Today is Palm Sunday, the final Sunday of Lent. This day begins the sacred time of Holy Week, when we prayerfully remember the events of Jesus’ Passion and death. It is a holy time in which we pray reverently and reflect on our faith and on our love for Christ.
Loving God,
We praise you in a special way today as we celebrate Palm Sunday.
Be with us as we begin our journey through Holy Week,
that we may more closely align our lives with yours,
knowing suffering and death,
yet remaining hopeful in the life you promise.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day
On March 25th, we celebrate National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day to recognize and support the many individuals who live with Cerebral Palsy (CP). CP is a permanent physical disability impacting a person’s mobility and muscle strength.
We are grateful for students with Cerebral Palsy, and continue to build an inclusive school community that supports them in reaching their full potential.
Stations of the Cross
As we approach the final days of the Lenten season, parents and guardians are invited to join staff and students as they participate in the Stations of the Cross, presented in tableau format with narration, by our Grade 2 students on Thursday, March 28th at 12:30pm, in the gymnasium.
Autism Awareness Month
April is World Autism Acceptance Month and Sunday April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. This day is focused on increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism, fostering support, and inspiring a kinder, more compassionate, more inclusive world. Staff and students are invited to wear blue on April 2nd in support of autism awareness.
Students will participate in activities to develop awareness and understanding of autism from April 2nd to 5th, including a special presentation and book reading for students in JK to Grade 3 by author and speaker Natalie Abkarian Cimini on Friday, April 5th.
Dance Programs
We are excited to have the Travelling Stage (Grades 1-3) and Markham School of Dance (Grades 4-6) facilitate 5-6 dance workshops for our students in April/May. Please visit www.school-day.com to complete the registration, including informed consent form and payment ($15.00). We thank our Catholic School Council for subsidizing a portion of the cost for this program for each student.
We look forward to our final dance performances on Thursday, May 9th (Grades 4-6) and Friday, May 10th (Grades 1-3). Parents and guardians are invited to join us!
Kaleidoscope in the Schools (KITS)
We look forward to hosting KITS at St. Mark CES on Friday, April 12th. Students in FDK to Grade 4 will have the opportunity to participate in this unique school-based program offered by the Aurora Cultural Centre. Carousel Players will present the show Lig & Bittle, which focuses on recognizing, respecting and valuing differences, as well as developing a positive self image, standing up for oneself and others, relating to others, and resolving conflict. Grade 4 students will also engage in a post-show acting workshop, including theatre games and activities.
Visit https://youtu.be/A6EP93B0rLU?si=JmjpTnjE_DnUNHJR to view the trailer for the Lig & Bittle show.
We look forward to hosting this special theatre event!
Catholic School Council
A reminder that the Catholic School Council (CSC) is providing a one-time re-opening of orders for lunches from April 2nd until June 2024. The deadline to order pizza, Subway and Booster Juice is March 28, 2024 at 11:59 pm. Please note that this is the final opportunity to order for the remainder of the year as we will not be re-opening orders following this deadline.
Next Week’s Activities and Events
Here is a look ahead to next week…
Monday, March 25th:
– World Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day
Tuesday, March 26th:
– St. Mark Parish Youth Minister Visit, 11:30am
Thursday, March 28th:
– Holy Thursday
– Stations of the Cross, presented by Grade 2 classes, 12:30pm in the gymnasium
Friday, March 29th:
– Good Friday (no school)
Upcoming Activities and Events
March 30th: Easter Sunday
April 1st: Easter Monday (no school)
April 2nd to 5th: Autism Awareness and Acceptance Week at St. Mark CES
April 4th: St. Mark CES Silent Art Auction Submissions Due for School-Level Competition
April 8th: Early Dismissal for Solar Eclipse, 11:45am
April 10th: CSC Meeting in Library, 6:30pm
April 12th: KITS (Kaleidoscope in the Schools) Lig & Bittle Show, FDK to Grade 4 Classes
April 17th: Praying the Rosary with the Rosary Apostolate
April 18th: St. Mark CES Junior Oral Communications Competition
Closing Prayer
Throughout the season of Lent, we close with our Lenten prayer.
God of the Journey,
Walk with us this Lent.
Teach us to pray, fast, and give
in ways that bring us closer to you.
Help us to persevere in staying with you
on the journey through Lent to Easter.
Amen.
St. Mark, pray for us.
Wishing all families a blessed Easter.
Have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
C. Quadrini, Principal