Family Focus 10/13/23
10/20/2023
Kris Sauer
October 2023, 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)
October 13, 2023
Dear BA Families:
Thank you! I have been blessed to serve as the President/Principal at BA for these past three plus years. Thank you for this opportunity. I will continue to pray for BA's faculty, staff and scholars during this transitional period and especially for the next leader to come to BA. I hope to see you at future events!
Here is a look at our schedule for next week:
UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar.
- Oct. 14: Spooktacular! Register HERE. Parent volunteer hours given for all registered for either the in person or virtual races!
- Oct 16, 1pm: Parent/teacher conference registration closes. Sign up here to meet with your scholar's teachers
- Oct. 17: 1pm dismissal (regular Faribault 3pm bus schedule)
- SADD Socktober Dress Down Day: pair of socks or $1 for sweats, $2 for hats, leggings. Student service hours earned for packs of socks. All proceeds/socks to St. Vincent de Paul.
- 2:00-6:30 pm: Parent/teacher conferences - bring candy donations for Trunk or Treat (see below)!
- Oct. 18-20: NO SCHOOL, MEA Break
- Oct. 26: PSAT Exam (11th graders who registered)
- Oct. 27: NHS Induction @ 10:30 am Mass
- Oct 31: Trunk or Treat dress down - bring a $ or bag of candy for this community event! Trunks needed for the BA/DMCS Trunk or Treat from 4-6pm in the BA parking lot - sign up HERE.
- Nov. 3, 1pm: Bethlehem Academy Sponsorship Transition Ceremony for Dominican Veritas Ministries - Parents invited! Guest speaker: former BA Principal Sr. Kathleen Theis, OP.
BA JOB OPENINGS: Have a flexible schedule? Consider driving our student van in the morning (6:50-7:50) and/or in the afternoons after fall sports finish. We are also in need of a part-time kitchen assistant. Email ksauer@bacards.org if interested.
FUNDRAISER UPDATES:
- The BA Annual Fund drive goal is: $255,000. Each gift supports our scholars and staff directly. Please consider a gift or call to set up a meeting at 507-334-3948. To date we have received $70,989 - THANK YOU! Donate online at: Annual Fund
- Autumn Cash Raffle: Purchase a raffle ticket and win cash prizes ranging from Click HERE for the order form.
Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATE
Oct. 14 Spooktacular & Shoe Drive: Join the fun! Register for the Spooktacular Race for Catholic education HERE. Raise $125/family and get in on the Squishmallow and BA sweatshirt drawings. Top fundraising family wins a Halloween yard inflatable! All proceeds benefit BA & help us keep costs down. Click HERE for the pledge sheet with more information. New this year - old tennis shoe drive for St. Vincent de Paul (+ coupon)-turn in your gently used shoes in the BA office. Click HERE for more info.Trunk or Treat Oct 31: Volunteer trunks needed for the BA/DMCS community-wide Trunk or Treat event Tuesday, October 31 from 4-6pm in the BA/DMCS parking lots. This is a parent and student service hour event. Sign up to host a trunk HERE. Lots of candy needed for the 1000 trick-or-treaters who join us for this event! Candy donations gladly accepted. Bring to P/T conferences next Tuesday afternoon; heads up that there will be a $/bag of candy costume dress down on Oct 31 for this event.
BABS PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Volunteers needed for the BABS 2024 planning committee. BABS is BA's biggest fundraising event of the year and a main source of funding for general and special project needs of the school. This is a parent service hour event - please consider lending your time and talent. Sign up to volunteer HERE. .png)
Christmas Scrip on Sale Oct 23: Get your Christmas gift card order in early! Contact aluckow@dmcs.cc with questions. Click HERE for info on the RaiseRight gift card tuition incentive program. Tastefully Simple Wolf Ridge 8th Grade Fundraiser: From Oct. 9-Nov. 6, 8th graders are hosting a Tastefully Simple fundraiser to raise money for their February Wolf Ridge trip. Place an order with one of our 8th graders or order online directly at this link and 100% of all profits go to this trip! Contact Kris Shuda for questions about the fundraiser; Julie Smisek for Qs about the trip.
