The Trojan Times
Saint Maria Goretti Catholic School April 5, 2020
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.
Principal's Message
Dear St. Maria Goretti Catholic School Families,
This week begins our fourth week of distance learning through the various virtual learning platforms that we have implemented for our students to continue learning from home. The process has been a learning curve for us all - students, parents, faculty and staff alike - but I am proud of all of the ways we have been able to continue delivering instruction to our students, even in these unexpected and less than ideal circumstances.
As we continue distance learning, I would like to share with you a few updates.
- Distance Learning Platforms: We will continue utilizing Seesaw and Google Classroom as our distance learning platforms. Seesaw will be the learning platform utilized by our PK-4 through 1st Grade students and Google Classroom for our 2nd through 8th Grade students. If your student(s) experience any difficulties navigating the learning platforms, please email your child’s homeroom teacher as soon as possible.
- Holy Week & Easter Break Schedule: As we enter Holy Week, we will keep to the original school calendar and will be "closed" beginning at 12:00PM (noon) on Thursday, 4/9, through Tuesday, 4/14. We will resume Distance Learning instruction on Wednesday, 4/15. Please see suggestions and ideas for celebrating Holy Week below.
- Daily Schedules: Routine gives us a sense of security, peace, and purpose. While most of our students have settled into a daily routine that includes school time, others are struggling to establish a consistent school time routine. Therefore, we are creating a daily schedule that will include regular, daily instruction with teachers meeting virtually with each of their classes at least twice each week, at regularly scheduled times, Monday through Thursday, with Friday continuing to be a flex/independent learning day. I will communicate the plan to parents by Thursday of this week or before we "leave" for break. We plan to begin the schedule when we "return" from Easter break, on Wednesday, April 15, 2020.
- Assignments/Work Load: In classes where it is possible, assignments in grades 2-8 will be posted on Mondays and will be due the following Monday. We are hoping that allowing students to self-pace a little more through the week and to have the weekend to finish up will help make things a little less stressful at home, especially for families who have multiple children, parents trying to work either at home or away, students with limited internet access, or all of the above. As well, I have asked teachers not to post new assignments on Fridays that they expect to be completed and turned in either that day or on the upcoming Monday, and not to assign tests on Mondays. I encourage students (and families) to use Fridays as more of a “catch-up” day or an independent study day. Though students may use the weekend to catch or finish up assignments before they are due on Monday, we are really trying to preserve the weekends for family time. Finally, your student(s) should see more uniformity in how the assignments on Google Classroom are posted so that they are always in the same place on the class landing page in each subject. Please let the teacher know if your student(s) is experiencing any problems completing and submitting assignments on time or is unsure of due dates, etc. We are trying to be very flexible especially during this time and want to do everything we can to make the situation as stress-free as possible.
- School Closure: Governor Abbott ordered that Texas schools remain closed through May 1, 2020, which means the earliest we will return to campus is Monday, May 4th. Of course, I will continue to relay any updates to that timeline as more information becomes available in the coming days.
Please keep praying and stay safe out there. I know I speak on behalf of all faculty and staff when I say that we miss all of you and pray that you all have a very blessed Holy Week and Easter season. We are looking forward to having our students back in the classrooms hopefully in the near future!
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Laura Behee, M.Ed.
Principal
**In observance of Easter Sunday, there will be no Trojan TImes next week.
APRIL VIRTUE: OBEDIENCE – Saying “Yes” to God and Those Who Stand in His Place
Obedience comes from a Latin word which means “to listen.” Listening in a loving way with an open heart requires a response to the speaker. God’s authority over us, like our parents’ authority, is one of love. All that God does is for our good and for our salvation. If someone we love asks us to do something, obedience is easy and pleasant. By responding to our parents, teachers, and especially God with a cheerful and quick “yes” to what they ask, we grow in this very important virtue.
