Dear St. Mark Families,

This Sunday, we conclude our liturgical year and celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. The Gospel we proclaim shows the great mystery of our faith: In the moment of His crucifixion, Jesus is shown to be King and Savior of all.

Luke's Gospel is loaded with incongruities: the poor are rich, sinners find salvation, the Kingdom of God is found in our midst. We are confronted with the crucified Jesus, whom faith tells us is King and Savior of all. The irony is that the inscription placed on the cross, perhaps in mockery, contains the profoundest of truth. As the leaders jeer, the thief crucified by his side recognizes Jesus as Messiah and King, and finds salvation.

Jesus is King, but not the kind of king we might have imagined or expected. His kingship was hidden from many of his contemporaries, but those who had the eyes of faith were able to see. As modern disciples of Jesus, we are called to worship Him.  Not as we worship movie stars or celebrities or athletes.  We are called to show our love for God by our sharing in the work of God. We are to be willing to reach out to our brothers and sisters and to put aside our selfishness, our stubbornness, our greed, and our negative attitudes to become more like Christ. In doing so, we can pray as the repentant sinner on the cross did “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom”. In doing so, we show God our Lord and King that we are willing to love as we are loved and serve as he served us. © Loyola Press Sunday Connection

I wish you all God's Blessings and Grace.

Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Warner 

Giving Tuesday 2022

Giving Tuesday begins at 12:00A on November 29th. Help us reach our goal of 50 gifts. Show your support in making a stronger tomorrow for St. Mark School with a tax-deductible donation to our Annual Fund.

Visit http://stmarkschool.org/giving to make your donation today! #stmarkschool #GivingTuesday2022

Open House 

I'm happy to share with you that our St. Mark School Pre-K and Kindergarten Open House Tours were an overwhelming success! 32 families visited our school and all were impressed with our welcoming community and what our school has to offer. I'd like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to everyone who made the day possible, including our St. Mark School AMEN Team, our Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers, Mrs. Larracuente and Ms. Kathy, and Ms. Zenowich, PK4 classroom aide, Miss Claire, PK3 classroom aide, Ms. Katia, our Student Ambassadors (Joey, Tyler, Mia Grade 6, Jackson, Sofia Grade 7 and Ashlyn and Sophia Grade 8), HSA Vice-President, Mrs. Christoffersen, and Parent Ambassadors Jamie McEnaney and Camila Lebski for taking the time to share what makes our school community special with prospective new families.

I'd also like to thank our current families who hosted an Open House lawn sign to market our Open House Tours. You can return the sign at school or it can be picked up from your house. Please call Mrs. Mannino at 203-375-4291 to make arrangements. Many Thanks!

Quarter 1 Report Cards

Thank you to our Kindergarten through Grade 8 parent community for partnering with us in your child's education and attending Quarter 1 Parent/Teacher conferences. I hope you found the discussions with your child's teacher(s) open and productive.

If you have not done so already, please return the signed, empty report card envelope to your child's teacher. The report card is yours to keep.

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.

For our new families and Kindergarten families, you should have received an email from PlusPortals with an activation link to the primary email address provided on your child's emergency contact form in September. If you did not receive an activation link email from PlusPortals, please email Mrs. Mannino at cmannino@stmarkschool.org.

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

 Winter Weather

While outside temperatures have dropped, all teachers in Preschool through Grade 8 take their class outdoors for recess when the temperature is above freezing (32 degrees).

We ask that all parents ensure that your child(ren) come(s) to school with proper winter attire so that they are comfortable when participating in outdoor recess with their peers.

Weather Related Emergency Alert System

In anticipation of the winter season, St. Mark School's emergency alert system (which will call, text and email) was tested on Saturday, November 5th at 12:00 pm. If you do not receive the test alert, or need to make changes to your contact information, please email Mrs. Mannino at cmannino@stmarkschool.org.

Delayed Openings and School Cancellations

When weather conditions or other emergencies warrant the closing of school, Preschool through Grade 8 families will be contacted by our emergency alert system. When the Stratford public schools are closed or delayed due to inclement weather, St. Mark School will also be closed or delayed. 

If there is a delayed opening St. Mark School will open at 9:30 a.m. with class beginning at 9:45 a.m.

If school closes early for weather related reasons, dismissal will be at 11:25 a.m. Parents will be alerted through our emergency alert system. Our After School Program will not be held when there is an early dismissal due to weather or emergencies.

Snow Days and Virtual Learning Days

Please be advised that when Stratford Public Schools are closed or delayed due to inclement weather, St. Mark School will also be closed or delayed.

The first day school is closed due to snow will be a "traditional" snow day, with no virtual learning for all students PK-8.

In the event that there is a large storm resulting in multiple days in a row of school closure, the first day will be a traditional snow day. The consecutive day will be a virtual learning day for students in grades K through 8. Virtual learning days will begin at 8am and end at 12pm.

For the 2022-2023 school year, St. Mark School will observe 2 "traditional" snow days with no virtual learning. After 2 traditional snow days have been recorded, the remaining snow days will be virtual learning. Therefore, 2 days at most, will be added to the end of the school year. Virtual learning days will not be added to the end of the school year calendar.

