The Trojan Times
Saint Maria Goretti Catholic School October 27, 2019
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,
It was a pleasure seeing so many of you in the building during Parent/Teacher Conferences last Thursday. First quarter report cards and IOWA/CogAt test results were given to parents during conferences. If you were unable to attend the conferences on that day, please email your student's homeroom teacher directly to schedule a time to meet.
Last Friday, faculty and staff from all Diocese of Fort Worth Catholic schools came together for the annual Diocesan Inservice. We began the day with Mass celebrated by Bishop Olson, followed by a ceremony recognizing those who have served in diocesan schools for 5-50 years, in 5 year increments. Six of our SMG faculty & staff were recognized for their years of service and dedication to Catholic education in the Diocese of Fort Worth. Please the picture below!
Following the service ceremony, diocesan faculty & staff learned more about Catholic Classical Education, characteristics, methods/pedagogy, and the overall direction in which schools in the diocese are moving toward. St. Maria Goretti Catholic School will continue implementation of a Catholic Classical curriculum as we update, replace, and improve our curriculum resources, provide professional development and training for our teachers, and offer information and support for parents as well.
Two weeks ago, Dr. DeAnn Stuart, Associaate Director at the Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture and a consultant to Catholic schools transitioning to the classical model was on campus to present to parents, specifically addressing the question, What is Catholic Classical Education? Dr. Stuart's presentation was informative and engaging and answered this question along with several other questions. We are working to make Dr. Stuart's presentation and audio available so that those who could not attend that evening can learn more. As well, please find two handouts which were available for parents to take that evening regarding the movement of several Catholic schools across the nation back to a Classical curriculum. These two documents can also be found on the school website, and other information will be added soon.
Monday is the final day to order those yummy Butter Braid Pastries! Please check the information and link below to order before it's too late!
Friday is All Saints Day and we will be celebrating with a Living Saints Museum, Procession and Litany of Saints, Mass, Saints Projects, and Classroom celebrations. Please see the information below for details! Also, please note that we will be attending Mass twice this week--on Wednesday (8:00AM) and on Friday (10:00AM).
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Laura Behee, M.Ed.
Principal
SMG Faculty & Staff Recognized for Service in the Diocese of Fort Worth!
Congratulations to members of our fabulous faculty and staff who were recognized last Friday at our Diocesan Inservice for their years of service in the Diocese of Fort Worth! Mrs. Watson (25 yrs.); Mrs. Jamison (15 yrs.); Mrs. Gutierrez (5 yrs.); Mrs. Pick (10 yrs.); Mrs. Dickerson (15 yrs.+); and Mrs. de la Pena (25 yrs.). Thank you for your dedication to Catholic education!
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
SMG Ballet Folklorico - Oct. 28th
The first practice of the SMG Ballet Folklorico is this Monday, October 28th from 5:30 to 6:30PM. No dance experience is necessary and all interested 5th-8th grade students are encouraged to join! For more information, please email Mrs. Zavala at mzavala@smgschool.org.
Last Call!! Private School Interscholastic Association (PSIA) Tryouts and Sign-ups
The date to sign-up to participate in PSIA has been extended to Monday, October 28th. Information was emailed to all parents last week about the Private School Interscholastic Association (PSIA) tryouts and sign-ups. PSIA is an extracurricular academic program for elementary and middle schools. Participating in PSIA provides an exciting opportunity for private school students to engage in academic competition with their peers throughout the state of Texas.
PSIA remains the most comprehensive academic extracurricular programs in the nation for students in grades 1-8. Through PSIA participation, your child will:
· Refine mental aptitudes
· Affirm self-worth
· Find new excitement in learning (especially in the spring time)
· Develop teamwork and a sense of fair play
· Experience a sense of pride and dignity
· Appreciate that rules, consistently applied, create order and discipline
· Experience the joy of achieving in a wholesome environment
· Foster self-discipline and perseverance
· Achieve recognition for academic excellence
· Make better choices of after-school activities
· Enjoy camaraderie with students from other schools
· Receive tangible awards for his/her academic ability
· HAVE FUN!
Please follow the link below for more information. A sign-up form is included in the link to complete and return to your child's homeroom teacher or the front desk by Monday, October 28, 2019.
PSIA Information Letter:
https://smgschool.org/documents/2019/10/PSIA%202019-2020%20letter.pdf
PSIA Sign-up Form:
https://smgschool.org/documents/2019/10/PSIA%20Sign-Up%20Form%202019%202020.pdf
Butter Braid Pastry Sale Ends Tomorrow!
Butter Braid Pastry Sale Runs through Tomorrow Only!
Butter Braid pastries are made from sweet, yeasted pastry dough, layered with 100% real butter and contain zero grams trans-fat. This gives Butter Braid® pastries a flaky outside and a tender, light, airy inside as each layer raises up while baking. The pastries have seven different fillings to choose from and will come frozen allowing the customer to decide when to serve them. These are ideal to serve at upcoming holiday celebrations.
Cost: Fruit-filled and 4-Cheese & Herb pastries are $14.00 each.
