Family Focus 3/8/24
03/14/2024
Kris Sauer
March 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)
March 8, 2024
Dear BA Parents/Guardians:
We have news to share. Late this week, Acting Principal John Wollersheim informed BA Board Chair Cory Caron that he unfortunately needs to take a medical leave of absence, effective immediately. A plan for school leadership through the end of the year will be shared early next week. Please keep John in your prayers.
Thank you to the many parents who attended the BA college level opportunities presentation on Wednesday evening. Our courses and our staff follow our mission “to empower our students to achieve personal, spiritual, and academic excellence.” We remain committed to providing academic opportunities for our students that follow this mission. A more detailed follow up to parent input will be provided next week.
BABS Homeroom basket items due Friday, March 15: The homeroom baskets were a big hit at last year's BABS fundraising event! Thank you for supporting these projects again this year. Homeroom basket donations - either an item or a $10 contribution - may be dropped off in the BA front office. Click HERE to see the theme for each homeroom; please send this in by Friday, March 15.
BABS Tickets: Our Ruby Anniversary Gala is going to be a GREAT event in support of BA and its longstanding mission of providing academic excellence in a Catholic community. 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.
Students entering grades 9-12 next fall are eligible to apply for our Summer work program. A separate parent email was sent with more information today and can also be found on our website. Applications for the merit-based Hoban Scholarship for high school students will be released next week.
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 11: Senior open campus forms due to the front office
- March 19: 7th Grade Retreat, BA gym
- March 22: Regular 2:55pm release day; high school class registrations due
- March 25-April 1: HAPPY SPRING BREAK/HAPPY EASTER!
- April 2: Red Cross Blood Drive at BA
- April 4: Intercultural Club $ Dress Down Day
- April 10: Campus Ministry $ Dress Down Day
- April 11: 1pm WIN Schedule, Student of the Month @ 7:30am
- April 13: BABS - the 40th Anniversary Gala
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.
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.
Football Meeting March 12: There will be an informational meeting for all grade 8-11 students interested in playing football next fall on Tuesday, March 12th in the BA cafeteria at 3 PM. The meeting will be about 15 minutes. This meeting is for all students who are interested in playing football next fall. Everyone is encouraged to attend, whether you are a seasoned player, it has been a few years since you played, or if you have never played, everyone is invited to attend, get more information, and join the team.
| 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) |
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Drivers Training @ BA: Classes start Monday, March 11, with sessions held in G9 from 3:15-6:30pm. Contact Denise at deniseruegercmt@yahoo.com with questions.
Open Campus for Seniors-Forms Due Monday, March 11: Senior open campus permission slips are due Monday, March 11. Eligible seniors will have open campus privileges on Fridays beginning March 15 through the end of April, at which point daily open campus begins. Find the open campus policy and required form HERE.
Seniors: Josten's Orders Still Open: Josten's has confirmed that senior parents can still order graduation items. Click HERE to place your order.
Seniors: Service Cord Info: Service cord forms and information can be found HERE; contact Mr. Uphus with questions.
DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES
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.png) Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6 |
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
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Health Community Initiative Topic for March: Talk to your teens about the risks associated with vaping.
Discuss how vaping can serve as an entry point to nicotine use, not an exit strategy. Although e-cigarettes* were created to help people with a nicotine addiction quit regular cigarettes, the FDA has NOT approved them as a quit smoking aid. In fact, among current e-cigarette users ages 18-24, 40% had never been cigarette smokers. E-cigarettes can lead to nicotine addiction just as regular cigarettes can. Vape fluid contains heavy metals like lead, tin, and nickel, and other substances that can harm the body and lungs.
*Vapes and e-cigarettes are the same thing, essentially. A vape is a type of e-cigarette in which the fluid containing nicotine is vaporized while being inhaled.
For more ways to talk with youth about how vaping nicotine compares to smoking cigarettes, visit bhthechange.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Electronic-Cigarettes-Infographic.pdf For resources on supporting your child in quitting vaping, visit mn.mylifemyquit.org/index
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 3/1/24
03/07/2024
Kris Sauer
March 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)
March 1, 2024
Dear BA Parents/Guardians:
Good luck to our student-athletes in state tournament competition this weekend: Elliot Daschner & Declan Chappuis in the 200M freestyle swim relay and Elliott Viland wrestling at 189lbs! Fourteen high school students have their artwork on display at the Cory Lyn Creger Art Gallery at the Paradise Center for the Arts - the opening reception is tonight from 5-7pm. Be sure to stop by and check it out! Our "Winter" Band/Choir Concert is this Sunday, March 3rd at 7pm in the gym - please join us for a wonderful night of music.
Our third academic quarter of the year ends next Friday, March 8. We are looking forward to Parent/Teacher Conferences Wednesday, March 6 from 4-7pm to share your students' successes and partner with you on any challenges. To sign up for a time to meet with a teacher, click HERE; middle school parents - see the email sent today for an alternate conference date to meet with core subject teachers.
