Saint Ambrose School News
Parent Newsletter - October 7th, 2022
Parent Newsletter - February 2, 2024
Mass of the Holy Spirit
Our February Saints
Thank you, Barrett
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
We had a great week of learning as we turned our calendar to an unfamiliarly warm February. Our 6-8th graders were fortunate to participate in the Mass of the Holy Spirit at the Xcel Center on Monday. I was so proud of our students' beautiful singing and strong Mass responses. We are so fortunate to celebrate our faith together.
Video Recording: Click here to view a full video recording of the Mass.
Photos: Click here to view professional photos from Jim Bovin Photography.
Message of Gratitude from St. Jerome's School
We are very grateful for the beautiful truck full of food and supplies for our students and their families. What a gift enabling us to replenish our food shelf and send snack and lunch items home over weekends and vacations. We want to let your students and families know how much what they did matters to our community. Thank you so much for your generosity: Anne McNeill Gattman, Principal of St. Jerome School.
Conferences will be Feb 8th and 13th from 4:00 - 7:45.
K-5 will be held in person
6-8 will be held virtually
Conferences are optional and are by either parent or teacher request.
If you need an interpreter for conferences, contact Beth Salmon for scheduling: bsalmon@saintambroseschool.org
Online booking is now closed - please contact the teacher you wish to meet with directly.
Message from the Archdiocese:
Archdiocesan media release in TADS
We have worked with TADS to add the Archdiocesan media release to schools’ TADS accounts. This will expedite the process and grant Office for Mission of Catholic Education the permission we need when partnering with your Saint Ambrose on marketing projects that involve images of students.
"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." - Psalm 143
Have a great weekend,
Betsy Osterhaus Hand
Principal
"I Love to Read" month has started with great books!
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
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!
CSCOE - Peace of Mind Session with Dr. Jules Nolan
FEBRUARY 13, 2024
How to Talk so Your Children Will Listen
REGISTRATION LINK
Bookfair will be in February!
Students will preview Thursday, Feb 8th and Feb 9th with their classes.
Again this year we will offer - Shopping will be available during February Conferences, look for a signup to come!
Classes will shop the week of Feb 12th, teachers will let you know specifics for your child's class.
eWallet
To set up an eWallet for your child, please visit the Book Fair Homepage
Classroom Library Donations
If you would like to make a monetary donation to our classroom library, you can donate to our classroom this link will be sent by your classroom teacher.
Family Shopping (during conferences - School Library 2nd floor)
Thursday, February 8th 4:00pm-7:30pm
Tuesday, February 13th 4:00pm-7:30pm
Book Fair Photos with Pricing (link to google photos file)
*** Link will be sent out the week of bookfair***
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
Taher is asking for you input
Please use the QR code to complete a survey about our school lunches.
Summer School - July 15 - 19th
We offer a summer enrichment program for students entering kindergarten through grade six. 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.
If you are interested in having your child participate in the opportunity please save the dates of July 15 - 19th.
More information about registration and specific classes will be sent out in mid-February.
Believe and Read - Groves Literacy Partner
Building Fluent Readers
By now, your child might be able to read a longer passage, but it might sound choppy. We
want kids to string groups of words together into phrases that make sense.
Fluency isn’t fast reading; it’s learning to use the appropriate rate for the text, reading words
accurately, and knowing what words to read expressively. In Groves Method, we work to
first develop fluency with word reading, then in 3-4 word phrases, and finally sentences.
We take this “ladder-like” approach so that we can build fluency at the easiest level and
then build on that fluency when reading those words in longer phrases.
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.
If your child takes the bus please review the information below.
Help Ensure a Safe Ride to and From School
Please take the time to review the bus rules with your child/children to ensure all students have a safe and comfortable ride to and from school.
- Be on time and be clear of the "Danger Zone".
- Follow the driver's instructions while riding.
- Remain seated and facing forward at all times.
- Fasten your seatbelt, if equipped.
- Your head and arms must remain inside the bus.
- Cell phones are allowed, but taking photos or recording with any device is not.
- Be courteous of one another. Bullying will not be tolerated.
- Please eat and drink before getting on the bus.
- Help keep the bus in good shape by clearing your personal items (including trash) and treating the bus as your own.
- Please do not throw objects inside or out of the bus.
- Like in school, dangerous objects or weapons are not allowed.
- If needed, the bus driver may assign seats and/or use "zone seating" (older students in rear/younger students in front).
Please remind your child/children to follow the bus rules. Unsafe, inappropriate and/or distracting behavior will be addressed by the bus driver and/or reported to the SoWashCo Transportation Department for follow up. Consequences for unsafe, inappropriate and/or distracting behavior may include assigned seating, parent contact, school administration contact, bus suspension, school suspension and/or removal of transportation privileges.
For further information about the bus rules and bus safety, please review the SoWashCo School Bus Safety Video.
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
Jan 29th - no bus and Mass of Holy Spirit for 6-8th
Feb 8th and Feb 13th - Conferences
Feb 13th - Valentine's Day is Ash Wed.- Celebrate Mardi Gras and VDay on 2/13
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.