The Trojan Times
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School November 28, 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,
I hope you all enjoyed the Thanksgiving break. We have a lot going on between now and Christmas Break. There are many opportunities to volunteer to help, please continue to check your emails and the Trojan Times!
Over the Thanksgiving break, our new water bottle filling station was installed! We are grateful for this legacy gift left from our 2021 graduating class.
Faith Families is Monday. We will be talking about the virtue of generosity this month. I am encouraging all students to do good deeds during the Advent season. Students will write their deeds on straw and place them in the manger in the cafetorium. Our goal is to have a manger full of straw for baby Jesus to lay on when he comes on Christmas.
We will be kicking off our Christmas Sock drive on Monday. Students are asked to donate a pair of socks in the same size that they wear. We will be donating them to the Padre Pio House.
Christmas Store starts on Tuesday! This SMGCS tradition is long-standing and well-loved. Many elves are needed to help make this a success. You received an email about this before the holiday, I have included the link below if you want to come and help. The shopping schedule is listed below.
Junior High midterms will begin soon. Teachers will be getting your students reviews for their exams. We will have a special schedule to allow more time for the students to take these important exams. You will find that schedule in this Trojan Times.
Thank you to those who have completed our survey. This data is so helpful in preparing for our Accreditation and the rewriting of our Strategic Plan. All surveys need to be completed by December 3rd. Please use the following link to complete the parent survey. All parents who complete this survey will earn a spirit hour for their time. https://smgcs.questionpro.com/
Please keep our school families in your prayers.
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Amy Utendorf, M.Ed.
Principal
SMG Spirit Store Open for Christmas Shopping Thru Dec. 5th
Our Spirit Store is now open and ready for shopping until December 5th. Everything will be delivered to the school by December 17th. SMGCS swag makes great Christmas gifts!
SMGCS would like to take your child on a trip around the world to discover customs, traditions, and the Catholic celebration of Christmas in other countries. However, in order to do so we need your HELP. We know our families are a great source of information and we would love to have you share your heritage, culture, customs and traditions when it comes to celebrating a Catholic Christmas. This year we will be focusing on 8 countries: Sweden, France. Germany, Italy, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, Sweden, and Vietnam.
If you would be interested in being a cultural liaison on Friday, December 17th, please contact Laura Perez at development@smgschool.org.
SMGCS Christmas Sock Drive: Nov. 29-Dec. 13
SMG Christmas Store 2021: November 30 – December 2
Ready, set, shop! It’s time for the Christmas Store, and here is what you need to know to prepare your child for a fun day of shopping!
Your child’s money goes a long way at the SMG Christmas Store. Most of the items are priced from $0.25 to $10.
Please see the shopping schedule below, and on the day that your child is assigned to shop, please send the following with your child:
1. An envelope, which on the outside should include your child’s name, the amount that may be spent, and a list of names that should be shopped for. Due to a limited number of items on hand, please try to keep your child’s shopping list to immediate family only (limit list to 4 or 5, please) We also have a few baby and pet gifts.
2. Inside the envelope, place your FACTS authorization form and if possible, gift tags filled out with recipients’ names. Information came home in your child's November 19th Friday Folder.
Link for FACTS form: https://smgschool.org/documents/2021/11/CHristmas%20Store%20FACTS%20form%201.pdf
Other important information:
Students must pay with a FACTS authorization form: This year, the Christmas Store will ONLY accept payments through FACTS accounts: Please be sure to send a completed authorization form with your student. The form should be filled out with the spending limit, and the actual amount spent will be adjusted by the cashiers.
Multiple Children Shopping: Please send a FACTS form with each of your children.
Students will be permitted to shop during their scheduled time ONLY. There will be no after school shopping, and parents are not permitted to shop with their children.
Helpers will be available to help all shoppers. Students will be asked to “look but not touch” until they find an item they are truly interested in. We will be making every effort to distance our shoppers and reduce the handling of items.
If you have any further questions, please contact Andrea Freeman (817) 721-8771
or Alex Massengale spirit@smgschool.org
On The Border Dine Out - December 9th
Join us for a Dine Out at On The Border benefiting the Sisters of Saint Mary of Namur. Learn more about the Sisters of Saint Mary of Namur: https://ssmnwestern.com/about
View On the Border's menu and click the "Commit" button to commit to join us on December 9th.
https://www.groupraise.com/events/212380-saint-maria-goretti-catholic-school-at-on-the-border
Junior High Midterm Exam Schedule: Dec. 10-15
Changes to Mass Hosting Schedule
The Class Mass Hosting schedule has been updated for the year. Please note that second grade will be leading Mass in the spring. If you plan to attend Mass when your child is participating, please consult the new schedule.
- December 1 - 4th Gutierrez
- December 8 10:00 Mass- 3rd Cruz
- December 15 - 8th Pennell
Red and blue cardigan sweaters, not vests, are required for Mass. Please ensure your child is following the Mass dress code.
SMG Broadcast Club Airs "SMG Today"
Under the direction of Mr. Joshua Jones, 6th, 7th and 8th grade students are learning about TV Journalism, Acting, Film, Production, Editing, Writing, Media Distribution, and so much more. They have created their second weekly broadcast called "SMG Today" which is aired each Friday in homeroom classes.
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.
View Episodes 2 and 3 of SMG Today by clicking on the links. Please "like" the video and subscribe to the channel in order to help us promote this to families outside of our school.
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
SMG Clubs - Mark Your Calendar!
