Saint Ambrose School News
Parent Newsletter - October 7th, 2022
Parent Newsletter - February 16, 2024
Encore Band Festival on Friday: Great job to these Saint Ambrose musicians!!
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
We had an eventful week! With a fun early Valentine's Day on Tuesday and a beautiful Ash Wednesday Mass, we started our Lenten journey together with a focus on authenticity and the belief that Lent is a good time to reflect on the things that get in the way of our relationship with God and with each other. What a gift to be able to worship at school and recognize the beginning of this holy season.
Applying for Financial Aid for the 2024-2025 School Year?
Tuition assistance applications must be completed no later than March 15. Our Financial Aid Committee will consider all applications and make recommendations to us regarding the distribution of our financial aid dollars. We will make every effort to work with families so Saint Ambrose School is open to all. However, our assistance funds are limited, and we may not have funds available for those who do not apply by the deadline. Applications can be submitted online at www.tuitionaid.com. When you apply, mark the “Aim Higher Scholarship” and the “CSAF Scholarship” as those are two opportunities for our school to receive funding to support families in need.
Mystery Reader - Have you heard your child mention "Mystery Reader?" Mystery reader
On Wednesday mornings in February, we have a mystery reader share a snippet of a story over the loudspeakers. Students then guess who they think it was and enter into a drawing! This week it was Father Peter!
Breakfast
Students must arrive by 9:15 to have breakfast. All students who are opting for breakfast will get breakfast in the cafeteria and eat it in their classrooms. We have a good idea of the number of students receiving breakfast, so we will no longer have a sign-up.
Invite Us Deeper
Almighty and ever living God,
you invite us deeper into your world, your people, your Lent.
May this time be one of outward focus;
seeking you in those we often ignore.
Help us live a Lent focused on freedom, generosity, and encounter.
Give us hearts hungry to serve you
and those who need what we have to give.
- Author Unknown (https://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/prayer-index/lent-prayers)
Enjoy the long weekend,
Betsy Osterhaus Hand
Principal
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!
"I Love to Read" month has started with great books!
A New Math Challenge Enrichment Opportunity
General Information
- Math Challenge is free, and no sign-up is necessary.
- All students from K to Grade 5 are invited to participate.
- There will be 7 remaining challenges throughout this school year.
- Please take a look at the Schedule Calendar on this webpage for dates when the challenges are due and when their solutions will be available.
- Each student completes the minimum number of problems by the due date.
How to Participate
- Students may pick up a current Math Challenge packet starting the day they are available from Mrs. Helmberger in the school office OR print out the Math Challenge from the website below from home.
- You can place the completed Math Challenge papers in Mrs. Helmberger's mailbox in the school office by the due date listed.
- Solve as many as you can. Please pay attention to the minimum number of questions required for your grade. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it!
- Solutions will be available online on teh website below as per schedule.
- All students who make a valid attempt to participate in each round will be entered into a drawing for a prize.
What are the benefits of the Math Challenge Program?
The purpose of this program is to entice, engage, and challenge students to solve interesting math problems while, along the way, strengthening their math fundamentals, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills and improving their confidence in math. Students can also involve their families to help and engage in a fun discussion to solve math problems.
WEBSITE - https://www.mathinaction.org/saint-ambrose.html
Current Challenge -https://www.mathinaction.org/uploads/1/9/5/3/19539617/mc_9_finding_possibilities1.pdf
Saint Ambrose Way and Faith Virtue: Embracing the Virtue of Patience
As we enter into the month of February, we are excited to introduce a special focus on the virtue of patience. We aim to have quiet hope that things will turn out right, being tolerant of others, giving each other the benefit of the doubt, and choosing to have a grateful heart. We strive to practice the virtue of patience by being thankful for each moment- no matter how easy or difficult, no matter what we want or know is to come. We aspire to focus on the good in each moment and in each one around us, instead of complaining. In children, practicing patience translates to actions such as waiting for your turn without complaining, patiently bearing a wrong doing, raising your hand to be called on, not getting upset when others make mistakes, smiling and being joyful even when sick or hurt, bearing your own difficulties, saying thank you when given something, not expecting a reward for doing the right thing, appreciating what we have, and complimenting others. It also means thanking those that help us in both big and small ways. When we practice patience and the act of being thankful, we are better able to hear and see God in those around us.
Here's how we plan to encourage and acknowledge acts of patience among our students:
Acts of Patience Recognition:
Teachers will be actively observing and recognizing students who are practicing the virtue of patience.
Acknowledgment with a Heart:. When a teacher witnesses a noteworthy act, the student will be acknowledged and invited to the office to receive a special heart with their name on it.
Saint Cards as Reminders:
- In exchange for their heart, students will be presented with a saint card. This card serves as a tangible reminder to continue embodying the virtue of patience in their daily lives.
*We believe this initiative will not only foster a culture of patience, but also encourage our students to reflect on the exemplary lives of saints who embody this virtue. We encourage you to discuss the significance of patience with your child and how they can actively participate in this meaningful practice. Let's work together to make February a month filled with gratitude for all we have by being patient with ourselves, and those around us.
Wishing you and your family a month filled with lots of love and patience!
Stars 7 - Singing with the Stars!
Some of our Saint Ambrose friends are taking the stage; Ms. Rueb - 4th grade teacher; Georgia Rueb - 7th grader; Isla Earnest - 7th grader; Tessa Stalboerger - 4th grader; and Anela Stalboerger - 8th grader in Stars 7 - Singing with the Stars! This STAR-studded, family-friendly musical theatre revue will feature many of your all-time favorite Disney songs & characters.
When:
March 15-24th
Where:
The LOFT Stage - East Ridge High School
Tickets: https://bit.ly/STARS7Tickets
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
February is I Love to Read Month!
Here are some ideas on ways you could celebrate at home:
1.) Visit a local bookstore - You don’t need to buy anything. Just show your kid how exciting it is to explore new books in the bookshop.
2.) Read aloud to your child before school - get the day off to a great start with a funny book or a feel-good story!
3.) Let your child see you read - demonstrate that you see reading is worth your time.
4.) Place books throughout your home - you could even have a special place for books that are new or connected to a special occasion like Valentine's Day.
5.) Listen to an audiobook when you are driving in the car.
6.) Donate used books - let them share their love of books with others.
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
Feb 16 and Feb 19th - No School
March 1st - End of 2nd Trimester
March 4-8th - Spring Break
March 11th - No School - Staff Retreat
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.