St. Ambrose School

Dear Parents,

A few announcements and reminders:

Congratulations on our big basketball weekend! Most of our teams are continuing in the JCYO tournaments. The 6/7th grade boys did a fabulous job closing the gap in their game,but ran out of time before they could catch up — great persistence and focus!

Operation Meditation is the new after-school group that will be working on sprucing up the Meditation Garden and Stations of the Cross behind the school. Due to the weather, their first meeting will be Wednesday, March 7 from 3-4:00. They will provide a valuable service to our community!

Middle school program on Human Sexuality: Your opt-in or opt-out forms are due TOMORROW. Please see the Opt-in/out form attached. The middle school program begins on Wednesday, Feb. 29, and requires a response. Thank you!

LENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH:

Lenten Reflection  “Lent and Easter Through the Eyes of the Father of the Church”

Father Fisher will be leading an adult evening of reflection on Thursday, March 15 in the Parish Hall at 7:30pm  All are encouraged to attend.

The Light is On…Eucharistic Adoration and Confession

Confessions will be offered at each church in the diocese on Wednesdays from 6:30-8pm

Stations of the Cross — Fridays at 2:15 and 7:30pm. Lenten Suppers follow the evening Stations of the Cross on Fridays. Living Stations will be presented by our 8th graders on Wednesday, April 4 at 2:15pm.

We will be sending  home a brochure on Wednesday about a TaeKwondo camp over Easter break. Mrs. Sue Bogan can answer questions about the academy.

Enjoy this beautiful February weather!

God bless,

Barbara Dalmut

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Dear Parents,

A few notes and reminders:

Parent meeting tonight on Positive Discipline–Room 5 at 7:00pm

Parents meeting on the middle school’s program — Gift of Human Sexuality –tonight– 8:00pm in Room 8

Pizza lunch during Lent — will be all cheese pizza since we don’t eat meat on Fridays. If you ordered pepperoni, it will still be cheese pizza.Please tell your children so they won’t be upset.

Lost & Found – please check the lost and found for uniform items that are missing.

God bless,

Barbara Dalmut

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Dear Parents,

In the spirit of giving and helping those who may find themselves in temporary need, we have been collecting diapers and wipes for Project Gabriel. Please help us by sending in diapers and wipes for Project Gabriel until February 21, 2012.

Students will get a dress down day (please dress in blue or pink) on Tuesday February 21, 2012 if your family has sent in diapers or wipes. A single package can count for an entire family.

May God bless you for your generosity!

Your Student Council

PS (from Mrs. Dalmut) My “baby” turns 21 on Feb. 21! If you forgot to purchase diapers or wipes to donate, and would prefer to send in a monetary donation, that will save you a trip to the store.  God bless you!

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February 20, 2012

Dear Parents,

The snow this weekend isn’t quite what we are used to for Presidents’ Day weekend — but it is just enough for me!

Lent begins on Wednesday. We will attend Mass at 9am both on Ash Wednesday and Friday. Stations of the Cross begin this Friday at 2:15. You are welcome to come and worship with us.

Book Fair this week! Mrs. Healy will keep the Book Fair open until 8:00 on Wednesday if you want to stop in with your children.

Positive Discipline Seminar on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7:00. Mrs. Grace Winslow gave a fabulous presentation on Homework Help last month. The parents who attended were quite pleased with how helpful her talk was. Please plan to join us.

MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS — IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

The Gift of Human Sexuality Program will be presented to your children in grades 6-8 on Feb. 29, March 7 and 21. The classes are 50 minutes each — all during the morning. Students will be separated by grade and by gender so that their classes are focused and appropriate. There is a very important parent meeting this Thursday at 8pm. It will follow the Positive Discipline seminar.

In the past, many parents have opted not to attend the meeting. I would recommend that you become actively involved in learning what your children know and where they are learning it. I am convinced that in this information age, children can access any information that they feel they need. If we do not direct them, they will get their education from the internet or their friends. We are here to work in partnership with you to help them grow in virtue and develop into happy and healthy adults.

For many years, we have worked with Kevin Bohli and Celia Fructerman, experts in the field, to provide a program that is graduated — giving each class the information that they are developmentally ready to receive. Let us continue to work as partners in educating the whole child — together we can make a difference in their lives and help them navigate this challenging culture.

