Horsemen Highlights for week of October 16 - 20, 2023
Dear Parents,
It has been a great homecoming week culminating with our pep rally this afternoon. The school spirit of the students has been wonderful every day with the different dress up themes, hall decorations, and competitions amongst the classes. Homecoming is such a great time of year, and we are looking forward to the St. Michael’s community coming out in force to cheer on our football team at the homecoming game tomorrow. We will be promoting breast cancer awareness and recognizing our homecoming king, queen, and court at the game.
We want our students to have a safe and enjoyable time.at the dance tomorrow evening. We ask that you please review the policies and expectations for the dance with your child as all dance rules will be enforced.
Today marks the midway point of the first semester. Midterm progress reports will be posted in OnBoard accounts no later than Wednesday, October 18 at 5:00 pm. If there are any questions or concerns with your child’s academic standing in a class, please contact the teacher directly.
With colder weather upon us, we are beginning to see more students getting sick. We ask that if your child has a fever along with flu and/or Covid like symptoms, to please keep them home. Any work missed may be made up and assignments should be accessible in Google Classroom.
As always, we appreciate all your care and support for our school and the amazing students we serve. Go Horsemen!
Yours in Christ,
Martin C. Sandoval, Principal
Academics:
Grades Update- Friday, October 13 marks the half-way point of our first semester. Midterm progress reports will be posted in OnBoard accounts no later than Wednesday, October 18 at 5:00 p.m.
As a reminder, this year we are on a continuous grading system. That means that grades do not “start over” after the first nine-weeks but will continue until the end of the Semester 1 grading period, December 15. The final grade for each class is determined at the end of the semester, as are honor roll and athletic/activity eligibility.
Should you have questions about your student’s midterm progress report in any class, please be sure to contact the teacher directly.
PSAT/NMSQT testing for 11th grade students is scheduled for Tuesday, October 17. This is a mandatory test for all of our junior students. Students must bring a fully charged Chromebook and the charger. Check in begins at 8:15 a.m. Students who arrive after 8:40 a.m. will not be able to test and will receive an unexcused absence. Eleventh grade students will be allowed to wear spirit dress on this day and will be dismissed for the day after the final test session (approximately 1:00-1:15 p.m.). This exam serves a few purposes:
- National Merit Scholarship qualification
- SAT practice
- Pre- and post- data collection
Please continue to communicate with your 11th grade student on the importance of this exam.
Mrs. Temple's Biology class has been enjoying their class pets: Charles and Emma (Charles Darwin is Mrs. Temple's favorite scientist). They are a pair of Australian Zebra Finches. On Labor Day weekend, Emma laid four eggs. The students watched Charles and Emma take turns sitting on the nest, and on the weekend of September 17th, three of the eggs hatched. For the next two weeks the students enjoyed listening to the babies squeak for their food while watching Charles and Emma work as a team to nourish and care for them. Finally, on October 5th, the first baby left the nest, and the third baby came out this past Monday. This has been a special experience for the students to witness the miracle of life and the beauty of God's creatures.
Baby Finches in Ms. Temple’s classroom.
Senior parents- Seniors received dual credit information in their Google Classroom today. Click HERE for more information on the SMHS dual credit eligibility for the spring semester.
Message from the Deans:
We are on a Meeting Schedule that continues on Tuesday, October 17. Release time is 2:55. Please make sure your students are picked up in a timely manner as teachers will be in meetings in the afternoon. The library and classrooms will be closed after school.
Please help us remind your students that they are expected to be prepared for class on a daily basis. This means attending class with appropriate materials, charged chromebooks, and cell phones in their backpacks.
Students are encouraged to use their lockers on a regular basis to store their belongings. All lockers (hallway and locker rooms) should be locked at all times to avoid items from being misplaced.
Interested in becoming a part of the St. Michael’s High School academic adventure?
We are currently seeking PART TIME Substitute Teachers for all grades and all subjects.
Many of our substitute teachers have limited availability and we are hoping to increase our sub list to help fill in those time gaps. The pay is $20.00 per class paid on a bi-weekly schedule. Most importantly, if you are an expert in any subject area and would feel more comfortable substituting in that domain, we are more than happy to accommodate your needs as well as ours!
If you would like to make a difference at St. Michael’s High School and become a vital part of our instructional process, please send an email of interest to either of the following:
Jo Anne Pena – Executive Administrator to the Principal [email protected]
Diane Saya – Director of HR [email protected]
We will provide you with employment documents and other essential information that will help make you a success in the world of substitute teaching at St. Michael’s High School.
Also, if you have any family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors etc. that might be interested, please have them contact us as well. We look forward to hearing from all interested members of our community to help build the St. Michael’s High School story.
Thank you!
Counselors' Corner:
From John Rich- Counseling can be brief, temporary, or long term. There is strength in vulnerability and change.
Here are therapists to refer to with availability, expertise, and No Waiting Lists. If you want to reach out, I can help you and your student navigate the system.
