Saint Ambrose News
October 31, 2025
All Saints’ Day – A Celebration of Holiness
November 1 is All Saints’ Day, a joyful feast when we celebrate all the saints in heaven—those whose names we know and those known only to God. It reminds us that holiness isn’t just for a few extraordinary people; it’s something each of us is called to live every day.
As Pope Francis shared, “The saints are not supermen, nor were they born perfect. They are like us—each of us can be a saint.” We become saints by loving God and others in the ordinary moments of life—through kindness, honesty, forgiveness, and prayer.
At Saint Ambrose, we strive to help our students grow in faith and virtue, following the example of the saints who show us what it means to live the Saint Ambrose Way: loving God, serving others, and walking in joy and gratitude. Let us give thanks for all the saints and pray that we may follow their example in our words, actions, and hearts each day.
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
Exciting News! As part of the Marathon prizes, Max from Grade 5 has earned “Principal for the Day!” He’ll be taking the reins on Monday, November 3. To celebrate, it will be an out-of-uniform day with a jersey theme. So wear your favorite team colors and show your school spirit. Students may wear a hats as well. Thanks Max!
I got a call from my friend Anne Gattman, Principal at St. Jerome, she is worried about the SNAP benefits being cut off for families (85% of her families receive this benefit). So, even though we just did a food drive, we are inviting people to donate food/bring $ for this on Monday- a free will offering (this is not required). Everyone can wear a jersey and hat on Monday-with or without a donation.
The most needed items:
white rice
raman
cup of noodles
canned fruit with pop top
easy mac
black beans, pinto beans and/or tuna
This week, the Archdiocese hosted a Safety and Security Summit at Guardian Angels parish. The presentations focused on the I Love You Guys Foundation protocols we currently use, and continuing to update the Safety & Security campus plan.
At Saint Ambrose, we are grateful to participate in an all staff training on Tuesday, November 4 conducted by Security 360. In addition to more training (people), our current priorities are establishing our safety committee, updating the campus plan (policies and procedures), and addressing current building issues. As we solidify next steps with our needs, we will reach out to those of you who have offered financial support (with much gratitude!). 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.
We hope that students are playing on our new playground equipment next Wednesday, November 5 if the weather cooperates. Students are looking forward to this!
Our Home & School November meeting is on Thursday, November 6. As a parent at Saint Ambrose, you are a member of Home & School and are welcome to attend meetings. For room planning, please RSVP here if you plan to attend. Anyone who wishes to speak at the meeting should email Betsy Hand and Kari Grieman by Monday, November 3. bosterhaushand@saintambroseschool.org & kari.grieman@gmail.com
Spirit wear orders will be open from the 1st to the 7th of each month, with delivery approximately two weeks after the window closes.The current order window will remain open until 11/9/24. Items will be delivered to the school 2-3 weeks after the store closes. You can place your orders here: Spirit Wear Order Site *** Important: There will be no ordering window in December due to the holidays. This site will include 20% off for the holiday site - Coupon code SWARM20 for 20% discount****
Class Pictures
Class pictures are ready! Thank you to Hilda Berdie and Picture Perfect for helping us create these beautiful pictures. Here is the link to purchase. The cost is $12 per photo.
https://woodburypictureperfect.pixieset.com/stambroseclasspictures/
- Students will no longer be able to wear shorts starting Monday!
Please consider lending a hand to help make this book fair a success for our students & school community! Many hands make light work!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945AAAE2AA2F58-60050952-i5
- Grades 6-8 PE MAY go outside if the weather allows next week. Right now the forecast is in the 50s. Students they are allowed to wear sweatshirts and can wear sweatpants or leggings under their PE uniform shorts.
- Next Tuesday, November 4 we do not have school. All Saint Ambrose employees will participate in a retreat off campus.
- Do you have an incoming kindergartener (fall 2026)? If you have not received information about upcoming events for incoming kinders, please contact Janet in the school office.
All Saints’ Day Prayer
Dear holy saints of God,
we join our prayers of praise
to yours this day.
with you, we sing of God’s goodness,
rejoice in God’s mercy
and celebrate God’s incredible love.
Teach us to live as you lived --
always thinking of others,
always recognizing our weaknesses,
always rejoicing in God’s gifts,
always closely following Jesus.
Blessed are you, happy are you,
all you holy saints of God.
Pray for us that we, too,
may someday be among God’s Holy Ones.
Amen.
All you holy men and women, pray for us!
Have a great weekend,
Betsy Osterhaus Hand
Principal
Wellness Challenge
This month we are focusing on gratitude. Each day at school, we’ll reveal a different topic on which to reflect and be grateful. We invite families to join us at home. It would make for wonderful dinner conversations.
Child Safety Curriculum – Circle of Grace
In November, students in grades K–8 will begin lessons from the Circle of Grace Child Safety Curriculum. This program, required by the Archdiocese, helps students understand the sacredness of who they are and how to recognize and maintain appropriate boundaries in relationships.
If you have any questions about the specific lessons being taught, please reach out to your child’s classroom teacher (or Religion teacher), who will be happy to share more information.
Visit https://cogpartners.org/ for more information.
Please Prepare: Bus Driver Shortage Now Impacting SoWashCo Schools
South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) is at a critical stage with a bus driver shortage that could result in cancellations or delays for bus routes in the mornings and afternoons.
If your student’s morning or afternoon route is expected to be impacted, families will be notified by phone, email or text, with as much notice as possible.
