The Trojan Times
Saint Maria Goretti Catholic School February 23, 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,
The Lenten season is upon us! On Tuesday, students, faculty & staff will celebrate Fat Tuesday with a few fun indulgences before we put away the Alleluias as we observe this season of fasting and sacrifice. Students will enjoy King Cake during lunch and in the afternoon, will participate in Pancake Races, a traditional Fat Tuesday custom. More about this tradition can be found at https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Pancake-Day/.
Following the Pancake Races, we will quietly process into the church for a Lenten Prayer service which will conclude our day of celebration as we begin Lent the next day and come together for Mass at 10AM on Ash Wednesday. As always, parents & families are always welcome to join us!
Reminders:
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!
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.
Enjoy the rest of your evening!
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Laura Behee, M.Ed.
Principal
The SMG 28-Day Read Aloud Challenge
We hope you and your children are enjoying the 28-Day Read-Aloud Challenge and encourage you to keep on reading!
We are about half way through our 28-Day Read-Aloud Challenge that we kicked off on January 31 with World Read-Aloud Day. Keep your kids reading! Remember kids can read to anyone, even their pet!
Students, remember to turn in your completed calendars showing the dates that you read aloud for at least 10 minutes, to your homeroom teacher by Monday, March 2nd.
Students who complete the challenge will be eligible to win prizes in a drawing that will take place on Thursday, March 5th, as we celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday during our morning Read Across America Day assembly.
Happy Reading!
https://smgschool.org/documents/2019/1/28%20Day%20Read%20Aloud%20Challange%20Calendar.pdf
https://smgschool.org/documents/2020/1/28%20Day%20Read%20Aloud%20Challenge%20Directions%202020.pdf
Read Aloud Resources:
SMG 2019-2020 Yearbooks On Sale Now!
Greek Story Theatre Performance April 17-18: Donations Needed
The SMG Stars from our 6th -8 th Grade Performing Arts Classes have begun rehearsing for our Greek Story Theatre performances on April 17-18, 2020. Please mark your calendars to join us! As you know, theatre productions have several costs associated with them: performance rights, costumes, props, backdrops, set pieces, and more. We are doing our best to minimize the financial impact to our students and to our school while still creating a high quality, free performance. We would like for you to consider helping donate items for our show.
Please note: Some items will be returned following the final show. These items do not qualify for SPIRIT Hours. Please see notes on the sing up to see which items qualify for SPIRIT Hours.
Turn items in by March 6th, 2020.
Join us for the Fort Worth Zoo Run on April 4th
SMG Run Club
We are ready for Spring and ready to RUN!
You do not have to be a member of Run Club to join our team.
Last year we had a blast as we ran through the Fort Worth Zoo.
You can register online and join our team- SMG Run Club.
Beginners can choose a 1K Fun Run and experienced runners can come out for the 5K.
https://raceroster.com/events/2020/28843/23rd-annual-zoo-run
You must register by March 20, 2020.
April 4th is the 23rd Annual Fort Worth Zoo Run
Chess Club
The SMG Chess Club meets on Wednesday from 3:30-4:00PM in the 5th-8th Science Room. Space is limited to 20 participants and is open to all 5th-8th Grade students. Sign up at:
The Magic of Chess Video
Anyone who is interested in learning how to play chess, who’s just getting started, or who already loves to play: Watch The Magic of Chess.This charming short film by Jenny Schweitzer Bell, presented by The US Chess Federation, was filmed at the 2019 Elementary Chess Championships at the Nashville Opryland resort. The short film is filled with excellent advice, “uninhibited, philosophical insights” by kids who seem to love playing chess:
https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/the-magic-of-chess-jenny-schweitzer-bell
There is Still Time to Join the SMG Running Club
It is not too late to join the SMG Running Club.
These are the official Thursday dates that Running Club will meet:
- Feb. 6, 13, 20
- Mar. 5, 19, 26
- April 2, 23, 30
- May 7, 14
Running Club Information Flyer: https://ec-prod-sites.s3.amazonaws.com/12396/documents/2020/1/Running%20Club%20Flyer%202019%202-1.pdf
Running Club Sign-Up Form: https://ec-prod-sites.s3.amazonaws.com/12396/documents/2020/1/Running%20Club%20sign-up%20form%202019%202-1.pdf
Girls of Grace
Fifth through eighth grade girls are invited to join the Girls of Grace Club, a devotional journaling group which meets the third Wednesday of each month, except this month's meeting has been moved to Wednesday, February 26th. Visit our web site for more information https://smgschool.org/girls-of-grace
.REMINDERS
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!
Rainy Day Morning Drop Off Procedure--Addendum to the Family Handbook
You talked, we listened! Inclement weather, especially the torrential downpours we experienced last week, make morning drop-off in the back of the school especially difficult and confusing. In an effort to not only clarify, but more importantly for the safety of our students, we have made a change to the morning drop-off procedure during severe, rainy weather. Please follow the link below for specifics and a map outlining the procedure change. This information can also be found on the school website and will be included in next year's Family Handbook.
SMG Alumni and Former Student News
Calling all St. Maria Goretti Catholic School Alumni and Former Students!!
