Today was one of those days at SMS that you just can't gauge on a standardized test. Students in Kindergarten, 6th Grade, and 7th Grade were the winners of the "Coin Wars" for our annual auction. They were rewarded with a "Foam Party" followed by some ice cream.
Different age groups interacting with each other and having fun all at the same time.........and there is no test that can measure that!!
COME BE A MARKSMEN!
Different age groups interacting with each other and having fun all at the same time.........and there is no test that can measure that!!
COME BE A MARKSMEN!
Third Grade took over the courthouse last week! From the judge’s bench to the “jail cells,” our Marksmen got a behind-the-scenes look at the justice system… and may have tried to sentence each other a few times.
A huge THANK YOU to Judge Bach for the amazing tour and to our County Board Chairman for the VIP parking spot that had the kids convinced we were kind of a big deal!
A huge THANK YOU to Judge Bach for the amazing tour and to our County Board Chairman for the VIP parking spot that had the kids convinced we were kind of a big deal!
Last Friday at SMS we honored our virtue winners for Charity (March) and Mercy (April).
Congratulations to all of our students that were recognized. Part of our mission at St. Mark's is to build and strengthen our Faith!!
As Father Lampitt has shared, "Where there's more love, there's more GOD!"
Congratulations to all of our students that were recognized. Part of our mission at St. Mark's is to build and strengthen our Faith!!
As Father Lampitt has shared, "Where there's more love, there's more GOD!"
We’re only slightly fashionably late… but way too grateful not to post!
Last Friday was Principal Appreciation Day AND School Lunch Hero Day… and let’s just say....we hit the jackpot with BOTH at St. Mark!
Our fearless leader… thank you for your leadership, patience, and for wearing approximately 47 different hats every day (and somehow keeping everything running smoothly!).
And our incredible lunch heroes...
From serving up smiles to keeping our students fueled and ready to learn… you are the real MVPs!
We may be two days late…
…but our appreciation is right on time.
Once a Marksman, Always a Marksman!
More pictures from "Kids Ruled the School" Today - they did a great job!
Our future is bright at SMS!!!!!
Our future is bright at SMS!!!!!
Hello SMS -
This is principal Isiah Strickler letting you know that "Kids Ruled the School" today! We have made some changes that we believe are going to be great and still raise test scores!!!
* Extra PE and recess daily
* No Homework
* Stuffed animals will now be responsible for math
* Chewing gum, popcorn, and ice cream are allowed all day long
(Look for more pictures in the next post)!
It's a GREAT DAY TO BE A MARKSMEN!!!
This is principal Isiah Strickler letting you know that "Kids Ruled the School" today! We have made some changes that we believe are going to be great and still raise test scores!!!
* Extra PE and recess daily
* No Homework
* Stuffed animals will now be responsible for math
* Chewing gum, popcorn, and ice cream are allowed all day long
(Look for more pictures in the next post)!
It's a GREAT DAY TO BE A MARKSMEN!!!
Congratulations to Paul Tomlins and Isaac Lichtenberger who represented St. Mark's last week at the Region 1 Diocesan Spelling Bee. Both Paul and Isaac finished in the top five!
Well done and great job to both!!!
And how do you spell success? MARKSMEN!!!!!
Well done and great job to both!!!
And how do you spell success? MARKSMEN!!!!!
Congratulations to June Mitchell for earning a 1st rating for her flute solo at the IESA Solo & Ensemble contest at Brimfield High School this past weekend!
Our own Mrs. Strauss served as her accompanist and they sounded great together!
And if you haven't heard, we are "getting the band back together" at SMS!
Our own Mrs. Strauss served as her accompanist and they sounded great together!
And if you haven't heard, we are "getting the band back together" at SMS!
Today at SMS we joined the Catholic Braves from the Newman Center for a “Day of Grace” with Mass and a Eucharistic Procession to the Bradley Quad. Eucharistic Adoration was available on the Quad throughout the day!
Jesus is always with us, and we should always spend time in prayer, but when we are with Him in Adoration, He is right in front of us, truly present - Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity - in the Holy Eucharist!
Just another reason to be a MARKSMEN!!!! (And all the reasons are truly great!!!)
Jesus is always with us, and we should always spend time in prayer, but when we are with Him in Adoration, He is right in front of us, truly present - Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity - in the Holy Eucharist!
Just another reason to be a MARKSMEN!!!! (And all the reasons are truly great!!!)
The importance of young children learning to play and socialize is huge—it’s not just about having fun, it’s how they build the foundation for almost everything else in life.
Today in Preschool students were learning their capital and lower case letters and enjoying "play" - something we can all still learn to do!
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14
Today in Preschool students were learning their capital and lower case letters and enjoying "play" - something we can all still learn to do!
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14
🎶💙 Little voices, BIG praise 💙🎶
Today our St. Mark students filled the church with beautiful music as we gathered for Mass on this Wednesday of Holy Week. From the choir loft to the pews, their voices were a reminder to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts for what’s to come.
Even in the quiet moments of Holy Week… our Marksmen know how to lift it up in song.
Today our St. Mark students filled the church with beautiful music as we gathered for Mass on this Wednesday of Holy Week. From the choir loft to the pews, their voices were a reminder to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts for what’s to come.
Even in the quiet moments of Holy Week… our Marksmen know how to lift it up in song.
🛑 Breaking News from St. Mark
A mysterious explosion of SILLY STRING has taken over the blacktop…
Suspects include:
✔️ Students
✔️ Mr. Dotson
✔️ Anyone within spraying distance
All jokes aside... this mess was WELL earned! These classes brought in the most donations for our canned food drive and celebrated in the best (and messiest) way possible!
