The Trojan Times

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.

Dear St. Maria Goretti Catholic School Families,

Please send any items for the reverse advent calendar by Wednesday. Students are being encouraged to give items to the poor rather than receive them. I have encouraged the kids to do extra chores at home to earn the money to contribute to this worthy cause.

You will notice that the manner of the week is the same as last week. Our morning meetings have been different this week and we have not had a lot of time to talk about the manner. So we will continue to practice this manner in the upcoming week.

We will have a Christmas Spirit Week this week. See the schedule in this edition of the TT. Wednesday is a Mass day, with no dress down items. If your child doesn't want to participate they must be in their uniform for the day. If you purchased the new SMG Christmas Shirt for your student, they can wear it everyday next week with uniform bottoms. (just not on Wednesday)

There are a lot of fun holiday activities planned for the students over the next 5 days. Please be sure to read this edition of the TT, emails, and your child's newsletters for all the updated information.

Please remember there is NO SMEED on Friday December 20, 2024, this is also a noon dismissal day. Please make arrangements to have your child(ren) picked up on time.

Our last edition of Trojan Times for 2024 will be Sunday, December 22, 2024. Our first edition of 2025 will be sent on January 12, 2025!

St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!

Blessings,

Amy Utendorf, M.Ed.

Principal

Donated items may be placed in the elementary hallway under the Reverse Advent Calendar. Thanks for sharing in the true spirit of Christmas.

Items for the Reverse Advent Calendar are due by December 18th when Kindergarten and 1st grade plan to walk over to the Padre Pio house to deliver the items collected.

Our Performing Arts Class borrowed three large set pieces from NCHS. This includes two large OAP window frames and a door. We need some strong individuals with a full-size truck bed and/or a trailer to help us return them. If you are able and willing, please contact Mrs. Richards as soon as possible so she can help coordinate with the NCHS Theatre team on the other end of the delivery.

RRICHARDS@SMGSCHOOL.ORG

December Lunch Menu

Las Posadas is a school-wide event, and everyone is invited to come and celebrate with us!

Las Posadas is a beautiful Christmas tradition that literally translates to "the inns" or "the lodgings." It symbolizes the journey of Mary and Joseph as they searched for shelter in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus. Traditionally, Las Posadas is celebrated over nine nights, from December 16th to Christmas Eve (Noche Buena). Each night, the hosts provide food and drinks for the "shepherds" and for Mary and Joseph. Typical treats include hot beverages such as champurrado, hot chocolate milk, canela, or atole, as well as tamales or pan dulce. Children also enjoy the excitement of breaking a piñata. The grandest celebration takes place on the 24th, with fireworks at midnight marking the final posada, when the birth of Jesus is reenacted as part of the joyful culmination of the journey.

Our school will celebrate this tradition with an evening of fellowship. We will gather at the front steps of the Cafetorium to begin the journey, accompanying Mary and Joseph in their search for shelter. As we walk through Saint Maria Court, we will ask different homes for shelter, and our journey will end at the Peterson’s house, where we will enjoy tamales and chocolate caliente.

Please find the attached Signup Genius link to help with the celebration and to RSVP. Please Bring a Candle.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0A4BADA92EA0FC1-53793180-lasposadas

We are nearing the beginning of the next Legislative session in Austin, and we have invited Senator Kelly Hancock to be our guest speaker and address this legislation with our Catholic school parents. Nolan Catholic High School will generously host this event:

December 16, 2024

6:00 pm -7:30 pm

Nolan Catholic High School Auditorium

4501 Bridge St.

Fort Worth, Texas 76103

The Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy performed A Charlie Brown Christmas on Monday. We were very proud to welcome back SMG Alumni, Mia Jamison, who performed in the production.

The Jesse Tree is a representation that depicts Jesus' family tree and the events leading up to his birth. It's a tradition used during Advent to help build anticipation for Christmas.

Sister Thuan coordinated 4 beautiful Jesse Tree plays which students presented during morning meetings. Sister and the students put much thought and preparation into the costumes, story and presentation.

• Story of Creation and the Fall - 6th grade
• The Calls of Abraham, Moses and Exodus - 8th grade and Kindergarten
• The Annunciation - 7th grade
• The Birth of Jesus - 7th grade and 1st grade (Friday, December 20th)

Third through eighth grade students attended confession this week to receive forgiveness for their sins and guidance on how to avoid them in the future.

Thank you to Mrs. Zavala and her classes for organizing a beautiful tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe on her feast day.

The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe is based on a series of apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego, a Mexican peasant, in 1531. The Virgin Mary left an image of herself on Juan Diego's cloak, which is considered the only authentic depiction of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The image has remained intact for 475 years, despite the fact that a cloak made from the agave plant typically only lasts about 30 years.

Home and School provided a fun family movie night. We enjoyed popcorn, cookies and fellowship.

SMG participated in the Arlington Holiday Lights Parade on Saturday. Thanks to our families who rode or walked with the float.

