St. Mark Catholic SchoolWeekly School Bulletin

September 12, 2014

In this Issue:

Virtue of the MonthReminders for Next Week6 Days Until North Texas Giving Day!It’s Not Too Late to Help Spread the Word about NTGD at Weekend Masses!Reminder – Parishioner Tuition Status/Parish Donations“Name the Gyms Contest” For 5th-8th GradersNews from the Athletics DepartmentHome & School Association (HSA) NewsSpotlight on FacultyFrom The Health OfficeCarpool Line RemindersInterested in Cub Scouts?Look for Pizza Hut “Book It” Reading AwardsCRHP Dates AnnouncedIn Alumni News…Seen & Heard Around St. Mark

Virtue of the Month – FaithTeachers discuss the Virtue of the Month with students by using either stories or activities to engage them into seeing the virtue in action. Ask your child what he/she is learning about “Faith” this month.

Reminders for Next Week

6 th Grade was presented with the Vocations Chalice at the conclusion of today’s All-School Mass, and will be praying for vocations next week.

Saturday-Sunday, September 13-14: Volunteer @ St. Mark Catholic School Info. Table Before/After Weekend MassesHelp spread the word about NTGD! See details below.

Thursday, September 18, 6:00 AM–12:00 MIDNIGHT: North Texas Giving DayGet up and give! See details below.

Friday, September 19: School LiturgyOur All-School Mass will be held at 8:30 AM in the church. All are invited to attend. This Mass will be presented by the 6th grade. They will perform the Call To Worship, the Mass readings, and present the Communion gifts.

Friday, September 19, 12:00 PM: Early DismissalNo lunch will be served. The After School Program will be available until 6:00 PM. Please send a lunch with all After School Program students.

6 Days Until North Texas Giving Day!

Get ready to “get up and give” on Thursday, 9/18!

St. Mark Catholic School is participating in North Texas Giving Day, a one day, online giving event that will take place on September 18 between 6:00 AM and 12:00 MIDNIGHT. Look for information to be sent home with students next week. Information cards will also be distributed to parishioners this weekend at our St. Mark Catholic School table in the Narthex before and after all Masses (see how you can help below).

All donations are tax deductible, and are eligible for additional corporate matching. Check with your employer to see if matching funds are available.

St. Mark Catholic School has a unique donation link. Simply click and give on 9/18 – please pass it on! http://www.northtexasgivingday.org/#npo/st-mark-catholic-school

This event will be widely publicized on WFAA, as well as through other media outlets. We are very excited to be a part of it, and hope you’ll join in the excitement – help spread the word!

Communities Foundation of Texas will match a percentage of each $25 donation up to a certain amount, so if you plan to give more, please break your donation up into $25 increments and allow more than one family member to donate. This will maximize our matched funds!

All proceeds will benefit the St. Mark Catholic School Gap Fund. For more information about the Gap Fund, please visit our website at www.stmcs.net/gap-drive. Additional questions about North Texas Giving Day? Click here.

It’s Not Too Late to Help Spread the Word about NTGD at Weekend Masses!St. Mark Catholic School will have a table in the Narthex before and after all Masses on Saturday/Sunday, September 13-14 to promote the North Texas Giving Day event. We will distribute information cards to parishioners, as well as information about the school. Several volunteer slots are still open! Please click here to sign-up to work a Mass. Timeslots involve working both before and after one Mass.

Service hours are available to 7th/8th graders and alumni high school students who volunteer in their school uniforms!

*We need volunteers for the Spanish Masses. Spanish-speakers preferred, but not required.*

Reminder – Parishioner Tuition Status/Parish DonationsIn order to qualify for the parishioner tuition discount, the annual minimum parish donation of $800 must be paid by December 31, 2014. You can pay by check (made out to “St. Mark Catholic Church”) and submit it to the parish office, or to the school office in an envelope marked “parish donation.” Or, you can choose to pay electronically using this link: https://secure.etransfer.com/eComm/custom/common/donation_v3/donation1.cfm?d2org=StMarkPlano&d2tool=donate. Recurring payments can also be set-up using this link. Please refer to page 7 of the Parent Student Handbook for more information about the parish donation.

“Name the Gyms” Contest for 5th-8th GradersHave you ever asked yourself why our two gymnasiums are called the “Old Gym” and the “New Gym?” Well, it’s pretty simple. The “Old Gym” was here first and was simply referred to as the “gym.” Then the “New Gym” was built, creating a need to differentiate the two. These simple names just stuck.

