MS Orientation 2026 - Fall

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MENDOTA

Cadets T R U S T

HEIGHTS

I N

T R AD IT ION WELCOME TO

C A R R Y HSA I G INT H T H THO E B L UM E AASN AC D WAHD I TEMY E M I D D L E

SCH OOL

#GOCADETS

TOMMIES TOMMIES

2026-2027 MIDDLE SCHOOL AT A GL ANCE

MS M I D D L E S C H O O L N E W S T U D E N T O R I E N T A T I O N Grades 6, 7, & 8 – August 24, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

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Student drop-off at Flynn Hall

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Casual dress, no hats

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Laptops distributed during technology session

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OPTIONAL: Following orientation, students may guide their parents through their schedule, setup lockers, and practice combinations.

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OPTIONAL: Visit the Cadet Maker to purchase spirit wear, between 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

LOCKER SET-UP

Monday, August 24, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

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All Middle School students may bring in locker shelves (recommended but not required, 12” size works best) and supplies to set up lockers.

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Please, no tape or contact paper.

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Food is not to be left in the lockers overnight; snacks brought in must be sealed. No soda, energy drinks are allowed. Water must be in a sealed container.

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IMPORTANT DATES: Monday, August 24: New Student Orientation Tuesday, August 25: First Day Monday, August 31: Opening Mass, Formal Uniform Wednesday, September 2: Late Start Thursday, September 3: Tackle Cancer Monday, September 7: Labor Day Wednesday, September 9: Back to School Night Friday, September 11: MS Touchdown Party

WELCOME!

Wednesday, September 16: Picture Day Friday, September 25: Grandparents’ Day Find our calendar online at cadets.com/calendar

MORNING STUDENT DROP-OFF

Middle School Doors are unlocked from 7:30 - 8:00 a.m.

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Students must be in uniform upon arrival to school - no hats or hoods in the building

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If your son is dropped off before 7:30 a.m.

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Flynn Hall doors open at 6:30 a.m. (Door #23)

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Before 7:30 a.m. all students must be in the cafeteria

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Breakfast is available for purchase in the cafeteria

A student not in his class by 8:00 a.m. is tardy and must go through Flynn Hall to receive a pass before being admitted to class. Students should not arrive through the Middle School doors after the bell.

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Visitors during the school day must check in at the Receptionist Desk at Vince Flynn Hall and pick up a name tag. ID must be presented to be issued a name tag. The Middle School doors will remain locked during school hours.

SCHEDULES

First bell at 7:55 a.m. & first block starts at 8:00 a.m. Optimal – arrive 15 minutes early!

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Tutoring Monday-Thursday 2:50 – 3:15 p.m.

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Lunches – Two lunch periods, students alternate between lunches according to class schedule

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Classes meet for 55 minutes every five out of eight days

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5 classes per day – which rotate on an eight day rotation

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Formation and Community Time occur daily

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AT TENDANCE

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Please see STA Handbook for the attendance policies, cadets.com/handbook All absences, tardies, and early dismissal requests should be reported through the STA app or email at attendance@cadets.com.

Your son is responsible for missed work: o Check Schoology for assignments, email the teacher, ask a trusted friend o Extended absences due to illness - Mrs. Krivak will work with the teachers and your family to get a plan in place for make-up work

E N D O F S C H O O L D AY • • • • •

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Last class ends at 2:50 p.m.

May pick up at Middle School doors (#7) until 3:15 p.m.

Tutoring 2:50 - 3:15 p.m. Monday – Thursday (or by appointment before or after school) Buses pick up at Flynn Hall at 3:25 p.m.

Middle School closes at 3:15 p.m. o Report to Activities/Athletics o Quiet study in the Anderson Learning Commons Mon-Thur (some supervision) o Study/relax in the cafeteria – no formal supervision o After 3:15 p.m. – pick up at Flynn Hall (Door #23)

CURRICULUM •

Six Middle School “core” courses – English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Theology, Phy Ed/Health

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World languages (Chinese, French, or Spanish)

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Two elective periods per semester

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Community Time - Advisory, Mass, tutoring, guest presentations, and House competitions 7

SCHOOL UNIFORMS •

First day of school – fall/spring uniform (short or rolled sleeves, no tie)

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Long sleeves & ties required from November 1 – April “Formal Uniform”

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Students must be in uniform upon arrival through departure

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Tie and sweater worn on Mass days and other special occasions - watch the newsletter for dates

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Uniform/Grooming o

Plain black dress shoes (loafer or tie oxford that can be polished, no white or brown soles, shoes must be all black), plain black socks (no logos, mid-calf), shirt pressed, black leather belt, pants in good repair, hair neatly groomed, deodorant, shave if necessary

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Haircut inspections - once a quarter and as needed before events (Grandparents Day, Picture Day, Promotions, BFI, etc), Military Leadership will conduct haircut inspections. Middle School students are expected to be in compliance with the handbook and may be required to get a haircut before participating in school events and activities. Uniforms should be in good condition and may require attention as well.

