The Trojan Times
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School March 20, 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,
I hope you had a restful spring break. I am looking forward to welcoming the students back to campus tomorrow.
On Saturday, March 26, 2022, the students who have been preparing for the PSIA competition will compete at St. Martin de Pores. Please keep them in your prayers. I know their hard work and dedication will pay off.
We have been busy preparing for our Accreditation Visit which will take place on our campus from April 3-6, 2022. What is an accreditation you ask?
To ensure that the Texas Catholic Schools reach academic excellence and experience quality faith formation, the Texas Conference of Bishops Education Department, (TCCBED) provides an accreditation program, which is recognized by the Texas Education Agency.
The accreditation program focuses on school improvements and accountability. It is intended to strengthen Catholic school mission and identity and to engage Catholic schools in the ongoing improvement of student academic performance.
We began the accreditation process last year writing a criteria-based self-study where teachers and staff examined specific aspects of school life including Catholic Identity, Operational Vitality, Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Support Services, and Plant and Facilities.
An accreditation team is comprised of educators from other schools who are trained in the accreditation process. During a three-day visit, the accreditation team uses TCCB ED standards to evaluate the school. They complete a Visiting Team Consensus Report (VTCR) which details the strengths and areas that need attention.
The VTCR is assigned to a member of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops Accreditation Commission, which consists of two bishops, six commissioners at large, and six current Catholic school superintendents. The commissioner reviews the school’s self-study and presents the findings of the Visiting Team committee and then to the Commission as a whole.
The school is assigned an accreditation status and receives an Accreditation Status Report. The report defines what needs to be addressed in periods of 90 days, one year, and three years. Each Catholic school is accredited every seven years and provides annual reports for continued school accreditation.
The Catholic schools in Texas, through the TCCB ED, function within a larger community of educators. TCCB-ED has a formal relationship not only with the state of Texas’ TEA but is also a member of the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission. TEPSAC helps ensure quality in private schools by monitoring and approving organizations that accredit nonpublic elementary and secondary schools in the state of Texas.
We will be talking with the students in the next few weeks about the accreditation process. Students will be asked questions about their school by the visiting team members. Parents might also be asked questions in carline, so be prepared! We will have the results of the visit in June or July.
We are very proud of our school and know that the visiting team on our campus will see how great SMGCS is as well and offer suggestions to help us get even better.
Please pray for our teachers.
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Amy Utendorf, M.Ed.
Principal
Student Council Food Drive March 21-April 1
SMGCS Student Council has organized a food drive for our Lenten almsgiving to benefit the SMG Food Pantry and the Sisters of Namur. Students may deliver donations to their homeroom teacher.
SMG Food Pantry- Mac & Cheese
- Instant Mashed Potatoes 13 oz or 15 oz
- Canned mixed veggies
- Noodles (any type), elbow, rotini, shells, etc.
- Canned fruit
- Tomato or Chicken Noodle Soup
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Any canned veggies such as peas, black beans, carrots
- Chili
- Oatmeal boxed with the individual bags
Sisters of Namur
- Stationary
- Chocolates
- Paper products like plates and napkins
- Pancake mix
LAST DAY TO SIGN UP IS TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT!
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
Music Class Informance - Save the Dates
Home & School 4th & 5th Grade Performance - March 29th
Out of the Box
Out of the Box: SMG Art and Literary Magazine is now accepting submissions! This annual publication showcases superior works of art, photography, and writing submitted by students of all ages as well as our faculty and staff. Our 2022 submission deadline is April 11th. Information sheets and printed submission forms were sent home in folders this week.
Additionally, Out of the Box is looking for a small group of 7th and 8th grade students to serve on our Editorial Staff. We will meet on select Fridays from 12:09-12:29. Applications were sent home this week to eligible students and are due March 30th. Our first meeting will be Friday, April 1st.
Editorial Staff information
https://smgschool.org/documents/2022/3/2021-22%20Out%20of%20the%20Box%20Info%20Application-1.png
Editorial Staff Application - 7th/8th
https://smgschool.org/documents/2022/3/2021-22%20Out%20of%20the%20Box%20Info%20Application-2.png
Please contact Mrs. Richards for more information.
Respect Life Contest - April 12th Deadline
Play Props Needed
Class Party Openings
We still have several spots open for our class parties. They are so much fun. Do not miss out! Call the school office to register.
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.
https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/specials.asp
Nine Easy Steps to Upload Photos
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 23 - 7th Nguyen
- March 30 - 6th Jones
- April 6 - 6 Baxter (Seyer)
- April 13 - 5th Schump
- April 20 - 4th Gutierrez
- April 27 - 3rd Cruz
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.
