The Trojan Times
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School May 23, 2021
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 Sunday!
There is was so much joy at the St. Maria Goretti Catholic School and Parish last Thursday as we bid farewell to our 8th Grade students. The morning began with the 8th Grade breakfast, hosted by 7th Grade parents, the Candle Lighting & Robing Ceremony, the final walk through the school, and the Graduation Mass & Ceremony that evening. Please join me in praying for our graduates as they transition to high school. They have pursued excellence in academics, built lasting relationships, grown in virtue, and most importantly, grown in their Catholic faith. I have great faith in these graduates and excited to see what their future holds.
There are several end-of-the-year activities taking place this week before our Last Day of School on Thursday. Our Kindergarteners will officially become 1st graders after the Kindergarten Promotion on Tuesday afternoon. We will have our last school Mass of the school year on Wednesday morning followed by the annual Awards Ceremony. On Thursday morning, students will participate in Field Day activities, followed by their Classroom Parties. Reminder: Early Dismissal on Thursday at 12:10PM; No Lunch Service; No SMEED.
Please see the 2021 Summer Reading information below. The 2021 Summer Reading List will be posted on the school website and copies were sent home with the youngest or only student in each family last Friday.
Our search for a new principal is progressing well. We have received many applications from qualified applicants and have narrowed down the top candidates. Please continue to pray for wisdom for us as we discern the best candidate and be assured that the future leadership of the school will continue to stay true to our mission of educating and forming students in Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.
Open Enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year continues! We ask you to please share the good news of St. Maria Goretti Catholic School with any family and friends with school-aged children. Invite them to call to schedule a personal tour to learn more about SMGCS. YOU are our best advertisement and we need your help! Thank you!
As we approach the final days of the school year, I would like to personally tell you how grateful I am to have been provided the opportunity to be here at St. Maria Goretti Catholic School as your principal the last three years. St. Maria Goretti Catholic School community has been such an important part of my life and will always hold a special place in my heart. The faith foundation this community provides and the friendships formed, allows us to continue to grow our youngest disciples while building up His kingdom on Earth. I will sincerely miss working with the entire community, our faculty, staff, parents, and students. I would also like to thank Father Jim and Father Mike for the guidance and support they have provided.
I pray you all enjoy the rest of your day and have a wonderful week ahead!
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Laura Behee, M.Ed.
Principal
Marian Hymns
Religion teacher, Mrs. Pennell, recommended some beautiful options for Marian hymns to share with your family during this upcoming month of Mary. Our Lady, Queen of Hope, Pray for us!
2021-2022 Registration & Enrollment Continues!
Registration and Enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year is OPEN! Information, including tuition rates was emailed to all current school families and can be found at the following links:
https://smgschool.org/documents/2021/1/Tuition%20Letter%202021-2022%2001%20ML.pdf
https://smgschool.org/documents/2021/1/2021-2022%20Reg%20%20Tuition.pdf.
Tuition assistance is available ( https://smgschool.org/financial-aid ) and we are committed to making a Catholic education a reality for any family who wishes one for their child(ren). Please contact Mrs. Behee (lbehee@smgschool), our Registrar, Mrs. de la Pena (jdelapena@smgschool.org), or our Business Manager, Mr. Rogalsky (mrogalsky@smgschool.org), with any questions or concerns.
Yearbooks and Ads Available Through July 2nd
Here is the link to order the 2020-2021 yearbook, and to place an ad in the yearbook. Yearbook ads are great for 8th grade graduates, kindergarten promotion, First Holy Communion, and more. You can also upload photos for the yearbook staff to consider using in the yearbook. Please call the school office if you have any questions.
https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/view_account.asp?yearbook_id=49360
2021 Summer Reading List
The love of reading brings many joys to our lives. Students who delight in books have the opportunity to experience different worlds and have enriching conversations with men and women throughout all of time. They are invited to join in what we call “the Great Conversation” of humanity, discussing together and reflecting upon the pressing questions we all face, such as: “Who am I? What is my place in the world? How can I make life better, both for me and for others?” Reading transforms us. It allows us to see the world through the eyes of others.
In addition to building wonder through reading, there are also some more practical benefits. Students who enjoy reading for pleasure typically do better in school, developing stronger skills in writing, spelling, and comprehension without even realizing it. Studies show students who enjoy reading also do better in math and science, because reading develops logic and thinking skills.
