Cub Chronicles: December 12th
What a magical and busy week it has been here at St. Mark’s!
Our classrooms have been buzzing with music and rehearsals for next week’s Christmas program. It’s been wonderful to see the children practicing their songs with such enthusiasm—they are so proud to share their hard work with you!
Of course, the week wouldn’t be complete without some festive fun. Pajama Day brought lots of giggles and cozy smiles, and the children absolutely loved their special visit with Santa. Seeing their eyes light up as they shared their holiday wishes reminded us all of the magic of this season.
Thank you for your continued support of our school and for sharing your children with us—our days are brighter because of them!
Warm holiday wishes,
Whitney Zisman
Head of School
Friendly reminder that there will be no extended care on December 18 & 19.
Annual Fund Update: Bears are Catching Up!
The Foxes are still in the lead, but the Bears have made a big catch-up in the participation award race! We are so grateful to everyone who has contributed so far. Your generosity truly makes a difference for our school community.
Our official Annual Fund will wrap up on January 16, though we are always grateful for donations throughout the year if families feel moved to give later on.
**St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 74-1473476). All donations are tax-deductible.
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!
A Festive Day at St. Mark’s
Santa stopped by St. Mark’s and brought plenty of cheer with him. From big smiles to quiet wonder, it was such a delight to see the children experience the magic of the season together. Thank you to everyone who helped make Santa’s visit a memorable one.
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 12- Pizza Day (T-TH 11th)
December 18/19- Christmas Program/No Extended Care
December 22-Jan 5- Christmas Break