Gratitude:  The virtue that pushes us

to recognize the good things we receive

and to reciprocate.   

From "The Virtues" atrium material

Upcoming Dates

Tues., Nov 25           Spiritwear orders due today by end of school day 

Nov. 26-28                Thanksgiving Vacation, NO SCHOOL

Sun., Nov. 30            First Sunday of Advent

Tues., Dec. 2            First Tuesday:  Montessori Language,     

                               10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Mon., Dec. 8             Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate  

                                Conception, 8:15 a.m. 

Fri., Dec. 12              Regular School Mass (8:15 a.m.) - Our Lady of  

                                Guadalupe                     

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Thanksgiving 

As we gather with our families and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving, it is a good time to count our many blessings.  The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori is very grateful for the individuals who make this school special and we want to say "thank you" to:

• Our students and their families - who bless us with their presence at our school.
• Our staff who dedicate themselves to educating our students.
• Our benefactors - those who give $5.00 and those who give five figures, each according to his ability.
• Our 'prayer warriors' - those who in prayer regularly lift up our school and its mission to help children "grow in wisdom and stature before God and men."  (Lk 2:52)
• Our volunteers - those you see and those you don't - the ones who set up and clean up for events, the ones who weed the flower beds, the bakers, the graphic designers who put in hours on our publications, the photographers, the classroom volunteers, the sacristans, the coaches, the field trip drivers.

 "I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you,

praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you." 

Philippians 1: 3

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First Tuesdays:  Montessori 101 for Parents and Friends

Julia Damico, Pre-Primary Directress, Presenter

Tuesday, December 2, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

How does the Montessori classroom build a rich language experience for my child?  How do children learn to read and write?  What will my child be working on at age 3? age 4? age 5?  How can I support my child's developing language skills at home? 

Julia Damico will walk you through the Montessori Language curriculum, beginning with early language activities (matching, sequencing, syllable work, I Spy and rhyming) and then examining the sandpaper letters and the movable alphabet sequence.  If time allows, we will also look at how our Montessori children explode into reading! 

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Atrium Insights:  CGSUSA Parent Newsletter

The national office of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd has initiated a parent newsletter.  This inaugural issue focuses on celebrating the coming season of Advent with children.  It is short and easy to read.  Check it out!

http://www.cgsusa.org/UserFiles/file/Parent%20Resources/All%20About%20the%20Atrium%20-%20November%202014.pdf

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Montessori Moment

Honoring our Veterans Who Serve Us

By Jeana Olszewski, Lower Elementary Directress

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."

-Mother Teresa

The students in the lower elementary are very familiar with the idea of serving those in need.  They often give donations or raise money for people, both near and far, that are poor and in need of food and basic supplies.  Last week we turned this idea around and discussed how THEY are being served by those in the military. 

In honor of Veterans Day, we wrote letters of gratitude to retired military soldiers who are currently living at The Kenwood.  We were given 53 names (we just happen to have 53 students!)  as well as information about when they served. We talked about how these military heroes served our country, and by doing so served all of us. 

As we talked, the students began understanding the sacrifices that not only the soldiers themselves made, but their families as well.  It was amazing to see them realize that strangers have served them and are currently serving them.  They were very impressed with what these soldiers had done for our country.  I asked them to really think about what the life of a soldier serving (and the soldier's family) must be like.  After a lot of time talking, sharing, and thinking, the children expressed their gratitude on the back of a patterned flag they had made.  I was really hoping that they would be sincere and heartfelt in their expressions.  Here are some samples of what the children wrote:

"My name is Liam and I go to the Good Shepherd Catholic School.  I know how you feel, my relative served as well. I am a third grade student. To be honest I think you are amazing.  You risked your life for people you didn't even know.  You're an influence to me." -Liam King

"I think you did a good thing for us.  You were very helpful.  You served us.  I think you are very brave." -Stacey Underwood

"I thank you for the way you fought for our country, for your bravery and justice for all.  I bet you were the best Air Force Officer." -Gabe Schmitt

"Thank you for risking your life for us and being as brave as can be.  You did very well."  -Joe Hilbert

"Thank you for fighting in WWII, I love that you helped." -Maria Shade

"Thank you for serving in the Navy in WWII.  I think you worked really hard.  Thank you for giving my freedom to me." -Clara King

As you can see, the children were so genuine. I can only imagine how the veterans must have felt when they received these cards!  What a great lesson in gratitude (and letter writing)  for our children. 

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A Moment from Mass

Fr. Joe Bragotti, a Comboni missionary, is one the beloved priests who celebrates Mass with us on Fridays.  Recently, Fr. Joe celebrated a Mass in which Joey Sodergren, Mary Gruber, and Trinity Tankersley were the altar servers.  In the sacristy following Mass, Fr. Joe quipped, "How could we go wrong today?  We had Mary, Joseph, and the Trinity!"