With the consolidation of our Early Childhood Education program into one building and the redesign of our school lobbies nearly complete, we thought this would be a great time to introduce new names for our gymnasiums, providing a clearer distinction between the two, particularly for school visitors. And we want our students to be involved!

During the week of September 22h, teachers will be asking our 5th-8th grade students to submit their suggestions during class time. Our 5th-8th grade students participate in the St. Mark Athletics program, so it’s fitting for them to be involved in the naming process. Each class will propose two possible names for consideration. We will compile all submissions and hold a formal vote among the students on October 3. Results will be announced at the Fall Pep Rally on October 23. You can start mentioning it at home now so they can begin to put their thinking caps on. Stay tuned for more details!

**Please Note** -- This will in no way affect our annual Mardi Gras auction "Name The Gym" package. These new gym names will simply replace "New Gym" and "Old Gym." Our auction

package winners will still have the opportunity "rename" the main gym for one school year, and signs with the winning family names will continue to be produced each year.

News from the Athletics Department

Games This Weekend:

VolleyballSaturday, September 13: St. Mark 7th Grade D1 vs. St. Patrick, 10:00 AM @ St. PatrickSaturday, September 13: St. Mark 7th Grade D1 vs. POP, 11:00 AM @ St. Patrick

Saturday, September 13: St. Mark 6th Grade D1 vs. St. Rita, 11:00 AM @POPSaturday, September 13: St. Mark 6th Grade D1 vs. POP, 12:00 PM @ POP

Saturday, September 13: St. Mark 6th Grade D2 vs. SPX, 12:00 PM @ SPX

Saturday, September 13: St. Mark 5th Grade Gold vs. Mt. St. Michael, 11:00 AM, St. MonicaSaturday, September 13: St. Mark 5th Grade Gold vs. St. Philip, 1:00 PM, St. Monica

Saturday, September 13: St. Mark 5th Grade Green vs. SPX, 9:00 AM @ SPXSaturday, September 13: St. Mark 5th Grade Green vs. St. Rita White, 10:00 AM @ SPX

FootballSunday, September 14: St. Mark Varsity vs. CKS, 2:00 PM @ John Paul II High School

Way to Go, Lions! Our Lady Lions Volleyball teams posted wins on Saturday, September 6! 8th Grade Varsity Volleyball beat St. Rita: 25-18, 25-22; 6th Grade D1 beat St. Monica: 25-22, 25-22; and 5th Grade Green beat CKS Gold: 25-18, 25-18.

Home & School Association (HSA) News

Attention 2nd and 8th grade parents: Parents of 2nd and 8th grade students will be hosting the upcoming teacher luncheon on September 24th. Please keep an eye out for the Sign-up Genius, as well as emails from your Room Parents with more details.

Coffee with the Principal: Our first HSA General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 1st at 8:30 AM. After we cover business, Mrs. Opon will be there to chat and answer any questions you have over coffee. For those of you who have young children, they are welcome to attend.

2013-2014 Memory Books: If you are interested in purchasing last year's Preschool-5th grade Memory Book, please complete the order form and submit it with a check made payable to "St.

Mark HSA." St. Mark HSA will continue to sell last year's Memory Books while supplies last. If you have any questions, please email Annabelle Zakarian at belz73@yahoo.com.

Link Your Shopper Cards: If you haven’t done so already, please link your Kroger, Target, and Tom Thumb cards to St. Mark. It’s an easy way to earn money for our school. Click here for instructions.

Spotlight on FacultyDid you know that our top-quality, curriculum-based Preschool program has a daily “Music and Movement” class that combines both music and physical education instruction? Teacher Hana Schell is passionate about this program and uses finger plays, nursery rhymes, instruments, and games based on music and movement to not only teach the prescribed Diocesan music curriculum, but also to incorporate physical activity. The overall goal is to encourage students to be “tuneful, beatful and artful,” and to help the children appreciate music. Mrs. Schell works hard to plan meaningful lessons for her students and incorporates spirituality in all that she does. She is another shining example of the highly-qualified and passionate teachers we are fortunate enough to have here at St. Mark Catholic School.

From the Health OfficeRecent news reports have covered the outbreak of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) in several states, but no cases have yet been confirmed in Texas. Symptoms of this virus are similar to the common cold and include sneezing, runny nose, fever, coughing and body aches. Unfortunately, many children with asthma, and other respiratory illnesses, have become very ill and required hospitalization. It is for this reason that we should all be aware of potential outbreaks in our area.

Since the virus is spread through respiratory secretions, the best way to avoid exposure is through frequent hand washing and avoiding individuals who are ill. Since alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against EV-D68, soap and water should be used.

