A Guiding Light in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, for Children From Nursery School to Eighth Grade
We’re so proud of our school community, and we’re grateful that Catholic Schools of Brooklyn & Queens and DeSales Media Group chose to highlight Saint Mark Catholic Academy’s diverse, multicultural school community!
Please watch this wonderful video to see the great things that are going on at Saint Mark Catholic Academy!
Dear Families:
Happy Labor Day! I hope that whatever your plans are, you are taking advantage of this beautiful weather today!
Since Labor Day marks the “unofficial” end of summer, I’d like to just remind you of a few items before school begins on Wednesday, September 8.
PREVIOUS EMAILS
In case you missed my two previous summer updates, they both can be found by clicking on the links below:
August 4 Email: https://smcaonthebay.
September 1 Email: https://smcaonthebay.
SCHEDULE FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL
Please use your designated entrance/exit. Click here to check for yours.
LOGIN TO FACTS
District Code: smca-ny
Have you logged into FACTS yet? If not, please follow the step-by-step directions attached.
By logging into FACTS, you’ll be able to see who your child’s teacher is.
If you’re having difficulties, please call the school office tomorrow. (718) 332-9304
ATTACHMENTS FROM THE OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
Attached to this email, you’ll find two messages, both from the Office of the Superintendent. One pertains to health and safety measures, and the other is a Welcome Back letter from Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn.
Once more, Happy Labor Day! I look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday!
Thanks,
Mr. Wilson
Dear Families:
It’s hard to believe that we’re in September. We have gone from counting the months and weeks to now counting the days until September 8!
Teachers and staff have been working hard these past few weeks to ensure that the school building is ready for our students. They all deserve our gratitude, most especially our building and custodial staff!
With school being a week away, I wanted to provide you with some important information…
IMPORTANT LINKS
Attached to this email are the following important documents:
As we’ve mentioned in previous communications, all Diocese of Brooklyn schools—including Saint Mark Catholic Academy—are transitioning from OptionC to FACTS. This document is your step-by-step guide to setting up your username and password and logging in for the first time. The school does not create families’ usernames and passwords.
On FACTS, you will be able to view your child’s grades, attendance, and what class he or she is in.
Included in this attachment are answers to many of the questions families may have regarding the beginning of the new schoolyear. Please read it over carefully. If you need any additional clarification, please call the school office at (718) 332-9304 or email Mr. Wilson at mwilson@smsonthebay.com.
This document includes a chart to indicate what entrance/exit your child will be using this year, along with his or her designated arrival and dismissal time.
Please read the attached document carefully. Once completed, please print the sign-off page and return it with your child the first week of school.
SCHEDULE FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL
Certain grades will be assigned entrances and exits. (See the attached chart.) Please use your assigned entrance/exit during the first week of school and each day of school going forward.
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
As much we would like you to meet both our new and returning faculty in person, unfortunately, we cannot hold our Back-to-School Night like we have in previous years. This year, our teachers will meet with families via Zoom. A separate email will go out with the Zoom links to attend Back to School sessions with teachers. Middle school (grades 5 through 8) will meet together and will have an opportunity to meet all middle school teachers at the same time during one session.
ADMIT TO CLASS CARDS
Rather than being mailed or emailed to families, admit to class cards will be distributed to students in kindergarten through grade eight on the first day of school, Wednesday, September 8.
FACULTY & STAFF NEWS!
IMMUNIZATIONS
We’d like to remind you of the important vaccination requirements from the New York State and New York City Departments of Health that must be completed before your child/children return to school in September. Please use the attached reference sheet as a guide for the immunizations that are required for September 2020. Thank you!
Thank you again for your close attention to this important information. Last year, we faced many challenges and our school community thrived. Undoubtedly, we will face some new challenges this year. I have every confidence that our Saint Mark family—new and returning—will once again rise to the occasion!
Happy New Year!
Mr. Wilson
Dear Families:
I hope the first half of your summer is going well. Despite some rainy days, we’ve had some very nice weather!
While many of us don’t want to rush August along, we are just over a month away from the first day of school, and there’s some important information that we need to share with you.
First off, I hope you all got my postcard in the mail letting you know this email was coming! As I mentioned, starting this school year, we’re going to move toward a “greener” Saint Mark Catholic Academy, with many of the papers and flyers you would have received moving to a digital format. Thank you in advance for your patience as we begin this new endeavor!
