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Family Focus 6/30/24

07/12/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

2023-24

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"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 (Campus Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2023-2024)

June 30, 2024

Dear Parent/Guardians:

The Bethlehem Academy Board of Directors closed out the 2023-2024 school year at their meeting Wednesday night. Thank you to outgoing Board Chair, Cory Caron, for his leadership these past three years and welcome to incoming Board Chair, Beth Dienst. We extend our gratitude as well to Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa Associates Mary Jane Alexander and Patty Murray, for their service to the Board.

The Selection Committee for the Head of School position, together with school leadership, is actively working on an interim leadership model for the 2024-2025 school year while we continue with the search process. We will share more in the coming weeks.

The Board also passed an updated PSEO class reimbursement policy effective for next school year: for each PSEO class of 3 credits or more taken in a high school semester, tuition may be reduced 3.5% if, upon successful completion of the course, parents make a request to the BA business office within a time period set by the school administration. Once classes begin in the fall, details on the process and relevant deadlines will be provided in a timely manner to those affected by this policy.

Tuition contracts / Scrip: We ask parents to complete their tuition contracts and set up a payment schedule in EduTrak ASAP. Click HERE to log in. Find the purple tuition icon and follow the prompts to set up your contract. Email Lisa Moon if you need family key information to set up an account. FYI: Scrip credits earned will be applied to EduTrak contracts as a payment June 28.

Happy Fourth of July! A reminder that the office will be closed next week, July 1-5. The leadership team is likewise taking time away from the office July 1-5. Enjoy your time with friends and family!

Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
Kris Sauer, Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel
Click on individual names to contact a member of the Leadership Team or email the entire team at leadership@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATES

RAFFLE/VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Parent Volunteer Program Information: Click HERE

July 11-13: SMART Bike Ride for Catholic education. Click HERE to register to ride or sponsor a rider. (Participating parents earn volunteer hours for biking!)
July 17-21: BA fair stand @ the Rice County Fair - parent and student volunteers needed, click here to sign up.
August 2: BA Cardinal Golf Classic - sponsor this great event and/or golf with us at the Legacy! Click here to register.

FREE Baby Grand Piano! A member of our BA community has a Yamaha baby grand piano they would like to give to a passionate instrument lover who will take it and care for it. Please reach out to Gina Yetzer if interested.

2024-2025 BA School Calendar: Click HERE

Student Summer Reading Assignments: Click HERE to find titles and reading guides for each grade and/or high school class for your sons and daughters.

Lost and Found: Claim by July 10!

Summer Office Hours: BA's front office is open Monday through Thursday, 9am-1pm, closed Fridays, and will be closed the week of July 1-5.

PSE Local Coordinator Position Available: PSE, the student exchange company that is sending Bethlehem Academy a Korean boy for the '24-'25 school year is looking for a Local Coordinator. This is a contracted, paid position and is about 1 hour per month. The Local Coordinator checks in with the student and the host family monthly and fills out an online report (14 questions) and uploads the students grades in a PDF format. The LC vets the host family, making a trip to the home to meet the family and see the student's bedroom and also does an orientation with the family (a PowerPoint presentation) and also the same with the student. The pay is $80 a month to fill out the online report and the LC then gets paid $300 for meeting the family and doing the orientations for both students. Please contact Cheryl Da Silva, PSE Regional Manager 617 710 5700 or cdasilva@pse-edu.org if interested.

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Faribault Transportation Open House:
Faribault Transportation is holding an Open House on Tuesday, June 25th from 4:00 to 6:30pm. It’s a fun Summer get together with our drivers. It is open to the community. If you are interested in driving school bus or being a bus aide, this is a great opportunity to learn more about these positions at Faribault Transportation. Tuesday, June 25th from 4-6:30pm. Bring your family!! Faribault Transportation is located at 2615 NW 1st Ave. in Faribault.

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

Family Focus 6/21/24

06/27/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

2023-24

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Prayers and thanksgiving for a successful, faith-filled trip student trip to Italy (including Rome, Assisi, and Florence), for an end to this incessant rain, and for a safe, happy, and healthy summer break!

Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel, Kris Sauer, Stephen Uphus, Katie Smith
Click on individual names to contact a member of the Leadership Team or email the entire team at leadership@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATES

RAFFLE/VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Parent Volunteer Program Information: Click HERE

WIN CASH-Cardinal Club Raffle: Order your 2024 Cardinal Club raffle tickets by noon June 27 for a chance to win cash! Top prize: $1500. Click HERE for an order form.
July 11-13: SMART Bike Ride for Catholic education. Click HERE to register to ride or sponsor a rider. (Participating parents earn volunteer hours for biking!)
July 17-21: BA fair stand @ the Rice County Fair - parent and student volunteers needed, click here to sign up.
August 2: BA Cardinal Golf Classic - sponsor this great event and/or golf with us at the Legacy! Click here to register.

2024-2025 BA School Calendar: Click HERE

Staff/Student Summer Reading Assignments: Both students and staff have a summer reading assignment this year. Click HERE to find titles and reading guides for each grade and/or high school class for your sons and daughters. Staff is reading "The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness" by Jonathan Haid, a particularly timely title as social media warnings and school cell phone bans are in the news this week.

