Trojan Times
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School October 7, 2018
Mission Statement
Principal's Message
What a fantastic ending to a great week! As a newbie to Kountry Karnival, I knew that it is one of SMG's longest standing traditions and one of the most anticipated events of the year. As Kountry Karnival 2018 has come to an end, I can understand why this is such a cherished event and one that truly exemplifies what SMG School and Parish is all about--a life-giving, faith-filled community. Yes, Kountry Karnival is a fundraiser, but as I experienced this weekend, it is about more than raising funds; it is about building community, building relationships, having fun, and coming together as a Catholic comunity of faith. And the food, did I mention the food? While I could not bring myself to try the fried Twinkie, I did overindulge at the German booth and picked up a few sweets to take home at the bake sale as well! I also escaped the weekend having only two confetti eggs broken on my head....and I know who those two kiddos are too...:)
A special thank you to Brigida Schumacher for all of the incredible work she did to make Kountry Karnival 2018 such a success! The amount of time, effort, and planning it took to not only put this event together, but to put it together so well is unimaginable. Brigida and her team did an exceptional job. Please be sure to thank Brigida when you see her.
Last week, we celebrated the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi as we attended Mass together on Thursday. On Friday, Fr. Jim and Fr. Mike blessed all creatures big and small at our Blessing of Pets, which was held in the west parking lot. Please enjoy a few pictures below.
Also last Friday, students and faculty came together to pray the World Mission Rosary. What a wonderful opportunity to pray for children all around the world.
As Friday was an early dismissal for students, our teachers participated in a professional development workshop in the afternoon. Mr. John Hodges from the Shelton School in Dallas gave a presentation on Dyslexia and other learning differences. Teachers participated in a simulation to better understand what students with dyslexia and other learning differences experience in the classroom, and methods that teachers can utilize to best work with all students. It was truly a worthwhile and practical workshop, and we are blessed that organizations like the Shelton School make themselves available to provide professional development opportunities like this to our faculty, free of charge.
Last week, I sent an email letting you know about the road construction happening on Davis Drive in front of the school and the possible effects it will have on our arrival and dismissal procedures. We have been informed by the City of Arlington that starting tomorrow, the southbound lane will be blocked off to traffic. Traffic will only be allowed heading north. This traffic pattern will remain for about 3 weeks while the south bound lane is resurfaced. Once the southbound lane is resurfaced, they will block the northbound lane and traffic will only be permitted heading south. For the time being, our arrival and dismissal procedures will remain unchanged. We will resume regular arrival and dismissal procedures beginning tomorrow (Monday). We will monitor traffic flow and will make appropriate changes if/when necessary. Please be sure to consider alternate routes for accessing the campus as this construction takes place. As well, we ask for your continued patience as each day may present a different dilemma during arrival and dismissal. Please know that our first priority is the safety of your children.
I hope you all have an enjoyable evening and a wonderful week ahead!
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Laura Behee, M.Ed.
Principal
Pet Blessing
New Furniture!
Thank You!
Book Fair
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Conferences are for parents and teachers only--students should not attend. As well, parents/guardians will receive their student's 1st Quarter Report Card, along with the results of the Iowa/CogAt tests students took in September. Report cards and test results will not be sent home to parents/guardians who are unable to attend a conference until the Monday following conferences, October 29th.
All Saints Day
Gregory III consecrated a chapel in the Basilica of St. Peter to all the saints and assigned the anniversary as November 1st. Around 830, Gregory IV extended the celebration to November 1st for the entire Church (The Catholic Encyclopedia).
This year, SMG students will be celebrating All Saints Day in the following ways:
- Litany of Saints
- Mass at 10AM
- PK-Kindergarten students: Dress up Angels
- 1st-4th Grade students: Dress up as Saints; Saint reports
- 5th-6th Grade students: Soda-bottle Saints; Saint reports
- 7th-8th Grade students: Living Saint Museum
For some ideas for creating simple, inexpensive Saint costumes, click on https://www.smgschool.org/documents/2018/10/All%20Saints%20Costume%20Ideas.pdf
Teachers will be communicating more information about how we will be celebrating All Saints Day at SMG, in the coming week.
Kountry Karnival 2018 Memories
Calendar Notes
- Monday, October 8th: Regular start time
- Wednesday, October 10th: 7th Grade Vikathon @ Nolan
- Friday, October 12th: End of 1st Quarter
- Friday, October 19th: 8th Grade Shadow Day @ Nolan
- Monday, October 22-Friday, October 26th: Scholastic Book Fair - SMG Library
- Thursday, October 25th & 26th: Parent/Teacher Conferences
- Thursday, October 25th: 6-8th Grade Dance - Cafetorium 6:30-8:30PM