The Trojan Times
Saint Maria Goretti Catholic School November 3, 2019
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,
What a great day we had last Friday as we celebrated All Saints Day! PreK and Kindergarten students were dressed as angels, students in grades 1-4 dressed as their favorite saint, grades 5-6 students created "soda bottle saints", and 7-8 grade students dressed as a saint and held a Living Saint Museum that all students and many parents, parishioners, and guests were able to experience. We also had a procession and Litany of Saints and then attended Mass together. Students finished the week as they do every Friday, meeting in their Households to pray and reflect on the gospel reading and last Friday, to enjoy some special treats and refreshments to celebrate All Saints Day. Please check out the many pictures below, as well as others on the school Facebook page!
Like October, there is a lot happening at SMG during the month of November. Tomorrow morning, students will come together for our monthly Faith Families Assembly. This month we reflect on the virtue of Humility and with Thanksgiving just weeks away, we will also be reflecting on the many blessings in our lives. Look for more information about our November Faith Families Assembly tomorrow and on the school website.
On Wednesday, we will celebrate our first Households Mass. Each household chose a name for their group at the beginning of the school year and they have also each created a household banner, baring their household name and a crest with symbols that reflect their household. Student representatives from each household will process in at the beginning of Mass, and their banners will be placed near the rail by the altar. All parents and families are welcome to join us for Mass.
We have several new extracurricular clubs and groups forming at SMG! The Folklorico Dance Club held their first practice/meeting last week and meets every Monday at 5:30PM in cafetorium. The Saint Celicia Singers for students in grades 3-8 will hold their first meeting/practice next Monday, November 11th, 3:30-4:15PM in the Music room. The Library Aid Society will meet beginning on Thursday, November 14th, 3:30-4:15PM, and is open to all 4th & 5th Grade students. The Private School Interscholastic Association (PSIA) and Running Club both begin this week, and students have been participating in and enjoying the Robotics and the Art Club for several weeks now. Coming soon: Rubrik's Cube Club and Chess Club. For more information on the various clubs available at SMG, please see the school website and the bulletin board near the cafetorium doors.
Veterans Day is next Monday, November 11th, and we of course look forward to honoring our veterans. We will be attending Mass on Veterans Day, but will not be attending Mass on Wednesday that week. Following Mass on Veterans Day, all Veterans are invited to enjoy refreshments/breakfast in the cafetorium, followed by a student presentation in the gym. Again, all parents, families, and veterans are welcome to attend.
Finally, we will be hosting our first Open House for prospective PreK and Kindergarten students on Tuesday, November 19th, 9:00-10:30AM beginning in the Library. If you know any families who may be interested in a Catholic education for their children, please invite them to attend the open house or call anytime for information and a tour of the school. We are advertising this event and St. Maria Goretti Catholic School through various mediums and communications, but the best advertisement comes from you, our wonderful SMG families!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Laura Behee, M.Ed.
Principal
NOVEMBER VIRTUE: HUMILITY
Humility is the virtue of the month for November. Being humble means knowing the truth about ourselves and the things we do well along with the things we do not do well. Humility is the true evaluation of ourselves with all our limitations. If we’re truly humble we’ll admit our shortcomings, but we’ll also recognize our God-given qualities and abilities. As we grow in self-knowledge and humility, we should desire to serve God and others in ways best suited for our talents.
There are many saints who exemplified the virtue of humility. Three who we are going to be learning about this month include:
John the Baptist: Feast Day – June 24 & August 29 – When Saint John the Baptist was born, many people said he would be very close to God. When Saint John grew up, many people came to him and asked for his help in turning back to God. Saint John would always tell them that someone was coming soon who was much greater than he. When that person came, Saint John saw Him and said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
Saint Pio of Pientrlcina (Padre Pio): Feast Day – September 23 – Padre Pio was a Capuchin friar who is best known for the unusual spiritual gifts he received from God including the stigmata and the ability to read souls and heal physical illnesses. As a priest, he always helped people to make a good and thorough Confession. Because God worked miracles through Padre Pio, many people proclaimed that he was a living saint. This was very difficult for Padre Pio, because he only wanted to be a simple, humble priest.
There were also many people who were jealous of Padre Pio’s spiritual gifts and tried to get him into trouble with the bishop and the pope. While the pope and bishops were investigating these accusations, Padre Pio was forbidden to hear Confessions, to celebrate Mass publicly, and to associate with lay people. A less holy priest might refuse to obey. Padre Pio chose to accept these limitations. He knew that God wanted him to obey authority, and he wanted to glorify God. He recognized that the gifts were from God, and that if God intended the gifts to be used, then he would be permitted to exercise them.