Lost and Found: Claim by July 10!

Summer Office Hours: BA's front office is open Monday through Thursday, 9am-1pm, closed Fridays, and will be closed the week of July 1-5.

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

Family Focus 5/31/24

06/20/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

2023-24

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"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 (Campus Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2023-2024)

May 31, 2024

Dear Parent/Guardians:

Happy summer! We hope you and your family has a wonderful, relaxing break. School may be finished for the year, but there is still a lot happening at BA! See below for important summer transition information.

Staffing Updates: The end of the school year also brings with it some changes in staffing for next year. We are excited to welcome Mr. Tom Nardi to the staff as our new middle school theology teacher. Tom is a University of St. Thomas alumni who spent the last year in the Bronx with the with the Seton Education Partners program. We are excited to welcome him to the BA team! Sadly as the school year ends, we say farewell to Ms. Emily Cicha (Choir) who will be moving on to new opportunities and to Mr. Ken Gigante who has returned to the Philippines with his family. Mr. Stephen Uphus will also be departing staff for a new opportunity, but will be available to work with students through the end of July and will continue coaching football in the fall. We are thankful for their time with us at BA and wish them all the best. We are working to fill these positions, along with hiring a night time custodian and a high school math teacher. Find current openings HERE and please spread the word!

Parent Volunteer Program: Information was sent out via email Thursday. A reminder that the policy was amended this year and any parent hours not served (25 hours per family) will be billed next May. Please click HERE for all the details and to get signed up in POINT (replacing SignUpGenius) to volunteer. LOTS of summer volunteer opportunities, including selling raffle tickets after Mass June 15-16, the Heritage Days parade June 15, helping on the golf tournament committee, biking the SMART Ride July 11, 12 and/or 13, working at the BA fair stand (July 17-21), and signing up to be a parent class ambassador. Reach out to Kris Sauer with any questions.

2024-2025 tuition contracts are now available in Wordware/EduTrak. If you have an existing account, please click HERE to log in. Find the purple tuition icon and follow the prompts to set up your contract. Don't have an account? Watch for an email from Lisa Moon with your family key and login information. Please reach out if to Kris or Lisa if you have any questions. Thank you!

2 Host Families Needed! We are looking for two families to host an 8th grade girl and an 8th grade boy (not siblings) from South Korea for 2024-2025. Please consider opening your home to this student so they can join us at BA! Host families receive a monthly stipend, a tuition credit, and fulfill their parent service hour commitment when they host an international student. Please contact Kris Sauer if interested.

UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2024-2025 BA School Calendar

June 15: Heritage Days parade - parent/student volunteers needed. Click HERE to sign up.
July 11-13: SMART Bike Ride for Catholic education. Click HERE to register to ride.
July 17-21: BA fair stand @ the Rice County Fair - parent and student volunteers needed, click here to sign up.
August 2: BA Cardinal Golf Classic - golf with us at the Legacy! Earn service hours - be a committee member for this event! Click here to sign up.

Kudos to our spring sport athletes! Good luck to our co-op track athletes competing in section finals tomorrow. Special shout out to Barak Barner (110 hurdles) and Brooklyn Becker (800m) qualifying for state in Thursday's preliminary races. Girls softball finished their season in Austin last week, boys co-op baseball finished their season in Winona yesterday with a tough 6-5 loss.

Prayers for a safe, happy, healthy summer break!

Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel, Kris Sauer, Stephen Uphus, Katie Smith
Click on individual names to contact a member of the Leadership Team or email the entire team at leadership@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATES
Summer Office Hours: Starting Monday, June 3, BA's front office will be open Monday through Thursday, 9am-1pm, closed Fridays.

Summer Reading Assignments: English teachers have begun sharing the 2024 class-based summer reading assignments. Click HERE to find titles and reading guides for each grade and/or high school class.

BA Summer Camps: All are welcome to join our summer camp programs! Click HERE for information and registration forms for our volleyball, girls & boys basketball, football, and robotics camps this summer. Information for the fall 2024 grade 4-6 youth football league sign up is also included on this page.

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE

Click HERE to register for Totus Tuus.

Click HERE to sign up for Summer Stretch.

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

Family Focus 5/25/24

05/30/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

2023-24

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June 15: Heritage Days parade - parent/student volunteers needed
July 11-13: SMART Bike Ride for Catholic education
July 17-21: BA fair stand @ the Rice County Fair - parent and student volunteers needed
August 2: BA Cardinal Golf Classic - golf with us at the Legacy!

Prayers for the Class of 2024 and for a restful Memorial Day weekend. Prayers to all our fallen military members and their families.

Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel, Kris Sauer, Stephen Uphus, Katie Smith
Click on individual names to contact a member of the Leadership Team or email the entire team at leadership@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATES
Message from the School Nurse: If your student has a medication that is not controlled, please pick up from the nurses office by May 29, 2024. If you have a controlled medication, make sure you have made arrangements to pick from nurse before May 29, at 1pm. Thank you! Have a great summer!

Summer Office Hours: Starting Monday, June 3, BA's front office will be open Monday through Thursday, 9am-1pm, closed Fridays.