Mark Tompkins, SMG class of '73 along with Tom Moore, class of '67; Janey Morrow Wright, class of '64, Pru Vader Brett, class of '57, Pam Fields Webb, class of '69, Dave Tompkins, class of '82 and Laura Perez, class of ‘81 are on a mission to get all 2,500+ SMG Alumni and former students together to celebrate!
St. Maria Goretti School's 65th Anniversaryfor our HOMECOMING
Saturday, March 28, 2020.
7PM- 9PM
SMG School Cafetorium
Laura Perez is SMG Catholic School’s new Development Coordinator and our Alumni Liaison for the SMG School.
Over the years, school records have been lost and we are without contact information for many of our alumni and former students. For you to have received this newsletter, we have your current email address and we are asking your help in contacting as many of our alumni and former students as possible, so we can update our records.
First and most important, please provide your full contact info to: www.smgschool.org/alumni.
Then please forward this newsletter to your classmates, siblings, and SMG friends and ask them to also provide their contact info to: www.smgschool.org/alumni.
We look so forward to hearing from you! Your help in our mission to contact all the former students and getting together for our 65th Homecoming on March 28, 2020 is valuable to carry on our SMG tradition.
Should you have any questions and/or want to join our committee, please contact Mark Tompkins metntex@yahoo.comand/or Janey Morrow Wright jawright44@aol.com.
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.
Spring Preview
Nolan Catholic High School would like to invite all prospective families, transfer students, and 6th-8th-grade families to our Spring Preview on Friday, March 20, 2020. Families interested in learning more about the admissions process and tuition assistance are encouraged to join us. This two hour event will run from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. beginning in the NCHS Auditorium. Hear from Nolan Catholic Administration, current NCHS families and students, enjoy a campus tour, and leave with a better understanding of why Nolan Catholic is the right educational choice.
Please contact admissions@nchstx.org to schedule a family tour, or for more information.
Classical Education Speaker Series at NCHS
LAST WEEK AT SMG.....
Wednesday Mass
8th Grade Basketball Tournament
Saint Maria Goretti Catholic School hosted the 8th Grade Basketball Tournament last week. Games were held each night from Wednesday through Saturday. Congratulations to the tournament winners: SMG 8th Grade Boys and St. John's 8th Grade Girls! Many thanks to SMG teacher and Sports Coordinator, Ms. Elizabeth Seyer for her countless hours of devotion to our sports teams.
NCHS Spring Musical Tour Visits SMG
SMG alumns, along with other Nolan Catholic High School students, returned to SMG last Friday to present a preview of The Music Man musical.
Theatre Nolan is presenting The Music Man, written by Meredith Wilson and based on a story by Meredith Wilson and Franklin Lacey. Performances are Thursday, February 27 through Saturday, February 29 at 7 p.m. with a matinee on Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $8 for elementary students, $10 for NCHS students, and $12 for adults.
Click here to purchase tickets online.
Kindergarten - Ladybug Addition
PreK 4 - Valentine Love
Art Class: Ode on a Grecian Urn
Art Students Are Ready for Fat Tuesday
HALLWAY HAPPENINGS
1st Grade: A PIZZA SLICE A DAY KEEPS SADNESS AWAY
4th Grade Me Poem
PreK 4 - Honest Abe and George Washington
4th - Let Love Grow
5th Grade History
6th Grade Timelines for St. Gianna Molla
School Website Under Construction
Pardon our reconstruction.....we are in the process of cleaning up and updating the school website. This is a work in progress, and we ask for your patience as we work to improve the site. In the meantime, if you are unable to find information you are looking for on the website, please feel free to call the office.
Calendar Notes
- Monday, 2/24: Rubik's Cube Club Meeting Lunch/Recess; Ceceilian Singers 3:30-4:15PM; PSIA 2nd-8th Spelling 3:30-4:15PM; PSIA 4th-8th On-Site Drawing 3:30-4:15PM
- Tuesday, 2/25: 6th-8th Grade Confessions, 9:00AM; Fat Tuesday Celebration: King Cake at Lunch, Pancake Races, Lenten Prayer Service; Beginning at 1:45PM in Gym; PSIA 6th/7th Reading Writing 3:30-4:15PM
- Wednesday, 2/26: Ash Wednesday Mass 10:00AM; PSIA 2nd/3rd Math 3:30-4:15PM; PSIA 4th/5th Math 3:30-4:15PM; PSIA 1st/2nd Creative Writing 3:30-4:15PM; PSIA 4th-6th Maps, Graphs & Charts 3:30-4:15PM; Chess Club 3:30-4:15PM
- Thursday, 2/27: Running Club (weather permitting) 3:30-4:15PM; PSIA 6th-8th Math 3:30-4:15PM; PSIA 3rd-5th Ready Writing 3:30-4:15PM
- Monday, 3/2: Faith Families Assembly,7:55AM in Cafetorium; 2nd-5th grade Confessions, 9:00AM;
- Tuesday, 3/3: 6th Grade to NCHS: VIkings Live!
- Thursday, 3/5: Read Across America Day Celebration/Assembly: 7:55AM in Cafetorium
- Friday, 3/6: Early Dismissal @ 12PM; NO Lunch Service;
- Monday, 3/9-Friday, 3/13: Spring Break, NO School
- Friday, 3/20: Teacher for the Day; 3rd Quarter Report Cards Emailed
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/