Horsemen Highlights for week of December 4 - December 8, 2023
Dear Parents,
During this holiday season it has been a joy to witness even more of the Lasallian spirit in our students and in our community. Our students are demonstrating our Lasallian Core Principles in action through everyday behaviors and service projects. This time of year brings out the spirit of giving and supporting those less fortunate than us. Our backpack drive has been very successful with the collection of over 100 backpacks full of warm clothing, food, and toys for migrant children and families at the border. The spirit of giving and support of our students was evident in the generous donations from our community to our school at our 2nd Annual Archangel's Gala which was held last weekend. The purpose of the gala was to help raise money for tuition assistance and scholarships to help ensure that finances aren’t a barrier to students being able to attend our school. We are extremely grateful to our community coming together for both our current and future students.
Final exams are next week and the link to the final exam schedule is below under the Academics section. We ask that all students take their final exams seriously and do their absolute best. It is also imperative that students arrive on time to take their finals. Please help ensure that students are picked up after their last final exam each day. Semester grades will be available in OnBoard January 4th.
I am so proud of our students and all that they have accomplished this semester. Our students and our school are so successful because of you. Thank you for all your support and for allowing us to educate your amazing children. Go Horsemen!
Yours in Christ,
Martin C. Sandoval, Principal
Academics
A Message From the Deans:
Parents, semester exams are next week. Please continue to check grades regularly on OnBoard and communicate with your students’ teachers. We are on a continuous grading schedule. This means that grades have continued since midterm progress reports.
Semester exams begin on Monday, December 11 and will run through December 15. Please make sure your students study and prepare for their exams. Final exams are 20% of the overall grade for the semester. Teachers have been sharing their study guides in their Google Classroom sections. Please make sure that your students arrive on time and ready to complete their exams. Students must stay for the entirety of the exam and are not allowed to leave early. The cafeteria will only be open on Monday. Click HERE to see the schedule in its entirety.
Students may wear Spirit Dress next week for final exams.
Students have a full day of school on Monday with their final exam for 7th period beginning at 2:10 p.m. until 3:40 p.m. Students only have final exams in the morning on Tuesday through Thursday with their second exam finishing at 11:45 a.m. Please make sure that your students are picked up on time. There is no supervision after 12:00 noon and students will not be able to remain in the building.
Access to grades in OnBoard will be unavailable beginning Monday, December 11, while Semester 1 grades are being processed. Semester 1 report cards will be posted in OnBoard no later than Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
We are excited to announce that we will begin implementing a "Strategies for Success" initiative with our 7th grade students next semester. We are noticing more and more that students are having significant difficulty transitioning over from elementary school to middle school. We know that this is not only a challenge for both the students and their parents, but also for teachers. Our goal next semester is to focus on organization skills and academic strategies as we begin to prepare our 7th graders for 8th grade. Seventh Grade Parents, please be on the lookout for an email next week giving a better overview of the initiative that we will be starting on January 3, 2024 when students arrive back on our campus. This email will also include a list of supplies that all 7th grade students must have on our first day back. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Leyba at [email protected].
College/Career Corner
College Applications and Acceptances
Our seniors have begun receiving their first college acceptance letters. Congratulations! As you begin to navigate through college portals and applications, the academic office is happy to assist your students. Please note we cannot request login information or any other materials from your students’ institutions due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). It is the responsibility of your students to to contact their colleges’ admissions office for information on how to move forward.
Activities
This Tuesday we had the 6th grade class of Santo Nino join us for a Shadow day. What a pleasure it was to host our future Horsemen. Shadow days will pick back up in January and run through March. Please encourage any and all students considering St. Michael's for junior high or high school to schedule a school visit. Visit St. Michael's – Admissions – St. Michael's High School (stmichaelssf.org)
Kairos
"What time is it? God's Time!" The powerful 3½ day overnight Kairos retreat for juniors and seniors is right around the corner (Boys: Jan 9-12; Girls: Feb 6-9) . Kairos registrations are due Monday, December 11 and there is a mandatory parent meeting for parents of participants on Tuesday, December 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. While it is a very busy time of the year, please know there is crucial confidential parent information that will be shared at the meeting. If you are unable to attend, please send Ms. Larson an email at [email protected] so she may communicate with you individually.
You may have heard parents or students share their thoughts on the positive impact of Kairos. Many parents have expressed their gratitude for their child’s opportunity to attend this retreat and in listening to these encouraging words, I know that the spirit of God is at work through this program. Please encourage your son or daughter to attend this life changing experience and we hope to see you on Tuesday evening. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Larson via email.
Senior Page Guidelines
Attention Senior parents: Yearbook will begin collecting photos for your student’s Senior page. Please click here for specific information or email the yearbook advisor Amy Wynn [email protected] with questions.
Athletics
College Commitment: St. Michael's senior swimmer, Jacob Duran, has solidified his commitment to swim for the next four years at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis. The University of St. Thomas boasts a prestigious NCAA Division 1 program in the sport of swimming. Jacob, your dedication and hard work have truly paid off, and we, the St. Michael's staff couldn't be more excited and proud of your accomplishment. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement, and we look forward to witnessing your continued success at the collegiate level!
Parents Association
Parent Association Concessions
In addition, the Parents Association could really use your help with Concessions for the Boys and Girls Basketball games! Please see the links to sign up for any of the games. Any help will be greatly appreciated. As a reminder, if you did receive tuition assistance on behalf of the Parents Association, assisting with the concessions helps toward getting your required hours fulfilled.
Girls Concession Link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F48A9AA22A3FD0-46063976-girls
Boys Concession Link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F48A9AA22A3FD0-46063866-boys#/
Next Parent Association General Meeting: December 12 , 5:30 p.m.-
6:30 p.m. in the SMHS Library.
Get involved with The Parent’s Association!
If you would like to become involved in the SMHS Parents Association please contact: or contact Annette Legits, Parent Relations Coordinator at [email protected] or 505-466-5088.
Alumni Association
Arts n’ Crafts Fair: Saturday, December 16
The Alumni Association is sponsoring an Arts and Crafts Fair from 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s High School! Visit with vendors, get yummy refreshments from the Concession stand and find that special gift for Christmas. If you are a vendor and would like to participate, please contact Carmela Quintana: [email protected]
Alumni Brick Patio Capital Campaign
Still looking for that perfect Christmas gift? Buy a Brick for the Patio! The Alumni Association has begun PHASE IV of the Brick Project! Please purchase a brick for the Alumni Patio overlooking the SMHS Football Field. See the school website under the Alumni Tab for further details.To order a brick please click on this website:
https://www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/horsemenpatio
For information regarding the Alumni Association, update your contact information or if you want to become involved with the Alumni, please contact: Annette Rivera-Legits, Alumni Relations Coordinator, at [email protected] 505- 466-5088.
“Once a Horsemen, Always a Horsemen!
