SMHS Weekly Newsletter

February 6, 2026

Principal Update

Dear Parents,

This week is National School Counseling week. Counselors help not just the students, but also parents, teachers, and other staff. They help them focus on ways to further the students’ educational, personal, emotional, and social growth. They help prepare each student to succeed in an ever-changing world by providing academic, college, and career support specific to their interests. We greatly appreciate our Behavioral Health Counselor, John Rich, and our College and Career Counselor, Miquela Martinez, for all that they do.

We are continuing to have a handful of students consistently arrive late to school. These students are beginning to receive Saturday School because they have been late four or more times. Please help ensure that your students get to school on time. It is very disruptive when students come to class late.

We are currently at the midpoint of the third nine week period. If your student is struggling academically with grades below a C, you should be receiving an email or phone call from the teachers of those classes, administration, or counseling indicating the concern. Please consistently check OnBoard and contact your students’ teachers directly if you have any questions or concerns about grades or attendance. It is expected that teacher grades for each student are up to date every Monday and that parent phone calls and emails are to be responded to within twenty-four hours.

Many of our students are actively involved in athletics, school activities, community service projects, and their church, on top of keeping up with their academics. We have such amazing students who do so much for their school and their community. This is another testament as to what makes St. Michael’s such a great school. Your support of our students in these endeavors is greatly appreciated. Go Horsemen!

Yours in Christ,

Martin C. Sandoval, Principal

SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENT

The President Search candidates will be on campus during the final two weeks of February. As a result, adjusted schedules will be in effect on February 17, 19, 23, and 26.

Please note that February 10th and 24th are already designated on the school calendar as meeting schedule days. The dates listed above are in addition to the previously scheduled February 10th and 24th meeting schedules.

On all meeting schedule days, the school day will conclude at 2:55 p.m. Families must ensure appropriate pickup arrangements are made. These adjustments apply only to the dates specified.

Further communication regarding the President Search process will be shared at a later date through official school channels, including Remind, the school website, and social media.

Bell Schedules

529 EDUCATION SAVINGS PLAN ZOOM MEETING 2/11/26

Next Wednesday, February 11, we will be hosting a Zoom meeting at 5:15pm for both returning and new families to learn more about the 529 Education Savings Plan. This session will be held in coordination with Jeff Turcotte of The Education Plan.

The Zoom link will be shared prior to the meeting on Wednesday via email and the Remind app.

We strongly encourage all families to attend. This meeting will provide valuable information about a tax-advantaged way to save for education, allowing families to start saving now and grow funds over time to help cover educational costs. This is especially beneficial for New Mexico families, as the New Mexico 529 Plan offers an exclusive state income tax deduction on contributions when funds are used for qualified expenses, including tuition at SMHS.

ACE SCHOLARSHIP

PROGRAM INFORMATION

New Mexico Application 2026.pdf

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS (NEW APPLICANT)

How to Complete the 2026-2027 ACE Application (New).pdf

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS (RETURNER)

How to Complete the 2026-2027 ACE Application (Returner) (1).pdf

https://portal.acescholarships.org/ace

Academics:

Counselor Corner – Scholarship Opportunities

Several scholarships are currently open and accepting applications! I encourage students and families to explore the opportunities below and review eligibility requirements and deadlines carefully. Taking time now to apply can make a big difference later.

🔗 Hispanic Scholarship Fund: https://www.hsf.net/scholarship
🔗 RMACAC Student Scholarship: https://www.rmacac.org/student-scholarship
🔗 Jiffy Lube "What Drives You?" Scholarships: https://yourturn2apply.com/newmexico.htm

https://1003thepeak.iheart.com/content/the-toyota-high-school-scholarship-challenge/

National School Counseling Week

Today marks the end of National School Counseling week. Our counselors help not just the students, but also parents, teachers, and other staff. They help them focus on ways to further the students’ educational, personal, emotional, and social growth. They help prepare each student to succeed in an ever-changing world by providing academic, college, and career support specific to their interests. We greatly appreciate our Behavioral Health Counselor, John Rich, and our College and Career Counselor, Miquela Martinez, for all that they do.

Activities

SMHS WAVE

Our Wave club is hosting a Clothing Drive January 26th through February 12th. Please bring in any new or gently used winter hats and gloves to be donated to La Familia Health Care Clinic.

A message from our Orchestra Director Gabriel Tafoya:

I wanted to share some incredible news with all of you from our All State music conference. Felix Montoya got 6th chair cello, John McCabe got 2nd chair bass, and Mataya Sand got 1st chair viola! These are incredible accomplishments!

Athletics:

Swimming and Diving

Congratulations to Horseman diver Mataya Sand who broke the 11 year old SMHS record for 1 meter springboard diving! Mataya has worked hard and become one of the best in the State! Good luck this week at districts and at State!

JR High Track and Field

There will be a Jr. High Track and Field Parent Meeting on Monday February 9th at 6pm. This meeting is for parents, but students may attend as well.

Winter Athletic Schedules

Highschool Girls Basketball

JR High Boys Basketball

Highschool Boys Basketball

Athletic Passes

Athletic Season Passes are in, please contact Athletic Director Dakota Montoya at dmontoya@smhs.me for purchase of season passes. We will also sell them at the gates for our athletic events, please have cash or check available in full at the time of purchase. Passes are good for all SMHS Regular Season Home Games Only.

Streaming Options

https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/ Search for St. Michael’s High School - Santa Fe, NM (Must purchase a subscription to watch)

On-line ticket sales

https://gofan.co/app/school/NM13920

Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a “Special Year of St. Francis” to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death. During this time of grace, which will extend until January 2027, the faithful are granted the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence (granted to the faithful who visit a Franciscan church/shrine, pray for the Pope's intentions, and participate in sacraments (Confession and Communion).

Let us remember . . .

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.