The Trojan Times
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School August 21, 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,
Thank you for your grace and patience while we tried out our new carline dismissal. Our prayers for rain have been answered, so I am not sure we will get another chance to practice it, but when we do we will be making two 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade lines. See the map below.
Here are a few areas where we can improve:
1. When you are in the carline, please pull forward as far as you can so we do not back up onto Davis Street.
2. Please remember that ONLY students in grades 2-8 are now in the line at the SMG Center.
3. If you are going to the express lane, please be sure to pull over as close to the left side of the street as possible. This will allow vehicles to pass in an emergency.
4. If you are going to the carpool line, please come through the lot on the South Side of the Holy Family Life Center.
Curriculum night is this Tuesday, August 23, 2022, from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. One parent must be in attendance. See the agenda for the evening below.
Picture day is this Wednesday. Students need to wear their sweaters in their yearbook pictures. Please send it in with them that day. They do not need to wear the sweater to Mass if they are still too warm.
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 THIS Friday, August 26, 2022.
Please pray for our priests.
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Amy Utendorf, M.Ed.
Principal
Revised Carline Dismissal Map
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 changes to the dress code on pages 62-64:
Hair
- Hair must be worn in a tasteful manner away from the face (including girls’ bangs).
- No colored hair or excessive styles are allowed. This includes highlights, lowlights, or any chemical process.
- Boys’ hair should not fall below the top of the collar, nor over the eyebrows. Hair needs to be cut above the ears. General rule: Over the ears, off the collar, out of the eyes.
- No Mohawks or fauxhawks
- No hairstyles can be excessive or be a distraction.
- Hair accessories may be worn, but may not be a distraction to classroom instruction. Bow colors may consist of navy, red, blue, green, gray, or black. No MEGA BOWS or bows with colors other than those previously listed are allowed.
Jewelry
- Watches, one per student, may be worn. Alarms on watches may not be sounded during school or church (sounding alarms will result in a confiscated watch).
- FitBits will be allowed, as long as they don’t interfere with the learning process.
- One necklace, and/or one bracelet and/or one ring may be worn. Religious jewelry is encouraged.
- Only girls may wear earrings — one set only, and on the earlobe. For safety reasons, the earrings should not be longer than the bottom of the earlobe.
Fingernails
- Fingernail polish AND acrylic nails are not allowed.
Skirts
- The skirt length will be at mid-knee to maintain modesty throughout the year. At no time during the year may the skirt be more than 1 inch above the knee.
Shirts
- All shirts and blouses must remain tucked in throughout the school day.
Curriculum Night Agenda
6:00 PM-6:30 PM-prayer and welcome-presentation by Mrs. Utendorf, School Advisory Council, KK Committee, and Dinner Dance Committee. Introduction of Faculty and Staff.
6:30 PM dismiss parents for presentations. Teachers will be making the same presentations several times to accommodate parents with multiple students. You may attend whichever presentations you would prefer.
PreK-3rd grades 20-minute presentation to parents in homerooms
6:30-6:50 Presentation 1
6:55-7:15 Presentation 2
7:20-7:50 Presentation 3
Grades 4/5 presentation in the library
6:30-6:50 Presentation 1
6:55-7:15 Presentation 2
7:20-7:50 Presentation 3
Grades 6th ,7th, 8th presentation in the cafetorium
6:30-7:15 cafetorium Presentation 1
7:15-8:00 cafetorium Presentation 2
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.
Join the SMG Hammerheads
SMG Hammerheads
Calling all Dads, Granddads, Uncles, and other Father-Figures of the SMG community:
The SMG Hammerheads are forming up!
We’ve had so much fun building Karnival booths, parade floats, and Dinner Dance prizes that now it’s time to take it to the next level.
If you are interested in more hang time with your SMG crew or just want to see what it’s all about, please fill out this simple form to get started:
https://forms.gle/HpH7U9BDrCxgH4Mv5
We’ll be evaluating multiple scheduling options as well as multiple events/projects/goals to pursue so please be sure your voice is heard.
P.S. - There’s no shame in filling the form out for someone else in your family if they’re not a form/schedule/spreadsheet type!
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
Kountry Karnival 2022
Support Our School? Advertise in the School Directory
I'd like to invite you to advertise in our school directory! Advertise your business or service, while helping to cover the cost of the directory printing. Special pricing is available for students to advertise their babysitting, pet sitting, or other services!
Please see the attached form for additional information.
https://smgschool.org/documents/2022/8/Directory%20Ad%20Form%20%201.pdf
Please turn in form and requested info into the front office or via email. Forms due by September 1st.
Alex Massengale
SMG Spirit Coordinator
Support Our School! Use SCRIP/RaiseRight
RaiseRight is formerly known as Scrip. This program allows you to raise funds for our school and your family by using gift cards instead of cash or credit for everyday purchases like gas, groceries, dining out, coffee and your family's vacation.
