The Trojan Times

St. Maria Goretti Catholic School October 17, 2021

Mission Statement

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.

Mission Statement
Principal's Message

Principal's Message

Dear St. Maria Goretti Catholic School Families,


I would like to start this letter by thanking Mrs. Paladini for all she has done for the SMGCS community. Her last day with us was Thursday. She will be missed. We wish her many blessings in her futures endeavors. I am actively interviewing candidates to fill her position. PE will continue with a substitute until a full-time teacher can be hired.


I am pleased to welcome Mrs. Deborah Swiglo to the SMGCS Family. She will be the new 5th-grade homeroom teacher, 4/5 Literature and English teacher, and 4th-grade History teacher. Her first day with us will be Monday. Please be sure to come by and introduce yourself, and keep her in your prayers.


Mrs. Vasquez will now be handling her Assistant Principal duties full time.


A big Thank you to Mrs. Richards for running our Fall Book Fair. Thank you to all the parents who volunteered to come and work at the fair.


Our Spring Creek BBQ Sauce fundraiser is in full swing. Please see more information in the flyer below. Spring Creek Dine Out Night will be on Tuesday, October 26, 2021.


Thank you to all who came to Mass this weekend. Our next school Mass will be Sunday, November 14, 2021, at the 7:30 AM Mass. A Sign Up Genius will be posted soon to allow students to sign up to participate.


The Advent and Christmas seasons are quickly approaching. I am looking for a large nativity set to display for our students. If you have a gently used one you would like to donate or know someone who would be willing to help us purchase a new one please let me know.


Please continue to keep our students, teachers, staff, and priests in your prayers.


St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!


Blessings,


Amy Utendorf, M.Ed.

Principal

Principal's Message

Spring Creek BBQ Fundraiser

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Spring Creek BBQ Dine Out - Tuesday, October 26th, 5-9PM

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Volunteers Needed October 18-23: Earn Spirit/Service Hours

Volunteers Needed October 18-23: Earn Spirit/Service Hours

SMGCS will be hosting the Post-Season Diocesan Volleyball Tournament for 5th and 6th grade teams. The tournaments we host are a vital fundraiser for our athletic program and rely on volunteers to run smoothly. On the spot training will be provided for scorekeeping or line judging. If you are in need of Spirit Hours or if your high school student needs any Service Hours, please visit the following link to sign-up:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D49A8AF2BA3FF2-56th1

Volunteers Needed October 18-23: Earn Spirit/Service Hours
Trunk or Treat at SMG School - Oct. 29th

Trunk or Treat at SMG School - Oct. 29th

Hello SMG Families!


To celebrate Halloween this year, the Home and School Association Board will be having an SMG Trunk or Treat 2021! Students will have a chance to safely move from car to car collecting treats. We need families to participate! If you’d like to decorate your trunk, please let me know via email. This will allow us to plan the flow of the event. Feel free to decorate as little or as much as you’d like! We will also need candy. Anyone may donate bags of individually wrapped candy anytime between 7:30 am and 3:30 pm at the front office.

  • Date: October 29, 2021
  • Time: 2 pm (set up time TBD)
  • Where: Front Parking Lot
  • What to wear/bring: Students may wear Fall or Halloween socks with their school uniforms. Students will be provided a bag to collect their treats, so no need to bring anything!

SPIRIT HOURS:

  • 2 hours for decorating your trunk & handing out treats (this includes any decorations purchased)
  • 1 hour for every $10 spent on candy/items to pass out


Additional details will be provided as we get closer to the event. Thank you in advance for helping make this a fun Halloween event for our students!


Thank you,

Alex Massengale

SMG Spirit Coordinator

spirit@smgschool.org

Trunk or Treat at SMG School - Oct. 29th
PSIA

PSIA

Please complete the following survey to gauge interest in SMGCS participating in PSIA again this year.


https://forms.office.com/r/7htK4jJzX7

PSIA
Changes to Mass Hosting Schedule

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.

  • October 20 - 8th Pick
  • October 27 - 7th Nguyen
  • November 3 - 6th Jones (revised)
  • November 10 - 6th Baxter (Seyer) (revised)
  • November 17 - 5th Schump (revised)


Red and blue cardigan sweaters, not vests, are required for Mass. Please ensure your child is following the Mass dress code.
Changes to Mass Hosting Schedule
Lunch room and recess helpers needed!

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

Lunch room and recess helpers needed!

SMG Clubs - Mark Your Calendar!

Monday

  • 3:15-4:00PM Rubik Cube Club (New Cubers only)
  • 3:30-5:00PM Cheer Club (Paladini/Cruz)
  • 3:30-4:15PM 5th-8th Trojan Troupe Drama Club (Richards) Begins Sept. 27
  • 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)
  • 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

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

Shutter Club - Oct. 18th Information Meeting During Recess

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SMG Broadcast Club

SMG Broadcast Club

If you are interested in learning more about TV Journalism, Acting, Film, Production, Editing, Writing, Media Distribution, and so much more - this is the club for you. Our first major goal will be to create a weekly broadcast called "SMG Today". News, notes and announcements! Later in the year we will add different types of media and project opportunities.


