Congratulations to Dalirys Rodriguez, one of our eighth grade students honored at the Breakfast of Champions on January 26th.  The Saint Thomas Aquinas Award is given annually to individuals who have shown excellence in academics at their respective schools.  The awardees also must exemplify the Gospel Values we are called to in our Catholic faith through service to others and Christ-like behavior. Dalyrus is as fine example of a good student and a good servant to God.  Congratulations, again.

On Sunday, January 30th, there was a culminating event for our Dancing Classrooms Program. Dancing Classrooms is a twenty session event for our fourth and fifth grade students to learn Ballroom Dancing.  Throughout the ten weeks, the young dancers learned the intricacies of the tango, polka, waltz, meringue, fox trot and swing.  In addition to the dances, the curriculum for this program included lessons in courtesy and respect and some history of the dances themselves.  This past Sunday, the fifth grade youngsters from all the Cluster schools competed in an event that all the audience could see was great fun for the children.  In fact, the audience as treated to brief essays and poems the children wrote to address the challenges and hard work …and fun of the dances.  Many of the children were awarded medals honoring their talent.  Great job!

Catholic Schools Week, January 29th to February 5th, is an annual celebration that honors the partners in our educational journey..  We invite the school community to appreciate the family, friends, teachers and heritage who have contributed to making us great.  Please come and join us in our celebrations.

One of the more important parts of this week is the welcome given to prospective families.  Student guides will be available to give guided tours to our guests and answer any questions they may have about our program.  Members of our staff will be available to answer questions about the classes and the programs.  In addition to prospective families, we invite alumni to visit and see how we’ve grown.  Guided tours will be available from 9am to noon.

Please find the schedule of events listed below.

Catholic Schools Week 2012

Open House     -   Tours, registration packets, financial aid forms and general
                                 information available   
                                         Sunday -2-4 pm 
                                         Monday – Thursday 9am-12 pm

Monday      – Buddy Appreciation Day – Students will celebrate the friendships they’ve made
                       over the school year with a variety of activities and fun happenings

Tuesday -      Student Appreciation Day – Students will have an opportunity to switch classes
                        and learn what other teachers are like.  Teachers will draw a grade for student
                        visits, and, for one class period, students will change classes and to see what the
                        other classes learn. Students are also invited to dress down this day.

Wednesday – Cultural Appreciation Day – Students are invited to dress in costumes that
                        reflect their cultural identity. (no street clothes….costumes only) Students will also
                        be treated to a feast of ethnic foods that are prepared for our school families
                        In addition, there will be an assembly program that honors Rosa
                        Parks.

Thursday    -  Family and Friends Appreciation Day   - Students will be able to share their
                        lunchtime with family and friends.  Desserts and beverages will be provided by the
                        Saint Ambrose Home School Association.

Friday         -   Teacher Appreciation Day – Teachers are treated to a luncheon provided by the
                        Saint Ambrose Home and School Association

This week, St. Joe’s Honors Biology class will visit our middle school to give the students an opportunity to explore the world of genetics.  The high school seniors will guide our learners through labs and activities that will challenge and inspire.

The Student Council will be sponsoring 2 Sneaker Fridays to benefit the Saint Ambrose School Library. The students are working with Sister Catherine to raise money to increase the Social Studies and Science resources for reference and research.

The Middle School students will be taking mid-term exams from January 9th through January 20th.  For most students, this is a time to showcase the hard work they’ve done so far this year. The schedule is as follows:

                       January 9th          Math
                      January 10th        Reading/Literature
                      January 12th        Vocabulary/Spelling
                      January 13th        English
                      January 17th        Science
                      January 18th        Social Studies/History
                      January 19th        Religion
                      January 20th       Geography
                      TBA                       Spanish

The 20th also marks the end of the second marking period and Report Cards will be distributed on January 27th.  No formal conferences are scheduled at this time, but, as always, parents may request a meeting with any teacher to address areas of concern.

January 29th begins the national Catholic Schools Week Celebration.  Teachers, Staff and parents are busy planning activities to highlight appreciation for themselves and the world around them. More information on that will follow as soon as plans are finalized.  One of the most important activities that will be held all week, however, is our Open House.  Each day from 9-noon, students will be available to guide visitors, prospective families and neighbors through the school to highlight our programs.  Registration packets will be available at that time.  Watch for the schedule of additional events coming shortly.

On December 23rd, we will celebrate the Christmas season with a Christmas Mass and a Happy Birthday Baby Jesus Party.  We will begin the celebration with a Mass hosted by Grade 3.  Immediately following the Mass,  the school community will proceed to the Church Hall to honor Jesus.  There will be a small program and refreshments.  There may even be a visit by a special visitor from the North Pole.

Grades 2 and 3 will be taking a field trip to Peabody Museum on November 16th to help give them background for their Social Studies project for the upcoming Social Studies Fair.