STMA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

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 Thursday, 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.

Please prioritize joining us for conferences. This is an important opportunity for you to connect directly with our staff about your student’s progress in their classes. We intentionally make our staff available once per trimester to ensure families have dedicated time to engage in meaningful conversations around learning and growth.

We always value the opportunity to welcome our families into our building and look forward to doing so once again.

Name: Lane Jeffery

Parents: Valerie and Paul

Siblings: Taylor (20)

Plans after high school: I plan to attend the University of North Dakota, where I plan to major in Operations and Supply Chain Management.

Most Memorable STMA Moment(s): My favorite memory from my time here was when the girls basketball team won the State Championship. It was an incredible experience that I will always remember.

Teacher/Staff Who Has Impacted Me: Mr. Olesen has had a major impact on me. He is a great teacher who goes above and beyond to connect with students on a deeper level, looking past just the schoolwork to truly support us as individuals.

I Love STMA Because: I love STMA because of the people. We have such wonderful students and staff here that it makes showing up to school every day enjoyable.

Name: Janelle Omweri

Parents: Lydiah Keuya and Kennedy Omweri

Siblings: Ashley (23) , Jaida (14), Kyrie (5)

Plans after high school:After graduation, I plan to attend a four-year college here in Minnesota. My long-term goal is to become a veterinarian.

Most Memorable STMA Moment(s): My favorite memory is Culture Day with the Culture Club. It was incredible to see students from every grade level coming together, feeling happy and supported. Having a dedicated club and a community that celebrates our diverse backgrounds means a lot to me.

Teacher/Staff Who Has Impacted Me: Mr. Olesen has made a significant impact on my time here. He is a leader who truly understands his students. His experience teaching in diverse environments allows him to connect with us on a deeper level and provide unique perspectives.

I Love STMA Because: I love STMA because it feels like a family. No matter what is happening, there is always someone here to support you and cheer you on.

Name: Kali Mielke

Parents: Kristin & Kerry Mielke

Siblings: Kaleb (13), Karson (6)

Plans after high school: This fall I will be attending the University of North Dakota to major in Political Science on a pre-law track.

Most Memorable STMA Moment(s): My favorite memory has to be the National Qualifying Debate Tournament in Pequot Lakes. Beyond the competition itself, it was a blast staying in a hotel with the team and getting the chance to meet and connect with students from other schools.

Teacher/Staff Who Has Impacted Me: The teacher who has impacted me the most is Mrs. Butkowski. She is a wonderful person to talk to and is always ready with great advice. She is a truly caring teacher who works hard to ensure every student succeeds.

I Love STMA Because:I love STMA because of the incredible opportunities provided here. The staff are helpful, caring, and dedicated to supporting students.

Name: Titus Schmoyer

Parents: Maggie and Dan Schmoyer

Siblings: Ruby(20) , Eli (16), Callin (14)

Plans after high school: I plan to attend Winona State University to study Performance Analytics on a Pre-Physical Therapy track.

Most Memorable STMA Moment(s): My favorite memory is the bus ride back from Sartell during my junior year soccer season. We had incredible captains that year, and we pulled off a close win that secured us the high seed for sections. The energy on that ride back was something I’ll never forget!

Teacher/Staff Who Has Impacted Me: Mr. Burr has made a huge impact on my life. He is a teacher who truly cares about his students as people, checking in on us and supporting us even outside of the classroom.

I Love STMA Because: Growing up in this school system has been a great experience. It’s been special to know my classmates since middle school and watch how everyone has improved and grown together as one. The staff makes the transitions between schools seamless, and the sports programs have been a blast. Playing different sports here has helped me make lifelong friends that I know I’ll have long after high school.

The St. Michael-Albertville Rotary Club is pleased to announce that St. Michael-Albertville High School juniors Julia Brutger and Emily Roth were recognized as the Rotary Students of the Month for January.

“Rotary is very proud to recognize Julia and Emily 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.”

Congratulations to 11th grade student Daniel Eicher for earning 3rd place in the 2026 MN Youth Arts Month Flag drawing contest.

We’re excited to share the fifth video in our 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!

Over the past two years, STMA High School has continued to thoughtfully revamp its course offerings to better meet the needs and interests of our students. New courses introduced across multiple departments have been well received by both students and staff, and we are excited to build on that momentum again for the upcoming school year.

We are excited to offer the following new courses for the 2026–27 school year:

• Plant Science: From Seed to Sustainability

• Science Mentorship

• Virtual Enterprise

• AP Business and Personal Finance

• Current Events: Beyond the Headlines

• Beyond the Script

• Theater Production: Tech 2

• Intro to Sewing and Fashion Design

• PE/Health Hybrid

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

• Graphic Design 2

Additional details on all course offerings can be accessed by clicking the link below.