There are many saints who exemplified the virtue of obedience. Three who we will learn about this month are:
Our Lady: Feast Days – 1/1, 2/11, 3/25, 5/13, 5/31, 8/15, 8/22, 9/8, 9/15, 10/7, 12/8, 12/12 – Even as a little girl, the Blessed Virgin Mary prayed a lot and loved God. She knew that when she obeyed her parents, this was pleasing to God.
When God sent His angel, Gabriel, to ask Mary to be the Mother of Jesus, her heart was open to say “yes”. Throughout her whole life, Mary always wanted to do what God wanted. Even when Jesus suffered on the cross, Mary said “yes” to God’s will. Now she is the Queen of Heaven and Mother of all of us!
Saint Juan Diego: Feast Day – December 9 – Saint Juan Diego was a simple farmer and weaver who lived in modern day Mexico City. His act of obedience brought about the peaceful conversion of millions of people in Mexico.
One morning when he was walking 15 miles to daily Mass, as was his custom, he passed by Tepeyac Hill where he saw a beautiful Aztec princess and heard her calling out to him. She said she was the Virgin Mary and that she wished to have a Church built on that site.
Obediently, Juan Diego went to the bishop as she had asked, and made the request for a Church to be built there. The bishop was a little skeptical, so he asked for proof that it was indeed the Virgin Mary who was making this request. When Juan Diego returned, the Lady told him to climb the hill. There in the middle of winter and in the frozen soil, Juan Diego saw beautiful red roses, which he plucked and took to the bishop as his sign. These roses were large Castilian roses which did not grow naturally in Mexico, but were common in the bishop’s home town in Spain. Juan Diego wrapped these roses in his peasant style tilma and took them to the bishop as proof that it was Mary who was asking for the church. When he released the tilma, the beautiful flowers fell to the ground, and on Juan Diego’s tilma was a beautiful image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The image remains in a shrine in Mexico City today. Through this extraordinary obedience, thousands and eventually millions, converted to Christianity.
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini: Feast Day – November 13 – Maria Francesca Cabrini was born into a large family of Italian farmers. Maria Francesca was born two months premature and remained small and frail during her life, but she nevertheless had a strong spirit and plenty of determination. Even from her earliest years, Maria Francesca had a great desire to serve Christ and was drawn to carry out this service as a missionary to China…but God had other plans.
Refused entrance into a religious order at age 18 because of her poor health, Maria Francesca instead taught for six years at a girls’ orphanage and did so well that when it closed, the local bishop asked her to found a religious community, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to serve the poor in schools and hospitals. The new Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini (named for the great Jesuit saint to the Far East) worked with zeal and determination, still intent on establishing her sisters in China.
However, when she met with Pope Leo XIII, he told her “Not to the East, but to the West”, and sent Mother Cabrini and her sisters to New York City to work with the many Italian immigrants who were suffering the effects of being poor strangers in a strange land.
All the love and devotion Mother Cabrini intended to pour out to the people of China she now spent in service to the downtrodden immigrants in the United Sates, overseeing the founding of institutions to serve their spiritual and material needs. This required hospitals, not something that Mother Cabrini desired to include as part of the work of her sisters. However, the virtue of obedience to higher authorities once again played an important role. For after Mother Cabrini initially refused the request of the archbishop of New York to establish a hospital, she had a dream in which she saw the Blessed Virgin Mary attending to the needs of the sick. When she asked her what she was doing, the Blessed Mother responded, “I am doing the work you refuse to do.” Mother Cabrini accepted the grace given through this vision and promptly opened a hospital in New York City. Mother Cabrini and her sisters went on to establish other hospitals and institutions in Illinois, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Colorado, California, Washington state, and eventually South America and her native Italy.
Mother Cabrini became a citizen of the United States in 1909. Only 8 years later, while in Chicago and helping with Christmas preparations, mother Cabrini suffered her last illness and entered eternal life on December 22, 1917. In 1946 she became the first American citizen to be canonized.
Ideas for Celebrating Holy Week (Under These Circumstances)
Today is Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday, and marks the beginning of Holy Week. While we may not be able to participate in the traditions and liturgies in the ways in which we are accustomed to, we can still be present in observing Holy Week with our families as we "shelter from home" during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are a few ideas and resources!