Summer Reading Assignments: English teachers have begun sharing the 2024 class-based summer reading assignments. Click HERE to find titles and reading guides for each grade and/or high school class.

BA Summer Camps: All are welcome to join our summer camp programs! Click HERE for information and registration forms for our volleyball, girls & boys basketball, football, and robotics camps this summer. Information for the fall 2024 grade 4-6 youth football league sign up is also included on this page.

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE

Click HERE to register for Totus Tuus.

Click HERE to sign up for Summer Stretch.

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Fall sport option for BA students! Mountain biking with the local team: Cannon Valley Composite. All ability levels are welcome. For more information, reach out to Coach Todd Trembley at ttrembley@charter.net

Stanford Summer Mentors program: Click HERE for the flyer with more information on this program.

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

Family Focus 5/17/24

05/24/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

2023-24

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"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 (Campus Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2023-2024)

May 17, 2024

Dear Parent/Guardians:

What a blessing to celebrate Mass this morning with Divine Mercy Catholic School! We concluded Mass with a Eucharistic Procession where interested students and staff silently and reverently followed the Eucharist and Our Lady of Fatima from the front steps of BA to the Adoration Chapel. The procession also helped our school community commemorate and kick off locally the Eucharistic Congress procession starting today across the country. God is good!

Graduation Week! This is one of the busiest and most rewarding weeks of the year as we prepare to honor and celebrate the Class of 2024! Please join us Wednesday, May 22 at 1pm in the gym for the all-school Mary Ceremony and for Baccalaureate Mass with Bishop Williams at 7:30pm at Divine Mercy Catholic Church. Friday, May 24, we will gather at 9:30am for our grade 6-12 Awards Ceremony. We ask that grade 6-11 students be in Mass Dress Code on Wednesday and Friday next week. Students grades 6-11 will be dismissed at the conclusion of the Awards Ceremony, Friday around 11am. No grade 6-11 lunch will be served Friday, May 24. Please join us at 7:30pm May 24 for the Class of 2024 Commencement ceremony. All are welcome. Senior parents - see below for additional information.

Finals begin next week for students grades 9-11, with Cardinal A-C finals Thursday and Cardinal D finals Friday morning. Seniors will take their white period 1-3 exams Monday and red period 1-3 finals Tuesday. Please encourage your scholar to reach out to teachers with questions or for assistance as the year winds down.

Lunch program update: Last month, BA's lunch program successfully passed an in-person administrative review conducted by the MN Department of Education's USDA-governed school nutrition program. Earlier this week we had a snap MN Department of Health inspection, which the program also successfully passed. This correlates to the results of previous snap inspections, which are standard, conducted earlier this year.

Have you completed the enrollment form for your student(s) for next year? You should be receiving emails from PowerSchool Enrollment. If you do not see them, please check your junk/spam folder. Tuition award letters were sent Tuesday to parents whose students are re-enrolled. Please contact Kris Sauer if you do not see an email or wish to discuss enrollment for next year. We anticipate releasing tuition contracts via EduTrak and providing updated information on the parent volunteer program - including several summer volunteer opportunities - next week. Thank you for your commitment to Catholic education for your student(s)!

The week ahead:

UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2024-2025 BA School Calendar

May 27: Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
May 28: 1:05 dismissal for all students
- High school red period 1-3 exams
May 29: Last Day of School, 1:05pm dismissal
- High school white period 1-3 exams
- Gr 6-11 Laptop & power cord turn in

Prayers for the Class of 2024, for those who have recently lost loved ones, and for all those in our BA community who are suffering either physically or mentally.

Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel, Kris Sauer, Stephen Uphus, Katie Smith
Click on individual names to contact a member of the Leadership Team or email the entire team at leadership@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATES
Message from the School Nurse: If your student has a medication that is not controlled, please pick up from the nurses office by May 29, 2024. If you have a controlled medication, make sure you have made arrangements to pick from nurse before May 29, at 1pm. Thank you! Have a great summer!

Summer Reading Assignments: English teachers have begun sharing the 2024 class-based summer reading assignments. Click HERE to find titles and reading guides for each grade and/or high school class.

BA Summer Camps: All are welcome to join our summer camp programs! Click HERE for information and registration forms for our volleyball, girls & boys basketball, football, and robotics camps this summer. Information for the fall 2024 grade 4-6 youth football league sign up is also included on this page.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Senior Week Event Dates/Times/Info:

Wed, May 22, 1pm: Mary Ceremony, BA gym: parents and special guests invited to attend. The Mary Ceremony is a beautiful all-school ceremony held in Van Orsow Auditorium. Seniors pay tribute to Mary with speeches and a prayer service/crowning ceremony, then honor all those who are important in their lives by distributing flowers of varying significance to fellow students, faculty, parents, guardians, grandparents, and other special friends in attendance. Seniors wear their caps and gowns.
Wed, May 22, 7:30pm – Baccalaureate Mass at Divine Mercy Catholic Church (seniors report by 7:15pm and wear their caps and gowns) All families and guests invited to join us for a special Mass celebrating the Class of 2024. Bishop Williams will preside; the Christian Man/Woman Award announced at Mass.
Friday, May 24, 9:30am – Awards Day program: All school and senior academic, athletic, and activities-related awards are announced at this event. Senior scholarships are announced and awarded. Seniors wear their caps and gowns. Parents are invited to attend.
Fri, May 24, 11:15am – Faculty/Staff/Senior Brunch – Seniors only with faculty and staff; traditionally senior moms have separately set up a lunch at this time.
Fri, May 24, 7:30pm – Commencement (seniors report by 7:15pm; band/choir report earlier). Held in Van Orsow Auditorium. All are welcome to attend. Seating is first come, first serve and there is no limit to the number of attendees.

