Dear K-8 St. Mark Families, 

Our St. Mark faculty and staff have been diligently working to finalize Distance Learning plans for all grade levels (K-8) to go live on Monday, March 16th, 2020. There will be communication from myself, classroom teachers, and specials teachers regarding assignments, due dates, and expectations. Our goal is ensure a continuity of learning in all subject areas, including specials, during St. Mark School's temporary shut down.

It is imperative that all students engage in and are responsible for completing assignments during this prolonged absence. It is beneficial to students' educational development to be actively learning during this school closure. Furthermore, each day we can provide evidence that students are engaged in learning (despite not being physically present in the building), it could be considered a school day.

Per the Diocese of Bridgeport, no students are allowed into the school building during the temporary shut down.

If you or someone in your home is sick, please do not come to the building to pick up work. Contact your child's teacher to have a digital copy sent to you.

K-4 Families
Distance Learning will consist of a mixture of paper/pencil assignments and digital learning technologies. In an effort to be proactive and considerate of families' schedules, paper/pencil assignments for the week of March 16th-March 20th are available for pick up after 5pm today, March 13th.

In the hallway outside the main entrance to the school building (the blue St. Mark awning door), paper/pencil assignments can be found in folders organized by grade level. Each student has his or her own folder. Please leave the folder. However, drop completed work in the folder, and take assignments for the week.

Kindergarten bags can be found in a box, under the table. Kindergarten work will be provided in a large, clear bag, labeled with students' names.

The St. Mark blue awning door will be unlocked from 7am-8pm Friday, March 13th through Sunday, March 15th for pick up of student work.

You may receive communication from your child's teacher over the next few days regarding web-based programs that will be integrated into the Distance Learning Plan. Please review this information in a timely manner to ensure that your child is ready for distance learning on Monday. If you have specific questions about what is included in this communication, please email the teacher.

5-8 Families
Most instruction will be through digital platforms. However, extra copies of materials sent home with students on Thursday, March 12th from grades 5 and 8 History also available in a folder in the hallway outside the main entrance to school (the blue St. Mark awning door).

PlusPortal Activation
If you replied to the Distance Learning Survey that you do not have access to Plus Portal, please check for an email from St. Mark School: Plus Portal Activation. Follow the link to active your account.

Continue to stay healthy and may God bless our school community.

Yours in Christ, 
Melissa Warner 
St. Mark School
500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford CT