Dear St. Mark Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Luke 19:1-10, Jesus stays at the house of Zacchaeus, the tax collector.  Zacchaeus had not prepared to be Jesus' host that day. And yet, he welcomed Jesus better than anyone else because of his change of heart.

In Jesus' day, tax collectors were not popular people. They were collaborators with the Romans and were despised by many Jewish people. Throughout Scripture, Jesus' choice of dinner companions set him apart from other observant Jews of his time. Observant Jews did not generally dine with foreigners and sinners. Yet, Jesus chooses to honor the tax collector, Zacchaeus, by staying at his house.

Jesus recognizes the faith of this tax collector exhibited in his search for salvation. In the hospitality he extends to Jesus and in his conversion of heart, Zacchaeus is raised up by Jesus as a model of salvation. © Loyola Press Sunday Connection

I wish you all God's blessings and grace.

Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Warner 

Progress Reports

Grades 4 through 8

As the Quarter 1 Marking Period ends next Friday, November 4th, parents in Grades 4 through 8 are encouraged to check ParentsPlus Portals 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.

For our new families and Kindergarten families, you should have received an email from PlusPortals with an activation link to the primary email address provided on your child's emergency contact form in September. If you did not receive an activation link email from PlusPortals, please email Mrs. Mannino at cmannino@stmarkschool.org.

Any returning family that needs PlusPortals activation resent, please email Mrs. Mannino at the email address above.

Grades K through 3

Parents are encouraged to review the current template for the Diocesan Standards Based Report Card and marking codes.  Please note that the marking code of X indicates that while instruction of the content standard is being delivered, the student is not yet ready to be assessed.  Additionally, as this shift in reporting emphasizes what a student has learned, the expectation is that a student will reach mastery (marking code of M for K-2 or marking code of 3 for Gr. 3) at the end of the school year.

Faculty Updates

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Irmani Jones, general music teacher with Future Musicians, LLC.  to St. Mark School.

Ms. Jones is a professional drummer. She studied Theater and Music Performance at SUNY Oneonta. In her free time, she loves to act, write, and play other instruments like the clarinet and trombone. Over the summer, she can usually be found at French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts, where she teaches percussion and plays in various youth musicals and ensembles. This past summer, Ms. Jones performed in youth productions of Chicago, On The Town, Sweet Charity, The Drowsy Chaperone, and The Lightning Thief. Her favorite color is green and she is very excited to teach music at St. Mark School.

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.

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. 

Out of Uniform “Dress Down Days”

Please be advised that the 2022-2023 Parent/Student Handbook states that jeans without holes or tears are permitted on Dress Down Days. 

The handbook has been amended to clarify that pajama pants or “lounge pants” are not permitted on Dress Down Days. However, sweatpants in a similar style and structure to our PE uniform pants are acceptable. Thank you for your support and understanding of this policy.

K-8 Boys and Girls Sweaters

There is a typo error in the 2022-2023 Uniform Policy for Grades K through 8 found in the Parent/Student Handbook. Boys in Grades 1-7 are permitted to wear plain navy blue crewneck sweaters with or without the school name. Girls in Grades 1-7 are permitted to wear plain navy blue cardigan sweaters with or without the school name.  

Black/Orange Dress Down Day

On Monday, October 31st, students in Grades K-8 are invited to participate in a free themed Dress Down Day in orange, black, and/or Halloween themed dress. Please note, costumes are not permitted for Grades 2 through 8 and that pajama pants are never permitted on Dress Down Days per the above amendment to the Parent/Student Handbook.

Winter Uniform

Winter uniforms begin on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. Boys in Grades 1-8 are required to wear button down shirts and ties. As a friendly reminder, sweatshirts are not permitted to be worn in class, unless it is a PE day for the grade level. 

Grade 8 students have the privilege of wearing their Class of 2023 sweatshirts beginning on November 1st. In January, high school sweatshirts can be worn, once a student has declared the high school he/she will be attending.

Please click here to review the Winter Uniform Requirements. If you have any uniform questions, please contact Mrs. Mannino.

