The 2021-2022 school year is in full swing!

This week, students in grades K-8 participated in Safe Environment training provided by the Diocese of Bridgeport. The Think First & Stay Safe and Netsmartz workshop is delivered by a trained counselor in age appropriate groups and teaches important safety skills to help children recognize and safely respond to early warning signs of unsafe situations in their environment. Our first Fire Drill, executed with the assistance of the Stratford Fire Marshall's Office, was a success. All students followed safety guidelines and expectations, and we are very proud of how well they performed during this important safety drill.

As you may know, Governor Lamont issued Executive Order No. 14 on Tuesday, September 28th, 2021, authorizing the extension of nine previously issued executive orders. Included is the extension of Executive Order No. 13A, all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, shall wear a face-covering mask at all times when inside PreK-12 public or non-public school buildings until February 15th, 2022. I want to thank our St. Mark community for their continued support and cooperation. We are truly stronger together.

As holiday travel is right around the corner, please read the reminder below from Nurse Frate, RN regarding traveling out of state and quarantine guidelines. Asynchronous instruction is available for students during quarantine periods due to an exposure to COVID-19 or due to travel. The goal of asynchronous instruction is for students to follow along with their regular class schedule at home until such time that they are cleared to return to in-person instruction.

To accomplish this goal, teachers will communicate daily class schedules with parents and students. In the event of a student(s) quarantine, classwork assignments are to be posted to Google Classroom no later than 8:00am each day of quarantine. Homework will be posted no later than 3:30pm on the day it is assigned.

In mid-October, progress or skills reports will be issued to families of students in grades 1 thru 8. I encourage all parents to contact your child's teacher if you feel your child is in need of extra academic help. Each classroom teacher (K through 8) has designated 1 day in the week for "academic extra help" office hours for 1 hour after school. As partners in your child's Catholic education, our goal is for children to reach their full potential spiritually, academically, and social/emotionally.

As a reminder, The State of Connecticut Department of Public Health advises families continue to follow the CDC’s guidance for travel. Any family traveling outside of Connecticut for a period of 24hrs or longer will be asked to follow

a quarantine period of 10 days without a test. A family may choose a COVID test on day 3-5 of the quarantine period. A student may return to in-person instruction on day 8 after quarantining for a period of 7 days with a negative test result.

Please click here to read the CT coronavirus travel guidance.

Robert "Robby" Rosati, is a member of Team Connecticut, one of the twelve 13u All-Star teams of players ages 10-13 who will compete for the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, Oct. 7-10th.

The Championship will be broadcast live on select ESPN networks for our St. Mark Community to cheer Robby on!

Visit https://www.pgajrleague.com/championship to learn more and keep up with the latest championship action in real time!

This week, Grades K-8 started lessons, introducing our Models in Christ program, and going over each of the themes. Models in Christ is a program that is based on the Catholic Theological Virtues of faith, hope, and charity.

Students will be recognized for demonstrating the character traits that are highlighted each month which include respect, kindness, responsibility, citizenship, integrity, leadership perseverance, and trustworthiness.

Our vision for this program is to teach students the value of strong moral character and the positive impact their actions have do not go unnoticed. This program recognizes students who embody the ideals of St. Mark School, through actions and attitude.

For the month of October, grades K-8 will be working on Respect.

Below are the Models in Christ crosses made by second grade.

St. Mark Parish Junior Youth Group Starts Next Week!

Students in grades 6 through 8 are invited to join St. Mark Junior Youth Group. JYG meets weekly on Thursday nights from 7:00pm to 8:30pm from October to May, and there is no cost to participate. Membership is open to all students in grades 6-8, whether or not they attend St. Mark church. JYG is a place where everyone belongs, for our youth to come together as friends to build relationships, experience our faith and serve our community, all while having fun.

Bring a friend, come check it out and see what we have planned for the year. It won’t be the same without you, so we hope to see you there!

For more information, contact Youth Minister Jared Forcier at jared@stmarkyouthgroup.org. You can register for JYG here: https://forms.office.com/r/cFeLDxZDd9

The October 7th meeting will take place in the Parish Center (Gym).

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

For important information and updates on COVID-19, 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.

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