Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent. We light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Saviour. The candle for this week is called the ‘Angel’s’ candle symbolizing love. The light of this candle reminds us that God is love.
Dear Jesus,
May the light of your love always shine in our hearts.
As Christmas draws closer, we marvel at your great love for us.
Let your love transform every aspect of our lives
and touch everyone we encounter.
Our hearts are open to you, Jesus.
Amen.
Primary Christmas Concert
We thank parents, guardians and family members for joining us last Wednesday for our Primary Christmas Concert! The children gave wonderful performances. We are so proud of them!
We are grateful for our lead organizers, teachers, ECEs, EAs, custodians, secretaries, Grade 6 MCs, tech crew and stage crew for all their hard work and dedication to making the concert a great success!
Free Parent EQAO Webinars
EQAO Math Night for Parents and Guardians
Join us for a free, live webinar where EQAO staff will discuss math questions that Ontario students encounter when they participate in Ontario’s large-scale assessments. These assessments are administered to all Ontario students in Grades 3, 6, and 9. During the webinar, EQAO staff will show how these math questions help assess the skills students are learning in their math classes. Staff will also share valuable insights from EQAO research into assessment results, which can help parents and guardians support their children’s math learning.
Webinar dates:
– January 28, 2026, starting at 12:30 pm
– January 29, 2026, starting at 12:00 pm
Click here for registration.
EQAO Literacy Session for Families: Focus on Reading
Join us for a free live webinar about how EQAO assesses students’ reading skills at key stages of their education. EQAO staff will discuss reading samples and questions from the Primary & Junior Reading Assessments, and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test. Participants will hear how these reading passages and questions help assess the skills students are learning in class. EQAO staff will also highlight valuable insights and resources that can help parents and guardians support their child’s learning.
Webinar date:
– January 20, 2026, starting at 6:00 pm
Click here for registration.
Sweet Treats for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP)
Thank you for your support of our Sweet Treats for SSVP Christmas charity fundraiser! Students were excited to receive their candy and chocolate treats!
We are pleased to announce that the sale of sweet treats raised $720.57! It was a joy to give a cheque for this amount to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul – St. Mark Parish Conference, on behalf of our school community! The representatives were very grateful for this donation. This money will support many people in need in our Stouffville community during this Christmas season.
May God bless you for your generosity and thank you once again for your support of our Christmas Sweet Treats charity fundraiser!
St. Mark Parish Mass and Confessions Schedule
A reminder of St. Mark’s Parish Christmas and New Year’s Mass Schedule:
St. Mark Parish_Christmas Schedule and Advent Confessions 2025
Christmas Family Event hosted by CSC
Thank you to our Catholic School Council (CSC) for hosting our Christmas Family Event on Thursday, December 18th!
There was great Christmas spirit in the air! Families enjoyed making Christmas crafts, listening to Christmas music while having milk and cookies, taking Christmas themed selfies, and what a wonderful performance by X.Ray the Magician! Both children and parents enjoyed the magic and humour!
We are very grateful to our CSC members for their hard work to organize this special Christmas community event!
Upcoming Activities and Events
December 22nd to January 2nd: Christmas Break
January 5th: Back to School!
January 6th: Theatrix Drama Program, Grades 1-3 classes, Session #1
January 12th: Junior Boys Volleyball Tournament at St. Brendan CES, all day
January 13th: Junior Girls Volleyball Tournament at St. Brigid CES, all day
January 13th: Theatrix Drama Program, Grades 1-3 classes, Session #2
January 15th: Knights of Columbus Free Throw Basketball Stouffville Schools Competition in gymnasium, morning only
January 16th: PA Day (no school)
January 19th: Dental screening (JK, SK, Grade 2 + any other students based on parent / guardian request)
January 20th: Praying the Rosary with the Rosary Apostolate, all classes
January 20th: Theatrix Drama Program, Grades 1-3 classes, Session #3
January 27th: Gr4 (Skeats) STREAM Centre Visit (rescheduled) at All Saints CES, all day
January 27th: Theatrix Drama Program, Grades 1-3 classes, Session #4
January 28th: FDK Road Safety YRP Presentation in library, 12:30-1:30pm
January 29th: HERO program
– Grade 5 (Bufalini), 12:10-12:50pm
– Grade 6 (McGinnes), 12:50-1:30pm
– Grade 6 (Rastoaca), 1:45-2:25pm
January 29th: CSC meeting in library, 6:30pm
January 30th: PA Day (no school)
Christmas Message and Prayer for Families
St. Mark, pray for us.
On behalf of the staff at St. Mark CES, I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas. May the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ bring joy, hope, love and peace in your homes and during gatherings.
We look forward to seeing students back at school on Monday, January 5th, 2025. Our weekly update will resume on Sunday, January 4th.
Sincerely,
C. Quadrini, Principal