The Trojan Times
Saint Maria Goretti Catholic School May 3, 2020
Mission Statement
St. Maria Goretti is a living testament to our Lord's work in His youngest disciples, exemplified by academic excellence, spiritual formation, and compassionate service to others.
Principal's Message
Dear St. Maria Goretti Catholic School Families,
Happy May! As we move toward the end of the school year, the faculty/staff and I are making every effort to continue with some of the long standing traditions and events that are SMG.
Please be sure to thoroughly read the Trojans Times each week so that you are up to date on all that is happening while we continue to distance learn for the remainder of the school year.
- Grandparents Day: Thank you to all who replied to our request to send us contact information for your students' grandparents. Almost 100 cards will be in the mail tomorrow morning with a special message for grandparents!
- NorthTexasGivingTuesdayNOW: Funds that were to be raised during our Boosterthon Fun Run, which was to coincide with the annual Field Day on May 8th were designated for the Tuition Assistance Fund. Due to the effects of COVID-19, the need for support to that fund is greater than ever. If you are able to do so, please consider contributing to SMG for the NTxGTuesdayNOW event. Early giving is already open and no donation is too small. Please see below for details or visit the school website.
- Walk for Life: Scheduled for May 15th. Please see the information below. The information will also be emailed to families later this evening. This is a great opportunity for families to support life and enjoy time together walking and praying. We hope you will consider participating!
- Friday, May 8th: Early Dismissal at 12PM (Noon). No virtual classes/meetings after 12PM.
- Materials Pick-Up & Return: We realize that we will have to plan for a second materials pick-up, as well as a materials return. No date has yet been determined. Once we have worked out details and determined a date(s), I will let parents know.
- 8thGrade Graduation: Graduation is still planned for Thursday, May 21st. We are working on details right now and will communicate them to parents of 8th Grade students as they are finalized. We are looking into the possibility of having the actual graduation ceremony in the church as planned, of course following social distancing and safety guidelines. We are awaiting guidance from the diocese on this possibility and will hopefully have a decision later this week. In the meantime, please see below regarding information needed regarding pictures and measurements for graduation gowns.
- Candle Lighting & Robing Ceremony: If we are able to have a live graduation ceremony, we are considering the possibility of also having the Candle Lighting & Robing Ceremony the morning of May 21st, as originally planned. Again, I will let you know soon what decision has been made concerning this event.
- Kindergarten Promotion: Kindergarten promotion will still take place on Tuesday, May 26th. Details will be coming soon.
- 1st-7thGrade Awards Ceremony: remains scheduled for Wednesday, May 27th. Details will be coming soon.
- Last Day of School: Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 12:00PM.
- Parent Support: We realize that this is a stressfull situation for all, epecially parents who are trying to work from home while their children also distance learn from home. In another effort to support parents through Distance Learning, we have created a new Facebook page, @SMG Distance Learning Support. Thank you to Michelle Parker for her vision in creating the page and for sharing her experience as an educator and a homeschool mom. Please be sure visit @SMG Distance Learning Support on Facebook and connect with and support your fellow SMG parents.
Please keep praying for all who are suffering with COVID-19, especially friends and relatives of members of the SMG community.
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday! I miss all of you and continue to keep each of you in my thoughts and prayers!
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Laura Behee, M.Ed.
Principal
NorthTexasGivingTuesdayNOW this Tuesday, May 5th!
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School, along with many other organizations and individuals, has felt the impact of Covid-19. Our SMG Catholic School community relied on spring campaigns and in-person experiences to help meet our yearly budget. Our Boosterthon Fun Run campaign had the potential to impact our budget by $15,000. Funds collected through that campaign would have supported our Tuition Assistance Fund, which enables us to continue to make a Catholic education possible for all who desire one for their children. Your gift on North Texas Giving Tuesday Now will have a powerful impact on our current and future Trojans NOW! Thank you!
- GIVE! On Tuesday, May 5, visit https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/saint-maria-goretti-catholic-school and make a gift. Afraid you might forget to make a donation on that date? Early giving continues through Monday!
