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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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"To avoid conflicts is the work of politics;
to build peace is the work of education."
Maria Montessori
"Even a fellowship that embraced all humankind, but only humankind,
would not yet represent 'shalom,' peace,
because it would exclude the most important part of reality: God".
Sofia Cavalletti
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Upcoming Dates
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 Kroger/Target sign-up at 3:00 p.m. dismissal Thurs., Sept 12 VIRTUS Training, St Gertrude Church,6:30-9:00 pm Fri., Sept 13 Kroger/Target sign-up at 3:00 p.m. dismissal 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 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 17 Pre-Primary and Upper Elementary classes Wed., Sept 18 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. Pre-Primary Parent Education Evening Thurs., September 19, 7:00 p.m. Mathematics and the Young Child: Building Concrete Foundations for Future Abstract Thought How do young children sensorially explore the world of mathematics? How do the hands-on Montessori materials provide a solid foundation for future learning in abstract math? Enjoy the 'aha' moments provided by the extraordinary Montessori math materials as our pre-primary teachers present "Mathematics and the Young Child." Maria Montessori's genius is apparent in the design of the Montessori math materials. Imagine introducing children to concrete materials for concepts such as squared and cubed numbers, addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division of numbers up to one thousand. All of this before they leave kindergarten, and all begun in the sensorial area at age three. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to learn more about the value of a Montessori education for your child. Hope to see you on September 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! Back to top |
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Montessori Moments
This year, most weekly newsletters will include a "Montessori Moment," in which one of our teachers describes an example of Montessori education in action.
What is Our Atrium Mission?
by Dan Teller, upper elementary catechist
This summer, our teaching staff read Lessons from the Classroom¨ 20 Things Good Teachers Do, by Hal Urban. The author presented specific strategies for creating a positive, collaborative learning environment for children. Our teaching staff unanimously appreciated the wealth of ideas in this book to enhance the children's sense of emotional well-being at school. Many of our teachers put various ideas into practice on the first day of school!
I tried one idea on the first day of our Level III (upper elementary) atrium last week: creating a mission statement for this atrium group. First, we discussed the meaning and importance of a mission. Next, we looked at various mission statements - GSCM, scouting organizations, Jesus' (co)mission to his disciples, even the Cincinnati Reds' mission! Then, each sixth grader led a group to draft a mission statement for the class in atrium.
I had wondered how well this would work, because Hal Urban described his work with high school, not grade school students. The children approached the exercise with remarkable interest and seriousness Below are several of the six mission statements that the children drafted for atrium. After each statement was read, the children spontaneously applauded. In the end, the class voted on number 2 (bolded). Any one of them would have been fitting.
1. Our mission is to be become more faithful to God.
2. To become more holy as to grow into children of God. To be one with Jesus and God.
3. Our mission in the atrium is to grow in faith with God. We do this by working with our hands, using materials.
4. Our mission is to learn about God and to serve him. To grow closer to God and grow more full of his grace and to learn about our faith.
The sincerity, interest, and joy of the students in the exercise was truly a "Montessori Moment!" One sixth grader spent the rest of atrium creating a large calligraphied poster of our new mission.
P.S. - another "Montessori Moment"... After this exercise, we did a group meditation in which any child was invited to place an article from atrium by the Good Shepherd statue as an expression of how they have come to know Him over the years. Ben Sabo, another sixth grader, brought up a candle extinguisher. When asked why, Ben explained, "Because even when we put out our candle during prayer in atrium, the prayer still stays with us."
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Office News
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.
Extended-Preschool Care (11:30-3:00) and After-School Care (3:00-6:00) Use
If you need to use either the extended preschool care or the after-school care program on a 'per diem' or occasional basis, please note the following:
- Notify the office to make a reservation for that day for use of either program. (The extended care preschool program has a limit of 15 children and we are occasionally at that limit.)
- Notify your child's teacher, so that s/he is aware of the dismissal procedure for that day.
- Fees must be paid the day of use. You can pay in the office or give a check directly to the extended/after-care staff.
These guidelines only apply for 'per diem' use, not for those who have regularly enrolled in these programs.
Spirit Wear Orders
We are now taking 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.
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. If you have a second grader that would be interested in participating in this first Lego session please contact Kristen Cox. We may open the session to 2nd graders, as ISpace requires 16 students to run the program.
Deadline for enrollment in this first session is Sept. 6. 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 or in the office. Deadline for enrollment is Sept. 6. Kristen Cox will be available after school on Wednesday, 9/4 and Thursday 9/5 to take registrations and answer questions. Or she can be contacted at br26h23cox@gmail.com or 513-688-7385 for more information.
For club descriptions, dates, and costs, go to file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/dteller/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/FX9S8U44/Fall%202013%20Descriptions_docx.html
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.
