St. Mark School E-Newsletter

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.

June 2, 2023

Dear St. Mark Families,

On Sunday, we return to the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. This Sunday and next, however, are designated as solemnities—special days that call our attention to central mysteries of our faith. On Trinity Sunday, the Gospel, John 3:16-18, focuses on the mystery of the Holy Trinity. The reading calls our attention to the action of God, who reveals himself in three persons: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God the Father, out of love for the world, sent his Son into the world in order to save it. Through the death and resurrection of the Son, we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. As three persons, God acts always as a God of love; he does not condemn the world but acts to save it.

The Gospel also calls attention to the response that is required of us. God’s love for us calls us to respond in faith by professing our belief in God’s son, Jesus, and the salvation that he has won for us. This profession of faith is a sign of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. © Loyola Press Sunday Connection

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, K 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.

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.

End of Year Mass

Students in Grades 1-7 will attend mass on Thursday, June 15th at 8A. All are welcome to join us as we end the 2022-2023 school year as a faith-filled community.

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.

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

Yesterday was one of the happiest school day of the year, Grandparents and Special Friend's Day! The faculty and I were thrilled to welcome our Grandparents and Special Friends for an afternoon of faith, love, and sharing. Thank you to Cathy Huda and Monica Ortiz, co-chairs for organizing such a wonderful event. Thank you to all our volunteers who helped make the day run smoothly.

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

Msgr. Donald Guglielmi

Former pastor of St. Mark Parish, Donald Guglielmi, was formally installed as a Monsignor with two others at a Mass held at St. Aloysius Church, New Canaan, on April 16^th, 2023. He is coming to St. Mark church on June 4^th and will offer the Noon Mass. A light reception in the parish center will follow the Mass at 1:00 p.m. All are welcome.

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.

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.

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!