Please feel free to join us on Fridays at 8:15 a.m. for our Mass.  Come, worship the Lord!

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GSCM Wins OAC Grant for Arts Residency

GSCM was awarded a grant from the Ohio Arts Council to conduct a three-week arts residency in dance.  The dates of our residency will be April 27-May 15, and all of our students will participate.  Our resident artists will be dancers from Cleveland's Inlet Dance Theater.  Below are excerpts from Inlet's promotional materials.  We look forward to planning and, in the spring, offering this exciting experience to our students!

About Inlet Dance Theatre

Inlet Dance Theatre is one of the region's most exciting professional contemporary dance companies.  Founded in 2001 by Founder and Executive/Artistic Director Bill Wade, Inlet embodies his longstanding belief that dance viewing, training and performing experiences serve as tools to bring about personal growth and development.  Inlet's collaborative artistic staff build the company's solid reputation for uplifting individuals and engaging new audiences via performances and education programming.  In contrast to an industry where people are often used to further dance, Inlet Dance Theatre is committed to using dance to further people.  Discover for yourself what makes Inlet unique.

Inlet Dance Theatre's Education Programming

Inlet Dance Theatre's education programs are a core component of our mission.  Inlet's varied education programs employ the four creative practices:   imagination, investigation, construction, and reflection.  Inlet's programs nurture curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and collaboration.  Care is taken to ensure a warm learning environment as we engage our students in the various skills needed in our art making process. The evidence of how Inlet is "using dance to further people" is demonstrated not only by the increased knowledge and skills of our students but also when they translate dance lessons into life lessons.

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Have You Loved Us On Hula Frog Yet!

Everyone, we have the opportunity to win a free playset for our playground at The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori.

To do so, we need to be LOVED on Hulafrog.

Not only will your vote help us spread the word about our wonderful school to other parents, it can ensure that we are included in Hulafrog's 2014 Most Loved Edition and may win us a free playset for the GSCM playground. Please  Click Here  then click on the heart, and pass the word!

Hulafrog strives to connect parents to the best local events and businesses in our community. The Love It! button is a super easy way for parents to show their support for the businesses and activities they love most!

It's easy. It's quick. It's mobile. You can love GSCM in a second with the click of the mouse or a tap on the phone.

The preschool with the most loves over all Hulafrogs on Dec 31 at midnight will win a $15K playset from Grounds for Play (with installation included).

One vote per person throughout the entire contest.  So we need as many different people as possible to LOVE US. 

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PTO News

Volunteers Needed for Staff Christmas Lunch

Interested in spreading some Christmas cheer while showing appreciation for our wonderful GSCM teachers and staff?  If so, please consider volunteering to help with the GSCM Staff Christmas Lunch sponsored by the PTO.  We need three volunteers to help on the day of the lunch, Friday, December 12, 10 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  Volunteers will assist with making this a fun and festive day for the staff by helping with set-up, welcoming and serving, and clean-up.  While it may be easiest to have volunteers help with the whole event, we also would appreciate anyone who could spare just an hour or so.  Please contact Kathy Restle at mknjfamily@gmail.com if you can help.   

LAST CALL 

Spirit Wear/New Fleece Jackets Offered

All orders are due back by TODAY, Tuesday, November 25 by the end of the school day. (sorry, we can't accept late orders).  Orders will be filled by December 19 (so if you wanted to order any items as Christmas presents your order will be here before Christmas.  (Just make sure you indicate that it is a gift so that we don't send it home by backpack mail with your child).

       .  

Please remember when ordering spirit wear that ONLY the navy blue uniform sweatshirts (both crew and full-zip hoodie) or the newly offered navy blue fleece jackets (both 1/4 zip and full zip) may be worn in the classroom as part of the uniform.  All other spirit wear may only be worn on spirit wear day (Thursdays).  Navy blue or red sweaters (cardigan, crew, v-neck or vest) may still be worn in the classroom at any time.   

Thanksgiving Break Box Top Clipping!Mills

Did you know you can find Box Tops on many of the brands you use to make Thanksgiving dinner, from potatoes to crescent rolls?  Remember to clip those Box Tops and turn them in to school. They really add up! Thanksgiving is also a great time to collect extra Box Tops from family and friends as you gather for the holiday weekend. 

For a list of participating products,Click here

The winner of the November Box Top Clipping Contest is our middle school, Queen of Angels.  Students in the middle school will enjoy an out of uniform pass.  Keep clipping for the next contest.   

Have a great break! 

Need Another Directory?

Do you need another PTO Handbook and Family Directory?  If you would like another one, there are copies available for $5.  Just stop in the office. 

Gala News

There is snow on the ground, but before you know it, we will be welcoming spring and the GSCM Spring Gala.  Would you like to join in the fun and camaraderie of the Gala Committee?   Contact Jana Widmeyer at jwidmeyer@gscmontessori.org.