Category : 2024-25

Excited to share that enrollment links for the 2025-2026 school year have been sent out to everyone. See yesterday's parent email, and please reach out with questions.

Tuition assistance applications are due next Friday, February 28. Applications received after that date will be allocated aid as available. Find the application at www.mytads.com; 2023 tax returns may be used, but 2024 W-2s and current paystubs must be submitted. Contact Kris Sauer if you have questions or need assistance with enrollment or tuition assistance.

We enjoyed a cold-shortened but busy week. Students in Knowledge Bowl competed in sections Thursday, with the 4-member Bethlehem Academy Red team placing 2nd and advancing to regional competition for the first time ever! Congratulations to Elsie Arnold, Zach McCabe, Luke McCrea, and Monica Wilder as they move on in competition. The girls basketball season ended last night with a tough section loss at Fillmore Central, but ended the season with the best record since 2012-2013. Finally, good luck to our boys co-op swimmers as they compete in sections this coming week.

Some scheduling notes:

• The Winter Band Concert has been moved to Tuesday, March 4 at 6pm. Please adjust your calendars for this new date. 
• Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, March 6 from 4-6pm. Our focus this semester is to honor teacher requests for parent/teachers meetings. High school conferences will be opened up to all high school parents next week; middle school parents should reach out to teachers directly to arrange a meeting if they have not already been contacted. Please watch your email for more information. 

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

• February 28: 10:30am Mass @ BA; TADS financial aid applications due (www.mytads.com)
• March 3: History Day regional competition, 4-6pm, Mankato
• March 4: 7th grade retreat; Knowledge Bowle Regional Meet, 9am in Rochester; Winter Band Concert, 6pm
• March 5: 8:30am Ash Wednesday Mass @ DMCC - Lenten Season begins
• March 6: P/T Conferences, 4-6pm; Post-Prom DNO @ Godfather's
• March 7: Third quarter ends; DMCS Meat Raffle Fundraiser, 6pm
• March 13: SADD St. Patrick's Day $ Dress Down
• March 14: 10:30 am Mass @ BA
• March 17-21: Spring Break, No School

Finally, we said farewell today to part-time choir teacher and BA alumni, Mary Clare Melero. We are so grateful for her time with us and wish her nothing but prayers and blessings as she moves forward with her pregnancy! For the remainder of the year, we are adjusting the middle school schedule so that Mr. Lorence can take on Mr. Melero's choir class. Choir students will continue alternating choir with music appreciation as they have all year. 

Prayers for healing, health, and happiness for our Bethlehem Academy Cardinal family!

With gratitude, 
Kris Sauer, Ed Friesen, 
Interim Co-Heads of School

BABS 2025, April 12: Get your tickets now for Blossom & Bloom, the BABS 2025 Gala at https://one.bidpal.net/babs2025/welcome - you won't want to miss this great night celebrating our students and staff! Parent volunteers also needed. Click HERE for the link to sign up to help at BABS 2025.

Come and join us March 6th for some Godfather’s pizza and help us raise money for post-prom.  Thank you for your support!

The post-prom committee is selling Cry Baby Craig's hot sauce to help raise money for a safe and fun post-prom event. Spice up your meals with some Cry Baby Craig's hot sauce, made right here in Faribault. If you would like to purchase a bottle, please contact Nettie Battles (lbattles24@gmail.com), Chris Bothun, or you can purchase it in the BA office.  Thank you for your support!

School Store now open! Purchase BA gear at the concessions stand during home basketball games or order online HERE for front office pickup.

• Senior Open Campus begins March 28, Fridays only through April 25th. Daily open campus begins Monday, April 28. More details to follow. 
• College Scholarship Info: More local college scholarship information has been added to the BA website! Click HERE for details. 
• Senior Week: Detailed information to be provided late March, but major events for senior week include:
  • Wednesday, May 21, 1pm Mary Ceremony in the BA gym. Baccalaureate Mass at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 7:30pm. All are welcome to both events.
  • Friday, May 23, 9am Awards Ceremony in the BA gym, all are welcome. Grades 6-11 dismissed around 11am; Senior Faculty/Staff Brunch, 11:15am, seniors only @ BA (senior moms typically plan to go out to lunch together); Commencement, 7:30pm - all are welcome, unlimited unreserved seating. Fr. Kevin Kenney will be our 2025 Commencement speaker. 

