SMHS Weekly Newsletter
September 5, 2025
September 5, 2025
Dear Parents,
I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable Labor Day weekend. Our students have been working very hard both in the classroom and in their extra curricular activities. This hard work will continue to translate into successful outcomes. Your support in all that they do is an important part of their success.
Thank you to all the parents who attended our Mini-Schedule Parent Night on Thursday. It was a great opportunity for our parents to meet their child’s teachers and get a better understanding of what each class will entail.
With so many of our students involved in extracurricular activities, they will be missing some class time. It is imperative that our students keep up with any missed assignments due to absences. Students who are struggling academically may seek extra help from their teachers and academic support plans may be developed to assist our students as well. Students who are struggling socially and emotionally may schedule time to see our mental health counselor, Mr. John Rich. Our aim is to support all our students with whatever their needs may be.
In the coming weeks, our registrar, Mr. Armijo, will be conducting an audit of student immunizations to make sure all students are in compliance with state law. If your student appears to be lacking one or more vaccinations, you will be asked to provide updated records, or to obtain those vaccinations from your provider. Remember that if you are requesting an exemption from immunizations, you must make that request annually to the Department of Health, and bring the Certificate of Exemption to the school for our files. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
A special thank you to the Fiesta Council for visiting our school on Wednesday to share some fiesta history and traditions with us.
We had a great pep rally today hyping up our football team and our entire student body as we take on the rival Demons tonight at Ivan Head Stadium. Let’s come out in force as a community to cheer them on!
We appreciate your continued support of St. Michael’s High School! Go Horsemen!
Yours in Christ,
Martin C. Sandoval, Principal
Please make sure you are checking your student's OnBoard account for grades, absences, tardies, and discipline notes. This is the best way to follow how your kid is doing in their classes! Please make sure to contact teachers for any questions you may have.
Safety Tip of the Week:
It's a good idea to take a look at your student's cell phone and social media accounts every once in a while. Please talk to them about the importance of responsible cell phone use and to be mindful of what they post.
Counselor's Corner:
Seniors! Are you interested in applying to Notre Dame? Admissions representatives from Notre Dame will be visiting Santa Fe Prep on Monday September 8th from 8:10–8:40 AM. If you'd like to attend, please reach out to Ms. Martinez directly as soon as possible so she can help coordinate your visit.
Speaking of college visits, be sure to keep an eye on our Google Classroom! I’ll be posting the full schedule of college rep visits happening at St. Mike’s this September, and you won’t want to miss the chance to connect with schools you’re interested in. Let’s make the most of this fall visit season!
Here are some stress reduction tips from Mr. Rich!
Relaxation Techniques:
Meditation, Yoga, Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Deep Breathing
Physical Activity:
Exercise regularly, Spend time in nature
Lifestyle Changes:
Get enough sleep (7-9 hours of sleep per night), Eat a healthy diet, Limit caffeine, Manage your time effectively
St. Michael's Clubs & Activities are off to a great start this year. The various moderators have scheduling meetings and practices after school and at lunch. If anyone is interested in joining a club, please check out the link below and reach out to the appropriate moderator!
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
Let us remember...
One of the Lasallian Five Core Principles is, of course, faith in the presence of God. That is why we Lasallians begin every prayer with “let us remember that we are always in the holy presence of God.” At St. Mike’s every student hears this at least seven times every day. It is more than a simple call to prayer – more than a simple, “stop what you’re doing because we’re about to pray.” It is, itself, an important part of every prayer. When repeated throughout the day, it becomes a constant reminder that we are in God’s holy presence. Not just while we’re praying, but during the time between prayers as well. In other words, always.
The next time you’re invited to pray with “let us remember that we are always in the holy presence of God,” think about it a little more deeply than you otherwise might. Pause for a moment, let yourself feel God’s presence all around you, and try to remember that wonderful feeling throughout the day.
Live Jesus in our hearts...
Spirit Shop Hours (2025–2026 School Year):
Open Monday–Thursday from 3:00–4:00 PM
Available by appointment only during school hours
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a visit, please contact Lyssa Saiz via email lsaiz@smhs.me
Concession Volunteers Needed
We’re looking for volunteers to help with concessions! Your support makes a big difference in creating a great game-day experience for our students and families.
Sign up here: Concession Volunteer Sign-Up
Or use the QR code below to sign up quickly. Thank you for helping support our Horsemen community!
UPCOMING GENERAL MEETING
Please join us on September 11 at 6 pm. for our general meeting
HELP US REACH OUR GOAL FOR THE 25- 26 SCHOOL YEAR!
To keep our programs strong and our doors open to all deserving students, your generous donation will support the following priorities for the 2025–2026 school year:
20% – Tuition Assistance
Tuition assistance ensures that no qualified student is turned away for financial reasons. For the 2025-2026 school year our average award per student applicant was $4,473 meeting 74% of all student needs.
25% – Capital Improvements
This year’s facility focus is completing necessary repairs to the remaining sections of our school roof. These improvements are essential for providing a safe and effective learning environment.
35% – Teacher and Staff Retention / Classroom Support
Investing in our teachers is an investment in our students. By funding salaries, classroom materials, and professional development, we can continue attracting and retaining high-quality educators committed to our Lasallian mission.
20% – Long-Term Reserve Fund
St. Michael’s High School has an investment portfolio. It is important that the School continue to build this portfolio to secure the long-term health of the School. Money from this portfolio can only be accessed with Board of Trustee approval and is not part of the annual budget. The larger the portfolio, the more protected St. Michael’s will be in case of emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.