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.

September 1, 2021
Dear St. Mark Families,
 
It is hard to believe that the summer is winding down and we are back to school tomorrow. Please read the following information carefully and thoroughly.

I look forward to opening the doors of St. Mark School to our students and families tomorrow morning!

Yours in Christ,
Mrs. Warner
 
Thursday (9/2/2021) First Day of School
  • 1/2 Day - Early Dismissal @11:25am
  • All parents are welcome in the gym at 7:45 am as we start the new school year. 
  • We will welcome The St. Mark Class of 2022 and pray together as a school community.
  • Parents are required to enter at the Parish Center (gym) doors. 
  • MASKS ARE REQUIRED 
  • Students should enter at their designated drop off locations. Signs will be posted to direct students.  
  • Parents will be asked to promptly leave the gym at the conclusion of morning prayer and pledge so that we can transition our students to the classrooms. 

Friday (9/3/2021) Second Day of School
  • 1/2 Day - Early Dismissal @11:25am
  • 8:00 am  First Friday Mass for students in Grades 1-8 
  • Parents are welcome to attend our first whole school in-person mass since 2020.
  • Because students will be present, parents are required to wear masks at mass, regardless of vaccination status. 

Monday, September 6, 2021 NO SCHOOL 

Tuesday, September 7, 2021 First full day of school 
  • No HOT LUNCH will not be served. 

Please do not reply to this email. If you have questions, comments or concerns please email me directly.
COVID Quarantine Protocols 

Under the guidance of the Stratford Department of Health, we will enforce the following quarantine guidelines: 

• Isolation of positive cases of COVID 19: In the case of a positive case being  identified at school, the positive individual will be referred to their health care  provider. People who test positive for COVID 19 must isolate themselves from  others for 10 days from the date of the positive test or from the date that  symptoms began. 

• Quarantine of close contacts: The Stratford Department of Health defines a close contact as any unvaccinated student, in a classroom where everyone is  masked, who is within 3 feet of a positive case for 15 minutes or more. For  non-students and for anyone outside of a masked classroom setting, close  contact is any unvaccinated individual who is within 6 feet of a positive case for  15 minutes or more. Close contacts are to quarantine (stay at home) for 7-10  days from the date of exposure under the guidance of Nurse Frate and monitor for any symptoms of illness.  

*Please be advised, if a quarantine situation arises, Nurse Frate will be requesting proof of vaccination status for students over the age of 12.  Students over the age of 12 who are vaccinated may or may not be subject to quarantine. 

Complete quarantine details to follow from Nurse Frate in the coming days.
Face Masks 

As a precaution, we are asking all parents of students in Preschool - Grade 8 to send extra masks to school for your child.  Masks should be sent in a Ziploc bag labeled with your child’s name and grade. Mask lanyards are strongly recommended for mask breaks, outdoor recess and snack and lunch time.
New Faculty Announcements 

St. Mark School is excited to welcome Mr. Alex Kennedy as our Middle School Science Teacher. Mr. Kennedy graduated UVM in Vermont in 2010 and received a Masters in Education in 2017 at the University of Bridgeport. Mr. Kennedy is currently studying for a General Science teaching certification for Grades 7-12. Mr. Kennedy is an avid hiker, fisherman, surfer, outdoorsman and musician. He played basketball and baseball in high school and baseball in college. Mr. Kennedy and his Fiancé are planning to be married next summer!  

I have hired a very qualified candidate for Middle School Math & Religion (Grade 7). The candidate is currently going through the hiring process with the Diocese of Bridgeport and I hope to make the official announcement in the coming weeks. In the interim, please welcome Mrs. Tina Oliviera who will be joining us as our Middle School Math and Religion Substitute Teacher. Mrs. Oliviera comes from the corporate sector in Atlanta, Georgia as a Project Engineering Manager, with a 30-year career in the Plant Engineering and Advanced Technology teams, from a global logistics corporation. She has a B.S. in Business Administration of GA, an A.S. in Architectural Engineering of CT, and a Project Management Certification from Georgia Institute of Technology. Mrs. Oliviera has been a short-term substitute teacher for the Diocese of Bridgeport for the past several years. She is grateful for the opportunity to sub for the math and religion classes at St. Mark School, so as to provide a smooth transition in the early days of this 2021-22 school year! 

Ms. Olivia Anderson joins St. Mark School as our Physical Education teacher. Ms. Anderson has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management from the University of Connecticut and is a personal trainer with certification from the American Council on Exercise. Ms. Anderson has worked for many years as a Camp director and will bring the necessary experience to engage and enrich our physical education program. Ms. Anderson enjoys running local races, powerlifting, Co-Ed and women’s softball as well as spending time with her family. 

Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Lori Dombrowski as our new Kindergarten Aide. Mrs. Dombroski is a parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena in Trumbull. Additionally, she attends morning mass, praying with the Rosary Group after mass, and praying in the Adoration Chapel at St. Mark each week. Mrs. Dombroski has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the University of Connecticut. Mrs. Dombroski is looking forward to working with Stacey Zenowich and helping the Kindergarten children learn and grow spiritually, academically, socially, and emotionally.
 
Though I am unable to make an unofficial announcement at this time, I have hired strong candidates for the following positions: 
  • Spanish
  • Middle School Math & Religion (Grade 7 homeroom) 
  • Special Education Resource Teacher 
I am working with HR to move the hiring process along and barring any unforeseen circumstances, I will announce the names of the candidates as soon as I am allowed to do so.
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.
St. Mark School | 203-375-4291 | www.stmarkschool.org
500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, CT 06614
The secret to happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us everyday in His goodness.
Saint Gianna Beretta