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

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

Happy Valentine's Day! We hope you find yourself blessed by God's love today.

Reminder that there is NO SCHOOL Monday, February 17 as we observe President's Day.

It was a great week at BA - our 6th and 7th graders went on a field trip to the MN History Center, with lots of hands-on activities including exploring a sod house, experiencing a simulation of the 1965 Fridley tornado, and participating in a mission aboard a C-47 transport plane on D-Day. Our 8th graders spent yesterday in retreat where they were invited into a deeper relationship with God and challenged to listen and recognize God's voice in their lives. So many students went to confession that retreat leaders were afraid they would run out of time! So proud of our students for being open to God's word and of our HS student leaders who helped with this amazing retreat. High school students participated in History Day, with 18 making it to the regional competition in Mankato. Finally, we celebrated our senior boys and girls basketball players and their parents at home games this past week. God is good!

As we plan for next year, there are many other wonderful things in the works. We are talking to some excellent candidates for our Head of School, head football, and choir positions and are adding college class options to our curriculum all while growing popular co-curricular programs like Campus Ministry, FFA, and Knowledge Bowl. Exciting things are happening as well with our staff. As you may know, Ed Friesen successfully completed his master’s in educational leadership last fall. Michael Bengen will complete a masters in PE and health in May and Grant Yackly will earn his master’s in educational leadership and technology integration this summer. Katy Ashley is halfway through a master’s program and Brent Zabel, Kallie Battles, and Tom Nardi are all starting master’s programs this spring and summer. At completion, nearly 80% of BA's teaching staff will have earned a master’s in their field of education. We are so grateful for their dedication to professional development and their commitment to guiding your sons and daughters to achieve personal, spiritual, and academic excellence!

Reminder to families seeking tuition assistance that the deadline to apply is two weeks from today, Friday, February 28. Applications received after that date will be allocated aid as available. Find the application at www.mytads.com; 2023 tax returns may be used, but 2024 W-2s and current paystubs must be submitted. Contact Kris Sauer if you have questions or need assistance.

The week ahead: 

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

• February 26: 6^th grade Youth Frontiers retreat
• February 28: 10:30am Mass @ BA; TADS financial aid applications due (www.mytads.com)
• March 3: History Day regional competition; Winter Band Concert, 6pm
• March 4: 7th grade retreat
• March 5: 8:30am Ash Wednesday Mass @ DMCC - Lenten Season begins
• March 6: P/T Conferences, 4-6pm; Post-Prom DNO @ Godfather's
• March 7: Third quarter ends; DMCS Meat Raffle Fundraiser
• March 13: SADD St. Patrick's Day $ Dress Down
• March 14: 10:30 am Mass @ BA
• March 17-21: Spring Break, No School

Prayers for healing, health, and happiness for our Bethlehem Academy Cardinal family!

With gratitude, 
Kris Sauer, Ed Friesen, 
Interim Co-Heads of School

Get your tickets now for Blossom & Bloom, the BABS 2025 Gala at https://one.bidpal.net/babs2025/welcome - you won't want to miss this great night celebrating our students and staff!

School Store now open! Purchase BA gear at the concessions stand during home basketball games or order online HERE for front office pickup.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION
 

Calendars:

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

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

We hope you are enjoying this long weekend with your sons and daughters! Faculty spend today in professional development on topics ranging from AI in the classroom to curriculum development, with several staff members participating in a Chamber-sponsored business mixer to explore school-community partnerships and opportunities. 