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE

Click HERE to register for Totus Tuus.

Click HERE to sign up for Summer Stretch.

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

Family Focus 5/10/24

05/16/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

2023-24

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**Head of School Update from the Search Committee**
Thank you for your prayers and patience as we work through the Head of School search process. We are continuing to evaluate candidates and will be having one spend most of this coming Tuesday, May 14, touring BA, visiting classrooms, and meeting with faculty, staff, and student leaders.

Dear Parent/Guardians:
Thank you to our teachers! We enjoyed honoring our teachers all week for their hard work and dedication to our students. Congratulations to our band and choir students for a lovely concert Wednesday night, to our FFA students for an educational agricultural day Thursday, and to our Students of the Month honored Thursday morning for their work in math, science, and agricultural. The final weeks of school are upon us - we are actively preparing for Senior Week and finals - and encourage you to reach out if your student needs support these next few weeks.

Have you completed the enrollment form for your student(s) for next year? You should be receiving emails from PowerSchool Enrollment. If you do not see them, please check your junk/spam folder. If you still do not see an email or wish to discuss enrollment for next year, please contact Kris Sauer. FYI that the requested enrollment fee will be incorporated into the tuition agreements which will be sent in the next week or so.

The week ahead:

UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2024-2025 BA School Calendar

May 20: Senior exams, white periods 1-3
May 21: Senior exams, red periods 1-3
May 22: Mary Ceremony, 1pm
- Baccalaureate Mass @ DMCC, 7:30pm
May 23: High school final exams Cardinals A, B, C
May 24: **Gr 6-11 dismissed around 11am, no lunch served**
- High school Gr 9-11 Cardinal D exams
- Awards Day, 9:30-11am
- Senior Brunch, 11:15am
- Commencement, 7:30pm
May 27: Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
May 28: 1:05 dismissal for all students
- High school red period 1-3 exams
May 29: Last Day of School, 1:05pm dismissal
- High school white period 1-3 exams
- Gr 6-11 Laptop & power cord turn in

Kudos to:

The junior class and the prom and post-prom coordinators/parent volunteers for a very successful Prom 2024: Under the Sea!
Middle and high school choir and band students for a lovely concert Wednesday night.
FFA students for their work sharing all things agriculture with BA and DMCS students Thursday during FFA Ag Day

Prayers for those who have recently lost loved ones, and for all those in our BA community who are suffering either physically or mentally at this time.

Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel, Kris Sauer, Stephen Uphus, Katie Smith
Click on individual names to contact a member of the Leadership Team or email the entire team at leadership@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATES
BA Summer Camps: All are welcome to join our summer camp programs! Click HERE for information and registration forms for our volleyball, girls & boys basketball, football and robotics camps this summer. Information for the fall 2024 grade 4-6 youth football league sign up is also included on this page.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Senior Scholarships: Senior scholarship information sought for the commencement program. Please email Kris Sauer with necessary information ASAP.

Senior Week Event Dates/Times:

Wed, May 22, 1pm: Mary Ceremony, BA gym: parents and special guests invited to attend. The Mary Ceremony is a beautiful all-school ceremony held in Van Orsow Auditorium. Seniors pay tribute to Mary with speeches and a prayer service/crowning ceremony, then honor all those who are important in their lives by distributing flowers of varying significance to fellow students, faculty, parents, guardians, grandparents, and other special friends in attendance. Seniors wear their caps and gowns.
Wed, May 22, 7:30pm – Baccalaureate Mass at Divine Mercy Catholic Church (seniors report by 7:15pm and wear their caps and gowns) All families and guests invited to join us for a special Mass celebrating the Class of 2024. Bishop Williams will preside; Christian Man/Woman Award announced at Mass.
Friday, May 24, 9:30am – Awards Day program: All school and senior academic, athletic, and activities-related awards are announced at this event. Senior scholarships are announced and awarded. Seniors wear their caps and gowns. Parents are invited to attend.
Fri, May 24, 11:15am – Faculty/Staff/Senior Brunch – Seniors only with faculty and staff; traditionally Senior moms have separately set up a lunch at this time.
Fri, May 24, 7:30pm – Commencement (seniors report by 7:15; band/choir report earlier). Held in Van Orsow Auditorium. All are welcome to attend.

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE

Click HERE to register for Totus Tuus. Click HERE to sign up for Summer Stretch.

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Talk to your teens about the risks associated with marijuana use.

Make sure they know the facts.

It’s illegal for people under age 21 to use and possess marijuana in Minnesota, and the legal ramifications could vary widely. If your child is in possession of marijuana, they will be disqualified from participating in sports and activities. In addition, using marijuana before age 18 may affect how the brain builds connections for functions like attention, memory and learning.

