STMA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

As we reach the midpoint of the school year, this season naturally invites reflection and appreciation. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with such outstanding students and to partner with families who are invested in their educational journey. Your support and trust make a meaningful difference in the experience we are able to provide each day.

Thank you for your partnership in helping our students in their educational journey. We wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season.

Happy Holidays from STMA High School!

Name: Jasmine "Jazzy" Brutskiy

Parents: Mariya and Genadiy

Siblings: Avelina (10), Dimitriy (16), Evnika (8)

Plans after high school: After high school I plan to attend Wings.

Most Memorable STMA Moment(s): My most memorable moment of high school was when I got 1st place in the high school bowling state championship.

Teacher/Staff Who Has Impacted Me: The teacher who has impacted me most is Ms. Kragness. She has helped me find my words.

I Love STMA Because: I love STMA because all my friends are here.

Name: Michael Nwanna

Parents: Robinah and Michael

Siblings: Brian (27), Nellie (16), Curtis (12)

Plans after high school: My plan after high school is to attend a 2-year college to become a nurse. I also plan to continue having a music career on the side.

Most Memorable STMA Moment(s): My most memorable STMA moment was senior sunrise. It was truly awesome to have the entire class gathered together, watching the sun come up—it felt like a special, and united way to kick off our final year.

Teacher/Staff Who Has Impacted Me: The teacher who has impacted me most is Mr. Burr. I really look forward to his class because of his great sense of humor. He genuinely makes me want to learn and come to school every day.

I Love STMA Because: I love STMA because it provides such a safe environment for students to be themselves. It's a supportive place where people are accepted and don't feel judged for who they are as individuals.

Name: Ava Ronning

Parents: Brandi and Chad

Siblings: Chloe (14) Noelle (9)

Plans after high school: My plan after high school is to attend Atelier Academy of Cosmetology, in Hopkins, MN.

Most Memorable STMA Moment(s): My most memorable STMA moment was participating in Powder Puff. It was a blast to step outside my comfort zone, try a completely new sport, and experience the camaraderie of working with a team on the field.

Teacher/Staff Who Has Impacted Me: The teacher that has impacted me most is Ms. Peterson. Although I know her primarily through homeroom, she has a remarkable way of starting every day with genuine kindness and a positive attitude. She never fails to brighten the room.

I Love STMA Because: I love STMA because of the incredible lifelong friendships I've made here. The bonds and memories I've created with my classmates are what I will truly cherish forever.

Name: Maverick Maros

Parents: Misty and Chad

Siblings: Harper (7th grade), Bowie (4th grade), and Rueger (4th grade)

Plans after high school: After high school I am looking forward to continuing my basketball career at a four-year university. I plan to pursue a major in Exercise Science or Physical Therapy, combining my passion for sports with a career focused on health and wellness.

Most Memorable STMA Moment(s): My most memorable moments are the team car rides after basketball practice. It is a great time to get to know my teammates and let loose. We turn on the radio, sing, and have fun.

Teacher/Staff Who Has Impacted Me: The teacher who has impacted me most is Mr. Burr. He helped me learn the value of connecting with teachers on a more personal level, making me feel more comfortable asking questions. It has allowed me to be more engaged in the classroom.

I Love STMA Because: I love STMA because of the loving community. Everywhere I go everyone is loving and cares about you and your success.

The Courtesy and Respect Award is a prestigious recognition bestowed upon students who embody the core values of our school community. This award is a celebration of individuals who exemplify the essence of a knight, demonstrating outstanding character, courtesy, and respect in their interactions with peers, educators, and staff. Recipients of this award not only uphold high standards for themselves but also positively influence and impact those around them. The Courtesy and Respect Award recognizes and applauds students who contribute to the respectful spirit of our school, making it a better place for everyone.

The St. Michael-Albertville Rotary Club is pleased to announce that St. Michael-Albertville High School juniors Claire Mattson and Ethan Nyabando were recognized as the Rotary Students of the Month for December.

