May 14, 2013

In This Issue

Year of Faith

Our Graduates

Volunteer News

Field Day/Final Day of School

Office & General News

PTO News

McNicholas Summer Camps

Attention Kroger Shoppers! It's time to re-enroll so that you can raise money for GSCM
Click here

The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori is dedicated to providing an outstanding education to children ages three to fourteen in a Catholic atmosphere faithful to the Magesterium of the Church. Using the philosophy and techniques of the Montessori approach, including religious education through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, our goal is to enable each child to develop as a well-integrated human being: spiritually, intellectually, socially, physically, and emotionally

The Eucharist shows us what value each person,

our brother or sister, has in God's eyes,

if Christ offers himself equally to each one,

under the species of bread and wine.

Pope John Paul II

Upcoming Dates

May 15-18 First Communion Retreat

Thurs/Fri, May 16-17 Volunteer Sign-Up Assistance, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 18 First Holy Communion, 10:00 a.m. at GSCM

Monday, May 20 Middle School History Fair, 2:00-2:40 p.m. in the church

Tuesday, May 21 School Mass of Recognition for First Communicants,

8:15 a.m.

Wednesday, May 22 Staff-Middle School Whiffle Ball Game, 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 22 Fine Arts Center Benefit Concert, 7:00 p.m.

Monday, May 27 Memorial Day, No School

Tuesday, May 28 Final School Mass with Candle Ceremony, 8:15 a.m.

Thursday, May 30 Sixth Grade Retreat

Friday, May 31 Field Day, Last Day of School

Friday, May 31 8th Grade Graduation

Daily Garage Sale Drop-off, 7:45-3:30

Saturday, June 8 Summer Work Day, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

GSCM Garage Sale, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

GSCM Fine Arts Center Benefit Concert

Wednesday, May 22, 7:00 p.m.

Featuring

David Fishlock, CSO Chief Percussionist
Gabriel Pegis, CSO Principal Violinist
Michael Chertock, CSO keyboardist
Catherine Fishlock, Mezzo Soprano
And other guest youth artists!

Ticket Information:

General Admission: $15
"Friend of the Arts" Admission: $25
"Patron of the Arts" Admission: $50
Family Package: $50 (2 adults and up to 3 children)

To purchase tickets, Contact our office or go to www.gscmontessori.org

If you cannot attend the event, but would like to make a donation click here

Click here for ticket order form

Fine Arts Center Raffle!

We are also selling raffle tickets for a chance to win tickets to a number of local arts venues, including CSO, Playhouse in the Park, and CCM productions.

Raffle tickets sell for $1 each or six tickets for $5. Purchase yours in the office or online.

Order Wave Petunia Baskets to Support the GSCM Fine Arts Center

It is the time of year again to beautify our front porches and outdoor living spaces. Mothers' Day is also this Sunday! Order hanging baskets of wave petunias to be delivered this week, and all proceeds will benefit GSCM's new Fine Arts Center! These are Supertunias, the hardiest variety and best for baskets. Colors available are white, light pink, deepest purple, yellow and dark pink/white striped double-tunias! Baskets are $15 each, and we will accept cash, check or credit card. To place your order, email Dinese Young, dyoung5281@gmail.com. All orders will be delivered to the school for your pick-up this week. Order early for the best color selection! (A limited selection of white or pink impatiens, red geraniums and yellow marigolds are available for $1.50 for a 3-cell pack or $15 for a flat.)

GSCM History Fair World Tour

Monday, May 20, 2:00-2:40 (in the church)

All parents, families, and guests of the Middle School students are invited to a History Fair World Tour on Monday, May 20, 2:00-2:40. The Middle School students have designed displays on the cultures of China, Japan, India, Russia, Africa, and South America. Through posters, models, maps, timelines, and cultural elements, the students will showcase these rich and fascinating areas.

We look forward to seeing you at the GSCM History Fair World Tour!

Summer Work Day at GSCM

Saturday, June 8, 2013 (8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.)

Lunch and childcare will be provided by the school.

Minor Repairs Painting Yard Work

Cleaning Beautification Plus ...

· "Dad Projects": We are looking for dads who can take responsibility for a variety of projects, Please go to www.gscmontessori.org for a list.
· Landscaping planning: We are seeking help with planning landscaping in various areas around the campus
Childcare: We are seeking childcare helpers for the day (middle school students and older).
Refreshments: Seeking help with shopping for refreshments prior to the work day.

TO RESPOND:

· Send in Work Day response form found at www.gscmontessori.org.

· E-mail us at ntoon@gscmontessori.org.

· Call us at 271-4171.

GSCM Garage Sale: Saturday, June 8

On Saturday June 8, there are now two great reasons to be at GSCM... the workday, and our first School Wide Garage Sale. From now through June 8, we are accepting the following (clean and in proper working condition) items:

Household Items

Toys

Clothes

Books

Please drop off your tax deductible donations any day between 7:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the two-door garage located near the Middle School behind the Church. There will be a charitable receipt for you to take for tax purposes near the door.

