|
Mark Your Calendars
Thursday, June 8
VI Form Dance
4:45 to 5:30 p.m.: Pictures and send-off
5:45 p.m.: VI Form Parent Potluck at Choate House
7:00 to 11:00 p.m.: Dinner and dancing at Boston Marriott Long Wharf
Midnight to 1:00 a.m.: After-formal event on campus
Friday, June 9
Events for Students and Faculty
10:30 a.m.: Chapel
11:00 a.m.: Southborough Tea on the VI Form Quad (under tent)
11:00 a.m.: VI Form Gentlemen’s Social at the Classroom in the Sky
1:00 to 2:30 p.m.: VI Form meeting and rehearsal in the Chapel
Events for Students, Faculty, and Parents
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Prize Day Concert in the Class of '45 Hall
5:00 to 6:15 p.m.: Athletic Awards Ceremony on Belmont Field (under tent)
6:15 to 7:15 p.m.: Dinner for VI Formers, parents, and faculty on the VI Form Quad (under tent)
8:00 to 9:00 p.m.: Baccalaureate in the Chapel
Saturday, June 10
The 158th Prize Day Ceremony
The 158th Prize Day ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. under the tent on Belmont Field. For more information about Prize Day, as well as answers to frequently asked questions, please visit our Prize Day webpage. For those unable to attend Prize Day in person, here is the link to our livestream:
https://www.stmarksschool.org/prize-day/livestream Access to the livestream will begin at approximately 10:15 a.m. on Saturday.
From the Head of School
Two New Administrative Appointments for 2023-2024
Interim Assistant Head of School, Dean of Faculty: Nat Waters
Interim Dean of Academics: Kinne McBride
On Tuesday, June 6, John C. Warren ’74 announced two new administrative appointments for the 2023-2024 academic year. Effective July 1, Nat Waters will serve as interim assistant head of school and dean of faculty, and Kinne McBride will serve as interim dean of academics. Over the past 11 years, Nat and Kinne have worked closely together in the Academics Office; they bring relevant experience to these roles and look forward to continuing to collaborate in the year ahead. Nat will focus on faculty growth and development along with the continued strategic work of the School, while Kinne will focus on academic affairs including curriculum development and oversight of the best possible academic experience for students.
During their combined 36 years of service to St. Mark’s, both Nat and Kinne have worn a number of hats. Nat has been dean of academics for the past seven years, and was associate dean of academics for four years before that; he has taught in the English Department and History and Social Sciences Department, coached JV boys’ hockey and lacrosse, advised students, served as a house head, and worked extensively to develop academic programming including Global Citizenship and Experiential Learning. Nat was the founding director of the St. Mark's Saturdays program and has been integrally involved with the implementation of St. Mark’s: 2020, the strategic plan that has guided our educational program since 2011. Kinne has served as associate dean of academics for seven years and academic scheduler for 13 years; she teaches in the Mathematics Department, advises students, and has coached varsity girls' crew, assisted with the girls' cross country and soccer programs, and served as a house head. Kinne was a Strategic Planning Steering Committee member and integrally involved with the implementation of St. Mark's: 2020. She is committed to student growth and a holistic approach to education. Kinne currently serves on the search committee for St. Mark’s next Head of School.
Congratulations, Nat and Kinne!
Academics
Feedback From Window Four
Grades from Window Four, Spring St. Mark’s Saturdays, and Lion Term will be posted to the Parent Portal on Tuesday, June 13. We will follow up with an email message when feedback has been posted to the portal.
A Note about Summer Reading for Rising IV, V, and VI Formers
We believe strongly in the goal of maintaining intellectual engagement in the summertime. Our standard advice to students is not to preview material and study ahead for upcoming courses. In some cases, it may be necessary to pursue enrichment and reinforce topics covered in the previous year. In addition to the required selections for each Form level (see English Department Required Summer Reading below), we hope that all students will prioritize reading widely and pursuing activities rooted in curiosity. Summer is an ideal time for interests that students may not have enough time and space to explore during the School year, and to pick up new ideas and projects. Ultimately, this is the foundation upon which we build a community of lifelong learners.
English Department Required Summer Reading
There is required summer reading for students at each Form level, listed here on the Academics Getting Ready page. Please bring your book to St. Mark’s when the School year begins. Your English teacher will expect you to write about your summer reading text at some point during the first weeks of School and will use the text as a touchstone throughout the year.
Learn more about getting ready for the next School year at: https://www.stmarksschool.org/community/getting-ready
Athletics
Please Return All Uniforms and Borrowed Athletic Equipment
Please return all St. Mark's uniforms and any borrowed athletic equipment (from the fall, winter, and spring seasons) to Mr. Giegucz in the Equipment Room before departing for summer. All unreturned items will be charged a replacement fee, billed to students' incidental accounts. To avoid any fees, please return everything as soon as possible. Thank you!