A swarm of "Spelling Bees" descended on 1st grade today during our first ever grade level spelling bee. There was stiff competition with the result determined by 2nd grade words. Winner J.T. Naus, 2nd place Fiona Rowe, 3rd place Moses Zhou. Mrs. Girton is so proud of them all!

Please enjoy this audio/visual experience of the goings on of Saint Maria Goretti. Consider that a "Subscription" to the YouTube channel and/or a "Like" on any video will help us grow our exposure and impact. Please do share anything you enjoy with other family members and friends that would similarly delight in the successes and accomplishments of the students.

https://www.youtube.com/@smgbroadcast2001

SMG students receive a Terrific Trojan sticker when they are "caught" being safe, responsible and respectful. After wearing the sticker during the day, the Terrific Trojan places it on the hallway bulletin board. We love seeing how full the bulletin board becomes by the end of the school year.

First graders Blessing, Hannah, Avery, JT, Fiona and Mara all took it upon themselves to clean the new playground surface of acorns and leaves.

Use gift cards or shop online through RaiseRight for your everyday purchases and earn money for your organization. It's easy to enroll today!

Our goal is to have 100% of the families enrolled. Be sure to enroll by September 30th so that your child’s class has a chance to win an ice cream party! To enroll email Olivia Bradley at scrip@smgschool.org for the enrollment code.

START EARNING NOW!

• Earn cash for our school just by scanning your receipts! It's as easy as that.

• Download the Box Tops app and make every shopping trip count.

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.

Sign-Up Genius

Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth Sports Calendar

Monday

• 7:00-7:40 Cheer (Saladino/Risinger) Gym
• 12:16-1:01 Open Library Checkout (4th-8th)
• 12:16-1:01 STUCO (Daly) Computer Lab Begins TBD
• 3:30-4:45 Folklorico Current Members (Zavala) Hope Rm
• 3:30-4:15 PSIA Spelling (Daly) Computer Lab Jan. 13, 27, Feb. 3, 10, 24
• 3:30-4:15 PSIA Maps/Graphs/Charts (Utendorf) Rm. 110 Jan. 13, 27, Feb. 10, 24
• 3:30-4:15 Math Tutoring 6th-8th (Tran) Rm. 121
• 3:30-4:15 PSIA Ready Write 4th-8th (Vasquez)
• 6:00-8:00 Robotics (Morales) 4/5 Sci Lab

• 7:00-7:40 Cheer (Saladino/Risinger) Gym
• 12:16-12:36 Library Leaders (Richards)
• 12:16-1:00 NJHS (Jones)
• 3:30-4:15 Cantoring (Breed) Church

Wednesday

• 7:15-7:45 Math Tutoring 2-5 (Sister Mary Monica) Rm. 116
• 7:15-7:45 AM Saint Maria Singers (Richards) Library
• 12:16-1:01 Open Library Checkout (4th-8th)
• 12:16-12:36 SMG Broadcast (Jones) Rm. 120
• 3:30-4:15 4th-8th Detention Rooms Vary
• 3:45-4:30 Run Club (Gutierrez)
• Feb. 12, 26, March 12, 26, April 9, 30, May 7

• 3:30-4:15 PSIA Drawing (Jamison) Art Room
• Jan. 15, 29 Feb. 12, 26

• 3:30-4:30 Chess Club (Tran) Rm 121
• 3:45-4:15 Science Tutoring (Saladino) Rm. 109
• 3:30-4:00 Rosary Group (Utendorf) - Conference Room NO MEETING 12/4 and 12/11

• 7:15-7:45 AM PSIA Math 2nd/3rd (Sr. Mary Monica) Rm 116
• Jan. 16, Feb. 6, 20

• 7:15-7:45 AM PSIA Math 4th/5th (Sr. Mary Monica) Rm 116 Jan. 9, 23, Feb. 13, 27

• 7:00-7:45 AM PSIA Math 6th-8th (Tran) Rm 121
• Jan. 16, Feb. 6, 20

• 3:30-4:45 The Trojan Troupe (Richards) Library/Stage
• End time extended to 6PM beginning in March
• 3:45-4:45 Card Club (Saladino) Rm 109

Friday

• 12:16-1:01 Open Library Checkout (4th-8th)

Dec. 16, Monday: 6:00 speaking at Nolan Catholic and 6:30 Las Posadas

Dec. 16-18: Junior High Mid Terms

Dec. 17, Tuesday: 3rd Grade Field Trip

Dec. 19, Thursday: 9:00 Band Concert, 2:00 Greek Theatre

Dec. 20, Friday: 12:00 Dismissal, 2nd Quarter Ends, No SMEED

Dec. 23-Jan.7: Christmas Holiday

Jan. 8, Wednesday: Classes Resume

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/

Email: development@smgschool.org
Website: https://smgschool.org
Location: 1200 South Davis Drive, Arlington, TX, USA
Phone: (817)275-5081

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smgcatholicschool/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StMariaGorettiArlington/