ST. MARK’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL
MARKSMEN MEMO
Can you believe it is already October 1st? We have a few events and activities planned this month.
The Blessing of the Pets will be on the Feast of St. Francis, Monday, October 15th. This will happen after dismissal at 3:15 in the grotto.
There is an early dismissal on Thursday, October 7th at 12:30PM. Conferences will follow. Please see below for more information.
Friday, October 8th there will be NO SCHOOL.
Monday, October 11th there is NO SCHOOL.
Our Book Fair will be the week of October 18th. More information will be sent closer to the event.
Wednesday, October 20th is an 11:30AM dismissal.
St. Mark’s picture day is Tuesday, October 26th. Retake day will be Wednesday, November 10th.
Online Learning
As a reminder remote instruction is only available for students that test positive for Covid or are exposed to a positive case and are unable to attend school.
Last minute notice of absence does not guarantee that remote learning will be available. Remote instruction may be available only if other classmates are quarantining.
Please note that we do not issue Chromebooks for general absences. Students will need to use a personal device if completing work while not in attendance.
Parent Teacher Conference
It is time to sign up for Parent Teacher Conferences! Conferences will be held ONLINE and are MANDATORY each year in the fall. We will hold the conferences on Thursday, October 7th from 2:00-7:00pm.
The teaching staff at St. Mark’s takes this opportunity to invite you to a conference with your child’s teacher. The conference will be held ONLINE this year. The conference is held at this time for the purpose of increasing your understanding of the progress your child is making. The report cards will be sent out mid- October after the conferences.
Families will select one spot per child at specific times in grades K-8th.
The link to sign up for your time slot is below.
All conferences are scheduled to last 10 minutes each; if you desire more time with a teacher, please schedule an appointment for a later date.
Pre-K conferences will be at a later date.
Our middle teachers will be together on the conference call for the 6th-8th grade students.
We ask that each family enter their family last name in the spot for each one of your children.
Sign up is first-come, first serve basis.
If you find the scheduled time(s) inconvenient, please contact your child’s teacher for a different time. Additionally, we would appreciate being notified if you cannot attend your conference.
Here is the link to SIGN UP:
Parent/Teacher Conference Link
Again, we ask that EVERY family sign up for conferences. Building and maintaining good parent-school relationships help support each child’s education and we encourage you to join us in this partnership to help our students learn and succeed.
Boys Basketball
There will be an open gym for boys basketball grades 5-8th this Saturday, October 2 at SVdP from 1:00 to 2:30. Your child can show up anytime during the hour and a half.
Please note this does not commit your child to playing nor does it sign your child up. We will send more information on sign up at a later date.
This is a good opportunity if they are unsure if they want to play or not.
There will be more open gym dates in the future.
Dress Code – last day for shorts this year is Friday, October 29th
Beginning on Monday, November 1st, and lasting through March, students must wear the uniform navy blue twill pants. Also, the only sweaters allowed are the navy blue cardigans, crew, V-neck, or navy blue vests. The only sweatshirts allowed in the classroom are navy blue sweatshirts or St. Mark sweatshirts. No leggings are to be worn as pants. Girls can wear leggings in place of tights with a uniform skirt or jumper.
Volunteer Requirements – coaches, room parents, scouts, club leaders etc.
SMS School can have parents volunteer this year as room parents, coaches, or activity leaders! The diocese has updated their volunteer requirements with a new recording system for the Safe Environment Program (now good for 5 years) AND a 2021-2022 Adult Volunteer or Adult Participant COVID Waiver for ALL volunteers. Anyone who completed this program after July 1, 2018 is already recorded in this new system and does not have to complete the program again just the attachment entitled, “21-22 Adult Volunteer or Adult Participant Waiver.”
If your Safe Environment, background check, and fingerprinting were all completed prior to July 1, 2018 then ALL volunteers MUST complete this new online program (directions for #1-4 below in attachment entitled, “VOLUNTEER-Safe Environment Training) and 21-22 Adult Volunteer or Adult Participant Waiver in order to volunteer at the school (to be a room parent, coach, club leader etc.). When creating an account to complete the programs, please put your role as school volunteer. The requirements are:
Safe Environment - complete the online “Safe Environment Training” program (approx. 1 hr.),
Safe Driving - if possibly driving students, complete the online “Safe Driving Training” program (approx. 20 min.)
Authorization for DCFS check - CANTS - complete a Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) check form – print, complete, sign (actual signature required), and return to school office to be sent to diocese for processing
Background Check - complete a Criminal History Background Check – online
2021-2022 Adult Volunteer or Adult Participant Waiver – complete attachment
*Be sure to bring to SMS office BEFORE volunteering:
printed certificate(s) of completion (Safe Environment and/or Safe Driving)
printed, completed and SIGNED CANTS form and
printed, completed and SIGNED 21-22 Adult Volunteer or Adult Participant Waiver form
COVID Vaccination/Testing for ALL Volunteers
ALL SMS volunteers MUST either provide a copy of their vaccination card or sign and return to Dr. Dillon, principal, the exemption form BEFORE volunteering. This includes and is not limited to the following individuals: teachers; staff; all volunteers including parents; coaches, lunch, recess, and hall monitors; aides, chaperones; before-and-after school care staff; club moderators; traffic aides; etc.
If the exemption form is turned in then WEEKLY testing is required for those not vaccinated. Proof given to the school principal any day that week but the deadline is before noon on Friday morning of each week.
St. Mark’s School App is LIVE!
Our St. Mark’s School app is LIVE! Watch the following video for more information:
We are excited to be able to communicate with our families and share what is happening at St. Mark’s through our new website and app. Please take the time to download the app AND allow the push notifications!
Let’s keep our kiddos safe!
We appreciate your attention to the drop off and pick up procedures. We want to ensure everyone’s safety at all times. Just a few reminders:
Please pull over to the curb for drop off; do not allow your child to exit the car from the middle of the street.
Avoid backing up; be patient as people move ahead.
If your child needs any assistance to get out of the car, pull into the parking lot to help your child out. Examples: children who are in car seats and need assistance, dropping off birthday treats, carrying in a school project, etc.
Use Underhill Ave, only to exit towards the alley; do NOT drive towards Bradley Ave.