Head of School Back to School Update – July 14, 2023

Happy Aloha Friday Saint Mark Parents (New & Returning)!

I hope and pray you all are doing well on this beautiful Friday afternoon.  As I try to do every summer, I have purposely refrained from cluttering your inboxes with the hope of giving our families some time to relax and enjoy the break. However, with the first day of school just a couple weeks away, it’s time to resume more active communications. I am writing with the latest Saint Mark updates.

FACULTY/STAFF BACK TO WORK SOON
The entire faculty and staff are excited to be returning to campus on July 26.  We will spend the time in collaboration and training.  Among the many planned curricular discussions and various activities, the entire faculty and staff will participate in its annual Emergency First Aid training, CPR training, and general safety training.  It’ll be a busy and productive few days leading up to the first day of school.

CLASSES RESUMING SOON
K-8 Students Return on Monday, July 31 (with early dismissal – no aftercare)
Drop-off:
Gr K-8    7:15 to 7:55 a.m.
Pick-up:
Gr K-2    11:15 a.m.
Gr 3-5    11:30 a.m.
Gr 6-8    11:45 a.m.

ELC Students Return on Wednesday, August 2 (no aftercare)
Drop-off:
PK to 8    7:15 to 7:55 a.m.
Pick-up:
Gr K-2     12:45 p.m.
Gr 3-5     1:00 p.m.
Gr 6-8     1:15 p.m.
PK3&4    3:00 p.m.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
     Faculty and Staff Report – Wednesday, July 26
     K-8 Parent Visitation/Supply Drop Off – Thursday & Friday, July 27 & 28
     K-8 First Day of School – Monday, July 31
     ELC Parent/Student Visitation Day – Tuesday, August 1
     ELC First Day of School – Wednesday, August 2
     Before/Aftercare Begins for Registered Students – Thursday, August 3
     Back-to-School Orientation (K-5) – Wednesday, August 9 at 6:00 pm
     Back-to-School Orientation (6-8) – Thursday, August 10 at 6:00 pm
     Fall School Pictures – Friday, August 11
     Back-to-School Orientation (PK) – Tuesday, August 15 at 6:00 pm

WELCOMING FACULTY & STAFF
In addition to our returning faculty and staff, we are excited to be welcoming a few new members to the Saint Mark `Ohana.  Please join me in wishing a very warm aloha to all of our new and returning faculty and staff: Mrs. Alissa Menza (PK3), Mrs. Janine Kiyono (PK3/4); Ms. Erin Shiroma (PK4); Mrs. Dawn Somera (K); Mrs. Hilary Beebe (grade 1); Ms. Cynthia Chung (grade 2); Ms. Makamae Nottage (grade 3); Ms. Rochelle Chang (grade 4); Mrs. Sarah Selph (grade 5); Mrs. Melissa Sanborn (m.s.); Mrs. Miriam McMillian (m.s.); Mrs. Kristy Schroppel (m.s.);  Mrs. Alyssa Hutchens (band & choir); Mr. Paul Markillie (school programs, athletics & computers); Ms. Kaui Dias (E.A., P.E.& beforecare); Mrs. Dale Gibo (E.A., art, aftercare); Mrs. Mele Manu (E.A., school programs, library); Mrs. Lisa Bastatas (E.A.); Mr. Nolan Chan (E.A.); Mrs. Julie O`Conner (E.A.); Ms. Calsea Shaner (E.A.); Mrs. Melelani Lawrence (business manager); Mrs. Kacie-Lyn Dela Cruz (admin asst, admissions); and Pastor Dan Truesdell.

CAMPUS IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
One of Saint Mark’s most important goals is to provide our students with a safe, beautiful, and highly-functional educational environment. We make it a priority to properly maintain the campus throughout the school year and then complete the bigger more disruptive projects in the summer months. We want the campus to promote learning and be a source of pride for our students and their families. This summer we have been working on a number of projects that include the following:
• Tree and brush removal
• Installation of fencing behind the gym
• Asphalt repair, seal coating, re-striping
• Painting – interior and exterior
• Replacement of outdoor basketball backboards/rims and other carpentry work
• Furnished the collaborative space in the ELC
• Removal of old playground and construction of the new playground.

Tree/Brush Removal and Fence Installation

Asphalt Repair/Seal Coating/Re-Striping

Campus Painting 

Replacement of Basketball Backboard

Furnishing Collaborative Space in ELC

Removal of Old Playground

Renderings of New Playground 




Construction on the new playground is scheduled to begin next week and will hopefully be completed by the first day of school.

A big mahalo goes to Island Trees (Ruben Perez), Supreme Fencing (Zane Carvalho), DC Asphalt Services (Geoffrey Long); Maze Painting (Jarod Shinsato), T&T Construction (Frank Tanaka and Kevin Tanaka), Inspired Play (Darren Martinez), Mr. Paul Markillie, Noah Gaudi (c/o 2017) and Jacob Gaudi (c/o 2019) for their wonderful work this summer.

Thank you for your time and support and please do not hesitate to contact the school office should you have any questions.

Mahalo, Blessings and See you Soon,

David Gaudi
Head of School