Saint Ambrose School News
Parent Newsletter - October 7th, 2022
Parent Newsletter - December 1, 2023
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
Your child(ren) are bringing their first trimester report cards home today. We are proud of all of their hard work and growth this year.
We have a lot going on at Saint Ambrose! Next week we have the parish Day of Mercy on Wednesday, December 6 (no school Mass at 9:45). Parents are welcome to receive the sacrament between 10am and 8pm. Our students in grades 3-8 will take part in the sacrament of reconciliation.
On Thursday, we honor our patron, Saint Ambrose. This feast day will include some special highlights in classrooms. Our wonderful bands will perform on Thursday night at 7pm in the school gym for our Christmas Band Concert. All are welcome! Band students should be in the band room at 6:30 pm in concert dress.
On Friday, December 8 we will celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with Mass at 9:45 am. We are blessed to celebrate our beautiful Catholic faith together.
Check out the Home and School News (Stocking Stuffer idea!), 4th Grade Toy Drive info, ACT play information and more!
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
We begin the season of Advent this weekend, and some of you have already created beautiful season's greetings. We would love to display Christmas cards in our main hallway again this year.
Please send your family cards to the school office.
Need gift ideas?
STEM Gift Guide here
Prayer from Saint Ambrose:
O Lord, who has mercy upon all, take away from me my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the fire of your Holy Spirit.
Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore You, a heart to delight in You, to follow and enjoy You, for Christ’s sake. Amen
Enjoy a wonderful weekend,
Betsy Osterhaus Hand
Principal
2024 Shine On Performing Arts Online Submission Window Opens Soon!
One big thing: Catholic School Center Of Excellence (CSCOE) is proud to partner with Lundstrum Performing Arts to celebrate the gifts of Catholic school students through Shine On!, our annual performing and visual arts talent competition.
Tell me more: Students in 4th-8th grade from all Catholic elementary schools in Minnesota are invited to enter the competition as performing or visual artists for a chance to participate in a live showcase and win cash prizes for themselves and grants for their schools.
- Go to www.shineontalent.org, which includes all of the information they will need to participate.
What's next: Performing Arts submission window opens on November 15, 2023! Visual Arts registration coming soon in January 2024!
December the virtue focus is on Jesus and all the gifts God has given us.
In December, we want to celebrate Advent by using the gifts God has given us to bring light and joy to other people's lives. We also want to notice the gifts inside each other.
Here is a link to an Advent calendar you could use at home to help your child celebrate Advent and the many blessings we have been given by God, with the greatest gift being Jesus.
This months as a school we will be learning more about the following people and celebrations:
Saint Nicholas - Feast Dec. 6th and grades 3-8 with celerbate the sacrament of Reconciliation
Saint Ambrose - Feast Dec. 7th
Feast of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception - Dec. 8th - Mass at 9:45
Saint Juan Diego - Feast Dec. 9th
December 25th - Nativity of the Lord
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.
Upcoming Dates to Add to Your Calendar
Wednesday, December 6th-Day of Mercy (students in grades 3-8 will receive the sacrament of Reconciliation).
Thursday, December 7th - Saint Ambrose Feast Day & Band Concert at 7PM
Monday, December 18th-Christmas Concert at 7:00 PM.
Peace of Mind - Jules Nolan November Parent Session
DECEMBER 12, 2023
Parenting in Unpredictable Times
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
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
Handwriting/Letter Formation Tips
Research clearly supports that handwriting is essential. This helps build neural pathways in the brain. It also makes spelling and writing easier as it becomes automatic for students. Their brainpower isn’t completely focused on letter formation. Here are some tips to ensure students have strong handwriting:
Consistently provide them with lined paper. The LMS has blank Groves Method paper. We recommend using this for writing activities outside of Groves Method time as well.
Students benefit from editing their own work. Make them correct any backward letters or b/d confusion.
Provide explicit narration and practice. If students are still struggling, this is a great skill to target during small group instruction.
Provide pencil grips as necessary.
Encourage parents to hold students accountable. We want students to use the same grip and formation at home so it becomes a habit.
Incorporate multisensory techniques. Students can skywrite and deskwrite the letters. They can even use sand tables, shaving cream, and fun markers/colored pencils to practice letter
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.
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.