“Rotary is very proud to recognize Claire and Ethan as students of the month,” said Kevin Lenz, STMA Rotary Club President. “They have demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and represent the service above self ideals of Rotary.”

Faith Sigugu and Ethan Jordheim represented our school so positively in leading our Veterans Day program. They were the perfect fit for this important event, and we are grateful for their willingness, preparation, and flawless execution in honoring our veterans and community.

They truly represent what it means to be a Knight—thank you, Faith and Ethan, for making STMA proud.

Over the past two weeks, our Band and Choir programs performed for our community, showcasing the musical talent, dedication, and hard work of our students. We are grateful for the strong turnout from community members who continue to support these programs and for the outstanding leadership of our instructors who guide and inspire our students.

These programs play a central role in building and sustaining the strong sense of community that defines STMA High School.

Harmony Choir/Partners Music is a wonderful new class that pairs students from our Connections program with student peers to explore and experience music. In the class, we play a variety of instruments, sing, learn how to read the basics of music, and explore many different styles of music. The class performs at the choir concerts throughout the year showing off our singing and instrument-playing skills! Students need no previous musical skills to participate in this class. It is a joy to watch the students work and learn together and build friendships through experiencing and making music together.

Students from Mr. Dickinson’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses at STMA High School participated in a valuable career exploration day, marking the first time the high school has brought a group to this event organized by Alexandria Technical & Community College. The day began with a personal tour of the newly expanded Felling Trailers facility in Sauk Centre, where students learned about the variety of trade, technical, and professional careers available within the company. Following this industry immersion, the students traveled north to Alexandria Tech for a campus tour, engaging directly with instructors and exploring learning spaces across seven different technical and trade industries. The visit was highly impactful, with numerous students expressing strong interest in learning more and applying for college during and after the event.

We are grateful to Thumbs Up for their continued support of our mental health programming. Their annual generosity makes a meaningful impact on the services and awareness efforts we provide for STMA students. Their most recent donation was proudly accepted by members of our STMA Mental Health Awareness student group, who work hard to promote wellness and reduce stigma within our school community. Thank you, Thumbs Up, for partnering with us to support student well-being! Click here to learn more about Thumbs up.

Thumbs Up Mission : Bringing awareness to mental health and providing support and resources to all.

At STMA High School, registration plays a vital role in shaping your student’s journey with us. We are dedicated to equipping families with the information they need to make informed decisions about course selection. To better serve our students and families, we facilitate an evening designed to enhance access, support, and clarity throughout the high school registration process. The date of our Registration kNight is January 22nd and we will be sharing more information related to this event in the near future. As we look ahead to course registration, please take time to talk with students about class offerings that can support their goals and prepare them for life after high school. Our wide range of programs and experiences provides students meaningful opportunities to explore interests, build skills, and develop a strong foundation for their next steps beyond STMA.

Counseling Office Updates

Angela Narducci A-Del angelan@mystma.org

Lisa Silbernagel Dem-Jar Lisasi@mystma.org

Serena Schmidt Jas-Moo Serenas@mystma.org

Rachel Dayton Mop-Sch rachelda@mystma.org

Kinsey Essler Sci-Z kinseye@mystma.org

Mary Poss- Administrative Assistant - Maryp@mystma.org

Registration 2026-2027 School Year

Registration for next year is right around the corner. Mark your calendars for the important dates listed below.

• Wednesday, January 14th - Assigned Extended Homeroom - students will receive course registration information and materials for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Thursday, January 22nd- Registration kNight 5:00-7:00pm - Student can hear about all course offerings directly from staff/teachers. The goal is for families and students to make informed and thoughtful decisions regarding class selection.

• 6pm counselor presentation in PAC - How to Earn College Credit in High School - this presentation for all students will cover Advanced Placement, College in the Schools, and PSEO programming.

