September 2024
Principal's Newsletter
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A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL:
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has welcomed me into this community. Although I have only been here for two months, I have already felt a deep connection to this place. I believe this is due to the Christ-centered culture that has flourished over the past 40 years. As a Catholic school, our primary goal is to guide our students on the path to heaven. We achieve this by teaching love of God and love of neighbor. In a world that is becoming increasingly secular and self-centered, it is vital that Christ remains at the heart of everything we do. We must show our students that true happiness comes from focusing on God first, others second, and self last. This is why it is essential for us to continue embracing this Christ-centered culture. I pray that this message resonates not only on our campus but also in our homes. It is crucial that we partner with our parents, and I thank you for the commitment that you have to providing your children with this type of environment.
We have had a great start to the 2024-2025 school year, and this year is shaping up to be an amazing one. While the stadium will take longer than expected, we are in the middle of making plans to create a larger campus ministry space. The current room is often at capacity, and there is no quiet area for students to meet with our chaplains. We are blessed to once again have Father Albert Blount, Father Joseph Bresowar, and Deacon Michael Parker assigned to our school. We are also very excited to be joined by our Mercedarian Sisters, Sister Heart of Jesus and newly professed Sister Cecilia. Their presence and ministry brings so much joy to our campus.
Thank you to everyone who supported the Home and School Free Tuition Raffle as well as those who plan to attend the Warrior Club Back to School Adult Dance. These two organizations do so much for our school, and we cannot thank them enough for their dedication. Please consider joining these organizations as a great way to be involved in our school.
Also, please come out to support our Warrior athletes as we begin our 2024-2025 athletic seasons. Our athletic programs enhance our school environment and are a wonderful way to build community and school spirit. Please remember that as a Catholic school, it is important for both our athletes and fans to represent our values. Let's cheer for our teams with enthusiasm and sportsmanship, treating all players, coaches, referees, and fellow fans with respect. By doing so, we set a great example for our students and create a positive atmosphere for everyone.
Finally, I ask for your continued prayers for this school year. God is truly present in this school community, guiding us every step of the way. May we continue to grow together in truth, faith, and service, always keeping Christ at the center of all we do. Thank you for being a part of our journey, and may God bless you and all of our St. Michael the Archangel Warrior families.
Yours in Christ,
Jared Cavalier, Principal
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2024-2025 MASS SCHEDULE
- Friday, September 27 - Feast of St. Michael
- Monday, October 14 - All School Mass
- Friday, November 1 - All Saints Day
- Monday, December 9 - Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- Thursday, January 30 - Catholic Schools Week
- Wednesday, February 19 - Multi Cultural Mass
- Wednesday, March 19 - Bishop Duca Celebrant
- Monday, April 14 - Service Mass
- Friday, May 2 - Senior Mother's Mass
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SECOND GENERATION WARRIORS: On Friday, September 27, the alumni department will commemorate our 2nd generation students at the St. Michael Feast Day Mass. This school year, we are excited to have 112 Legacy Warriors, 19 of which have both parents as alumni.
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CAMPUS MINISTRY ACTIVITES: Want to help with the many retreats and events put on by Campus Ministry? Sign up at Parent Help Sign Up.
WELCOME SR. CECILIA: We welcome back to campus Sister Heart of Jesus and celebrate our newly professed Sister who is now on campus, Sr. Cecilia. The Mercedarian Sisters are a great blessing to our St. Michael Family!
SERVICE – SERVE LIKE CHRIST: A reminder that all information on the St. Michael Service Program can be found on the St. Michael website at www.smhsbr.org under Campus Ministry.
There are many organizations that are reaching out to us for volunteers so please encourage your student to check the link Upcoming and Ongoing Service Opportunities regularly. This is not the ONLY place that students can serve, but a great place to start and meet the needs of our community.
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The Mercedarian Sisters invite everyone to Nights of Adoration and The Solemnity of Our Lady of Mercy. See below for all of the information on these events.
