The Trojan Times
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School September 4, 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,
Remember Monday, September 5, 2022, SMGCS will be closed for the Labor Day Holiday. We will welcome everyone back to campus on Tuesday.
This week I let you know that we will be getting a School Resource Officer on campus. The Diocese informed me that our officer will start on Tuesday, September 6th.
My Hot Lunch Box service begins Tuesday, September 6th. Tuesday's lunch will be from Jason's Deli and Thursday's lunch will be from Raising Canes. You must send in a drink with your student on those days. You can order until noon the day before. If you are having any issues please consult their customer service.
Please remember that students will be eating their lunch as you pack it. We do not have a refrigerator or microwave for the students to use during lunchtime. Thank you for your cooperation.
Saturday, September 10, 2022, SMGCS is hosting the 5:30 PM Mass. We are still looking for readers and altar servers. See the link in this edition of the Trojan Times to signup. We ask that all our school families will attend Mass that day in their Mass uniforms.
Students in grades 3rd-7th will be taking the IOWA and COGAT tests the week of September 12-16. This will be a no homework week for these students. Please make sure that your child is well rested and has breakfast before coming to school. The 8th grade will take the Classical Learning Test (CLT) on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. Visit this link for information regarding CLT:
https://smgschool.org/documents/2022/9/The%20CLT%20Advantage.pdf
During the testing week, students will be completing the Protecting God's Children training during religion classes. Parents will be receiving an email today with the form to OPT-OUT. These forms are due back to the office by Friday, September 9, 2022.
8th-grade parents, mark your calendar for Tuesday, September 20, 2022. We will hold an 8th-grade parent meeting in the library from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM. We will be discussing all things 8th grade and Cassata High School and Nolan Catholic principals will be on hand to discuss the enrollment process for next year.
Our first Home and School Meeting of the year is on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at 7:00 PM in the cafetorium. Home and School is our parent organization and YOU are a member! You are signed up when you pay your dues at the beginning of the year. I would like to see at least one parent there from every family to support our school. We will have child care that evening. See the Home and School Corner later in the Trojan Times. There will be a lot of information about KK presented at this meeting, including a presentation from Mrs. Parker about student organization and self-advocacy, and a performance by our 3rd-grade class. Parents who attend earn a Spirit hour and your child(ren) will earn a jeans dress-down day on Friday, September 23, 2022. Please come and support your school.
Please pray for the members of the School Advisory Council.
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Amy Utendorf, M.Ed.
Principal
Anointing of the Sick
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength during an illness, especially near the time of death. A sacrament is an outward sign established by Jesus Christ to confer inward grace. In more basic terms, it is a rite that is performed to convey God’s grace to the recipient, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Like all the sacraments, holy anointing was instituted by Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry. https://www.catholic.com/tract/anointing-of-the-sick
Father Mike performed the Anointing of the Sick Sacrament during Wednesday's Mass for one of our SMG students. Anciently, oil pressed from olives was considered the cleanest, clearest, brightest-burning, longest-lasting of all animal and vegetable oils. It was also the purest of oils and was thus appropriate for holy anointings.
September Virtue: Hope - Trusting in God's Loving Plan
Hope is the virtue of the month for September. The theological virtue of hope, given to us in baptism and strengthened as we grow in faith, is very different from the way we often use the work “hope”. Usually, we say “hope” when we mean “wish” or “want”. Christian hope does not mean a wish, but a certainty - a trust in God’s promise that He has created us to be with Him in heaven and that He will help us reach our final destination. The virtue of hope enables us to suffer with joy in this life, knowing that even when the things that happen to us are difficult, the Lord will use them for our salvation.
For more information on the Virtues in Practice Program, visit:
https://www.nashvilledominican.org/apostolate/evangelization-and-catechesis/virtues-in-practice/
Saint Joseph: Feast Day March 19 and May 1
Saint Joseph loved Jesus and took care of Him, even when Jesus’ life was in danger. The evil King Herod wanted to kill the baby Jesus. So God told Saint Joseph in a dream to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt, where they would be safe. Saint Joseph trusted what God said and did what God asked. The way was long and hard, but God kept His promise and the Holy Family was safe in Egypt.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton: Feast Day January 4
“Though we are so weak of ourselves, God’s grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty.” A true woman of hope, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton wrote these words as one who trusted in God, even when that trust was sorely tested.
