Saint Ambrose School News
Parent Newsletter - April 19, 2024
Parent Newsletter - April 26th, 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,
The teachers and I are looking forward to our all campus retreat tomorrow. We have a plan for service in the afternoon after our morning of reflection. The 8th graders are enjoying their trip to Chicago! Thanks to the 8th grade teachers, Bri and Fr. Sam for supervising this adventure.
Our Fiesta is next Friday! Today is the last day for the $50 ticket price. We look forward to a great night of food, music and FUN-draising. Thank you to our wonderful Home and School board for all of your hard work on this event.
I want to express my gratitude to Bruce Whynott for his hard work both as a Physical Education teacher and as Assistant Principal at Saint Ambrose. Bruce has accepted the job of Principal at St. Anne's Catholic School in Somerset, Wisconsin for the 2024-2025 school year. Congratulations, Bruce! We will keep you posted as we make decisions regarding our leadership team at Saint Ambrose.
Thank you for communicating with us about your child(ren)'s plan for Grandparent's Day (Friday, May 10) All families must complete this form so we know what your child's plan is for the afternoon!
Please complete by May 1st
https://forms.gle/VAVncPfDHJV1NxSn8
Important Notes:
- Summer School Registration is open - some classes only have a few spots remaining! Register soon for first choice of classes.
- 2024 - 2025 Calendar
- Band Concert is May 16th at 7pm - Mark your calendars!
Beloved:
Clothe yourselves with humility
in your dealings with one another, for:
God opposes the proud
but bestows favor on the humble.
So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time.
Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.
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
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.
YEARBOOKS ARE BACK
Online ordering is closed. If you would like to order a yearbook please send a check to the school office for $20. Make sure the envelope is clearly marked with student's name, grade and teacher.
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!
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
Three Syllable Words!
You may have noticed that your child is able to read increasingly longer words. When we read words with more than one syllable or word part, we teach children to look for the vowels and then count the consonants between them. This helps students start to see natural syllable breaks and makes it easier to approach a difficult word. As students progress through Groves method, they will “chop” words for reading and then draw scoops to help them spell each word part. Ask your child to “chop” a word like “disinfect.” Did they chop three word parts? Can they tell you what the word means?
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
May 10th - Grandparents and Special Friend Day
May 16th - 7pm Band Concert
May 23-8th Grade Graduation
May 27th - No School - Memorial Day
May 31st - Last Day of School
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.
Quick Links
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.