Dear St. Mark Families,

This Sunday, we will hear John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus as found in John’s Gospel.  In the gospel reading, John the Baptist sees Jesus approaching and cries out, giving witness about who Jesus is. In John’s testimony he says that he saw the Spirit descend upon Jesus. By this sign, John the Baptist knew that Jesus was the one who is to come after him.

John the Baptist uses two titles for Jesus that are familiar to us. John calls Jesus the “Lamb of God” and the “Son of God.” By using these titles, John the Baptist identifies Jesus’ ultimate purpose: to redeem sinful humanity.

John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus clearly distinguishes John’s baptism from the Baptism that Jesus will inaugurate. John baptizes with water; Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit. John also puts his practice of baptism in the context of Jesus’ ministry. The purpose of John’s baptism was to make Jesus known to Israel.

John the Baptist’s sense of purpose is clearly identified in this reading: he baptized in order to prepare for and make known the ministry of the One who was to follow. John’s witness is an excellent example of what it means to be a disciple. By our Baptism, we are called to make Jesus known to all the world by our words and by the witness of our lives. © Loyola Press Sunday Connection

I wish you all God's Blessings and Grace.

Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Warner 

Important January Calendar Reminders

As a reminder, St. Mark School will be closed on Monday, January 16th, 2023 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Tuesday, January 17th, no hot lunch will be served per Sodexo and Stratford Food Services.

Make-up exams for Middle School students will begin on Wednesday, January 18th. If your child has been absent for more than one school day, make-up exams will continue through Friday, January 20th.

National Celebrate Catholic Schools Week (CSW) is an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. The theme of Catholic School Week is Faith. Excellence. Service.

This theme encompasses the core products and values that can be found at St. Mark School and in Catholic schools across the country. Not only are we teaching students to become future servant leaders, faith-filled disciples and enriched citizens in our communities, we, as educators, are growing with them. In Catholic schools, we are all learners, servants and leaders.

At St. Mark School we will be celebrating our students, faculty and staff, parish, and community through a variety of special events, service projects, and fun!

Schedule of Events

Sunday, January 29th, 10A-12P: Open House School Tours, PK-8 by reservation only

Monday, January 30th: Color Wars

• Free Color War Dress Down Day
• Classes will be paired up and assigned a color
• PK3-any color, student choice
• PK4 & Grade 4: Red
• Kindergarten & Grade 8: Blue
• Grade 1 & Grade 3: Green
• Grade 2 & Grade 7: Purple
• Grade 5 & Grade 6: Yellow

Tuesday, January 31st: Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day

• Thank a teacher and staff member today. Please feel free to make a card, send in a flower or little treat for your teachers and/or staff.
• Faculty/Staff Appreciation Lunch 
• Faith-based Service projects 
• $1 Dress Down Day.  Proceeds will be included in the Service Day school-wide project 

Wednesday, February 1st: Community Service Day & Silly Hat Day

• Add a silly hat to school uniform
• Each classroom Preschool through 8 donates a complete meal for a family, more details to follow.

Thursday, February 2nd: Student Appreciation Day

• Free Dress Down Day 
• No homework, tests, quizzes, or projects due
• Special Surprise Presentation 

Friday, February 3rd: Family Appreciation Day

• First Friday Mass, Grades K through 8, 8A
• Our faculty and staff would like to take this opportunity to honor our parents and families.  It is because of your support of our mission that we are able to provide an outstanding Catholic education to your children in a warm, caring, and loving environment.  Family members who join us in our First Friday celebration are invited to enjoy a cup of coffee and treats lovingly provided by our faculty and staff in the Church Hall immediately following mass along with fellow St. Mark families. 
• Please RSVP to amenteam@stmarkschool no later than Friday, January 20th if you plan to attend.

New Registration Process

for 2023-2024

In accordance with all Diocesan elementary schools, St. Mark School will be transitioning to an online platform, Finalsite.com for 2023-2024 registration of new and returning families. Finalsite's SchoolAdmin enrollment management system includes integrated admissions and enrollment tools and online forms and checklists.

Please stay tuned for further information in the coming weeks regarding this new process and how to register new and returning students for the 2023-2024 school year.

Morning Drop Off Procedures

If you are utilizing the ‘drop and go’ car line, please follow the directions of our parent volunteers and pull your car as far up to the stop sign as possible. This will make our student arrival time more efficient by allowing 5-6 cars to unload at one time. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

As a reminder, we ask that the follow protocols be followed by our school community for the safety of our students:

• Parents utilizing the Drop and Go Car Line are to enter using the driveway adjacent to the Blessed Mother Statue.