- SPREAD THE WORD! Share our NTxGTuesdayNow page via email, social media and text. Visit us on Facebook @StMariaGorettiArlington.
MAY VIRTUE: DILIGENCE – Doing your best and working until you’re finished
To practice the virtue of diligence means not only to finish something that we have begun, but also to pay attention to what we’re doing so that it’s done well. Fidelity to small, everyday tasks prepares us to handle larger responsibilities well. By doing all of our work well, no matter how insignificant it may seem, we are fulfilling God’s will for our lives and helping to build up His kingdom.
There are many saints who exemplified the virtue of diligence. Three who we are going to be learning about this month are:
Saint Andre Bessette: Feast Day – January 6 – Saint Andre was the son of a wood cutter, and all his life he worked very hard. He cut wood, baked bread, and made shoes. Whatever he had to do, he worked at it until it was done right.
When Andre became a religious brother he was assigned to answer the door at a college, which he did for many years. He also had a great devotion to Saint Joseph, and built a shrine in his honor. Many people who were sick came to Saint Andre for help. He would pray with them, and many were cured.
Saint Francis de Sales: Feast Day – January 24 – Born in France, and later the Bishop of Geneva, Saint Francis de Sales lived at a time and in a place where many people were hostile to the Catholic faith.
Saint Francis was a Doctor of the church which means that he was a great scholar and teacher whose writings continue to influence people today. Yet, he was very simple and faithful to Jesus and the Church. When he was bishop, he walked from parish to parish, despite the difficulties in travel, to visit the priests in his diocese and all of their parishioners. As a bishop, he would have had a claim to live a comfortable lifestyle, but he preferred to dress and eat very simply. He loved serving the poor, because it was a way he could imitate Jesus, his Savior.
Saint Francis de Sales was an excellent preacher and loved doing God’s work, speaking and teaching about the Catholic faith, both to Catholics and non-Catholics. He was very diligent in his teaching, taking care to write letters and to preach in a way that people would fully understand. He wrote a book that is still very popular today, called Introduction to the Devout Life. In his book he teaches people how to grow in holiness.
He loved God to the very end of his life, and the words last spoken on his death bed were, “God’s will be done! Jesus, my God and my all!”
Saint Catherine of Siena: Feast Day – April 29 – The 24th child of cloth-dyer Jacopo Benincasa and his wife Lapa, Catherine Benincasa was born in the Italian city-state of Siena during a tumultuous time both in the secular life of the ruling Italian cities and of the Catholic Church.
Catherine vowed her life to God as a young child, and as a young woman she felt called to join the “Mantellate” who were laywomen, mostly widows, associated with the Dominican Order. These women wore the habit but resided in their own homes and cared for the sick and the poor. Her family strongly objected, since they wanted her to marry. Catherine ended the disagreement by cutting off her hair. Her family, furious, punished her by treating her as a servant, forcing her to do the cooking, cleaning, and serving, taunting her all the while. Yet Catherine served them with great love, as if she were serving the Holy Family.
After years of this harsh treatment, Saint Catherine’s father was moved to repentance when he saw Catherine praying one day and a dove hovering over her head. He relented in punishing her, and allowed her to once again have her own room where she could spend all the time she desired in prayer. This she did with deep devotion seeing Christ each day and praying with Him, until He asked her to apply all He had taught her by going out to serve her neighbor.
Saint Catherine served the needs of the poor and sick within Siena, and began to act as a peace maker and a reconciler of peoples. During this time the once illiterate Catherine became a prolific writer of letters – to bishops, priests, religious civil rulers, ordinary laymen, and even the pope – persistently exhorting them to be faithful to Christ and His Church.
