"May it be done unto me

according to Your word."

Luke 1:38

Upcoming Dates

Wed., March 5               Ash Wednesday, 8:15 Mass, No Friday 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

Fri., March 7                  Cub Scout Meeting 3:00 p.m. 

Sat., March 8                "Our Backyard" SPRING GALA

Tues., March 11             PTO Meeting, 8:15 a.m. 

Thurs, March 13            Canned meed collection for IPM 

Fri., March 14                Staff Development Day, 1:00 DISMISSAL

March 17-21                  Iowa Testing Week

Fri., March 21                GSCM Fine Arts Center Benefit Bluegrass  

                                     Concert, 7:00 p.m.

Fri., March 21                Cub Scout Meeting 3:00 p.m. 

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 are needed to help set up the stage, take down, ticket & raffle sales, and food concessions.  All volunteers receive free admission to the event. Please click here: http://vols.pt/LHbvFm to sign up to volunteer at the 2014 Benefit Concert on @VolunteerSpot today! 

Gala News:

Penny War Results   

We have the results for the Penny Wars.  And the winner is...drum roll...

Damico- St. Raphael with 166 pennies per student!!  Congratulations!!

Thank you all for raising money for Hands Together.  The Penny Wars raised a total of $445.72.  Additional money will be provided by the Fat Tuesday bake sale today.  Mike DeWine will be at school on Friday to tour our school and receive our check.

Montessori Moments

One Lost Earring, One Great Adventure

By Nicole M. Filer, Lower Elementary Directress

Classmates are known, routines memorized, and expectations are understood and I can't help but find myself wondering, where did third trimester come from? This winter has been a harsh one for us Ohioans. The salt stains on our pants are deeply set and the feeling of solid ground is a hazy illusion. The clouds around us begin to cloud more than the sky, and even the unique moments begin to appear commonplace. Too often routine and familiarity breeds complacency and a lack of wonder at the things that fill our days. Even as I beckon March hurry in, February continues to hold strong and keep us far from the zeal of a new springtime.

This winter haze was scattered a few weeks back when the sun broke through; shining brighter than I recount it being able. Having been confined inside for many days,  the elementary students ventured into the bitter cold; feeling alive as they breathed in the crisp, fresh air. Having a late start to our recess time, I decided to ease our afternoon back to enjoy this time a bit longer.

As the other classes trailed one another back to their rooms, I watched the 30 that remained. Soon individual activities were replaced with running and laughing, blurring and blending them together. It was at this time a second level came to me frantic over having lost a small, cross earring. (As an aside: I do not use the term "small" lightly; nor did I feel there was much hope for it being found.) Yet, looking through the sunshine at her 29 classmates fanned across the islands of melting snow I felt assured of our ability to help. Resolute, I found myself calling, "Huddle up, 6-9!".  Unfazed by my abrupt transition from teacher to coach, the children began to echo my call to others out of earshot as they ran to meet me. In a huddle we soon stood: problem addressed, plan devised. Empowered, they set out across the blacktop on their mission.

I wish I could capture what then transpired before my eyes. Conversations were paused and activities willingly left behind to scan the endless sea of blacktop and slush in search of their classmate's sparkling, gold cross.  Within minutes the earring was found, soon followed by murmurs of what perils could have been, and shouts of congratulatory victory. The blacktop and its snow mounds were now devoid of their intrigue in light of this accomplishment; so we laughed, we joked, and soaking in the winter sunshine, we walked as a huddle slowly to our elementary home.

In 6-9 Lourdes we may not always be the best at keeping our pencils picked up and sweaters hung safely in our lockers, but what we will do for each other transcends our own weaknesses and shortcomings. This is the gift I am blessed to wonder at being a part of this community. The blessing of this school, of a Catholic culture, and of a community built on Montessori principles is that where lines are typically drawn separating children, we build bridges and ladders. Whether it be grade level, interest, background, differences are not a cause for division, but grounds for unity. We learn from each other, and so we grow, like stepping stones always seeking to lift the other up.