If you need to coordinate a different time for dropping things off, or have any questions about your items, OR if you can help out with organizing / advertising, please contact Liz Laskey (lizzielaskey@mac.com) or 859-912-3379.

Welcome to the Sheepfold, Ed!

Year of Faith Logo

Congratulations, First Communicants!

Seventeen children from GSCM are making or have made their First Holy Communion and/or First Confession this spring. Tomorrow, these children will begin their Solemn Communion Retreat at the Holy Spirit Center.

As Sofia Cavalletti writes, "This is a time to enjoy fully, in the perfect calm, what has been achieved and to focus on the grandeur of the gift which is about to be received." Please keep these children in your prayers during this wonderful time. May Our Lord shower them with many graces as they deepen their life in Christ through His sacraments.

Nick Bucksath Andrew Conover Katherine Fisher

Madeline Fisher Heidi Gruber Charlie Thomas

Philip Wilhelmy Ava Ellis Eian Hall

William Kimura Mariana Richard John Sodergren

Edward Stephenson Maria Tankersley Nina Wilhelmy

Ed Kaake Elena Paulin

Special Masses

Parents are invited to join us for two special upcoming Masses. Mass starts at 8:15 a.m.

Tuesday, May 21: Mass of Recognition for First Communicants

Fresh from their First Holy Communion, our First Communicants will receive Eucharist with our entire school community for the first time. The children will wear their white garments as a sacramental sign of the link between baptism and Eucharist as sacraments of initiation into the Christian life. This gives the school community an opportunity to recognize those who have made such a special spiritual journey this year.

Tuesday, May 28: Final School Mass with Candle Ceremony

Our final Mass of the year provides an opportunity to express special thanksgiving for the gift of our school and school community. At the end of Mass, a "Candle Ceremony" enables all of our students to recognize the upcoming departure of our 8^th grade class. Our graduates pass lit candles to their 7^th grade peers as a sign of the passing of leadership to next year's oldest students.

Confirmation Announcement
Congratulations to the following Middle School Students who received the Sacrament of Confirmation this past week:
Sergio and Gino Listo were confirmed on May 7, 2013 with their parish of St. Cecilia.
Henry Lindeman was confirmed on May 9, 2013 with his parish, Nativity of our Lord.
Please pray for these students and all of our students, that they may continue to open their hearts and commit to living their lives for Jesus in the Catholic faith.

Eighth Graders High School Bound

Congratulations to our upcoming 2013 graduates who have selected their high school destinations. We are proud to have you take the spirit of The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori into the broader community!

Daniel Blasch Milford High School

Armando Cabrera St. Xavier High School

Eva France Ursuline Academy

Elisabeth Gottenbusch Summit Country Day

Peter Gruber St. Xavier High School

Gino Listo Wyoming High School

George Messman Highlands High School

Sydney Olszewski Ursuline Academy

Julia Pucci St. Ursula Academy

Gabriel Roig-Francoli Madera High School

Brandon Spiess St. Xavier High School

Alex Todd St. Xavier High School

2013 Graduation: May 31, 5:00 p.m.

The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori Class of 2013 cordially invites you to its Graduation Mass and Ceremony on Friday, May 31, 2013, at 5:00 p.m. at St. John Vianney Church. A reception hosted by the class of 2014 will follow in the Middle School.

Volunteer News

Help Plant the Seeds for a Successful School Year

It's time to sign up for 2013-14 school year volunteer positions. You should have received by backpack mail with your "youngest or only" child at GSCM, a list of the volunteer opportunities and a sign up form to send back into the office.

Every family is required to sign up for and complete the tasks associated with a minimum of ONE position. Each family should indicate 3 possible positions of interest (1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd choice). Please return your sign up form promptly.

Members of the GSCM PTO will be available, if needed, to answer questions and help parents sign-up at the following times:

Thursday May 16: End of day 2:30-3:30 pm in front of the school

Friday May 17: End of day 2:30-3:30 pm in front of school

Friday, May 31: Field Day/Final Day of School

The end of school is approaching fast, which means Field Day will be here!! You will receive information about what color your child should wear for Field Day (either red or blue) the week of May 27.

The schedule for the day will be as follows:

9:00              Gathering in classrooms
9:45 - 11:30    Field Day Games and Activities
11:30             Pre-Primary Farewells/Dismissal from classroom

(parents are invited to stay with their children for lunch)

11:30 - 1:00 Lunch

Arrival and Bus Service On Field Day, children may come at the regular start time for school (8:00 or 8:15) or may come at 9:00 a.m. There will be morning bus service but no afternoon bus service on June 1. Early dismissal at 1:00 p.m.
Lunch: Our lunch this year will be cheese pizza, applesauce and a dessert. If your child does not care for this please pack their lunch.

Rain Plan: If it rains, all children will be asked to bring a favorite board game to their class. Each class will then have a fun filled Board Game Day in their individual classrooms.

