Head of School Update – October 4, 2024

Happy Aloha Friday Saint Mark Parents!

I hope and pray you all are doing well. I am writing with the latest Saint Mark updates and pictures (LOTS of them!) as we close out the first quarter and begin the fall break.

EVENTFUL FIRST QUARTER
As the students conclude their 9th week of the school year, it’s nice to pause and recognize some of the enriching and diverse learning activities our students participated in this quarter.  Below are just a few of the many activities experienced this quarter.

Kindergarten and Grade 8 Chapel Buddies Excited to Read Together

Grade 1 Communicating/Cooperating on their Math and Science Activities

Grade 2 Working in the Garden

Grade 3 Enjoying Science & Art

Grade 4 “Engineers” Loving the new Amplify science curriculum

Grade 5 Collaborating and Learning Together

Grade 6 Science – Students analyzing how water and sand interact with one another to better understand how water can affect the earth’s landforms over time

Grade 7 Science – Students learning the importance of specific molecules (e.g. starch) for maintaining a healthy body and applying this knowledge to making fresh pasta from scratch.

Grade 7 Social Studies – Students presenting their United States research slides

Grade 8 Science – Students conducting a measurement lab to compare the accuracy and precision of various measurement tools

Grade 8 Science – Students practicing the scientific method with a bubble lab in which they had to determine which dish soap produced the largest bubbles

TIE-DYEING in the ELC
The PK4 students had a blast tie-dyeing (and then wearing) their shirts. This was part of their annual unit on clothing and how clothes are made. One of the facts they learned is that the shirts came from the cotton plant.

GRADES 6-8 ENJOY HE`EIA STATE PARK
The middle school students (grades 6-8) recently enjoyed an educational trip to Heʻeia State Park to engage in a variety of cultural activities facilitated by Kama’aina Kids. The students pounded Kalo that was donated by Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi and participated in traditional Makahiki games like haka moa, moa pahee, hukihuki, and ‘ulu maika as well as learned the art of Ti leaf lei making.  Overall, the students had a fun and immersive experience learning about Hawaiian traditions and heritage.

WARRIORS OF THE QUARTER
Congratulations to the three middle school students who received the Warriors of the Quarter Award for the 1st quarter – Kaiea Fernandez (gr 6), Carter Coleon (gr 7) & Aila Kawamoto (gr 8). Keep up the great work!!

SUCCESSFUL JV VOLLEYBALL SEASON
Our JV volleyball season ended on a high note as both the boys and girls teams played well and showed remarkable improvement from the start of the season.  We had a huge turnout this year with 15 girls and 8 boys filling out the rosters.  The girls enjoyed several three set matches and picked up a few exciting wins.  Every match for the boys was close, and a highlight was beating Windward Nazarene on our home court.  Congratulations to all our JV volleyball players (Skylar Barefoot, Luke Bemowski, Leila Bonilla, Aleiyah Chen, Chanel Correa, Kaiea Fernandez, Abby Fontanilla, Kawai Kamaka, Grace Kawamoto, Joseph Kekoa, Jessa Kona, Channing Kubo, Gavrielle Major, Kaimana McOuat, Zelie Miller, Kailey Nguyen, Walker Poliahu, Faith Rogers, Wesley Roybal, Taylor Sunaoka, Tavilyn Tatofi, Brody Wong, and Jacob Wong) along with Athletics Director/Coach, Mr. Markillie and Assistant Coach, Ms. Shiroma.

FUN RUN FUNDRAISER a HUGE SUCCESS – MAHALO!
Saint Mark’s Healthy Kid’s Fun Run Fundraiser culminated with the all school fun run where the students ran and walked for nearly 30 minutes.  Like last year, this was the school’s main fundraiser for the year and was an exciting program which promoted fitness and healthy habits.  Thanks to the generous support of our families, Saint Mark raised over $62,000.  The Top 3 individual fundraisers were: Kaumaka Lee (grade 2) – $2,260; Anaiyah Garcia (grade 5) – $1,250; and Raya Sanborn (PK 3/4) – $1,250.  Due to their generous support, they have earned a pizza party or special treat bag (which will be happily delivered and served by Mr. Markillie and yours truly) for each of their classes.

ELC STUDENTS VISIT the LIBRARY
The ELC students took a surprise walking tour of the school library where Mrs. Manu read them a few of their favorite stories from the Elephant & Piggie series by Mo Williams.

NEW FURNISHINGS for the TECH ROOM / MAKER SPACE 
After a long COVID delay, the final room on the 2nd floor of the ELC has been furnished. This room will be utilized by our older students as a dry lab/tech room/maker space where they can work on science and technology activities. The first equipment going into the room will be VR (virtual reality) goggles and a new 3-D printer.  The grade 6 students were excited to be the first to use the room.

STAYING HOME WHEN SICK (Your help is needed and appreciated)
As we head into the Flu season with RSV and COVID continuing to circulate in our communities, we want to thank you for your vigilance and continue to emphasize how important it is that families monitor their children for any signs of illness and keep them home if they show any symptoms.  Symptoms of illness include but are not limited to Cough, Runny or Stuffy Nose, Fatigue, Sore Throat, Body Aches, Headache, Shortness of Breath/Difficulty Breathing, Decreased Sense of Smell and/or Taste, Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, and Chills/Sweats or Fever of 100.4° F (or higher) in the past 24 hours.  Any student arriving to school with COVID/FLU-like symptoms (or developing symptoms while at school) will be removed from the classroom and parents will be called to pick them up from school.

NOW ACCEPTING NEW  APPLICATIONS for 2025-2026
Please spread the word that Saint Mark Lutheran School is currently accepting NEW Pre-K to 8 student applications for the 2025-2026 school year.  Please note that this is only for NEW students – not returning students. Please contact Admissions Coordinator, Mrs. Kacie-Lyn Dela Cruz if you have any questions.

PK-8 PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
As you should be aware, Saint Mark has scheduled Parent-Teacher Conferences for all students (PK to Gr 8) the week we return from fall break.  To allow adequate time for the conferences, the students will have half days on Thursday & Friday.  The pick-up times for Thursday (Oct 24) and Friday (Oct 25) are as follows:
        11:15 to 11:30 a.m. for grades K-2
        11:30 to 11:45 a.m. for grades 3-5
        11:45 to 12:00 p.m. for grades 6-8
        12:00 to 12:15 p.m. for grades PK

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS COMING SOON (Save the Dates) 
The students and Mrs. Hutchens have already begun work on the rapidly approaching Christmas concerts.  Please save the dates.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
    First Quarter Ends – Friday, Oct 4 (Early Dismissal)
    School Resumes – Monday, October 21
    Parent Teacher Conferences – October 23 – 25
    Early Dismissal – Thursday, October 24 and Friday, October 25
    Fall Family Night – Friday, October 25 at 5:30pm
    Grade 5 & 7 Camp Erdman Trip – November 6 to 8
    Veteran’s Day (No School) – Monday, November 11
    Open House for Prospective Parents – Thursday, November 21
    Turkey Trot – Tuesday, November 26
    Thanksgiving Break (No School) – Thursday & Friday, November 28 & 29

SAINT MARK on FALL BREAK
Saint Mark Lutheran School is on fall break from October 7 to October 18 with classes resuming for all students on Monday, October 21, 2024.  Please enjoy a fun, safe, and relaxing break, and be sure to call the school office at 247-5589 should you have any questions.  Office hours during the break are typically 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Mahalo, Blessings and Have a Wonderful & Safe Fall Break,

David Gaudi
Head of School