Monday
- Shutter Club during 6th-8th Lunch/Recess (Jamison) Begins Nov. 1 - Every other Monday
- Nov. 1, Dec. 6, Jan. 10, 24, Feb. 7, 21, March 7, 21, April 4, 18, May 2, 16
- 3:15-4:00PM Rubik Cube Club-All cubers welcome!
- 3:30-5:00PM Cheer Club (Paladini/Cruz)
- 3:30-4:15PM 5th-8th Trojan Troupe Drama Club (Richards) Begins Sept. 27
- 3:30-4:15PM PSIA 4th-8th Maps, Graphs, Charts (Daly) Begins Nov. 29
- 6:00-8:00PM FIRST Lego League Robotics (Moralesl) Begins Sept. 13
- Sept. 13, 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29, Dec. 6
Tuesday
- Library Leaders during Recess (Richards)
- 3:30-4:15PM PSIA 2nd-8th Spelling (Bara) Begins Nov. 30
- 6:00-7:00PM Ballet Folklorico (Zavala) Begins Sept. 14
Wednesday
- SMG Broadcast Club during 6th, 7th, 8th Lunch/Recess (Jones) Begins Oct. 6
- 3:30-4:15PM Chess Club (Nguyen) Begins Sept. 22 - Every other Wednesday
- Sept. 22, Oct. 6, 20, Nov. 3, 17, Dec. 1, 15 (One Day Tournament)
- 3:30-4:15PM Running Club (weather permitting) (Gutierrez/Mitchell) Begins Oct. 6
- Oct. 6, 20, Nov. 3, 17, Dec. 1, 15, Feb. 9, 23, Mar. 9, 23, April 6, 27, May 4, 11
- 3:30-4:15PM PSIA 3rd-8th Ready Write (Vasquez/Utendorf) Begins Dec. 1
Thursday
- 3:15-4:30PM 4th-8th Garden Club (Pick)
- 3:30-4:15PM Tai Chi Club (Nguyen) Begins Sept. 16 - Every other Thursday
- Sept. 16, 30, Oct. 28, Nov. 11, Dec. 9 REVISED DATES
- 3:30-4:15PM 3rd-8th Cecilian Singers Club (Richards) Begins Sept. 30
- 3:30-4:15PM PSIA 6th-8th On-Site Drawing (Jamison) Begins Dec. 2
- 3:30-4:15PM PSIA 3rd-4th Math (Schump) Begins Dec. 2
- Dec. 2, Jan. 6, 20, Feb. 10, 24, March 10
- 3:30-4:15PM PSIA 5th-7th Math (Schump) Begins Dec. 9
- Dec. 9, Jan. 13, 27, Feb. 17, March 3, 24
Last Week at SMGCS
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Thanks to Student Council and National Junior Honor Society for organizing this year's food drive. We exceeded our set goal due to the generosity of SMG students, parents and faculty!
Turkey Bingo
Our last day before Thanksgiving break ended with Turkey Bingo! A big shout out to Mrs. Perez for coordinating this fun event. Each grade level played a game of Bingo and the winner received a frozen turkey, just in time for Thanksgiving! Bingo used to be called ‘beano’ because the game was previously played by covering the numbers with beans, since no multi-colored daubers were around in the 1930s.
Spring Creek
Tasting the World of the Saints
Good Friends
Sweet friendship refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy. Proverbs 27:9
Spanish: Sumando en Expanol
Watch this short clip to see how students use dice and a turkey worksheet to practice addition skills using Spanish.
Spanish - Thanksgiving Day
PreK & Kindergarten Give Thanks
1st and 5th Grade Buddies Dressed Their Turkeys in Disguise
3rd Grade
Third grade unscrambled sentences and glued them in order along with the abbreviations used to classify sentences: Subject Noun, Verb, Adjective, Adverb, Object of the Preposition.
4th Grade Literature
After enjoying the story of Edward Van Alstyne in The Matchlock Gun by Walter D. Edmonds, 4th graders created their own amusement parks featuring rides, shows, and games based on the novel.
5th Grade Religion
Calendar Notes
- November 29-December 13: Christmas Sock Drive
- November 30-December 2: SMG Christmas Store
- December 3, Friday: Deadline to complete parent survey and earn a spirit hour. https://smgcs.questionpro.com/
- December 8, Wednesday: 10:00 Mass (Special Time) Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- December 9, Thursday: On The Border Dine Out
- December 12, Sunday: 9:00 AM SMG Hosts Mass
- December 14, Tuesday: 6:30 PM PK-3rd Christmas Program in the Church
December 16, Thursday: 6:30 PM 4th-8th Band Performance in the FLC
December 17, Friday: Christmas Around the World, 12:10 PM Early Dismissal-NO SMEED!
December 20- January 3: Christmas Break - No School
January 4, Tuesday: Classes Resume
January 14, Friday: 9:30 SMG Spelling Bee; 12:10 Early Dismissal
January 17, Monday: MLK Holiday - No School
January 30, Monday: Open House; Spaghetti Dinner
2021-2022 Enrollment & Registration
Registration & Enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year can be found on our school website. There are still spots available at most grade levels. As a reminder, tuition assistance is available and we are committed to making a Catholic education a reality for any family who wishes one for their child(ren). Please contact Mrs. Utendorf (autendorf@smgschool) or our Registrar, Mrs. de la Pena (jdelapena@smgschool.org) with any questions or concerns.
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. 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/