Looking ahead, we are starting to frame up the school calendar for next year. Unfortunately, Faribault Public Schools has not finalized their 25-26 calendar and we are also waiting to hear from the Archdiocese regarding staff participation expectations for next year's NCEA (Nat'l Catholic Education Association) Conference that will be held April 7-9, 2026, in Minneapolis. Know that we are eager to finalize this and will get that to you as soon as possible.

Enrollment and class registration for 2025-2026 will be opening soon. Families seeking tuition assistance are reminded that the deadline to apply is February 28. Applications received after that date will be allocated aid as available. Find the application at www.mytads.com; 2023 tax returns may be used, but 2024 W-2s and current paystubs must be submitted. Contact Kris Sauer if you have questions or need assistance.

Parent service hours opportunities: parent volunteers are needed to help on the 160th Anniversary Celebration (August 2) and the Cardinal Golf Classic (August 1) committees. Both events are this summer, but planning is starting now. Helping means you can earn parent hours for this year through May and an early start on hours for next year for time June to August. Log into POINT (https://pointapp.org/sign-in/) to sign up and contact Kris with questions. Another option: we've set up an Amazon store for BABS wish list items. Find the list to donate an item HERE - one parent hour earned for every $25 spent (self-report via POINT). 

Service hour reminders: if you sign up to volunteer through POINT, there is no need to self-report your hours as the system automatically counts then for you. Student hours should not be logged under parent accounts; their hours are separate and must be turned in to their Theology teachers. Parents who volunteer for co-op sports teams may self-report a maximum of 5 parent volunteer hours/season. Volunteering for DMCS/DMCC-only events (SpiritFest, Spooktacular, etc.) may self-report a maximum of 5 parent hours for each event. We are grateful for your partnership, and your gifts of time and treasure. Please reach out to Kris with questions. 

Finally, excited to share that last weekend's winter open house was the most successful in recent years, and fundraising to date for the annual fund is above average for this time of year. Please share the good new of BA within your family and friend networks and help us grow enrollment for next year! 

The week ahead: 

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

• February 13: Prom $ dress down, 1pm WIN schedule for History Day; grade 6-7 field trip; grade 8 retreat
• February 14: 10:30am Mass at BA
• February 17: NO SCHOOL, President's Day
• February 20: FFA blue & gold $ dress down day
• February 21: 8:30am Mass at DMCC
• February 26: 6^th grade Youth Frontiers retreat
• February 28: 10:30am Mass @ BA; TADS financial aid applications due (www.mytads.com)

Prayers for those in our community who are sick or undergoing surgeries, and for healing, health, and happiness for our Bethlehem Academy Cardinal family!

With gratitude, 
Kris Sauer, Ed Friesen, 
Interim Co-Heads of School

BABS - our biggest event of the year - is just around the corner. Get your tickets now at https://one.bidpal.net/babs2025/welcome

School Store now open! Purchase BA gear at the concessions stand during home basketball games or order online HERE for front office pickup.

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

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

What a blessing to celebrate Catholic Schools' Week with your sons and daughters this week! Our middle schoolers joined DMCS students for Mass and Buddy Day/service projects while our high school students traveled to The Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis for Mass, tours of this beautiful cathedral, and service for the homeless. It was a wonderful day living out our Dominican pillars of prayer, study, community, and service!  Thank you to all who supported the Basilica project with your donations.

Please join us for the 4pm BA-sponsored Catholic Schools' Week Mass tomorrow at Divine Mercy Catholic Church. We are hosting a new student open house this Sunday from 11am-1pm. Please help us grow enrollment and invite interested students and families to join us for this event!

Enrollment for 2025-2026 will be opening soon. Families seeking needs-based scholarships and aid are reminded to apply NOW for financial aid via TADS; aid applications close February 28. 2023 tax returns may be used, but 2024 W-2s and current paystubs must be submitted. Find the application at www.mytads.com.  Reminder that families must apply each year for requested aid; applications do not carry over from year-to-year. Contact Kris Sauer if you have questions or need assistance.