Ellie Mental Health
(505) 814-0783
skycenter.nmsip.org
(505) 473-6191
Mr. Gallegos will be hosting two weekly resume workshops starting Mondays after school at 3:45 and Thursdays during senior high lunch for the remainder of the semester.
All seniors should have received an email from Mr. Gallegos regarding their Naviance accounts. Please email Mr. Gallegos [email protected] if there are any questions.
Activities:
Homecoming is tomorrow Saturday, October 14 from 8:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m. It will take place at the Santa Fe Farmers Market, 1607 Paseo De Peralta.
- Your child must turn in a Homecoming Dance Policy form in order to buy a ticket. This is an agreement that parents/guardians and students must sign.
- If your child plans on bringing a guest from a different school, they will need to turn in a guest pass before they can buy the tickets. They will also need to bring a student ID from their school or driver's license, in order to be let into the dance.
- Tickets can be purchased at the door, but prices will go up to $40 per ticket. Cash only!
- We are asking that if your child is driving to the dance, they will need to park in the Railyard Parking Garage on the first or second floor. They will be given a parking voucher so they will not have to pay.
Next week is the Sophomore Retreat and it will be broken up into three days taking 1/3 of the class each day. The theme for the 10th grade retreat will focus on one of the Five Core Principles of a Lasallian school: "Concern for the Poor and Social Justice." Students were given a letter to parents describing the retreat as well as a permission slip attached. Students should bring permission slips signed back to school by Monday, October 16.
WAVE (Wellness Ambassadors to Voice and Empower) Club- Starting Monday, October 2, our SOCKTOBER Drive will begin! They will be collecting socks, winter beanie hats and gloves. There will be collection bins in the lobby to drop off any donations. This is a community service drive to assist La Familia and Pete’s Place. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Garcia [email protected] or Ms. Margie [email protected].
Athletics:
Junior High Girls Basketball tryouts will be Monday, Oct. 16 - Tuesday, Oct. 18 from 5:30-7:30 in Tipton. The school must have a sports physical on file in order to try out. The physical form can be found at https://www.nmact.org/file/Physical_Form.pdf. Please contact Coach Ruiz, [email protected], if you have any questions.
Senior Raylee Hunt is a multi-sport athlete who turned a setback into a major college opportunity. Recently, Hunt was featured in a New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) article; you can read about her here: https://www.nmact.org/2023/10/cross-country-standout-making-a-splash-in-the-pool/
Senior Raylee Hunt competes in the 100-meter race.
Annual Raffle:
Only one week left! Each year, St. Michael’s High School raises thousands of dollars to support a variety of school initiatives to improve your student’s experience on campus. A significant source of this fundraising is the annual raffle, and we need your support to make this a success! The general raffle is administered by the school through an electronic service to make the raffle process easier for the seller and donor.
https://go.rallyup.com/b79169/Campaign/Details
Spirit Shop:
The Spirit Shop Hours for the week of 10/16- 10/20 will be as follows:
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
SAVE THE DATE! The 2nd Annual Archangel's Gala will be held Saturday, December 2, 2023, at Bishop's Lodge.
For Sponsorship Opportunities or to purchase tickets please contact Ann Erickson [email protected] or visit https://www.stmichaelssf.org/apps/pages/archangelsgala
Parents Association:
Parent Association- Twice is Nice & new “Proud Parent” Clothing Sales
The Parent’s Association is now selling their new “Proud Parent” tee shirts and Twice is Nice School Uniform clothing in the Spirit Shop. If you would like to donate any of your St. Michael’s clothing, please bring them to the front office. The Parents Association will only accept school appropriate shirts, tees, sweaters, sweatshirts that are cleaned and gently used. No pants or shorts are accepted.
Parents Association: Concessions- The Parents Association needs your help with Concessions.
Please the attached link to volunteer for the next Concessions:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F48A9AA22A3FD0-44904931-volleyball
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F48A9AA22A3FD0-44905049-football
The proceeds from Twice is Nice and Concessions are redirected back to supporting students with Tuition Assistance. In addition, funds are raised to provide refillable drinking fountains, benches in the hallways, the foosball table, ping pong table and microwave ovens in the cafeteria. The Parent's Association has also been instrumental in helping the SMHS administration complete remodeling projects around campus.
If you would like to become involved in the SMHS Parents Association please contact: [email protected] or contact Annette Legits, Parent Relations Coordinator at [email protected] or 505-466-5088.
Alumni Association:
Alumni Brick Patio Capital Campaign- 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 SMHS Community tab for further details or click this link: https://www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/horsemenpatio
Alumni Reunions- Please welcome back home the Classmates and their families as they celebrate their Reunions!
The Class of 1983 40 Year October 14th Homecoming
The Class of 1973 50-year October 20th
“Once a Horsemen, Always a Horsemen!”
For information regarding the Alumni Association please contact: Annette Rivera-Legits, Alumni Relations Coordinator, at [email protected] 505-466-5088.
