Weekly Update: April 1-5, 2024

Christ is Risen!  Alleluia! 

Happy Easter!   I pray that you and your family enjoyed a joyful Easter filled with many blessings and graces.

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad!”

 Let us open our hearts during these next fifty days to encounter our Risen Lord and deepen our faith in Him.  May His light guide us as we share the Good News and love for one another.

 

Morning and After School Routines

We thank parents, guardians and caregivers for parking their vehicle in the church parking lot, and then accompanying their child(ren) to school.  We also appreciate the appropriate use of the Kiss and Ride loop.

A reminder to parents, guardians and caregivers to refrain from entering the school yard and Kindergarten pen before or after school.  Please do not bring pets on the school property.  We also ask that parents/guardians do not smoke on school property.  This includes the school yard, Kindergarten pen and walkways.  Thank you for your cooperation.

 

Kindergarten Registration

Do you have a child or know someone who has a child who is eligible to register for Kindergarten this coming fall?  If yes, please note that 2024-2025 Kindergarten registration at the York Catholic District School Board is now open!

Parents are invited to register online at: www.ycdsb.ca/admissions .

 

Easter & Feast Day Mass

Our Easter and Feast Day Mass will be celebrated at St. Mark Parish on Thursday, April 25th, 2024 at 10:00am.  Families are welcome to join us.

 

Catholic School Council (CSC)

St. Mark’s CSC is excited to announce two upcoming fundraisers!

Looking to update your family photo in time for Mother’s Day?  This special boutique family portrait experience will take place on Wednesday, April 24th in the evening, at St. Mark CES.  Be sure to save the date!

We are also excited to announce our Terra Cotta Frozen Cookie Dough Drop fundraiser that will take place from April 15th to 30th, with delivery and pick up of orders on Thursday, May 16th, just in time for baking on the Victoria Day long weekend!

More information regarding these two fundraisers will be shared in our next weekly update.

 

Spring Student Silent Art Auction Fundraiser

We look forward to St. Mark CES’ participation in the Student Silent Art Auction Fundraiser, sponsored by Elite Class in Stouffville, in support of the Stouffville Food Bank.

A reminder that students are invited to share their artistic talents by creating an original work of art.  The theme is, “Thankful / Giving Thanks”.  

All submissions to St. Mark CES’ school-level competition must be received by Thursday, April 4th, 2024.  

Please see the attached flyer for more information.

 

Student Silent Art Auction Fundraiser Flyer_April 2024

 

We wish students the best of luck, and look forward to seeing the artistic talents of our students revealed through their works of art!

A special invitation…

Families are invited to attend the Student Silent Art Auction on Friday, April 12th from 6:00-8:00pm at Elite Class, 200 Mostar St., Unit A114, in Stouffville.  Come show your support for our local Stouffville student artists!

 

St. Mark Parish Totus Tuus Summer Camp

St. Mark’s Youth Ministry is hosting a Totus Tuus Summer Camp at St. Mark’s Parish from July 21st – July 26th. 

Totus Tuus is a Catholic Summer Camp that’s organized by the Archdiocese of Toronto.  Seminarians and young adults travel to different parishes, spreading the Good News of our Lord through catechesis, Mass, confession, songs and games! 

There are two Totus Tuus programs offered: 

– DAY CAMP (for students entering Grades 1-6 in September)
– EVENING PROGRAM (for students entering Grades 7-12 in September)

For more information and to register, visit:
https://stmarksst.archtoronto.org/en/parish-life/totus-tuus-summer-camp/

Learn more about Totus Tuus, including the summer camp at:
https://www.totustuustoronto.ca/

 

Next Week’s Activities and Events

Here is a look ahead to next week…

April 2nd to 5th: Autism Awareness and Acceptance Week
Monday, April 1st:
– Easter Monday (no school)

Tuesday, April 2nd:
– Light It Up Blue; students and staff are invited to wear a blue shirt to support Autism Awareness and Acceptance

Thursday, April 4th:
– St. Mark Student Silent Art Auction artwork due for school-level competition

Friday, April 5th:
Natalie Abkarian Cimini, Autism Speaker and Author Visit, JK to Grade 3 at 10:00am in the gymnasium
– Markham School of Dance Program Workshop, Grades 4-6 classes

 

Upcoming Activities and Events

April 8th: Early Dismissal for Solar Eclipse, 11:45am

April 10th: Markham School of Dance Program Workshop, Grades 4-6

April 10th:  Catholic School Council Meeting, 6:30pm

April 12th: KITS (Kaleidoscope in the Schools) Lig & Bittle Show, JK to Grade 4 Classes

April 12th: Student Silent Art Auction at Elite Class (200 Mostar St., Unit A114, Stouffville), 6:00-8:00pm

April 16th: Travelling Stage Dance Program Workshop, Grades 1-3

April 17th: Praying the Rosary with the Rosary Apostolate

April 18th: Travelling Stage Dance Program Workshop, Grades 1-3

April 18th: St. Mark CES Junior Oral Communications Competition

April 19th: Markham School of Dance Program Workshop, Grades 4-6

April 21st: First Holy Communion at St. Mark Parish, Grade 2 students

April 22nd: Earth Day

April 23rd: Travelling Stage Dance Program Workshop, Grades 1-3

April 25th: Easter & St. Mark Feast Day Mass, 10:00am

April 26th: Markham School of Dance Program Workshop, Grades 4-6

April 30th: Travelling Stage Dance Program Workshop, Grades 1-3

May 2nd: Travelling Stage Dance Program Workshop, Grades 1-3

May 3th: Markham School of Dance Program Workshop, Grades 4-6

May 6th-10th: Catholic Education Week – “We are Called to Love”

May 7th: Travelling Stage Dance Program Workshop, Grades 1-3

May 7th: Junior Boys Basketball Tournament at St. Brendan CES

May 8th: Junior Girls Basketball Tournament at St. Mark CES

May 9th: Markham School of Dance Program Final Show, time TBA

May 10th: Travelling Stage Dance Program Final Performance, Grades 1-3, 12:30pm

May 13th: FDK Mother’s Day Celebration

May 15th: Rosary Apostolate

May 15th:  Catholic School Council Meeting, 6:30pm

May 22nd: Rosary Apostolate May Celebration

 

Closing Prayer

Let us close by praying:

Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

St. Mark, pray for us.

 

Wishing you a fantastic week!

Sincerely,

C. Quadrini, Principal