Behold, from now on will all generations
call me blessed. 

Upcoming Dates

Tues., April 1              "First Tuesday" Montessori 101 10:30 - 11:30 am Tues., April 8              PTO Meeting 8:15 a.m. in the Music Room 

Fri., April 11                Fine Arts Fair, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at GSCM

Facility Improvement News

Please Take a Minute to Vote

GSCM has become a finalist in a Spring Makeover contest for a chance to win a free and much needed upgrade and enhancement of a pre-school classroom.  If we win the makeover for one classroom, it will free up funds to upgrade the other two pre-school classrooms.  We are asking every GSCM family to vote today and every day through April 7. Tell your friends and family to vote for us too!

Go to www.ReSourceweb.org and vote for The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori.

Questions, contact Jana Widmeyer jwidmeyer@gscmontessori.org .

Natural Playscape Design

At the Spring Gala we shared our plans to design a natural playscape for the playground area between the school and the mulched play-set area, and extending up the hill towards the church as well as towards Berwick St.  This design will include a fence for children's safety. 

For more details about our natural playscape project, please  Click here 

We have retained the services of Rachel Robinson to design our playscape.  Rachel's design work involves all phases of design including master planning, construction documentation and observation. As a Landscape Architect, she has worked on a wide variety of projects including natural playscapes, nature centers, historic sites, residences, streetscapes, office complexes, and educational facilities.

Rachel's love for children and nature has piqued her interest in Nature Play.  She collaborated on the design of the newly installed PlayScape at the Cincinnati Nature Center, of Cincinnati, Ohio.  She designed the PlayScape for the Arlitt Child & Family Research & Education Center at the University of Cincinnati.  She has been involved with projects at the Seven Hills School as well as Walnut Hills High School   A few years ago, Rachel completed the Cincinnati Playscape Design Fellowship led by Robin Moore.  In her continuing education, she focuses on nature playscapes and sustainable practices.

Design Team Forming

We plan to start the design process with Rachel this spring, and will be forming a GSCM design team to work directly with Rachel.  Look for more information on this process in next week's newsletter.

Our Lady, Queen of Angels Chapel

Archbishop Schnurr has approved our use of the church as a chapel with the Blessed Sacrament.  We look forward to continuing to stay close to Jesus through Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Confessions, and other celebrations in this sacred space.

Please contact Dan Teller if you wish to participate in the exciting work of developing our chapel.  Our tasks include:

• Obtaining articles for sacred liturgy 
• Chapel Design
• Funding:  Because the sudden news of this need came just two weeks ago, we do not have these funds in our budget, nor do we want to approach the GSCM community for funding, as our parents already support the school in so many ways.  We have developed a fund-raising appeal to take to potential outside benefactors to raise needed funds to carry out our chapel re-design. 

• Please contact Jana Widmeyer if you know someone outside the GSCM community who would be interested in supporting the evangelistic work of the larger Church through our efforts to serve children and families through a beautiful worship space in Our Lady, Queen of Angels Chapel.

Montessori Moments

The Cracks in Jesus' Feet

By Lindsey Schmitt, 3-6 Directress

"Why are there cracks on Jesus' feet?"  Owen asked me this question in the middle of a moveable alphabet lesson. We were sounding out the word hat. As he was practicing finger-spelling the three sounds, his eyes shifted over to the prayer table, which is placed almost in the center of the classroom.  One of the children had placed a picture of Jesus' crucifixion on a stand in the center of the prayer table. Owen was staring at his feet.

As I carefully answered this question about Jesus crucifixion, my mind was racing with thoughts.  Perhaps some people don't believe these images are suited for younger children. Perhaps some people would try to shelter their child from the truth of Jesus' suffering.  Perhaps some of us were raised with these same images, which then formed our early understanding of Jesus' death and resurrection.  What should a young child of 3 to 6 years of age understand about the Passion of Christ?

The most constant and comforting thought that I answered Owen with is the power behind His Resurrection.  In the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training, the catechist learns that we never announce His death to the children without also announcing Jesus' Resurrection.

