Saint Ambrose August News
August 30, 2024
8th Graders: First Day Fun!
Refreshments & Retreat Day
Greeting Students with Hospitality
See you in September
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
Thank you, thank you for sharing your children with us! It was wonderful to be together again. I am grateful to our 8th graders for helping us welcome students on our first day of school, grateful for a beautiful Mass on Wednesday where Father Peter challenged us to be inspired this year (and reminded us that we are saints in the making), grateful for our new Chef, Mike and so thankful for our incredible maintenance staff for making our building beautiful. We are blessed.
Next week our bus transportation begins. Janet is working hard to help clarify bus issues; we have limited control in this realm, but are doing our best. Thank you for your patience. Know that as drivers learn the routes, pick up and drop off may be later than scheduled.
Next Friday is a SWARM SHIRT Friday. (The first Friday of the month). Students can wear any of their Swarm shirts from the last few years. Students are allowed to be out of uniform for the rest of their attire. Please follow out of uniform guidelines below.
For parents who drive their children:
Drop off-follow your procedure from this week. North side and south side drop off supervision will begin at 9am. Please keep students in cars until a supervisor is outside.
Pick up- Students will be dismissed from their classrooms at 3:40. South side families will park and meet students in Fellowship Hall.
North side-you will remain in your car and students will load cars in the circle in front of the church doors. Safety is our first priority-drive slowly, be alert and stay off of your phone. Please pull all the way up before stopping for children to get in the car. Additionally-help us by placing a sign with your students' last name on your windshield. This will really help with efficiency as we work to match students with cars. Thank you!
Spirit Wear: Please use this link to order Spirit Wear. This link will be active from August 5 to September 13. Items will be delivered to school sometime in early October.
Extended Day 2024-2025 School Year: If you are interested in the Extended Day Program and have not already signed up, please complete this on-line form.
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 Essential 3 Requirements outlined on the parish website.
Volunteers are required to re-credential every 3 years. You will be alerted by the Archdiocese if you need to re-credential. Thank you for your compliance.
Mark Your Calendars: Parent Information Night is Thursday, September 12 at 6:30. We hope to have 100% attendance from our families as we kick off a great school year. Need childcare? Sign up here.
Saint Ambrose Fall Fest is coming soon!
New this year is a Fun Run:
Join SAVE – Suicide Awareness Voices of Education for Saint Ambrose Catholic Community’s inaugural 5K and fun run in Woodbury, Minnesota. This event is not just about miles covered. It’s about coming together as a community to raise awareness and combat the tragedy of suicide. Enjoy a beautiful run through the neighborhood and stick around for FallFest’s live music, food, beer garden and carnival. Click here for more information!
Below see a "save the date" for our school Marathon. More info next week on this school fundraiser (heavy on the FUN!).
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,
That my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, To defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy.
St. Augustine, pray for us!
God bless, and enjoy the long weekend-
Betsy Osterhaus Hand
Principal
Please Complete the forms
We access funding from Title Grants from the state each year. Completing these forms allows us access to access funds. Please mark the "I do request...." choice for each of these three title grants.
We are Looking for Help With a Few Things...
Substitute Teachers
If you are interested in being a substitute teacher at Saint Ambrose or know someone that is, please contact Dianna Helmberger at dhelmberger@saintambroseschool.org or 651-768-3078.
Please view the following presentation for more details and information - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1AWeJsxdO371fNvSmQ9Q2W9CHmPaCI0ZQl4SHMeyFkFY/edit?usp=sharing. We also have a wonderful training that we can send new people to that is through CSCOE.
Volunteer helpers to walk students.
We have several students that receive speech services through the district. These services take place virtually at our school. We have found that when we have consistent help walking students from classrooms to the speech station, everything runs very smoothly. This is a volunteer position and it could be one day or multiple days. For more details contact Beth Salmon at bsalmon@saintambroseschool.org. or 651-768-3087.
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.
Uniforms for 2024 - 2025
SAINT AMBROSE OF WOODBURY CATHOLIC SCHOOL
UNIFORM POLICY
This uniform policy has been established to help provide a non-distracting learning environment.
Students are expected to dress in a way that will be a credit to themselves, their parents and their school. The dress code will be strictly enforced.
ALL uniform items must be purchased through Donald’s Department Store, 972 Payne Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55101. 651-776-2723. www.donaldsuniform.com
Girls:
Uniform jumper #8298 (length within 2 inches of the knee)-GRADES K-5.
Uniform White Polo shirts (with logo) - K-5 under jumper.
Uniform navy blue twill pants worn in lieu of the jumper-GRADES K-8
Uniform navy blue cardigan sweater-GRADES K-8
Uniform navy stretch bike shorts worn under jumpers and skirts - GRADES K-8
Uniform navy blue twill shorts (length within 2 inches of the knee) - worn only September, May and June GRADES K-8.
Spirit Wear uniform approved blue hooded sweatshirt may be worn over uniform shirts. GRADES K-8 (Purchased through Saint Ambrose).
Uniform skirt #3498 (length within 2 inches of the knee)-GRADES 6-8.
