STMA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Welcome to Trimester 3!

As we step into the final stretch of the school year, we continue to celebrate our amazing students at STMA. This month, we’re excited to roll out new social media touchpoints for families on Facebook and Instagram—see below for details!

In addition, we’re launching a new video series highlighting what truly makes our school special: the relationships between students and teachers. We firmly believe that nothing can replace the connections built in the classroom. Stay tuned for more!

• Monday, April 14th, 2025 - Conference Night - 4:00pm - 7:00pm DATE CHANGE
• Friday, April 18th, 2025 - No School ALL
• Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 - Prom
• Friday, May 23rd, 2025 - Senior Appreciation Day - NO school Seniors only
• Monday, May 26th, 2025 - No School ALL
• Friday, June 6th, 2025 - Graduation

• Tuesday, August 19th, 2025 - HS student kick-off day & picture day
• Wednesday, August 27th, 2025 - HS Freshman & New Student Orientation
• Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025 - First day of school - 9th grade only
• Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025 - First day of school - 10th - 12th grade
• Thursday, September 4th, 2025 - HS student picture make-up day (7:30am - 10:00am)
• Thursday, October 2nd, 2025 - HS student picture retake day (7:30am - 10:00am)
• Thursday, October 9th, 2025 - HS Trimester 1 conferences (4:00pm- 7:00pm)

We’re excited to share a video series that highlights the amazing connections between our students and staff—one of the many things that makes STMA High School such a special place.

Take a moment to watch and celebrate the relationships that make our school community strong!

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.

Congratulations to Jacob Goth for having his artwork featured this week at the 59th annual conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) in Salt Lake City, Utah. This is an incredible accomplishment for Jacob.

Name: Paige Bushard

Parents: Leah and Eric Bushard

Siblings: Alix (22) and Drew (19)

Plans after high school: I intend to complete basic training for the Air National Guard then continue on to the University of Wisconsin at Madison to pursue a major in Wildlife Ecology.

Most Memorable STMA Moment(s): My most memorable moment at STMA was handing out carnations on Valentine's Day. I had the opportunity to do this with my friends, and was fun going to different classes and giving flowers to students. The students reactions were priceless.

Teacher/Staff Who Has Impacted Me: The teacher who has impacted me most is Mr. Hoffman. The help he has provided over the years with English has been tremendous. He is easy to talk to, listens, as gives great advice.

I Love STMA Because: I love STMA because our school offers so many opportunities in sports and different extracurriculars activities that I have been able to be in involved in.

Name: Juslene Chea

Parents: Ellen and Judson Chea

Siblings: Zunell Jones(10) Judsona (19) Judson (21) Jason (26)

Plans after high school: I plan to attend college.

Most Memorable STMA Moment: One of my most memorable STMA moments was managing the football team this year with my friend. It was amazing to see the student section cheering and to witness the strong connections amongst everyone.

Teacher/Staff Who Has Impacted Me: The teacher who has impacted me most is Mrs. Baker. She is always nice to me. Her kindness and willingness to listen and support me has created a strong and meaningful connection.

I Love STMA Because: I love STMA because the high school prepares students for success in life. Through my classes, I have learned how to build meaningful connections which have extended beyond the school community. The personal growth I’ve experienced has been incredible.

Name: Rose Schefers

Parents: Carol and Patrick Schefers

Siblings: Charles (20) and Samuel (17)

Plans after high school: I will be attending a Service Academy following graduation.

Most Memorable STMA Moment(s): My most memorable moments at STMA involved participating in the 24 Hour Play. It was nice to see everyone come together and make it great in such a short period of time.

Teacher/Staff Who Has Impacted Me: The teacher who has impacted me most is Ms. Halker. She has been super supportive and is a wonderful lady.

I Love STMA Because: I love STMA because it is a really nice district to be a part of. People are respectful and kind here.

Name: Jarrett Wadsen

Parents: Jennifer and Kelly

Siblings: Jesse (20) Kelly (16) Alex (13)

Plans after high school: I will be attending South Dakota State where I will continue my wrestling career.

Most Memorable STMA Moment(s):One of my most memorable moments at STMA was winning the state championship with the wrestling team this year. Achieving this goal was incredibly fulfilling, and it was even more rewarding to see all the hard work of my teammates pay off!

Teacher/Staff Who Has Impacted Me: The teacher who has impacted me the most is Mr. Joriman. He is a great leader in the wrestling room, a strong role model, and an inspiring influence.

I Love STMA Because: I love STMA because it's a family. You never feel singled out, and you always feel comfortable here.

The St. Michael-Albertville Rotary Club is pleased to announce that St. Michael-Albertville High

School juniors Samantha Beck, Carter Faucher, and Tyler Haring were recognized as the

Rotary Students of the Month for March.

“Rotary is very proud to recognize Samantha, Carter and Tyler as students of the month,” said Mike Simon, STMA Rotary Club President. “They have demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and represent the service above self ideals of Rotary.”

Our high school EL/ML (Multilingual Learner) program is a vibrant and diverse learning environment, serving over 50 multilingual students from 15+ different countries, with more than 20 languages represented. In our busy classroom, we focus on developing language skills in the four key domains—reading, writing, speaking, and listening—while also providing guided homework assistance to support students across subjects. Beyond our dedicated ML classroom space, we push into mainstream classrooms, working closely with teachers to modify and adapt materials based on each student’s language proficiency. We recognize that while students can acquire social language within one to two years when fully immersed, achieving academic fluency takes much longer—typically five to eight years. Our goal is to bridge this gap by fostering both social and academic language growth, ensuring that our students thrive in all aspects of their education.

