ST. AMBROSE Monday Memo November 25, 2013 Principal s Corner I pray that you all have a safe and peaceful Thanksgiving. In the midst of the busyness of the season, it is easy to forget to stop and recall what we have to be thankful for in our lives. May this weekend give us a short break to remember to thank God for the many blessings in our lives. December 4 Grade 2 First Reconciliation I have been awed at the generosity of our students in large and small ways during this first semester of school. St. Ambrose is a wonderful place to belong. May we take time this weekend to keep one another in our prayers as we continue to be people of faith and compassion. St. Ambrose Catholic School mission is to serve the spiritual, academic and personal needs of children and their families. We provide a quality education by fostering creativity, divergent thinking and the skills needed to meet the challenges of a changing world. We prepare children to be examples of Christ in the global community by educating in a spirit of understanding, peace, and tolerance.
Academics The eighth grade have been studying minerals and rocks the past several weeks. To integrate the many concepts that are similar between rocks and minerals, the eighth grade made geodes during a hands-on lab. Geodes are sphere-like stones with crystals in the middle. Sometimes, crystals inside can be of different colors due to the different minerals of which the rock is comprised. To create the geode, the students created a super-saturated solution using Epsom salt. They poured the solution into half of an eggshell and added food coloring of their choice. As the solution cools and the water evaporates, the Epsom crystals will be left behind as a solid. This mimics the natural process of crystal formation through water evaporation. Not only did we make our own geodes, but we also broke real geodes open in hopes to uncover some of these crystals. Middle School art students recently prepared gift bags for distribution by the Health and Wellness Committee for our senior citizens residing in nursing homes. The bags were brightly decorated with a variety of festive "Christmas Trees", and the enclosed cards were beautifully illustrated with scenes of The Nativity. The gifts enclosed consist of hand-woven ornaments called, "Ojo de Dios" (God's Eye). The students really enjoyed making them! Don't be surprised if your sixth grader starts behaving like a "super sleuth." In Literature class they are reading The Sign of the Four, a Sherlock Holmes mystery. The audio link is available on Mrs. Black's bulletin board. VBRD The Kindergarten has been working on the virtue of kindness and wore heart stickers to remind them about their kindnesses as well as to "think with their hearts." The first grade class has been working on and talking about the virtue of honesty. Mrs. Elmore's third grade has begun having birthday circles focusing on positive attributes of the birthday child. Mrs. King's fourth grade began the month researching the saints, and held a class circle to talk about the virtues displayed in the lives of those saints. In Religion class, the seventh grade had a class circle to discuss the virtues needed for healthy relationships: trust and loyalty. This was an introduction to the sacraments.
Dates to Remember Nov. 27 Mass, Noon Dismissal, No Aftercare available Nov. 28-29 No School for Students Dec. 2 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Health Screening, begins at 8 AM First Reconciliation, 6:30 PM in Church PTO Board meeting, 6:30 PM Dec. 12 Christmas Concert, 7 PM Dec. 18 PTO Family Dinner at Panera Bread Company Dec. 20 Noon Dismissal, Christmas Break begins These students have volunteered to read at the 9 AM Mass on Sunday (12/1): Melanie Luczak and Henry Lankford.
Congratulations to our Soccer Team Congratulations to our coaches and athletes of the Eighth Grade Boys Soccer Team. They finished in first place in the CYC South Central Division. From the PTO Family Dinner Night will be December 18 at Panera Bread Company. All proceeds benefit St. Ambrose School.
Breakfast with Santa Breakfast with Santa will be held on Sunday, December 8 from 7:30-11:30 a.m. Tickets may be purchased from any St. Ambrose eighth grade student or in the school office. Ticket prices, in advance, are $6.00 for adults, $4.00 for children (ages 2-8), children under 2 years of age are free. Tickets purchased the day of the breakfast are $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children (ages 2-8). Christmas on the Hill On Saturday, December 7, the annual celebration of Christmas on the Hill will take place. Our children have been asked to participate by singing traditional Italian carols and hymns with the adult choir. It will be a lot of fun, with refreshments and all the traditional festivities. This will also be a wonderful time to showcase to others our fine school and the outstanding students who learn and work together here. Mr. Scott needs students in grades 3-5 who would be available to sing with the choir in the evening. If your child can be available for this great opportunity, please contact Mr. Scott through Fast Direct.