"The whole of the Christian life is like a great pilgrimage to the house of the Father, whose unconditional love for every human creature ... we discover anew each day.  This pilgrimage takes place in the heart of each person, extends to the believing community, and then reaches to the whole of humanity."

Pope John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente

Informational Coffee for Prospective Preschool Parents    

Wed., Nov. 16, 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Please invite friends and co-workers who have young children to learn more about our preschool program at our upcoming Informational Coffee. It will be in the Atrium on Wednesday, November 16th from 9-11 am.

Volunteers Needed:

We are seeking volunteers to post flyers in various parts of town (churches, libraries, bookstores, coffee shops, etc) and to help greet families at the coffee.

 Please email Susan Fisher at scfisher@mac.com if you would like to help.  Flyers will be available in the office.

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"Who Are You, Lord?":  Parent Journey in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Wed., Nov. 16, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Prepare for a prayerful Advent and gain insights into the spirituality of your child through our Parent Journey through the atrium.  Our Advent theme will lift up three areas of the atrium that are prominent during this season - themes that speak both to the heart of the child and adult as well:

• Old Testament Prophecies:  How do the prophets introduce us to the mystery of Christ?  How do they help us prepare for his future coming in glory?  How do they provide images and themes that elicit joy and wonder in the heart of the child?

• Infancy Narratives:  The Gospel infancy narratives relate the events of the Incarnation, but they also weave in deep theology.  How do we ponder the Gospel narratives to elicit the MYSTERY of something that already seems so familiar (the birth of Christ, the God-Man)?  

• Biblical Geography:  Where did all this take place?  How does knowing the place enhance our understanding of the mystery?

Catechists Dan Teller and Jana Widmeyer will lead parents through work at every level in the atrium.  No matter what level, it is work that speaks to the heart of the adult as well, for truth and beauty know no age limits!  Please join us for a restful, inspiring journey through the Advent atrium themes.

Mission Alive!

Each week, we share an aspect of our mission as it takes shape in the lives of the children.  This week, upper elementary teacher LinMarie Cameron describes the benefits of thematic learning in the multi-age elementary class."

Thematic Learning--A Perfect Fit for the Multi-Age Classroom   

By LinMarie Cameron, Upper Elementary Teacher

Of all the unique features of a Montessori environment, one of the first things a visitor notices is the multi-age classroom.  This is often more easily understood for the very young children than for the elementary children.  We have enough students for separate 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes, yet we deliberately choose to have two classrooms of mixed ages.  In addition, we teach the cultural units by cycle rather than by grade.  For example, in history this year we are studying the Ancient World, which is sixth grade content; the fourth and fifth year content will be covered over the next two years.  This means that although students will learn the content of the state standards, it will be in a different year than traditional schools.  The benefits, however, are found in the teacher's ability to support student learning for different academic abilities, and the joy and enthusiasm which permeate the classroom.

In any classroom, the students are at different learning levels which do not necessarily correspond to grade.  Some are ready for more challenge, while others need more review of essential concepts.  In a multi-age classroom, these needs are more easily met if the cultural topics are studied in cycles.  If a younger student is ready for more challenging material, he can work with the advanced material which the teacher has prepared for the older students.  In contrast, if an older student is struggling, he can focus on the key concepts isolated by the teacher for the younger students.  The cultural units are primarily the vehicle for learning to think, read, understand, and write.  Since the content will be presented many times over the years in increasing depth, its key function at this stage is to provide something to think, read, and write about, and to energize the work with enthusiasm. 

Having something interesting to study makes the exercises of thinking, reading and writing much more fun.  Although not on their required standards, 4th and 5th graders love learning about ancient cultures--Egyptian pyramids, mummies, why the Nile flows north, and why Hatshepsut (a powerful woman who became pharaoh) was called "king" instead of "queen."  In addition, having all three levels on the same theme enables other classes to integrate their lessons, such as Egyptian portraiture in art class, ancient numbers in math, and simple machines in science.  Just before Thanksgiving, our Egypt unit will culminate with an Egyptian feast.  The entire 9-12 community, each student at his own level, will be involved in the research and preparation of the appropriate foods, furniture, decorations, and costumes for this event, which will definitely be a feast to remember!

OCSAA Parent Survey

All GSCM families are asked to assist us with our school self-study by completing an on-line survey.  We will analyze survey data to understand the school's strengths and identify areas of needed improvement.  The on-line survey can be found at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22D86UKEFDW. 

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Atrium News

The Center for Catechesis at GSCM

Recently we attached a name to something we have been doing at our school for some time:  promoting the beautiful Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to others in various ways.  We have named our outreach The Center for Catechesis at GSCM.  This outreach has taken three forms:

• Visitors:  Over the years, many visitors have come to observe in our atrium, learn about CGS, and understand how they might implement it in their particular setting.   

