The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori
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November 22, 2011

In This Issue
Upcoming Dates
Mission Alive!
Parent Survey
Atrium News
Focus on Volunteers
PTO News
Office News
Scrips Program
Book Club

Gratitude:  The virtue that pushes us

to recognize the good things we receive

and to reciprocate.    

From "The Virtues" atrium material

 


Upcoming Dates

Nov. 23-25                    NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Break

Thurs., Dec. 1               Parent Conferences, 2:00 EARLY DISMISSAL

                                    No p.m. bus service   

After Care available from 2:00 - 6:00.  Please let Nancy Toon know if you will be using it.

Fri., Dec. 2                    NO SCHOOL, Parent-Teacher Conferences



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 assistant teacher Mary Rieke discusses practical ways that we use to encourage healthy social development among our students.

 

Social Development in the Upper Elementary:  Community Day

By Mary Rieke, Upper Elementary Assistant Teacher

The more acquainted I become with the work of Maria Montessori, the less I understand why her methods and practices are not more widely used.  The following quote is a case in point.

 

"If education is always to be conceived along the same antiquated lines of a mere transmission of knowledge, there is little to be hoped from it in the bettering of man's future.  For what is the use of transmitting knowledge if the individual's total development lags behind."  Maria Montessori

 

As teachers we are working on your child's academic, spiritual, social and emotional development.  What better way to do that than in a multi-age classroom?  Any parent of a 'tween' knows that there is a big gap in the maturity of a 10- and a 12-year old.  Though all children in this age group are working through the same social/emotional stages, some have progressed further than others.  The multi-aged classroom allows students to participate in life with children of different ages and learn from their actions and behaviors rather than being told how to behave.

 

In the upper elementary environment, the students learn social cues from each other and the teachers continually work social lessons into our routine.  One way we do this: "Community Day."  On Fridays, teachers assign students to lunch tables.  This way everyone gets to know each other on a personal level.  We foster conversation topics and try to mix students in ways they wouldn't naturally mix on their own.  The students really enjoy trying to figure out how we grouped them and that topic alone can have everyone at the table talking. We also have community game on Fridays at the end of the day.  Students really look forward to this and don't realize that we are doing it as part of their education.  The games are cooperative in nature, usually without a "winner" and enabling participation among all students, regardless of athletic or coordination skills.  The games do not involve picking sides.  During community games our students learn about playing fair, being honest, working together, and being a good sport.

 

Sometimes, though, being a good sport still has to be taught.  Maria Montessori is our guide for these lessons as well.  When recess or community games stop being fun for all involved, the upper elementary class will come together and problem-solve.  Teachers do not tell students to 'play fair' or 'be good sports.'  Instead, students brainstorm about why the game was not fun and come up with new rules or solutions to make it fun for everyone.

 

"The things he sees are not just remembered; they form a part of his soul." Maria Montessori

 

She was a genius. 



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 Cardinal Virtues 

In the level three (9-12) atrium, we have a work called "The Virtues."  The four 'cardinal' virtues take their designation from the Italian 'cardini'¸ which means "hinges."  Just as a door only operates well with good hinges, so our life operates well with the smooth functioning of our own 'hinges ' - the cardinal virtues.  Three of these virtues "push" us forward; one "pulls" us back.  They are:

 

  • Justice:  the virtue that pushes us to give everyone that which is rightfully theirs.
  • Prudence:  the virtue that pushes us to act wisely by choosing the right paths.
  • Fortitude:  the virtue that pushes us to face any difficulty for a just cause, to the point of sacrificing one's life.
  • Temperance:  the virtue that keeps us from excessive desires and actions.

There are many 'sister virtues' that go with these main cardinal virtues.  For example, patience and constancy are sister virtues to fortitude.

 

The children are very interested in these virtues, because they easily apply to our own lives and many situations that we experience or observe.  Frequently, they will create little skits to enact these virtues in action (or absent) in the characters of Jesus' parables or the events of His life

 

The language of the virtues is an excellent common language that the school and the home can share to help children "grow in wisdom and stature before God and men" (Lk 2:52).  We will share this language in future newsletters.


Focus on Volunteers:Christmas Boutique

Your PTO was very proud to sponsor our first ever Vendor Boutique held at GSCM  last Sunday We had a great turnout from families and the community. Thank you!! If you were unable to attend it's not too late to shop!!! Our vendors would love to hear from you.

 

Also the Middle school is selling Poinsettias. This money goes to the Wizard of Oz. Contact any Middle School student for more details.