Left to right: Adam Sroka, Paige Armstrong, Emma Silvestri, Joe Osowski, and Michael Bartunek.

As part of our transition-focused programming at STMA, we recently sent seniors to our middle schools to speak with 8th-grade students about high school life. Paige Bushard and Jarrett Wadsen did a tremendous job sharing their experiences, offering valuable insights, and helping ease the transition for our future high schoolers. Their perspectives provided a great look into what students can expect, making this an impactful and meaningful opportunity for our 8th graders!

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

PSEO

A reminder that students interested in PSEO for next school year must notify the district by May 30th. Click here to learn more about PSEO.

Advanced Placement Testing

Students registered to take AP Exams will begin testing in early May. Each subject has a specific testing date and time. The listed tests are for the regularly scheduled exams. The exam schedule can be found here. Students will receive more information on their testing details as the testing day approaches.

ACT

Juniors who signed up will take the ACT, Accuplacer, and ASVAB tests on April 8. Those who missed the registration deadline can sign up to take the ACT on a national test date at ACT.org.

Post-High School Planning for Juniors

As Juniors enter into the final trimester of their junior year, it is important to start thinking about the future. More information for Junior post-secondary planning can be found here.

Xello

Xello is an interactive online platform for Juniors & Seniors designed to support high school students in exploring their college and career options effectively. It provides personalized assessments that help students identify their strengths, interests, and potential career paths. To use Xello, students begin by logging in using their school email and password. Based on their responses, Xello generates tailored recommendations for colleges, training programs, and career opportunities. Students can also access resources such as resume builders, interview preparation tips, and scholarship information, making it a comprehensive tool for planning their future. By actively engaging with Xello, students can make informed decisions that align with their aspirations and goals.

Summer Enrichment Programs at MN Colleges and Universities

Minnesota State and private colleges and universities offer a variety of academic and athletic summer camps for middle and high school students. These opportunities provide fun, interactive, and experiential learning on a college or university campus. Check out the summer camp options below, spots fill fast, so inquire with campuses today!

• MN Private Colleges- Summer Camps

• College Ready- U of M

• MN State Colleges- Summer Camps

Transcript information for Seniors:

Attention Seniors! If you are attending a four-year college or community college this fall, you will be required to send your official final high school transcript to the school you plan to attend. This is important, as the college will hold your ability to register for second-semester courses until the final transcript is received. To send an official transcript, visit the STMA Student Services Webpage, transcripts.

• Orders can be placed now and simply choose HOLD FOR GRADES to ensure that the transcript will have all of your senior year grades and your graduation date on it. Final transcripts will be sent approximately one week after graduation.

By age 14, the brain has grown to its full size.

However, the functions aren’t yet fully developed. Until age 25, the brain is undergoing a “remodel.” Think of it like a home being built. The structure is built, but more time is required to make sure all the parts of the home are set up and operating correctly to make the house a home.

The remodeling phase peaks during the teenage years, making this a critical time to not interfere with healthy brain development. These brain changes affect thinking and behavior in your adolescent or teen's brain and help explain why adolescents are more likely to:

• Participate in risky behaviors
• Have less impulse control
• Be more reactive rather than proactive
• Struggle to consider long-term consequences of choices

So, what’s happening in the brain at this time?

During this development stage, connections in the brain (white matter) are being strengthened, while unused connections (grey matter) are being shed. This first begins in the back of the brain. The front of the brain—including the prefrontal cortex which is responsible for attention regulation, memory and response—is the last part of the brain to complete this process.

As the front of the brain develops, adolescents and teens rely on the amygdala to make decisions and solve problems. The amygdala is the part of the brain associated with emotions, impulses, aggression and instinctive behavior. When the brain relies on the amygdala the following behaviors may be more likely:

• Choosing high-risk activities and behaviors
• Expressing more and stronger emotions
• Making impulsive decisions
• Experimenting with substances

PROM Event Details

Saturday, May 3, 2025

📅 Ticket Sales: March 26 – April 9 –Click here

🎭 Grand March: 4:00 PM | High School PAC

💃 Dance Venue: Minneapolis Event Center – The View

🔹 Check-in: Begins at 7:30 PM
🔹 Dance: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Graduation Ceremony
📅 Friday, June 6, 2025
⏰ 7:00 PM
📍 STMA High School Stadium (weather permitting)

• Caps and Gowns: Ordered for all seniors and will be distributed in late May.

• Tickets: Available in late May. Each student will receive six (6) tickets. If the ceremony is moved indoors due to inclement weather, each graduate will receive four (4) tickets. Additional tickets will not be available—please do not contact the school for extras.

Scrub Club is a health career exploration program for high school students that is designed to introduce students to various healthcare careers and offer them the opportunity to experience engaging, hands-on activities and real-life experiences.

STMA High School will be seeking two 2.5-hour positions for next school year to assist with oversight in our cafeteria. This is a great opportunity to connect with students and become part of our school culture. If you're interested or would like more information, please reach out directly to corriebe@mystma.org.

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.

Register for the All Night Graduation Party!

Click here to for the following:

- register for the all night party

- sign up for 1 or more volunteer opportunities

- make a donation

-watch for information on yard signs

**These events are hosted by the Class of 2025 All Night Grad Party Committee and are not affiliated with the STMA High School. Please contact: stmaallnightgradparty@gmail.com with any questions.

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