St. Mark School E-Newsletter - December 2, 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 2, 2022

Dear St. Mark Families,

The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word meaning “rejoice.” This Sunday is so named because “Rejoice” is the first word in the entrance antiphon for Sunday’s Mass taken from Philippians 4:4,5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.” We light the pink candle in the Advent Wreath and the color the clergy wears is different because it is the weekend of Joy. We are more than half way through Advent, we are close to the celebration of the birth of Christ, God made flesh.

This Sunday’s Gospel Reading continues our Advent reflection on the person and message of John the Baptist. We hear about the signs of the kingdom found in Jesus' ministry and Jesus' assessment of John's role in the Kingdom of God. In the Gospel, John sends word to Jesus from prison, asking if Jesus is the Messiah for whom he has been waiting. Jesus responds by pointing to the miracles that he has worked and invites John and the other hearers to make their own determination. In his next breath, however, Jesus praises John for his role in preparing the way for Jesus. Then Jesus says that all of those who work for the Kingdom of God will be as great as John and even greater.

Jesus' message to John about the signs of the kingdom being performed recalls the salvation described by the prophet Isaiah. This passage is a reminder that the beginning of salvation is already mysteriously present to us, but also yet to be fulfilled. Salvation is already in our midst as manifest in the miraculous deeds of Jesus and in the Church. Even as we observe our world today, we can find glimpses of God's work among us. Even more, we help to prepare the way for God's kingdom by our words and our deeds. We are reminded how powerful an event it was when God came into the world. We are reminded how God in Christ Jesus has come to set us free from sin and fill us with the Holy Spirit.

As we move closer to the Christmas season let us continue to open our hearts and homes to Christ Jesus and make Him a welcome guest now and every day of our lives. © 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.

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

K through 8 Christmas Concert

We look forward to welcoming families to our K through 8 Christmas Concert on Thursday, December 15th. Students are asked to arrive at 6:40P and will be directed to their classrooms, ‘backstage’. The performance will begin promptly at 7P in St. Mark Church. Our students have been practicing and it is going to be a performance that no one will want to miss! If your child is unable to attend, please inform his or her homeroom teacher.

Student dress code is "Christmas Best" and includes dress pants, skirts, dresses, sweaters or dress shirts with a Christmas pattern. Jeans, tee-shirts, logo or graphic shirts, offensive graphics, outlandish accessories (that may prevent performers from being seen by the audience), and sneakers (for boys or girls) are prohibited.

Please be advised that out of respect for all performers, students will not be dismissed to parents until the concert has concluded.

Breakfast With Santa

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Breakfast with Santa co-chairs, Mrs. Rouse and Mr. Tsichlas for planning, setting up, and carrying out a fantastic event for our school and parish community. 230 guests enjoyed The Whoville theme, visiting with Santa, being entertained by the Grinch and working on a craft. The cookie bake sale and themed basket raffles were a big hit! To read more about our Christmas Breakfast visit St. Mark School Hosts a "Whoville" Breakfast | Stratford, CT Patch.

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

St. Mark Parish Giving Tree Program

We are continuing our Giving Tree program. Please consider taking home a tag or two and make someone else’s Christmas special! The trees will be in the front foyer of the church beginning November 19/20, November 26/27, December 3/4, and December 10/11. All presents MUST be returned by Monday, December 12.

St. Mark Ladies Guild Christmas Luncheon

St. Mark Ladies Guild invites all women of the parish and their guests to join them on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 12:30 p.m. for the Guild Christmas Luncheon at the new Lodge Restaurant at the Oronoque Golf Club (former Oronoque Country Club). The Plated Custom Lunch will be served which includes: Cheese and Crackers, House Salad, Roasted Potatoes, Vegetable Medley and choice of Chicken Piccata, Sliced Flank Steak, or Baked Cod (w/bread crumbs) and Brownie a la mode and Coffee or Tea. Cost: $35. RSVP Nancy Lou Maco, (203) 522-6359 or Gerri Szabo at (203) 378-2552 by Dec. 6.

Boy Scout/Club Scout Christmas Greenery Sale

Remember to stop by and purchase a beautiful Christmas wreath, cemetery basket, or table centerpiece! The assortment this year is wonderful! I purchased a table centerpiece and it looks great at home

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.

Don't use social media? Not to worry...Our social media posts feed to our school website home page!