Saint Ambrose School News
Parent Newsletter - October 7th, 2022
Parent Newsletter - September 29, 2023
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
Thank you for your support of our school. Our Marathon, although soggier than we'd hoped was a fun event. The fundraiser is going well with our total getting closer to our goal of $35,000.
Thank you to our parents who chaired this event: Teresa Chmielewski, Tara Malley, Katie Narog, , Rachel Sperrazza, We are grateful!
While Fall Fest is an amazing community building and fundraising event for our parish, the school does not receive funds directly from that event. The Marathon is our main fundraiser for the fall, allowing Home and School to support teachers, as well as raising more money to put toward the security updates we plan to implement when we have the funding (campus-wide communication system, window film, clocks that are on one system).
Many people have asked how the year has started, and we have so many things to celebrate.
More of our students are demonstrating a readiness to learn that reminds us of the typical behaviors in the days before the pandemic-this is worth celebrating!
We have amazing teachers. I so enjoy visiting classrooms, hearing their ideas and watching them build beautiful communities where virtues are promoted and hard work is expected.
So far serving breakfast has gone well. The teachers' children have helped with this and we are grateful. If you want your child to have breakfast, K-5 families can order via the link below.
Fall Fest was a wonderful time for our students to connect with each other-it was great to hear their stories this week. I hope parents enjoyed it too!
Some things that have been bumpy:
-We have new staff in the cafeteria, and the learning curve is steep. With specific requirements around our free meals, we have had some challenging lunch service. Know that we are working hard to heighten the quality and efficiency of lunches. Taher is looking to hire for 2 positions in our kitchen currently. If you or someone you know is interested in working in our kitchen, email foodservice@saintambroseschool.org.
-Dismissal. Thank you for your patience. Our goal is to dismiss students for parent pickup at 3:45. The buses arrive here about 3:53. We have been consistently finished with parent pickup at 4:00. We ask for kindness to one another as we ask you to merge from 4 lines on the north side, and patience as you enter the gathering space to pick up on the south side. We ask for kindness to teachers who are doing their best to oversee safe pickup for all children. Thanks!
Breakfast Orders for October 9th - 17th
K-5 - please remember you need to sign up for breakfast in advance if your child would like to recieve breakfast. **Jr. High will sign themselves up**
Interested in ordering Spirit Wear or a School Uniform Sweatshirt?
https://saintambrose2023fall-2.itemorder.com/shop/sale/
This will close October 1st.
Next week updates:
I am extending uniform shorts through the month of October. Parents-help your students dress for the weather if/when the temperature drops.
Tuesday-out of uniform for picture day.
Friday-SWARM shirt for first Friday
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls.
God bless,
Betsy Osterhaus Hand
Principal
October is Kindness Month at Saint Ambrose
For the Month of October the 2nd Graders are leading the school in celebrating the virtue of Kindness. The Wellness Committee would like to invite families to participate in discussions focusing on the virtue of kindness. Use these questions anytime to spark discussion. Go out and be kind!
Parent-Teacher Conferences are Coming Up in October
Conference Scheduling Open Friday the 29th
Our parent/teacher conferences are on Thursday, October 12 and Monday, October 16th.
K-5 & Specialists Conferences will be in-person both days.
6-8 Conferences will be in-person on 10/12, and virtual on 10/16. Parents may choose one or the other.
Parents will be able to schedule conferences via Sycamore beginning Friday, September 27 at 4pm.
Click here to learn how to schedule your conference online
K-5 Parents
We will open conference scheduling at 4pm on Friday, Sept 27th. Choose one slot for each child’s teacher.
6-8 Parents (choose one option)
Thursday, October 12-in person conferences. No appointment necessary,(no scheduling) teachers will be available for conferences from 4:00-7:30 in their classrooms.
Monday, October 16th -virtual conferences.
Conference scheduling will open on Friday, September 27 at 4pm. Schedule one conference for your child with the grade level homeroom team, who will be together on the meeting. This gives you the opportunity to get feedback from multiple teachers during one virtual meeting.
- 6th grade team-schedule with Ms. Jorgensen (you will meet with Ms. Becker, Ms. Petronack, Mr. Herzog and Ms. Jorgensen)
- 7th grade team-schedule with Ms. Loney (you will meet with Ms. Loney, Mr. Shriver and Ms. Soenen).
- 8th grade team-schedule with Ms. Woolsey (you will meet with Mr. Morgenroth, Ms. Woolsey and Ms. Schisler).
Specialist Teachers
Schedule with any teacher you would like to see on Sycamore.
If you have a question or concern, please reach out. You do not need to wait for conferences to communicate.
Teachers will need to stick to the scheduled time; thank you for helping with this.
Picture Day is Coming October 3rd!
School Picture Day Coming Soon - Tuesday, October 3rd
Tuesday, October 3rd will be individual student photo day. Please use this link to order your child's photos. Paper order forms will also be provided should you wish to order that way instead. Students may be out of uniform for photos.
Hilda Berdie from Woodbury Picture Perfect has kindly agreed to take class photos on Thursday, October 5th. Students will be in uniform for these photos. Information about purchasing class pictures will be sent home in future communications.
