STMA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
December 2023

VIDEO MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL REEVES
IMPORTANT DATES
- Monday, December 25th, 2023 - Monday, January 1, 2024
- Winter Break No School
- Monday, January 15th, 2024 Teacher Workshop No School
- Monday, January 22nd, 2024 Registration for 24-25 school year opens
- Thursday, January 25th, 2024, 5:00pm - 7:00pm HS Registration kNight
- Monday, January 29th, 2024 5:00pm - 8:00pm HS Tri 2 Conferences
- Friday, February 2nd, 2024 Registration for 24-25 school year closes
PROM DATE
Please note the date of Prom is Saturday, April 27th, 2024, not May 4th, 2024 as printed in the blue district calendar.
STUDENT EXPERIENCE MATTERS
Student Experience Matters | Our Commitment to Our Students
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
Name: Naphtali Kalapa
Parents: Paulina and Chisuta Kalapa
Siblings: Paul (7) Enoch (8) Wilson (14)
Plans after high school: I plan to attend a 4 year college where I will major in Biology, with a minor in Psychology.
Most Memorable STMA Moment: The experience at the first home football game of the year was incredible. The fans were incredible. We we down in the first half and everyone stayed to keep cheering the team on to win the game.
Teacher Who Has Impacted Me: The teacher who has impacted me the most is Mr. Burr. He has such a positive attitude - not like anyone else. You want to be there, and you don't want to miss his classes. He can relate to students in ways that set him apart.
I Love STMA Because: I love STMA because of the opportunities it has given me and the memories that I have made. There is such a feeling of community. I have met so many people that I wouldn't have otherwise meet and it is so easy to make connections here.
Name: Eva Nelson
Parents: Kris and Eric Nelson
Siblings: Nicklis (15), Britt (12)
Plans after high school: I plan to attend a four year University where I will study Science and continue my hockey career. At this time I am undecided on the school that I will attend.
Most Memorable STMA Moment: My most memorable moment at STMA was at a pep fest when Mr. Reeves took a pie to the face. It was something that you just don't see everyday.
Teacher Who Has Impacted Me: A teacher that has impacted me is Mr. Mann. He has been my homeroom teacher during my time at STMA High School. He has helped guide me through all my years here.
I Love STMA Because: I love STMA because all the teachers care about the students. It has been a good environment to learn in. Everyone here has contributed to the great culture.
COURTESY AND RESPECT AWARD WINNERS
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.
Joshua Becker
Freshman (Class of 2027)
Morgan Mielke
Freshman (Class of 2027)
Jacob Nehring
Freshman (Class of 2027)
Samantha Beck
Sophomore (Class of 2026)
Mallory Shidla
Sophomore (Class of 2026)
Faith Sigugu
Sophomore (Class of 2026)
Sam Anderson
Junior (Class of 2025)
Evan Blanchette
Junior (Class of 2025)
Wyatt Harmoning
Junior (Class of 2025)
Taylor Christianson
Senior (Class of 2024)
Grace Ingebritson
Senior (Class of 2024)
Eliot Schnitzler
Senior (Class of 2024)
ROTARY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
The St. Michael-Albertville Rotary Club is pleased to announce that St. Michael-Albertville High School juniors Reagan Cocking, Nick Popovich and Nicole Schumm are recognized as the Rotary Students of the month for December.
“Rotary is very proud to recognize Reagan, Nick, and Nicole as students of the month,” said Derek Brant, STMA Rotary Club President. “They have demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and represent the service above self ideals of Rotary.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
The world of social media continues to evolve, and sometimes it can be confusing and upsetting.
We have learned that users of some social media platforms, such as Snapchat and Instagram, have created accounts that appear to be "official" accounts belonging to our school and our various graduating classes. Accounts like these can spread false information, post inappropriate content, cause disruptions, and be upsetting.
