New Families

Welcome to St. Mark's!

We are so very happy to welcome you to the St. Mark’s community for the 2021-2022 school year! School is typically a place of stability, consistency, and predictability for our children and families. While the COVID-19 pandemic has created unpredictability and inconsistency for all of us, it remains our top priority to attend to the health and welfare of everyone in our community: students, faculty, staff, and families. It is through this lens we make all decisions. Our team will be working this summer to finalize our COVID mitigation plans for the 2021-2022 school year, and you will receive communication as new information becomes available.

We hope you find the information below helpful as your family prepares for the start of school in August. We know joining a new school community can be an exciting and overwhelming experience. If you have any questions, please know members of our Leadership Team are available to help you. We wish you a happy and safe summer and we are eager to welcome you on the first day of school!

Completing Your Summer To-Do List

Are you ready for the first day of school? Check your email this summer to get more information about each of the following items! Before #stmesday1, you should make sure that you have:

Filled out required forms.
Purchased uniforms (Preschool 3s through 8th Grade!)
Completed summer assignments, if required.
Registered for middle school athletics, if you'd like.
Enrolled in extended care or signed up for after school clubs, if you'd like.

Completing Your Summer To-Do List

Are there Summer Assignments?

When is the First Day of School? Is there Orientation?

When Do Tuition Payments Begin?

What are the Required Medical Forms?

Our School Nurse is Sarah Beckmann; she works full time during the school day. Nurse Beckmann coordinates all required health and immunization forms and communicates regularly with parents regarding student-specific and school-wide health.

The school uses Magnus Health for collection of all medical information as well as a variety of other forms. All information about your student’s health records will be shared through our summer correspondence.

All students must have a complete record in Magnus Health, our school health software, by August 1, 2021, including the following forms that require both a doctor's and a parent/guardian’s signature. If your child has had a healthy check-up within the last year, you will not likely need to schedule another appointment for your physician to complete the forms; however, you'll want to get your form to your doctor as soon as possible since they can be backed up this time of year.

All students must have an annual Medical Examination by Doctor Form completed by their physician. This exam must have been completed after (OR must be dated no earlier than) August 19, 2021.
If your child takes a prescription medication or an "off-label-instruction" over-the-counter medicine that will be given at school, please also have your doctor fill out the Prescription Medication Form.
For students with allergies, asthma, seizures, or diabetes, please ensure that an updated action plan is on file in Magnus Health. Please note: These forms do not replace the need for the above prescription form since they do not give specific instruction to administer at school.
All students must have an updated immunization record on-file in Magnus Health. The only acceptable exclusion from immunization compliance is a Medical Contraindication written by a student’s physician, which will be reviewed and accepted annually on a case-by-case basis. View immunization requirements for Preschool 2s through Pre-K students or immunization requirements for Kindergarten through 8th grade students for more information.

All forms are collected electronically through Magnus Health, and online help resources located within Magnus Health will show you how to upload your documents.

New families will be able to access Magnus Health in late June. Stay tuned for an email alerting you that your Magnus Health portal is now available. If you are a returning family with a new student, that student’s Magnus account will be established in late June.

How do We Order Uniforms and Supplies?

Information regarding uniforms are available online. We also hold Used Uniform Sales throughout the summer, where parents may purchase gently used uniforms for the upcoming year.

If you have any questions, please contact Christine Parker.

Saturday, August 14, 2021: Used Uniform Sale, 10:00 AM TO 12:00 PM. Sign up here to select your shopping time. This will be a socially distanced event.

For all the 8th grade families that need light blue polos, we’ve got you covered! For the first time ever, we’re even featuring a few 8th grade grab bags: 5 polos for just $10! Limited quantities, available in sizes Youth L, Youth XL and Adult M

We need volunteers to help with the sale and would appreciate your help. Don’t forget: setup volunteers get a chance to shop early!
Sign up here to volunteer!

Have used uniforms you need to donate? Drop off is available at the school front office.

All supplies in Primary and Lower School are provided for students. The Middle School Supply List is now available!

Getting Connected and Staying Informed

Sometimes when you join a new school, it feels like you’re learning a new language! Whether you are new to Houston, new to independent school life, or new to being the parent of school-aged child, we are here to help ease your transition.

