The Trojan Times
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School August 14, 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,
What a great short first week. I hope the students enjoyed the red carpet treatment on the first day of school.
The new band parent meeting will be Tuesday, August 16, 2022, from 6:30 PM-7:30 PM in the cafetorium. Parents will sign up for Music Learning Band and rent their child's instrument that evening.
SMGCS Sports will be starting soon. We are looking for volleyball coaches for the 6th, 7th, and 8th teams. Please let Monica Hurtado know if you can help athleticdirector@smgschool.org.
If we don't have coaches we don't have teams.
Please be sure to mark your calendar for curriculum night, Tuesday, August 23, 2022, from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. One parent must be in attendance.
There will be lots of information coming out soon about the Kountry Karnival and I Give Catholic. Be sure to read the Trojan Times and check Facebook for more information.
Below, please see the link to the 2022-2023 Family Handbook. Please review this important document with your children. All Handbook acknowledgment forms are due on Friday, August 26, 2022.
I did catch a mistake about the afternoon pick-up. PreK, Kinder, and 1st grade ONLY students will be dismissed from the front steps. All second-grade students are dismissed from the back. I apologize for any confusion this may have caused.
For the next few weeks, I will have a "Handbook Highlight." This section of the Trojan Times will be dedicated to updates from last year's handbook.
Finally, I have been reminding our students that we are proud SMGCS Trojans. And that all our SMGCS Trojans are Safe, Responsible, and Respectful! This theme will be used throughout the year. Please help us by reinforcing these at home.
Please pray for our teachers.
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Amy Utendorf, M.Ed.
Principal
2022-2023 Family Handbook
Please use the link below to read the Family Handbook. All acknowledgment sheets are due to the school by Friday, August 26, 2022.
https://smgschool.org/documents/2022/8/family%20handbook%202022-20232%20Edited%20final%208.11.22.pdf
Handbook Highlight
Please review the updated COVID-19 policy on page 55:
COVID:
- If symptomatic, exclude until at least 5 days have passed since symptom onset, and fever free, and other symptoms have improved.
- Children who test positive for COVID-19, but do not have any symptoms, must stay home until at least 5 days after the day they were tested.
- Symptoms: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, the new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
**Anyone Exposed to COVID-19 or who tests positive for COVID-19 must notify the School Nurse and the Principal**
Curriculum Night - August 23rd
Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 23, 2022, from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. This will be the parent/guardian Curriculum Night. We will begin the evening in the cafetorium and then parents will go to the classrooms for short presentations. One parent is required to attend this meeting. No children are allowed.
Mark Your Calendar for Picture Day - August 24th
Individual student pictures will be taken Wednesday, August 24th after Mass. Please make sure that your child is in Mass uniform Wednesday and has their sweater for the photo. They do not have to wear the sweater to Mass if they are too warm.
SMGCS Gym Director
We are looking for a Gym Director. This is a paid part-time position. Our SMGCS sports program can not run without this important position.
If you are interested in learning more, please contact Selena Vasquez at svasquez@smgschool.org.
Lunchroom & Playground Volunteers 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
Calling All Cantors!
Students in 4th through 8th grade are invited to become an SMGCS cantor. Working with Ms. Freda Breed, Director of Music/Liturgy at the SMGS Parish, you will learn to lead Mass through music. Cantors meet Tuesdays from 3:15 to 4:00. If you are interested, contact Ms. Breed at fbreedsmgparish.org.
Kountry Karnival 2022
Sport Parent Workshop - August 27, Saturday
Is this training mandatory for coaches and parents? Yes. In order for you to be able to coach or have an athlete play within or representing our diocese, you must be trained in Play Like a Champion.
Why is middle school coaches' session not available if it's mandatory? We were limited by time and felt it was best to have Notre Dame rep present to the bulk of our community. Most of our middle school coaches are returning trained PLAC coaches. If you are new to coaching middle school, we will fill this requirement based on need at a later date. Please let your campus AD know you are willing to coach and need to be trained.
I have attended Play Like a Champion before, am I still required to attend? It is highly encouraged that you attend again. If you attended the training last school year, no. We have record of your attendance. If it's been several years that you have attended, we welcome you to join us. Our policy regarding PLAC is parent(s) of athletes entering 5th grade, and again freshman year must attend a training. Or any new parent(s) of student athlete playing sports for the first time in our diocese regardless of grade level.
I have both a high school student athlete and a middle school student athlete, do I need to attend both sessions? No, please attend the high school session and it will serve as completion for both middle school and high school requirements.
Does my athlete need to be present? No
Do both parents have to attend? It is highly encouraged. Our policy is that at least one parent has to attend to allow your child to play sports within or representing our diocese.
I am unable to attend on this date and time, will another training be offered? Before your child is allowed to play sports in our diocese, you must attend a PLAC training. Another training will be offered again however, availability of trainings will be few. It would be unfortunate, for your student athlete to miss an opportunity to play. It is best to attend this known date to ensure your child is eligible. You may need to seek outside of the diocese to be trained and would be responsible for any attendance fees.
QR code does not work to sign up. Please use this link:
Texas Rangers Catholic Schools Night: Sept. 24
Last Week at SMGCS
First Day of School
Home & Family Treats Teachers to Dinner on 1st Day of School
Pre-K
Kindergarten
2nd Grade Science
Join the Band!
Mr. Cullen and his friends introduced musical instruments to the 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade students and entertained us with a few musical numbers. Parents and students are invited to attend a Band Meeting Tuesday, August 16th at 6:30PM in the cafetorium.
SMG Clubs - Mark Your Calendar!
Monday
- 3:10-4:30PM 3rd-8th Cecilian Singers Club 3rd - 8th (Richards) Begins Sept. 12
- 6:00-8:00PM FIRST Lego League Robotics (Moralesl) Begins Aug. 15
Thursday
- 3:10-4:30PM 5th-8th Trojan Troupe Drama Club (Richards) Begins Sept. 8
Calendar Notes
August 15, Monday: FIRST Lego League Robotics 6:00-8:00 PM
August 16, Tuesday: Band Parent Meeting 6:30 PM-7:30 PM in Cafetorium
August 17, Wednesday: First school Mass 8:00 AM
August 23, Tuesday: PK-8th Curriculum Night 6:00-8:00 PM -1 parent should plan to attend
August 24, Wednesday: Picture Day - Mass dress required
August 26, Friday: 2022-2023 Handbook acknowledgment forms due
September 5, Monday: Labor Day No School
September 20, Tuesday: Home and School Meeting 7:00 PM -1 parent should plan to attend
October 1-2: Kountry Karnival Weekend
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/