Welcome to 2026-27 School Year!

We hope that this letter finds you well and enjoying the last of the summer. We are continually growing and we welcome WIN Jr. to St. Mark along with our new Grade 7s and new students from across the world. We also look forward to starting the formal formation of our career focus program.

In preparation for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year, we want to update and remind you of some information prior to our first days of school. Below, you will find information pertaining to our school start up as well as information for the year to come. Please look to the sectionS that pertain to your child(ren) as reference: inclusive (regular), Generations, or WIN Jr. Click on the section in the Table of Contents for quick access to those sections which pertain to you and your child(ren).

Should you have any questions, please feel free to call the school between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm starting Wednesday (August 26-28) where Ms. Greenways will help you. You are also welcome to email our school (stmark@ecsd.net). Please note: Our staff will be preparing for the opening of school. Therefore, the office will be closed Monday 31 August and the morning of Tuesday 1 September. We will be open once again at 1:00 pm Tuesday 1 September 2026.

We look forward to meeting everyone. Enjoy these last days of summer and see everyone sometime during the first week of September!

J. Hertlein and A. Stabile

St. Mark Administration

Each Wednesday, the school sends out an update of important information for families to note. This is our main communication with families. This update is sent via email, using the address provided in your PowerSchool account. These updates are posted to our Smore page where families can then translate them to a language of understanding (if available).

If you have previously blocked or unsubscribed from ECSD's email system, you will NOT receive the email notifications. Please contact Ms. Greenways to reconnect your email.

Homeroom classrooms and class lists are carefully crafted, taking into consideration various factors such as learning needs, student abilities, school population, and budget constraints. This results in class lists and configurations that evolve, sometimes even in the initial days of the school year.

If you have a preference for your child to be placed in a particular class, you can submit a letter outlining the educational reasons to the school. Please note that requests for changes to classroom assignments will not be considered prior to 15 September 2026. Your understanding and cooperation in this process are greatly appreciated.

• General School Fees and all Recreation Academy Fees will be found in your PowerSchool account for payment.
• If you are unsure how to access your parent/guardian account, please contact the school office after September 8th for support.
• Option fees will be determined by the end of September. We allow this time to make changes as students may change their option classes during the first couple of weeks.
• General school fees and options fees can be paid in monthly installments. Please contact the office after September 8th to arrange this.
• We ask families to pay what they can for school fees and options. If your family requires support in meeting school fees, please contact the school to arrange an appointment with the principal.
• Recreation academy fees are due at their set dates as per the contract signed. Missed payment may mean the student is removed from field trips until the fees are paid, or the student will be removed from the recreation academy program.

• All students will be provided with a locker by the school.
• Inclusive/regular students will be provided with a school lock. All personal locks will be removed and replaced with a school lock. This is for school security purposes.
• WIN Jr. students will be provided with a school lock on a case-by-case basis.
• Students are to keep their lockers locked and are not to share their combination with other students. This will help to ensure personal items remain safe.

As per Alberta Education, St. Mark does NOT allow students use of their cell phones or other smart technology (including smart watches) at ANY TIME during the school day (8:15-3:03). Students who are found to be using their cell phone or smart technology without permission during the school day will have the device removed and stored with administration until the end of the school day (first offence).

Students have access to a school phone to make calls during the school day. Our school policy will be shared with students during orientation and with families during our Meet the Teacher Evening.

A copy of the student handbook will be provided to students as part of their agenda. An electronic copy (link) will be provided to families in our first weekly update.

• We invite the immediate family members of our Grade 7 students to join us for muffins and fellowship from 8:15-8:45 on Wednesday. This will be an informal opportunity to meet St. Mark staff and see some of the school.
• Grade 7 school orientation will commence at 8:45. Students will be dismissed at 3:03 pm.
• Students will attend school Thursday and Friday.
• Students will be practicing some of our safety drills Friday afternoon.
• A reminder there is no school on Monday 7 September 2026 (Labour Day Weekend).
• Grade 7 regular schedule will begin on Tuesday 8 September 2026.

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

  • First Bell - 8:15

  • Warning Bell - 8:22

  • Block 1 - 8:25-9:16

  • Block 2 - 9:18-10:06

  • Locker Break - 10:06-10:10

  • Block 3 - 10:11-10:59

  • Block 4 - 11:01-11:49

  • Lunch and Recess Break - 11:49-12:34

  • Block 5 - 12:34-13:22 (1:22 pm)

  • Block 6 - 13:24-14:12 (1:24-2:12 pm)

  • Block 7 - 14:14-15:03 (2:14-3:03 pm)

• Thursday

• First Bell - 8:15

• Warning Bell - 8:22

• Block 1 - 8:25-9:16

• Block 2 - 9:18-10:08

• Locker Break - 10:08-10:12

• Block 3 - 10:13-11:03

• Block 4 - 11:05-11:55

Our school PD days and Student-led Conferences have also been tentatively set:

• School PD - NO CLASSES - 7 October 2026

• Demonstration of Learning (Parent/Student/Teacher) -26 November 2026

• School PD - NO CLASSES - 28 January 2027

• Demonstration of Learning (Parent/Student/Teacher) - 11 March 2027

• School PD - NO CLASSES - 22 April 2027

The following links are the buses which regularly pass by or near St. Mark School:

• Route 51 - Castledown - Westmount
• Route 52 - Jasper Place - Westmount
• Route 124 - Westmount - Castledowns
• Route 903 - Jasper Place - Kingsway
• Route 907 - WEM - Westmount

Grade 7, 8 and 9 students are NOT provided Yellow Bus services to St. Mark School. ETS bussing is how many of our students arrive and leave school. Please see our summer newsletter for more information or visit the Edmonton Transit website.