During this period, there was a very difficult situation in which a series of popes had chosen to live in Avignon, France, rather than in Rome. Saint Catherine pleaded with Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome, writing him repeatedly with love and reverence, but also candor, reminding him of his duty and his divine calling. Saint Catherine even traveled to Avignon, walking on foot for most of the long journey, to see the Holy Father in person. Despite the respect so many had for the saint, she had difficulty being admitted to see the Holy Father, but she persisted. With the help of Catherine’s influence and prayers, Pope Gregory XI overcame his fears, recalled his duty, and returned to Rome.
Saint Catherine of Siena died in 1380 at the age of 33. She was canonized in 1461, and in 1970 she was declared a Doctor of the church. She is one of only four women saints to be given this honor.
Faculty & Staff Message to Students
Students Invited to Lead Morning & Afternoon Prayer
We are looking for a few SMG students to lead us in Morning and Afternoon Prayers. Students will need to video record themselves leading the prayers and then submit the video to Mrs. Utendorf (autendorf@smgschool.org) at least one day prior to their scheduled day/time to lead prayer. Mrs. Utendorf will email those who sign-up a copy of the prayer script.
Sign-up by visiting: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D45A8AC2FABFD0-morning
Walk for Life - Texans for Life Coalition
Each year in May, SMG participates in the Walk for Life and it is that time again. We will walk and pray for the sanctity of life from the miracle of conception to the serenity of natural death. All life is precious. Because we believe in the power of prayer, this will once again be a school wide event this year. On Friday, May 15thwe invite all families to join in and take a walk in your neighborhood while praying the Life Rosary.
Click on the following link for an entry form to receive your 2020 Walk for Life T-shirt.
https://smgschool.org/documents/2020/5/Walk%20For%20life.pdf
To receive a T-shirt, you must return your entry form with a personal or pledge commitment total of $25 or more. The shirts only come in adult sizes. Parents of elementary students, consider signing up as a family and getting one adult size shirt.
Entry forms must be turned in by Monday, May 11th.
- Email your completed for to smgwalk4life@smgschool.org
- Be sure to fill out the Walker Registration information and Sponsor Pledge form
- T-shirts will be distributed at end of the year pick up
The Texans for Life Coalition is thankful that SMG is keeping our tradition and hosting a school wide “Walk for Life”. They have suspended all other scheduled “Walks” because of COVID-19. Let’s show them our Trojan pride and raise funds to promote the sanctity of Life!
Yearbook Sales Deadline EXTENDED to May 29th!!
8th Grade Information Needed for Graduation Plans!! May 8th DEADLINE
While all the events that surround the 8th Grade Graduation are not going to happen as they have in the past, we are working to make this a memorable event for our students and families.
To make that happen we need the following information:
- 8th Grade student's current height
- A baby picture of 8th Grade student
- Name of High School student will attend in the fall
- A favorite memory at SMG
Please send this information to Mrs. Utendorf by May 8, 2020 at autendorf@smgschool.org.
Celebrating Our 8th Grade Graduates!
Virtual Instruction Class Schedules
Virtual Instruction Schedules for 2nd-8th Grade students can be found following the links below, as well as on the school website (smgschoool.org).
The schedules allow teachers to meet virtually with students via Zoom or Google Meets to deliver instruction in each of their core classes and Spanish class at regularly scheduled times, once a week on either Monday or Tuesday. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, teachers will continue to offer tutorials, conference with students, hold discussions, and will be available to students (and parents) through Google Classroom or email. Fridays will continue to be a "catch-up"/independent learning day. Specials classes for PreK -8 have also been scheduled.
Please see Mrs. Behee's letter explaining the schudules in more detail, expectations for participating in the virtual classes, the actual Virtual Instruction Class Schedules, as well as a Zoom Guide for Students document, outlining student behavior expectations while in a virtual classroom or Zoom meeting.
Mrs. Behee's Letter: https://smgschool.org/documents/2020/4/Letter%20to%20Parents%20RE-Virtual%20Schedules.pdf
Virtual Instruction Class Schedules:
https://smgschool.org/documents/2020/4/Virtual%20Instruction%20Class%20Schedule%20Final.pdf
Zoom Guide for Students:
https://smgschool.org/documents/2020/4/Zoom%20Guidelines%20for%20Students.pdf
Please be sure to thoroughly read the documents, being sure that you and your students understand the guidelines.
