Lower School - St Marks Cathedral School

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St. Mark’s Cathedral School’s lower school consists of kindergarten through 5th grade. Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades are housed on the first floor of the main building. 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades are located on the second floor of the main building.

Curriculum

The goal of the kindergarten program is to promote the total growth of the child: academically, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

In a non-threatening environment and through varied activities, children have opportunities to solve problems, make decisions, and practice social skills.

Creativity is enhanced through arts and crafts.

Students continue to build upon skills developed in the preschool (White House), transitioning into the SuperKids reading program and continuing with the established Handwriting Without Tears and Harcourt Hands-On Math.

Enrichment is offered in art, Christian education, computers, library, music, physical education, science lab, and Spanish.

Highlights of the kindergarten year include the following:
·Halloween costume parade
·Annual Native American holiday
·Flat Stanley assignment
·Annual Mother’s Day Brunch
·Trip around the World

Curriculum

The goal of 1st grade is to help children develop a love of learning. Emphasis is placed on basic skills in reading, writing, spelling, phonics, language, math, and social living.

Daily instruction and practice are given in listening, critical thinking skills, and effective study habits. Innovative methods and strategies are employed throughout the year to achieve these goals.

Enrichment is offered in art, Christian education, computers, library, music, physical education, science lab, and Spanish.

Highlights of the 1st grade year include the following:
· Annual Manners Tea Party
· Field trips to the Strand Theatre, the Willis Knighton Hospital, Walter B. Jacobs Nature Park, and the Tyler Zoo

Curriculum

The goal of 2nd grade is for each child to become an independent, responsible learner. We continue to build on the reading, math, language, science, and social studies skills acquired from previous years.

We strengthen reading comprehension by promoting the love and pleasure of reading through our Guest Reader program and the Accelerated Reader program.

Math skills are expanded, with multiplication being introduced towards the end of the year.

Significant emphasis is placed on oral and written communication skills.

Science and social studies skills are strengthened through the exploration of ideas and participation in activities to which the children can relate from their own life experiences.

Students are encouraged to become involved, informed, and inquisitive citizens.

Enrichment is offered in art, Christian education, computers, library, music, physical education, science lab, and Spanish.

Highlights of the 2nd grade year include the following:
·2nd Grade Play
·Field trip to Safety Town
·Guest Readers Program

Curriculum

In 3rd grade, students master skills that require independent work and increasing responsibility for all assignments and supplies.

Students begin learning note-taking skills as well as how to extract relevant information from various texts, dictionaries, research materials, as well as the Internet.

Students work towards fluency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Language arts focuses on grammar, sentence structure, and paragraph writing. Students become competent in memorization and utilization of multiplication facts, cursive writing skills, and effective presentation techniques of independent work.

Enrichment is offered in art, Christian education, computers, library, music, physical education, science lab, and Spanish.

Highlights of the 3rd grade year include the following:
· Field trip to the Kilgore Oil and Gas Museum
· Field trip to Papa Simpson’s Farm in Arcadia
· Annual Taste of Louisiana

Curriculum

In 4th grade, we continue to build upon the students’ reading, language, math, science, and social studies skills.

Reading is literature based and includes participation in the Accelerated Reader program. Students participate in extensive creative writing, grammar study, and the Daily Oral Language program.

Problem solving, reasoning, hands-on experience, and mastering computation skills are incorporated into the mathematics program. An emphasis is placed on money and economics.

Science covers the content areas of life, physical, earth, and environmental, which is enhanced by an ongoing recycling program. Geography is a study focus within social studies.

Enrichment is offered in art, Christian education, computers, library, music, physical education, and Spanish.

Highlights of the 4th grade year include the following:
· Fairy Tale Theatre
· Annual Economics Fair
· Field trips to the recycling center and Sci-Port Discovery Center

Curriculum

Students will create various compositions. They will speak and write correctly using correct sentence structure and proper grammar. They will express themselves clearly and correctly using an extensive vocabulary.

Students will participate in summer reading as well as reading and analyzing various pieces of literature throughout the year. Participation in the Accelerated Reader program is required.

Students will take their previously learned mathematics knowledge and strengthen this knowledge with new skills. The student will have a basic knowledge of decimals, fractions, geometry, and measurement.

They will begin learning algebra and the use of variables.

Enrichment is offered in art, Christian education, computers, library, music, physical education, and Spanish.