White knit polo shirt with logo (banded or traditional) - GRADES 6-8
Spirit Wear uniform approved ¼ zip or long sleeve hooded shirt may be worn over any white shirt. GRADES 6-8. (Purchased through Saint Ambrose).
Physical education uniform (purchased at Saint Ambrose)-GRADES 6-8
Solid navy or white tights, knee-highs or anklets (purchased at any store); or optional white socks with uniform plaid ruffle (purchased at Donald’s); White, black or navy blue socks (purchased at any store).
Navy blue or black leggings.
Tennis or dress shoes with non scuff soles that are black and/or white only.
Garments worn under blouses must be white or beige without any writing, logos or pictures of any kind (purchased at any store).
Boys:
Uniform light blue knit polo shirt with logo (banded or traditional)-short or long sleeve-GRADES K-5.
Uniform navy blue twill pants-GRADES K-8.
Uniform navy blue twill shorts (length within 2 inches of the knee)-worn only September, May and June-GRADES K-8.
Uniform navy blue cardigan sweater - GRADES K- 8.
Spirit Wear uniform approved blue hooded sweatshirt may be worn over uniform shirts. GRADES K-8 (Purchased through Saint Ambrose).
Uniform white polo shirt with logo (banded or traditional)--short or long sleeves-GRADES 6-8.
Spirit Wear uniform approved ¼ zip or long sleeve hooded shirt may be worn over any white shirt. GRADES 6-8. (Purchased through Saint Ambrose).
Navy blue or black belt (purchased at any store)-optional
Physical education uniform (purchased at Saint Ambrose)-GRADES 6-8
White, black or navy blue socks (purchased at any store).
Tennis or dress shoes with non scuff soles that are black and/or white only.
White undershirts, if worn, must be without any writing, logos or pictures of any kind (purchased at any store).
Additional Requirements:
Shoes: Must have non-scuff soles and must be close-toed. No sandals, clogs, moccasins or platforms. Tops of shoes must be ankle-height or lower. Heels must be no higher than 1½ inches. Shoelaces must be the same color as the shoe. Shoes must be solid black, solid white or black and white. No colors are permitted.
Shirts: Undershirt must be white if worn under the spirit wear approved hooded t-shirt or ¼ zip. Uniform shirts must be worn under sweatshirts and cardigans. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. Only the top button may be left unbuttoned. All cuffs must be buttoned.
Hair: Must be well-groomed and out of the eyes. No unconventional coloring or haircuts allowed. Hair accessories must be solid black, solid white or uniform plaid.
Make-up: Permitted for girls in grades 6-8 and must be tasteful and minimal.
Jewelry: Must be simple and conservative, if worn. No unconventional jewelry allowed. No dangling earrings for girls and no earrings for boys.
Watches: No smartwatches allowed
Other notes:
All clothing and shoes must be size-appropriate and should be labeled with the student’s name. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen clothing.
Uniforms must be worn on all school days, unless the principal declares a no-uniform day. The principal must authorize any circumstance for which a student is out of uniform.
Uniforms must be clean and neat.
OUT-OF-UNIFORM AND SCHOOL-SPONSORED EVENTS
Out-of-uniform days and school-sponsored event (e.g. dances) attire must reflect both modesty and Christian values in respect to slogans, graphics and physical fit. Clothing must be neat, clean and in good repair. Non-uniform shorts and skirts must cover at least mid-way down the thigh. Shirts must have sleeves, and midriffs must be covered. Clothing must be in good taste and not provide a source of competition or distraction. Inappropriate clothing on a no-uniform day or at a school-sponsored event will result in consequences which may include removal of the student from classes or activities.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Students in grades 6-8 change clothes for physical education class. Students in grades 6-8 will be required to wear the Saint Ambrose physical education uniform in order to participate in class.
MESSAGE FROM DISTRICT REGARDING TRANSPORTATION
Bus riders will be required to have an identification card to scan getting on and off the bus. Students will be asked to have these ID badges attached to their backpacks for easy access/scanning. Please look at these few items below to better acquaint yourself with the District Busing procedures using the new rider id cards.
Believe and Read - Groves Literacy Partner
Believe & Read is a wonderful program helping young Catholic school students achieve literacy success. Students need to learn to read before they can read to learn. Saint Ambrose is grateful to the support of the Catholic School Center of Excellence for funding this programming for the past three years as we began its implimentation at our school.
CSCOE's partnership with national literacy expert Groves Academy, and Cretin-Derham Hall High School, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis are using Believe and Read for exceptional literacy instruction.
This year we plan to use this section of our newsletter to help parents feel more knowledgeable and connect to what our students are doing for this program.
ABOUT GROVES LITERACY PARTNERSHIPS®
Reading is the foundation for educational success and life opportunities. In the early grades, students learn to read. By the third grade, they begin reading to learn. Yet, 60 percent of all American students are not reading at grade level by the third grade! We aim to change that for all students - one school, one teacher, one student at a time.
Groves Literacy Partnerships® shares evidence-based literacy instruction with fellow educators in the community so that all students learn to read, illuminating the path to enhanced literacy.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE PARISH FALL FESTIVAL
Calendar for the 2024-2025 School Year
Other Information
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)