  • We are looking for 6th, 7th and 8th Graders to get involved (all grades will be able to join in the second semester).
  • Stop by Mr. Jones' classroom to pick up your application and become part of the SMG Broadcast team.
  • The club will meet Wednesdays during the Jr. High lunch/recess period this quarter and will add a meeting after school on Wednesdays starting in semester two,
SMG Broadcast Club
Run Club - PreK4-8th

Run Club - PreK4-8th

Running Club will meet on the following Wednesdays, from 3:30-4:15 pm (weather permitting).

Oct. 6, 20, Nov. 3, 17, Dec. 1, 15, Feb. 9, 23, Mar. 9, 23, April 6, 27, May 4, 11


Sign up form

https://smgschool.org/documents/2021/9/2021%20Running%20Club%20sign-up%20form.pdf

Run Club Information

https://smgschool.org/documents/2021/9/2021%20Running%20Club%20Flyer.pdf

Run Club - PreK4-8th

Last Week at SMGCS

7th Grade Nolan Vikathon

Seventh grade students had a blast at the Nolan Vikathon. They enjoyed an eventful day of playing games, lunch and a pep rally just for them.

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Fall Book Fair

Our Fall Book Fair was a BLAST! A BIG shout out to Mrs. Richards for a successful and fun Fall Book Fair. Your support helped raise over $1,000 to purchase new books for our teachers and library. We want to especially thank our incredible book fair volunteers who made this year’s event such a success: Mrs. Nelson, Mrs. Chavez, Mrs. Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Culley, Mrs. Garcia, Mrs. Barrett, Mrs. Ramirez and Mr. Munoz. You are out of this world!


A book is a gift you can open again and again. ~ Garrison Keillor

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Kountry Karnival Booth Decorating Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the Kountry Karnival booth decorating contest.

  • First place and the Chick-fil-a lunch: 8th grade Candyland booth
  • Second place and the ice cream party: PreK and 2nd grade Mexican-themed booth
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Fond Farewell to Mrs. Paladini

Fond Farewell to Mrs. Paladini

Kindergarten and first grade took one last group picture with Mrs. Paladini. Mrs. Bara's class drew individual pictures and presented her with a a travel blanket for all of her upcoming trips. This week in Spanish, 6th-8th grade used adjectives to describe Señora Paladins. Eighth grade surprised Mrs. Palladini with posters during PE class. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students created letters, poems, and slideshows in computer class. Their sweet memories and good wishes will give Mrs. Paladini hours of reading pleasure.

Fond Farewell to Mrs. Paladini
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Pre-K

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Kindergarten

1st Grade

1st grade observed pictures of living and non-living things. They wrote about something they noticed and wondered and shared with the class before sorting the images.

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3rd Grade Science

Third Grade learned how animals adapt to their environment. They used this knowledge to determine if the lizard would stay cooler in the mud under ground, in the sun, or in the shade.

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4th Grade Save Our Planet Posters

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5th Grade Science

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6th Grade Names in Hieroglyphics

The word hieroglyph literally means "sacred carvings". The Egyptians first used hieroglyphs exclusively for inscriptions carved or painted on temple walls. Hieroglyphics are an original form of writing out of which all other forms have evolved.

https://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/civil/egypt/egcw02e.html

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6th Grade Literature

After reading The Pygmies from a collection of short stories in Tanglewood Tales, Mr. Jones' class illustrated and described the main characters.

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7th Grade Literature - Jabberwocky Illustrations

In this poem, the Jabberwocky symbolizes threat, danger, and evil. The protagonist is warned by his father to “beware” this formidable creature, due to his dangerous claws and teeth. However, using his vorpal sword, the protagonist kills the Jabberwocky and returns with his head. The main themes in "Jabberwocky" are fantasy versus reality and the heroic quest. Both the Jabberwock and the Bandersnatch are fantastical creatures that use language senselessly, spouting phrases devoid of meaning. Though their words often sound pleasant and musical, they lack substance.

8th Grade Sonnet Translation

Sarah B's Sonnet Re-do of Shakespeare’s Sonnet #3.

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Calendar Notes

  • October 23, Saturday: SMG PARISH Trunk or Treat after the 5:30 p.m. Mass

  • October 26, Tuesday: Spring Creek BBQ Dine Out Night

  • October 29, Friday: 2:00PM SMG SCHOOL Trunk or Treat, Jr. High Glow Party

  • November 1, Monday: 8:00AM All Saints Day Mass

  • November 11, Thursday: Veteran's Day Program

  • November 12, Friday: 12:10 Early Dismissal

  • November 14, Sunday: 7:30AM Mass hosted by SMGCS

  • November 22-26: Thanksgiving Holiday - No School

  • December 17: Christmas Around the World, 12:10 Early Dismissal

  • December 20- January 3: Christmas Break - No School

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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/

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.

https://fwdioc.org/

St. Maria Goretti Catholic School

St. Maria Goretti Catholic School

St. Maria Goretti Catholic School

1200 South Davis Drive, Arlington, TX, USA development@smgschool.org (817)275-5081 smgschool.org