For more facts about marijuana, visit https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/images/tipsforteens_marijuana_508.jpg

Hable con sus hijos adolescentes sobre los riesgos asociados con el consume de marihuana. Asegúrese de que conozcan las realidades. Es ilegal que personas menores de 21 años consuman y posean marihuana en Minnesota, y las ramificaciones legales podrían variar ampliamente. Si su hijo está en posesión de marihuana, será descalificado para participar en deportes y actividades. Además, consumir marihuana antes de los 18 años puede afectar la forma en que el cerebro establece conexiones para funciones como la atención, la memoria y el aprendizaje. Para obtener más datos sobre la marihuana, visite

https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep20-03-03-011.png

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

Family Focus May 3, 2024

05/09/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

2023-24

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UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2024-2025 BA School Calendar

May 14: AP English Language exam
May 15: **No parking in main lot** for DMCS concerts
- AP Music Theory exam
May 16: 6th grade field trip to River Bend Nature Center
May 17: 10:30am joint Mass at BA with DMCS
May 18: FFA Banquet
May 22: Mary Ceremony, 1pm
- Baccalaureate Mass @ DMCC, 7:30pm
May 24: **Gr 6-11 dismissed around 11am**
- Awards Day, 9:30-11am
- Senior Brunch, 11:15am
- Commencement, 7:30pm
May 27: Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
May 29: Last Day of School, 1:05pm dismissal

Kudos to:

The entire cast and crew of Godspell, Jr. as well as to Will McIntyre for directing the play and Jason Hillesheim for all his behind-the scenes work - what an amazing weekend of performances!
Our Cardinal community for donating over 65 blankets to immigrant families in Rochester, and to Celeste Donlon and SADD for organizing this wonderful service event. God is good!
Mr. Stephen Uphus and SADD for a very successful series of high school events and activities for Safe Driving Week.

Prayers for a safe and successful Prom and Post-Prom event, those who have recently lost loved ones, and for all those in our BA community who are suffering either physically or mentally at this time.

Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel, Kris Sauer, Stephen Uphus, Katie Smith
Click on individual names to contact a member of the Leadership Team or email the entire team at leadership@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATES
May 8 Spring Concert Reminders: Choir - students will need to be in the choir room at 6:30 if they are 6/7^th graders, and at 6:15 if they are 8^th graders or in high school. Dress code is black and white dress clothes for 6^th/7^th grade students, and black shoes and dressy clothing for under the robes for 8^th/high school. Band -call time for the high school band (8^th through 12^th graders) is at 6:15pm, and 6:30pm for the 6^th and 7^th graders. Students should have their instrument put together and be ready to go in the gym at these times. Middle school dress is formal, and the high school band needs to wear their concert blacks.

Student of the Month, May 9: Is your student receiving a Student of the Month award next Thursday? Please RSVP to Gina in the front office if you will be attending. Thank you!

BA Summer Camps: All are welcome to join our summer camp programs! Click HERE for information and registration forms for our volleyball, girls & boys basketball, football and robotics camps this summer. Information for the fall 2024 grade 4-6 youth football league sign up is also included on this page.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Senior Decision Day: Seniors are asked to wear their college gear on Thursday, May 9. We'll take decision day photos during the WIN period to share on BA's Facebook page.

Senior Scholarships: Senior scholarship information sought for the commencement program. Please email Kris Sauer with necessary information.

Senior Week Event Dates/Times:

Wed, May 22, 1pm: Mary Ceremony, BA gym: parents and special guests invited to attend. The Mary Ceremony is a beautiful all-school ceremony held in Van Orsow Auditorium. Seniors pay tribute to Mary with speeches and a prayer service/crowning ceremony, then honor all those who are important in their lives by distributing flowers of varying significance to fellow students, faculty, parents, guardians, grandparents, and other special friends in attendance. Seniors wear their caps and gowns.
Wed, May 22, 7:30pm – Baccalaureate Mass at Divine Mercy Catholic Church (seniors report by 7:15pm and wear their caps and gowns) All families and guests invited to join us for a special Mass celebrating the Class of 2024. Bishop Williams will preside; Christian Man/Woman Award announced at Mass.
Friday, May 24, 9:30am – Awards Day program: All school and senior academic, athletic, and activities-related awards are announced at this event. Senior scholarships are announced and awarded. Seniors wear their caps and gowns. Parents are invited to attend.
Fri, May 24, 11:15am – Faculty/Staff/Senior Brunch – Seniors only with faculty and staff; traditionally Senior moms have separately set up a lunch at this time.
Fri, May 24, 7:30pm – Commencement (seniors report by 7:15; band/choir report earlier). Held in Van Orsow Auditorium. All are welcome to attend.

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE


Click HERE to register for Totus Tuus. Click HERE to sign up for Summer Stretch.

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Talk to your teens about the risks associated with marijuana use.

Make sure they know the facts.

