GRATEFUL: the movie
To help tell the story of The Ambrose School, we enlisted professional videographer and Ambrose parent, Ronn Seidenglanz, along with Tanya Pavlis, to produce “Grateful.” Here is the final product, starring all of our students, and many of our wonderful teachers and staff who share in the vision of a school that will not just offer an excellent academic education, but will shape the paedeia of each child to the likeness of Christ. We think Ronn and Tanya (Sidewayz Films) did an amazing job. What do you think?
The Living History Museum: Everything you wanted to know about ancient Rome
Our very knowledgeable 7th grade girls put on an interactive museum experience yesterday. Anyone who took a tour could learn fascinating facts of ancient Roman history, including Roman surgical instruments (yikes!), Roman baths, hygiene, fashion, slaves, architecture, soldiers, battles, and more. 7th grade girls teacher Sarah Westcott organized the museum. Said Westcott, “The museum featured facts and trivia regarding Roman history, though Rome had many cross influences from Greece and surrounding areas.” 7th grader Gina Um did her museum station on Roman mythology – one of the areas of Roman history where the Greek influence is readily seen. Gina enjoyed presenting to the other students as they wandered through the museum, listening intently, answering questions, and gaining the coveted piece of candy for correct answers. Miss Um said she often spoke in an impromptu manner, changing how she presents the information to each group that came to listen. She reported that she spent several hours working on her display board, then additional time preparing and memorizing her speech. The Living History Museum is an annual event put on each year by the 7th grade students.
Lacrosse team takes second in state tournament
The Ambrose Archers took on the Capital Eagles in a battle for the D2 state lacrosse title on Wednesday, May 20th. The Archers had faced the undefeated Eagles team previously in the season, and were prepared for a tough game. The Archers played aggressively, getting to the goal and taking a high percentage of shots. The Eagles defense was strong, though, along with precise goal-shooting on their part, leading to the Eagles winning the state championship with a score of 13-7. Ambrose had a remarkable season, reaching a new milestone by making it to the state championship for the first time. We are proud of our players and coaches for their consistent and intense efforts that have lead to consistent growth in our lacrosse program in only four years. GO ARCHERS!
Insights: Cultivating STEM at The Ambrose School
Perhaps you’ve noticed the clamor regarding STEM education and wondered, “How can a ‘humanities-based’ education truly prepare students for a career in the sciences?” We asked Ken Hosier, our biology, chemistry, physics and human biology teacher, to respond: Cultivating STEM at The Ambrose School by Kenneth W. Hosier Upper School Science Teacher At the turn of this century, many corporations, educational institutions, and science organizations became increasingly alarmed at what was then perceived as a decline in science educational quality. Some were worried that the U.S. would not be able to produce enough graduates competent in science and technology to remain competitive in the global market. Part of the problem was that many of the science and technology fields were not integrated in the classroom, yet laboratories in the private sector required scientists and engineers to be proficient in several facets of technology and science. For example, when I worked as a chemist I had to calibrate and fix gas chromatographs, use complex mathematical concepts to calibrate instruments and determine concentrations of contaminants, and write macros to transfer and integrate data into a usable interface for the customers. Of course, there was a bit of chemistry to do as well. In our societal pursuit to standardize curriculum, have we left out one of the most critical elements of our science programs—developing young scientists to be able to think logically and critically across the different fields of science and engineering? STEM (an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) was first used during the mid 1990’s by the National Science Foundation.1 STEM can be defined as, “An interdisciplinary approach to learning that removes the traditional barriers separating the four disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and integrates them into real-world, rigorous, and relevant learning experiences.” 2 Cries for a greater emphasis on STEM have grown in intensity as of late. In 2012, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) came out with the global rankings for several subject-matter areas, including science and math. Over 510,000 students 15 years of age took the exams. Many here in the U.S. were startled when they discovered we had slipped to 31st in math and 24th in science globally.3 Educational pundits and leaders in the corporate world demanded more rigorous standards for math and science. Concern for the future of science and technology in the U.S. had suddenly elevated STEM from a potential paradigm adjustment to a pedagogical imperative. Talking with parents and administration recently has made me keenly aware that our community here at Ambrose wants to know how our students will be prepared to take on the STEM disciplines after high school (for graduates who decide to pursue these fields). More specifically, how will students who graduate with a classical Christian education (cCe) fare in comparison to their charter school or public school counterparts? Know that I am not under some directive from the administration to “sell” cCe nor will I make disparaging remarks about the education provided by my colleagues and friends at other educational institutions. I know there are schools that offer a solid science curriculum and are at the forefront of developing STEM education. What I will be addressing is how cCe prepares students for the STEM fields. The question that generally arises is, “How does a school with a ‘humanities-centered’ curriculum prepare students for the STEM programs at the collegiate level?” Let me assure you what we do here will prepare our students well. As a former scientist, I am passionate about developing a robust curriculum in the science department that will not only prepare students for a post-secondary education, but hopefully instill a life-long interest in science. It’s a lofty goal, to be sure, but one I am dedicated to achieving. Medical professionals, scientists and engineers are required to think, develop, execute, and evaluate daily. cCe strives to develop students that