The week ahead: 

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

• February 1: BA-hosted Mass, 4pm, Divine Mercy Catholic Church
• February 2: Admissions Open House, 11am-1pm; click HERE to register for this new student event: help us grow enrollment - encourage interested families to attend!
• February 5: Student of the Month, 7:30am, BA gym
• February 6: Post Prom Dining Night Out, Godfathers, 4-7pm
• February 7: NO SCHOOL / Teacher Workday
• February 13: Prom $ dress down, 1pm WIN schedule for History Day; grade 6-7 field trip; grade 8 retreat
• February 14: 10:30am Mass at BA
• February 17: NO SCHOOL, President's Day

Finally, two things: one - a reminder that we have NO SCHOOL next Friday; and two - congratulations to our 2025 SnoBall Queen, Brooklyn Becker!

Prayers for the victims of the DC plane crash, for those affected by the California wildfires, for those in our community who are sick or undergoing surgeries, and for healing, health, and happiness for our Bethlehem Academy Cardinal family!

With gratitude, 
Kris Sauer, Ed Friesen, 
Interim Co-Heads of School

School Store now open! Purchase BA gear at the concessions stand during home basketball games or order online HERE for front office pickup.

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

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

Our cold-shortened week was nonetheless spirit-filled as students participated in SnoBall Week themes and activities! Please join us tomorrow night in Van Orsow Auditorium for the 8pm SnoBall Grand March and coronation. Good luck to all our wonderful SnoBall Queen candidates: Brooklyn Becker (Noah Casper), Olivia Glumack (Zander Smith), Taylor Moon (Cole Goodwin), Jocelyn Simones (Peter Schoolmeesters), and Anna Tobin (Declan Chappuis). Guests will be dismissed following the mother-son/father-daughter dance for all SnoBall participants. The dance ends at 11pm. See the flyer below for SnoBash, an adult-only event hosted by junior parents for post-prom.

Looking ahead, we are excited to celebrate our mission and our faith with Catholic Schools' Week activities January 26 through February 2. Click here for the full week's events. Our Mass/field trip/service day for middle and high school students will be held Wednesday, January 29. Field trip permission forms and fees are due Monday, January 27. Click here for a link to information shared in yesterday's parent email. A HUGE thank you for your generous response to our request for donations for our Basilica service project-please bring all donations to the BA front office by Monday, January 27.

Semester 1 report cards were mailed Tuesday, January 21. We are committed to helping all families afford a BA education for their sons and daughters and invite families to fill out a tuition assistance application in TADS found at www.mytads.com to be eligible for needs-based scholarships and aid. Applications must be submitted by February 28 to be eligible for all scholarships, including those sponsored by the Archdiocese. Reminder that families must apply each year for aid; applications do not carry over from year-to-year. Contact Kris Sauer if you have questions or need assistance.

The week ahead: 

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

• January 25: SnoBall Dance & Coronation, Grade 9-12, 8pm Grand March in the BA gym
• January 25: SnoBash Post Prom event, 9-11pm, Faribault Golf Club (see flyer below)
• January 26: Bishop Kenney Mass & Reception, 10am DMCC
• January 27-31: Catholic Schools Week (CSW), click HERE for the schedule
• January 27: CSW field trip permission slips & fees due; Basilica service project donations due
• January 29: CSW Mass, field trip, service day Click HERE for info
• February 1: BA-hosted Mass, 4pm, Divine Mercy Catholic Church
• February 2: Admissions Open House, 11am-1pm; click HERE to register for this new student event: help us grow enrollment - encourage interested families to attend!
• February 5: Student of the Month, 7:30am, BA gym
• February 6: Post Prom Dining Night Out, Godfathers
• February 7: NO SCHOOL / Teacher Workday

Continued prayers for those affected by the LA wildfires and for healing, health, and happiness in for our Bethlehem Academy Cardinal family!

With gratitude, 
Kris Sauer, Ed Friesen, 
Interim Co-Heads of School

All are welcome to join us in Van Orsow Auditorium for the 8pm Grand March and SnoBall Queen coronation!