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UPCOMING CAMPUS MINISTRY EVENTS
JUNIOR HIGH MP3: St. Michael Peer Ministry will host a Junior High MP3 Night (Music, Prayer, Praise, Pray) on Saturday, September 21 from 6:30-9:30 PM in the St. Sebastian Gym. Please invite 6th-8th graders to attend this awesome night of fun and fellowship. More information and sign up can be found at JH MP3 SIGN UP.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION FOR STUDENTS: All students and faculty will have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) during a school-wide day of prayer in Theology Classes on Tuesday, September 10. Please pray for our students and the more than 12 priests who will be present all day.
DINNER FOR SENIORS AND PARENTS: We are excited to invite you to a very special evening celebrating our seniors and the journey we have shared together. Please join us for a Faith-Filled Senior/Parent Dinner on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 5:00 PM in the St. Sebastian Gymnasium. This event is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together as a community, reflect on the blessings of the past years, and pray for the future as our seniors prepare to finish strong. The evening will include a delicious meal, meaningful reflections, and moments of gratitude and connection. We encourage you to attend this event with your senior as it will be a beautiful time to strengthen the bond between family and faith surrounded by those who have supported and nurtured our students along the way. Reserve your spot here: www.tinyurl.com/pathahead25.
PEER MINISTRY RETREAT: This is an overnight retreat that will take place on September 28-29. This is open to all St. Michael Students in 9th-12 th grade. There is a $50 fee for the retreat, and you will receive a shirt, lodging, food, and transportation. This will be a weekend of fun, formation, hiking and more! Permission forms can be found here https://drive.google.com/file/d/15lWXiplqPkptLiHXH9nFlOZDI5Fhb0hT/view?usp=drive_link. Sign up early; space is limited!
CAMPUS MINISTRY AT LUNCH:
Funsies with Nunsies! Recess is BACK every Monday! Join the Mercedarian Sisters at lunch for a new game each week!
Women's Group: Thursdays in Campus Ministry, we will have our Women's Group! This is open to women from all grade levels at each lunch period. Come and enjoy some time in Campus Ministry with a fun activity.
Hot Topics are on Friday once a month in Campus Ministry! This is a time to ask any burning questions you have about the faith in a judgement-free environment. Fr. Joseph and the Sisters will enlighten us with answers!
Worship Wednesday - EVERY Wednesday in the chapel at lunch, students are welcome to come and pray before the Blessed Sacrament. Our Mercedarian Sisters are also available for prayer with students!
Peer Ministry Group Me: For more information about upcoming events, please join our Group me at this link: GroupMe.
Future Retreat Dates:
- Senior – Wednesday, October 30
- Junior – Wednesday, March 26 (date change)
- Sophomore – Wednesday, February 26
- Freshman – Wednesday, November 13
PEN PAL PROGRAM: The freshmen will be earning “Direct” service hours by writing letters to nursing home residents in the greater Baton Rouge area. More information about these letters and possibilities of visits will be given to students in Theology classes and emailed to parents.
WARRIORS FOR LIFE WEEK: Mark your calendars for a week-long celebration of Human Life and Dignity from October 6 - 11. More information about the annual March for Life Pilgrimage to Washington, DC will be available during this week.
CLASS PATRONS/THEME: Each class will have a unique way to celebrate their class with a class Patron and theme associated with the Saint. The Juniors and Seniors have chosen a new class patron to hand down to future Warriors.
- Freshmen, Class of 2028 - St. Damien of Molokai's Hawaiians
- Sophomores, Class of 2027 - Blessed (soon to be Saint) Pier Giorgio Frassati's All Starts (athletes)
- Juniors, Class of 2026 - St. Cecilia's Rockstars (music and rockstars)
- Seniors, Class of 2025 - St. Peter The Fisherman (South Louisiana)
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Intellectual
HANDBOOK UPDATE: The following policy has been added to the Student/Parent Handbook:
All student computers have monitoring software installed called Securly. This software enhances classroom management by allowing teachers to filter programs, monitor web activity, and ensure that students remain on task. Any attempt to bypass or disable Securly is a direct violation of the Acceptable Use Policy. Students should also understand that they have no reasonable expectation of privacy, as the software operates both on and off campus and both during and outside of school hours. Additionally, Securly features an alert system called "Aware," which notifies staff of concerning keywords or phrases related to student safety or mental health. If the Alert system is triggered, the matter may be referred to the school’s Counseling Department – which may not occur until the next school day, if the alert occurs outside of school hours – to be handled in accordance with the Counseling Department’s protocols and this Handbook.