Faith in action… with a little chaos!
A mysterious explosion of SILLY STRING has taken over the blacktop…
Suspects include:
✔️ Students
✔️ Mr. Dotson
✔️ Anyone within spraying distance
All jokes aside... this mess was WELL earned! These classes brought in the most donations for our canned food drive and celebrated in the best (and messiest) way possible!
Faith in action… with a little chaos!
We told the Marksmen to “open a book”…
they took that VERY seriously 📖😂
they took that VERY seriously 📖😂
Each month at St. Mark's we have a virtue of the month. In February, the virtue we focused upon was "Hope." Hope is a gift from God. It enables us to desire eternal happiness and to trust in Christ and His promises to obtain it.
Congratulations to these students who represented the Virtue of Hope!!
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." HEBREWS 10:23
Congratulations to these students who represented the Virtue of Hope!!
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." HEBREWS 10:23
While it has been a rather long winter, we are staying busy at SMS! The cold weather does not stop us!
• Our Annual Art Fair was last weekend. Thank you to Mrs. Tomlins and all of our outstanding artists!
• Paul Tomlins and Issac Lichtenberger will represent SMS in the Diocesan Spelling Bee in April.
• Jay Highfill competed in in the 2026 USA Champion International Taekwondo Championship in Hammond, Indiana. He placed 3rd in both sparring and breaking.!
Come be a MARKSMEN and get involved! Remember, there is always room for one more!!!!!
• Our Annual Art Fair was last weekend. Thank you to Mrs. Tomlins and all of our outstanding artists!
• Paul Tomlins and Issac Lichtenberger will represent SMS in the Diocesan Spelling Bee in April.
• Jay Highfill competed in in the 2026 USA Champion International Taekwondo Championship in Hammond, Indiana. He placed 3rd in both sparring and breaking.!
Come be a MARKSMEN and get involved! Remember, there is always room for one more!!!!!
Kindergarten Roundup is THIS Friday!
📅 Feb. 27 | ⏰ 8:00–9:00 AM
📍 St. Mark School – 711 N Underhill, Peoria
Meet the teacher, explore the classroom, and get excited for kindergarten!
We can’t wait to meet the Class of 2039!
📅 Feb. 27 | ⏰ 8:00–9:00 AM
📍 St. Mark School – 711 N Underhill, Peoria
Meet the teacher, explore the classroom, and get excited for kindergarten!
We can’t wait to meet the Class of 2039!
🎨✨ Join Us Tonight for the St. Mark Fine Art Fair! ✨🎨
We are excited to celebrate the beautiful talents of our St. Mark students at our Fine Art Fair this evening!
Join us at 4:30 PM Mass and stay after to walk through the art show in the gym.
It’s always wonderful to see our students’ hard work on display. We hope you’ll come support them and celebrate the gifts God has given them. 💙
See you tonight!
We are excited to celebrate the beautiful talents of our St. Mark students at our Fine Art Fair this evening!
Join us at 4:30 PM Mass and stay after to walk through the art show in the gym.
It’s always wonderful to see our students’ hard work on display. We hope you’ll come support them and celebrate the gifts God has given them. 💙
See you tonight!
THE BOOK FAIR IS HERE, MARKSMEN!
Get ready to discover new adventures, favorite authors, and books you won’t want to put down!
Open during school hours TODAY!
⛪ Open after each Mass this weekend
🎨 Open during the Art Fair
Saturday, February 21st
5:30–7:00 PM
Make it a full evening of creativity and stories, enjoy the Art Fair and then pop over to the Book Fair to stock up on great reads!
Want to add money to your child’s Book Fair account?
It’s easy!
1️⃣ Set up a parent account here:
👉 https://store.ignatiusbookfairs.com?signup=true&schoolId=2867&role=parent
2️⃣ Add your child’s school and class
3️⃣ Search for “E-Wallet” to add funds for them to use at school!
No cash? No problem! The E-Wallet makes shopping simple and stress-free. 🙌
See you there, Marksmen and happy reading!
Get ready to discover new adventures, favorite authors, and books you won’t want to put down!
Open during school hours TODAY!
⛪ Open after each Mass this weekend
🎨 Open during the Art Fair
Saturday, February 21st
5:30–7:00 PM
Make it a full evening of creativity and stories, enjoy the Art Fair and then pop over to the Book Fair to stock up on great reads!
Want to add money to your child’s Book Fair account?
It’s easy!
1️⃣ Set up a parent account here:
👉 https://store.ignatiusbookfairs.com?signup=true&schoolId=2867&role=parent
2️⃣ Add your child’s school and class
3️⃣ Search for “E-Wallet” to add funds for them to use at school!
No cash? No problem! The E-Wallet makes shopping simple and stress-free. 🙌
See you there, Marksmen and happy reading!
Last evening was our Open House for Pre- school fo rthe 2026 - 2027 school year! What a great night it was to meet our new "Marksmen"! At SMS, we focus on developing the mind, body, and spirit. One of those ways we practice our Faith is the Cathechesis of the Good Shepherd Program. Students have the opportunity to love and learn all about Jesus!!
Come see what it is to be MARKSMEN!
Come see what it is to be MARKSMEN!
Doors are open & smiles are ready!
Join us TONIGHT for our St. Mark School Open House from 6:00–7:00 PM.
Come explore, say hello, and see where excellence is expected, traditions thrive, and character counts!
Once a Marksman, always a Marksman!
Join us TONIGHT for our St. Mark School Open House from 6:00–7:00 PM.
Come explore, say hello, and see where excellence is expected, traditions thrive, and character counts!
Once a Marksman, always a Marksman!
