St. Mark School E-Newsletter

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.

May 26, 2023

Dear St. Mark Families,

The season of Easter concludes with this Sunday's celebration, the feast of Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem; this event marks the beginning of the Church. Jesus fulfilled his promise to send to his disciples a helper, an advocate, who would enable them to be his witnesses throughout the world.

In the context of the feast of Pentecost, we are called to reflect on the integral connection between the gifts of peace and forgiveness and the action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” As he breathes the Holy Spirit upon them, Jesus sends his disciples to continue his work of reconciliation through the forgiveness of sins.

This Gospel reminds us that the Church is called to be a reconciling presence in the world. The reconciling presence of Christ is celebrated in the Church’s sacramental life. In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are cleansed of sin and become a new creation in Christ. In the Sacrament of Penance, the Church celebrates the mercy of God through the forgiving of sins. This reconciling presence is also to be a way of life for Christians. In situations of conflict, we are to be agents of peace and harmony among people. © Loyola Press Sunday Connection

I wish you all God's Blessings and Grace.

Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Warner

Please do not reply to this email. If you ever have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at any time.

End of Year Dates

With the approval of the Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Schools, Office of the Superintendent of Schools, the last day of the 2022-2023 school year for Kindergarten through Grade 7 will be Thursday, June 15th, 2023.

Early Dismissal Days in June

Wednesday, June 14th, 11:25 Dismissal, PK3 through Grade 7

Thursday, June 15th, 11:25 Dismissal, PK3 through Grade 7

Little Lions Preschool Program (PK3 & PK4)

The last day of Little Lions Preschool (PK3 & PK4) Program will be Wednesday, June 14th, 2023. Please note that the day is an early dismissal at 11:25am and there is no After School Program. We will celebrate our PK4 students moving up to Kindergarten with a Graduation Celebration on the last day of the program, Wednesday, June 14th at 9A.

If your child is in PK3 and does not attend school on Wednesdays, their last day of school would be Monday, June 12th or Tuesday, June 13th.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten Graduation will be celebrated on Thursday, June 15th at 9A. Please note that the day is an early dismissal at 11:25am and there is no After School Program.

After School Program

The last day of St. Mark School's After School Program will be on Tuesday, June 13th, 2023 for all grades, PK3 through Grade 8.

Living Our Faith

The Class of 2023, along with all other Eighth Grade students in the Diocese of Bridgeport, were honored at Mass celebrated by Bishop Caggiano at St. Augustine Cathedral, the mother church of our Diocese. Bishop Caggiano congratulated the 8th Graders on their upcoming graduation from their respective elementary schools and honored their God given talents that they are just starting to realize and develop as they grow into young men and women of faith in the next chapter of their lives. The celebration was followed with a picnic lunch.

Social Media

The best advertising our school can do is through parents and supporters of St. Mark School. Please like and share our St. Mark School Facebook and Instagram posts.

Dress Down Day Reminders

With the warm weather approaching, I want to remind students that open-toed shoes are not allowed at school. This includes flip flops, slides and open-toed sandals.

As a reminder, per our Out of Uniform Day Policy, "crop-tops" or any tops with straps instead of sleeves or that expose the stomach are prohibited.

Fourth Quarter Marking Period

As we are more than halfway through the fourth quarter marking period, parents in Grades 4 through 8 are encouraged to check Parents PlusPortals for the most up to date information on your child’s growth and progress thus far.

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. Any family that needs PlusPortals activation resent, please email Mrs. Mannino at the email address above.

Room Parents

Are you interested in being a Room Parent for your child’s class for the 2023-2024 school year? If you would like to be considered for the role, please email Ms. Zenowich, room parent coordinator, no later than June 1, 2023. If you are selected to be a Room Parent, an invitation email will be sent to you mid-summer.

In our Community

On Tuesday, May 23rd, students in Grades 6-8 were inducted into the St. Mark Chapter of the National Honor Society. In addition to meeting academic achievement criteria, members embody the 5 pillars of the honor society, service, leadership, character, citizenship and scholarship. Congratulations to all honorees.

St. Mark School's traditional Field Day was held outdoors today. A fun time was had by all! I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Dougherty, P.E. teacher, our Field Day planning committee, our HSA leadership including Mrs. Christoffersen and Mr. Baird for all of the hours spent planning the day's activities, and all our parent volunteers who came out to make the event such a success!

St. Mark Pet Policy

We understand that Spring weather brings an opportunity for families to walk to school for morning drop off and afternoon pick-up. As a gentle reminder, families are asked to adhere to St. Mark School's pet policy to ensure student and staff safety.

Pets and non-service trained domestic animals are not permitted on school grounds during school hours and during school events, except when in a vehicle. Pets are not permitted to leave a vehicle without prior permission of school administration or parish officials.

Parent Pick-Up

For the safety of all our students, parents who are picking up their child at dismissal time are asked to give clearance and stand clear of the buses and vans when students are being loaded onto the bus and dismissed.

PK3 parents are asked to please watch for buses pulling into the bus lane when you are approaching and leaving the PK3 pick-up door and PK4 parents are asked to not walk in-between vans when picking up your child from the PK4 door.

Parish News

Rosary and Litany Devotional

Knights of Columbus, Council #8, St. John Paul II

Our Knights will be praying the Rosary for the entire month of May. The Knights will meet at 7:00 p.m. weeknights; Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. (after the 5:00 p.m. Mass), and at 1:00 p.m. on Sundays (after the 12:00 noon mass). Weather permitting, the group will meet at the statue of Our Blessed Mother outside the church; otherwise, we will meet in the church or Upper Room. All are welcome.

Msgr. Donald Guglielmi

Former pastor of St. Mark Parish, Donald Guglielmi, was formally installed as a Monsignor with two others at a Mass held at St. Aloysius Church, New Canaan, on April 16^th, 2023. He is coming to St. Mark church on June 4^th and will offer the Noon Mass. A light reception in the parish center will follow the Mass at 1:00 p.m. All are welcome.

Malta House/Birthright

St. Mark Respect Life will be having a Diaper Drive to benefit Malta House and Birthright in Norwalk. We will be collecting diapers (larger than newborn) on two weekends in May: May 13/14 and May 20/21. Containers will be placed at all entrances of the church for your use. Thank you for your support of Moms and their babies!

Vacation Bible School

We are proud to announce that Vacation Bible School is back at St. Mark! Bible School runs from July 10 thru July 14, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. till 12:00 noon in the Parish Center. For children in rising grades K-4. Cost is $75 per child. Information and registration forms can be found at www.stmarkstfd.org.

The Power of Prayer

If you have a prayer intention, please submit your request to St. Mark School's prayer line by clicking here. Your intention will be remembered during our Afternoon Prayers and Announcements.

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

For important information and updates 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.

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