St. Mark School
A 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.

August 9, 2020
Dear St. Mark Families,
 
I am thinking of you during these challenging times, and I can't wait to see the smiling faces of our students in September.

If you missed my communication from 8/5, attached here, you will find St. Mark School’s PK-8 Re-Opening Plan 2020-21. As we have all witnessed over the past few months, information regarding the COVID-19 virus is updated often and for this reason, parts of this plan are subject to change.

For your convenience, a summary or quick reference guide, of St. Mark School’s PK-8 Re-Opening Plan 2020-21 can be found here.

We inadvertently missed our music class guidelines:

  • Music instruction will take place without singing or choral reading.
  • Instruction may include reading and writing music, hand clapping and snapping, and studying musicians, etc.

Mrs. Huben is working on a versatile innovation/technology curriculum that will be innovative as well as supportive of student knowledge of Google Classroom (grade level dependent).

If you have specific questions regarding St. Mark School’s PK-8 Re-Opening Plan 2020-21, please email covidresponse@stmarkschool.org. If you have any concerns about your child returning to school in-person in the fall, please contact me directly.

Stay safe and be well.

Yours in Christ,
Melissa Warner 
2020-2021 Home School Association

I am excited to announce your 2020-2021 Home School Association (HSA) Officers and Board Members:

HSA Officers:
Co- Presidents, Atty. Vincent Averaimo and Atty. Robert Rosati
Vice President, Lisa Christoffersen
Communications Secretary, Kristen Johansen
Recording Secretary, Kathy McNeiece

HSA Board Representing Lower School:
Pete Baird
Kathy Huda
Maria Silva Chuechos

HSA Board Representing Upper School:
Nicole Harmon
Jessica Markland
Sarah Scalzo

Father's Club Representative:
Guillermo Suniaga

The School Advisory Board and I look forward to collaborating with the HSA for a productive and successful school year.
COVID-19 Emergency Tuition Assistance Fund Reminder

As we know, the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting virtually every area of life for so many. For this reason, I wish to resend this “good news” that I received from Foundations in Education last week.

“Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, Foundations in Education is privileged to announce the COVID-19 Emergency Tuition Assistance Fund for K-8 families suffering from the negative economic impact of the pandemic.”

As a result of this very generous gift, K-8 families who have experienced the following COVID-related hardships are eligible to apply.

  • Loss of job
  • Loss of income
  • COVID-related medical costs
  • Other unanticipated financial hardship resulting from COVID-19 pandemic

I urge eligible families to apply ASAP as this assistance is meant to provide some tuition relief.

There is a 2-step application process and tax documentation is not required. Applicants that complete both steps by Thursday, 8/20 will receive award notifications by Friday, 8/28. Awarding will take place bi-weekly, until funds are no longer available.

Click here for more information.

Evelyn Lesko, our school bookkeeper, and I will coordinate the process of collecting all applications and managing the process for this fund. We can be reached at elesko@stmarkschool.org and mwarner@stmarkschool.org.
St. Mark Faculty

Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Alyssa DiMaio to our St. Mark School community. Mrs. DiMaio has joined our faculty as grade 5 teacher, which will no longer be included in the Middle School departmentalization rotation.
Mrs. DiMaio is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University where she earned a Bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education, Special Education, and English Literature. She is currently completing course work towards a Master Degree in Remedial Reading and Language Arts at Fairfield University. She comes to St. Mark School with previous teaching experience in the Fairfield Public Schools District. Mrs. DiMaio previously attended St. Mark School and we're proud that the sense of community drew her back to the place that inspired her to become a teacher.

We are happy to announce Ms. Sarah Carrano will be returning as our PreK-8 Art teacher as well as St. Mark School's After School Program Director. After filling in as the P.E. teacher for a brief time last year, Ms. Sarah felt the urge to return to the classroom. Ms. Sarah attended Southern Connecticut State University and Central Connecticut State University graduating with a Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design and holds a CT teacher certification in Art.
Uniform Consignment Sale

St. Mark School's Uniform Consignment Sale is Friday, August 14th in the Parish Center. Shop 9-11 am or 6-8 pm. Stop in and shop us first! Please find the flyer here for more information. Social distancing and face masks are required at all times on St. Mark property and in the consignment area.

Please note: per the Diocesan Policy for Reopening Schools, ties will not be mandatory this year. This is the only change that will be made to the school uniform at this time. 
St. Mark School Is Seeking Grant Opportunities

We are always looking to be proactive and fiscally responsible. Due to the added COVID-19 prevention upgrades the school is incurring, our grant writers are searching for grant opportunities, now more than ever. If you know of a foundation or organization who offers non-profit, educational grant funding, please reach out to me with contact information. Thank you!
For Parish information, visit: https://www.saintmarkchurchstratford.org/

For important information and updates on COVID-19, visit the
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.
  • Wednesday, September 9th, early dismissal at 11:25 

  • Thursday, September 10th, early dismissal at 11:25 

  • Friday, September 11th, early dismissal at 11:25 

  • Monday, September 14th, first full day of school, PK-8

  • Monday, September 14th, first day, After School Program
St. Mark School | 203-375-4291 | www.stmarkschool.org
500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, CT 06614