Dear St. Mark Families,

This Sunday, we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, Matthew 2:1-12. The visit of the Magi occurs directly before the story of the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt. We know little about the Magi. They come from the East and journey to Bethlehem, following an astrological sign, so we believe them to be astrologers. We assume that there were three Magi based upon the naming of their three gifts. The Gospel does not say how many Magi paid homage to Jesus. In Matthew’s Gospel, they represent the Gentiles’ search for a savior. Because the Magi represent the entire world, they also represent our search for Jesus.

The gifts of the Magi—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—have come to be understood as symbols of Christ’s royalty, divinity, and eventual suffering and death. They are special because in giving them, the Magi acknowledge who Jesus was to be: our Savior. 

Please join this Sunday, January 8th at 9A as St. Mark Parish resumes our Children’s Mass for the first time since before the pandemic. All are welcome!

© Loyola Press Sunday Connection

I wish you all God's Blessings and Grace.

Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Warner 

Morning Drop Off Procedures

If you are utilizing the ‘drop and go’ car line, please follow the directions of our parent volunteers and pull your car as far up to the stop sign as possible. This will make our student arrival time more efficient by allowing 5-6 cars to unload at one time. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

As a reminder, we ask that the follow protocols be followed by our school community for the safety of our students:

• Parents utilizing the Drop and Go Car Line are to enter using the driveway adjacent to the Blessed Mother Statue.

• Parents utilizing Parish Center entrance for Preschool and Goodbye Zone are to enter using the driveway across the street from the farm.

• Doors will close promptly at 7:45am in order for classes to begin on time.

• The Nemergut Drive entrance (chain-link fence) is EXIT ONLY during arrival and dismissal times.

Please note: If someone other than yourself is dropping off, please relay this important information.

Middle School Midterm Exam Schedule

In accordance with Diocese of Bridgeport Policy 2.205 mid-term examinations will be administered to students in Grades 6-8 beginning on Monday, January 10th through Friday, January 15th, 2022.  The purpose of these examinations is to improve study skills, to cultivate organizational skills, to develop the skill of retaining information and to prepare students for continuing education in high school and college.

In consultation with our Middle School team, the following mid-term examination schedule has been developed.  Students will be provided study guides for each examination and all in-class time prior to the examination will be used for student review with their teacher.  Further details regarding each examination will be provided by Middle School team members.

Grade 6

Tuesday, 1/10: Mathematics

Wednesday, 1/11: Science

Thursday, 1/12: Social Studies

Friday: 1/13: ELA

Tuesday, 1/17: Religion

Grade 7

Tuesday, 1/10: Social Studies

Wednesday, 1/11: Mathematics

Thursday, 1/12: ELA

Friday: 1/13: Science

Tuesday, 1/17: Religion

Grade 8

Tuesday, 1/10: ELA

Wednesday, 1/11: Social Studies

Thursday, 1/12: Science

Friday: 1/13: Mathematics

Tuesday, 1/17: Religion

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:

• Make sure your child is in school and on time on test days. Midterm exams begin at 8:30A.

• 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 read all directions carefully and to work at his or her own pace.

• Encourage your student to ask the teacher for help if he or she does not understand the directions.

Mid Quarter Marking Period

As we are at the midway point of the second 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 at the email address above.

For the second quarter marking period, report cards will be issued to every student in Grades PK3 through Grade 8.

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.

Weather Related Emergency Alert System

St. Mark School's emergency alert system will call, text and email in the event of a weather related school cancellation or delay. If you have not received the 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. 

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.

New Registration Process

for 2023-2024

In accordance with all Diocesan elementary schools, St. Mark School will be transitioning to an online platform, Finalsite.com for 2023-2024 registration of new and returning families. Finalsite's SchoolAdmin enrollment management system includes integrated admissions and enrollment tools and online forms and checklists.

Please stay tuned for further information in the coming weeks regarding this new process and how to register new and returning students for the 2023-2024 school year.

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 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

Children's Mass

Please join us as St. Mark Parish resumes our Children’s Mass for the first time since before the pandemic. Sunday, January 8, 2023 at 9:00 am in the church. All are welcome!

Reverend Monsignor Donald A. Guglielmi

It is with immense joy that we announce that our former pastor, Father Donald A. Guglielmi, has been honored by Pope Francis with the title of Chaplain to His Holiness, in recognition of his exemplary priest life and ministry. A Mass of Blessing and Investiture will take place in April 2023.  Congratulations Reverend Monsignor Donald A. Guglielmi.  

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Our Lady of Peace, 651 Stratford Road, Stratford, is holding a blood drive on Monday, January 9, in their Parish Hall, from 9:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www.RedCrossBlood.org to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome!  

Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus will be holding a nine-day Novena for Life, followed by the Rosary, starting January 19^th through January 27^th, weekdays at 7:00 p.m., Saturday at 6:00 p.m., and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in the Church. All are welcome.  

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.  

• Saturday, January 7th: HSA Bottles and Cans Drive, 10A-2P

• Sunday, January 8th: St. Mark Parish Children's Mass, 9A

• Tuesday, January 10th - 17th: Middle School Midterm Exams

• Thursday, January 12th: HSA Goal Setting Workshop, Church Hall, 7P

• Monday, January 16th: No School, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

• Tuesday, January 17th: No Hot Lunch Served

• Thursday, January 19th: HSA Dress Down Day, $1

• Monday, January 23rd: End of Second Quarter Marking Period

• Tuesday, January 24th: Third Mark Period Begins

• Wednesday, January 25th: HSA Snack Shop, $1

• Sunday, January 29th: PK-8 Open House, 10A-12P

• Sunday, January 29th - Friday, February 3rd: Catholic Schools Week

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

St. Ignatius of Loyola