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Saint Ambrose School News
Parent Newsletter - April 19, 2024
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Parent Newsletter - April 19th, 2024
Thank you for selling Raffle Tickets
We encourage each family to sell 8. If you need more tickets, contact the school office.
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
Our prayers are with our 2nd graders who will receive their sacrament of First Eucharist in the coming weekends. What an exciting time to receive Jesus and participate fully in our Mass.
Our school garden planning has commenced, and we are thrilled to offer an "Earth Day" out of uniform day on Monday, April 22. Bring a dollar donation for the school garden, and wear earthy tones to school.
In April, we celebrate math! Here are some fun "mathy" activities we have planned.
Important Notes:
- Summer School Registration is open - some classes only have a few spots remaining! Register soon for first choice of classes.
- Please be prepared with appropriate clothing to go outside for PE classes.
- 2024 - 2025 Calendar - Can you believe we are looking at next year? Please pay close attention to the starting date and also the dates that we will not receive bussing services.
- Hole -y Sale - need new uniform sweatshirt, they are on sale!
https://saintambroseholysale2024.itemorder.com/shop/sale/
A Prayer in Spring
Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.
Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.
And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.
For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.
- Robert Frost
Betsy Osterhaus Hand
Principal
Grandparent and Special Friend Day Information
All families must complete this form so we know what your child's plan is for the afternoon!
Please complete by May 1st
Monday - April 22nd
Donate $1 for the school garden and you can wear green or an Earth Day-inspired shirt.
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
Saint Ambrose Way and Virtue: Responsibility and Be Safe
During the month of April, we will focus on the virtue of Responsibility and the Saint Ambrose Way component Be Safe. Responsibility means being dependable, making good choices, and taking accountability for your actions. A responsible citizen looks out for the well-being of others and understands we all have a part to play in making the world a better place. We can grow in the virtue of responsibility by focusing on self-improvement. It is helpful to think about ways to grow a little better every day and become more Christ-like.
The verse we can reflect on for this month comes from the book of Colossians: “As the chosen of God, then, the holy people whom he loves, you are to be clothed in heartfelt compassion, in generosity and humility, gentleness and patience” Colossians 3:12. We can also be encouraged by the holy examples of Saint Gemma Galgani (April 11), Saint Mark (April 25), and Saint Catherine of Siena (April 29). 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. St. Catherine of Siena encourages us in this as she said, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”
As teachers observe a student practicing the virtue of responsibility or exhibiting the Saint Ambrose Way by being safe, the student will be acknowledged by receiving a bee with their name on it. Students can bring the bee 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.
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!
YEARBOOKS ARE BACK
There are several ways to order a yearbook this year. Either use the QR Code, link , or, if you would like to order your yearbook through the office, please send a check for $20.00 (per yearbook) clearly labeled.
Saint Ambrose Catholic School Yearbook Orders
If you need the school ID code is 3701224, but this link will take right to your school's site.
Last Call for Round-Up
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
Marking the Concept: More than Meets the Eye
Have you ever noticed little lines or arcs that your child has written under or over
words? In Groves Method, we have students go back to words they’ve read and
practice “marking the concept.” For example, if we’re learning about vowel digraphs, we’ll
have students put a line under both vowels to show that the vowel digraph is two letters
making one sound.
We have students go back to mark the concept to show their deeper understanding of how
words work. We like to say this is like looking below the surface of a plant and seeing
the root structure deep in the soil. When students mark their words, it lets us know the
deeper processing going on in their heads.
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:
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.
Upcoming Dates to Add to Your Calendar
Planning Ahead
April 26th - No School - Staff Retreat
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.