Head of School Update: Led by the BA Board of Directors, the search for a visionary and dynamic Head of School at Bethlehem Academy is under way. Find the full job prospectus HERE and help us spread the word.
Divine Mercy Property/Mother Samuel Building: With the sale of the Immaculate Conception Church block earlier this month, many have wondered about the future of the Mother Samuel Building, connected to our campus but owned by Divine Mercy Catholic Church. We are pleased to share that we are actively discussing terms to purchase the building from the DMCC for a fall 2024 transition.
BABS 2024 - the Ruby Anniversary Gala: It's time to reserve your tickets for our 40th Anniversary Gala BABS event! 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. See below for more information and to reserve your tickets by March 30. A reminder: homeroom basket donations are due March 15. Click HERE to see the theme for each homeroom.
Our Annual Fund - with a goal of $255,000 - has brought in $191,215 for faculty salaries and operating expenses not covered by student tuition. Please consider helping us reach our goal with a gift to the Annual Fund this year.
Enrollment/Tuition Assistance: We are close to completing the transition from FACTS to PowerSchool enrollment. Watch for an email with a link to the new enrollment packet in the next week or so. A reminder as well that any family concerned about tuition next year is encouraged to fill out a tuition assistance application at www.mytads.com. The deadline for this process is April 15. Contact Kris to set up an appointment if you need help with the form or scanning/uploading the required documents. Summer work program information will be out in the next week or so; the merit-based Hoban Scholarship application will also be released in the next few weeks. Watch for details.
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 11: BA/DMCS hosts DMCC soup supper, 6pm
- Senior open campus forms due
- March 12: Reconciliation
- March 14: SADD $ Dress Down Day
- March 15: Senior Open Campus begins
- March 16: DMCS Scholarship Gala, get tickets HERE
- March 19: 7th Grade Retreat, BA gym
- March 22: Regular 2:55pm release day; high school class registrations due
Congratulations: to the students whose History Day projects were selected to move on to the regional competition and to the students selected to participate in next Wednesday's Large Group Band/Choir Contest.
Prayers for our students, our families, and those that are sick and/or struggling during this Lenten season.
Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
John Wollersheim, 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! Our classroom supplies of tissues are getting low. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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.
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Drivers Training @ BA: This class is confirmed! If you haven't registered, there is still time. Cannon River Driving School will host driver's training at BA the weeks of March 11 and March 18. On-campus classes are Monday-Friday from 3:15-6:30pm. Cost $125/student. Registration closes March 8. Register for class and behind the wheel at this link; register for class only here. Contact Denise at deniseruegercmt@yahoo.com with questions.
Open Campus for Seniors: Too many seniors were absent from homeroom today so seniors will be briefed Monday regarding our open campus policy. Eligible seniors will have open campus privileges on Fridays beginning March 15 through the end of April, at which point daily open campus begins. Parents and students must both sign the form and turn it into the front office no later than Monday, March 11. Find the open campus policy and required form HERE.
Seniors: Service Cord Info: Service cord forms and information can be found HERE; contact Mr. Uphus with questions.
DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES
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Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6 |
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
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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 2/23/24
02/25/2024
Kris Sauer
February 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)
February 23, 2024
Dear BA Parents/Guardians:
We are honored by your dedication to Catholic education! Yesterday we sent an enrollment, tuition, class registration, and parent service hour update. If you missed the email, you can find it HERE. Please reach out to Kris Sauer with any questions. A reminder that high school class registrations are due March 22. Find the course guide and class registration forms HERE. Please reach out to Mr. Uphus with questions.
Boys basketball celebrates senior night tonight in their last home/regular game of the season. Head down to Van Orsow Auditorium and cheer them on!
Early tuition assistance application deadline is today, Friday, February 23. Our final deadline is April 15 for BA need-based tuition assistance. Contact Kris to set up an appointment if you need help with the form or scanning/uploading the required documents. .
BABS/Financial Update: BABS Class basket donations! Homeroom teachers have spoken with your students about the BABS Silent Auction Homeroom Baskets. Please send your item or $10 donation in to the front office by March 15. Thank you! Save the date and plan to join us April 13th for BABS 2024, the 40th Anniversary Ruby Gala. This is our biggest night of celebration and fundraising in support of BA! Find ticket and other information HERE. Contact Teresa Lebens if interested in donating, sponsoring, or volunteering for this fabulous celebration! Our Annual Fund goal is to raise $255,000 for operating expenses not covered by tuition; $189,355 has been donated so far. Consider a gift and help us fund operating and faculty salary expenses not covered by tuition HERE.
