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Family Weekend Conferencing Updates
We are excited to welcome families to campus for Family Weekend. As a reminder, we are offering both in-person and remote advisor conferencing as a part of the program. Please reach out to your student's advisor if you have not heard from them to set a time to connect for an update on your student's progress. On Saturday morning, families joining us on campus will follow their student's schedule for "mini-classes." Students will not attend the mini-class schedule, and will have a "sleep-in" to allow them to rest up for the afternoon games. This program offers the opportunity to meet the teacher and get a sense of the daily activities and learning goals of each course.
Please remember that we are not offering individual parent-teacher conferences this year as a part of the Family Weekend program, and we kindly ask that parents do not make direct requests for individual meetings with teachers. We understand that parents value the individual conversation with teachers and missing this opportunity can be disappointing, especially if you are not able to come to campus this weekend for the mini-classes. This fall on the St. Mark's campus, and this weekend in particular, is very busy for our teachers, and granting this request can place a significant time burden on our faculty at a time when we are not able to make the necessary time allowances for these conversations. We are relying on our customary advisory channel to be the source of updates and information on a student's progress in class. Of course, if there is an area of significant challenge in a class that warrants further follow-up and discussion, we can look into creating time for a more detailed update from the teacher. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Family Weekend Homework Expectations
We are all excited for a well-earned break after Family Weekend. Classes will not be in session Monday, October 17 through Wednesday, October 19. Classes resume on the normal pattern on Thursday, October 20. In order to encourage a meaningful break, we are asking teachers to set reasonable expectations for homework over the extended weekend. Classes will be assigning work that might be reasonably completed in one evening for the first meetings of the week on Thursday and Friday. If students find that their work is taking additional time to complete, they should be proactive in following up with their teacher and advisor.
No St. Mark's Saturdays Classes this Weekend
There are no St. Mark's Saturdays classes this weekend to allow for Saturday's Family Weekend mini-class schedule for parents. SM Saturdays resume next Saturday, October 22. School meeting starts the day at 8:40 a.m., and classes run from 9:00—11:30 a.m. The remaining SM Saturdays for the fall season are: October 22, November 12, and November 19.
Boarders to Return to Campus Wednesday, October 19
A reminder that following the post-Family Weekend break October 16—19, boarding students are required to be back on campus by 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19. Enjoy the extended weekend!
III Form SM Wellness Workshop Next Friday Evening, October 21
As announced in All-School Meeting, there will be a required SM Wellness Workshop for all III Form students next Friday, October 21, from 7:00–8:00 p.m. in Taft Hall. The workshop, facilitated by St. Mark's Director of Counseling Services Jennifer Taylor and Community Wellness Educator Lauren Martin '85, will focus on "healthy relationships" and include a conversation on communication skill-building, boundaries, and a review of the Massachusetts state laws around consent. A follow-up discussion to this workshop will take place the next day in the III Form Saturday class on October 22.
Evening Chapel on Tuesday, October 25
A reminder that evening Chapel and seated meal will take place from 6:00—7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25. Chapel will take place first at 6:00 p.m. The remaining seated meal and evening Chapel dates for the year are: November 14, January 30, February 27, April 27, and June 7.
Community and Equity
Introducing: Weekly Reflections
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 or invoke open conversations with others in offices, classrooms, dorms, advisories, or even at the dinner table. The most important intent is to introduce an idea that fosters a thoughtful response.
This week's prompt: Borrowed from songwriters Joseph King, Isaac Slide, David Welsh, and Ben Wysocki (The Fray) in their song "The Fighter,” the lead renders the line:
"What breaks your bones is not the load you're carrying / What breaks you down is all in how you carry /"
With that line in mind, consider the following: What is the heaviest weight you carry each day, and how are you carrying it?
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.
Family Weekend Orah Sign-Outs
Students departing campus for the long weekend were reminded to submit their Orah passes in advance. This document includes reminders and helpful information.
Inter-House Sleepovers and Orah
Students are now able to request a "sleepover" in another House (dorm) on Saturday nights. To do so, students must submit a pink "sleepover" pass on Orah. You may be asked to endorse (approve) a pass if your student asks to sleep over in a friend's House (dorm). Burnett students are also invited to apply for a sleepover request and to spend a Saturday night with a boarding friend. Sleepover requests are reviewed and approved at the discretion of the House Head pending space and availability.
Health-related Absence? Please Notify Us!
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.
