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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
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"The child is truly a miraculous being, and this should be felt deeply by the educator."
Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind
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Upcoming Dates
Wed., Aug 28 VIRTUS training at GSCM, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Fri., Aug 30 Mass, 8:15 a.m.
Mon., Sept 2 Labor Day, NO SCHOOL
Fri., Sept. 6 LEGO Club Sign-Up Deadline
Sept., 9-12 Middle School Odyssey Trip to Hico, WV
Tues., Sept. 10 PTO Meeting 8:15 a.m., Music Room
Thurs., Sept 12 LEGO Club begins
Thurs., Sept 12 VIRTUS Training, St Gertrude Church,6:30-9:00 pm
Mon., Sept 16, Spirit Wear Orders Due
Tues., Sept 17 Picture Day: Pre-primary & Upper El
(out of uniform)
Wed., Sept 18 Picture Day: Lower El & Middle School
(out of uniform)
Thur., Sept 19 Pre-Primry Parent Education Evening 7:00 p.m.
Sept 18-20 Upper Eementary Trip to Camp Kern
VIRTUS Training Sessions for New Volunteers
Monday, August 28, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at GSCM (Our Lady of Guadalupe classroom)
Thusday, September 12, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. at St. Gertrude Church (Madeira)
Background Check Opportunity for Volunteers St. Gertrude School, Madeira
Sept. 4 2:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Sept. 5 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
See "Volunteer News" below for full information on VIRTUS and important Volunteer requirements.
School Pictures: Sept. 17 and 18
Weather permitting, Debra Shepard Photography will be taking school pictures on these dates:
Tues., Sept 11 Pre-Primary and Upper Elementary classes
Wed., Sept 12 Lower Elementary and Middle School classes
Students may be out-of-uniform on the day they are photographed. An order form for pictures will be coming home soon by backpack mail.
Fall Garage Sale
Start saving items in good condition for an upcoming garage sale that we will be having this Fall. Details to come in a later newsletter. Thank you!
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Program News
Welcome, New Staff Members
We welcome the following new members to our staff this year:
- Beth Wolfzorn is an assistant teacher in 9-12 Guadalupe
- Maria Monteforte is the preschool - grade 3 Spanish teacher
- Christine Ulrich is an assistant in the lower el program and the lower elementary dance instructor
- Eileen Myers is the Preschool Extended Care Directress
- Emma Teller is the After-Care Directress
- Andrea Doyle and Lois Sedacca are intervention specialists for children served by the Ohio Jon Peterson Scholarship Program
- Liz Wright is a Speech Language Pathologist for children served by the Ohio Jon Peterson Scholarship Program
- Amy Parker is our intervention specialist from Cincinnati Public Schools
- Annie Tengler is our school psychologist from Cincinnati Public Schools.
For a biographical sketch on all of our staff members, go to our website, www.gscmontessori.org and click on Academics.
Subs Wanted
We are seeking to add to our substitute teacher list. If interested, please contact Nancy Toon, who will inform you of the necessary steps to do so.
Physical Education
Tuesday (lower elementary and middle school)
Thursday (kindergarten and upper elementary)
On phys ed days, children should wear sneakers. Girls should wear either shorts/pants, or sports shorts beneath jumpers or skirts.
Drama Club/Class
This year we will again be offering an after school drama club for the Lower Elementary and the Upper Elementary/Middle School students. The club will meet on Wednesdays from 3:00-4:15. We are blessed to have Rhonda Hamall once again leading our drama clubs. Look for more information about sign-up and performances as the year progresses.
Kindergarten students will have a weekly drama class with Mrs. Hamall on Fridays.
Lower Elementary Creative Movement
This year, our lower elementary students will have a weekly creative movement class on Mondays. Christine Ulrich will be the creative movement instructor.
Creative Movement is a joyful way for children to explore movement through music, develop physical skills, channel energy, stimulate imagination and promote creativity. Creative movement uses body actions to: communicate an image (the wind), communicate an idea (a journey) or communicate a feeling (strength).
