The Trojan Times
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School May 1, 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,
Our Boosterthon is Friday, May 6, 2022. Students in Grades PreK-4 will take part in the Trojan Trot. Students in grades 5-8 will participate in the Trojan Color Run. Our goal is to raise $11,000 for tuition assistance and technology. If we reach this goal, Mrs. Vasquez and I will be slimed! This is also a 12:15 PM Dismissal day.
Grandparents Day is Monday, May 9th. We will be attending Mass together Monday instead of Wednesday. Please be sure to RSVP if you are going to have grandparents attend.
May Crowning will be Tuesday, May 10th, at 10:00 AM in the Church. Please send your student with a flower to give Mary. Parents are welcome to attend.
Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 12th, at 6:30 we will be hosting the SMGCS Sports Awards Ceremony in the cafetorium. Doors open at 6:15 PM.
The Round 2 tuition assistance deadline is May 15th.
Don't forget that Yearbook ads are on sale until May 15th. This is a great way to celebrate our 8th-grade graduates and 2nd-grade students making their First Communion or to advertise your business. The link to order is in this edition of the Trojan Times. Yearbooks are also on sale for $20 until June 27, 2022.
Final exams are quickly approaching. Please see the Junior High exam schedule in this edition of the Trojan Times.
Please pray for our 2nd-grade students who make their first communion on Saturday.
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Amy Utendorf, M.Ed.
Principal
Virtue of the Month: Zeal
Zeal is the virtue of the month for May. Zeal is being driven by an intense love for God and loving God so much that it gives you energy. When we have this kind of energy for God, we are zealous. The writer of Psalm 69 said of God, “Zeal for Your house consumes me.” Let us all be zealous for God and His truth so that we can share His love with others.
St. Paul -Feast Day January 25 and June 29
Before he came to believe in Jesus Christ, Saint Paul was so angry at those who followed Jesus that he had them put in jail. After Jesus appeared to Saint Paul in a special way, Saint Paul was so filled with love for Christ that he travelled everywhere he could to spread the good news of the Gospel.
Saint Dominic de Guzman - Feast Day August 8
Saint Dominic was so energetic about spreading the faith that he is sometimes called the “athlete of Christ”. Saint Dominic wanted to make sure everyone knew the truth about God and His good news of salvation. Saint Dominic and his Dominican brothers travelled to many places in Europe on foot, spending their days and nights teaching and preaching about God to the people, some of whom were spreading confusion and error about God and His Church.
At one point these people tried to kill Saint Dominic, but his only response was to rejoice that God found him worthy to suffer for the truth in imitation of Jesus. Because of Saint Dominic’s zeal, his brothers and sisters continue to teach about God throughout the world.
Saint Francis Xavier - Feast Day December 3
“The thought of thanking God for His goodness would certainly stir most university students to meditate on spiritual realities, to listen actively to what God is saying to them. They would forget their own desires, their human affairs, and give themselves over entirely to God’s will and his choice. They would cry out with all their heart: ‘Lord, I am here! What do you want me to do?’ Send me anywhere you like – even to India?” These words of Saint Francis Xavier sum up his whole life as one of the greatest missionaries the Church has ever known, a man on fire with the love of God.
Raised in a wealthy family from the Basque region of Spain, Francis met Saint Ignatius of Loyola at the University of Paris. The founder of the Jesuit Order found a ready recruit in the energetic young nobleman. One of the first missionary priests in his community, the life of Saint Francis Xavier reads like an action-adventure story. Sent to the shores of India and the Far East, he dined with head hunters, bathed the sores of lepers, and taught the faith to Indian children, baptizing 10,000 in a single month. He endured extreme weather conditions on long, primitive sea voyages, much like Saint Paul. During less than 20 years a priest, he traveled thousands of miles, most of it on his bare feet. God granted him the gift of tongues (speaking in the multitude of languages of those whom he served) as well as the ability to raise people from the dead, calm storms, prophesy, and heal. Completely spent in body form his labors in the service of God, Saint Francis Xavier died on the shores of China at the age of 46.
