We are looking forward to beginning the 2020-21 school year tomorrow!

Please read the following information carefully as it outlines changes to our drop off and pick up routines in order to adhere to COVID 19 protocols.

I wish you all continued good health and look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Per the Stratford Health Department, please be aware of the following changes to St. Mark School's 2020-21 Reopening Plan:

To read the complete reopening plan, click here.

If you have any COVID related questions, please reach out to our COVID Response Team at [email protected].

If you have questions regarding the Stratford Department of Health's COVID protocols, please email nurse Wendy Frate at [email protected] 

Arrival begins at 7:30am.

Please watch our drop off video found here.

Buses will unload at the Parish Center doors.

Student and faculty/staff temperatures will be checked upon arrival.

Please do not enter the campus via Nemergut Drive (pictured below).

Between 7:20am-8:00am Nemergut Drive is a one-way exit only.

Preschool parents enter the campus through the one-way driveway pictured below.

Parents park in front of the playground and walk their child to the Preschool entrance located next to the playground pictured here.

We understand there are circumstances where students in grades K-2 will need assistance from parents to get out of their vehicle.

Parents will be permitted in these circumstances to walk their student to the “Goodbye Zone” (pictured below) to await further instruction to cross the parking lot.

Students will enter the K-4 entrance.

Parents will not be permitted to cross with the students.

Adults must wear face masks exiting their vehicle and in the “Goodbye Zone.”

K-8 parents who wish to utilize the drop off line, please enter the school campus next to the church, as seen pictured below and proceed to the designed drop off locations pictured below.

Dismissal begins at 2:10pm.

On early dismissal days, dismissal begins at 11:25am.

Please do not enter the campus via Nemergut Drive (pictured below).

Between 2:00pm-2:30pm Nemergut Drive is a one-way exit only.

For the first few days of school, please be aware that your child may arrive home later than expected from the bus as drivers familiarize themselves with bus routes.

Preschool parents enter the campus through the one-way driveway pictured below.

Parents park in front of the playground and walk their child to the Preschool entrance located next to the playground pictured here.

K-8 parents who are picking up their child(ren) for dismissal, please enter the school campus next to the church, as seen pictured below and park.

Please see the P. E. Schedule below.

P. E. class will begin on Wednesday, September 16th due to the early dismissal schedule this week.

Since many have asked, I will allow as a special consideration, gym uniforms to be worn this week. If your child has P.E. on Wednesdays, he or she may wear their gym uniform tomorrow. If your child has gym on Fridays, he or she may wear their gym uniform on Friday. However, this is optional and at parents' discretion.

Everyone should be in regular uniform on Thursday.

PreK

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Kindergarten

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8

St. Mark School After School Program begins on Monday, September 14th.

Registration is currently open. Please click here for reopening guidelines. For registration information please email Ms. Sarah Carrano here.

If you have not yet returned your family's emergency contact form, please download a copy here and send it to school with your child tomorrow.

Please keep the Main Office and Nurse Wendy apprised of any changes of address, phone numbers, emergency contacts, etc. as the year progresses.

This year more than ever, it is important to label all supplies including scissors, glue, folders and crayons. Don’t forget to also label sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets, lunch boxes, water bottles and anything else sent to school.

Please speak to your children about the importance of bringing everything home at dismissal. Once students are dismissed from the building, they will not be permitted back into the classrooms. I have instructed the classroom teachers to give a little extra time for packing up at dismissal to help get the students back into routine.

Be sure your child can tie their own shoes. For the safety of all, teachers will be unable to tie shoe laces like in past years. Velcro and slip on shoes will prevent students from touching laces that have been in high traffic areas such as the restroom floors.

As a reminder, the 2020 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge is coming to an end. All completed Summer Reading Journals for students in Grades 1-8 should be turned in to their classroom teacher by Friday, September 18.

Participants will be acknowledged in the first quarter of the school year. The class that returns the highest percentage of their Reading Journals will receive special recognition. Furthermore, certificates will be awarded to schools with the highest books-per-student count and highest participation. Winning schools will be recognized in a special ceremony by the Governor's Office.

A committee of St. Mark parishioners have put together a very nice photo journal illustrating our parish’s journey through the COVID-19 pandemic. An inspiring story of how we adapted and survived a threat to our lifestyle and faith. A printed copy is available for sale. View all the details about this story, and a thumbnail presentation of our journey on our Parish web page found here.

Further inquiries should be directed to:  Patricia Nettleton  203-257-8342

For Parish information, visit: https://www.saintmarkchurchstratford.org/

For important information and updates on COVID-19, 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.