Creative Movement provides children with opportunities for noncompetitive, success-oriented and creative experiences. It also gives children the opportunity to work either in pairs, small groups or singly as they work on choreographic challenges.
Through movement, children learn about their bodies, the space around them, and each other. Creative movement activities encourage all children to participate. Both boys and girls enjoy these classes. All children can benefit, including children with communication, sensory, developmental or physical challenges.
For more about the benefits of creative movement, go to http://www.dltk-kids.com/articles/creativemovement.htm
Classroom Names
Please note that our classrooms are named in honor of Our Lady and the archangels. We refer to our classes by these names, not by teachers' names:
St. Gabriel: Mrs. Schmitt/Mrs. Landers
St. Raphael: Mrs. Damico/Mrs. Eicher
St. Michael Mrs. Bucksath/Mrs. Lotterer
Our Lady of Fatima: Mrs. Scuglik/Ms. Leopardi/Mrs. Robinson
Our Lady of Lourdes Mrs. Olszewski/Ms. Filer/Mrs. Bruemmer
Our Lady of Guadalupe Mrs. Griffin/Miss Cameron/Mrs. Rieke/Mrs. Wolfzorn
Queen of Angels Mr. Bennett/Mrs. Hamiter/Mrs. Ratajczak
NEW LEGO Club starts September 12 at GSCM!
Classes are conducted by ISpace, Inc. At least one session this year for K-8 (see class description flyer for more details). The first session is for K and 1st graders for 4 Thursdays (Sept. 12 - Oct. 3) from 3:15-4:45 pm. Cost is $62.50 with a maximum of 16 students. The class will need 2 volunteers to assist. First come, first serve. Sign-up sheets available on the parent page .Click Here or in the office Deadline for enrollment is Sept. 6. Contact Kristen Cox at br26h23cox@gmail.com or 513-688-7385 for more information.
For club descriptions, dates, and costs, Click Here
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Office News
Updated Information: IMPORTANT!
As you may recall from Parent Orientation, we are asking everyone to log on to the GSCM Portal and confirm/update your family information, emergency contacts, children's allergies, etc. It is critical that we have updated information on your student(s)!
Even if you already updated your portal information, please log on to ensure that all of your changes were indeed saved (it's easy to miss that Save button!).Also remember to update EACH of your children individually - you will need to enter your emergency/pick-up contacts for each sibling.
ALL FAMILIES should "Verify" (date stamp with digital signature under the "general" tab) their information after they have checked each tab, NO LATER THAN MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2. Please contact Nancy: ntoon@gscmontessori.org if you need your user name and password for the GSCM Portal. These updates are, of course, for the safety of all of our children here at GSCM.
Newsletter
If you want to receive the weekly Tuesday newsletter by hard copy each week, please contact Nancy Toon (ntoon@gscmontessori.org) even if you told her last year. Otherwise, we will send it to you only by email. This first issue is being sent to every family by both hard-copy and (if possible) email. The newsletter contains important information. Please take time to read it.
Office Hours
Our official office hours are 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Frequently, staff is in the building and the office later than 3:30. However, if you want to be certain of contacting an office staff person, please visit or call before 3:30 p.m.
Transportation Changes
If your child rides the bus, be sure to send in the Transportation Update form to Nancy Toon if you have not done so already.
- Anytime your child will have a long-term change in transportation plans, please submit a new "Transportation Update." (available on our website on the Parent Page under forms)
- For single-day changes in bus transportation, please notify the office by written note or a phone call prior to 2:00 p.m. A Transportation Update form is not necessary for single-day changes.
Call in Absences
Please be sure to notify our office by 8:30 a.m. if your child will be absent. If your child rides the bus to school in the morning, we will call your home if the teacher lists your child as absent but we have not heard from you.