PURCHASE AT DONALD’S UNIFORM STORE

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Navy twill pants

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Long-sleeved blue shirt with last name embroidered above the pocket

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Short-sleeved blue shirt (optional) with last name embroidered above the pocket

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Tie

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Sweater with last name embroidered on sweater, chest placket, opposite crest

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Gym Uniform

PURCHASE AT OTHER STORES •

Plain black dress shoes o

Loafer or tie oxford that can be polished. No suede shoes, moccasins, casual, coaching,

Solomon

tennis shoes or boots o

No white or brown soles, shoes must be all black

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Plain black socks o

Socks must be mid-calf. No ankle socks

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972 Payne Avenue St. Paul, MN, 55130

4 Shady Oak Road Hopkins, MN 55343

donaldsuniform.com/home.php 1-800-728-8082 651-776-2723

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No logos

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No sport socks

Plain white crew neck t-shirt to be worn under the uniform shirt

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Black leather belt

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L ATE STARTS •

Buses run on normal operating hours

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Cafeteria is open to students to study, however, breakfast is not served on late start days.

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Middle School doors remain locked until 9:15 a.m. and students arriving early should use the Flynn Hall entrance

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Students are to remain in Flynn Hall, the cafeteria or the ALC until 9:15 a.m. The first bell rings at 9:25 a.m. and class begins promptly at 9:30 a.m.

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On late start days, students do not have Community Time.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT Wednesday, September 9 •

This night is an opportunity for parents to follow their son’s schedule, meet his teachers, ask questions, and socialize with other parents.

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You may print a copy of your son’s schedule and bring it with you or view his class schedule through the Powerschool app.

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You can reach out to Information Technology with any questions or login assistance at technology@cadets.com.

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MIDDLE SCHOOL 1:1 LAPTOP PROGRAM •

Grade 6: Laptops on cart and kept at school.

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Grades 7 & 8: Laptops may go home and back; return at the end of school year

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Digital citizenship – a learning tool to be used responsibly

STA HANDBOOK/PL ANNER •

The front of the STA planner has the Mission Statement and the prayer of Saint Thomas Aquinas

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The handbook and school policies are located online: cadets.com/handbook

COMMUNICATION •

Weekly Newsletter - each Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

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Cadets.com - select “current families” at the top of the home page

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Saint Thomas Academy app

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Facebook - Saint Thomas Academy

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Facebook - Saint Thomas Academy School Parents

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Instagram - allthingssta

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X - allthingssta

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YouTube - Saint Thomas Academy Communications

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Final Forms & Team Snap for Athletics & Activities

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MIDDLE SCHOOL PHONE POLICIES •

Saint Thomas Academy is committed to fostering an environment that promotes academic excellence, personal responsibility, and respectful engagement. To maintain this standard and minimize distractions during crucial academic and social times, Middle School students are NOT permitted to have their cell phones on their persons from the time they enter the Middle School until the conclusion of the school day (between 7:45 a.m. - 2:50 p.m.). Cell phones are to be turned off, stored and secured in the student’s locker or left at home. The same standards and expectations apply to AirPods and other wearables. The abuse of technology wearables and watches will be handled as they arise.

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Should a student be found with a cell phone during restricted hours, faculty, staff, and administration have the right to confiscate the device up until the end of the day and issue an appropriate consequence.

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Repeated violations of this policy will be referred to the Associate Dean of Students, Dean of Students, and/or Director of Middle School and may result in additional consequences.

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Parents ~ if you need to reach your son during the school day, please call the Middle School Office at 651-683-1570 or you can also email him at his cadets.com email address.

B E H AV I O R I N F R AC T I O N S

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Please refer to the MS Student Handbook

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Proactive education (e.g. formations, classroom lessons, retreats, etc.).

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Interventions include: meeting with school counselors, teacher conference, meeting with Director of the Middle School and/or Dean of Students, parent meeting, staffing, etc.

G R I E VA N C E P R O C E D U R E F O R S T U D E N T S A N D PA R E N T S In order to effectively address academic disagreements and differences, a structured communication procedure has been established to foster dialogue between the school, parents, students, and teachers. This process aims to provide a constructive way to express and reconcile varying viewpoints.

