11-26-09

ITBS Results/Safety Committee Update
On Wednesday, December 2, at 7:00 pm in the cafeteria, Mrs. Lisa Horner will give a presentation on the ITBS Standardized Test Scores. This presentation will reflect how the students did as a whole. Graphs will be shown displaying the stanines for every grade. Individual results were given to parents at the Parent Teacher Conferences in October. All are invited to attend. After the presentation, the PTO Executive Board will have their meeting.

On November 5 Sr. Carol and Maria Foster attended a safety seminar at St. Louis University sponsored by Ingersoll Rand. The guest speaker was Paul Timm, a board-certified Physical Security Professional who is a recognized expert in school security. This workshop addressed emergency preparedness, lock down procedures, mass notification, building security, and visitor management. As a result of this workshop the St. Ambrose staff is re-evaluating our building security, reviewing our communication procedures, and preparing emergency bags for each floor.

December 10 Noon Dismissal
The Faculty Meeting/Mission Day for December will be on December 10. The Mission Collection will be given to the St. Louis Veterans Home Committee’s “Adopt a Vet for the Holidays”. Each student is asked to donate at least a minimum of $0.50. All students will be dismissed at Noon. Extended Care will be offered.

December Special Lunch
The Special Lunch scheduled for December is from Favazza’s. The day will be Monday, December 14. The menu is Italian Chicken Strips, pasta and garlic bread. We thank Favazza’s and the other restaurants that have offered their food so far this year (Imo’s, Lorenzo’s, and Mama Toscano’s). We are looking forward to the offerings for the rest of the year. If a restaurant is interested in serving a lunch for one of the months, please submit a written proposal to the PTO in care of the school office.

Middle School Mid-Term Exams
The Middle School Mid-Term Exams will take place before Christmas this year. The schedule is as follows: December 15 - Literature and Grammar, December 16 - Math and Science, December 17 - Social Studies and Religion. Please be sure your children get plenty of rest, eat a full breakfast, and have plenty of study time to help them with their exams.

"School Reach" Program
We have received a grant for a verbal message or communication tool used to deliver timely messages via the phone. Therefore, it is important that your home, cell, work, and emergency numbers are all accurate. Please check the information currently listed under your name on fastdirect and send changes in writing to Sr. Carol by December 3.

Second Semester Enrichment
Anyone with an interest or idea for after-school activities or programs is invited to submit a proposal to Sr. Carol. The second semester options will resume after Christmas vacation and end by the week of April 18.

Rainy Day Recess
If any parent has a contact for discounted or rental electronics, movies, or board games, please contact the School Office. We are looking for alternative activities to engage the children during inclement weather, especially when it is persistent as it has been this week.

Special Intentions
Contact Debbie Hilderbrand if you wish to include any prayer intention in the newsletter. We are a prayerful community and wish to provide this avenue of support for any special needs.

PTO Board
Lisa DiPaolo, President
Marsy Canino
Sarah Chavez
Sharon Gambaro
Tracy Hill
Michele Keller
Bernadette Mense
Ann Oliver
Peggy Pancella
Toni Paulus

School Board
Fr. Vince Bommarito, Pastor
Katie Brennan, Marketing
Joseph Colagiovanni, Vision
Derio Gambaro, Alumni
Rob Liddy, Finance
Mike Mense, President
Sr. Carol Sansone, Principal
Karen Sinak, Vice President
Jim Summers, Parent Liaison
Brian Ward, Technology
Wes Yates, Legal

Extended Care Enrichment Program Schedule
Click for more information on the Extended Care Enrichment Program.

Every Tuesday, October 6 to December 8 (Plus, an additional practice on December 9.)
    Family Musical Theatre: Singing, movement, skills of the theatre
        3:45 pm to 5:15 pm
            Grades 4 – 8
                A Christmas Carol to be held on December 10, 2009
Set production and stage crew are part of the needs for this production.

Every Tuesday, October 6 to December 8
    Beginning Dance by Christina Stemmler
        3:30 pm to 4:15 pm
            Grades K-2
    Intermediate Dance by Christina Stemmler
        4:30 pm to 5:15 pm
            Grades 3-8

Thursday, October 1, 15, 29, November 5, 19, and December 3 (every other week for 6 sessions)
    Chess by Mrs. Haynie and Mrs. Oliver
        3:30 pm to 4:15 pm
            Grades K-8

PTO Special Lunch Schedule
To thank the neighborhood restaurants for their support and to share their wonderful cuisine with our students, PTO invites them to provide lunch to our students. Each month features a different restaurant and selection. The dates for the First Semester lunches are as follows:
December 14 - Favazza's (Grilled Italian chicken strips and white pasta)

The cost is the same as last year, $4 for grades K-4, $5 for grades 5-8 and teachers/staff. Watch for the order form for these lunches at home and return to the office with your payment. Please note that Chris' will not be served on these days.

Hot Lunch Program Procedures

Thursday, November 26	Happy Thanksgiving
Friday, November 27	No School
Monday, November 30	PTO Family Night at Kemoll's No Homework, No Practice, Extended Care closes at 4:45
Tuesday, December 1	First Reconciliation
Wednesday, December 2	Presentation of ITBS Results, followed by PTO Board meeting, 7:00 pm
Sunday, December 6	Breakfast with Santa
Monday, December 7	Feast of St. Ambrose
Tuesday, December 8	Immaculate Conception
Thursday, December 10	Faculty Meeting, Noon Dismissal A Christmas Carol production, 7:00 pm
Monday, December 14	PTO Special Lunch: Favazza's
December 15-17	First Quarter Exams Check Fast Direct for schedule
Friday, December 18	Christmas Vacation Begins at 3:00 Dismissal

Grade	Teacher
K	Maria Foster
	Jennifer Smith
1	Mary Lynne Harris
2	Jennifer O'Toole
	Margaret Rotter
3	Emily Elmore
	Ann Grandstaff
4	Anne Henning
	Sr. Margaret Mary Stoverink
5	Judy King
	Kathy McIver
Brigid 301	Mary Scherer
Catherine 302	Kate Black
David 304	Debbie Hilderbrand
Thomas 303	Jen Ronzio
Vincent 305	Erin Schaeffer
Michael 306	Shanna Kar
Art	JoAnn Dreas
Computer	Debbie Hilderbrand
Learning Consultant, K-4	Michele Grellner
Learning Consultant, 5-8	Lisa Horner
Physical Education	Beth Brickey
Italian, K-8	Annunciata Buzzai
Principal	Sr. Carol Sansone
Office	Hilma Moses
Office	Linda Gambaro
Extended Care	Bernadette Mense