Cub Chronicles: Week of September 5th
Dear parents,
Thank you for to everyone who joined us for our first Coffee Talk this morning! We love these opportunities to bring our community together over tacos, coffee, and good conversation. If you're new to our school, Coffee Talks are a wonderful way to begin connecting with other families.
We’re also happy to share that the fence outside the Otters room is nearly repaired. Thank you for your patience with the temporary drop-off and pick-up adjustments - it has made a difference.
This week, I’ve had the joy of visiting classrooms as a guest reader. I’ve almost made it to all of the rooms. It’s been such a special way to get to know the children - sharing stories, laughing together, and experiencing the magic that books bring to our community. Those moments remind me how powerful reading aloud is, both for connection and learning.
I want to share a book with you called Reading Magic - Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever by Mem Fox.
The Power of Reading Aloud
Mem Fox emphasizes that reading aloud is the single most important activity parents can do to help their children learn to read. Even a few minutes a day makes a lifelong difference. She encourages parents to start from birth and continue well into the school years.
Bonding Through Books
Reading aloud is not just about teaching literacy—it’s about connection and love. The sound of a parent’s voice, the closeness, and the shared joy create positive associations with books. Children who feel loved while reading will see reading as a comforting and enjoyable activity.
Language and Vocabulary Growth
Children learn words, rhythm, and sentence patterns by hearing them repeatedly in stories. This exposure expands their vocabulary far beyond what they hear in everyday conversation. Over time, they absorb how language works without formal lessons.
Developing a Love for Stories
When children experience the pleasure of stories, they naturally want to read more. Fox stresses that children who love stories will become motivated readers because they see reading as fun, not as a chore.
Repetition and Predictability
Mem Fox highlights the importance of repetition in books. Familiar phrases, rhymes, and predictable storylines help children join in, anticipate what comes next, and feel successful as early readers.
The Role of Parents
Parents don’t need to be teachers. Their role is to model enjoyment, read with expression, and make books part of daily life—bedtime, mealtimes, or anytime. The joy and consistency matter more than technical instruction.
Key Takeaway
By reading aloud every day with warmth and enthusiasm, parents are giving their children the foundation for literacy, imagination, and a lifelong love of learning.
Here’s to stories, community, and joyful learning,
Whitney Zisman, M.Ed.
Head of School
St. Mark’s Episcopal Day Schooll
Sportball Began this Week!
This week we kicked off Sportball with our new coach, Coach Graham! The children had so much fun building their foundational movement skills. Using cones and hula hoops, they practiced drills that focus on coordination, balance, and basic motor development. As the weeks progress, new skills and activities will be layered in to keep the program engaging and challenging. We can’t wait to see their growth and confidence build each week!
Coming up Next Week: Music and Chapel will join the weekly rotation!
Fire Truck Visit
Monday, September 15th at 2:00 P.M.
We’re excited to welcome the fire truck to St. Mark's Day School! Since the firefighers are busy in the mornings, this year’s visit will take place during extended care. If your child is not enrolled in extended care, no worries, you are welcome to come with your child. More details will be shared soon.
National Teddy Bear Day
Tuesday, September 9th
We’re excited to welcome the fire truck to St. Mark's Day School! Since the firefighers are busy in the mornings, this year’s visit will take place during extended care. If your child is not enrolled in extended care, no worries, you are welcome to come with your child. More details will be shared soon.
Back to School Bash
Thursday, September 25th from 4-6 p.m.
Mark your calendars for our Back to School Bash! This is one of our favorite days of the year, when the whole St. Mark’s community comes together to kick off the new school year. We’ll have fun vendors lined up and plenty of activities for the whole family. More details coming soon, stay tuned!
Dear St. Mark's Community,
We’re excited to share that Mockingbird Therapy is now Green Jay Therapy. Though our name has changed, our partnership, team, and services remain exactly the same.
As Green Jay Therapy, our team continues to provide:
Speech, occupational, and physical therapy in schools and homes
Professional development for teachers and specialists
Camps and enrichment programs that help children succeed
Please note: our website and email addresses will automatically forward, so nothing changes on your end.
We’re proud of the collaborative work we’ve done together, and we look forward to a wonderful school year ahead.
Warm regards,
The Greenjay Therapy Team
Dear Parents,
It is a blessing indeed to serve as your child’s school chaplain at St. Mark’s. I’ve been an Episcopal priest for 21 years, with most of my ministry placements involving children’s formation at the heart. I met and married my husband, Nathan, also a priest, while at seminary. We’re just about empty-nesters, and have raised two children who miraculously still like church!
I have been formed in two children’s formation programs in particular: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Godly Play. Both have an emphasis on the Holy Spirit being the teacher, with the lead adult mindful of her role as the one who lifts up each holy story, and helps the child fall more in love with God.
Weekly school chapel for the pre-K’s and 3’s will begin on Wednesday, September 10, at 9:30am, in the main church sanctuary (two big doors, first building on left as you drive into the parking lot). I encourage you to attend, either sitting with your child (give your child’s teacher a heads up), or keeping out of sight from your child (just creep in). You know best what will work.
The last Sunday of the month, we will invite to the front all children who are celebrating a birthday that month for a special prayer and blessing.
If you have children younger than those age groups, I will be leading the younger ages for a very brief, weekly visit with quiet Godly time in Grace Chapel (at the end of the church/adult bathroom hallway). Please confirm with your child’s teacher about the day and time.
Finally, extended care Godly Play will also begin that same week on Thursdays at 2:15pm. It’s a chance to think more about the Bible story and respond with art or further work (Godly play) with the material. It might be hard for the child to say “what they learned.” Think of it more like a child’s spiritual retreat. They will offer reflections on their Godly play often at the most unexpected times.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at kelly@stmarksaustin.org.
What a great first full week back! We’ve loved seeing new friendships beginning to bloom.
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!
UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER
September 9- National Teddy Bear Day
September 15- Fire Truck Visit
September 22- No extended care/staff development
September 25- Back to School Bash
October 2- Coffee Talk (Hosted by the Fox Class)
October 18- St. Mark's Episcopal Church Block Party