 

Special thanks to Rhonda Hamall, Erin Dimuzio, Lisa Schmitz and the PTO members for all their hard work, our GSCM choir for the beautiful Christmas caroling, Barb Blasch and Nadine Buchman, Mary Anne Tankersley for the signs, Susan Fisher for the publicity on Sacred Heart radio and to these vendors for door prizes: Dove Chocolates Discoveries, Life Without Clutter, Premier Designs Jewelry and Tupperware. 

 

Also thanks to our Junior Entrepreneurs: Oscar & Nina Wilhelmy, Sophia & Eloise Young, Alec, Elena and Cara Hamall, Loewen, Camden & Ayden Cavill, Anna Lang, Dayle & Kendra de Graaf, and Ann Rieke, Sofia Andersson, Victoria Wilhelmy & Chantelle Buchman. Great job!!

 

Our Wonderful Vendors:

Stampin' Buddies& Craft Room Supplies -Pam Koch 513-207-9668 pamkoch@fuse.net

Stamps and craft supplies. Store opening early December!!!!

 

Tupperware- Krista Lewis 513-292-0471 www.my.tupperware.com/KKLewis  

For all your Tupperware needs!!!

 

Little Flock- Shelly Haynes 513-737-2028 haynessm@fuse.net

Hand crocheted items. Hats booties, purses and much more. Great Christmas gifts!!!!!!

 

Premier Designs Jewelry- Rhonda Hamall 513-238-4459 rhonda@hamall.us

High Fashion jewelry!!!! Spend $75.00 get a $40.00 gift FREE til 11/23 only

Also   Book a show before 3/15/12 and earn $25.00 for GSCM Wizard of OZ  PLUS Hostess receives FREE jewelry!!!!!!

 

Miche Bags -Crystal Hoffman 513-378-0368 max@grinch.org

Handbags for  all. Change the outer shell to match your clothing or mood!!!!

 

Busisausa.com - Mandy de Graaf 513-607-5684 busisausa@hotmail.com

Hand made African items!!! Hair accessories and more!!!

 

Fuzzy Pickles Photography- Kristin Schwandner  513-205-3920 krisschwandner@red212.com

Genuine kids portraiture.  

 

Thirty -one Gifts- Lindsey Schmitt   330-605-4816  schmitt0603@aol.com

Bags for your everyday life!!!! Purses, lunch totes and wallets.

 

Dolce Beaded Designs- Rebecca Vermilion 513-227-6035 Vermilion-Rebecca.78@gmail.com

Handmade jewelry!!!!! Great gifts for the holidays.

 

Dove Chocolates Discoveries- Mary Jo Schuette 513-207-1836 mjschuette@fuse.net

Mmm did someone say CHOCOLATE?? Great gifts for everyone!!!

 

The Pampered Chef- Pat Kreiling 513-624-0730 patkreiling@yahoo.com

Great baking and cooking tools make holiday baking easy!!!!

Catalog 10% off for GSCM families. Hurry offer ends soon.

 

Backyard Theatre Company- Rhonda Hamall 513-238-4459 rhonda@hamall.us

Theatre Summer Camps!!!!! For kindergarten - 6th grade. Basic  Acting techniques, costume design, and set design. Original plays!!! Morning camps with a Performance for Families on last day of Camp!!!! Call for more information.  Early registration discounts!!!

 

Life without Clutter- Rhonda Hamall 513-238-4459 rhonda@hamall.us

Got clutter?? Let me help you get organized!!!! Whether you are selling your house or just trying to regain your life, great ideas to help declutter and gain peace!!!Buy 2 hours on Consultation get a third hour FREE!!!

Also time management, staging your house, interior design work as well. Organizing  Seminars coming in 2012. Call for more info.  

 

Young Living Essential Oils- Alicia Wilhelmy  513-321-5499 alicia@seemlessdesign.com

Essential oils and related products to uplift you and your home!

 

Got- Autism Tammy Andersson 513-682-7862  www.got-autism.com

Educational and therapeutic products for the autism spectrum.  Plus great toys , games , activities for all kids to enjoy!!!

 

Weston A. Price Foundation    Ellie Sodergren,513-386-7523  www.westonaprice.org

Master Certified Healing Foods Specialist and Certified GAPS Practioner  The Foundation is dedicated to restoring nutrient-dense foods to the human diet through education, research and activism.

 

Saint Dolls and Nativity Sets!!!!  Maureen Corgiat 513-386-8605 maureencatherine@gmail.com

Handmade sets for your home or Atrium!!! Great gifts.  