With the love of reading as our goal, here are the required and recommended summer readings. Please refer to the grade-level your child will be entering in the fall. There are no summer assignments (6th-8th graders should annotate) to complete and turn in on the first day of school. We do ask that parents complete and sign the attached form, acknowledging that your child(ren) have read the required reading. The goal is for students to enjoy and experience the selection(s). Teachers will spend time at the beginning of the school year reviewing the required reading with students.
Many of these books are available at your local library, as a free e-book and audiobook download from the Gutenberg Project at http://www.gutenbuerg.org, as a free audiobook from LibriVox, and as an audiobook on YouTube.
2021 SMGCS Summer Reading List: https://smgschool.org/documents/2021/5/SMG%20Summer%20Reading%20List%202021-%20Final.pdf
Order 2021-2022 School Supplies - June 15th Deadline
Prepackaged School Supplies for the 2020-2021school year can be ordered at the following link. Supplies will be delivered to the school.
https://schoolsuppliesco.com/collections/st-maria-goretti
A list of supplies by grade level is also available on the SMG web site:
End-of-Year Reminders From Nurse Beth
- Incoming 7th Graders might be due for the TDAP and Meningococcal immunizations. I have tried to send out emails that are due. If you are wondering if your student is due, I can check and let you know!
- Incoming Kindergarten students might be due for their 5th DTAP, 4th Polio, 2nd MMR, and 2nd Varicella. Again, if you are not sure, just let me know and I can check.
- If your student has medications in the clinic, it will need to be picked up by the parent before or on the last day of school. If you do not want the medication, please let me know and I can dispose of it. I will dispose of any medication that is not picked up. New medication paperwork must be completed each year.
- If your student, 5th Grade and up, will be playing sports next year they will need a physical completed this summer. All physicals must be completed and dated June 1st or after. The physical must be completed on our Catholic School Health Report Form, which can be found on the school website or at the following link: https://smgschool.org/documents/2018/8/Catholic%20School%20Health%20Report.pdf
Texas Rangers Catholic Schools Night
All Catholic School students, teachers, family, and friends are invited to Catholic Schools night at Globe Life Field for the first full season at the new ballpark!
Catholic Schools Night Texas Rangers vs. Chicago White Sox Saturday September 18th @6:05PM : Purchase your discounted tickets below!
2nd Grade First Communion Pictures Available
Dear Second-Grade Parents,
Please see the information below from our photographer from First Communion.
The Google Drive link (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1C_GHXiisEowKuoAHFPNQYLQeEgBbCGz0?usp=sharing) is where you will download all of the social media sized digital images straight to your computer. All you have to do is open the folder and it will take you to all of the images. There, you can select all of the images, right-click and save all of the images to your computer or flash drive.
If you would like to purchase the copy/printing rights to the full resolution images, let me know and we can definitely arrange that! Or you can purchase high res downloads and prints via the Shootproof link (https://abbypfaffphotography1.shootproof.com/gallery/14917642)!
Thank you so much, I had a great time working with everyone! Don't forget to tag @abbypfaffphotography on Instagram and Facebook if you post the images!
Abby Pfaff
Yearbook Pictures Needed!
Hey SMGCS Parents and friends, we need your help to make this year's yearbook the best one yet!
Parents can upload photos to the yearbook project via the new Entourage Link app. According to the Entourage team, “Many of our memories nowadays are captured on smartphones. The Entourage Link app for iphone and android has allowed for the uploading of photos directly from one’s device. Never before has it been easier to contribute to the yearbook project." The yearbook staff is excited and grateful for this as it will give us access to more photos to design our yearbook pages.
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.
SPIRIT Hours
Volunteer Hour Policy-
We will be continuing with our SPIRIT Hour policy from last year. In the absence of Kountry Karnival, we will be working to find other ways that families can earn hours. Opportunities will be communicated via emailed SPIRIT Updates, the Trojan Times, and on our website.
All SMG families must complete 40 hours (20 hours by December 18, 2020, and 20 hours by May 14, 2021). Please note that due to having fewer events and volunteer opportunities at which to earn SPIRIT hours right now, we will defer charges for incomplete SPIRIT hours for 1st Semester until the end of the 2nd semester, and will reevaluate at that time.
Current Volunteer/Donation Opportunities:
- Disposable Face Masks & Gloves-Donate boxes of disposable face masks and gloves of all sizes and earn one SPIRIT hour for each box donated. Donations can be brought to the school front office, Monday - Friday between 7:30AM - 3:30PM.
