Dear St. Mark Families,

Mother's Day has been celebrated as a national holiday in the United States on the second Sunday of May since 1914. But Catholics have been celebrating a sort of mother's day since the first few centuries of the Church.

In Catholic tradition, the month of May is dedicated to Mary. Chosen by God above all other women, Mary's faith and obedience paved the way for the Incarnation. Her example teaches us faith, obedience, humility and most of all, how to love.

According to St. Thomas of Villanova, "If in this world any creature ever loved God with whole heart, with whole soul, and with whole mind, she was the creature.”© https://www.dolr.org/article/honoring-mothers-catholic-tradition

I would like to take this opportunity to wish a very happy and blessed Mother's Day holiday to all our St. Mark family mothers, grandmothers, Godmothers, and mothers to be. May your day be blessed with love of family and friends.

I wish you all God's Blessings and Grace.

Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Warner 

Please do not reply to this email. If you ever have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at any time.

End of Year Dates

With the approval of the Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Schools, Office of the Superintendent of Schools, the last day of the 2022-2023 school year for Kindergarten through Grade 7 will be Thursday, June 15th, 2023.

Early Dismissal Days in June

Wednesday, June 14th, 11:25 Dismissal, PK3 through Grade 7

Thursday, June 15th, 11:25 Dismissal, PK3 through Grade 7

Little Lions Preschool Program (PK3 & PK4)

The last day of Little Lions Preschool (PK3 & PK4) Program will be Wednesday, June 14th, 2023. Please note that the day is an early dismissal at 11:25am and there is no After School Program. We will celebrate our PK4 students moving up to Kindergarten with a Graduation Celebration on the last day of the program, Wednesday, June 14th at 9A.

If your child is in PK3 and does not attend school on Wednesdays, their last day of school would be Monday, June 12th or Tuesday, June 13th.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten Graduation will be celebrated on Thursday, June 15th at 9A. Please note that the day is an early dismissal at 11:25am and there is no After School Program.

After School Program

The last day of St. Mark School's After School Program will be on Tuesday, June 13th, 2023 for all grades, PK3 through Grade 8.

Lunch

The number of K-8 students coming to school without lunch has increased dramatically over the last few weeks. If you have not ordered a hot lunch, please send your child to school with enough to eat for snack and lunch.

Additionally, we have been overwhelmed by the number of food deliveries. These deliveries cause a great deal of upset to younger children who do not have McDonald’s, french fries or other foods delivered to them. If for some reason you forget to send your child lunch, please pack a lunch in your child’s lunchbox and drop it off at the Main Office before 11:00 am. If you do not recall if you have not ordered a hot lunch, please reach out to Mrs. Mannino. 

Please note: Tuesday, May 16th there will be no hot lunch served per Sodexo Food Services.  Please send your child to school with lunch from home, not a restaurant or fast food delivery.

Social Media 

The best advertising our school can do is through parents and supporters of St. Mark School. Please like and share our St. Mark School Facebook and Instagram posts.  

Dress Down Day Reminders

With the warm weather approaching, I want to remind students that open-toed shoes are not allowed at school. This includes flip flops, slides and open-toed sandals.

As a reminder, per our Out of Uniform Day Policy, "crop-tops" or any tops with straps instead of sleeves or that expose the stomach are prohibited.

In our Community

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.

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

May Crowning 

The May Crowning of the Blessed Mother will take place on Wednesday, May 17th  at 9:00 am in the church. All are invited to attend.

Room Parents

Are you interested in being a Room Parent for your child’s class for the 2023-2024 school year? If you would like to be considered for the role, please email Ms. Zenowich, room parent coordinator, no later than June 1, 2023. If you are selected to be a Room Parent, an invitation email will be sent to you mid-summer.

St. Thomas Aquinas Honoree

Join me in congratulating, Colin Johansen, Class of 2023, recipient of the St. Thomas Aquinas Award.



Every year, each Diocesan elementary is asked to nominate a student in the Grade 8 class who has shown excellence in academics, and who exemplifies the Gospel Values we are called to in our Catholic faith through service to others and Christ-like behavior. 

Colin and his fellow honorees were recognized by Bishop Caggiano, Dr. Cheeseman, and the Office of the Superintendent for Schools at the Breakfast of Champions award reception this week.

St. Mark Pet Policy

We understand that Spring weather brings an opportunity for families to walk to school for morning drop off and afternoon pick-up. As a gentle reminder, families are asked to adhere to St. Mark School's pet policy to ensure student and staff safety.

Pets and non-service trained domestic animals are not permitted on school grounds during school hours and during school events, except when in a vehicle. Pets are not permitted to leave a vehicle without prior permission of school administration or parish officials.

Parent Pick-Up

For the safety of all our students, parents who are picking up their child at dismissal time are asked to give clearance and stand clear of the buses and vans when students are being loaded onto the bus and dismissed. 

PK3 parents are asked to please watch for buses pulling into the bus lane when you are approaching and leaving the PK3 pick-up door and PK4 parents are asked to not walk in-between vans when picking up your child from the PK4 door.

Parish News

Rosary and Litany Devotional

Knights of Columbus, Council #8, St. John Paul II

Our Knights will be praying the Rosary for the entire month of May. The Knights will meet at 7:00 p.m. weeknights; Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. (after the 5:00 p.m. Mass), and at 1:00 p.m. on Sundays (after the 12:00 noon mass). Weather permitting, the group will meet at the statue of Our Blessed Mother outside the church; otherwise, we will meet in the church or Upper Room. All are welcome. 

Malta House/Birthright

St. Mark Respect Life will be having a Diaper Drive to benefit Malta House and Birthright in Norwalk. We will be collecting diapers (larger than newborn) on two weekends in May: May 13/14 and May 20/21. Containers will be placed at all entrances of the church for your use. Thank you for your support of Moms and their babies! 

Vacation Bible School

We are proud to announce that Vacation Bible School is back at St. Mark! Bible School runs from July 10 thru July 14, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. till 12:00 noon in the Parish Center. For children in rising grades K-4. Cost is $75 per child. Information and registration forms can be found at www.stmarkstfd.org.  

Reminder

There is no 8:00 a.m. Mass on Saturday, May 13, due to the celebration of First Holy Communion.  

St. Mark Parish Family Movie Night

All families are invited to participate in our Family Movie Night coming up on Saturday, May 20 at 6:00pm in the Parish Center.

We’ll be showing Disney’s Encanto on the big screen with professional sound. Suggested donation of $5 per person or $20 per family includes a free bag of popcorn (other concessions available for purchase). Proceeds benefit our Youth Group to defray the cost of the Steubenville East youth conference coming up this summer. Bring your family and all your friends out for a fun-filled evening for a good cause! Business owners: advertising slides are available for purchase for $20, which will be shown for 30 minutes prior to show time. For more information or to RSVP, please email Jared Forcier, Parish Youth Minister, at movienight@stmarkstfd.org.

The Power of Prayer

If you have a prayer intention, please submit your request to St. Mark School's prayer line by clicking here. Your intention will be remembered during our Afternoon Prayers and Announcements.

• Saturday, May 13th: First Holy Communion, Grade 2

• Tuesday, May 16th: No Hot Lunch Served

• Wednesday, May 17th: May Crowning, 9A

• Thursday, May 18th: Ascension Thursday Mass, Grades K through 8, 8A

• Thursday, May 18th: Field Trip, Grade 4

• Friday, May 19th: HSA Variety Show, 7P

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

St. Ignatius of Loyola