June 3, 2020
2019-2020 MILESTONES
The Class of 2020 Graduates
On Friday, May 29th, surrounded by their parents, classmates, guides and the spirit of the SCM community, Sophia Devereux, Umberto La Matta and Ruth Scherschel became the first graduates of St. Catherine's Montessori High School.

In their commencement speeches, the students spoke about their Montessori experiences, their Catholic faith, their love for the St. Catherine's community and their gratitude for the support they received during their time at SCM. The small outdoor ceremony was livestreamed on Facebook where hundreds of loved ones watched and offered their congratulations to the Class of 2020 and their families. After a blazing sunset, the graduates silently walked the school labyrinth.

We wish them all the best as they embark on new adventures. Sophia will attend Rice University this fall, Umberto is weighing several college options, and Ruth will head to Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.

Click here to watch the commencement ceremony and here to view the photo gallery.
Adolescent Community Affirmations Ceremony
Last Thursday the Adolescent Community students, their families, and guides gathered for the AC End of Year Affirmations Ceremony. Before the ceremony, each student wrote a positive sentiment on how each member of the class impacted the community. Gathered together on Zoom, one-by-one every student received an affirmation - read aloud by a classmate. At the ceremony's conclusion, the students were instructed to open packages that had been hand-delivered to their homes the previous day. Inside the students found personalized books containing every affirmation written about to them to remind them that each person has an important role to play in the Adolescent Community.
6th Year Rite of Passage Virtual Retreat 
The end of the 6th year marks completion of the six-year elementary cycle and second plane of development. This is an important transition from childhood to adolescence that is traditionally celebrated by an overnight retreat culminating in an introduction and welcoming into the Adolescent Community.

This year's circumstances called for a creative reimagining   of this important milestone. Special packages were hand-delivered to the homes of each 6th year student, only to be opened together during their virtual Zoom ceremony. The guides helped the students reflect upon their time in Elementary and prepared them for their next journey in the Adolescent Community. This solemn ceremony was met with tears and laughter.
FAREWELLS AND APPRECIATION
It's the end of an era!

After more than 20 years with St. Catherine's Montessori, Rose Ann Morello, our registrar, is retiring. This community has been blessed with her joy-filled laughter and smile. Families were always greeted warmly as they entered the Welcome Center, or met with the familiar "St. Catherine's Montessori, this is Rose Ann speaking" when calling on the phone. Throughout her many years of service Ms. Rose Ann always brought grace and an eagerness to go above an beyond in support of our community.

Thank you, Ms. Rose Ann, for your many years of service to St. Catherine's. We will miss you!
This is the time of year to say goodbye and thanks to a few people who will not be returning to their roles next year. First, as you have seen above, we acknowledge Rose Ann Morello , who will be retiring after her many laughter- filled years at St. Catherine’s.  Julie McLarry will move into a parent role next year in order to be with her family.  Michelle Smiley has been working on other projects that have begun to consume her time and she will be staying home next year to work on those.  Chris Deery is moving back to Colorado this summer, so Veronica Harth will move into an Upper Elementary Class and Hannah Engelke will be guiding Veronica’s former Lower Elementary class. We wish them all well in their transitions and thank them for what they brought to our community this year.  
COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS
SCM Celebrates School Year With End Of Year Mass
On Thursday, May 28th, the St. Catherine's community virtually celebrated the 2019-2020 school year with our End of Year Mass. Father Jeremy Zipple presided over Mass and once again inspired our community with his homily. The Mass included student musicians and readers, and a beautiful photo display of St. Catherine's families.

Click here to watch the End of Year Mass.
End of Year Goodbye Parade
The SCM community turned out on Thursday, May 28 to say goodbye for the summer at the End of Year Parade. Many families drove through the carpool line, which was lined with the smiling faces of faculty and staff members. It was a joy to see each other after many weeks spent apart.

Click here to see photo highlights, and here to watch parade video.
Car Parade for SCM's Class of 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic affected many senior traditions this year, but also presented the opportunity to get creative with celebrations!

On Friday, May 29th the SCM seniors were each surprised by a parade of well-wishers cheering and honking as they drove by their homes.

Click here to watch video.
INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Upper Elementary Creative Expression
In Upper Elementary, students have many opportunities to express themselves creatively. Last week, Mr. Snow's and Mr. Chris' classes celebrated this creativity by continuing their community performance traditions.

Mr. Snow's class performed William Shakespeare's The Tempest via Zoom . Students were assigned parts and created props and costumes. Mr. Chris' class performed original poetry, one act-plays and musical selections in their poetry cafe.
Mr. Snow's Students Drop Off DePelchin Donations
It started as a Lenten community service project and ended as a wonderful commitment to helping the children at DePelchin Children's Center . The students of Mr. Snow's class did not let the pandemic stop them from moving forward to collect pajamas and other important items for the children of DePelchin. During the last week of school, students prepared all of the items generously donated by the SCM community and dropped them off.
PARENT SERVICE ORGANIZATION (PSO)
Volunteers Needed For 2020-2021 School Year
The Parent Service Organization (PSO) is seeking parents to serve on committees next year. We recognize that many PSO activities and events will probably look quite different in 20-21, but we will still need parents to help!

The following committees need volunteers:
  • Friends of the Arts
  • Friends of Athletics
  • Friends of the Garden
  • Friends of the Library
  • Faculty and Staff Appreciation Luncheon
  • Fall Fest
  • Spring Fling
  • Square 1 Art
If you are interested, please email [email protected] . We are also happy to discuss these committees' needs with you before you sign up.

Thanks for your willingness to serve, and have a great summer!
PSO Book Club - Summer Reading
The PSO Book Club would like to announce the next book to read during the summer break.

Living Rosary Update
From May 16 through May 31, members of the SCM community participated in a Living Rosary Participants signed up to pray a decade of the rosary every day during the dedicated time period, which culminated on the Feast of the Holy Spirit. This was a wonderful way to stay connected in prayer. The opportunity to pray together, although virtually, was greatly appreciated by those participating.
SCM On A Whim Administrator Update
Eight years ago parent volunteer Sarah Scherschel desired to help maintain strong connections within the SCM community, so she developed and became the administrator of the PSO-sponsored Google group, SCM On a Whim.

Now that she has transitioned into a proud parent of an SCM High School alumna, Sarah has passed the administrator baton to Trey Palmer. Click here to learn more about SCM On a Whim.
ALUMNI AND ALUMNI FAMILIES
To All Alumni and Alumni Families:

Whether you attended St. Catherine's last year or in decades past, you and your family forever remain an important part of our community. At St. Catherine's, we always look forward to your calls, messages, and visits. Please stay connected with us by visiting our Alumni webpage and staying in touch.
If you would like to submit something for the Globe, please send it for approval to [email protected] by  Monday at noon.

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