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.


September 9, 2022

Dear St. Mark Families,

 

We had a wonderful start to the 2022-2023 school year. Celebrating First Friday Mass as a school community last week was beautiful. I would like to thank our Pastor, Father Birendra, for the poignant blessing of our students and faculty on our first day of school.  

 

Since being named Principal in 2019, our school community has faced many challenges and together we came out stronger. We worked together to make our school a Christ-centered, safe, and nurturing environment and as I reflect, none of our accomplishments would have been possible without God’s Grace. God's Grace is how we get through tough times - by hearing God’s call and carrying out his plan through our actions. By being disciples of Christ and following his example - lifting each other up, forgiving each other’s humanness, and loving each other even when it is hard. As we begin this new school year, I would like to deepen the strength of our school community by introducing our theme for the 2022-2023 school year: Grace.

 

As St. Ignatius of Loyola once said, “God gives each one of us sufficient grace ever to know His holy will, and to do it fully."


I wish you all continued good health and God's blessings.


Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Warner 

Thank You 



I would like to thank our Student and Parent Ambassadors who helped out at our Preschool Popsicle Social, New Parent Orientation, and Supply Drop Off. Thank you to Mrs. McEnaney, Mrs Pucci, Mrs. Flaig, Mr. Masterbone, Mia Christoffersen (Gr. 6), Ashlyn Flaig (Gr. 8), Julianne Gonzalez (Gr. 7), Mila Harmon (Gr. 8), Avery Johansen (Gr. 8), Colin Johansen (Gr. 8), Molly Kery (Gr. 8), Sophia Pagano (Gr. 7), Christian Rouse (Gr. 8), and Michael Scalzo (Gr. 8).

Confirmation


Congratulations to our Grade 8 students who are making their Confirmation this evening. May God bless them as they continue to grow in their faith.

Teacher Communication


Our faculty looks forward to partnering with you in your child’s education.  The best way to initiate communication with your child’s teacher is via email.  Teacher emails can be located on our school website.  Teachers are expected to check their email when time permits during the school day. However, emails will not be checked when teachers are delivering instruction or when a teacher is absent.  Please be advised that our teachers have 24 hours to respond to your email.  If you email after 3:00pm on a Friday, you should not expect a reply before Monday at 3:00pm.  If you have an emergency, please contact Mrs. Mannino in the Main Office.

Change in Dismissal Plan 


If you have to change your child’s dismissal plan during the school day, please call or email Mrs. Mannino cmannino@stmarkschool.org.  If you email your child’s teacher during class time, they may not see the email if they are in the middle of instruction. To ensure your child dismisses the way you need them to, it is imperative that you contact the office with last minute changes.

Parking Lot


Parents, grandparents, and guests are asked to please adhere to the 5mph speed limit in the parking lot during drop off. Our fellow parishioners on their way into daily Mass appreciate your attention to the speed limit.

Morning Drop Off Procedures


As a reminder, we ask that the follow protocols be followed by our school community for the safety of our students:


  • 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 (beginning Friday, September 2nd).


  • The Nemergut Drive entrance (chain-link fence) is EXIT ONLY during arrival and dismissal times.


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

Dismissal


I have received some concerns from our faculty, parishioners and parents regarding parents/visitors leaning against cars in the parking lot during dismissal. Please make an effort to not lean against vehicles in the parking lot that do not belong to you.  


Allowing children to run down the parking lot to their adult waiting between cars poses a significant safety risk to all. Therefore, teachers will not dismiss a student until they feel it is safe to do so.  


Parents of students in Grades K-4 are asked to not take your child out of the class dismissal line until he or she is released by the teacher. It is imperative that the teacher see you and you make eye contact with the teacher and wave before your child is dismissed. We appreciate your patience as each child is safely released individually by the teacher to his or her parent or grandparent.

 

Please keep in mind, the area is an active parking lot, with cars arriving and leaving. Adults are asked to keep your children close to you, especially our youngest students, and not allow them to run through the parking lot.


To ensure the safety of our students and staff, pets and non-service trained domestic animals are not permitted on school grounds during school hours and/or during school events, except when in a vehicle. They are not permitted to leave a vehicle without prior permission of school administration or parish officials.

From the Nurse's Office


As we begin a new school year, 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. 


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.

K-8 Summer Learning Activities


K through 8 Governor's Reading Challenge and Reading and Math choice boards are due on Friday, September 16th. Students who return their work to their classroom teacher will enjoy a yummy treat on Friday, September 23rd from the ice cream truck! Our Little Lions preschool students who are present on that day will receive a treat as welcome to our community! 