Elizabeth Ann Bayley was born in New York city to a wealthy Episcopalian family. Elizabeth married William Seton and became the happy mother of five children. Her life seemed full and complete when tragedy struck: her husband’s business failed, and he himself died soon after. For many years Elizabeth had felt drawn to the Catholic faith, especially to Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist. Placing all her hope in God, the poor young widow was received into the Catholic church, at which point her family and friends deserted her. Left with no support for herself or her children, she opened a private school to earn money. She was so good at what she did that the archbishop of Baltimore asked her to open a Catholic girls’ school, which became the first Catholic parish school in America. She was also the first canonized American-born saint.
Saints: Blessed Louis & Zelie Martin: Feast Day March 12
Louis Martin and Marie-Azelie Guerin (Zelie) both felt called to the religious life. Louis, son of a devout French Army officer, attended Catholic schools and decided as a young man to enter the Great Saint Bernard Hospice as a lay brother. However, unable to master the Latin required for entrance to the community, he gave up his dream and instead concentrated on his business of watchmaking. At the same time, young Zelie Guerin determined to follow her sister’s example and join the Daughter of Charity, but was refused. Saddened by this rejection, Zelie trained herself in the art of making lace, coming to the attention of Louis Martin’s mother, who believed Zelie would be the perfect match for her son! Louis and Zelie trusted in God’s unfolding plan for their lives, were married, and happily welcomed the nine children God gave them, directing all their efforts toward the sanctification of their family. They taught their children to love God first and always, and to give Him a true offering of their lives in the ordinary events of every day.
In the midst of their joy and peace, Louis and Zelie also knew great suffering. Of their nine children, four died in infancy or early childhood. One of their daughters suffered from great emotional difficulties. Zelie’s own life would be cut short by cancer, leaving Louis to raise their five remaining children, all girls who each entered religious life.
Perhaps the greatest testimony of the unfailing hope of this holy couple is that of one of their own daughters Saint Therese of Lisieux, who considered her parents “more worthy of heaven than of the earth.” Louis and Zelie Martin were the second married couple to be beatified together.
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.
Kountry Karnival 2022 Cornhole Tournament Sign Ups Now Open!
Our 2022 Kountry Karnival begins one month from today! New for this year, we will be hosting our 1st Annual SMGCS Cornhole Tournament, and team registration opens today.
Please use this link to view the flyer with all the details:
https://smgschool.org/documents/2022/9/Cornhole%20Tournament%202022.pdf
Feel free to share it with others that might be interested in competing. Please call or email the school office if you have any questions. Team registrations can be sent back to school via your student, or dropped off in the school office during office hours, as well as mailed to the school at 1200 S. Davis Drive Arlington, TX 76013.
Home and School Association Corner
The object of the HSA shall be to foster greater interest, understanding, and cooperation among children, teachers, and parents; and to give financial aid to SMGCS through various fundraising activities. All parents are part of HSA.
Volunteer Spotlight
We want to recognize Patricia Garcia for sponsoring our teacher breakfast and always being willing to offer her time and resources. She loves volunteering and giving back to the school and students. Thank you for being an awesome SMG volunteer.
Keep a lookout for information coming from Room Coordinators. They have hit the ground running; ready to help teachers and parents! They've also started planning Kountry Karnival booth themes & design!
Looking Ahead…
HSA General Meeting will be on September 20 at 7 pm.
Well-Being Services
Dr. Regina T. Praetorius, MMSW-AP
I am a licensed social worker and have been practicing for over 20 years. Many of you may know me as a mom of two SMG students: Ben, 4th grande and Jesús, 8th grade; or you may have seen me supporting Cub and Boy Scouts. I was raised by devout Catholics who wove the faith into all aspects of their daily lives including the sacrifices that come with sending me to Catholic schools in Louisiana for my K-12 education. I've been a member of SMG parish for 16 years, serve as an Eucharistic Minister, and attend Daily Mass. I was drawn to social work out of our command to Love One Another and have always grounded my social work practice in Catholic Social Teaching. Currently, one of my greatest honors is to serve as a mentor and supervisor to social work students like Toni and Deanna toward practicing social work within our Catholic values. I have dedicated myself in my time teaching at UTA School of Social Work to being a witness to our Catholic truths so our Catholic and Christian social work students see that the practice of social work does not mean a compromising of our Christian values and beliefs. It is from this deep grounding in our Catholic faith that I approach supervising Toni and Deanna in their internship roles at SMGCS. I am humbled to support SMGCS in providing the best for our children!
