Attention Kroger Shoppers! It's time to re-enroll so that you can raise money for GSCM
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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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"We must help the child to act for himself,
will for himself, think for himself;
this is the art of those who aspire to serve the spirit." - Maria Montessori Education for a New World
(for more on independence, see "Montessori Moments" below)
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Wed., Sept 18 Picture Day: Lower El & Middle School (out of uniform) Thur., Sept 19 Pre-Primary Parent Education Evening 7:00 p.m. Sept 18-20 Upper Elementary Trip to Camp Kern Mon., Sept. 23 Oratory Festival Kick-Off Assembly, 2:00 p.m. Tues., Sept. 24 Choir Meeting 3:00 in the music room Wed., Sept. 25 Drama Club Auditions, 3:00-5:00 p.m. Fri., Sept. 27 Eucharistic Adoration, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Tue., Oct. 1 Rick Sowash visit to GSCM (all day) Tue., Oct. 1 First Communion Parent Meeting, 6:00 p.m. Tue., Oct. 1 Lower Elementary Parent Education Evening, 7: 00 p.m. Wed., Oct. 3 Drama Club rehearsals begin (after school) Thurs., Oct. 10 WALKATHON and Carnival 1:00 Early Dismissal, No PM bus Fri., Oct. 11 Staff In-Service, NO SCHOOL THIS THURSDAY...
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 19th! RSVP to Nancy in the office ntoon@gscmontessori.org
Lower Elementary Parent Education Evening
"Give the World to the Child": Montessori Cultural Studies
Tuesday, October 1, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Parents Only (Pre-Primary parents, please feel free to join us!)
Our lower elementary teachers will present an overview of our three-year cultural cycle at our upcoming Parent Education Evening: "Give the World to the Child." Curriculum integration is a defining characteristic of Montessori Education, and the "Montessori cultural curriculum" beautifully integrates all subjects,
In her book, From Childhood to Adolescence, Dr. Montessori says, "Let us give the world to the child." She says, further, that we should "sow the seeds of all sciences when the child has a special sensitive period for imagination. (6-12 years)
Please join us for the wonderful opportunity to see many of the cultural materials that your child will experience in the lower elementary. This parent night is open to current 6-9 parents as well as pre-primary parents who are interested in the lower elementary curriculum.
Please RSVP to Nancy in the office ntoon@gscmontessori.org
The GSCM Walkathon is Coming Soon on October 10!
Check out the Walkathon website linked to www.gscmontessori.org. More information about the Walkathon and that evening's Carnival will be available soon.
For now, we want to extend a very big thank you to our early bird sponsors. We appreciate their generosity in supporting our school.
Please consider being a sponsor or asking someone to support our school through a sponsorship. Remember, our deadline to list sponsors on T-shirts and other literature is September 27th. Of course, we can still list our sponsors on our website up to the day before the walkathon. However, the sooner the more exposure!
May God bless GSCM and all of the sponsors and volunteers who help make this walkathon fun and successful!
THANK YOU SPONSORS:
Professional Payroll Services, Inc.
Time Timer
Martin Koepke: Design Landscape Architecture Planning Design
Seeskin, Paas, & Blackburn, Inc.
Busald, Funk, Zevely, Law Firm
Bahl-Gaynor Investment Council
Pizzelii Brick Oven Pizza
Mio's Pizza
Way to Go!
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Montessori Moments
By Carrie Bucksath, Pre-Primary Directress
"I Do It Myself!"
Often, our preprimary classrooms are a child's first experience with school. Sometimes the child comes into the classroom nervous about being away from home and asks for a lot of help. Even for the child who has had previous school experience, or has a parent who encourages independence, there still may be many requests for help at the beginning of the year.
One three year old in my classroom comes to mind. When he started the year and the "newness" of school wore off, he became hesitant to come into the classroom, some days even crying. He also frequently asked "Do it with me," and stayed near a teacher. As teachers, how did we help this child?
A routine helps. This boy had a favorite book in our library corner, One Duck Stuck. We read this book when he arrived every morning for as long as he needed; we also read this book during work time if he asked for it. We kept a routine. He came to know what to expect and when. It was also important to strengthen his independence in our classroom. When he would ask, "Do it with me," we would stay near him and support him, but encourage him to complete the task on his own.
Over time, this child has become much more independent. He comes into school each day smiling. He knows the routine and seems to have a plan on what he is going to start with. Recently, after working with our red rod maze, he spent five minutes putting his shoes on all by himself. That is when I first heard "I do it myself!"
This child now works with several materials independently. He enjoys cleaning out his cubbie, packing and zipping up his own bag and working to get his bag on his back to line up for recess ... without any help. He has a sense of pride in this accomplishment. He has replaced "Do it with me" with "I do it myself."
As a teacher, this phrase is music to my ears and reminds me of a famous quote from Maria Montessori "Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed!"
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Program News
The GSCM Oratory Festival
The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori announces its sixth Oratory Festival. The Oratory Festival involves speeches by students and special guests about themes that lift up inspiring people and important ways to impact our world.
Kick-Off Assembly: Monday, Sept. 23, 2:00 p.m.-
(please note corrected date!)
Guest speaker: L. Thomas Hiltz, Esq. of the Hands Together Haiti Initiative
Please join us for our Kick-Off Assembly next Monday. Our guest speaker, L. Thomas Hiltz, is an attorney and long-time community leader in Cincinnati. Mr. Hiltz serves on a host of community boards, including the Cincinnati Zoo, the Good Samaritan Hospital, and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
His involvement with the Hands Together project in Haiti, which provides educational and health services to the poorest of the poor in Cite Soleil, is of particular interest to our school. This year we are continuing our involvement with Hands Together and, as a way of tithing,are directing a portion of the proceeds from the Walkathon to their important work with children.