• Friday, January 30th - registration window closes.

Remember that it is difficult to make schedule changes once the master schedule has been built, so please put time and effort into your choices for next year.

Junior ACT Testing

The high school will offer an opportunity for juniors to register and take the ACT on April 15. Registration information will be sent out via email in early January to all junior families. Students must opt in/register to take the test.

Wright Technical Center

Information will be presented on Thursday, January 8th during SNAP to sophomores who are interested in hearing more about WTC programs. Students may also sign up to attend a tour of the WTC on Thursday, January 22nd from 8:40 - 10:40 AM. More information will be sent home in January.

Junior 4 year college planning Information

The counseling team has begun to work with junior students on preparing for life after high school. Juniors have been invited to attend and sign up for one of the two counselor-led college planning sessions during SNAP on December 4 or December 9. These sessions will focus on the following topics:

• Career & College planning, exploration, & resources

• Admissions Requirements

• General Application Requirements

Upcoming Events for Parents:

January 22nd 6:00pm - How to Earn College Credit in High School

January 29th 6:00pm - Post High School Planning for Parents of Juniors

Please take a moment to review this helpful resource outlining a suggested timeline of action steps for your student’s junior-year college planning: Parent Action Plan for Junior Year - 4 Year College Planning

College and Career Platform

If your student doesn’t know where to start, have them go to Xello. Xello is a comprehensive online program designed to equip students with the essential skills, knowledge, and plans to become future-ready. Your student has access to this program through their Google Waffle on their chromebook. Students will use Xello for:

• Career planning

• College search and application organization

• Sending transcripts

• Requesting letters of recommendation

• Scholarship search

Junior & Senior parents have received an email from Xello with parent login information if you would like to view your student’s work in future-readiness.

Rivers of Hope!

Love should never hurt. If you or a loved one is experiencing Domestic Violence, there is a local resource offering help. Rivers of Hope is a domestic violence center that works to provide adults and youth with a community coordinated response to end family violence in Wright and Sherburne Counties. Visit https://riversofhope.org/ for more information.

Services offered:

• 24/7 crisis line at 763-295-3433

• Assistance filing Orders for Protection and Restraining Orders

• Support navigating the complicated civil and criminal courts

• Resources to address immediate safety, housing, food and medical needs

• Weekly virtual trauma-informed support group for survivors

• Monday, December 22, 2025- Friday, January 2, 2026 - No School - Winter Break
• Monday, January 19, 2026 - No School - Teacher Workshop
• Thursday, January 22, 2026 - Registration Knight - 5:00pm-7:00pm
• Thursday, January 29, 2026 - Teacher/Parent conferences 4:00pm - 7:00pm

• DATE CHANGE: Thursday, May 28th, 2026 Last day of school - Seniors ONLY
• DATE CHANGE: Friday, May 29th, 2026 7:00pm - Graduation
• Thursday, June 4th, 2026 - Last day of school 9th-11th grade

Three ways to report an absence to STMA High School.

Include students first name, last name and reason for absence. Should your student need to be released early, include time they are to leave.

1. ParentVue - In the ParentVue app simply login and click on report absence and enter date. For early dismissal include a departure time to ensure a pass for your student.
2. Email - email hsattendance@mystma.org.
3. Call attendance line - Call (763) 497-2192 option #4 to leave a message.

The Resource Room, that is staffed by a High School teacher, is available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after school from 3:30pm - 4:30pm in the High School Media Center.

Assessments can be taken in the Media Center before school when scheduled in advance with a classroom teacher.

• Educational Benefits are available to families who qualify. If you would like to apply please complete an Educational Benefit application. Click here to see more information regarding benefits you may qualify for and to fill out the application.

Email: highschooloffice@mystma.org
Website: https://hs.stma.k12.mn.us/
Location: 5800 Jamison Avenue Northeast, Saint Michael, MN, USA
Phone: 763-497-2192