Highlights of the 5th grade year include the following:
· Annual musical production
· Field trips to Rosedown Plantation in Natchitoches, Civil War Museum in Mansfield, and the Krewe of Centaur Mardi Gras Float Den
· Overnight trip to Houston (NASA, Challenger Mission, San Jacinto)
· Participation in the Lion’s Bank – a savings and banking program conducted by Citizen’s National Bank
· Leading the lower school by making daily announcements, reading at chapel, and serving as Chapel Buddies for the 1st graders

For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say. Luke 12:12

Destination Imagination is an international program that fosters participants’ creativity, problem solving skills, and teamwork through tournament challenges. In preparing for the Louisiana State Tournament, our 4th and 5th grade teams will address long-term and short-term challenges, which involve a variety of skill sets ranging from technical to theatrical. The students also gain valuable experience in project management, budgeting, presentation, and research skills. DI allows teams to find unique approaches to problem solving while introducing and enhancing abilities for the future.

Lower School Peace Council
PeaceBuilders establishes a foundation for young children to learn responsibility, right relationships, and respect through practicing the PeaceBuilders’ Principles. He are St. Mark’s, we do this through a particularly Christian lens: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Matthew 5:9.

We use story, song, and Bible verse to learn how to become peacemakers “at home, at school, and in our community each day.” PeacePartners, Inc. In 2011, the lower school launched a St. Mark’s Cathedral School Peace Council. Each 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade homeroom sends two representatives to serve on the Council and bring back the theme, message of the month, or peace-building activity to their homeroom and also to designated kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade classes to which they have been assigned. The Peace Council meets on the first Tuesday of the month.

Mrs. Darlene Fair

Lower School Director

B.S. Education; M.S. + 30 Education; Reading Specialist; Certification in School Principalship; Certification in School Supervision

“Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions.” Mrs. Fair leads the lower school at St. Mark’s. With forty-four years in elementary education as principal, curriculum coordinator, and second grade classroom teacher, she brings a wealth of experience to our students and teachers. Mrs. Fair is committed to ensuring that the fundamental knowledge and skills of the elementary curriculum inspire students to love learning and excite each individual student. She also coordinates all standardized testing and any additional academic support for students in both Lower and Middle Schools. Mrs. Fair’s office is always busy with students getting help or teachers seeking advice. Mrs. Fair lists her grandmother as he hero. While growing up she was her best friend. She did lots of fun thing with her grandmother such as playing cards, shopping and going to eat lunch at her favorite places. In her spare time, Mrs. Fair enjoys reading, going to the movies, and going to plays.

Ms. Alexis Wedgeworth

Assistant Lower School Director

B.A. Psychology; M.Ed. School Counseling; MAT, LPC, RPT, NCC

“A good teacher is a master of simplification and an enemy of simplism.” – Louis A. Berman Ms. Wedgeworth is a highly-degreed and accomplished teacher with nine years of experience in early childhood and kindergarten education. She has been at St. Mark’s for the past five years. Her heroes are her parents. Ms. Wedgeworth’s mom taught her to appericate the arts, and her dad taught her to value education. She had a terrific balance of liberal arts growing up. Ms. Wedgeworth loves to travel and experience new cultures. She has been overseas nine times.

Mrs. Kelli Beason

Library/Media Specialist & Technology Director

B.S. Elementary Education

Mrs. Beason is in her fourth year of teaching at St. Mark’s. She taught 3rd grade for 3 years and now joins us in the library as our media speicalist and technology director. Her hero is Mother Teresa because she loved children and helping people. Mother Teresa is a perfect example of the Proverbs 31 woman! In her spare time, Mrs. Beason enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, reading, and watching the Baylor Bears.

Mrs. Debbie Blades

4th Grade

M.A. Teaching

“All children are gifted; some just open their packages earlier than others!” Mrs. Blades is in her third year of teaching at St. Mark’s and has five years of total experience. She teaches 4th grade. Her parents are her heroes because of their continued sacrifices for her. Even through hardship, Mrs. Blades’ parents kept their faith, serving as an inspiration to her. When she is not teaching, Mrs. Blades enjoys shopping, visiting with friends, decorating, and taking care of her infant niece.

