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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.
As we continue on in this school year with the theme of gratitude, let us be grateful that God has protected our students, and ask for His continued blessings on our St. Mark School community. Let us continue to pray for our leaders, for civil servants, for first responders and all who currently suffer and struggle as we continue to navigate a global pandemic.
I wish you all continued good health and God's blessings.
Yours in Christ,
Melissa Warner
© Loyola Press Sunday Connection
Please do not reply to this email. If you have questions, comments or concerns please email me directly.
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IOWA and CogAT
Standardized Testing
IOWA and CogAT standardized testing for Grades 1 through 7 will begin the week of March 15th, 2021.
The Iowa Assessments help determine how students are performing on nationwide standards. These assessments measure achievement in several important content areas including Vocabulary, Word Analysis, Reading, Listening, Language, Mathematics, Computation, Social Studies, and Science. The exact tests that your child takes will depend on his or her grade level.
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) appraises the level and pattern of verbal,
quantitative, and spatial (nonverbal) reasoning abilities of students. These abilities reflect the overall efficiency of cognitive processes and strategies that
enable individuals to learn new tasks and solve problems.
During testing weeks, teaching and learning will continue on in classrooms. Teachers will keep homework, tests, and quizzes to a minimum during this time.
How your child can prepare for test taking:
A student who is well rested and well fed and has a positive attitude about testing is best prepared for testing. You can help your child do his or her best by considering these tips:
- Make sure your child is in school and on time on test days. Reschedule dentist appointments and other out-of-school time on non-testing days.
- Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast before each day of testing.
- Remind your child that these tests are only one part of the school day. Emphasize that you have confidence in his or her ability to do the best job possible.
- Remind your child to listen carefully to the directions and to each question as it is read aloud during testing. Encourage your student to ask the teacher for help if he or she does not understand the directions.
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Progress Reports
As we are a little more than half way through the third marking period, progress reports will be sent home via backpack mail for students in grades Kindergarten through grade 8 on Wednesday, March 3rd. Please use this information to check in with your child's teachers with any questions or concerns regarding his or her academic growth.
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Parking Lot Safety
Over the course of one week, there have been two motor vehicle accidents in the St. Mark parking lot. In an effort to keep all St. Mark families safe, please adhere to the following:
- Nemegut Drive access is a 1-way exit during arrival and dismissal
- traffic speeds do not exceed 5 mph
- keep your children next to you while walking through the parking lot
- do not cut through parking spaces to exit or enter a parking spot
- heed the stop sign and allow preschool families to safely cross the parking lot to the preschool entrance
Please be advised that orange traffic cones are used during drop off and pick up to increase safety including:
- to create clear, safe paths for students to walk
- to create lanes for buses and vans to drive
- to designate a cross walk preschool families to cross the parking lot near the playground and preschool entrance
- to create space for school transportation vans to safely exit parking spaces
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Read Across America
St. Mark School is proud to announce our participation in the National Education Association (NEA) Read Across America Campaign with a week long celebration of reading! Our celebration kicks off on Monday, March 1st and continues through Friday, March 5th.
Details about a week long, school-wide service project will follow.
Monday, March 1st:
- Students will create inspirational bookmarks in class to share with friends and buddies.
Tuesday, March 2nd:
Calling Thing 1, Thing 2, Horton and the Who's! In honor of honor of Dr. Seuss' (Theodore Giesel) birthday, students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate in a free themed Dress Down Day. Dr. Seuss themed attire is necessary to participate in the dress down, as are the following guidelines:
- wigs are acceptable
- face paint and hair dye/color is not permitted
- proper sneakers/shoes are required, no slippers
Wednesday, March 3rd:
Thursday, March 4th:
Dress as your favorite book character or author Dress Down Day. An additional, free themed Dress Down Day is planned for students, faculty, and staff. Themed attire must be school appropriate and is necessary to participate in the dress down, as are the following guidelines:
- wigs are acceptable
- face paint and hair dye/color is not permitted
- proper sneakers/shoes are required, no slippers
- costume masks are not permitted
- girls costumes must be an appropriate length and not low cut.
Friday, March 5th:
Our faculty and staff may also have a few surprises planned for our students! We are looking forward to a fun and exciting event that motivates kids to read and bring the joys of reading to students of all ages.
For more information about how to generate excitement for reading in your family, or a list of recommended diverse children’s books, visit www.readacrossamerica.org.
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Models in Christ
Models in Christ is a new social and emotional learning program created by Ms. Flynn, school counselor, that is based on the Catholic Theological Virtues of faith, hope, and charity. Students in grades K through 8 are recognized for demonstrating the character trait that is highlighted each month such as respect, kindness, responsibility/accountability, citizenship, perseverance, and trustworthiness.
Our vision is that this program will teach students the value of strong moral character and the positive impact of their actions do not go unnoticed. Our faculty and staff would like to recognize students who embody the ideals of St. Mark School through actions and attitude; those students who go above and beyond inside the classroom and school community to show they are models of Christ.
On Friday, the following students were recognized by having their name announced and presented with an award and commemorative gold cross pin.
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Calling All Alumni!
Please send us your alumni news! Send photos with a short description (graduation, college acceptance, promotion, relocation, award/recognition, published book/article, marriage, birth, gathering with fellow alumni, etc.) and we will highlight your story on our Facebook pages. Send your news to AMENteam@stmarkschool.org. |
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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 for the 2021-2022 school year!
All families with students in next year's grades Kindergarten through Grade 8 are eligible to apply.
Families with multiple children registered in a Catholic School are automatically awarded a scholarship, regardless of income.
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 2019 IRS Federal tax return along with 2020 W2s. If applicants do not receive W-2s, then they must submit 2020 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
For more information visit:
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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.
CEO will provide half of the annual tuition – up to a maximum of $2,100 per academic year.
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 1, 2021 for the 2021-2022 school year!
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In the Classroom
During the month of February, Grade 8 students created posters and wrote speeches about famous Black Americans and their powerful impact on society. Click here to read more about how we celebrated Black History Month. |
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This week in Art class, PreK Little Lions stamped circles using marshmallows to create a polar bear! |
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During Social Studies, students in Grade 2 read shorts books and passages based on influential Black Americans in United States History. |
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The Power of Prayer
If you have a prayer intention, please submit your request to St. Mark School's prayer line by clicking here. Your intention will be remembered during our Afternoon Prayers and Announcements. |
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For important information and updates on COVID-19, visit the
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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.
Visit our social media pages for updates on our school community.
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- Thursday, March 4th: HSA Community Night, La Fortuna
- Saturday, March 6th: HSA Bottle and Can Drive, 10am-2pm
- Tuesday, March 9th: No After School Program
- Monday, March 15th: IOWA/CogAT Testing Begins
- Wednesday, March 17th: Happy St. Patrick's Day
- Friday, March 19th: Early Dismissal, 11:25
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500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, CT 06614
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The secret to happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us everyday in His goodness.
Saint Gianna Beretta
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