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St. Mark School
A 2009 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 first Sunday of Lent, the Gospel reading is about Jesus’ temptation in the desert, marking the beginning of Jesus’ test with Satan. In a similar way, our Lenten observances are only a beginning, a preparation for and a reinforcement of our ongoing struggle to resist the temptations we face in our lives.
During Lent, we are led by the Holy Spirit to remember the vows of Baptism in which we promised to reject sin and to follow Jesus. God also supports us in our struggle against sin and temptation. The forty days of Lent invite us to grow as Christians and show our beliefs in God's promises to be with us, protect us, strengthen us, forgive us, love us, and share life in Heaven with us.
© Loyola Press Sunday Connection
I wish you all continued good health and God's blessings.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs. Warner
Please do not reply to this email. As a reminder, I have an open door policy for all parents and students. If you ever have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at any time.
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From the Nurse's Office
As we transition to a new approach to the management of COVID-19, I would like to remind families to be cognizant of the health of your child. Most importantly, please keep your child home if they feel sick or have any COVID symptoms.
Click here for the updated guidance from the State DPH and CSDE regarding the new approach to COVID-19 management in schools and settings outside of school.
We will continue quarantine/isolation guidance for those individuals who test positive or are not feeling well and are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Please see the chart below for this information and click here to read the guidance in its entirety. Please note that if an individual tests positive for COVID-19 they may return on day 6 as noted below. The individual will need to wear a mask for days 6-10 upon return to school.
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Professional Development Day
In accordance with the Diocese of Bridgeport Office of the Superintendent for Schools, a Personal Professional Development Day for faculty and staff has been added to the 2021-2022 School Calendar on Monday, March 14th, 2022.
Please be advised that school will be closed for students. There will be no virtual learning on March 14th. This will not add an additional day to the end of the 2021-2022 school year calendar.
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2022-2023 School Registration
Thank you to all the families that have registered for next year. If you have not registered, and wish to reserve your child's spot for next year's class, please do so ASAP by submitting the following:
We have begun accepting 22-23 registrations from new families and are conducting tours on a daily basis for prospective families. We expect to have wait lists in multiple grades next year.
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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 2022-2023 school year!
All families with students in next year's grades Kindergarten through Grade 8 are eligible to apply.
Complete all questions regarding BSF, submit supporting documentation and the $30 FACTS processing fee.
The application requires the entire 2020 (or 2021) IRS Federal tax return along with 2021 W2s. If applicants do not receive W-2s, then they must submit a 2021 tax return.
Deadline to apply for current families is March 15th, 2022. Award notifications will be communicated in early May.
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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 are available at www.ceoct.org for the 2022-2023 school year!
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Faculty Update
St. Mark School is pleased to announce that Mrs. Wendy Ferik has joined our staff as Lunch Coordinator. Mrs. Ferik is an alumni parent of two daughters Kayleigh ‘17 and Nina ‘20. Mrs. Ferik joined the St. Mark Community in 2009 when her eldest daughter started in First Grade. Mrs. Ferik began volunteering as a lunch volunteer in 2014 and fell in love with working with the students and being in the lunchroom. Mrs. Ferik, “loves being at St. Mark School, it makes me feel like I am with family.” When Mrs. Ferik was asked what her favorite part about serving hot lunch was, she answered, “everything! I feel like the cafeteria is a family cafe and I truly enjoy watching the students grow.” Please join be in welcoming Mrs. Ferik back into the St. Mark School community.
It is with a heavy heart that I share Mrs. Jennifer Trahan, Music Teacher, has taken leave due to personal reasons. We wish Mrs. Trahan well and pray for God's blessings upon her. Mrs. Trahan has requested that the communication from her relating to her decision to leave, found here, be shared with our school community.
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Quarter 3 Progress Reports
PlusPortals is the Diocesan Student Information Web Portal System available to all parents, Grades K-8. PlusPortals provides parents access to student grades, attendance, announcements, and teacher emails.
A feature has been added to parent's PlusPortal dashboard this year: e-locker. Today, March 4th, parents of students in Grades K-8 can find a PDF copy of the 21-22 Quarter 3 Progress Report in the e-locker. Please note that Quarter 3 progress reports will not be sent home via backpack mail.
For our new families and Kindergarten families, you should have received an email from PlusPortals with an activation link to the primary email address provided on your child's emergency contact form in September. If you did not receive an activation link email from PlusPortals, please email Mrs. Mannino at cmannino@stmarkschool.org.
Any returning family that needs PlusPortals activation resent, please email Mrs. Mannino at the email address above.
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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. Testing for St. Mark School will be an audio-led computer based test.
Parents in grades 1 through 7 are asked to check in with your child to determine if they have properly working headphones or earbuds at school. If not, please send proper equipment in a ziplocked baggie, labeled with your child's name to school this week.
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:
- Ensure your child has properly working headphones or earbuds at school.
- 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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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, 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 February.
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Athletics Update
Our 2022 St. Mark Basketball Tournament continues this weekend through March 12th! Come cheer on our St. Mark teams, click here for more info on the tournament and here for the master schedule. Be sure to check the schedule often as game times are subject to change. Good luck to all our St. Mark teams and May God bless you. |
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Parish News
St. Mark Parish’s Social Events Committee will be hosting a Corned Beef and Cannolis event celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day on March 19, 2022, at 6:00-9:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. Entertainment includes Brennan- Lucey Irish step dancers of River Dance Fame, Shooting Star Music, and Italian music and memories with Richard DeLibro.
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In Our Classrooms
This week, St. Mark students celebrated Read Across America Week and Dr. Seuss' Birthday with a themed dress down day, classroom door decorating, mystery guest readers, and school-wide service project in support of students in our surrounding community.
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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.
Don't use social media? Not to worry...Our social media posts feed to our school website home page!
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- Saturday, March 5th: HSA Bottle and Can Drive, 10A-2P
- Friday, March 10th: HSA Dress Down Day, $1
- Sunday, March 13th: Day Light Saving Time Begins
- Monday, March 14th: No School, Professional Development Day
- Wednesday, March 16th: No Hot Lunch Served per Sodexo Food Services
- Thursday, March 17th: Green Dress Down Day, $1
- Monday, March 21st-April 1st: IOWA/CogAT Testing, Grades 1-7
- Thursday, March 24th: Science Fair, Grades 7 & 8
- Wednesday, March 30th: HSA Snack Shop, $1
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500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, CT 06614
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Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.
Helen Keller
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