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St. Mark School
A National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
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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.
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Dear St. Mark Families,
Our first full week of school was a success! Students enjoyed the comfortable fall weather outside for P. E. class and recess. Many classroom teachers took the opportunity to move instruction outside, as well. We welcomed our St. Mark Little Lions to our preschool program, and our After School Program welcomed back both returning and new friends.
As we look to the weeks ahead, we are excited for the opportunity for the Grade 8 Movie Night, fall fundraisers, and Open House. This year, due to COVID-19 guidelines, we will host our 2020-21 Open House virtually. More information to come.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all our students for showing good citizenship by adhering to our COVID-19 guidelines, practicing healthy hygiene habits, wearing masks, and adhering to social distancing protocols. We are truly stronger together.
I wish you all continued good health and God's blessings.
Yours in Christ,
Melissa Warner
If you are a room parent for your child's classroom, kindly forward this communication to your fellow grade level parents, ensuring all St. Mark families have the most up to date information.
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Morning Drop Off Procedures
Our morning drop off moved more efficiently this week, and we appreciate your patience. Again, I'd like to thank our parent volunteers who helped keep the flow of cars moving, as well safely crossing our K-2 students from the Goodbye Zone.
For the safety of all, please continue to drive slowly in the parking lot. This is especially important by the Parish Center and playground, as our Little Lion's Preschool families are crossing the parking lot.
As a reminder, Nemergut Road is used as a 1-way exit during arrival and dismissal times, as seen below.
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From the Nurse's Office
Hi Parents!
I have to say all the students are doing great with complying with our new standards of wearing masks, social distancing, and washing hands!
Just a couple of notes:
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As we are eating in the classrooms this year, I thought I would share our guidelines set forth from the State this week. Students are to remove their masks while eating, and eat quietly, while facing the game direction. After eating, students will be able to socialize w/ their masks on. This is in line with consideration to the CDC guidelines found here.
- Please make sure your child's mask fits securely and does not slide down his or her face. Masks should cover your child's nose and mouth.
- All of our classrooms are set up with a ventilation system to help with the airflow.
- At recess, students will remove their masks for a break. We are asking children to wear their masks outside if they are not social distancing.
- We are encouraging all classes to incorporate other mask breaks and stretches into their class time and/or instructing outside as weather permits.
Every morning, before sending your child to school, please check for the following:
1.Does your child have any of the following symptoms?
- fever of 100.4 or more
- congestion, runny nose, sore throat
- cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell
- fatigue, chills, headache
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
2.Was your child in close contact (within 6 feet for more than 15
minutes) with anyone confirmed with COVID-19 within the last 2
weeks?
3.Has your child travelled out of state/country to any of the locations
on the COVID-19 Travel Advisory?
If the answer is Yes to any of these questions, Do Not send your child to school. Instead, begin quarantine of your child and contact your healthcare provider.
Click here for a printable daily screening tool for parents.
I hope to keep all of our students and staff safe this year so we can continue to provide a safe learning environment here at St. Mark!
We anticipate new or changing State or Local guidelines as we are beginning our school year. These will be communicated to you as we learn of them, too.
Sincerely,
Wendy Frate School Nurse
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First Penance
Congratulations to our 3rd grade class for receiving the sacrament of First Penance. Students and families have been patiently waiting for this blessed day, which was postponed from the spring due to the pandemic. May the peace you feel in your heart and soul remain with you always.
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Social and Emotional Health Programs
School Social Worker
Our student's social and emotional well being is just as important as their spiritual and intellectual growth. St. Mark School is proud to participate in the Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic School's partnership with Catapult Learning to provide counseling and social work services to our students and families.
Please click here to read overview of the program and types of services Catapult Learning will provide to help students meet their full potential and be successful in school. We anticipate our school social worker to begin on or around the first week in October. |
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Kindness Quilt
Art Classes began this week and students in grades PK-8 participated in making a paper Kindness Quilt for St. Mark School. Students listened to the story, We Don't Eat Our Classmates, created their own Kindness patch, and took the following pledge:
We are St. Mark School.
We are a team of friends who look out for each other.
We are hear to learn up to our grade standards.
We will do this by working hard, asking questions, doing our homework, reading plenty, making smart choices, and having the energy to learn.
This is our pledge and our promise.
We are a team of friends who look out for each other.
We look forward to displaying this quilt in the halls of the school to remind the students of this pledge.
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Second Step
This week, teachers began introducing Second Step, a comprehensive Social and Emotional Learning Curriculum to students. In grade 4, students engaged in discussion about empathy, or the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. On Friday, students who are learning from home joined Mrs. Rodriguez and their classmates via Google Meet for their Second Step lesson.
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School Telehealth Services
As Catholic schools open in the era of COVID-19, MyCatholicDoctor can provide an additional level of support to keep students and faculty safe and prevent the spread of illness.
The registration process is a simple one, and the information provided is stored in a secure electronic health record system that is only used by MyCatholicDoctor for student care. Please click here for more information. |
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Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Schools Survey
As the Diocese of Bridgeport explores creative options for schools in the future, Diocesan leaders are considering the possibility of looking at different school structures to best meet the needs of students and parents. In their efforts to do so, one consideration is being studied by the survey found here. |
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Lands' End Uniform Sale
It's that time of year to gear up for cooler weather, so Lands' End is offering a Friends & Family promotion sale. Shop for St. Mark items on the school uniform site for 40% off from September 17th-23rd.
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For important information and updates on COVID-19, visit the
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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.
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- Thursday, September 17th-Wednesday, September 23rd: Lands' End Uniform Sale
- Friday, September 25th: 8th Grade Movie Night Fundraiser
- Saturday, September 26th: 8th Grade Movie Rain Date
- Friday, October 9th: Early Dismissal at 11:25
- Monday, October 12th: No School, Columbus Day
- Monday, November 2nd: Winter Uniform begins
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500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, CT 06614
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Confessing our sins may be difficult for us, but it brings us peace. We are sinners, and we need God's forgiveness.
Pope Francis
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