The Trojan Times
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School March 6, 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 First Sunday of Lent.
In case you missed it last week, Mrs. Pennell provided an infographic on Keeping a Holy Lent.
https://smgschool.org/documents/2021/2/Lenten%20Infographic%20with%20explanations.pdf
We have had a busy week. We celebrated Mardi Gras with a delicious feast. Thanks to all of you who made this possible. Then, 8th grade led a beautiful prayer service to get our hearts ready for Lent. Friday, the teachers and staff led the stations of the cross. You are welcome to join us Fridays during Lent for the stations of the cross at 2:30 PM in the church. See the schedule provided later in this newsletter.
Glamourcraft will be on campus to take Spring pictures Friday, March 11th. This is a dress-up/Sunday best picture day. Please see the details for the dress code below.
On Friday, our pep rally will begin at 10:30 AM and the 8th grade vs staff volleyball game will begin afterward. *The entire SMGCS student body will be present for the pep rally and volleyball games. Due to limited space in the gym and the need for social distance, parents will not be allowed to attend. These events will be live-streamed to be enjoyed by the community. The link will be sent out Friday morning.
Friday, March 11, 2022, will be a 12:10 PM dismissal. There will be SMEED. Students who are staying need to bring their own lunch and drink.
It's hard to believe that it is one week until Spring Break. We will NOT have a Trojan Times on Sunday, March 13th. The next edition will be sent on Sunday, March 20th.
I pray you all have a restful and relaxing Spring Break!
Please pray for our students.
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Amy Utendorf, M.Ed.
Principal
Cumbia Outing for 5th-8th Grades - March 10th
Spring Picture Day - March 11th
Friday, March 11th is Spring Picture Day.
All students will be photographed on picture day.
NO MONEY WILL BE DUE ON PICTURE DAY.
Approximately two weeks after picture day, parents will be sent an email with a proof image to view. You will be provided with a code that allows you to view, select your background and purchase your portrait packages online. All packages will be shipped directly to your home and are 100% guaranteed.
Students must wear nice dress clothes. No jeans, sweatpants, or athletic apparel. Boys should wear dress shirts and nice slacks. Girls should wear dress shirts, nice slacks, skirts, or dresses. Skirts and dresses must be no more than three inches about the knee. No cold shoulder shirts or spaghetti straps are allowed. This is a day to dress up and look your best!
Students may come in their SMGCS uniform if they would prefer not to dress up.
Class Party Openings
Service Hours Opportunity
Nolan Catholic High School is hosting a robotics competition over Spring Break. They are looking for volunteers. If your child needs service hours, please sign them up.
Home & School 4th & 5th Grade Performance - March 29th
Join us for the Fort Worth Zoo Run on April 2nd
We are ready for spring and ready to RUN! You do not have to be a member of Run Club to join our Zoo Run team. All students and families are welcome to join us. In the past 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. You must register by March 20th to join our team. https://www.fortworthzoo.org/zoo-run
Yearbook Pictures Needed!
SMGCS parents and friends, we need your help to make this year's yearbook the best one yet!
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. If you plan to attend Mass when your child is participating, please consult the new schedule.
- March 9 - 8th Pick
- March 16 - Spring Break
- March 23 - 7th Nguyen
Red and blue cardigan sweaters, not vests, are required for Mass. Please ensure your child is following the Mass dress code.
Stations of the Cross
Friday, March 25, 2022: 4th-grade hosting
Friday, April 1, 2022: 6th-grade Tableaus
Friday, April 8, 2022: 7th-grade hosting
Thursday, April 14, 2022: 8th-grade hosting (Passion Play)
The link below is a digital version of the Stations of the Cross book the students are using. Please feel free to download this when attending to be able to join us in prayer.
Stephen Breen Tournament February 21 - March 10
The Stephen Breen Tournament is an annual basketball tournament held at Saint Andrew Catholic School that celebrates the life of Stephen Breen and provides support to his foundation. This year’s tournament is February 21st – March 10th. All proceeds go to the Stephen Breen Foundation, which provides tuition assistance to students in our diocese, as well as assistance to families of children battling cancer. Please contact Mrs. Baxter (ebaxter@smgschool.org) with any questions.
Nolan News
SMG Clubs - Mark Your Calendar!
