Saint Ambrose School News

Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,

What a wonderful school year! I am grateful to our amazing teachers, our energetic students, and

for our strong partnership with parents.

For a recap of the year, see our Annual Report.

Staffing Update

I want to again thank Bruce Whynott for his hard work at Saint Ambrose. I will personally miss Bruce's willingness to help with whatever the school needs in a moment's notice. His new school is fortunate to receive this "can-do" educator. As Father Peter and I reflected on our needs at Saint Ambrose, we have made the decision to divide Bruce's work among a few different positions. I am pleased to announce that Megan Toninato has agreed to take the position of Athletic Director, Enrichment Coordinator and 7th grade Religion teacher. A Saint Ambrose parishioner who currently teaches middle school Language Arts and Religion at Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights, Megan is thrilled to bring her various talents to Saint Ambrose.

Additionally, Melissa Schisler will be taking on a new role at Saint Ambrose: Director of Mission. Part time, she will continue to be an 8th grade religion and homeroom teacher, but in the other half of her time she will support our administrative team's goals in strengthening Catholic Identity K-8, continuing the good marketing work she has begun, and supporting teachers as well as students with academic and behavioral needs.

I am thankful for Dianna Helmberger's excellent leadership as Assistant Principal. She is a gift to me and to our whole community.

We are blessed with a talented team! This calling is a joyful one with your children at the center of what we do each day. We look forward to a great 2024-2025 school year.

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.

• Summer Office Hours-Monday-Thursday 9:00-3:00

  Week of June 10-closed (Vacation Bible School)

  Week of July 1-closed
  

Mentoring New Families

Are you willing to be a mentor family for the 2024/2025 school year? We are looking for families to help welcome our new students to Saint. Ambrose. If you can help, or if you’d like more information, please contact Susannah Prochazka at Susannah.prochazka@gmail.com. Thank you!

Let's put ourselves into the hands of the Lord, and pray that God will bless us and our families during the wonderful months of summer.

May we all help make our home a place of relaxation, joy, love, peace and safety.

May we be generous and considerate, not thinking only about ourselves, but helping others enjoy the blessings of summertime.

Lord God, Creator of all things, guide our steps and strengthen our hearts, during these months of summer and vacation days.

Grant us refreshment of mind and body. We ask this through Christ our Lord. -Amen

Many blessings on your summer-

Betsy Osterhaus Hand

Principal

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.

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.

FORM

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

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!

In order to make sure that your elementary school students keep up with their reading throughout the Summer, it’s important to offer plenty of engaging activities for them to enjoy all Summer long. Here is a website that offers 30 different engaging ideas for students of all ages!

Link - https://www.teachingexpertise.com/classroom-ideas/summer-reading-activities-for-elementary-students/

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

Sycamore Help Guide

Sycamore Parent Checklist

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:

23-24 Student Handbook

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.

Hand Connection Newsletter

May Menu

Breakfast

Lunch

School Calendar 2023-2024

School Supply List for 2024-2025

School Website

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.