September 29, 2022

Today at St. Mark's, students, faculty, and staff gathered on the VI Form Quad for the all-school photo followed by the VI Form photos.

Afterwards, VI Formers enjoyed a few extra minutes

in the sunshine to pose for pictures together with friends.


Read on to learn what is happening Inside the Pride.

*Above: VI Formers enjoying time together on the Quad after today's all-school photo 


Today's Parent Portal Invitation for Parents of New Students

Earlier today, parents of new students received this email with an invitation to the Parent Portal and instructions on how to set up an account. The Parent Portal's helpful features include: 

  • Student and parent directories
  • Quick access to grades, Orah/Boardingware, and Lion Card information
  • A customized calendar with filters

If you encounter any issues while setting up your account and password or accessing the portal, please contact helpdesk@stmarksschool.org or call 508-786-4001.


St. Mark's Saturdays Classes Continue on October 1

The fall season of St. Mark's Saturdays continues this Saturday, October 1. School meeting starts the day at 8:30 a.m., and classes run from 9:00—11:30 a.m. The remaining SM Saturdays are: October 8 and 22; and November 12 and 19. 


RAVE Emergency Notification Test this Monday, October 3  

A RAVE Emergency Notification test will take place this Monday, October 3, at 10:00 a.m. via email and text. Test emails and texts will be sent to the email addresses and cell phone numbers that were provided to the School via the family information form (FIF). If you do not receive this test, please contact the Deans' Office (deanofstudents@stmarksschool.org)


Blessing of the Animals this Tuesday, October 4

Students are invited to bring their pets to Chapel on Tuesday morning, October 4, at 8:00 a.m. for the Blessing of the Animals honoring the Feast of St. Francis. Students with pets should wait with their pets in the cloisters and front circle until the Chapel doors open; then they can walk down the aisle with their pets for the blessing and exit out the side door back to the front circle (at which point those beautiful pets are whisked away by family members). Sadly, pets cannot stay on campus for the day!


If your pet cannot make it due to distance or availability, we invite you to print out a photo or name of your pet to be blessed in Chapel. We especially encourage any student or family who has lost a pet to print out a photo or put their pet's name on a piece of paper and place it on the main altar to be blessed. We look forward to meeting and/or blessing your pets on Tuesday!


Lion Term Travel Applications for VI Formers Due October 5

Please encourage your VI Formers to apply for the VI Form Lion Term global travel programs. These programs have been designed with VI Formers in mind and will offer particular voice and choice for the students. Applications are due by October 5, 2022. More information can be found here. Travel dates are May 28—June 5, 2023.


College Counseling


PSAT Information for IV and V Form Students and Families

IV and V Form Students and Families: We will host the PSAT on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. For IV Formers, the PSAT is practice for the PSAT (a PPSAT, if you will) intended to give students exposure to this type of standardized testing. We expect that all IV Formers will participate. For V Formers, the PSAT remains a practice for the real thing, but it also serves as the qualifying exam for the National Merit Competition. Again, we expect that all V Formers will participate. Please get in touch with Testing Coordinator Joelle Gilmore (joellegilmore@stmarksschool. org) if you have any questions.


Community Life and Student Engagement


Weekend Activities

Want to know what's happening this weekend? Check out the Weekend Activities Google Doc for on-campus events and trips to off-campus locations.


Sunday Sign Outs

If your boarder plays athletics for an outside team, or takes music lessons on Sundays, please let the Deans’ Office know your Sunday schedule (deanofstudents@stmarksschool.org). We ask that students sign out on Sundays in the customary manner. That said, we can streamline the process for regular occurrences. 


Reminder: Advisor Information Form Due September 30 

Please complete the Advisor Information Form by tomorrow, September 30, and share information that will enable us to better understand and assist both you and your child. Thank you!


Copies of the All-School Photo Available Soon

The all-school photo took place today on the VI Form Quad. Copies of the panoramic all-school photo, and the VI Form (serious and not-so serious) photos, will ideally be available at Family Weekend in October. Stay tuned for more information on how to purchase these fun photos.  


Local Religious and Philosophical Engagement Opportunities

Recently at Chapel, students were introduced to the many opportunities they have at St. Mark's for voluntary, personal religious and philosophical engagement. They heard about our weekly Wednesday Eucharist/Mass; Catholic Confirmation at the local Catholic Church; weekly meditation; the J-Team (Jewish faculty and students); the Christian Fellowship Group; the Openly Secular Society; and other religious groups and opportunities. They also learned about many of the local opportunities for Sunday worship at: Pilgrim Congregational Church, St. Mark's Episcopal Church and St. Anne's Catholic Church, all within walking distance from campus, as well as the Church of the Cross in Westborough. Lots to choose from, and St. Markers are always welcome!


Athletics


Friday Night Lights Tomorrow, September 30, at 6:30 p.m.

As part of this weekend's Lives of Consequence Campaign Celebration, 

St. Mark's is hosting a night football game at 6:30 p.m. vs. Middlesex under the lights on Belmont Field. Students are welcome to cheer at the game or check in to their houses with the adult on duty. Come out and support the Lions!  


Admission


Family Weekend Admission Interviews and Tours for Siblings 

During select times over Family Weekend, the Admission Office will be offering interviews and tours (if desired) for younger siblings interested in the 2023/24 application year for St. Mark's. Those times are 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, October 13, and 8:30 a.m. on Friday, October 14. Please contact the Admission Office as soon as possible—and no later than October 6—if you would like to reserve a slot for your child: admission@stmarksschool.org or (508) 786-6118.



Advancement


Reminder: Family Weekend, October 14—15

We are looking forward to this year's Family WeekendSee the full schedule and register here.


Alumni and Parent Pre-Game Tailgate Lunch, October 22

Join current families and alumni at the St. Mark’s Annex for a light lunch before cheering on our Lions at home games on Saturday, October 22, at 12:30 p.m. Register here.


Around the Quad


For St. Mark's Swag, shop the SALE at the Online School Store

The online St. Mark's School store is currently having a 20-percent-off sale on everyday essentials for the month of September. Shop the sale here.


For More on What's Happening Inside the Pride

Check out photos from campus on our School's SmugMug page.


View the latest news stories on our website.


*Below: VI Formers, dressed to impress, posing for pictures on the Quad today

Calendar Highlights:

Sept. 30  Friday Night Lights

Oct. 1  SMS; Lives of Consequence Celebration

Oct. 6  Gray Colloquium 

Oct. 12  PSATs/SATs

Oct. 14  Family Weekend Begins

Oct. 17-19  No Classes

Oct. 22  SMS; ACTs

Oct. 25  Pictures; Evening Chapel & Seated Meal

Oct. 29  No SMS

Click to View the Online School Calendar 
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