Enjoy your holiday!

Barbara Dalmut

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February 17, 2012

Dear Parents,

Congratulations to our Science Fair winners! Ten students and 2 alternates will represent St. Ambrose at the Diocesan Science Fair in April.

Our middle school MathCounts Club will be competing tomorrow. They have been meeting each Friday before school to prepare for the contest. Good luck to all our mathematicians!

Good news from the Virginia Catholic Conference:

VICTORY ALERT: SCHOOL CHOICE BILL PASSES FULL SENATE

An historic moment is upon us!The Virginia Catholic Conference’s top education priority – the Education Improvement Scholarship bill (SB 131) – passed the full Senate this morning!  After very lengthy debate, the vote on the bill was a 20-20 deadlock – a tie that Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling broke in favor of the measure.

Speaking to this first-ever full Senate approval of the initiative, Conference Director Jeff Caruso noted, “This bill is vitally important to families with limited economic means, and to Catholic and other nonpublic schools across Virginia as they work to provide opportunities for children in their communities.  Virginia’s Catholic bishops, their two dioceses, and the 81 Catholic schools throughout their dioceses are extremely grateful for this outcome and to all who helped make it possible.”

The legislation, which provides tax credits for K-12 scholarship donations, now proceeds to the House of Delegates.  The House has already passed a similar bill by a 64-35 vote.

School choice in Virginia has indeed taken a giant leap forward!

Have a wonderful weekend! Let us continue to pray for one another.

God bless,

Barbara Dalmut

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February 15, 2012

Hip Hip Hooray! Our gym lights are installed! Even the students are commenting about the tremendous difference! Thank you for your patience. We are having Extended Day and lunch in the gym again!

For your planning purposes, please note the following dates:

Friday, Feb. 17 — regular dismissal at 3:00 Monday, Feb. 20 is Presidents’ Day –no school Thursday, March 8 — Teacher Work Day — 11:30 dismissal Friday, March 9 — Professional Development Day — NO SCHOOL Wednesday, March 21 — DFE Work Day for Faculty –11:30 dismissal Friday, March 30 — Report Card Work Day for Faculty — 11:30 dismissal Thursday, April 5 — Holy Thursday — Dismissal at 11:30 for Easter Break — NO PM Extended Day!

We return from Easter Break on Monday, April 16. Be sure to mark Terra Nova testing for grades 2-7 on your calendar — April 23-27. It will help your child’s test results if you do not schedule any appointments during that week.

Lost & Found: Have you seen an extra Adult Small gray St. Ambrose School Sweatshirt?If so please send it to the school office.

God bless,

Barbara Dalmut

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February 15, 2012

Dear Parents,

The Virginia Catholic Conference’s top education priority – the Education Improvement Scholarship bill – cleared a major hurdle Tuesday, passing the Senate Finance Committee by an 8-7 vote.  The bill, which provides tax credits for K-12 scholarship donations, now proceeds to an unprecedented floor vote later this week in the Senate, where it faces an even stiffer challenge.  Please email your Senator now in support of this bill, which is vitally important to families with limited economic means, and to Catholic and other nonpublic schools across Virginia as they work to sustain enrollments and provide opportunities for children in their communities.

To send an email, go to:

http://capwiz.com/vacatholic/issues/alert/?alertid=61002341&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

or compose a letter of your own. It is important that they hear from a large number of people. The electronic version takes only a few minutes. Thank you for your support!

God bless,

Barbara Dalmut

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Dear Parents,

The lights in the gym are being installed this week. Please bear with us — the Extended Day will be in the Library this week. You can use the “Library Entrance” at the left side of the building. Thank you for your patience!

What a wonderful evening on Saturday! Thank you to all those who worked so tirelessly on the event. They are still crunching numbers and updating records, but we will let you know when we have the final tally.

A few clarifications:

The white Capitals signed jersey was inadvertently listed in the program as being donated by the Capitals. It was among the many items generously donated by Bill and Theda Foster, St. Ambrose parishioners and patrons of the school.