Per the 2022-2023 school calendar, the anticipated last day of school will be June 13, 2023. However, if 2 traditional snow days are added to the end of the school year, the last day of school will be June 15, 2023.

Please be assured that classroom and specials teachers have been preparing students for the possibility of virtual learning snow days during class time.

Class Field Trips

Class field trips are designed to correlate with instructional units and to achieve curricular goals.  To that end, students are expected to participate in field trips, unless student participation is restricted or denied by the teacher, in consultation with the principal due to, but not limited to, poor academic performance and/or poor conduct.

Once a class field trip is scheduled, if you have concerns about your child’s participation, please contact your child’s teacher immediately. 

Important Updates 

Demographics

Has your family moved? Have you changed your email address or phone number? Please contact the Main Office with any changes. It is very important that we have your most current contact information. 

High School Open House and Entrance Exam

Fairfield Prep

Fairfield Prep is a Catholic, Jesuit high school for boys located on the campus of Fairfield University. To learn more about what makes Fairfield Prep unique, families of boys in 7th and 8th Grade are cordially invited to an in-person Open House on Saturday November 19th, 2022 (9:00 or 10:00 am session). To register visit https://www.fairfieldprep.org/admissions/visit-prep and click here for more information.

Notre Dame - Fairfield

On Saturday, November 12th at 8:00 a.m. Notre Dame’s entrance exam will be given. All eighth-grade applicants must take an entrance exam and must complete an online application prior to the exam. Registration information can be found on the school’s website, www.notredame.org.



St. Joseph High School

Take Your Entrance Exam at St. Joes on November 12!  The High School Entrance Exam (HSPT) is required of all freshmen applicants. When you take the entrance exam at St. Joes we will include the application and exam fee in one cost ($50). St. Joes will offer the exam on November 12, 2022. This is the last exam before the application deadline! Register at sjcadets.org/apply.

Parents, while your student takes the exam, you're invited to a Morning Coffee & Admission Information Session from 8:15-9:15am! Join us for coffee and an admission overview after you drop your child off for their entrance exam. We can't wait to meet you and learn more about your family's high school goals.

Register for our next workshop-Open to the Community. Learn all about how to apply for and finance a Catholic high school education. Register to attend this free event at https://www.allsaintsnorwalk.com/apps/news/article/1683758

High School Financial Aid Information Session

All Saints Catholic School invites you to a High School Financial Aid night. Learn all about how to apply for and finance a Catholic high school education. Register to attend this free event here.

Parish News

St. Mark Parish Giving Tree Program

We are continuing our Giving Tree program.  Please consider taking home a tag or two and make someone else’s Christmas special! The trees will be in the front foyer of the church beginning November 19/20, November 26/27, December 3/4, and December 10/11. All presents MUST be returned by Monday, December 12.  

Adoration Chapel

The Adoration Chapel is going to remain open for the Thanksgiving Day weekend. 

Mass of Thanksgiving

A reminder that our Mass of Thanksgiving (Thanksgiving Day) is Thursday, November 24, at 9:00 a.m.  

St. Mark Ladies Guild Christmas Luncheon

St. Mark Ladies Guild invites all women of the parish and their guests to join them on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 12:30 p.m. for the Guild Christmas Luncheon at the new Lodge Restaurant at the Oronoque Golf Club (former Oronoque Country Club). The Plated Custom Lunch will be served which includes: Cheese and Crackers, House Salad, Roasted Potatoes, Vegetable Medley and choice of Chicken Piccata, Sliced Flank Steak, or Baked Cod (w/bread crumbs) and Brownie a la mode and Coffee or Tea. Cost: $35. RSVP Nancy Lou Maco, (203) 522-6359 or Gerri Szabo at (203) 378-2552 by Dec. 6.  

Advent 2022 The Magnificat Advent Companion Booklet

The booklets will be placed at the entrances of the church the weekend of November 19/20 so you have it home for the first day of Advent, which is Sunday, November 27 (weekend after Thanksgiving). Please take home a copy. 

• Wednesday, November 23rd: Early Dismissal, 11:25A, No After School Program

• Thursday, November 24th: No School, Happy Thanksgiving

• Friday, November 25th: No School

• Thursday, December 1st: Grade 8 Great Rake Service Project

• Friday, December 2nd: 8A Mass, K through 8, all are welcome!

• Saturday, December 3rd: HSA Bottles and Cans Drive, 10A-2P

• Saturday, December 3rd: HSA Poinsettia Pick up, 11:30A-12:30P

• Sunday, December 4th: HSA Breakfast with Santa and Cookie Sale

• Monday, December 5th: K-2 Magic Show, 12:45P

• Tuesday, December 6th: HSA Santa Shop

• Wednesday, December 7th: HSA Santa Shop

• Wednesday, December 7th: Grade 5 Field Trip

• Wednesday, December 7th: HSA Community Night, Paradise Pizza

God gives each one of us sufficient grace ever to know His holy will, and to do it fully.

St. Ignatius of Loyola