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,

I hope everyone remembered to Spring Forward today! It will be nice to have longer evenings to enjoy the spring weather.

The tuition assistance committee is meeting this week. we will have all of the assistance letters out the week of March 21st. Thank you for getting your documentation in on time for consideration during this first round.

Friday, March 14, 2025 is Spring picture day. For picture day at SMG students are still expected to follow the school's dress code, which is modest, neat, and respectful. Here are some general guidelines:

For Boys:

• Uniform: Boys may choose to wear their everyday or Mass uniforms if they do not want to dress up.
• Non-Uniform Guidelines:
  • Collared shirt (polo or button-down, preferably solid or lightly patterned).
  • Dress pants or khakis (no jeans, shorts, or ripped clothing).
  • Dress shoes or clean, dark sneakers (no sandals or flip-flops).
  • Optional: A blazer, sweater, or vest for a polished look.

For Girls:

• Uniform: Girls may choose to wear their everyday or Mass uniform if they do not want to dress up.
• Non-Uniform Guidelines:
  • Modest dress, blouse with skirt, or dress pants (no sleeveless, cold-shoulder, low-cut, or tight-fitting clothes).
  • Closed-toe shoes (flats, dress shoes, or modest heels—no flip-flops).

Grooming Tips:

• Hair should be neatly styled and clean.
• Keep the look simple, polished, and respectful of the SMG values.

This is the week before Spring Break! Our teachers and staff are planning engaging lessons for your students until the last day. Friday, March 14, 2025 is a noon dismissal day. SMEED is available, please be sure to send a lunch with your child if they are staying.

We will publish an edition of the Trojan Times on March 16, 2025. There will NOT be a Trojan Times on March 23, 2025. School will resume on Monday, March 24, 2025.

St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!

Blessings,

Amy Utendorf, M.Ed.

Principal

Our SMG hens laid their first eggs! A pullet is a hen that is under one year old and has been laying eggs for only a few months. Pullet eggs are the first eggs laid by hens at about 18 weeks old. These young hens are just getting into their egg-laying groove, meaning these eggs will be noticeably smaller than the usual eggs you come across. And that’s where the beauty in them lies — quite simply, they are delicious.

Please consider volunteering to help with the chickens on the weekends. Service hours will be earned. Click on the signup genius link for a description of duties.

Sign-Up Genius

Kimberly Baietto, from Catholic Charities Fort Worth, joined us for morning prayer this week to ask for donations of size 2-5 diapers. If you are able to helps with our SMG Lenten service project, please drop off diapers at the front office or send them to school with students. Thanks for your compassionate service!

SMG is in need of baseball apparel for junior high aged boys such as black pants, red socks and red belts. We would also welcome bats, gloves, batting helmets, catcher's gear, cleats and balls. Please consider donating anything you have that is not being used. Thanks for your help!

Use this link to sign up

http://raceroster.com/events/2025/97018/26th-annual-zoo-run/register?team=768835

• Enter your email address
• Select Yes, I have a password if you signed up last year
• Select No, I want to create a password if you are entering for the first time
• Register as a School Team Participant
• Select 5K Timed, 5K Untimed or 1K Fun Run
• Complete profile information

March Lunch Menu

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.

• Ellie - Kindergarten
• Justin - Kindergarten

Students were greeted at the door with Mardi Gras beads Tuesday morning as we began our celebration of Fat Tuesday. Staff and students were treated to a pancake, sausage and tater tot lunch followed by a delicious dessert of King Cake. We appreciate the donation of king cakes from our generous parents. Following a procession into the church, students retired their Alleluia banners, beads and masks in preparation of the season of Lent.

THANK YOU to Sister Thuan Phan, Sister Mary Monica and Mrs. Richards for your help in making the Mardis Gras Prayer Service so successful! Every child was able to be showcased and share their moment as they prepared for Lent. Great job and happy Mardi Gras to you!

Ash Wednesday 2025 began the Lenten season. Lent is the time before Easter when Catholics prepare to commemorate Jesus’s Resurrection through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Father Maul reminded us that the ashes are a sign that we are joyful and waiting for Christ.

Repent and believe in the Gospel!

We are very proud of our artists who displayed work in the First Annual Diocesan Student Art Competition.

On March 6th, the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth hosted a bilingual show called Once Upon a Tale for first graders. The show was a supplemental learning tool for teachers and featured classic folktales, fables, and fairy tales.

A first confession in 2nd grade is a child's first experience with the Sacrament of Reconciliation (commonly called "confession") in the Catholic Church. This is part of their religious education preparation for First Communion.

Mrs. Vasquez walked students through the process in preparation of their first confession with Father Maul. Congratulations 2nd grade!

Students and staff attended the first Stations of the Cross Friday. Praying the Stations of the Cross helps inspire deep prayer. God gives us the grace to contemplate the suffering of Jesus and feel deep empathy and love for Him. As we meditate on the events, they become more vivid and take root in our hearts.

PreK learned about rainbows and the story of Noah. In the Bible story of Noah's Ark, the rainbow is a symbol of God's covenant with Noah, signifying that he will never again destroy the earth with a flood, and appearing in the sky after the flood as a reminder of this promise; whenever a rainbow is seen, it represents God's commitment to never flood the earth again.

Song

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

Please consider volunteering to help with the chickens on the weekends. Service hours will be earned. Click on the signup genius link for a description of duties.

Sign-Up Genius

SMG is looking for track coaches. Please consider volunteering your time for our young athletes. Contact Mrs. Bara with questions or to sign up!

Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth Sports Calendar

Monday

• 7:00-7:40 Cheer (Saladino) 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 Math Tutoring 6th-8th (Tran) Rm. 121

• 3:30-4:30 Baseball Club 5th-8th (Jesse/Olivia Bradley) SMG Baseball Field -
• March 10, 12

• 7:00-7:40 Cheer (Saladino) 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
• 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)
• March 12, 26, April 9, 30, May 7

• 3:30-4:30 Baseball Club 5th-8th (Jesse/Olivia Bradley) SMG Baseball Field -
• March 10, 12

• 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
• 3:30-4:30 Girls of Grace Club (A. Lewis) - Library - 2nd/4th Wednesday

• 7:00-7:30 AM English/Literature Tutoring 4th/5th (Sister Hoa) Rm 117 NEW
• 7:15-7:45 AM Saint Maria Singers (Richards) Library NEW DAY

• 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)

March 10, Monday: Spring Plant Sale open for on-line orders

March 11, Tuesday: 6th Grade Vikings Live

March 14, Friday: Spring Pictures, 3rd grade Lenten Retreat, 12:00 Early Dismissal, 3rd Quarter Ends

March 17-21: Spring Break

March 24-27, Mon-Thurs: ARK Testing 2nd-8th

March 26, Wednesday: NJHS Induction following 8:00 AM Mass

March 28, Friday: 4th/5th Waco Trip, 2:30 Stations of the Cross, 3rd quarter reports cards emailed to parents

April 1, Tuesday: Last day to order from Spring Plant Sale

April 4, Friday: 2:30 6th grade Tableaux

April 5, Saturday: Zoo Run

April 11, Friday: 6th-8th Austin Trip

April 15, Tuesday: Spring Plants Ready for Pickup

April 26, Saturday: Save the Date: Platinum Gala

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/