ATHLETICS UPDATES
Registration for Winter Co-operative Sports* through Faribault Public Schools is now open. This includes Dance, Hockey, Wrestling, Gymnastics and Boys Swimming. Register through Faribault's Infinite Campus Portal. Click here for an InfiniteCampus portal account application form. Or, contact portalhelp@faribault.k12.mn.us for assistance in setting up an account. *Dance season begins October 23. Students participating in dance must be registered by October 20.
Faribault Archers Oct. 29 Registration: Faribault Falcons Archers are hosting an information and registration session at the Rice County Fairgrounds Faribault Archery Club 3-5pm on Oct. 29. Open to all grade 6-12 students, click HERE for the flyer with more information, click HERE to register online (click on Register in the upper right corner.)
Boys Basketball Assistant Coach Opening: Bethlehem Academy has an opening for an assistant boys basketball coach. Interested individuals may contact Ed Friesen (efriesen@bacards.org or 507-334-3948 x205) for more information and to apply.
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Juniors! MN House Page Program: applications due Nov 23. Go to our scholarship page HERE for more information.
MS Halloween Dance Oct 27, 7-9pm: The Junior Class Prom Committee is hosting a Halloween dance for MS students. Cost is $10/student, permission slip & payment due Oct 23. Parent chaperones needed! Sign up HERE.
DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES
TONIGHT!
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Order your Christmas decor online at www.divinemercy.cc/youth by October 25.
15th Annual IRIS Turkey Trot Nov. 23: Volunteers needed. Click HERE to sign up and help (student volunteer hours earned). Want to run/walk? Sign up for the race HERE.
Faribault Soccer Registration Opens Nov. 1: Faribault Soccer runs off-season programs for ages 3-18. Program registration opens November 1. Click HERE for the flyer; click HERE to register.
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 10/6/23
10/10/2023
Kris Sauer
October 2023, 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)
October 6, 2023
Dear BA Families:
Happy Homecoming! BA scholars have celebrated in style this week with Buddy Day, a joint Mass, themed dress up days, and today's prayer service and pep fest. Please join us tonight at the football game and afterward, all parents, alumni and BA supporters are invited to the gathering at Corks & Pints (next to 10,000 Drops) for fun and fellowship. The first 100 will receive a $1 discount ticket toward the beverage of their choice.
Here is a look at our schedule for next week:
REMINDERS: BA scholars should not be arriving before 7:30 a.m. unless they have a meeting. If you do need to drop off your scholar earlier, please let the office know and tell your child that they should report to the cafeteria prior to 7:30 a.m. Email: attendance@bacards.org
UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar.
- Oct. 6: Homecoming!
- 7:00 pm Football game vs Kenyon-Wanamingo, Cardinal Family Youth Night
- Post-Game-HS Students: High School Student Homecoming Dance (see info in HS section below)
- Post-Game: Parent/Alumni Social @ Corks & Pints/10,000 Drops. First 100 adults get at $1 off their beverage of choice. Join us!
- Oct. 11: Student of the Month celebrated in the gym @ 7:30 am
- Oct. 14: Spooktacular! Register HERE; Pledge form, prize & shoe drive information HERE.
- Oct. 17: 1pm dismissal (regular Faribault 3pm bus schedule) parent/teacher conferences from 2-6:30pm, sign up here to meet with your scholar's teachers
- Oct. 18-20: NO SCHOOL, MEA Break
BA JOB OPENINGS: Have a flexible schedule? Consider driving our student van in the morning (6:50-7:50) and/or in the afternoons after fall sports finish. We are also in need of a part-time kitchen assistant. Email ksauer@bacards.org if interested.
FUNDRAISER UPDATES:
- The BA Annual Fund drive goal is: $255,000. Each gift supports our scholars and staff directly. Please consider a gift or call to set up a meeting at 507-334-3948. To date we have already received $56,269-THANK YOU! Donate online at: Annual Fund
- SAVE THE DATE! On November 3rd at 1 p.m. we will host the Bethlehem Academy Sponsorship Transition Ceremony for Dominican Veritas Ministries - Parents invited! Guest speaker: former BA Principal Sr. Kathleen Theis, OP.
Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATE
Oct. 14 Spooktacular & Shoe Drive: Join the fun! Register for the Spooktacular Race for Catholic education HERE. Raise $125/family and get in on the Squishmallow and BA sweatshirt drawings. Top fundraising family wins a Halloween yard inflatable! All proceeds benefit BA & help us keep costs down. Click HERE for the pledge sheet with more information. New this year - old tennis shoe drive for St. Vincent de Paul (+ coupon)-turn in your gently used shoes in the BA office. Click HERE for more info.Trunk or Treat Oct 31: Volunteer trunks needed for the BA/DMCS community-wide Trunk or Treat event Tuesday, October 31 from 4-6pm in the BA/DMCS parking lots. This is a parent and student service hour event. Sign up to host a trunk HERE.
Tastefully Simple Wolf Ridge 8th Grade Fundraiser: From Oct. 9-Nov. 6, 8th graders are hosting a Tastefully Simple fundraiser to raise money for their February Wolf Ridge trip. Place an order with one of our 8th graders or order online directly at this link and 100% of all profits go to this trip! Contact Kris Shuda for questions about the fundraiser; Julie Smisek for Qs about the trip.
Rome Pilgrimage June 2024: It's not too late to sign up for the 2024 Pilgrimage to Rome! Highlights of the trip will include St. Peter’s Basilica Mass and tour, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, San Francesco - Church of St. Francis, and Michelangelo’s David. Cost for trip is $3,995 which includes airfare, accommodations, transportation in Rome and to Assisi and Florence, as well as most meals. Trip is open to current high school students and adults. Please contact Ms. Caryn Coller for more details or student permission slip. Click HERE for our travel company information.
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Homecoming Dance, Oct. 6: The Homecoming Dance follows the football game at BA. Approximate start time is 9:30pm and will end at midnight. Students in grades 9-12 may attend the dance. Cost of the dance is $5 or a package of socks. BA students may bring 1 guest who does not attend BA. That guest needs to be 9th grade or older. This form must be completed for any guest attending the dance. The form is also available in the office and must be turned in by Thursday, October 5. Guest must arrive with the BA student who signed them up for the dance. Note: If students ask to leave the dance early, we will ask to talk to a parent to let them know your student is leaving the dance.
Juniors! PSAT Exam: A reminder that 11th graders need to let Mr. Uphus know by Monday, Oct. 9 if they will take the free PSAT exam on Oct. 26. Click HERE for more information on the exam and the related National Merit Scholarship Program.
Juniors! MN House Page Program: applications due Nov 23. Go to our scholarship page HERE for more information.
MS Halloween Dance Oct 27, 7-9pm: The Junior Class Prom Committee is hosting a Halloween dance for MS students. Cost is $10/student, permission slip & payment due Oct 23. Parent chaperones needed! Sign up HERE.
ATHLETICS UPDATES
Registration for Winter Cooperative Sports through Faribault Public Schools is now open. This includes Dance, Hockey, Wrestling, Gymnastics and Boys Swimming. Registration is to be done through Faribault's Infinite Campus Portal. Click here for an InfiniteCampus portal account application form. Or, contact portalhelp@faribault.k12.mn.us for assistance in setting up an account.
*Dance season begins October 23. Students participating in dance must be registered by October 20. Those dance participants that are in the choreography group need be registered by Monday, October 9.
Boys Basketball Assistant Coach Opening: Bethlehem Academy has an opening for an assistant boys basketball coach. Interested individuals may contact Ed Friesen (efriesen@bacards.org or 507-334-3948 x205) for more information and to apply.
DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES
Click HERE for LifeLine Registration.
Order your Christmas decor online at www.divinemercy.cc/youth by October 25.
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 9/29/23
10/04/2023
Kris Sauer
September 2023, 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)
September 29, 2023
An update from the BA Board:
The BA Board has met several times this week to discuss the leadership transition at Bethlehem Academy.
