New Trimester Underway: Building on St. Mary’s Strong Foundation

Snowflakes are falling and the excitement of the new school year has begun to settle into routine. More than 400 St. Mary of Gostyn students enter the doors each morning knowing they are part of something special. The caring faculty, staff and clergy are dedicated to building on the foundation parents have established at home by nurturing and supporting students in their academic, spiritual, athletic, social and emotional growth.

If you ask students, parents and alumni to share their thoughts about SMG you will get many different answers, but most will mention the feeling of community and many will describe SMG as a second family. Children spend more than 100 hours a month at school so finding the right fit is important – and we are honored and humbled they have chosen SMG to help them on their journeys to becoming God-centered and service-minded adults who know themselves and use their God-given talents to help others.

It was a busy start to the school year and to highlight, here are some of the programs currently underway.

Promoting positive desired behaviors with PBIS and SMG

Within SMG’s supportive environment, we use specific techniques to help the children understand what is expected of them and how to be good students and members of the SMG community. We have begun implementing the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program at SMG this fall. The PBIS program is used to identify, support and emphasize positive desired behaviors in the school setting.

SMG has tied these traits into the SMG acronym: Stay Safe, Model Christ, and Give Our Best. “We believe in promoting behaviors we want to see in all our students,” says Principal Chris Tiritilli. A matrix was developed for each trait to help students understand what behaviors they’re expected to model in classrooms, on buses, in the lunchroom, at recess, in the hallways, stairways, bathrooms and in church.

See, Stop and Serve!

SMG students are encouraged to use their God given talents to help others at school and in the community. See, Stop and Serve! is a new school theme focused on getting students involved in service projects, individually or in groups. Throughout the school year, teachers will be collecting photos and documenting each grade level’s charitable service to others.

Motivational message from assembly guest speaker Jarrett Payton

Last spring, SMG welcomed Jarrett Payton, an encouraging and motivational speaker and the son of Chicago Bears player Walter Payton. Mr. Payton spoke with the children about finding their passion and purpose in life; being true to themselves; and the importance of listening to and helping one another.

The assembly format was an excellent way to reach students on another level and additional speakers are being considered by the HSA for future assemblies.

SMG featured in "Stand Tall" music video

Recently some of our students had the exciting opportunity to take part in the filming of an anti-bullying music video featuring vocal artist Kim Kline. One of the producers of the video, Neil Fernandez, is an SMG alumnus. The theme of the song and video is that love overcomes hate and if someone picks on you, hurts you or bullies you, you are encouraged to stand tall. Some of the scenes were filmed inside the school. You can see the completed video on YouTube.

Welcome new mascot Viktor E. Viking

SMG also introduced a new mascot – Viktor E. Viking! Viktor E. helps motivate athletes and crowds to “Stay Safe, Model Christ, and Give Our Best!” Look for him at many of school games and other student events.

New SMG logo and spirit wear

Families will find a new collection of spirit wear for sale at various SMG events. The spirit wear designs incorporate the new SMG logo, designed and unveiled this fall to promote our school identity. Spirit wear can be ordered all year long at pssigns.com.

Building our SMG community

Most of SMG families already understand how special SMG is. However, do you have friends or neighbors with children you think may also love SMG? Consider sharing with them what makes SMG special to you and encouraging them to visit stmarygostyn.org or call (630) 968-6155 for more information or to schedule a visit. We hope to welcome them someday to the SMG family.

At SMG, we are proud of who we are, what we stand for and where we are going. Thank you to all the SMG families for helping to make SMG the truly special place that it is. Here’s to another great year ahead!