NEW Date for 80's Dance Party
Due to a track meet, the dance party originally scheduled for Friday, April 29th has been moved to Thursday, May 5th.
Order 2022-2023 School Supplies - June 17th Deadline
Prepackaged School Supplies for the 2022-2023 school year can be ordered at the following link. Supplies will be delivered to the school.
Spirit Games May 1st - TODAY!
There is still time to join us for the Stephen Breen Spirit Games TODAY at Nolan Catholic High School. This is a fun way to meet others from the Diocese and share faith, fun, and fellowship. SMGCS has a Hawaiian-themed Minute to Win it game booth. There are craft booths, other games to play, and a BBQ cook-off. I hope that all SMGCS families will make plans to attend. The school with the most attendance will win an ice cream party!
Boosterthon
Cantamos en Nuestra Escuela
We are excited to present "Cantamos en Nuestra Escuela," a short musical celebration of Cinco de Mayo. Second and third grade parents are invited to join us Thursday, May 5th at 9:00AM in the SMGCS Cafetorium. You may begin arriving at the front office to check in at 8:30 a.m. Students will perform in their regular school uniforms. If you are unable to attend this daytime performance, please don't worry. We will make a recording and post a link for you to view. We hope to see you there!
Save the Date!
Grandparent's and Grandfriend's Day
Please RSVP using the link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D45A8AC2FABFD0-grandparents
May Crowning
May Crowning will be Tuesday, May 10th at 10:00 AM in the Church. Please send your student with a flower to give Mary. Parents are welcome to attend.
Throughout history, Catholics have long honored the Blessed Virgin Mary during the month of May. To symbolize her significance in the Church and in our lives, a statue of the Blessed Virgin is crowned with a garland or crown of flowers honoring Mary as “the Queen of May."
Final Exam Schedule for Grades 6th, 7th, and 8th
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.
SMGCS Spring Book Fair 2022: May 9-11
Volunteers are needed for the SMGCS Spring Book Fair. Use the link to sign up.
Scrip
Shop Scrip! We carry Walmart gift cards at the school. You can now use Walmart gift cards to pay for online grocery orders. Earn 2.5% on all your Walmart purchases, including groceries, whether you shop in-store or online. For pick up or delivery.
Shop now: https://bit.ly/Walmart-Online-Grocery
Yearbook Ads for Sale Until May 15, 2022!
SMGCS parents and friends, we need your help to make this year's yearbook the best one yet!
Online Ad sales are available now. Buy your student or business ad today! All proceeds go to funding the yearbook. This is a great way to support your school and your students. If you have any questions you can contact the administrator of this yearbook by emailing
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.
- May 4 - 2nd Mitchell
- MONDAY, May 9 - 8th Pennell-No Wednesday Mass this week
- May 15 - SMGCS hosts 1:00 PM Mass
- May 18 - 8th Pick
- May 25 - 7th Nguyen
Red and blue cardigan sweaters, not vests, are required for Mass. Please ensure your child is following the Mass dress code.
SMG Today Episode 14
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 14: https://youtu.be/JUcp_X6-7oc - April 29, 2022
Nolan Catholic High School News
Friday Night Lights!
NCHS Accepting Applications for 2022-2023, Schedule a Tour
- NCHS Application and Tour Flyer
https://smgschool.org/documents/2022/3/nchs%20enrollment.jpeg
- NCHS Application and Tour Information
SMG Clubs - Mark Your Calendar!
