Head of School Update – March 8, 2024

Happy Aloha Friday Saint Mark Parents,

I hope and pray you all are doing well.  I am writing with the latest updates, reminders and pictures (lots of them) as we head into Spring Break.

MAHALO for a GREAT 3rd QUARTER
As we bring an eventful 3rd quarter to an end, I feel it’s important to pause and offer up a collective mahalo to our families for their continued support and commitment to the people and programs of Saint Mark. Saint Mark’s goal is to share and live God’s loving and saving grace with the hope of creating a caring and rigorous learning atmosphere where students are pushed to do their best yet feel safe enough to take risks and explore their learning and curiosity without a fear of failure. We want our students to be able to make mistakes knowing that God loves them, we love them, and failure is a normal part of the growth and maturation process.  We all understand that this process/journey can be messy at times, so please know how much the faculty and staff appreciate your partnership. Mahalo nui!

WARRIORS OF THE QUARTER
Congratulations to the three middle school students who received the Warriors of the Quarter for the 3rd quarter – Kaiea Maka`ina`i (gr 6), Nyla Shae Kurihara (gr 7) & Mia Mackenzie (gr 8). Warriors of the Quarter are identified and celebrated at the end of each quarter as students who have exemplified what it means to be a Saint Mark Warrior.  Keep up the great work!!

SPRING FAMILY NIGHT at ICE PALACE
The spring family night was a huge success! Over 200 Saint Mark students and family members gathered for a fun evening of ice skating and fellowship! It was the first time since 2020 that there has been such an event. A BIG MAHALO to Mrs. Sanborn for organizing this fun evening!

APRIL CHAPEL OFFERINGS – Make-A-Wish®!
Chapel offerings for the month of April are going to Make-A-Wish.  If you are not aware, the mission of Make-A-Wish is to “create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.” Tens of thousands of volunteers, donors and supporters advance the Make-A-Wish vision to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a critical illness. In the U.S. and its territories, a wish is granted every 34 minutes. A wish can be that spark that helps these children believe that anything is possible and gives them the strength to fight harder against their illnesses.

SAFE KIDS LOCKDOWN DRILL (A Success!)
After participating in our week long H.E.R.O. training in January, the entire campus (PK to Grade 8) participated in a successful lockdown drill on February 27.  As I have shared in the past, we value the health, safety and well-being of our children above all else and are confident that our training program creates a safer and better prepared learning environment for our entire school community.

SPIRIT WEEK 2024!
The students and staff had a blast this week as we celebrated our Spirit Week 2024!  The days included Disney/Superhero, Class Color Day, Aloha Attire Day, Sports Day and Crazy Hair Day w/Free Dress.  The spirit filled week concluded with the Student Council sponsored Spring Activity Day that included a variety of team-building events/activities and an on-campus petting zoo from Nalo Keiki Paniolo.  It was the first time that Saint Mark was able to hold the activity day since just before COVID closures began in March 2020.  Mahalo to all of our enthusiastic participants as well as Mrs. Sanborn, the Student Council (Kira Keawe, Bella Rodrigues, Jeremiah Kawamoto, Yula Atisano’e, Lenix Chen, Braxton Hardy, Nyla Kurihara, Brooke Adams, Ethan Elia, Camryn Pocock, Mary Poliahu, and Esai Rivera) and Saint Mark’s PTC for their work planning and supporting this exciting week!

Disney/Superhero –

Aloha Attire Day –

Sports Day – 

Crazy Hair Day w/Free Dress –

Activity Day with Petting Zoo – 

ALL are INVITED to EASTER CELEBRATION
With Easter just around the corner, I would like to offer up a quick invite to all those who are interested to join Saint Mark Lutheran Church for an Easter Celebration on Sunday, March 31.  The exciting service begins at 9:00 a.m. and will be followed by a Easter breakfast, egg hunt, and Kona Ice.  Pastor Dan will be sending an official email invite in the coming weeks.

SAINT MARK CROSS COUNTRY COMPETITION (Coming Soon!)
Our annual campus wide Cross Country Competition is taking place on Friday, April 19!  This is an exciting and fun event in which all grades (PK-8) will participate.  Ribbons will be awarded to the top 3 boys and top 3 girls from every grade level starting with kindergarten!  Other runners will have a chance to earn a Participant or Finisher ribbon for their efforts.  The top 3 boys and top 3 girls from grades 5 through 8 will also advance to a Grand Finale Race on Friday, May 3!

This event is a great opportunity for our students to have a little on-campus fun while promoting physical activity and fostering some healthy competition as we enter into the home stretch of the school year.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
    3rd Quarter Ends – Friday, March 8 (Early Dismissal)
    Spring Break – March 11 to March 22
    School Resumes – Monday, March 25
    No School (Good Friday) – Friday, March 29
    No School (Easter Monday) – Monday, April 1
    Spring Pictures – Thursday, April 4
    Saint Mark’s Annual Cross Country Competition  (Trials Gr PK-8) – Friday, April 19
    All Mid-Quarter Reports go home with students – Tuesday, April 30
    Saint Mark’s Annual Cross Country Competition (Finals Gr 5-8) – Friday, May 3
    S.A.T Testing – April 29 to May 3
    Teacher Appreciation Week – May 6 – 10
    No School (Head of School Holiday) – Monday, May 6
    Gr 4 Big Island Trip – May 8 to 10

SAFE and FUN SPRING BREAK
Saint Mark Lutheran School is on spring break from March 11 to March 22 with classes resuming for all students on Monday, March 25, 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 most days during the break are 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Mahalo, blessings and have a wonderful spring break,

David Gaudi
Head of School