The Trojan Times
Saint Maria Goretti Catholic School April 26, 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,
As we continue through the second half of the quarter distance learning, it is fantastic to see all the ways that we continue to grow academically and spiritually in this virtual environment. Last week, many of you showed your Trojan pride by participating in the Virtual Pep Rally, where we cheered all who participated in winter sports and clubs, as well as all who were registered to participate in spring sports like baseball, softball, and track. We even kept with our long-standing tradition seeing which class could make the most noise and win the Spirit Stick Award! While it was a very different experience, the virtual pep rally was a big success and we are planning one more before the end of the school year.
Fourth Quarter Progress Reports were emailed to parents last Friday afternoon. Please contact your child's teacher(s) with any questions or concerns.
The faculty/staff and I are continuing to work on ways to move forward with some of the upcoming events that are on the calendar for May:
- Grandparents Day: I emailed parents on Friday requesting contact information of grandparents. Please see below for the information that is being requested, as well as the email address in which to send the information.
- 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 14th. More details will be coming on how students and families can participate in this event from home.
- 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. In the meantime, please see below regarding information needed regarding pictures and measurements for graduation gowns.
- 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. I know I speak on behalf of all faculty and staff when I say that we miss all of you and pray that you and your families stay safe and healthy!
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Laura Behee, M.Ed.
Principal
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 begins Tuesday, April 14th!
- SPREAD THE WORD! Share our NTxGTuesdayNow page via email, social media and text. Visit us on Facebook @StMariaGorettiArlington.
Virtual Spirit Week: April 27 - May 1, 2020!
This week's Virtual Spirit Week is brought to you by Catherine Do and the SMG National Junior Honor Society students! Enjoy!
Grandparents Day
We had planned to celebrate Grandparents Day at SMG this Friday, but under the circumstances we will not be able to in the manner in which we would normally do so.
However, we would still like to recognize our SMG Grandparents with a card letting them know we are thankful for them and that we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers. If you would like for your child's grandparents to receive a card, please email the following contact information by Wednesday, April 29, 2020 to: grandparents@smgschool.org.
- Grandparent's Names
- Mailing Address
- Email Address
Please do not respond to this email address with the contact information.Again, please send the information to grandparents@smgschool.org.
Order 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.
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
8th Grade Information Needed for Graduation Plans!!
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.
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.
Students, Show & Tell Us if You Miss Us!
We hope all of our students know how much all of the teachers, staff, and administration misses each and every one of them!! The faculty and staff have sent messages to students via videos, emails, and through the online learning platforms expressing how much we all miss our students and can't wait to get back in the actual (not virtual) classrooms.
We are hearing that the feeling is mutual and our students miss us too! Students, if that is true, why not show and tell us by sending us photos of you maybe holding up a written message or a video clip of you telling us? We would love to see and hear from you!!
Please send all photos and/or videos to photos@smgschool.org. Be sure to write Thank You in the subject line!
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:
- Melissa Tijerina- Mom of 3rd grade student Carlos. Mrs. Tijerina works in the Plant Engineer & Maintenance Department at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth.
May God continue to bless and keep safe Mrs. Tijerina 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!
SMG 2019-2020 Yearbooks On Sale Now!
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.....
Celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday
On April 30, 2000, the Church officially declared the Sunday after Easter to be “Divine Mercy Sunday,” an annual celebration of the mercy of God.
The celebration usually centers around the image of Divine Mercy painted by St. Faustina Kowalska, which is placed in churches around the world, and venerated at Mass and throughout the day.
This year, with Masses suspended and churches mostly closed, celebrating the day was different, but our Trojans still found ways to celebrate God’s divine and abundant mercy.
Kindergarten: Luke Flying Without Training Wheels!
Missing You Monday
Our new normal of social distancing can be challenging, but we hope seeing photos of our SMG friends puts a smile on your face and reminds you of the good times ahead of us. We look forward to returning to SMG in August, visiting with our friends, and resuming the fun of learning.
Shine on Tuesday
SMG students and pets enjoyed the beautiful sunshine on Tuesday. In the words of a famous song, "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades".
Wellness Wednesday: Work Out and Eat Healthy!
PE Teacher, Mrs. Paladini, sends this message, "Get up and move throughout the day. Set a goal for yourself! If you only have 5-10 minutes then fill that time with some cardio or exercises that use your body weight, such as push ups, squats, planks, or lunges. If you find that it is hard to motivate yourself, set an alarm on your phone. Do this throughout your day and before you know it, it will become your routine."
By the way, helping out around the house like 8th grade student, Andrew (pictured below), is a great way to get active!
Visit this web site for 15 simple exercises for kids (or adults!). https://www.momjunction.com/articles/best-benefits-excercise-kids_0075233/
Throwback Thursday: Share an Old Photo of Yourself
Team Day and SMG Virtual Pep Rally
A special thanks to Mrs. Paladini for our first Virtual Pep Rally! Students joined the rally wearing red and white spirit wear to show their team spirit. It was a treat to share our enthusiasm and love of SMG with fellow students, faculty, and parents. During the rally, SMG cheerleaders performed a cheer, sports and club members were recognized, and band students entertained us. The spirit stick was awarded to 5th grade, with 1st grade taking second place. Congratulations!
Spanish Class: La Familia y el Verbo Ser
3. Quang es mi hermano
4. Vinh es mi hermano
5. Dad es mi papa
Music
Mia - Quarantined Instrument Families - Creative Thinking Activity
Sophia S. Completed her weekly BINGO card.
Rosie B. - Quarantined Instrument Families - Creative Thinking Activity
3rd Grade Business Plans
Students selected a good or service to sell. The worksheet was a guide to help students create their own businesses. What a great activity to help kids begin thinking about becoming entrepreneurs during their summer break.
1st Grade Acrostic Name Poems
Kindergarten: You Can Borrow a Book, But You Get to Keep the Ideas!
Children who read for just 20 minutes per day see 1.8 million words each year and have scores on standardised tests in the 90th percentile (because they have experienced so many words!).
https://www.learninglinks.org.au/why-children-must-read-20-minutes-each-day/
Mrs. Bara Gets a Drive By Parade
PreK 4 - Butterfly Life Cycle Hats
PreK 4 - Earth Day and Sight Words
PK4 studied plant parts for Earth Day this week with a 'We had to make it from plant parts' sight word challenge. We have some talented PreK 4 readers! Allison (right) found a pecan sprouting, so she planted it!
Follow this link to see the AWESOME rain shaker that PK4 student, William, made to celebrate Earth Day!
PreK 4: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Lights! Curtain! Action! Allison reused a cereal box to make a puppet show. Perhaps you can follow Allison's example and use recycled materials to create a fun activity!
PK 4 Religion Journals
PreK 3 Reviewing Upper and Lower Case Letters Via Zoom
Calendar Notes
- Saturday, 5/2: First Holy Communion Canceled/Postponed
- Tuesday, 5/5: North Texas Giving Day Tuesday NOW
- Friday, 5/8: Early Dismissal, 12PM
- Friday, 5/25: Memorial Day, No School/Virtual Classes
- Thursday, 5/28: Last Day of 2019-2020 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/