The Trojan Times
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School January 2, 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,
Happy New Year! I can't wait to welcome your students back to school on Tuesday!
Second-quarter report cards will be emailed on Friday, January 7, 2022.
Catholic Schools Week will run from January 30th-February 5th. SMGCS will be hosting all the Masses that weekend. Please use the Sign-Up Genius below to participate.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D45A8AC2FABFD0-smgcs3
Early Bird Registration will run from January 23, 2022, through February 14, 2022.
Mark your calendar for the annual Dinner Dance which will be on Saturday, February 19th.
As I stated in a previous email, the Diocese of Fort Worth Schools will be following the CDC's recent recommendations regarding Covid-19. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child(ren) please reach out to Nurse Beth or me.
Please keep our students, teachers, and staff in your prayers as we begin our new semester.
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Amy Utendorf, M.Ed.
Principal
January Virtue: Gratitue - Seeing everything as a gift and being thankful
It can be easy to race through a day without giving thought to how grateful we should be, even for the splendor of a sunset or the fidelity of a close friend. Yet we are called not only to be grateful for these things, but even for the difficulties in life, which God allows for the greater good of our salvation. Everything God has made, everything that happens, is a gift. So, in all things, "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His love endures...FOREVER"! (Psalm 118)
Saint Francis of Assisi: Feast Day October 4
Saint Francis was born into a wealthy family but gave up everything he had to follow God. Saint Francis was so thankful to God for all that He had created that he wrote songs about the sun and the moon, the plants and the animals, and all of creation. He taught others to see everything as God's gifts.
Saint Julie Billiart: Feast Day May 13
As a young girl, Saint Julie was so poor that she did not go to school very much. In spite of this, she knew her faith very well and would often teach other children about God.
She promised her life to God when she was 14 and spent the rest of her life serving and teaching the poor. She started a group of Religious Sisters whose purpose was to teach young girls, and the name she gave her community was the Sisters of Notre Dame - the Sisters of Our Lady.
Saint Julie was known for always smiling, even though she was bedridden for 22 years until cured by a miracle. Saint Julie once said she was ashamed that she had not already died of gratitude to God for all He had done for her!
Saint Josemaria Escriva: Feast Day June 26
"I did not know what it was (the Lord) wanted, but I went forward...without doing anything unusual" These words uttered by the young seminarian Josemaria Escriva would be a premonition of the "Work" literally, "Opus Dei," the Work of God - the movement encouraging personal holiness through ordinary life that would become his apostolate as a priest and his gift to the whole Church.
Josemaria almost died of a serious illness at the age of two; but his devout mother commended him to the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and he made a full recovery. As a teenager, he wanted to make his life a pleasing gift to the Lord. He entered the seminary, was ordained a priest, and served in various ways - as pastor, confessor, and teacher, ministering to the poor, sick, and abandoned. Saint Josemaria worked tirelessly for the next 50 years to further his mission Opus Dei, establishing lay groups and organizing priests to help carry out the work of growing in holiness through "ordinary life." Today, Opus Dei has more than 80,000 members worldwide.
Yearbook Pictures Needed!
SMGCS parents and friends, we need your help to make this year's yearbook the best one yet!
Parents can upload photos to the yearbook project via the new Entourage Link app. According to the Entourage team, “Many of our memories nowadays are captured on smartphones. The Entourage Link app for iphone and android has allowed for the uploading of photos directly from one’s device. Never before has it been easier to contribute to the yearbook project." The yearbook staff is excited and grateful for this as it will give us access to more photos to design our yearbook pages.
Download Now!
Entourage Yearbooks is excited to announce our NEW smartphone app! App users can instantly submit photos from their phones to the yearbook staff for consideration in the yearbook.
Changes to Mass Hosting Schedule
The Class Mass Hosting schedule has been updated for the year. Please note that second grade will be leading Mass in the spring. If you plan to attend Mass when your child is participating, please consult the new schedule.
- January 5 - 8th Pick
- January 12 - 7th Nguyen
- January 19 - 6th Jones
- January 26 - 6th Baxter (Seyer)
Red and blue cardigan sweaters, not vests, are required for Mass. Please ensure your child is following the Mass dress code.
SMG Broadcast Club Airs "SMG Today"
Students and teachers are encouraged to submit poems, artwork, class pictures and class videos to broadcast@smgschool.org along with a short description of the submission to get your class featured on the broadcast.
Please "like" the video and subscribe to the channel in order to help us promote this to families outside of our school.
Episode 2 https://youtu.be/okYfUu8l3Gc
Episode 3 https://youtu.be/q0TyPwh0P8g
Episode 4 https://youtu.be/J1-8DpLJRtY
Episode 5 https://youtu.be/59PobDE7ZXA
SMG Clubs - Mark Your Calendar!