ECSD is no longer offering bus passes for hardship cases. If you require financial assistance for your child’s bus pass, you are asked to apply to the ETS Ride Transit Program.

Physical Education (P.E.) is an important part of our curriculum and encourages students to be physically active during the school day.

Students are expected to change into gym clothing for P.E. classes. Students will be provided with a St. Mark t-shirt. Students should have shorts/sweatpants to change into. Students must wear running shoes for safety reasons.

We encourage students to take their P.E. clothing home weekly to be washed and return with them the following week.

For those families whose child is in recreation academy, a reminder the our recreation academy students that the fee schedule for payment deadlines are:

• Initial Deposit at time of application - $300

  • $150 dollars is non-refundable due to pre-bookings for the first month of school.

• Second Payment - DUE 2 October 2026 - $450

• Third Payment - DUE 15 January 2027 - $300

• Final Payment - DUE 12 March 2027 - $450

Should an alternative schedule need to be made, please contact school administration in September to arrange a payment schedule.

• Grade 8 and 9 have NO CLASSES on Wednesday 2 September 2026 as we prepare our grade 7s for junior high. Enjoy the extra day of summer vacation!
• We invite our Grade 8 and 9 students to join us between 8:15 and 8:30 in the school gym on Thursday 3 September 2026. Students will be dismissed at 11:55 am.
• Students will attend school Thursday and Friday.
• Students will be practicing some of our safety drills Friday afternoon.
• A reminder there is no school on Monday 7 September 2026 (Labour Day Weekend).
• Grade 8 and 9 regular schedule will begin on Tuesday 8 September 2026.

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

  • First Bell - 8:15

  • Warning Bell - 8:22

  • Block 1 - 8:25-9:16

  • Block 2 - 9:18-10:06

  • Locker Break - 10:06-10:10

  • Block 3 - 10:11-10:59

  • Block 4 - 11:01-11:49

  • Lunch and Recess Break - 11:49-12:34

  • Block 5 - 12:34-13:22 (1:22 pm)

  • Block 6 - 13:24-14:12 (1:24-2:12 pm)

  • Block 7 - 14:14-15:03 (2:14-3:03 pm)

• Thursday

• First Bell - 8:15

• Warning Bell - 8:22

• Block 1 - 8:25-9:16

• Block 2 - 9:18-10:08

• Locker Break - 10:08-10:12

• Block 3 - 10:13-11:03

• Block 4 - 11:05-11:55

Our school PD days and Student-led Conferences have also been tentatively set:

• School PD - NO CLASSES - 7 October 2026

• Demonstration of Learning (Parent/Student/Teacher) -26 November 2026

• School PD - NO CLASSES - 28 January 2027

• Demonstration of Learning (Parent/Student/Teacher) - 11 March 2027

• School PD - NO CLASSES - 22 April 2027

The following links are the buses which regularly pass by or near St. Mark School:

• Route 51 - Castledown - Westmount
• Route 52 - Jasper Place - Westmount
• Route 124 - Westmount - Castledowns
• Route 903 - Jasper Place - Kingsway
• Route 907 - WEM - Westmount

Grade 7, 8 and 9 students are NOT provided Yellow Bus services to St. Mark School. ETS bussing is how many of our students arrive and leave school. Please see our summer newsletter for more information or visit the Edmonton Transit website.

ECSD is no longer offering bus passes for hardship cases. If you require financial assistance for your child’s bus pass, you are asked to apply to the ETS Ride Transit Program.

Physical Education (P.E.) is an important part of our curriculum and encourages students to be physically active during the school day.

Students are expected to change into gym clothing for P.E. classes. Students will be provided with a St. Mark t-shirt. Students should have shorts/sweatpants to change into. Students must wear running shoes for safety reasons.

We encourage students to take their P.E. clothing home weekly to be washed and return with them the following week.

For those families whose child is in recreation academy, a reminder the our recreation academy students that the fee schedule for payment deadlines are:

• Initial Deposit at time of application - $300

  • $150 dollars is non-refundable due to pre-bookings for the first month of school.

• Second Payment - DUE 2 October 2026 - $450

• Third Payment - DUE 15 January 2027 - $300

• Final Payment - DUE 12 March 2027 - $450

Should an alternative schedule need to be made, please contact school administration in September to arrange a payment schedule.

Over the summer, we have had a change in teacher, with Ms. Clarke moving to a new program for this school year. At the current time, we are looking to hire a second Generations teacher and will announce the teacher's name as soon as we are able. Ms. Clarke will still be at St. Mark and will be able to aid in the transition to a new teacher. Ms. Anna Kulig and Mr. John McNeill will be sharing duties with the other classroom as they did last year.

