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Saint Ambrose School News
Parent Newsletter - October 7th, 2022
![Saint Ambrose School News Parent Newsletter - October 7th, 2022](https://cdn.smore.com/u/35a3/69206fb9767ba145ca5f3cb96d0201ec.jpg)
Parent Newsletter - November 17th, 2023
2024 Shine On Performing Arts Online Submission Window Opens Soon!
One big thing: Catholic School Center Of Excellence (CSCOE) is proud to partner with Lundstrum Performing Arts to celebrate the gifts of Catholic school students through Shine On!, our annual performing and visual arts talent competition.
Tell me more: Students in 4th-8th grade from all Catholic elementary schools in Minnesota are invited to enter the competition as performing or visual artists for a chance to participate in a live showcase and win cash prizes for themselves and grants for their schools.
- Go to www.shineontalent.org, which includes all of the information they will need to participate.
What's next: Performing Arts submission window opens on November 15, 2023! Visual Arts registration coming soon in January 2024!
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
I chaired an accreditation visit in Vermillion this week. It is always great to see Catholic education in action. The students at Saint John the Baptist are joyfully living their faith! Their classrooms also adopt a local dairy cow, which I found delightful.
We have two school days next week before Thanksgiving break. We will not have a newsnote next Tuesday.
I am thankful for this amazing community, our energetic students, our dedicated teachers, and for our common commitment to living the gospel. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! I am excited to see my college kids and to run a Turkey Trot with them. It will be wonderful to spend time together (although I am way slower than they are!).
Thank you to our 2nd grade who helped lead our school donations to the parish-wide Thanksgiving Food Drive. Thank you to all who donated; we are praying for all who receive these items.
Next Tuesday is the end of the first Trimester. Report cards will be sent home Friday, December 1.
Friday December 1 is also a SWARM shirt Friday.
If you are interested in purchasing spirit wear or uniform sweatshirts click here.
This link will remain open until November 26th. Items should be delivered before Christmas Break to the school.
Would you like to order a class picture?
The class pictures are uploaded to an online gallery and available for purchase.
Each class photo is $12.00. We ask you to place orders by October 27th.
Here is the link to order:
https://woodburypictureperfect.pixieset.com/sawclass2023/
Thank you to Hilda and Michele at Woodbury Picture Perfect!
Updates/Reminders:
- If you are tardy for school (9:20 or after), please come to the North Entrance and check in at the school office. The South Side is locked at 9:20.
- During COVID, we didn't ask parents to sign students out of the office consistently. We have developed some bad habits, and need to get back to a safer sign-out process. If your child(ren) are leaving early, you need to come into the school and sign them out in the office. Thank you!
- School Emergency Closing Notifications -This school year we will continue to use our Sycamore System for text and email notifications for school closures and delays due to inclement weather. You may also check Kare 11 and WCCO for notification that District 833 is closed - if they are closed we will be closed. Make sure to update Sycamore with your current phone numbers and emails as soon as possible.
Child Safety Curriculum
In November, classes will begin our child safety curriculum. Grades K-5 will be using the Monique Burr Foundations, Child Safety Matters curriculum and 6-8 will be using Netsmartz curriculum. If you have any questions regarding the specific lessons being taught please contact your child's classroom (Grades 6-8 - Religion) teacher and they would be happy to share more information. This curriculum is required by the Archdioceses for all grade levels.
Almighty God, by whose grace your servant Elizabeth of Hungary recognized and honored Jesus in the poor of this world: Grant that we, following her example, may with love and gladness serve those in any need or trouble.
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Pray for us!
Have a blessed Thanksgiving,
Betsy Osterhaus Hand
Principal
November-Gratitude Month
For the month of November, the 1st and 6th grades are sharing the virtue of RESPECT within our school. In Luke’s gospel Chapter 6:31 we are reminded to do unto others as you would have them do to you. We are called to see all people as gifts created and loved by God. This is also a reminder that we need to respect ourselves too. Through words and actions, we show God that we love him by how we take care of ourselves, others, and the space we share. RESPECT leads us to recognize others in GRATITUDE.
The Wellness Committee would like to invite families to participate in discussions focusing on the virtue of GRATITUDE. Use these questions anytime to spark discussion. Go out and be grateful.
Parent Handout and additional resources
We are grateful for students, parents, colleagues and administration!
Thanks for all you do!
The Wellness Committee
Upcoming Dates to Add to Your Calendar
No School - Wednesday, November 22 - Friday, November 24th - Happy Thanksgiving
Wednesday, December 6th-Day of Mercy (students in grades 3-8 will receive the sacrament of Reconciliation).
Thursday, December 7th - Saint Ambrose Feast Day & Band Concert at 7PM
Monday, December 18th-Christmas Concert at 7:00 PM.
Peace of Mind - Jules Nolan November Parent Session
NOVEMBER 28, 2023
Necessary Experiences to Build Emotionally Strong Families
REGISTRATION LINK
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
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
Difference Between Reading and Spelling Procedures
Reading and spelling are reciprocal processes. This means we need to teach them in different ways. Reading is a recognition, decoding, or receptive language task, whereas spelling is a production, encoding, or expressive language task. It is normal for students to struggle more with spelling because it is a production task. In spelling, there is often more than one way to spell a sound (example: k, c, or ck). Students need to explicitly learn the rules (example: use -ay for the long a sound at the end of a word) as well as see words in print multiple times so they can map the correct spelling. Here are the steps for how to approach reading and spelling with one-syllable words:
Reading (This models the procedure we want students to use when they encounter an unknown word in a text):
Tap the sounds in the word.
Blend the sounds together to form a word.
Read the whole word.
Spelling (This models the procedure we want students to use when they need to spell a word):
Tell students the word.
Students repeat the whole word.
Students tap the sounds in the word.
Students spell the word, one letter a time.
Other Information
Artsonia
Artsonia is the world's largest collection of student art, published by teachers and students from around the world. Parents and family can view the art online, leave comments and order keepsakes featuring the artwork. Below is the link and the code for parents to connect so that they can have access to not only digital copies of their child's work, but also to the personalized art gift shop that helps raise funds for art materials.
Code
TWKCXF27
Link
https://www.artsonia.com/connect/TWKCXF27
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:
Cold Weather Procedures
During the cold winter months, we ask that parents make a special effort to see that their children are dressed appropriately (i.e. hats, mittens, boots, etc.).
The children go outside for recess daily in the lower grades unless the air or wind chill temperature exceeds –10 degrees. During winter months, we sometimes receive requests to keep children inside during recess. Such requests are difficult to honor because classrooms are not under supervision during that time. Generally if a child is well enough to attend school they should be well enough to participate in recess.
We have found that a short period of outdoor activity is extremely important in order to refresh each child. The children then arrive back in their classrooms better prepared to resume their studies.
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.