S T . M I C H A E L I N D I A N S C H O O L

October 2015Founded by St. Katharine Drexel

The Kindergarten class got to play with germs but it’s not what you think.

High school Anatomy Instructor Jamie Blazak conducted a Project Base Learning Activity using Styrofoam covered in glitter to teach the Kindergarten class about germs.

“The kids loved it,” Blazak said. “They looked at their hands, pointed to the tables and floors full of glitter and would say

‘GERMS, look at the GERMS.’The students rubbed the glitter on their

hands to see how germs spread. Blazak’s Anatomy students were on hand to assist in teaching the youngsters how germs can lead to sicknesses and can be prevented by properly washing their hands.

High schoolers demonstrated how to thoroughly wash their hands to kill all the germs. They also explained the

Sparkly germs

importance of washing their hands prior to eating, after using the restroom and the many different ways germs can spread.

High schoolers helped with the clean-up efforts to end the activity. They made sure there was no glitter left behind.

Kindergarten student Aiden Shirley learned to wash hands thoroughly with soap, water and hand sanatizer

The Assistant Director for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions from University of Notre Dame gave a presentation to SMIS students interested in possibly attending.

Kathryn Andersen presented to 15 students from grades 7th to 12th.

“I really do hope some of our kids go there,” said Tazbah Shorty, Vice Principal and an Alumni of Notre Dame.

“I loved it. The mission of the University of Notre Dame includes the development of the students in mind, body and spirit.”

For Senior Buddy Joe he said, “I’m considering prestigious out of state colleges.”

Junior Paige Ashley has attended SMIS since she was an 8th and prefers the smaller school environment.

“Public school is too big,” Ashley said.

“You’re basically teaching yourself. At St. Michael you can ask for help because of smaller classes.”

She noted that college presentations are good because they are informative of campus life.

This “altered my decision for NAU,” she said. “Gives us an option. Keeps our minds open about other colleges.”

No one said it was never too early to learn about colleges and that’s exactly why 7th grader Ryan Ayze attended.

“My uncle is a Notre Dame Alumni,” he said. His uncle Virgil Loretto graduated from Notre Dame in 1988 and is currently an employee with the Navajo Nation. Ayze started in a public school but wants to finish at a catholic high school and college. He believes he has a better chance at St. Michael to go to Notre Dame.

“My old school didn’t give work and didn’t help,” Ayze said. “St. Michael’s challenges me with homework, school work and better prepares me for college.”

Notre Dame visits SMIS

Senior Caleb Duncan demonstrates the movement of germs to a Junior Kindergarten student Clayton Henderson while using glitter as a visible source.

S T . M I C H A E L I N D I A N S C H O O L

Cardinal News Page 2

It has been a busy summer for the Buildings and Grounds Department.

New FacilityDue to your support we were able to

do some remodeling last summer. Once the school year ended in May the old Theology classroom at the south end of the high school was converted into a Boy’s and Girls’ Restroom.

Previously high school students shared two single occupant restrooms on the first floor where 13 classrooms and lockers are located. The other option was to go up the stairwell, on the north side of the classrooms to the second floor restrooms available also to the current fifth and sixth grade class.

To better accommodate the students the

Gone is a light green linoleum floor tile in the high school hallways. The new black tile was installed for safety reasons and for a fresh new look. With the help of summer volunteers some of the high school classrooms were re-painted.

classroom was remodeled into restrooms with a water fountain and custodial closet installed. The project was completed days before school started and students were surprised.

Junior KindergartenThe Junior Kindergarten classroom

was another renovation project which allowed for St. Michael Indian School to offer this program for the first time. Junior Kindergarten teacher Lavina AitOurasse is excited about the program.

“It’s good for the surrounding areas,” she said, “A lot of daycares have a waiting list and having a junior kindergarten at SMIS is good for the community. Especially because it’s Catholic.”

New Floors

SMIS receives much-needed faceliftNew restrooms.

New Junior Kindergarten classroom. New hallway floors.

SMIS has a new Principal/ADA familiar face is back as Bill

McLaughlin is the Athletic Director and appointed Interim Principal.

“This will be my third time to work for SMIS,” McLaughlin said. “I previously worked here from 2005 to 2008 and 2009-2010. Overall, this will be my fifth year working at St. Michael Indian School.”

McLaughlin wants to establish consistency in the quality of the athletic programs while growing the number of sports and participants. Currently the high school soccer team is co-ed but McLaughlin hopes to split the soccer program into a separate boys and girls team. He also looks to develop the numbers for baseball and improve the quality of our facilities.

