November 15, 2023

Parent Education Event: Financing College Information Night

Parents with students of all ages are invited to attend Financing College Information Night on Monday, November 27 at 6:00 PM. We will welcome Gail Roberson, director of admissions at Trinity University, to discuss the ins and outs of college financial aid. The event is also open to students in 9th grade and above. 

Click here to RSVP by Friday, Nov. 24.

Meal Train for Garza Family

The Garza family needs SCM's support with a meal train. Abigail is a 10th year in the high school, and her dad, Pedro, is undergoing treatment for cancer. If your family is able to provide a meal for them, please use this link to sign up for a date that works best for you.

Pedro and Abigail are grateful for your support during this time, and ask for your continued prayers as his treatment continues.

SCM 4-H Food Drive

As part of our community service in 4-H, we are hosting a food drive ahead of the holidays.

The most needed items include:

• Crackers

• Granola bars and other protein snacks

• Canned tuna – preferably pull top

• Cereal

• Canned soup and ravioli – preferably pull top

Donate to the 4-H Food Drive in the Welcome Center. The last day to drop off donations is this Friday, November 17.

Save the Date: Open House for Prospective Families on Thursday, January 18

St. Catherine's will host an open house for prospective families on Thursday, January 18, 2024 from 9:00 to 10:30 AM! During this adults-only campus tour parents will learn about St. Catherine’s and how the Montessori method embraces not only a unique education alternative but a way of life that values independence, respect, and inquiry.

Prospective families interested in attending should RSVP here or contact Amy Walz, enrollment management director, with any questions about the event or our enrollment process. 

Celebrated the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday is the global day of giving that kicks off the charitable giving season. Many families focus on their holiday and year-end giving during this time.

At St. Catherine's, Giving Tuesday is another wonderful opportunity for our community to work together in support of our shared mission and goals. Currently, we are just $24,024 from reaching our SCM Annual Fund goal for the year.

On November 28, let’s give together to provide our students with the very best faculty, learning environments, and financial aid resources to stimulate their curiosity, discover their individual gifts, and harness their wisdom to create a more peaceful world.

INSIDE THE CLASSROOMS

For a glimpse of what's happening inside (and sometimes outside) our classrooms, click on the image above.

PARENT SERVICE ORGANIZATION (PSO)

PSO Meeting Minutes

On Friday, November 13, the PSO met to discuss the 2024-2025 PSO budget and to hear committee reports. Click here to read the meeting minutes. As a reminder, parents are welcome as members of the PSO as soon as your child is enrolled at St. Catherine's, and we encourage you to attend meetings and gatherings, and to volunteer.

Literati Online Book Fair is Live!

Book Fair season is here! This fall St. Catherine's has partnered with Literati to host an online and an in-person book fair. The online fair is open now through Monday, December 4. The in-person fair will run Monday, November 27 through Friday, December 1 in the Welcome Center.

St. Catherine's will receive a percentage of all books sold, which we will use to purchase books and supplies for our Sister Edna Ann Hebert Library. 

This is a great opportunity to support SCM and do some Christmas shopping! The in-person fair will feature books tailored for readers aged 3-12 years old. The online fair includes an expanded inventory of books for all reading levels, including adults. 

Start your online shopping now and save the date to visit us in person beginning Monday, November 27! 

Calling All Volunteers! 

The Book Fair Committee is looking for additional volunteers for the in-person book fair, particularly during the high-traffic hours before and after the Christmas Concert on Dec. 1. The fair will be closed during the concert. 



Please sign up here for short, flexible shifts. If you have any questions, please contact Library Manager Melissa Lopez at [email protected] or our book fair chair, Karine Schepers-Cheng at [email protected]. 

Works of Mercy Committee

Casa De Esperanza PJs, Socks and Underwear Drive

The holiday tradition of donating PJs, Socks and Underwear to the kids at Casa de Esperanza has been part of the SCM community for many years. This community has been so generous throughout the years with this drive, and we are hoping to collect PJs, Socks and Underwear for 120 children this year. 

Beginning Monday, November 27, a Christmas tree adorned with 120 ornament tags will be set up in the Welcome Center. Each tag represents a child in Casa de Esperanza's care who is in need of pajamas, socks, and underwear this Christmas season. To participate in the drive, please follow these four simple steps:

1. Stop by the Welcome Center and select 1, 2, or more ornament tags.
2. Register your tag(s) with Emily at the front desk.
3. Go shopping for PJs, socks and underwear for each child you selected.
4. Bring your unwrapped donation back to SCM no later than Monday, December 7 – this is a hard deadline. The ornament you take from the tree will serve as the gift tag, so please remember to return it with your donation.

Please be sure to stop by and select your tags before they run out! Also, don’t forget that Casa de Esperanza is in great need of basic items; please see their list here.

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Tysor at [email protected], or 713-449-3683.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and thoughtfulness.

Shoe Donations for Shearn Elementary School

Our neighbors at Shearn Elementary School are in need of children’s shoes in good wearable condition in sizes 1, 2, and 3 - especially shoes that are comfortable in cool and rainy weather. Please drop off new or gently used shoes that you would like to share in the box by the front door at SCM this week. We will deliver shoes this Friday, November 17. Thank you for joining us in this opportunity to share the love of God with our larger Houston community.

Save the Date for the Book Fair Christmas Concert!

SPORTS

Spirit Day at Tapester's Grill!

Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 5 for Spirit Day at Tapester's Grill (4520 Beechnut Street, Houston, TX 77096), and start making plans to enjoy breakfast, lunch and/or dinner out with family and friends. Tapester's will donate 20% of all purchases (dine in or to-go) made for St. Catherine's Spirit Day to our school to support our athletic program. Just mention St. Catherine's Spirit Day when you pay. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Kristin Zipple-Shedd and Jennifer Wu

Friends of Athletics Chairs

Parents vs. Students Volleyball Game

Last Wednesday, the varsity volleyball team celebrated the end of volleyball season with the annual student vs. parent game, followed by a pizza party. The parents were victorious with a 2-1 win over the students.

Friday, November 17

• Garden Work Day, 8:00 AM  
• Library Maintenance Day, 8:15 AM – 9:30 AM & 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
• Upper School Student Lunch, 12:00 PM 
• SCM 4-H Food Drive ends (Welcome Center)

Monday, November 20 - Friday. November 24

• Thanksgiving Break. No School. After-School Program closed.

Monday, November 27

• Book Fair, 1:45 PM – 4:45 PM
• Casa de Esperanza Pajamas, Socks and Underwear Drive
• Parent Education: Financing College Information Night, 6:00 PM

Tuesday, November 28

• Giving Tuesday
• Casa de Esperanza Pajamas, Socks and Underwear Drive
• Book Fair, 7:45 AM – 9:30 AM and 1:45 PM – 4:45 PM
• Garden Education Day, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (Cypress Patio)

Wednesday, November 29

• Casa de Esperanza Pajamas, Socks and Underwear Drive
• Book Fair, 7:45 AM – 9:30 AM and 1:45 PM – 4:45 PM
• Parent Meditation Group, 8:05 AM (Check front desk for location)

For more calendar events please check our website.