In preparation for September and the beginning of a new academic year, here are some important updates and reminders…
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
The first day of school for all students is Wednesday, September 8th. The arrival and dismissal times for the first day of school are as follows:
SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS
Just a reminder that summer assignments for all classes can be found on our school website: https://smcaonthebay.org/summer-assignments-2021-22-supply-lists/
SUPPLY LISTS
We have partnered with School Tool Box to sell pre-packaged school supplies next school year. Below, is the link to their website. Buying through School Tool Box is not only convenient for families, but it is also a fundraiser to support SMCA.
https://schooltoolbox.com/school-supplies/school/list-boxes/?schoolId=107959
Of course, this is completely optional, and you may choose to buy school supplies on your own. Thank you!
NOTEBOOKS
You’ll notice that notebooks and loose-leaf are not on your child’s supply list. In September, all students will be purchasing notebooks and theme tablets (loose-leaf) directly from the school. Please do not purchase notebooks or loose-leaf over the summer. Thank you!
UNIFORMS
Last year, we allowed students to wear either their gym uniform or dress unform any day of the week. For September, we will return to students wearing their gym uniform only on gym days, with the dress uniform being worn the rest of the week. (Students in 3K for All and PreK for All wear the “gym uniform” every day.)
Please go to our website for uniform information: https://smcaonthebay.org/uniform-information/
You can also purchase uniforms online by visiting: www.idealuniform.com/SMCA
MOVING FROM OPTION-C TO FACTS
This summer, all schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn—including Saint Mark Catholic Academy—will be transitioning from OptionC to FACTS.
Starting in September, FACTS will be where you can check your child’s attendance, academic progress, and report card/progress reports.
We hope to have login information to share with you soon.
CALENDARS
Attached is the September 2021 Calendar calendar. It includes all special events and activities during the month of September.
Also attached is the Preliminary Calendar 2021_2022. It includes major events such as days off, early dismissal days, and report card days.
We have done our best to plan in advance as much as possible; however, given the uncertainty we’re all still dealing with, both of these calendars are subject to change.
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
On the September calendar you’ll see that we have Back to School Night scheduled for Wednesday, September 15th at 6:30pm. As of now, this is scheduled as an in-person event, but this is still very tentative. Should the need arise, we may need to make this a Zoom event. Once we have more definitive plans, we’ll let you know.
UPDATE: These will be ZOOM EVENTS. Links will be forthcoming.
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM
We’re happy to offer once again our After School Program. Additional information for our After-School Program can be found on our website: https://smcaonthebay.org/after-school-program/
To register for the After-School Program, please click on the following link: https://forms.gle/TUBfNkQd4qnpWXN77
Please note that the fees for the After-School Program will remain the same.
ADMIT TO CLASS CARD
In order for students to receive their Admit to Class Cards, July fees and August tuition must be current. If you have any questions, please contact the Mr. Bunch or Mr. Cleland in the Business Office, (718) 332-9304 Extension #2.
Admit to Class Cards will be distributed later on this month.
IMMUNIZATIONS REMINDERS
We have been asked to remind families to stay up to date on their children’s vaccinations if they have fallen behind on their required immunizations due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
SECURITY GUARD
Thanks to a grant from the Nonpublic School Security Guard Reimbursement Program, we will have a full-time security guard on staff at Saint Mark Catholic Academy. Watch Guard 24/7, LLC will be providing a security guard to ensure safety throughout the day, especially at arrival, dismissal, and outdoor recess.
COVID-19 REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES
We are still waiting to receive health and safety guidance from the Governor’s office and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) concerning the 2021-2022 school year. Once received, these regulations and guidelines will be issued to Saint Mark Catholic Academy by the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Office of the Superintendent. We will keep everyone informed as soon as we become aware of any new information.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this important information for September. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school office at (718) 332-9304.
The past year and half has been a trying time for our students. However, our entire school community faced that adversity head-on, and they did a wonderful job. Some uncertainty still lies ahead, but I’m confident our Saint Mark family will once again rise to the occasion.
There’s a saying that “The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.” We look forward to welcoming our students back in September and seeing how much they’ve bloomed!
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Mr. Wilson
Dear Families:
We made it! Thank you for a great year!
As we conclude for the summer, I’d like to share with you links to summer assignments and supply lists. I’d also like to provide some year-end information and some early information regarding September.
