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
|
|
|
|
"God calls us not to be successful, but to be faithful."
Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
|
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. 2 Drama Club rehearsals begin (after school) Fri., Oct 4 Mom's Scripture Meditation Group, 9:15 - 11:15 a.m. Thurs., Oct. 10 WALKATHON and Carnival 1:00 Early Dismissal, No PM bus Fri., Oct. 11 Staff In-Service, NO SCHOOL THIS WEEK... 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! Decorating Help Wanted for Adoration ... Do you have an eye for decoration, floral arrangements, art or color? If any GSCM mothers would like to help decorate the Church for the Eucharist Adoration scheduled for September 27th, please come to the Church on Thursday, September 26th beginning at 2:30 pm to help make our Church beautiful for Jesus! or If you have any fall floral decorations that you would like to donate or let us borrow, please bring them into the Church any time Thursday September 26th between 2:30-4:00pm. We would like to make our little Church as beautiful as possible for all to enjoy! Hope to see you there!!! NEXT TUESDAY...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! Walkathon 2013: Pledges, Carnival and Haiti What do pledges; a carnival and Haiti have to do with our GSCM Walkathon? Our 2013 GSCM Walkathon is scheduled for Thursday, October 10. Students, teachers, parents and guests alike enjoy this annual event. To add to the excitement and fun of the Walkathon, we have the Walkathon Carnival (kind of like the Jamboree) to round out the day's activities. The Walkathon runs from 9:00 - 11:00 and school will be dismissed at 1:00 pm to give us time to set up for the evening's fun. Students will return to school for an evening of fun, games, food, and entertainment from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. (The next day, there is no school.) The Walkathon and Carnival help us raise funds for our school. Another addition to this year's Walkathon is the Hands Together Initiative. We will tithe 10% of our Walkathon earnings to assist children in Port au Prince, Haiti who are fed, clothed and educated by Father Tom Hagan and his organization Hands Together. On Wednesday, our Walkathon Coordinator Jenny Dammarell will visit each classroom to explain the Walkathon and challenge the students in a competition to gather Walkathon pledges. Mr. Teller will even engage in a water gun battle with the class that raises the most money. Teachers have their own incentives to share with their students, too. We are grateful for the sponsors who have already agreed to sponsor this year's Walkathon. For more information on the Walkathon, Sponsorships, Walkagrams and the Carnival, visit the Walkathon website by clicking the Walkathon link at www.gscmontessori.org. The walkathon is a fun event for children and adults. Children love having their parents participate! Please consider signing up to help if you can be present on the morning of October 10. Thank you to our Walkathon Sponsors so far: Professional Payroll Services, Inc. Time Timer HGC Construction Seeskin, Paas & Blackburn, Inc |
The Joseph and Margaret Seta Family Foundation
Tracy Hodge, DDS
Bahl & Gaynor Investment Counsel
Busald, Funk, Zevley Law Firm
Shade Law Group, LLC
Robert A. Flischel Photography
Mr. Michael J. Marlow
Mio's Pizzeria, Mariemont
|
Mom's Scripture Meditation Group Remember our Mother's retreat last spring? Remember how we learned how to meditate on a scripture passage? Remember how much fun it was to share our insights with each other? Come every first and third Friday of the month after morning Mass to learn and practice different ways to meditate on Scripture and have a fun time of sharing with each other. We will begin with learning the easiest ways to learn to listen to God speak to us through Scripture and advance to more difficult methods as time allows. We will follow the Saints and Doctors of the Catholic faith, especially St. Alphonsus and St. Ignatius. This group is open to all Mothers regardless of faith denomination. Come and share in a time of fellowship with each other as we learn to listen to Our Lord together! Come October 4 and 18, November 1 and 15, and December 6. 9:15 am-11:15 am. If needed, please bring a light breakfast or coffee/drink to sip on during our meeting time. Ladies, this "smooth talking" Word of God has so much more to tell us. You don't want to miss out on HIM! Any questions, email Karen at ekguilford@fuse.net
|
|
Program News
Upper Level Spanish at GSCM (Grades 4-8)
By Joyce Lewis, Spanish Teacher
I am Señora Lewis and I teach Spanish to the 4th-8th grades. In the 4th grade I begin story telling in Spanish. I teach vocabulary and then I make up stories to tell the students, the students help provide details for the stories and then they also read stories. The stories can get crazy sometimes but it creates enthusiasm for learning Spanish and the creative stories the students are able to tell with limited vocabulary is amazing.
My 5th grade class has been telling stories for a year now and they created a story about a girl that was smart. That was the beginning of the story that I gave them. In Spanish the students continued to write the story. The girl wanted to be super smart. The 5th graders had fun telling and acting out in Spanish her subsequent adventures to become 'super smart.' Every day brings a new story to the 4th and 5th graders.
In the 6th grade the students receive a high school level textbook and we begin a different way of learning Spanish. Instead of hearing and imitating Spanish from the Spanish stories, we begin to learn some grammar rules along with continuing to learn more vocabulary. From time to time I may include a day of story-telling using the vocabulary and grammar structures that we are learning. The students also now have homework that is due three days a week.
In the 7th and 8th grades the students continue in the same high school level textbook at a slightly faster pace than in the 6th grades because classes are now 45 minutes 3 times a week instead of 30 minutes 3 times a week as it was in 4th-6th grades. By the time the students finish Spanish in the 8th grade they take a placement test at their high school and most are placed in second year Spanish.
