05-22-08

News

Thanks to the Generosity of the Alumni Association
Approximately 300 alumni enjoyed their annual Mass and breakfast. All welcomed the Class of 2008 into the Alumni Association and congratulated them on their accomplishments. Ten $500 scholarships were presented to the following students:

Academic Achievement	Opportunity & Growth
Gwendolyn Calcaterra	Natalie Cashen
Dominick Freeman	Christopher Pitti
Samuel Herbig	Morgan Grasso
Erin Luna	Aaron Cronin
Gina Migneco
Madeline Nappier

AIA Award
Mrs. Grandstaff's recently traveled to Boston for her daughter, who received "The American Institute of Architects' Young Architects Award for Emily A. Grandstaff-Rice, AIA in Practice for less than a decade. She has shown a commitment to continuing education that is reflected in all aspects of her career--from her volunteer efforts with children and the AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF) to ensuring her firm's in-house education programs meet the needs of emerging professionals and recording mentoring tips of the profession 150 at 's fellows through unique YAF at 150 Project." Congratulations, Mrs. Grandstaff and Emily!

Prayer Request
We are asking your prayers for one of our kindergarten children, Stevie L. He has been diagnosed with leukemia and is in Cardinal Glennon Hospital. The treatment will be intense for the next month but the doctors are confident that after extensive treatments there is great hope for Stevie.
His parents are grateful for prayers during these difficult days. Stevie is the oldest of 3 children and we promised to storm heaven. God knows what this young family needs and we are trying our best to pray and provide a few meals or gift cards by way of food and gasoline.
If you wish to help, please pray. We will be sending home a prayer to Mother Clelia Merloni, the Foundress of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In addition, if you can and wish to help with a meal, please send in the gift card with Stevie's name on the envelope. Organized, prepared meals might be needed after these next 30 days.

Playground Raffle
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Playground Raffle by purchasing a ticket. We raised over $10,950. We would like to congratulate the winners that were chosen at the School Picnic. The Schroeder Family won the Cardinals Luxury Suite and L. Bommarito won the $1,000. Congratulations and thank you again for your continued support. We would also like to thank Mrs. Vicki Bryant who was instrumental in getting the Cardinal Suite donated.

School Picnic
The School Picnic was a great success again this year! Everyone enjoyed a beautiful day and fun with their friends. Thank you again to everyone who put this together for our kids.

Year-End Reminders

Return library books and collect text books
Check Lost and Found
Consider donating outgrown school uniforms
Contact Linda Gambaro via Fast Direct if you need Parent Participation Points
Review Uniform Code on pp. 23-26 in the Family Handbook via the link on the St. Ambrose Catholic School web page (www.stambroseonthehill.com/school)

This is the last year for white shirts, jumpers, and the old gym uniforms. Beginning in the Fall, all students may wear gray, navy, or green shirts; navy or khaki pants or shorts (no cargo or carpenter style); and those in Grades 6-8 may wear nylon pants for PE days. Girls, Grades K-3, will wear skorts and Grades 6-8 will wear skirts, while those in Grades 4 and 5 have the option to wear either skorts or skirts. You may purchase all shirts and gym items at Maestro, girls' skorts and skirts at Quinn Uniform, and boys' pants at the store of your choice. Please note that ankle socks must be white, knee socks may be hunter green or navy blue, and shoes must be black or brown.

Summer Office Hours and Projects
During summer vacation, the school office is open for business between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm, and by appointment. Work will begin in June on electricity upgrades, including expansion of speaker system into bathrooms, hallways, and stairwells. This will ensure that announcements reach all for security and safety. Please call the rectory if the electricity is off in school during regular business hours. Playground construction will also begin in June. Stay tuned for more information as plans unfold.

