News from The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori

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

Upcoming Dates

Wed., Sept. 24 Picture Day: Lower El and Middle School
(out of uniform)

Wed., Oct. 1 Lower El Parent Education Evening, 7:00 p.m.

Thurs., Oct. 9 Walkathon and Fall Carnival

1:00 p.m. Early Dismissal

Carnival 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 10 NO SCHOOL Staff In-Service Day

NEXT WEDNESDAY, 10/1 ...

Lower Elementary Parent Education Evening

"Give the World to the Child": Montessori Cultural Studies

Wednesday, 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.

The Annual GSCM Walkathon and Carnival, Thursday, October 9

Walk: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Awards and Prizes: 11:30 a.m.

Early Dismissal: 1:00 p.m.

Carnival: 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Walkathon Kick-off is Wednesday!

We will kick-off the Walkathon fundraising drive on Wednesday by visiting each classroom to tell them about the prizes and incentives that we have in store for this year. Watch backpack mail as students will be bringing home information that day to share with parents.

Last year, our students (with the help of parents, of course) helped us raise $20,000 for our school. We tithed 10% ($2,000) of the proceeds to assist children in Port au Prince, Haiti who are fed, clothed and educated by Father Tom Hagan and his organization Hands Together. Can we do it again this year? With everyone pitching in, we can!

The Walkathon website is up and running. Click here to log on for Walkathon information about sponsoring a student, ordering walkagrams to cheer on your child, and sponsorship opportunities.

New this year, we offer Join Me, your own site for soliciting support from your family and friends. Click on the Join Me Personal Fundraising Page and customize your message to family and friends so they can get involved in supporting your child and our school. You can create a page with your unique message and connect with your family and friends through email and/or social media. The children and classrooms that raise the most money win prizes.

We are grateful for the sponsors who have already agreed to sponsor this year's Walkathon. Thank you to our Walkathon Sponsors so far:

Professional Payroll Services, Inc.

Seeskin, Paas & Blackburn, Inc

Time Timer

Bahl & Gaynor Investment Counsel

Busald, Funk, Zevley Law Firm

J K Meurer

Wealthquest Corporation

Masonry Scientist

Pizzelli Brick Oven Pizza

UBS Financial Services

Seemless Printing

Monica Drees Flooring Design

Lookout Joe

National Exemplar

Mio's Pizzeria Mariemont

The walkathon is a fun event for children and adults. Children love having their parents participate! Please consider signing up to help at the Walkathon and Carnival. Please click here: http://vols.pt/xtQnJW to sign up for 2014 Walkathon on @VolunteerSpot today!

Tuition Credit for Pre-Primary Referrals

Refer a new family to our pre-primary program and receive a $300-500 credit towards your 2015-16 tuition!

· If a current GSCM family refers a new family to our school, and if that family enrolls in the Pre-Primary (preschool/kindergarten) program, the referring GSCM family receives the following tuition credit for 2015-16:

o Five-day preschool or full-day kindergarten: $500 tuition credit

o Three- or four-day preschool: $300 tuition credit

· Conditions:

o The new family must indicate on the application the referring family's name in the "How did you hear about GSCM" section.

o The tuition credit is on a per new family (not a per new student) basis.

o The tuition credit is applicable for new families enrolling for the current 2014-15 or the upcoming 2015-16 school year.

o This incentive is applicable to new enrollees as of 10/1/14.

Program News

Student Government

Purpose:

1. To give students an opportunity for leadership and service by planning and carrying out activities and services for the school, the greater community, and international charities.

2. To develop good character traits of honesty, self-sacrifice, hard work, follow through, responsible handling of finances, and looking to the common good of society.

Campaign calendar: September 22 - October 28

9/22      Students given information on Student Government positions
and candidacy requirements.
9/29      All candidates are to design a poster advertising the Food
            Pantry collection to be held on October 9th
10/6      Campaign speeches and a wallet-sized photo due to Mrs.
             Ratajczak
10/9      All candidates will help with the Food Pantry collection from
             7:50 - 8:10 a.m.
10/20     Candidates will give speeches in classrooms during the week.
10/28     Election Day!
11/5       First Student Government meeting at 12:15

Dan Teller to CGS Conference

Dan Teller will attend two events near Phoenix, Arizona with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd during the week of September 29-October 3:

September 29-October 1: International CGS Consiglio Meeting

Dan is one of two American representatives on the International CGS Consiglio, a body which provides direction and oversight to the international work of CGS. Any nation with a national association can send two representatives to this gathering.

October 1-3: CGS 60^th Anniversary Celebration

Dan will join 600 catechists and friends of CGS from around the world to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the work of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. At this event, Dan will be a co-presenter at various breakout sessions, including a session on the implementation of CGS in a Montessori school setting.

Look for other GSCM staff to greet your children that week!

Gym Request:

I am looking for beanie babies your child no longer uses. Over the last eight years we have lovingly used my kids beanie babies for gym, but they are worn out and losing their beans: (We use them in many games for throwing, catching, and as markers. They are perfect for use on the blacktop because the do not roll down the slope and the students enjoy the cute animals.

If anyone's children have grown out of the beanie baby stage and would like to donate them to GSCM, I can promise they will be well loved. (Please do not send collectables, our beanie babies get wet, dirty and often go though the wash cycle at my house.) Drop off in the office.

