St. Mark School
A 2009 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 17, 2021
Dear St. Mark Families,

In the encounter between Mary and Elizabeth described in this Sunday's Gospel, we learn that other people can help us recognize God's presence and action in our lives. Mary traveled to see Elizabeth because Elizabeth's pregnancy was a sign that everything the angel told Mary would truly happen. Elizabeth recognized Mary as the mother of her Lord because her unborn child, John the Baptist, leapt at the sound of Mary's greeting. Elizabeth and Mary rejoiced together at the wonderful things God was doing in their lives. We too are blessed when we have people who help us recognize God's action in our lives. We pray that our school community can be this for each another. © Loyola Press Sunday Connection

As you gather as a family in these days leading up to Christmas, pray that we may help one another recognize God's presence and action in our lives. Pray together the Hail Mary.


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

Yours in Christ,
Mrs. Warner 

Please do not reply to this email. If you have questions, comments or concerns please email me directly.
Movie and PJ Day

As a Christmas treat, students Preschool through Grade 8 are invited to participate in a free Pajama Dress Down day Thursday, December 23rd. Pajamas should be school appropriate. Girls are required to wear pants or leggings under night gowns. Patterns and designs must be school appropriate on all pajamas, including shirts and pants. All students should wear sneakers on Pajama dress down day. Slippers are not permitted.
Student Quarantine Reminders

If your child is quarantining at home due to COVID-19, please contact his or her homeroom teacher directly to arrange for pick-up of textbooks, notebooks, and learning materials. Please be advised that student learning materials will be ready for pick-up after 3:30pm on the next school day.

Students who are quarantining, and feel well enough, are expected to turn in classwork daily to their teacher in order for their attendance to be marked "present" for the day.

If you have any questions regarding quarantine expectations, please contact your child's teacher directly.
Faith in Action

St. Mark School actively seeks ways to put our faith into action. This year, our students, faculty, and staff support Vocations in our Catholic Schools by participating in the Vocations Chalice Challenge presented by the Diocese of Bridgeport Office of Vocations.

The Chalice Challenge is intentional prayers for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious life. On a bi-weekly basis, the chalice passes from one class to another. While a class has the chalice, they commit to praying each day for parish priests, for our diocesan seminarians, and for an increase in Vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The Chalice Challenge is a wonderful opportunity for students to discuss what a vocation is and the need our Church has for priests and religious to serve their brothers and sisters in Christ.

Grade 2 is the first class to take on the Chalice Challenge. 2nd Graders love admiring the chalice and praying in front of it.
Winter Weather

While outside temperatures have dropped, all teachers in Preschool through Grade 8 take their class outdoors for recess and mask breaks when the temperature is above freezing (32 degrees).

We ask that all parents ensure that your child(ren) come(s) to school with proper winter attire so that they are comfortable when participating in outdoor recess with their peers.
Snow Days and Weather Related Cancellations

As we enter the winter weather season, please be advised that when Stratford Public Schools are closed or delayed due to inclement weather, St. Mark School will also be closed or delayed.

The first day school is closed due to snow will be a "traditional" snow day, with no virtual learning for all students PK-8.

In the event that there is a large storm resulting in multiple days in a row of school closure, the first day will be a traditional snow day. The consecutive day will be a virtual learning day for students in grades K through 8. Virtual learning days will begin at 8am and end at 12pm.

For the 2021-2022 school year, St. Mark School will observe 2 "traditional" snow days with no virtual learning. After 2 traditional snow days have been recorded, the remaining snow days will be virtual learning. Therefore, 2 days at most, will be added to the end of the school year. Virtual learning days will not be added to the end of the school year calendar.

Please be assured that classroom and specials teachers have been preparing students for the possibility of virtual learning snow days during class time.

As a reminder, our emergency alert system was tested in early November. In the case of a school cancellation, delay, or unplanned early dismissal, you be contacted by our emergency alert system via phone call, text message, and email to the primary contact information provided to the Main Office. Please contact Mrs. Mannino cmannino@stmarkschool.org with any updates to your contact information.

If there is a delayed opening St. Mark School will open at 9:30 a.m. with class beginning at 9:45 a.m.

If school closes early for weather related reasons, dismissal will be at 11:25 a.m. Parents will be alerted through our emergency alert system. Our After School Program will not be held when there is early dismissal due to weather or emergencies.
Christmas Concert

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Trahan and Mrs. DeReinzi, our Christmas Concert Committee members, for planning this week's Christmas Concert event and preparing our students. Thank you to our teachers and faculty for joining us this evening, in the “back staging” area. We are so proud of all our students who participated and made it such a memorable celebration.
Athletics Update

Join us for St. Mark Basketball day at UCONN basketball! Watch the UCONN Women host Tenneesee at the XL Center on Sunday, February 6th. Special pricing of $20 per ticket cash or check made out to St. Mark School. Ticket sale ends January 5th, 2022. Click here for more information.
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.

Don't use social media? Not to worry...Our social media posts feed to our school website home page!
  • Wednesday, December 22nd: HSA Snack Shop postponed for December. Returning in January.

  • Thursday, December 23rd: Early Dismissal, No After School Program

  • Friday, December 24th: No School, Christmas Eve

  • Saturday, December 25th: Merry Christmas!

  • Monday, January 3rd, 2022: School Resumes
St. Mark School | 203-375-4291 | www.stmarkschool.org
500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, CT 06614
Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.
Helen Keller