END OF FIRST NINE WEEKS: The end of the first 9 weeks grading period is Wednesday, October 16. It is important that each student puts forth maximum effort in his/her studies. There is no excuse for not working. Keep up with your student’s grades using PlusPortals. If you need help accessing the site, please call the front office and ask for the Registrar. If you have questions or concerns about your student or his/her grades, please contact the appropriate teachers.
FALL AWARDS: Fall Awards will be held Thursday, September 5 at 8:50 AM in the St. Sebastian Gym. This is a special event to recognize students with honors for the 2023-2024 school year and to induct the new National Honor Society (NHS) members. Parents are welcome to attend.
PSAT INFORMATION FOR SOPHOMORES & JUNIORS: On Thursday, October 17 all 11th grade students will sit for the PSAT, the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test and the preparatory version of the SAT. St. Michael will cover the cost for all juniors to take the test. Additional details regarding dismissal times will be communicated at a later date. Due to the PSAT now being offered electronically, students will need to bring their laptop and laptop charger.
Additionally, St. Michael allows 10th-grade students to sit for the PSAT. The cost for sophomores is $20. Ms. Chelsea Brown will email all sophomore parents a link to register for the PSAT. Students interested must register no later than Friday, September 13. St. Michael must abide by the September 13th deadline to ensure an accurate amount of testing materials.
SENIOR PARENT NIGHT: All senior parents are encouraged to participate in the Senior Parent Meeting with Mrs. Rachel Cart. This event will be held in the SMHS cafeteria on Wednesday, September 11 beginning at 6:00 PM. Senior parents, please attend this event to learn very valuable information regarding college applications and receiving the TOPS scholarship.
BATON ROUGE NATIONAL COLLEGE FAIR: The National Association for College Admissions Counseling Fair will be held on Tuesday, October 8 at the Raising Cane's River Center. There is a night session from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM if you and your student would like to attend. You can register and print your barcode to use at the fair by going to https://www.nacacattend.org/24batonrouge/begin. By going to the NACAC website, you can view those colleges participating in the fair this year. Presentations are done on the FAFSA, scholarships, and financial aid.
COLLEGES VISITING SMHS: We will have admissions representatives from a number of colleges and universities visiting our school to share information with prospective students. Emails and/or announcements will be made alerting students of these opportunities. Seniors may monitor their email, Moodle, and the SMHS Online Calendar for dates and times of upcoming events held at St. Michael.
Currently Scheduled Visits
- Centenary College of Louisiana September 11
- Spring Hill College September 12
- University of Louisiana at Monroe September 16
- Louisiana Tech September 25
- Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) September 26
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette September 26
- University of Southern Mississippi October 2
- Delta College October 9
- Tulane October 14
- Southeastern Louisiana University October 16
- Mississippi State University October 29
PERMISSION FOR COLLEGE VISITS: When a student is planning a college visit or tour day, his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) must forward a written request to our Dean of Students, Mr. Kegan Keller, at least five (5) business days prior to the actual date of the visit. The Excused Absence Form may be found under Quick Links on the school website. The student should return to school the day following his/her absence with a letter of verification of attendance which will be provided by the college or university upon request. Mr. Keller will review the requested information prior to and following the event when considering the validity of granting an educational excused absence for the time missed away from school. Please refer to the SMHS Student/Parent Handbook for further details regarding educational absences.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION: Each month, Mrs. Rachel Cart sends an email to parents and students with scholarship information. Mrs. Cart also posts scholarships that are available to seniors on Moodle on the Senior Counselor Site. Please use these resources for locating scholarship opportunities.
