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.

January 7, 2022
Dear St. Mark Families,

Every family has a unique identity that is defined by the behaviors, attitudes, and expectations that govern a family's daily life. This identity is influenced by the family history of the parents, but each family's expression of this history is unique. In this Sunday's Gospel, we learn that Jesus' behavior, attitudes, and expectations were governed by his identity as God's beloved Son. In our Baptism, we were made children of this same heavenly Father. This identity as members of the family of God, and as brothers and sisters of Jesus, also shapes our family's daily life. I wish all our St. Mark family members continued good health and God's blessings. © Loyola Press Sunday Connection

Yours in Christ,
Mrs. Warner 

Please do not reply to this email. If you have questions, comments or concerns please email me directly.
From the Nurse's Office

Quarantine/Isolation Protocols
As of this week, Stratford Department of Health has not changed their quarantine and/or isolation protocols due to positive COVID case numbers being very high. We are aware that COVID testing is very difficult to find. At this time, we are accepting at-home tests. If you do use a home test, we ask that you take a photo of the result with the individual's name and the date it was taken next to it. Please submit the result to Nurse Wendy Frate fratew@stratk12.org.

Our current quarantine protocols remain the same:
  • If a direct contact and vaccinated, individual may continue to come to school and monitor symptoms daily. 

  • If a direct contact and unvaccinated, individual is asked to quarantine for 7 days, test on day 5. If test results are negative, the individual may return to school on day 8 or the individual may quarantine for 10 days without a test and return on day 11. 

  • If positive for COVID, vaccinated or unvaccinated, individual will isolate for 10 days and return on day 11.

Face Mask Reminders
Please note, that neither the Governor of Connecticut, the Stratford Health Department, nor the Diocese of Bridgeport Superintendent of School, have revised their guidance on mask wearing inside of school. Therefore, masks will continue to be required for students when indoors, for any guests visiting the building, and at all indoor school sponsored events. I ask all parents to please speak to your child(ren) about appropriate mask wearing, ensuring both nose and mouth are covered. Be assured that teachers provide mask breaks indoors throughout the day for students when they are socially distanced.  

Any questions or concerns please contact me fratew@stratk12.org
Models In Christ

Models in Christ is a social and emotional learning program 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.

The goal of our program is to teach students the value of strong moral character and to recognize the positive impact of their actions. 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.

The following students were recognized by having their name announced and presented with an award and commemorative gold cross pin in the month of December.
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 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.
Middle School Mid-Term Exams

Due to the snow day today, Friday, January 7th, Middle School Mid-Term exam schedule is revised as follows:

Monday, January 10th:
Review day: Grades 6-8

Tuesday, January 11th:
Grade 8-Math
Grade 7-ELA
Grade 6-Science

Wednesday, January 12th:
Grade 8-Science
Grade 7-History
Grade 6-ELA

Thursday, January 13th:
Grade 8-Religion
Grade 7-Religion
Grade 6-Religion

Friday, January 14th:
Grade 8-ELA
Grade 7-Math
Grade 6-History

Tuesday, January 18th:
Grade 8-History Performance Task
Grade 7-Science
Grade 6-Math

Grade 8 parents please note, due to the length and complexity of the History Performance Task in lieu of the traditional exam format, students will begin the components with Mr. Bonito on Monday, January 10th and conclude on Friday, January 21st. 8th graders will continue to use all in-class time before January 21st to complete components of the performance task. Further details will be provided by Mr. Bonito.
AMEN Team Update
 
St. Mark School OPEN HOUSE (by reservation only)
Sunday, January 30, 2022 10A-12N
 
Please help us spread the word!
 
We are looking for parents who live on busy roads to put our St. Mark School OPEN HOUSE signs on their front lawns. Please call Mrs. Mannino at 203-375-4291 if you can help.
 
To further promote our Open House, we will be emailing families customized promotional Open House ads similar to the one below and asking you to post it to your social media page(s).
 
Thank you in advance for helping in marketing our wonderful school!
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!
  • Saturday, January 8th: HSA Bottle and Can Drive, 10am-2pm

  • Friday, January 14th: "First Friday" Mass, 8am, rescheduled

  • Monday, January 17th: No School, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

  • Thursday, January 20th: Dress Down Day, $1

  • January 24th-January 30th: Scholastic Book Fair

  • Sunday, January 30th: PK-8 Open House, 10A-12P, by reservation

  • January 30th-February 4th: Catholic Schools Week
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