Dear St. Mark Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus uses the now familiar metaphors of salt and light to describe the life of discipleship. This passage from Matthew’s Gospel speaks well to the abiding power of the imagery that Jesus presented. Jesus’ call to be salt for the earth and light for the world powerfully states our mission as Church and as Christians. Our commitment to social justice flows from the exhortation that Jesus gives us in today’s Gospel. Some of the activities that this commitment leads us to are given more concrete expression as the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. When we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, console those who mourn, and so on, we show ourselves to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. When we do these things with the community of faith, the Church, we are indeed acting as “a city set on a mountain” that cannot be hidden! © Loyola Press Sunday Connection

I wish you all God's Blessings and Grace.

Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Warner 

January Open House

We are happy to share with you that our St. Mark School Open House Tours were an overwhelming success! 35 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, Wendy Ferik, hospitality coordinator, our PK3 through Grade 8 teachers, our specials teachers, Preschool classroom aides, Student Ambassadors (Maeve, Olivia, Andrew, Joey, Tyler, Mia Grade 6, Jackson, Julianne Grade 7 and Ashlyn, Brady, Michael, Molly, Colin, Avery, Sophia Grade 8), Julia Lacasse, Alumni Ambassador, HSA Vice-President, Mrs. Christoffersen, and Parent Ambassadors Jamie McEnaney, Christine Flaig, Nicole Harmon, Janelle Minar and Camila Lebski for taking the time to share what makes our school community special with prospective new families. A special thank you to Aiden Gr. 3 for his hard work as Lucky the Lion.  

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!

Catholic Schools Week 



As we close another extremely successful Catholic Schools Week, I would like to take this opportunity to share how truly blessed we are at St. Mark School to have such a dedicated, passionate, and energetic group of students, faculty, staff, advisory board, and parent community who exemplify this year's theme: Faith. Excellence. Service 

Catholic Schools Week is a time to be grateful for our community. Without the support of our parents, as your child’s first teacher, we would not be able to do what we do. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your child’s educational journey. The faculty and staff were treated to a beautiful teacher appreciation luncheon on Tuesday. Thank you, Mrs. Huda and Ms. Ortiz, for all your hard work in putting the lunch together. Thank you to all our parent volunteers who covered the classrooms. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the tokens of appreciation, kind words, and smiles shared with me on Principal Appreciation Day. The support and encouragement of our community is a blessing to me.  

2023-2024 Registration Process

2023-2024 registration is open now. You should have received an email from School Admin on January 30th (info+stmarkschool@schooladminonline.com) to reserve your child’s spot for next year. The email provided a link to set up a parent portal, complete an enrollment contract for each child, choose your tuition payment plan and pay your registration fee online via FACTS.

Please re-enroll your child by February 24th as we will open up enrollment to new families after that date. Thank you.

Any questions, please contact our AMEN Team amenteam@stmarkschool.org 

Bishop’s Scholarship Fund

The Bishop's Scholarship Fund is currently accepting applications for K-8 tuition assistance in our schools! Visit www.foundationsineducation.org for more information and to apply today!

Living Our Faith

Bishop Frank J. Caggiano commissioned 14 Ambassadors last Sunday at St. Augustine Cathedral. May God Bless our St. Mark parents Mike Aloi, Amanda Duffy, Amy Glad and Maria Silva-Chuecos who answered God's call to ministry. 

To learn more about the Diocesan Ambassadors program visit https://www.bridgeportdiocese.org/ or click here.

2nd Quarter Marking Period

2nd Quarter Marking Period report cards will be distributed to students in Grades PK3 through Grade 8 on Monday, February 6th.  

Please return the signed, empty report card envelope to your child's teacher. The report card is yours to keep.

Grades 6 through 8 Honor Roll

In accordance with Diocese of Bridgeport Policy 2.204 - Honor Roll, the honor roll in elementary schools are as follows:

High Honors: No grade lower than an A- including only 1s or 2s in conduct and effort. All major subjects are included in calculating High Honors.

Honors: No grade lower than a B including only 1s or 2s in conduct and effort. All major subjects are included in calculating Honors.

Above honor roll criteria is used to determine National Junior Honor Society eligibility 

K through 8 Uniform

We have noticed that students are not adhering to the Uniform Policy in regard to shoes. Sneakers, moccasins and boots are all violations of our Uniform Policy. Please ensure that your child wears appropriate shoes to school. If your child needs to wear snow boots, please send in a change of shoes.

Students K-8 may wear plain black, brown or navy shoes. They must be conservative, substantial shoes with ties, buckles, or Velcro. Slip on shoes such as loafers, top-siders (like Sperry), and Merrell shoes are also permitted. Heel height may not exceed 1½". Sneakers may only be worn on physical education or dress down days for students K-8. Clogs, backless shoes, ballerina -style slip on shoes, sandals, flip-flops, boots, moccasins, slippers, and work shoes may not be worn.

We understand that it is cold outdoors, however with the exception of Grade 8, sweatshirts are not permitted as part of the school uniform unless it is gym day.

Grades K-8 sweater: If a student chooses to wear a sweater, it must be plain navy blue with or without our school name.

Grades K-4: If a student does not wear a sweater, he/she must wear a knit pullover navy vest with our school name. This is a part of our school uniform and not an option.

Grades 5-7: If a student does not wear a sweater, he/she must wear a zip up navy fleece vest or ¼ zip fleece with our school name.

Grade 8: Students may wear their Class of 2023 sweatshirt or their chosen high school sweatshirt. All other sweatshirts are a violation of the dress code.

Repeated violations of the dress code may result in disciplinary action.

Supply Reminders

Headphones/Earbuds

Please check with your child or his/her teacher to ensure they have properly working headphones/earbuds for use in school. Many of our digital learning tools require headsets for online use.