At this time, the Board’s immediate priority is to recruit and hire an interim leader as soon as possible to lead us through this school year. Concurrently, we are also evaluating BA’s leadership needs to determine the best leadership structure for the 2024-2025 school year, with the goal of having this in place for recruitment of that position in early 2024.
We will continue to provide updates on this process. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated not only through this transition but daily for the students as they become our next generation of Christian leaders. Veritas!
Sincerely,
Cory Caron, Board of Directors Chairperson, cory.caron@yahoo.com
From Mrs. Reeder:
Dear BA Families:
Happy Homecoming Week! Homecoming BA Traditions unite scholars, staff and families as we celebrate our rich history as a Dominican school. Kicking off this Homecoming tonight is our first Student Art Show of the year at the Paradise Center for the Arts. Join us tonight for the opening reception from 5-7 p.m. and celebrate our 9 featured high school artists. Additionally, I hope you can join us for some of the homecoming festivities next week, see the schedule below. All parents, alumni and BA supporters are invited to the gathering after the game at Corks & Pints (next to 10,000 Drops) for fun and fellowship. The first 100 will receive a $1 discount ticket toward the beverage of their choice.
HOMECOMING REMINDERS: Homecoming week is full of traditions and events. Administration has reminded scholars that for all events, we are to be safe and appropriate, following CARDS. Please encourage this at home as well for any unsanctioned events. We want this to be fun week for all. Please Note: We discourage middle school students from doing any out-of-school activities. They are invited to dress up and join us for all of the events at school this week as well as the game on Friday. See below for more details on the week.
Here is a look at our schedule for next week:
REMINDERS: BA scholars should not be arriving before 7:30 a.m. unless they have a meeting. If you do need to drop off your scholar earlier, please let the office know and tell your child that they should report to the cafeteria prior to 7:30 a.m. Email: attendance@bacards.org
UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar.
- Sept. 29: Paradise Center for the Arts Student Exhibit Reception, 5-7pm: Opening reception for BA student artwork featured in the PCA's Corey Lyn Creger Art Gallery.
- Oct. 2-6: HOMECOMING WEEK! See below for themed dress down days & more information
- Oct. 5: Knowledge Bowl meeting, 7:45am, open to all Gr 7-12 students, email Dave Wollin with questions.
- Oct. 6: **No Parking in the BA Main Lot**2pm early dismissal** Parents are welcome to join us for the following Homecoming events:
- 12:00 pm Pep Fest: Welcome, Skits, Coaches speak, Co-op Team Recognition
- 1:00 pm Homecoming King Coronation
- 1:30 pm Parade
- 7:00 pm Football game vs Kenyon-Wanamingo, Cardinal Family Youth Night
- Post-Game-HS Students: High School Student Homecoming Dance (see info in HS section below)
- Post-Game: Parent/Alumni Social @ Corks & Pints/10,000 Drops. First 100 adults get at $1 off their beverage of choice. Join us!
- Oct. 11: Student of the Month celebrated in the gym
- Oct. 14: Spooktacular! Register HERE; Pledge form, prize & shoe drive information HERE.
- Oct. 17: 1pm dismissal, parent/teacher conferences from 2-6:30pm, watch for a sign up coming soon
- Oct. 18-20: NO SCHOOL, MEA Break
BA JOB OPENINGS: Have a flexible schedule? Consider driving our student van in the morning (6:50-7:50) and/or in the afternoons after fall sports finish. We are also in need of a part-time kitchen assistant and a gambling program manager.
Email mreeder@bacards.org if interested.
FUNDRAISER UPDATES:
- The BA Annual Fund drive goal is: $255,000. Each gift supports our scholars and staff directly. Please consider a gift or call to set up a meeting at 507-334-3948. To date we have already received $56,269-THANK YOU! Donate online at: Annual Fund
- SAVE THE DATE! On November 3rd at 1 p.m. we will host the Bethlehem Academy Sponsorship Transition Ceremony for Dominican Veritas Ministries - Parents invited! Guest speaker: former BA Principal Sr. Kathleen Theis, OP.
Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATE
Homecoming 2023 Themed Dress Down Days
- Mon., Oct 2: Color Day 6th grade: red; 7th grade: black; 8th grade: white; 9th grade: green; 10th grade: blue; 11th grade: purple; 12th grade: pink
- Tues., Oct 3: Gray Out + Anything But a Backpack
- Wed., Oct 4: Mass Attire; 8:30 Mass w/DMCS
- Thurs., Oct 5: Teacher/Student Role Reversal Day
- Fri., Oct 6: Cardinal Spirit Wear
Parent Volunteers Needed! There are many parent service hour opportunities in the month of October. Click here for all the options. Thank you for sharing your time and talent in support of BA!
Welcome New Staff!
Nurse Michele Germscheid: My husband Steve and I live in New Prague. We have 4 children: Zach, Claire, Simon, and Michael, and 1 grandbaby, Leah, who is almost 8 months old. I grew up in New Prague and attended St.Wenceslaus Catholic School through 8th grade. I am excited to meet everybody, and hope for a school year somewhere between happy and healthy!
Spring Play Director, William McIntyre: Will is a 2019 BA alum who is thrilled to be back at BA to direct the spring play! Will graduated from St. Olaf May 2023 with a degree in Theater, Sociology, and Anthropology. He participated in many productions at St. Olaf, on top of participating in multiple choirs, including the St. Olaf Choir. Stay tuned to hear what the spring show will be! Oct. 14 Spooktacular & Shoe Drive: Join the fun! Register for the Spooktacular Fun Run for Catholic education HERE. Raise $125/family and get in on the Squishmallow and BA sweatshirt drawings. Top fundraising family wins a Halloween yard inflatable! Click HERE for the pledge sheet with more information. New this year - old tennis shoe drive for St. Vincent de Paul (+ coupon)-turn in your gently used shoes in the BA office. Click HERE for more info.Trunk or Treat Oct 31: Volunteer trunks needed for the BA/DMCS community-wide Trunk or Treat event Tuesday, October 31 from 4-6pm in the BA/DMCS parking lots. This is a parent and student service hour event. Sign up to host a trunk HERE.
Home and School: Reminder to please pay your $30 Home and School dues! Scan the QR code at left to pay via Venmo or send a check in to the BA front office. Thank you!
Rome Pilgrimage June 2024: It's not too late to sign up for the 2024 Pilgrimage to Rome! Highlights of the trip will include St. Peter’s Basilica Mass and tour, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, San Francesco - Church of St. Francis, and Michelangelo’s David. Cost for trip is $3,995 which includes airfare, accommodations, transportation in Rome and to Assisi and Florence, as well as most meals. Trip is open to current high school students and adults. Please contact Ms. Caryn Coller for more details or student permission slip. Click HERE for our travel company information.
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
National Honor Society Applications Due Oct. 2: Forms available in the BA front office. All eligible juniors and seniors who are not already NHS members were sent an email inviting them to apply.
Homecoming Dance, Oct. 6: The Homecoming Dance follows the football game at BA. Approximate start time is 9:30pm and will end at midnight. Students in grades 9-12 may attend the dance. Cost of the dance is $5 or a package of socks. BA students may bring 1 guest who does not attend BA. That guest needs to be 9th grade or older. This form must be completed for any guest attending the dance. The form is also available in the office and must be turned in by Thursday, October 5. Guest must arrive with the BA student who signed them up for the dance. Note: If students ask to leave the dance early, we will ask to talk to a parent to let them know your student is leaving the dance.
Juniors! PSAT Exam: A reminder that 11th graders need to let Mr. Uphus know by Monday, Oct. 9 if they will take the free PSAT exam on Oct. 26. Click HERE for more information on the exam and the related National Merit Scholarship Program.
Juniors! MN House Page Program: applications due Nov 23. Go to our scholarship page HERE for more information.
MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES
MS Halloween Dance Oct 27, 7-9pm: The Junior Class Prom Committee is hosting a Halloween dance for MS students. Cost is $10/student, permission slip & payment due Oct 23. Parent chaperones needed! Sign up HERE.
DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES
LifeLine Registration at www.divinemercy.cc/youth.
Order your Christmas decor online at www.divinemercy.cc/youth
Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/
Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/