Mass: Singers and Shoes 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
Dress Shoes Needed for Altar Servers
If you have unused children's dress shoes (black or brown), please consider donating them to the school as back-ups for our altar servers. Sizes needed: Youth 7 to Adult Women 8 (flats only) or Adult Men 10
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Fundraising Opportunities for GSCM
Volunteers will be available to help families register for the Kroger and Target programs at Thursday 3:00 p.m. pick-up, Friday 8:00 a.m. drop off, and Friday 11:30 a.m. preschool pick-up.
Thanks everyone! Anyone who shops at Kroger or Target really should be registered for these programs. It is painless and free! It just takes a little follow through.
Kroger Community Rewards Program
Do you shop at Kroger? The Kroger Community Rewards program is one way you can support GSCM simply by doing what you are already doing - buying your groceries at Kroger. It does not require an extra card, just scan your Kroger Plus card as you normally do and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to the non-profit you have designated. Last year GSCM received over $3000 with only 65 families signed up! Paste in your browser to sign up http://www.kroger.com/community/Pages/community_rewards.aspx
Select The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori (#80140) as the nonprofit you want to support.
Target Take Charge of Education Program
Do you shop at Target? Have you heard of Target's Take Charge of Education program. Target will donate 1% of every purchase to the school of your choice for all purchases with a Target REDCard. It is easy to sign up for a REDCard or designate GSCM as the receipient at https://www-secure.target.com/redcard/tcoe/home. Last year GSCM received approximately $500.
It is a small time investment to get online and register for these programs. Just a few clicks. Parents and friends who shop at these stores anywhere in the US are eligible to sign up for Kroger Community Rewards and Target's Take Charge of Education programs.
Hear Great Music and Support Our School
The Greater Cincinnati Performing Arts Society Concert Series brings renowned musical performers to Cincinnati and all proceeds benefit area Catholic education. Purchase a Patron Package ($550) or two Season Tickets ($420) and a donation of $140 will be made to the school (GSCM!) of your choice.
Partial Concert Schedule:
- September 15 Guitar Master Tommy Emmanuel (Almost sold out)
- October 19 Collin Raye
- November 23 Texas Guitar Women
More information and additional performances listed at www.gcparts.org or call Pete Ellerhorst at 513-484-0157.
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Parent Notices
Thursday Morning Moms Group
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 with be on Thurs., Sept. 12, from 9-11 a.m. 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
Girl Scouts at GSCM
Hello: My name is Mary Hogan and I am the coordinator for Girls Scouts at GSCM. If your daughter or daughters are interested in joining a troop, please contact me at (513) 324 - 9040. Currently, I am a co-leader with Cathy Tellez, a former mom of GSCM. We are a combined troop of IHM and GSCM girls. We lead a 5th grade junior troop that meets every second Friday of the month from 3:30 to 5 pm. Our 1st meeting is on Sept 13th, 3:30 to 5:00 at Johnson Hill's Park in Anderson Township. We carpool right after school to the meeting. Please call me if your daughter is interested.
Baby Congratulations
Congratulations to Jonathan and Christy Hiltz on the birth of their son, Paul Gerard, born on Friday, August 23rd. He weighed 6 lbs 15.6 oz and was 19" long.
Congratulations also to John and Amanda Glenski on the birth of their daughter, Bridget, on Sunday, August 25th. Bridget weighed 8lbs 3 oz and was 21" long at birth.
Mariemont Preschool Parents Group is Looking for New Members
MPPG welcomes all families in Mariemont and surrounding communities with children ages 5 years and under. MPPG is your key to: meeting other parents, play groups, monthly speakers, seasonal childrens' parties, fun family events, couples' nights out and much more! For more info please visit www.mariemontppg.com or contact info@mariemontppg.com
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Volunteer News
IMPORTANT INFORMATION for VOLUNTEERING at GSCM
VIRTUS Training Sessions for New Volunteers
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.
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 ...
Last week we thanked the many volunteers who contributed to our wonderful summer improvements. We would also like to thank a number of professionals and support staff.
- Cornette-Violetta Architects for the design of our new building facades. Mike Cornette was our principal architect on this project.
- HGC Construction for general contracting. We especially thank Todd Christman, the project manager, and Glen Penvose, the on-site foreman. Everyone at HGC was terrific!
- Dalton Roofing, and especially former GSCM parent Frank Dalton for all of our roofing needs.
- Mike Widmeyer (GSCM parent) for overseeing many tasks relating to the Fine Arts Center and the St. Joseph House improvements.
- Keith Bressert (GSCM parent) and Buckeye Wood Floors for the fine refinishing of the music room floor.
- Interior Design Concepts' Monica Drees for overseeing our finished flooring needs.
- Titan Mechanical (and Jeff Woeste) for all of the HVAC work.
- Gene Cameron (father of GSCM teacher LinMarie Cameron) for so capably pitching in on many tasks.
We also had a terrific Building Committee who was active for the entire design/build process. We will acknowledge that group next week.
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Thank You, Family!
We appreciate your taking the time to read our newsletter.
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