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Family Focus 4/5/24

04/11/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

April 2024, 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)

April 5, 2024

***Head of School Update from BA Board Chair Cory Caron***

Dear BA Parents and Guardians:

Thank you for your patience as we search for a new Head of School at Bethlehem Academy. We were grateful to have the opportunity today to host a potential candidate for a visit/interview at Bethlehem Academy. The candidate toured the school, visited classrooms, and met with faculty, staff, and student leaders before sitting down for a formal interview with search committee members. Your continued prayers are appreciated as the search process continues.

Sincerely, Cory Caron, BA Board Chair

---------
Dear Parent/Guardians:
Welcome back! We hope your spring break was restful and included time spent with family and friends.

Emails from PowerSchool Enrollment were sent yesterday to register your student(s) for 2024-2025. Please be aware that we are experiencing setup issues with our EduTrak payment provider, so the enrollment fee is not processing as it should. We will be in touch when that has been resolved. A reminder that financial aid application forms are due 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.

**Volunteers needed for BABS 2024-our biggest fundraiser of the year** Click here to volunteer to sell raffle tickets after the DMCC Masses this weekend. Help is also needed for the April 13 event, including set up Friday night (April 12), for a variety of tasks at BABS April 13, and for clean up Sunday morning. This is a great parent service hour opportunity, and a wonderful way to connect with and give back to our BA community. Click HERE to volunteer for BABS.

BABS Silent Auction Goes Live Tomorrow at 10am! There are over 90 FABULOUS items to bid on, including all of the wonderful parent-supported homeroom baskets. Click HERE to preview the items now; bidding opens at 10am Saturday, April 6!

Here is a look at our upcoming schedule:

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

April 13: BABS - the 40th Anniversary Gala
April 15: Deadline to apply for tuition assistance via TADS
April 16: Hoban Merit Scholarship applications for high school students due
April 19: Campus Ministry pilgrimage field trip
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
May 4: Prom - tickets go on sale April 8; see the high school section below for more information

Kudos to Student Council members for a very successful Red Cross Blood Drive this past Tuesday.

Prayers for a 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 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: 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 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.

Spring Sports Registration Now Open!

Registration for the 2024 Spring Sports Season is now open. Bethlehem Academy sponsors its own girls fastpitch softball program. Girls in grades 6-12 may participate. High school practices for girls softball may start March 11. Middle school practices will begin during the week of March 18. Participants must complete the online registration form, have a valid sports physical clearance on file at the school and pay the $140 participation fee. Bethlehem Academy has cooperative programs with Faribault Public Schools for Baseball, Boys Track & Field, Girls Track & Field, Boys Golf, Girls Golf and Boys Tennis. Please visit faribaultathletics.com for more information and to go to the Faribault Falcons registration page. Payment of activity fees is done online through the Faribault Public Schools InfiniteCampus portal. Please click here for an Infinite Campus account request form. High school programs will begin practices the week of March 11; middle school programs will begin the week of April 8. (Note boys tennis is only available to grades 7-12.) Please contact Shawn Behrens in the Faribault Activities Office (sbehrens@faribault.k12.mn.us or 507-333-6210) with questions. For middle school sports questions, contact Brent Hawkins (bhawkins@faribault.k12.mn.us or 507-333-6351). Note: Select the activity fee for your child's age (not team level)

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.

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 3/22/24

04/04/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

March 2024, 2023-24

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Dear Parent/Guardians:
Happy Spring Break! May you have reflective and prayerful Triduum and a blessed Easter in celebration with family and friends. School resumes Tuesday, April 2.

After break, expect to see enrollment links for the 2024-2025 school year. We have been working to get our new system up and running through PowerSchool and hope that the integration will save some confusion and prove more streamlined for our families in the long run. This has been a bit more challenging than we had hoped. We appreciate your patience with this process.

The 2024-25 school calendar has been finalized! Please pay close attention as there are some dates that do not correspond to the public school calendar. Click HERE for a copy. Please note that our spring break falls a week earlier than the scheduled break for Faribault Public Schools.