Please see the schedule and for the first week of school below:

• GRADE 7 STUDENTS ONLY will attend Wednesday 2 September 2026.
• We invite the immediate family members of our Grade 7 students to join for muffins and fellowship from 8:15-8:45 on Wednesday. This will be an informal opportunity to meet St. Mark staff and see some of the school.
• Grade 7 school orientation will commence at 8:45. Students will be dismissed at 2:40 pm.
• Families are asked to provide transportation for the first morning. (Please see Transportation section below.)
• Grade 8 and 9 have NO CLASSES on Wednesday 2 September 2026 as we prepare our grade 7s for junior high. Enjoy the extra day of summer vacation!
• We invite our Grade 8 and 9 students to join us between 8:15 and 8:30 the grade 7s on Thursday 3 September 2026. Students will be dismissed at 11:46 am.
• Students will attend school Thursday and Friday.
• Students will be practicing some of our safety drills Friday afternoon.
• A reminder there is no school on Monday 7 September 2026 (Labour Day Weekend).
• Regular schedules will commence on Tuesday 8 September 2026.

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

  • Morning Classes - 8:25-11:55

  • Lunch and Recess - 11:55-12:30

  • Afternoon Classes - 12:30-14:40 (2:40 pm)

• Thursday

• Morning Classes - 8:25-11:46

Our school PD days and Student-led Conferences have also been tentatively set:

• School PD - NO CLASSES - 7 October 2026

• Demonstration of Learning (Parent/Student/Teacher) -26 November 2026

• School PD - NO CLASSES - 28 January 2027

• Demonstration of Learning (Parent/Student/Teacher) - 11 March 2027

• School PD - NO CLASSES - 22 April 2027

Generations is offered Curbside Service through our division's Inclusive department. If your child will be taking the yellow bus to and from St. Mark, we will need to ensure students are ready to safely ride, therefore, we will be asking all families to provide their own transportation for the first morning of school. This will allow us to set the bus up with the proper equipment necessary.

Buses can be followed using the BusPlanner app or website. This is especially useful in winter so families are not outside waiting in the cold. Please see our summer newsletter for more information or visit ECSD Transportation's website.

Over the summer, we have had a change in teacher, with Ms. Daniele accepting a new position outside of Edmonton Catholic. In her place, Ms. Clarke will be taking over the role of St. Mark's WIN Jr. teacher with Mr. Lopez. Ms. Clarke was formerly one of St. Mark's Generations teachers and has much experience working with a variety of students and special learning needs.

Please see the schedule and for the first week of school below:

• GRADE 7 STUDENTS ONLY will attend Wednesday 2 September 2026.
• We invite the immediate family members of our Grade 7 students to join for muffins and fellowship from 8:15-8:45 on Wednesday. This will be an informal opportunity to meet St. Mark staff and see some of the school.
• Grade 7 school orientation will commence at 8:45. Students will be dismissed at 2:40 pm.
• Families are asked to provide transportation for the first morning. (Please see Transportation section below.)
• Grade 8 and 9 have NO CLASSES on Wednesday 2 September 2026 as we prepare our grade 7s for junior high. Enjoy the extra day of summer vacation!
• We invite our Grade 8 and 9 students to join us between 8:15 and 8:30 the grade 7s on Thursday 3 September 2026. Students will be dismissed at 11:46 am.
• Students will attend school Thursday and Friday.
• Students will be practicing some of our safety drills Friday afternoon.
• A reminder there is no school on Monday 7 September 2026 (Labour Day Weekend).
• Regular schedules will commence on Tuesday 8 September 2026.

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

  • Morning Classes - 8:25-11:55

  • Lunch and Recess - 11:55-12:30

  • Afternoon Classes - 12:30-14:40 (2:40 pm)

• Thursday

• Morning Classes - 8:25-11:46

Our school PD days and Student-led Conferences have also been tentatively set:

• School PD - NO CLASSES - 7 October 2026

• Demonstration of Learning (Parent/Student/Teacher) -26 November 2026

• School PD - NO CLASSES - 28 January 2027

• Demonstration of Learning (Parent/Student/Teacher) - 11 March 2027

• School PD - NO CLASSES - 22 April 2027

Some WIN Jr. students are offered Curbside Service through our division's Inclusive department. If your child will be taking the yellow bus to and from St. Mark, we will need to ensure students are ready to safely ride, therefore, we will be asking all families to provide their own transportation for the first morning of school. This will allow us to set the bus up with the proper equipment necessary.

Buses can be followed using the BusPlanner app or website. . This is especially useful in winter so families are not outside waiting in the cold. Please see our summer newsletter for more information or visit ECSD Transportation's website.

Physical Education (P.E.) is an important part of our curriculum and encourages students to be physically active during the school day.

Students are expected to change into gym clothing for P.E. classes. Students will be provided with a St. Mark t-shirt. Students should have shorts/sweatpants to change into. Students must wear running shoes for safety reasons.

We encourage students to take their P.E. clothing home weekly to be washed and return with them the following week.