2012-13 GSCM Yearbooks Available
The 2012-13 yearbooks have been delivered! If you did not pick them up at the picnic, they were sent home with your child. There are a very few yearbooks still available. They will be sold on a first come/first served basis. The cost is $25.00. If you would like a yearbook please contact mary.rieke@gmail.com
Pre-Primary Yearbook Photographer Wanted
Mary is also looking for someone with a child(ren) in the preschool-Kindergarten who would be willing to take and identify pictures for those 3 classes. This is a very easy and not very time consuming volunteer position that will insure these classes are well represented in the 2013-14 yearbook. Please contact Mary Rieke if you are interested.
Family Directory:
Also on the GSCM Portal is a draft of this year's Family Directory (go to "Download School Forms"). If you haven't already done so, please take a moment to check your information and email any corrections to Mary Beth Escamilla at mbviv@hotmail.com by August 31st.
Please be sure that you have turned in your PTO Family Directory Consent Form by Friday, August 30th. We will be sending the directory for print soon and only want to include those that wish to be included. Make sure to let the office know if you do NOT want your information included. (the form is also needed for your file)
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Parent Notices
Thursday Morning Moms Group
From GSCM Mission Statement: "(O)ur goal is to enable each child to develop as a well-integrated human being: spiritually, intellectually, socially, physically, and emotionally."
We all want to see our children flourish - to become the best version of themselves - all that God as created them to be. What a Wonderful school we have that seeks to attain such a lofty vision! Do you ever wonder if there is more that you can be doing to help achieve this great goal? I have! Over the years, I have been concerned as to whether or not I could properly nourish my children's physical development. At times, I've been afraid that the choices I make now might actually hinder them from reaching their full potential.
However, for the past seven years, I've read, studied and trained and now would like to share what I've learned, as well as get the support of other GSCM Moms. If you share my zeal for our children's proper physical development (as well as our own!) would you please consider joining me at my support group?
I'm calling it "Thursday Morning Moms" and am covering a variety of topics, from digestion & hormones, to snacks & menu planning.
Our first meeting will be on Thurs., Sept. 12, from 9-11 am at my home.
If you would like more information or to sign up, please contact me at: 513-386-7523 or esodergren@catholic.org.
I look forward to meeting you!
God Bless,
Ellie Sodergren
GSCM Parent
Master Certified Healing Foods Specialist
Certified GAPS Practitioner
Car Pooling Notice
My name is Dagmar Wilhelmy and I have three children at the GSCM - ages 13, 11, and 9.
I am looking for somebody who can share car pooling with me especially in the afternoons.
We live in Hyde Park. Please contact dagmar_wilhelmy@hotmail.com.
After-School Nanny Position
Mariemont Area, M-F, 3:00-6:00 p.m. for two GSCM children ages 8 & 10.
Contact Info: Rebecca (513) 227-6035
Free Girls' Basketball Clinic at X.U.
http://www.goxavier.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/082213aaa.html
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Mass, Confessions, and Spirit Day
Holy Mass on Fridays, 8:15 a.m.
Mass this year will be on Fridays at 8:15 a.m. Please join us!
Singers Wanted
Would you like to assist with singing at our weekly Mass? Please contact Mary Hamiter (mhamiter@gscmontessori.org) or Jana Widmeyer (jwidmeyer@gscmontessori.org)
Priests Needed
These priests have graciously agreed to celebrate Eucharist with us this year:
· Comboni Missionary Priests - Fr. Ruffino, Fr. Brian
· Fr. Benedict O'Cinnsealaigh, Mt. St. Mary Seminary
· Fr. Terrence Quinn, OP, St. Gertrude Church
· Fr. Dave Lemkuhl, Pastor St. Margaret-St. John Parish (because our Masses this year fall on Fr. Dave's day off, we will not be able to celebrate Mass with him as often, but when Mass is not on a Friday we hope to have Fr. Dave celebrate with us.)
We are grateful to these priests who share their ministry with us and enable us to celebrate the sacraments. Besides Mass, we also seek priests through the year to offer the sacrament of Reconciliation and to lead us in Eucharistic Adoration. If you know a priest who would be willing to offer his services to our school, please contact Dan Teller (dteller@gscmontessori.org)
Dress Shoes Needed for Altar Servers
This year our altar servers at Mass will wear dress shoes as a sign of respect and reverence for the sacredness of serving Mass and being in the sanctuary. We would like to have a 'back-up collection' of dress shoes on hand for times when the servers forget to bring theirs to school. If you have unused children's dress shoes (black or brown), please consider donating them to the school for this purpose.