It's Time for GSCM Children's Choir!
All students from 2nd- 8th grade are encouraged to join and attend the first meeting on Tuesday, Sept 24th, beginning immediately after school in the music classroom.
Subsequent practices will take place on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesdays of each month after school lasting until 4 p.m.
Come to this first practice prepared to sing and have fun.
Questions? contact Barb Blasch, Music Teacher at 390-7221 or email bblasch@gscmontessori.org
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Catholic Identity News
Eucharistic Adoration
Friday, September 27, 9:15 to noon
All are invited to join us as we spend time before Our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration on Friday, September 27. Fr. Ruffino will lead us in Exposition at the end of Mass, and then the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed until noon.
Fr. Casey, a Jesuit priest from St. Francis Xavier Church, will lead three separate times of Benediction so that we can orient this prayer experience to the age of the children:
- 10:30 Preschool/Kindergarten
- 11:00 Lower El
- 11:30 Upper El and Middle School
Join us in prayer or spend some quiet time alone with Jesus during this special time of Adoration!
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Office News
LEGO Club Updates
We have had to cancel the first session (for K-1st graders) due to lack of enrollment. If you are interested in possibly/probably registering for any of the upcoming scheduled sessions for 2nd-8th graders, please let Kristen Cox know ASAP br26h23cox@gmail.com or 688-7385. The session for 2nd-3rd graders is filling fast, but there are some spots left. We are also asessing interest in a Spring session for K-1st graders. If you want to reserve a spot now (for any level), send a registration form and check to Kristen Cox. Registration details and class descriptions/dates are on the parent page and GSCM website. Classes are conducted by ISpace, Inc. Cost is $62.50 with a maximum of 16 students.
Garage Sale Leftovers
Parents, go check out the leftovers from our summer garage sale. There are still some good things left. The garage will be open in the morning and close around 3:30. We have tried to make things easily accessible, however feel free to go through the boxes of clothes, toys etc. We are doing this on the honor system. If you take anything, please decide what you would pay for it, and send a check/cash into the office for the amount of your purchase with a note (or notated on the check) "garage sale". If your children accompany you, please make sure that items are back in the area where they were found. We started this last Friday and it will run for a week or two. Any remaining items will be picked up by the St. Vincent DePaul Society.
Lands End Penny Logo
From September 18 - 22, Lands End will add our school logo to most items purchased online for only one cent more. For more information, go to www.landsend.com
Keys Left in Office
There is a set of keys with four keys on it, one being a Ford car key that were left in the office a week or so ago. If they are yours, please stop in the office to claim them.
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Sports News:
GSCM Girls Volleyball
We are currently accepting registration for girls volleyball. Registration is open to girls in 3rd-8th grade. If we have enough interest AND COACHES for grade level teams we will do that, otherwise we will have combined 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8 teams. Registration forms will go home with all 3rd-8th girls this week. Note the season runs from early January through the first weekend in March and practices should start in December. Please consider being or helping us find coaches for our volleyball teams. If you have any questions, contact Mary Rieke at mary.rieke@gmail.com
Boys Basketball Winter Sign-Ups
Have a hoopster in the family? Boys basketball season is right around the corner. Basketball is open to all boys' grades 3 through 8th. Grades can also combine to make teams for 3/4th, 5/6th, and 7/8th. The season generally runs from the first weekend in December through February with practices starting around mid-November. Generally a minimum of 7 boys is needed per team, but 8 or more is better for practices.
Interested in coaching or helping? Each team will need a head coach and at least one dedicated assistant. Both coaches and assistants must be Virtus trained. If interested in playing or coaching (helping) please send an email to Kevin Tankersley (Coordinator) at thetanks@fuse.net. Deadline for sign-ups is Monday, October 7th, 2013.
St. Ursula Academy Volleyball Grade School Night
St. Ursula Academy Varsity Bulldogs invite you to come watch them take on GGCL rival McAuley on Tuesday, September 24th at 6:30. Student admission is free when you wear your school Spiritwear.The Bulldog Mascot will be present for pictures and SUA items will be given away.
Purcell Marian Football Grade School Night
To accommodate Coach Tommy Tuberville and the Bearcats, we have moved up the date of our annual Grade School Night. We will now feature the Cavaliers of Purcell Marian vs the Falcons of Bishop Fenwick on Friday, October 4th at Nippert Stadium, located on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm.
All Cavalier Card members and a guest will receive free admission. Members will also have the opportunity to win prizes, so register TODAY to become a member! To Register click here
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Fundraising Opportunities for GSCM
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 $4300 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 $900.
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.
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Parent Notices
True or False: GSCM has Facebook and Twitter accounts? True!
Be sure to "like" GSCM on Facebook and "follow" GSCM on Twitter! Social media can help you stay connected with what's going on at school. Plus, it's a great way to spread the good news about our wonderful school with your friends and family.
If you have any questions about GSCM's Facebook and Twitter accounts, please contact Trisha Underwood at tunderwood@gscmontessori.org or Annie King at annking@gscmontessori.org.
Twitter URL: https://twitter.com/GSCMontessori
Facebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Good-Shepherd-Catholic-Montessori/144274302260401
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Volunteer News
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.
Please click here: http://vols.pt/xtQnJW to sign up for 2013 Walkathon on @VolunteerSpot today!
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).
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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Thank You, Family!
We appreciate your taking the time to read our newsletter.
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