September 20, 2023

Hello St. Catherine’s Community,

With 10 days remaining in September, we are approaching the end of SCM Annual Fund Month! As always, I want to extend a big thank you to the generous donors who have led the way this school year. I also want to acknowledge those who have reached out in response to the weekly videos we have shared that highlight the school’s priority spending areas and the tremendous impact giving has on our community. We are so happy this vision for St. Catherine’s resonates with you and appreciate you taking the time to connect.

Your contributions give us the resources to provide the learning and developmental experience developed by Dr. Maria Montessori and established here by our foundresses, Sr. Edna Ann Hebert and Sr. Shirley Owens. We are honored by the opportunity to keep their legacies alive every day at St. Catherine’s and blessed to have your partnership in this sacred endeavor.

If you have not done so, please join us in continuing the legacy by making your SCM Annual Fund gift or pledge today. Every gift counts, and we are counting on you to help us reach 100% participation!

Lyndsey Ray

Advancement Director

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.

All Elementary families may join the AC and High School in dropping off students at the black cones. You may continue to utilize the brightly colored cones as well, but Elementary-High School students are encouraged to offload at the black cones as they become available.

This adjustment will assist with the efficiency and safety of our carpool arrival.

Please continue to follow all carpool safety rules, including observing the 15 mph speed limit and refraining from using cell phones and devices while driving on campus – as outlined on page 13 of the Parent/Student Handbook. 

A reminder to use Link Valley Drive to queue up for the carpool line – both during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. For safety, this prevents the line from backing up on Timberside Drive and extending towards the 610 freeway. 

Upcoming Parent Education Events

Saturday, Sept. 23 at 9:00 AM

Primary guides Ms. Jennifer and Ms. Kathy will present information on reading, writing, and oral development. Families at all levels are welcome.

RSVP by Thursday, September 21, 2023.

Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023 at 12:00 PM

We invite you to join us for our parent education event, “Who Are the Dominicans?” Sister Jane Meyer, O.P. of the Dominican Sisters of Houston, will give an introductory presentation on St. Dominic, the Dominican family, the pillars of Dominican spirituality and charism, and the history of the Houston Dominicans.

Lunch will be provided.

RSVP by Thursday, September 21, 2023.

Saturday, Sept. 30 at 9:00 AM

Upper Elementary guides Ms. Spesia and Mr. Snow will present information on the social and emotional environment in Elementary. Families at all levels are welcome.

RSVP by Wednesday, September 27, 2023. 

Friday, Oct. 6, 6:00-8:00 PM & Saturday, Oct. 7, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

The Montessori Journey is a unique opportunity for parents to experience Montessori education as a participant in the classroom. Designed by a Montessorian and guided by our faculty, this annual two-day event provides parents with a hands-on tour of each level from Infant Community through High School.

Click here to learn more and register. Space is limited.

If you know any families who may be interested in St. Catherine’s, please share that we are now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year. The first step in the process is to complete our Inquiry Form to schedule a tour. For more information, families can visit our Admissions pages or email [email protected].

Additionally, St. Catherine's will host an open house for prospective families on Thursday, October 19 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. 

In remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures, families are invited to bring pets on a leash or in a carrier to be blessed at school. If you are unable to bring your pet, your child may bring a photo instead.

Please follow your usual morning drop-off procedure then park in the school lot. If you arrive early, you may remain in your vehicle or proceed directly to the athletic field. All pets must remain on a leash or in their carriers while on campus.

Bags and trash bins will be available for you to pick up and dispose of your pet's waste. The ceremony will last about 15 minutes, and pets must be taken home immediately after the event. 

Thank you to all who joined us for Mass this afternoon! It is a blessing for us to gather and worship together as a community. Click here to view photos from Mass.

All are invited to attend our next Mass on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 2:15 PM in the gym.

PARENT SERVICE ORGANIZATION (PSO)

PSO Meeting this Friday, September 22

Come learn about the upcoming PSO activities and socialize with other parents in our community!

ICYMI: A Message from the Sociables Chairs

Hello St. Catherine's,

Sociables season is almost here! Below are two key dates to keep in mind as we finalize the 23-24 Sociables calendar.

