Mandatory All-School Event Tonight, October 29
REMINDER: Alumni Awards Ceremony
The Alumni Awards ceremony will take place tonight from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. All students are required to attend this all-school event. Attire for students: School dress.
Global Citizenship News
NEW: Spring Break Travel Programs Announced!
The Global Citizenship Office is offering three spring break travel programs for March 12-19, 2022. The offerings are listed below. We need a show of interest from students by November 10, with applications due December 1. We do not yet have final costs associated with the programs, but we do know that domestic travel is more expensive than it has been in the past! More details to come, but please contact Mary Ann Ciampa (maryannciampa@stmarksschool.org) or Laura Appell-Warren (laurawarren@stmarksschool.org) with questions.
Destination 1: Florida Program in partnership with Envoys
Theme: Conflicts of Conservation: The Everglades and the Florida Keys
Dates: March 12-19, 2022
Overview: The ecosystem of the Everglades and the Keys are incredibly unique on this planet. In the famed “river of grass,” we will encounter a dynamic ecosystem comprising nine distinct habitats and more than 750 animal species. Traveling by boat, foot, and tram, we will learn about conservation strategies and philosophies being employed to preserve this delicate ecosystem. We will engage in an outdoor classroom within the Marine Lab to study the most pressing challenges of marine conservation, and increase our awareness of the importance of the marine ecosystem at a local, regional, and global scale.
Destination 2 : Puerto Rico Program in partnership with Envoys
Theme: An Island of Contrasts: On Track to Sustainable Development?
Dates: March 12-19, 2022
Overview: While Puerto Rico is a lovely island with thriving cultural centers, industry, remote protected national parks, and white sand beaches, it is also a place where its poverty rate is higher than the poorest U.S. state. The territory struggles with chronically large debt, considerable unemployment, and a high rate of emigration. U.S. corporations find significant tax benefits in locating themselves in San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital, as a U.S. territory. However, changing these regulations is required for statehood, a longstanding debate in the U.S. federal government and Puerto Rico. Today, hidden formulas reduce Puerto Ricans’ amount in critical governmental social service programs like welfare and Medicaid. This context provides a complex opportunity to study and understand the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Destination 3: Boston- New York-Washington, D.C.
This program is being created by the Global Citizenship Office with our international students in mind, although others are welcome to join. Understanding that air travel may continue to be unappealing to some students, this program will use ground transportation only. The goal will be a balance of time to rest and relax with the opportunity to do some sightseeing. Depending on the interests of the students, we may focus on New York and Boston, visiting Chinatowns and other sights in both cities. If others want to venture further afield, we will consider going to Washington, D.C. Students who sign up for this program will be able to work with the Global Citizenship Office to create the program they desire.
College Counseling News
NEW: Class of 2023 Parents, If You Missed Family Weekend...
We will be hosting a Zoom meeting on Tuesday, November 2, from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. This will be a repeat of the information we covered during our Family Weekend gathering and is intended for those who were unable to join us. Topics on the docket are as follows:
- The college counseling timeline
- How college counselors work as a collaborative team
- College visits
- Standardized testing
- Preview of "Preparing for the Journey" - St. Mark's Saturdays Class
The Zoom link for the meeting will be sent separately on November 2.
NEW: For All Parents, From Academics and College Counseling
Please find information and guidance about the AP test registration process here.
Academics News
NEW: Experiential Learning
As a reminder, Saturday classes will meet tomorrow, October 30. The remaining fall Saturday class dates are November 13 and November 20. Winter St. Mark's Saturdays classes will begin on January 8, 2022.
REMINDER: Student Progress Reporting
Faculty compose narrative comments to accompany grades at the close of Windows One and Three only. Families will receive a summary of each student's overall life at school in the form of a remote advisor conference at the close of the first semester in January, and a summative advisor letter in June. Window One will conclude on November 5, with grades and comments posted to the Parent Portal on November 22.
REMINDER: Questions? Contact your student's advisor.
All questions regarding your student's day to day progress in academic courses should be directed to the advisor. As a school, we believe that the advisor serves an integral function in the life of the student, acting as a coach and the primary communicator with that student's family about that student's progress. The advisor's communication with families is crucial, as the advisor is able to provide meaningful context, goal-setting, and guidance alongside raw feedback, integrating the information from all parts of a student's life into a meaningful whole.
REMINDER: Thanksgiving Break Departure
Please make a special note that Thanksgiving break departure on November 20 will be after our final St. Mark's Saturdays class meeting of the fall that morning. Students will be dismissed by 11:30 a.m.
As a reminder, the Saturday schedule includes School Meeting from 8:30 to 8:50 a.m. and Saturday classes from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Dean of Students Office News
REMINDER: Please Notify Health Services of Health Related Absences
Parents should notify Health Services (particularly in the mornings), of any health related student absences, missed classes or St. Mark’s commitments.
NEW: Chapel Dress Expectations Return After Thanksgiving Break
When students return from Thanksgiving Break, Chapel Dress expectations will also return. Students should make sure they have the necessary clothes to be in Chapel Dress for Lessons and Carols on December 9, 2021.
