The Trojan Times
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School May 28, 2021
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 Friday!
What a wonderful end to the school year we had yesterday! Not only was it the Last Day of School, but students enjoyed Field Day festivities and End-of-Year Class Parties too! School is officially Out for Summer! Be sure to note the SMGCS Summer Office Hours below.
Please see the 2021 Summer Reading information below. The 2021 Summer Reading List is posted on the school website and copies were sent home with the youngest or only student in each family last week.
Open Enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year continues through the summer! We ask you to please share the good news of St. Maria Goretti Catholic School with any family and friends with school-aged children. Invite them to call to schedule a personal tour to learn more about SMGCS. YOU are our best advertisement and we need your help! Thank you!
I will complete my principalship here at SMGCS on June 30th. I would again like to express how grateful I am to have been provided the opportunity to be at St. Maria Goretti Catholic School as your principal the last three years. St. Maria Goretti Catholic School community has been such an important part of my life and will always hold a special place in my heart. The faith foundation this community provides and the friendships formed, allows us to continue to grow our youngest disciples while building up His kingdom on Earth. I will sincerely miss working with the entire community, our faculty, staff, parents, and students. I would also like to thank Father Jim and Father Mike for the guidance and support they have provided. While I will not see you all on a daily basis, I will not be too far away in my new role at St. Andrew's and hope to keep in touch with you!
I pray you all have a wonderful, restful, and fun summer! I will be keeping all of you and the entire SMGCS community in my prayers and I hope that you will keep me in yours as well.
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Laura Behee, M.Ed.
Principal
2021-2022 Registration & Enrollment Continues!
Registration and Enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year is OPEN! Information, including tuition rates was emailed to all current school families and can be found at the following links:
https://smgschool.org/documents/2021/1/Tuition%20Letter%202021-2022%2001%20ML.pdf
https://smgschool.org/documents/2021/1/2021-2022%20Reg%20%20Tuition.pdf.
Tuition assistance is available ( https://smgschool.org/financial-aid ) and we are committed to making a Catholic education a reality for any family who wishes one for their child(ren). Please contact Mrs. Behee (lbehee@smgschool), our Registrar, Mrs. de la Pena (jdelapena@smgschool.org), or our Business Manager, Mr. Rogalsky (mrogalsky@smgschool.org), with any questions or concerns.
Computer Return
Students who borrowed laptops or IPads from SMGCS during Distance Learning should return the equipment to the school office or contact Mrs. Daly at jdaly@smgschool.org.
SMG Summer Office Hours
SMGCS Summer Office Hours:
- June (6/2-6/25): 8:00AM - 1:00PM (M-TH, closed Fridays)
- June/July (6/27-7/5): Campus Closed
- July (7/6-7/30): 8:00AM - 2:00PM (M-F)
- August (8/2-8/11): 8:00AM - 3:30PM (M-F)
- August 12- after: 7:30AM - 3:45PM
Contact SMG Secretary, Mrs. Malloy at smalloy@smgschool.org or 817-275-5081.
2021-2022 Academic Calendar
Please find the 2021-2022 Academic Calendar at the link below and on the school website.
https://smgschool.org/documents/2021/5/SMG%20Calendar%20-%202021-2022.pdf
Yearbooks and Ads Available Through July 2nd
Here is the link to order the 2020-2021 yearbook, and to place an ad in the yearbook. Yearbook ads are great for 8th grade graduates, kindergarten promotion, First Holy Communion, and more. You can also upload photos for the yearbook staff to consider using in the yearbook. Please call the school office if you have any questions.
https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/view_account.asp?yearbook_id=49360
2021 Summer Reading List
The love of reading brings many joys to our lives. Students who delight in books have the opportunity to experience different worlds and have enriching conversations with men and women throughout all of time. They are invited to join in what we call “the Great Conversation” of humanity, discussing together and reflecting upon the pressing questions we all face, such as: “Who am I? What is my place in the world? How can I make life better, both for me and for others?” Reading transforms us. It allows us to see the world through the eyes of others.
In addition to building wonder through reading, there are also some more practical benefits. Students who enjoy reading for pleasure typically do better in school, developing stronger skills in writing, spelling, and comprehension without even realizing it. Studies show students who enjoy reading also do better in math and science, because reading develops logic and thinking skills.