Fundraiser Schedule: Friday, October 11 through Monday, October 28
Online ordering is also available. Students will have a personal Butter Braid link which was sent to your email from myfundraisingplace.com last Friday. Youngest/only child were entered into the system so you would not get sent multiply emails and links. Each family has one link. Use of the online store is optional. Families and individuals who are not current SMG school families can order online using the following link:
https://store.myfundraisingplace.com/SelectProducts/01a21f18-ca1d-4a9c-8627-28cb7a51ace4/171709
Online ordering will close on Monday, October 28.
All order forms and checks, made payable to St. Maria Goretti Catholic School must be turned in Monday, October 28. You may drop off your order form and checks/cash at the front office or send with your student.
Butter Braids will be delivered on Thursday, November 14. More details on Butter Braid pick up will be sent a few days prior to delivery.
The class with the most sales will earn a Chick-fil-a luncheon!
All Saints Day Celebration!
All Saints Day is this Friday, November 1st! All Saints' Day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church celebrated annually on November 1. The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church, that is, all those who have attained heaven.
Students in 5th and 6th grade have been researching a saint of their choosing. They will be creating a Soda-Bottle saint, which will be on display in the hallway outside the library from October 31st through November 4th.
Students in the 7th and 8th grade have chosen a saint to "become" for our Living Saints Museum. Students have written and memorized a speech about the life of their saints and will be sharing this information with all who visit the museum. The Living Saints Museum will be open for students to visit on October 30 and October 31, and for parents to enjoy after school on Wednesday, October 31 from 3:30 - 4:15 PM in the Saint Maria Goretti Center.
On November 1, 2019 we will have a Procession of Saints and Angels! Beginning at 9:30 AM in the gym, students in grades PreK4 and Kindergarten will be dressed as Angels. Students in grades 1-4 will be dressed as the saint they have chosen to research. Following the procession through the gym, we will pray a Litany of Saints before proceeding to the church for Mass. The students will stay dressed as their saint for Mass. All students should wear their costumes over their Mass uniforms to make changing easier. After Mass, students will take off their costumes for the day. All parents, grandparents, families, and friends are welcome to join us for the procession and for Mass. Please remember, if planning to attend the procession in the gym, guests must present their drivers license or state ID and be issued a badge before they can enter the building. Please be sure to have proper ID with you to help the process move along a little more smoothly.
During Households that afternoon, all grades will enjoy refreshments during their classroom All Saints Day celebrations.
Pictures Needed
We would like to honor all Veterans during our Veterans Day Celebration on November 11, 2019 and are putting together a slide show featuring Veterans and current service men and women who are related to our SMG students and families. Please send pictures to Mrs. Utendorf at autendorf@smgschool.org by Friday, November 1st! See below for more details!
Running Club to Begin Soon!
The SMG Running Club will begin soon! The Running Club meets generally every other week after school for 45 minutes (weather permitting) and is open to all students in grades PreK4 through 8th grade.
The mission of the SMG Running Club is to have the children experience running and walking as forms of exercise that can last a lifetime through positive reinforcement and good habits. In keeping with Catholic Social Teachings, we commit our service to our community by participating in running events that benefit those in need, as well as preserving God’s creations.
Run Club Schedule: Running Club will meet from 3:30-4:15 pm (weather permitting). Nov. 7, 21, Dec. 5, 12, Jan. 14, 21, Feb. 4, 11, 18, Mar. 3, 24, 31, April 7, 21, 28, May 5, 12. A COMPLETED SIGNED FORM BY THE STUDENT AND PARENT MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL BEFORE THE STUDENT IS ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE. Please visit the links below for more information and a sign-up form.
Running Club Information Flyer:
https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/12396/documents/2019/10/Running%20Club%20Flyer%202019.pdf
Running Club Sign-Up Form:
SMG Gym Director Needed!
SMG is currently in need of a Gym Director for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
Gym Director Job Description
Duties:
- Assist sports coordinator with game day operations, including setting up the gym prior to all game days (basketball games are on Friday evenings and Saturdays) and tearing down gym after games.
- Assist sports coordinator with operation of concession stand by helping coordinate volunteer workers, setting up and cleaning up.
- Assist sports coordinator with the planning and execution of pre-season and post-season tournaments (Pre-season 7th grade basketball tournament will be the week of December 2, and the post-season 8th grade basketball tournament will be the week of February 17).
Hours per week will vary depending on game schedule, but will be between 4 and 8 hours during regular season. Tournament weeks will require more hours. This is an hourly, paid position. Please email or contact Ms. Seyer at eseyer@smgschool.org or Mrs. Behee at lbehee@smgschool.org if interested.
Other Sports News...
It’s not too late to sign up for SMG basketball. All 5-8th graders are eligible to participate. Please email Ms. Seyer (eseyer@smgschool.org), or stop by the front office to pick up the necessary forms. The last day to sign-up is Oct. 31, 2019.