- Printable Palms for Palm Sunday: https://www.catholicicing.com/printable-palms-for-palm-sunday-free/
- Other Activities & Crafts for Celebrating Palm Sunday: https://www.catholicicing.com/palm-sunday-crafts-and-ideas-for-kids/
- Holy Week Activities & Prayers: https://catholicfamilycrate.com/products/holy-week-at-home-success-kit
- Sophia Press: https://sophiainstituteforteachers.org/holyweek2020
- Ultimate Guide to Celebrating Holy Week with Kids!: https://www.catholicicing.com/ultimate-guide-for-celebrating-holy/
- How to Make the Most of Holy Week at Home: https://www.osvnews.com/2020/03/27/how-to-make-the-most-of-holy-week-at-home/
- Holy Week in the Home During Holy Week: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/holy-week-in-home-during-quarantine/
- Catholic Mom: http://www.catholicmom.com/holyweek.htm
Students, Show & Tell Us if You Miss Us!
We hope all of our students know how much all of the teachers, staff, and administration misses each and every one of them!! The faculty and staff have sent messages to students via videos, emails, and through the online learning platforms expressing how much we all miss our students and can't wait to get back in the actual (not virtual) classrooms.
We are hearing that the feeling is mutual and our students miss us too! Students, if that is true, why not show and tell us by sending us photos of you maybe holding up a written message or a video clip of you telling us? We would love to see and hear from you!!
Please send all photos and/or videos to photos@smgschool.org. Be sure to write Thank You in the subject line!
Send Us Your Photos!
We are documenting SMG Distance Learning on our official SMG Facebook page (@StMariaGorettiArlington) and in the Trojan Times each week. Please send your pictures to photos@smgschool.org!
Morning & Afternoon Announcements
Remember to check Google Classroom Homeroom (2nd-8th graders), Seesaw (PK4-1st graders), or our official Facebook page (@StMariaGorettiArlington) daily for Morning and Afternoon Prayers and Announcements!
Calling All of Those on the Frontlines!!
We are so grateful to all worldwide who are on the frontlines fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic, especially those in our SMG school and parish community. We would like to acknowledge those heroes, the frontline workers from our SMG family in the Trojan Times as we continue through the weeks ahead, sheltering from home, social distancing, distance learning, and hopefully staying safe and healthy.
If you or a family member are a frontline worker out there fighting this fight, please send us photos along with the following information: name; place of employment; position or job title; explanation, if needed. Send photos to photos@smgschool.org.
This week, we send virtual high-fives and many thanks to:
- Dr. Bruce Wang (below, left), father of 6th Grade student, Mikey! Dr. Wang is an OB/GYN specialist, but continues to take regular call in the Emergency Room at Texas Health Arlington.
- Dr. Rey Marquino (below, middle), father of 8th Grade student, Emelia! Dr. Marquino is an Internal Medicine physician specializing in Geriatrics at Texas Health Internal Medicine.
- Rex Portes, R.N. (below, right), brother of SMG parent Mrs. Marquino and uncle to 8th Grade student, Emelia! Nurse Portes is working on the frontlines in Australia.
May God continue to bless and keep safe Dr. Wang, Dr. Marquino, Nurse Portes, and all frontline heroes!
2020-2021 Enrollment & Registration
Registration & Enrollment: Registration & Enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year is well underway! All registration and enrollment information can also be found on our website. As well, if you would like to defer your registration fee and pay it next month or over the next few months, please contact our registrar, Mrs. de la Pena (jdelapena@smgschool.org). As a reminder, tuition assistance is available and Father Jim and I are committed to making a Catholic education available to any family who wishes one for their child(ren). I also encourage you to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Like Us on Facebook!
We are hoping to update our official Facebook page with some more recent, positive reviews, likes, and shares. Please visit our official Facebook page (Facebook@StMariaGorettiArlington) and help us spread the word about our great Catholic school!