do the same and this is cultivated across the disciplines. Our school values the Great Books and Great Ideas. We also value the importance of using logic and rhetoric to engage in the discourse of specific principles and ideals. To avoid sounding verbose, it might be best to just look at a specific aspect of our curriculum. In 9th grade, the students are required to read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley in their humanities class. Let’s take a closer look at Frankenstein through a different lens, integrating STEM and cCe. In biology we discuss the ethics of gene therapy and cloning. Questions that arise include: Should Dr. Frankenstein have created the monster in the first place? Does Frankenstein’s monster have a soul? Is genetic manipulation and reprogramming ethical and in what context (treating genetic disorders versus genetic enhancement)? How is a virus used to rewrite the genome? These are complex questions that force students to understand cloning in a way that goes beyond rote memorization. As a staff we are constantly challenging our students to think well. This happens when students are translating Virgil from Latin to English. It happens when students have to organize and lead community service projects for House. It happens when they have to develop a thesis (similar to a hypothesis), research it, write about it, and defend it in front of a panel of judges, teachers, and their peers. We want to develop virtuous, logical Christian thinkers, not simple regurgitators of knowledge. The evidence of preparedness for the STEM fields is found in the pursuits and accomplishments of our graduates. Since we are a relatively small community, I have had the opportunity and pleasure of keeping in touch with many of the alumni over the years. Quite a few have gone on to study and gain employment in a variety of STEM fields. Alumni have earned or are currently pursuing degrees in nursing, pre-med, physical therapy, aeronautical engineering, mechanical engineering, sports science, mathematics, chemistry, geology, wildlife biology, general biology, and physics. Several have gone on to work on advanced degrees. A couple of current Ambrose students will be working as
Archers win semifinal game; state championship up next
The Ambrose Archers lacrosse team took on Wood River today in the semifinal playoff game to decide which team will vie for the district championship. The Archers had lost to Wood River earlier in the season, and was ready for a challenging match. Ambrose scored first, and kept the game neck and neck throughout, with only a 1-point difference the entire time. Time ran out with the score tied 5-5, necessitating a sudden death overtime. The Archers ran a beautifully executed play that resulted in the winning goal, and a very excited Ambrose team! Archers will play for the championship Wednesday, May 20th, at 6:00 pm at Meridian High football field. Fan support is key, so please come out and cheer on our team. GO ARCHERS!
Feasting, dancing, knighting, jousting – it’s Medieval Day!
Our 4th grade students rounded out their year of studying the Medieval time period by bringing it to life through a day filled with Medieval style events and activities. All the students were knighted by their “queens” (aka Mrs. Patchin & Mrs. Gammon), then proceeded on to enjoy a catapult competition, jousting, archery, dancing, and other games. A royal feast also ensued, and toasts were prepared and made. Thank you to Michelle Seusy for these photos of the day.
It’s not too late! Please join us Saturday at The Egyptian Theater for our annual auction!
Online registration is now closed. BUT, you can register in the office or at the door for The Egyptian Theater portion of the evening. Restaurant registration is closed. This year’s auction will make for a great date night full of fellowship and fun as we enjoy an evening together downtown! This year’s experience will focus on fellowship and gratitude. Join us for dinner at either Berryhill or Asiago’s, then head to the Egyptian Theater for the live auction and premiere of “GRATEFUL: A Journey of Gratitude” – a short film about our school produced by Sidewayz Films. Wow! Look at some of these auction items! In addition to all the great class projects, we have some other LIVE items that we would like to highlight here. Many of the LIVE items are on display in the gymnasium hallway: 4th of July McCall Vacation. Stay in a lovely3 bedroom/3bath cabin over the 4th of July weekend in McCall. Privacy is yours in this newer home situated on 6 wooded acres. You will also enjoy a $200 gift certificate to Mile High Marina for either a jet ski or boat rental during your stay. Dates: Wednesday, July 1- Sunday, July 5. Original Oil Painting by renowned and local artist, Niles Nordquist. “Moving Shadows” is a stunning piece depicting a mountain pass west of Winterpark, Colorado. It is an oil painting onto linen and beautifully framed in a 24×36 frame. This is a one of a kind piece that would make any home or office proud to display this masterpiece. Waterfront McCall cabin and 100 Redline Rental Points. The cabin is located on Warren Wagon Road just 10 min from downtown McCall. This beautiful cabin can be yours for 5 days and 4 nights. You can choose 4 nights between June 24-July 2. Use your Redline points to rent a ski boat, or the toy of your choice! California Adventure Package! Reserved during our fall break, Saturday, Oct. 3- Saturday, October 10, you will spend 7 days and nights at the Marriott Newport Coast Villas in Newport Beach CA. This place is awesome! Included are 4 one-day passes to Disneyland. Your own Personal Paddleboard. This is 11’6″ Hydrus all-around/Yoga ISUP, an inflatable paddle board that can do it all.
Kindergarten openings still available
Hurry! We have a few more open Kindergarten spots, but they fill up quickly! Please get those applications in as soon as possible. We seek families who share our vision to join our community. Now is the time to apply. Considerations for new family acceptance: Family support. A family faith that aligns with our statement of faith. An understanding of classical Christian education. A student’s test results. For older students, their contribution to our school community. None of these are “litmus tests.” Rather, we consider all factors when admitting a new student. See our Admissions pages for more details, or contact our Admissions Director at admissions@theambroseschool.org or call (208)323-3888. You may also submit a form by clicking on the button below. [blox_button text=”INQUIRE NOW” link=”http://theambroseschool.org/admissions/inquire-now/” target=”_self” style=”metro” border=”bordered” color=”#003366″ icon=”” size=”large” align=”center” /]
