), Molly Kery (grade 5) and Rebecca Long (grade 6), who will represent St. Mark School in the Regional Competition in March! Congratulations to Gigi Quattrucci (grade 4), Aibhlinn McNeiece (grade 5), Seth DePhillips (grade 6) - our alternate winners!
The 2020 Catholic School State Championship Spelling Bee will be held following the completion of Regional events.
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Innovation and Leadership Grant Award
St. Mark School is honored to be a recipient of an Innovation and Leadership grant award from Foundations in Education in support of our students in the 2020-2021 school year. Through its Innovation and Leadership Grants, Foundations in Education promotes excellence for educators and students alike in the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Bridgeport.
With this award, St. Mark School will have the ability to integrate a research based, teacher informed, and classroom tested curriculum program into our Religion education to directly support the social-emotional development of all our students, grades PreK through 8. Unit themes include skills for learning empathy, emotion management, and problem solving. Lesson objectives include using positive self-talk, showing compassion, managing disappointment, and dealing with peer-pressure.
At St. Mark School, part of our mission statement is:
Aware of the dignity and uniqueness of all students, we are committed to the spiritual, intellectual, moral, social, and physical development of each child.
This award will help us to advance in that mission.
Click
here to read the complete grant announcement on StratfordPatch.com.
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Please join us in welcoming Ms. Lauren McCone as P.E. Teacher at St. Mark School. Ms. McCone is a certified K-12 Physical Education teacher and previously taught as a long-term substitute P.E. teacher at Monroe Elementary School. In the summer, Ms. McCone has worked as a camp counselor for Future Stars Basketball Camp. Ms. McCone will begin P.E. class this week.
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Our students, families, faculty, and staff are sincerely grateful to Ms. Sarah Carrano for teaching P.E. class during this interim time. Thank you, Ms. Sarah!
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Parish/School Connection
Grade 3 students enjoyed spending time with Father Birendra this week as he helped them complete their Religion end of lesson review questions.
At St. Mark School, we are blessed to have a strong connection to the St. Mark Parish, most especially with the clergy. Father Birendra, Father Russ, Mrs. Nettleton, and all the deacons are so generous with their time. They visit our classrooms regularly to speak with our students, laugh with them, teach them, and help them to grow closer to God.
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Bishop's Scholarship Fund
Bishop’s Scholarship Fund (BSF) provides tuition assistance to help families afford a Catholic Education.
Applications are now being accepted!
All families with students in next year's grades Kindergarten-Grade 8 are eligible to apply.
Consideration may be given to families with multiple elementary school-aged children.
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 2018 IRS Federal tax return along with 2019 W2s. If applicants do not receive W-2s, then they must submit 2019 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
Please call Mrs. Evelyn Lesko, bookkeeper, at (203) 374-4291, should you have questions about applying for Bishop's Scholarship Fund or to set up an appointment for assistance.
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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.
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CEO will provide half of the annual tuition – up to a maximum of $2,100 per academic year.
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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 2, 2020 for the 2020-2021 school year!
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Reporting Students Absent
To report your child absent, please contact the school by calling the main office at (203) 375-4291 or email cmannino@stmarkschool.org. Please leave a detailed message indicating why your child is absent from school, including reasons of illnesses.
After 3 consecutive days absent due to illness, a doctor's note is required upon returning to school.
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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.
Please also visit our social media pages for updates on our school community.
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February 11th: HSA Meeting, 7pm
February 13th: Dress Down Day $1 (rescheduled from January)
February 14th: No School
February 17th: No School, Presidents' Day
February 20th: Dress Down Day $1
February 20th: Snack Shop
February 21st: Robotics
February 26th: Ash Wednesday
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500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, CT 06614
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...let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
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