Bridge Program (4th & 5th Grade)
Our Bridge Program is a transition program for our 4th and 5th graders to get prepared for their junior high years. Our Bridge Program prepares our students to continue to build and apply academic skills in English Language Arts and Mathematics; discover their innate talents and abilities; grow in personal self-confidence; seek to understand their own role in the Catholic Church; think more critically about questions inside and outside the classroom, and develop the individual study habits and learning behaviors necessary to succeed in 5th through 8th Grade.
In our Bridge Program our 4th and 5th graders are exposed to managing multiple subjects and teachers while learning time management and self confidence tactics in their faith-based daily experience at Saint Ambrose School. Our Bridge students learn to REACH even more during this time of education and they are able to be role models to our younger elementary students in school-wide projects and events.
Our Bridge Program, highly prepares our students for our HSP Middle School Program where they will learn all the facets of our Saint Ambrose Portrait of Graduate!
Bridge Faculty
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Mrs. Wendy Parente
BRIDGE Team Lead - Science & Reading, 4th Grade Homeroom
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Mr. Scott Verba
BRIDGE 4th & 5th Grade Social Studies, 4th Grade Homeroom
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Mrs. Rachel Buttitta
BRIDGE ELA & Religion, 5th Grade Homeroom
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Ms. Caitlin Hirsch
BRIDGE Math & 6th Gr Adv. Math, 5th Grade Homeroom
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Mr. Jeffrey Buttitta
5th Grade Religion Teacher
Mrs. Wendy Parente
BRIDGE Team Lead - Science & Reading, 4th Grade Homeroom
This is my tenth year teaching at Saint Ambrose School. I received my B.A. in education from the University of Akron and have been teaching fourth and fifth grade within the Diocese of Cleveland since 1996. I absolutely love teaching, especially science and reading and hope to inspire my students with my passion for learning. I also enjoy using technology to enrich my students’ learning experiences and build upon those 21st-century learning skills.
I grew up in Brunswick and then moved to explore the world as a young adult. About sixteen years ago I wanted to come “home” to Brunswick and raise my children with my husband of 26 years. We have three children; a twenty-four–year-old son who is a fire-medic for the City of Willoughby and a paramedic for Lakewood Cleveland Clinic ER , twenty-two-year-old daughter who graduated from the University of Cincinnati majoring in neuroscience and biology and now is preparing to take her MCAT and a fifteen-year-old daughter who attends Brunswick High School as a tenth grader.
If I have your children as students, they will be coming home with stories I enjoy sharing about my children’s adventures and life at the Parente’s house. I love to travel, read and just spend time with my family.
Strengths: Learner ~ Input ~ Communication ~ Responsibility ~ Arranger
Mr. Scott Verba
BRIDGE 4th & 5th Grade Social Studies, 4th Grade Homeroom
This will be my first year teaching at Saint Ambrose School. I spent the last 17 years teaching in southern Ohio. I love what I teach so I look forward to bringing my enthusiasm to the classroom. Saint Ambrose has always been a special place for me since I grew up in Brunswick and attended church services here.
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from The Ohio State University in 1999. After gaining valuable work experience in Florida, I moved back to Ohio and completed my teacher certification coursework at Cleveland State University in 2004. In 2009, I received my Masters degree from Ohio University in Education Administration.
My hobbies include hiking and jogging as I prepare for numerous running challenges from 5k’s to marathons. I also enjoy traveling to the western states and all types of sports.
Strengths: Consistency Harmony Responsibility Focus Developer
Mrs. Rachel Buttitta
BRIDGE ELA & Religion, 5th Grade Homeroom
My husband Jeff and I have been married 23 years . We have three wonderful children – Brianna 27, Jeffrey 23, and Antonio 20.
I began working at Saint Ambrose School in the Fall of 2007 as a lunch/recess monitor. On my first day I immediately knew watching children learn and grow socially, emotionally, and academically was what I was meant to do. It inspired my journey to pursue my degrees in education. Teaching gives me a purpose. A purposeful blessing that allows me to guide and watch students reach their goals. I am always looking for new and innovative ways to learn more, and grow as their teacher.
Outside of school the focus truly centers on family. Spending time with my husband, children, extended family, and dearest friends is good for the soul! In my quiet time I enjoy reading, cross-stitching, and leading up new creative projects.
Strengths: Learner ~ Responsibility ~ Woo ~ Achiever ~ Includer
Ms. Caitlin Hirsch
BRIDGE Math & 6th Gr Adv. Math, 5th Grade Homeroom
Hello! My name is Caitlin Hirsch, and I am teaching math for 4th and 5th as well as 5th grade religion.
I am a new graduate, and I am so excited to have my first year teaching at Saint Ambrose School. I grew up in Broadview Heights and earned my Bachelor of Science in Middle Childhood Education with specialties in Math and Science at Baldwin Wallace University.
In my free time, I love taking long walks with my miniature dachshund, dancing, and traveling.
I am so excited for this school year! Go Angels!
Strengths: Includer, Positivity, Woo, Communication, and Individualization
Mr. Jeffrey Buttitta
5th Grade Religion Teacher
Hi everyone,
My name is Jeffrey Buttitta and I am extremely blessed and excited to be the Fifth Grade Bridge and Sixth Grade HSP Religion Teacher! Since I was five years old I have been apart of Saint Ambrose, Parish/School, it has simply been home away from home for me and simply a dream come true to teach at such a wonderful place.
I am a graduate of Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Masters degree in Secondary Education. I pride myself on being the best that I can be day in and day out and bringing Jesus Christ to every child that comes into my life.
When I am not teaching, I love to hold Bible Studies with family and friends, play multiple sports, hiking, keeping up with world news, and spending time with my family.
I look forward to this upcoming school year and what God has in store for all of us moving forward