• Adult Formation:  Our atrium has also served as a formation center, and in the past four years, we have provided adult formation to over 100 people during summer and weekend courses.

• Atria for Children:  Finally, we have been able to reach out to children beyond our school community to offer an atrium experience.  Currently, catechist Jana Widmeyer is offering after-school atria to a Level I group on Tuesdays and a Level II group on Wednesdays.  We have contacted local DRE's to offer support, formation, and atrium services to interested parishes.

Fr. Roberto Visits

Last week, we hosted our most recent visitor:  Fr. Robert Coyne, a Maryknoll missionary priest who serves the poor in Honduras.  Several years ago, Fr. 'Roberto', a close personal friend of GSCM staff member Theresa Bruemmer, visited our atrium to learn about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  He recognized the precious pearl this catechesis offers to both children and families, and worked with great vigor and enthusiasm to introduce CGS to his parish in Honduras.  Fr. Robert brought in Spanish-speaking formation leaders, trained a cadre of catechists and also touched over 100 parents with formation through CGS, built over 100 wooden chairs with his own hands, and started a Level I atrium!

Now, Fr. Robert is planning on starting Level II, so he wanted to see it in action and visited during a Level II session last week. He was very taken by what he saw, by the quality and depth of the children's experience, and is re-invigorated to start up a new level of atrium.  Please pray for Fr. Robert and his parishioners as they build a culture of faith and life in poverty-stricken Honduras through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd!

Following a lesson about the Good Shepherd, 2nd grader Payson Briggs' drawing reflects a spirit of joy. Payson's words say, "He will always love me. God is love. He is my Shepherd."

PTO News

Boxtops for Education

Great job parents and students!  We collected 2,823 box tops in the month of October!  Our goal for the year is 6,000 box tops so we made it almost half way there in just one month!   

6-9S/L sent in a total of 650 box tops - the highest for any classroom -  and will get an extra 15 minutes of recess.  The top five students who sent in the most box tops are Zack Richard, Mariana Richard, George Messman, Nick Gates and Bella Gates and they will get to eat lunch with Mr. Teller.  Keep clipping those box tops and sending them in to school.  We will a have a new contest for the month of November.  The class sending in the most box tops in November will earn a cider and doughnut party.

Yearbooks- Help!

Fulfill Your PTO Volunteer Obligation!  Sign up to help with this year's school yearbook. All work is done online/on the computer with premade templates. We just need one more body to help take/collect photos from parents, and help insert them into the preselected format. Please contact Dinese Young if you can find time to help! dyoung5281@gmail.com

GSCM Community Boutique

Mark your calendars and plan to stop by the GSCM Community Boutique on Sunday, November 20 from 2 - 5 PM.  Shop for Christmas gifts among offerings of jewelry, religious articles, kitchen items and edible goodies - many from small businesses owned by families from our school.  Invite your friends and enjoy an afternoon of cheer and shopping brought to you by the GSCM PTO.

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Iowa Tests - Third Grade Thoughts

By Noreen Sullivan, Lower Elementary Teacher

As proctor for the third grade Iowa Tests this year, I read instructions, timed the tests, and helped the children keep their energy up and focused.  On Friday, when we were all finished, I gathered the third levels and taught them new vocabulary words - simile and metaphor.  Then I had them compare the tests to ...something.  Some children enjoyed the tests, and some did not.  Here is a sample...

The Iowa test is like Horseopoly.  Sometimes I have trouble and others not a problem.  Even though Horseopoly is hard, I still like it just like the Iowa test.

The Iowa tests are like a pumpkin.  It is silent and peaceful.  It is quick and scary, but the only scary part about it is your high score.

Testing is like a vacation because we get good snacks, mints, and it's fun!  On vacation we do stuff that we don't do at home.  For testing it's the same.

Iowa testing to me seems like an office building.  You can have snacks at your table and only one person can sit at each table.  It is like our own personal cubicle.  You can get all your stuff organized at your own table.

Testing is like a 4 week vacation in the most boring place in the world. 

Testing is like a bear that is chopping off your head, and replaces it with a math hat.  It's like something made a big bang on your head.

The Iowa test was like a big tree growing very slowly.  It takes years for a tree to grow.  It seemed like it took as long as it takes a tree to grow. 

SMC/SJV Turkey Dinner:  You are Invited

The members of St. Margaret/St. John Parish would like to invite you and your families to a delicious turkey dinner this Sunday, November 6, 2011.  The dinner will be held at St. John Vianney Church, 4448 Berwick St. 45227.  It will run from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Everything from the entrée to the dessert is included for the low price of $9.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.  If you have any questions please call Maryann or John Heitker at 271-6808. 

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