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

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

No school Monday as we celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday. Rest up, stay warm, and get ready for the next two week of SnoBall and Catholic Schools Week activities!

SnoBall Week starts Tuesday with dress down themes each day - see below or click here for details. We extend congratulations to our 2025 SnoBall Queen Court: Brooklyn Becker (Noah Casper), Olivia Glumack (Zander Smith), Taylor Moon (Cole Goodwin), Jocelyn Simones (Peter Schoolmeesters), and Anna Tobin (Declan Chappuis)! SnoBall Queen coronation (BA by tradition separately crowns a SnoBall Queen and Homecoming King) follows the 8pm SnoBall Dance Grand March Saturday, January 25 in the BA gym. All are welcome! The high school-only dance concludes at 11pm; SnoBash (see flyer below and via the link above), a post-prom event that night, is open to ALL BA parents and supporters. 

Looking ahead, we are excited to celebrate our mission with Catholic Schools' Week activities January 26 through February 2. Click here for the full week's events. Our Mass/field trip/service day for middle and high school students will be held Wednesday, January 29. Field trip permission forms were distributed in homeroom today. Please turn the forms and the fee in by Monday, January 27. Click here for a link to information shared in yesterday's parent email. A HUGE thank you for your generous response to our request for donations for our Basilica service project- we've added a gift card option donation option to the list. Find it at the link above. 

Semester 1 report cards will be mailed next week. We were delayed by a glitch in the system. Thank you for your patience. This mailing will also include a flyer with directions on how to access FACTS to retrieve your 2024 tax information as well as information on tuition assistance, enrollment, and upcoming new student events. TADS tuition assistance applications for 2025-2026 are open and can be found at www.mytads.com. 

Staffing update: We are excited to announce that we've hired a new evening custodian, Lillian Windsperger. Lillian will start with us on Monday, January 20. Sadly, Jim Beckmann shared with his players last week that he is stepping down as BA's head football coach. We thank Coach Beckmann for his many years of service to BA's football program!

The week ahead: 

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

• January 20: NO SCHOOL, MLK federal holiday
• January 21-24: SnoBall Week
• January 25: SnoBall Dance & Coronation, Grade 9-12, 8pm Grand March in the BA gym
• January 25: SnoBash Post Prom event, 9-11pm, Faribault Golf Club (see flyer below)
• January 26: Bishop Kenney Mass & Reception, 10am DMCC
• January 27-31: Catholic Schools Week (CSW), click HERE for the schedule
• January 27: CSW field trip permission slips & fees due; Basilica service project donations due
• January 29: CSW Mass, field trip, service day Click HERE for info
• February 1: BA-hosted Mass, 4pm, Divine Mercy Catholic Church
• February 2: Admissions Open House, 11am-1pm; click HERE to register for this new student event: help us grow enrollment - encourage interested families to attend!
• February 5: Student of the Month, 7:30am, BA gym
• February 6: Post Prom Dining Night Out, Godfathers
• February 7: NO SCHOOL / Teacher Workday

Prayers those affected by the LA wildfires and for healing, health, and happiness in for our Bethlehem Academy Cardinal family!

With gratitude, 
Kris Sauer, Ed Friesen, 
Interim Co-Heads of School

Tickets on sale through Wednesday, January 22 during high school lunches. $15/single, $30/couple. Non-BA guests must have a signed permission slip. Form available in the front office and must be turned in by Jan 24.

COMMUNITY NEWS
 

Former BA Choir Director Emily Cicha is offering lessons. See info below.

Calendars:

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

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

The first week of the semester is complete. It is wonderful to have your sons and daughters back in the building!

Semester 1 report cards will be mailed next week. Please discuss with your son or daughter what went well, what needs attention in the second semester, and how we can help. The mailing will also include a flyer with directions on how to access FACTS to retrieve your 2024 tax information as well as information on tuition assistance (applications for 2025-2026 are open and found at www.mytads.com), enrollment, and upcoming new student events.

