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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,
On the second Sunday of Lent each year, we hear the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration. The Transfiguration follows Jesus’ first prediction of his death and his teaching about the costs of discipleship. Jesus’ Transfiguration is a promise of his Resurrection, and may have been an event from which Peter, James, and John drew courage when they faced the difficult events of Jesus’ Passion.
This past week at St. Mark School, students, faculty, and staff participated in a school-wide experience from which they can draw courage when overcoming challenges. Students were introduced to a cartoon boy named NED who is on a very important mission: to find his mindset. Throughout the performance, students discover how to activate their growth mindset to overcome social, emotional and academic challenges by
N
ever giving up,
E
ncouraging others,
D
o your best.
This coming week begins IOWA and CoGAT testing in grades 1-7. Whether they find inspiration from Jesus' Transfiguration, from NED's mission, their families, or from another source of strength and support, we pray that students have the courage and perseverance to do their very best work.
Yours in Christ,
Melissa Warner
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Personalized Learning in the Classroom
During Personalized Learning block in math, Grade 5 used Popsicle sticks to explore least common multiple!
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IOWA and CoGAT Testing
During the weeks of March 9th through March 27th, students in grades 1- 7 will take the IOWA Test of Basic Skills and the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) assessments.
Grades 2, 4, 6, & 7 are assessed by the IOWA Test of Basic Skills (Measures Achievement). This nationally normed standardized test provides comparisons locally, regionally, and nationally. It provides a diagnostic look at how students are progressing in key academic areas and allows teachers and parents to track student growth over time. IOWA test results produce information that informs instructional decision making and provides data for personalized learning progress. Finally, the assessment provides data for Professional Development planning on the Diocesan level for schools.
Grades 1, 3, & 5 are assessed using the Cognitive Abilities Test (Measures Ability). The CoGAT measures students’ verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal reasoning abilities and assists educators in determining instructional strategies to best meet the learning styles and needs of students.
Results are used to aid in differentiation of instruction for students based on individual profiles showing areas of special talent and areas which are more challenging for the student.
To help your child be successful, please ensure students:
- arrive to school on time
- eat a healthy breakfast at home
- get plenty of sleep
The testing company that produces the IOWA’s and CogATs is the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company. Results will be mailed home in late spring, before the end of the school year.
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Preschool Open House Lawn Signs
We are excited to announce the expansion of our Preschool Program for the 2020-2021 school year, and welcome new families to learn more at our Preschool Open House on Wednesday, March 18th, 4-6pm.
To help spread the word about our Little Lions Preschool program, please stop by the Main Office to pick up a St. Mark School Little Lions Preschool Open House Lawn Sign.
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Read Across America Week
Thank you to our teachers, staff, families, and Home School Association for supporting St. Mark School's Read Across America events this week. Students were inspired to read and celebrated their love of reading through a variety of fun and engaging activities all week long! A special thank you to all our St. Mark parents, family, and friends who visited classrooms as Mystery Readers!!
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COVID-19 Information
With the spread of the COVID-19 virus and its significant media coverage, below is a quick update regarding St. Mark School's preparations and response.
- We continue to be in frequent communication with the Stratford Health Department and the Diocese of Bridgeport Office of the Superintendent of Schools.
- In addition to the routine daily cleaning of the building, all door handles and railings are being sanitized daily.
- The best advice at the moment continues to be to frequently wash hands and stay home if not feeling well.
The following links are additional information provided by the Stratford Public Schools Department of Education:
I will be sure to keep you updated on any new developments in the coming days and weeks. In the meantime, we will continue to follow the advice of local officials as the health and safety of our school community remains a top priority.
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In the Classroom:
Hands-On and Engaging Learning
In Science, Grade 7 students are exploring and engaging in their unit on cells. This week the class had their first experience with microscopy and learned how to maneuver the specimens under the scopes.
During Innovation Class, students were introduced to LEGO WeDo, a robotics hardware and software platform specifically designed to follow the build process step by step using LEGO instructions, with the addition of programming of the models created. LEGO’s WeDo programming platform also allows for mathematical operations and display effects, as a stepping-stone to game design and entertainment.
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St. Mark Parish Basketball Tournament
St. Mark Parish Boys and Girls Basketball Tournament continues this week. Best of luck to all our St. Mark school players and parent coaches who are participating in this exciting event!
Click
here for the tournament schedule.
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Calling All Realtors!
As you know, St. Mark School is tucked away in North Stratford, amidst a neighborhood of homes. We know our Blue Ribbon School is one of
Stratford's Best Kept Secrets -
but it's time to get the word out to prospective families moving into the area! Therefore, the Marketing Committee is planning a Realtors' Open House in March/April. If you are a real estate agent in the Stratford area, or know someone who is, please email
mwarner@stmarkschool.org
, to receive more information.
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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!
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
If you received Bishop's Scholarship in the past, you
must
submit a
completed
application by March 15th to be considered for an award for the 2020-2021 school year.
Please call Mrs. Evelyn Lesko, bookkeeper, at (203) 375-4291, 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.
Children's Educational Opportunity Foundation of Connecticut, Inc. (CEO) awards 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.
Online applications will be available on
www.ceoct.org
beginning on March 2, 2020 for the 2020-2021 school year!
Please call Mrs. Evelyn Lesko, bookkeeper, at (203) 375-4291, should you have questions about applying for CEO scholarship monies or to set up an appointment for assistance.
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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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March 9- March 27th: IOWA and CoGAT Assessments, grades 1-7
March 11th: Early Dismissal, 11:25 No Lunch Served
March 13th: First Penance, Grade 2
March 17th: St. Patrick's Day Parade, Grades 5-8
March 18th: Preschool Open House, 4-6pm
March 19th: Dress Down Day, $1
March 20th: Family Bingo Night
March 26th: Snack Shop
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500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, CT 06614
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God places us in the world as his fellow workers-agents of transfiguration. We work with God so that injustice is transfigured into justice, so there will be more compassion and caring, that there will be more laughter and joy, that there will be more togetherness in God's world.
-Desmond Tutu
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