Saint Mark’s Village Opens on EF Campus

Cyrus Duarah

The ribbon cutting ceremony to open St. Mark's Village on the EF campus.

Malwina Jarmuz and Miles Bauman

If you were wondering why you saw so many visitors on the grounds of our school on Friday, April 4th, it was because of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Saint Mark’s Village. After 6 weeks of hard work by staff, along with the help of parents and other volunteers associated with Saint Mark’s elementary school, the temporary learning space was officially opened.

The event featured several notable speakers, including Dr. Sally Mingarelli, Head of School at EF Academy Pasadena, who warmly addressed the Saint Mark’s students and community. In her remarks, Dr. Mingarelli expressed EF Academy’s enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We feel privileged to be in this partnership and to contribute to the efforts to help rebuild while continuing to deliver the world-class education that Saint Mark’s has come to be known for. To the Saint Mark’s students, to all of you, I want to say it brings us so much joy to have you here on our campus and we can’t wait for our schools to find increasingly more ways to partner together.”

Congresswoman Judy Chu presents Dr. Mingarelli and Saint Mark’s Head of School Jennifer Tolbert with certificates of congressional recognition. (Cyrus Duarah)

Also in attendance was Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28), who commended the joint efforts of both institutions. Highlighting the power of collaboration, she stated, “this is a shining example of how through partnership and collaboration we will rebuild stronger so that our communities will thrive again.” As part of her visit, Congresswoman Chu also presented both Dr. Mingarelli and Saint Mark’s Head of School Jennifer Tolbert with certificates of congressional recognition in honor of their contributions to the community.

After six weeks of cooperation and sharing classrooms in Strong Hall with Saint Mark’s students and staff, EF students will return to Strong Hall next Monday, April 14th. This period of collaboration has shown the strength of community and flexibility, and students are grateful for the opportunity to support Saint Mark’s during their time of need.

Ari, EF Student Council President, speaks at the event. (Cyrus Duarah)

Reflecting on the experience in another speech at the event, Ari, a 12th grader and EF Student Council President, shared that “for us, it’s been a pleasure each day to see Saint Mark’s students running around and just being kids, and we are so happy that they have brought such joy, laughter, and energy to EF.”