The Trojan Times
Saint Maria Goretti Catholic School March 8, 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,
We had an action packed week at SMG last week and now we rest! I pray that you all have a wonderful, fun, and relaxing Spring Break, and we look forward to welcoming students back on Monday, March 16th!
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Laura Behee, M.Ed.
Principal
P.S. - There will be no Trojan Times on 3/16. The next Trojan TImes will be emailed on Sunday, 3/22.
Reminders:
- We are looking for sponsors to help us to provide a free t-shirt for all students to wear during our school-wide Fun Run that will take place in conjunction with our Field Day on May 8th. If you own a business or know of anyone who would like to be a sponsor, please contact our development coordinator, Laura Perez at development@smgschool.org. All sponsors will have their business name and/or logo printed on the back of the Fun Run t-shirts, which is an advertising win-win!
- 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.
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: March 20th DEADLINE
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:
- Mar. 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. Visit our web site for more information https://smgschool.org/girls-of-grace
.First Communion Pictures
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!
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.....
Faith Families
The monthly virtue of temperance was discussed during Monday's morning assembly. The gathering was ended with a performance of the Lenten Gregorian chant, "Parce Domine" performed by 2nd and 3rd grades.
During Faith Family, students were introduced to the CRA Rice Bowl project. Each student went home with a rice bowl and a calendar of suggested activities. Bowls are due back on April 15th. We also used Faith Family time to create spiritual bouquets and get-well cards.
Field Trip to Artisan Center Theater
Kindergarten and First Grade students traveled down the rabbit hole and joined Alice, one of literature’s most beloved heroines, in her madcap adventures. The play featured updated songs from Disney’s thrilling animated motion picture. Artisan Children's Theater is well known for using children (18 and under) in productions designed to entertain, inspire, and educate other children and families. SMG students were even invited to dance with the cast after curtain call. Following the play, students ate lunch at Dunlap Park and enjoyed the beautiful day.
Vikings Live at Nolan
On Tuesday, March 2, Sixth Grade students traveled to Nolan Catholic High School for Vikings Live. The students saw Nolan Theater’s production of The Music Man (featuring our own SMG 2nd grader, Leo Breclaw, and 6th grader, Sarah Breclaw). They also learned about other Nolan Fine Arts programs such as choir, band, broadcast, yearbook, photography, dance, art and theater. It was a great day!
SMG is a Heart Safe School
SMG has an Emergency Team trained and ready to assist should any issues arise. Cooks Children's hospital has pronounced Saint Maria Goretti Catholic School a Project ADAM Heart Safe School. Project ADAM affiliates strive to assist schools and communities in establishing an emergency plan to place into action in the incidence of a sudden cardiac arrest.
It’s not enough simply to have AEDs in the building. Lives are saved when schools are prepared not only with a documented plan, but also with a cardiac response team, in addition to being well trained and practiced on how to respond in the event of a cardiac emergency. For more information, please visit: https://www.projectadam.com/Heartsafeschools
Dr. Seuss Week and Read Across America at SMG!!
Read Across America Day, also known as Dr Seuss Day, is a yearly observance in the USA inaugurated by the NEA (National Education Association) to encourage children in reading more books and also getting them excited about reading. On March 2, 1998, the first Read Across America Day was celebrated; since then, it has been held annually. https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/read-across-america-day-dr-seuss-day-2020/
SMG celebrated Dr. Seuss Day in style! Mayor Jeff Williams sent a proclamation which Mrs. Cottingham read to the audience. Students who read for a minimum of 10 minutes daily during the 29 days of February were recognized with a certificate. All students receiving a certificate were enrolled in a drawing. The lucky winners received gift cards to Half-Priced Books.
The Library Society, an after school club hosted by Mrs. Cottingham, performed a readers theater of The Cat in the Hat. The assembly was closed with a recitation of the Preamble to the Constitution by 2nd Grade. They also entertained us with a song about the three branches of government. The fun didn't end there. Cupcakes were available to all students during lunch! Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish - Delicious Goldfish to Begin the Week
Oh,The Places You Will Go! - College Shirt Day
Fox in Socks - Fun and Silly Sock Day
Dr. Seuss Doors
Spring Fling Dance Party!
Kindergarten, First and Second grade teachers offered a Spring Fling Dance Party as their class outing this year. Over forty parents treated their children to this fun event! It was such a hit that we hope to see a repeat next year!
Thanks for Getting Your Parents to the Dinner Dance
Third Grade won an ice cream party and Fourth Grade enjoyed Chick-fil-A for lunch this week. Both classes had the largest number of tickets purchased by parents to attend last month's Dinner, Dance, & Auction.
Basketball Champions
PreK 4 Practicing The Alphabet
1st Grade Readers Theater
2nd Grade Texas History
HALLWAY HAPPENINGS
Putting to Rest Boring and Overused Words in Our Writing
Kindergarten
Spanish Class
Fourth and Fifth Grade discussed and wrote about Cuba's Father of Independence.
Computer Class - Figurative Language and PowerPoint Drawing Tools
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, 3/9-Friday, 3/13: Spring Break, NO School
- Monday, 3/16: 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, 3/17: PSIA 6th/7th Reading Writing 3:30-4:15PM
- Wednesday, 3/18: PSIA 3rd gr Math 3:30-4:15PM; PSIA 4th/5th Math 3:30-4:15PM, PSIA 4th-6th Maps, Graphs, Charts 3:30-4:15PM; PSIA 1st/2nd Creative Writing 3:30-4:15PM
- Thursday, 3/19:Running Club (weather permitting) 3:30-4:15PM; PSIA 6th-8th Math 3:30-4:15PM; PSIA 3rd-5th Ready Writing
- Friday, 3/20: Teacher for the Day; Stations of the Cross 2:40PM; 3rd Quarter Report Cards Emailed
- Thursday, 3/26: PreK & Kindergarten Open House 4:00-5:30PM
- Saturday, 3/28: PSIA District Meet - St. Pius X Catholic School., Dallas; SMG 65th Anniversary Homecoming 7:00-9:00PM
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/