Parent Service Organization (PSO)
Mission
The mission of the Parent Service Organization (PSO) is to enhance and support the educational environment of St. Catherine’s Montessori by building community through family involvement and service.
We strive to build a school where we know we will be welcomed, and our families are all known by name. Parental service reinforces the strong foundation of education, spirituality, and social and emotional development laid down by the school foundresses nearly 60 years ago.
Volunteer Opportunities
Parents, guardians, and grandparents can volunteer for a variety of PSO activities and events during the school year, including:
- Assist our naturalist in keeping campus grounds beautiful
- Host a Sociable, parent-sponsored parties and activities that build community
- Help neighbors in need by performing works of mercy
- Run concessions, drive the team buses, or keep score at games
- Help cover and reshelve library books or work at the annual book fair
- Assist our music guide with student performances
- Host your classroom's parent potluck at the beginning of the school year
- Assist our catechist with preparations for monthly Mass and creating Atrium materials
- Lend a hand at our annual community potluck picnics, Fall Fest and Spring Fling
These are just a few ways to become involved in the life of our community. Every PSO activity is not only an opportunity to assist the school, but also a chance to connect with other St. Catherine's parents. Lifelong friendships have begun while unpacking library bags together!
You are welcome as a member of the PSO as soon as your child is enrolled at St. Catherine's. Please volunteer with us however and whenever you can. To sign up, use the volunteer form on the parent portal, or contact us at pso@stcathmont.org.
PSO Officers • 2024-2025
President: Karine Schepers-Cheng
Treasurer: Candace McCaddon
Secretary: Catherine Barber
Past President: Vy Collett
PSO News
PSO Book Club Meets In February
The next PSO Book Club selection for this school year is "Parenting: The Complex and Beautiful Vocation of Raising Children" by Holly Taylor Coolman. We will meet on Friday, February 28 at 8:30 AM in the Primary Extended Care Room.
All are invited to join the discussion and you do not have to complete the book to attend.
Looking ahead, here are our selections for the rest of the school year:
- April 25 — The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
Edith Napoleon and Hailey Panneton
Book Club Chairs
Upcoming Events
Garden Education Event
You're invited to a Garden Education Event on Holistic Gardening & Mental Health with Sandra Espinosa and Kelley Bruso, Wednesday, January 22, from 8:30-9:30 AM.
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Friends of the Garden Prairie Work Day
Join Friends of the Garden on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the SCM prairie and pond area. We'll focus on removing invasive species, planting native grasses and plants in the prairie, and beautifying the pond area with boulders around the edge and native water plants. Our goal is to promote biodiversity and hopefully make it a habitat for endangered mollusks native to Harris County.
If you have any questions, please contact SCM's naturalist, Kelley Bruso, at kbruso@stcathmont.org.
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Dominican Study Group Meets on January 27
The Friends of the Atrium invite you to join the PSO's Dominican Study Group on Monday, January 27 after 8:00 AM drop-off until 9:00 AM. We will continue to explore Dominican traditions and values, and our guest speaker will be Denise Stasio, SCM Board of Directors President.
No experience or background is needed, and SCM community members of all beliefs are welcome. Refreshments will be served, so RSVP here by Friday, January 24!
Please contact pso@stcathmont.org with any questions.
Sociables Online Store
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Registration is Open: Saturday Soccer for Primary and Lower Elementary Students
Primary and Lower Elementary Parents:
Registration is open for Saturday Soccer – St. Catherine's parent-led soccer program for our younger students, organized by the PSO's Friends of Athletics. It is a non-competitive soccer league; there are no goalies and the score is not kept. The emphasis is on sportsmanship, learning beginner soccer skills, teamwork, and fun!
Saturday Soccer begins January 11, 2025 and will run for five Saturdays, weather permitting. Practices and games are held from 9:30 to 11:00 AM on the SCM Athletic Field.
Parent volunteers Jaime Hope and Jesus Mayorga are this year's head coaches, and they are looking for volunteers to help out. No soccer experience required; parents and AC and HS students are encouraged to volunteer!
The league fee is $20 per player, and payments will be processed through FACTS.
Click here for complete guidelines and rules of the game.
Parents must sign and return the Participation Release Form to the Front Desk by Friday, January 10, 2025.
Please contact Sam Hemming at shemming@stcathmont.org with questions.
Join Team SCM!
Steps 4 Students is Saturday, February 8 in downtown Houston. An annual event organized by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Steps is an exciting day of family fun that brings together the Catholic community for a sunrise Mass and 5K run/walk. Each Catholic school forms their own team, and registration fees and donations made in honor of SCM team members support St. Catherine's.
Click here to join Team SCM and set up your personal fundraising page.
If you can't attend the race, sign up as a Snoozer to support your fellow Team SCM members from home. Once registered, share the event details with family, friends, and acquaintances to encourage them to join us and cheer you on by donating to your personal fundraising page.
We look forward to racing, walking, snoozing, and cheering as a community on February 8th.
Go Owls!
Coach Sam