Parent Education at St. Catherine’s Montessori
Throughout the year, St. Catherine’s Montessori offers several panels and presentations to enhance our parents’ understanding of the Montessori philosophy and the workings of our classrooms. We call these activities, "Parent Education events." Many parents are new to the Montessori approach to education, and we believe that children derive the most benefit from their experience at St. Catherine’s when families are familiar with our outlook and methods. We encourage you to attend Parent Education events to learn more about the changes in your child’s development and the transitions from one classroom level to the next, as well as the many practical applications of Montessori at home. 

The first Parent Education event of the school year is scheduled for  Wednesday, September 12 at 8:30 AM , and will focus on  The Atrium ; our prepared environment specifically intended for the spiritual growth of children. Event invitations and more details to follow in the coming weeks.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, August 16
  • Returning Primary only, 8:30 - 11:30 AM only (No Primary aftercare available)
  • Volleyball Parent Meeting, 4:30 PM (Gym)

Friday, August 17
  • All Returning Primary on Regular Schedule (Primary aftercare available)

Saturday, August 18
  • New Family Meet-Up hosted by the PSO, 8:30 - 10:30 AM (Fire Truck Park, 3743 Garnet)
ADVANCING THE MISSION
Night Owl Soirée: Volunteer Kick-Off Meeting
Join Gala Co-Chairs Mary Tysor and Sandra Wager for the Night Owl Soirée Volunteer Kick-Off Meeting – Wednesday, August 29 in the Gym after morning drop-off. Committee members have been working throughout the summer to plan our community’s gala event, and now is the time to learn more about how you can get involved as a volunteer, and sign-up with a gala committee.

In the meantime, please visit the gala  website and make plans to sponsor a table, become an event underwriter, or donate items for the live and silent auctions. Gifts in support of the event can be made online, or by submitting your giving form to the Advancement Office. Printable forms can be found on the website, and hard copies are available at the SCM Front Desk. The deadline to appear on the gala invitation as a Table Sponsor is  Friday, September 14 .

Many thanks to the  generous donors who already have pledged their support to Night Owl Soirée.

We hope to see you on August 29th at the Volunteer Kick-Off!

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Required Forms are Now Past Due
Please be advised that all required forms were due to the school last Thursday, August 9. 

It is vital that we have your child’s up-to-date immunization health records on file, and that the Medical History Form and Physical Examination Form bear the signature of your child’s physician or other authorized medical professional.

All required forms can be found on  ParentsWeb under the heading, Resource Documents. The St. Catherine’s Montessori  Health & Safety Policy is available on page 19 of the 2018-2019 Parent/Student Handbook.
Student Uniform for Mass and Special Outings
Remember that Adolescent Community and Upper Elementary students are required to wear a uniform for Mass and off-campus events, including community service outings.
 
Adolescent Community students wear navy blue blazers, white long-sleeved dress shirts, and khaki slacks or skirts.
 
Upper Elementary students wear the St. Catherine’s Montessori collared shirt with khaki slacks or skirts. Order the shirts  online at Lands’ End . This link is also found on the main page of the school’s website under News & Announcements. Optional school hoodies, sweatshirts, and t-shirts are also available for purchase.
VIRTUS Training for Parent Volunteers
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston requires that every employee and volunteer in Catholic schools complete VIRTUS Training in order to work with the children. VIRTUS consists of a 3-hour training with a video and discussion, and sessions are offered several times during the year. 

Parents interested in volunteering at St. Catherine’s can view VIRTUS Training schedules/locations and register online at  www.virtusonline.org by selecting Galveston/Houston Archdiocese.  Those taking the course for the first time should choose a location offering “Protecting God’s Children.” Once you have completed the course, please email  Emily Blackman. 

Parents who have completed VIRTUS Training: If five years have elapsed since your last training, you will need to complete the 90-minute follow-up course, "Keeping the Promise Alive.” If you would like to check on the status of your VIRTUS Training, please contact Emily.
SCM School Bus Drivers Needed
If you would like to be considered to drive a SCM bus for classroom trips or sporting events, please make sure to:

  • Have a copy of your driver's license on file with the school
  • Complete VIRTUS Training
  • Contact Holly Copeland or Sam Hemming to schedule driver orientation
  Submit Your Volunteer Hours on ParentsWeb
The time you spend volunteering to support St. Catherine’s Montessori is not only vital to the culture of our community, but also an important part of the story we tell to potential new families, accrediting organizations, and our corporate and foundation donors, among others. St. Catherine’s families are tremendously devoted and engaged, and we want to accurately convey all the ways in which you generously dedicate your time to our students and the school’s mission. Please remember to log your volunteer hours in  ParentsWeb .
PSO ACTIVITIES

PSO Spotlight: New Family Welcome Committee 
The PSO New Family Welcome Committee helps new families become integrated into the St. Catherine's community. It hosts several play dates – beginning in the summer and continuing throughout the school year – and provides a point of contact for questions from new families. 

Many thanks to Welcome Committee Chairs Amber McCarthy, Erin Allison, Dana Bayer, Angela Randall, and Mary Anna Nagorski, for all of their work this summer preparing to welcome our new families!  

We hope all new families can join us for the New Family Meet-Up this Saturday, August 18 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Fire Truck Park! 
Hosting Opportunities Still Available for Parent Potlucks
Parent Potlucks are an important part of developing the SCM Community. Please consider opening your home as a location for your classroom’s Parent Potluck dinner or brunch. There are still several classrooms in need of a host for their event. Please review the available dates at  SignUpGenius .
PSO Book Club

The PSO Book Club will gather for the first time this school year on Friday, October 5 at 8:30 AM in the SCM Gym. All are welcome to join the discussion of  How to Raise an Adult   by Julie Lythcott-Haims. A copy of this book is available for check-out in the Parent Library. 


The PSO Book Club chooses books, usually around parenting or Montessori practices, that would be of interest to the SCM community.
If you would like to submit something to be considered for inclusion in the Globe on Wednesdays, please send it for approval by noon on Mondays to  globe@stcathmont.org .

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