With this unfortunate situation, we are asking for your assistance:
- Please create a plan to provide your own transportation to get your child to or from school in the event you are notified of a morning or afternoon route cancellation
- A route cancellation occurs when no drivers are available
- As we move into late-fall and early-winter, ensure your child is dressed appropriately for colder weather in the event of a route delay in the morning or after school
- A route delay may occur when a bus driver completes their regular route, and then has enough time to complete another route that does not have a driver
If your student’s bus is cancelled for the afternoon route, please pick up your student from school as soon as possible. Staff will supervise students at school until each student can be picked up in the event of a delay or cancellation.
On a daily basis, our mechanics and transportation administrators have been serving as substitute drivers. We will continue to do everything in our power not to cancel bus routes.
We continue to recruit new drivers and have excellent benefits. Pay starts at $27 an hour and insurance eligibility starts at 20 hours per week. Please click here to learn more and apply.
We understand bus delays and cancellations will affect families differently. We pride ourselves on providing safe and efficient transportation for students and apologize that we are in this situation.
Sincerely,
Abby Baker
Executive Director of Human Resources and Operations
Exciting News! The I:55 Book Fair is Coming!
We’re thrilled to announce that the I:55 Book Fair is coming to Saint Ambrose! This is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore new books, find stories that inspire them, and develop a lifelong love of reading.
Please consider lending a hand to help make this book fair a success for our students & school community! Many hands make light work!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945AAAE2AA2F58-60050952-i5
Book Fair Preview & Shopping Days
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Preview Day: Monday, November 10
Students will visit the Book Fair during their class’s scheduled 15-minute preview. They’ll have the chance to browse and fill out a Book Fair Preview Card to think about which books they might like to buy. -
Shopping Days: Tuesday–Thursday, November 11–13
Students can shop during 25-minute time slots assigned to their class. Your classroom teachers will let you know which day the class will plan to visit.
Purchasing Information
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Students may bring money to shop during their scheduled time. Cash or Check
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Minnesota state sales tax of 8.5% applies.
About I:55 Book Fairs
I:55 Book Fairs are faith-based and focused on providing high-quality, uplifting books for children. They offer a variety of titles that inspire reading, creativity, and personal growth. You can browse their selection online at i55bookfairs.com
Gift Cards – A Simple Alternative to E-Wallets
While they don’t currently offer an e-wallet option, I:55 Gift Cards provide a convenient and flexible solution for families.
Gift cards can be purchased online: I:55 Gift Card
The purchaser chooses the email address where the gift card is sent—often their own.
From there, they can easily:
Print the email and send it with their student
Forward it directly to a teacher or librarian
Or both, for added flexibility
This option is simple, secure, and ensures students can shop without needing cash while still allowing parents and teachers to stay involved.
Ashland Productions is bringing musical theater to St Ambrose!
open to students in grades 3-8
Registrations opens Monday 10/27 at 10am
www.ashlandproductions.org/ACT-Program
65 spots are available!
Please ensure all rehearsal & performances dates
can be accommodated before registering
See all the details below!
Virtues in Action
Hello Saint Ambrose Families,
This month, our school is working on the virtue of Kindness and how to be welcoming from our St. Ambrose Way. In October, the students and staff will be asked to show kindness and be welcoming to others by greeting each other with a smile. We can also hold the door for someone or help others if needed. We will show care for others, and we will be thoughtful of others’ needs.
We look at the life of St. Francis of Assisi, who embodied kindness through a profound compassion for all of God’s creation. St. Francis of Assisi was the son of a wealthy merchant who gave up his fortune to live a life of poverty, founded the Franciscan Order, and is known for his deep connection to nature and animals.
We will also look at the life of St. Carlos Acutis as another guide of kindness and being welcoming. He was known for standing up for kids at school who got bullied, especially kids with disabilities. When a friend’s parents were getting a divorce, Carlo made a special effort to include his friend in the Acutis’ family life.
At home, you can support your child by creating and completing Random Acts of Kindness.
Exciting Update – New Bookfairs at Saint Ambrose!
Dear Families,
We are excited to share that this year, Saint Ambrose will be moving away from the Scholastic Bookfair and instead trying two new options that better align with our Catholic mission and values.
📚 I55 Bookfair
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Dates: November 11–14, 2025
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This bookfair will give families the opportunity to shop ahead of the holiday season. You’ll find a wonderful selection of faith-based, educational, and family-friendly titles.
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Learn more about I55 here: I55 Bookfairs Website
📚 Ignatius Bookfair
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Dates: Early February 2026 (exact dates coming soon)
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Ignatius Press offers an excellent variety of Catholic literature, saints’ stories, spiritual growth resources, and wholesome books for children and adults.
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Learn more about Ignatius here: Ignatius Press
Scholastic Book Club Update
While we are moving away from the Scholastic Bookfair, you may still see teachers using the monthly Scholastic Book Club options in their classrooms. We want to continue to leave this as a teacher choice at this time and we will discern next steps.
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If you have money remaining in your Scholastic Wallet, here’s how you can use it: Scholastic Wallet Information.
Volunteer Opportunity
Bookfairs are only possible with the help of volunteers. If you are interested in assisting at either the November or February bookfair, please sign up using this Google Form.
Thank you for your continued support of Saint Ambrose and for helping us build a culture of joyful reading rooted in faith!
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.