SMG 2019-2020 Yearbooks On Sale Now!
Online Educational Resources for Parents
Click the link below for a list of online educational resources that parents may find worthwhile and helpful while children are not at school over the next two weeks. This list is not exhaustive as there are MANY other educational sites, many that are offering free resources and access during the COVID-19 crisis. Please note, St. Maria Goretti Catholic School does not specifically endorse any site on the list.
https://smgschool.org/documents/2020/3/Online%20Resources%20for%20Parents.pdf
Greek Story Theatre Performance CANCELED
Unfortunately, The Greek Story Theatre, that was scheduled to take place this month has been canceled. We will be rescheduling the performance to take place this fall after the start of the 2020-2021 school year!
First Holy Communion POSTPONED
Per Bishop Olson's directive, for the health and safety of everyone, all Sacrament of First Holy Communion celebrations that were scheduled to take place at parishes in the diocese have been postponed. We will be sure to keep you updated when a new date and time has been determined.
A Message from SMEED's Ms. Lynne
Hi, Kids,
Ms Lynne here. I can't seem to do a video, so I thought I would send a picture of my kitty, Jaeger! I really miss all of you. Jaeger doesn't seem to understand "no running " or "get your homework done". For my PK3 babes, I can't get him to sing, "I Love You a Bushel and a Peck" or "Good Morning to You". He just wants to sleep on my lap or lay in the sun.
Boys and girls, I truly miss all of you. I can't wait to see you and hear all about what you have been doing. Keep a journal or pictures, so we can share what this time apart has been for us.
Love you all to the moon and back. Stay well, say your prayers, be good to Mom and Dad.
Love,
Ms Lynne
The 2019-2020 Annual Fund
The St. Maria Goretti Catholic School Annual Fund is essential to help fill the gap between tuition and operating expenses. The school’s 2019-2020 Annual Fund helps provide funding for many of the school’s most pressing needs such as academic enhancements, security improvements and updates, professional development for our teachers, and general operating expenses.
Please, prayerfully consider supporting our school through the 2019-2020 Annual Fund. Donations can be made by check (payable to SMG Catholic School), or online by visiting https://smgschool.org/give-now. Every gift counts!
Remember to Keep Collecting Those BoxTops!
Nolan Catholic High School Happenings
Online Application is Open
New Student Tuition Assistance Application is NOW OPEN
The application for returning students opened December , 2019. Learn More.
Please contact admissions@nchstx.org to schedule a family tour, or for more information.
Nolan Catholic Royelles Dance Team Tryouts
The award winning Nolan Catholic Royelles cheer at football and basketball games and compete in dance styles. Auditions are in April. Film and submit your best choreography by April 17th.
For more information, please email director, Ms. Tatyana Peffers, or assistant director, Ms. Rebekah Yarmchuk at tpeffers@nchstx.org and ryarmchuk@nchstx.org.
LAST WEEK AT SMG.....
Extra 5th - 8th Grade Virtual Challenge Met?
In addition to the Virtual Challenges students were challenged with last week, we challenged the 5th - 8th Grade students to participate as much or more than the PreK - 4th Grade students in each day's challenge activities. Were the 5th - 8th Grade students able to meet that challenge?!? Well, not exactly.....but let's just say they did give it a try and did participate more overall. Maybe a few more will join in our next virtual activities after Easter!
Remember to show your Trojan pride and send pictures and/or video clips of you taking part in the daily challenges, and email to photos@smgschool.org.
Knights of Columbus American Way Award Recipients!
Congratulations to Ava Glover and Jack Saladino, this year's recipients of the 2020 American Way Award! The American Way Award is presented each year to one 8th Grade boy and girl from each of the Diocese of Fort Worth Catholic schools by the Knights of Columbus, General Worth Assembly 1089 and Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Louise 209.
The award recognizes the recipients' love of God and Country and is an encouragement for them to carry it forward into high school and further into their adult lives. Recipients were selected by faculty and staff based on their spirituality and patriotism.
