A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL:                                                            Summer 2023

As St. Michael High School is preparing to begin our 40^th year of bringing young people to Christ, we look forward to a positive and productive year of learning and growth.  Summer has been busy on campus with summer camps and with preparations to have our physical plant ready for our students.  The floors have been waxed, the paint touched up, the upper field conditioned, the intercom system repaired, and classrooms cleaned and polished.  Our maintenance team has worked long hours to ensure our students have a school that they are proud to attend, and we thank them for their dedication.   A special thanks to the SMHS Home and School for taking on the task of updating our teacher’s lounge and workroom with new furnishings and new blinds.  We are ready to welcome our students and teachers back to school. 

Our theme for this year is “God With Us,” as we are reminded that we are not alone on our journey through life.  In Matthew 28:20, we are encouraged by the words of Jesus, “I am with you always.”  Parents are encouraged to walk with their students on their spiritual journey through the high school years.  Attend Mass as a family each Sunday, inquire with your student about the theology curriculum, and engage in service opportunities with your student.  The time in high school goes by quickly.  Make every moment count.

We are working on several goals for the school year.  We will continue to focus our efforts on Literacy Across the Curriculum, as we work to improve student writing, reading, and comprehension skills.  The implementation of our year-long embedded Digital Citizenship program will help our students be positive and productive in their use of technology.

Another goal going forward will be our focus on mental health.   The Surgeon General has issued an advisory about the effects of social media use and its effects on youth mental health.  According to the document, “there are ample indicators that social media can also pose a risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.”  Adolescence and children are at “a critical stage in brain development that can make young people more vulnerable to harms from social media.”  While more research is being done, parents are encouraged to “make plans in their households such as establishing tech-free zones that better foster in-person relationships, teach kids about responsible online behavior and model that behavior, and report problematic content and activity.”  “Children and adolescents can adopt healthy practices like limiting time on platforms, blocking unwanted content, being careful about sharing personal information, and reaching out if they or a friend need help or see harassment or abuse on the platforms.”  Use this link to view the entire advisory   Surgeon General on Social Media & Youth Mental Health

On October 4, the SMHS Counseling Department will sponsor the suicide prevention presentation, My Ascension, for parents and students.  The program is a great resource for families, and we encourage all our students to attend with their parents.  The program will be in our gym from 6 – 8 p.m.  Mark your calendars.

As a thriving school community, we count on the support and prayers of our families, our alumni, and our local community.    We renew our partnership with our parents as we form our young people as committed disciples of Christ. 


God Bless,

Ellen B. Lee, Principal