The 2023-2024 Family Handbook has been updated and will be posted on the school website (https://smgschool.org) by Monday, August 7, 2023. Please read the handbook as there have been some changes and updates. Please print, sign, and return the acknowledgment form indicating that you have read and understood the handbook.

A signed acknowledgment form from each family is due back to the school by Tuesday, August 15th.

Faith Formation

Forming our students in their Catholic faith is central to our mission at St. Maria Goretti Catholic School. We strive to enrich our Catholic identity as a school and provide deeper faith-formation experiences for our students and families. This year we will be returning to year three, which is the year of Charity in our virtues program, Virtues in Practice. This program was created by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecelia, Nashville, TN for children in grades Pre-Kindergarten through eight to grow closer to Jesus by imitating His life and virtues. More information about the program can be found at

https://www.nashvilledominican.org/apostolate/evangelization-and-catechesis/virtues-in-practice/

This year we will continue with our Faith Families. This year we will be joining homerooms as a family. During the assemblies, we pray, recognize birthdays, student awards, and accomplishments, and introduce and discuss the virtue of the month. Following the assemblies, students move to their Faith Family classrooms to participate in team-building activities, prayer services, service projects, and other activities related to the virtue and/or faith topic we discussed during the assembly.

We are going to be incorporating our Household activities into our religion classes on Fridays. Students and their religion teachers will pray, participate in Adoration, and read and discuss the Gospel that they will hear when they attend Mass on Sunday with their families.

I am happy to announce the that Catechism of the Good Shepherd (CGS) program will be back on campus for students in PreK-1st.

Words would fall short of explaining this amazing program, so I ask that you click on the link below to see all that we have to look forward to in the coming year. It is important to note that the children in this video have already completed Level 1 (ages 2-6) and although there are 3 levels of the CGS atrium, we will only have a Level 1 atrium here at SMGCS.

https://youtu.be/hfg9RfBk-fY

Kindergarten through 8th-grade Religion classes will continue to utilize the Sophia Press Spirit of Truth series, which is not only rich in the teachings of our Catholic faith but rich in beauty as well. We hope that students will continue to spread the Gospel message through their thoughts, words, and deeds and that their acts will inspire others they meet in school and elsewhere to answer Jesus' call to a full relationship with him.

Finally, we have created a prayer corner in the Junior High Hallway. The decor will change during the Liturgical Calendar.

Students in grades 4th-8th will be given the choice to participate in Band or Performing Art. Please fill out the attached form and send it to Mrs. De la Pena at jdelapena@smgschool.org, bring it to the front office, or turn it in at Meet the Teacher Night. These forms need to be returned by Monday, August 14, 2023.

School uniforms will be purchased from Mills Uniforms.

The uniforms for the 2023-2024 school year have changed.

The uniform shoes have changed.

All students in PreK-5th grade can wear solid black or white tennis shoes as their daily shoes. For Mass, girls are required to have a pair of saddle shoes. Boys will wear solid black tennis shoes for every day and Mass uniform.

All students in 6th-8th can wear a solid white tennis shoe as a daily shoe option. For Mass days Sperrys for boys and Sperrys or Saddle Shoes for girls is a requirement.

Remember, a red or blue (depending on the grade level) cardigan sweater is a mandatory Mass uniform. At the same time, students will not be required to wear the cardigan to Mass while the weather is still so hot. By October 1st they will be required to wear the cardigan to Mass and other days when the dress uniform is required.

During the school week students are only allowed to wear SMGCS-approved outerwear. We are going to ask that students not wear hoodies

On Fridays is SMGCS Spirit Day. Students can wear SMGCS spirit shirts with their uniform bottoms and shoes. Students will be allowed to wear SMGCS Hoodies at this time.

Please visit the SMG uniform requirements on the Mills Uniforms website for specific SMG uniform guidelines (http://www.millswear.com). Use SMG school code 3424. Please see more information from Mills Uniforms, below.

Mills Uniforms has also moved. Please take note of their new address.

Hulen Bend Village Shopping Center

6080 S. Hulen #390

Ft. Worth, TX 76132

(817) 563-7100

Your lunch lineup is as follows:

• Tuesday - Panera Bread
• Thursday - Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers

Set up your account at https://www.myhotlunchbox.com/

https://smgschool.org/documents/2023/5/Catholic%20School%20Physical%202023.pdf

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.

St. Maria Goretti Parish Website: https://www.smgparish.org/

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/