By Mary Frances McCarthy
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 8/21/03)

VIENNA — Parents have purchased uniforms, the books and desks have arrived at the school, and although the teachers weren’t able to move in until Aug. 19, St. Mark School will be ready and waiting for the first students to arrive on Aug. 25.

On Monday, the students in grades four through seven will arrive for their first day of classes. The next day, they will welcome the younger students, preschool through third grade to the school and be prepared to show them where everything can be found.

The two-story school contains 20 classrooms, labs for science, art, music and resource classes, a library with a story pit room adjacent to it, a computer lab containing 24 computers and a full-size gymnasium, with a stage equipped for theatrical productions. Each classroom has a sink and water fountain, two computers and a television.

"The parish did a magnificent job planning this," said Helen Brewer, principal of St. Mark School. "The level of participation by parishioners is amazing."

Aug. 19 will not just mark the completion of the school; it also marks the expansion of Christian formation at St. Mark Parish. "St. Mark School is only one aspect of the Christian formation of the parish," said Brewer. While the building will serve primarily as a school during nine months of the year, it will also be used by the religious education classes, and adult formation classes.

For this reason, the school does not have a typical PTO (Parent, Teacher Organization); it has a PTPO (Parent, Teacher, Parishioner Organization).

The teachers have been waiting for the first day of school at St. Mark since spring when most of them were hired. Brewer had a full staff hired by mid-May, but had to replace one teacher in June after her husband’s job took her away from the area.

Most of the teachers at St. Mark are not newcomers to Catholic schools, but Brewer said the few who are have said they are "on cloud nine." Teaching in a Catholic school is "a dream fulfilled for them," said Brewer. "Their energy is contagious."

Brewer said in a recent press release, "I have to say I am very honored to have such a talented staff of teachers."

By sending their children to a newly opened school, "These [parents] are taking such a leap of faith," said Brewer, "I wanted to give them the best I could find."

The parents were able to meet the new staff in July when the students and parents attended an ice cream social.

Approximately 225 students are enrolled at St. Mark School. The largest class size is 22 students, but many classes have fewer.

A resource teacher has been hired to work with students in need of special education, and while there will be no official Gifted and Talented program, the resource teacher and computer teacher will work with accelerated students in their free time.

The school plans to add eighth grade classes in 2005.

Brewer has worked in Catholic schools for more than 36 years, but this is the first time as a principal. She has been working for eight months for the day the school would open. She said she could not have done all the work she has without the help of the Office of Catholic Schools and other principals. "I visited schools, and the principals have been most generous in offering help," she said.

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde will bless the school on Sunday, Sept. 21, at which time there will also be an open house and tours of the new facilities following the 11:45 a.m. Mass.

For more information on St. Mark School, call 703/281-9103.