Lion Card Charges
As a follow-up to last week's message, please note that a student's Lion Card may be used for a variety of charges at St. Mark's, including: laundry, sports equipment, trips, fundraising, and music lessons. It may also be used in the Lions' Den and the Bookstore. Families can check their student's Lion Card account online. For questions about your student's Lion Card or charges on the account, please contact Liz MacArthur (lizmacarthur@stmarksschool.org) in the St. Mark's Business Office.
Reminder: Student Picture Day on Tuesday, October 25
Coffee Pond Photography will be on campus to photograph students from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on October 25, 2022. Below is a message from Coffee Pond:
Each student will be photographed in several poses and will have multiple images from which families may order prints. Each family will receive a private password via email that will be used to access JUST their child’s images on our website. Our website contains easy to follow instructions for ordering a variety of package options.
Our EProof program will notify you via email when your child’s portrait proofs are ready to be viewed online. When you receive the email with private password you can go directly to our company’s secure website www.coffeepond.com to place your order online. Coffee Pond accepts all major credit cards.
If you do not receive your child’s password within a few weeks after Picture Day, please be sure to contact our Customer Care department at the email address below or by phone at 1-800-632-2323 x 0. Please be sure to have your spam blocker set to accept emails from our Customer care email lifeguards@coffeepond.com.
Athletics
Team of the Week: Varsity Boys' Soccer
Varsity boys' soccer had a great win against Roxbury Latin on Friday. Captain Alden Mehta ’23 had a phenomenal game with one goal and one assist. He created offense and moved the ball quickly in the final third of the pitch. Along with Mehta, Sebbie Johnson ’23, Tyler Kocienda ’23, and Munene Muindi ’24 all scored for a final score of 4-2. Captain Ryan Taylor ’23 also had an outstanding game in the midfield, defending and pushing the ball ahead to create scoring opportunities. He also limited RL’s opportunities to attack and score. The team is now preparing for two big ISL matchups this week against Nobles and St. George’s.
Student-Athlete of the Week: AJ Gorman ’23
On Saturday, October 8, varsity boys' cross country raced against Middlesex, St. George’s, and Brooks. AJ Gorman ’23 came in first for St. Mark’s; he finished the Brooks cross-country course in 17:53, which was the third-lowest time overall. He continues to lead the team for a very successful racing season so far. The boys look ahead to this week when they race Roxbury Latin.
Thank you to Mia Overbye ’24 for writing the Team of the Week and Student-Athlete of the Week!
Alumni News of the Week: Abby Griffin ’22
Abby Griffin '22 has been a staple of the Hamilton College field hockey team this fall as the team is currently ranked #18 in the DIII NFHCA National Poll. The first year goalkeeper recorded her first career shutout this past Saturday against #14 Bates as the Continentals defeated Bates, 3-0. Griffin recorded five saves in the victory. On the season, Griffin, who has played every minute in net, has made 42 saves and has a 1.44 GAA (goals against average). Hamilton looks to close out their NESCAC schedule strong and continue to climb up the NFHCA poll and earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Highlights from this Week's Games
Varsity Boys' Soccer: 4-2 win vs. Roxbury Latin
Varsity Boys' XC: 19-42 win vs. Brooks, 25-32 win vs. St. George’s
JV Boys' XC: 18-43 win vs. Brooks, 17-44 win vs. St. George’s
Varsity Girls' XC: 28-29 win vs. Brooks
JV Girls' XC: 50-50 tie vs. Milton
Varsity Girls' Soccer: 0-0 tie vs. Cushing
Advancement
Family Weekend Begins this Friday! October 14—15
See the full schedule of Family Weekend events here. For those unable to attend, tune in to a livestream of Friday’s presentations or the Friday evening concert.
Alumni and Parent Pre-Game Tailgate Lunch, October 22
Join current families and alumni at the St. Mark’s Annex for a light lunch before cheering on our Lions at home games on Saturday, October 22, at 12:30 p.m. Register here.
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.
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
Volleyball Under the Lights Last Saturday Night
Last Saturday night, approximately 50 students came out to play or watch exciting volleyball action in the VI Form Quad. Students played for over two hours under the lights and enjoyed music and pizza! A huge thank you to Ella Carr, Emily Svingen, Addie Mims, and Winn Irwin for their organizational skills and leadership for this event. Go Lions!
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
Check out photos from campus on our School's SmugMug page.
View the latest news stories on our website.
*Below: St. Markers enjoying Saturday night's volleyball under the lights. Photo by David Vachris.
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