Cub Chronicles: December 5th
Dear Parents,
Welcome back! We hope your Thanksgiving break was filled with rest, family time, and plenty of great food. As we step into December, the excitement of the Christmas season is already filling our hallways. The children returned with big smiles and even bigger holiday spirit, and we are delighted to dive into this magical month with them.
Visit with Santa – Thursday, December 11
One of our most joyful traditions is right around the corner! Santa will be visiting our school next week on Thursday, December 11, and children are invited to wear their coziest pajamas for the day. It’s always a heartwarming event, and we can’t wait to capture the wonder on their faces as they meet Santa.
Embracing the Season
We know this time of year can feel overwhelmingly busy, but we hope you’re able to pause and enjoy the small, meaningful moments with your children. These early years go by quickly, and December has a special way of reminding us to slow down and savor the sparkle.
“The joy of brightening other lives becomes for us the magic of the holidays.” — W.C. Jones
Thank you for your continued support, enthusiasm, and partnership. We are grateful for our wonderful school community and look forward to celebrating this festive season together.
Whitney Zisman
Head of School
Annual Fund Update: Foxes in the Lead!
The Foxes have pulled into a strong lead for the participation award! We are so grateful to everyone who has contributed so far. Your generosity makes such a difference for our school community. There is still time to donate. Our goal is 100 percent participation, and the class with the highest participation will earn a special treat.
Christmas Program Updates
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 18: T, Th Bears, Otters, and Owls
Friday, December 19: MWF Bears, Ladybugs, Butterflies, and Foxes
The program will begin at 11 a.m. on both days, followed by a short reception in the parish hall. There will be no extended care on either day.
We can’t wait to celebrate the season with all of our families!
Santa Visit
Santa is coming to St. Mark’s on Thursday, December 11th! This is always one of our favorite days of the year. Children are invited to wear their coziest pajamas for a fun and festive morning. We will also be providing Santa photos for all students. Parents of our MWF Bears are welcome to bring them to see Santa on Thursday so they don’t miss out on the fun (teachers will reach out with those details). We can’t wait to welcome Santa and capture a little Christmas magic together!
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.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church Angel Tree
Sponsor a child in need by buying them a Christmas gift through the angel tree. Take an ornament from the tree and bring the gift by Sunday, December 14th! If you have any questions, please email the church office at office@stmarksaustin.org.
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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
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