SMHS Weekly Newsletter
October 10, 2025
Embedded Files
Principal Update
Principal Update
Today marks the midway point of the first semester. Please review your child’s progress report in OnBoard which will be posted October 16th. You will see where your child stands academically in each class. Missing assignments continue to negatively impact student grades. Please consistently check OnBoard to ensure your child is completing all their work.
On Wednesdays we provided active shooter training for all students conducted by the Santa Fe Police Department SWAT Unit. This training educated students on what to do in given situations, how police will respond, and how best to protect themselves. All faculty, staff, and students have been trained. This training is part of our school safety initiative and will be followed up with shelter in place and lock down drills. Some of these drills may be unannounced. It is vital that all our students take these drills seriously. Student safety is our top priority and we will continue to do all that we can to ensure everyone at our school is safe. We will take any threats to the school very seriously whether implied, intended, or made in jest; including on social media. We ask our students and our community to please say something if they hear or see something.
Several of our junior and senior boys have been attending the Kairos retreat this week as participants and leaders. This retreat is a great opportunity for them to contemplate God’s role in their lives and find their own personal relationship with God through community building, openness, reflection, and trust with their peers. We hope this experience helps them grow in their faith and serves as an important step in their spiritual journey.
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.
Colder weather also causes a change in student dress. Please remind your students to dress appropriately for school. You may review the dress code in the Student-Parent Handbook. Our dress code will be enforced.
The parental support that is provided to our school in a variety of ways is greatly appreciated. We could not accomplish what we do without you. Go Horsemen!
Yours in Christ,
Martin C. Sandoval, Principal
GRADING UPDATE
GRADING UPDATE
Please note the following important dates regarding midterm grading and access to OnBoard:
Please note the following important dates regarding midterm grading and access to OnBoard:
Grades Unavailable:
Thursday, October 9 at 4:00 PM through Wednesday, October 15
During this time, individual class grades will be temporarily unavailable as we process Midterm Progress Reports.
Grades Reopen:
Thursday, October 16
Midterm Progress Reports Posted:
No later than Wednesday, October 15 at 5:00 PM
Reports will be available in OnBoard accounts for all students and parents
Safety Tip of the Week:
Never share personal information like your name, address, or phone number on the internet or with people you don't know from online chats.
Counselor's Corner:
Parents! click this for a really good article on what is an "academic emergency" and how to respond constructively.
As college application season gets underway, it’s important for seniors to start thinking about their letters of recommendation! These letters give colleges a more personal picture of who a student is beyond grades and test scores, but there’s a process to follow:
1) Ask first (and ask politely!)
Before adding a teacher as a recommender in Naviance, students should personally ask their teachers if they’re willing to write a letter of recommendation. A thoughtful, early request goes a long way!
2) Using the Common App?
Students must request teacher letters of recommendation through Naviance. This ensures the letter connects properly to their Common App schools.
3) Not using the Common App?
Students should research each college’s requirements and follow the correct process for submitting letters (for example, some may prefer email submission or an institutional portal).
Parents, please encourage your seniors to plan ahead, give teachers plenty of notice, and always express gratitude for their time and support.
If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to Ms. Martinez!
NHS Blood Drive:
Our first blood drive will take place on Tuesday October 21st. Click on the link below to make an appointment today.
Junior PSAT/NMSQT Testing Wednesday, October 22nd
9am -12pm Test information will be sent out to all Juniors as we get closer to the testing date
Homecoming October 25th
Activities, Dress Days and Important Information coming soon.
Girls Basketball
Lady Horsemen Basketball: Tryouts for 7th and 8th grade girls basketball will be Oct. 14-16 in Tipton gym. Times each day are Oct. 14 5:30-7:30, Oct. 15. 6:00-8:00 and Oct. 16 4:00-6:00. Practice on Friday will be in the morning from 6:00-7:30. In order to try out, each girl must have a physical turned into the school. Physical forms can be found on the school website. All physicals and school forms need to be turned into the school via the Rank One app. Please click here to access the physical forms and Rank One information Please contact our trainer Val Mishos vmishos@smhs.me, for more information about physicals and Rank One. Contact Coach Sonya Ruiz, sruiz@smhs.me, with questions.
