The Trojan Times
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School August 28, 2022
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.
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School aims to form what is True, Good, and Beautiful in the souls of our young disciples of Christ.
Principal's Message
Dear St. Maria Goretti Catholic School Families,
It was great to see everyone at curriculum night. I hope that being together and hearing from your child's teachers made you just as excited as I have been for the year ahead. Thank you to Matt Lester for speaking to the group about our School Advisory Council. Our next meeting is Monday, September 19, 2022. I have attached the link here for School Advisory Council agenda item submissions.
https://forms.gle/5mUYCNWiMLwLUDA27
This year, SMGCS will NOT be participating in North Texas Giving Day. We decided to focus all of our fundraising energy on the I Give Catholic campaign. This giving day is November 29, 2022. With the Annual Appeal in August and KK in October, we know we are asking a lot of our families, friends, and donors. This is still going to be a big campaign for the school. We are planning to host the 2nd annual SMGCS talent show as well as have a ticker running to show how close we get to meeting our goal. Please consider donating to SMGCS on this day.
Friday, I sent an email home regarding our two UTA social work students on campus. Please be sure to send the consent forms back to the school if you would like to have your child work with them. Each week in the Trojan Times you will get information to help you at home and at school.
We are looking for some motivated people to help plan the Dinner Dance scheduled for January 21, 2023. If you are interested in helping, please let me know.
Remember next Monday, September 5, 2022, SMGCS will be closed for the Labor Day Holiday.
Please pray for our priests.
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Amy Utendorf, M.Ed.
Principal
Handbook Highlight
Please review changes to Tardiness page 32:
Tardiness:
It is the responsibility of the parent to see that students arrive at school on time. Students arriving late disrupt class time and the learning environment of the classroom. Being on time results in teaching the virtues of punctuality and respect. Please respect your child and the other children in the class by being punctual.
Tardiness is disruptive to the class as a whole and teaches poor life habits to the child who is perpetually tardy. This is a serious matter. After a student has accumulated 5 tardies, an email notification will be sent home to the parents. After 10 tardies, each additional tardy will incur a $5 fine per each additional tardy. The administration reserves the right to impose additional sanctions up to and including denial of admission for subsequent school years.
Any work missed may not be given credit and the student, not the teacher, is responsible for getting up to date on the material they missed. Tardiness will ordinarily be unexcused (except for emergency situations) and this policy will be relaxed during adverse weather as determined by the administration.
Morning prayer will begin at 7:50 AM each morning. Students arriving after 7:50 AM are considered tardy and must check in at the front office where they will receive a tardy pass to present to their homeroom teacher.
Anyone present in the hallways (students, parents, or visitors) at 7:50 AM is asked to stop and join us in the Morning Prayer and quietly exit the building after announcements.
1. Students arriving to school after 10:00 AM will be counted absent ½ day.
2. Students leaving before 10:00 AM will be considered absent for the day.
3. In order to receive credit for half-day attendance, a student must be in class for three
consecutive hours of instruction.
4. After 5 tardies, students and their parents will be contacted by the principal and/or the assistant principal to determine a course of action regarding tardiness. After 10 tardies, each additional tardy will incur a $5 fine per each additional tardy.
Join the SMG Hammerheads
Calling all Dads, Granddads, Uncles, and other Father-Figures of the SMG community. We’ve had so much fun building Karnival booths, parade floats, and Dinner Dance prizes that now it’s time to take it to the next level. If you are interested in more hang time with your SMG crew or just want to see what it’s all about, please fill out this simple form to get started: https://forms.gle/HpH7U9BDrCxgH4Mv5
We’ll be evaluating multiple scheduling options as well as multiple events/projects/goals to pursue so please be sure your voice is heard.
Join the SMGCS Teaching Staff
Lunchroom & Playground Volunteers Needed
Please consider volunteering to help during lunch and recess. Service hours will be earned. Click on the signup genius link for a description of duties. All volunteers must be current with their Virtus training.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0448ADA622A5FE3-alunchroom3
Join the Folklorico Club
Join the Rubik Cube Club
Who: 3rd-8th Grade Students with Mr. Tran and Mrs. Utendorf
What: The Rubik Cube Club!