The pace will only quicken as we move into January! Middle school students will have winter NWEA MAP testing next week, giving us an opportunity to see how much growth has occurred since the fall. Monday, January 20, is a NO SCHOOL day as we mark the Martin Luther King Holiday. SnoBall Week begins January 21 and the grade 9-12 SnoBall Dance and Queen Coronation takes place Saturday, January 25 - see info in the high school section below; the Grand March is at 8:00 p.m. We finish the month celebrating Catholic Schools’ Week January 26-February 2. Be sure to mark your calendar for our 4:00 p.m. BA school Mass at Divine Mercy Catholic Church on Saturday, February 1^st. We will close out the week with our Open House Sunday, February 2 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Last but absolutely not least, we extend our congratulations to newlyweds Christian & Elizabeth Bjornson, who got married over Christmas break!

The week ahead: 

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

• January 20: NO SCHOOL, MLK Day
• January 21-24: SnoBall Week
• January 25: SnoBall Dance, Grade 9-12, 8pm Grand March
• January 25: SnoBash Post Prom event, 9-11pm, Faribault Golf Club (see flyer below)
• January 26: Bishop Kenney Mass & Reception, 10am DMCC
• January 27-31: Catholic Schools Week, click HERE for the schedule
• February 1: BA-hosted Mass, 4pm, Divine Mercy Catholic Church
• February 2: Admissions Open House, 11am-1pm; click HERE to register for this new student event

Prayers those affected by the LA wildfires and for healing, health, and happiness in the new year!

With gratitude, 
Kris Sauer, Ed Friesen, 
Interim Co-Heads of School

Spread the word! All prospective students and youth basketball players are invited to join us for FREE family admission at the girls basketball game January 10 and the boys game January 16. Families should sign up at   https://forms.gle/fxeMD6Dui5jKnbpXA

COMMUNITY NEWS
 

Former BA Choir Director Emily Cicha is offering lessons. See info below.

Calendars:

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

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

Happy New Year! Our prayer is that your Christmas break was restful and rejuvenating, filled with moments of prayer, grace, and peace.

We are excited to welcome your sons and daughters back to campus Monday for the start of the second semester! Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you on your student's personal, spiritual, and educational journey. 

Some updates: Delighted to share that we will have Choir Director Mary Clare Melero with us on campus through March; we continue to work on long-term sub options for her position. In other staffing, we are still seeking an evening custodian. Please send potential candidates to Business Manager Lisa Moon. Thank you!

The week ahead: 

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

• January 13-17: NWEA MAP testing, Middle School
• January 14: Spelling Bee @ DMCS
• January 15: Student of the Month, 7:30am, BA gym
• January 15: Post Prom Dining Night Out @ Crooked Pint, 5-9pm
• January 16: Youth Night at Boys Basketball Game
• January 17: 10:30am Mass @ BA
• January 20: NO SCHOOL, MLK Day
• January 21-24: SnoBall Week
• January 25: SnoBall Dance, HS only, 8pm Grand March
• January 25: SnoBash Post Prom event, 9-11pm, Faribault Golf Club (see flyer below)
• January 26: Bishop Kenney Mass & Reception, 10am DMCC
• January 27-31: Catholic Schools Week
• February 1: BA-hosted Mass, 4pm, Divine Mercy Catholic Church
• February 2: Admissions Open House, 11am-1pm

Fundraising updates:
We exceeded our target of selling 400 Holiday Raffle tickets. Thank you to everyone who participated and help us achieve this fundraising goal!

Annual Fund: We successfully met the year-end $50,000 Annual Fund match! To date we’ve raised $180,000 of the $260,000 Annual Fund goal. Thank you to all who have donated! Please give to the Annual Fund if you can, but more importantly, share with family and friends who wish to support and invest in Catholic education. Each gift directly supports our students and staff, providing needed funds not covered by student tuition and fees, and is critical to maintaining our 160-year tradition of high standards of personal, spiritual, and academic excellence. Donate online at: Annual Fund. THANK YOU!

Prayers for healing, health, and happiness in the new year!

