"God calls us not to be successful,

but to be faithful."

Blessed Mother Teresa 

Upcoming Dates

Feb. 24-28                 Parent-Teacher Conference Week

Fri., Feb. 28               NO SCHOOL, Conference Make-Up Day

Mon., March 3            Financial Aid Application Deadline

Tues., March 4           First Tuesday Montessori 101, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Wed., March 5           Ash Wednesday, 8:15 Mass

Thurs., March 6          Parent-Child Atrium Evening, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Fri., March 7              Mom's Scripture Study, 9:15-11:15

Sat., March 8             "Our Backyard" SPRING GALA

Fri., March 21            GSCM Fine Arts Center Benefit Bluegrass  

                                Concert, 7:00 p.m. 

First Tuesday Montessori 101:  The Sensorial Materials

March 4, 2014, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Lindsey Schmitt, Presenter

Maria Montessori developed a careful approach to sensory education.  Her belief was that if we help children heighten their sensory awareness, they will have a fuller experience of life. 

What is the Pink Tower? What is the mathematical equation represented by the binomial cube? What is the difference between an ovoid and an ellipsoid?  Come and discover the genius behind the sensorial curriculum as designed by Maria Montessori. 

Lindsey Schmitt will lead you through several presentations in the sensorial area of the 3-6 year old classroom.  She will explain the direct and indirect aims, as well as demonstrate the foundation this area creates for further learning in other areas of the classroom.  Every sense, from auditory to gustatory, will be refined and explored as the children work in this area of the classroom.

Fat Tuesday Bake Sale -  

Tuesday, March 4

On Tuesday, March 4^th, at lunch and after school, the Student Government will be hosting a Bake Sale to celebrate Shrove Tuesday, also known as "Fat Tuesday," the day before Ash Wednesday and the penitential season of Lent.  Proceeds will go to fund the GSCM Easter Egg Hunt with a portion of the funds going to Hands Together to benefit the poor in Haiti.  Be prepared to buy some delicious treats to celebrate the day!   (No need to pack dessert for lunch either!!)

Those of you who love to bake - donations of baked goods will be gratefully accepted.

Atrium Parent-Child Evening (RSVP requested)

Thursday, March 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m. (open house style)

Parents are invited to enjoy the peaceful, reflective experience of the atrium.  Come with your child to the atrium on Feb. 28, anytime between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., and explore the beautiful atrium work together.  Catechist Dan Teller will be on hand to provide explanations as necessary, but this evening is intended for parents and children to work together.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a unique formation experience for children of all ages.  It must be experienced to be appreciated!  Please RSVP to Nancy Toon (ntoon@gscmontessori.org)

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine to Visit GSCM

Friday, March 7

On Friday, March 7, Ohio AG Mike DeWine will visit the upper elementary and middle school students at our school.  Mr. DeWine is closely involved with the work of Hands Together in Haiti.  In fact, the school system there is named after his late daughter, Becky DeWine, who died as a young adult in an auto accident.

Mr. DeWine will meet separately with our upper el and middle school students to share more about Hands Together, answer questions, and speak about his responsibilities as Ohio's Attorney General.  He will be with the middle school students from 9:30-10:00 and the upper el students from 10:00-10:30.

GSCM's Spring Benefit Concert: 

Friday, March 14, 7:00 p.m.

This year we are pleased to present an evening of bluegrass music, featuring the bands, Nightflyer and East Fork Junction.  Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 13 and under.  Enjoy great live music and help our school raise funds for further improvement of the fine arts center.  

For tickets, go to www.gscmontessori.org  and click on the Bluegrass benefit link.  

Volunteers needed.   Please contact Barb Blasch bblasch@gscmontessori.org

Montessori Moments

Valorization of the personalityP

By John Bennett, Middle School Teacher

 Maria Montessori wrote of the adolescent:

... his whole life should be organized in such a way that it will enable him, when the time comes, to make a triumphal entry into social life-not entering it debilitated, isolated or humiliated but with head high, sure of himself.

