Saint Ambrose August News
August 25, 2025
“God does not look at the greatness of our works, but at the love with which they are done.”
St. Teresa of Ávila
Preparing for the 2025-2026 School Year
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
Saint Ambrose was well represented in the the Woodbury Days Parade on Sunday. Thank you to all of the families who joined us! .
We are looking forward to a wonderful first week of school.
Busing Reminder: Please remember that we will not have bus service on August 26, 27 & 28 . Bus service will begin on Tuesday, September 2nd. See the information below for drop-off and pick-up details. Thank you for driving slowly and being attentive. Drop off is between 9:00-9:15 AM.
Check out the important items below:
Spirit Wear: Please use this link to order Spirit Wear. This link will be active from August 5 -29th. Items will be delivered to school sometime in early October.
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.
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 Essential 3 Requirements outlined on the parish website. Volunteers are required to re-credential every 3 years. You will be alerted by the Archdiocese if you need to re-credential. Thank you for your compliance.
Mark Your Calendars: Parent Information Night is Wednesday, September 10 at 6:30. We hope to have 100% attendance from our families as we kick off a great school year. Need childcare? Fill out this form for complimentary child care (must be potty trained).
SWARM SPORTS FALL REGISTRATION
Grades 5th-8th, Soccer/Volleyball/Cross Country
Registration Deadline: August 27th
Please read the information below about our Home and School board, news about our playground and our uniform policy.
God of wisdom and might, we praise you for the wonder of our being, for mind, body, and spirit.
Be with our children as they begin a new school year.
Bless them and their teachers and staff.
Give them the strength and grace as their bodies grow;
wisdom and knowledge to their minds as they search for understanding;
and peace and zeal to their hearts.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
God bless,
Betsy Osterhaus Hand
Principal
Thank You to the Home & School for our delicious Back-To-School Luncheon.🍎🍎🍎
Arrival and Dismissal Plan for First Week of School
We ask for your patience and cooperation for the first 3 days of school as we re-learn the drop off and pickup process. Please follow these directions for non-bus school days -August 26, 27 and 28.. Our primary goal is student safety. All pick up will require parents to park and walk into the building to meet your child(ren) inside. Please read the information below:
Drop off is between 9:00-9:15 am
Drop off - If you plan to regularly drive your child(ren) to school, you will keep your regular routine for morning drop off. Drop off on the north side (from Bailey road) or on the south side (from Woodbury Drive). We will guide you to a drop off line.
If your child(ren) will typically ride the bus, please drop off by car at the doors by the playground.
Pick-up-Everyone must park and come inside to collect your child(ren)
If your child does not regularly take the bus:
Pick up time is early- 3:30. You must park your car and enter the building.
Regular North Side families: pick up in the gym
Regular South Side families: pick up in the cafeteria
If your child(ren) do typically ride the bus:
Students will be dismissed from classrooms at 3:45.
WE WILL NOT HAVE BUS RIDERS TO THESE LOCATIONS EARLY
Please pick up based on last name:
Last names
A-N North Side- park your car, enter the building through door #3 and pick up in the gym
Last names
O-Z South Side-park your car, enter through the church doors and pick up in the cafeteria
Both north and south pick up will be park and walk in for your child.
Home and School News
We are grateful for our outgoing Home and School Board and welcome our incoming Home and School Board members (see board info below). Thank you for your support in our previous years' fundraisers that focused on school security. With donations and fundraising, we were able to purchase additional outside cameras, acquire walkie-talkies, add a secure entrance between Extended Day and the school, update doors between the parish gathering space and the school, and access training for staff. With funds leftover and additional dollars we will raise this year, we have decided to update our playground this fall (see photo below). Our upcoming Marathon fundraiser will be focused on dollars for this playground refresh.
Thank you to our Home and School for providing lunch for teachers on Wednesday, August 20. If you would like to bring a dish or donate to this meal, please sign-up here. We are grateful for your support!
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.
We are Looking for Help With a Few Things...
Substitute Teachers
If you are interested in being a substitute teacher at Saint Ambrose or know someone that is, please contact Dianna Helmberger at dhelmberger@saintambroseschool.org or 651-768-3078.
Please view the following presentation for more details and information - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1AWeJsxdO371fNvSmQ9Q2W9CHmPaCI0ZQl4SHMeyFkFY/edit?usp=sharing. We also have a wonderful training that we can send new people to that is through CSCOE.
Recess Help
If you are interested in helping with recess please contact Janet Seidenkranz in our school office. 651-768-3000.
Uniforms for 2025-2026
SAINT AMBROSE OF WOODBURY CATHOLIC SCHOOL
UNIFORM POLICY
This uniform policy has been established to help provide a non-distracting learning environment.
Students are expected to dress in a way that will be a credit to themselves, their parents and their school. The dress code will be strictly enforced.