Office and General News

Congratulations to All Our Presidential Award Recipients

This past week our 6-9 and 9-12 students participated in the Presidential Fitness Program during their Physical Education class. A special recognition to the students who received the Presidential Fitness Award. These students scored better than 90% in all five fitness areas: Jude Laskey (third grade), Ayden Cavill (fourth grade), Amy Friemoth and Sophia Young (fifth grade) and Isabel Shim (sixth grade).

The following students are recipients of the National Presidential Award; they scored better than 50% in all five areas:

1^st graders Sam Scuglik and Grace Evans. 2^nd graders Heidi Gruber, Nick Bucksath, Bella Heverin, Elena Paulin, Edward Stephenson, Ava Ellis, Marianna Richards and Eloise Young. 3^rd graders Jada Greek, Jeanne Stephenson and Isa Kaufman. 4th graders Trinity Tankersley, Grace Harris, Payson Briggs, and Aidan Laskey. 5^th graders Alayna Olszewski and Natalie Blackburn and 6^th graders Alec Hamall, Nick Widmeyer, Maggie Tankersley, Amelia Walz and Hannah Gottenbusch.

Yearbook

Thanks to all who have uploaded pictures to the yearbook website. We still need pictures from the talent show and Art Fair and wouldn't mind more of First Communion and field trips and classroom events. This year's yearbook is going to be a great memory keeper for your child. Remember, orders must be turned in this week! If you lost your order envelope, please contact mary.rieke@gmail.com to receive another one or pick one up on the ledge outside the office.

Our 2013-2014 Calendar is Available on Our Website

Making plans and need to know certain school dates for next year. Go to our website www.gscmontessori.org and click on the 2013-14 calendar link on the left side.

Reminder: IPM Collection Thursday

Here's a reminder about the collection for Inter Parish Ministry's food choice pantry this Thursday, May 16^th. We're collecting whatever food and personal care items you wish to donate. They will be a big help to families, immediately or through the summer.

As always you may bring in your items early, and if you forget them Thursday you may bring them in Friday.

Your support for this endeavor throughout the school year has been very full, very enthusiastic, and very remarkable. Thank you!

Attention Kroger Shoppers!

Please don't forget to enroll (or re-enroll as re-enrollment is required yearly) in Kroger Community Rewards! It is free and you raise money for GSCM every time you shop. It only takes 30 seconds! Follow the link below and select The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori (organization number 80140): http://www.kroger.com/community/Pages/community_rewards.aspx

Thank Yous to:

Servatii's

(The Gottenbush family) for contributing the beautiful and delicious cookies for our May Crowning.

Nicodemus Kaufman, Sergio and Gino Listo, and Carson Loring for their help with moving the stage and setting up for kindergarten drama this past week.

When Your Child is Absent due to Illness

Please remember that when you child is absent from school due to illness, they should not attend mass or extracurricular activities at the school as well. Thank you.

PTO News:

Boxtops for Education

The final class rankings for our contests ending May 10^th were as follows:

3-6 B	169	6-9 S/L	328
3-6 D	429	9-12 C	482
3-6 S	18	9-12 G	481
6-9 O/F	506	MS	153

The class with the most box tops submitted (506) and winner of the trophy and Walmart gift card is Mrs. Olszewski and Miss Filer's (Lourdes) 6-9 class. The student with the most box tops submitted (326) and winner of the Graeter's gift card is Isabel Shim. Miss Cameron's 9-12 class wins a pizza party for 100% participation. Congratulations to all of the contest winners!

For the 2012-13 school year, GSCM collected 6778 box tops, a total of $677.80. Great job everyone! Thank you, and keep collecting box tops to submit next year!

McNicholas Summer Camps

McNicholas High School is excited to again offer summer day camps for students entering grades 1-9! Camps run the weeks of June 10, 17, and 24, and July 15 and 22.

Rocket Athlete Champ Camps include baseball, boys' and girls' basketball, boys' and girls' soccer, track and field, girls' volleyball, and cheerleading.

Blast Off for Fun Camps include leadership, theater, science, art, bookcrafting, creative writing, and video production.

Click here for our camp schedule, detailed descriptions of each camp, and our secure online registration form. For more information, visit www.mcnhs.org and click the Summer Camp icon at the bottom of the home page. Every camper will receive a t-shirt.

Lunchtime and after-camp care available for a full day experience during camps in the month of June. Questions? Contact Director of Communications Angie Noble at 513.231.3500 x5824 or anoble@mcnhs.org.

Rocket into Summer Community Event

Launch your summer with us on Thursday, May 16 from 4-7 p.m. as we celebrate another successful school year with some good old-fashioned summertime fun! Festivities include an Art Show, a Summer Camp Fair, and a local Farmers' Market. All are welcome and entrance is free. Relax with live music, indulge in tasty treats, and enter your name for a chance to win some fun summer door prizes. Questions? Contact Julie Dumont at jdumont@mcnhs.org or at 231.3500 x5825.

Thank You, Family!

We appreciate your taking the time to read our newsletter.
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