As G. K. Chesterton stated, "The world is not lacking in wonders, but in a sense of wonder." This is what I learn from these young ones daily; they bless me with wonder. Montessori gives children the universe, but makes the world a welcoming place where they are able to see their role, by first placing them within a unique community. This is the gift these children have as they grow, and this is the gift you give to them. Some of us did not have this as we grew, and this is the gift we now receive. That, like these children uncovering the mysteries of our world for the first time, we are all on a great journey. Every day is one step followed by many other in one great adventure, a daring quest, a grand journey that lasts a lifetime. ...And all of us? We are just walking each other home.

Back to top 

Lenten Ideas

The season of Lent is a highlight in the Catholic calendar.  An opportunity for "spiritual self improvement", Lent focuses on an increased emphasis on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Here are ideas on how to use the season of Lent as a wonderful preparation period for the joy of Easter and the Resurrection.

• Serve a "simple" meal one night a week in your home, place the money your family saves in a container on your dining table, and donate the total amount right before Easter to a favorite family charity.
•           It is amazing how much "stuff" lurks in the backs of cupboards and closets and how many "extra" things we have.  Too many towels, sheets, coats, shoes, books, small kitchen appliances... the list goes on and on. This Lent, "declutter" your home by filling 40 bags with things you no longer need, and others could use. Your children can also join in this Lenten activity by giving toys, games and books to the needy.
• Fill a paper bag with slips of paper on which you've written a good deed, a sacrifice, or a prayer.  Every day during Lent each member of your family draws a slip of paper and completes that day's act.
• "Pray the Stairs" (the rosary) at Holy Cross Immaculata Church in Mt. Adams on Good Friday or on any day in Lent with your family.
• The Alleluia is not recited or sung during Lent. On Ash Wednesday, children could make an Alleluia card or banner to be "buried" or put away during Lent and then displayed prominently     during the Easter season. It could be made of gold paper and decorated with ribbons or flowers, as elaborately as they like. The Alleluia would reappear on Easter morning with their Easter baskets.
•  Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary with your family one day a week during Lent.
• Every time a good deed is done during Lent, put a jelly bean in a jar on a kitchen counter.  Share the candy on Easter.
• Pick a friend or neighbor and perform an anonymous good deed for him or her.
• Pray for the people in the world who can't afford to eat meat every day.
• Observe five minutes of silence every day meditating at "the foot of the cross."
• Watch "The Passion of the Christ."
• Make a special prayer corner in a room in your home, include some things to pray and read in observance of Lent.

My Lenten Promises

Write your Lenten promises on a piece of paper as follows:

Jesus, you sacrificed your life for me.  I will give up   _______________ as my sacrifice for you and for the intention(s) of _________________________. (Offer your sacrifice as a prayer for someone who is very sick or going through a difficult time.)

Jesus, I want to be more like you. This Lent I will work on being more/less _______________________, so that people can better see You in me!

Jesus, I long to grow closer to you. This Lent I will pray________________ daily to you.

Lord Jesus, help me to make this a holy Lenten season, so that on Easter Sunday I may rise with you and share in the joy of that special day!

            _________________________________

            (name)

You might also include on the back of it forty footsteps leading to a cross. Children (and adults can too) may color in a footstep each time they keep their Lenten promise.

Program News

3- and 4-Day Option for 3-Year Olds

Beginning next school year, 3-year olds may select a 3- or 4-day option for attending our morning pre-primary program.  The 5-day program is also available.  Children must turn four after October 1, 2014 to utilize this option.  Parents who have already enrolled children as three-year olds for 2014-15 may also select this option.

Pre-primary tuition will be as follows:

HALF-DAY PRE-PRIMARY:                                             $4,500.00

3 DAY PRESCHOOL (only if child turns 4 after 10/1/2014)  $2,925.00

4 DAY PRESCHOOL (only if child turns 4 after 10/1/2014)  $3,825.00

Further information will be sent to all current and prospective GSCM parents.

Back to top 

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.

Canned Meat Collection March 13th

Our next collection for Inter Parish Ministry's food choice pantry will be Thursday, March 13th.  We'll be collecting canned meats: tuna, chicken, salmon, chili, etc.  However, just because we mention a food item each month doesn't mean that donations of other items aren't welcome.  Any and all donations are very much appreciated.

Please remember this when shopping for groceries this weekend.  And thank you for continuing to support our efforts.

Back to top