SMG Today Episode 9
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 9 https://youtu.be/wCjAecsXMsk March 11, 2022
- Episode 8 https://youtu.be/0Ixxstu_SM8 March 4, 2022
Nolan Catholic High School News
Support the NCHS Senior Show March 27th
Join us for our Nolan Catholic High School Senior Show in Hartnett Arena on Sunday, March 27th from 4 until 7 pm. The Senior Show is a national movement started by a group of parents who wanted to establish an alcohol and drug free celebration for graduating classes. For more information, visit the link below.
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Support-our-annual-Senior-Show-.html?soid=1011170310117&aid=liLNnabt4JcRoyelles Dance Team Clinic, Show and Auditions
Royelles Dance Team Flyer
https://smgschool.org/documents/2022/3/royelles.jpeg
Royelles Dance Team Information
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GOo80gMDO_byi0jh2oThsTcHFM3w_wuK/view?usp=sharing
NCHS Accepting Applications for 2022-2023, Schedule a Tour
https://smgschool.org/documents/2022/3/nchs%20enrollment.jpeg
NCHS Application and Tour Information
NCHS Cheer Tryouts 2022-2023
SMG Clubs - Mark Your Calendar!
Monday
- Shutter Club during 6th-8th Lunch/Recess (Jamison) Begins Nov. 1 - Every other
- March 21, April 4, 18, May 2, 16
- 3:15-4:00 PM Rubik Club-All Cubers Welcome!!
- 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)
- 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. 23, April 6, 27, May 4, 11
- 3:30-4:15 PM PSIA 3rd-8th Ready Write (Vasquez/Utendorf)
- March 23
- 3:30 StuCo (Pick/Pennell) specific dates to be announced
Thursday
- NJHS during Recess (Vasquez and Jones)
- March 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 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
6th Grade Nolan Fine Arts Open House
Sixth grade had a terrific day at Nolan Catholic High School visiting the various fine arts classes. They saw the production of Mary Poppins featuring SMG students Sarah and Leo B. Then they visited the broadcasting room, learned a dance routine from the Royelles, helped create a mural in the art room and experienced the Folklorico Club.
Pep Rally
A huge thanks to Mrs. Paladini for filling in at our Winter Pep Rally. Eighth graders, Haskell and Will were full of energy and enthusiasm as they emceed the gathering. Students were treated to cheerleading chants and dances as we recognized our 5th through 8th grade Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball and Football teams. Additionally, Holly and Alex had an entertaining jump off. Spelling Bee winner, Damien, was recognized along with Animal Shelter Essay winner Kyleigh, 4th/5th grade MLK essay winners Maddy, Camilia, and Catie, and 6th-8th grade MLK essay winners Sarah, Ethan and Mia. Congratulations to first grade for winning the spirit stick award with their very original chant.
Although the band could not entertain us this year, their recorded performances were played as students entered the gym.
7th-8th Grade Band - Seven Nation Army
5th and 6th Grade Band – Paint It Black
Beginner Band – The Hey Song
8th Grade Volleyball Game
Infant CPR and Choking
Fourth grade students, Isa and Alyssa, took Infant first aid for choking and CPR lessons from Nurse Beth Arsenaeu in preparation for their new baby sisters.
Kindergarten Field Trip to Dr. Moody Alexander
Orthodontist, Dr. Moody Alexander, and his wonderful staff welcomed kindergarten into his office for a field trip. The students learned how they make 3D scans of teeth, heard all about the horrors of the bacteria in their mouths and learned how to make a plaster impressions of their "thumbs up"!
1st Grade
3rd Grade
Coding Club
The Coding Club, under the direction of Mr. Nguyen, is using Bitbox and JavaScript to program apps and develop games.
Crayfish Disection
Density
Sixth grade calculated for density using triple beam balances and graduated cylinders.
Physics - Learning Newton's Laws of Motion
2022 Teacher Outings
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 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 4-6: SMGCS Accreditation Visit
April 8, Friday: Stations of the Cross - 7th-grade hosts
April 12, Tuesday: Respect Life Posters and Essays Due
April 13, Wednesday: 2:30 The Little Donkey's Easter Journey
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
April 29, Friday: Teacher for the Day
May 1, Sunday: 11:00 Mass with Bishop Olson at NCHS, Spirit Games at NCHS
May 6, Friday: Field Day, 12:10 Early Dismissal
May 23, Monday: 8th grade ONLY dismissed at 12:10 and, 6:30 PM 8th-grade graduation Mass in the Church
May 26, Thursday: 1:30 Kindergarten Graduation
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/