It’s illegal for people under age 21 to use and possess marijuana in Minnesota, and the legal ramifications could vary widely. If your child is in possession of marijuana, they will be disqualified from participating in sports and activities. In addition, using marijuana before age 18 may affect how the brain builds connections for functions like attention, memory and learning. For more facts about marijuana, visit https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/images/tipsforteens_marijuana_508.jpg

Hable con sus hijos adolescentes sobre los riesgos asociados con el consume de marihuana. Asegúrese de que conozcan las realidades.

Es ilegal que personas menores de 21 años consuman y posean marihuana en Minnesota, y las ramificaciones legales podrían variar ampliamente. Si su hijo está en posesión de marihuana, será descalificado para participar en deportes y actividades. Además, consumir marihuana antes de los 18 años puede afectar la forma en que el cerebro establece conexiones para funciones como la atención, la memoria y el aprendizaje. Para obtener más datos sobre la marihuana, visite https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep20-03-03-011.png

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

Family Focus 4/26/24

05/01/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

2023-24

Leave a comment

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 (Campus Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2023-2024)

April 26, 2024

Head of School Search Update from BA Board Chair Cory Caron:
We are making good progress in our search for a new BA Head of School! Candidates are being considered through a comprehensive review process. We will continue to provide updates as they are available. Please continue to pray for our Search Committee, Interim Leadership, and Head of School candidates. Thank you!

Dear Parent/Guardians:

So many great things are happening at BA! The spring play, Godspell, Jr., opens tonight with a 7pm performance in Van Orsow Auditorium. Other performances are Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm. Please make time to see this wonderful production! This past week saw BA students excelling at History Day State, FFA State, and in softball and co-op sports. Sixth graders spent yesterday in retreat with Youth Frontiers focused on character and courage. God is good!

End of year activities are fast approaching. Prom is next weekend, the spring band/choir concert is May 8, and graduation and other year-end activities will quickly follow. Please encourage your student(s) to continue to work hard, focus on academics, and seek help where needed. We are here to help.

If you haven't already, please complete the 2024-2025 enrollment forms sent via PowerSchool Enrollment. Thank you to those that have completed this for next year. We have begun work on tuition assistance awards and tuition agreements. Look for more information in early May. Do contact Kris Sauer with questions.

The week ahead:

UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2024-2025 BA School Calendar

May 4: Prom: click HERE and/or see the high school section below for more information
May 7: AP Statistics exam
May 8: AP English Literature Exam
- Spring Band & Choir Concert
May 9: 1pm WIN Schedule
- Student of the Month, 7:30am
- FFA Ag Day
- Avant Spanish test
May 10: AP European History exam
May 14: AP English Language exam
May 15: AP Music Theory exam
May 16: 6th grade field trip to River Bend Nature Center

Prayers for those who have recently lost loved ones, and for all those in our BA community who are suffering either physically or mentally at this time.

Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel, Kris Sauer, Stephen Uphus, Katie Smith
Click on individual names to contact a member of the Leadership Team or email the entire team at leadership@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATES

HS Theology Blanket Drive: BA high school theology classes are collecting gently used blankets for immigrant families. Please donate by Tuesday, April 30 if you are able!

BA Summer Camps: Cardinals Girls basketball camps for students in grades 2-7 this spring will be held June 17-21. Click HERE to sign up. Cardinal boys basketball camps are July 8-12 for students entering grades 3-6 this fall. Click HERE for the form. Robotics camp dates for students grades 3-12 are set for the weeks of August 5 and August 12. Click HERE for the registration flier.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
May 4 Prom/Post-Prom: Click HERE for Under the Sea Prom information. Click HERE for Post-Prom information. Parents! Reserve your Grand March seats by May 3; $15 each, all proceeds to Post-Prom. Click HERE for the form. Volunteers are needed to help at Post-Prom. This is a parent service hour event. Click HERE to help at Post-Prom.

Senior Week Event Dates/Times:

Wed, May 22, 1pm: Mary Ceremony, BA gym: parents and special guests invited to attend. The Mary Ceremony is a beautiful all-school ceremony held in Van Orsow Auditorium. Seniors pay tribute to Mary with speeches and a prayer service/crowning ceremony, then honor all those who are important in their lives by distributing flowers of varying significance to fellow students, faculty, parents, guardians, grandparents, and other special friends in attendance. Seniors wear their caps and gowns.
Wed, May 22, 7:30pm – Baccalaureate Mass at Divine Mercy Catholic Church (seniors report by 7:15pm and wear their caps and gowns) All families and guests invited to join us for a special Mass celebrating the Class of 2024. Bishop Williams will preside; Christian Man/Woman Award announced at Mass.
Friday, May 24, 9:30am – Awards Day program: All school and senior academic, athletic, and activities-related awards are announced at this event. Senior scholarships are announced and awarded. Seniors wear their caps and gowns. Parents are invited to attend.
Fri, May 24, 11:15am – Faculty/Staff/Senior Brunch – Seniors only with faculty and staff; traditionally Senior moms have separately set up a lunch at this time.
Fri, May 24, 7:30pm – Commencement (seniors report by 7:15; band/choir report earlier). Held in Van Orsow Auditorium. All are welcome to attend.

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Fall sport option for BA students! Mountain biking with the local team: Cannon Valley Composite. All ability levels are welcome. For more information, reach out to Coach Todd Trembley at ttrembley@charter.net

Talk to your teens before they get behind the wheel.