ALL uniform items must be purchased through Donald’s Department Store, 972 Payne Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55101. 651-776-2723. www.donaldsuniform.com
Girls:
Uniform jumper #8298 (length within 2 inches of the knee)-GRADES K-5.
Uniform White Polo shirts (with logo) - K-5 under jumper.
Uniform navy blue twill pants worn in lieu of the jumper-GRADES K-8
Uniform navy blue cardigan sweater-GRADES K-8
Uniform navy stretch bike shorts worn under jumpers and skirts - GRADES K-8
Uniform navy blue twill shorts (length within 2 inches of the knee) - worn only September, May and June GRADES K-8.
Spirit Wear uniform approved blue hooded sweatshirt may be worn over uniform shirts. GRADES K-8 (Purchased through Saint Ambrose).
Uniform skirt #3498 (length within 2 inches of the knee)-GRADES 6-8.
White knit polo shirt with logo (banded or traditional) - GRADES 6-8
Spirit Wear uniform approved ¼ zip or long sleeve hooded shirt may be worn over any white shirt. GRADES 6-8. (Purchased through Saint Ambrose).
Physical education uniform (purchased at Saint Ambrose)-GRADES 6-8
Solid navy or white tights, knee-highs or anklets (purchased at any store); or optional white socks with uniform plaid ruffle (purchased at Donald’s); White, black or navy blue socks (purchased at any store).
Navy blue or black leggings.
Tennis or dress shoes with non scuff soles that are black and/or white only.
Garments worn under blouses must be white or beige without any writing, logos or pictures of any kind (purchased at any store).
Boys:
Uniform light blue knit polo shirt with logo (banded or traditional)-short or long sleeve-GRADES K-5.
Uniform navy blue twill pants-GRADES K-8.
Uniform navy blue twill shorts (length within 2 inches of the knee)-worn only September, May and June-GRADES K-8.
Uniform navy blue cardigan sweater - GRADES K- 8.
Spirit Wear uniform approved blue hooded sweatshirt may be worn over uniform shirts. GRADES K-8 (Purchased through Saint Ambrose).
Uniform white polo shirt with logo (banded or traditional)--short or long sleeves-GRADES 6-8.
Spirit Wear uniform approved ¼ zip or long sleeve hooded shirt may be worn over any white shirt. GRADES 6-8. (Purchased through Saint Ambrose).
Navy blue or black belt (purchased at any store)-optional
Physical education uniform (purchased at Saint Ambrose)-GRADES 6-8
White, black or navy blue socks (purchased at any store).
Tennis or dress shoes with non scuff soles that are black and/or white only.
White undershirts, if worn, must be without any writing, logos or pictures of any kind (purchased at any store).
Additional Requirements:
Shoes: Must have non-scuff soles and must be close-toed. No sandals, clogs, moccasins or platforms. Tops of shoes must be ankle-height or lower. Heels must be no higher than 1½ inches. Shoelaces must be the same color as the shoe. Shoes must be solid black, solid white or black and white. No colors are permitted.
Shirts: Undershirt must be white if worn under the spirit wear approved hooded t-shirt or ¼ zip. Uniform shirts must be worn under sweatshirts and cardigans. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. Only the top button may be left unbuttoned. All cuffs must be buttoned.
Hair: Must be well-groomed and out of the eyes. No unconventional coloring or haircuts allowed. Hair accessories must be solid black, solid white or uniform plaid.
Make-up: Permitted for girls in grades 6-8 and must be tasteful and minimal.
Jewelry: Must be simple and conservative, if worn. No unconventional jewelry allowed. No dangling earrings for girls and no earrings for boys.
Watches: No smartwatches allowed
Other notes:
All clothing and shoes must be size-appropriate and should be labeled with the student’s name. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen clothing.
Uniforms must be worn on all school days, unless the principal declares a no-uniform day. The principal must authorize any circumstance for which a student is out of uniform.
Uniforms must be clean and neat.
OUT-OF-UNIFORM AND SCHOOL-SPONSORED EVENTS
Out-of-uniform days and school-sponsored event (e.g. dances) attire must reflect both modesty and Christian values in respect to slogans, graphics and physical fit. Clothing must be neat, clean and in good repair. Non-uniform shorts and skirts must cover at least mid-way down the thigh. Shirts must have sleeves, and midriffs must be covered. Clothing must be in good taste and not provide a source of competition or distraction. Inappropriate clothing on a no-uniform day or at a school-sponsored event will result in consequences which may include removal of the student from classes or activities.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Students in grades 6-8 change clothes for physical education class. Students in grades 6-8 will be required to wear the Saint Ambrose physical education uniform in order to participate in class. Students may use any past years SWARM shirt as a physical education top.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE PARISH FALL FESTIVAL
MESSAGE FROM DISTRICT REGARDING TRANSPORTATION
Other Information
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)
