End of School Year & Move Out
REMINDER: End of School Year & Underform (III, IV, V Form) Departure Dates
The last academic day of the 2020-2021 School Year is Thursday, May 27. Day students will depart campus after their last commitment, and move-out for boarding students will take place that afternoon and on the morning of Friday, May 28. More details will be shared in a separate communication with families.
NEW: Day Student Weekend Access to Campus
As we move into the spring, we are gradually opening the campus inviting day students on weekends. We will be doing a staggered approach moving forward starting with this weekend welcoming VI Former on campus for activities. Day students have been able to come to campus for morning practices and specific events. Starting this weekend, VI Formers will be able to stay and participate in on-campus events. Next weekend, V and VI Formers may come back to campus. Here is the plan moving forward:
April 24 and 25: VI Form
May 1 and 2: VI and V Form
May 8 and 9: VI, V, and IV Form
May 15 and 16: All Forms
May 22 and 23: All Forms
Health checks and check-ins will take place during brunch and dinner as well as in the morning during athletic practices. Day students must be given a bracelet to be on campus for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Due to capacity limitations, day students cannot join smaller trips to locations such as Target, Chipotle, etc.
REMINDER: Off-campus Events and Visits
We are maintaining our health and safety guidelines for off-campus events and visits. Off-campus events and trips will continue to necessitate a 14-day quarantine and two PCR tests in order for students to return to in-person learning. This is in line with recommendations from our consultants at EH&E.
2021 Prize Day
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about the upcoming Prize Day festivities? If so, please check out our new Frequently Asked Questions webpage. Be on the lookout for a registration email next week.
Schedule of Events:
- Baccalaureate | Saturday, May 29, 8:00 p.m.
- Class of 2020 Diploma Ceremony | Saturday, May 29, 10:30 a.m.
- Class of 2021 - 156th Prize Day Ceremony | Sunday, May 30, 10:30 a.m.
For more information, please visit the Schedule page of the 2021 Prize Day website.
Additional information regarding Prize Day was released to VI Form students, parents, and guardians on Thursday, March 25. Select this link to access the email.
COVID-19 Updates
On April 21, St. Mark’s changed its Campus Operational Phase Level from Yellow to Green. The School has not had any positive adult or student COVID-19 tests within the last week. We will remain in the Green phase as long as we do not have any new positive test results within our community. As the Green phase description notes, “All campus operations continue to run as per the current plan.” All members of the School community will continue to maintain a high level of awareness about ensuring all baseline health and safety protocols are in place.
Fall Return Update
St. Mark’s is in the early stages of planning for a return to in-person school this fall. While there will be some modifications to large gatherings, dining, and other operations, it is our hope and plan to return to a St. Mark’s experience that resembles pre-pandemic life to the greatest extent possible. More details about the fall will be shared in the weeks and months to come.
Vaccine Update
Over the course of this past week, 83 boarding students were able to get their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. All eligible boarding students, as of April 19, were offered the choice of an appointment. St. Mark's would like to thank Lowell General Hospital and the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center for working with us to make this possible in such a timely manner. All students will get their second dose in the middle of May before departing for summer vacation. As with the first dose, Health Services and the Health Center Annex will be staffed for the second dose in case any students experience side effects of the vaccine. We are working to get boarding students appointments who have just or will turn 16 soon, however, we will not make an appointment when the second dose will be later than May 21. Please reach out to Adria Pavletic or Luke Chiasson with any questions.
As per previous communications, we expect parents of day students to plan their vaccination appointments. We will support students by excusing them from classes or other commitments, since we understand that there is little or no choice in the timing of these appointments. We view these vaccine appointments as medical appointments; therefore, local boarders should sign out through Health Services.
Campus News
NEW: New Climate Action Plan Announced
St. Mark's School announced the release of its new Climate Action Plan. Titled "Lions Live Green," the plan focuses on actions the School is taking to combat climate change, including lowering greenhouse gas emissions, conserving resources, and inspiring students to become leaders of environmental stewardship. Learn More.
NEW: Administering High School Survey of Student Engagement (HSSSE) Next Week
Next week, St. Mark’s School will be administering the High School Survey of Student Engagement. This survey will be administered during the school day and overseen by St. Mark’s faculty and staff. We have participated in this survey annually for several years and the results are used in planning and evaluation of student engagement across various academic and extracurricular supports and programs at the School.
Participation is voluntary and at the discretion of students and their parents. The students will be told that they can skip any question that they would prefer not to answer. Students who do not wish to complete the survey(s) will have the opportunity to work independently.
It is important to note that this survey is completely anonymous. It is impossible for anyone at the school or at the survey organization to associate any student with any completed survey.
If you do NOT want your child to complete the survey or, if you have any questions or comments about these assessment efforts, please contact Dr. Sarah Enterline, director of institutional research, at sarahenterline@stmarksschool.org. If we do not hear from you, we will assume that you have no objection to your child’s participation.
Thank you in advance for your support of this important initiative.
