St. Mark School E-Newsletter - October 29, 2021

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.

October 29, 2021

Dear St. Mark Families,

In this Sunday's Gospel Reading, Mark 12:28b-34, Jesus is questioned by a scribe about the greatest commandment. As Christians, our moral behavior is guided by the two-part commandment taught by Jesus in the Gospel: love God and love your neighbor as yourself.

At St. Mark School, we strive to teach, model, and instill moral behavior for all students as evidenced by our Models in Christ program. In the month of October, our students and faculty focused on the moral behavior of respect. We are proud to recognize our students for putting their faith into action in their daily lives.

Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Warner

If you are a room parent for your child's classroom, kindly forward communication to your fellow grade level parents, ensuring all St. Mark families have the most up to date information.

Please do not reply to this email. If you have questions, comments or concerns please email me directly.

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.

Today, the following students were recognized by having their name announced and presented with an award and commemorative gold cross pin.

From the Nurse's Office

Cafeteria Use

We are happy to share that the COVID safety table dividers for the cafeteria tables have arrived. On Monday, November 1st, lower school students in Grades K through 4 will begin using the cafeteria for lunch and upper school students can return to sitting with their cohorts. Appropriate social distancing will be maintained, HEPA air filter systems are in use, and surfaces will be sanitized between lunch waves.

Mrs. Pelazza

Counselor’s Corner

As we approach Halloween this weekend, here are some tips and ideas for your child to have a fun and safe night of trick –or –treating.

Wear something bright colored.
Bring a flashlight.
Walk and stay with a small group or friend.
Only visit homes that are well lit.
Have a trusted adult with you.
Look both ways before crossing the street.

PlusPortals and 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. Parents of students in Grades 1 through 8 can find a PDF copy of the 21-22 Quarter 1 Progress Reports sent home via backpack mail last week in the e-locker. Moving forward, all progress reports for each quarter will be shared with parents via PlusPortals. For Quarter 1, Report Cards will be sent home via backpack mail as well as uploaded to PlusPortals.

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.

Winter Uniforms

Winter uniforms begin on Monday, November 1, 2021. Boys in Grades 1-8 are requited to wear button down shirts and ties. As a friendly reminder, sweatshirts are not permitted to be worn in class. The only exception to this rule is for our Grade 8 students who may wear their Class and/or High School sweatshirts. Please click here to review the Winter Uniform Requirements. If you have any Dress Code questions, please contact Mrs. Mannino.

Thank you to those that have recently donated outgrown uniform items to Nurse Frate. At this time, we will not be accepting any further donations.

Volunteers Needed

While we are happy to return to our hot lunch partnership with Sodexo Food Services, the success of our program depends on our parent volunteers who are responsible for sorting and distributing hot lunch meals to students.

Hot Lunch Volunteers still needed on a regular daily schedule from 11:30am-1:00pm. Hot Lunch Volunteers earn 2 hour HSA volunteer credit per shift.

If you are able to help please email HomeSchoolAssociation@stmarkschool.org for further details.

Please remember you must be VIRTUS trained in order to volunteer for any school event, function or volunteer opportunity.

Athletics Update

Cheerleading Interest Survey

St. Mark School Athletic Program is considering forming a cheerleading team. Please complete the survey found here if your child has any interest in cheer.

Emergency Contact Forms

Please be advised that Mrs. Mannino continues to contact families who have not yet returned the following forms:

Student Emergency Contact Form
Handbook Signature Page
COVID 19 Addendum Page
Media Release
Computer Usage

If you have not yet returned the required policy forms, please contact Mrs. Mannino cmannino@stmarkschool.org. Thank you for your diligence on this matter!

PreK and K Open House

November 14, 2021

Help us promote our Open House by posting a yard sign! If you live on a busy road or have a business, please let us know. You can stop by the main office to pick up a yard sign or give us the address and we’ll post it for you!

The Open House is from 10a-12n for new families, but we added a special 9a-10a Preview Hour for our current PreK families. If you're interested in attending, reserve your tour by clicking on the link below.

Fall Picture Re-Take Day

Robert Taylor Photography will return to St. Mark School on Thursday, November 4th for fall school photos.

Photos will be taken for any student (PK3 through Grade 8) who was absent on Picture Day in September, any family who requests a picture re-take, and any PK3 or PK4 student who did not have their photo taken in September.

Photos will be taken of all students, regardless of purchasing a package, in order to be included in our 2021-2022 school yearbook.

Please contact Mrs. Mannino at cmannino@stmarkschool.org if you have any questions regarding picture re-takes.

Morning Drop Off Reminders

We ask that the following protocols be followed by our school community for the safety of our students.

Please pay close attention to which driveway you use to enter the parking lot. Using the wrong entrance creates a risk for an accident!

Parents utilizing the Drop and Go Car Line are to enter using the driveway adjacent to the Blessed Mother Statue.

Parents utilizing Parish Center entrance for Preschool and Goodbye Zone are to enter using the driveway across the street from the farm.

Doors will close promptly at 7:45am in order for classes to be on time for 8am daily mass.

Speed limit is 5 mph in the parking lot.

The Nemergut Drive entrance is the ONLY EXIT during arrival and dismissal times. Do not use any other driveway to exit the parking lot.

Please note: If someone other than yourself is dropping off, please relay this important information.

For Parish information, visit: https://www.saintmarkchurchstratford.org/

For important information and updates on COVID-19, visit the

Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Schools website

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!