Weekly Message from the Principal, Mary Ann McQueen September 24 2015 Resuable water bottles with student names are almost universal – parents, thanks! We understand the interest in plastic or rubberized holders with glass bottles but they are breaking and causing problems at school. So, we would recommend stainless steel if your preference is to avoid plastic entirely! THE POPE VISITS THE UNITED STATES! Please take some time to watch some of the amazing coverage of Pope Francis’ trip to the United States. For the first time in American history a Catholic pope is addressing a joint session of Congress – that is in part because there was a lot of discrimination against Catholics and it was only in 1960 that Americans elected a Catholic to the presidency (John Fitzgerald Kennedy). His words, gestures, example and charisma are so moving and provide such a rich opportunity for everyone who has contact with him! LION OLYMPICS: Lion Olympics take place tomorrow! Here are a few reminders: Students can wear PE shorts and any St. Mark School t-shirt – one that is worn for sports or for physical education. Any comfortable tennis/sport shoes can be worn. This is an active day and the shoes should be very comfortable. Students can decorate their hair, face, etc. but all has to be applied at home. The fumes from hair products bother a lot of people with allergies, etc. Thanks and shout out to all parents who have volunteered to help – both with the hot dog lunch, games, snacks, and in other ways. Steve Lemon, the chair of Lion Olympics, has done an amazing job! It is going to be a great day! Special thanks to Steve Wallace for organizing the barbecue, Maria Donaldson and MaryAnn Welchhance and Trina Wilson for supporting the sign-ups! Hot dog lunches have been on sale for several weeks. If you receive an email today about the hot dog lunch tomorrow it is because we are trying to make sure that everyone who wants lunch has one! We don’t want students to be disappointed at the end of a really fun morning of activity! PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CHILD HAS A REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE WITH HIS/HER NAME CLEARLY WRITTEN ON IT. WE ARE PROVIDING WATER AT HYDRATION STATIONS BUT THEY NEED A WATER BOTTLE FOR REFILLING! TREE FEST 2015: Saturday, October 17, 2015 – Planting trees, working as a team, sharing in the afternoon celebration with food, entertainment and fun! This is a community event to celebrate the completion of phase 1 of our greening and water reclamation project. Please see the attached flier and visit our school website to purchase tickets! Ticket prices go up after October 1, 2015 so don’t delay – purchase your tickets today!

If you have questions do not hesitate to contact the Tree Fest chairs: Liz Wright, Tammy Zucker and Tara Walden. This committee has been hard at work for weeks already! Invite friends and family to join in on the fun October 17, 2015! Ticket sales have been brisk for Tree Fest! To date the first grade has the highest percentage of tickets sold – 73%! Kindergarten is in second place at 70% and Third Grade has 67%. Thank you to all who have supported The winning class – the class with the highest percentage of ticket sales by September 30 – will win free dress and Jamba Juice! HOMEWORK CLUB: Attached is the October Homework Club Form. PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES: Parent/Teacher conferences are coming up on the following days. Tuesday, October 13th starting at 3:15 PM Wednesday, October 14th school ends at 12:30 conferences begin at 1:00 PM Thursday, October 15th school ends at 12:30 conferences begin at 1:00 PM Sign-ups are on a first come, first served basis. We are trying to implement systems that make these types of sign-ups easier and more efficient for parents. Look for a sign-up genius email to be sent out next week for conferences date and time. Conferences are fifteen minutes in length and it is important that the schedule be maintained once it is set. Please make every effort to be on time for your conference and to plan for questions, etc. as needed. There is Homework Club on the days of parent-teacher conferences. However, there are NO DROP-INS! You must sign up in advance so that we know who will be in Homework Club and when. That way we can adequately plan for staffing. When you sign up for October and realize now that you will need to use Homework Club for some portion of those days, please indicate that when you sign up for your conference(s). If you plan to use Homework Club for any portion of Tuesday, October 13, Wednesday, October 14 or Thursday, October 15 you need to indicate that when you sign up for your conferences on sign up genius and by completing the registration for Homework Club for the month of October. NO DROP-INS will be allowed! Please plan ahead and avoid putting the teachers in Homework Club in a difficult situation. We ask for your consideration in this regard. Please note: Students will not be allowed to be left unattended in the hallways and will need to go to homework club for a small fee. This is a matter of Safety and Security for our students. Thank you for your understanding. RAINY DAY ROUTINE: The carline is modified so that students exit cars right outside the entrance to the school building and proceed to their classrooms. If you arrive late on a rainy day you need to park in the neighborhood and enter school on Coeur d’Alene. This is a secure entrance. The yard gates are all locked at 7:45 AM each day. Should

you have any questions, please let us know. Thanks so much for your cooperation this morning. USED UNIFORMS: The two uniform sales have been a great success due to the careful planning of the chair, Varsiann Amerian and parent volunteers who assisted in July and August with the sale! The committee is looking for additional donations. Please be sure the items are clean and lightly worn. If there are stains and/or holes please do not turn in these items. Wednesdays, at 7:30 AM the Used Uniform Store (Closet) is open for business! PARISH PICNIC: This is a parish wide event and it takes place at Chevron Park in El Segundo on Sunday, October 4, 2015! The event begins at 12:00 noon and all are welcome and encouraged to attend! There will be food, fun and games! CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS: September 25 – Lion Olympics! September 28 – First day of orchestra September 29 – Admissions Outreach Program at 8:00 AM in the library September 30 – Last day to purchase tickets for Tree Fest prior to ticket prices going up. Buy today, don’t delay! October 4, 2015 – Parish Picnic at Chevron Park – October 17 – Tree Fest Note: If you reply to this email please confirm that it is directed to Maria Donaldson, mdonaldson@stmarkschool.com. Your reply cannot be delivered if you use our bulk email address (schoolmail@gradelink.com).

TREE FEST TICKET FORM Attention: Students and Parents!

YOUR CLASS COULD WIN FREE DRESS AND JAMBA JUICE!!

Please complete the ticket order form below & return it to your teacher with a check for the amount of tree fest tickets your family needs or purchase tickets through our school website at www.stmarkschool.com. (bottom lower corner of page, marked Tree Fest Tickets) If you have already purchased tickets online then you have helped your child’s class win this contest. Place your ticket order with your money in an envelope with your name & grade(s) on the outside of your envelope. It’s that easy! Get your tickets before prices go up October 1st!

THE GRADE WITH THE HIGHEST PARTICIPATION (largest % of families in the grade that has purchased tickets)

WINS A DAY OF FREE DRESS and recess JAMBA JUICE !!

Tickets include: A wristband that will provide unlimited access to fun, games, activities, entertainment, one meal ticket, dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage. Live music, 25ft. rock wall, euro bungee, obstacle course, face painting “fairies”, eco booths and more.

NAME _____________________________________ GRADE(S) __________

Number of Adult Tickets ________ x $20.00 __________

Number of Children (18 & under) TICKETS ______ x $15.00 __________

Check # ________ Cash_______ TOTAL AMOUNT: __________ *Checks payable to St. Mark School (subject line Tree Fest)

NOTE: You are welcome to purchase tickets via the school website CONTEST ENDS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH

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