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 17, 2021
Dear St. Mark Families,

As a parent, you are your child's first and most important teacher. When parents and families are involved in their children's schools, the children do better and have better feelings about going to school.

There are many ways that parents can support their children's learning at home and throughout the school year. Here are some ideas to get you started!

1. Develop a partnership with your child’s teacher(s).
2. Support your child academically.
3. Get involved in the school community.
4. Support your child’s learning at home.

We are here to support the success of your child. In these trying times, we appreciate your support and understanding of the teachers, school, and diocese. We are in this together, day by day, to ensure your children have a positive Catholic school experience and instill in each of them, a love of learning.

Yours in Christ,
Mrs. Warner 

Please do not reply to this email. If you have questions, comments or concerns please email me directly.
Back to School Nights

It was great to see so many of you in-person at our Back to School Night presentations! We hope that it was informative and we all look forward to working with you this year. If you have any questions that were not answered, feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher(s) for more information.
CT Governor's Summer Reading Challenge

Both new and returning students are encouraged to track their reading for the CT Governor's Reading Challenge Tales and Tails. Student Reading Journal can be found here. Visit the Connecticut Reads website by clicking here for more information and click here to learn how to find "just right" books for your child and recommended book lists.

Students in Grades Kindergarten through Grade 8 who return their Reading Journal to their teacher by Monday, September 27th will enjoy a yummy treat when Jim's Ice Cream Truck visits St. Mark School on Friday, October 1st.

Please contact your child's teacher or click here for a Reading Journal.
There is no minimum requirement for number of books read.

St. Mark Little Lions preschool students who are in attendance on Friday, October 1st will also receive a treat as welcome to our community!
Counselor's Corner

Mrs. Jennifer Pelazza, school counselor from Catapult Learning, will be leading classroom guidance lessons in Grades Kindergarten through Grade 8 throughout the entire 2021- 2022 school year. 

During this time, Mrs. Pelazza will come into K-8 classrooms at a time during the school day scheduled by the teacher to provide lessons to the entire class.

Classroom guidance lessons are designed to help students learn about themselves, interact in a positive manner with peers, and develop skills to succeed in their academic environment. 

Topic(s) of the classroom guidance lessons include: 
  • Our Models in Christ themes (respect, leadership, integrity, responsibility, kindness, perseverance, citizenship, and trustworthiness) 
  • Friendship and social skills 
  • Organization, time management, goal setting and study skills 
  • Empathy 
  • Conflict resolution and coping skills 
  • Sportsmanship 
  • Learning Styles 

Catapult Learning services are provided to students with parental permission to participate.

If you DO NOT wish for your child to participate in the classroom guidance lessons this school year, please send a notification via e-mail by September 24th at the e-mail address listed below in order to opt out. 

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Pelazza [email protected]
St. Mark School Athletics

Looking for Cross Country Coaches
St. Mark School is excited to form Co-ed Cross Country Teams this fall for students in grades 5-8. But first we need coaches!

We are looking for a few Virtus-trained parents who are willing to volunteer their time and share their love of running with middle school students. No experience necessary. Your time commitment would count towards one-hour after school practices (in and around school), once or twice per week subject to your availability.

The teams will compete in Diocesan XC Meets grouped for grades 5/6 and 7/8; tentatively scheduled for mid-October and early November.

Please contact [email protected] if you are interested and remember your volunteer time WILL count towards your school commitment. THANK YOU!

Basketball Try-Outs
Basketball try-outs will be held in the Parish Center on Saturday, September 25, 2021. In order to try-out for a team, students must either attend St. Mark School or be active parishioners at St. Mark Church. Please be advised that St. Mark Basketball is a competitive program designed to prepare athletes for the next level of play in high school. Spaces are limited on each team. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Try-out times are listed below. Please check the website, http://www.stmarkschool.org/for_students/athletics, for the most up-to-date information.

Saturday, 9/25/21
  • 9:00 am - Boys JJV (grades 3/4)

  • 10:15 am - Girls JJV (grades 3/4)

  • 11:30 am - Girls JV (grades 5/6)

  • 12:45 pm* - Boys JV (grades 5/6) *tentative time-may be rescheduled to 4:30 pm-check website as date gets closer

  • 2:00 pm - Girls Varsity (grades 7/8)

  • 3:15 pm - Boys Varsity (grades 7/8)
In Our Community

On Sunday, we celebrated Mrs. Agnes Miller’s retirement from St. Mark School. Mrs. Miller dedicated an incredible 35 years to our school community and touched countless lives. In addition to teaching her students and sharing her faith with them, Mrs. Miller has been a friend and helpful co-worker to all of us. Even though she is retired from teaching full time, we are blessed to have her as our part-time math interventionist. Congratulations on a well deserved retirement Mrs. Miller, God Bless you for all you have done for the St. Mark community.
In the Classroom

This week, Grade 4 students engaged in character analysis of the Good Samaritan. Students read the parable, shared their interpretations of the moral lesson, and identified character traits of the Good Samaritan.
First Grade students celebrated International Dot Day on Tuesday. Students listened to the story, The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds. In the story, a young girl learns that art evolves through creation.
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.

Don't use social media? Not to worry...Our social media posts feed to our school website home page!
  • Monday, September 20th: St. Mark School HSA Spirit Wear Sale Begins

  • Monday, September 27th: Picture Day, Grades PK4 through Grade 8

  • Thursday, September 30th: Think First & Stay Safe Presentation, Grades Kindergarten through Grade 8

  • Friday, October 1st - Friday, October 8th: Scholastic Book Fair Begins

  • Friday, October 1st: Vicki Soto 5K, Registration Opens

  • Saturday, October 2nd: HSA Bottle and Can Drive, 10am-12pm

  • Thursday, October 7th: Living Rosary, 12:45pm

  • Friday, October 8th: Early Dismissal, 11:25am

  • Monday, October 11th: No School, Columbus Day
St. Mark School | 203-375-4291 | www.stmarkschool.org
500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, CT 06614
Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.
Helen Keller