Horsemen Highlights for week of May 29-June 2
As the 2022-2023 school year concludes, we would like to thank the following teachers and staff who are moving on from St. Michael’s: Ms. Valerie Angel (Counseling), Ms. Sandra Dippolito (Art), Mr. Pat Gonzalez (Custodial), Prof. Lars Helgeson (Science), Ms. Leslie Helgeson (Library and Yearbook), Ms. Nicole Jones (Science/Medical Magnet), Ms. Stephanie Oline (Athletic Trainer), Ms. Angela Richardson (English), Ms. Kathy Tapia (Art, Spirit Shop, Yearbook). We wish them well in their new endeavors.
Br. James Joost, though finishing as interim Principal, will be back on the Board of Trustees and assisting in the school in the Fall to help with transition with the new Principal, Mr. Martin Sandoval.
We also have restructured the administrative positions with the elimination of the Assistant Principal and Associate Principal positions. We thank Dr. Arlana Kingsbury and Ms. Stephanie Gurule-Leyba for their service in those positions. We have opened hiring for the two new administrative positions: Dean of Students (discipline/attendance) and Dean of Academics.
We have been in the midst of hiring other positions, already filling a science and math position and in the process of interviewing for English and Art. Position postings continue to go online on our school website under the “Careers” tab.
Also, Ms. Espi Cortez will assume the role of Director of Student Activities and is reinvigorating class councils, each class being led by a team of students directed by a Moderator.
Also, Ms. Diahann Larson will be concentrating her attention on Lasallian Formation, Service Programs, and Vocation Ministry, as she oversees and assists a new person yet to be hired to take on Campus Ministry (retreats and school liturgies/Masses).
Finally, we will have a new Brother join the faculty next year. Br. Mariano Lopez, FSC (Class of ’72) will teach one Religion class next year as he assists with the Brothers Community.
Summer Main School Office Hours from Tues., May 20- Fri., August 4
Mondays-Tuesdays-Wednesdays-Thursdays: 8:00am to 12:00pm
Fridays: Office closed
Tues., July 4: Office closed for Federal Holiday
Finance Office Hours: Same as school year times.
Finishing this Year-
Chromebooks/chargers: A big Thank You to SMHS students for helping us with a smooth Chromebook (and charger) collection this week. We appreciate all of you who turned your equipment in on time. We are still missing a number of Chromebooks and chargers at each grade level. If you still have your Chromebook and/or charger, please turn in to the front office no later than noon time, Thursday, June 1st. Student accounts will be charged beginning Monday. June 5th. If you have questions, contact Ms. Gurule-Leyba, [email protected].
Second Semester Grades: Mr. Armijo will have the second semester grades posted by 4:00pm on Thurs., June 1. Grades determine eligibility for the Fall. Summer courses that redeem “F” grades do not change eligibility status. High school courses with F grades must be made up in an approved summer school course in order for the student to return to St. Michael’s in the Fall. Summer option can be found at: https://4.files.edl.io/ac79/05/26/23/174047-63a8088e-fc16-4e06-a9e4-207b648d7717.pdf Br. James will be sending an official note to parents/guardians of any student who received F grades and/or is on academic probation (below a 2.0 GPA), thus putting those students on the ineligibility list.
An Honors Roll List will also be compiled and prepared for the Fall based on the enrolled students as we begin the new school year.
Textbook Return: Although our teachers collected textbooks this past week, there are a few not turned in. Please look around your home and if you see a textbook that belongs to us, please bring it to Ms. Margie in the main office. We will have to bill parents for missing textbooks.
Yearbook: The SMHS 2023 Yearbook arrives in July. You can still order a copy for $75 by going to: www.yearbooksforever.com. This year's book will make any Horsemen or Lady Horsemen proud. Our Championship winners are all featured in the 2022- 2023 seasons. The copy is 168 pages of jam packed memories you will treasure! Sales are open online until August 12th. Don't miss out for $75.
2023-2024 Registration: Complete your Enrollment Contract for the 23/24 school year today! Instructions can be found online at 184121-87c30d0f-4259-49cd-b06c-2c637bde2de8.pdf (edl.io)
Financial Aid: Please double check your financial aid applications to assure they are complete and verified. To be “verified” means BLACKBAUD FINANCIAL AID MANAGEMENT has received ALL necessary documentation to confirm the details of the application. Any applications with an "open" or "on hold" status will not be considered.
Admissions: We have so far accepted 89 new students for the upcoming 23/24 school year. Spread the good word about St. Mike’s and direct interested families to the school’s admissions tab on the website or to Ms. Chavez at [email protected]. We are still accepting applications!
Summer Reading: Will you please send the summer reading list to the appropriate grade levels in Google Classroom. Here is the link that can be found on our website. SUMMER READING GRADES 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12R (SCHOOL YEAR 2023-2024) (edl.io)
Class of 2024 (next year Seniors!) News: In the coming weeks, we will be adding our rising Seniors into Naviance. This is the software that the school uses for college applications. Please encourage your students to keep an eye on their email so they can activate their account when that time comes.
2023-2024 Chemistry Honors News: We are coming to the conclusion of a discussion with UNM-Taos about having our Honors Chemistry class as a dual credit course that would receive science MAJOR credit with UNM-Taos. The previous course this year was given NON-major credit. The new MAJOR credit essentially means that if a student eventually went to UNM as a science major they would already have basic science major requirements completed. We already have begun upgrading the Chemistry lab to meet UNM safety requirements. An unexpected expense we would appreciate any donations to the project as well as to upgrading other science labs/rooms. We anticipate about a $20,000 expense for these upgrade projects. Send any donation in Care of Ann Erickson ([email protected]) at St. Michael’s and designate on it, “Science Labs.”
Bus Fleet: Beside the beautiful new St. Michael’s bus we bought this Winter, we just recently acquired a bus donated from our Lasallian school in Napa, CA- Justin-Siena High School. California changed their emission laws and Justin-Siena had to acquire a new fleet of buses, giving away the ones they had. Thank you to Br. James and Mr. Gerard Garcia for leveraging the donation, transportation, and registration of the new bus.
Athletics-
Student-Athletes for 2023/2024: Make sure to complete the following form if you will be playing on any of the St. Michael's athletic teams next year. Student-Athlete Form for 23/24. We will continue work on our online program for all required forms. This will also help share communication for all summer workouts and games this summer.
Athletic Moratorium: The 2023 athletic moratorium will be July 1st - July 10th. There will be no athletic practices or events during this time frame. All athletics will be closed.
Congratulations: I want to send a special thank you to SMHS athletic trainer Stephanie Oellien for her work with our student-athletes. Stephanie will be leaving us for a similar position at Pojoaque Valley High School. She has truly been a blessing and tremendous part of St. Michael's athletics and community.
OnBoard Clarity for 2023-2024: Next school year, grades will no longer be posted by separate quarters. “Continuous grading” will be used next year, which means that at any point during the semester, you will see your student’s actual grade (not just the quarter grade). There will continue to be a mid-semester report card that will be used to determine eligibility, but then the grade will continue being posted as it develops (no more “full stop” at a quarter and starting a new quarter grade from zero). This will assist everyone in knowing where a student stands for the semester with a grade at any point in the second half of each semester. Thank you to the students, parents and faculty who gave input into this helpful shift.
