St. Mark School E-Newsletter - December 2, 2022

St. Mark School

A 2009 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.

December 2, 2022

Dear St. Mark Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel Reading, our Advent preparation for Christmas invites us to consider John the Baptist and his relationship to Jesus.

John the Baptist appears in the tradition of the great prophets of Israel, preaching repentance and reform to the people. John marks the conversion of those who seek Him out with a baptism of repentance. John's baptism can be understood as an anticipation of Christian baptism. In this passage, John himself alludes to the difference between his baptism and the one yet to come: “I am baptizing you with water, for repentance . . . He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11).

John's preaching of the coming of the Lord is a key theme of the Advent season. As John's message prepared the way for Jesus in the first century, we, too, are called to prepare ourselves for Jesus' coming. We respond to John's message by our repentance and reform of our lives. We are also called to be prophets of Christ, who announce by our lives, as John did, the coming of the Lord.

To that end, students in Grades 3 through 8 will be invited to participate in the sacrament of Penance during the season of Advent. Only students who have previously received the sacrament will participate. © Loyola Press Sunday Connection

I wish you all God's Blessings and Grace.

Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Warner

Giving Tuesday 2022

We surpassed our goal of 50 gifts on Giving Tuesday! We are so blessed with a caring, generous and supportive school community. Words cannot express our gratitude. Thank you!!

December Calendar Updates

K-2 Magic Show

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the K-2 Magic Show previously scheduled for December 5th will be postponed to after the New Year.

$5 Christmas Sweater Dress Down Day

The $5 Christmas Sweater Dress Down Day will be on Tuesday, December 20th, to ensure K through 8 students all get to enjoy an out of winter uniform day. All proceeds from this Dress Down Day go to support a family in our community in need this Christmas season. Please note that the $5 donation is not included in the prepaid dress down day.

K through 8 Christmas Concert

We look forward to welcoming families to our K through 8 Christmas Concert on Thursday, December 15th. Students are asked to arrive at 6:40P and will be directed to their classrooms, ‘backstage’. The performance will begin promptly at 7P in St. Mark Church. Our students have been practicing and it is going to be a performance that no one will want to miss! If your child is unable to attend, please inform his or her homeroom teacher.

Student dress code is "Christmas Best" and includes dress pants, skirts, dresses, sweaters or dress shirts with a Christmas pattern. Jeans, tee-shirts, logo or graphic shirts, offensive graphics, outlandish accessories (that may prevent performers from being seen by the audience), and sneakers (for boys or girls) are prohibited.

Please be advised that out of respect for all performers, students will not be dismissed to parents until the concert has concluded.

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.

Diocese of Bridgeport Annual Report

The Diocese of Bridgeport 2022 Annual Report can be found on the Diocesan homepage: www.DOBCatholicSchools.com (top of the page) for both English and Spanish versions. Take a look at how we have BOLDLY moved forward in faith not fear this year!

High School Open House

Notre Dame West Haven

Notre Dame West Haven will host an Open House on Tuesday, December 6th, at 6:00 p.m. (Early Bird Tours Begin at 5:30 p.m.)

Discover the Notre Dame Advantage and why boys thrive in the dynamic learning community where tradition is anchored in brotherhood, service, and the Holy Cross mission. Families are encouraged to pre-register at www.notredamehs.com.

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.

Models in Christ

Models in Christ is a social and emotional learning program that is based on the Catholic Theological Virtues of faith, hope, and charity. Students in grades K through 8 are recognized for demonstrating the character trait that is highlighted each month such as respect, kindness, responsibility/accountability, citizenship, perseverance, and trustworthiness.

The goal of our program is to teach students the value of strong moral character and to recognize the positive impact of their actions. Our faculty and staff would like to recognize students who embody the ideals of St. Mark School through actions and attitude; those students who go above and beyond inside the classroom and school community to show they are models of Christ.

Today, the following students were recognized by having their name announced and presented with an award and commemorative gold cross pin.

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.

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.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary

This is a Holy Day of Obligation in 2022. Our mass schedule is:

Wednesday, December 7, at 5:30P

Thursday, December 8, at 8:00A, 12:00P, and 7:0oP

Boy Scout/Club Scout Christmas Greenery Sale

Remember to stop by and purchase a beautiful Christmas wreath, cemetery basket, or table centerpiece! The assortment this year is wonderful! I purchased a table centerpiece and it looks great at home

For Parish information, visit: https://www.saintmarkchurchstratford.org/

For important information and updates visit the

Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Schools website

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.

Don't use social media? Not to worry...Our social media posts feed to our school website home page!