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To address such issues, the following steps should be followed in sequence: o

Student-Teacher Discussion: If a student has a disagreement with a teacher or staff member, the student should first have a private conversation with the instructor to attempt to resolve the conflict.

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Parent-Student Discussion: If the matter remains unresolved after the student-teacher discussion, parents should talk to their son about the outcome of the meeting.

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Parent-Teacher/Dean of Students Discussion: If the issue persists, parents should contact the teacher to discuss the situation further or, if necessary, arrange a meeting.

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Department Chair Involvement: If the matter still remains unresolved, parents should reach out to the department chair to schedule a meeting and provide a written outline of their grievance.

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Director of Middle School Involvement: If the issue remains unresolved even after the department chair’s involvement, parents should contact the Director of Middle School to schedule a meeting and provide a written outline of their grievance.

By following this structured conflict grievance procedure, we aim to ensure that concerns are addressed promptly, fairly, and efficiently.

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MIDDLE SCHOOL CONTACTS

Michelle Mechtel Middle School Director mmechtel@cadets.com 651.683.1522

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Rick Stevson Assistant Dean of Students rstevson@cadets.com 651.685.1515

Sara Krivak Assistant to the Director skrivak@cadets.com 651.683.1570

Stephanie Nonnemacher Registrar snonnemacher@cadets.com 651.683.1563

ADMINISTRATION AND STUDENT SERVICES •

Middle School Director - Ms. Michelle Mechtel

mmechtel@cadets.com

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Middle School Assistant – Mrs. Sara Krivak

skrivak@cadets.com

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Dean of Students – Mr. Luke Marks

lmarks@cadets.com

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Assistant Dean of Students - Mr. Rick Stevson

rstevson@cadets.com

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Middle School Athletics & Activities – Mr. Brian Kallman

bkallman@cadets.com

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Learning Specialist Grades 6 - 12 – Mrs. Sarah Schneider

sschneider@cadets.com

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School Counselor Grades 6 - 9 – Mr. Logan Moe

lmoe@cadets.com

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President - Mr. Brian Ragatz

bragatz@cadets.com

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Vice President- Mr. John Buethe

jbuethe@cadets.com

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STA Chaplain - Fr. Combs

tcombs@cadets.com

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Director of Athletics & Activities - Mr. Reed Hornung

rhornung@cadets.com

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Director of Technology – Mr. Paul McKeehan

pmckeehan@cadets.com

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Director of Student Services – Mrs. Katie Schultz

kschultz@cadets.com

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MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL LIFE

Make an effort to meet new friends!

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Athletics or other co-curricular (see cadets.com)

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Other fun events (MS Touchdown Party, Fall Mixer, Spring Mixer, MS Musical, JA Biz Town, Finance Park, etc.)

MIDDLE SCHOOL HOUSES •

One of the ways to promote friendships and leadership skills is our House program. Students are divided into one of six houses, combining 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Each house has faculty advisors and an elected 8th grade captain. Houses will engage in friendly competition during school wide events like Homecoming and Winter Week and build brotherhood through House meetings, conversations, and House competitions such as tie-tying competitions and community building activities.

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SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY APP

ALL THINGS STA AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!

WHAT’S FOR LUNCH?

SCAN THE QR CODE TO DOWNLOAD!

IPHONE

WHO HAS THEIR SENIOR SPEECH TODAY?

WHAT ROTATION DAY IS IT?

ANDROID ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE SELF-SERVICE APP ON YOUR LAPTOP!

CADET MAKER BOOKSTORE The Bookstore is open from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Monday through Friday. It is also open on select evenings, like Back-to-School Night, home game nights, and other special events.

G E T I N V O LV E D !

By actively participating, you’ll be an essential part of our close-knit community.

Opportunities include: •

Cadet Maker volunteer

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Cafeteria/Lunch volunteer

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Cadet Concierge volunteer (Flynn Hall front desk)

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Fathers’ Club events

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Mothers’ Club events

SHOP THE

C AD E T M A K E R

T H E S H O R T FA M I LY B O O K S TO R E The Bookstore is open from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

It is also open on select evenings, like Back-to-School Night, home game nights, and other special events.

Saint Thomas Academy is a place where boys harness their greatest intellectual, athletic, spiritual and leadership potential. Here, they can explore and become the young men they are meant to be. It’s the origin of a life-changing bond of brotherhood your son will carry with him for life.

AllThingsSTA Saint Thomas Academy Saint Thomas Academy Communications AllThingsSTA

SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY

949 MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD / MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN 55120