MISSION STATEMENT
St. Mark Catholic School finds its validity in the mission of the Roman Catholic Church; it is based on an educational philosophy in which faith, culture, and life are brought into harmony. Its mission is to give each student an education which embraces the total person, forming individuals with good mental, moral, ethical, physical, and spiritual habits.
PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT
Manifested by over 40 years of spiritual and scholastic service to a diverse and dynamic community, St. Mark Roman Catholic School professes the right of all children to learn and meet with success.
Catholic education is an expression of the mission entrusted by Jesus to the Church. Our philosophy is to teach as Jesus did. We proclaim the Good News that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life through MESSAGE, COMMUNITY, SERVICE, and WORSHIP. Together as a community of faith and learning we intend to fulfill this mission in providing an atmosphere in which the Gospel message is proclaimed, community in Christ is experienced, service to others is the norm, and thanksgiving and worship of God are cultivated.
Through the educational program, each child is given maximum opportunity to develop intellectually, creatively, emotionally, and physically, with a sense of social awareness. As God’s vessels, teachers reveal and witness God’s message in order to establish the students’ personal relationship with God. In this way, they help students learn the full meaning of Christianity as expressed through the Roman Catholic faith. The children, in turn, grow spiritually and develop permanent Gospel values that enrich their lives.
By developing in its students a respect for self and a deep love for God, the school endeavors to foster in the children a growing love and respect for all of life and creation. Building responsibility helps each student learn that communities—and countries—run better when everyone assumes some responsibility for the consequences of their actions. The school seeks to promote a genuine Christian community in which its members express their deep love through worship of God, service to each other and building the kingdom of God.
VISION STATEMENT
St. Mark Roman Catholic School is an primary school within the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky serving boys and girls in grades Pre-K through 3. Parents have the first and ultimate responsibility for the education of their child and, therefore the faculty and staff of St. Mark accept with great pride, but also a great sense of accountability and humility, the parents’ decision to entrust the education of their children at an early age to St. Mark School.
At St. Mark Catholic School, we believe that there is no greater duty than that of ensuring that each child of God receives the best possible education and formation for life.
St. Mark Catholic School accepts as its goals that it will provide the strongest education possible in the laws of God and the principles of the Catholic faith, while ensuring that each child receives a strong academic foundation in the basic subjects, the arts and in spiritual matters and Christian values.
St. Mark Catholic School believes that these goals can only be accomplished when all members of the school community—children, parents, teachers and administrators—hold themselves to the highest standards of behavior and conduct and live lives consistent with religious values.
We expect each child to work to his or her full potential, respect others and behave in an appropriate fashion. In return, the staff will work to ensure that each child receives a high quality, Catholic/Christian education.
St. Mark School expects parents to be active in the church and school and, in turn, we will communicate openly with parents and provide them with the opportunity to become involved fully in their children’s education.
We will hire faculty and staff of the highest quality and engage in continued training and development in both academic subjects and religious education, while striving to provide just compensation.
We envision a vibrant, Professional Learning Community of responsible, respectful, relational adults and students equipped with life skills and up to date technology.
Finally, St. Mark School will strive to create and maintain a model Roman Catholic/Christian community where we can live and learn together in a manner that encourages each of us—child, parent, teacher and administrators—to grow toward fulfillment as a total person and a child of God.
CURRICULUM
Faith Formation: Our religion curriculum teaches the areas of Scripture, Prayer, Sacraments, Commandments, and Creed. The religious and moral training of our students is the most important part of our program.
The entire school body participates in an all-school liturgy once a week and seasonal/prayer experience.
Students in grade 2, who are member of the Catholic faith, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist.
Language Arts Program: This program includes the areas of writing, grammar, spelling, phonic, spoken language and reading. The primary grades learn to read, and the intermediate classes read to learn.
Math Program: We teach the Singapore Math Program in Pre-K through grade 3. It is a hands-on program that teaches less material more in-depth.
Science Program: The purpose of the science program is to introduce the student to the methods of investigation and observation. This encourages the students to interact with each other and to handle the objects while observing and following the experiment to its logical conclusion.
Social Studies: Our social studies program is an integrated study of history, geography, economics, anthropology, sociology, and political science.
Fine Arts: The art and music program fosters an appreciation for the beauty of the past as well as recognizing the giftedness of the artist and composers of the present. Each child’s God-given giftedness is recognized and his/her talents are developed.
Physical Education: This program provides opportunities for the individual and the group to learn activities and skills that are not only invigorating and developmental, but also educational.
Computer Technology: The computer program helps to introduce the students to computers and/or enhance the students’ knowledge of how to interact with the computer, how to use the computer for problem solving, creative and logical thinking, and reinforcement of other skill areas.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES and EVENTS
 |
Altar Servers | Empty Bowls |
| Scouts | Field Day | |
| Class Buddies | Fall Festival | |
| Catholic Schools Week | Field Trips | |
| Liturgy Preparations | Service Projects | |
| Sacramental Preparation | Awards Day | |
| Grandparents Day | Thanksgiving Feast | |
| Christmas Program | ||
PARENTS and FAMILY ACTIVITIES
We recognize that the success of any school is dependent upon active and involved parents. We ask that all families agree to give volunteer time each school year. There are a variety of ways to volunteer your time and talents:
HASA
Box Top Collection
Campbell’s Soup Labels Collection Field Trip Chaperones
Uniform Closet Helper
PR Committee
Classroom Helpers
Development Committee
Morning Drop Off Greeter
Marketing Committee
Attending School Functions
Fund Raisers
EWJames receipt collection
Cafeteria help
Guest speaker
Library Aide
Coaches
Traffic Duty
| PTO | Box Top Collection |
| Campbell's Soup Labels Collection | Field Trip Chaperones |
| Uniform Closet Helper | PR Committee |
| Classroom Helpers | Development Committee |
| Morning Drop Off Greeter | Marketing Committee |
| Fund Raisers | Attending School Functions |
| Cafeteria Help | Guest Speaker |
| Library Aide | Traffic Duty |