Saint Ambrose School News
Parent Newsletter - October 7th, 2022
Parent Newsletter - November 3rd, 2023
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
Thank you to our Home and School for sponsoring a coffee truck for the teachers and staff on Wednesday morning. This Halloweeeeeeek treat was greatly appreciated!
Thank you for all of the parents and parishioners who joined us for the All Saints Day Mass. It was a beautiful liturgy, and I'm thrilled to hear stronger responses from our students and more participation in singing. I'm encouraging more growth in this area, but I'm excited that we are moving in the right direction.
Please put uniform shorts away for the season; pants will be our uniform requirement until May.
Reminder: Tuesday, November 7 we do not have school. We have a campus wide retreat for all Saint Ambrose employees. We'll start our day with Mass and spend time together contemplating our call as disciples of Christ.
Register for Child Care for Nov 22nd - CLICK HERE
Extended Day will be open from 8am - 5:00 pm the day before Thanksgiving. Please have your child bring a lunch and any appropriate outside gear needed for the day. The fee is $35 per child. The deadline to register is Monday, November 13th.
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.
-Picture retake day is Tuesday, November 14. Students wishing to have their picture retaken may be out of uniform this day.
Do you have an incoming kindergartener (fall 2024)?
If you have not received information about upcoming events for incoming kinders, please contact Janet in the school office.
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.
Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul.
Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus.
Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others.-Saint Theresa
Have a great weekend!
Betsy Osterhaus Hand
Principal
Basketball Signup
The time is now to sign up for basketball. Late fees goes into effect on Nov 2nd.
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
Tuesday November 7th, there is no school.
We have a campus wide retreat for all Saint Ambrose employees. We'll start our day with Mass and spend time together contemplating our call as disciples of Christ.
Nov 9th - Gingerbread Family Fun Night for potential 2024-2025 Kindergarteners. Do you have or know a Pre-K student? Invite them and their families to meet our Kindergarten Teachers, Mrs. Hand, Mr. Whynott, and Mrs. Helmberger at information night on November 9 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. A light snack will be served before touring each Gingerbread-themed classroom. Questions or interested in attending? Please contact the school office.
November 14th - Picture Retake Day
Save the Date:
Thursday, December 7th - Band Concert
Monday, Christmas Concert -December 18th 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
Understanding the FLOSS Rule
The FLOSS rule states that in a one-syllable word with a short vowel, we double the final f, l, s, and z (z only 50% of the time). Students are usually able to read FLOSS words but often forget to double the letter when spelling. This is why it is explicitly taught in first grade and reviewed in second grade. You can help students remember this rule by pointing to the four quadrants on the pocket chart: the lines end in F, L, S, and Z!
***Note: As students learn multisyllabic words, they will often overgeneralize this rule. It only applies to one-syllable words.
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.