It's important for you to know that STMA High School does not use Snapchat, Instagram or TikTok. At this time the only official social media accounts are:
- St. Michael-Albertville School District Facebook page
- STMA High School Activities Facebook page
High School - @STMAHighSchool
Principal Reeves - @STMAreeves
Activities Director Cornell - @StmaAd
If you have concerns about something you may have seen on social media regarding your school, please check our official accounts. The district will never communicate or post using social media accounts other than those listed above.
The platform of social media is vast. Students have First Amendment rights, and school districts cannot and do not monitor student posts using a personal device.
We rely on parents and guardians to have frank discussions about proper social media use and digital footprints with their students, and to set clear boundaries regarding social media behavior.
ROBOTICS
This fall, our Robotics team has been working on a way to show our appreciation to Philips. Many of community members have contributed in a variety of ways to our team and engineering department here at STMA and we are extremely grateful. This partnership has directly affected the hundreds of kids that have gone through our robotics and engineering programs. These contributions have made our programming possible! Hopefully this video that our team put together will mean more than a simple thank you.
MENTAL HEALTH
Mental Health
A healthy, balanced life is made possible by quality sleep hygiene. A full night of sleep helps us repair muscles, restore our immune system, improve memory and even boost our mood! If you’re a teen, getting a full night of rest can mean better grades in school and increased energy throughout the day. Included below are a few actions you can take now to improve your sleep.
Set up a regular routine time
A consistent schedule is one of the best ways to get a good night of sleep. This takes a little more time and effort, but it pays off in the long run. Getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night is a good place to start, but picking standard times to consistently doze off and wake up will help your body establish a routine. Consistent sleep is closely linked to better performance in school, more energy and several more benefits. Letting yourself sleep in a little too much can disrupt your sleep cycle, so challenge yourself to stick to this schedule even on weekends and vacations!
Is it better to sleep cool or hot?
Cooler temperatures promote better sleep throughout the entire night. Sleep experts suggest a temperature around 65-70°F is what to aim for. Your body cools down as you fall asleep, so the cool air helps keep your body’s temperature stable as it lowers throughout the night. A room that’s too warm will be more likely to wake you up.
What is okay to eat before bed?
If you do feel cravings for a nighttime snack, try fruits or veggies, or a small portion of healthy fat like avocado or nuts. The occasional cookie or scoop of ice cream is warranted, but try not to make it a habit just before bed.
- Best nighttime snacks:
- Whole grain toast with peanut butter or cheese
- Bananas
- Strawberries or raspberries
- Apples with peanut butter
Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening
Try your best to avoid coffee, energy drinks or caffeinated tea 4-6 hours before bedtime. Too much can elevate your heart rate and prevent you from getting a full night of sleep. Instead of caffeinated beverages, focus on hydrating with water or a soothing herbal tea an hour or two before bed. Dehydration can actually get in the way of producing melatonin, the hormone that makes you feel sleepy.
Avoid screen time
Falling asleep to your favorite show or movie, or scrolling through your phone may seem like a relaxing way to wind down, but the blue light emitted from screens can prevent your body from releasing melatonin. Healthier alternatives to scrolling through your phone before bed include reading a book, meditating or leaving your phone in another room.
RIVERS OF HOPE
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
Rivers of Hope is always looking for donations. Contact info@riversofhope.org to learn more of their needs.
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Registration
Registration for next year is right around the corner! On Monday, January 22nd all students will have an Assigned Snap where they will receive course registration information and materials for next year. On Thursday, January 25th we will host a registration night for all students and parents from 5-7pm. This is a great opportunity to hear about our course offerings directly from our teachers. This will allow students to make informed and thoughtful decisions regarding class selection. The registration window closes on Friday, February 2nd. Remember that it is difficult to make schedule changes once the master schedule is built so please put time and effort into your choices for next year!
Schedule Changes for T3:
Requests can only be made for the following reasons:
- The student does not have the
prerequisite(s)
- The student failed a class
- There is an obvious error (two classes at the same time)
- To add a class that is needed to graduate - The schedule is unbalanced
Schedule changes will not be made for:
- Request a specific teacher / to switch sections for the same course to get a different teacher - Request a specific trimester / to switch sections of the same course to change trimester
- Change lunch periods
- Have a class with a friend
- Leave to attend non-school sanctioned
occupational activity
Testing
The high school will offer an opportunity for juniors to register and take the ACT on a school day in April. More information regarding this opportunity will be sent out in January through email to all junior families.
