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Saint Ambrose School News
Parent Newsletter - October 7th, 2022
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Parent Newsletter - November 11th, 2022
Message from Betsy Hand, School Principal:
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
We honor all veterans today. We celebrated at Saint Ambrose this morning with special guest, parent, Christina Girtz. Christina has served a very impressive 21 years in the Air National Guard. Christina shared a brief history of veterans' day, as well as, a prayer for all who have served and continue to serve. This was capped off with two of our 8th grade students playing TAPS; thank you Andy and Charlie for your service this morning.
Our students also shared their artistic talents and made cards that will be delivered to veterans in the Woodbury/Hastings area. Thank you to the Woodbury Legion for facilitating this. It is reported that the veterans who receive these cards are touched by our students' kind words and art.
We are grateful to all veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice.
Staff Retreat
This past Tuesday we were able to gather as a campus staff to celebrate mass and enjoy a retreat lead by Dan Stokman from Novara. This retreat focused on how we interact as a group - practicing inclusivity and how Christ leads us to do better. Teachers were able to meet as teams in the afternoon session to work on standards. It is always nice when we can pause as a group to worship and learn together.
Class Picture
You can order class pictures for $10 each from Hilda Berdie from Picture Perfect -
https://woodburypictureperfect.pixieset.com/sawclass2022/
Password:ClassPhotos2022
Spirit Wear Items (NOT PART OF THE UNIFORM)
Use this link to order Spirit Wear. Please know that this is Spirit Wear only. These items are NOT uniform acceptable.
Father, bless our veterans and all who serve our nation defending our freedom.
For those who bravely gave their lives, grant them eternal rest.
For those who are serving, give them courage.
For those who served, we offer our gratitude.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Enjoy a wonderful fall weekend,
Betsy Osterhaus Hand
Principal
Andy and Charlie playing Taps for our morning announcements.
Parent and Air Force Veteran Christina Girtz, leading our morning prayer.
Shine One - CSCOE
Shine One - CSCOE
Shine On is powered by the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence in partnership with Lundstrum Performing Arts. Together, we’ve hosted Shine On for the last three years as a way to promote the performing and visual arts in Catholic schools.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Please share these links with school parents and their students to register and upload their audition recording or art project photo.
Performing Arts registration:
shineontalent.org
Visual Arts registration:
shineontalent.org
Uniforms
We will be checking uniforms, thank you for your support and partnership in keep students uniforms in code. Please refer to our school guidelines
Here is a visual if you need to reference uniform expectations.
As a reminder:
We will enforce the uniform policy, which states that girl's skirts will be within 2 inches of the knee and that boy's hair must be conservatively styled, well-groomed, and neat. Boys’ hair must be above the collar, the ear, and the eyebrows. Hair may not be able to touch eyebrows whether styled or not. No unconventional coloring or haircuts are allowed. Hair accessories must be solid black, solid white, solid navy, or uniform plaid.
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. Shoes must be solid black, solid white, or black and white. No other colors are permitted. Shoelaces must be the same color as shoes. Shoe style must be conservative.
Shirts: Must be worn under sweatshirts or sweaters. 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, above the ear, and above the eyebrows. Hair may not be able to touch eyebrows whether styled or not. No unconventional coloring or haircuts are allowed Hair accessories must be solid black, solid white, solid navy, or uniform plaid.
Jewelry: Must be simple and conservative if worn. No unconventional jewelry is allowed. No dangling earrings for girls and no earrings for boys.
ACT! Program
Do you have a child that loves to sing and dance?....or who loves to bring stories to life?.....
or who has wondered about being up on stage in a live performance?
St Ambrose is grateful to partner with Ashland Productions to bring a fully packaged children's musical to our students. Rehearsal take place before school on Monday's & Tuesdays, and then the show is produced on the Ashland stage with lights, music, costumes and a live audience!
See the flyer for more detailed information.
Registration opens Monday, November 7th at 10am on the Ashland website.
Register quickly and secure a spot for your student!
