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Saint Ambrose School News
Parent Newsletter - October 7th, 2022
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Parent Newsletter - October 6th, 2023
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
Thank you for all of the marathon support! We are close to our goal, and are grateful for all who have donated. Check out the Home and School news below for upcoming events. Our Pizza & Bingo night is fast approaching-signup link below; this is a fun night for the whole family!
It has been a great week of learning; teachers are looking forward to sharing student progress information with you at conferences in the next two weeks. More information about how to sign up for conferences below.
Watch a great video showcasing the amazing work done by Capable Partners and our own Brian Shriver (7th and 8th Grade Science Teacher)- https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hsxmq7js3gdrhghdahguy/TB-Hometown-Hero-Capable-Partners.mp4?rlkey=pi0feokau7kniwwcbciar9fbr&dl=0
Do you need child care over MEA Break? - Extended Day registration for MEA
Updates/Reminders:
-I am extending uniform shorts through the month of October. Parents-help your students dress for the weather if/when the temperature drops.
-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.
NWEA MAP Testing
Fall MAP testing for grades 3-8 has concluded. Test scores will be mailed to parents in late-October.
CSCOE - Back - to School Slides for Catholic School Partnership
What is Believe and Read Partnership? All your questions will be answered in the
following slide presentation. Introduction to the Groves Literacy Framework - Presentation
We felt this was too much information to share at Parent Information night but hope that now you are settled into a routine it might be helpful in your understanding of the Believe and Read Partnership. If you have any questions please reach out to Dianna Helmberger.
God of Creation, you have blessed us with the changing of the seasons.
As we welcome the autumn months,
may the earlier setting of the sun
remind us to take time to rest.
May the brilliant colors of the leaves
remind us of the wonder of your creation.
May the steam of our breath in the cool air
remind us that it is you who give us the breath of life.
May the harvest from the fields remind us of the abundance we have been given and bounty we are to share with others.
May the dying of summer's spirit remind us of your great promise that death is temporary and life is eternal.
We praise you for your goodness forever and ever.
Have a great weekend!
Betsy Osterhaus Hand
Principal
October is Kindness Month at Saint Ambrose
For the Month of October the 2nd Graders are leading the school in celebrating the virtue of Kindness. The Wellness Committee would like to invite families to participate in discussions focusing on the virtue of kindness. Use these questions anytime to spark discussion. Go out and be kind!
Parent-Teacher Conferences October 12 & 16
Conference Scheduling Online Closes October 10th - after the 10th you will need to contact the teacher to schedule.
Our parent/teacher conferences are on Thursday, October 12 and Monday, October 16th.
K-5 & Specialists Conferences will be in-person both days.
6-8 Conferences will be in-person on 10/12, and virtual on 10/16. Parents may choose one or the other.
Parents will be able to schedule conferences via Sycamore beginning Friday, September 27 at 4pm.
Click here to learn how to schedule your conference online
K-5 Parents
We will open conference scheduling at 4pm on Friday, Sept 27th. Choose one slot for each child’s teacher.
6-8 Parents (choose one option)
Thursday, October 12-in person conferences. No appointment necessary,(no scheduling) teachers will be available for conferences from 4:00-7:30 in their classrooms.
Monday, October 16th -virtual conferences.
Conference scheduling will open on Friday, September 27 at 4pm. Schedule one conference for your child with the grade level homeroom team, who will be together on the meeting. This gives you the opportunity to get feedback from multiple teachers during one virtual meeting.
- 6th grade team-schedule with Ms. Jorgensen (you will meet with Ms. Becker, Ms. Petronack, Mr. Herzog and Ms. Jorgensen)
- 7th grade team-schedule with Ms. Loney (you will meet with Ms. Loney, Mr. Shriver and Ms. Soenen).
- 8th grade team-schedule with Ms. Woolsey (you will meet with Mr. Morgenroth, Ms. Woolsey and Ms. Schisler).
Specialist Teachers
Schedule with any teacher you would like to see on Sycamore.
If you have a question or concern, please reach out. You do not need to wait for conferences to communicate.
Teachers will need to stick to the scheduled time; thank you for helping with this.
Peace of Mind - Jules Nolan October Parent Session
OCTOBER 24, 2023
Identifying Typical vs. Problematic Stress and Anxiety
REGISTRATION LINK
We are Looking for Help With a Few Things...
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 following:
Essential 3 Requirements outlined on the parish website.
This needs to be updated every three years.
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.
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.
Enrichment Volunteers Needed - Art Adventure, Jr. Great Books, Jr Achievement
We are looking for volunteers for several programs this year.
Training is provided.
Find information about each below
- Art Adventure - Grades 1-5 - It will be held in the spring but training is provided in the winter so it is important to sign up in the fall.
- Jr. Achievement - K-8 and will be held in the spring
If you are interested in volunteering please contact Dianna Helmberger at 651-768-3078 or dhelmberger@saintambroseschool.org
Do you pick up on the South Side?
Our AM drop off plan will remain the same.
We are moving to a new pick up plan starting Tuesday, September 26.
Thank you for your patience as we've assessed the safety needs, supervision needs and efficiency of many different plans.
We will ask parents to park in the parking lot, preferably in the lanes close to the church doors, cross at the cross walk and enter the church gathering space. If you have an EC pickup, you may use the lanes closer to EC and the EC crosswalk. Please bring your name sign with you and form a line.
At 3:45, School staff will begin bringing students to parents from Fellowship Hall. You will then walk with your students (using the crosswalk) and return to your car. Thank you for using caution when backing out of your spots, and for keeping your children next to you as you walk to your car.
If you are a K-2 parent and want to stay in your car for pickup, please switch to the north side for car pickup and email your children's teacher(s) to let them know.
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.
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
Some "Groves Language" or literacy words you might hear from your child:
Vowels - a, e, i , o, u and sometimes y
Consonant - All other letters
Tapping - We use tapping as a form of sounding out words. Students use fingers to represent each sound.
Diagraphs - 2 letters that come together to create a new sound - wh, sh, th, ch, ck, oo
There are both consonant and vowel diagraphs.
Trigraphs - 3 letter that come together to create a new sound - dge, tch
Blends - 2 or 3 letters that blend together - cl - close, spr - spring
Sight word - Sight words are words your child should be able to read and spell without sounding out.
We tap decodable words (words that can be sounded out). We skywrite (not tap) sight words. Ask your child to show you how to skywrite. It is a great multi-sensory teaching technique we use to teach literacy.
Since we don't tap sight words if they come to a sight word that they're trying to read or spell, they should try to desk write it. If they've done the skywriting and deskwriting in class to put it into their brain, then skywriting or deskwriting will most likely help them retrieve it from their brain, too.
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)
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.
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.