Saint Ambrose School News
Parent Newsletter - October 7th, 2022
7th Grade Scientists
2nd Grade Worker Bees
4th Graders Love PE
Parent Newsletter - September 1, 2023
That's the Saint Ambrose Way!
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
We had a great start to the school year! I'm proud of our students, and blessed by the joy they bring each day. Thank you for sharing your children with us! We had a beautiful Mass with grades 2-8 on Wednesday, and want to invite parents to attend Mass at 9:45 on Wednesdays if you are able. It is a heartening worship experience to praise God with our students.
We hope you enjoy the long holiday weekend. No school tomorrow or Monday, we will welcome students back next Tuesday, September 5.
Next Friday, September 8 is our first SWARM shirt Friday. Students may wear a Swarm shirt and be out of uniform in shorts or pants.
Breakfast - If your child would like to have breakfast the weeks of Sept 11 - 22nd, please order by September 7th - https://forms.gle/7E7aP7LEixEC6Usw5
Transportation:
Thank you for your patience this week. We are working on safely and efficiently welcoming and dismissing our students each day. Phase 2 begins next week as we add buses to the mix. A few important notes:
Families who drop off and pick up:
We will welcome students beginning at 9 am. We will dismiss students at 3:45 (this is 5 minutes later due to the bus change with the district) for parent pickup. We will plan to use the same drop off and pickup we used this week for the north and south side. If your youngest child is in Kindergarten-2nd grade, we ask that you use the south side for drop off and pick up. If you are an Early Childhood family, you may park in the first 3 rows of the south lot, use the crosswalk and use the sidewalk to accompany your elementary child(ren) to the church doors. All other families should use the car line for drop off/pick up.
Families who bus:
Bus route information was sent home with your student this week. We have recently been updated that our students will share buses with Valley Crossing students. I know some parents were inconvenienced last year with cancelled routes, and the bus driver shortage continues to challenge the district transportation department. Early in our school's history we shared buses with Valley Crossing, and this is the current solution to a driver shortage. We will encourage our children to live the Saint Ambrose Way on the bus and treat all people with respect. Our buses will not be early in arriving here after school. We won't begin loading students until after 3:50.
Spirit Wear - Here is another chance to order Spirit Wear. This store will be open until September 3 and delivered by September 20.
Complete these 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.
Handbook
Here is our student handbook for this school year:
Please note this clarification in this year's handbook:
Student-Owned Devices
It is unacceptable for students to use personal devices including but not limited to smartphones and watches while at school. Students should power off the device(s) and store any personal devices in their locker during the school day. If a student is using a personal device at school, staff will keep the device in the school office until a parent or guardian can collect it. (page 23)
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.
We would love volunteer help at recess, in the lunchroom and in the cafeteria. Contact Janet Seidenkranz if you would like to help.
Mark Your Calendars: Parent Information Night is Wednesday, September 13 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.
God bless,
Betsy Osterhaus Hand
Principal
September Menus
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 and help with our Reading Counts Program
Speech help:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Uniforms for 2023 - 2024
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 blouse with round collar-short or long sleeve - GRADES K-5 (will be allowed for the 2023-2024 school year and discontinued for the 2024-2025 School year)
Uniform White Polo shirts (with logo) - K-5 under jumper (will be standard beginning 2023-2024 school year)
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 5-8
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).
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.
Used red uniform shirts will be allowed for one more school year (2023-2024).
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 5-8
White 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 conservatively styled, well-groomed and neat. Boys’ hair must be above the collar and above the eyebrows. 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
Tattoos: Not 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.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE PARISH FALL FESTIVAL
Saint Ambrose Parish Festival is Friday, September 22 and Saturday, September 23. Please look for more details to come.
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.
Other Information
Sycamore will be accessible to families on August 22, 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)
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
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.