Easter Antiphon, Morning Prayer 

Upcoming Dates

Thursday, May 1 - Liturgy of Light Easter Celebrations

Students are invited to wear dressy out-of uniform clothing.  No long dresses, please.

Please note:  Spirit Wear is not permitted on May 1.  Students may either dress up or wear the regular school uniform.

            8:30      3-6St. Gabriel and 9-12C

            9:30      3-6St. Michael and 9-12G

           10:30     3-6St. Raphael and 6-9Fatima

           11:30     6-9Lourdes and Queen of Angels               

Other Upcoming Dates

Thurs., May 1    First Communion Parent Meeting

Mon., May 5      Blizzard Bag assignments due

May 5 - 11         Screen Free Week (see below)

May 7-10           First Communion Retreat

Fri., May 9         Middle School Retreat

Sat., May 10      First Holy Communion, 10:00 a.m.

Tue., May 13      May Crowning

                                    8:30    Elementary/Middle School

                                   10:30    Pre-Primary

Fri., May 16       GSCM Mom's Retreat, 8:00-3:00 at GSCM (see below)

May 19-23         GSCM Fine Arts Fair Exhibit

Tue., May 20     Lower El Drama Dress Rehearsal, 1:30 p.m.

Wed., May 21    Staff-Middle School Whiffle Ball Game, 1:00

Thurs., May 22  Lower El Drama Performance, 6:30 p.m.

Mon., May 26    Memorial Day, NO SCHOOL

Fri., May 30       Final School Mass, Candle Ceremony for 7^th/8^th Grade

Mon., June 2     Sixth Grade Retreat

Tue., June 3      Last Day of School/Field Day/Progress Reports

Fri., June 6        8^th Grade Graduation, 5:00 p.m.

Summer Work Days

Sat., June 14     Summer Work Day 1 (chapel renovation)

                        GSCM Summer Garage Sale (8:00 a.m. - noon)

Sat., July 12      Summer Work Day 2 (landscaping, chapel painting)

Liturgy of the Light:  Thursday, May 1

Parents and Grandparents Invited!

The Liturgy of the Light is a beautiful celebration of the Resurrection that is designed especially for children.  The celebration includes readings by the children, plenty of singing, and powerful signs from the Church's Easter Vigil:  the paschal candle leading us with its one light through the darkness, the spreading of this light to each of us, and the brightening of the dark room as the light of Jesus spreads. 

The Liturgy of the Light is one of the most memorable atrium experiences for the children.  Celebrations will be held during the school day.  Parents and grandparents who wish to join us for this solemn, joyful celebration are invited to attend as well.  Celebration times are listed above.   

Children are invited to wear attractive, out-of-uniform clothing

in honor of our Easter celebration.  No jeans, t-shirts, or light-up shoes.Girls should wear pants, not long dresses.

"The children live the proclamation of the death and resurrection especially in the Liturgy of Light, which, through the contrast between darkness and light, involves us dramatically in the fundamental event in the Good Shepherd's life."

Sofia Cavalletti, The Religious Potential of the Child

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GSCM Moms' Retreat:  Friday, May 16

All moms of GSCM, a (much-needed) day of Christian Renewal will be held for you at our church at GSCM on Friday, May 16 (please note new tentative date)!  We have an amazing and world-renowned speaker, Fr. Benedict O'Cinnsealaigh, leading our day of reflection and prayer again this year.

The retreat is being generously sponsored by the GSCM PTO, so it is FREE for all mothers of the school.  Delicious coffee and yummy snacks will be included along with a catered lunch for $8/person or fell free to bring your own bagged lunch.     

The retreat has been conveniently scheduled during school hours from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm.  The subject of the retreat will be prayer and how we can include God in our very busy lives to bring us peace.   

Perhaps consider taking the day off and/or getting a babysitter for your younger children (nursing infants are welcomed).  Make it a great Friday that will help lead you to have more peace in your life and bolster you as a mother.     

Please RSVP to Bridget Kaufman by email, phone or test.