With gratitude, 
Kris Sauer, Ed Friesen, 
Interim Co-Heads of School

Spread the word! All prospective students and youth basketball players are invited to join us for FREE family admission at the girls basketball game January 10 and the boys game January 16. Families should sign up at   https://forms.gle/fxeMD6Dui5jKnbpXA

COMMUNITY NEWS
 

Former BA Choir Director Emily Cicha is offering lessons. See info below.

Calendars:

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

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

Merry Christmas!

As we begin the Christmas break, may your holiday season be blessed with the gifts of faith, family, and friendship. As we approach 2025, know that we are so thankful for your partnership and support. 

In the midst of the season's hustle and bustle, we pray you find time for moments of solitude, grace, and peace.

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

• December 23-January 3: Christmas Break
• January 6: 1st day of Semester 2
• January 8: Prom $ Dress Down Day
• January 10: Mass 10:30am @ BA, Youth Night at Girls Basketball Game
• January 14: BA/DMCS Spelling Bee
• January 15: Student of the Month, 7:30am, BA gym
• January 16: Youth Night at Boys Basketball Game

In gratitude, 
Kris Sauer, Ed Friesen, 
Interim Co-Heads of School

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

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

**Head of School Search Update from the Board** 
We were fortunate to have two candidates interview with us for the Head of School position on Tuesday. They both were very impressed with our school in many ways! It's always neat to hear from outsiders when they too see what a wonderful school we have. While we continue to accept resumes, the Search Committee is working through further steps and discernment with the candidates that visited BA. We look forward to sharing another update after Christmas break. Continue to keep us in your prayers. 
-Erin Langenfeld, Search Committee Head and Beth Dienst, Board of Director Chair
-------------
It's hard to believe, but the first semester is winding down! We've been blessed to partner with you in the education of your sons and daughters. Please remind your students to continue to work hard this next week, turning in assignments and preparing for finals (high school). 

Our annual Christmas concert is this Sunday! Please be sure to join us at 6pm in the BA gym for this festive event. Students and staff have been hard at work preparing what is sure to be a wonderful concert. FCTV will tape the performance; watch our Facebook page for a link to the concert recording.

Reminders for Friday, December 20: no Faribault busing (public schools are closed), BA will dismiss at 1pm. 

As the weather gets colder, a reminder that we follow Faribault Public Schools (FPS) for weather-related school delays and cancelations. BA will send emails and text messages to parents, students, and staff as soon as FPS makes the announcement as well as post on our website and Facebook page. Find more information in our Parent/Student Handbook. 

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

• December 23-January 3: Christmas Break
• January 6: 1st day of Semester 2
• January 8: Prom $ Dress Down Day
• January 10: Mass 10:30am @ BA, Youth Night at Girls Basketball Game
• January 14: BA/DMCS Spelling Bee
• January 15: Student of the Month, 7:30am, BA gym
• January 16: Youth Night at Boys Basketball Game

Holiday Raffle: Earn Parent Volunteer Hours! Get your raffle tickets for a chance to win Christmas cash!! Sell or buy four (4) Holiday Raffle tickets and earn one parent volunteer hour! If you get others to purchase raffle tickets, ask them to put your family name on the order form. BA parents can choose a tuition credit or cash payout option if they are one of our lucky three winners. Forms are available in the BA office or online HERE and must be received by Monday, December 16. Thank you for your support!

This Advent season we are keeping all of our BA families in our prayers and ask that you do the same. 

In gratitude, 
Kris Sauer, Ed Friesen, 
Interim Co-Heads of School

Our lost and found pile is growing! Please ask your son or daughter to check for missing items prior to the break. Anything still here December 23rd will be donated to St. Vincent de Paul. Thank you!

Grandparents Day 2024: It was wonderful to celebrate with our grandparents prior to the Thanksgiving holiday! A reminder that you can find pictures of your sons and daughters with their grandparents at this link. Click HERE for the 2024 Grandparents Day video prepared by seniors Noah C and Anna C.  

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

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