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Family Focus 6/2/23

date 08/17/2023 author Kris Sauer category June 2023, 2022-23 comment Leave a comment

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7 (Peer Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2022-2023)


June 2, 2023

Dear BA Families: 

Happy Summer! What an exciting week at BA. During these last two days, our 6-11th grade scholars gathered for finals, locker clean out, and a middle school day at the park as well as lunch on the back 40!  Our lady Cardinals brought home the Section 1A Championship and are headed to state next week, see details below. Our BA co-op participants competed at competitions in golf and track and field. Our Trap team took 1st place in the conference! Watch the news for all of the updates and progress of our athletes! Also, don't forget to scroll below to check out the summer reading requirements, teacher tutors and summer programs and camps. 

Attend the Games - Order tickets online: The Cardinals are going to state in softball for the first time in its roughly 35 years of existence. The state tournament is held at Caswell Park in North Mankato, just off of Lor-Ray Drive and US Hwy 14.
  • Thursday-June 8: 1:30pm and 8:15pm. Ticket prices are $13 adults and $8 students. You must purchase digital tickets at:  https://www.mshsl.org/tickets
  • Friday’s game schedule is based on how we do Thursday.
    • 5th place game is at 1:30pm
    • 3rd place game is at 3:30pm
    • Championship game is at 5:30pm.

Game times are subject to change due to such things as weather delays or a preceding game going extra innings. (Please see the notes below for what you can bring to the game.)

STAFFING UPDATES FOR 2023-24

  • Brent Zabel as Middle School Dean/Advanced Science Course Teacher.
  • Kallie Donahue Battles - 9th and 10th grade science and MS theology.
  • Jolene Beske is joining our staff to teach business courses.
  • Cecilia Allen will be teaching Algebra 2 in high school.
  • Katy Ashley will be teaching some social studies courses as she begins her teacher training.
  • Welcome to our new office team: Nikki Dut as our office secretary and Lori Bittenbender as the office assistant, see write ups, below
  • Please welcome Jon Rysdam, our new Lunch Program Supervisor. His introduction coming soon.
  • Penny Thorpe joins our maintenance team as co-head of cleaning, building and grounds with Loren Tatge. Steve Zabel will stay on part-time consulting the maintenance team.
FUNDRAISER UPDATES:
  • The BA Annual Fund drive is at $234,200+ with a goal of $265,000 for this academic year! Gifts accepted through June 30, 2023.
  • BA Cardinal Club Raffle ticket order forms have been mailed! Get yours early to win!

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

  • Heritage Days Parade, June 17: be on the BA/DMCS float! Student and parent sign up at this link
  • Cardinal Cafe at the Rice County Fair, July 19-25: work the fair stand and get your hours in early! Find the sign up HERE
  • SMART Ride, July 27-29: Bicycle single or multiple days for BA
  • Cardinal Golf Classic, Aug 4 at the Faribault Golf Club: Committee members needed - will earn parent hours! Contact Kris at ksauer@bacards.org
BA Job Openings: Help Spread the Word! BA is seeking an Assistant Athletic Director/High School Dean, Math Support Teacher and part-time Van Driver for 2023-24. Contact Mindy Reeder at 507-334-3948 or at mreeder@bacards.org for info.

Prayers for your summer - hope to see you at the State softball games!

Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org


ALL BA UPDATE
Summer Office Hours: Our front office will be staffed Monday to Thursday from 9am to 1pm June 5 to August 18. The office will be closed Fridays and the week of July 3-7.

Report Cards/Summer Mailing: 2nd semester report cards and our summer mailing with school supply lists, summer read list and other important items should be in the mailing late next week after grades are finalized Monday afternoon.

MN State Softball Tournament Details:

  • Each individual must have a ticket to be scanned. Tickets may be on a mobile device or printed. 
  • No backpacks, duffel bags, briefcases, shoulder bags, etc., other than purses, will be allowed into the facility. All bags/purses are subject to being searched. 
  • Camera tri-pods/mono-pods and “selfie sticks” are NOT allowed. 
  • No beverages, food or noisemakers will be allowed to be brought into the facility. 
  • No balloons, laser pointers, noisemakers, air-horns, horns, drums, or whistles will be allowed in the facility. 
  • No weapons of any kind including licensed concealed carry weapons, knives, etc. are allowed 
  • No signs or banners may be hung in the facility. Hand-held signs allowed (can be held by one person).

