The Trojan Times
Saint Maria Goretti Catholic School May 31, 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 have completed the 2019-2020 school year, and what a year it was! Though the last quarter was unexpected and unprecedented, I am proud of the positive and cooperative ways in which we all - faculty, staff, & parents - came together to continue to deliver effective, creative, and meaningful instruction through distance learning to our students during the COVID-19 crisis.
To our students, I am also so proud of you for persevering, continuing to put forth your best effort and staying positive during distance learning. Online learning was a great tool and substitute during the time that we could not be together. However, I know I speak on behalf of the entire faculty and staff when I say that not only did we miss all of our students, nothing replaces live, in-person instruction.
As of right now, our plan is to welcome our students back on campus and into the classrooms in August. We will continue to work toward that plan, formulating and implementing health and safety precautions, with guidance from the diocese. I will communicate details and updates to parents and the SMGCS community as the summer progresses.
Finally, many thanks to all of you, our wonderful SMGCS families, for your continued support and prayers, and for sharing and trusting your most precious gifts - your beautiful children - with us. I pray you all have a most wonderful, relaxing, fun, and safe summer. We look forward to welcoming you all back in August!
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Laura Behee, M.Ed.
Principal
2020-2021 Enrollment & Registration
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.
Like Us on Facebook!
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!
SMG Summer Office Hours
SMG School Office Summer Hours:
- June (Monday, June 1 - Friday, June 19): 9:00AM - 1:00PM Monday - Thursday, Closed Fridays
- School/Campus Closed: June 22 - July 6
- July (beginning Tuesday, July 7th): 9:00AM - 2:00PM Monday - Thursday; Fridays 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Contact SMG Secretary, Mrs. Malloy at smalloy@smgschool.org or 817-275-5081.
Materials Pick-Up/Drop Off
If you were unable to drop-off or pick-up materials at our final Materials Pick-Up/Drop-Off the week before last, please contact either Mrs. de la Pena (jdelapena@smgschool.org) or Mrs. Malloy (smalloy@smgschool.org) to make arrangements. Report cards of those still needing to return textbooks, laptops/devices, or pay missing/damaged materials fees will not be released until the materials have been returned and/or fees paid.
Computer Return
Students who borrowed laptops or IPads from SMG during Distance Learning should return them to the school the week of June 1st. Summer office hours are 9:00AM-1:00PM Monday - Thursday. Please ring the buzzer and Mrs. Malloy will meet you outside the building. Diocese COVID-19 guidelines prohibit non-employees from entering the building. Please contact Mrs. Malloy with any questions smalloy@smgschool.org.
Save Student Work!
PK-4 - 1st grade
SMG student Seesaw accounts will be archived effective June 30th. You will receive a notification from Seesaw (with specific directions for downloading) that you have 60 days to download a .zip archive of your child's work once the class has been archived. When we begin the new 2020-21 school year, each student will be issued a new account.
2nd - 8th grade
SMG student email accounts and google classrooms will be deleted effective June 30th. If you would like to save any projects from the past 3 months of Distance Learning, please back them up on a flash drive prior to June 15th. When we begin the new 2020-21 school year, each student will be issued a new account and password.
Summer Reading Lists
The Summer Reading Requirements for each grade-level can be found by clicking the link below. The list has been posted on the school's website. Please email or call the front office with any questions. Happy Summer! Happy Reading!
https://smgschool.org/documents/2020/5/SMG%20Summer%20Reading%20List%202020-%20Final.pdf
Order School Supplies for the 2020-2021 School Year!
Save time and benefit from a streamlined and cost-efficient way of purchasing school supplies by ordering from School Supplies Company. Click on Find Your School on the following web site to place an order. All orders will be delivered to your child's SMG classroom on August 3rd.
The last day to order is June 19th at midnight.
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
SMG Vacation Bible School CANCELLED
Due to COVID19, VBS has been canceled for this summer. We are hopeful that we will be able to resume this exciting and fun tradition during the summer of 2021.
Mills Uniforms
https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/12396/documents/2020/5/Mills%20Uniform%20Letter%205.2020.pdf
2020-2021 Academic Calendar
Please click on the following link to view the 2020-2021 Academic Calendar, which was emailed to parents last Thursday and can also be found on the school website at smgschool.org.
https://smgschool.org/documents/2020/5/SMG%202020-2021%20Academic%20Calendar%202.pdf
Sports Physicals
To participate in athletics next school year (Junior High or High School), students will need a physical dated on or after June 1, 2020.
At this time, no plans have been communicated regarding sports physicals normally made available during the summer at Nolan Catholic High School for all diocesan (5th -12th grade) athletes. We will of course share any news if dates are scheduled for students to obtain sports physicals at Nolan. If your child plans to participate in sports during the 2020-2021 school year, they must have a current physical examination, and the form below must be completed and on file before the student may participate in school or diocesan sports.
https://smgschool.org/documents/2020/5/Physical%20Exam%20Form%202020.pdf
8th Grade Graduation Photos Available!
A huge thank you to Abby Pfaff Photography for photographing the 8th Grade Graduation Mass & Ceremony and then taking individual portraits of each graduate following the ceremony. All photos taken are now available for viewing and for purchase. Please visit the link below to place your order!
https://abbypfaffphotography1.shootproof.com/gallery/12117806
Virtual Summer Camp Provides Unique Opportunity for Play!