With the love of reading as our goal, here are the required and recommended summer readings. Please refer to the grade-level your child will be entering in the fall. There are no summer assignments (6th-8th graders should annotate) to complete and turn in on the first day of school. We do ask that parents complete and sign the attached form, acknowledging that your child(ren) have read the required reading. The goal is for students to enjoy and experience the selection(s). Teachers will spend time at the beginning of the school year reviewing the required reading with students.
Many of these books are available at your local library, as a free e-book and audiobook download from the Gutenberg Project at http://www.gutenbuerg.org, as a free audiobook from LibriVox, and as an audiobook on YouTube.
2021 SMGCS Summer Reading List: https://smgschool.org/documents/2021/5/SMG%20Summer%20Reading%20List%202021-%20Final.pdf
Order 2021-2022 School Supplies - June 15th Deadline
Prepackaged School Supplies for the 2020-2021school year can be ordered at the following link. Supplies will be delivered to the school.
https://schoolsuppliesco.com/collections/st-maria-goretti
A list of supplies by grade level is also available on the SMG web site:
End-of-Year Reminders From Nurse Beth
- Incoming 7th Graders might be due for the TDAP and Meningococcal immunizations. I have tried to send out emails that are due. If you are wondering if your student is due, I can check and let you know!
- Incoming Kindergarten students might be due for their 5th DTAP, 4th Polio, 2nd MMR, and 2nd Varicella. Again, if you are not sure, just let me know and I can check.
- If your student has medications in the clinic, it will need to be picked up by the parent before or on the last day of school. If you do not want the medication, please let me know and I can dispose of it. I will dispose of any medication that is not picked up. New medication paperwork must be completed each year.
- If your student, 5th Grade and up, will be playing sports next year they will need a physical completed this summer. All physicals must be completed and dated June 1st or after. The physical must be completed on our Catholic School Health Report Form, which can be found on the school website or at the following link: https://smgschool.org/documents/2018/8/Catholic%20School%20Health%20Report.pdf
Texas Rangers Catholic Schools Night
All Catholic School students, teachers, family, and friends are invited to Catholic Schools night at Globe Life Field for the first full season at the new ballpark!
Catholic Schools Night Texas Rangers vs. Chicago White Sox Saturday September 18th @6:05PM : Purchase your discounted tickets below!
Yearbook Pictures Needed!
Hey 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.
Miscellaneous Information
Mask Update
We are excited to announce that Bishop Olson has approved face masks to be optional during the school day and at any school events for the 2021-2022 school year!
Box Tops - Earn Money for SMG!
Box Tops makes it easy for families to earn cash for schools and help teachers get the supplies they need. Traditional Box Tops clips are being phased out of production, but may continue to be found on many products throughout the store. Although you may still clip coupons, there is a NEW and EASY method:
- Create a Box Tops for Education account via the Box Tops app or website - View the video: How it Works, Join For Free
- Buy Box Top Products
- Use your app to scan the store receipt within 14 days of purchase -View the video: How to Scan
Nolan Catholic High School: 6th-8th Grade Family Information
Nolan Catholic is excited to announce that the application process for the 2021-2022 school year has already begun. Our goal is to continue to allow for as many admissions opportunities as possible for our prospective families to learn more about Nolan Catholic High School.
As a quick highlight, the admissions department is offering informational sessions, one-on-one meetings, virtual or on-campus tours, and an open house this fall.
For more information, visit http://www.nolancatholic.org/events-and-tours
NCHS Upcoming Workshops, Concerts, Auditions and Camps
Please visit Nolan Catholic High School's website to check out all of this year's summer camp offerings! If you have any camp specific questions, please reach out to the staff member associated with that camp or call the Main Office at (817) 457-2920.
https://www.nolancatholic.org/summer-camps
https://smgschool.org/documents/2021/5/Summer%20Brochure.pdf
Last Week at SMGCS.....
SMGCS Art and Literary Magazine: Out of the Box
We are so excited to share our inaugural issue of “Out of the Box” our new SMGCS Art and Literary Magazine. Please see the link below for a digital copy. Hard copies were sent home to each family on Thursday. We would like to thank all of our talented contributors and especially our student editors for their hard work. A special thank you to Mrs. Richards and Mrs. Jamison for volunteering their time and expertise. Save your creative works this summer to enter into next years issue!
Drama Club
Mrs. Richards celebrated the end of a successful year with the Drama Club Monday afternoon.
~Acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances. ~ Sanford Meisner
Kindergarten Promotion
Congratulations to Kindergarten students on their promotion to 1st Grade! Their graduation ceremony was held Tuesday afternoon. Mrs. Richards and the children entertained the audience with delightful musical numbers. Following the musical production, students received various awards for attendance and virtues, as well as their diploma.
Please see the link videos to view the ceremony. Thank you to one of our SMG families who provided the links.
Student Council Elections
The last week of school, students displayed posters, gave speeches and voted for student council representatives. Congratulations to our new 2021-2022 Student Council:
- President: William Paladini
- Vice President: Sarah Breclaw
- Secretary: Ilia Lara
- Treasurer: Jaden Barraza
- 6th Grade Representatives: Luke Aslin, Sophia Adcock, Rosie Breclaw, Cecilia Hurtado
- 7th Grade Representatives: Holly Baker, Maddie Huynh, Kaitlyn Mendez
School Mass and Awards Ceremony
Following the last Mass of the school year, the annual Awards Ceremony was held to acknowledge students for academic achievement, attendance, virtues and excellence. Congratulations to all our SMGCS students on a successful year!
Father Jim was recognized on this, the 50th anniversary of his Ordination and for his service to SMGCS the past three years. He was presented with a cross as a remembrance of his time at Saint Maria Goretti Catholic School.
Mrs. Behee was surprised with a special gift in recognition of her remarkable service and outstanding accomplishments during her tenure as principal at SMGCS. We wish her well in her new position at Saint Andrews Catholic School. She will be missed by all!
A special thank you to Ms. Freda Breed and Mr. Todd Hughes for assisting with today's ceremony and providing beautiful music and direction every week for our School Mass.
Field Day and Parties
Our last day of the 2020-2021 school year was full of fun, friendship and farewells (but only until August). Mrs. Paladini created a water playground for Field Day and Father Mike got in on the action! Seventh grade students stepped up as incoming eighth graders and set up, assisted with the games and cleaned up afterwards. Mrs. Paladini treated them to tug of war and a water balloon fight. Fun was had by all!
Following a morning of entertaining activities, we met in homerooms for a final party to wrap up the year. Enjoy your summer vacation, remember to practice your vocation and we will all meet again in August to begin the 2021-2022 school year!
Thank You Mrs. Utendorf
Mrs. Cruz surprised Mrs. Utendorf with a beautiful bouquet of flowers in recognition of all her hard work. Mrs. Utendorf does so much behind the scenes to make SMGCS run efficiently and Mrs. Cruz wanted her to know that the faculty and staff appreciate her efforts.
Teacher Lunch
Another HUGE thank you to Home & School who provided lunch to the teachers on our Friday workday. With so many end of year requirements, it was wonderful to be treated to a delicious catered lunch.
Kindergarten Snapshots
First Grade Religion
First Grade is "Looking" Forward to Summer
Second Grade Slime Science
Slime is an excellent chemistry demonstration and kids love it too! Mixtures, substances, polymers, cross-linking, states of matter, elasticity, and viscosity are just a few of the science concepts that can be explored with homemade slime! Use this link to try it at home during summer break!
Fifth Grade's Summer Bucket List
Spanish
Students recreated the artwork of Frida Kahlo. Viva la Vida, is a very important artwork, as it is known to be the last painting that Frida Kahlo did. Despite her deteriorated health, the title of this work is a tribute to life. The fruits and the way they are painted are exciting, because of the vibrant red color in the watermelons, and the phrase that the artist wrote eight days before she died. https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/viva-la-vida/bAGbsL-eW4XUXg?hl=en
Spanish - Game Day
La Lotería (Lotería Mexicana) is a traditional Mexican card game which is similar to Bingo.
In the game Pirinola, each player needs about ten tokens. You can use beans or candy, but any small object will work. Everyone puts one token into the center to start. Then one player spins the pirinola. When the top falls, players follow the instructions on the side facing up.
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.
Calendar Notes
- Monday, 6/7: Final report cards mailed
- June 15: Deadline to order 2021-2022 School Supplies
- June 21-24: Summer Camp with Nurse Beth, 8:00AM - 3:00PM
- July 2: Deadline to Order Yearbook and Ads
- Tuesday, 8/3: Faculty/Staff Return-In-Service Begins
- Monday, 8/9: Meet the Teacher Event, 4PM - 7PM
- Thursday, 8/12: First Day School
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.
Like Us on Face Book!
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!
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/