The Bells of St. Ambrose Auction
November 15, 2008

If anyone would like to offer a dinner at their house, party at their house, a vacation condo/house, or anything similar, please contact Sr. Carol at school (314) 772-1437 or Mr. Joe Canino at (314) 752-0853. The items should be available from November 15, 2008 - November 15, 2009, at a mutually agreed upon time for all parties. Let’s get creative to support our school and parish! We are concentrating on acquiring dinner certificates from restaurants in May. We thank you all for your efforts.

More Opportunities to Purchase TWB
We are excited to announce that we will be selling TWB script after school. Look for us on the Primary Lot. Anyone interested in earning Parent Participation Points? We are looking for volunteers to sell before and after each weekend Mass. If interested, please contact Mary Ellen Stephens via Fast Direct. Need a graduation gift idea? We are selling iTunes, Best Buy, Circuit City, Claire's, and Blockbuster. Thanks in advance for your support of TWB and remember that certificates are also available in the school office and after Mass. Funds raised support the many activities that PTO arranges for the children throughout the school year.

Archdiocesan Tuition Grant Applications for 2008 - 2009 are available at the rectory OR go online at www.factstuitionaid.com. Please direct all financial need questions to the rectory.

Video Streaming Update
Have you viewed the Video Clips on the St. Ambrose web site yet? More videos are in production, so check back often. Click the St. Ambrose link here or atop the upper-left column on the Fast Direct home page. Or enter www.stambroseonthehill.com/school in your web browser.

Calendar

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Please note that an updated Calendar was sent home and is available via Fast Direct.

Thursday, May 22	6th and 7th Grade Exams 8th Grade Last Day K,1, and 2 Parent Program on Summer Reading, 7:00 pm in cafeteria
Friday, May 23	6th and 7th Grade Exams Transition Day, 2:00 pm 8th Grade Graduation, 6:30 pm Mass
Sunday, May 25	Corpus Christi Procession, 6:30 pm
Monday, May 26	Memorial Day Holiday
Tuesday, May 27	Field Day - wear gym uniforms Lunch at 11:00 am Noon Dismissal
Wednesday, May 28	5th Grade Introduction to House Noon Dismissal
Thursday, May 29	Last Day of School 8:00 am Mass, followed by Kindergarten Graduation
Friday, May 30	Feast of the Sacred Heart

Events and Activities

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Primary Parent Program
On May 22, Kathryn Mitchell Pierce, a reading specialist from the Clayton School District, will speak to the primary parents (children in Grades K, 1, and 2) about the importance of reading over the summer. She will speak from 7-8 pm in the cafeteria and then be available for questions, comments, and discussions. Copies of the summer reading lists and samples of many of the books on each list will be available to view. The speaker will give ideas and suggestions for many of the books. She will also present ideas to involve the entire family in summer reading. We hope many can attend.

Flour Power
Field Day is next Tuesday and this is my yearly appeal for flour. In a perfect world I would have enough by Monday. Also, if anyone has p.e. uniforms they need to get rid of, I would be forever grateful for your donation. Those are not needed until next year. Thank you,
Ms. Brickey

Win Valuable Prizes!
The kids have worked hard all year and made great strides in their reading skills. Keep the "summer slide" from setting in by boosting summer reading. Kids completing Grades K-6 who read at least five books between June 13-August 15, 2008, will have a chance to win some fantastic prizes and will be on track with reading when school starts! Go to www.bookitprogram.com for more information.

Corpus Christi Procession
This Sunday, May 25, is our annual Corpus Christi Procession. This is a beautiful tradition here at St. Ambrose honoring the Body of Christ. The Procession begins at 6:30 pm and we ask everyone who is interested in joining us to please meet in the church yard at 6:00 pm. Fr. Bommarito has asked the 2nd Graders to walk in the procession and wear their First Communion clothes. We would also like to ask all servers who are available to walk in the procession.

Final All-School Mass
On Thursday, May 29, the final All-School Mass will include Kindergarten Graduation and a presentation of attendance awards and 7th Grade scholarships. Due to the fact that grades will not be closed, the list of honor recipients will be posted at a later date. Weather permitting, all will gather in the school yard for donuts and juice, prior to dismissal for Summer Vacation!