- Items for Christmas Store 2021-Purchase new items for next year's (2021) Christmas store and receive one SPIRIT Hour for every $10 spent. Needed items include small toys, small household items, trinkets, gift bags, and tissue paper. Receipts must be included when donation is dropped off in order to receive SPIRIT hour credit. Donations can be brought to the school front office, Monday - Friday between 7:30AM - 3:30PM.
How Are We Doing?
https://forms.gle/SJtUW2iBSzT5xeKW9
SMG School Club Opportunities
SMG Club News
Monday
- 3:30-4:30PM 5th-8th Drama Club - LAST DAY May 24
Wednesday
- 12:08-12:48PM Out of the Box Art and Literary Magazine working lunch
SMGCS Art and Literary Magazine: Out of the Box, Seeking Submissions!!
Our submission period is now OPEN! We can’t wait to see and share your creativity! To share your art or written works, please complete this google form. https://forms.gle/W7oA7WiVVKiuFovD6
If you have already made submissions, thanks! Our student editors have begun processing the entries and will contact you if they need further information or have questions.
Email Mrs. Jamison (ajamison@smgschool.org) or Mrs. Richards (rrichards@smgschool.org) for more information.
4-H Club Now at SMGCS!
We are excited to be announce that SMGCS has joined the Diocese of Fort Worth-Tarrant County 4-H Club! Membership is open to all 3rd - 8th Grade students. For more information or questions, contact Mrs. Pick at apick@smgschool.org. As well, see the information below and at the following link with details on how to register! Parents are welcome (and encouraged) to volunteer!
More info here: https://smgschool.org/documents/2020/11/4H%20Flier%20for%20families.pdf
Joining information:
go to https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in
(if that link doesn’t work, go to https://agrilife.org/urbantarrant4h/join/, scroll down, and click on 4-H online)
Create new account as a new member
Choose "Diocese of Fort Worth-Tarrant County" for your club
Pay the $30 registration fee
Parents, if you are interested in helping as project leaders, you can register the same way. You should have one account per family, and then click “add family member” to the first account. Parent volunteers must be current on their VIRTUS training, and the membership fee is $10.
You can learn more about the Texas 4-H projects here:
Miscellaneous Information
Mask Update
We are excited to announce that Bishop Olson has approved face masks to be optional during the school day and at any school events for the 2021-2022 school year!
Student Email Accounts and Google Classroom
All students, whether learning On-Campus or via Distance Learning, have school email accounts that they generally access during computer class, and will also need to access Google Classroom. Parents of students in Grades 4th - 8th who are attending classes On-Campus were sent information and instructions for their student(s) to access their email accounts, log-in to Google Classroom, and create a bookmark on their home devices. Students have also be given this information during computer class, as many 4th-8th Grade teachers provide feedback on assignments, etc. to students via Google Classroom. As well, being familiar with logging in to Google Classroom will be helpful should we ever need to move to distance learning during the school year. If you did not receive your student's log-in information or have questions, please contact Mrs. Daly (jdaly@smgschool.org).
As well, please check out the following tutorial for detailed instructions on signing into Google Classroom.
2020-2021 Academic Calendar
Please click on the following link to view the 2020-2021 Academic Calendar. It can also be found on the school website at smgschool.org.
https://smgschool.org/documents/2020/5/SMG%202020-2021%20Academic%20Calendar%202.pdf
COVID-19: Safety Procedures and Protocols
Please see the SMG Safe Return to School plan that was sent to all school families last week, by clicking the following link.
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
Nolan Catholic High School: 6th-8th Grade Family Information
Nolan Catholic is excited to announce that the application process for the 2021-2022 school year has already begun. Our goal is to continue to allow for as many admissions opportunities as possible for our prospective families to learn more about Nolan Catholic High School.
As a quick highlight, the admissions department is offering informational sessions, one-on-one meetings, virtual or on-campus tours, and an open house this fall.
For more information, visit http://www.nolancatholic.org/events-and-tours
NCHS Upcoming Workshops, Concerts, Auditions and Camps
Please visit Nolan Catholic High School's website to check out all of this year's summer camp offerings! If you have any camp specific questions, please reach out to the staff member associated with that camp or call the Main Office at (817) 457-2920.
Last Week at SMGCS.....
