St. Mark School E-Newsletter - December 16, 2022

St. Mark School

A 2009 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.

December 16, 2022

Dear St. Mark Families,

This Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Gospel Reading will permit us to begin our contemplation of the mystery of the Incarnation we celebrate at Christmas: “Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about” (Matthew 1:18).

The Gospel of Matthew tells the story of the birth of Jesus from Joseph's perspective and describes the difficult circumstances that Joseph and Mary faced as holy people and of their faith in God.

The message of the angel of the Lord given to Joseph in his dream tells us much about the child that Mary bears and his role in God's plan. He is conceived by the Holy Spirit. His name will be Jesus, which in the Hebrew means “Yahweh saves.” He will be the fulfillment of the prophecy heard in Sunday’s first reading from Isaiah: “. . . The virgin shall be with child . . . and shall name him Emmanuel [God with us].”

Joseph does as the angel of the Lord directs. He takes Mary to be his wife and accepts the child in her womb as his own. Joseph and Mary are both cooperative with God's plan. They are both models for us of what it means to be faithful servants of God. © Loyola Press Sunday Connection

I wish you all God's Blessings and Grace.

Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Warner

December Calendar Updates

$5 Christmas Sweater Dress Down Day

The $5 Christmas Sweater Dress Down Day will be on Tuesday, December 20th, to ensure K through 8 students all get to enjoy an out of winter uniform day. All proceeds from this Dress Down Day go to support a family in our community in need this Christmas season. Please note that the $5 donation is not included in the prepaid dress down day.

Movie and PJ Day

As a Christmas treat, students in Grades PK3 through Grade 8 are invited to participate in a free Pajama Dress Down day Thursday, December 22nd. Pajamas should be school appropriate. Girls are required to wear pants or leggings under night gowns. Patterns and designs must be school appropriate on all pajamas, including shirts and pants. All students should wear sneakers on Pajama dress down day. Slippers, Crocs, Uggs, footie PJs are not permitted.

Students will be invited to the gym as my guest to watch a Christmas themed movie. Please send your child to school with a small beach towel to sit on in the gym. No full size blankets, please.

HSA Christmas Tree Raffle

The HSA Christmas tree raffle has been extended! Christmas trees are on display in the Main Office hallway and students may purchase raffle tickets during lunch waves. Tickets will also be sold before and after the Christmas Concert, Dec. 15th. Christmas trees and accompanying children’s books will be raffled off during school on December 22nd.

1 ticket for $1

3 tickets for $2

10 tickets for $5

HSA Christmas Spirit Week

Monday, December 19th

Red/Green Dress Down *a non-perishable food donation is required to participate

Tuesday, December 20th

Ugly Christmas Sweater Dress Down Day *This Dress Down is $5 to participate, all proceeds to benefit St. Mark Community members in need

Wednesday, December 21st

Wear a Christmas Hat or Headband (free)

Thursday, December 22nd

Pajama Day! (free) *Please note, students should wear appropriate shoes with their pajamas. No slippers, footie pajamas, Crocs or Uggs will be permitted.

Friday, December 23rd

Add Christmas socks to your uniform (free)

K through 8 Christmas Concert

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Jones and Mrs. DeReinzi, our Christmas Concert Committee members, for planning this week's Christmas Concert performance and preparing our students. Thank you to Mrs. Nettleton and Mr. Fallon for accompanying our performers and student choir. Thank you to our teachers and faculty for joining us this evening, in the “back staging” area. We are so proud of all our students who participated and made it such a memorable celebration.

Winter Weather

While outside temperatures have dropped, all teachers in Preschool through Grade 8 take their class outdoors for recess when the temperature is above freezing (32 degrees).

We ask that all parents ensure that your child(ren) come(s) to school with proper winter attire so that they are comfortable when participating in outdoor recess with their peers.

Weather Related Emergency Alert System

In anticipation of the winter season, St. Mark School's emergency alert system (which will call, text and email) was tested on Saturday, November 5th at 12:00 pm. If you do not receive the test 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.

Diocese of Bridgeport Annual Report

The Diocese of Bridgeport 2022 Annual Report can be found on the Diocesan homepage: www.DOBCatholicSchools.com (top of the page) for both English and Spanish versions. Take a look at how we have BOLDLY moved forward in faith not fear this year!

Parish News

Adoration Chapel Christmas Holiday Hours

Please be advised that The Divine Mercy Adoration Chapel will be CLOSED for the Nativity of the Lord from Thursday, December 22, at 10:00 p.m. until Monday, December 26, at 9:00 a.m. After the reopening of the Adoration Chapel at 9:00 a.m. on December 26, the chapel will remain open through the New Year weekend and into the new year.

Come Meet the St. Mark Parish Ambassadors!

The Diocese of Bridgeport created an Ambassador Program for the entire Diocese. The goal of the Ambassador Ministry at St. Mark is to create an open dialogue among parishioners in a comfortable, low-key environment. Ten women from our parish underwent formation with Deacon John DiTaranto. These ten ambassadors invite you to reach out regarding parish life. What are your concerns? Where do you see our parish going in the next five years? What can St. Mark do to improve your spiritual fulfillment? Are there bible study topics close to your heart that you would like to see conducted? Do you have questions regarding our Sacraments? What can we do to bring young adults and young families back to the church? What can we do as a community of faith to bring back fallen Catholics? These are just a few examples of issues our Ambassadors are hoping to address. A parish is only as strong as its parishioners. YOU, our St. Mark Parishioners, are the driving force for a vibrant and sustaining parish. Your involvement is tantamount to our success. We are pleased to welcome and introduce our Ambassadors: Joyce Baran, Janet Distassio, Ruth Korpita, Lucille Giannino Marottolo, Elizabeth McCloskey, Paula Mollica, Patricia Nettleton, Kristen Rosati, Mary Ryan, and Maria Vitiello. Ambassadors will be at the entrances of the church at the Masses this weekend. Stop by and say “hi” and provide some important feedback about our Parish.

For Parish information, visit: https://www.saintmarkchurchstratford.org/

For important information and updates visit the

Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Schools website

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.

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