 

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PTO News

Boxtops for Education

Box tops
caption

Keep clipping those box tops and sending them in to school.  Put them in a Ziploc bag or envelope and remember to include your name, class and number of box tops.  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


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Office News

In Case of Inclement Weather

 

As winter approaches, please check Channel 12 media (TV and website) for any school closing announcements.  The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori will be listed by name.  We will also send out an email message to all families and leave current school closure information on the school's voice mail message.

 

 

For Forest Hills Families:

 

If Cincinnati Public Schools declares "NO YELLOW BUS SERVICE", or "SCHOOLS CLOSED", the Forest Hills School District will not provide bus service to schools located within that public school attendance area even if Forest Hills Schools are open.

  

Shampoo Collection for IPM 

Last week our families donated 66 bottles/tubes of shampoo to Inter Parish Ministry's food choice pantry. Once again your generosity is very greatly appreciated.

The next collection will be Thursday, December 15th.  The item we will be collecting will be in the next newsletter. 

If your child is doing home jobs to earn money for these collections, he/she may want to try a new job this time. Keep encouraging their generosity, especially when giving thanks this Thursday.

 

Target REDcard, "Take Charge of Education"

If you are a frequent Target shopper you can make money for our school.

It's Simple

  1. Learn how to apply, get approved and get your REDcard® (if you don't have one already).
  2. Enroll. Sign up for Take Charge of Education and designate an eligible K-12 school.
  3. Shop. Target will donate up to 1% of your REDcard purchases to your chosen school.*

Get Started Here's how to sign up for the Take Charge of Education program:

Target Credit Card® and Target Visa® Credit Card holders

  • Enroll online
  • Call 1-800-316-6142
  • Enroll at an in-store kiosk  
Architecture by Children Club

The American Institute of Architects each year sponsors a local competition for children called ABC: Architecture By Children. They choose a new topic/theme each year, and children from local schools design and build their own project according to the theme. This year's theme just happens to be Bridges, a topic already studied by the 9-12 kids. Winners from each grade level will have their projects on display at the downtown library this spring. We are looking for children in GRADES 3-7 who would like to meet after school once per week (most likely Tuesday or Wednesday) for an hour from January through April. There will most likely be a small fee involved to help cover building materials. If your child is interested in participating, please email Dinese Young, dyoung5281@gmail.com. Enrollment for the competition is this fall, so we will need to have a head count before the end of the year 

 


 

Scrips Program

Christmas is right around the corner ...

Are you looking to purchase gift cards for birthdays or the upcoming holidays? Consider the scrip program. The scrip program is an easy to use fundraising program that costs you nothing but benefits the GSCM staff and students. Monies raised through the scrip program provide funding for staff professional development and tuition assistance for students. Please take a minute to see how you and our school may benefit from this program.

 

What is scrip?

In its simplest form, scrip is equivalent to gift cards that are purchased at a discount through Great Lakes Scrip. You can use them for your own use or give them as gifts. If you know you want to buy Dad that $100 jacket from L.L.Bean, why not buy the gift cards first and redeem them at L.L.Bean to get the gift? This one simple transaction could put $7.50 towards GSCM professional development and $7.50 towards student tuition assistance.

 

So how does it work?

The GSCM website has a link to the scrip form. In addition, the school participates in Kroger and Remke's neighborhood reward programs.

Scrip Order Form:

Print off and complete the form

Return it to the office with a check for the face amount made out to GSCM

Orders are collected each Friday and processed

Gift cards are returned to you via backpack mail Thursday or Friday of the following week

 

Does the Scrip Order Form list all participating retailers?

There are hundreds of retailers who participate in the program through Great Lakes Scrip. We try to list local or web-based retailers and keep it to one page, but we can order gift cards from any participating retailer. The whole list as well as any specials can be found at www.glscrip.com. Ex: Do you know someone who wants Giant Eagle gift cards - NO PROBLEM. Just write on the Scrip Order Form what you need at we will take care of it.

 

What does it cost to participate?

NOTHING! There is no cost to you to participate in this program. Shop and eat where you want, pay with scrip and help raise money for GSCM at the same time. No need to ask neighbors to buy anything or order magazines you don't need! Painless fundraising.

 

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Book Club

The next book club meeting will be on Wednesday, December 7th at Jen Cavill's house to discuss Confederacy of Dunces by Tooles. If you are interested in joining us for some nice visiting, please RSVP to Dinese Young, dyoung5281@gmail.com. No homework involved, and you can come even if you haven't finished the entire book!


Thank You,     Family!
We appreciate your taking the time to read our newsletter.   
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