- Sizes needed: Youth 7 to Adult Women 8 (flats only) or Adult Men 10
Spirit Day and Spirit Wear: Thursdays
So that we can dress nicely for Mass on Fridays, Spirit Day will be on Thursdays this year. Students may dress in blue jeans or shorts (during months when shorts are allowed) and a GSCM Spirit Wear T-shirt or sweatshirt.
This year there will be set "windows of time" when you can order spirit-wear. We are now taking the first orders for 2013-2014 Spirit-wear!" You should have received an order form enclosed in your Parent Orientation Packet or you can pick one up in the office as well. All orders must be received no later than September 16th and will be delivered on October 1st. Any questions contact Amie Bressert @ GSCMspiritwear@gmail.com.
Confessions
This year our 3rd-8th grade students will have four opportunities to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There will be penance services with confessions during Advent and Lent, and individual classes stay after Mass for confession once in the fall and once in late winter.
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Safety
Children and adults are asked NOT to use the lower entrance doors except for bus arrival/dismissal and preschool recess. The doors remain locked. Parents, if your children remain after school, they must be under your supervision and must not use the lower entrance doors, so that they may remain locked.
Parking, Recess, Driving
Parking Guidelines
- Parents may temporarily park along the entrance drive at pick-up and drop-off times only. There is no parking along the entrance driveway at other times.
- We would like to keep the large parking lot (by the modular building) as free of cars as possible, so that the children have room for games during recess. Please try to park in the small lot north of the church. If you do park in the large lot, please park along the perimeter of the lot, so that the center area is free for children's play.
Driving Guidelines
- No traffic is permitted in between the south end of the church and the St. Joseph (white) house.
- No traffic is permitted between the school entrance and the church. Traffic should drive around the east side of the church.
- There is no traffic permitted on the large lot between 11:30-1:00 due to student recess.
- Please drive carefully on Roe St. Neighbors have asked that we maintain a safe speed. Thank you for your care in this matter.
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Volunteer News
IMPORTANT INFORMATION for VOLUNTEERING at GSCM
VIRTUS Training Sessions for New Volunteers
TOMORROW, Wednesday, August 28, 6:30-9:30 p.m. at GSCM (Our Lady of Guadalupe classroom)
Thursday, September 12, 6:30-9:00 p.m. at St. Gertrude Church (Madeira)
All people who work or volunteer with children in any of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati parishes, schools, or institutions must attend a VIRTUS® Child Awareness Session for the Decree on Child Protection and must complete a background check by being fingerprinted.
This requirement includes all field trip and overnight (Camp Kern) chaperones, classroom volunteers, and Walkathon or other GSCM event volunteers.
GSCM is offering a VIRTUS course tomorrow, Wednesday, August 28, 6:30 - 9:30 pm. Register for this course at www.virtusonline.org. The VIRTUS training is free.
If you cannot attend the August 28 session at GSCM, St. Gertrude School is holding a VIRTUS class on Thursday, September 12, 6:30 - 9:00 pm. To view other area training sessions, go to www.virtusonline.org, where you can select and register for a course that fits your schedule.
If you have not previously been background checked by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, you will need to be fingerprinted. The cost is $28. (If you have not lived in the state of Ohio for at least 5 years, you will need not only a BCI (Ohio) background check but a FBI check also. The cost for both is $58.
The Archdiocese has a number of locations listed on its website - www.catholiccincinnati.org - which offer fingerprinting. For your convenience, a mobile fingerprinting service is available at St. Gertrude School, Madeira, on Sept. 4 from 2:00 - 8:00 pm and on Sept. 5 from 9:00 - 5:00 pm. Cash and Money Orders only accepted.
If you were VIRTUS trained in another diocese, please provide Jana Widmeyer (GSCM VIRTUS Coordinator) with a copy of your certificate.