Auditions for the the 2008-09 Tenth Anniversary Season
Carondelet Children's Chorus
    Preparatory Level ages 7-8
    Regular Chorus ages 9-14
Bella Voce
    Girls Chorus age 15-18
Carondelet Women's Chorus
    ages 19 and older
Please call Joan Whittemore, CSJ,DMA at 314-962-6627 or email maestra6@earthlink.net to schedule an audition.

In the Classroom and the Community

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Pray for Peace
The fourth grade has decided to pray each day a rosary for peace. Our Lady promised the children at Fatima that peace would come to the world if everyone would pray the rosary. We will be going to church at 2:40 each afternoon during the month of May to pray and we invite anyone and everyone to join us. It only takes about 15 minutes so please consider coming a little before dismissal and join us in prayer.

Volunteer Opportunities

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Please remember that you must attend the
Protecting God's Children Workshop
and complete the paperwork in order to volunteer with the students.
The workshops are listed on the Archdiocesan website
or you may call the school office (772-1437).

Archdiocesan Mandate
All parents who wish to participate in any event (lunch duty, field trips, class parties, Breakfast with Santa, etc.) at school involving children MUST attend the Protecting God's Children Workshop. For information on times and locations of the workshops, please visit the archdiocesan website www.archstl.org and follow the link. We can arrange a Protecting God's Children session at St. Ambrose if we have sufficient interest among new and returning families.

Miscellaneous

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Wehrenberg Theatres announces the return of our annual Family Summer Series Program for 2008. The Family Summer Series is a discounted movie program designed for families, daycares, preschools, YMCAs, scouts, and summer camps. Series participants have an opportunity to attend FREE movies this summer for 10 "family" films over the course of 10 weeks in June, July, and August.

Each theatre will have movies every Wednesday and Thursday (except Wed 7/2 & Thurs 7/3) for the duration of the Family Summer Series program, with doors opening at 9:00 am, and movie presentations at 10:00 am and 12:00 pm. FYI ~ contact the theatre directly regarding reserved seats for groups of 25 or more…this applies ONLY to 10:00 am presentations. All other seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Family Summer Series 2008 Movies:

* Titles subject to change based on availability *

Week #1 (6/4 – 6/5) Daddy Day Ca p PG/99 min.

Week #2 (6/11 – 6/12) Barnyard PG/92 min.

Week #3 (6/18 – 6/19) Alvin & the Chipmunks PG/102 min.

Week #4 (6/25 – 6/26) Mr. Magorium’s… G/100 min.

Week #5 (7/9 – 7/10) Charlotte’s Web G/103 min.

Week #6 (7/16 – 7/17) Veggie Tales: Pirates… PG/102 min.

Week #7 (7/23 – 7/24) Bee Movie PG/100 min.

Week #8 (7/30 – 7/31) Spiderwick Chronicles PG/102 min.

Week #9 (8/6 – 8/7) Shrek The Third PG/93 min.

Week #10 (8/13 – 8/14) Horton Hears A Who G/91 min.

FREE Family Summer Series 2008 Theatres:

Arnold 14 Cine	1912 Richardson Rd, Arnold, MO 63010	636-461-0200
Chesterfield Galaxy 14 Cine	450 THF Blvd, Chesterfield, MO 63005	636-532-8141
Des Peres 14 Cine	12701 Manchester Road, Des Peres, MO 63131	314-822-4903
Dardenne Prairie Town Square 12 Cine	7805 N. Hwy N, Dardenne Prairie, MO 63368	636-625-1209
Jamestown 14 Cine	209 Jamestown Mall, Florissant, MO 63034	314-741-9814
Mid Rivers 14 Cine	1220 Mid Rivers Mall Dr, St. Peters, MO 63376	636-279-2734
Ronnie’s 20 Cine	5320 S. Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63126	314-843-4336
St. Charles Stadium 18 Cine	1830 First Capitol Dr S, St. Charles, MO 63303	636-946-1862
St. Clair 10 Cine	50 Ludwig Drive, Fairview Heights, IL 62208	618-398-8385
Campbell 16 Cine	4005 South Avenue, Springfield, MO 65807	417-890-8457
Cedar Rapids Galaxy 16 Cine	5340 Council St NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402	319-393-8941
Osage Village 5 Cine	4540 Hwy 54, #C-4, Osage Beach, MO 65065	573-348-2813
Rochester Galaxy 14 Cine	4340 Maine Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904	507-529-1730

