Family May 2025 Knight Line

Family May 2025 Knight Line from Superintendent Dr. Foucault
Voices of STMA: Our Learners, Our Journey, Our Story
We are excited to share this monthly video, "Voices of STMA: Our Learners, Our Journey, Our Story," featuring learners from preschool through age 22. In the videos, students across all grade levels share their unique experiences as learners at STMA. From their favorite moments to the challenges they’ve overcome, these stories highlight the vibrant learning community we are building together. Join us as we celebrate the voices of our students and their journeys of growth, discovery, and connection.
Knight Sightings
Thank You
Thank you for the privilege of partnering with you in your child’s education. It has been a true joy to welcome them into our classrooms this year, and we are sincerely grateful for the opportunity to support their learning and growth. The strength of our district is rooted in the unwavering support and meaningful collaboration we share with families like yours. We deeply appreciate the trust you place in us to educate and care for your child—your partnership makes a positive and lasting impact. We hope you have a rejuvenating, safe, and joy-filled summer. Go Knights!
Looking Ahead: Mark Your Calendar for the Start of the 2025-2026 School Year
As we look forward to a well-deserved summer break, we also want to make sure you're prepared for a strong start to the 2025-2026 school year. While the full district calendar will be mailed to all STMA residents in early August, we’re providing a preview of several key dates to help you plan ahead:
- July 31, 2025 ME MW Fall Sports Meeting
- August 18, 2025 ME New Student Parent Meeting
- August 18, 2025 MW New Student Parent Meeting
- August 19, 2025 HS Student Kickoff & Picture Day
- August 19, 2025 ME Gr. 6-8 New Student Orientation
- August 21, 2025 ME 5th Grade Parent Meeting
- August 21, 2025 MW 5th Grade Parent Meeting
- August 25, 2025 ME Grade 5 WEB Orientation
- August 25, 2025 MW Grade 5 WEB Orientation
- August 26, 2025 ME Gr. 5-6 Open House and Pictures
- August 26, 2025 ME Gr. 7-8 Open House and Pictures
- August 26, 2025 MW Gr. 5-6 Open House and Pictures
- August 26, 2025 MW Gr. 7-8 Open House and Pictures
- August 27, 2025 HS Freshman and New Student Orientation
- August 27, 2025 KA/STMA Online Open House 4:00-7:00 pm
- August 28, 2025 MW Gr. 6-8 New Student Orientation
- September 2, 2025 Trimester 1 Starts [5-9]
- September 2, 2025 AP Orientation Day & Picture Day
- September 2, 2025 Elementary Fall Orientation
- September 3, 2025 Trimester 1 Starts [10-12]
- September 3, 2025 AP Orientation Day & Picture Day
- September 3, 2025 Elementary Fall Orientation
- September 3, 2025 KA Term 1 Starts
- September 4, 2025 Trimester 1 Starts [K-4]
- September 4, 2025 HS Student Picture Make-Up Day
- September 8, 2025 Fall ECFE Starts
Stay Connected with STMA on Social Media!
We now have three official social media accounts:
- Facebook – St. Michael-Albertville School District
- Instagram – @stma_school_district
- X (formerly Twitter) – @STMASUPT
Honoring Our 2025 Retirees: 482 Years of Impactful Service
Congratulations to this year’s retirees! Together, they represent an incredible 482 years of service—years spent inspiring, supporting, and educating thousands of children. Their steadfast dedication and devotion have helped shape the success of our learners both in and out of the classroom.
We are deeply grateful for the lasting impact they’ve made on our schools, our children, and our community. Best wishes to each retiree as they begin this exciting new chapter in life!
Congratulations, 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees!
Celebrating Our 2025 STMA Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to the students recognized at the 2025 STMA Scholarship Awards Ceremony! This year, 148 students were awarded 269 scholarships totaling more than $152,000, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of local businesses, organizations, staff, and community members. These scholarships not only celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of our students, but also reflect the strong, ongoing commitment of our community to support their future.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to every donor for putting students first. Your partnership, generosity, and belief in the power of education make a lasting impact on the lives of our learners. Thank you for helping us uphold our tradition of excellence at STMA.
