Saint Ambrose School News
Parent Newsletter - October 7th, 2022
Parent Newsletter - October 27th, 2023
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
We had a great accreditation team visit! Thank you to our parents who helped feed the team, answered phone calls and participated in interviews. We are grateful for your support! The teachers and staff worked hard during this entire process, and the team was very impressed by many aspects of our school. They identified teacher dedication to mission, instructional capability and intentional meeting of students needs as a great strength. I agree and know I am blessed by this strong staff.
We will receive a report back from MNSAA with identified areas of improvement and some feedback on our School Strategic Plan.
Breakfast Sign up for November 6 - 17th - Please fill out by November 1st - https://forms.gle/STJkgc6fodwu1Zo2A
School Mass 11/1/23
Wednesday is the Feast of All Saints. We will have Mass next Wednesday at 9:45 AM. You are welcome to join us. We ask that you allow your students to remain seated with their class. Also, please be patient as you drop off on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 1st. There will be an 8am Mass that will be getting out around the same time as drop off. Please offer grace, patience and kindness to those that are not aware of our typical carline routines. If you can arrive for drop off after 9am that will also lessen the congestion in our lots.
The last day for uniform shorts will be Friday, November 3.
Out of Uniform next week:
Wear Orange and Black for Halloween
Students may bring a dollar to support Woodbury Options for Women and wear orange and black for Halloween!
As part of a 7th grade religion unit about respecting all life, the 7th graders partner with Woodbury Options for Women to help support mothers and babies in our community. The 7th graders collect new and gently used baby items throughout the month of October to donate to Woodbury Options. On Tuesday, October 31, we are having an out of uniform day for $1.00 to support this organization.
Friday, November 3rd is SWARM t-shirt day! Please make sure your Swarm shirt is visible, or wear a school sweatshirt if you are chilly.
If you are interested in purchasing spirit wear or uniform sweatshirts click here!
This link will remain open until November 26th. Items should be delivered before Christmas Break to the school.
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!
Would you like to order a class picture?
The class pictures are uploaded to an online gallery and available for purchase.
Each class photo is $12.00. We ask you to place orders by October 27th.
Here is the link to order:
https://woodburypictureperfect.pixieset.com/sawclass2023/
Thank you to Hilda and Michele at Woodbury Picture Perfect!
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.
Do you have an incoming kindergartener (fall 2024)?
If you have not received information about upcoming events for incoming kinders, please contact Janet in the school office.
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.
Betsy Osterhaus Hand
Principal
Basketball Signup
The time is now to sign up for basketball. Late fees goes into effect on Nov 2nd.
Upcoming Dates to Add to Your Calendar
Tuesday, October 31st - Bring a dollar and wear Orange and Black!
Wednesday, November 1st - All Saints Day
Join us for Mass at 9:45 am
Please be patient as you drop off on the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 1st. There will be an 8am Mass that will be getting out around the same time as drop off. Please offer grace, patience and kindness to those that are not aware of our typical carline routines.
Tuesday November 7th, there is no school.
We have a campus wide retreat for all Saint Ambrose employees. We'll start our day with Mass and spend time together contemplating our call as disciples of Christ.
Nov 9th - Gingerbread Family Fun Night for potential 2024-2025 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 9 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. A light snack will be served before touring each Gingerbread-themed classroom. Questions or interested in attending? Please contact the school office.
November 14th - Picture Retake Day
Save the Date:
Thursday, December 7th - Band Concert
Monday, Christmas Concert -December 18th at 7:00 PM.
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!
Peace of Mind - Jules Nolan November Parent Session
NOVEMBER 28, 2023
Necessary Experiences to Build Emotionally Strong Families
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
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
Defining the Six Syllable Types
Closed Syllables: Most common syllable type (approximately 43% of all words). This is when there is a short vowel closed off by one or more consonants.
Examples: cat, chat, milk, shack
Open Syllables: When a syllable ends in a vowel and makes its long sound. This is more common in the first syllable of a multisyllabic word. Many prefixes are open syllables.
Examples: ba-by, pre-fix, ta-ble, go, no
VCe Syllables: When a vowel is followed by a consonant and then a silent e. This makes the vowel say its name.
Examples: cake, bike, hare
Vowel Team Syllables: When there are 2-4 vowels together that make one sound. This includes long vowels and diphthongs.
Examples: team, voice, crawl, bait, tooth, out
Vowel-R Syllables (R-Controlled): Words where the vowel is followed by the letter r, which distorts its sound. These will include ar, or, er, ir, and ur
Examples: horse, stir, her, farm
Consonant -le Syllables: This is often referred to as the final stable syllable. This is when the letters -le are preceded by a consonant. This will always be its own syllable.
Example: circle, giggle, bicycle
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.
Quick Links
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.