On Monday, November 9, you will receive an email from Head of School John C. Warren that will include a link to an important survey for parents. The survey will help us gain information about your impressions of the fall experience and will complement the student survey that was administered in October. Please take a few moments to complete the survey before November 16. Thank you!

Window One closes today, Friday, November 6. As a reminder, faculty will be at work in the coming weeks finalizing grades and narrative comments, which will be available through our new Parent Portal on November 23.  

As we look ahead to the December remote period (Dec 1-18) and our return to school in January, a group of faculty, led by Classics Department Head Jeanna Cook and Dean of Academics Nat Waters are working on schedule changes that will provide the right supports for learning based on the lessons we have learned during this first stretch of the year. We will share details of an updated remote learning schedule as we get nearer to Thanksgiving Break, and a January return to school schedule before Winter Break.

Ms. Eslick is offering drop-in office hours for students via Zoom every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST. Please encourage your St. Marker to come and chat about learning strategies! Students who cannot attend at this time should email Ms. Eslick for an appointment.

During the November departure, students will be required to fully pack their rooms and will be able to leave belongings in their rooms. Packing materials will be provided and students will receive details from the Dean of Students Office by email. Boarders are required to complete a November Departure Boardingware leave by Thursday, November 12 to confirm the date of their departure from school. School closes and all students must depart by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 21.

The Athletic Department is excited to host Blue/White Play Days next week to highlight our student-athletes who have practiced tirelessly this fall. We are so proud of their spirit, effort, and dedication despite the disappointment of no league competition. All the credit goes to our amazing students and coaches!

 

Please note that we will be featuring our teams on different days next week. Varsity on Wednesday and Friday and JV/Thirds on Thursday.

We hope your schedule allows you to come out and cheer on our student-athletes. If so, please support our health and safety protocols in being socially distant outside your family group, and by wearing a mask at all times. Also, please know that you will not be able to access the School's indoor spaces.

 

Fingers crossed for good weather and we hope to see you next week!

We have completed seven weeks of community COVID-19 testing on campus for our adult community and for day and boarding students. Thank you to our students for their cooperation with the testing process. As a reminder, St. Mark’s will only be in touch with families if there is an issue with their child’s test. We will no longer contact families each week to confirm that their child has tested negative for COVID-19. Please contact healthservices@stmarksschool.org if you have any questions about your child’s test. 

If you wish to book a room at the Residence Inn Boston Framingham for quarantine prior to the start of January classes, please use this link: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1603744582202&key=GRP&app=resvlink. Rooms are available from January 2 through January 20. Students must quarantine for 14 days before arriving at St. Mark’s for the first day of in-person classes on Tuesday, January 19. The last day to book is Monday, December 28.

All IV, V and VI form students received information on how to register for the May 2021 AP exams. Even though the exams are administered in the spring, the deadline to register for a test and to avoid a late fee is November 12. Before a student registers for the test, we recommend that they consult with their teacher, advisor, and perhaps a college counselor, to make sure that taking an AP exam is the right choice for them.  

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Mary Ann Ciampa (maryannciampa@stmarksschool.org).

IV Formers had their first class of NRS (Nutrition, Relationship, and Substances) last Friday, October 30. Guided by Ashley Maddock, the entire form was led through a discussion of what the six essential nutrients makeup both a balanced meal and diet. The conversation was facilitated through the Zoom platform and the students were split up into breakout rooms to construct breakfast, lunch, and dinner using the six essential nutrients as building blocks. Here is the article that was shared with everyone to serve as both a reminder and to aid the fourth form in this activity.

What's up this weekend? Select this link to view this weekend's campus activities.

Christian confirmation and baptism preparation for students is held on campus beginning in late February. This preparation leads up to a service in our own Belmont Chapel in late April, assuming our progress on COVID-19 makes such a service possible. Students from all Forms and denominations are welcome to participate. If you and your child are interested in this program, contact Head Chaplain Barbara Talcott.

Twice a week, we gather for prayer, meditation and reflection, St. Mark's School style. The Chaplains at St. Mark's would like to offer that same kind of reflection to you, twice a week, by email. Reflections will be short and inclusive: mindful of the present, but rooted in the eternal. Sign up if you are interested, and spread the word!

On Tuesday, October 27, St. Mark's alumna Jess Danforth '02 was the speaker for morning chapel. She shared with the school community the story of her best friend, fellow St. Marker Caitlin O'Hara '01 (pictured at left), who died at the age of 33 of complications from cystic fibrosis. Danforth then introduced the work she was doing in East Africa as a memorial to her friend: the Leo Project. Read More.

If you are interested in volunteering for this purpose, please contact our Head Admission Parent Volunteer, Marisa Macri P '21 at marisamacri@comcast.net. Marisa will be able to provide you with more information on these sessions along with the SignUpGenius information with the volunteer schedule. Additionally, if you have any other questions about these, feel free to reach out to Jenny Golding P '07,'09,'13, in the Admission Office at jennifergolding@stmarksschool.org.

Below is a list of upcoming events. Please reach out to Parents’ Association Co-chairs Michelle and Tom Davis P’21 at St.MarksPA@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Topic: Highlights of a St. Mark's Education

Please register here.

Topic: A Discussion About The Red Address Book

Contact Joanne Flathers P’15, ’19, ’21 (joanne@flathersfamily.net)

or Laurie Kalapinski (lauriekalapinski@stmarksschool.org) for more information.

Please join current parent Amy Frederick P'21 as she leads a fun and interactive evening of stump trivia! We have been missing all of the face-to-face personal connections this year, and this is a great opportunity to socialize with other parents. Register online here to join in the fun. 

Join us for the traditional service of Lessons & Carols, presented virtually this year. More details to follow.

Important Note: Topics, dates, and times are subject to change. Updated details will be in the Deans’ Weekly and upcoming parent emails.