Make sure they understand the risks of drunk and drugged driving.

Let your teens know that it’s never okay to get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, or to get in a car with a driver who has been drinking or using drugs. Remind youth that the best strategy for staying safe is to stay sober.

For tips on how and when to begin the conversation, visit underagedrinking.samhsa.gov/.

Hable con sus hijos adolescentes antes de que se pongan al volante.

Asegúrese de que entiendan los riesgos de conducir ebrio y endrogado.

Hágales saber a sus hijos adolescentes que nunca está bien ponerse al volante de un vehículo motorizado bajo la influencia del alcohol u otras drogas, o subirse a un automóvil con un conductor que ha estado bebiendo o usando drogas. Recuerde a los jóvenes que la mejor estrategia para mantenerse a salvo es mantenerse sobrio.

Para obtener consejos sobre cómo y cuándo comenzar la conversación, visite samhsa.gov/hable-ellos-escuchan

Stanford Summer Mentors program: Click HERE for the flyer with more information on this program.

Home for Sale Across the Street from BA: Click HERE for more information.

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

Family Focus 4/19/24

04/24/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

2023-24

Leave a comment

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 (Campus Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2023-2024)

April 19, 2024

Dear Parent/Guardians:

BABS 24: The 40th Anniversary Ruby Gala was a big success! Thank you to our parent volunteers both on the planning committee and the night of the event. Appreciation to all of you able to attended, who purchased raffle tickets, and/or who bid on our silent auction. Together we raised critical dollars to support our mission to provide personal, spiritual and academic excellence in a values, faith-based environment for our scholars. God is good!

2024-2025 enrollment/tuition agreements: Thank you to those that have completed enrollment for next year. Please look for an email from PowerSchool Enrollment for each student at BA. Check your spam/trash folder if you don't see it in your inbox. The enrollment deposit will be implemented when tuition agreements are sent early May as EduTrak (our new payment system) is working on a few adjustments. Do try to complete enrollment by next Friday, April 26 as we will begin working on financial aid awards next week for enrolled students. As we refine our processes, we will be working to remind parents that financial assistance is an investment in our scholars and their families. Many generous donors have worked hard to provide funds for this purpose. There is an expectation that students will give their best scholarly effort and have minimal absences from school from these benefactors. Please carefully read your financial aid letter when you receive it. Do contact Kris Sauer with questions.

Fundraising Update: While we reached our BABS appeal goal for scholarship and mission, we are about $5000 short of our $50,000 goal to upgrade the concessions and gym areas with new carpet, paint, and storage areas as well as refinishing the stage floor and purchasing a new screen/sound system in the gym. No donation is too small! Click HERE to donate online to the gym/concessions special appeal. The Annual Fund, which covers faculty and educational expenses not covered by tuition, is currently at $205,818 of the $255,000 budgeted for this year.

Here is a look at our upcoming schedule:

UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2024-2025 BA School Calendar

April 26-28: Godspell, Jr performances
April 29: Daily open campus begins for eligible seniors, except period 3 today for seatbelt safety/drunk driving panel high school presentation
May 4: Prom: click HERE and/or see the high school section below for more information
May 7: AP Statistics exam
May 8: AP English Literature Exam
- Spring Band & Choir Concert
May 9: 1pm WIN Schedule
- Student of the Month, 7:30am
- FFA Ag Day
- Avant Spanish test
May 10: AP European History exam
May 14: AP English Language exam
May 15: AP Music Theory exam

BA Summer Camps: Robotics camp dates are set for the weeks of August 5 and August 12. Click HERE for the registration flyer. Dates are being confirmed for our athletic camps. Stay tuned for more details.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
May 4 Prom/Post-Prom: Click HERE for Under the Sea Prom information. Click HERE for Post-Prom information. Parents! Reserve your Grand March seats by May 3; $15 each, all proceeds to Post-Prom. Click HERE for the form. Volunteers are needed to help at Post-Prom. This is a parent service hour event. Click HERE to help at Post-Prom.

Senior Week Event Dates/Times:

Wed, May 22, 1pm: Mary Ceremony, BA gym
Wed, May 22, 7:30pm: Baccalaureate, DMCC
Fri, May 24, 9-11am: Awards Day program, including all senior awards/scholarships, BA gym
Fri, May 24, 11:15am: Senior/Staff Brunch
Fri, May 24, 7:30pm: Commencement, BA gym

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

Talk to your teens before they get behind the wheel.

Make sure they understand the risks of drunk and drugged driving.

For tips on how and when to begin the conversation, visit underagedrinking.samhsa.gov/.

Hable con sus hijos adolescentes antes de que se pongan al volante.

Asegúrese de que entiendan los riesgos de conducir ebrio y endrogado.

Para obtener consejos sobre cómo y cuándo comenzar la conversación, visite samhsa.gov/hable-ellos-escuchan

Stanford Summer Mentors program: Click HERE for the flyer with more information on this program.

Home for Sale Across the Street from BA: Click HERE for more information.

