Head of School Update – October 3, 2025

Happy Aloha Friday Saint Mark Parents!

I hope and pray you all are doing well. I am writing with a few Saint Mark updates as we close out the first quarter and head into the fall break.

FIRE FIGHTERS VISIT SAINT MARK’S ELC
Firefighters from the Kaneohe Fire Station visited Saint Mark’s ELC and treated our youngest students to an educational and super fun demonstration.  The visit included an opportunity for each student to climb inside the truck and also shoot the fire hose.  A HUGE Mahalo goes to the Kaneohe firefighters and all first responders for their continual work to protect and educate us.

KINDERGARTEN & GRADE 8 CHAPEL BUDDIES
The grade 8 students joined their kindergarten Chapel Buddies multiple times during the first quarter to read to them.  These visits provided heartwarming learning opportunities for both our younger and older students.

WARRIORS OF THE QUARTER
Congratulations to the three middle school students who received the Warriors of the Quarter Award for the 1st quarter – Caleb Asio (gr 6), Joseph Kekoa (gr 7) & Milla Poliahu (gr 8). Keep up the great work!!

BUSY JV VOLLEYBALL SEASON
We had a record turnout this year for our JV volleyball teams!  Eight boys and an amazing twenty girls from our 5th and 6th grade classes came out to play.  The students competed well against eight other schools in our league and everyone, regardless of their skill level and experience, was able to play a full set every match.  The teams worked hard on the court and supported each other well from the bench.  Congratulations to all our JV volleyball players (Caleb Asio, Skylar Barefoot, Luke Bemowski, ‘Alohiua Blanco, Honor Boersma, Leila Bonilla, Kallyn Bow, Aleiyah Chen, Mia Choy, Charlie Chun, Abby Fontanilla, Isabella Hanson, Presley Hopkins, Kawena Kane, Paetyn Maialoha, Gavrielle Major, Kaimana McOuat, Kailey Nguyen, Emma Nguyen, Kendall Palmer, Noah Partain, Hina’ea Sanders, Hannah Tanjutco, Aria Tano, Tavilyn Tatofi, Harper Tellio, Jacoby Whittington and Jamylynn Wolcott) along with Athletics Director/Coach, Mr. Markillie and 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 approximately $60,000. The top individual fundraisers were: Makayla Lee (kindergarten) – $1,550 and Kaumaka Lee (grade 3) – $1,550.  Due to their generous support, they have earned a pizza party (which will be happily delivered and served by Mr. Markillie and Dr. Gaudi) for both of their classes.

ELC STUDENTS VISIT LIBRARY
The ELC students took a surprise walking tour of the school library where Mrs. Manu read them two books: I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison and Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell.

STAYING HOME WHEN SICK (Your help is needed and appreciated)
As we head into the Flu season with RSV, COVID and other bugs 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 2026-2027
Please spread the word that Saint Mark Lutheran School is currently accepting NEW Pre-K to 8 student applications for the 2026-2027 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 23) and Friday (Oct 24) 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 Ms. Sober have begun working on the rapidly approaching Christmas concerts.  Please save the dates.

• ELC Christmas Program – Friday, December 12
• Grades K-4 Christmas Concert – Tuesday, December 16
• Grade 5-8 Christmas Concert – Thursday, December 18

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
    First Quarter Ends – Friday, Oct 3 (Early Dismissal)
    School Resumes – Monday, October 20
    Parent Teacher Conferences – October 22 – 24
    Early Dismissal – Thursday, October 23 and Friday, October 24
    Veteran’s Day (No School) – Tuesday, November 11
    Grade 5 & 7 Camp Erdman Trip – November 12 to 14
    Open House for Prospective Parents – Thursday, November 20
    Turkey Trot – Tuesday, November 25
    Thanksgiving Break (No School) – Thursday & Friday, November 27 & 28

SAINT MARK on FALL BREAK
Saint Mark Lutheran School is on fall break from October 6 to October 17 with classes resuming for all students on Monday, October 20, 2025.  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