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.

December 9, 2019
Dear St. Mark Families,
 
With the Christmas frenzy fully upon us, let us take the time to reflect on our many blessings here at St. Mark School: our school family, our shared values, and our faith.

During the Advent Season, we prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ. Christ came to show us what life can and should be. He gave us true and valid principles by which we strive to live by each and every day. He formed the Church around the concept of a people held together by love. In that community we discover unlimited possibilities and meaning. Alone we can do nothing. Together we find real meaning. I believe the same qualities of community can be attributed to St. Mark School.

I look forward to another opportunity for us to come together as a community to celebrate the Christmas season at our Christmas Show on Wednesday, December 11th at 6pm in the Church.

Yours In Christ,
Melissa Warner
In The Classroom: Personalized Learning
The Diocese of Bridgeport Personalized Learning Initiative adopts the best of modern practice and teaching methods while maintaining the essence and heart of Catholic education. As educators, our goals for this year are to get to know our children as learners and people, and to create a format within the classroom where teachers can meet with students in small groups and 1:1 for targeted instruction.  By adopting this approach, students learn through multiple instructional strategies, blending traditional teacher-led instruction, peer collaboration, and individual learning to help each student realize their maximum potential.
Diocesan Initiative:
2020 Make All Things New

Registration is open for 2020-2021 school year. St. Mark School has a goal of registering 85% of our current K-7 families by January 15th, 2020 and we are at nearly 50% of that goal already! THANK YOU!

We will keep you updated as we approach January 15th. The class with the highest percentage of students registered by Jan 15th will earn an ice cream party! Our current Grade 4, Mrs. Rodriguez's class has the highest percentage registered to date.
Way to go, Grade 4 families!!

If all grade levels (PreK-7) reach 100% registration by January 15th, we will celebrate with a whole school ice cream social!

Please click here to register online. Registration payment by cash or check can be sent to the Main Office.

Current Standings as of December 9, 2019:
All Families PreK-8
Parking Lot

Please adhere to parking lot traffic patterns outlined in the St. Mark Student and Parent Handbook, most especially for morning arrival.


ENTRANCES TO USE IN THE MORNING:

  • Please DO NOT use Nemergut Drive as an entrance. This will be the only exit for our school parents.

  • If your child will remain in the car until you drop off in the car line, please use the Wigwam Lane entrance by the church rectory. The car line will then be able to "hug" the area around the buildings and not extend into the other driveway and block traffic.

  • If you would like to park your car so that your child will get out of the car in the parking lot and cross to go into school, please use the Wigwam Lane entrance BY THE FARM.

  • Exit only from the Nemergut Drive gate.

Please review this policy with anyone dropping off your child in the morning, no matter how infrequently this may happen. Again, this applies to PreK-8 for the safety of all our children and families.

Please use extreme caution in our parking lot.
Christmas Show

St. Mark School is proud to present our Christmas Show on Wednesday, December 11th at 6pm in the Church.

  • Children should arrive at 5:45pm and report directly to their classrooms, where teachers will be waiting.
  • Attire is "Holiday Best" unless otherwise directed by your child's classroom teacher.
  • After the concert has concluded, teachers will dismiss students directly from the classroom.
  • I realize inclement weather is in the forecast for Wednesday. Decisions regarding the Christmas Show will be made if/when the forecast comes to fruition.

We look forward to spending a joyous and special evening with our St. Mark family.
Lawn Signs
We are collecting all Open House lawn signs! Please return signs to the main office and exchange it for a smaller, Saint Mark School sign to show your school pride!
Lunch Reminder:
When packing lunch from home, it is highly recommended that only plastic storage containers be used for school. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and a dropped or broken glass container poses a greater risk to student safety than a plastic one.
Innovation Zone
Grade 7 using Sphero, an app-enabled robotic ball, during innovation/technology class. 4 Sphero mini activity kits were purchased through the Foundations In Education Personalized Learning Initiative Grant and include activities to build mazes, design obstacle courses, construct towers, play croquet, and more.
Parents of Students in Grades 5-8:

Please be advised that while the temperatures have dropped, I still encourage the faculty to take their class outdoors for recess, when the temperature is above freezing (32 degrees). Please ensure that your child comes to school with proper winter attire to ensure they have an opportunity to participate in outdoor recess with their peers.
Building Security:

It has been brought to my attention that CCD facilitators and members of our evening cleaning crew are being asked to unlock classroom doors after hours. Under direction from the Diocese and the Parish, all classroom and building doors are to be closed and locked. Once classroom doors are closed for the evening, please do not ask anyone to reopen them. I appreciate your understanding of this policy.
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. You can even see updates from our Facebook Page!
Dates-at-a-Glance
December 8-18: Christmas Tree Raffle

December 10: Santa Sale

December 11: Santa Sale

December 11: Christmas Show 6pm

December 12: Science Fair Awards (Doors open at 6:30pm/Awards at 7pm)

December 14: Father's Club Christmas Craft 3pm-5pm

December 15: Cookie Sale

December 17: Dress Down Day $1

December 18: Christmas Tree Raffle Drawing

December 19: Ugly Sweater Dress Down Day $5

December 20: Christmas Movie and Snack

December 20: 11:25 Dismissal, NO AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

December 23-January 1, 2020: Christmas Vacation

January 2, 2020: School Resumes

***I realize inclement weather is in the forecast for this week. Decisions regarding the Christmas Show and Science Fair will be made if/when the forecast comes to fruition.***


St. Mark School | 203-375-4291 |  www.stmarkschool.org
500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, CT 06614
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11