Monday
- Shutter Club during 6th-8th Lunch/Recess (Jamison) Begins Nov. 1 - Every other
- March 7, 21, April 4, 18, May 2, 16
- 3:15-4:00 PM Rubik Club-No Mtg March 7, 2022
- 3:30-5:00PM Cheer Club (Paladini/Cruz)
- 3:30-4:15 PM 5th-8th Trojan Troupe Drama Club (Richards)
- 3:30-4:15 PM PSIA 4th-8th Maps, Graphs, Charts (Daly)
- 3:30-4:15 PM Coding Club (Nguyen)
- March 21, 28, April 11, 18, May 2, 9
- 3:30-4:15 PM Tai Chi (Nguyen)
- March 7, April 25
- 3:30-4:15 PM Chess Club (Nguyen)
- May 16
- 3:30-4:15 PM Table Tennis (Nguyen)
- April 4, May 23
Tuesday
- Library Leaders during Recess (Richards)
- 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) Begins Oct. 6
- Mar. 9, 23, April 6, 27, May 4, 11
- 3:30-4:15 PM PSIA 3rd-8th Ready Write (Vasquez/Utendorf)
- March 9, 23
- 3:30 StuCo (Pick/Pennell) specific dates to be announced
Thursday
- NJHS during Recess (Vasquez and Jones)
- 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)
- March 10
- 3:30-4:15 PM PSIA 5th-7th Math (Schump)
- March 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
Faith Families
Faith Families were introduced to the virtue of the month, Mercy, and the 3 saints who exhibit this trait: Saint John Vianney, Saint Faustina, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. They discussed Mardi Gras and created masks and Alleluia banners. After celebrating Mardi Gras on Tuesday, we had a service in the church where we retired the banners until after Easter. Students also discussed lent and how we can practice pray, fasting and almsgiving.
Nolan Catholic - Mary Poppins
Nolan Catholic High School performing arts students visited SMG on Monday. They showcased their upcoming production of Mary Poppins, The Broadway Musical.
You still have time to make the 2:00 matinee on Sunday, March 6th! Visit the web site for tickets. https://www.nolancatholic.org/post/mary-poppins-tickets-on-sale
Mardi Gras
To celebrate Mardi Gras on March 1st, students and teachers were treated to a pancake lunch with king cake for dessert. King cake is usually iced in yellow, green and purple – the colors of Mardi Gras -- and is frequently packed with fruit fillings and decadent cream cheeses. A miniature plastic baby, which symbolizes baby Jesus, is placed inside of each cake to signify the Epiphany.
During a church service later in the day, we retired our Mardi Gras beads, masks and Alleluia banners as we prepared for Lent.
Dine Out at La Isla Restaurant
Thanks to all who participated in La Isla Dine Out on Tuesday. Everyone enjoyed the SMG performance of traditional dances from many states and regions of Mexico. A portion of the proceeds go to the SMG Ballet Folklorica Club.
Ash Wednesday
SMGCS observed Ash Wednesday during Mass. The ash cross is meant to represent mortality and penance for our sins. It is applied during mass, often along with a small blessing: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return" or "repent and believe in the gospel". Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and is marked by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Lent asks believers to set aside a time each year marking an intentional season of focus on Christ’s life, ministry, sacrifice, and resurrection.
8th Grade Shadow Day
SMGCS 8th grade students visited Nolan Catholic High School and spent the day touring the campus and shadowing current Nolan students!
Stations of the Cross
SMGCS will be observing Stations of the Cross during March and April. Our first service was Friday, March 4th hosted by SMG faculty and staff. The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ's last day on Earth as a man. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station. At each station, the individual recalls and meditates on a specific event from Christ's last day.
PreK
Kindergarten Rejoices in Their Luck
1st Grade
First grade is thankful for helpful parents and beautiful weather as we learn about matter. We made ice cream (or tasty milk) today in the sunshine with our wonderful parent volunteers!
2nd Grade Music
Second grade students composed a 16 beat rhythm using quarter notes, paired eighth notes, and quarter rests. Then they played their composition on a tubano drum.
3rd Grade Math
Third grade played math games to help with subtraction, addition, multiplication and division.
4th Grade Religion
Students created posters to reinforce our belief that by following God's command we find the true meaning of freedom.
The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except int he service of what is good and just. The choice to disobey and do evil is an abuse of freedom and leads to "the slavery of sin". CCC 1733
6th Grade Literature
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
March 8, Tuesday: 6th Grade Fine Arts Open House at NCHS
March 11, Friday: Spring Pictures, Pep Rally, 8th Grade Volleyball Game, 12:10 Early Dismissal
March 14-18: Spring Break - No School
March 25, Friday: 2:30 Stations of the Cross - 4th grade hosts
March 26, Saturday: PSIA Regional Meet
March 29, Tuesday: NJHS induction, 7:00 Home & School Meeting
April 1, Friday: 2:30 Stations of the Cross - 6th grade Tableaus
April 2, Saturday: Ft. Worth Zoo Run
April 8, Friday: Stations of the Cross - 7th grade hosts
April 14, Thursday: 8th-grade hosting Passion Play, 12:10 Early Dismissal
April 15, Friday: No School - Good Friday
April 18 and 19: SMGCS in session
May 1, Sunday: 11:00 Mass with Bishop Olson at NCHS, Spirit Games at NCHS
May 23, Monday: 8th grade ONLY dismissed at 12:10 and, 6:30 PM 8th-grade graduation Mass in the Church
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/