Thanks, Missy Bushman, PE teacher.

Camp Kern Recap

by Dinese Young, 4th Grade Parent

At some point, every parent wishes they could be a fly on the wall when their children are sent away to camp or a large group outing. We wonder if our child is behaved. Are they having a good time? Do the kids get along well? Do they miss me?

Last week, I had the blessing of chaperoning the upper elementary kids on their annual Camp Kern trip, so I finally got to be that fly on the wall. And it was amazing. For all of the parents left at home wondering, I thought I would share some of the wonders I observed:

1. I witnessed and heard the most abundant, constant, joyful laughter of children at play. They played games, ran, sang songs, chanted funny verse, heard/told jokes, hiked, climbed, paddled, ran and more- all with laughter.
2. I watched new friendships form, buddies hanging out and kids helping each other without an adult asking.
3. I saw leaders being formed and groups finding new ways to communicate and cooperate.
4. I saw the 4th graders being immersed into the social and group dynamics of the classroom.
5. I saw children challenge themselves to try things they didn't think they could do because of the encouragement of others, then succeed at the task.
6. I witnessed the most well mannered, patient, enthusiastic and well behaved group of children I have seen in a very long time. Amazingly, I did NOT hear whining or complaining- impressive for camping/roughing-it!
7. I saw children asking to have their evening prayers and praying for classmates who were not there.
8. I witnessed teachers who were calm, patient, orderly and organized. They were at once teacher, guide, chaperone, substitute mother and nurse. They deserve a few pats on the back for giving the love and care parents couldn't.

I feel blessed that our children could experience this joyful trip, and I am thankful for the teachers and school that made it possible. Thanks, GSCM!

PTO News

Box Tops for Education

My name is Lisa Schmitz and I'm thrilled to be the Box Tops for Education™ Coordinator for The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori.

Clipping Box Tops is an easy way for you to help our school earn cash.

Our school receives two checks from the Box Tops for Education™ program each school year. If you turn in your Box Tops by Monday, October 13th you can help boost the amount of the first check we receive in December. Please Put them in a baggie and make sure to put your child's name and classroom on them. as the classroom that turns in the most will win a prize! Hurry, clip your Box Tops and turn them in before the deadline.

This school year, our school's earnings goal is $1000. The PTO will use earned funds to assist our teachers in purchasing items for their classrooms.

Are you a Box Tops member? Sign up at www.BTFE.com to stay updated on our school's earnings and find a full list of over 250 participating products. Members also receive exclusive coupon offers and recipes and can learn about extra ways for our school to earn more cash.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at lbschmitz61@gmail.com.

Thanks for your help!

EASY Fundraising Opportunities for GSCM

Do you shop at Kroger?

Please Register for Kroger Community Rewards

The Kroger Community Rewards program is one way you can support GSCM simply by doing what you are already doing - buying your groceries at Kroger. It does not require an extra card, just scan your Kroger Plus card as you normally do and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to the non-profit you have designated.

In the past, GSCM received nearly $900 per quarter from this program with only 29 families participating! Our goal is to increase participation three-fold, and we need your help! Tell your friends and family and extended family. Proceeds benefit staff development financial aid

If you have not already done so, you will be asked to "create an account" Click here. You'll need an email, password, zip code, then enter your Kroger Plus Card number . Then go to register for the Community Rewards Program and select the charity you want to support: The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori (#80140).

It takes a couple of minutes to register and put in another password but I hope you will take the time to add your support to our school. Thank you.

Target Take Charge of Education Program

Do you shop at Target? Have you heard of Target's Take Charge of Education program. Target will donate 1% of every purchase to the school of your choice for all purchases with a Target REDCard. It is easy to sign up for a REDCard or designate GSCM as the recipient at https://www-secure.target.com/redcard/tcoe/home. Last month GSCM received a $400 from Target!

It is a small time investment to get online and register for these programs. Just a few clicks. Parents and friends who shop at these stores anywhere in the US are eligible to sign up for Kroger Community Rewards and Target's Take Charge of Education programs.

Amazon Smile

GSCM can earn 5% on all sales through Amazon Smile https://smile.amazon.com/

We are listed as "Queen of Angels Montessori", so select us as your preferred charity under that name. Then, you can shop exactly as you always do on Amazon. If you always log in to Amazon via Amazon Smile, the school will continue to earn 5% on sales and it will be no additional work for you!

Volunteer News

2014-15 Family Volunteer Update

The volunteer coordinator positions for 2014-15 are posted on the GSCM website parent page and accessible through this link https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UDXtM4yLN__EVReo6sGSYUfmGqdbPVYoQwOASRERMUM/edit?usp=sharing

You should be hearing from a PTO or GSCM staff member about your responsibilities.

There is also a VolunteerSpot link to sign up for events http://vols.pt/1PdNF8 More shifts will be added as event needs arise. We ask families to sign up for at least 3 "shifts" over the school year.

If your family has not signed up for a volunteer coordinator position, please view the openings. Nicolay Walz, PTO Volunteer coordinator, would be happy to discuss positions and help you find something that is a good fit for you! You can email her at nicolay.walz@gmail.com

Thanks for sharing your time and talents with the GSCM community,

Office News

Need a GSCM Car Magnet?

Additional car magnets available for purchase in the office. They are only $3.00 each.

Thank You, Family!

We appreciate your taking the time to read our newsletter.
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