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Above: The NEASC and GEBG team toured the new Patterson-Sculley House. Photo by Lauren Ames.
Need help? Reach out!
This is always a busy time of year in schools. Halloween is coming up on Monday (costumes encouraged!) and November is nearly here, with the close of Window One fast approaching, early decision applications due for our VI Formers, and Groton Day only weeks away. It may feel like a lot, but you've got this Lions! And remember: if you need help, please reach out.
No St. Mark's Saturdays Classes this Weekend and Next Weekend
This weekend and next are sleep-in weekends, and SM Saturdays classes will not meet. Students may depart campus after their last commitment (athletics) on Saturday. If they do not have a Saturday commitment, they may depart after their last commitment on Friday evening. SM Saturdays classes will resume on Saturday, November 12. The last SM Saturdays classes for the fall season are on November 19.
Reminder: Window One Closes next Friday, November 4
With the end of Window One approaching on November 4, students may find an increasing number of graded assessments coming due over the next week. As always, advisors are engaged in their support work, emphasizing to students that they have a wealth of resources and support around them. We also encourage parents to open a conversation from home about planning ahead and keeping up healthy habits during stressful times.
Thanksgiving Break Options for Students
For those who need support with plans for Thanksgiving Break, we have found the following options for you. In each case, you will sign up individually with these programs:
Cogito offers a program based in Boston which includes trips to museums and historical sites around the city, campus tours of Harvard University, MIT, Boston University, Boston College and Tufts, and opportunities for shopping and relaxing.
Bald Mountain Meadow in East Charleston, Vermont, is a program that combines time outside in nature along with presentations from special guests who focus on topics such as forest ecology, Native American history and traditions, and climate change.
Gold Star provides students with services such as local emergency contact support, COVID quarantine services, and accommodation solutions.
Questions? Please contact Mary Ann Ciampa at maryannciampa@stmarksschool.org.
Community and Equity
Weekly Reflection
Greetings from the Community and Equity Affairs Office! Rick DaSilva and Lizzy Jones would like to invite the St. Mark’s community to participate in an exercise utilizing a weekly prompt. Prompts will feature authors, poets, historical figures, and celebrities, or they may come from the St. Mark’s community. These selections are meant to induce individual reflection that can either be introspective and inward, or perhaps invoke open conversations with others in offices, classrooms, dorms, advisories, or even at the dinner table. The most important ambition is to introduce an idea that fosters a thoughtful response.
This week's prompt: Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan once said, “There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect.”
With that line in mind, consider the following: What limitations or barriers might you have built, and how might you best eliminate or destroy them in order to be your best self?
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.
Bullying Prevention Month
October is Bullying Prevention Month. Over the last few weeks, our Wellness Department, led by Carl Corazzini and Lauren Martin, has shared important information with St. Mark's students about ways to prevent bullying. Information has been posted on the Dining Hall table tops ("Food for Thought") and in the House bathrooms ("Stall Talks"); in addition, we hosted House-based conversations around the issue of bullying last Thursday, and III Formers had a conversation about healthy and unhealthy relationships last Friday with the PDG leaders. At St. Mark's, we take all forms of bullying seriously.
Thanksgiving Vacation Planning
It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving vacation is less than a month away! As you make your plans, remember that students are free to leave School after SM Saturdays classes on November 19. Students may leave as early as noon and must depart by 5:00 p.m.
As your family prepares for the vacation, please keep in mind that St. Mark's does not excuse any early departures or late returns around our major school vacations (Thanksgiving, Winter, or Spring Break). While we understand that travel convenience is a plus during these busy times, and that family engagements are important, we must do all we can to preserve our class and community time. We thank you in advance for referencing the school calendar, which you can find on pages 2—4 of the Student Handbook.
Book Your Thanksgiving Break Transportation
St. Mark’s is arranging bus transportation to New York City and shuttles to airports for Thanksgiving break. Please see the transportation dates and times below. The deadline to sign up is Friday, November 11, at 4:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Jeanmarie Morey (jeanmariemorey@stmarksschool.org).
Saturday, November 19, 2022: 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. departures to Logan Airport
Saturday, November 19, 2022: 12:30 p.m. departure to Connecticut/New York
Monday, November 28, 2022: 2:00, 4:00, and 6:00 p.m. arrivals from Logan Airport
Monday, November 28, 2022: 9:30 am. bus returns from New York/Connecticut
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.
Reminder: Please Notify Us of Any Health-Related Absences!
With cold season looming, it's important to notify Health Services of your student's health-related absences. Boarding students who are ill should go to Health Services to rest and recover; students should not miss class without reporting to Health Services. If your Burnett (day) student is home sick, please call or email Health Services (508-786-6372 or healthservices@stmarksschool.org) and the Dean of Student Engagement's Office (deanofstudents@stmarksschool.org) in the morning so we know not to expect your student in classes. For medical appointments, please have your student "check out" at Health Services for a medical appointment pass. All students returning from health passes (whether home sick or at a medical appointment) should "check in" at Health Services when they arrive on campus.
Athletics
Victories for Varsity Girls' Soccer and Varsity Field Hockey
Varsity girls' soccer picked up two wins this past week: 1-0 over St. Paul's yesterday with a goal from Carlisle Brush '23, and 2-0 against Dana Hall earlier in the week with goals from Sarah Mattson '24 and Lily Apstein '26. Yesterday, Varsity Field Hockey came from behind to defeat St. Paul's 4-3 in overtime. Judy Rodolakis '24 scored three goals for the Lions, including the game-tying goal with 1:39 left in regulation. Judy then secured the victory as she tapped in the game-winning goal just 40 seconds into the overtime period. The team returns to action tomorrow night under the lights at Rivers for a 6:00 p.m. start time. We are excited to send a fan bus to the game and support the team!
Advancement
Coffee & Conversation, November 9
Parent coffees are back but with a new name! Join Elise Morgan, interim assistant head of school/dean of faculty, in the St. Mark's Faculty Room for some light refreshments and discussion on Wednesday, November 9, at 8:00 a.m.
Calling all Volunteers!
This is your chance to join other St. Mark’s parents as volunteer phonathon callers on Tuesday, November 15. We will enjoy some light refreshments while texting and calling other parents. Please sign up here to be part of a fun and rewarding evening!
Save the Date: New York City Regional Reception, December 6
Gather with St. Mark’s alumni and parents, and connect with Head of School John C. Warren ’74 at the Harold Pratt House in New York.
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 jackets and windshirts for the month of October. Shop the sale here.
For More on What's Happening Inside the Pride
Watch this video St. Mark’s School: A Lasting Impact.
Check out photos from campus on our School's SmugMug page.
View the latest news stories on our website.
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