Breen Memorial
The Stephen Breen Memorial Foundation provides over $1.5 Million in tuition assistance to children in all Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Fort Worth, as well as provides assistance to children being treated for cancer at Cook Children Hospital. Annually, the foundation hosts a party at Rahr Brewery in Ft.Worth (Saturday, Nov 2nd, 7:00PM) and a Golf Tournament at Whitestone Golf Club in Benbrook (Sunday, Nov 3rd, noon). Information about both events can be found at http://www.stephenbreenmemorialfoundation.org/. More information about the party at Rahr Brewery is also listed below. All are invited to either or both events!
Outdoor Learning Center
Excavation for the Outdoor Learning Center & Garden is scheduled to begin in October, and we need your help! If you are interested in helping to build raised beds, install edging, planning, and helping to maintain the garden, please email Mrs. Behee (lbehee@smgschool.org).
Nolan Catholic High School Happenings
Online Application Opens
Tuesday, October 1st
Please contact admissions@nchstx.org to schedule a family tour, 8th-grade Shadow Day, or for more information.
REMINDERS
Uniform Requirement: Cardigan Sweaters
Students must have the required cardigan sweater as part of the Full Dress/Mass Uniform. Those out of uniform will be issued a uniform demerit and parents will be notified. Students in PK-5 wear the red sweaters and 6-8 grade students wear the navy blue sweaters. Please visit Mills Uniforms to purchase at https://www.millswear.com/UPL/3424.upl.html.
Wear your Spirit Wear every Friday!
SMG Spirit Wear (SMG School, Student Council, Honor Society, etc.) may be worn with uniform bottoms on Fridays throughout the school year unless otherwise specified.
Virtus Training
All school volunteers over the age of 18 must complete the required Diocesan Safe Environment training, also referred to as VIRTUS training, prior to volunteering.
This training consists of an in person class and a criminal background check. After completing the training, your certification is good for 2 years. After 2 years, you will need to complete a renewal course. You may not volunteer at school until we receive notification of your completion of the training course, and until your background check clears. This includes all school related activities such as lunch monitor, playground monitor, field trip chaperone, class party helper, library volunteer, Kountry Karnival worker, and many other opportunities.
**You may not volunteer in any capacity without first completing this training. You will not receive SPIRIT hour credit for hours completed without training.
Here is the link to set up a VIRTUS account and to sign up to attend a session.
https://fwdioc.org/training-sessions
You may register and attend a session at any parish in the Fort Worth diocese. Please email smalloy@smgschool.org if you have any questions or need assistance. Thank you!
LAST WEEK AT SMG.....
PK4 Exploring the Word "create" in Religion Class. Building Their Understanding of God as Creator
2nd Grade Saint Projects
Super Hero Book Fair
Crazy Sock Day and A Crazy Good Book Fair
Donuts With Dad
Holy Rosary
Students gathered in the church Tuesday to pray the Holy Rosary.
The word Rosary means "Crown of Roses". Our Lady has revealed to several people that each time they say a Hail Mary they are giving her a beautiful rose and that each complete Rosary makes her a crown of roses. The rose is the queen of flowers, and so the Rosary is the rose of all devotions and it is therefore the most important one. The Holy Rosary is considered a perfect prayer because within it lies the awesome story of our salvation. http://www.theholyrosary.org/
Spring Creek BBQ Spirit Night
SMG Students are Super Heroes - Animal Shelter Donations
Hallway Happenings
PK 3
PK 4
1st Grade Pumpkin Book Reports
2nd Grade - Christopher Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue
2nd Grade: Adam and Eve
4th Grade Literature
Musical Pumpkins
Spanish Class
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
- Week of 10/28: PSIA Tryout test to qualify to compete
- Monday, 10/28: Butter Braids order forms and checks DUE; SMG Ballet Folklorico 5:30-6:30PM
- Wednesday, 10/30: All Saints Living Museum for parishioners and families 3:30-4:15PM
- Thursday, 10/31: Last day to sign up for 5th-8th grade Basketball
- Friday, 11/1: All Saints Day 9:25AM in Gym; 10:00AM Mass, Veterans Day Pictures Due
- Saturday, 11/2: Breen Memorial Party at Rahr Brewery in Ft.Worth, 7:00PM
- Sunday, 11/3: Breen Memorial Golf Tournament at Whitestone Golf Club in Benbrook, (noon)
- Monday, 11/4: Faith Family Morning Assembly 7:50AM; Art Club Mtg 6th-8th grade 3:30-4:20PM; Ballet Folklorico 5:30-6:30PM; Robotics 6:00-7:00PM
- Wednesday, 11/6: Households Mass, 8:00AM
- Thursday, 11/7: SMG Running Club 3:30-4:15PM (weather permitting), Art Club (1st-8th) 3:30-4:20PM
- Monday, 11/11: Veteran's Day: Mass 8:00AM, Refreshments 9:00AM, Presentation 9:30AM; Art Club Mtg 6th-8th grade 3:30PM; Robotics Club 6:00-7:30PM
- Thursday, 11/14: Butter Braids Delivered at School; Art Club (1st-8th) 3:30-4:20PM
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/