Saint Ambrose August News
August 5, 2024
Preparing for the 2024-2025 School Year
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
I have had a wonderful summer of boating, books and connecting with others! I hope you are also enjoying the sun and having some fun.
August is upon us, and our school office is looking forward to the arrival of teachers on the 19th, and students shortly thereafter. We are excited to dig into learning this school year! Our vocation as Catholic school educators calls us to see each student as a gift from God, to work together joyfully to create a learning environment that provides clear expectations and inspires intellectual curiosity while partnering with parents to complement the faith formation begun in the home. Thank you for sharing your children with us.
There are some logistical notes to address before we get into the business of teaching and learning this year. Check out the important items below:
Save the Date: Thursday, August 22 is Back to School Day. Here is a sign-up genius for families to register for a visit between 3 and 6 pm. Meet your teacher, drop off school supplies, connect with Home & School Board members, look at spirit wear and socialize with families.
Class List: Class lists will be sent out electronically on Tuesday, August 20 in advance of the Back to School event. In the meantime, Sycamore will not be accessible to families.
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.
Food Service Update
This year we will participate in the free breakfast and lunch program. Breakfast will be served when children arrive at school. Menus for breakfast and lunch will be available at Back to School Day.
Mark Your Calendars: Parent Information Night is Thursday, September 12 at 6:30. This is a date change. We hope to have 100% attendance from our families as we kick off a great school year. Need childcare? Sign up here.
Busing Reminder: Please remember that we will not have bus service on August 27, 28 & 29 . Bus services will begin on Tuesday, September 3. More details on the arrival and dismissal plan will be forthcoming.
Updated Uniform Policy
Our goal is to have our students maintain a well-groomed appearance when they are at school. This includes brushed hair, clean clothes, and brushed teeth. It also includes no holes in the elbows of school sweatshirts (we expect the new sweatshirt brand to hold up better to washing and wearing). In consultation with our faculty and the School Advisory Council we have reevaluated the purpose of a hair length policy and determined that the length of a student’s hair does not negatively impact their ability to learn, as long as it is not in their eyes or distracting to the student's learning. Therefore, we have modified our hair policy. We will leave the length of a child’s hair to our parents to determine within their household. Additionally, a reminder that we have removed red shirts, Peter pan collared blouses and non-logo polo shirts from our uniform. Uniform policy is listed below.
St. Francis prayed this before the crucifix of the icon of Christ of San Damiano:
All-highest, glorious God,
cast your light into the darkness
of my heart.
Give me right faith,
firm hope,
perfect charity and profound humility,
with wisdom and perception,
o Lord so that I may do
what is truly your holy will.
Amen.
God bless,
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.
Back to School Event - August 22, 3-6
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
As your school accepts new or transfer students for School Year 24-25 it is extremely important students/families register for bussing if they have not already done so.
Use our OPT IN form to register, change or adjust bussing information. Our OPT IN Registration form is located on our webpage at https://www.sowashco.org/services/transportation
All current and new families should complete the Opt In form for their student, even if the transportation choice is to decline bussing. The same form can be used for changes in transportation needs as well.
Families that have not completed the Opt In Registration form for 23-24 will not be scheduled on a bus route. Many current families may have completed the form this spring, this is a reminder for those that have not or are newly registered to your school.
Bussing will not be established until all proper information is current with our Office of Student information 651-425-6218 (this is the same for public and nonpublic students/families).
Requests for bussing are based on eligibility (bussing zones vs non-bussing zones).
In addition, bus riders will be required to have an identification card to scan getting on and off the bus. Identification cards will be distributed on back to school night (or the first day of school if you are not present at the back to school event). 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.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE PARISH FALL FESTIVAL
Calendar for the 2024-2025 School Year
Other Information
Sycamore will be accessible to families on August 20, 2023.
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)