St. Mark’s School of Tex as Fourth Grade New Family Information 2023–2024
From the Head of Lower School
Dear Fourth-Grade Parents,
I am thrilled to welcome you to the St. Mark’s community! This week’s Ice Cream Social is the first of many wonderful events that are planned to celebrate you and your family as we welcome you to the Lower School.
Enclosed you will find a letter from your son’s teachers. As well, there is a list of topics that may be on your mind as you begin the transition from your current school to St. Mark’s School of Texas. We have tried to anticipate the things about which you would be curious. If, however, there is a topic that we haven’t covered, please don’t hesitate to ask. Important contact information is included on the list for your convenience as well.
Enjoy the remainder of the school year at your current school. We are looking forward to getting to know you better in the coming months and years. St. Mark’s School of Texas is an incredible community filled with people who put family and relationships high on the list of priorities. Courage, honor, character, and leadership are just some of the important virtues at the heart of this wonderful academic institution. We couldn’t be happier that you chose us to partner with you, as your son begins his Path to Manhood.
All the best,
Sherri Darver Head of Lower School
From Your Homeroom Teachers
Dear Parents,
We extend a warm welcome to you and your son as he joins the Class of 2032. We look forward to partnering with you this year and share your goal of making a smooth transition. Yearbook photographs and a Back-to-School party are scheduled to take place the week before School begins. You will receive details about each of these events during the summer.
We hope you encourage your son to read for pleasure this summer. Have conversations to promote the thinking and curiosity sparked by his book choices. Our reading culture builds in 4th grade as the boys get to know themselves as readers. The summer months afford a rich opportunity to help your son discover books that move him, challenge him, give him ideas, and experience the true magic of reading.
One of the ways you can help your son feel confident with his math skills is to have him practice them over the summer. You will receive a suggestion of websites to visit when the summer email packet arrives in early June. Mastery of basic math facts should be firmly in place to ensure success in fourth-grade mathematics.
We appreciate your participation in your son’s education. Thank you for helping him prepare for a great start. Look for the summer packet, which will be emailed in June. We look forward to a terrific year together.
Sincerely,
Lauren Fischer
Lee-Ann Graham
Shannon Nadalini
From The President of the Parents’ Association
Dear Fourth-Grade Parents,
On behalf of the Parents’ Association, I would like to welcome your entire family to the St. Mark’s community. We are so glad you chose St. Mark’s.
As a parent of a Marksman, you are an automatic member of the St. Mark’s Parents’ Association. We are an active group of volunteers partnering with the Faculty, Staff, and Administration to support the boys’ education and development. Our parents participate on campus in a wide range of areas including the libraries, cafeteria, student store, Lions’ Closet, etc. There is a place for everyone.
The St. Mark’s PA also organizes events throughout the year. A few to put on your calendar right now are:
Lion Pride Night – an All-School Spirit Night, complete with a cookout and a DJ before our home football game on Friday, September 8. This will also be Lower School Spirit Night.
Fall Fun Day – a school carnival held with Hockaday for Daisies and Marksmen in grades one through six scheduled on Friday, September 29.
Celebrate – annual school community celebration scheduled for Saturday, April 6.
To get involved in these and other events, you will volunteer through Sign-Up Genius. Please mark your calendar for July 17 after 12 p.m. to log on to the St. Mark’s website and click on the “Volunteer Here” button on the Resource Board. You will see many opportunities listed along with the activity description. When class lists are released in August, please return to the Resource Board for more class-specific volunteer opportunities.
Finally, if you have any questions during the summer months or the school year, please contact the following parent volunteers:
Class of 2032 – 4th Grade Representatives for questions regarding the summer activities:
Chris Kennington ce_eason@yahoo.com
214.669.6206
Class of 2032 – 4th Grade Representatives for questions during throughout the year:
Karen Belgiovine belgiovine@yahoo.com
Christen Redlich christenalredlich@att.net
Ann White aarbegast@sbcglobal.net
917.916.4407
214.762.6423
214.850.7301
Again, welcome to St. Mark’s and I look forward to meeting you. GO LIONS!
Cindy Hanson
St. Mark’s
Parents’ Association President
cindy_a_hanson@hotmail.com
214-335-9681
2023-2024
• Contact Mrs. Darver or Mrs. Mallick with any questions. Mrs. Darver can be reached at 214.346.8216 or darvers@smtexas.org. Mrs. Mallick can be reached at 214.346.8210 or mallickk@smtexas.org.
• Uniforms can be purchased at Culwell & Son, 6319 Hillcrest Avenue, Dallas, 75205, 214.522.7000. Lion Tracks (in the Directory and online) lists all details about school uniform requirements for all grades. Please use a permanent marker to label your son’s uniform shorts, shirts, and sweatshirts.
• P.E. uniform must be purchased in the Student Store. Please use a permanent marker to label your son’s uniform shorts, shirts, and sweatshirts.
• Backpacks are necessary for all students and may be purchased anywhere. The Student Store carries backpacks, as well. No wheeled backpacks are allowed in Lower School. Be sure to display your son’s name on his backpack.