RCIA Inquiry Gathering— Sunday, Oct. 1
Are you or someone you know interested in joining the Catholic Church or learning more about the Catholic faith? If so, we would like to extend a special invitation to join us for an RCIA informational gathering.
We will be hosting an RCIA Inquiry gathering on Sunday, October 1 at 9:45 a.m. in Pingatore Room. This meeting will give you an opportunity to learn about the RCIA process at St. Ambrose.
If you are interested or have any additional questions, please contact Nancy McGrew at (nmcgrew@saintambrosecatholic.org).
You can also find information about RCIA on our parish website under “Faith Formation”. We look forward to seeing you on October 1.
We are Looking for Help With a Few Things...
Volunteer Requirements
We look forward to welcoming volunteers to our campus this year. If you are new to Saint Ambrose and want to serve as a volunteer, please complete the following:
Essential 3 Requirements outlined on the parish website.
This needs to be updated every three years.
Lunchroom and Recess Help
If you are interested in helping with recess or lunchroom supervision please contact Janet Seidenkranz in our school office. 651-768-3000.
Reading Counts help:
Help check books in and out for students in grades K-2. Training provided.
For more details contact Beth Salmon at bsalmon@saintambroseschool.org. or 651-768-3087.
Enrichment Volunteers Needed - Art Adventure, Jr. Great Books, Jr Achievement
We are looking for volunteers for several programs this year.
Training is provided.
Find information about each below
- Art Adventure - Grades 1-5 - It will be held in the spring but training is provided in the winter so it is important to sign up in the fall.
- Jr. Achievement - K-8 and will be held in the spring
If you are interested in volunteering please contact Dianna Helmberger at 651-768-3078 or dhelmberger@saintambroseschool.org
Do you pick up on the South Side?
Our AM drop off plan will remain the same.
We are moving to a new pick up plan starting Tuesday, September 26.
Thank you for your patience as we've assessed the safety needs, supervision needs and efficiency of many different plans.
We will ask parents to park in the parking lot, preferably in the lanes close to the church doors, cross at the cross walk and enter the church gathering space. If you have an EC pickup, you may use the lanes closer to EC and the EC crosswalk. Please bring your name sign with you and form a line.
At 3:45, School staff will begin bringing students to parents from Fellowship Hall. You will then walk with your students (using the crosswalk) and return to your car. Thank you for using caution when backing out of your spots, and for keeping your children next to you as you walk to your car.
If you are a K-2 parent and want to stay in your car for pickup, please switch to the north side for car pickup and email your children's teacher(s) to let them know.
Please Complete the Forms
We access funding from Title Grants from the state each year. Completing these forms allows us access to access funds. Please mark the "I do request...." choice for each of these three title grants.
Home and School Board:
Tiffani Morelli-President
Ashley Salvato-Vice President
Christine Nelson-Communications Coordinator
Tara Malley-Fundraising Coordinator
Katie Hatteberg-Secretary
Abby Summerfield-Treasurer
Heather Cange-Volunteer Coordinator
Believe and Read - Groves Literacy Partner
Reading is NOT Memorizing
Many easy reader and picture books have very predictable patterns and encourage students to memorize the text or use the pictures to help them solve words.
This can lead parents and caregivers to believe their children are engaging in more skilled reading than they might actually be doing. We want students to focus on the letters and sounds in words because the pictures eventually go away and not all texts are patterned.
Words are stored in your child’s brain through hearing them and sounding them out multiple times. This can give the impression that a child is just “memorizing” the words when much deeper work is going on in the brain. If you think your child is memorizing words, you can challenge them by varying the sequence you use to read the words (top to bottom, bottom to top, left to right, random order).
Students are sometimes resistant to repeated readings. Research tells us that repeated reading is key to becoming a fluent reader. During School, your child has the opportunity to read by themselves, with partners and with the support of their teacher in small groups or one on one.
Other Information
Sycamore will be accessible to families on August 22, 2023.
Sycamore Communication Portal/App - click below to go to Sycamore Website
https://app.sycamoreschool.com/index.php
Please login to Sycamore to access the school calendar, lunch menu, and schedules/grades (JH only)
Handbook
Here is our student handbook for this school year:
Mission and Philosophy
Mission (what we offer)
We at Saint Ambrose School are part of a vibrant Catholic community supporting and nurturing
each child on their journey with Christ.
Through exceptional academics, embracing each child’s unique strengths and needs, and
joyfully engaging in prayer and service, we take a holistic, virtue-based approach to student
education and experiences. This is the Saint Ambrose Way.
Vision (what we aspire to)
As a thriving Catholic school, we create meaningful impact though each family we support and
student we send into the world.
By helping form the whole child, students are not only prepared well for the next level of
education, but life as Christian adults living the Saint Ambrose Way.
PHILOSOPHY
The Saint Ambrose community recognizes the partnership between parents, students, staff,
administration and parishioners in providing for the development of its members as people of
faith who worship, learn and grow together. As a community we have a responsibility to
support families- as the primary educators of their children- while providing enriching
experiences that promote a sense of belonging and responsibility to a community.
Follow us on Social Media
Did you know that we have a Saint Ambrose Facebook Page and Instagram Page? Please follow us for school updates and photos. Click the links at the bottom of this email for quick access to our social media pages.