Saint Ambrose News

"Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."
— Romans 15:7

Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,

Thank you for a great Catholic Schools Week! We are bolstering St.Jerome's with amazing donations, our weekend Masses were beautiful, and our students really enjoyed the fun celebrations. Thanks to Home and School, teachers were spoiled with a delicious Ronnally's lunch on Tuesday. We appreciate you, and are blessed to partner with you in this important work of bringing more souls to Christ.

Thank you to our Home and School for preparing and organizing the uniforms for the sale. There are still items available at the front entrance.

Next week is full as well: Book fair opening, conferences on Thursday and Friday, February 7th is a Swarm shirt day. See below for details on these happenings, as well as "I love to read" month.

On another note, we are struggling with students chewing gum. The cleanup is not easy or pleasant, and we are asking for your help. We do not allow gum chewing at school, and will hold students to that expectation consistently. We appreciate your support!

Spirit Wear

Please use this link to order Spirit Wear - there is a 20% for Catholic School's Week. In celebration of Catholic Schools Week use coupon code SWARM20 for 20% off at checkout. This site will be open until 2/7/25 and items will be delivered to the school.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid Applications are due March 14. Our Financial Aid Committee will consider all applications and make recommendations to us regarding the distribution of our financial aid dollars. We will make every effort to work with families so Saint Ambrose School is open to all. However, our assistance funds are limited, and we may not have funds available for those who do not apply by the deadline. Applications can be submitted online at www.tads.com. When you apply, mark the “Aim Higher Scholarship” and the “CSAF Scholarship” as those are two opportunities for our school to receive funding to support families in need.

Bookfair is Coming!

We need parent volunteers for our upcoming Bookfair from February 5-13! 📚 Your help will make this event a success and give students a chance to explore exciting new books. Please sign up to volunteer and be a part of this fun and rewarding experience!

SIGN UP HERE!

Out of Uniform Day – February 13
Show your Valentine’s spirit and support a great cause! On Thursday, February 13, students may come out of uniform by bringing a $1 donation and wearing red, pink, purple, or white. All proceeds will go to support the American Heart Association. Thank you for your generosity!

Did you miss the January webinars for Peace of Mind? Links to r webinar is below.
Parents: When Friendships End – Parenting Through Heartbreak

February Wellness Activity

February is National Heart Health month.

To celebrate teachers are participating at school in a team challenge for adults.

The CDC activity recommendation for children ages 6-17 is 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity daily. Attached is a form if you would like to track activities with your family.

Child Fitness Tracker

Health Notice- This is a general notification because our students are often in shared spaces and interact with each other. We were notified of a confirmed case of Pertussis within our school community. Pertussis (also called whooping cough) has been reported among students at Saint Ambrose and in our community. Pertussis can be a serious bacterial illness. Pertussis may begin with a runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, and possibly a low-grade fever. After 1 or 2 weeks, the cough worsens and begins to occur in sudden, uncontrollable bursts. These coughing attacks can end in vomiting and/or in a high-pitched whooping noise. Coughing attacks often happen at night. Older children and adults may have a less typical cough. The cough can continue for up to 3 months. - Click here for more Information

Grant me, O Lord my God,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you.

St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us. Amen.

Have a great weekend!

Betsy Osterhaus Hand

Principal

Feb 6th and 11th - Evening Conferences

Feb 6-13th - Bookfair

Feb 14 and 17th - No School

Feb 18th - Staff Retreat - No Students

February is I Love to Read Month! This month, we celebrate the joy, magic, and power of reading! Books have the incredible ability to take us on adventures, teach us new things, and help us grow. Whether it’s a thrilling mystery, a heartwarming story, or a fascinating fact book, there’s something for everyone to discover within the pages of a good book.

So, let’s dive into this month with excitement! Whether you’re flipping through your favorite chapter book, discovering a new graphic novel, or reading aloud as a family, February is all about making reading cool, fun, and meaningful. Let’s turn the page on new adventures—happy reading!

Did you know?

1. Reading just 20 minutes a day exposes kids to over 1.8 million words per year!
2. Sharing books with kids early builds their vocabulary and language skills, even before they can talk.
3. Kids who read for fun regularly tend to have higher academic success and are more creative problem-solvers.
4. Reading aloud is beneficial at any age—even older kids love listening to stories and discussing them.
5. Books can take kids on imaginative adventures, helping them explore far-off lands, fantastical creatures, and even their own emotions.