If you have questions about the VIRTUS program, contact Jana Widmeyer at jwidmeyer@gscmontessori.org. Nancy Toon can help you with fingerprinting/background check information.
While these requirements appear daunting, they are all for the protection of our children. What is more important than their safety and well-being?
Volunteering Makes School Events a Success! Consider How You Can Help!
You will be getting many requests for volunteering throughout the school year. There is something for everyone! Here are some upcoming needs for Fall events.
Click here: http://vols.pt/A2weKT to sign up for 2013 Book Fair. If you have further questions about the book fair contact Rachel Friemoth (rfriemoth@fuse.net).
Click here: http://vols.pt/eKEicj to sign up for 2013 Grandparents' Day. If you have further questions about Grandparents' Day contact Amie Bressert (amierae@gmail.com) or Mary Beth Escamilla (mbviv@hotmail.com).
If you can volunteer to help as a Baker throughout the year, contact Rachel Sabo (rachel.sabo16@gmail.com).
STAY TUNED FOR SIGN-UPS FOR FALL WALKATHON AND CARNIVAL taking place on OCTOBER 10!
If you have any problems signing up or have general questions about volunteering at GSCM, please feel free to contact Nicolay Walz (Nicolay.walz@gmail.com).
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Summer Thanks To ...
GSCM PTO
Our entire staff thanks the PTO for a beautiful start of the year. Thank you for ...
- Welcome Back Picnic: This annual event was a joyful event for many families and students. The clear weather was a balm. Special thanks to Carrie Ellis for coordinating the picnic, and to GSCM Middle School students for offering the games for the younger children, and to Farmer Frank for coming on his birthday!
- Welcome Back Breakfast: A delicious spread awaited our entire staff before our staff meeting the day before school. A delicious and great way to re-connect with colleagues. Special thanks to Rhonda Hamall and PTO officers Lisa Schmitz and Maria Lang!
Summer School Work
Thank you to the parents and many children - named below - who participated in an enthusiastic and productive way at our summer work days and on other special projects throughout the summer months! We painted, planted, plumbed, moved, cleaned and did a lot of other tasks and made some money for our school at our garage sale. Your "labor of love" made such a difference in our school campus.
Kara Shade and family
John Gruber
Mary and Ann Rieke
Jen and Ayden and Camden Cavill
Kathy Restle
Jeff Koehn
Jen Fausto
Berdett Barber and Alliah Bell
Marcus Lancaster
The Glenskis
The Underwoods
The Tankersleys
The Hewitts
Ingrid and Jack Keating
Rhonda and Alec Hamall
Brianna Heverin
Rachel Sabo
Amy Scuglik
Kathy Paulin
Carrie, Brandon, Connor and Nick Bucksath
Bill Hentker
Jeana, Syndey, Alayna and Emma Olszewski
Susan, Madeline, Katherine and Molly Fisher
Greg, Liz, Jude, Aidan, Ray and Paul Laskey
Annie and Clara King
Elizabeth Jaquish Galocy and Quinn Galocy
Shannon Lotterer
Rick Aronoff
Shannon Standridge
Shannon and Karl Treier
The Widmeyers
The Austs
The Damicos
The Harris Family
The Wurzelbachers
Stacey Huxell
The Thomas Family
The Keanes
Brandi Player
The Vonderwish Family
The Bennetts
The Charrons
The Dammarell Family
The Richards
David Rogers
Andrew, John and Joseph Sodergren
The Gilbert Family
The Schmitts
Erin Wolfe
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Introduction to Montessori Method & Materials:
A workshop series for assistants or parents.
Date: September 9 - November 4
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Do you know Classroom ASsistants, Co-Teachers or Parents who want to know more about the Montessori method and materials? This series of workshops will explore Montessori philosophy and an overview of the materials. Participants will have an opportunity to work with the materials in small groups, discuss Montessori Philosophy and practice presenting materials to each other and the instructor.
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Thank You, Family!
We appreciate your taking the time to read our newsletter.
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