Water Bottles

Please send a water bottle to school with your child daily. Water bottles can be disposable or reusable. No glass bottles, please.

Lost and Found



Parents are reminded to please label your child's name on ALL of his or her belongings-especially sweatshirts, sweaters, fleeces, and coats/jackets. Our school Lost and Found has accumulated many items thus far. If your child is missing an item, please contact his or her teacher to arrange a time to check the Lost and Found.

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. 

As a reminder, foods containing nut products are not allowed in the school building.

February Calendar Updates

SOUPer Bowl

On Monday, February 6th, students in Grades PK3 through 8 are invited to participate in a Themed Dress Down Day. Students who donate a can of soup can wear their favorite sports attire (jersey, tee, sweatshirt, baseball hat) to school. All proceeds will benefit our partnership with St. Joseph High School Stuff a Bus Food Drive. Please click here for more information. 

100th Day of School

The 100th Day of School tentatively falls on Tuesday, February 7th. A second “traditional” snow day will push it to Wednesday, February 8th. All PK3 through 8 students are invited to participate in a free themed Dress Down Day for those that choose to dress in the theme “I’m 100 years old”. It was lots of fun last year and I hope everyone enjoys the fun again this year!

7 & 8 Grade Science Fair

Our 7 & 8 Grade Science Fair will be held on Wednesday, February 8th. Students in Grades 7 & 8 should come to school dressed in their winter uniform (not PE uniform). Judging will take place during the school day. Awards will be presented at 7P in the Parish Center gym. Participants and families are invited to arrive at 6:50P.

Kindness Week

During February, students will be learning all about kindness. In addition to this being our theme for Models in Christ, students will participate in Kindness Week from the 13th to the 16h. During the week, students will have activities based on the theme of the day. I invite you to also have conversations at home about the importance of being kind not just to others, but to ourselves.  

Monday, February 13th: Spread Kindness

Tuesday, February 14th: Kindness is Love

Wednesday, February 15th: Kindness is Contagious

Thursday, February 16th: Acts of Kindness

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. 

2022-2023 Parent/Student Handbook

Please be advised that the following information regarding St. Mark School’s attendance policy inadvertently did not carry over from the previous year’s Parent/Student Handbook:

• Every 5th unexcused absence in a marking period may result in a one-hour after school detention

• Every 5th unexcused tardy in a marking period may result in a one-hour after school detention

As such, the 2022-2023 Parent/Student Handbook is amended to reflect this past practice.  

As a reminder, the Early Dismissal of Individual Students policy (pg. 38) states, “Parents must notify the main office and the homeroom teacher of a student's need to be dismissed early. Parents or guardians must report to the school office when picking up a student who is to be dismissed early and the student will be called to the office. Parents should make this request in writing. Phone calls are not acceptable. In the event of an emergency, the Principal shall give permission for a student to be released.”

Punctual and regular attendance at school is vitally important to a child’s success.  Thank you for your anticipated cooperation with our attendance policies.

Athletics Update

The St. Mark Basketball Tournament Program/Ad Booklet has been a long-standing tradition of our annual tournament. Please consider placing a congratulatory ad for a St. Mark Player, Team, Coach, or business!

Ad Pricing

Full Page: $50    

Half page: $25    

Quarter Page: $15    

Business Card Size: $10 

Ad Details

• All ads will be in black/white
• You can create the ad or have the ad created for you
• Please contact Nicole Harmon, Basketball Tournament Committee Member, at nicole.harmon3@gmail.com for full submission details
• Ads and payment are due by Wednesday, February 8th, 2023

Congratulations to our JV & Varsity Girls Basketball Teams on winning the championship in their divisions  at the St. James Tournament!  Keep it up girls, we are so proud of you!

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 traits that are 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.

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

Parish News

Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus will be holding a nine-day Novena for Life, followed by the Rosary, starting January 19th through January 27th, weekdays at 7:00 p.m., Saturday at 6:00 p.m., and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in the Church. All are welcome.  

Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

We will celebrate a Mass in honor of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Sunday, March 26, at 7:30 a.m. All are welcome.  

Lenten Fish Dinner 2023

We are happy to announce that Father Birendra is bringing back the annual Lenten Fish Dinner.  Please mark your calendars for Friday, March 31, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Center. An order form is included in the bulletin starting this weekend.  You may mail to the office, drop off, or put in the collection basket, your order form and payment. Please mark your envelope “Paula.” You will note that our “fish” dinner cost has risen to $20; however, we kept the children’s and grilled cheese selections priced as before.  As many of you know from grocery shopping, prices are exorbitant. We thank you for helping us to cover costs. The event is open seating; we are not booking reserved tables.

Children's Mass

Please join us this Sunday, February 5, at 9A Mass as we celebrate the monthly Children’s Mass. We invite you to come and worship and sing with our beautiful children! Thank you as always to our Ladies Guild for supplying refreshments afterwards in the Parish Hall. Everyone is welcome!  

• Saturday, February 4th: HSA Bottles and Cans Drive, 10-2

• Tuesday, February 7th: 100th Day of School

• Wednesday, February 8th: Science Fair, Grades 7 & 8, awards 7P

• Thursday, February 9th: Science Fair, Grades 7 & 8 snow date

• Monday, February 13th - Thursday, February 16th: Kindness Week

• Friday, February 17th: No School, Presidents' Day Weekend

• Monday, February 20th: No School, Presidents' Day Weekend

• Tuesday, February 21st: St. Mark Basketball Tournament Begins

• Wednesday, February 22nd: HSA Snack Shop, $1

• Monday, February 27th - Friday, March 3rd: Read Across America Week

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

St. Ignatius of Loyola