Cub Chronicles: November 7th (Copy)
Dear Families,
By now, you should have received a letter from our School Board President, Clay Samford, introducing this year’s Annual Fund campaign. Thank you to those of you who have already donated—your early support means so much. Our goal this year is 100% participation, and to make it fun, we’ll be launching a friendly class competition to see which group can reach full participation first!
As donations come in, you’ll begin to notice pinwheels on our school fence—a joyful and colorful way to celebrate every family who has contributed. In this season of Thanksgiving, we are deeply grateful for your generosity and the many ways you support our school.
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A Celebration of Our Teachers
I also want to take a moment to sing the praises of our extraordinary teachers. Over the past several weeks, I’ve spent significant time in classrooms observing the daily learning experiences taking place. What I see each day truly encapsulates the heart of who we are at St. Mark’s.
Our teachers love your children deeply. Their intentional planning, meaningful lessons, and thoughtful teaching practices foster confidence, curiosity, and self-regulation in our youngest learners. They reflect, pivot, and adapt constantly to meet the diverse learning needs within their classrooms. They understand that children learn best through hands-on exploration and play, and they bring this philosophy to life so beautifully.
Not only are our teachers doing the most important work each day, but they are also committed to supporting our Annual Fund themselves—an incredible testament to their love for this community and belief in our mission.
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Why the Annual Fund Matters
Your contribution to the Annual Fund directly supports the exceptional experiences happening in our classrooms every day. It allows us to sustain the high-quality programs, professional development, classroom resources, and opportunities that make SMEDS such a special place for children to grow and thrive. When we reach 100% participation, we show our shared commitment to the strength and future of our school.
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I am so proud to be part of the SMEDS community, and I frequently tell others how grateful I am to have landed at a school so beloved by parents, teachers, and children alike. Thank you in advance for your generosity and your partnership in nurturing this special place.
Warmly,
Whitney Zisman
Head of School
Why We Give
When we reflect on our time at St. Mark’s, it’s easy to say that the school has provided a safe and nurturing environment for our children. What we didn’t fully anticipate, was everything else that comes with it—the sense of community. The teachers and administration at St. Mark’s and the families who send their children here have become our community, and in that, we feel incredibly fortunate.
Even more meaningful is seeing our boys develop a personal relationship with God. We are deeply grateful to be part of a community that not only nurtures their growth but also fosters their spiritual connection in such a genuine way.
-Doug & Lauren Fairbanks
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.
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
Just a friendly reminder that drop off begins at 8:30 a.m., and pick up runs from 12:30 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. Extended Care ends at 3:45 p.m. If you are running late, please call the office or send a quick Brightwheel message so we can support your child and their teachers. Children who are not picked up by 12:45 p.m. will join Extended Care for the afternoon and will be charged the drop-in rate. We also charge one dollar for each minute past Extended Care pick up time (3:45 p.m.). Thank you for helping us keep each day running smoothly.
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.
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
UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER
November 19- Friendsgiving
November 21- Pizza Friday (TTh 20th)
November 24-28- Thanksgiving Break
Looking forward to December:
December 4- Coffee Talk
December 11- Santa Visit
December 12- Pizza Day (T-TH 11th)
December 18/19- Christmas Program
December 22-Jan 5- Christmas Break