"We are carried in the stream of love into God's heaven. Our hearts will overflow with joy and love when the Savior is born."

Atrium reflection on Isaiah 60:5 by 9-12 students.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see,

Your heart shall throb and overflow,

For the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.

Isaiah 60:5

Priority Registration Period for 2012-13: January 17-February 10

The priority registration period for the 2012-13 school year will run from January 17 through February 10. During this time, current GSCM students may re-register and their siblings may apply for acceptance for 2012-13. We reserve enrollment for all current students and give priority consideration for all sibling applications through February 10. After that date, openings are no longer reserved but are offered to new applicants. Re-enrollment forms and tuition information will be sent home on Tuesday, January 17 via backpack mail and will also be available on line at www.gscmontessori.org.

Financial Aid Application Process for 2012-13 School Year

The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori offers a financial aid program for current and incoming students. To apply for financial aid for the 2012-13 school year, parents must submit a financial aid application to Private School Aid Service by March 5. By mid-April, GSCM will notify parents of the amount of aid (if any) they will receive from the school. Financial aid applications are available from Lynette Rosati Shim in the school office and can be downloaded from our website, www.gscmontessori.org. Go to "Admissions/Financial Aid." If you have any questions, please contact Lynette Rosati Shim in the school office.

Information Nights for Parents

We have planned information nights to inform parents about the next level of Montessori education at GSCM.  At each event, our teachers will present an overview of the educational program at that particular level, demonstrate materials, and answer questions. 

These events are designed for parents who would like to learn more about the next level in Montessori education (e.g., a parent of a kindergartner, 3^rd grader, or 6^th grader who would like to understand the upcoming level of Montessori).  This week, parents of children ready to advance to the next Montessori level will also receive separate invitations to these and other events. 

Any parent would certainly gain valuable information from these evenings, whether you are looking to the future or want to know more about your child's current school experience.

IMPORTANT:  Please be sure to RSVP to Nancy Toon (ntoon@gscmontessori.org) if you plan to attend one of these events.  Events will be cancelled if there is not enough interest.

Lower Elementary Information Night:  

Wed., Jan. 18, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Our lower elementary classrooms are warm, relaxed, and purposeful environments for children.  All classrooms are well-established with a rich array of learning materials.  Our teachers -  Noreen Sullivan, Jeana Olszewski, Amy Scuglik, and Donna Leopardi -  will provide an overview of our lower elementary program.  The presentation outline includes:   ·     

•            Imagine a school: Montessori for elementary children
•           Moving from concrete to abstract: teachers present Montessori materials
•          Classroom work expectations and assessments
•          Structure and choice in the Montessori 6-9 classroomk
•          Montessori elementary multi-age philosophy
•          The lower elementary atrium experience (with Jana Widmeyer)

Upper Elementary Information Session:  

Thurs., Jan. 19, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Our 9-12 classrooms have a talented corps of lead and assistant teachers, a strong curriculum, and a rich array of learning materials.  The combination of Montessori education with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd continues to offer a unique opportunity for each child to grow as a well-rounded individual. 

Lead teachers Jenny Griffin (math/science) and LinMarie Cameron (language arts/history) will describe.

•             Program philosophy and curriculum
•             Student work Expectations
•             Parent involvement
•             Homework
•             Assessment
•             Atrium for the upper elementary child (with Dan Teller)

 Middle School Information Night:   

Tues. Jan. 17, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

John Bennett, Mary Hamiter, and Beth Beatrice, our middle school teachers, will present an overview of our middle school program.  This event will have the following components:

• Curriculum and Montessori Principles:  What is the curriculum?  What are academic expectations?  What are the leading values and guiding principles that underlay our practices in Montessori adolescent education?  Why do we do what we do?  How do we serve Montessori's vision of the adolescent? 
• High School Preparation:  Several current middle school parents who also have high school children will be on hand to join our staff in answering questions from upper elementary parents.  In addition to drawing from their past and current experiences in the middle school, these parents will also able to reference the high school experience of their older child(ren).  How did the GSCM experience prepare their child for high school?  How was the transition?
• Religious Education in the Middle School (with Annette Lustenberger)
• Questions and Answers

GSCM Open House:   Sunday, Jan. 22, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori Open House is on Sunday January 22, from 1:00-4:00pm.    There are three ways to help showcase our special school:

1)  Help spread the word.  You will be receiving an email invitation next week.  Please forward to your contacts, your church, daycare or playgroups.   Even if your friends are past the search stage, they may know someone who is looking. Just pass along FYI.  This has been our most effective marketing tool

2)  Volunteer at Open House on 1/22.  It is a lot of fun to welcome prospective families.  We need MS student escorts as well as parents for set-up, sign-in and hospitality.  We will have a planning meeting next Wednesday 1/11 at 8:30.

3)  Put up yard signs.  If your business is in a high traffic area or if you can showcase our school with a sign in your yard, please let us know.  Signs will be available for pickup by January 9th

Please email Susan Fisher if you would like to help out this year, or if you have any ideas for how to better showcase GSCM. scfisher@mac.com 

Dress for the Weather

Now that cold weather is here, please make sure to send your children with a hat and gloves.  If it has snowed or is supposed to snow, boots and snow pants are also needed.  Students go out for Phys Ed and they also go out every day for recess unless it is extremely cold, windy or raining.  Please put their names on their clothing, boots, gloves etc. (if possible).    

Arts Programs Coming to the Barn

Ensemble Theatre at "the Barn" January Workshops for Grades 3-8.