1. This Friday, September 22 is the deadline for Sociables hosts to lock in the dates and share your essential party details. If you have received the Sociables Catalog Entry Form from us, please complete and submit it by Friday. If you intend to host an event but have not received this form, contact us at [email protected]. We share the form link once we have confirmed your desired date.
2. On Thursday, October 12 we will kick off Sociables ticket sales at the Sociables Sign up Soirée. This adults-only event will take place on campus from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. You’ll be able to purchase your Sociables tickets for the year while sipping a drink, having a nosh, and visiting with other St. Catherine’s parents.

We look forward to sharing the Sociables Catalog with you in a couple weeks and to all the great events that will take place this year!

Your Sociables Chairs,

Molly Martin

Nazia Mirza

Brooke Nyberg

Book Club Survey

Please take a moment to take this survey to assist the chairs of the PSO Book Club in selecting books for this school year. This survey will close on Monday, September 25.

The first Book Club meeting of the school year will take place on Friday, October 20 at 8:30 AM in the gym. Stay tuned for the announcement for the first selection.

Dominican Study Group

Are you curious about St. Catherine Montessori’s Dominican roots? Are you interested in learning more about the intersection of Dominican spirituality and Montessori principles? The PSO Friends of the Atrium invite SCM parents, grandparents, and alumni to explore these topics and more with the Dominican Study Group. Our first meeting takes place on Thursday, October 5 after 8:00 AM drop-off and will focus on the first pillar of Dominican teaching, prayer. No experience or background is needed, and SCM community members of all beliefs are welcome. Note: The study group will complement St. Catherine’s 9/26 Parent Education event, “Who are the Dominicans?”  

Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Parent Potlucks are Underway!

Thank you to the hosts and Room Parents who are working together this school year to give our classroom parent communities the opportunity to connect and get to know their guides and assistants in a casual setting. Several Parent Potlucks are on the calendar through mid-October. We encourage you to make plans to attend yours!

HIGH SCHOOL CORNER

Dear SCM Community! 

Time flies in school and especially in the High School! As we have delved into this semester's studies, we have been doing a lot of self-reflection, especially in our Writers Workshop class, where we have been doing reflective writing. We just finished our first class project and we would like to take this opportunity to share some of the work we have done over this past month. Click this link to see what we have been writing! 

Sincerely, 

Caroline Lewis 

Wednesday, September 20

• Varsity Volleyball Game vs. Corpus Christi, 4:30 PM (SCM Gym)

Thursday, September 21

• Varsity Soccer Game @ St. Thomas More, 4:30 PM (St. Thomas More; 5927 Wigton Dr., Houston, TX 77096)

Friday, September 22

• PSO Meeting, 8:30 AM (SCM)
• Parent Potluck: Ms. Erica's Primary Class, 6:30 PM (Baula Residence). See classroom communications

Saturday, September 23

• Parent Education: Language Development in the Primary Environment, 9:00-10:00 AM (SCM)
• Parent Potluck: Infant Community Class, 5:00 PM. (Hassan-Tajuddin Residence) See classroom communications
• Parent Potluck: Mr. Jaime's Lower Elementary Class, 6:30 PM (Harris Residence). See classroom communications

Monday, September 25

• Varsity Volleyball Game @ Saint Theresa, 4:30 PM (Saint Theresa; 705 St. Theresa Blvd., Sugar Land, TX 77498)

Tuesday, September 26

• Parent Education: Who Are the Dominicans? 12:00-1:30 PM (SCM Gym)
• Varsity Soccer Game vs. Holy Ghost, 4:30 PM (SCM Athletic Field)

Wednesday, September 27

• Parent Meditation Group, 8:05 AM (SCM)
• Varsity Soccer Game @ Corpus Christi Catholic School, 4:30 PM (Corpus Christi; 4005 Cheena Dr., Houston, TX 77025) 
• Varsity Volleyball Game vs. St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, 4:30 PM (SCM Gym)

Saturday, September 30

• Parent Potluck: Ms. Spesias's Upper Elementary Class, 6:00 PM. (Hedegaard-Paez Residence) See classroom communications
• Parent Education Event: The Social and Emotional Environment in Elementary, 9:00-11:00 AM (SCM)

Wednesday, October 4

• Blessing of the Animals, 8:30-9:00 AM (SCM Athletic Field)

For more calendar events please check our website.