November 3, 2022

Trick or Treat: Halloween Spirit at St. Mark's

On Halloween this past Monday, our School community enjoyed a day of classes in costumes. The Monitors hosted a costume contest, and faculty children had fun trick-or-treating around campus in the evening.  

Here is a link to a few photos from Halloween on SmugMug.


Read on to learn what is happening Inside the Pride.

Above: Mr. Vachris with Ms. Morey (left) and Dr. Barnes (right). Photos by: Sandra Levandowski

Who's Ready for Spirit Week?!


Groton Night is next Friday, November 11, which means this Monday, November 7, marks the beginning of Spirit Week for all of the Lions in the St. Mark's Pride.


As announced by the Monitors, here are the dress day themes for next week's lead-up to Saturday's games against the Groton Zebras. 


Go, Lions!

Reminder: Window One Closes Tomorrow

As a reminder, Window One closes tomorrow, Friday, November 4. Summative grades and comments for each class will be available on Monday, November 21, and we will send an email to families with instructions for accessing these grades and comments. 


For information regarding your student's day-to-day progress in a course, please be in touch with your student's advisor. As always, you may also contact the Academics Office with any questions; for III and IV Forms, contact Associate Dean of Academics Kinne McBride, and for V and VI Forms, contact Dean of Academics Nat Waters.  


No St. Mark's Saturdays Classes on November 5

This weekend is a sleep-in weekend, 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.


COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Vaccine Clinic, November 11

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health Mobile Vaccine Unit through Project Rise will be at St. Mark's School on Friday, November 11, from 3:00—5:00 p.m. to offer COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Vaccine to eligible adults and students. Anyone age 12 or older who completed a primary COVID-19 vaccination series or received a booster dose at least two months ago is eligible to receive this updated booster.


Here is the link to register for the Covid-19 Booster Clinic scheduled for November 11.


To register through the link above, please follow the instructions below:

  1. * “What is the desired specialty?” CHOOSE: COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination (pull down menu)
  2. * “VISIT TYPE” CHOOSE: Booster Dose (Pfizer) (pull down menu)
  3. Select: SEARCH
  4. Select a time under FRI NOV 11
  5. Complete the required information
  6. Select: BOOK APPOINTMENT


College Counseling


V Form Parent and Guardian Zoom, November 8

Class of 2024 Parents and Guardians: A reminder that the V Form Parent and Guardian Zoom will take place on Tuesday, November 8, from 7:30—8:30 p.m. We will cover the exact same outline as we did for our Family Weekend meeting. If you could not join us in person or catch the live stream, this meeting is for you! We will offer an overview of our philosophy and approach and preview our upcoming work with V Formers. Here is the ZOOM linkWe look forward to seeing you soon. 


Community and Equity


Weekly Reflection

Greetings from the Community and Equity Affairs Office


Here is this week's promptAttorney, author, and former first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama writes in her memoir Becoming, “For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.” 


With that line in mind, consider the following: Since your first day at St. Mark’s, how have you evolved? Additionally, what steps will you continue to take or begin to ensure that you are reaching towards becoming a better version of yourself?


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.


Patterson-Sculley House Move-In Plan

Please read this important email from Dean of Community Life David Vachris, which was sent to all families on Tuesday, November 1. It outlines important information about the opening of St. Mark’s new residence hall, Patterson-Sculley House, later this month and includes specific details and dates for packing and moving.


A few notes about packing for the move over the next couple of weeks:

  • We communicated earlier this week that each moving student should take and pack three small boxes and one medium box and that boxes must be color-coded and labeled. Don't worry, the moving company will move more than the four boxes! Packed bags (duffel, not garbage), closed containers, suitcases, standing lamps, and refrigerators that are properly labeled will make the trip with the movers. 
  • Local families whose students will be moving into the new building are encouraged to bring extra, unneeded items home with them in the coming weeks for a smooth transition. Please do what you can to reduce our "moving imprint" by taking items home (or to a local friend's house) this weekend and next. Thank you!
  • More updates will be shared next week, including a slideshow and a student information session on Monday, November 7.
  • Questions can be directed to Maggie Caron and David Vachris.


Reminder: 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.


Register for Thanksgiving Break Transportation by November 11

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 on this flyer, which students received today. The deadline to sign up is Friday, November 11, at 4:00 p.m. In order to register, you must email your name and phone number directly to Jeanmarie Morey (jeanmariemorey@stmarksschool.org). Your seat is not reserved until you receive confirmation. Thank you!


Reminder: 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.


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.organd the Dean of Student Engagement's Office (deanofstudents@stmarksschool.orgin 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


Special Schedule, Early Dismissal, and Home Games this Friday

Tomorrow, November 4, the Lions will compete against Tabor Academy and host the ISL XC Championships. A reminder that St. Mark's is running a special schedule for the day with an early dismissal for these athletic contests.


Special Schedule for Friday, November 4:

  • 8:00 - 8:25 - Chapel
  • 8:30 - 9:15 - Red
  • 9:20 - 10:05 - Yellow
  • 10:10 - 10:55 - Blue
  • 11:00 - 11:45 - Brown
  • Lunch and afternoon contests


Home Athletic Schedule for Friday, November 4:

  • JV Boys' Soccer at 2:45 p.m.
  • Varsity Boys' Soccer at 2:45 p.m.
  • JV Girls' Soccer at 2:45 p.m.
  • Varsity Girls' Soccer at 2:45 p.m.
  • Varsity Field Hockey at 2:45 p.m.
  • JV Field Hockey at 4:15 p.m.


Advancement


Coffee & Conversation: November 9

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: Parent Phonathon

The phonathon will be Tuesday, November 15, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. It is National Philanthropy Day! Parent volunteers will be calling you, so please take the call and connect with another parent to support St. Mark's!


Save the Date: New York City Regional Reception

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 on Tuesday, December 6.


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 hoodies for the month of November. 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.

Calendar Highlights:

Nov. 4 Window One Closes; ISL/Tabor Games

Nov. 5 No SMS; Open Weekend

Nov. 9 Coffee & Conversation

Nov. 11 Groton Night

Nov. 12 SMS; Groton Day

Nov. 14 Evening Chapel & Seated Meal

Nov. 16 Fall Play

Nov. 17 Fall Play

Nov. 18 Fall Play

Nov. 19 Thanksgiving Break Begins at noon

Nov. 29 Return from Thanksgiving Break

Click to View the Online School Calendar 
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