Saint Ambrose News

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

-Psalm 107:1

On Tuesday, December 9 our pre-school will be performing their Christmas program for friends and family. This performance is scheduled for 3:30 in the Church - the same time our parents start arriving to pick up school-aged children on the south side. Since these performances have a hearty attendance and the gathering space will be full, we are asking that any parent that does car pick up - on either the NORTH or SOUTH side, be flexible and pivot to the following pick-up change.

On Tuesday, December 9, all parents who do car pick up will be asked to park in the north side lot, and enter the school gym where your student(s) will be waiting. Parents will not enter the building until 3:40. School staff will be available to direct the flow. We do this out of an abundance of caution making safety in our parking lot a priority.

Thank you for your help. If you have concerns, please contact the school office.

Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,

Unfortunately our wonderful and hard working Dianna Helmberger broke her ankle earlier this week and is recovering at home. Please pray for healing for Dianna, and contact Janet or me if you have questions or concerns that would typically go to Dianna.

Our registration link for the 2026-2027 school year will be sent in late December.

This letter (also clickable above) gives information about registration and tuition rates for next year. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community. We are blessed!

• On Monday, December 8th we will gather to worship at an All School Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at 9:45. This will be a Mass for our school community. We lock the doors to the church at 9:30. If you plan to attend school Mass, please arrive before 9:30.
• On Wednesday, December 10 students in grades 3-8 will participate in the parish Day of Mercy, receiving the sacrament of reconciliation. Our 360 security partners will provide security in the commons during school hours.

• Are you looking for extended day care on our off days in December? Fill out this form to let us know you’re interested: Extended Day Care Interest Form — we’ll use the responses to plan!

'Tis the season for concerts. Our Band concert is Thursday, December 11 at 7:00. We are excited for this wonderful event. Come and hear some great music!

Early Childhood Christmas programs are scheduled next Monday and Tuesday (during the school day). Often siblings like to go watch, and it has been a bit chaotic in the office to manage our students attending. Thus, we are asking parents who want school-age children to attend a sibling's program to complete this form . We will bring students to you in the church if you have completed this form. Thanks!

A few other important notes:

• Your child(ren) are bringing their first trimester report cards home today. We are proud of all of their hard work and growth this year.
  
• The Feast of Saint Ambrose is on Sunday, December 7. We honored our patron with a special prayer today.
• On Monday, December 8 we will gather to worship at an All School Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at 9:45 a.m. Please join us!
• On Wednesday, December 10 students in grades 3-8 will participate in the parish Day of Mercy, receiving the sacrament of reconciliation. Our 360 security partners will provide security in the commons during school hours.
• Are you looking for extended day care on our off days in December? Fill out this form to let us know you’re interested: Extended Day Care Interest Form — we’ll use the responses to plan!
• 
  

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

We begin the season of Advent this weekend, and some of you have already created beautiful season's greetings. We would love to display Christmas cards in our main hallway again this year. Please send your family cards to the school office.

December can be a time of busyness and increased stress in adults and children.

Generosity has been shown to improve mood and decrease stress in both the person being generous and those seeing the act.

The Wellness Committee is offering a Coloring Page for your family. Color in the sections as you complete the act of kindness. Feel free to add your own ideas.

Generosity Coloring Page

The teachers enjoyed a delicious bagel breakfast this morning hosted by our Home and School. This treat hit the spot on the Feast of St. Nicholas. Thank you, parents!

Prayer That We May Seek God and Find Him

Lord, teach me to seek you, and reveal yourself to me when I seek you.

For I cannot seek you unless you first teach me, nor find you unless you first reveal yourself to me.

Let me seek you in longing and long for you in seeking. Let me find you in love, and love you in finding.
St Ambrose of Milan, Bishop, Writer, Doctor

Betsy Osterhaus Hand

Principal

Our 8th graders will be fundraising for their upcoming class trip by selling small gifts for students to purchase, decorate, and wrap for their family members.

K-5 classes will be attending Tuesday, December 16 and Thursday, December 18. Your classroom teacher will let you know which day your child is scheduled to attend.

Please see the list of fun Christmas themed gifts your child is able to purchase for their family members! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ky0zG1RbY1TBMZc6C9ujj3kKOw_4kXAhx7tH57YczE4/edit?usp=sharing

Please send a few dollars with your child if they are interested in purchasing these fun Christmas gifts.

Save the Date:

Wednesday, December 10th - Parish Day of Mercy

Thursday, December 11th - Band Concert - 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 18th - Christmas Concert - 7:00 p.m.

December 22 - January 4 - Christmas Break

Monday, January 5 - School resumes

Will your school age child be attending their younger sibling's Early Childhood Christmas Program? If so, we are asking that you use this form so the school can manage their attendance. Teachers will send students to meet in the lunchroom at their designated time. A member of the school staff will make sure they are brought to the Church to connect with their families

Fill out the Form Here

The holiday season is the perfect time to inspire families with their child's artwork – while raising funds for your art program!

Our most popular gift items – including holiday cards, ornaments, coffee mugs, magnets, snap jewelry, and more – will be on sale soon. It's the perfect opportunity for families to find meaningful gifts that also support your art room!

Why Teachers Love Fundraising with Artsonia

• Earn 20% of all orders placed.
• Parents order directly on our website – no forms or payments to collect
• Orders ship directly to families.
• The more artwork you publish, the more gift options families have.
• Upload your winter and holiday artwork soon to give parents plenty of choices!

Key dates for featured fundraising promotions

November 17 - Greeting Cards

Artsonia will kick off the season with a special holiday greeting card sale. Family members can choose the artwork and design they'd like to appear on the front and add a personalized message for the inside.

November 24 - Holiday Ornaments

Our beautiful, sturdy, metal holiday ornaments make great keepsakes for families to admire throughout the years.

December 3 - Coffee Mugs

Family members can wake up to a work of art every morning with these white ceramic coffee mugs - our top selling product.

December 9 - Last Minute Stocking Stuffers

The last sales of the year offer some great last-minute gift ideas for stocking stuffers! Featuring an assortment of our most popular products, just in time to wrap up holiday shopping.

2025 Holiday Shipping Deadlines

December 16 - Last Day Standard Delivery Service

December 18 - Last Day Express Delivery Service

Have questions?

Email info@artsonia.com or Call 800-869-9974

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

Sycamore Help Guide

Sycamore Parent Checklist

Please login to Sycamore to access the school calendar, lunch menu, and schedules/grades (JH only)

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.

Aug 1st Aug 15th Aug 25th Aug 29th

Sept. 5th Sept 12th Sept 19th Sept. 26

Oct 3rd Oct 14th Oct 24th Oct 31st

Nov 7th Nov 14th Nov 21st Nov 24

December Lunch Menu

December Breakfast Menu

School Website

School Facebook Page

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.