Saint Ambrose August News
August 1, 2025
God is faithful - St. Augustine
Preparing for the 2025-2026 School Year
Dear Saint Ambrose Parents,
August is upon us, and our school office is looking forward to the arrival of new teachers on the 13th, and all faculty on the 18th. We are excited to dig into learning this school year! Our vocation as Catholic school educators calls us to see each student as a gift from God, to work together joyfully to create a learning environment that provides clear expectations and inspires intellectual curiosity while partnering with parents to complement the faith formation begun in the home. Thank you for sharing your children with us.
Join me in welcoming a few new faces to Saint Ambrose for the 25-26 school year:
Kindergarten- Julie Burns. A native Iowan (Go Hawks!), Julie comes to us from Woodbury Elementary, and looks forward to sharing her faith with our youngest students. She has extensive experience in kindergarten and will be a great addition to our wonderful team.
K-2 Spanish-Megan Vasatka. Megan is thrilled to share her years of primary Spanish education with her favorite age group at Saint Ambrose. Most recently teaching in Minneapolis Public Schools, Megan looks forward to integrating Catholicity into her Spanish classes.
3-8 Physical Education-Andy Jacobson. "Mr. J" is a veteran Catholic educator, coming to us from Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul where he wore many hats as Assistant Principal. His positive presence and understanding of student need will be a great gift to us.
And welcome to our new chef:
Kameko Graves (she likes to be called Weezy).
There are some logistical notes to address before we get into the business of teaching and learning this year. Check out the important items below:
Save the Date: Thursday, August 21 is Back to School Day. Here is a sign-up genius for families to register for a visit between 3 and 6 pm. Meet your teacher, drop off school supplies, connect with Home & School Board members, look at spirit wear and socialize with families. For the first time, Lifetouch will be on campus to take student school pictures on this day. Be sure to head to fellowship hall for your student pictures. You will order photos on-line if you want to purchase them. If you are not able to come to Back to School Day, there is a retake day on October 28 during the school day.
Picture Day Link Using Picture Day ID EVTBR2CF6
Class List: Class lists will be sent out electronically on Tuesday, August 19th in advance of the Back to School event. In the meantime, Sycamore will not be accessible to families.
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.
Food Service Update
This year we will participate in the free breakfast and lunch program. Breakfast will be served when children arrive at school. Menus for breakfast and lunch will be available at Back to School Day. Students in grades 3-8 will have "salad bar" as an option for lunch.
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? We will
have a sign up coming soon!
Busing Reminder: Please remember that we will not have bus service on August 26, 27 & 28 . Bus services will begin on Tuesday, September 2nd. More details on the arrival and dismissal plan will be forthcoming.
Please read the information below about our Home and School board, news about our playground and our uniform policy.
O Lord, give me a mind that is humble, quiet, peaceable, patient and charitable,
and a taste of Your Holy Spirit in all my thoughts, words and deeds.
O Lord, give me a lively faith, a firm hope, a fervent charity, a love of You.
Take from me all lukewarmness in meditation and all dullness in prayer.
Give me fervor and delight in thinking of You, Your grace and Your tender compassion toward me.
Give me, O Lord, a heart full of joy and thankfulness, a heart full of courage and confidence, a heart always ready to serve you and to spread Your love to those around me.
-St. John XXIII
God bless,
Betsy Osterhaus Hand
Principal
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.
Volunteer helpers to walk students.
We have several students that receive speech services through the district. These services take place virtually at our school. We have found that when we have consistent help walking students from classrooms to the speech station, everything runs very smoothly. This is a volunteer position and it could be one day or multiple days. For more details contact Beth Salmon at bsalmon@saintambroseschool.org. or 651-768-3087.
Lunchroom and Recess Help
If you are interested in helping with recess or lunchroom supervision please contact Janet Seidenkranz in our school office. 651-768-3000.
Back to School Event - August 21st , 3-6
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)