Monday, November 3, 2008 Good Shepherd celebrated Veteran's Day during morning assembly, and many students walked up to Main Street to view the St. Johnsbury Veteran's Day Parade later in the morning.
 5th Grade students pause for a prayer at the Veteran's Memorial Monument in Courthouse Park.
Good Shepherd Catholic School
"Good News"letter
November, 2008 
As we enter this "quiet" month of the year, we may slow down the pace just a little, and step back for a moment to consider all with which we are blessed; all for which we are so thankful. We are settled in to the school year, and have completed a successful first marking quarter. Our soccer teams enjoyed a very exciting season, and many students are now gearing up for basketball. Last week, in anticipation of the feasts of All Saints and All Souls, students were reminded of the many people of faith who have set shining examples for us all, and who are always just a prayer away! We now look forward to gathering with our family and friends, in school and at home, as we celebrate God' many gifts at Thanksgiving.
School News
The Kingdom Challenge was a tremendous success, thanks to the efforts of coordinator Kelly Urie, and a cast of - well, maybe not thousands - but dozens of GSCS students, families, staff and Board members who pulled together for a great day. Many of our students participated and placed extremely high in the rankings. For all the race results and hundreds of photos, please visit: www.thekingdomchallenge.com. Whether running or walking, cheering on the sidelines, helping with food, publicity, sponsorship or in some other way, this was a truly a show of school spirit and support for our Good Shepherd students.
 
Many thanks to soccer coaches Alan & Celise Johnson (grades 6-8), Chris Haggett (grades 3-5) and Vicki Eames, Jodi Gingue and Sandra Rankin (PreK-2) for offering their time and talents to our student athletes this fall. These parents met weekly with GSCS teams, developing our students' soccer skills, as well as their personal sense of sportsmanship. Our school's reputation as a real presence in the sports arena is growing remarkably, thanks to the efforts of our players and coaches this season. Great job!
The PTG is off to an energetic start! Thanks to Sherry Sylvain for organizing the Innisbrook Wrapping fundraiser, the proceeds of which will fund a number of field trips to the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium this school year. Thanks also to Sherry Sylvain, Dawn Frechette, Melissa Leach who have served tirelessly for many years as officers of the PTG. Their efforts have guided parents and staff members in numerous events and fundraisers which have directly supported our school in a variety of ways too numerous to mention. We have been blessed by their time, energy, and talents!
New officers Ray Garcia, Elisabeth Hammer, and Robin Ishak, with Linda Hartwell remaining in the office of treasurer, will lead the PTG in a number of familiar events, as well as some new initiatives this year. This month's meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 18th at 3:30 p.m. with an agenda which includes, but is not limited to: discussion of by-laws, announcement of room parents (PreK-8), Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Bazaar (thanks, Gretchen Jones for chairing!), scheduling events for this school year, and winter sports. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
We are in the process of conducting our Annual Appeal, the proceeds of which are a vital component of our operating funds. Heartfelt thanks to those of you who have already given - your gifts are being utilized, and our students and staff continue to benefit from your generosity. We encourage those of you who do receive the letter of appeal to consider how you may be able to support our school. Thank you also for sharing our good news and request with friends or family members (grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents) who may have a desire and means to offer their support to Good Shepherd. We do offer on-line giving on the "Support GSCS" page of our website - a quick, secure, paper and ink-free option for those who may be interested and inspired.
The Good Shepherd Singers and Concert Band members will present their annual "Thanks-for-Giving" Cabaret concert on Monday, November 24th at 6:30 p.m. The musical menu includes a variety of music - sacred, secular, old, new, seasonal songs - something for everyone! We will serve up our traditional salute to Veterans, and this year, as we enter a new decade of school life, offer special thanks and recognition to our Founders, who helped to bring us to life so many years ago. Beverages will be provided, and all are welcome to bring finger-food desserts or munchies to share.
Class News
Students in Good Shepherd's Early Ed program are busy, and happily preparing for Thanksgiving. The Pre-School class is especially excited about making cranberry-orange relish to enjoy with their families. The Kindergarten students have been out walking the rain, learning to read a thermometer, observing changes in and graphing the weather. The students brought in live spiders to observe, compare, and draw. Most of the spiders were returned to their natural habitat, but two have stayed on in the class; one of which is busy each night expanding its web and happily dining. The other spider has made an egg sac - perfectly timed as the class is reading Charlotte's Web. Students are all learning to recite The Code of Conduct, understanding what each part means, and practicing it in words and actions.
The first grade's activities include Native American studies, and second graders are learning about the early American settlements, including Jamestown and Plymouth. How appropriate as we near the Thanksgiving holiday! And speaking of tiny colonies, the third grade class recently enjoyed a presentation by Dr. Elisabeth Hammer about molds and fungus - students were obviously fascinated! They are also working to understand communities in social studies.
The fourth grade's geography studies are leading them to identify various land forms, and nutrition is their present science topic. Students in grades 1 - 4 will be taking a walk to Fuller Hall at the St. Johnsbury Academy to see a Catamount Arts production of Ali Baba as presented by marionettes.
 
Fifth graders, having learned about the earliest Native Americans, are now studying the early European explorers in social studies, and the biology of plants in science. They, led by "King Kongolly," joined the 1st - 4th grade students, celebrating Halloween with a costume parade. Close to 70 students, teachers and parents visited the Canterbury House and St. Johnsbury House, bringing "Pumpkin Parable" cards and good cheer to residents. They also visited our Early Ed students at the Fr. Lively Center, where they were greeted by their festively costumed younger schoolmates.
 
The sixth graders have moved on to the continent of Africa, and will present an African Fair on the afternoon of Friday, November 21st. They recently reported on their favorite saints to celebrate All Hallow's Eve. Seventh and eighth graders continue to work hard in all areas, and put forth a stellar effort in support of the recent Kingdom Challenge. Mrs. Achilles reports that in science, students are making the transition from the Solar System to the study of physics. Needless to say, this may enrich their prayer life ; - )
Ucoming Events Wednesday, 11/12 - student photos, noon dismissal
Tuesday, 11/18 - PTG meeting 3:30 p.m.
Friday, 11/21 - 6th Grade African Fair
Monday, 11/24 - Thanks-for-Giving Cabaret 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, 11/25 - Thanksgiving Dinner @ school
Wednesday, 12/10 - noon dismissal Saturday, 12/13 - Christmas Bazaar - call Gretchen Jones to help)
Thursday, 12/18 - Christmas Concert 6:45 p.m. 
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