Getting Connected and Staying Informed

How Does St. Mark's Communicate with Parents?

Our primary methods of communicating with parents are through the Portal and email.

Each Friday, the school sends a weekly email that includes important updates and a calendar for the week ahead. The St. Mark's Weekly e-News provides you with the information you need to know!

Most Tuesdays, we send the Parent Guild Bulletin, which includes upcoming Parent Guild events and volunteer needs.

All parents are automatically included in our email distribution lists. If you are not receiving messages, please contact us!

What is the Portal?

The St. Mark's Portal provides everything from contacts to classes to calendars in one place with tools that allow you to easily filter and find what is most important to you. The Portal includes announcements and assignments, athletics schedules, and allows you to customize your notifications, contact card, directories, and calendars. With an intuitive dashboard and easy navigation, you will be a Portal pro in no time. Portal access was established for each parent during the enrollment process; if you do not yet have access to the portal, please contact our Help Desk.

Middle school students also have student portals, which will hold assignments, lessons, and information. By managing their own homework, our middle school students will learn responsibility and accountability. Once logged into the portal, you will also be able to access our Student Information System and Magnus Health, our health software, where all forms, releases and student information can be accessed and updated by our families.

In late June, you will have full access to the portal. At that time, permission, acknowledgement, emergency contact, and profile update forms for students and families will be available. Watch for communication later this summer, notifying you that these forms are ready for you to complete.

Where Can I Access a School Calendar?

When Will We Learn Who Our Student's Homeroom Teacher or Advisor is?

When Are Parent-Teacher Conferences?

We host formal parent teacher conferences each year. Primary school and Lower School will open the year with introductory conferences. Middle School conferences are held with the student’s advisor and led by the middle schooler.

If a parent teacher conference is necessary at some point during the year in addition to the school’s scheduled conferences, parents may request a meeting time with their child’s teacher at any time.

How Can I Get Involved as a Parent?

The mission of the St. Mark’s Parent Guild is to support community spirit, create meaningful events and programs for our children, and promote the school in the greater surrounding community.

The Parent Guild is our version of the PTA. They are a self-supporting organization, with fundraisers generating revenue for their activities. As a parent of St. Mark’s, you are automatically a member of the Parent Guild and invited to join both meetings and committees. Meetings are the normally held first Wednesday of every month.

The success of Parent Guild and school activities and events depends on parent involvement, and we thank you in advance for the gift of your time. You can learn more about the various volunteer opportunities online. If you have an interest in a particular committee, please fill out the volunteer form online, or email the Parent Guild.

How Can We Support the School?

The tradition of fundraising in independent schools is a necessary and important one. We are a 501C3 non- profit organization, and the additional funds we raise through the Development Office support our mission and advance our school. Through growing resources and fiscal responsibility, the basic operating budget of St. Mark’s is covered by tuition dollars. Fundraising efforts help us go above and beyond the standard classroom and create the entirety of the St. Mark’s experience.

The Annual Fund: The Annual Fund is the most important fundraising initiative of the year. This condensed campaign, occurring every fall from September 1 through November 30, provides funding for:

Enhanced professional development for teachers
New technology in classrooms
Refreshed and enriched curriculum materials
Improvements to our campus and facilities

Our theme for the Annual Fund is “Every Family, Every Year,” and we invite all families to contribute in the fall. In previous years we have reached as high 92% parent participation in the fund. We hope to reach new heights this year with your help!

Gala and Ungala:

The annual spring gala to support St. Mark’s Episcopal School is a time-honored tradition. We have a system established where we alternate from a casual UnGala year to a traditional formal affair every other year. We invite all parents to join us this spring for our UnGala, which will be a more casual event held on our campus in the spring. Proceeds from the St. Mark’s Gala or UnGala benefit special projects around campus. Funds from previous events have been earmarked for things like new turf, facility upgrades, keeping our campus secure, professional development, and our ongoing commitment to improving technology.

Across all of our programs, we benefit from the generous support of parents, grandparents, alumni families, and foundations. We are sincerely grateful for all of our donor support at St. Mark’s. It is reflected in what we do and who we serve.

Can I follow the School on Social Media?