**Get your BABS Tickets by March 30**: Get your friends together and join us for the BABS 40th Anniversary Ruby Gala April 13! Tickets are going fast as we plan to raise critical dollars to upgrade our concessions and gym area and celebrate our 2024 Court of Honor nominees Dave & Jeanne Campbell and Carol Hafemeyer '77 for their long dedication and contributions to Bethlehem Academy. Click HERE to reserve your tickets by March 30. Be sure to get in on the raffles for cash, gift cards, and a $500 BA tuition voucher; find the form to purchase raffle tickets HERE.

***Help needed this weekend to sell BABS raffle tickets after all DMCC Masses*** Click here to volunteer. This both a parent and student service hour opportunity. Thank you!

Here is a look at our upcoming schedule:

UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar

April 10: No Faribault busing today - FPS is out of school; BA is in session
- Campus Ministry $ Dress Down Day
April 11: 1pm WIN Schedule, Student of the Month @ 7:30am
April 12: Grad pics, senior yearbook survey due
April 13: BABS - the 40th Anniversary Gala
April 15: Deadline to apply for tuition assistance via TADS
April 16: Hoban Merit Scholarship applications for high school students due

Kudos to the high school History Day Project students on their success at the regional competition Tuesday. All six of BA’s group and individual projects that participated are advancing to the state competition on April 20.

Prayers for a blessed Easter!

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

ALL BA UPDATES
**Kleenex needed** Donations of kleenex gratefully accepted in the front office. Thank you!

American Red Cross Blood Drive
The Bethlehem Academy is hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday, April 2 from 8am to 2pm. There is always a need for blood. Donating blood is one way we can serve our community and make a difference! Sign up to donate HERE.

Students aged 16 and older may donate blood.
Click HERE to learn more about Student Donations

HS Summer Work Program: High school students entering grades 9-12 next fall are eligible to apply for our summer work program. Participants work 2 weeks and earn tuition credit for 2024-2025. Email lmoon@bacards.org by Tuesday, April 2 if interested. Click HERE for more information.

Tuition Assistance: families concerned about affording a BA education are encouraged to complete a TADS financial aid application by 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: 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 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.

Spring Sports Registration Now Open!

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
High School Class Registration Forms Due: A reminder to have your scholars turn in their class registration forms to Mr. Uphus ASAP. Click HERE for the forms and our 2024-2025 course guide.

Pre-ACT testing, Gr 9-10: A reminder that all 9^th graders and 10^th graders will take the Pre-ACT on Tuesday, April 2^nd(9^th Graders) and Thursday, April 4th (10th graders). Students taking the exam will report right away in the morning to Room 204 and will take the exam from Period 1 through Cardinal A. Please bring pencils and a calculator to the exam.

Seniors!

Service Cord Applications Due April 4: Service cord forms and information can be found HERE; contact Mr. Uphus with questions.
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.

MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES
Middle School Lock In April 5, 7-11pm: Games, food, fun! Donated snacks, parent chaperones needed. Click here for more information. Contact Ms.Coller with questions.

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE

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 3/15/2024

03/17/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

March 2024, 2023-24

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Dear BA Students and Families,

As you most likely know by now, I have needed to take a medical leave from my position as Acting Principal of our school. You might remember that I started the year consulting for the school, after retiring last spring. When the Principal position came open, early in the school year, and it became apparent a quick replacement might not be found, I stepped into the interim role, believing I could finish the school year. Unfortunately, my health has deteriorated, and I have been advised to step away. My symptoms are not life threatening, but could be if left unattended. I apologize to each of you, that I was not able to finish the year.

While I already said good-bye to the BA community last spring, when I announced my retirement, I wanted to thank all of you, one more time.

When I came to BA, just under six years ago, my goal was to serve this Catholic community. It has been an honor to serve this school that was founded by the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa so many years ago. I have nothing but respect for the parents and community members who are committed to the school and its students. Above the entrance to the school is the phrase, “The miracle is here.” It is you, the parents and supporters of the school that make that miracle happen every day. Thank you! Finally, I will so very much miss my interaction with the students of our school. They have truly been a blessing in my life the past several years. You will all remain in my prayers.