Legislative Update: Budget Uncertainty and Continued Advocacy
Unfortunately, with the state facing an estimated $6 billion deficit, the outlook for much-needed new education funding has dimmed. While we remain hopeful that some progress will be made to address the unfunded and underfunded mandates from previous legislative sessions—and that local control will be restored—final agreements on education bills were not reached before the May 19 constitutional adjournment deadline.
As a result, a special legislative session will be required before the fiscal year ends on June 30. House and Senate leaders, along with the Governor, continue to negotiate toward a final budget framework. We are hopeful a special session will be called soon.
Regardless of the outcome, this financial outlook presents significant challenges for our district and for public schools across Minnesota. Despite these uncertainties, we remain steadfast in our advocacy efforts to ensure our students, staff, and schools receive the support they need to succeed.
Stay tuned for updates as we continue to monitor and engage in this critical process.
Welcome, Director of Technology Steve Brown!
We are excited to introduce Mr. Steve Brown as the new Director of Technology for the St. Michael-Albertville School District! Mr. Brown brings an excellent blend of passion, positive energy, and enthusiasm to his leadership and will be a valuable addition to our team.
As a St. Michael resident and proud parent of a STMA student, Director Brown is deeply invested in the success of our students and the strength of our community. His commitment to educational excellence and innovation aligns perfectly with our district’s mission and values.
Please join us in warmly welcoming Director Brown to the STMA team! We look forward to the expertise, leadership, and collaborative spirit he will bring to this important role.
Keep Learning Alive All Summer Long: Tips to Prevent the Summer Slide
As we head into summer, families look forward to a well-deserved break filled with sunshine, relaxation, and time together. But with that long break can come the “summer slide”—a gradual loss of academic skills when students are away from school routines. The good news? A little intention can go a long way in keeping learning active and fun throughout the summer months.
Here are some simple and enjoyable ways to help your child stay engaged and curious all summer long:
1. Read Something Every Day
Reading doesn’t have to mean only books. Encourage your child to explore a wide range of materials—recipes, sports articles, poems, travel guides, comic books, or even song lyrics. Whether it's 10 minutes or an hour, what matters most is making reading a consistent and enjoyable part of each day.
2. Follow Their Interests
Children are more likely to read and explore when the subject matters to them. If your child loves animals, check out a book on wildlife. Planning a summer road trip? Listen to an audiobook about your destination together. When learning connects to their passions, it becomes both meaningful and memorable.
3. Turn Math into Play
From card games to cooking, opportunities to strengthen math skills are all around us. Try measuring ingredients together in the kitchen, playing board games that involve counting or strategy, or budgeting for a family outing. Real-life math makes concepts stick—and it’s fun!
4. Everyday Math for All Ages
For younger children, even small actions make a big difference: count steps on a walk, sort laundry by color, or compare sizes of fruit at the grocery store. For older students, practice multiplication facts with a deck of cards or solve real-world problems like calculating distances or converting measurements during a DIY project.
5. Make the Library a Summer Destination
The St. Michael Library offers more than just books—it’s a hub of discovery. Attend storytimes, check out learning kits, or sign up for a summer reading challenge. Regular visits can help build excitement around reading and keep learning momentum going strong.
With just a bit of creativity and encouragement, summer can be a time of joyful learning and exploration. Let’s work together to make this summer a season of curiosity, growth, and fun!
School Board Meeting Recaps
05-05-2025 Work Session
The Board held a work session regarding the District’s budget.
05-05-2025 Regular Board Meeting
Student and Staff Recognition
Reports
The Board took action on the following items:
Resolution Relating to the Termination and Non-Renewal of the Teaching Contract of a Tier 1, Tier 2, or Probationary Teacher
MOU with EM-STMA on Section 6.4.2
MOU with SEIU on Maintenance expense reimbursement
MOU with SEIU on Maintenance Section 9.6
05-19-2025 Regular Board Meeting
Student and Staff Recognition
2024 National High School Heart of the Arts Award
Reports
Fieldstone Report
The Board took action on the following items:
05-19-2025 Closed Board Meeting
The Board held a closed meeting pursuant to section 13D.05, subdivision 3 (a) to discuss the annual superintendent evaluation.
All Board meetings take place at 6:00 pm in the Boardroom at Middle School West, Door N.