During the time of Lent, the children in the Pre-Primary class have lessons on Jesus' Last Supper, also called "The Cenacle," and "The City of Jerusalem," which is a narrative of the major events leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.  This work culminates in the child's reenactment of Jesus' Last Supper during Holy Week. 

"That is where Jesus was nailed to the cross when he was crucified . . .but we also know that three days later his body was no longer in the tomb.  He had risen.  His life was stronger than death. He was alive."

I tried to keep the answer truthful and concise. I did not want to gloss over the suffering of Jesus' crucifixion, yet I wanted to shift the focus to the power and glory of God. 

Did I mention that this Montessori moment happened on Ash Wednesday? Yes, there was a purple cloth on our prayer table for the first time since Advent. We had not discussed Ash Wednesday as a group yet because it was still individual work time. 

Later on that same morning, we discussed Lent and the concept of "making room for God" by taking something out of our lives. We used the concrete representation of a glass bowl full of purple and black pom poms (small cotton balls). Each ball represented something we do every day. The children could easily see how their day fills up with activities and choices and leaves little room for God.  As I invited the children up to the prayer table to pray, I suggested they could take something out of the bowl and think about what they might be able to "give up."  What happened spontaneously, I will never forget.  As they came up one by one in their own unique expression, each child placed a ball at the very foot of Jesus on the cross. They could have placed it anywhere on the prayer table, but they chose to put it at His feet. The feet with "cracks" was now surrounded with the children's Lenten sacrifices. 

Welcoming Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ into the Church!

We rejoice and pray for our GSCM brothers and sisters in Christ who will receive the Easter sacraments:

• The Underwood Family will enter the Church this Easter.  Wes (father) will be baptized and together with Trisha (mother) will receive the sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains.  Jack (kindergarten) will be baptized on Easter.  .
• Amy Scuglik (6-9 Fatima teacher, wife of Mike and parent of Sam and Mia) will come into the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Columban, and will receive the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation.  2nd grader Sam is preparing for 1st Communion with his GSCM classmates
• Aiyana Godar (2^nd grader in 6-9 Lourdes) will be baptized at St. Vincent Ferrer on May 4.

Jesus said, "Come unto me."  We celebrate our brothers and sisters listening and responding to His call!

Program News

Technology Coordinator Position

GSCM is hiring a part-time technology coordinator, starting August 1, 2014.  Time commitment is approximately four hours/week.

Responsibilities include:

·         Website and Software Maintenance and Development

·         Database Maintenance and Development

·         Collaborative Support

·         Planning

Experience & Criteria:

• Knowledge of technical and design disciplines.
• Proficiency in basic programs of the industry, including MS Office and Adobe Creative Suite (CS3 or higher).
• Ability and willingness to spend time learning new programs in order to provide efficient support for those programs.
• Interest in learning new trends for online media, database management, and school resources.
• Attention to detail and ability to compose well-written descriptions of school functions.
• Attitude of patience and a posture of learning, in order to work in a team-like manner with staff, volunteers, and parents.
• Ability to manage expectations from staff and volunteers in order to keep communication in line with overall priorities of the school. This requires discerning the correct priority, delivery avenue and audience for content from various groups within the school.
• Desire to communicate information that showcases the unique educational opportunities at GSCM and further edifies the Catholic culture of the school community.

To apply, contact Dan Teller (dteller@gscmontessori.org).

Positions Available:

GSCM is hiring for the following positions for 2014-15:

• Pre-Primary Assistant Teacher (7:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.)
• Extended Care and After Care Directress (11:15 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)
• Part-time Technology Coordinator (see above)

Applicants should submit a resume and letter of interest to Dan Teller (dteller@gscmontessori.org).

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.

Benefit Concert Follow-Up

GSCM families and community bluegrass fans enjoyed a great evening of music at the GSCM Fine Arts Center Benefit Concert on Friday, March 21.  The bands East Fork Junction and Nightflyer treated an enthusiastic audience to fast-paced, high-energy, superbly-executed bluegrass music.  The event raised close to $1,500 for improvements to our Fine Arts Center.