Mrs. Ada Duos

K5 Teaching Assistant

“Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.” Mrs. Duos has been at St. Mark’s for twenty-two years and currently serves as the K5 Teaching Assistant. Our kindergarteners are blessed to have “Mrs. Ada” in their lives! Mrs. Duos lists her first husband, Rick Semon, as her hero. Rick courageously fought cancer and was such an inspiration to his family and friends. At only forty-six years of age, Rick lost his nine-month battle. When Mrs. Duos is not supervising kindergarten centers, you can find her searching local garage sales for treasures, spending time with her grandchildren, snow skiing, walking, or cleaning out closets!

Ms. Nancy Ellington

5th Grade

M.A. Teaching plus 30, Reading Specialist

“People with many interests live, not the longest, but the happiest.” Ms. Ellington came to St. Mark’s eight years ago and has a total of forty-two years teaching experience. Her hero is her friend, Lynne, who taught with her for many years and from whom Ms. Ellington learned so many discipline skills. It was through this friendship that she learned that students should be responsible and should take pride in their own behavior. When she’s not in her 5th grade flamingo room, Ms. Ellington enjoys reading, shopping, and traveling. Ms. Ellington says her favorite thing about St. Marks is the friendships that the students form with each other. She has watched the students bond together in ways that are amazing. By eighth grade, the students treat each other like brothers and sisters with a real “love-hate” relationship. This friendship follows them throughout high school. She loves to watch this bonding take place.

Mrs. Karol Fontaine

Physical Education

B.S. Physical Education

Fun: If students have fun, they will enjoy & want to be physically fit…Being a good sport is the same as the golden rule, which has been my philosophy my entire life. Mrs. Fontaine has been teaching K-8 P.E. at St. Mark’s for the past twenty-eight years. She also leads and chaperones the middle school trips. Because of their spirit and generosity, her grandparents are her heroes. Mrs. Fontaine’s hobbies are traveling and taking care of her grandsons.

Dr. Dan Gibbs

Music

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference" Dr. Gibbs motto is "What you are to be, you are now becoming." Dr. Gibbs has taught music in churches or school for over 35 years. He enjoys movies, Met Opera Live, HD broadcasts, and reading in his free time. His hero is Ronald Reagan, for his legacy, integrity and love of country.

Ms. Julia Guthrie

K5, 4th & 5th Grade Destination Imagination Sponsor

B.S. Advertising/Public Relations; M.S. and Certification in Elementary Education

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” – Proverbs 3:3 Ms. Guthrie is in her third year at St. Mark’s and has ten years of teaching experience. She lists her mother as her hero because she was the kindest, most selfless, and strongest person she has ever known. Ms. Guthrie believes she is a better teacher, friend, and family member due to the example set forth by her mother. When Ms. Guthrie isn’t fulfilling one of her many roles at St. Mark’s, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, shopping, watching movies, and playing with her niece and nephew who attend St. Mark's.

Dr. Judy Kane

School Chaplain, Preschool Godly Play, 4th - 8th Grade Christian Education

B.S.; M.T.S.; D. Min.

“For with God all things are possible.” – Mark 10:27 Dr. Kane, affectionately known as “Chappy” by her students, has twenty-six years of teaching experience and has served St. Mark’s for the past five years. She is a leader in our newly-adopted PeaceBuilders program and functions as the school liaison to our sister school in Haiti. It is not surprising that Dr. Kane lists Mother Teresa as her hero. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, studying the Word, traveling, becoming tech savvy, and spending time with her family and friends.

Mrs. Katie Leone

2nd Grade

B.S. Marketing – Alternative Certification in Elementary Education

“Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did except she did it backwards and in heels.” Mrs. Leone is a wonderful 2nd grade teacher. She has been at St. Mark’s for six years and is looking forward to many more. Her hero is her mother because she was the most selfless person Mrs. Leone has ever known. When away from St. Mark’s, Mrs. Leonei teaches a spin class.

Alison Marler

5th Grade

“Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.” William Arthur Ward Mrs. Marlar has been teaching for twelve years. This will be her ninth year at St. Mark’s. Mrs. Marlar teaches 5th grade American History, Science and Reading. Her heroes are her parents because they shaped her into the person she is today. When Mrs. Marlar is not teaching, she enjoys traveling, playing tennis, reading and spending time with her family. Mrs. Marlar has twins who keep her very busy.