Jersey Day
Our SMGCS 8th Grade Class conducted a fundraiser Monday. For a $2 donation, students were allowed to wear their favorite team jersey or shirt with uniform bottoms.
NJHS Officer
Please congratulate Amanda S. for becoming our 2021-2022 NJHS service chair!
SMGCS Table Tennis Tournament
Mr. Nguyen hosted a Table Tennis Tournament Monday. This fun event was open to all 4th-8th grade students.
Contestants :
Xavier B. 8th, Sean V. 7th, Christian C. 7th, Quang N. 7th,
Anthony P. 6th,Josiah M. 6th, Danh N. 6th, Luke A. 5th
Congratulations to the finalists:
1st Place - Josiah
2nd Place - Quang
3rd Place -- Sean and Anthony
Table tennis has a British origin. During the early ages, Great Britain was much interested in lawn events such as tennis. Later, they brought the sport indoors in the name of table tennis. According to the Olympic world library, over 10 million players participate in various table tennis tournaments each year. https://thefactfile.org/table-tennis-facts/
Congratulations to the Class of 2021
Graduating 8th Grade students began their last day of school at SMG with a breakfast hosted by the 7th Grade parents. Following breakfast, the Candle Lighting & Robing Ceremony was held in the church. Eighth grade students passed their duty as leaders and role models of the school to the seventh grade class by passing a ceremonial candle. In a sentimental and moving moment, SMG students lined the halls as graduating students made their last walk through the hallways of SMG. Later that night, 8th Grade students and their families returned to St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church for Mass and the Graduation Ceremony. We wish our graduates well as they being their new journey as high school students!
Pre K
First Grade Mini Musical - Rhyme Time with Mother Goose
Music teacher, Mrs. Richards, never fails to amaze us! The first grade class put on an adorable mini musical with an exciting twist to our favorite nursey rhymes. Enjoy the show at the following You Tube link: https://youtu.be/s3QVHLTinqY.
Second Grade - All About Ladybugs
Third Grade Science Lesson
Fourth Grade - Tall Tales Story Wheel
Each story wheel includes information about the tall tale setting, main character, conflict, tall tale evidence, adjectives to describe the book, and the reader's opinion.
Seventh Grade Science Fair
Teachers were invited to bring their classes to the cafetorium Wednesday to view science fair projects. Seventh grade students were present to explain their projects and answer questions.
Eighth Grade Tasting Party
Great way to end a great book! After finishing To Kill a Mockingbird, Mrs. Pennell surprised her class with a tasting party with foods mentioned in the book.
Spanish
Mrs. Zavala’s 5th Grade Spanish Classes recorded “Junto a ti Maria” today. Here is a link to the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/U0HtfHp-2D8
Trojan Troupe - A Tree Called Aesop
The Trojan Troupe entertained us Friday with a production of A Tree Called Aesop. SMG has some budding young actors! We appreciate Mrs. Richards for her time spent after hours mentoring this group of thespians. Use this link to enjoy the show: https://youtu.be/mjzwyzqGCq8
Music - You've Got the Power
Our 2nd-5th Grade Music Classes are proud to present "You've Got the Power," a singing celebration of the positive attitudes and optimism that saw us through this unique school year. Enjoy!
Pray in Color
Here are some reasons to Pray in Color:
1) You want to pray but words escape you.
2) Sitting still and staying focused in prayer are a challenge.
3) Your body wants to be part of your prayer.
4) You want to just hang out with God but don’t know how.
5) Listening to God feels like an impossible task.
6) Your mind wanders and your body complains.
7) You want a visual, concrete way to pray.
8) You need a new way to pray.
—Sybil MacBeth in Praying in Color: Drawing a New Path to God (Paraclete Press, 2007).
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
- Tuesday, 5/25: Kindergarten Promotion, 2:00PM
- Wednesday, 5/26: Last Mass of school year followed by Awards Ceremony
- Thursday, 5/27: 4th Quarter Ends; Last Day of School; Field Day, 8:30AM-10:30AM; Early Dismissal, 12:10PM; No Lunch Service, No SMEED
- Monday, 6/7: Final report cards mailed
- June 15: Deadline to order 2021-2022 School Supplies
- June 21-24: Summer Camp with Nurse Beth, 8:00AM - 3:00PM
- July 2: Deadline to Order Yearbook and Ads
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.
Like Us on Face Book!
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!
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/