St. Mark School

PreK and Kindergarten Open House

November 13, 2022

We are hosting a Fall Open House for PreK and Kindergarten. Click here for more information and please help us spread the word! If you live on a busy road or have a business, consider posting an Open House yard sign. You can stop by the main office to pick up a yard sign or give us the address and we’ll post it for you!

The Open House is from 10a-12n for new families, but we added a special 9a-10a Preview Hour for our current PreK families. If any of our current Little Lions are interested in attending, reserve your tour by clicking on the link below. 

• PK4 Tour for Current PK3 Little Lion Families
• K Tour for Current PK4 Little Lion Families

High School Open House and Entrance Exams

Notre Dame - Fairfield

On Saturday, October 29th or November 12th at 8:00 a.m. Notre Dame’s entrance exam will be given. All eighth-grade applicants must take an entrance exam and must complete an online application prior to the exam. Registration information can be found on the school’s website, www.notredame.org.

Fairfield Prep

Fairfield Prep is a Catholic, Jesuit high school for boys located on the campus of Fairfield University. To learn more about what makes Fairfield Prep unique, families of boys in 7th and 8th Grade are cordially invited to an in-person Open House on Saturday November 19th, 2022 (9:00 or 10:00 am session). To register visit https://www.fairfieldprep.org/admissions/visit-prep and click here for more information.

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 trait that is highlighted each month such as respect, kindness, perseverance, responsibility/accountability, citizenship, 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.

Themed Dress-Down Day 

We will be sponsoring a Pink and/or Blue Dress Down Day on Thursday, November 3, 2022.  This Pink and/or Blue dress down donation is $5.00.  The fee for this Dress Down is not covered by the Pre-Paid Dress Down payment collected at the beginning of the year.  All proceeds will benefit The Bryson & Baker Blatt Foundation which is supported by the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Bridgeport.

PK Through Grade 1 Halloween Parade

Students in Preschool through Grade 1 will be participating in a Halloween Costume Parade on Monday, October 31st. Parents are invited to watch our parade, which will take place between the church and the rectory (to the right of the Main Church entrance).  The parade will begin promptly at 9:00 am with class photo opportunities immediately following the parade. 

Parish News

Gift Cards Needed

Deacon Paul has asked us to reach out to the parish for the purchase of food gifts cards, either Stop & Shop or ShopRite, in denominations of $25 (but we accept anything!). The need for the poor in our area has increased greatly and we go through the gift cards quicker than you think! God bless St. Mark parish for its continued generosity to help the needy in our community.  You can drop the gift cards in the collection basket at any Mass or bring to the rectory office during business hours.   

Pray the Rosary

Just a reminder that the Knights are praying the rosary for the entire month of October. Schedule and details are in the bulletin. All are welcome.  

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our HSA leadership: Mr. Baird, Mr. Rosati, Mrs. Christoffersen, Monster Mash Committee Chairs: Mrs. LeMoine and Mrs. Szczerba, and the Monster Mash planning committee and parent volunteers for planning, setting up, and carrying out a fantastic event for our St. Mark students. I'm sorry to miss what I’m sure will be a fabulous event, as my son and daughter have their own school sponsored Halloween Event and are looking forward to showing off their Maribel and Buzz Lightyear costumes tonight.

• Friday, October 28th: HSA Monster Mash

• Sunday, October 30th: HSA Trunk or Treat

• Monday, October 31st: Happy Halloween!  

• Monday, October 31st: Free themed Dress Down Day in orange, black, and/or Halloween themed dress, Grades 2 through 8.

• Monday, October 31st: PK-Grade 1 Halloween Parade  

• Tuesday, November 1st: All Saints Day Mass, 8A. All are welcome to attend!

• Tuesday, November 1st: K-8 Winter Uniform Begins

• Thursday, November 3rd: Pink and Blue Dress Down Day, $5

• Friday, November 4th: First Friday Mass, 8A. All are welcome to attend!

• Saturday, November 5th: HSA Bottle and Can Drive, 10A-2P

• Saturday, November 5th: Vicki Soto 5K

• Monday, November 7th: HSA Self Defense Demonstration, 7P

• Monday, November 8th: No School, Professional Development Day

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

St. Ignatius of Loyola