St. Mark School
A 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.

March 21, 2021
Dear St. Mark Families,

As we are all aware, our school community continues to be affected by COVID-19 cases. In an effort to continue in-person learning full time, it is imperative that students and families follow CDC guidelines by practicing social distancing, wearing face masks, and following COVID-19 protocols.

Our St. Mark faculty and staff are dedicating our total energy to delivering engaging, rigorous, and effective in-person instruction for our students and are doing everything in our power to maintain the in-person model.

However, the only way we will be able to continue with in-person learning and deliver instruction safely is by a universal commitment by every member of the St. Mark community to the health and safety measures that we know prevent viral spread. This commitment must extend past the walls of our school building and continue in extracurricular and social situations. Our shared dedication to the protocols both inside and outside the educational setting is keeping the doors of our school open and protecting our most vulnerable community members.

As we continue on in this school year with the theme of gratitude, let us be grateful that God has protected our students, and ask for His continued blessings on our St. Mark School community. Let us continue to pray for our leaders, for civil servants, for first responders and all who currently suffer and struggle as we continue to navigate a global pandemic.

I wish you all continued good health and God's blessings.

Yours in Christ,
Melissa Warner 

Please do not reply to this email. If you have questions, comments or concerns please email me directly. 
From the Nurse's Office

At this time, under the direction of The Stratford Health Department, we are not adopting the updated travel advisory for the State of CT.

If traveling out of CT, we will continue to follow the 14 day quarantine or the choice of getting a COVID Antigen Test (either rapid or PCR) upon return to CT.

I’m sorry if this causes any inconvenience with upcoming travel during the break. I will update you with any changes or revisions to our policies as they arise.

If you plan to travel over Easter or Spring Break, please notify me in advance. Advanced notification is paramount in order for our faculty and staff to plan for continuity of instruction and an effective temporary Distance Learning program, in the event of a quarantine period. 

Any questions or concerns please let me know.

Wendy Frate R.N. BSN
School Nurse
Iowa and CogAT
Standardized Testing

Iowa and CogAT standardized testing for Grades 1 through 7 continue this week.

During testing weeks, teaching and learning will continue on in classrooms. Teachers will keep homework, tests, and quizzes to a minimum during this time.

Testing reminders for parents:
  • Ensure your child arrives to school on time every day.
  • Reschedule dentist appointments and other out-of-school time on non-testing days.
  • Ensure your child has properly working headphones or earbuds at school.
  • Parents of grades 5 -7 students: if your child brings his or her own device to school, please ensure the device has a fully charged battery each day.

How your child can prepare for test taking:
A student who is well rested and well fed and has a positive attitude about testing is best prepared for testing. You can help your child do his or her best by considering these tips:
  • Remind your child that these tests are only one part of the school day. Emphasize that you have confidence in his or her ability to do the best job possible. 
  • Remind your child to listen carefully to the directions and to each question as it is read aloud during testing. Encourage your student to ask the teacher for help if he or she does not understand the directions.
St. Mark School Face Mask Policy

PreK through Grade 8 families are reminded of St. Mark School's 2020-21 Addendum to the Parent/Student Handbook Related to the Covid-19 Pandemic requires face masks to be worn by adults and students while in the parking lot during arrival and dismissal times.

Please do not remove your face mask, or allow your child to remove theirs, until you have returned to your vehicle.

The face mask policy applies to drop off and pick up of PreK students.

The face mask policy applies pick up from St. Mark School's After School Program.
Student Absences

As a reminder, the Diocesan Distance Learning program was designed to give parents and students the opportunity of full time virtual learning during these uncertain times.

Transitioning to Temporary Distance Learning can be used when students are going to miss an extended period of time due to illness, precautionary quarantine, or for medical reasons.

If a student is out sick for one, two, or three days, missed school work can be made up upon the student's return, consistent with past practices.

Please discuss this policy with your child, especially those in Middle School. Students joining virtual instruction for a portion of their day when they are marked absent poses significant conflicts for Middle School and Specials teachers, who teach individual subject areas.
Dismissal

If there is a change to your child's dismissal, parents are required to send a note into school with your child in the morning or contact Mrs. Mannino at cmannino@stmarkschool.org or (203) 375-4291.

  • Changes to dismissal must be received in the Main Office by 10am.

  • Students will not be dismissed with another family unless proper notification is made to the Main Office no later than 10am.

  • Any student being dismissed early from school is requested to be picked up no later than 1:50pm. Please call the Main Office (203) 375-4291 prior to pick-up. This will provide enough time for the classroom teacher and your child to gather and pack-up his or her belongings in advance of your arrival.
Dismissal Parking Lot Safety

In order to keep all students and families safe during dismissal procedures, adults are asked to gather in (socially distanced) the coned off parking spots in front of school doors to pick up your child.

Allowing children to run down the parking lot to their adult waiting between cars poses a significant safety risk to all. Therefore, teachers will not dismiss a student until they feel it is safe to do so.

Please keep in mind, the area is an active parking lot, with cars arriving and leaving. Adults are asked to keep your children close to you, especially our youngest students, and not allow them to run through the parking lot.
Calling All Alumni!

Please send us your alumni news! Send photos with a short description (graduation, college acceptance, promotion, relocation, award/recognition, published book/article, marriage, birth, gathering with fellow alumni, etc.) and we will highlight your story on our Facebook pages. Send your news to AMENteam@stmarkschool.org.
Children's Educational Opportunity Foundation of Connecticut, Inc.

Since 1995, Children's Educational Opportunity Foundation of Connecticut, Inc. (CEO), has been awarding scholarship monies to families residing in Bridgeport, Hartford, East Hartford, and New Haven
who strive to have equal access to quality education for their children.

CEO will provide half of the annual tuition – up to a maximum of $2,100 per academic year.

Guidelines:
  • Students must reside in Bridgeport, Hartford, East Hartford or New Haven and live in the home of the applicant parent or guardian.
 
  • Students may enter CEO between grades K-5.
 
  • Renewing students may be supported through grade 8.
 
  • Families may choose any accredited private or parochial school in Connecticut.

Online applications are available on www.ceoct.org for the 2021-2022 school year!
In the Classroom

Everyone was Irish this week at St. Mark School!
Students in Grade 1 enjoyed a St. Patrick's Day reading activity!
In the News

We are pleased to share the enriching learning environment created at at St. Mark School. Click here to read about 8th Grader Shaelyn Averaimo's work to find a food allergy cure FASTER. Click here to read more about how we celebrated Black History Month.
The Power of Prayer

If you have a prayer intention, please submit your request to St. Mark School's prayer line by clicking here. Your intention will be remembered during our Afternoon Prayers and Announcements.
For Parish information, visit: https://www.saintmarkchurchstratford.org/

For important information and updates on COVID-19, visit the
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.
  • Tuesday, March 23rd: St. Mark Spirit Dress Down Day

  • Thursday, March 25th: $1 Dress Down Day

  • Sunday, March 28th: Palm Sunday

  • Thursday, April 1st: Holy Thursday, No School

  • Friday, April 2nd: Good Friday, No School

  • Sunday, April 5th: Happy Easter!

  • Monday, April 6th: Easter Monday, No School
St. Mark School | 203-375-4291 | www.stmarkschool.org
500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, CT 06614
The secret to happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us everyday in His goodness.
Saint Gianna Beretta