REMINDER: Thanksgiving Break Transportation
St. Mark’s will be providing bus transportation to New York City and shuttles to airports for Thanksgiving break. Please see the updated transportation dates & times below. The deadline to sign up is Friday, November 12, at 4:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Stacie Allen (stacieallen@stmarksschool.org).
Saturday, November 20, 2021: 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. departures to Logan Airport
Saturday, November 20, 2021: 12:30 p.m. departure to Connecticut/New York
Monday, November 29, 2021: 2:00, 4:00, and 6:00 p.m. arrivals from Logan Airport
Monday, November 29, 2021: Bus returns from New York/Connecticut to St. Mark’s
Charged to Lion Card: $100 each way to CT/NY; $35 each way to Logan Airport.
Please provide 24-hour cancellation notice, or you will be charged.
Weekend Activities
NEW: Weekend Activities at St. Mark's School for October 30 & 31
What's up this weekend? This weekend's campus activities include:
- Nightmare New England and the Haunted Hayride
- Halloween trivia
- Escape Room
- Minute-to-win-it Halloween games
- Paint Night
- Classic movie viewing
- Trips to Birch Tree Bread, Target, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods
Athletic News
NEW: Team of the Week: Varsity Boys' Soccer
The varsity boys' soccer team finished out last week on a very strong note. On Friday, the Lions traveled to Byfield to take on Governor's Academy under the lights. Alden Mehta ’23 scored three goals en route to a 4-0 win for St. Mark's. The team returned to their home field the next day, hosting Dexter in a physical match-up. Drew Gibbons ’24 scored the game-winning goal for the Lions as they ended the week with a 1-0 victory.
NEW: Student-Athlete of the Week: James Nichols-Worley ’23
In last Saturday's race at Brooks, captain James Nichols-Worley ’23 finished in third place for the varsity boys' cross country team. He has shown outstanding improvement this season. James improved from a 21:44 in his first 5K race of the season to a time of 18:48 last Saturday.
NEW: Highlights
Varsity field hockey, 2-1 win over Milton
Varsity girls' soccer, 1-0 over Dana Hall; 0-0 tie with Governor's
JV girls' soccer, 3-3 tie with Dana Hall
Varsity boys' soccer, 4-0 win over Governor's; 1-0 win over Dexter
JV girls' cross country, 26-32 win over St. George's
JV boys' cross country, 22-35 win over Brooks; 25-34 win over St. George's
Yearbook News
REMINDER: VI Former Senior Portraits & Baby Pictures Needed
by October 31
Say cheese! Senior portraits and baby photos of VI Formers need to be submitted to the Yearbook by October 31, 2021. To submit your photos, please send an email to Yearbook Advisor Lauren Kelly (laurenkelly@stmarksschool.org) with your photos attached.
Photo Submission Guidelines:
- All photos should be at least 1 MB in file size.
- All photos should be portrait-oriented (vertical).
- Senior portraits should only feature your student (no other people in the photo).
- Families can decide to have the portraits taken professionally, or take them yourself with a phone or camera.
Advancement News
NEW: Alumni Awards Program
Parents' Association News
NEW: November Parents’ Association Newsletter
REMINDER: Upcoming Events
Wednesday, November 10
San Francisco Bay Area Reception at EPIC Steak
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Please join Head of School John C. Warren ’74 for an opportunity to connect with him and gather with other St. Mark’s parents and alumni.
Wednesday, November 10
Parent/Faculty/Staff Book Club
3:00 to 4:00 p.m. EDT via Zoom
Interested in attending? Please email Co-chairs Laurie Kalapinski (lauriekalapinski@stmarksschool.org), Joanne Flathers P’15, ’19, ’21 (joanne@flathersfamily.net), or Shalini Yerabothu P ’20, ’23 (shryer@gmail.com).
The Zoom link will be emailed the morning of Wednesday, November 10.
November Book Selections:
Other suggested titles:
The December book will be selected at the November meeting by those in attendance.
Saturday, November 13
Groton Games, St. Mark’s School
Tuesday, November 16
Virtual Parent Speaker Series via Zoom
More details about these events will be emailed to parents soon.
Messages from Head of School John C. Warren ’74
REMINDER: Health and Safety & COVID-19 Updates
In case you missed it, below is a link to important messages from Head of School John C. Warren ’74:
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10.29.21 - St. Mark’s Remains at Yellow Phase - View Email
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10.26.21 - St. Mark’s Moving to Yellow Phase - View Email
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10.13.21 - St. Mark’s Return to Green Phase - View Email
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10.6.21 - St. Mark’s Moving to Yellow Phase - View Email
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9.24.21 - Visitor Policy Update - View Email
Media of the Week: Mariachi Band Visits St. Mark's
Today, students in Mr. Sellers' Spanish classes sang outside along with Boston mariachi band Mariachi Mexico Lindo as part of an annual tradition.