I want to thank you for your kindness and support over the years. I will be watching BA and the places it goes moving forward. I wish all of you my very best always.

May the peace of the Lord be with each of you.

John Wollersheim

Students & staff wore purple today in a show of support for and to thank Mr. Wollersheim, a proud and die-hard St. Thomas grad!

From BA Leadership:
Happy St. Patrick's Day weekend! As we approach the final week before spring break (March 25-April 1; school resumes Tuesday, April 2), we encourage you to keep Mr. Wollersheim in your prayers. Please reach out to Mr. Friesen for high school issues, to Mr. Zabel for middle school issues, to Mrs. Sauer for administrative issues, and to Mr. Uphus for counseling, class registration or career/college issues. Not sure who to send something to? Email all of us at leadership@bacards.org and we will respond. We are committed to the mission of this school, and to partnering with you in providing a faith-based education for your scholar. Thank you for your grace and patience as we finish out the year and please continue to pray for a successful Head of School search!

Earlier today, we sent update on high school class registration and our college course policies. Click here for a copy of that email. A reminder that high school registration forms are due to Mr. Uphus by Friday, March 22.

Unfortunately, we haven't been able to go live yet with the PowerSchool Enrollment yet. We have one piece to the system that we’re still testing. We hope to go be able to send re-enrollment links very soon.

Did you send in an item for your student's homeroom silent auction basket? It's not too late to contribute! Send your item or $10 donation in to the BA front office. Click HERE to see the theme for each homeroom; please send this in by Friday, March 15.

We hope you'll get a chance to attend the DMCS Scholarship Gala tomorrow (Saturday, March 16); if not, please consider bidding on their silent auction items (click HERE) - all proceeds support students in need of scholarship support at DMCS.

BABS Raffle and Event Tickets: Our Ruby Anniversary Gala is going to be a GREAT event in support of BA! Get in on the raffles for cash, gift cards, and a tuition voucher; find the form to purchase raffle tickets HERE. Get your friends together and join us for the Gala April 13! Tickets are going fast as we plan to celebrate our 2024 Court of Honor nominees Dave & Jeanne Campbell and Carol Hafemeyer '77 for their long dedication and contributions to Bethlehem Academy. Click HERE to reserve your tickets by March 30; HERE for more event information.

Here is a look at our schedule for next week:

UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar

March 25-April 1: HAPPY SPRING BREAK/HAPPY EASTER!
April 2: School resumes
- Red Cross Blood Drive at BA;
- Deadline to apply for the BA summer work program (see below)
April 3: 8:30am BA & DMCS Mass, BA gym
April 4: Senior service cord applications due to Mr. Uphus
April 5: Intercultural Club $ Dress Down Day
April 10: Campus Ministry $ Dress Down Day
April 11: 1pm WIN Schedule, Student of the Month @ 7:30am
April 12: Grad pics, senior yearbook survey due
April 13: BABS - the 40th Anniversary Gala
Apri 15: Deadline to apply for tuition assistance via TADS

Prayers for John, for our Head of School search, and for our students, our families, and those that are sick and/or struggling during this Lenten season.

Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel, Kris Sauer, Stephen Uphus
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 April 15 to be considered for BA scholarships and grants. Apply at www.mytads.com. High school students entering grades 9-12 next fall are eligible to apply for our Summer work program. Participants earn tuition credit for 2024-2025. Email lmoon@bacards.org by Tuesday, April 2 if interested. 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.

Spring Sports Registration Now Open!

American Red Cross Blood Drive
The Bethlehem Academy is hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday, April 2. The blood drive will run from 8am to 2pm. There is always a need for blood. Donating blood is one way we can serve our community and make a difference! Sign up to donate at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=Bethlehem Academy

Students aged 16 and older may donate blood.
Learn more about Student Donation here: https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/info-for-student-donors.html

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Seniors!

Service Cord Applications Due April 4: Service cord forms and information can be found HERE; contact Mr. Uphus with questions.
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.