Summer Read Assignments-See link to form given to your scholar below:

23-24 Tuition Agreements: parents with enrolled students for 2023-24 should have received an email with their tuition agreement. Please review your agreement and payment plan. If you need to change the payment schedule of your agreement, please contact Kris Sauer at ksauer@bacards.org or 507-334-3948, x206. If you believe you require additional financial assistance, please complete the form found here

Summer Band: High school (gr 8-12) summer band camp late July, early August; high school percussion tryouts due by July 25; band lessons for all grades starting after July 4th.  Click HERE for Mr. Lorence's letter with all the details; click HERE for the summer band lesson sign up form. 

Summer Math Tutoring

  • Mrs. Lynette Battles will be offering math tutoring this summer for 4th-8th grade students.  Cost is $150 for 6 one hour sessions. Please email her at lbattles@bacards.org for more information and availability. 
  • Mr. David Gilmore is offering math tutoring for $30/hour this summer. Contact him at David_Gilmore@bacards.org

Summer Camps @ BA: Click HERE for information and registration forms for football, basketball, volleyball, robotics camps and summer voice lessons. 

DMCC Summer Programs: Great opportunities this summer through the Divine Mercy Catholic Church youth groups, including Totus Tuus. More info and sign up at this link.
 

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

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

Family Focus, 5/26/23

date 06/01/2023 author Kris Sauer category May 2023, 2022-23 comment Leave a comment

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7 (Peer Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2022-2023)


May 26, 2023

Dear BA Families: 
A Cardinal send off to our Seniors! We gathered to recognize scholars from all grades, but especially our seniors, for our 2022-23 BA Awards Day Ceremony. What an honor for our staff to recognize your scholars. Each year brings growth for scholars in all four pillars of: prayer, study, community and service. After the ceremony, staff gathers with seniors for our traditional brunch. This intimate event is our final send-off with our seniors, before commencement. Senior parents - thank you! Thank you for giving your scholar the gift of Catholic education and for partnering with us throughout this journey!

EARLY RELEASE DAYS & DRESS CODE: Just a reminder that there is no school on Monday, May 29. School resumes on Tuesday, May 30th and our last day is Wednesday, May 31st. Our last two days we will release at 1 p.m. Lunch is provided. See the dress code notes, below.


CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ATHLETES! Our girls' softball brought home the Sub-Section Title with a phenomenal 10-0 victory! Come and cheer them on this next Tuesday, May 30. BA participants in Coop FHS sports are also shining at regional events. Watch the news for all of the updates and progress of our athletes.

STAFFING UPDATES FOR 2023-24:

  • New Staff/Positions for 2023-24:
    • Brent Zabel as Middle School Dean/Advanced Science Course Teacher.
    • Kallie Donahue Battles - 9th and 10th grade science and MS theology.
    • Jolene Beske is joining our staff to teach business courses.
    • Katy Ashley will be teaching some social studies courses as she begins her teacher training.
    • Welcome to our new office team: Nikki Dut as our office secretary and Lori Bittenbender as the office assistant, see write ups, below.
    • Please welcome Jon Rysdam, our new Lunch Program Supervisor. His introduction coming soon.
FUNDRAISER UPDATES:
  • The BA Annual Fund drive is at $233,900+ with a goal of $265,000 for this academic year! Gifts accepted through June 30, 2023.
  • BA Cardinal Club Raffle ticket order forms have been mailed! Get yours early to win!

NEXT WEEK'S SCHEDULE: 


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

  • Monday, May 29: Memorial Day - no school
  • Tuesday, May 30: 1pm dismissal, lunch served
  • Wednesday, May 31: 1pm dismissal, lunch served - last day of school!  *Students may come out of dress code, but dress for the weather and review the "not allowed" list for out-of-dress code days.
  • BA Summer events: See below for great ways to support BA and earn service hours for parents and students!
BA Job Openings: Help Spread the Word! BA is seeking an Assistant Athletic Director/High School Dean, Math Support Teacher, Van Driver, and Maintenance Supervisor for 2023-24. Contact Mindy Reeder at 507-334-3948 or at mreeder@bacards.org for info.

It has been an honor for our staff and faculty to serve your family and your scholar. May summer be a blessing to you and your family, and may God keep you safe in your travels. Until next fall - Fly Cardinals!

Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org


ALL
BA UPDATE
Introducing New BA Staff:
Nikki Dut, Office Secretary: 
I am honored to be a part of such a brilliant team. I’m a mother of six and have taken in two additional children as well. I love cooking, planning events and fundraising for organizations. I also enjoy reading and learning, walks and outdoors. I am currently completing my bachelor’s degree as well. I look forward to remembering each and everyone’s name and face when I begin at BA!