• Parents utilizing Parish Center entrance for Preschool and Goodbye Zone are to enter using the driveway across the street from the farm.

• Doors will close promptly at 7:45am in order for classes to begin on time.

• The Nemergut Drive entrance (chain-link fence) is EXIT ONLY during arrival and dismissal times.

Please note: If someone other than yourself is dropping off, please relay this important information.

HSA Winter Scholastic Book Fair

Students in Grades PK3 through Grade 8 are invited to shop at the HSA Scholastic Winter Book Fair from January 23rd – January 27th, 2023.

For student shopping convenience, parents can create E-wallets on St. Mark School's Book Fair site: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/stmarkschool2

Online shopping for families will be available from January 23rd to February 5th on our bookfair website listed above.

Please contact HSA Book Fair Chairperson, Catherine Thiery, catherine.schulze@gmail.com, with any questions.

Second Quarter Marking Period

As the second quarter marking period ends on January 23rd, parents in Grades 4 through 8 are encouraged to check Parents PlusPortals for the most up to date information on your child’s growth and progress thus far.

PlusPortals is the Diocesan Student Information Web Portal System available to all parents grades K-8. PlusPortals provides parents access to student grades, attendance, announcements, and teacher emails. Any family that needs PlusPortals activation resent, please email Mrs. Mannino at the email address above.

For the second quarter marking period, report cards will be issued to every student in Grades PK3 through Grade 8.

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.

Weather Related Emergency Alert System

St. Mark School's emergency alert system will call, text and email in the event of a weather related school cancellation or delay. If you have not received the alert, or need to make changes to your contact information, please email Mrs. Mannino at cmannino@stmarkschool.org.

Delayed Openings and School Cancellations

When weather conditions or other emergencies warrant the closing of school, Preschool through Grade 8 families will be contacted by our emergency alert system. When the Stratford public schools are closed or delayed due to inclement weather, St. Mark School will also be closed or delayed. 

If there is a delayed opening St. Mark School will open at 9:30 a.m. with class beginning at 9:45 a.m.

If school closes early for weather related reasons, dismissal will be at 11:25 a.m. Parents will be alerted through our emergency alert system. Our After School Program will not be held when there is an early dismissal due to weather or emergencies.

Snow Days and Virtual Learning Days

Please be advised that when Stratford Public Schools are closed or delayed due to inclement weather, St. Mark School will also be closed or delayed.

The first day school is closed due to snow will be a "traditional" snow day, with no virtual learning for all students PK-8.

In the event that there is a large storm resulting in multiple days in a row of school closure, the first day will be a traditional snow day. The consecutive day will be a virtual learning day for students in grades K through 8. Virtual learning days will begin at 8am and end at 12pm.

For the 2022-2023 school year, St. Mark School will observe 2 "traditional" snow days with no virtual learning. After 2 traditional snow days have been recorded, the remaining snow days will be virtual learning. Therefore, 2 days at most, will be added to the end of the school year. Virtual learning days will not be added to the end of the school year calendar.

Per the 2022-2023 school calendar, the anticipated last day of school will be June 13, 2023. However, if 2 traditional snow days are added to the end of the school year, the last day of school will be June 15, 2023.

Please be assured that classroom and specials teachers have been preparing students for the possibility of virtual learning snow days during class time.

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.

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

Parish News

Reverend Monsignor Donald A. Guglielmi

It is with immense joy that we announce that our former pastor, Father Donald A. Guglielmi, has been honored by Pope Francis with the title of Chaplain to His Holiness, in recognition of his exemplary priest life and ministry. A Mass of Blessing and Investiture will take place in April 2023.  Congratulations Reverend Monsignor Donald A. Guglielmi.  

Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus will be holding a nine-day Novena for Life, followed by the Rosary, starting January 19^th through January 27^th, 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.  

• Monday, January 16th: No School, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

• Tuesday, January 17th: No Hot Lunch Served

• Thursday, January 19th: HSA Dress Down Day, $1

• Monday, January 23rd: End of Second Quarter Marking Period

• Tuesday, January 24th: Third Mark Period Begins

• Wednesday, January 25th: HSA Snack Shop, $1

• Sunday, January 29th: PK-8 Open House, 10A-12P

• Sunday, January 29th - Friday, February 3rd: Catholic Schools Week

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

St. Ignatius of Loyola