Cub Chronicles: November 7th
Dear St. Mark’s Families,
Each fall, we celebrate the beginning of our Annual Fund—a meaningful opportunity for every member of our community to come together in support of the school we love. As an SAES-accredited school, it is important that we reach 100% family participation, a reflection of our shared commitment to the children, teachers, and mission that unite us. Our faculty and staff are also wholeheartedly giving in support of this effort because they believe deeply in the work we do together.
Tuition alone does not cover the true cost of providing the exceptional experiences our children enjoy each day. The Annual Fund bridges that gap and fuels the “extras” that make St. Mark’s so special: inspiring professional development for our teachers, need-based scholarships for families, the continual growth of our library with high-quality children’s literature, and meaningful curriculum enhancements that keep learning vibrant and engaging.
In the coming days, you’ll receive a letter from our Board President, Clay Samford, sharing more about the importance of participation and how to contribute—along with a form and QR code for easy giving. You can also visit our website and simply click the Donate button to make your tax-deductible contribution. Many employers offer matching gift programs, which can multiply your impact even further.
As the writer Henry James once said, “Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.”
Your participation in the Annual Fund is an act of kindness that touches every child, every teacher, and every corner of our campus.
Thank you for being a part of this remarkable community and for helping us continue to grow in excellence and generosity.
With gratitude and joy,
Whitney Zisman
Head of School
Say cheese! Our school photos are in!
A big thank you to Barbara Legere for capturing such sweet moments of our kiddos.
You can access the gallery here:
https://barbaralegerephotography.shootproof.com/gallery/28661555
Password: SM2025
A friendly reminder that parents are always welcome to join our Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 chapel services on Wednesdays at 9:30. We’d love to see you there!
January Open House & Sibling Waitlist
Current families: if you have younger siblings who may be ready to join us in the future, now’s the perfect time to join our Sibling Waitlist. Siblings receive priority consideration, and your early interest helps us plan for upcoming school years. Please note there is a $50 waitlist fee that will come through Brightwheel.
Friendsgiving and Food Drive
We will be celebrating Friendsgiving on Wednesday, November 19. Each grade level will share a special meal together at school (this is a student-only event). Our T-Th Bears will celebrate on Thursday, November 20.
In the spirit of gratitude, St. Mark’s Church is hosting a Food Drive to support our community in response to the recent suspension of SNAP benefits. Our food pantry partners include El Buen Samaritano, Trinity Center, Welcome Table, and Sunrise Navigation Center, all of which will see an increased need in the coming weeks.
You’re invited to bring non-perishable food items and baby formula (unopened, no glass packaging, please) to school any day, and we will make sure your donations are delivered to the church.
Thank you for helping our students learn the importance of caring for others and giving back to our community.
The holidays are quickly approaching, and it’s time to mark your calendars for our annual Christmas Pageant! Each class will have its own special day to shine:
Thursday, December 18th: T/Th Bears, Otters, and Owls
Friday, December 19th: MWF Bears, Ladybugs, Butterflies, and Foxes
We can’t wait to celebrate the season with all of our families!
Save the Date: Lion's Pride!
February 21, 2026 @ Bouldin Acres
Save the date for our annual Lion's Pride Fundraiser on February 21, 2026 at Bouldin Acres. This year’s theme is Giddy Up and Give, and we cannot wait to celebrate our school community together.
We are looking for parent volunteers to help bring this special event to life. If you are interested in serving on the Lion's Pride Committee, please sign up below. The roles listed include areas where we need the most support from parents.
Lion's Pride Committee Sign Up
Thank you for sharing your time and talents to make this a memorable and successful event for our school.
Another week of fun! We’re growing and learning more every day.
GreenJay Baby Sessions
Expert-led playdates for babies and their grownups
October 30th Babies newborn to crawling
Hosted by GreenJay Therapy | At St. Mark's Preschool
Snacks & light refreshments
Reserve your spot here
Support your baby's development from day one
Master tummy time without the tears
Learn milestone-boosting play for every age
Prevent flat head and support symmetry
Connect with infant development specialists
Meet other families and build your confidence