Saint Ambrose News
January 9, 2026
"Begin anew, for God gives each day a fresh blessing."
– Inspired by St. Augustine
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed the time with family over the holidays. I was so grateful for the break; we were blessed with a nice balance between social and relaxation. We've had a solid week back to school-this is a great stretch of learning as students go deeper into the curriculum in our 2nd trimester.
All Kindergarten-7th grade families should have received a registration link from TADS for the 2026-2027 school year. Thanks for those who have completed registration. Registration fees will increase on Monday. Tuition assistance applications must be completed no later than March 16. 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.
Catholic Schools Week is fast approaching. We are excited to celebrate our mission January 24-25 at weekend Masses, and the week of January 26 at school. Here is a family calendar with details about the week. Sign up to help with our "decorate your doughnut" fun below.
Recess Help
If you love the cold and enjoy children, we need recess help. Let us know if you are interested.
Junior High Night for Parents - January 22nd
We invite all parents of current and future junior high students to join us for Junior High Night at Saint Ambrose. This is a great opportunity to learn more about our programs, curriculum, and what life is like for students in grades 6–8.
When: January 22nd
Time: 5:30-6:30pm
Where: Begin in Fellowship Hall
During the evening, you will:
Meet our junior high teachers and staff
Learn about academic expectations and enrichment opportunities
Get tips on supporting your child’s success in middle school
We look forward to welcoming you and sharing all the exciting opportunities awaiting your student in junior high!
Spirit Wear: Please use this link to order Spirit Wear. This link will be active from January 5- 14th. Items will be delivered to school sometime in later in January.
Uniform Sale
We will have a used uniform sale during Catholic Schools Week-if you have uniforms that your family has outgrown, please send them our way next week. Thank you!
A Rare Encounter with Saints and Popes
From January 10 through February 1, the Mall of America will host an extraordinary exhibit featuring the largest collection of saint and papal artifacts outside of Rome. Presented by the Archdiocese of St. Paul–Minneapolis in celebration of its 175th anniversary, the exhibit includes items ranging from centuries-old Papal Bulls to personal belongings of St. Teresa of Calcutta, as well as Swiss Guard artifacts to name just a few. A visit offers a unique opportunity to learn Church history, grow in faith, and experience the Catholic faith shared powerfully in what is traditionally a secular space. Learn more HERE.
A Fresh Start for the New Year
Making New Year’s resolutions can be a powerful way to reflect, set achievable goals, and grow personally. They help improve well-being, build confidence, and encourage healthier habits—especially when shared with a supportive community.
This month, St. Ambrose Catholic School staff are taking part in a wellness challenge to track their physical activity, and families are invited to join at home.
Wellness Committee Activity Challenge
Hallow
Our students are loving their Hallow accounts!
To Access Your Child's Account
1) Download Hallow on the mobile or go to www.hallow.com on the web
Username: your child's school email address
Password: hallowed
2) Join us in the Family Rule of Life Prayer Challenge
3) Download the accompanying workbook
God of all time,
help us enter the New Year quietly,
thoughtful of who we are to ourselves and to others,
mindful that our steps make an impact
and our words carry power.
May we walk gently.
May we speak only after we have listened well.
Creator of all life,
help us enter the New Year reverently,
aware that you have endowed
every creature and plant, every person and habitat
with beauty and purpose.
May we regard the world with tenderness.
May we honor rather than destroy.
Lover of all souls,
help us enter the New Year joyfully,
willing to laugh and dance and dream,
remembering our many gifts with thanks
and looking forward to blessings yet to come.
May we welcome your lavish love.
May we cast off the small, vindictive god our fears have made.
May the grace and peace of Christ bless us now and in the days ahead. Amen.
-Vinita Hampton Wright
Have a great weekend,
Betsy Osterhaus Hand
Principal
Yearbook Illustrations Needed
Pablo Picasso…Frida Kahlo… Michelangelo…and…YOU!
This year’s yearbook will feature pages of student art that illustrates the Saint Ambrose Way and Virtues.
Kindergarten-2nd Graders:
Submit art that shows Be Welcoming and Be Thankful connected to the virtue of Faithfulness
Ask your teacher for a template if you would like to use it (below). It isn’t required!
3rd Graders - 5th Graders:
Submit art that shows Be Accountable and Be Clean connected to the virtue of Faithfulness
6th Graders - 8th Graders:
Submit art that shows Be Safe and Be the Best You Can Be connected to the virtue of Faithfulness (for inside art pages)
ALSO: submit art that shows the virtue of Faithfulness for a chance to be the front or back cover art on the yearbook [include the words Saint Ambrose School and 2025-2026 in your submission for the cover]
Important Guidelines:
All art must be submitted on a sheet of white paper size 8½ x 11
All art should have the student’s name, teacher’s name, and grade printed on the back
All art should be outlined in black as much as possible for the best visibility when printed (including words
Most importantly - the art should have the words of the St. Ambrose Way tenet and the Virtue of Faithfulness incorporated or written on the art.
****ALL ART MUST BE SUBMITTED TO MRS. GALLAGHER by
Friday, January 23 ****
(no late submissions can be accepted due to Lifetouch deadlines)
The Next All Pro Dad Program is Next Friday, January 16.
This is the 18th season of All Pro Dads at St. Ambrose! The All Pro Dads breakfast is a monthly program in the Cafeteria for fathers (or other father figures) and their kids to spend quality time together. Join us for a buffet breakfast, a character-based lesson via a short video, and discussions about important family topics. The main goal of an All Pro Dad breakfast is to strengthen the bond between dads and their children in a casual, fun environment, fostering better relationships and providing resources for intentional parenting.