When: Wednesday after school from 3:30 PM-4:15 PM
Where: Mr. Tran’s classroom. Pick-up will be from the back doors.
Why: Learn to solve the Rubik cube
Please complete the google form below to sign up:
https://forms.office.com/r/wc9rg0WhGw
*Our first meeting will be Wednesday, August 30, 2022
- Students can bring a 2x2, 3x3, or 4x4 cube
- Students should bring a healthy snack and water
Kountry Karnival 2022
Kountry Karnival Donations & Volunteers
KK 2022 - DONATIONS
It is time to prepare for Kountry Karnival! We need items to make it a success and to maximize the benefit to the school. Visit the link to see if you can help.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0448ada622a5fe3-kk20221
1 SPIRIT / $10 spent with receipt
KK 2022 - VOLUNTEERS
*Virtus Training required for adults*
Visit the link to view available positions for adults and students. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0448ada622a5fe3-kk2022
6th - 8th grade students may volunteer and earn Service Hours where noted on sign up.
Kudos to the two 8th grade SMGCS students who designed this year's Kountry Karnival t-shirt which coordinates with our school theme "Rooted in Christ".
- Danh N.
- Jesus A.
Support Our School! Advertise in the School Directory
I'd like to invite you to advertise in our school directory! Advertise your business or service, while helping to cover the cost of the directory printing. Special pricing is available for students to advertise their babysitting, pet sitting, or other services!
Please see the attached form for additional information.
https://smgschool.org/documents/2022/8/Directory%20Ad%20Form%20%201.pdf
Please turn in form and requested info into the front office or via email. Forms due by September 1st.
Alex Massengale
SMG Spirit Coordinator
Support Our School! Use SCRIP/RaiseRight
RaiseRight is formerly known as Scrip. This program allows you to raise funds for our school and your family by using gift cards instead of cash or credit for everyday purchases like gas, groceries, dining out, coffee and your family's vacation.
3 Ways to Purchase SCRIP/RaiseRight:
1. Use this Order Form.
2. In person at the school's front office or during Scrip Office Hours.
- School's front office hours: 7:30-3:30 Monday-Friday
- Scrip office hours: 8-9am Monday or 8-9am Friday
3. Online using the enrollment code to make online purchases.
- Create an account on the RaiseRight app or at RaiseRight.com using SMG's enrollment code: BE34A236113L2
Support Our School! Use Box Tops for Education App
Box Tops for Education has been around for over 25 years, and it really can make a difference. In fact, the Box Tops program has helped give almost one billion dollars to schools since 1996.
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: Buy participating products and use the Box Tops app to scan your store receipt. The app identifies eligible products and earnings are credited to SMGCS. Even if you’re shopping online or doing grocery pickup, you can still submit your digital or email receipt with the Box Tops app and earn. Twice a year, our school gets a check!
Box Tops earnings really add up, and the more people that participate, the bigger the impact we can make. See a list of participating products at https://www.boxtops4education.com/s/box-tops-products.
Well-Being Services
This year, we are delighted to expand what our school offers your family to include well-being services. We are partnering with the University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work to have two social work students, Deanna Thomson (Bachelor of Social Work Student) and Toni Gallegos (Master of Social Work Student), in their final stage of education intern with us. They are being supervised by a Licensed Social Worker with over 20 years of experience.
SMGCS Hosts Weekend Masses
Please mark your calendars to attend and participate in the Masses this year! All students and their families should plan to attend in their Mass uniforms.
2022-2023 SMGCS Weekend Masses
- 5:30 PM Saturday, September 10, 2022
- 7:30 AM Sunday, November 13, 2022
- 9:00 AM Sunday, December 11, 2022
- ALL weekend Masses January 28-29, 2023
- 11:00 AM Sunday, March 5, 2023
- 1:00 PM Sunday, April 23, 2023
Sign Up to Participate Now at the Sept. 10th Mass!
