What a fantastic first week back to school! Students were excited to see their friends, meet their teachers, and settle into classroom and school routines. A big thank you to staff as well as parents, guardians and caregivers for their significant efforts to support students’ transition back to school.
Dear Lord,
We thank you for a safe and happy return to school
for students, staff and families.
Guide us this year as we support students
in their learning and spiritual development.
Bless our school community and help us to do Your will.
Amen.
Morning Drop Off and After School Pick Up
Thank you to parents, guardians and caregivers who are parking their vehicle in the church parking lot and walking their child(ren) to school.
Now that our first week is complete, please walk your child(ren) to the threshold of the Kindergarten pen / school yard. Please do not enter the school yard / Kindergarten pen, nor bring pets on the school property. These efforts will support the safety of our students as well as their independence. A reminder that staff supervision in the Kindergarten pen and school yard begins at 8:00am.
Thank you to parents, guardians and caregivers for using the Kiss and Ride loop appropriately. As this is a no parking route, please do not park vehicles along this route, in particular during morning drop off and after school pick up. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation!
Terry Fox Run
Terry Fox dreamed about making a difference for families affected by cancer. This year, St. Mark CES is proud to take part in the annual Terry Fox School Run to continue Terry’s dream of a world without cancer.
Our school’s Terry Fox Run will take place on Thursday, September 25th. Parents and guardians are invited to run with their child.
Students are invited to bring in a toonie for Terry. Families are encouraged to make a donation on our school’s fundraising page: https://schools.terryfox.ca/StMarkSchoolStouffville. Our fundraising goal is $1200. Thank you for your generosity!
Opening Mass
On Thursday, September 18th, our opening mass will be celebrated at 10:00am at St. Mark’s Parish. Families are invited to join us. We look forward to gathering as a community of faith.
Curriculum Night
St. Mark CES’ Curriculum Night will take place on Thursday, September 18th from 6:30-7:30pm. This evening is an opportunity for parents and guardians to learn about the curriculum that will be taught for their child’s grade and classroom routines.
Below is the format for the evening:
6:30 – 6:40pm: Welcome and opening remarks in the gymnasium
6:45 – 7:05pm: Classroom visit #1
7:10 – 7:30pm: Classroom visit #2
Parents and guardians may wish to divide their time in order to attend different classrooms / itinerant teacher rooms.
Information regarding room locations will be made available on Curriculum night.
We look forward to seeing you!
Book Fair
St. Mark CES’ Scholastic Book Fair takes place September 15-19, 2025, with extended hours during Curriculum Night! Students will be invited to visit the Library during this week during the day. Parents and guardians are welcome to visit during the evening of September 18th. We look forward to seeing you there!
Use of Cell Phones
In alignment with the Ministry of Education policy memorandum, the Provincial Code of Conduct has been updated to address the use of cellphones and other personal mobile devices. These revisions are designed to restrict the use of all personal mobile devices during instructional time in both elementary and secondary classrooms in order to prevent distractions and maximize learning time.
Please see the attached letter for more information on our school’s appropriate cell phone use policy.
SMK_Appropriate Cell Phone Use_September 2025
St. Mark Parish Youth Ministry
St. Mark’s Parish is once again running EDGE, a youth ministry program for youth in Grades 5 to 8. EDGE sessions take place every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, from 6:00-8:00pm at St. Mark’s Parish, starting on Friday, October 10th, 2025.
Please see the attached EDGE flyer and schedule for more information regarding the program and how to register.
Catholic School Council
Are you interested in being a member of St. Mark’s Catholic School Council? As a parent/guardian of a child at our school, you are eligible to self-nominate or nominate another parent/guardian of a child at our school to be a voting member of the Catholic School Council. Information will be sent in our next weekly update regarding the nomination process as well as elections.
Please consider this wonderful opportunity!
Upcoming Activities and Events
September 18th: Opening Mass at St. Mark Parish, 10:00am; all families are invited to attend
September 18th: Curriculum Night, 6:30-7:30pm
September 25th: Terry Fox Run
September 26th: PA Day (no school)
Closing Prayer
This month, we celebrate the virtue of courage. We pray that students will stand up for what is right and just, face challenges, fears and difficulties with fortitude, and take responsibility for reaching their potential. Let us close with the following prayer.
God of wisdom,
The work of our school calls us to continue
to have the courage to be in service to each other.
May we be a school that always tries to improve
under the guidance of Your love and wisdom.
Amen.
St. Mark, pray for us.
Wishing you a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
C. Quadrini, Principal