Academically he wants to develop a school with a strong sense of community that embraces the importance of a true operating partnership between home and school. “I want to recognize that parents are the prime educators of their children and therefore a strong sense of parent participation is encouraged within the school, both informally and formally,” said McLaughlin.

Mr. McLaughlin believes, “the pursuit of academic excellence and the education of the whole person in a safe and happy school setting are of high priority.”

Tracie Lee, Vice Principal is focusing on the accreditation that will be coming up in 2018. She is also focusing on High School Counseling and College Prep.

See Principal/Page 3

Please send in your BoxTops for Education. We will use the funds to purchase student desks and educational materials.

S T . M I C H A E L I N D I A N S C H O O L

Cardinal News Page 3

The Lady Cardinals Volleyball team are ranked No.1 in the state for their division. They are 15-0 overall, 12-0 in their division and 7-0 in their section.

The best part is a leadership that shines and a sisterhood strengthened from the highs and lows as a team.

“The teams’ performance this year has been great,” said Andrea Ashkie, head coach. “I feel that much of this success has to do with off season training and that the girls have a stronger mental game this year than in previous years.”

Last year the team went 9-7 overall and 5-13 overall in 2013. This year is a big improvement and it shows with all players.

“Everyone on the team has stepped up in one way or another making the knit stronger on our team,” Ashkie said. “I have had numerous highlights this season with the girls and I see it in every game. The girls have come a long way and I am proud when the girls can run the game on the court without having me to dictate their every move.

“All of this has to do with leadership, confidence, and just simply knowing the game of volleyball,” she said. “Overall, the girls work hard in practice, have positive/competitive attitudes, and use feedback to improve. Any coach loves that kind of fire in an athlete and team. I am proud and excited for what is to come

in the post season. Go Cardinals!”The Lady Cardinals are also Champions

of the Joseph City Invitational Volleyball tournament.

On Oct. 20, 2015, during the home game against Red Mesa High School’s Lady Redskins, the team took the time to honor the Senior athletes and their parents. Athletes were given flowers, as well as, their parents and were recognized before a standing-room-only audience.

The Lady Cardinals ended the evening with a 3-0 win. They will play the Rock Point Lady Cougars and the Pinon Lady Eagles for their final home games.

Lady Cardinals soar

Eighth Grader Cameron Nelson and Sophomore Sydney Terry program their new Amazon Fire HD 6 Kindles that will be used to download textbooks and other read-ing materials for their classes.

Tazbah Shorty, Vice Principal is focusing on Early Development Education as well as the curriculum of the school.

In an effort to save on the cost of books and provide modern education the students will be using the Fire HD6 Kindles by Amazon. Teachers can order textbooks, reading materials and other academic materials for a low cost. Students will update their kindles and download all the materials need for their classes. This was made possible by your generous donations.

Principal/from page 2

S T . M I C H A E L I N D I A N S C H O O LSt. Michael Indian SchoolPO Box 650Saint Michaels, AZ 86511-0650

Address Service Requested

St. Michael Indian SchoolDevelopment Office

PO Box 650Saint Michaels, AZ 86511

Phone: 928.871.3140www.stmichaelindianschool.org

Arizona Tax CreditWith your support to the Arizona

Tax Credit, the programs offered by Catholic Education Arizona and Catholic Tuition Support Organization provided scholarships to nearly 50 percent of enrolled students this school year.

Please contribute for next school year’s support to our families. Visit www.catholiceducationarizona.org & www.ctso-tucson.org for information.

From the PresidentFor over a century Saint Michael Indian School, founded by Saint Katharine Drexel,

has stood as a pillar of Catholic education on the Navajo Nation Reservation. Today in a community where the public schools earn a D or F grade in scholarly performance, we are here to instill strong Catholic values and to give children a first-rate academic foundation. This year we welcomed 126 new students to our school for a total of 396 in grades Junior Kindergarten to 12th.

This higher population of students means the need for raising money is more important than ever. The gap between what we charge for tuition and actual cost averages about $2,700 per child. Scholarship funds help our families afford to send their children to our school and donor dollars help offset the gap between the low tuition we charge and actual instructional cost. This is why we appreciate and count on your involvement in our school so much.

As we move into the season of giving thanks please know that our students, parents and staff are so thankful for you.

Dot

Did you know that in a community where the average graduation rate is less than 61% we are proud to say our graduation rate is consistently 99%. On average 96% of our students continue on to higher education; with one or more receiving the Gates Millennium Scholarship annually.