Virtue for January:
GRATITUDE
Seeing everything as a gift and being thankful.
December Home Projects on Gratitude:
Go to: www.gscmontessori.org
GSCM Touchstone Statement
At the Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori:
Each of us is a child of the Light.
We walk in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd.
We respect others, our environment, and ourselves.
We pursue knowledge and do our best work.
We are responsible for our own actions.
We speak the truth in love.
This is how we love God
and love others.
Easy Ways to Raise
Money for GSCM:
Click here to register for Kroger Community Rewards Program.
Click here to register Target's Red Card Rewards Program.
Click here to register for Amazon Smile. (Register under "Queen of Angels 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
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"The star of God is shining over us.
Jesus is making it shine.
When he shines over us, it makes us happy.
And when it makes us happy we look up to him."
Atrium Prayer by Julia and Lucy, age 6
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Upcoming Dates
Thurs., Jan. 8 Christmas/Epiphany Celebration, 7:00 p.m.
Wed/Thurs., Jan. 14-15 Upper El/Middle School Drama:"Aladdin", 6:30 p m
Fri., Jan. 16 Staff Development Day, EARLY 1:00 P.M.
DISMISSAL, No PM Bus Service
Mon., Jan. 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL
Tues., Jan. 20 Lower Elementary Information Night, 7:00 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 21 Upper Elementary Information Night, 7:00 p.m.
Thurs., Jan. 22 Middle School Information Night, 7:00 p.m.
Sun., Jan. 25 GSCM Open House, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Thurs., Jan. 29 First Communion Parent Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
Thurs., Jan. 29 Talent Show, 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 26-30 Catholic Schools Week
Jan. 20-Feb. 6 Priority Registration Period for 2013-14
March 2 Financial Aid Application Deadline
March 7 GSCM Spring Gala "Let's Play" (see below)
Christmas/Epiphany Celebration and Sanctuary Doors Unveiling 
Thursday, January 8, 7:00 p.m.
Please join us on Thursday, January 8 at 7:00 p.m. to celebrate Christmas and Epiphany and the unveiling of the artwork for the new sanctuary doors for Our Lady, Queen of Angels Chapel.
- Meet our artist, Nancy-Carolyn Smith
- All children will have a role in the celebration: singing, procession, readings, etc.
- Please bring a canned good for InterParish Ministry or a dollar to donate to HandsTogether Haiti. Children will be invited to bring these to the foot of Baby Jesus' crib and present their gift to the Christ Child in the spirit of the adoring Magi.
Staff Development Day: January 16, 1:00 Dismissal
Please note the 1:00 dismissal on Friday, January 16 for our Staff Development Day. Students registered for after-school care may remain in the St. Joseph House. All other students are dismissed early. There is no afternoon bus service.
Save The Date: 2015 Spring Gala, Saturday, March 7
"Let's Play"
at the Redmoor on Mt. Lookout Square
Watch for more information in upcoming newsletters
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The GSCM Drama Club Presents Aladdin! Join us January 14th or 15th at 6:30 for the Upper Elementary & Middle School Drama Club's production of Aladdin. Our new Set Design Club has made beautiful scenery and props! Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, (available at the door). Concessions & flowers will also be available. Box office opens at 6:00 pm. |
2015-16 Registration Information Priority Registration Period for 2015-16: January 20-February 6 The priority registration period for the 2015-16 school year will run from January 20 through February 6. During this time, current GSCM students may re-register and their siblings may apply for acceptance for 2015-16. We reserve enrollment for all current students and give priority consideration for all sibling applications through February 7. After that date, openings are no longer reserved but are offered to new applicants. Re-enrollment forms and tuition information will be sent home on Tuesday, January 20 via backpack mail and will also be available on line at www.gscmontessori.org. Financial Aid Application Process for 2015-16 School Year The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori offers a financial aid program for current and incoming students. To apply for financial aid for the 2015-16 school year, parents must submit a financial aid application to Private School Aid Service by Monday, March 2. By mid-April, GSCM will notify parents of the amount of aid (if any) they will receive from the school. Financial aid applications are available from Lynette Rosati Shim in the school office and can be downloaded from our website, www.gscmontessori.org. Go to "Admissions/Financial Aid." If you have any questions, please contact Lynette Rosati Shim in the school office. Back to top |
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Annual Fund:
The GSCM 2014-15 Annual Fund is off to a great start. To date, we have raised $22,300! These gifts come from just 22 current GSCM parents, 13 staff members, 9 board members and a few grandparents, alumni parents and special friends. Don't be left out. Think of how great this year's Annual Fund can be if you participate!
It is simple to join in the giving fun. You can return the response card you received in the Annual Fund Brochure, pick up an envelope in the school office, or donate now Click Here and then click on Give to GSCM
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Information Nights for Parents 
We have planned information nights to inform parents about the next level of Montessori education at GSCM. At each event, our teachers will present an overview of the educational program at that particular level, demonstrate materials, and answer questions.
