St. Ambrose School - "on the Hill"

Welcome Back

The 2009-2010 has begun with a lot of new "attractions" in our building.  The Summer has been a busy time for some who were dedicated to upgrading our classrooms.  Thank you to everyone who participated and helped out in so many ways.  Some of the new items are:

• New Magnetic White Boards and Bulletin Boards in the Art Room, Room 105, and all Middle School Rooms
• The Middle School Classrooms have been freshly painted
• Old Lockers have been removed from the Hallway in Middle School and New ones have been placed in the classrooms
• New Shades in Middle School Classrooms on Wilson side of building
• AIR CONDITIONING in the Classrooms!

Entertainment Books Sale
Each student received a plastic bag with the instructions, including the book, and a letter to parents. Please complete the sales and return the envelope to the main office on September 9. Additional books will be given on a payment-in-full basis. Please return books intact in the bag if you do not wish to participate.

The books cost $30. We are asking everyone to try to sell at least one book to help us continue to paint the classrooms and buy new whiteboards in the remaining rooms that didn't get them this summer. Thank you!

P.E. Uniform Policy Change Pending
A P.E. uniform policy change is coming soon. The plan will not be finalized until after the September 10 Faculty Meeting. You will be receiving a letter pertaining to the change as soon as possible thereafter. The change will not take place until the beginning of the second quarter.

Opportunity to Update Personal Information on FastDirect
FastDirect is open through Friday, September 4, for parents to update personal information. Please contact the School Office if you have any problems or questions.

Special Intentions
Please remember these members of St. Ambrose families who have passed away recently or over the summer vacation:
Hannah (6) Bladt's grandmother
Rocco (1) and Augie (K) Erker's grandmother
Marissa (7) and Carolyn (3) Sinak's grandfather
Parker (8), Rory (7), and Seamus (2) Volland's grandmother

Andrew (7), Christian (6), Katie (3), and Alondra (1) Patke's grandmother

Contact Debbie Hilderbrand if you wish to include any prayer intention in the newsletter.

The race will take place on Sunday, September 6. The races start at 12:00 noon and run until about 6:00 pm. Ask about the kids race too!

We need volunteers for the following.
Saturday Set Up - 9:30 am in the church yard
Sunday Set Up - 8:30 am in the church yard
Sunday Take Down - About 5:30 pm in the church yard
We are also looking for people to help in the food booth.

You may contact parishioner Pat Merlo if you need more information.

Middle School News
Up! Up! And Go Far,
with Mrs. Kar!

Mrs. Kar’s Challenge class this year is an exploration of aeronautics, aviation and the science behind flight—

lift, gravity, thrust and drag-- thru various designs of PAPER AIRPLANES!

Additional Challenge projects are as follows:
Mrs. Hilderbrand - Music - learning the staves, notes, measures, reading music, listening for beats, etc.
Mrs. Black - Current Events, with an emphasis on Geography
Mrs. Scherer - Build your Dream Home
 

Mrs. Schaeffer - Time Capsule

The Learning Consultant Program of the Archdiocese of St. Louis was highlighted in an article in the St. Louis Review the week of August 3rd.  In the article, it was stated that the St. Louis Archdiocese is only one of two dioceses that have learning consultants in the country.  The article began with the introduction of Jane Goff, principal of St. Mary’s High School who was a learning consultant before taking on the position of principal.  The article quotes Dr. Karen Tichy, archdiocesan association superintendent for instruction and administrator of the Department of Special Education that “Today about 60 percent of Catholic elementary schools and about 70 percent of all the Catholic high schools in the archdiocese have some model of learning consultant”.  Having stated that, she led into the success that the elementary schools are having with Learning Consultant programs and highlights our St. Ambrose School program.  It is St. Ambrose’s program that has been the model for our archdiocese to have such a successful program.  Thank you to Mrs. Faye Berra Venegoni who along with Mrs. Terry Kellar and Sr. Barbara Matazzaro for recognizing the need for the program and instituting it here at St. Ambrose.  Thank you also to the principals, teachers, and our current learning consultants - Mrs. Lisa Horner and Mrs. Michelle Grellner for continuing this program and helping all of our students.  If you would like to read the entire article, please go to www.stlreview.com and in the Search section type learning consultants.

 First Move

 Our Second and Third grade teachers have attended a workshop from the St. Louis Chess Club and Scholastic Center to introduce the game of chess to students in those prospective grades.  First Move is offered during the School Day as a supplemental curriculum to the existing core curriculum.  The focus is not on competition or tournament play, but rather in the thinking skills that are an inherent part of chess.  Kids see chess as a game; they don't realize the powerful learning that goes on while they play.  Teachers see students picking up math concepts more quickly, a better aptitude for reading comprehension, a new sense of focus and more courtesy towards others.  Mrs. Emily Elmore one of our third grade teachers will be the coordinator of the program here at St. Ambrose.  Good luck to our second and third grades in beginning this new way of learning!

 Other Notable Teacher Accomplishments:

Mrs. Maria Foster attended a course in Microsoft Excel

Mrs. Debbie Hilderbrand continued taking courses toward her Master's Degree in Computer Education from Fontbonne University. 

Sr. Margaret Mary Stoverink attended 3 Math Workshops sponsored by NESI.  “They provided excellent, practical ideas as well as outstanding resources.  The main topic was teaching Math to students with different learning styles.” 

Mrs. JoAnn Dreas attended an Art Workshop at the St. Louis Art Museum entitled “Highlights of the Collection”.

Mrs. Emily Elmore completed her Master’s Degree and attended a class entitled “Methods of Working with Children with Cross-Categorical Disabilities”

Mrs. Erin Schaeffer attended a workshop at the Cooperating School District focusing on UnitedStreaming by Discovery Education.  “I learned how to search for video clips that will enhance my lessons.  We also practiced using another program, Photostory 3.1.  I loved working on the computers and I feel much more comfortable using the programs.  I found many cool applications to share with my colleagues.”

• Lunch cards are $15.00 for 5 lunches.
• Every child buying lunch must have a lunch card before getting in line. Money will not be accepted in the lunch line. Please make checks payable to Chris'.
• Snacks such as pizza, nachos, cereal will be available to buy for students in grades 3-8.
• A lunch count is essential in the morning, so there is no food waste and the students who come through last have a proper lunch. We will not prepare for extra lunches this year.