Saint Therese of Lisieux: Feast Day – October 1 – Saint Pius X once called Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face the greatest saint of modern times, even before she had been canonized. In 1997, Blessed John Paul II declared Saint Therese a Doctor of the church for her teaching on spiritual theology, an honor given to only 34 other saints. Of herself, Saint Therese only said, “What beauty? I don’t see my beauty at all; I see only graces I’ve received from God…I’m only a little seedling…” How did a young girl from a middle-class family in turn-of-the 19th century France attain the heights of holiness before dying of a long and painful illness when she was only 24 years old? Humility.
In her short life, Saint Therese was none of those things usually associated with “great” saints; she was not a martyr, a missionary, an evangelist, a theologian, or a foundress. She entered a Carmelite convent at the age of 15 and spent the next nine years in complete obscurity, doing all of the ordinary, daily things that convent life required. But from moment to moment, Saint Therese offered her weaknesses and limitations to God, accepted His will in all things, and persevered with child-like trust. One of her sayings was, “Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity.”
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
NJHS and STUCO Bake Sale
Cecilian Singers Group
We are very excited to announce the formation of a new musical opportunity for our students! We are beginning an after-school choir, the Saint Cecilia Singers. This group is open to all 3rd-8th Grade students and begins Monday, November 11th. Please follow the link below for details!
https://ec-prod-sites.s3.amazonaws.com/12396/documents/2019/11/Saint%20Cecilia%20Singers.pdf
Veterans Day Celebration
PreK and Kindergarten Open House!
SMG Spirt Store Open Until November 10th
The SMG Spirit Store is now open and new items are available. The store will be open until Sunday, November 10th, with items being delivered the week of November 18th. Please be sure to check the sizing chart if you are unsure about what size to purchase.
The following link will take you to our store:
Mills Uniform Fall Sale: November 2-16
Running Club to Begin Wednesday!
The SMG Running Club begins this week! The Running Club meets generally every other week after school for 45 minutes (weather permitting) and is open to all students in grades PreK4 through 8th grade.
The mission of the SMG Running Club is to have the children experience running and walking as forms of exercise that can last a lifetime through positive reinforcement and good habits. In keeping with Catholic Social Teachings, we commit our service to our community by participating in running events that benefit those in need, as well as preserving God’s creations.
Run Club Schedule: Running Club will meet from 3:30-4:15 pm (weather permitting). Nov. 7, 21, Dec. 5, 12, Jan. 14, 21, Feb. 4, 11, 18, Mar. 3, 24, 31, April 7, 21, 28, May 5, 12. A COMPLETED SIGNED FORM BY THE STUDENT AND PARENT MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL BEFORE THE STUDENT IS ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE. Please visit the links below for more information and a sign-up form.
Running Club Information Flyer:
https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/12396/documents/2019/10/Running%20Club%20Flyer%202019.pdf
Running Club Sign-Up Form:
SMG Gym Director Needed!
SMG is currently in need of a Gym Director for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
Gym Director Job Description
Duties:
- Assist sports coordinator with game day operations, including setting up the gym prior to all game days (basketball games are on Friday evenings and Saturdays) and tearing down gym after games.
- Assist sports coordinator with operation of concession stand by helping coordinate volunteer workers, setting up and cleaning up.
- Assist sports coordinator with the planning and execution of pre-season and post-season tournaments (Pre-season 7th grade basketball tournament will be the week of December 2, and the post-season 8th grade basketball tournament will be the week of February 17).
Hours per week will vary depending on game schedule, but will be between 4 and 8 hours during regular season. Tournament weeks will require more hours. This is an hourly, paid position. Please email or contact Ms. Seyer at eseyer@smgschool.org or Mrs. Behee at lbehee@smgschool.org if interested.
Outdoor Learning Center
Excavation for the Outdoor Learning Center & Garden is scheduled to begin in October, and we need your help! If you are interested in helping to build raised beds, install edging, planning, and helping to maintain the garden, please email Mrs. Behee (lbehee@smgschool.org).
Nolan Catholic High School Happenings
Online Application Opens
Tuesday, October 1st
Please contact admissions@nchstx.org to schedule a family tour, 8th-grade Shadow Day, or for more information.
REMINDERS
Uniform Requirement: Cardigan Sweaters
Students must have the required cardigan sweater as part of the Full Dress/Mass Uniform. Those out of uniform will be issued a uniform demerit and parents will be notified. Students in PK-5 wear the red sweaters and 6-8 grade students wear the navy blue sweaters. Please visit Mills Uniforms to purchase at https://www.millswear.com/UPL/3424.upl.html.
Wear your Spirit Wear every Friday!