These events are designed for parents who would like to learn more about the next level in Montessori education (e.g., a parent of a kindergartner, 3rd grader, or 6th grader who would like to understand the upcoming level of Montessori). This week, parents of children ready to advance to the next Montessori level will also receive separate invitations to these and other events.
Any parent would certainly gain valuable information from these evenings, whether you are looking to the future or want to know more about your child's current school experience.
IMPORTANT: Please be sure to RSVP to Nancy Toon (ntoon@gscmontessori.org) if you plan to attend one of these events. Events will be cancelled if there is not enough interest.
Lower Elementary Information Night: Tues., Jan. 20, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Our lower elementary classrooms are warm, relaxed, and purposeful environments for children. All classrooms are well-established with a rich array of learning materials. Our teachers will provide an overview of our lower elementary program. The presentation outline includes:
· Moving from concrete to abstract: teachers present Montessori materials
· Classroom work expectations and assessments
· Structure and choice in the Montessori 6-9 classroom
· Montessori elementary multi-age philosophy
Upper Elementary Information Session: Wed., Jan. 21, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Our 9-12 classrooms have a talented corps of lead and assistant teachers, a strong curriculum, and a rich array of learning materials. The combination of Montessori education with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd continues to offer a unique opportunity for each child to grow as a well-rounded individual.
Lead teachers Jenny Griffin (math/science) and LinMarie Cameron (language arts/history) will describe.
· Program philosophy and curriculum
· Student work Expectations
· Parent involvement
· Homework
· Assessment
Middle School Information Night: Thurs. Jan. 22, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
John Bennett, Mary Hamiter, and Joan Ratajczak, our middle school teachers, will present an overview of our middle school program. This event will have the following components:
- Curriculum and Montessori Principles: What is the curriculum? What are academic expectations? What are the leading values and guiding principles that underlay our practices in Montessori adolescent education? Why do we do what we do? How do we serve Montessori's vision of the adolescent?
- High School Preparation: Several current middle school parents who also have high school children will be on hand to join our staff in answering questions from upper elementary parents. In addition to drawing from their past and current experiences in the middle school, these parents will also able to reference the high school experience of their older child(ren). How did the GSCM experience prepare their child for high school? How was the transition?
· Religious Education in the Middle School (with Annette Lustenberger)
· Questions and Answers
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GSCM Open House: Sunday, Jan. 25, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori Open House is on Sunday January 25, from 1:00-4:00pm. There are three ways to help showcase our special school: 1) Help spread the word. You will be receiving an email invitation this week. Please forward to your contacts, your church, daycare or playgroups. Even if your friends are past the search stage, they may know someone who is looking. Just pass along FYI. This has been our most effective marketing tool 2) Volunteer at Open House on 1/25. It's a lot of fun to welcome prospective families. We need MS student escorts as well as parents for set-up, sign-in and hospitality. Look for a VolunteerSpot SignUp link in an email later this week. 3) Put up yard signs. If your business is in a high traffic area or if you can showcase our school with a sign in your yard, please let us know. Signs will be available for pickup by Friday, January 9. Please email Annie King (aking@gscmontessori.org) if you would like to help out this year, or if you have any ideas for how to better showcase GSCM. |
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Montessori Moment
"Working as if I Am Not There"
By Joan Ratajczak, Middle School Literature and History Teacher
It's taking me a few minutes to set up for the next class. The students enter the room and sit in the semi-circle to discuss the book, "The Children's Homer: The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy". Immediately a discussion breaks out about the wanderings of Odysseus. Back and forth goes the exchange while I fumble for the lights and set up the Smart Board with a map of the book. I could be settling the students down and begin directing the discussion, but as I listen, the students are conducting a discussion of the book on their own. Their interest is sparked. They fall into the pattern of Seminar. They are working as if I am not there.
Indeed this is one of the goals of Montessori education. The students are demonstrating that they are capable of asking pertinent questions, listening attentively, and respectfully disagreeing. They have also learned that a discussion does not need to sink into an angry shouting match- something all too often demonstrated in today's media. Most importantly, they have developed habits of learning that will last their whole lives, with or without a teacher. As the interchange continues, I am the one who settles in and learns.
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Hands Together Says "Thanks" We were able to send 10% of our Walkathon proceeds to Father Tom Hagan for his work for Hands Together in Haiti. We received a letter from Hands Together this week with these words: "Father Tom sends his special thanks and he draws comfort from your prayers and your support. He faces incredible challenges running the Becky DeWine School system in Haiti's poorest slums and it's a miracle that today we are educating 5,000 children and helping thousands of elderly through our outreach there. Thanks for being a part of that. We ask for your prayers and we remember you each day while working in Haiti. Please know that we deeply appreciate your help and that you are truly helping us do God's Work." Great job, GSCM! Back to top |
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Office News
 IPM Jam / Jelly Collection Jan. 15th
Our next collection for Inter Parish Ministry's food choice pantry will be on Thursday, January 15th. We will be collecting jam, jelly, or preserves. Please remember this item when doing your grocery shopping.
Thank you for all your support for this project throughout 2014 (and previous years).
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Thank You, Family!
We appreciate your taking the time to read our newsletter.
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