3 Ways to Purchase SCRIP/RaiseRight:
1. Use this Order Form.
2. In person at the school's front office or during Scrip Office Hours.
- School's front office hours: 7:30-3:30 Monday-Friday
- Scrip office hours: 8-9am Monday or 8-9am Friday
3. Online using the enrollment code to make online purchases.
- Create an account on the RaiseRight app or at RaiseRight.com using SMG's enrollment code: BE34A236113L2
Support Our School! Use Box Tops for Education App
Box Tops for Education has been around for over 25 years, and it really can make a difference. In fact, the Box Tops program has helped give almost one billion dollars to schools since 1996.
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: Buy participating products and use the Box Tops app to scan your store receipt. The app identifies eligible products and earnings are credited to SMGCS. Even if you’re shopping online or doing grocery pickup, you can still submit your digital or email receipt with the Box Tops app and earn. Twice a year, our school gets a check!
Box Tops earnings really add up, and the more people that participate, the bigger the impact we can make. See a list of participating products at BTFE.COM/PRODUCTS.
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.
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:
SMGCS Hosts Weekend Masses
Please mark your calendars to attend and participate in the Masses this year! All students and their families should plan to attend in their Mass uniforms.
2022-2023 SMGCS Weekend Masses
- 5:30 PM Saturday, September 10, 2022
- 7:30 AM Sunday, November 13, 2022
- 9:00 AM Sunday, December 11, 2022
- ALL weekend Masses January 28-29, 2023
- 11:00 AM Sunday, March 5, 2023
- 1:00 PM Sunday, April 23, 2023
Sign Up to Participate Now!
American Heritage Girls
Texas Rangers Catholic Schools Night: Sept. 24
Last Week at SMGCS
Feast Day of St. Claire
In honor of the feast day of St. Clare, 4th and 5th grade students decorated pictures of a monstrance, the vessel used in Roman Catholic, Old Catholic and Anglican churches to display the consecrated Eucharistic host, during Eucharistic adoration or Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Third grade also celebrated St. Clare by creating a picture of her holding a monstrance.
St. Clare is often pictured holding a monstrance because when Assisi was under siege, she protected her monastery from the invaders by holding up the ciborium with the Blessed Sacrament.
Pre-K
Kindergarten
1st Grade Introductions
First grade played "Friend of 10" scoot to reinforce math facts that add to 10.
2nd Grade
2nd Grade Dot Activity to Transition to Next Subject
Creating lessons that require the mind and body to work as a team organizes the nervous system and leads to learning potential you didn’t see coming.
3rd Grade in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
4th Grade Science
Students are studying soil samples; comparing color, texture, size of rocks, and the presence of organic matter in samples from different geological areas.
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
Aug, 22, 29, Sept. 10 (1pm-4pm), 12, 19, 24 (1pm-4pm), 26, Oct. 3, 8 (1pm-4pm), 17, 22 (1pm-4pm), 24, Nov. 5 (1pm-4pm), 7, 14, 19 (1pm-4pm), 28, Dec. 5, 10 (8am-5pm)
Wednesday
- 3:30-4:30 Garden Club (Risinger/Cruzz) Begins Aug. 24
Thursday
- 3:10-4:30PM 5th-8th Trojan Troupe Drama Club (Richards) Begins Sept. 8
Calendar Notes
SMGCS Sports Practice Schedule:
7/8 VBall = Thursday 4:30 - 5:30pm
5/6 VBall = Monday 3:40 - 4:30
August 22, Monday: FIRST Lego League Robotics 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
August 23, Tuesday: PK-8th Curriculum Night 6:00 PM-8:00 PM -1 parent should plan to attend
August 24, Wednesday: Picture Day - Mass dress required (bring a sweater for picture)
August 26, Friday: 2022-2023 Handbook acknowledgment forms due
September 5, Monday: Labor Day - No School
September 8, Thursday: Trojan Troupe Drama Club 3:10 PM-4:30 PM
September 9, Friday: Progress Reports emailed to parents
September 10, Saturday: All School Mass 5:30 PM
September 12, Monday: Cecilian Singers Club 3:10 PM-4:30 PM
September 12-16, Monday-Friday: IOWA/CogAT
September 20, Tuesday: Home and School Meeting 7:00 PM -1 parent should plan to attend
September 24, Saturday: Texas Rangers vs. Guardians 6:05 PM - Catholic Schools Night
September 30, Friday: Pet Blessing 11:00 AM, 12:10 PM Dismissal
October 1-2, Saturday/Sunday: Kountry Karnival Weekend
October 7, Friday: 1st Quarter Ends
October 10, Monday: Diocese In-Service - No School
October 14, Friday: 12:15 PM Dismissal and Parent Conferences
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/