Lori Bittenbender, Office Assistant: I am looking forward to serving the BA community while working in the front office. Our family has lived in Faribault for the last 5 years. We have an 8th grade daughter at BA and our son will join the Cardinal family as a 6th grader next school year. Our oldest daughter will be a junior at Shattuck St. Mary's where my husband is a teacher. For the past 17 years, I have owned my own business as a public relations freelancer but have also been involved in education field for many years as a reading tutor as well as working and living on boarding school campuses. 


23-24 Tuition Agreements: parents with enrolled students for 2023-24 should have received an email with their tuition agreement. Please review your agreement and payment plan. If you need to change the payment schedule of your agreement, please contact Kris Sauer at ksauer@bacards.org or 507-334-3948, x206. If you believe you require additional financial assistance, please complete the form found here

Order your 2022-2023 BA Yearbook! Click HERE to order online or use the form found here and return to the front office with your payment. Orders due May 31. Contact Mr. Zabel at bzabel@bacards.org with questions.

Save the date for BA summer events! See below for several parent and student summer service opportunities. All are great ways to support BA! See our Events page HERE; more information to follow via parent email. 

  • Heritage Days Parade, June 17: be on the BA/DMCS float! Student and parent sign up at this link
  • Cardinal Cafe at the Rice County Fair, July 19-25: work the fair stand and get your hours in early! Find the sign up HERE
  • SMART Ride, July 27-29: Bicycle single or multiple days for BA
  • Cardinal Golf Classic, Aug 4 at the Faribault Golf Club: Committee members needed - will earn parent hours! Contact Kris at ksauer@bacards.org

Summer Band: High school (gr 8-12) summer band camp late July, early August; high school percussion tryouts due by July 25; band lessons for all grades starting after July 4th.  Click HERE for Mr. Lorence's letter with all the details. 

Summer Math Tutoring

  • Mrs. Lynette Battles will be offering math tutoring this summer for 4th-8th grade students.  Cost is $150 for 6 one hour sessions. Please email her at lbattles@bacards.org for more information and availability. 
  • Mr. David Gilmore is offering math tutoring for $30/hour this summer. Contact him at David_Gilmore@bacards.org

Summer Camps @ BA: Click HERE for information and registration forms for football, basketball, volleyball, robotics camps and summer voice lessons. 

DMCC Summer Programs: Great opportunities this summer through the Divine Mercy Catholic Church youth groups, including Totus Tuus. More info and sign up at this link.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Juniors: Sign up for STRIVE: STRIVE, a Faribault Rotary-sponsored program is taking registrations for the 2023-2024 school year. Sign up to participate HERE

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

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

Family Focus 5-19-23

date 05/24/2023 author Kris Sauer category May 2023, 2022-23 comment Leave a comment

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7 (Peer Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2022-2023)


May 19, 2023

Dear BA Families: 
May God richly bless our Seniors this next week! Please join us at our Baccalaureate Mass on Wednesday, May 24th or for graduation on Friday, May 26 as we recognize our seniors' hard work and accomplishments. I invite you to also join me in continuing to pray for our seniors. 

It is with a heavy heart that I share that John Wollersheim, Assistant Principal, will be officially retiring from his position at BA. He will continue to support BA as a consultant next year. We will be celebrating all of our staff who are retiring during our awards ceremony on Friday, May 26 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Please send cards to honor them.

EARLY RELEASE DAYS & DRESS CODE: Just a reminder that students will be released between 11 and 11:30 a.m. after the BA Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 26. No lunch is provided. There is no school on Monday, May 29 and school on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 30th & 31st ,will release at 1 p.m. Lunch is provided the last two days of school. See the dress code notes, below.


KUDOS to our FFA TEAM! Our FFA Team gathered last Saturday for their banquet, to recognize their leaders, and to commemorate their teams and accolades. Our Dairy team even received an additional national award this week - with a plaque now hanging in our ag department classroom. Congratulations to Mr. Johnson and all of his team!

SUPPORT OUR ATHLETES! Join our athletes this next week as they compete at regional and state competitions. Our girls' softball is ranked #1 in our division! Play off games for them are at home on Monday and Tuesday. Coop sports will also have regional and state competitions, go to the BA sports calendar to support our Cardinals!