If you have additional questions or want more information, contact Parent Coordinator, Rosanna Bamsey @ RgraceRN@gmail.com
We would also like to recruit a second parent coordinator to share the load and the fun. Parent Coordinators receive one child participation scholarship. Email Rosanna Bamsey with questions.
Dr. Jules Nolan November Session
PARENT SESSION
"Technology and Social Media”
November 16 at 7 p.m.
The use of social media and technology is one of the most popular areas of concern for parents of children and adolescents. How much is too much? How do we keep our kids safe online? What about the constant social comparisons? This session will focus on the latest research on use of social media and technology. It will also help us understand the relationship between brain development and what drives the need to feel connected online as well as those areas of big concern like pornography and algorithms that target adolescent vulnerabilities. Parenting tips will be offered.
Upcoming Dates to Add to Your Calendar
Nov 17th - Gingerbread Family Fun Night for potential 2022-2023 Kindergarteners. Do you have or know a Pre-K student? Invite them and their families to meet our Kindergarten Teachers, Mrs. Hand, Mr. Whynott, and Mrs. Helmberger at information night on November 17 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. A light snack will be served before touring each Gingerbread-themed classroom. Questions or interested in attending? Please contact the school office.
Save the Date: We are excited to have a Christmas Program this year.
Monday, December 19 at 7:00 PM.
As our enrollment has increased since our last program, space will be limited. We will live stream the program for extended family.
Artsonia
Hello All,
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
Rise Up and Pray
Attention, Moms! Do you worry about your children? Come experience how you can replace your anxiety and fear with peace and hope by praying with other women. Moms in Prayer gathers women together to pray specifically and scripturally for our children and their schools. Won’t you join with us in prayer for this next generation? Please contact Elin Perri at elinmperri@gmail.com for information about our local group that will be meeting at Saint Ambrose on Wednesdays from 9:30 - 10:30 am for an hour of prayer in the Pingatore room.
For more information about Moms in Prayer, visit MomsInPrayer.org.
As the weather begins to change
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.
Home and School News
COVID-19 UPDATE
If you were exposed to COVID-19:
-Students/staff no longer need to quarantine. If symptoms develop, stay home and get tested.
- Exposure Recommendation: if you were exposed to COVID-19, the CDC recommends you wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5.
If you test positive for COVID-19:
-Students/staff stay home for 5 days.
- If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home. You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days. Wear a high-quality mask when you must be around others at home and in public.
- If after 5 days you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.
- Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11.
- You should wear a high-quality mask through day 10.
Other Information
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.
Child Safety Curriculum
In November, classes will begin our child safety curriculum. Grades K-5 will be using the Monique Burr Foundations, Child Safety Matters curriculum and 6-8 will be using Netsmartz curriculum. If you have any questions regarding the specific lessons being taught please contact your child's classroom (Grades 6-8 - Religion) teacher and they would be happy to share more information. This curriculum is required by the Archdioceses for all grade levels.
Extended Day 2022-2023 School Year: If you are interested in the Extended Day Program and have not already signed up, please complete this online form.
Our Home and School is looking for parent volunteers! Complete this form to get involved.
Volunteer Requirements
We look forward to welcoming volunteers to our campus again this year. If you are new to Saint Ambrose and want to 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.
Calendar for the 2022-2023 School Year
Believe and Read - Groves Literacy Partner
When to Use k, c, or -ck
There are rules that govern when we spell the /k/ sound with a k, c, or ck. We recommend creating an anchor chart and posting this in your room. Students can use it as a reference when they are not sure which letter to use. Here are the rules:
C: When followed by an a, o, u, or any consonant (this is why you don’t see the kl or kr blends).
Examples: cat, code, cute, clown
K: When followed by an i, e, or y Examples: kitten, Ken, sky
ck: When /k/ follows a short vowel at the end of a stressed syllable.
Examples: duck, luck, sack, black
k: When at the end of a one-syllable word that has a vowel team, r-controlled vowel, or vce. Examples: bike, bark, book
c: When at the end of a two-syllable word. Examples: pic-nic, pub-lic--
Other Communication
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)
Follow us on Social Media
Quick Links
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.