SMG Spirit Wear (SMG School, Student Council, Honor Society, etc.) may be worn with uniform bottoms on Fridays throughout the school year unless otherwise specified.
LAST WEEK AT SMG.....
SMG Ballet Folklorico
The ballet Folklorico had a successful first practice. Dancers began with the steps of zapateado, caretilla and el boracho. It is not too late to join. Next practice is Monday, November 4th.
All interested 5th-8th grade students are encouraged to join! No dance experience is necessary. The group meets on Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30PM. For more information, please email Mrs. Zavala at mzavala@smgschool.org.
All Saints Day at SMG
5th-6th Soda-Bottle Saints
Students in 5th and 6th grade have been researching a saint of their choosing. They will be creating a Soda-Bottle saint, which will be on display in the hallway outside the library from October 31st through November 4th.
Living Saints Museum by 7th and 8th Grade
Students wrote and memorized a speech about the life of their saint and shared this information with all who visited the Living Saints Museum.
Procession of Saints and Angels
On All Saints Day, students in grades PreK4 and Kindergarten dressed as Angels. Students in grades 1-4 dressed as the saint they chose to research. The Procession of Saints and Angels paraded through the gym after which we prayed a Litany of Saints before proceeding to the church for Mass.
Household All Saints Celebration
During Households, all grades enjoyed refreshments with their classmates in celebration of All Saints Day.
PK4 Practicing Reading Skills
PreK 4: Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Wall of Blocks
Spanish Class: Dia de Los Muertos
Assured that the dead would be insulted by mourning or sadness, Dia de los Muertos celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed in life. Dia de los Muertos recognizes death as a natural part of the human experience, a continuum with birth, childhood, and growing up to become a contributing member of the community. On Dia de los Muertos, the dead are also a part of the community, awakened from their eternal sleep to share celebrations with their loved ones.
The most familiar symbol of Dia de los Muertos may be the calacas and calaveras (skeletons and skulls), which appear everywhere during the holiday: in candied sweets, as parade masks, as dolls. Calacas and calaveras are almost always portrayed as enjoying life, often in fancy clothes and entertaining situations. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/dia-de-los-muertos/
SMG students all recognized "The Day of the Dead": Kindergarten and first grade made a skull mask. Second and third grade told stories of a loved one that passed away. They enjoyed pan dulce and chocolate caliente. Fourth through eighth grade discussed the cultural significance of Dia de Los Muertos and completed a writing prompt.
Hallway Happenings
Club News - Something for Everyone!
PreK 3 Artwork
PreK 4 - Practicing the Alphabet
1st Grade Fact Families
1st Grade: Christopher Columbus and Adam and Eve Projects
1st Grade Saint Reports
2nd Grade: Respect Life Month
2nd Grade: Tissue Roll Saints and Reports
2nd Grade: How to Pray the Rosary
2nd Grade Pie Chart and Pumpkin Math
SMG Masterpieces Created in Art Class
Spanish: 1st Grade Labeling Scarecrows
Spanish: 3rd Grade Identifying the Number and Color of Spider Legs
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
- Monday, 11/4: Faith Family Morning Assembly 7:50AM; Art Club Mtg 6th-8th grade 3:30-4:20PM; Ballet Folklorico 5:30-6:30PM; Robotics 6:00-7:00PM
- Wednesday-Friday, 11/6-11/8: NJHS and STUCO Bake Sale
- Wednesday, 11/6: Households Mass, 8:00AM
- Thursday, 11/7: SMG Running Club 3:30-4:15PM (weather permitting), Art Club (1st-8th) 3:30-4:20PM
- Monday, 11/11: Veteran's Day: Mass 8:00AM, Refreshments 9:00AM, Presentation 9:30AM; Art Club Mtg 6th-8th grade 3:30-4:20PM; SMG Ballet Folklorico 5:30-6:30PM; Robotics Club 6:00-7:30PM
- Thursday, 11/14: Butter Braids Delivered at School; Art Club (1st-8th) 3:30-4:20PM
- Friday, 11/15: Robotics 3:30-6:30PM; Progress Reports emailed to parents
- Monday, 11/18: Art Club Mtg 6th-8th grade 3:30-4:20PM; SMG Ballet Folklorico 5:30-6:30PM; Robotics Club 6:00-7:30PM
- Tuesday, 11/19: PreK and Kindergarten Open House 9-10:30AM
- Wednesday, 11/20: Robotics 6:00-7:00PM
- Thursday, 11/21: SMG Running Club 3:30-4:15PM (weather permitting), Art Club (1st-8th) 3:30-4:20PM
- Saturday, 11/23: Robotics Competition
- Monday, 11/25-Friday, 11/29: Thanksgiving Break; No School
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/