REPORT CARDS
This afternoon, families should check their OptionC account for their child’s final report card. Please allow some time for the report card to appear; OptionC is a nation-wide company, and they queue all report cards at the same time. Thanks for your patience.
MOVING FROM OPTION-C TO FACTS
Speaking of OptionC, over the summer all schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn—including Saint Mark Catholic Academy—will be transitioning from OptionC to FACTS.
Starting in September, FACTS will be where you can check your child’s attendance, academic progress, and report card/progress reports.
We hope to have login information to share with you over the summer.
SUMMER PACKETS
Here are the links to the summer packets for all students. These links can also be found on our website by visiting https://smcaonthebay.org/summer-assignments-2021-22-supply-lists/
SUPPLY LISTS
We are happy to announce that we have partnered with School Tool Box to sell pre-packaged school supplies next school year. Below, is the link to their website. Buying through School Tool Box is not only convenient for families, but it is also a fundraiser to support SMCA.
Of course, this is completely optional, and you may choose to buy school supplies on your own. Thank you!
https://schooltoolbox.com/school-supplies/school/list-boxes/?schoolId=107959
NOTEBOOKS
You’ll notice that notebooks and loose-leaf are not on your child’s supply list. In September, all students will be purchasing notebooks directly from the school. Please do not purchase notebooks or loose-leaf over the summer. Thank you!
I-READY DIAGNOSTIC REPORT
Today your child’s i-ready Diagnostic Report is being sent home.
i-Ready diagnostic assessments are computer-based assessments that adjust to each child’s mathematics and reading ability levels. If your child took an i-Ready diagnostic assessment this school year, this end-of-year check will start with content based on those prior results and adapt from there. As your child answers each question, the test adapts based upon your child’s responses. The questions become easier if the answers are incorrect and get more challenging as correct answers are provided. Students will see challenging questions. By finding what students can do, and not do yet, the system is able to provide a more accurate description of your child’s instructional level. This type of assessment individualizes every testing experience so that it more accurately measures your child’s ability.
The assessment data is to help understand where your child is in relation to grade-level standards, provide for practice and assignments at your child’s academic level, and monitor academic growth this school year.
i-Ready will remain available to students through August 20th, 2021. Students and families can decide if they would like to continue to use lessons in i-Ready this summer.
If you choose to continue to use i-Ready in the summer the recommendation is for students to complete up to one lesson per week in reading and/or math again this summer work is highly recommended to be done.
Your child knows his/her iReady username and password, but should you need it, please email Mr. Wilson (mwilson@smsonthebay.com).
SCHOOL SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
From Monday, July 5th through Friday, August 13th…
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 8am to 1pm
Wednesday: 8am to 1pm
Thursday: 8am to 1pm
Friday: Closed
We will have normal office hours the week of June 28th, and we’ll return to regular hours on Monday, August 16th in preparation for the upcoming school year.
SCHOOL UNIFORM INFORMATION
This year, we relaxed our uniform guidelines because of health and safety regulations. Next year, we anticipate returning to regular school uniform. In anticipation of that, please go to our website for uniform information: https://smcaonthebay.org/uniform-information/
You can also purchase uniforms online by visiting: www.idealuniform.com/SMCA
To begin the registration process:
(Our program code is: 22KAKF3K)
Please check out all of the fun activities we have planned for Catholic Schools Week 2021!
Monday, February 1, 2021
Good morning!
I hope everyone is staying safe and warm!
In accordance with Mayor de Blasio’s announcement regarding public schools, Saint Mark Catholic Academy will again be fully remote tomorrow, Tuesday, February 2nd.
Please check your email for continued updates!
Thank you!
Mr. Wilson
Sunday, January 31, 2021
Good morning, Saint Mark families.
I’ve consulted with the other principals in our area, and we have all agreed to close and move to remote instruction in anticipation of the major snow storm that is expected tomorrow.
Although the physical school building will be closed, this is still a day of instruction. Students are expected to participate in remote instruction, and attendance will be taken.
Please check your child’s Class Dojo or Google Classroom page(s) for scheduling and Zoom login information, which should be posted by this evening.
(I’ve asked teachers to give everyone some time to have some fun in the snow, too.)
A decision about Tuesday will be made by early Monday.
Thank you! Stay safe! Stay warm!
Mr. Wilson