How to relieve stress quickly at home

There is no such thing as a perfect home life. None of our families are the same. And the stressors we experience outside of school and work are not the same, either. But a common cause of teenage stress is tension at home. Whether it’s divorce, substance use, sibling conflicts or financial worries, there are many reasons that can make teens feel anxious around their families. Knowing how to relieve stress quickly at home can be a valuable tool for both or caregivers and their teenagers. Many of the activities that help teenagers relieve stress are the same whether at home, school or work. However, there are some things families can do to help reduce tension levels at home. Here are 10 ways to cope with stress that parents especially may find useful:

1. Manage your own stress. While parents and caregivers may not think their teen cares much about what you do, they are paying attention. How you manage stress serves as a model for their own choices and behavior.
2. Ask questions but listen more. Making sure your teenager feels safe talking to you is a powerful tool to reduce stress. Listen carefully to their feelings and concerns. Ask non confrontational questions and be careful not to lecture. Your teen will be much more willing to open up to you.
3. Offer your time. Spending time together — regardless of what you do — will present more opportunities to build trust. Your teenager might not always accept your offer to do something together, but they will remember that you tried.
4. Give them resources. Show your teen how to make big things look smaller so they don’t feel so stressed about tackling them. Make lists together that break large tasks into smaller pieces. Celebrate their progress as they check off each one.
5. Stick to a routine. When your teenager is feeling stressed, family routines can be comforting. Keep a family movie night on the calendar or a special weekly dinner. These rituals can relieve stress and help you both connect.
6. Choose healthy meals. Stress is often a magnet for poor eating habits. Try to keep unhealthy snacks or sugary sodas out of the kitchen. Instead, stock up on healthier choices that are better for everyone.
7. Be a stickler about sleep. No one can manage stress well without enough sleep. If your teenager isn’t getting at least eight hours of sleep per night, it can be adding to the stress they feel throughout the day. Limit screen time at night — phone, TV and computer — and stick to it.
8. Encourage exercise. Even if your teen isn’t involved in sports, keep them moving. Everyone can lower stress levels simply by exercising regularly. This can range from running to hiking or even yoga.
9. Have realistic expectations. Make sure your teenager knows that nobody’s perfect. In fact, talk to them about their goals and encourage them in a positive way — not by demanding unrealistic results.
10. Let them be. Try to teach your teen to solve their own problems. Talk through stressful circumstances and help come up with solutions, but let them take action by themselves. This approach will help build their confidence. It will also allow them to understand that stress — while difficult at times — is manageable with the right support.

These are just 10 ways to cope with stress that can make a difference in your home. Lean on them as tips and tricks on how to relieve stress quickly at home. In the meantime, here are 12 examples of good stress management techniques that can be put into action right now:

1. Exercise regularly and eat healthy food.
2. Get enough sleep and have a good sleep routine.
3. Avoid excess caffeine, which can increase feelings of anxiety and agitation.
4. Avoid illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
5. Learn relaxation exercises (abdominal breathing and muscle relaxation techniques).
6. Develop assertiveness training skills. For example, state feelings in polite, firm and not overly aggressive or passive ways: (“I feel angry when you yell at me,” or “Please stop yelling”).
7. Rehearse and practice situations that cause stress.
8. Learn practical coping skills. For example, break a large task into smaller, more attainable tasks.
9. Decrease negative self-talk. Challenge negative thoughts with alternative, neutral or positive thoughts.
10. Learn to feel good about doing a competent or “good enough” job rather than demanding perfection from yourself and others.
11. Take a break from stressful situations. Activities like listening to music, talking to a friend, drawing, writing or spending time with a pet can reduce stress.
12. Build a network of friends who help you cope in a positive way.

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

Registration materials have been distributed to students at the high school. All grade level registration materials can be found on the STMA High School website.

PSEO

If you are a future Junior or Senior considering PSEO, you can find information about PSEO, next steps, and posted meeting dates on the STMA Student Support webpage.

Scholarships

Seniors looking at applying for Scholarships should utilize the Financial Aid/ Scholarships page on the Student Support website and on Xello’s scholarship search. Information on Local Scholarships will be presented at the beginning of March.

Standardized Test Options for Juniors

Each year St. Michael-Albertville High School offers Juniors an opportunity to take a college entrance exam during the school day. This year, we will continue to offer the ACT (non-writing version) and Accuplacer to students. These exams are open to juniors enrolled at STMA High School, Knights Academy, and/or STMA Online. Parents received a letter of information at the beginning of January. Registration is due BEFORE Thursday, January 29 there will not be any late registration opportunities.

Our first of three community service hour deadlines for the school year is Friday, January 23.

We are asking all students who have completed community service hours to turn in their completed forms to the high school office by the end of the day on Friday, January 23. While community service hours for the year are not officially due until May 22, we want to encourage students and families to submit completed hours as soon as possible to stay on track for graduation.

Community Service Requirements

• Students must complete 4 hours of community service for each year of enrollment at STMA High School, Knight’s Academy, Online, or PSEO.

• This equates to 16 total hours for graduation.

• Students who enrolled after 9th grade have had exemptions added but are still required to reach the 16-hour total listed in their record.

Checking Community Service Hours
Students and families can view completed (office-logged) hours in StudentVue or ParentVue:

1. Log into StudentVue or ParentVue

2. Click Student Information

3. Scroll to the bottom to view Service Learning hours (displayed as hours completed out of 16)

Forms and Additional Information

• Community service forms are available in the high school office, with homeroom teachers, and outside the Planning Room on the 2nd floor.

• Additional information, forms, and frequently asked questions can be found here: Community Service Information

If you have questions, please reach out to your student’s homeroom teacher or Mr. Abernathy at dennisa@mystma.org.

• 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
• Monday, February 16, 2026 - No School - Teacher Workshop

• 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