Cub Chronicles: October 3rd
Dear Families,
Thank you so much for the wonderful turnout at our Coffee Talk yesterday! It was such a gift to gather as a community, and we are especially grateful to Father Zac for joining us as our special guest. These conversations are an important way for us to connect, share, and strengthen the bonds between school and home.
The Importance of the Church–School Relationship
At the heart of our community is the partnership between our church and school. This relationship is a reminder that education is not only about developing young minds, but also nurturing hearts and spirits. In today’s world, where children are surrounded by so many competing messages, the gift of a Christian education provides a grounding foundation.
As an Episcopal school, we hold firm to our identity of being a place where all children feel safe, loved, and valued as unique creations of God. Our Episcopal tradition invites us into a faith that is both thoughtful and inclusive, encouraging curiosity and compassion. By weaving together academics, faith, and community, we give our children not only knowledge but also the confidence that they are deeply loved and called to love others.
Upcoming Church Events Open to the School Community
We are excited to share upcoming opportunities where our school families can join in the life of the church:
• The St. Francis Day Blessing of the Animals – This Sunday, 9:00am
Bring your pets, lawn chairs, and blankets as we gather outdoors for this joyful service. Children will delight in seeing God’s creatures honored and blessed—it’s a beautiful tradition! And after worship, everyone is invited to stay for tacos at 10:00am.
• Annual Block Party & Chicken BBQ – Saturday, October 18 from 11am-2pm.
Mark your calendars for an afternoon full of fun and fellowship! There will be moonwalks, a dunk tank, BBQ chicken, and more. This annual event is a fantastic way to connect with one another and celebrate the joy of being part of such a vibrant community.
In gratitude and joy,
Whitney Zisman
Head of School
Trunk or Treat!
October 30 & 31
Get ready for one of our favorite fall traditions: Trunk or Treat! Parents decorate their car trunks with festive Halloween fun, and children visit each “trunk” to collect treats and enjoy the creative displays.
Thursday, October 30: T/Th Bears, Butterflies, Owls, and Foxes
Friday, October 31: Ladybugs, Otters, and MWF Bears
We’ll celebrate from 8:40–10:45 a.m. each day. Children are welcome to come in costume, but please send an extra set of clothes if their costume isn’t comfortable for play or classroom activities.
We can’t wait to see all the creativity (and candy!) this year.
Dia de los Muertos Altar
Our Día de los Muertos Altar is back this year! A Día de los Muertos altar is a colorful display created to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away, often decorated with photos, flowers, and meaningful items. If you shared photos last year, we still have them and will display them again.
If you’d like to add something new to the altar, please bring a photo to the office or email it to mayra@stmarksdayschoolaustin.org.
The altar will be available for viewing in the Parish October 28–November 3 before and after school.
Pre-K 4's Extended Care at Capacity
Our Pre-K 4's Extended Care program is currently full and we’re unable to offer drop-in spots right now. We’ll let families know if space opens up.
Fall Picture Days
October 21-22
We officially have fall picture days on the calendar! Barbara Legere will be back behind the camera this year. St. Mark’s will provide digital files for all individual photos. Class schedules will be shared as we get closer to the date.
Love photography? Lend a hand
We are updating our website and marketing materials and would love help capturing authentic, in-the-moment photos of our students and campus life. Basic experience is great, professional gear is not required. We will coordinate timing, locations, and follow our photo permissions list.
To volunteer, email Jessica at admissions@stmarksdayschoolaustin.org.
Another week of fun! We’re growing and learning more every day.
Let's Grow our St. Mark's Family!
Have a family you’d love to introduce to St. Mark’s? We’d love to meet them! Invite your friends, family, and neighbors to learn more about our school at our Open House on October 23rd. It’s a great opportunity to see our classrooms, meet our teachers, and experience the St. Mark’s community.
Help us spread the word, we can’t wait to welcome new families!
Annual Chicken BBQ & Block Party
The 2025 Chicken BBQ & Block Party is scheduled for Saturday, October 18th, 2025. We hope to see a lot of our Day School Families there!