An award ceremony was scheduled for March 28, 2020, but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students will be receiving their award certificates in the mail soon. This is the 60th year that the award has been presented to 8th Grade students who attend Catholic schools in the diocese. We are so proud of Ava and Jack and thank them for representing SMG!!
Virtual National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony
The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) elevates a school’s commitment to the values of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. These five pillars have been associated with membership in the organization since its inception in 1929.
Congratulations to our new NJHS members who were inducted via a virtual ceremony on Tuesday.
- Nathan Cunningham
- Angel De la Rosa
- Aderinsola O. Fawehinmi
- Donald William Ferguson III
- Jocelyn Rory Geller
- Ava Glover
- Maria Emilia Jaramillo-Davila
- Steven Mai
- Colleen Malloy
- Isa D. Medrano
- Bao-Han Nguyen
- Do Nguyen
- Teresa Nguyen
- Bao Thien Tran
- Lauren Venegas
Nolan JV Cheer Team
Materials Pick Up at SMG
Virtual Challenge Week: Monday -This is Where I Distance Learn
Virtual Challenge Week: Tuesday - Get Up & Move
Virtual Challenge Week: Wednesday - Beat the Boredom!
SMG families are beating the boredom in fun ways.
Ten Best Classic Board Games for Kids https://www.familyeducation.com/fun/board-games/best-classic-board-games-kids
- Scrabble
- Clue
- Sorry
- Chinese Checkers
- Chutes and Ladders
- The Game of Life
- Chess
- Monopoly
- Twister
- Candy Land
Virtual Challenge Week: Thursday - Chalk it Up!
Virtual Challenge Week: Friday - Be a Baker or a Chef
SMG students were challenged to "bake or cook something for you and your family to enjoy". Challenge Accepted! Check out our AMAZING Chefs at work!
Ms Juergens Sends a Message
Our New Normal - 4th Grade Video Conferencing with Mrs. Pfaff
6th - 8th Grade Spanish Class
4th - 5th Grade Spanish Class
This week they worked with the verb necesitar (to need) to say what they need to make a PB & J sandwich.
1st Grade Reading Bingo Challenge
Mrs. Girton found creative and fun ways for First Grade students to read. Whether reading a book in the bathtub, listening to an audio book while doing chores, or reading under a blanket, everyone found time to enjoy a good book.
1st Grade Shadow Experiments
Mrs. Girton showed the kids a shadow she created with a frog yard sculpture. Students had to tell her what caused the shadow. Then they had to create a shadow of their own and trace it to create shadow art. See some of the shadow art below and listen to student answers submitted via Seesaw video explaining what causes shadows.
Noah's Bicycle
Bunny Shadow
Body Shadow
Kindergarten: My Teacher Misses Me!
Awesome Mrs. Bara surprised her students by delivering this yard sign to each family. She spent a long day in the car, but it was worth it! What a unique and special way to remind students that she loves and misses them!
Kindergarten 3D Shape Hunt
PreK 4: I Love SMG
PreK-4 Had a Busy Week
PreK-4 students read the story “Crazy Hair Day” for Friendship Friday and then created crazy hair, went shape hunting in their house, worked on sight words, and practiced daily calendar.
PreK 4: Act It Out Activity
School Website Under Construction
Pardon our reconstruction.....we are in the process of cleaning up and updating the school website. This is a work in progress, and we ask for your patience as we work to improve the site. In the meantime, if you are unable to find information you are looking for on the website, please feel free to call the office.
Calendar Notes
- Thursday, 4/9: Holy Thursday - Early "dismissal"; 12:00PM
- Friday, 4/10: Good Friday - No School
- Sunday, 4/12: Easter Sunday
- Monday, 4/3: No School
- Tuesday, 4/4: No School
- Saturday, 4/18: Greek Story Theatre Performance -Canceled
- Saturday, 5/2: First Holy Communion Canceled/Postponed
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/
Fr. Jim Angert, T.O.R.
Fr. Mike Ciski, T.O.R.
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/