If you read your program cover to cover as I did, you will notice a blank half-page. The ad that was supposed to run there is copied below. Alicia Cassell is a school parent, and her business was mysteriously deleted. We apologize. I am the lucky to be the winner of the consultation that she donated! Here is the information you should have seen in the program:

Fresh Ideas Interiors

One Day Interior Make-Overs

Using What You Already Own – Create

A Beautiful Home Redesign – A Less Expensive Alternative to Traditional Interior Design

Move-In Decorating/Downsizing/Bookcases/China Cabinets

Gift Certificates Available

Alicia Cassell

703-581-8583               ajm.cassell@gmail.com

You may print out the attachment for a more print friendly version.

Happy Valentine’s Day! A gentle reminder — if your child brings in valentines, please be sure to include one for every member of the class. Thank you!

God bless,

Barbara Dalmut

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Dear Parents,

I am sure you are wondering if there is anything else happening besides the Gala, and the answer is YES!

Tomorrow is Picture Day for activities, clubs, and teams. Please make sure you have your sweater and your proper uniform so that you can have your picture taken for the yearbook. Please check your skirt length and make sure you wear uniform shoes (we have seen quite a few tennis shoes lately). The 3rd and 7th grades have PE tomorrow. If you could please wear your school uniform and bring your PE clothes, we will give you time to change after your pictures are taken. If you are not a member of any club or activity, please disregard this request.

Science Fair is Friday! Parents and students may preview the projects at our Family Night Thursday from 7:00-8:00 in the Parish Hall. Students must be accompanied and supervised by their parents. This is a great opportunity for the 6th graders to get ideas for their science fair projects next year!

Congratulations to all our basketball teams! I have enjoyed seeing every team play. I am so proud of the sportsmanship and teamwork I see displayed on the court!

An invitation from Bishop O’Connell High School:

Bishop O’Connell High School is hosting a *CYO Night on Friday, Feb. 10.* Any boy or girl who is wearing a CYO jersey gets in free to the varsity boys’ basketball game against Bishop McNamara.  Tip off is at 7:30 p.m., but you should plan to arrive by 7 p.m. to qualify for this special offer, which includes a coupon for a free drink and snack from the concession stand.  Better yet, come by *6:30 p.m. to meet the team*!  Entering the school via entrance #6 (near the baseball field) will put you in the action!  Questions?  Contact Coach Wootten at jwootten@bishopoconnell.org.

God bless,

Barbara Dalmut

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Dear Parents,

It is hard to believe, but we are a few days away from our Gala! It promises to be a wonderful evening of community building and fundraising! There is no question; we are counting on the success of the evening! The funds raised by the PTO go directly to provide funds to support our strong academic and spiritual program

A few requests –

THE ONLINE AUCTION will end at 7:00pm on Thursday, Feb. 9! Many items will carry over to the Gala, but some will close out. If you are bidding on an item that will go to the Gala, but you are not attending, you can bid by proxy. We will have a Secret Bidder representing you, and will keep bidding for you until the item reaches your Maximum Bid.

Be sure to look again. There are 48 items – if you haven’t looked this week, you missed some great additions. Go to: http://www.biddingforgood.com/StAmbrose.

TICKETS : If you are planning to attend and have not reserved your tickets, please do so right away. Last year we sold out, and it was very disappointing for some people who wanted to attend.

HELP! If you have not volunteered to help because you thought everything was taken care of, or didn’t know what to sign up for, it is not too late! This is CRUNCH week, and there is plenty to do!

– Can you run an errand? Pick up 20 paint sticks from Home Depot for our bidding paddles? Pick up some last-minute donations?

– Setup on Friday afternoon from 2:00- approximately 6:00pm

– Setup on Saturday – from 9:00am until we’re done – the more the merrier… and the faster!

– Cleanup:  immediately after the Gala and/or 8am-noon on Sunday (we have to clear out for CCD classes)

Even if you are not attending the Gala, we need your help! 8th graders are welcome to earn their service hours with setup and cleanup. We have high school students helping out at the actual evening event. We can’t have our current students present when alcohol is being served. I am afraid that our theme: A Knight for the Kids was a little confusing – it’s for their benefit, but they can’t attend! The office has names of some babysitters if you still need one!

I look forward to seeing you at the Gala!  Three of my four children and my sister will be attending (and helping as needed). This is a family event – don’t miss out on the chance to be a part of the Gala!

God bless,

Barbara Dalmut

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