"Our schools are alive. To understand 

what the older ones are doing fills the little ones with enthusiasm.  The older ones are happy to teach what they know."

Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind

Mission Alive!

Each week, we share an aspect of our mission as it takes shape in the lives of the children.  This week, pre-primary teacher Anita Calo discusses a fundamental principle of Montessori early childhood education.

"Teach Me to Do It Myself"

By Anita Calo, Pre-Primary Teacher

"Teach me to do it myself" is a Montessori tenet that is closely followed in the Montessori classroom and is a topic that has been touched upon from time to time in our Mission Alive articles.

As a parent of three children and a Montessori teacher as well, I have been reflecting on how this applies not only to the classroom but also to life at home with our children.  I recall a time when Courtney was a preschooler, and we were rushing out the door to get to school on time, she asked, "Mommy, are we in a hurry?"  The fact that those words came out of her young mouth made me give pause to how often I likely used that expression.  As adults, our focus in life is task driven.   What are we getting done?  How much are we able to accomplish in a given day?  How efficient are we with our time?  Young children, blessedly, have no concept of that.  Children remain in the moment, lost in the experience.

The purpose of the Montessori teacher in the pre-primary classroom is to present the didactic materials to the children in the manner for which they were designed, and then get out of the way.  The learning takes place through the child's experience with the materials.  It is not perfection we are seeking.  It is a process.  As a teacher, our job is then to observe the child using the materials, and if additional lessons are required to fine tune their use of them for their best learning, that is what we provide.

Children are wired to want independence, to want to be productive members of their classroom, home, and community at large.  By giving them a lesson, stepping out of the way, and respecting the progress without expecting a perfected product, we can all aid in the growth of an independent and successful adult who will be a positive contributor to his or her community.  

Catholic Identity:  The New Mass Translation

Catholics throughout the English-speaking world are preparing for the new translation of the Mass, which will be instituted on the first Sunday of Advent this year (November 27).  This provides a wonderful opportunity for all Catholics to re-engage in the liturgy with increased awareness, prayerfulness, and appreciation. 

Local parishes are providing a wealth of information and opportunities to become familiar with the new translation.  We have started to prepare for the new translation at school as well.

For Students:

• We have ordered cards to bring to Mass to help us learn those responses of the Mass that are affected by the new translation.

• We have started to prepare for one new response in our daily classroom prayer.  Rather than the former "And also with you" response to the priest's "The Lord be with you," we will now respond, "And with your spirit" (from the Latin et cum spiritu tuo).  We also use this acclamation response as an invitatory during daily classroom prayer, and are now beginning to use the new response.

• The upper el students recently re-visited the miracle of the healing of the Centurion's servant.  It is the centurion's words - so full of faith and humility - that we proclaim at Mass just before receiving Holy Communion.  We used our scripture meditation as a springboard to discuss the new translation and to look carefully at this one response prior to Holy Communion.  "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."

• The atrium provides many meditations on particular parts of the Eucharistic liturgy.  We will continue to use these regular atrium presentations as springboards for learning and understanding key aspects of the new translation.

• Mrs. Lustenberger has presented several classes in her middle school religion classes that focus on the liturgy and the new translation. 

For Parents: 

• We are providing cards from Magnificat to each family to take home.  These cards include new people's responses in the new translation.  The cards that we are providing for the children are simpler, but the Magnificat  cards are an excellent resource for adults.  Please pick up a card in our front hallway.

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. 

Back to top 

Atrium News

Enjoy a vivid depiction of Jesus' death and resurrection by Catherine Stuebbe, 3^rd grade.  Catherine's words are written beneath each drawing.

Sadly Jesus said, "Father plesae spare them they don't know what they do." Then after those words he bowed his head ... and died. Him, Jesus himself, was shining, radiant wiht light. He said, "don't be afraid. I rose from the dead and conquered hell."

Focus on Volunteers:  Fall Jamboree!

Thank you to everyone who attended the Fall Jamboree last Saturday.  A good time was had by all-, square dancing,  tasty treats, crafts, face painting, and lots of conversation and good fellowship filled the evening. 

Special thanks to:

• Russ Childers and the Rabbit Hash String Band for providing us with wonderful music and a great dance
• The Moeller Knights of Columbus and GSCM Parent Steve Hogan for providing an excellent venue for the Jamboree.
• ... and an extra serving of gratitude to Amy Mimms and Katie Kerrey, our co-chairs for the event.  Their tireless efforts, generous spirits and steadfast energy made the event a success, giving all a wonderful evening and family memory.

PTO News

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.   

Back to top 

Student Government

By Beth Beatrice, Middle School History/Literature Teacher

Last week, GSCM students elected officers for the 2011-2012 Student Government.  Many fine students came forward to run for the available offices.  The student body should be proud to have had so many outstanding candidates from which to choose.  All of them campaigned with enthusiasm and honor.

These are your elected members of the student government:

• President:  Elizabeth Lotterer
• Vice President:  Annie Hamiter
• Secretary:  Maddie Samson
• Treasurer:  Loewen Cavill
• 8th Grade Representative:  Hayley Samson
• 7th Grade Representative:  Sidney Olszewski

The teachers will appoint representatives from the elementary school in the near future.  The elected officers will be in touch with these teachers soon to help with this process.

These officers love their school, and are eager to serve their fellow students.  They are open to ideas and suggestions from their peers.  Their first meeting will be held in mid-November.

Thank you to all students who voted in the election, and to the teachers who ran the elections in their classrooms!  

Back to top 

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE  In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, GSCM is gearing up for its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Once again, classrooms will compete for the highest number of items collected, and the winning classroom will win an ice cream sundae bar/treat!

Beginning November 9, there will be collection boxes in each classroom for donations. Items will be donated to F.A.C.E., a local charity in the Clifton area. F.A.C.E. stands for FOR AIDS CHILDREN EVERYWHERE, and the donations will be distributed to families whose children or someone in the family have been affected by this terrible disease.

F.A.C.E. received last year's (and previous years) donations from our school, and they are ALWAYS very grateful. Appreciated items are non-perishable canned foods, diapers, and cleaning supplies (for specifics, refer to F.A.C.E.'s website at www.face.org). Deadline is Tuesday, November 22. Any questions may be directed to Diane Wilkerson at dwilk@ix.netcom.com.

Back to top