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
Living Lasallian:
Living Lasallian:
The St. Michael’s community lost one of our most avid and revered members on Monday night. Casey Garcia was a 1954 graduate and father of four St. Mike’s alumni. Mr. Garcia made a point to show up for ALL St. Mike’s home games and was a fixture in our community. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all Horsemen faithful.
Casimiro "Casey" J. Garcia Jr. Obituary 2025 - Rivera Family Funerals & Cremations
Calling all Horsemen Alumni:
St. Michael’s High School will be celebrating Homecoming Week October 20–26, 2025. As part of the week of Horsemen festivities, the St. Michael’s High School Alumni Association is inviting alumni to join us for a Horsemen Alumni Social Evening on October 22, 2025 at Boxcar - Santa Fe from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm.
Boxcar - Santa Fe has set aside a private space for the Alumni Association for this event. The Alumni Association will provide appetizers for the event, and a cash bar and full menu is available from Boxcar - Santa Fe.
For more information, email us at stmikesalumni@gmail.com
Please join us for our next general meeting on October 14, 2025 @ 6:00 P.M.
We are still in need of volunteers to help in the concession stand for both Football and Volleyball games. Your help is appreciated! If you are available to help please call Brian Gutierrez @ 505.989.1111
Parents' Association is working diligently on the tuition assistance awards. We are hopeful that all award letters for the 2025-2026 school year are out soon.
It is with great regret to announce that Henrietta Baca has decided to step down from the position of Concession Co-Chair. Parents' Association is thankful for all her hard work and dedication. We wish Henrietta the best going forward.
We are blessed to have Courtney Cole and Bree Rodgers to ensure a smooth and successful transition with concession sales. I would also like to thank all our regular volunteers who are doing a great job.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me @ 505.989.1111.
Thank you
Brian g
Go Horsemen
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Voice of Democracy Competition.pdfVFW Auxiliary National Scholarship.pdf
The NMAA Foundation is excited to announce a continued partnership with a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to graduating seniors here in New Mexico. This relationship is with the Daniels Fund and we hope that you will pass this on to your coaches, counselors, and fellow administrators so that students across our state can be made aware of this great opportunity.
Applications for the Daniels Scholarship Program are now open, and we need your help getting the word out to high school seniors in your community!
The Daniels Scholarship Program makes college possible for motivated students from New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. Scholarships cover a full ride at partner schools or up to $25,000 per year at any accredited college in the United States. Daniels Scholars receive more than just financial support — they also gain leadership skills, personal support, and a brand-new MacBook!
The application for the Daniels Scholarship Program will be open from September 15 through October 17, 2025 at 4:00pm MT and typically takes students less than one hour to complete.
Please encourage students to learn more and apply online now at DanielsFund.org/scholarships!
NMAA Foundation Scholarship Opportunity
The Michael L. Danoff Memorial Scholarship Fund recipient will be announced and recognized on December 26, 2025, on the field during the Isleta New Mexico Bowl. It is important the applicant has a strong background in community service during his or her high school career and reflects that of a “stand-up citizen.” The $2,500.00 scholarships may be used toward tuition, fees, books, required equipment/technology and/or room and board at the college or university.
Applicant must:
• Be a New Mexico resident
• Involved in extracurricular activities
• Have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA
• Have experience in community service and a reflects “good citizenship” in the community
• Submit an essay (no longer than one-page double spaced size 12 font) reflecting community
service involvement, good citizenship, extracurricular activities and how he or she will give back to the community. It is important to note why this scholarship will help with your future success and why this scholarship will help you to accomplish your goals in education. Your essay should also include your school and year of graduation as well as anything else you feel is important for the selection to consider such as family background, hobbies, career ambitions, etc. Your essay should also provide contact information for how you can be reached if selected.
Application Deadline: All applications shall be submitted to danoffmemorialscholarship@gmail.com by November 7, 2025
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