Dear St. Mark Families,

For the second Sunday of Lent, we move from Jesus’ retreat to the desert to his Transfiguration. Each year on the first Sunday of Lent, our Gospel tells the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. On the second Sunday of Lent each year, we hear the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration.

The story of Jesus’ Transfiguration is told in the three Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In each of those Gospels, the Transfiguration follows Jesus’ first prediction of his death and his teaching about the costs of discipleship. Jesus’ Transfiguration is a promise of Jesus’ glory, his Resurrection.

On a mountain in this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Matthew 17:1-9, a voice affirms that Jesus is God’s Son in words reminiscent of the voice at Jesus’ baptism. In addition, the appearance of Moses and Elijah on the mountain connects this story with God’s relationship to the people of Israel. Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets, respectively. Together with Jesus, they represent God’s complete Word. © Loyola Press Sunday Connection

I wish you all God's Blessings and Grace.

Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Warner 

Prayer and Worship Opportunities during Lent

in the Catholic Community of Stratford

Faculty Update

St. Mark School is pleased to officially welcome Mrs. Patricia Nettleton as our music teacher, after substituting in our classrooms over the last few weeks. Ms. Irmani Jones, of Future Musicians, LLC resigned from her position with the company whom we contracted with to provide general music instruction. Future Musicians, LLC is unable to fulfill their contract and provide a replacement teacher. Therefore, Mrs. Nettleton was gracious to accept our invitation to join our faculty.  

2023-2024 Registration Process

If you haven’t completed your 2023-2024 registration (enrollment contract and FACTS) please check your inbox for a reminder email from our Admissions Team.

Please re-enroll your child by the end of day today, (February 24th) as we will open up enrollment to new families starting tomorrow for classrooms with availability.

Any questions, please contact our AMEN Team amenteam@stmarkschool.org 

Bishop's Scholarship Fund

Bishop’s Scholarship Fund (BSF) provides tuition assistance to help families afford a Catholic Education. 

Applications are now being accepted for the 2023-2024 school year! 

All families with students in next year's grades Kindergarten through Grade 8 are eligible to apply.

Families apply online via FACTS Grant & Aid www.FACTSmgt.com/aid.

Complete all questions regarding BSF, submit supporting documentation and the $30 FACTS processing fee.

The application requires the entire 2021 (or 2022) IRS Federal tax return along with 2022 W2s. If applicants do not receive W-2s, then they must submit a 2022 tax return. 

Deadline to apply for current families is March 15th, 2023. Award notifications will be communicated in early May.

For more information visit: http://www.foundationsineducation.org/bishops-scholarship-fund

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 at www.ceoct.org for the 2023-2024 school year!

Thank You

Thank you to our students and families who participated in Coin Wars during Kindness week. St. Mark School raised $2,022 for the Hoth family. In addition, our faculty raised over $745.00 to help support the Hoths.

Supply Reminders

Headphones/Earbuds

Please check with your child or his/her teacher to ensure they have properly working headphones/earbuds for use in school. Many of our digital learning tools require headsets for online use.

Water Bottles

Please send a water bottle to school with your child daily. Water bottles can be disposable or reusable. No glass bottles, please.

IOWA and CogAT Testing

IOWA and CogAT standardized testing for Grades 1 through 7 will begin Monday, March 6th, 2023 and continue through Friday, March 17th, 2023.  Testing for St. Mark School will be an audio-led computer based test.

Testing environment protocols will begin promptly at 8:30am, Monday through Friday. Please ensure your child is at school and on time during the two week testing window. Per the St. Mark School's Parent/Student Handbook, students who are absent from school are prohibited from participating in extracurricular activities including sports practices and games.

Parents in grades 1 through 7 are asked to check in with your child to determine if they have properly working headphones or earbuds at school. If not, please send proper equipment in a ziplock baggie, labeled with your child's name to school 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.

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:

• Ensure your child has properly working headphones or earbuds at school.

• Make sure your child is in school and on time on test days. Reschedule dentist appointments and other out-of-school time on non-testing days.

• Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast before each day of testing.

• 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.

Quarter 3 Marking Period

As we are just past the midway point of the third quarter marking period, 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 cmannino@stmarkschool.org.

For the third quarter marking period, report cards will be issued to student in Grades K through 8.

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.

Snow Days and Virtual Learning Days



As a reminder, St. Mark School has observed 2 "traditional" snow days with no virtual learning.  Therefore, any remaining snow days will be virtual learning for students in Grades K through 8.  Virtual learning days will begin at 8am and end at 12pm.

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

Due to the 2 “traditional” snow days already observed, 2 days will be added to the end of the school year.  Therefore, the last day of school will be June 15, 2023.  Virtual learning days will not be added to the end of the school year calendar.

Models in Christ

Models in Christ is a virtue 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.

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

Parish News

Mass Scheduled Changes for St. Mark Parish

In the last few years there has been a steady decline in Mass attendance across America and more so after COVID-19. As a result, following the recommendation of Bishop Caggiano, many pastors have reduced the number of weekend Masses in their parishes across the Bridgeport Diocese, including our own town. After deep prayer and reflection, and after consulting the clergy members and lay leaders of the parish, I have decided that it is time for us also to reduce the number of Masses in our parish. 

Beginning January 1, 2024, the new weekend Mass schedule will be as follows: 

Saturday – Vigil: 5:00 p.m. 

Sunday – 7:30 a.m, 9:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.

Baptisms – 12:30 p.m. 



The weekday and Holy Day Mass schedules remain as they are. 

Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus, Saint John Paul II, will be hosting a blood drive for the Red Cross on Saturday, April 1st in the Parish Center from 8A to 1P. Potential donors can sign up for an appointment at www.redcross.org. Our blood drive last year was a great success, and we hope this year will be a success too!  

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.  

Lenten Fish Dinner 2023

We are happy to announce that Father Birendra is bringing back the annual Lenten Fish Dinner.  Please mark your calendars for Friday, March 31, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Center. An order form is included in the bulletin starting this weekend.  You may mail to the office, drop off, or put in the collection basket, your order form and payment. Please mark your envelope “Paula.” You will note that our “fish” dinner cost has risen to $20; however, we kept the children’s and grilled cheese selections priced as before.  As many of you know from grocery shopping, prices are exorbitant. We thank you for helping us to cover costs. The event is open seating; we are not booking reserved tables. 

SEEK Where You Are

St. Pius X, Fairfield, CT, will be joining hundreds of parishes across the country in hosting the program SEEK Where You Are! Open to all.  The program hopes to foster an encounter with the heart of Jesus through sacraments, small groups, and world-class speakers. Special Guest Speaker: Mother Olga, founder of the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth. All the details are in the bulletin.  

• Monday, March 6th: IOWA/CogAT Testing begins

• Friday, March 10th: No School/ Faculty PD

• Sunday, March 12th: St. Mark Basketball Tournament ends

• Wednesday, March 15th: Diocesan Sponsored Free Dress Down

• Thursday, March 16th: Monthly HSA Dress Down Day, $1

• Friday, March 17th: St. Patrick's Day Parade, Grades 6 through 8

• Friday, March 17th: IOWA/CogAT Testing ends

• Friday, March 17th: First Penance, Grade 2, 9A

• Wednesday, March 22nd: HSA Snack Shop, $1

• Thursday, March 30th: Quarter 3 Marking Period ends

• Friday, March 31st: Easter Egg Hunt

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

St. Ignatius of Loyola