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 3: Winter Band/Choir Concert, 7pm
- March 4: Maintenance Team Appreciation Day
- March 6: Parent/Teacher Conferences, 4-7pm
- March 7: Student of the Month, 7:30am
- Prom Dining Night Out @ Crooked Pint, 5-9pm
- March 8: End of the 3rd Quarter
- Middle School PCA Art Exhibit opening
- March 11: BA/DMCS hosts DMCC soup supper, 6pm
- March 12: Reconciliation
- March 14: SADD $ Dress Down Day
- March 15: Senior Open Campus begins
- March 16: DMCS Scholarship Gala, get tickets HERE
Congratulations: to the Emerald on their run at State; and to BA's girls basketball team and the Faribault boys co-op hockey team on their seasons. Good Luck to BA's Faribault boy's co-op swimmers today and wrestlers this weekend, BA boys basketball as they start section play next week.
Prayers for Evie and other students injured in the recent car accident, our students, our families, and those that are sick and/or struggling during this Lenten season.
Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
John Wollersheim, 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
Extended Absences/Family Trips
Parents/Guardians are required to communicate any planned student absence, with dates, to BA’s main office at least one week prior to a planned absence. This is especially true for family trips. Students taking trips outside BA’s scheduled days off must complete a class planned absence form prior to missing school. If a request is not made at least one week before the absence, teachers may not be able to provide make-up work in advance, and, sometimes, even with notice, advance work may not be available. Students are responsible for completing all work missed during their time out of school. Students are encouraged to check Schoology each day while out of school for additional information. Students should plan to talk directly with their teachers once they return to school, and plan to spend extra time to catch up after trips/vacations. Teachers will allow additional time for makeup work, within a reasonable time period.
Rome Trip: Last Call! Last opportunity to join the Rome Pilgrimage – June 7-18, 2024. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit Rome, Assisi, and Florence. Cost for the trip is $3,995 . Deadline for registration is February 29. Please contact Caryn Coller at ccoller@bacards.org if you are interested in joining the trip.Link to travel page - https://www.ciaoromatravel.com/june2024
Tuition Assistance Early Application Deadline-Tonight @ 11:59pm: Apply today to be eligible for the most scholarships. Find the TADS financial aid application at www.mytads.com; click HERE for more information on all our scholarship and assistance programs. All application must be in no later than April 15 for BA tuition assistance consideration. Email Kris Sauer with questions or if you need help with this process.
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.
Prom Car Wash Cards: Who needs a car wash? The Junior class is hosting a Kwik Trip car wash card fundraiser today through March 1 to raise money for Prom. Each card sells for $35 for 5 Ultimate car washes to be used at any Kwik Trip car wash. Click HERE for the order form or talk to any Junior class student. Payment by cash or check is required at the time of the order and all orders are due to the school office no later than 3 p.m. Fri March 1st. Orders will be available through the school office approximately 2 weeks after the sale ends March 1, and Junior class students will deliver all orders placed with them. Please help us crush our 300 card sales goal!
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
BA HS PT Summer Nanny Sought: A DMCS family with two energetic boys is looking for a responsible, kid-centric BA student for a part-time summer nanny position. Ideally, the student would have a drivers license/vehicle for transportation, CPR certified, and available 2-3 days a week during the entire summer, flexible days. Email Kris Sauer for contact information if interested.
Drivers Training @ BA: This class is confirmed! If you haven't registered, there is still time. Cannon River Driving School will host driver's training at BA the weeks of March 11 and March 18. On-campus classes are Monday-Friday from 3:15-6:30pm. Cost $125/student. Registration closes March 8. Register for class and behind the wheel at this link; register for class only here. Contact Denise at deniseruegercmt@yahoo.com with questions.
Seniors: Service Cord Info: Service cord forms and information can be found HERE; contact Mr. Uphus with questions.
Seniors: College Scholarship Info: Go to our scholarship page HERE for updated local and national college scholarship offerings.MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES
Wolf Ridge Trip Follow-Up
From Julie Smisek, MS Science Teacher: I wanted to send a note of thanks to the following people: Thank you to Kris Shuda who continues to generously host and donate all her Tastefully Simple profits for our fundraiser and to the local Knights of Columbus for their generous donation, both of which help defray the cost of the bus; to Mrs. Piehl and the BA NHS members for packing treat bags for our 8th graders; and to our wonderful seven parent chaperones and middle school counselor who took the week from their jobs and other responsibilities to keep our 8th graders safe and on task the week in Finland,MN. We couldn’t have had such a successful trip without chaperones like you! Thank you for a great trip!
AFTER SCHOOL REMINDER: A reminder that students are not supervised when they are waiting in the building for a ride at the end of the school day. If you are not able to pick your student up at 3pm, please ask them to wait in the front lobby and not run through the halls or congregate by the vending machines after they have purchased their after-school snack. Your help with this is greatly appreciated!
DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES
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Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6 |
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Talk to your teens about mental health and how they are feeling. Normalize these conversations, and reach out for help if there are concerns about mental, physical, or chemical health issues. Having frequent talks with teens in a safe environment will show that you care about their physical and mental health. It can also foster a more open and honest dialogue about the risks of underage drinking, drug use, and other topics. For more information about local chemical and mental health resources, visit the RCCMHC Resource Directory at healthycommunityinitiative.org/resources/.
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Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/
Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/