Special thanks to

• Barb Blasch, GSCM music teacher, for planning and executing the event;
• The entire Blasch family (husband Paul and GSCM graduates Annie and Daniel) for their assistance;
• Annie King, for marketing efforts
• Jana Widmeyer, for general support

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Gala News

The Highly-Anticipated Numbers are in! Drumroll, Please.... Our Backyard Raised $54,000!

Thank you to all that participated resulting in the tremendous success of this event! The students did an outstanding job generating sales of $7130 for the Split the Pot Raffle (includes combined sales prior to/at event). This now officially closes the 2014 gala, but please mark your calendars for 2015 - plan to join the fun on March 7, 2015 at The Redmoor!

Once again, a HUGE thank you to the Gala Planning Committee who so kindly offered countless hours over these past six months to make this event possible: Rachel Sabo, Susan Thomas, Karen Aust, Mary Beth Escamilla, Kathy Paulin, Katie Kerrey, Jana Widmeyer, Sheila Lichtenberg and KC Stagaman ... and to all those assisting this committee with specific roles: Dan Teller, Nancy Toon, Lynette Rosati-Shim, Annie King, Michelle Housh, Jeff Koehn, Julia Lotterer, Lori Richard, Kathy Restle, Mary Rieke, Kara Shade, Jill Greek, Julia Damico, Christy Pucci, Susan Fisher, Steve Aust, Karen Guilford and Lisa Schmitz. Thank you also to those who assisted with check-in/out, auction spotting, setup and cleanup! Thank you to all who solicited and gathered items for the Live and Silent Auctions, it was greatly appreciated! 

Finally, we would like to thank our entire group of event sponsors for their generosity supporting GSCM with $6000 in sponsorships: Donald "Buddy" LaRosa, Mobile Radon Diagnostics, Joe and Margaret Seta, Seemless Printing, Seeskin, Paas & Blackburn, Inc., Shade Law Group, The RDI Corporation, Time Timer, Ultimate Air Shuttle, Watson's, Isgrig Capital Asset Management, Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli and UBS Financial Services. 

PTO News:

PTO Board Members Needed for 2014-15

From Lisa Schmitz current PTO President

Do you enjoy learning about our school, meeting new people and being a "good shepherd?"  The PTO Board is a small group which meets monthly to plan and discuss upcoming events.  We also implement new ideas and fund various important events throughout the school year.

We have (5) board positions that need to be filled for the continued success of the PTO next school year.

Open positions:  Vice President, Secretary, Celebrations Chair, Community Outreach Chair, Arts & Education Chair

Please prayerfully consider joining us at our next PTO meeting, Tuesday, April 8, 2014, at 8:15 am in the Music Room to learn more or contact any of the board members listed below.

Current Board Members:

Lisa Schmitz:                lbschmitz61@gmail.com

Jane Koenig:                 dnjnkn@msn.com

Maria Lang:                   mlang31@cinci.rr.com

Nicolay Walz:                nicolay.walz@gmail.com

Carrie Ellis:                   carrielynnellis@yahoo.com

Christine Godar:            chiristinegodar@hotmail.com

Sheri Mitchell:               sheri.mitchell@verbargsfurnniture.com

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Office News:

2015 Rome Pilgrimage

Space remains for the 2015 Pilgrimage to Rome (with stops in Assisi, Florence, and Orvieto).  Visit the pilgrimage website for updated information:  Falconsinrome.wordpress.com

Note that the early enrollment discount has been extended through the end of March and that Fr. David Meconi, S.J. has been confirmed as our chaplain.   For more information or if you have questions, please contact GSCM parent, Sean Burns umpsean@gmail.com

Save Your Newspaper

The 9-12 class has asked that you bring in any unwanted newspaper.  It is needed for an upcoming project.  Thank you.  

Graphic Designers -- We Need You!

If you are a graphic designer (or know someone who is) and you have some time to help out with upcoming projects at GSCM, please contact Annie King at aking@gscmontessori.org or (513) 236-1917.  Thanks!

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