Virtual Christmas Greetings from Saint Mark Catholic Academy

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Dear Families:
 
We’ve made it through one-third of the school year already! These past few days have tested our resiliency, but we’ve made it to the Christmas Recess!
Pope Saint John XXIII said, “Mankind is a great, an immense family. This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas.” In that same way, Saint Mark Catholic Academy is a family. In fact, this is shown not just at Christmas time, but throughout the year!
 
When it became clear that our usual Christmas Show would not be possible, our teachers sprang into action and began preparing for a “virtual Christmas Show,” which would’ve included recordings of students singing and performing from their classrooms. Just as we were about to begin “production” we had to make the transition to remote learning. That said, our school family again rose to the occasion! In just a few days, we received over 90 Christmas messages from our students and their families! Please click on the link below to see them! Despite some challenges, we still found a way to share the Christmas spirit with our entire school community! Thank you!
 
Again, on behalf our teachers and staff, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and healthy and safe New Year! We look forward to seeing everyone on January 4th!
 
“Bells and holly mean little without friends in your heart. The magic of Christmas has its rhyme and its reason. We hope you and yours have a most joyous season.” – Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas
 
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
– Mr. Wilson, and the faculty and staff of Saint Mark Catholic Academy
 

SMCA’s Christmas Bow Sale!

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This Christmas, Saint Mark Catholic Academy will be holding a Christmas Bow Sale!

These bows will be hung on our fence outside the school on East 19th Street.

Along with being a festive decoration, these bows will also be a way for you to honor or memorialize a special family member or friend.

Each bow costs $5.

If you are interested in purchasing a bow, please click on https://tinyurl.com/yy5zjtfy  or complete the form at bottom of the page.

The sale is ongoing, but bows will begin to be hung after the Thanksgiving Recess. Thank you!

 

Update to Cluster Hot Spot Zones & COVID-19 Testing Requirement

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Dear Families:

It’s wonderful to see our students in school today! This is due, in large part, to your hard work and commitment to following our reopening guidelines and the health and safety regulations set by the city and the state. Thank you!

In addition, I happy to share some more positive news with you…

According to the latest update from New York State, Saint Mark Catholic Academy is no longer in a Cluster Hot Spot Zone.

As a result, the weekly testing requirement is no longer in place at this time.

However, as we all know, the Cluster Hot Spot Zones are regularly updated, so Saint Mark could once again be placed in a yellow zone based on the local positivity rate of the COVID-19 virus. As a result, we will still keep your consent forms on file should the need for testing arise again.

As always, I thank you for your patience and cooperation throughout this process. Please continue to practice the “Core Four,” which includes maintaining physical distance, wearing a face covering, practicing healthy hand hygiene, and staying home if sick.

Again, we are planning to remain open. This decision will only change if the Governor declares all of New York City an Orange Zone.

I will continue to keep everyone informed should I receive any additional information.

Sincerely,

Mr. Wilson

 

Saint Mark Catholic Academy Remains OPEN!

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Good Afternoon!

We all heard the recent announcement of the Mayor to close public schools as of Thursday, November 19, 2020.

WE ARE PLANNING ON REMAINING OPEN.

The Diocese of Brooklyn’s Office of the Superintendent is working with the Archdiocese of New York to determine the impact on Catholic Schools. They have repeatedly asked the NYC DOE to update us on the services (transportation, food, and nurses).  They have repeatedly refused to answer their questions.

As a result, please note there may be an issue tomorrow with transportation and food services.

Again, we are planning to remain open. This decision will only change if the Governor declares New York City an “Orange” Zone.

I will continue to keep everyone informed should I receive any additional information.

Thank you,

Mr. Wilson

Support Saint Mark @ SchoolStore.com

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Dear Families:

I want to personally thank all of the families who have already participated in our SchoolStore fundraiser! We are on our way to reaching our goal, but we need everyone’s help to make sure our teachers get the essential tools they need to help our students succeed.

If your family hasn’t participated, there’s still time!

This safe and easy fundraiser is 100% online so there is no face-to-face selling, collecting money, or delivering products. Participation only takes 12 minutes, and your child will win fun and exciting prizes. Every student will receive a prize just for participating. More prizes will be rewarded when goals are reached. 

Please help now. It really will make a difference.

Go to https://www.schoolstore.net/sid.t?0000115280 to support Saint Mark Catholic Academy!

Thank you,

Mr. Wilson

Cluster Zone Initiative – Saint Mark in YELLOW ZONE

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Dear Families:

In recent days, you have heard many news stories from Mayor de Blasio and Governor Cuomo about the Cluster Zone Initiative within New York City.

After using the COVID Zone Locator sent by Governor Cuomo, Saint Mark Catholic Academy’s address is identified as being inside the Yellow Zone.

As you know we have worked diligently to re-open Saint Mark Catholic Academy and the first month of the academic year has been a great success. We have submitted our re-opening plans to the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Department of Education. We practice the Core 4: Stay at Home if Sick, Social Distancing, Mask Wearing, and Healthy Hygiene. We continue our Daily Health Questionnaire and temperature checks. We have done everything correctly and feel disrespected by the actions of Mayor and Governor.

We will continue to contact the Mayor and Governor to get answers to our many questions.

We also ask you to contact:

Mayor Bill de Blasio (212) 788-3000
Governor Andrew Cuomo (518) 474-8390
Assembly Member Steven Cymbrowitz (718) 743-4078
State Senator Andrew Gounardes (718) 238-6044
Councilman Chaim Deutsch (718) 368-9176

Since this is an evolving situation, we will continue to provide you with regular updates as we receive information.

Should you have any questions, please contact us at (718) 332-9304 or mwilson@smsonthebay.com.

Sincerely,

Mr. Mark Wilson
Principal

Call to Action from the Diocese of Brooklyn

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Please read this important information from the Diocese of Brooklyn as well as the Archdiocese of New York.

Although Saint Mark is open, we need to assist all of our Catholic schools.
We never know when our area may come up!
Please contact Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio to let them know we do not agree with the closing of Catholic Schools.

Saint Mark Catholic Academy Remains OPEN

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Dear Families:

I’m sure many of you heard Governor Cuomo’s announcement regarding school closings in “hot spot” ZIP codes.

Please note Saint Mark Catholic Academy is in ZIP code 11235.
This is NOT one of the ZIP codes under the Governor’s mandate.
We are open and will remain open until further notice.

That said, we should remain cautious and vigilant at all times. Please remember the following…

  • Complete the online health screening each morning for each child. If you answer YES to any question, you should keep your child home. Once again, here is the link: https://forms.gle/gtPE6ohViaUsexCE9
  • Keep you child home when he or she is sick. If your child exhibits any signs of illness, please keep him or her home.
  • Wear a mask! Our students, faculty, and staff wear masks throughout the day while in the building. Please do your part and wear a mask when outside the school dropping off/picking up your child.
  • Keep social distance! All of our students are socially distanced in their classrooms. There are markers in the hallways and stairways. Please do your part by keeping at least six feet apart when outside the school dropping off/picking up your child.

Thank you for doing your part to keep our children and school community safe. We appreciate your patience, kindness, and support!

 Thank you,

Mr. Mark Wilson
Principal