Learning About Life on Campus

Wondering what arrival and dismissal looks like at St. Mark’s? Or curious about after school activities or our dining program? Check out the FAQs below to find an overview of life on campus at St. Mark's Episcopal School. We can't wait to see you here!

Learning About Life on Campus

How does Arrival and Dismissal Work?

Preschool 2s and Preschool 3s
- Students may arrive between 8:15 AM and 8:30 AM; school begins at 8:30 AM. Students in the Preschool 2s are walked to the courtyard each morning by a parent or caregiver.
- Preschool 2s students are dismissed at 12:15 PM. Children are picked up from the courtyard gate.
Preschool 3s:
- Students may arrive between 8:15 AM and 8:30 AM; school begins at 8:30 AM. Students in the Preschool 3s are walked to the courtyard each morning by a parent or caregiver.
- Preschool 3s students are dismissed at 2:30 PM from Hauser Hall.
Pre-K and Kindergarten
- School begins at 8:00 AM. Students may be dropped off through the carpool lane beginning at 7:40 AM and walk to class independently.
- Pre-K and Kindergarten students are dismissed at 2:30 PM from Hauser Hall.
1st through 4th Grade
- School begins at 8:00 AM. Students may be dropped off through the carpool lane beginning at 7:40 AM and walk to class independently.
- 1st through 4th grade students are dismissed at 3:00 PM from D Building. Please do not arrive before 2:45 PM.
5th Grade through 8th Grade
- School begins at 8:30 AM. Students may be dropped off through the carpool lane beginning at 8:00 AM and walk to class independently.
- 5th through 8th grade students are dismissed at 3:30 PM from their classrooms.
Sibling Drop Off and Pick Up
- Early arrival is offered from 7:40-8:15 AM for students with siblings enrolled in Pre-K through 8th grade.
- Preschool 3s, Pre-K, and Kindergarten students will be held until 3:00 PM for pick-up with a sibling in 1st through 4th grade. If a student in Pre-K or Kindergarten has a sibling in Middle School, the Primary School student must be picked up at 2:30 PM during Primary School dismissal. Students in 1st through 4th grade who have a sibling in 5th through 8th grade may wait until 3:30 PM for one pick up by the family.
Map and Instructions: A detailed map and instructions for drop off will be provided in the Family Handbook, accessible through the Parent Portal. Parents are welcome to walk in with students the first week of school until routines are developed.

Does the School Offer Extended Care?

At St. Mark's we offer several extended care options for our families. Our students enjoy being here after hours and spending time with their friends. Our Extended Care Programs carry on the mission of the school day in a slightly more relaxed atmosphere. Students experience joy, playfulness, and growth in a safe environment. Registration for these programs takes place online; check your email this summer for more details!

Before School:

The Before School program is available to families in need of an early drop-off for students in Pre-K through 8th grade. The program takes place in Hauser Hall between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM. There are teachers on duty to supervise those enrolled in Before School. All students arriving before 7:30 must register in advance to participate.
Students who arrive between 7:30 - 7:40 but are not registered for Before School will also go to Hauser Hall, and will not be charged for early arrival.

Extended Care for Preschool 2s and Preschool 3s

The Extended Day Program for Preschool 2s allows students in the Preschool 2s the option of extending their school day until 2:30 PM. The extended time will include an afternoon nap. Students must enroll in this program in advance; the school does not offer drop-in extended care.
We also offer an Extended Day Program for Preschool 3s, which allows students to stay on campus until 6:00 PM daily. Students must enroll in this program in advance; the school does not offer drop-in extended care.

After School

The After School program is available to families with students in Pre-K through 8th grade needing daily or part-time after school care. The program includes snack time, outside recreation, homework time for elementary and middle school students or informal inside activities for younger children. Daily care ends promptly at 6:00 PM, late-pick up will require a fee. More information can be found in the Family Handbook.

Clubs

After School Clubs are available to students beginning in Pre-K. Clubs can run from 3:15 PM to 5:30 PM and include a snack. Enrollment information about these activities will be made available in our summer communication. Students enrolled in After School may join club activities and will be escorted back to the After School program at the end of class.

What does the Dining Program Look Like?

Our caterer, Flik Independent School Dining, promises “To provide wholesome, nutritious meals that fuel the minds of our campus communities, each and every day.” Our lunch service starts in the Preschool 3s. Payment is included with your tuition for Preschool 3s through 8th grade. Your child eats as much as he or she would like from the menu of offerings for one price. You can learn more about dining here!

