Welcome to October! This month, we celebrate the virtue of compassion. Through compassion we understand each other more deeply. May we bless one another with the gift of compassion today.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which aims to increase public awareness of the positive impact that people with disabilities have in the workforce. It is a time to recognize the many contributions citizens with disabilities make to society. It is a time to strengthen all efforts to help all who have disabilities to achieve full inclusion in the workforce.
God of compassion,
Help our families and schools be places
where we learn to be workers in God’s fields.
May we give thanks for the many gifts offered
by those with disabilities
and may we help support those who struggle
for recognition and justice.
We ask this in your name.
Amen.
Morning and After School Routines
We thank parents, guardians and caregivers for parking their vehicle in the church parking lot so that they can accompany their child(ren) to school. Parents, guardians and caregivers are reminded to refrain from entering the school yard and Kindergarten pen. Please do not bring pets on the school property. These efforts will support the safety of our students as well as develop their confidence and independence.
We thank parents, guardians and caregivers for their efforts to use the Kiss and Ride loop appropriately. Please refer to the diagram and instructions (shared prior to this school year) below to review the flow of vehicles moving safely and efficiently through the loop.
The Kiss and Ride area will be reduced to a single lane (with the exception of the pull-off area, marked by the yellow lines). When cars enter the Kiss and Ride area, they will need to file in one by one. We ask parents to refrain from letting their children out of the vehicle in front of the cars parked on the side in the Kiss and Ride. Students are to come out of the vehicle on the passenger side and need to get onto the sidewalk right away to ensure their safety. The driver does not get out of the vehicle.
If your child cannot exit the vehicle without your assistance, then please park in the church parking lot or along Elm St. (park a block and walk), and walk your child to the schoolyard. We realize that dropping off your child can be rushed, frustrating at times, and time-consuming, however we trust that we will all prioritize student safety. This is a community effort! We continue to ask for your help and patience. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Catholic School Council (CSC)
We thank all parents and guardians who submitted a nomination to be an elected member of St. Mark’s Catholic School Council. This year, in accordance with our school’s CSC constitution, the number of candidates did not exceed the maximum number of CSC members that could be elected. Therefore, all candidates were acclaimed as members of our council.
Congratulations to our new 2023-24 St. Mark Catholic School Council parent members, executive officers and representatives!
Alex Christopoulos, Chair
Menka Doneski
Jacqueline Hall-Fusco, Secretary
Victoria Manserra
Lori McGrath, Vice-Chair
Tamara Otvos-Miasek, OAPCE Representative
Pascal Panetta
Mathew Raso, Treasurer
Breeda Ronco
Catholic School Council meetings will take place at St. Mark CES in the library, from 6:30-8:00pm. Below are the dates for the 2023-24 school year.
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Parents and guardians are welcome to attend these meetings. We look forward to an exciting year!
Active School Travel
October is IWALK (International Walk to School) Month, when students around the globe participate in walk-to-school events and celebrate commuting on foot. Families are encouraged to support the movement by walking in our school community!
IWALK-2022-Poster-EN
We invite all St. Mark CES students to participate in walking Wednesdays for a chance to win a special prize! Our goal is to see an increase in students walking over the course of the month.
Let’s get active and support the IWALK movement! GO LIONS!!
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Thank you to families who donated non-perishable food items to the Whitchurch Stouffville Food Bank. We reached our goal and collected over 750 items! Thank you for your generosity in support of our neighbours in need at this time of year.
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is a group that provides important advice on special education to the York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB). It is made up of representatives from the Board of Trustees, local agencies and associations that further the well-being of exceptional students in the YCDSB. SEAC makes recommendations on matters affecting the establishment, development and delivery of special education programs and services for exceptional students.
SEAC members are available as a resource for students with exceptional needs, parents/guardians of such students, schools, educators, trustees and the community. Many members are parents themselves of students with exceptional needs and are aware of the educational needs and abilities such students may experience.
Please see the SEAC webpage and SEAC Flyer for more information.
Next Week’s Activities and Events
Here is a look ahead to next week…
Monday, October 2nd
– National Custodian Day
Thursday, October 5th
– World Teacher’s Day
– Cross Country Meet at Bruce’s Mill Conservation Park, all day
Friday, October 6th
– Thanksgiving Liturgy at 12:30pm in the gymnasium
Upcoming Activities and Events
Monday, October 9th: Thanksgiving (no school)
Wednesday, October 11th: Catholic School Council Meeting, 6:30pm
Wednesday, October 18th: Students Pray the Rosary with the Rosary Apostolate
Friday, October 20th: PA Day (no school)
October 23rd to 27th: Halloween Spirit Week!
October 25th & 26th: Picture Day
Tuesday, October 31st: Halloween Dance
Closing Prayer
In the Church year, October and May are especially devoted to our Blessed Mother Mary, so let us pray…
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed are thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
St. Mark, pray for us.
Wishing you a fantastic week!
Sincerely,
C. Quadrini, Principal