Saint Ambrose School News
Parent Newsletter - April 19, 2024
Parent Newsletter - May 17th, 2024
Message from Betsy Hand, School Principal:
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
We have so much to celebrate at Saint Ambrose, and we are doing that well as we wrap up the 2023-2024 school year. From a wonderful band concert last night to a kindergarten picnic with parents this week, our days are full and our students are fully engaged.
Next week during our school Mass (9:45 on Wednesday), we will crown Mary. We love when parents come to Mass with us.
Our 7th grade families are preparing to honor our 8th graders at graduation next Thursday. We are proud of our graduates, and look forward to this special event. Thank you 7th grade volunteers!
Principals for a Day
I'm excited to announce that Jenny and Charlie Nguyen will be our principals next Friday, May 24. These newly appointed administrators are calling for an out of uniform dollar day-the donations will go toward the Make a Wish Foundation. The theme is "Freaky Friday". Students can wear mixed-up clothing. I'm looking forward to next Friday!
Assessment Reports
NWEA family reports (Grades 2-8) and Aimsweb scores (grades K-3) will be sent home soon. If you have any questions connect with your child's teacher or with one of our administrators.
Physical Education Class Moving Forward
Students should be prepared to have class outside for the rest of the school year. Grades 6-8: bring sweatpants and a sweatshirt in case it is chilly.
School Garden Help-Summer Sign-Up
This summer, we are looking for families to help maintain the school garden. Each week, we would need a family to stop by either on the sign-up date or the day after to weed and harvest any produce. You may keep any produce that is ready to harvest! We also have a variety of garden tools available for you to use if needed. If you are interested, please sign up here. If you have any questions please reach out to Mrs. Jorgensen (kjorgensen@saintambroseschool.org). Thanks for your support!
Important Notes:
- Summer School Registration is open - some classes only have a few spots remaining! Register soon for first choice of classes.
- 2024 - 2025 Calendar
Summer Used Uniform Sale - Mark your Calendars
Mark your calendars for another pop-up pre-owned uniform sale from 7/16-7/18 (summer school week). Items will be $2/ea. If you are cleaning closets, gently used uniforms may be dropped off in the office anytime through the end of the year.
Last Day of School
You are invited to join us for a 2:00 pm Mass to end this wonderful school year together in prayer.
When: Friday, May 31st
Time: Arrive at 1:40 for 2pm Mass
If you are attending Mass, we ask that you pick up your children in their classrooms from 1:40 to 1:55 and proceed to Mass in the church.
If you are unable to attend, your child will sit with their teacher for the Mass.
Immediately following Mass, families may enjoy a cool treat (compliments of our Home and School Board) by the playground. Younger siblings are welcome. We are asking all families depart by 3:20 allowing for buses to transport those students that still require transportation. We would like to know your child's plan for dismissal that day. Please complete this form by Friday, May 24.
Blessed Virgin Mary, holy Mother of God, I ask You to join me today in prayer,
Filled with gratitude that, with the Lord, We are one in communion of faith.
When I’m not quite sure what God desires of me, May greater awareness be His gift.
Because I am imperfect, May I, in sorrow, humbly seek forgiveness. In the future choices that I make, May the Holy Spirit be my guide.
Holy Mary, please pray that we will meet In heaven’s glorious eternity. Amen.
Betsy Osterhaus Hand
Principal
READ BELOW - Failure to complete the form below will result in loss of busing transportation!
The district is asking that families complete the opt-in form by Monday, May 6, 2024.
Please know if you opt out, and your situation changes, and you need to opt back in you can contact the district transportation and they can adjust at any time. More information about this is available here:
Opt-in form link: https://forms.gle/Bb1wRv4JMxNb6P4ZA
Thank you.
Shawn Hogendorf
Director of Communications and Community Relations
South Washington County Schools
P: 651-425-6209 C: 612-590-4516
Parent Input Form
As part of our class placement procedure, we would like to offer parents the opportunity to submit information about their child that they believe would help us in making class placement decisions.
Class placements will be based on educational data, recommendations from licensed staff, the creation of balanced classroom rosters and the attempt to find the best “fit” for students based upon professional judgment. This process is not intended to allow parents to request a specific classroom teacher or placement of specific students in their child’s classroom.
Timeline for placement:
Deadline for Parent Input Form- June 1, 2024
Admin will work on class assignments- June -August 2024
Class lists posted Back to School Day 2024
Saint Ambrose Way and Virtue: Unity and Be the Best You Can Be
Saint Ambrose Way and Virtue: Unity and Be The Best You Can Be
During the month of May, we will focus on the virtue of Unity and the Saint Ambrose Way component Be The Best You Can Be. Unity means that we are all equal and connected. We are all responsible for helping others develop their faith and virtue. We can grow in the virtue of unity by choosing what is right in our heart, mind, and body. We can build stronger bonds with others and contribute to our community by practicing other virtues, such as love, kindness, patience, and forgiveness. Practicing virtuous behavior promotes unity, reconciliation, and the common good.
The verse we can reflect on for this month comes from Philippians: “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others” Philippians 2:3-4. We can also be encouraged by the holy examples of Saint Joseph the Worker (May 1), Our Lady of Fatima (May 13), Saint Isidore (May 15), and Saint Joan of Arc (May 30). These saints stayed close to Jesus and considered how they could grow in virtue to be more like Christ and allow our Lord to use them to change the world. Saint Augustine encourages us in this as he said, “Love is itself the fulfillment of all our works. There is the goal; that is why we run: we run toward it, and once we reach it, in it we shall find rest.“
As teachers observe a student practicing the virtue of unity or exhibiting the Saint Ambrose Way by being the best they can be, the student will be acknowledged by receiving a flower with their name on it. Students can bring the flower to the office and exchange it with a saint card. Students may be encouraged to pray with the saint card to continue embodying the virtue of responsibility each day.
YEARBOOKS ARE BACK
Online ordering is closed. If you would like to order a yearbook please send a check to the school office for $20. Make sure the envelope is clearly marked with student's name, grade and teacher.
REGISTER NOW - Saint Ambrose Summer School Enrichment Week July 15-19th
Enrichment Summer School
We offer a summer enrichment program for students entering kindergarten through grade seven. There are a variety of classes in a wide range of topics including STEM, computer programming/coding, mathematics, science, reading, cooking, art, lego, computer games and much more. This is considered an enrichment experience and students find it fun and exciting to explore topics and subjects that may not be a part of a typical curriculum.
Courses will be offered Monday through Friday from July 15-19th. Students may take from one to three courses. All courses will be 1.5 hours in length. Lunch will be provided.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN - View the catalog here and register now!
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
Vowel Digraphs
Your flourishing reader ended Kindergarten learning that two consonants can make one
sound, known as a digraph. Your first grader has now learned that two vowels can
make one sound. Digraphs like oa, ee, and ai shouldn’t stop your reader! See if they
can find any of these new digraphs in everyday words.
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.
Emergency Notifications
To receive emergency notifications from our school concerning school cancelations, etc, Saint
Ambrose enrolls each family in receiving SMS and Phone notifications automatically at the
beginning of each year. If you prefer not to receive these notifications, Sycamore has an
opt-in/out option.
To opt in or out.
Login into sycamore.
Click “My School”
Click “Notifications.”
Click person.
Choose to opt in or out of notifications. The check box means opt-in, and uncheck means
opt-out.
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:
Upcoming Dates to Add to Your Calendar
Planning Ahead
May 23-8th Grade Graduation
May 27th - No School - Memorial Day
May 31st - Last Day of School
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.