Success in life depends on self-confidence, born of a true knowledge of one's own capacities, combined with many-sided powers of adaptation-in fact what we have called 'valorization of the personality.'

The consciousness of knowing how to make oneself useful, how to help mankind in many ways, fills the soul with noble confidence.

The adolescent, like the adult, is not satisfied with simple flattery; the adolescent must be shown their value by accomplishing meaningful tasks. Not long ago, the adolescent was a highly valued member of the family economy who had many responsibilities. Through modern advancement and comfort, the adolescent now typically spends a lot of time in academics or play with little time spent making meaningful contributions to the family, school, and community.

As Montessori educator John McNamara puts it: "The adolescent not only wants to know what they are good 'at' they want to know what they are good 'for.'"

Montessori says that, along with broad and deep academic studies, education must provide meaningful work. In this pursuit, the middle school provides meaningful activities such as service outings, Erdkinder, self-expression, art, group initiative, student-led meetings, and trimester project work. These all lead to what Montessori calls the 'valorization of the personality.'

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Gala News:

Office News:

Extracurricular Activities Survey

What Extracurricular Activities Would You Like to See at GSCM?

GSCM would like to expand before/after-school enrichment.  We are seeking input from the GSCM community.  What would interest your child?  What are your family's barriers to participating? Please take a few minutes to complete this brief 3 question survey! 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1RPDnxQy5jW9wMIuV-npmPguy4JKzObXopcYQaE8D2fI/viewform  

Help Wanted with Atrium Materials

Our atrium materials have the happy problem of heavy use.  Lots of children are coming closer to the Lord through these materials!  We are in need of skilled help to replace some of our materials:

• Sewing help for altar cloths, prayer table cloths, etc.
• Woodworking help (band saw needed) to cut out small wooden figures
• Sculpting help to create small clay figures for Gospel narratives

If you can lend your skills, please contact Dan Teller at dteller@gscmontessori.org.

Be Aware

When you are traveling in the neighborhood to and from our school, please be sure to abide by the 25 MPH speed limit and make sure that you stop at the stop signs.  The police have been notified and are planning to start watching for those who are speeding and not making an appropriate stop at the stop signs. 

Please Return Open House Yard Signs

If you posted a sign advertising the GSCM Open House in your yard -- thank you very much!  You helped make our Open House a success.  Now we have one more favor to ask -- please return the signs (and metal holders) to the front lobby this week. There are still over 25 signs that haven't been turned in.  Thank you for your help!  If you have any questions about the signs, please contact Annie King at aking@gscmontessori.org.

Did You Place Your Order With Schoolhouse Fare?

If you are interested in ordering lunch from Ramundos on Mondays or Zoups on Wednesdays it's time to place your order with Schoolhouse Fare.  For more information check our website.

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PTO News:

Used Uniforms!  Come Check Them Out!

The used uniform wardrobe is always open for your convenience, but next week for conferences extra inventory will be brought out!  It is located at the end of the upper hallway. 

Stop by and check it out!  There are a lot of nice Lands End items and more!

Sports News:

Come Cheer for our Volleyball Teams

Parents and Sports Fans, please come cheer for our 7/8^th and 5/6^th grade Volleyball teams this weekend in tournament play.  The girls have worked hard all season, improved their level of play, and have won games and matches.  Please come give them support as they play in the CYO Tournament starting Friday.  All games are at St. Gertrude's gym.

7/8 Team's first game is Friday night, 2/28 at 6:00 pm at St. Gertrude against Sacred Heart.   If we win that game we will play again on 3/1 at 3:00 pm at Mother Teresa.  5/6 Team's first game is 3/1 at 3p at St. Gertrude against Mother Teresa and if we win we will play again on 3/2 at 2p at Mother Teresa.

Go Falcons!

2014 St. Gertrude Bulldogs Track - Register by Feb 28th  

First Practice On or around March 4^th  First Meet Mar 28-29 St. Jude Invitational

 Click Here to Register 

If you have any questions please contact our Program Coordinators:  Lesley Marsh  lwmarsh87@gmail.com
Jill Vonderhaar  jmvonderhaar@gmail.com

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