Send Us Your Photos!
We are documenting SMG Distance Learning on our official SMG Facebook page (@StMariaGorettiArlington) and in the Trojan Times each week. Please send your pictures to photos@smgschool.org!
Morning & Afternoon Announcements
Remember to check Google Classroom Homeroom (2nd-8th graders), Seesaw (PK4-1st graders), or our official Facebook page (@StMariaGorettiArlington) daily for Morning and Afternoon Prayers and Announcements!
Calling All of Those on the Frontlines!!
We are so grateful to all worldwide who are on the frontlines fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic, especially those in our SMG school and parish community. We would like to acknowledge those heroes, the frontline and essential workers from our SMG family in the Trojan Times as we continue through the weeks ahead, sheltering from home, social distancing, distance learning, and hopefully staying safe and healthy.
If you or a family member are a frontline worker out there fighting this fight, please send us photos along with the following information: name; place of employment; position or job title; explanation, if needed. Send photos to photos@smgschool.org.
This week, we send virtual high-fives and many thanks to:
- Mckynzie Zick (below left)- granddaughter of Ms. Lynne, SMG SMEAD. Mckynzie is a nurse at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas.
- Kristin Zick (below right) - daughter-in-law of Ms. Lynne, SMG SMEAD. Kristin is a nurse at Cook's Childrens Hospital
May God continue to bless and keep safe Mckynzie Zick, Kristin Zick and all Frontline and Essential Worker Heroes!
2020-2021 Enrollment & Registration
Registration & Enrollment: Registration & Enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year is well underway! All registration and enrollment information can also be found on our website. As well, if you would like to defer your registration fee and pay it next month or over the next few months, please contact our registrar, Mrs. de la Pena (jdelapena@smgschool.org). As a reminder, tuition assistance is available and Father Jim and I are committed to making a Catholic education available to any family who wishes one for their child(ren). I also encourage you to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Like Us on Facebook!
We are hoping to update our official Facebook page with some more recent, positive reviews, likes, and shares. Please visit our official Facebook page (Facebook@StMariaGorettiArlington) and help us spread the word about our great Catholic school!
Order School Supplies for the 2020-2021 School Year!
Save time and benefit from a streamlined and cost-efficient way of purchasing school supplies by ordering from School Supplies Company. Click on Find Your School on the following web site to place an order. All orders will be delivered to your child's SMG classroom on August 3rd.
The last day to order is June 19th at midnight.
Online Educational Resources for Parents
Click the link below for a list of online educational resources that parents may find worthwhile and helpful while children are not at school over the next two weeks. This list is not exhaustive as there are MANY other educational sites, many that are offering free resources and access during the COVID-19 crisis. Please note, St. Maria Goretti Catholic School does not specifically endorse any site on the list.
https://smgschool.org/documents/2020/3/Online%20Resources%20for%20Parents.pdf
First Holy Communion POSTPONED
Per Bishop Olson's directive, for the health and safety of everyone, all Sacrament of First Holy Communion celebrations that were scheduled to take place at parishes in the diocese have been postponed. We will be sure to keep you updated when a new date and time has been determined.
The 2019-2020 Annual Fund
The St. Maria Goretti Catholic School Annual Fund is essential to help fill the gap between tuition and operating expenses. The school’s 2019-2020 Annual Fund helps provide funding for many of the school’s most pressing needs such as academic enhancements, security improvements and updates, professional development for our teachers, and general operating expenses.
Please, prayerfully consider supporting our school through the 2019-2020 Annual Fund. Donations can be made by check (payable to SMG Catholic School), or online by visiting https://smgschool.org/give-now. Every gift counts!
Remember to Keep Collecting Those BoxTops!
Nolan Catholic High School Happenings
Online Application is Open
New Student Tuition Assistance Application is NOW OPEN
The application for returning students opened December , 2019. Learn More.