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

Friday Focus April 12, 2024

04/16/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

2023-24

Leave a comment

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 (Campus Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2023-2024)

April 12, 2024

Dear Parent/Guardians:

BABS 24: The 40th Anniversary Ruby Gala is tomorrow! We are so excited to celebrate our school community, our mission, and our 2024 Court of Honor Inductees at tomorrow's event. We look forward to seeing you there! If you didn't get tickets to the Gala, please consider bidding on our online silent auction. In addition to the wonderful homeroom baskets you helped create, we have over 90 amazing items to choose from, including a designated student parking spot, senior photo packages, autographed sports gear, a Coach purse set, and so much more! Click HERE to check it out - bidding closes at 6:30pm tomorrow, April 13. Thank you for your support!

2025-2025 enrollment: We are so excited to have our PowerSchool Enrollment system up and running! As a tuition-based school enrollment numbers drive everything from budgeting decisions to hiring. Accurate data is very important. Please complete this ASAP if you haven't already. To do so, look for an email from PowerSchool Enrollment; please check your junk/spam folder if you have troubles finding it. A reminder that we are still working with EduTrak to properly process the enrollment deposit; you can complete this step at a later date. Do reach out to Kris Sauer with questions if the system isn’t working for you. Thank you for your patience.

A reminder to families concerned about affording BA: Scholarships and tuition assistance is available. We believe our prep education should be accessible to all families who desire it for their scholars. We offer flexible payment plans and welcome all families to apply for tuition assistance so that we may partner with you to create a plan that works for your family. To do that, please fill out a financial aid application form by Monday, April 15. Apply at www.mytads.com. High school students wishing to be considered for the merit-based Hoban Scholarship must submit their essays to Kris Sauer by Tuesday, April 16.

Here is a look at our upcoming schedule:

UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2024-2025 BA School Calendar

April 21-23: FFA at State
April 22-25: Middle School MAP testing
April 24: Administrative Professionals Day - thank our front office staff for their hard work!
April 25: 6th Grade Youth Frontiers Retreat @ BA; 11th grade college fair/Twins game event
April 26-28: Godspell, Jr performances
April 29: Daily open campus begins for eligible seniors
May 4: Prom - tickets go on sale April 8; see the high school section below for more information

Prayers for a successful BABS event, for our Head of School search, for those who have recently lost loved ones, and for all those in our BA community who are suffering either physically or mentally at this time.

Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel, Kris Sauer, Stephen Uphus, Katie Smith
Click on individual names to contact a member of the Leadership Team or email the entire team at leadership@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATES
Tuition Assistance: families concerned about affording a BA education are encouraged to complete a TADS financial aid application by Monday, April 15 to be considered for BA needs-based scholarships and grants. Apply at www.mytads.com.

HOBAN Scholarships for 2024-2025 BA 9-12 Scholars Due Tuesday, April 16: Applications for this merit scholarship are now open. 2024-25 students in good standing with a current GPA of 3.0 or higher are invited to apply by submitting the required essay to Mrs. Sauer by April 16. Click HERE for more information.

Tax Information in FACTS: Looking for tuition information for your 2023 tax return? Click HERE for a step-by-step guide to finding that information in FACTS. Contact Kris or Lisa if you need further assistance.

BA Summer Camps: Robotics camp dates are set for the weeks of August 5 and August 12. Click HERE for the registration flyer. Dates are being confirmed for our athletic camps. Stay tuned for more details.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
May 4 Prom/Post-Prom Information: Prom tickets go on sale Monday, April 8 through Friday, April 19. Tickets are $30/person. Click HERE for Under the Sea Prom information and HERE for the non-BA student guest permission form. Click HERE for Post-Prom information and HERE for the permissions slip. All permission slips are due April 19. Parents! Volunteers are needed to help at Post-Prom. This is a parent service hour event. Click HERE to help at Post-Prom.

Seniors!

Grad pictures, yearbook survey due April 12: Upload graduation photos HERE; click HERE to fill out the senior yearbook survey to submit your post-graduation plans.
College Scholarship Info: Many local scholarships have April deadlines! Go to our scholarship page HERE for continuously updated local and national college scholarship offerings.
Josten's Orders Still Open: Josten's has confirmed that senior parents can still order graduation items. Click HERE to place your order.
Senior Week Event Dates/Times:
- Wed, May 22, 1pm: Mary Ceremony, BA gym
- Wed, May 22, 7:30pm: Baccalaureate, DMCC
- Fri, May 24, 9-11am: Awards Day program, including all senior awards/scholarships, BA gym
- Fri, May 24, 11:15am: Senior/Staff Brunch
- Fri, May 24, 7:30pm: Commencement, BA gym

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Talk to your teens before they get behind the wheel.

Make sure they understand the risks of drunk and drugged driving.

For tips on how and when to begin the conversation, visit underagedrinking.samhsa.gov/.

Hable con sus hijos adolescentes antes de que se pongan al volante.

Asegúrese de que entiendan los riesgos de conducir ebrio y endrogado.

Para obtener consejos sobre cómo y cuándo comenzar la conversación, visite samhsa.gov/hable-ellos-escuchan

Stanford Summer Mentors program: Click HERE for the flyer with more information on this program.

Home for Sale Across the Street from BA: Click HERE for more information.

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

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