What's the Deal with Spirit Teams and How Do I Know Which Team We're On?

We have several traditions at St. Mark’s that are unique to our community, including our red and blue spirit teams. This program, started in 2011, began as a way to promote school spirit and friendly competition. Families are assigned a color upon admission, and they retain that “red” or “blue” designation throughout their life here. We are careful to assign the same color for newly enrolled siblings so there will be no divided households. Throughout the year, we have several opportunities for students to earn points for their spirit team, from participating in our annual literary pumpkin decorating project, to field day activities, to reading challenges! Students may earn points for their spirit team throughout the year, and at the end of Spirit Week, the spirit team champion is announced.

To learn which color you are on, follow these simple steps:

Log in to your Portal Account
Select your child’s name in the top left hand corner
Click the “Contact Card” tab
Spirit Team color will display on the left side of the screen under “General Information”

A required part of the uniform for each Preschool 3s through 8th grade student is a spirit team t-shirt in either red or navy. Our Preschool 2s are not required to purchase a spirit shirt, but most choose to do so to join in the fun!

What Athletics Offerings Are Available?

We offer a wide variety of sports through our athletics department! Is your new lion ready to join a team? Registration will take place on the portal over the summer. Stay tuned for emails with more information on registration and evaluation dates for fall sports.

The Middle School athletics program for 5th through 8th grade includes volleyball, soccer, cross country, basketball, swimming, track & field, tennis, golf, and baseball. The athletics program requires an additional fee for participation. We have a no-cut policy for athletics, and we encourage all interested middle school students to participate. St. Mark’s competes in the Greater Houston Athletic Conference.

The Lower School athletics program is coordinated through the United Church Athletic League (UCAL). Students in 2nd through 4th grade can participate in basketball, and 1st through 4th graders can participate in soccer. St. Mark's also offers a cross country team for 3rd and 4th graders and a bounce ball team for 1st through 4th graders.

What Does Dining at St. Mark's Look Like?

What Does It Mean to be An Episcopal School?

Each division gathers for an age-appropriate chapel once a week that includes prayer, song, scripture, and teaching. Students are required to attend chapel and encouraged to participate joyfully and respectfully. Gathering for chapel weekly grounds our community in our Christian faith and allows us to center ourselves on God. This sense of belonging is incorporated in the classroom through the respectful treatment of one another. On these days, students are required to wear their dress uniforms.

Primary School Chapel (Preschool 3s through Kindergarten) is held on Wednesday mornings at 9:15 AM.
Lower School Chapel is held on Wednesday mornings at 8:15 AM
Middle School Chapel is held on Thursday mornings at 8:15 AM

Once a month, the school hosts an All School Chapel for students in 1st through 8th grade. All School Chapels occur on Thursday mornings, therefore once a month Elementary students will have chapel on Thursday in lieu of their regularly scheduled Wednesday service. These dates will be communicated via the school calendar.

While strongly rooted in Judeo-Christian teaching, we also recognize and celebrate the diversity present in our community. Students of all faiths are invited to participate in chapel in ways that are appropriate to their religion.

From a young age, students are encouraged to take leadership roles in chapel by serving as acolytes and chapel readers. As students mature, they are given opportunities for more leadership in chapel planning.

Our Chapel Chums program pairs middle school students with elementary students for our monthly All School Chapel. This program fosters relationships between students, and allows our middle school students to be leaders with their younger counterparts. These relationships are carried over into other school events through the year.

Have Questions? Reach Out!

Garhett Wagers

Headmaster

Leadership

Matthew Burgy

Head of Middle School

Middle School, Leadership

Roma Coleman

Director of Athletics

Leadership, Athletics

Lisa Dods

Head of Primary School

Leadership, Primary School

Amanda Duplantis

Director of Admission

Leadership

Eve Grubb

Director of Operations

Leadership

Jean Marie Howard

Director of Communication and Marketing

Leadership

Juli Rush

Director of Extended Programs and Liaison to Fine Arts

Leadership

Lou Ellen Stansell

Director of Development

Leadership

Heather Williams

Head of Lower School

Lower School, Leadership