Tuesday
- Library Leaders during Recess (Richards)
- 3:30-4:15 PM PSIA 2nd-8th Spelling (Bara)
- Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25, Feb. 1, 8, 22
- 6:00-7:00 PM Ballet Folklorico (Zavala)
Wednesday
- SMG Broadcast Club during 6th, 7th, 8th Lunch/Recess (Jones)
- 3:30-4:15 PM Running Club (weather permitting) (Gutierrez/Mitchell)
- Feb. 9, 23, Mar. 9, 23, April 6, 27, May 4, 11
- 3:30-4:15 PM PSIA 3rd-8th Ready Write (Vasquez/Utendorf)
- Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, March 2, 9, 23
- 3:30 StuCo (Pick/Pennell)
Thursday
- NJHS during Recess (Vasquez and Jones)
- Jan. 13, 27, Feb. 10, 24, March 3, 24, April 7 Executive, 21*, May 5 Executive**, 19*
- *Includes newly inducted Members, **Includes newly inducted officers
- 3:15-4:30 PM 4th-8th Garden Club (Pick)
- 3:30-4:15 PM 3rd-8th Cecilian Singers Club (Richards)
- 3:30-4:15 PM PSIA 6th-8th On-Site Drawing (Jamison)
- 3:30-4:15 PM PSIA 3rd-4th Math (Schump)
- Jan. 6, 20, Feb. 10, 24, March 10
- 3:30-4:15 PM PSIA 5th-7th Math (Schump)
- Jan. 13, 27, Feb. 17, March 3, 24
Lunch room and recess helpers 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
Last Week at SMGCS
Advent Morning Prayer
Rosie B. and Sophia A. led us in morning prayer as the the third Advent candle was lit. Mrs. Utendorf congratulated students on donating socks to the Padre Pio House, our Parish Ministry. Your kindness will help a family stay warm this winter.
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
Luke 6:30
1st Grade Stuffed Their Stocking With Donated Socks!
Science Fair
Thanks to Mr. Nguyen's seventh grade science students for inviting us to the Science Fair to view their projects.
A Hot Chocolate Treat
The Gift of Advent
Directed by music teacher, Mrs. Richards, PreK through 3rd grade students performed The Gift of Advent. The audience was treated to beautiful songs and scripture readings. Watch the performance at the following link https://youtu.be/MHodf8PhzKg.
1st Grade Performed Silent Night in Sign Language at Mass
Las Posadas
In keeping with the annual tradition of Las Posadas, Mrs. Zavala took her Spanish students on a procession visiting selected homes and asking for lodging for Joseph and Mary. Traditionally, the procession is always refused lodging, though the hosts often provide refreshments. At each stop, passages of scripture are read and Christmas carols are sung. Third through fifth grade also re-enacted Joseph and Mary's search for shelter before Jesus' birth in the halls of SMGCS.
Thank you to Marquez Bakery for donating the bread, Destiny's family for the goodie bags and Addie and Anaiah's grandparents for the tamales!
Winter Showcase
2021-2022 SMGCS Chess Tournament
1st place: Danh N.
2nd place: Alex L.
3rd place: Enrique B.
When playing chess, your brain is challenged to exercise logic, develop pattern recognition, make decisions both visually and analytically, and test your memory.
Polar Express Virtural Field Trip
One Christmas Eve many years ago, a boy lies in bed, listening hard for the bells of Santa’s sleigh, which he has been told by a friend do not exist. Later that night he hears not bells but a very different sound. He looks out his window and is astounded to see a steam engine parked in front of his house! The conductor invites him to board the Polar Express, a train filled with children on their way to the North Pole.
PreK through 2nd grade students arrived at school with their fuzzy slippers ready for the ultimate Polar Express experience. After getting their ticket stamped by Conductor Richards, they boarded the train for a trip to the North Pole. On their adventure, they were treated to a photo booth picture and a special reading of the book, Polar Express. While they visited the dining car for hot chocolate and reindeer cookies, Santa made a surprise visit and left silver bells from his sleigh, just like the one given to the boy in the Polar Express story!
Many thanks to Mrs. Girton and Mrs. Richards for arranging this memorable event. They went above and beyond to make this an extra special day for our students.
A Not So Silent Night
Christmas Around the World
Students celebrated Christmas in different parts of the world and got some interesting insights about Christmas traditions and celebrations. They toured Russia, Vietnam, France, Nigeria, Mexico, Germany, Italy and Sweden.
Mrs. Jamison helped students create a suitcase to take on their travels around the world. Of course, they needed a passport which was stamped as they entered each country. While visiting each country, they watched a slideshow presented by 8th grade students, then worked on an activity to pack in their suitcase as a remembrance of their visit.
Calendar Notes
- December 20- January 3: Christmas Break - No School
January 4, Tuesday: Classes Resume
January 14, Friday: 9:30 SMG Spelling Bee; 12:10 Early Dismissal
January 17, Monday: MLK Holiday - No School
January 29-February 4: Catholic Schools Week
January 29, Saturday: Spaghetti Dinner
January 30, Sunday: Open House and Spaghetti Dinner
February 18, Friday: 12:10 Early Dismissal
2021-2022 Enrollment & Registration
Registration & Enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year can be found on our school website. There are still spots available at most grade levels. As a reminder, tuition assistance is available and we are committed to making a Catholic education a reality for any family who wishes one for their child(ren). Please contact Mrs. Utendorf (autendorf@smgschool) or our Registrar, Mrs. de la Pena (jdelapena@smgschool.org) with any questions or concerns.
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. Mike Ciski, T.O.R.
Fr. Jim Morman, 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/