Mrs. Debbie Moore

Lower School Spanish

B.A. French/Art; M.A. French/Spanish

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” – Albert Einstein Mrs. Moore has a wonderful background, including six years teaching and thirteen years in a bilingual business environment in three different Latin countries. Her mother is her hero because she is a woman of noble character who always puts God first, and who lives to share His love with everyone she meets. When not teaching lower school Spanish, Mrs. Moore enjoys cooking, gardening, knitting, and going to the movies. Mrs. Moore has one child currently enrolled at St. Mark’s and one child who just graduated from St. Mark's. Mrs. Moore says what she loves most about St. Mark’s is how happy and excited the kids are to be here. They are so eager to learn and have such a light in their eyes about learning, that it makes her remember what it was like to explore and learn new things every day when she was their age, and that makes her a better teacher!

Mrs. Robbi J. Persac

B.S. Elementary Education

"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You." - Dr. Seuss Mrs. Persac is in her second year of teaching at St. Mark's. She taught in the White House last year in K3 and now joins us in K5. She is also our middle school cheerleading sponser. Her heroes are her parents. Her father starts and finishes every day with a smile on his face, no matter what, and her mother is the bravest and most independent woman she knows. Ms. Persac enjoys reading, spending time with her husband and family, and going to LSU football games.

Sra. Karyn Rimmer

5th - 7th Grade Spanish

B.A. Communications, Spanish Minor; Pursuing M.Ed. Secondary

“Be yourself because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” Sra Rimmer is a third-year Spanish teacher. She is responsible for 5th – 7th grades. She lists her grandmother and her two-year-old niece as her heroes. Sra Rimmers’ grandmother has ten children and has been fighting (and winning the battle) against lymphoma. Her niece is an inspiration to her because she can find joy and entertainment in anything! When not teaching Spanish, Sra Rimmer enjoys Mudbugs hockey, Texas Rangers baseball, scrapbooking, and playing video games.

Mrs. Dicksey Sanders

1st Grade

B.S. Elementary Education; M.Ed. + 30

“Some people see teaching as a job; I see teaching as a pleasure.” Mrs. Sanders has forty-two years of classroom experience, nine of those being spent here at St. Mark’s. Her parents are her heroes. Mrs. Sanders’ father volunteered for the Army and her mother kept their family happy and together at home. When Mrs. Sanders isn’t in her Sweetheart room, she enjoys reading, dining out, plants, healthy cooking, and watching Wheel of Fortune.

Mrs. Sue Scheel

3rd Grade

B.S. Elementary Education

“To teach is to touch a life forever!” Mrs. Scheel teaches third grade and has thirty-eight years of classroom experience. Her heroes are her mother and grandmother – who were both 4th and 5th grade teachers. Their care, concern, loving ways, enthusiasm, and discipline influenced her to become a teacher. Mrs. Scheel’s mother continues to give her advice and send her teacher articles! She has one daughter who graduated from St. Mark's. In her spare time, Mrs. Scheel enjoys spending time watching her two (soon to be three) grandchildren develop and motivating them in all ways possible. She also enjoys exercise, gardening, and shopping.

Ms. Judi Sepulvado

4th Grade

B.A. Elementary Education/Early Childhood Eduction

"Everything always turns out for the best in the end." Ms. Sepulvado will have twenty-one years of teaching experience this year. This will be her second year at St. Mark’s. She will be teaching 4th grade. Miss Sepulvado’s heroes are her parents. She is proud to say that her parents lived through the Depression and are also Air Force veterans. Her father was a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. Her mother is a veteran of the Korean War. Her parents had a goal to see all seven of their children graduate from college. Her parents met this goal! When not at work, Miss Sepulvado loves to spend time with her family and just relaxing.

Mrs. Terri Sittig

White House & K5-3rd Grade Christian Eduction, White House Spanish

B.S. Elementary Education; Special Education certification; Greco Institute Christian Education

“Let us always meet each other with smiles, for the smile is the beginning of love.” – Mother Teresa Mrs. Sitting has seventeen years of teaching experience, with the past seven years being at St. Mark’s. Her hero is Mother Teresa, who lived a life of selfless giving to others – caring for the sick and homeless, and loving all people without any judgment. In her spare time, Mrs. Sittig enjoys reading, cooking, knitting, photography, spending time at her family’s lake house on Lake Bisteneau, and being with her three adult children.

Misti Tanner

3rd Grade

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm" - Ralph Waldo Emerson Ms. Tanner joins St. Mark’s this year with 4 years teaching experience. She previously taught 1st grade in Monroe. Ms. Tanner’s hero is her mother because she can do anything and always wears a smile. Ms. Tanner enjoys running, being outside and spending time with her little boy. Ms. Tanner has one child who will be in Kindergarten at St. Mark’s this year.

