St. Mark School
A 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.

March 7, 2021
Dear St. Mark Families,

As we approach the 1st Anniversary of the COVID-19 global pandemic directly impacting our community, it is important for us to reflect on the year that has passed, how far we've come, and our many blessings. On Friday, March 13th, 2020, St. Mark School and all schools in the State of Connecticut, closed their buildings to in-person instruction. At the time, we expected to return to the building after 2 weeks. Unfortunately, this was not the case; and we did not see our St. Mark students in-person for many months.

During the summer months, St. Mark faculty, staff and administration worked on a re-opening plan that would allow us to open our school doors for the 2020-2021 school year. It has been a challenging and different school year. Masks, social distancing, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes are now a part of our daily routines and procedures. But through it all, our students, families, faculty, and staff have persevered and endured. Outside of individual and a small amount of classroom quarantines, St. Mark School has remained open, thanks to our collective diligence.

As we look to the spring and final quarter of the 2020-2021 school year, we will remain diligent, follow guidance of the health experts, and think beyond ourselves in order to remain open for full-time in-person instruction 5 days a week. National Employee Appreciation Day was on Friday, March 5, and we appreciate the dedication, sacrifices, selflessness of our St. Mark faculty and staff who make it all possible. We are truly stronger together!

As we continue on in this school year with the theme of gratitude, let us be grateful that God has protected our students, and ask for His continued blessings on our St. Mark School community. Let us continue to pray for our leaders, for civil servants, for first responders and all who currently suffer and struggle as we continue to navigate a global pandemic.

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

Yours in Christ,
Melissa Warner 

Please do not reply to this email. If you have questions, comments or concerns please email me directly. 
IOWA and CogAT
Standardized Testing

IOWA and CogAT standardized testing for Grades 1 through 7 will begin the week of March 15th, 2021.

New this year, IOWA and CogAT testing for St. Mark School will be an audio-led computer based test.

Parents in grades 1 through 7 are asked to check in with your child to determine if they have properly working headphones or earbuds at school. If not, please send proper equipment in a ziplocked baggie, labeled with your child's name to school this week.

During testing weeks, teaching and learning will continue on in classrooms. Teachers will keep homework, tests, and quizzes to a minimum during this time.

How your child can prepare for test taking:
A student who is well rested and well fed and has a positive attitude about testing is best prepared for testing. You can help your child do his or her best by considering these tips:
  • Make sure your child is in school and on time on test days. Reschedule dentist appointments and other out-of-school time on non-testing days.
  • Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast before each day of testing.
  • Remind your child that these tests are only one part of the school day. Emphasize that you have confidence in his or her ability to do the best job possible. 
  • Remind your child to listen carefully to the directions and to each question as it is read aloud during testing. Encourage your student to ask the teacher for help if he or she does not understand the directions.
St. Mark Students Baptized

Congratulations to our St. Mark students who took part in the first Sacrament of Christian Initiation and began their new life of as a member of the Catholic Church through Baptism. May God’s grace and blessings they received on their Baptism day, guide them throughout their lifetime.
Mark School Food Policy

St. Mark School is a Nut-Aware School. Our classrooms and school are kept free of peanuts and tree nuts to the best of our ability. While school is in session, we make every effort to see that our classrooms and school are free of peanuts and tree nuts. We cannot control what groups outside of our school community bring into our environment.

  • Foods containing nut products are not allowed in the school building. 

  • Food that is processed in a facility with tree nuts is not permitted in school. 

  • If a teacher is aware that a student has come to school with a peanut or tree nut product, the student will be sent to the nurse and asked not to consume that food product. The nurse will inform the Principal and the Principal may contact the parent. 

  • Signs are posted throughout the school indicating that we try to maintain a peanut and nut - free environment. 

  • Food-celebrations and activities must adhere to the guidelines listed in our Parent and Student Handbook.

St. Mark School has adopted a strict food allergy policy in order to protect the safety of students who have allergies. As much as possible, we wish to minimize or avoid the chances of an allergic reaction that may threaten the well- being of a student. While we make every effort to maintain a nut-aware school, St. Mark School cannot ensure that a student will not come in contact with a product he/she may be allergic to. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with each individual student and his/her parents/guardians. As part of our effort to maintain a safe environment for children, we will limit the amount of food based celebrations and activities--especially those that occur in classrooms.
After School Program

Please be advised that there will be no After School Program for all students, grades PreK through 8 on Tuesday, March 9th. If your child(ren) attend the After School Program, please make alternative arrangements for dismissal. Parents are asked to communicate those arrangements with your child's teacher and the Main Office.
Dismissal

If there is a change to your child's dismissal, parents are required to send a note into school with your child in the morning or contact Mrs. Mannino at cmannino@stmarkschool.org or (203) 375-4291.