Ready, Set, FAFSA Series: 1/9/24 @ 7pm
Hosted by Minnesota Goes to College- A Series of Virtual college and financial aid events. The next virtual session is January 9, 2024 at 7:00pm and will cover how to create your FSA ID, Register today.
Information will be presented on Thursday January, 4th during SNAP to Sophomores who are interested in hearing more about these programs. Students may also sign up to attend a tour of the WTC on Friday January, 19th from 8:40-10AM. More information and tour registration will be sent home in January.
Career Search-
Ever wonder what careers might be a good fit for your skills, ability, or interests? Taking a quick assessment might he lp jump start the process. Click here for free assessments to help you explore your career options.
Juniors
The high school counselors will be meeting with juniors to share post high school planning information now through Friday, December 22. Meetings will be held in small groups in the Career Center.
All of the information we will review can be found on the Junior Information tab on the counseling webpage. We encourage families and students to schedule individual appointments with their counselor if they would like additional help navigating their post secondary plans. We are here to help!
We will also be hosting a Junior Parent Presentation the night of conferences on Monday, January 29. TBD on time, but we will send another reminder email in January with more information!
REGISTRATION kNight
STMA High School course registration season is coming quickly. We strive to provide opportunities that allow our students and families to be informed regarding the courses they take throughout their journey at our school. Please join us for our Registration kNight taking place on January 25th from 5-7pm. This event is for incoming 8th - 11th grade families. The goal of this evening is to provide our students and families clarity surrounding the course offerings provided by our departments by those who teach the courses.
Registration Information Night
- Registration kNight provides an opportunity for students/families to explore course options in advance of scheduling.
- Teachers from all departments will be available to discuss course offerings, sequencing, and answer questions about their department courses.
- Wright Technical Center staff will present on programming options for students.
NURSING TEAM
Hi! My name is Emily Kranz. I grew up just down the road in Monticello, where I still live with my husband Brandon and our boys; Nolan, Corbin and Jeffrey. After graduating high school I attended Anoka Tech where I received an associates degree in Surgical Technology and I am beginning to work towards a bachelors degree in Health Sciences.
After I became nationally certified as a CST, I began my career at Abbott Northwestern Hospital where I was a member of the cardiac and vascular surgery team. Although I loved my career I wanted to be more present for my children, this led me to STMA!
This is my third school year in the district and second at the high school. I enjoy having the opportunity to build positive relationships with students while taking care of their health needs!
Outside of work I enjoy playing/coaching volleyball, camping and attending concerts!
BUY A YEARBOOK
2023-2024 SCHOOL CALENDAR
SNAP
SNAP is identified academic support time within our school schedule that takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays after period 2. This time is available for the purpose of meeting the academic needs of our students within the structure of the school day. Students are able to receive academic support, make up missing work or assessments, independently work or study and collaborate. Please visit with your student about how they are utilizing SNAP to get the assistance they need from our staff.
STUDENT SUPPORT
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.
ALL NIGHT GRAD PARTY 2024
Is your senior registered for the Class of 2024 All-night Grad Party following the ceremony?
Event details
Class of 2024 All-night Grad Party
May 31st, 2024
River City Extreme in Monticello, MN.
For more information, please contact: Cmccarty@kw.com
(763) 439-3619
2024 GRADUATION
2024 STMA High School Graduation
Friday, May 31, 2024, 07:00 PM
STMA High School Stadium
STUDENTS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AFTER HOURS
STMA EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
LOCATE STMA HIGH SCHOOL
Email: hsoffice@mystma.org
Website: https://hs.stma.k12.mn.us/
Location: 5800 Jamison Avenue Northeast, Saint Michael, MN, USA
Phone: 763-497-2192