Monday
- 3:30-4:00 PM Rubik Cube Club-NO CLUB TODAY
- Shutter Club during 6th-8th Lunch/Recess (Jamison) Every other Monday
- May 2, 16
- 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 Coding Club (Nguyen)
- May 2, 9
- 3:30-4:15 PM Chess Club (Nguyen)
- May 16
- 3:30-4:15 PM Table Tennis (Nguyen)
- May 23
Tuesday
- Library Leaders during Recess (Richards)
- 3:30-4:30 Spanish Club (Zavala)
- May 3
- 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
- May 4, 11
- 3:30 StuCo (Pick/Pennell) specific dates to be announced
Thursday
- NJHS during Recess (Vasquez and Jones)
- 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)
- 12:09-12:29 Out of the Box Editorial Staff Meeting (Richards) Select Fridays
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
BoosterThon Kick Off
BoosterThon was officially kicked off Wednesday. The SMGCS Boosterthon is Friday, May 6, 2022. Students in Grades PreK-4 will take part in the Trojan Trot. Students in grades 5-8 will participate in the Trojan Color Run. Our goal is to raise $11,000 for technology upgrade and tuition assistance. If we reach this goal, Mrs. Vasquez and Mrs. Utendorf will be slimed! Thank you for supporting SMGCS and all we do. We appreciate you!
View the video of last year's SMGCS Fun Run and Color Run: https://youtu.be/Br3OqHM-KeQ
Kindergarten - STEM Building Activity
A STEM activity uses elements of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math to solve problems. STEM teaches the importance of making connections and helps to build these pathways. Other skills attained through STEM education include problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, decision making, leadership, entrepreneurship, acceptance of failure and more.
1st Grade Poetry Slam
We had a great parent turn out for Mrs. Girton's 1st grade "Poetry Slam". Slam poetry is a blend of literature and performance that helps transform students from reluctant or shy learners into passionate artists.
3rd Grade
Third grade watched an animated Van Gogh Moonlight Sonata while learning the Latin root of Luna.
8th Grade Performing Arts
The 8th grade Performing Arts class performed a Greek Story Theatre playlet: Oedipus at Colonus. Students directed, produced and performed their show. Enjoy the performance by clicking on the link https://youtu.be/nv6ln-jOEDs.
8th Grade Vocation Day
On Thursday, April 28th, SMGCS 8th grade students joined other catholic students in the Diocese for Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral. Following Mass, students attended break-out sessions to consider religious vocations.
Teacher for the Day
A huge hit at the Dinner Dance is always Teacher for the Day. Students assume the responsibility of teaching class, plus all the other duties that comprise a busy teacher’s day: attendance, lesson planning, copying, emails, paperwork, etc. In addition to their teaching responsibilities, student teachers attended a staff meeting with Mrs. Utendorf and Mrs. Vasquez and then enjoyed a pizza lunch. The entire student body was surprised at the end of the day with Popsicle compliments of Mrs. Zavala.
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
May 1, Sunday: 11:00 Mass with Bishop Olson at NCHS, 12:00 Spirit Games at NCHS
May 5, Thursday: 9:00 Cinco De Mayo Progam 2nd/3rd Parents ONLY, 1:40 Folklorico Presentation
May 6, Friday: Boosterthon Trojan Trot (PreK-4) and Trojan Color Run (5-8), 12:10 Early Dismissal
May 7, Saturday: 2nd Grade First Communion, PSIA State Meet at TCU
May 9-11: SMG Spring Book Fair
May 9, Monday: 8:00 Mass, Grandparent's Day
May 10, Tuesday: 10:00 May Crowning
May 11, Wednesday: No Mass today
May 12, Thursday: 8:30 AM Band concert in Family Life Center, 6:30 PM Sports Awards Program
May 13, Friday: 10:00 1st Grade Mini Musical - Parents ONLY
May 17-20, 23: 6th/7th/8th Finals (see schedule)
May 18, Wednesday: Candle Passing Ceremony following 8:00 AM Mass
May 20, Friday: 2:30 Pep Rally
May 23, Monday: 12:10 8th grade ONLY dismissed, 6:30 PM 8th-grade graduation Mass in the Church
May 25, Wednesday: Award Ceremony (grades1-7), 6:30 PM Little Women Play
May 26, Thursday: 1:30 Kindergarten Graduation, Walk for Life
May 27, Friday: Field day (PreK-7), Last Day of School, 12:10 Early Dismissal
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/