Toni Gallegos
I’m 23 years old and a Master's student in social work at UTA. Social work was not my first career choice, I wanted to be a mortician to follow the corporal works of mercy to bury the dead. However, the Lord called me to serve the people in another way: social work! My life is guided by our pro-life mission that started with me walking across America with Crossroads. During my time in the social work program, I realized how important it is for me to work with children and families. Specifically, the mother-child bond and how trauma can ruin that bond. All my research and work aim to make Theology Of the Body (TOB) more accessible to non-Catholics. This is because I have heard the call of our Father to spread the beauty and truth of our faith to the lost and misunderstood. My call gives me MAJOR anxiety, but I trust that the Lord will guide me in working with your children and in working with TOB. Please pray for me and know that I pray for all of you!
“Without the grace of God, I should not know how to do anything- St. Jeanne de Arc”
Deanna Thomson
I am a senior social work student at the University of Texas at Arlington, and I am completing my field hours here at St. Maria Goretti Catholic School. SMG has a special place in my heart as I am a class of 2013 alum. I also have been working here as a part of the after-school program for about 3 years as well as singing in the choir and giving my time, talent, and treasure to the parish as a cantor. Getting to share my joy & faith through song in the church is an incredible blessing to me and it is my hope that I am able to bring this same joy & faith to your children as I encounter them in the hallways and classrooms. God’s love can be found in everyone including within yourself and it is my goal this semester here at SMG to guide students to this understanding through small groups and classroom presentations. While I was attending school here, I always dreamt of someday working here to guide children the same way I had been guided by teachers & staff and I am so excited that the day I dreamt of is finally here.
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.
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
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:
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!
Diocesan Swim Team: 6th-8th Grades
Calling all student-athletes in 6th-8th grades interested in trying out for our diocesan middle school swim team.
The Diocesan swim team will have a tryout process. Coaches will be looking at all four strokes (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly). During the tryout, athletes will demonstrate the ability to complete multiple 50s: Freestyle and athlete's choice. Demonstrate the ability to understand and complete swim sets. Demonstrate the ability to perform racing dives from blocks. The fee to try out is $10 and will be charged to your athlete's FACTS account. Tryouts will be held at Nolan Catholic on Wednesday, Sept 21, and Thursday, Sept 22. Your child only needs to attend one of the two dates and you will be asked to specify which date when signing up. We will notify all families on Friday, Sept 23 by 6 pm of team results. If your child makes the team an additional $250 participation fee will be charged. This fee is non-refundable and will be charged to FACTS beginning of October. In addition to the fees listed, each family is required to provide swim goggles and their own suit in either black or royal blue colors. Participation fees will include a swim cap, entry meet fees for swimmers, a team shirt, and facilities/coaching fees.
Practices will be on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5:30p-6:30p starting the week of Sept 26th. We understand that many of our members are multi-sport athletes or swim for club teams, and our coaches will be flexible with athletes missing for other commitments.
Click the link below to sign up for tryouts
Parent Training at Nolan
Middle School Night for Current 6th-8th Grade Students
Families are invited to Middle School Night on Friday, September 16! Current 6th - 8th grade students will have the opportunity to partake in one of five "Viking Experiences" including Marching Band, Norsecrew, Cheer, Royelles, and Football. All middle school students participating in a Viking Experience at Middle School Night MUST return a signed Waiver of Liability in order to participate. Students may either bring the waiver with them on Middle School Night, or you may submit a completed waiver via email to admissions@nchstx.org. You will find the waiver in each Viking Experience link under the Middle School Night information.
Last Week at SMGCS
Kindergarten Memory Games
Garden Club - Gardening Grows the Spirit
Spanish - Vocabulary Comic Strips
Music
4th Grade Religion
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
- 3:30-4:15 Spanish Club (Zavala) bi-weekly Begins TBD
- 3:30-5:00PM Cheer Practice (Richards) Begins Aug. 30
- 6:00-7:30PM Folklorico Club (Zavala) Begins Sept. 6
- 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/Cruz) Begins Aug. 24
- 3:30-4:15 Rubik Cube Club (Tran/Utendorf) Begins Aug. 31, Every other week
Sept. 14, 28, Oct. 12, 26, Nov. 9, 30, Dec. 14, Jan 11, 25, Feb. 8, 11, March 8 , 22 , April 12, 26, May 3, 17
- 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
Saturday
- 7:00-9:00AM Chess/Tai Chi/Table Tennis/Coding (Nguyen)
Sept. 10, Oct. 15, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 4, Apr. 15, May 13
Calendar Notes
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 and Protecting Gods Children training
September 19, Monday: School Advisory Counsel 6:30 PM
September 20, Tuesday: 8th Grade Parent Meeting 6:00 PM, Home and School Meeting 7:00 PM -1 parent should plan to attend
September 22, Thursday: 8th Grade Retreat at Camp Thurman
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 12, Wednesday: 7th Grade Vikathon at Nolan
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/