School Calendar

During the 2006-2007 school year teacher in-service days were scheduled every other month on Mondays and Fridays. The goal was to make arrangements easier for families. Half days were eliminated to provide for a better environment for the teacher training. As we sit down to make next year's schedule what are your concerns and recommendations? In your opinion was it better to take a whole day off as opposed to a half-day off? Love to hear your thoughts.

Homework Help and the Lower Grades?

Beginning in November a test program was initiated with the junior high students called, "homework help". This program has been based off of similar programs at Holy Family Catholic School and local area public schools. The goal of the program is to increase student achievment by decreasing the amount of late and missing homework assignments. The program operates by increasing school - parent communication and student accountability. In practice when a child fails to present their assignment they are sent to the office to notify their parent and are expected to either stay after school that day or the next to complete the missing work. So far the program was had solid success in the Junior High. We are considering rolling this program out the to 3rd through 5th grade at the start of the next semester in mid-January. We would love to hear your thoughts.

Halloween Parties and Trunk or Treat. All Saints Day?

Halloween is an exciting part of every year for a child. Our Trunk or Treat event hosted by the PTO is a fabuouls event every year for our parish school community. Is it a little bit redundant to have a room party to celebrate Halloween when "trunk or treat" was a few days before? Should we as a Catholic School try to put more of an emphasis on All Saints Day and move the Room Parties to All Saints Day? I would like to hear your thoughts on the matter.

The Length of Basketball Season

I would like your input regarding the length of the basketball season for the PACC. At a recent Regional Principal's Meeting the topic came up. In general most of the principals were in favor of shortening the PACC schedule. What are your thoughts and comments?

New St. Mark Facilities Options

Over the past year much progress has been made in working towards a new school at St. Mark. The REID Consulting Group will soon be delivering their report to Bishop Jenky and Brother Wililam. Much talk lately has focused on different types of building options. Many call for a brand new school on our current footprint. Many call for a total rehab of our current facility with the addition of a gym, science lab and a few classrooms. Never the less either project would certainly bring much excitement to Catholic education in the West Bluff. What are your thoughts? Should we build a brand new building? Should we remodel and add on? How much of a difference does available funding make? As always we would love to hear your thoughts.

Catholic High School in Peoria

Recently the Journal Star ran a proposal from Fr. Terry Cassidy regarding the future of Catholic education at the Secondary level in Peoria. Fr. Terry advocates the selling of the land received by PND and their current campus. Money would then be used to purchase Manual High School. District 150 is cash strapped and facing the consolidation of some of its high schools already. The remaining balance could be used to fund scholarship endowments. This central location would be well served by the 474 overpass and also allow the Church to practice its social justice teachings as well. Please post your thoughts on the idea. God bless!

May Crowning and Awards Ceremony

On Friday May 12th Saint Mark Catholic School celebrated Award's Day and May Crowning. Any thoughts or comments on this year's format to award's day and May Crowning. Anything that could be improved, anything that should be dropped? As always, love to hear your comments.

The Musical - Annie Junior

This past weekend St. Mark students performed our fifth musical "Annie Junior". All in all the performances were great. Our students certainly deserve a great deal of accolades for their hard work. Special thanks to our director and her wonderful and talented staff.