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This Week
Acclaimed Writer Gish Jen Speaks at St. Mark's, December 1
Writer Gish Jen—whose work has been published in the New Yorker and the Atlantic, chosen for The Best American Short Stories five times, and nominated for a National Book Critics' Circle Award—was on campus today. She met with students and addressed the entire St. Mark's community as part of the Gray Colloquium speaker series.
Holiday Songfest and Tree Lighting, December 2
We'll be rocking around the Christmas tree this Friday night during our annual St. Mark's Songfest and Tree Lighting. Holiday festivities begin at 7:15 p.m.
Community Weekend and Wellness Day, December 3
As a reminder, this weekend is a Community Weekend, and the second annual Wellness Day at St. Mark's will take place this Saturday morning. There are no SM Saturdays classes, but students are expected to stay on campus and participate in Wellness Day, which will include two keynote speakers, five wellness experiences, a wellness activity fair, and even a stress-reducing "puppy pet" at 11:15 a.m.! Ritu Kapur will speak about how her connection to yoga and meditation led her on a journey to Mount Everest Base Camp, and Mallory from Minding Your Mind will discuss how the company is trying to break the stigma of mental health issues. It should be an awesome morning!
Lessons and Carols, December 6 and December 8
Please join the St. Mark's School Choir and Orchestra for a Service of Nine Lessons and Carols for Christmas! This year, St. Mark's School's beloved Service of Lessons and Carols for Christmas will take place on two nights: December 6 and December 8. Families who wish to attend should do so on the same night their student is scheduled to attend. For those unable to join us in person, livestream links will be emailed on the mornings of December 6 and December 8.
Photo Retake Day, December 8
If at first you don't succeed, try again! Photo retakes for the yearbook will be offered in the Lions' Den from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. next Thursday, December 8.
Winter Athletic Festival with Admission, December 9
On Friday afternoon, December 9, prospective applicants are invited to attend the Winter Athletic Festival with Admission. Please RSVP (https://www.stmarksschool.org/events) to help us plan. This is an informal opportunity to meet admission representatives, connect with coaches, and cheer on the St. Mark's teams.
Practice ACT Exam for IV Form Students, December 10
The Department of College Counseling will be offering a practice ACT exam on the morning of December 10. We expect all IV Form students to take advantage of this practice testing opportunity. Students received a Google Form to sign up for the exam. This letter from Eric Monheim, which was sent to IV Form parents, contains more information. Please reach out to testing coordinator Joelle Gilmore (joellegilmore@stmarksschool.org) with any questions.
Academics
Assessment Week, December 12—15
Each December, St. Mark's conducts an assessment period which accommodates the diverse needs of advancing coursework before Winter Break. The assessment period starts Monday morning, December 12, and runs through Thursday afternoon, December 15. Each student's class has been allotted a two-hour block of time for meaningful academic engagement. Depending on the course, class work may be in the form of a cumulative test, project-based work, writing workshop, or some other activity or assessment. Please also note that we build a reading block into the schedule on Wednesday morning to allow students time for preparation and extra help. Students may depart for Winter Break following their final academic or athletic commitment.
To view the Assessment Week Schedule, click here.
Winter St. Mark's Saturdays Classes
Winter SM Saturdays classes will begin after Winter Break in January. Classes will meet five times throughout the trimester: January 7, January 14, January 28, February 11, and February 25.
Community and Equity
Weekly Reflection
Greetings from the Community and Equity Affairs Office!
Here is this week's prompt: 20th Century American poet Gwendolyn Brooks shared, “We are each other’s harvest; we are each other’s business; we are each other’s magnitude and bond.”
With her profound words in mind, consider the following: Whether at St. Mark’s or any other community to which you belong, whose business do you belong and what bonds are you forming with those around you that are based on healthy expectations?
Community Life and Student Engagement
No Vacations Between Vacations!
The time between Thanksgiving Break and Winter Break will be very busy here on campus with academic work, athletic contests, holiday festivities, House events, and the assessment week. Please encourage students to eat healthy, get plenty of sleep, and put in the extra effort over these next few weeks. With much to do before the close of 2022, now is not the time to take a “vacation” between vacations!
As always, the Dean of Student Engagement Office, the Wellness Department, Counseling and Health Services, and advisors are here to support your student. Reach out should you have any concerns or needs.
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.
Winter Break Departure and Return
We hope you all enjoyed Thanksgiving Break. Now it's time to look forward to Winter Break. 'Tis the season for togetherness! Please remember that there are no classes on Friday, December 16, and houses close at 1:00 p.m. Take note when planning for vacation departures that the last assessment block, dedicated to classes that meet in the green period, will be held on Thursday, December 15 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Students may depart School after their last commitment. Boarding students should return to School by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 3, as classes resume on Wednesday, January 4. Keep in mind that St. Mark's does not excuse any early departures or late returns around our major school vacations.
Winter Break Transportation
St. Mark’s is once again arranging bus transportation to Logan Airport and New York City for Winter Break. Students planning to travel on busses arranged by the School should register directly with Jeanmarie Morey (jeanmariemorey@stmarksschool.org). The deadline to sign-up is Friday, December 9, at 4:00 p.m. Be on the lookout for a flyer from Ms. Morey which details the transportation schedule! Your seat is reserved as long as you receive confirmation, and charges will be billed to your Lion Card.
Global Citizenship
Winter Break Program in Boston and Costa Rica
If anyone is looking for a program for the Winter Break, there are still limited spots available with Cogito for a Boston and Costa Rica program. Information can be found here.
Athletics
St. Mark's Athletic Trainers Receive National Award
St. Mark’s received the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Safe Sports School award for its athletic training program led by Head Athletic Trainer Ashley Maddock and Assistant Athletic Trainer Ally Cromwell. Way to go, Ms. Maddock and Ms. Cromwell! Read the full news story here.
Winter Practice Schedule
As we transition to winter sports, the afternoons look different than they did in the fall. This Winter Practice Schedule document is the general schedule for winter teams and wellness activities. Due to the nature of the winter season, practice slots will change from time to time due to games and school events, so please have your student double-check the weekly schedule that Mr. Chiasson sends out at the beginning of each week.
Arts
St. Marker's Selected for District Music Festival
In music news, Jasmine Liu '25, Anouk Shin '26, Erin Rasmussen '24 , Yolanda Zhou '24, Albert Wu '23, and Diana Oh '24 auditioned for the Central District Massachusetts Music Educators Association (CDMMEA) District Music Festival, and all six students were admitted! Additionally, Jasmine Liu and Anouk Shin were invited to audition for the All-State Festival. Congratulations, Lions!
Advancement
Please Register for the 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. Register here.
The Exam Bake is Coming!
Our Annual Exam Bake is on Tuesday, December 13, at 4:00 p.m. in the Hinkle Room. Parent volunteers are encouraged to help bake, decorate, or volunteer for the event. Please sign up here.
Around the Quad
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.
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