Coach J. D. Turner

Athletic Director, Physical Education

B.S. Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think of you.” Coach Turner has ten years of experience in teaching and coaching, and he is in his fifth year of serving St. Mark’s as its athletic director and first through eighth grade P.E. teacher. He looks up to coaches Eddie Robinson, Bobby Bowden, and Nick Saban not only because they are excellent coaches but also because they have changed the world by rearing productive men through coaching. In his spare time, Coach Turner enjoys working out and spending time with his children.

Mrs. Cheryl Vines

K5-8th Grade Computer Education

B.S. Business and Office Education

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier. -Mother Teresa Mrs. Vines has been teaching computers at St. Mark’s for twenty-three years. She lists her grandmother as her hero. Her grandmother lived to be ninety-seven years old! Over the years, her grandmother lost several children and her husband. She was a strong woman who loved her family and God. She instilled great values in her family. When Mrs. Vines is not in the computer lab, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with family. And if the Los Angeles Lakers are playing, you can bet she’ll be somewhere watching the game! Mrs. Vines’ daughter graduated from St. Mark’s.

Ms. Alysha Wallace

1st Grade, Cross Country Coach, Running Club Sponsor

B.A. Elementary Education

“If everything were easy, there would be nothing to make you proud of yourself!” Ms. Wallace is in her third year of teaching first grade. She also leads our lower school running club and assists in coaching our cross country team. Her hero is her mother because she is an incredibly smart and independent woman, who has the largest, most caring heart. Ms. Wallace strives every day to be like her.” Ms. Wallace enjoys running and reading. She has a wonderful boyfriend and three dogs with whom she loves to hang out. Ms. Wallace loves working at SMCS because it is like spending the day with family. Over the past three years, she has met so many wonderful people and grown attached to so many wonderful children. Coming to work every day is a joy because she loves her students! They make her smile, and watching them grow both physically and academically gives her such pride.

Mrs. Mary Walley

2nd Grade

B.S. Education – Certified in Kindergarten, Early Childhood, Gifted and Talented, Bilingual, and LLD

“Everything you learn in here can be used out there! Learn something new each day!” Mrs. Walley has thirty-eight years of classroom experience and has been teaching 2nd grade at St. Mark’s for the past five years. She looks up to all military personnel because they put their lives on the line for us every day. When Mrs. Walley isn’t sharing fun things with 2nd graders, she enjoys reading, shopping, and traveling.

Ms. Kelly Wiggins

K5 – 5th Grade Art, Middle School Art History, Applied Art I, Applied Art II

B.A. Elementary and Secondary Art Education

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” – Pablo Picasso Ms. Wiggins is in her fourth year of teaching art and her third here at St. Mark’s. In addition to the classes she teaches, she also works with the drama department to create scenery. Mrs. Wiggins’ hero is Juliette Gordon Low for her passion for philanthropic causes and for founding the Girls Scouts of America. In her spare time, Ms. Wiggins enjoys sewing and painting.

Mrs. Mary Ziober

Lower School Science Lab, 6th Grade Science

B.A. Computer Science; M.A. Teaching

“We learn from things that go wrong as well as things that go right!” Mrs. Ziober has eighteen years teaching experience, nine of which have been at St. Mark’s. She conducts the science lab for K5-5th grade and teaches 6th grade science. Mrs. Ziober’s hero is her mother, who exhibits kindness and patience with all of her family members. Her mother has definitely set the bar high as an example to follow. When Mrs. Ziober isn’t conducting science experiments with her students, she enjoys cooking, hiking, meditating, camping, decorating, restoring old furniture, and exercising.

Afterschool at St. Mark’s (ASM)
Mrs. Martha Whitehead is the Lower School/Middle School ASM Director. The lower school/middle school bell rings at 3:00 p.m., and ASM begins.

A snack is always first on our agenda. Everyone has had a long day, and we all need an energy boost. After snacks, it’s off to the playground for twenty minutes of free time. Enrichment classes begin at 3:30 p.m., and there are a myriad of choices. Examples include computers, sports, arts and crafts, and Homework Hotline.

ASM is staffed by St. Mark’s Cathedral School faculty. Pick up is 4:30 or 5:30 p.m. For questions about the K5 through 8th grade ASM program call Mrs. Whitehead at 318-349-7870