The Diocese of Dallas and St. Mark will continue to monitor the situation and send updates as they are warranted.

Carpool Line RemindersLast week’s request to be courteous during afternoon carpool drew additional comments and questions. Some additional reminders:

*Please do not leave “gaps” in front of you. Pull all the way up, whether you are among the first, middle, or last cars to arrive. Gaps cause longer lines.*Please do not cut in line. When you arrive, please go to the end of the line.*Please do not block driveways.

Your cooperation is appreciated!

Interested in Cub Scouts? St. Mark families with boys in grades 1st through 5th are invited to attend a “Back to School Pot Luck Dinner” on Sunday, September 14th at 6:00 PM in the Community Center. Interested

families should contact Cubmaster John Petroff at petroffhome@verizon.net. Come and hear about our exciting plans for the year!

Look for Pizza Hut “Book It” Reading AwardsFor the fourth year in a row, St. Mark students in Kindergarten-6th grade will participate in the Pizza Hut “Book It” reading program where Pizza Hut certificates are awarded to students who reach reading goals. Each teacher implements this program differently, so ask your child how his/her class is challenged to reach their goals. Program dates are October 1, 2014 – March 31, 2015.

CRHP Dates AnnouncedChrist Renews His Parish (CRHP) is a spiritual renewal weekend designed to help individuals of the parish to grow in their personal relationship with Christ. It is held on the parish campus starting with Saturday breakfast and ending by 4:00 PM Sunday afternoon. There is no cost and all meals are provided. Register at www.stmarkplano.org or call (972) 424-5794. Upcoming dates:

Men’s English Retreat: October 18-19; Women’s English Retreat: January 17-18Men’s Spanish Retreat: November 8-9; Women’s Spanish Retreat: February 7-8

In Alumni News…About 1.4 million high school juniors nationwide entered the 2015 National Merit Program by taking the 2013 Preliminary SAT (PSAT) which served as an initial screen of program entrants.

Ursuline Academy Senior Madison S. (St. Mark Class of 2011) has been named a National Merit Semifinalist. The Semifinalists in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, and are the highest scoring entrants in each state.

Bishop Lynch Senior Amanda E. (St. Mark Class of 2011) has been named a National Merit Commended Scholar. Approximately two-thirds of the high scorers on the PSAT receive Letters of Commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise.

Seen & Heard Around St. Mark

Fr. Cliff is the “Cat’s Meow:” On Thursday, Fr. Cliff visited all three of our 2nd grade Religion classes as Mrs. Eisele’s “Student of the Week” (which her class calls “The Cat’s Meow”). Just like the 2nd grade students, he completed a “Read All About Me” poster (including photos from his First Communion, Confirmation, and Ordination), read a story (that he wrote and illustrated himself 25 years ago for his nephew), brought a stuffed animal (a “Pastor” bear) to share with the class, and participated in Show-and-Tell by sharing a Plains Indian costume that has been in his family for about 100 years. Our 2nd graders delighted in his presentation and asked many questions. They will receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion this year, and this was a wonderful way for them to get to know Fr. Cliff, and to help put them at ease.

Robotics Elective “Pringle Challenge:” As part of a team building exercise, students in the Middle School Robotics elective recently took the “Pringle Challenge.” The objective was to create a protective package for a single Pringles potato chip, send it through the U.S. Postal Service, and have it come back without a single break. Mrs. Benavides provided all of her students with the same types and quantities of packing materials. For the first time, one team (Jacob A., Kevin N. and Jalen L.) received an unbroken chip! A second team received a chip that was broken into three large pieces, which is also a very respectable outcome (Jordan B., Sona S., Kristina F. and Meghan S.). This was a high school level engineering challenge, making these results even more impressive!

Cub Scouts Visit Heard Museum: 3rd grade Bear Cub Scouts Benjamin B., Benjamin P., Evan V., and Max Z. recently visited the Heard Museum. Activities included a 2-1/2 mile hike where the boys learned about the conservation of our Blackland Prairie. They saw animals in the wild including a snake, egrets, and geese, and they learned about butterfly migration. These activities helped them towards their rank advancement.

Baseball Players At It Again: Last weekend, six 4th graders competed in the Plano Fall Blitz USSSA-sanctioned baseball tournament and took second place facing 10AA Select teams from Grand Prairie, Rockwall, Arlington and Frisco. Boys on the team are Luke G., Austin G., Nick G., Charlie H., Jackson H., and Evan J. Nice job, boys!