Couple Reminders:
· You MUST RSVP so we have enough food.
· If you have never attended the program before and would like to attend, please email struntzfamily12@gmail.com to be added to the invite list.
· Spread the word! Or bring a friend and add them to your count.
· Please try to arrive before 8:15 to get checked in and seated.
Program schedule:
· 8:00-810 – Arrival and pay for breakfast ($6 to Lunch account)
· 8:15 – Program Starts
· Welcome
· Prayer
· Breakfast
· Program
· Free Dress Drawing
· 9:05 – End of Program
Our Annual Decorate Your Own Donut
Our annual Decorate Your Own Donut event to kickoff Catholic Schools Week at St. Ambrose is on Sunday, January 25 after the 8:30 and 11am Mass and we are looking for volunteers please! Sign up to help after either Mass (or both) and bring your St. Ambrose kids as well.
Sign up Genuis - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44AEAF2EA4F5C43-61437141-decorate
This is a great chance to live out hospitality as our stellar volunteers will serve drinks, distribute donuts, manage the "decoration station" and clean-up. Kids are encouraged to show school pride and wear their school uniforms.
This is always a big event, so we appreciate any many volunteers as possible to make this fun annual highlight a hit.
Reach out to Tony Capecchi with any questions:
tonycapecchi@gmail.com or 612.310.1627
Book Fair Information
Dear Saint Ambrose Families,
We are excited to welcome our Ignatius Book Fair and are asking for your help to make it a success!
Parent Volunteers Needed
If you are able to help during the fair, please consider signing up using the link below. Your time and support make a meaningful difference for our students.
Volunteer Sign-Up:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945AAAE2AA2F58-61544311-stambrose
Purchasing Options for Students
Families may choose the option that works best for them:
eWallet (cash-free option)
Cash
Check
Credit card number listed on the paper Wish List
eWallet: How to Purchase and Use Credits
1. Create Your Parent Account
Parents must first create an account and assign their child(ren) to their classrooms.
2. Add eWallet Credits
Open the search bar (magnifying glass in the top right corner).
Type eWallet.
Select from the three denomination options.
3. Assign Credits to Your Child
At checkout, be sure to assign the credits to one of your children. This allows us to locate their name on our payment device during checkout at the fair.
Options for Families with Multiple Children
One Unit for All
Purchase one unit and assign it to one child.
Siblings may share the balance.
Example: Purchase one $50 unit for Dan and allow Dan and Sue to each spend $25. Both students check out using Dan’s name.
Separate Units for Each Child
Purchase multiple units and assign one to each child.
Example: Purchase three $20 units for Dan, Sue, and Art. Each child checks out under their own name.
Please note: Unused eWallet balances cannot yet be applied to online purchases. At this time, eWallet is for in-person book fair use only.
If You Experience eWallet Issues
If you are unable to locate or purchase eWallet credits:
During Preview Day, students will complete a paper Wish List of desired books.
Parents may review and approve selections at home.
The following day, students should return the Wish List with:
Credit card information completed, or
Cash
A check made payable to Saint Ambrose School.
Thank you for supporting the Ignatius Book Fair and for encouraging a love of reading in our students. We truly appreciate your partnership and generosity!
Upcoming Dates to Add to Your Calendar
Save the Date:
Friday, January 16-Mid-Trimester
Monday, January 19-No School, MLK Day
Sat-Sun January 24-25-Celebration of Catholic Schools Week at weekend Masses
January 26-30-Catholic Schools Week
Saint Ambrose Way and Faith Virtue: Embracing the Virtue of Forgiveness
As we enter into the month of January, we are excited to introduce a special focus on the virtue of forgiveness. We aim to recognize that we all make mistakes so it is important to forgive and give others a second chance. We acknowledge that we are all sinners and God is forgiving us over and over again for the mistakes we make when we are truly sorry. He has mercy on us and we are called to extend that to others. We strive to practice the virtue of forgiveness by also demonstrating the St. Ambrose Way of being accountable. We want to own our actions, and always be truthful. We aspire to be humble, by not bragging if we win. If we lose, we do not show anger. When we practice forgiveness and accountability, we are better able to hear and see God in those around us.
Here's how we plan to encourage and acknowledge acts of forgiveness among our students:
Acts of Forgiveness Recognition:
Teachers will be actively observing and recognizing students who are practicing the virtue of forgiveness.
Acknowledgment with a paper bandage cut out:
2. When a teacher witnesses a noteworthy act, the student will be acknowledged and invited to the office to receive a special paper bandage with their name on it.
Saint Cards as Reminders:
In exchange for their bandage, students will be presented with a saint card. This card serves as a tangible reminder to continue embodying the virtue of forgiveness in their daily lives.
*We believe this initiative will not only foster a culture of forgiveness, 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 forgiveness with your child and how they can actively participate in this. Let's work together to make January a month filled with forgiving hearts by offering grace to one another. Forgiveness is healing!
Wishing you and your family a month filled with lots of accountability and forgiveness!
Other Information
Extended Day 2025-2026 School Year: If you are interested in the Extended Day Program and have not already signed up, please complete this form.
Sycamore will be accessible to families on August 19, 2025.
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)
Safety and Security
To continue fostering transparency and shared understanding, we’ve compiled Safety and Security Frequently Asked Questions. to address common inquiries and provide clarity on the ongoing safety and security efforts within our Saint Ambrose Catholic Community.
If you have any questions, concerns or feedback, we are open to hearing directly from you via email or phone call. Or, complete this form.
