The Trojan Times
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School December 18, 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,
Thank you to Mr. Cullen, Mrs. Richards, and Mrs. Zavala for planning and presenting our Christmas programs this year. They really helped us remember the meaning and joy of Advent and the Christmas season.
Thank you to Mrs. Jamison for organizing and planning another wonderful Christmas Around the World. Thank you to her 8th grade students and parent helpers. This is such a wonderful way to acknowledge all of the Christmas traditions from around the world.
What a great 2022 we have had. Words can not express how thankful I am to lead such an amazing school. I am blessed to have the support of our pastors, Father Mike and Father Stan. My teachers and staff are the best in the Diocese. My school families are always giving and saying yes and participating. I love my kids (students)! They are the BEST part of my job. SMGCS truly is a family and MY family! I thank God every day for this community. Enjoy this time off with your family and friends. Rest, relax, laugh, and enjoy each other. Come back on January 3, 2023, ready to learn!
If you or someone you know would like to join the School Advisory Council Catholic Mission Committee please use the link below:
https://forms.gle/EkeeVcUmjHhYxvX68
Please pray for those who are hurting this Christmas season.
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Amy Utendorf, M.Ed.
Principal
Dinner Dance - January 21, 2023
Volunteer Opportunities - Earn Spirit Hours
Below are some of the volunteer opportunities available right now! Earn your SPIRIT HOURS & hang out with fellow Trojan families, all while helping SMG.
Sports Website
Visit the Catholic Dioses of Ft. Worth website for sports schedules. Please check the site before a game for any last-minute changes. Games start this Saturday!
SMGCS Hosts Weekend Masses
Please mark your calendars to attend and participate in the Masses this year! All students and their families should plan to attend in their Mass uniforms.
2023 SMGCS Weekend Masses
- ALL weekend Masses January 28-29, 2023
- 11:00 AM Sunday, March 5, 2023
- 1:00 PM Sunday, April 23, 2023
UTA Social Worker
Nolan Catholic High School Announcements
Prospective Parent Coffee & Tour
- Friday, February 3
- Friday, March 31
Last Week at SMGCS
SMG Broadcast
Send pictures and information to broadcast@smgschool.org and we will do our best to feature the amazing things happening in our school.
View this week's SMG Broadcast at https://youtu.be/ifyaEz_WN-w
Advent
We met for prayer Monday to celebrate the 3rd week of Advent and to discuss SMG's Week of Kindness.
In celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day, we said a Hail Mary in Spanish and flowers were laid at Our Lady's statue.
Open House & Santa Visit
Mr. and Mrs. Claus came to visit SMGCS during our Open House Monday. Students were treated to a read-aloud by Santa. After his visit, he dashed to his sleigh to return to the North Pole to prepare for Christmas Eve!
Las Posadas
Spanish teacher, Martha Zavala, coordinated a Las Posada procession through the SMG neighborhood filled with singing, prayer, fellowship and delicious food. Video_3 (3).mov
Las Posadas, (Spanish: “The Inns”) is a religious festival celebrated in Mexico and some parts of the United States during December. Las Posadas commemorates the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge where Mary could give birth to the baby Jesus. When they were unable to find lodging in Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary were forced to seek shelter in a stable, where the Christ Child was born.
Band Concert
Under the instruction of band teacher, Mr. Chris Cullen, SMG students entertained us with holiday music Tuesday night.
Glory to God Christmas Program
PreK through 5th grade students, in addition to the Cecilian Singers, performed in the Glory to God Christmas program Thursday night. Thanks to Mrs. Richards and students for a glorious performance.
Christmas Around the World
On our last day before winter break, eighth grade students presented slideshow presentations along with craft activities to introduce the Christmas customs celebrated by others around the world. A big thank you to Mrs. Jamison for coordinating Christmas Around the World. After class parties, we had early dismissal to begin our winter break.
CPR Training
- Third grade students: Rachel, Mia, and Mary learned infant CPR and choking rescue.
- Fifth grade students: Daniel, Christina and Colbie learned adult CPR.
Pre-K Reindeer
Kindergarten
Kindergarten Caroling in Father Mike's Office
1st Grade: Padre Pio House Donations
Students participated in a reverse advent calendar by bringing gifts each day to donate to the Padre Pio Food Pantry. On Thursday, they took a "field trip" down the block to make their delivery. We are so proud of our first graders who showed gratitude and kindness towards others this Christmas season.
1st Grade Silent Night
I am so proud of your students. They did a wonderful job keeping the SMGCS "Silent Night" tradition alive! Here is a link to view their performance at the end of Mass Wednesday. Please download the file soon if you want it as I believe the link expires in two weeks.
Blessings,
Rachel Richards
Music & Performing Arts Teacher
3rd Grade JOY
3rd Grade Science
The students used a balance and mass pieces to find the mass of salt, water, and a mixture of salt and water. Through the investigation, they concluded that the salt dissolves into the water but does not disappear. The mass proves it is still there. We just can't see it.
6th Grade Performing Arts Class
Sixth Grade Performing Arts Class did a great job performing their skit for our Christmas Showcase. Students studied theatre basics, beginner blocking, pantomime, monologue and dialogue this semester. The wrote, blocked, directed, produced, and performed original skits. Mrs. Richards is proud of their hard work and creativity.
Spanish: El muñeco de nieve
Physical Education
We have just finished up a week of "Winter Games". This unit included the following:
- Santa's Sleigh- students sat on a scooter and another pulled them with pool noodles. Ava and Karmen used them as carts to haul their snowballs - which I thought was really creative!
- Indoor snowball fights; the older classes had a course for them to maneuver through.
- Bobsledding- the students had a track to race each other. Some would sit on the bobsled and the others would push.
- Speed Skating- the students put scarves under their shoes and raced on a short track pushing as if on ice skates.
- Air Hockey- tables were set up with plungers and pool noodles to act as air hockey tables.
Holiday Apparel
Calendar Notes
December 19-Jan. 2: Christmas Break
January 3, Tuesday: School Resumes
January 6, Friday: 3:30-5:30 CPR Club 2nd Grade, Report Cards emailed home
January 13, Friday: 12:10 Early Dismissal
January 16, Monday: MLK Holiday - No School
January 21, Saturday: Storybook Gala Dinner Dance & Auction
January 29, Sunday: Open House, Spaghetti Dinner
January 29-February 3: Catholic Schools Week
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/
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/