Saint Ambrose News
September 26, 2025
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”
-Psalm 28:7
Safety Update and Introduction of CHIRP-360
Dear Saint Ambrose School Families,
Safety and security continue to be one of the top priorities at Saint Ambrose. We continue to
work with a team of experts to guide our decision making – individuals with extensive
experience and expertise from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Minnesota
Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Woodbury Public Safety, and 360 Security
Services. Their insight, generosity, and commitment continue to bless our parish and school
community as we discern together how best to protect and prepare.
As part of this ongoing work, we are introducing CHIRP-360, a new 24/7 online incident
reporting platform. Provided through our partnership with 360 Security Services, CHIRP-360 is
supported by investigators, analysts, and consultants who bring decades of experience from law
enforcement and private sector organizations. 360’s main pillars – Investigations, Cybersecurity,
and Risk Management – function in a continuous cycle of improvement for the Saint Ambrose
Catholic Community.
CHIRP-360 is being adopted as a proactive strategy to address and mitigate threats or
vulnerabilities before situations arise. It allows every member of our parish, school, and early
childhood center to play a role in safety through anonymous, timely, and responsible reporting.
Together with daily vigilance – entering through the correct doors, ensuring doors remain
secured, and following established procedures – CHIRP-360 provides another important layer of
protection. We invite you to read more about CHIRP-360 in the document below and to use
the online form on our community websites to file a report when needed.
We will continue working closely with our team of experts to enhance security where needed,
address vulnerabilities within our control, and prepare effective responses to potential risks.
Their guidance helps us act with prudence and faith, serving as good stewards of our
community’s wellbeing.
At the same time, we affirm that people and formation come first at Saint Ambrose Catholic
Community. We are united in one Lord and one faith, called to holiness, and striving always to
grow closer to God. While security remains of utmost importance, what matters most is our unity
as a family of faith – grounded in Christ, strengthened by His presence, and guided by His
peace.
In Mary’s Arms,
Father Peter Williams and Principal Betsy Osterhaus-Hand
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
Thank you so much for your generous support of our Marathon. We are more than halfway to our goal, and are so excited about our new playground.
We had a blast outside today; our students embraced the weather and the challenge to do their laps and celebrate our school.
Next week brings the month of October. I have decided to extend uniform shorts through the end of the month. After All Saints Day, we will require uniform pants.
We are also planning for parent-teacher conferences. Please see the information below to schedule conferences.
Other Info:- There is NO bussing the Monday, September 29th!
Friday, October 3rd - SWARM shirt for first Friday
- Conference Information below - We encourage all families to attend fall conferences.
- Spirit Wear: Please use this link to order Spirit Wear. This link will be active from October 1- 7th. Items will be delivered to school sometime in mid-October. The order from August should be delivered next week!
- Reclaiming Sundays resources
Archbishop Hebda is encouraging our Catholic school communities to participate in the Archdiocese’s Reclaiming Sundays initiative to take meaningful steps to reorient the Lord’s Day toward peace, rest and leisure. Find out more here: Reclaiming Sundays resources
Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
To whom God's love
commits me here,
Ever this day,
be at my side,
To light and guard,
Rule and guide. Amen
Have a great weekend!
Betsy Osterhaus Hand
Principal
Hallow App Permission Slip - 3rd - 8th grade
Dear 3rd-8th grade parents and guardians,
We are so excited for our partnership with Hallow! Our teachers have been using Hallow to introduce your children to different ways to pray and Saints to pray with, and we are excited to offer a personal subscription for each individual student. Ask your child how they have prayed with Hallow in their classroom!
Hallow is the #1 Catholic app and provides thousands of audio-guided sessions to listeners, covering a variety of prayer techniques, topics, and styles. The Hallow team works with Catholic schools and parishes to offer Hallow at a discount for teachers to use it in the classroom with students.
In order to set up your child’s Hallow account, Hallow needs your permission. (The company complies with Federal COPPA guidelines, and you can read more about their privacy policy at hallow.com/privacy.)
Your student will have a personal Hallow account designed for use in the classroom and at home. The content on Hallow includes music, sleep stories, meditations, and prayers designed specifically for kids and students of all ages, as well as families. You will also have access to this account as a parent.
If you have any questions about the product or how your child’s account will be set up, please reach out to the Hallow team at schools@hallow.app or at 773-900-7145.
If you have not already, please Complete permission form here
No Bussing on Monday, September 29th!
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 - 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.
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
-
Dates: November 11–14, 2025
-
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.
-
Learn more about I55 here: I55 Bookfairs Website
📚 Ignatius Bookfair
-
Dates: Early February 2026 (exact dates coming soon)
-
Ignatius Press offers an excellent variety of Catholic literature, saints’ stories, spiritual growth resources, and wholesome books for children and adults.
-
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.
-
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!
Sept 2025 Family Wellness Challenge
September is National Fruits & Veggies Month
Sadly, according to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, about 90% of Americans don't eat enough vegetables, and 80% don't get enough fruit.
So the challenge for this month is:
Every Time You Eat Have a Plant Have a Plant Website with Recipes
Why should students try new fruit and vegetables?
Early exposure shapes behavior
Early exposure to fruits and vegetables doesn’t just prevent malnutrition, it builds lifelong healthy habits. It also:
Shapes taste preferences: Repeated, positive exposure encourages produce enjoyment.
Supports development: Fruits and vegetables fuel growth, boost brain function, strengthen immunity and support emotional well-being.
Improves long-term outcomes: Early healthy eating habits are linked to reduced risk of chronic disease later in life.
Happy Eating,
The Wellness Committee
Parent-Teacher Conferences are Coming Up in October
Conference Scheduling Open Friday the 26th
Our parent/teacher conferences are on Thursday, October 9th and Tuesday, October 14th.
K-5 & Specialists Conferences will be in-person both days.
6-8 Conferences will be in-person on 10/9, and virtual on 10/14. Parents may choose one or the other. Parents will be able to schedule conferences via Sycamore beginning Friday, September 26 at 4pm. Click here to learn how to schedule your conference online
K-5 Parents
We will open conference scheduling at 4pm on Friday, Sept 26th. Choose one slot for each child’s teacher.
6-8 Parents (choose one option)
Thursday, October 9-in person conferences. No appointment necessary,(no scheduling) teachers will be available for conferences from 4:15-7:30 in their classrooms.
Tuesday, October 14th -virtual conferences.
Conference scheduling will open on Friday, September 26 at 4pm. Schedule one conference for your child with the grade level homeroom team, who will be together on the meeting. This gives you the opportunity to get feedback from multiple teachers during one virtual meeting.
- 6th grade team-schedule with Ms. Jorgensen (you will meet with Ms. Becker, Ms. Petronack, Mr. Herzog and Ms. Jorgensen)
- 7th grade team-schedule with Ms. Loney (you will meet with Ms. Loney, Mr. Shriver, Ms. Toninato and Ms. Soenen).
- 8th grade team-schedule with Ms. Woolsey (you will meet with Mr. Morgenroth, Ms. Woolsey and Ms. Schisler).
Specialist Teachers
Schedule with any teacher you would like to see on Sycamore.
If you have a question or concern, please reach out. You do not need to wait for conferences to communicate.
Teachers will need to stick to the scheduled time; thank you for helping with this.
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)