Please contact admissions@nchstx.org to schedule a family tour, or for more information.
LAST WEEK AT SMG.....
8th Grader, Josh, Leading Morning Prayer and Announcements
Many thanks to those of you who have volunteered to help with morning and afternoon prayers and announcements. Part of morning announcements is to report the school lunch of the day. We especially loved the following quote by Josh, "Today's lunch is whatever you're having at home."
This week's Virtual Spirit Week is brought to you by Catherine Do and the SMG National Junior Honor Society students! Enjoy!
PJs Monday: Wear Your PJs to Class
Super Hero Tuesday
Listen to Super Hero Daniel (PreK4) practice his morning announcement skills. He's a natural!
Make a Treat Wednesday - Bake Something Sweet
Count Your Crosses Thursday
Thank Your Teacher Friday
Students sent emails, cards and videos expressing appreciation for their teachers. PreK 4 Student, Jillian, sent a cute picture (left).
Click here to see a special message from Joseph to Mrs. Girton and Mrs. Watson.
The message below was sent to Mrs. Salomao from her students.
National Junior Honor Society Officer Elections
NJHS members meet Friday morning to make a plan for virtual officer elections. NJHS by-laws state that new officer must be elected the first week in May. Current officers explained the details of their job to the new 7th grade members. The 7th grade members who would like to run for office will be making their speeches via Zoom to the NJHS members on Friday, May 8, 2020, with elections to take place via Survey Monkey. Members are looking forward to participating in the election process and are excited to see who will be leading the NJHS for the 2020-2021 school year.
Mrs. Paladini Reminds Us to Exercise and Eat Healthy
1st Grade: Sensory Poem
Mrs. Girton gave her 1st grade students an assignment to write a sensory poem about spring. Click here to see Avi's sensory representation of her poem and listen to her read her poem aloud.
1st Grade: Build a Bird Nest
After observing birds in their natural habitat and researching online, students were challenged by Mrs. Girton to collect materials a bird could pick up easily like small twigs, rocks and fibers. Then, they were to build a nest large enough to hold at least one egg. Students could only use what a bird would be able to find (no tape or glue) Finally, they needed to test the nest by blowing on it to see if it stayed together. Listen to this recording of Damian and his dad discussing the experience. (Note: after clicking on link, then select arrow to begin video)
PreK4 - The Good Sheppard Story
PK4 - Insect Week
PreK 3 - Writing, Counting, Sorting, Learning
Hallway Happenings
I miss walking the halls of SMG and looking at the work displayed in the hallways. For all of you having separation anxiety, here are pictures of the hallways as they were on our last day before spring break and our required quarantine.
Calendar Notes
- Tuesday, 5/5: North Texas Giving Day Tuesday NOW
- Friday, 5/8: 8th Grade Graduation Information due to Mrs. Utendorf; Early Dismissal, 12PM
- Thursday, 5/14: Walk for Life
- Tuesday, 5/21: 8th Grade Graduation
- Monday, 5/25: Memorial Day, No School/Virtual Classes
- Tuesday, 5/26: Kindergarten Promotion
- Wednesday, 5/27: 1st-7th Grade Awards
- Thursday, 5/28: Last Day of 2019-2020 School Year
- Friday, 6/19: Deadline to order supplies for 2020-2021 school year
Need Prayers?
We all do!! The St. Maria Goretti Catholic School Community would love to pray for you and your intentions. Please send all prayer requests to: smgprays4u@smgschool.org.
Meet Our Priests!
St. Maria Goretti Parish Website: https://www.smgparish.org/
Fr. Jim Angert, T.O.R.
Fr. Mike Ciski, T.O.R.
Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Serving the North Texas Catholic community by providing the faithful opportunities to grow in Christian discipleship and strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School
Email: development@smgschool.org
Website: https://smgschool.org
Location: 1200 South Davis Drive, Arlington, TX, USA
Phone: (817)275-5081
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StMariaGorettiArlington/