SENDING ACT SCORES: When registering for the ACT, a student may request that his/her score report be sent to a college or university. If requesting during the registration process, the first four (4) score reports are FREE and automatically sent once scores are processed. Additional score reports may be requested online for a fee at www.act.org through the student’s account. Please make sure you are sending ACT scores to LOSFA using code 1595 to qualify for any TOPS Awards.
SENDING TRANSCRIPTS: Since St. Michael participates in the Louisiana Student Transcript System (STS), all transcripts will be sent electronically to the Louisiana Department of Education at the end of the year. All Louisiana public colleges and universities will obtain applicants’ transcripts electronically through STS. Private colleges or out-of-state schools will need a transcript sent from St. Michael. A Transcript Request Form will need to be signed by the student and his/her parent during the year and only the student at the end of the year. If you have any questions regarding this information please contact Mrs. Rachel Cart at rcart@smhsbr.org. For Dual Enrollment and AP credit students, the college transcript and/or AP credit will need to be requested from the accrediting institution.
SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM: The United States Selective Service System requires all young men to register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. In order to be in full compliance with the law, a man turning 18 is required to register during the period of time beginning 30 days before, until 30 days after, his 18th birthday...a 60-day window. In addition, registration information may now be submitted as early as the age of 17 years and 3 months old. In cases of early registration (prior to the 60-day window), Selective Service will keep the information on file and then process it once the young man is within 30 days of reaching his 18th birthday. A card will then be mailed confirming that his registration has been processed. Failure to register is in violation of federal law. Failure to do so could potentially hold up a student's financial aid packet. To register, please go to www.sss.gov.
LIBRARY NEWS: Did you know that free homework help is available online everyday from 2:00 PM—midnight? These one-to-one tutoring sessions include real-time help, interactive white boards, math tools, etc. Simply log into homeworkla.org. Students may even upload research papers or essays to receive live editing assistance. The website includes free ACT and AP test prep quizzes, as well as tutoring in Spanish and Vietnamese. In addition, our SMHS National Honor Society members have free tutoring on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the last 30 minutes of all lunch periods. Pop into the library to get help with homework, lab reports, and peer editing
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PARENT UNIVERSITY: There will be two opportunities this month to learn how your students use their technology accounts. See below for topics, dates, times, and location.
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Personal Development
SCHOOL HOLIDAY: There will be NO school on Monday, September 2 in observance of Labor Day.
LETTERMAN JACKET ORDERS: On Thursday, September 12 letterman jacket orders will be taken during all lunch periods for students who received an academic letter during Fall Awards and for students who lettered in spring sports this past school year. Packets are available for pick up in the office.
SCHOOL PICTURES: Barberito Photography emailed the school picture proofs to parents of students who took school pictures. If you did not receive your email from Barberito’s you may contact them directly at (504) 455-6818.
SENIOR PICTURES: October 25 is the deadline for senior yearbook pictures. Contact Barclell’s at 225-791-1951 to schedule an appointment or you can book online by visiting Barclell’s website at http://www.BarclellStudio.com and select the blue "Book a Session" button on the bottom right-hand side of the page. From there, you will be able to schedule your senior yearbook portrait appointment. The cost for your yearbook picture to be taken is $15.
STUDENT COUNCIL: Student Council will hold its annual workshop on Sunday, September 8 from 3:30-6:30 PM. At the workshop, students learn about the year ahead for student council, make plans for Homecoming, and learn leadership skills. Dinner will be served.
STUDENT COUNCIL INDUCTION: The Student Council will hold its induction ceremony on Monday, September 16 in the St. Sebastian Gym. Parents of members will receive an invitation with details.
HOMECOMING IMPORTANT DATES
HOMECOMING BLOCK PARTY: On Wednesday, October 2 the St. Michael High School Student Council and Home & School Association will host our annual Homecoming Block Party. All students and families are invited.
HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME: Thursday, October 3 at Olympia Stadium beginning at 7:00 PM.
HOMECOMING DANCE: Saturday, October 5 is the Homecoming Dance from 8:00 to 11:00 PM. Students must be in no later than 9:00 PM and the doors will re-open at 10:30 PM. All students need to be picked up no later than 11:00 PM. Please make sure to review the dress code posted in the Student-Parent Handbook for semi-formal dress guidelines.
Please note: Any student bringing a guest from another school will have to complete a guest contract. Guest contracts will be available beginning September 9.
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TUXEDOS TO GEAUX: Tuxedos to Geaux will be on campus on September 11 during all lunches to measure our male students who would like to purchase a suit or blazer for homecoming. They have been assisting our students for many years. The letter with all of the information is below. If you have questions about this service, please contact Tuxedos To Geaux.
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WARRIOR TENNIS: If you are interested in playing tennis this year, we will have a parents and players informational meeing in the Main Gym on Monday, September 9 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. For more information, email Ashley Whitlow at awhitlow@smhsbr.org or Drew Hart at dhart@smhsbr.org.
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Advancement News &
Important Events
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THE FUND FOR ST. MICHAEL - We invite you to join us in advancing our mission by considering a personal and meaningful gift to the Fund for St. Michael. Your tax-deductible donation allows us to invest in teacher pay, provide qualified families with tuition assistance, strengthen faith formation, and support our extracurricular activities programs. In essence, your gift to this fund improves the overall student experience. Please use the following link to learn more about our fund and how you can help us attaining our goal of $150,000 for the 2024-2025 school year.
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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - Formed in Catholic tradition, the mission of St. Michael High School is to foster the spiritual, intellectual, and personal development of young people as committed disciples of Christ. To achieve such a worthy goal, St. Michael gratefully relies on the meaningful involvement of many generous people. If you own a business or know a business, we invite you to discover the numerous ways you can partner with St. Michael High School by visiting our website, or contacting Advancement Director Jason Chauvin ( jchauvin@smhsbr.org).
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WARRIOR GOLF CLASSIC - Promote your business at the 35th Annual Warrior Golf Classic! The SMHS Advancement Office is looking for food hole sponsors to help make the event delicious and successful. The sponsorship is free and a great way to deliver your company’s message. For more information, please contact Jason Chauvin ( jchauvin@smhsbr.org), Advancement Director.
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SAVE THE DATE - Clear your calendars and make plans to attend these exciting upcoming events hosted by the Advancement Office. We can’t wait to see you there!
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WARRIOR CLUB MEMBERSHIP - We hope you will consider joining the Warrior Club for the 2024 -25 school year. Details can be found on our website (www.smhswarriorclub.com). You must be a member to purchase the annual Warrior Club Athletic Passes, which provide entrance to all regular season home athletic events.
ATHLETIC PROGRAMS CAMPAIGN – We wrapped up our Athletic Program Campaign at the beginning of August. A gracious THANK YOU to all those individuals, families, and local businesses who supported our success again this year. Your contributions are appreciated! Be on the lookout for the Athletic Program debut at every Friday Night Home Football Game.
WARRIOR CLUB BACK TO SCHOOL ADULT DANCE is scheduled for August 31st at 7:00 PM in the St. Sebastian Gym. We hope to see you all there for an adult night filled with fun, fellowship, and dancing.
POP-UP WARRIORS CLUB SHOPPING - Mark your calendars for September 12 & September 26 – the Warrior Club will be open to all students during all lunch shifts (9:54am – 12:37pm). We are continuously working to keep up-to-date with the trendiest designs and to keep the shelves stocked. Our first opening day for the students on August 15 was an overwhelming success, and we could feel and see the excitement of the kids shopping for school approved spirit swag!
WARRIOR GEAR – It is never too early to get your spirit gear ready for the next school year. Shop online from our website (www.smhswarriorclub.com) anytime, and your order may be picked up from the front office during school hours.
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Follow the St. Michael Warrior Club on all of your social media outlets!
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