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
|
Office News
Parking Notice
Morning Drop-Off Drivers: The lane next to the school sidewalk is reserved for drop-off/pass-through traffic only. If you intend to park and escort your child into the school, please park in one of the designated parking spots in our lots.
Collections for IPM Resume Thurs., Oct. 3
Over the past four years, Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori families have been providing much-needed food assistance to families in Hamilton and Clermont counties, by donating items to the food choice pantry at Inter Parish Ministry in Newtown. We will begin our fifth year on Thursday, October 3rd, when we will collect canned fruit. Please remember this when grocery shopping this weekend.
Donations will be collected at the entrance before school on Thursday. If you happen to forget it on Thursday, you may bring it to school Friday.
Our contributions made a difference in the lives of hundreds of people last year. Thank you for doing your part to repeat that this year.
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
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 assessing 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
We will end the "Garage Sale" this Friday. If you haven't had a chance to go look at the things in the garage, it will be open during school hours until this Friday, September 27th. All items are being sold on the honor system. Pick up what you want, decide what you think it is worth and send a check/cash into the office. So far we have made a little over $80 in addition to what we made at the main sale that we had in August. Thanks to all of you who donated, helped with the main sale and have purchased items!
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.
Back to top
|
Volunteer News
Grounds Care Help Wanted
Can you spend a few minutes after school pulling some weeds from the garden areas (perhaps when your child is here for an after-school activity). Just 10-20 minutes required periodically. If you can help with this volunteer task, contact Dan Teller (dteller@gscmontessori.org). Thank you!
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 to sign up for 2013 Walkathon on @VolunteerSpot today! If you have any further questions about Walkathon contact Jenny Dammarell (Jbdammarell@yahoo.com)
Please click here to sign up for 2013 Walkathon on @VolunteerSpot today!
Click here to sign up for 2013 Book Fair. If you have further questions about the book fair contact Rachel Friemoth (rfriemoth@fuse.net).
Click here 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).
Back to top
|
|
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.
Back to top
|
|
Parent Notices
FREE Parenting Webinar:
Get Kids to Listen Without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling
Sponsored by GSCM Sponsor Time Timer
Tired of nagging your kids? Attend a free webinar for parents that is offered by Amy McCready, the founder of Positive Parenting Solutions and frequent TODAY Show contributor. Join the live webinar on Thursday, October 3, at 9:00 p.m. to discover tools for handling frustrating parenting dilemmas, from toddler temper tantrums to teenage talking back, in a positive and respectful manner.
For more information and to register for the free webinar Click here
Space is limited, so please register today. No webcam is required; parents will see and hear Amy McCready on their screen and be able to ask questions discretely via chat. This free webinar is made possible for GSCM parents by Time Timer, a local business.
GSCM Student Winner of Bookmark Design Contest
Zoe Hyden, a kindergarten student in Mrs. Schmitt's class, is a winner of the Third Annual Bookmark Design Contest at the Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Crestview Hill, Ky. Her bookmark signing event is being held this Saturday from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. For more information, click here
Early Childhood Education Symposium
Saturday, Oct. 26, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Sixth Annual Early Childhood Education Symposium will be held Saturday, Oct. 26 from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Lower School Building at The Summit Country Day School Lower School, 2161 Grandin Road, 45208.
· Free. Open to the public.
· CEUs for teachers.
· Complimentary box lunch for those who register by Oct. 24.
· RSVP requested. Walk-ins welcome. Check-in begins at 8 a.m.
This year's keynote speaker is Dr. John Chattin-McNichols who will give an address entitled "Demystifying Montessori." For more information: Click here
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level I Formation Course for Adults
Catechesis Overview
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Christian education process for children ages 3 through 12 in which they experience and form an authentic, faithful relationship with God. Inspired by Maria Montessori's principles of education, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd was created in 1954 in Rome by Dr. Sofia Cavalletti, a biblical scholar, and Professor Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori-trained educator of children and teachers.
Your Invitation
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd requires training for adults at each level or age group. Level I is for children ages 3-6. You are invited to participate in a Level I formation training for adults, spanning four weekends in 2013 and 2014. Course dates/hours are listed below. A special tuition rate is offered to GSCM parents.
Level I Formation Course Objectives
Ø To present the methodology and guiding principles of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd as it especially pertains to the 3-6 year old child.
Ø To explore the religious nature and the most vital needs of the 3-6 year old child.
Ø To meditate on the Biblical and Liturgical themes presented to the 3-6 year old child.
Ø To provide an environment of support and encouragement to deepen our own enjoyment of God.
Ø To offer guidelines and assistance in preparing the Level I atrium environment, and in making the catechist's album and catechetical material.
Dates:
- November 8-11, 2013
- January 17-20, 2014
- February 14-17, 2014
These are long holiday weekends that will follow this schedule:
- Friday: 5:00-9:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Monday: 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- March 21-23
- Friday: 5:00-9:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuition and Fees
Course tuition: $235.00 (Special rate for GSCM Parents, $200 off regular tuition!)
"If we want to help the child draw nearer to God, we should with patience and courage seek to go always closer to the vital nucleus of things. This requires study and prayer. The children will be our teachers if we know how to observe them."
Sofia Cavalletti
|
|
Thank You, Family!
We appreciate your taking the time to read our newsletter.
back to top
|
|
|