• Classroom supplies and books are provided to Lower School students.
• Back-to-School events begin the week before the first day of school. While these events are not required, your son will want to be in town to participate. There will be a back-to-school party for each grade in Lower School and yearbook photos will be taken that week, as well. In August, a “Back to School Basics” tab will be on the SM website Resource Board. First and second grade back-to-school parties are scheduled for, Monday, August 14, this year. Third and fourth grade parties are scheduled for Tuesday, August 15.
• Yearbook Photos are taken at School the week before classes begin. Boys should wear a dark sports jacket and any appropriate tie. These items are available from the photographer if you are unable to provide a jacket and tie for your son. Dates and times will be posted on the “Back to School Basics” tab on the SM website Resource Board.
• The Directory & Lion Tracks is distributed at Mini-School, scheduled on Thursday, August 17. You should familiarize yourself with Lion Tracks, which is the guide to the School’s policies. Lion Tracks can also be accessed on the SM website Resource Board.
• Mini-School Parents’ Night is for parents only. This is an opportunity to meet your son’s teachers and receive an overview of curriculum for the school year. Mini-School is scheduled for Thursday, August 17, at 6 p.m.
FAQs
• Class Lists will be posted on Class Pages in early August.
• Lion Pride Night is an all-school community picnic held the evening before a varsity home football game. This year, Lion Pride Night is scheduled for Friday, September 8, at 5 p.m.
• Lower School Spirit Night occurs just before the home football game scheduled for Friday, September 8 (also, Lion Pride Night this year). The Lower School grades will picnic together, and the new boys will be invited on to the football field before the game.
• Fun Day is our annual Hockaday/St. Mark’s carnival. St. Mark’s boys in grade 1 – 6 and Hockaday girls in pre-K – 6 will meet on the Hockaday campus this year for an afternoon of fun and games. Fun Day is scheduled for September 29.
• Chess Club is open to all Lower School boys and meets throughout the year on Thursday mornings at 7 a.m. in Great Hall. A sign-up form will be in the summer email with more information about dates and club meetings.
• Cub Scouts is open for Lower School boys in second, third, and fourth grades. Detailed information about scouting and joining Pack 730 will be sent in the summer email.
• Carpool information, including information regarding SchoolPass, will be distributed at MiniSchool. Morning carpool drop-off is 7:35-7:50. Class begins promptly at 7:55 a.m. Boys are expected to be in class and ready to work at 7:55. Afternoon carpool pick-up is 2:45-3:10.
• Extended Day is our after-school program and is offered to all boys in grades 1-4. Boys are given a snack, complete their homework, and enjoy time on the playground with their friends. Pricing details and a sign-up form for the upcoming year will be sent in the summer email.
• Student Store will be open during the week of back-to-school parties and yearbook photos. P.E. uniforms and St. Mark’s swag will be available for sale throughout the year, as well. Regular Student Store hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., school days. Our online store is always open at smtexasstore.com.
• Lions’ Closet is a resale shop located on the 1st floor in the north wing of the Green Library. Gently used uniform shorts, shirts, P.E. clothes, and sportswear are available for sale to all families. Lions’ Closet will be open to new families before the school year begins with times posting on your Class Page and Resource Board.
• Team Sports: Lower School Athletic Liaisons Danny Ellis and Grant Ruckel will be emailing information about Lower School after-school athletic options as they become available through the Y and other sports associations.
FAQs (cont.)
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Summer Reading Bingo Fourth Grade
Get a BINGO! (Across, down, or diagonal) Put an X in each box when completed. Write titles on the reading log and have a parent initial.
Joke or riddle book
Summer Reading Bingo 4th Grade
Animal fact book Fantasy
Sports fact book Newbery winner or honor book
Parent rec. Sports fiction
Newbery winner or honor book
Friend or family rec.
Mystery Poetry
Animal fact book
Animal fact book
Animal story
Animal story
Biography
Friend or family rec.
Historical fiction
Parent rec. Poetry Fantasy
Realistic fiction
Joke or riddle book
Biography
History fact book
Animal fact book 1st book in a series
Space fact book
Animal story
Friend or family rec.
Biography
1st book in a series
1st book in a series
Newbery winner or honor
Newbery winner or honor
Fantasy
Fantasy
Historical fiction
Historical fiction
History fact book
History fact book
Joke or Riddle Book
Joke or Riddle Book
Mystery
Mystery
Title and parent initials
Title and parent initials
Get a BINGO! (Across, down, or diagonal) Put an X in each box when completed. Write titles on the reading log and have a parent initial.
Parent recommendation
Parent recommendation
Poetry
Poetry
Realistic fiction
Realistic fiction
Friend or family recommendation
Friend or family recommendation
Space fact book
Space fact book
Sports fact book
Sports fact book
Sports fiction Bonus Bonus Bonus
Sports fiction Bonus Bonus Bonus
**Read Hello, Universe, by Erin Entrada Kelly at the end of the summer. Bring it on the first day of school.**
**Read Hello, Universe, by
Entrada Kelly at the end of the summer. Bring it on the first day of school.**
Erin
