The first week of school was filled with sounds of joy and laughter, as students (and parents too!) eagerly returned to the familiar routine of work and activities at St. Catherine’s Montessori.

As a community we celebrated our first Mass of the year, led by Father Tom and our AC and High School students. Parents attended their children’s classroom orientations, and the Infant and Primary children met their Guides and explored their learning environments on Looking Day. 

The High School students continued with their Driver’s Education classes, and the Adolescent Community held an overnight retreat that included swimming at Willow Pool. Ms. Dobbins' Upper Elementary class learned about Texas history on a field trip to Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Additionally, volleyball and soccer practices have begun, and the cross-country team has been up and running - their training starts at 6:15 AM!

Click  here to view a photo gallery with highlights from the first week of school. 
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, August 24
  • Christian Meditation for Parents, 8:05 - 8:25 AM (Atrium)
  • AC/HS Ensemble practice begins, 2:30 - 4:30 PM (Music Room)

Monday, August 27
  • Band (UE and Returning 3rd years) practice begins, 3:15 - 4:30 PM (Music Room)
  • Special Booster Club Meeting, 6:30 PM (Gym)

Tuesday, August 28
  • Orchestra (UE and Returning 3rd years) practice begins, 3:15 - 4:30 PM (Music Room) 

Wednesday, August 29
  • Gala Volunteer Kick-Off Meeting, after drop-off (Gym)

Friday, August 31
  • Maria Montessori’s 148th Birthday 
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Special Booster Club Meeting – Monday, August 27 at 6:30 PM
All parents of St. Catherine’s Montessori students are invited to attend a special Booster Club meeting on  Monday August 27, 2018 at 6:30 PM in the Gym to discuss the future of the Booster Club, including a proposed amendment to its bylaws, and other actions.  

Last school year was the first year the athletic program was fully incorporated into the operating budget of SCM, and it came with great success in the form of greater student participation, additional coaching staff, and better coordination with other school activities. A big shout-out goes to our Athletic Director Nicky Mintz and the support of the SCM leadership team, especially Susan Tracy, for these tremendous successes. 

Related to these positive changes, involvement in the Booster Club has waned, and we lacked enough volunteers to fill the defined positions of treasurer and secretary last year. This seems like a natural evolution, and the continued success of the athletic program suggests that our ongoing support as parents can best be provided through volunteer support of concessions and Saturday Soccer. There have been informal discussions around this idea, and the general agreement is this could best be accomplished by adding another committee to the wonderful mission of the PSO, through a less formal group called, “Friends of Athletics”. In support of this direction are myself, the vice president of the Booster Club, the athletic director, the school’s leadership, and the PSO’s president and president emeritus. 

Thus, we are calling a meeting on  Monday, August 27, 2018 at 6:30 PM in the SCM Gym to take the formal steps necessary to accomplish this change.  

We hope you will join us.

Jim Meyn
Booster Club President
Arrival and Dismissal Reminders
Please review these procedures for school arrival and dismissals:

  • Do not park in the carpool lane during morning arrival (7:30 – 8:30 AM), or the dismissals at 11:30 AM, 3:15 PM, 3:30 PM, and 4:30 PM 
  • We ask that all parents stay in their vehicles during morning arrival and all dismissals (except Infant Community parents who pick up and drop off in the Welcome Center) 
  • Please use Link Valley to queue up for the carpool line. This prevents the line from backing up on Timberside Drive and extending towards the 610 freeway. If you forget, and find yourself turning onto Timberside, please turn right on Link Valley and proceed to the end of the line. We appreciate your patience with all who are trying their best to make this a smooth and efficient process.
  • Adolescent Community and High School parents: Please do not arrive for the 3:30 PM dismissal until 3:30 PM. Early arrival delays completion of 3:15 PM dismissal. In the event you arrive before 3:30 PM, please plan to circle the line

Gymnastics Program Begins September 10
Gymnastics classes for the Primary AM, Primary PM, and Lower Elementary students will begin the week of September 10. 

  • Primary AM will meet every Monday from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Primary PM and Lower Elementary will meet every Tuesday from 3:15 to 4:30 PM

Registration forms are available on  ParentsWeb in the Resource Documents section.
Share Your Photos with Us
If you capture a great St. Catherine’s moment on camera, please send to Melissa Lopez . We would love to include your photos from SCM events in our storytelling throughout the year.
SPORTS
The SCM Fall Sports Season Has Begun!
During the fall semester, students starting in the 4th year have the opportunity to join the SCM co-ed soccer teams, girls volleyball teams, and the co-ed cross-country team (6th year and above). This year we have 74 student athletes participating in fall sports. Students have the opportunity to learn the rules of the game and develop their skills. The athletic program provides opportunities for students of all skill levels to enjoy the excitement, community, and physical development of after-school sports. 

If you are interested in your child participating in fall sports, please review the registration information. You can also contact SCM Athletic Director Nicky Mintz with any questions. 

PSO Spotlight: Friends of the Atrium
The  PSO Friends of the Atrium committee is dedicated to supporting the SCM music directors and catechist with Mass preparation and celebrating the liturgical year in our school. Additionally, Friends of the Atrium hosts a weekly Christian meditation for parents in the hope that praying within the school on a regular basis will both deepen the faith of those who attend, and enrich St. Catherine’s Montessori. 

The first parent meditation will take place on  Friday, August 24 from 8:05 to 8:25 AM in the Atrium.

About Parent Meditation:
            
Q: What is the meditation like?
A: We meet in the Atrium. Every session begins with a brief instruction about posture/focus. Then we sit in silence for 20 minutes.

Q: What is the purpose of meditation?
A: In the Catholic context, it is the silent prayer of simplicity, quiet, and stillness. It is our contemplative prayer. It revives the meaning of our other forms of prayer – scripture, sacraments, and worship. Also, meditation enriches the sense of community among parents. We are sitting in the Atrium where our children also pray together.

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20
 
Q: Do children at St. Catherine’s practice meditation? 
A: All of the Primary classes practice meditation on a daily basis beginning with 1-3 minutes, as they are able. The Lower Elementary classes are supported in their meditation by a weekly visit from Sr. Annette, a Dominican sister. The Upper Elementary, Adolescent Community, and High School students practice meditation on their own schedules as part of their regular prayer.  

Q: Where can I learn more about meditation in the Catholic tradition?
A: One source is the book, “Hunger for Depth and Meaning” by Fr. John Main, as well as the organization he founded,  World Community for Christian Meditation .
Upcoming PSO Activities

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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