Bridget_Kaufman@yahoo.com

Local: 513-696-9011 or Cell:  317-313-7887   

Let's go Screen-Free GSCM!!  May 5th-11th

On May 5-11, your child's class will be participating in Screen-Free Week. Screen-Free Week is a nationwide event sponsored by Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and celebrated by schools, families, and other civic and community groups each year. During Screen-Free Week, millions of children and adults pledge to spend seven days screen-free. Instead of watching TV or playing video games, they tend to read, play, think, create, get physically active, and spend more time with friends and family.

Studies show that children who watch less TV are more likely to read well and to be physically fit. Turning off screens also allows for more family time. Each week, American children spend more time in front of a screen than they do in school! Screen-Free Weeks is a great way to jump-start our kids into more reading, learning, and active play. It's also a lot of fun!

Many parents choose to join their children in forgoing screen-based entertainment all week long and engaging in other fun activities. This kind of support is the best thing you can do to ensure that your child will have a successful and beneficial experience.

Your child will be given a list of ideas and an activity log to track their commitment to a screen free challenge.  Each classroom will offer an age appropriate incentive to make this year's event exciting.  You can also learn more by visiting  www.screenfree.org.

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Donate to the Annual Fund and You Could Win Concert Tickets

The Annual Fund helps us bridge the gap between tuition and the cost of educating each student at GSCM.   Have you made your 2013-14 tax deductible Annual Fund gift yet?

This week, those who donate a minimum of $100 to the GSCM Annual Fund will be entered to win 4 tickets to the nearly sold out Nickel Creek Reunion Tour (a $220 value).  Thanks to the generosity of the family of former GSCM graduate Stephen Cosco we are able to offer this special incentive to our GSCM family and friends.

Nickel Creek, described as "forward thinking bluegrass", comes to the Taft Theater on Tuesday, May 6 and will be joined by The Secret Sisters.  For more information on Nickel Creek go to www.nickelcreek.com.

To be entered in the GSCM drawing for 4 free tickets to the Nickel Creek Reunion Tour, make your Annual Fund donation by Friday, May 2.  You can contribute on line Click Here or deliver or mail your contribution to GSCM.

Contact Jana Widmeyer for more information at jwidmeyer@gscmontessori.org.   

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GSCM Fine Arts Fair:  May 19-23

During the entire week of May 19, students' visual artwork will be on display in our Fine Arts Center.  The Center will be open after school each day for students and parents to tour and view the art.  Student docents will be on hand as guides.

Volunteers Needed to Mount/Display Art:  May 15, 16, 19 after school

 Shannon Treier, our art teacher, is seeking volunteers to help display the children's art work.  Shannon needs help mounting and displaying art work at these times:

• Thurs/Fri., May 15/16, 2:45-3:45 (or as long as you can stay)
• Mon., May 19:  2:45-3:45 (or as long as you can stay)

Elementary and middle school children can also assist.  Please contact Shannon Treier at streier@gscmontessori.org.

Montessori Moments

Experience is the Teacher

by Donna Leopardi

Maria Montessori stated, "Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired by listening to words but by experiences in the environment."  This concept of "experiences in the environment" is crucial to the Montessori philosophy.  All of the beautiful materials in the classroom are designed to give students hands-on "experiences" with the concepts which govern our world.

As I observe our 6-9 classroom, I am privileged to see Maria's idea in action.  There are four third-level students sitting together in the corner of the room.  They are doing "division research", using a chart of multiples that they have created.  They are comparing charts and collectively discovering factors.

Scattered throughout the room are several groups of two first-level students.  They are using stamp games to perform dynamic subtraction of four-digit numbers.  As they "knock on their neighbor's door" to borrow 10 stamps, they are truly "experiencing" the process of dynamic subtraction.

A group of second-level students use geometry sticks to construct "the seven triangles of reality".  They help each other decide which size sticks should be used for each triangle.  They check the size of angles with a "measuring angle" to be sure each triangle meets the criteria.  Finally, they spend fifteen minutes trying to find an "eighth triangle of reality".  After exhausting all options, they conclude that there truly are only seven in existence. No amount of words, regardless of how eloquent, could be as effective as this experience.