  • Changes to dismissal must be received in the Main Office by 10am.

  • Students will not be dismissed with another family unless proper notification is made to the Main Office no later than 10am.

  • Any student being dismissed early from school is requested to be picked up no later than 1:50pm. Please call the Main Office (203) 375-4291 prior to pick-up. This will provide enough time for the classroom teacher and your child to gather and pack-up his or her belongings in advance of your arrival.
Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Schools
COVID Testing Program

COVID PCR testing is now conveniently available through the Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Schools. Testing is available for all students, and families, including household members who do not attend school.

Click here for more information on this service provided by the partnership of My Catholic Doctor, Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Schools, and Progressive Diagnostics.
Class of 2021

It's the beginning of graduation season for St. Mark School Class of 2021 and our school community will continue to celebrate them until their big day! On Thursday, Grade 8 students came together and represented the characters of "To Kill a Mockingbird". I am proud of the ingenuity and creativity shown by our 8th graders.
Click here to watch a short tribute to St. Mark Class of 2021.
Calling All Alumni!

Please send us your alumni news! Send photos with a short description (graduation, college acceptance, promotion, relocation, award/recognition, published book/article, marriage, birth, gathering with fellow alumni, etc.) and we will highlight your story on our Facebook pages. Send your news to AMENteam@stmarkschool.org.
Bishop's Scholarship Fund

Bishop’s Scholarship Fund (BSF) provides tuition assistance to help families afford a Catholic Education. 

Deadline to apply is Monday, March 15th for current families!

All families with students in next year's grades Kindergarten through Grade 8 are eligible to apply.


Families with multiple children registered in a Catholic School are automatically awarded a scholarship, regardless of income.

Families apply online via FACTS Grant & Aid, making certain to complete all questions regarding BSF, submit supporting documentation and the $30 FACTS processing fee.

Application requires the entire 2019 IRS Federal tax return along with 2020 W2s. If applicants do not receive W-2s, then they must submit 2020 tax return. 

Deadline to apply
  • March 15 for current families
  • April 15 for new families 

Award notifications
  • Early May for current families
  • Late May for new families 

For more information visit: 
Children's Educational Opportunity Foundation of Connecticut, Inc.

Since 1995, Children's Educational Opportunity Foundation of Connecticut, Inc. (CEO), has been awarding scholarship monies to families residing in Bridgeport, Hartford, East Hartford, and New Haven
who strive to have equal access to quality education for their children.

CEO will provide half of the annual tuition – up to a maximum of $2,100 per academic year.

Guidelines:
  • Students must reside in Bridgeport, Hartford, East Hartford or New Haven and live in the home of the applicant parent or guardian.
 
  • Students may enter CEO between grades K-5.
 
  • Renewing students may be supported through grade 8.
 
  • Families may choose any accredited private or parochial school in Connecticut.

Online applications will be available on www.ceoct.org beginning on
March 1, 2021 for the 2021-2022 school year!
In the Classroom

This week, St. Mark School celebrated Read Across America. Students, faculty, and staff participated in a school-wide service project, themed dress down days, reading themed activities, and tons of fun!
Thank you to our St. Mark parents, grandparents, and special friends who participated in our Read Across America celebration by being Mystery Readers.
In the News

We are pleased to share the enriching learning environment created at at St. Mark School. Click here to read more about how we celebrated Black History Month. To read more about our Models in Christ Program, click here.
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 on COVID-19, 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.
  • Tuesday, March 9th: No After School Program

  • Monday, March 15th: IOWA/CogAT Testing Begins

  • Wednesday, March 17th: Happy St. Patrick's Day

  • Friday, March 19th: Early Dismissal, 11:25

  • Tuesday, March 23rd: St. Mark Spirit Dress Down Day

  • Thursday, March 25th: $1 Dress Down Day

  • Sunday, March 28th: Palm Sunday
St. Mark School | 203-375-4291 | www.stmarkschool.org
500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, CT 06614
The secret to happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us everyday in His goodness.
Saint Gianna Beretta