With youth sports interrupted across America and many summer camps shut down, Play Like a Champion is offering kids of all ages a chance to get moving and learn new skills. Our new Virtual Summer Camp will take place from June 1-19th, providing kids 3-weeks of fun and activity from the comfort of their own home. The camp will feature coaches from Play Like a Champion partners leading kids in both rigorous exercise and sport-specific drills, as well as daily character development and fun!
Camp sessions will take place live Monday - Friday beginning at 11:00 am EDT and last for approximately 90 minutes. The sessions will be available on-demand for attendees who cannot attend during the live broadcast or just can't get enough of the fun! A typical day will include the following:
* Welcome & Joke of the Day (5 Minutes)
* Sport-Specific Training (20 Minutes)
* Cardio & General Movement Activities (30 Minutes)
* Character Development (15 Minutes)
* Mindfulness Exercise (10 Minutes)
* Closing Gratitude Exercise (5 Minutes)
The "sport-specific training" portion of camp will include coaches leading workouts in a variety of sports that both hone traditional skills and encourage sports sampling. While designed around a popular sport, these workouts will be adaptable to any child's setup or equipment and focus on a wide-range of exercises that will benefit kids playing any sports.
Making new friends is key to every camp experience. While attending this virtual camp, kids will have the opportunity to connect with other children from diverse neighborhoods all across the country. In addition, children who register will receive a "Camp Kit" in the mail with Play Like a Champion "goodies" including a "Player Handbook" that will facilitate growth in virtue, in concert with the Character Development component of the camp. The Camp Kit will also include our Parent Like a Champion manual so that parents get in on the fun with research-based educational content.
Play Like a Champion is making this virtual camp available for free because we believe that all children, regardless of their family's economic circumstances, should be able to play sports and participate in summer camps, whether virtual or in-person. However, we are asking that those who are able consider making a donation to Play Like a Champion so that we can continue pursuing our mission of providing a safe and supportive youth sports environment for all children.
There are limited spots available for this exciting new virtual camp, so register today and join us this June!
First Holy Communion Rescheduled!
The Sacrament of First Holy Communion has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2020 at 11:00AM for SMG 2nd Grade students. Second Grade teacher, Ms. Meurer, will communicate more information and details to parents in the coming weeks.
First Communion Portraits
Abby Pfaff Photography is offering special pricing exclusively for 2nd Grade SMG students! See below for details or contact Abby at abbypfaffphotography@gmail.com.
Kountry Karnival Date: Saturday and Sunday, October 3-4 2020
In order for KK 2020 to be successful, we will need all hands on deck and several people to fill key positions. At this time, we are still looking for volunteers to help chair the event.
- Kountry Karnival Chairs/Co-Chairs– Can be 2 to 4 people or families. The chairs will work together to manage the Kountry Karnival alongside Laura Perez, Development Coordinator. Each Chair/Co-Chair will be responsible for a section of the Karnival and work closely with other SMG families. If you or your family is interested in becoming KK Chair/Co-Chairs, please contact Laura Perez at development@smgschool.org
Frontline Heroes!
We are so grateful to all worldwide who are on the frontlines fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic, especially those in our SMG school and parish community. May God continue to bless and keep safe all Frontline and Essential Worker Heroes!
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.
Please contact admissions@nchstx.org to schedule a family tour, or for more information.
LAST WEEK AT SMG.....
Kindergarten Promotion - May 26th
This year's SMG Kindergarten Promotion was celebrated via a Zoom Watch Party on Tuesday, May 26th. Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Bara, sent home a graduation packet which included: a class T-shirt, class graduation picture, class friendship bracelet, diploma, sight word book and award, Six Flags reading award, Book It award and VIRTUES awards. Congratulations to our graduating Kindergarten class!
View the happy celebration by clicking here: https://youtu.be/bntl3XgvB6o
1st - 7th Grade Awards - May 27th
Following Mass on Wednesday, the 1st-7th Grade Awards Ceremony was live streamed on Facebook and on the parish website (smgparish.org). Congratulations to everyone on a successful year!
Virtual End-of-Year Celebration & Last Day of 2019-2020 SMG School Year - Thursday, May 28th
Students, brought their lunch or a snack and joined the Virtual End-of-the-Year Celebration Thursday. Teachers and students had an opportunity to reminisce about the school year.and say good bye for the summer. Click here to view the End of Year Celebration
Animal Adaptation - 4th Grade Science
Fourth grade Science students studied how animals adapt to their environment to survive - hibernate, migrate, mimicry and camouflage. They were each given a white butterfly pattern. Then, they were asked to find a colorful or patterned background and color their butterfly so it would be camouflaged into that background. Mrs. Schump says that some were so well camouflaged that she could barely find them!
1st Grade Super Heroes
The kids took a selfie and drew a super hero mask on themselves. Then they described the most incredible thing about 1st grade.
Calendar Notes
- Monday, June 1: Report Cards mailed
- Saturday, 6/6: First Holy Communion; SMG 2nd Grade Students-11:00AM Mass
- Friday, 6/19: Deadline to order supplies for 2020-2021 school year
- Monday, 6/22 - Monday, 7/6: School Campus CLOSED
- Tuesday, 7/7: School Campus/Office Open, M -Th, 9AM - 2PM, Fridays, 9AM - 12PM
- Wednesday, 8/12: First Day of School
- Saturday/Sunday, October 3-4: Kountry Karnival
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/