Today is the second Sunday of Advent. The purple candle for this week is sometimes called the ‘Bethlehem’ candle, serving as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. The light of this candle represents peace.
Dear Jesus,
You entered our world on Christmas as the Prince of Peace.
This Advent, as we strive to become the-best-version-of-ourselves,
fill us with a deep and abiding peace.
Help us share that peace with everyone we encounter,
especially those who need it most.
Amen.
EQAO Achievement Highlights, 2024-25
We are pleased to provide you with achievement highlights of our school’s results on the provincial EQAO Test taken last spring. We will be reviewing our detailed EQAO results along with other school assessment data to build on our strengths and address areas requiring improvement. Students who participated in the assessment will receive their individual results in December. For more information on this and other province-wide assessments, please visit www.eqao.com.
Please note that the Grade 3 and Grade 6 EQAO results reflect students who participated in person and met or exceeded the provincial expectations. It does not include students who provided no data due to absence, medical reasons, etc.
Since the 2021-2022 school year, EQAO assessments have been conducted online, establishing a new baseline for student achievement in Ontario. Due to the shift to an online format and updates to the Ontario curriculum for Mathematics and Language, these results are not meaningfully comparable to those from previous years when the assessments were completed on paper.
Percent of Grade 3 & 6 Students Achieving or Exceeding the Provincial Standard (Levels 3 & 4)
Individual Student EQAO reports for the Grades 3 and 6 Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics will be sent home to parents/guardians this week.
Kindergarten and Primary Christmas Concert
We look forward to our St. Mark CES Kindergarten and Primary Christmas Concert on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 at 12:30pm!
Please see the invitation attached that includes more information about the concert.
Invitation_Silent Night_ SMK Christmas Concert 2025
Please note that participating classes are preparing special presentations, along with a grand finale presentation by all students in Kindergarten to Grade 3. (This will require the perimeter / side aisles around the gym to be clear.) We asked that all spectators remain in the gymnasium until the entire performance is finished.
Please look for further details regarding costumes / dress code from your child’s classroom teacher.
We look forward to a great show!!
Christmas Sweet Treats Charity Fundraiser
Thank you to all families who purchased Christmas candy and chocolate treats in support of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP)!
Orders will be delivered to students (or available in the office, based on parent / guardian request) on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025.
Information regarding the total funds raised will be shared in our next weekly update.
Thank you for giving generously to support our neighbours in need this Christmas!
St. Mark Christmas Family Event
Don’t forget! St. Mark’s Catholic School Council (CSC) Christmas Family Event takes place on Thursday, December 18th, 2025 from 6:00-8:00pm!
There is still time to pre-order 2% milk, 2% chocolate milk or oat milk, and a cookie treat! Visit www.school-day.com to place your orders by Wednesday, December 10th. No late orders will be accepted. Please note that milk and cookies will not be sold during the event.
We look forward to seeing you for our Christmas Family Event!
Next Week’s Activities and Events
Here is a look ahead to next week…
Tuesday, December 9th:
– Confessions at St. Mark Parish, Grades 3-6; 8:45-11:00am
Wednesday, December 10th:
– Grade 4 (Skeats) STREAM Centre Visit at All Saints CES, all day
– Last day to order milk and cookies for the St. Mark Family Christmas Event, hosted by Catholic School Council
Thursday, December 11th:
– TerraCotta Snowman Cookies delivered for last snack (for orders placed)
Upcoming Activities and Events
December 15th-19th: Christmas Spirit Week!
December 15th: Christmas Music Concert in gymnasium, 1:45pm, presented by St. Katharine Drexel CHS
December 16th: Praying the Rosary with the Rosary Apostolate; all classes
December 17th: Kindergarten & Primary (Grades 1-3) Christmas Concert, 12:30pm
December 18th: Family Christmas Event in gymnasium, 6:00-8:00pm, hosted by St. Mark’s Catholic School Council
December 22nd to January 2nd: Christmas Break
January 5th: Back to School!
Closing Prayer
Let us conclude with our Advent Prayer:
God’s hope to direct me,
God’s peace to comfort me,
God’s joy to warm me,
God’s love to surround me.
Bless our Advent journey to Christmas with light and patience.
Amen.
St. Mark, pray for us.
Wishing you a week filled with the peace of Christ.
Sincerely,
C. Quadrini, Principal