Ticket Type	Cost	How to order?
Series Tickets	FREE	Series tickets available at the theatre box office in advance of the program.
Individual Tickets	FREE	Individual tickets are available *same day only* at the theatre box office.
Family Summer Series Concession Combos (Popcorn, soda & candy)	$3.50 advance $4.00 same day	Family Summer Series concessions combos can be pre-purchased directly at your preferred theatre location. Concession vouchers will be distributed at the time of purchase, and are redeemable at the theatre concession stand. Vouchers are valid only during Family Summer Series Times and expire 8/14/08.

Please contact our Home Office at 314-822-4520 or your theatre of choice with any additional questions or requests.
Thank you,

Wehrenberg Theatres Marketing Department

Yearbook Photos
Please continue to submit photos either on cd or to Laura McQuay's personal email address (lramcq@hotmail.com). We will incorporate spring activities (sports, First Communion, Confirmation, School Picnic, etc.) from this school year in the yearbook for next year. Thanks!

Notes to Parents

Fast Food is not acceptable for lunch; please do not deliver to school for your children.
The Handbook is a guide, but does not address all situations. When in doubt about a policy or procedure, please ask.
If your child has a special medical need, please inform Linda in the School Office.
Please don't park in the soccer lot during school hours if you are visiting school or chaperoning a field trip, as the cars block the use of the lot for recess.
Birthday treats are distributed to students in their homerooms during break time. Please follow Handbook guidelines regarding acceptable treats and also refrain from delivering special lunches to students on these days.
Party invitations may be distributed at school only if all students in the class are invited.

Instructions Regarding Campbell's Labels
Please send in the entire label, as the instructions for submitting labels have changed. We will have homeroom parents help with the cutting that is required. Pass the word to grandparents and neighbors who may save them too. And, don't forget to keep clipping boxtops and labels and saving them for upcoming contests!

Save More Labels
Please save labels from Nestle Pure Life Purified Water. The school gains points for every label saved and we can earn equipment at the end of the year. Please turn these labels in separately from the Campbell labels.

Reference

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Easy Ways to Show Your Support
St. Ambrose eMall: Purchase products and services from the more than 400 participating online merchants. In return, participating merchants will contribute a predetermined percentage of each purchase to 4OurCause for St. Ambrose. Click the Shop Online and Help the School link on Fast Direct.
Recycle Your Ink Jet Cartridges, Paper, and Aluminum Cans: This free program generates money for St. Ambrose and helps protect the environment. Simply drop the cartridges off in the cafeteria and the paper and cans in the bins on Hereford.
Target's Take Charge of Education Program: Apply for a Target REDcard or Visa and 1% of your purchases are returned to your designated school.
Foot Locker School Rewards and Flowers into Dollars: Present the key tags recently sent home at Foot Locker stores or shop online at footlocker.com and 1-800-flowers.com, using our School Code WL3B when checking out. Whatever your method of payment, 5% of what you spend will be donated to St. Ambrose.
Macy's Shop for Education Program: Sign up to support St. Ambrose and every time you use your Macy's card, the school earns money. Complete the flyer sent home this week and return to the office to start earning from 1 to 3 percent of your monthly charged purchases at Macy's.
Internet Search Website: Search the web with www.goodsearch.com and money from their advertisers will go to your favorite charity.