STAFFING UPDATES FOR 2023-24:

  • BA Staff Retiring: Steve Zabel, Julie Trnka, Barb Johnson, John Wollersheim and Tammy Anderson  
  • BA Teachers Leaving: Father John Powers, Josh Maus and Mark Nuehring
  • New Staff for 2023-24: We welcome Brent Zabel as Middle School Dean. He will continue to also teach the upper level science courses. Ms. Kallie Donahue Battles is joining the BA family as our new 9th and 10th grade science instructor and additional courses. Jolene Beske is joining our staff to teach business courses while Katy Ashley will be teaching some social studies courses as she begins her teacher training.
FUNDRAISER UPDATES:
  • The BA Annual Fund drive is at $233,900+ with a goal of $265,000 for this academic year! Gifts accepted through June 30, 2023.

NEXT WEEK'S SCHEDULE: 


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

  • May 18-31: Click here for a printable copy of the finals/senior week schedule
  • Wednesday, May 24: Mary Ceremony in gym @ 1pm, assembly schedule; Baccalaureate at DMCC, 7:30pm 
  • Friday, May 26: Awards Day @ 9:30am, Mass dress code; grades 6-11 dismissed around 11am, no lunch served; Commencement, 7:30pm
  • Monday, May 29: Memorial Day - no school
  • Tuesday, May 30: 1pm dismissal, lunch served
  • Wednesday, May 31: 1pm dismissal, lunch served - last day of school!  *Students may come out of dress code, but dress for the weather and review the "not allowed" list for out of dress code days.
  • BA Summer events: See below for great ways to support BA and earn service hours for parents and students!
BA Job Openings: Help Spread the Word! BA is seeking a Math Support Teacher, and Maintenance Supervisor for 2023-24. Contact Mindy Reeder at 507-334-3948 or at mreeder@bacards.org for info.

Please join me in prayers this spring as we wrap up our school year, praying for our scholars and teachers in the final weeks of the school year with special prayers for our seniors. Special prayers for Ms. Tondryk and Mr. Wollin as they support their family members.

Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org


ALL
BA UPDATE
23-24 Tuition Agreements: parents with enrolled students for 2023-24 should have received an email with their tuition agreement. Please review your agreement and payment plan. If you need to change the payment schedule of your agreement, please contact Kris Sauer at ksauer@bacards.org or 507-334-3948, x206. If you believe you require additional financial assistance, please complete the form found here

Order your 2022-2023 BA Yearbook! Click HERE to order online or use the form found here and return to the front office with your payment. Orders due May 31. Contact Mr. Zabel at bzabel@bacards.org with questions.

Save the date for BA summer events! See below for several parent and student summer service opportunities. All are great ways to support BA! See our Events page HERE; more information to follow via parent email. 

  • Heritage Days Parade, June 17: be on the BA/DMCS float! 
  • Cardinal Cafe at the Rice County Fair, July 19-25: work the fair stand and get your hours in early!
  • SMART Ride, July 27-29: Bicycle single or multiple days for BA
  • Cardinal Golf Classic, Aug 4 at the Faribault Golf Club: Committee members needed! Contact Kris at ksauer@bacards.org

Summer Band: High school (gr 8-12) summer band camp late July, early August; high school percussion tryouts due by July 25; band lessons for all grades starting after July 4th.  Click HERE for Mr. Lorence's letter with all the details. 

Summer Math Tutoring

  • Mrs. Lynette Battles will be offering math tutoring this summer for 4th-8th grade students.  Cost is $150 for 6 one hour sessions. Please email her at lbattles@bacards.org for more information and availability. 
  • Mr. David Gilmore is offering math tutoring for $30/hour this summer. Contact him at David_Gilmore@bacards.org

Summer Camps @ BA: Click HERE for information and registration forms for football, basketball, volleyball, robotics camps and summer voice lessons. 

DMCC Summer Programs: Great opportunities this summer through the Divine Mercy Catholic Church youth groups, including Totus Tuus. More info and sign up at this link.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Juniors: Sign up for STRIVE: STRIVE, a Faribault Rotary-sponsored program is taking registrations for the 2023-2024 school year. Sign up to participate HERE



















 

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 Mission
Bethlehem Academy, a Catholic school in the Sinsinawa Dominican tradition, strives to empower its students and staff to achieve personal, spiritual and academic excellence. We challenge ourselves to love as Jesus Christ loved, to lead, to serve, to inspire and to seek the truth: Veritas.
Address
105 3rd Ave. SW
Faribault, MN  55021
Phone:  507-334-3948
Fax:  507-334-3949