There is no minimum amount of choice board squares to complete. Students are encouraged to complete as much as they can and return it with their Governor's Summer Reading Journal.

Faculty Updates 


It is with a heavy heart that I share Ms. Olivia Anderson, our Physical Education Teacher, has made the difficult decision to leave St. Mark School. Ms. Anderson is moving on to her dream job in career recruitment and development. We wish Ms. Anderson all the best!

 

I am working diligently with the Office of the Superintendent to fill Ms. Anderson’s role. In the meantime, Ms. Julia Eldridge, our St. Thomas Aquinas Fellow, will act as our short term substitute.


We are blessed to have Ms. Julia Eldridge, Aquinas Fellow, as part of the St. Mark School Community this year. Ms. Eldridge will be working at St. Mark School as she continues to work toward her Master’s Degree in Secondary Education Social Studies. Ms. Eldridge says she was drawn toward working in Catholic Education from her educational experiences attending a Catholic School from Kindergarten - 8th grade as well as a 4-year Catholic university! 


The Aquinas Fellowship Community is a unique opportunity for a soon-to-be or recent college graduate, who is passionate about the growth and development of Catholic school students, to gain valuable experience in one of the Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic schools as an educator, school social worker, or counselor, while earning their master's degree in one of Fairfield University's School of Education and Human Development graduate programs. 

Mrs. Pelazza’s Counselor Corner 


Please join me in welcoming Lindsay Gowans, MSW, to the Counseling Team at St. Mark School for the 2022-2023 school year. Miss Gowans will be joining us in supporting the students at St. Mark School on Mondays and Wednesdays. 

 

Miss Gowans earned her Master's Degree in Social Work from Fordham University. She has worked for Catapult Learning within the Catholic School Community since April 2021. Miss Gowans is committed to working with students, families, and the school to improve academic performance and/or social and behavioral functioning.  

 

In her spare time, she likes to go to the beach, enjoy the sunset and eat delicious food.  

 

Together, we look forward to another wonderful year with St. Mark School.

Athletics Update


St. Mark School is excited for the return of our Co-ed Cross Country Teams this fall for students in grades 5-8. But first we need coaches!

 

We are looking for a few Virtus-trained parents who are willing to volunteer their time and share their love of running with middle school students. No experience necessary. Your time commitment would count towards one-hour after school practices (in and around school), once or twice per week subject to your availability.  Please email coach Amy Pagano pagano0909@gmail.com.

 

If your child is interested in joining our Co-Ed Cross Country team, please click here.  Tentative practices may take place after school on Mondays/Wednesdays from 2:10-3:30pm at St. Mark School and on Sundays from 12:30-1:30pm at Bunnell High School Track.  Teams will compete in Diocesan XC Meets grouped for grades 5 & 6 and 7 & 8.

Parish News


Gift Cards Needed

Deacon Paul has asked us to reach out to the parish for the purchase of food gifts cards, either Stop&Shop or ShopRite, in denominations of $25 (but we accept anything!). The need for the poor in our area has increased greatly and we go through the gift cards quicker than you think! God bless St. Mark parish for its continued generosity to help the needy in our community.  You can drop the gift cards in the collection basket at any Mass or bring to the rectory office during business hours.  


Knights of Columbus Recruitment

Please welcome members of the Knights of Columbus, St. John Paul II, Council #8, as they commence on their recruitment campaign for calendar year 2023. Invite a Catholic Man to become a Knight! We welcome them for recruitment weekend October 15 and 16. Please feel free to stop by and speak with a Knight after any of the weekend Masses.  

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

For important information and updates visit the
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!
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  
Dates At A Glance
  • Friday, September 9th: Confirmation, Grade 8


  • Tuesday, September 13th: Meet the Teacher Night, Grades K-4, 7P


  • Thursday, September 15th: Meet the Teacher Night, Grades 5-8, 7P


  • Thursday, September 15th: HSA Dress Down Day, $1


  • Wednesday, September 21st: HSA Snack Shop, $1


  • Saturday, October 1st: HSA Bottles & Cans Drive, 10A-2P


  • Friday, October 7th: Early Dismissal, 11:25A, Teacher PD


  • Monday, October 10th: No School, Columbus Day
St. Mark School | 203-375-4291 | www.stmarkschool.org
500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, CT 06614
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  

God gives each one of us sufficient grace ever to know His holy will, and to do it fully

St. Ignatius of Loyola