American Heritage Girls
Texas Rangers Catholic Schools Night: Sept. 24
Last Week at SMGCS
Curriculum Night 2022
We had a full house for Curriculum Night 2022! Mrs. Utendorf introduced our theme of the year "Rooted in Christ". Mr. Lester asked parents to serve on the SAC committee and the new dad's club, SMG Hammerheads. Mrs. Perez reviewed the commitment needed for our upcoming Kountry Karnival on October 1st and 2nd. Volunteers and donations are needed and appreciated. She also reviewed our "I Give Catholic" fund drive which replaces North Texas Giving Day this year. Parents broke out into grade level groups where teachers shared an overview of the curriculum plan for the 2022-2023 year. Thanks to all who attended!
Pre-K All About Me
Students (with a little help from parents) decorated silhouettes for an All About Me project. SMGCS students and faculty have enjoyed passing by the hallway display all week!
Kindergarten
Kindergarten filled the marble jar for having good behavior. They earned a “bring a buddy to school day”. Here they are working and reading with their buddies.
Friday Math Game Day in Kindergarten
1st Grade Watermelon Sink or Float Test
Watch this short clip from 1st grade's science experiment.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/iuy1l3ye28r50pr/IMG_2423.MOV?dl=0What is your prediction? Did the watermelon sink or float? Ask your child what happened!
1st Grade Parts of a Flower
5th Grade Native American History - Hopi Tribe
Jr. High Imagery in Text
SMG Clubs - Mark Your Calendar!
Monday
- 12:09-12:49 Out of the Box (Richards) Begins Sept. 19
- 3:10-4:30PM 3rd-8th Cecilian Singers Club 3rd - 8th (Richards) Begins Sept. 12
- 3:30-4:30 5th/6th Volleyball Practice, Begins Aug. 29
- 6:00-8:00PM FIRST Lego League Robotics (Moralesl) Begins Aug. 15
Aug. 29, Sept. 10 (1pm-4pm), 12, 19, 24 (1pm-4pm), 26, Oct. 3, 8 (1pm-4pm), 17, 22 (1pm-4pm), 24, Nov. 5 (1pm-4pm), 7, 14, 19 (1pm-4pm), 28, Dec. 5, 10 (8am-5pm)
Tuesday
- 12:10-12:50 NJHS (Jones) bi-weekly, Begins TBD
- 3:30-5:00PM Cheer Practice (Richards) Begins Aug. 30
- 6:00-7:30PM 7th Volleyball Practice, Begins Aug. 30
Wednesday
- 12:09-12:49 STUCO (Daly) Begins 8/17/22
- 3:30-4:30 Garden Club (Risinger/Cruzz) Begins Aug. 24
- 3:30-4:15 Rubik Cube Club (Tran/Utendorf) Begins 8/31
- 3:30-4:15 Run Club (Gutierrez/Schump) Begins Oct.
Thursday
- 12:09-12:49 Library Leaders (Richards) Begins Sept. 8
- 3:10-4:30PM 5th-8th Trojan Troupe Drama Club (Richards) Begins Sept. 8
- 4:30-5:30PM 8th Volleyball Practice, Begins Sept. 1
- 5:30-7:00PM 7th Volleyball Practice, Begins Sept. 1
Calendar Notes
September 1, Thursday: Forms due to advertise in School Directory
September 5, Monday: Labor Day - No School
September 9, Friday: Progress Reports emailed to parents
September 10, Saturday: All School Mass 5:30 PM
September 12-16, Monday-Friday: IOWA/CogAT
September 19, Monday: School Advisory Counsel 6:30 PM
September 20, Tuesday: Home and School Meeting 7:00 PM -1 parent should plan to attend
September 24, Saturday: Texas Rangers vs. Guardians 6:05 PM - Catholic Schools Night
September 30, Friday: Pet Blessing 11:00 AM, 12:10 PM Dismissal
October 1-2, Saturday/Sunday: Kountry Karnival Weekend
October 7, Friday: 1st Quarter Ends
October 10, Monday: Diocese In-Service - No School
October 14, Friday: 12:15 PM Dismissal and Parent Conferences
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/
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/