Besides our materials, Montessori teachers strive to provide additional opportunities for real "experiences".  This week, our third-level students prepared, taught, and executed experiments in force and motion.  Each student chose a different experiment.  They researched and prepared each experiment as a home project.  Then they presented the experiments to their classmates.  Each student in the class got a chance to perform the experiment.  Our third-level "teachers" did an excellent job of providing exciting scientific "experiences".  These types of beautiful experiences instill an education far more effective than any words could provide.

Summer Work Days

There will be two Summer Work Days this summer:

·         Saturday, June 14:  We will focus on improvements to the chapel.  If there are enough volunteers, we will also address classroom-related tasks.  If you have items you need addressed by volunteers, please send these to Dan.

·         Saturday, July 12:  We will plant the new landscaping materials and complete interior painting in the chapel

Please look for a special flyer and email announcement to RSVP for our work days.

Summer Landscaping Work

Beginning on Wednesday, June 4, the blacktop will be removed along the west side of the church and St. Joseph House.  The new hardscape materials (paver plaza, poured concrete sidewalks) should be completed by Friday, June 13

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Program News

Physical Education

The second week after spring break:  Tuesday,May 6th (lower elem) and Thursday May 8th (Upper elementary) we will be doing the endurance run for the Presidential Fitness Test.  Lower Elem. will run 4 laps around the parking lot.  Upper Elem. will run 4 laps around the school grounds (full mile).    Please have you child wear comfortable running shoes.  After they run we will celebrate their accomplishment with muffins, bananas, and water.   If your child has any food allergies please let me know so I can find an alternative.  You can email me at mbushman@gscmontessori.org.   The Presidential Fitness Program has been changed by the government to a FitnessGram.  We have completed the Beep Test, Flexibility test and will do chin ups as part of our testing.    We will not be doing the complete test so no certificates will be issued this year.    I know the mile causes anxiety for some students but please assure you child that just in trying they succeed.   Thanks for your help, Mrs. Bushman, PE. Teacher. 

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CONFIRMATION ANNOUNCEMENT
Please pray for Isabel and Ethan Shim who will be confirmed on Sunday May 4, 2014 at St. John Fisher Church.  Congratulations Isabel & Ethan!

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Office News:

GSCM Garage Sale:  Bring in Your Resellable Stuff

On Saturday June 14 from 8:00 a.m. to Noon we are having our Second School Wide Garage Sale.  From now through June 6th, we are accepting the following (clean and in proper working condition, suitable for resale) Household Items. Furniture, Toys, Clothes, Books, Sports Equipment

Please drop off your tax deductible donations any school day between 7:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. after May 4^th, at the two-door garage located near the Middle School behind the Church.  There will be a charitable receipt for you to take for tax purposes near the door. 

If you need to coordinate a different time for dropping things off, or have any questions about your items, OR if you can help out with organizing / advertising, please contact Eileen Myers emyers@gscmontessori.org or 513-675-2931.  We can also arrange a pick up for larger items if needed.

Yearbook

Have you ordered your yearbook yet?  Remember the deadline is Friday, May 9^th. 

This year there are 2 ways to pay for your yearbook:  you can order online at www.schoolannual.com or you can complete the order form and return cash/check in the attached envelope.  (additional order forms available in the office).

We do not order extra yearbooks so if you want a yearbook, you must pre-order it by the deadline of May 9.  Yearbook prices have not changed: one yearbook is $25.00, two are $22.00 each and three are $20.00 each.  If you have any questions, contact Mary Rieke.

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PTO News:

BOXTOPS - ONE LAST PUSH!

Do you have a pile of BOXTOPS you'd like to get rid of?  Our last turn in date for the school year is Friday May 9^th.  There is a collection basket in the office.  We have prizes for three lucky students turning in the greatest amount of BOXTOPS.  We also have a prize for the lucky classroom turning in the most!  Please turn them in ASAP and don't forget to check the expiration date, bundle in 50's and make sure your name is on the envelope.  GOOD LUCK!!  We look forward to seeing who can generate the most BOXTOPS for GSCM!! 

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