Family Calendar for Grades K-5

Family Calendar for Grades 6-8

Conferences will be held Feb 6th and 11th from 4:15 - 7:45. Parents may schedule beginning Friday, January 24 at noon.

K-5 will be held in person - 15minutes

6-8 will be held virtually - 10 minutes

Specialists will be available in person.

6th grade team conference - scheduled with Mrs. Petronack

7th grade team conference - scheduled with Ms. Loney

8th grade team conference - scheduled with Ms. Woolsey

If you need an interpreter for conferences, contact Beth Salmon for scheduling: bsalmon@saintambroseschool.org

Click here to learn how to schedule your conference online

Please reach out to the classroom teacher if you need additional help.

Bookfair will be in February!

Students will preview Thursday, Feb 6th and Feb 7th with their classes.

Again this year we will offer -

Shopping will be available during February Conferences from 4 -6:30 pm on Thursday, Feb 6th and Tuesday, Feb 11th. Classes will shop the week of Feb 10th, teachers will let you know specifics for your child's class.

eWallet

To set up an eWallet for your child, please visit the Book Fair Homepage

eWallet Instructions

eWallet FAQ’s

Our school will be participating in the Round Up for Share the Fair program. This means each purchase will be rounded to the nearest dollar, with the extra amount benefiting our school and classroom libraries. Thank you for your support!

Classroom Library Donations

If you would like to make a monetary donation to your child's classroom library, you can donate to classroom libraries using the link sent by your classroom teacher.

Family Shopping (during conferences - School Library 2nd floor)

Thursday, February 6th 4:00pm-6:30pm

Tuesday, February 11th 4:00pm-6:30pm

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!

We need parent volunteers for our upcoming Bookfair from February 5-13! 📚 Your help will make this event a success and give students a chance to explore exciting new books. Please sign up to volunteer and be a part of this fun and rewarding experience!

SIGN UP HERE!

Book Fair Photos with Pricing- *** Link will be sent out the week of bookfair***

Summer School Enrichment Camp

We offer a summer enrichment program for students entering kindergarten through grade six. 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 21st - 25th. Students may take from one to three courses. All courses will be 1.5 hours in length. Lunch will be provided.

If you are interested in having your child participate in the opportunity please save the dates of July 21st - 25th

More information about registration and specific classes will be sent out in mid-February.

Each 4-day session runs Mon-Thu from 9am-2pm and is packed with engaging activities, team-building games and more — all designed to inspire growth and confidence in campers.

In January, we want to celebrate Hospitality by remembering God's forgiveness.

The Saint Ambrose Way tenet we will be connecting with in January is Be Accountable.

Holiness is a state of being devoted to God and living a life that glorifies God.

A few ways students can show holiness during January are:

• Owning their actions and learning from their mistakes.

• Always being truthful.

• If you win, do not brag. If you lose, do not show anger.

• Behave so all can learn.

• Showing empathy towards others, thinking how their actions will affect those around them.

• Praying to God for forgiveness of their sins.

• Practicing forgiveness in their homes, classrooms and on the playground.

Saints whose feast days are in January:

• Saint Andre Besset - January 6

• Saint Sebastian - January 20

• Saint Timothy - January 26

• Saint Titus - January 26

• Saint Thomas Aquinas - January 28

September 6th September 13th September 20th September 27th

October 4th October 11th October 16th October 25th

November 1st November 8th November 15th November 22nd November 29th

December 3rd December 13th December 20th

January 10th January 17th January 24th

Volunteer Requirement - Essential 3 Requirements outlined on the parish website.

Math Challenge - https://www.mathinaction.org/

Artsonia

https://www.artsonia.com/connect/TWKCXF27 And use the PARENT CODE TWKCXF27 to connect to Saint Ambrose.

Weekly Church Bulletin

Student and Parent Handbook

Drop-off and Pick-up Info

Hand Connection Newsletter

School Calendar 2024-2025

School Supply List for 2024-2025

School Website

School Facebook Page

Quarterly Home and School Newsletter

Sycamore

Sycamore Help Guide

Sycamore Parent Checklist

Please login to Sycamore to access the school calendar, lunch menu, and schedules/grades (JH only)

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.

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.