We have done so much this year!
Posted on June 1, 2021
May 26, 2021
Dear Families:
I can’t believe that our school year is coming to a close. We have done so much this year and have been very successful with our COVID policies. We have been open and kept our children safe, healthy, and, most importantly, happy.
Our Catholic faith and identity continue to be at the forefront of everything we do here at St Ambrose School. On December 8, the entire school joined in a special prayer service to bless the newly opened Blessed Mother Shrine in front of the school. On that day, the whole school joined in praying the rosary and consecration of the school to the Blessed Mother. As May is the month dedicated to the Blessed Mother, we held our annual May crowning Mass and ceremony, as well as several school rosaries throughout the year.
This spring, we had the 8th Grade perform the Living Stations of the Cross for both the parish and school, and our second graders made their First Confession and First Holy Communion. This was a big year for the 2nd Grade, who continued the tradition of helping us learn about the saints in the November “All Saints’ Day Celebration.”
Fr. Bergida worked with the 7th Grade on a special service project. They bottled Holy Water and made it available to the parish and school as Holy Water was not available in the Church during COVID.
Although our 8th Grade could not attend the annual March for Life in Washington, DC this January, as done in other years, our school had a presentation by a Pro-Life speaker, and our students participated in a day of Eucharistic Adoration for our nation.
Every week, Fr. Fisher and Fr. Bergida teach religion in the classrooms and offer confessions. We are grateful for their support.
Even with COVID, our school staff has worked hard to ensure students get to Mass each Thursday in person and online. I am proud to see our students on the altar as cantors, lectors, and altar servers.
This is St. Ambrose School, a place where we truly live our Catholic faith.
Even with all the challenges this year has brought to our school, we continue with our unique traditions, like the Greek Fair and the Shakespeare play. Both were a huge success.
Also, we had the opportunity to gather for the first time as a school to wish Father Fisher a happy birthday. I hold that moment dear to my heart because it has been the only moment I got to see all of our students together at the same time. It was a beautiful experience.
None of this would have been possible without the hard work, love, and dedication of our fantastic faculty and staff. They are the true heroes of this pandemic. They are invested in our students, and they have indeed shown it throughout the year.
Last but not least, what can I say about our amazing PTO? I would need many paragraphs to be able to write about their tireless work and support for our school. St. Ambrose has accomplished so much with their support, from replacing our Smartboards with ActivPanels, purchasing IPads and Chromebooks, and maintaining our sense of community through this challenging year.
It is, for this reason, that on Friday during the Knight to Celebrate, I had the honor and privilege to present three awards:
The Principal’s Award for Innovation. Given to individuals who have introduced new ideas that bring life and growth to our St. Ambrose community. I presented this award to Michele Robbins.
The Devine Service Award. In recognition of an individual who has given outstanding support to St. Ambrose Parish and School. I presented this award to Eileen Bliss.
The Thelma Johnson Award. In recognition of an individual who quietly and consistently serves the St. Ambrose community in a spirit of selfless humility. I presented this award to Caryn Graham.
I want to thank all of our parents for their support and commitment this year. We are blessed to have the opportunity to walk this journey with you for the formation of the “whole child” through the examples and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Yours in Christ,
Maria Teresa Tejada