College Counseling
St. Mark's Will No Longer be a SAT or ACT Testing Center
St. Mark's will no longer be a SAT or ACT testing center starting with the 2023-2024 academic year. This decision is based on the coming move to digital testing and associated program-related logistics. We will continue to provide transportation to local high schools for students to take standardized tests at those locations. The College Counseling Office will follow up with more detailed information.
*We will offer the PSAT at St. Mark's on October 12, 2023. This date is the end of fall break so there are no classes that day. More information to follow.
Community and Equity
Weekly Reflection
On behalf of the St. Mark’s Office of Community & Equity Affairs, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for my departing colleague, Associate Director Lizzy Jones.
Not only has Ms. Jones been a wonderful partner for C&E programming and initiatives, but she has also been a caring and attentive supporter of SM students. Ms. Jones made it a point to especially connect with BIPOC students and used her own boarding school experiences to guide her personal and heartfelt efforts.
Please join me in sharing best wishes as she pursues endeavors at Boston Children’s. Thank you, Lizzy!
Community Life and Student Engagement
Moving Out
End-of-Year Move-Out Information Document
Prize Day is a busy and exciting day, but parking is limited and move-out can be challenging. Please encourage your student to start packing tonight!
As a reminder, students are encouraged to donate unneeded items to the Green Move-Out bins. Lost room keys incur a charge of $30 per student, and messy, unpacked rooms incur a charge starting at $200 per student.
Houses close Saturday, June 10, at 5:00 p.m.
Student Summer Storage with OnDemand Storage
We have partnered with OnDemand Storage once again to store items during summer break. Please see the attached flyer for information. Stop by the Dean's Office or contact Jeanmarie Morey with additional questions.
Summer Departure Information and Orah
The summer Orah pass (light blue) is required for all students, including Burnett (day) and graduating VI Form students. Local III, IV, and V Form boarding students may move out early and become temporary day students today, June 8, or tomorrow, June 9, provided they can be driven to campus by an adult and can attend all required School commitments. This is very helpful for those who wish to move out when there is no traffic on campus! Students interested in this option should select June 8 or June 9 on their Orah pass, but they should note that they are “temporary day students” and still attending commitments. Room keys will need to be turned in, and rooms will need to pass inspection before these students can depart.
Prize Day Reminders
St. Mark's is a Tobacco-Free Campus
For Prize Day, we want to remind parents that St. Mark’s is a tobacco-free campus. We ask that all tobacco products, including celebratory cigars, remain off-campus. Thank you.
Preferential Seating for Guests with Mobility Impairment
For guests in need of preferential seating due to mobility impairment, we kindly request that you notify the Executive Assistant to the Head of School Marissa Papazian ahead of time so that we can plan accordingly for your Prize Day arrival.
Prize Day Distinction Update
If you have not done so already, please read this message sent on May 26, in which John C. Warren '74 explains an update to Prize Day distinctions.
Additional Reminders
Check Your Student's Lion Card Balance
As we approach the end of the academic year, please check your student's Lion Card balance and ensure there are adequate funds for any end of year expenses. You can login to your account here or quickly add value here.(Note: you will need your student's ID #). Any Lion Card questions can be directed to Liz MacArthur in the Business Office.
Health & Insurance Forms Must Be Completed By July 1
In preparation for the 2023-2024 school year, we ask that returning families please complete both the health and insurance form packets by July 1. Links to forms and more information can be found here.
Advancement
Thank You, Parents Association
The St. Mark's faculty and staff would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to the Parents Association for another wonderful brunch and raffle this past Tuesday. The food was delicious, and the gifts were generous. We feel so appreciated and are truly thankful for your thoughtfulness.
Save the Dates for Parent and Alumni Summer Events
St. Mark’s will be hosting events for parents and alumni this summer, one in Maine on August 17 and one in Martha’s Vineyard on August 23. To ensure you receive event invites and updates, please send us your summer address. We hope to see you soon!
Around the Quad
The Search for our Next Head of School
The Head of School Search webpage provides information for our community on the search for St. Mark's next Head of School. Please visit the page and stay tuned for future updates on the search as it progresses.
SALE at the Online School Store
Looking for a St. Mark's gift and can't make it to campus? Shop the online St. Mark's School store here. For the month of June, receive 20 percent off hats. Plus, orders totaling $50 or more receive free shipping. Happy shopping!
For More on What's Happening Inside the Pride
View photos from campus on our School's SmugMug page.
Read the latest news stories on our website.
Watch videos from St. Mark's on YouTube.
Enjoy the latest issue of St. Mark's Magazine.
| 
