Family Focus 3/17/23
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 (Peer Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2022-2023)
March 17, 2023
Dear BA Families:
The 4th Quarter of the school year begins! This week we turned the page to the last quarter of the school year. We are blessed by every scholar, every family in our school and value your partnership throughout this journey. Thank you for sharing your joys and struggles and helping us support your scholar's needs. Please always reach out if you have questions or concerns.
Welcome Ann Meillier '79 to the Lunch Lady Team: Hello Bethlehem Academy Family! My name is Ann Meillier. I am a born and raised Faribault native, a BA alum (Class of 1979), and a past parent of two BA alums. I attended two years at St. Kate's, then two years at a trade school for a Sign Lettering and Design certificate. In 1988, along with my husband, Dave Correll, I opened Brushwork Signs in Faribault. After 30 years we downsized and reformatted the business. Now, it is my pleasure to work in a totally different capacity, in this prayerful environment serving our students and the BA community. Although I have a long history with BA and have many BA friends and associates, most of your faces will be new to me, and I look forward to meeting you!
2023-24 RE-ENROLLMENT AND TUITION ASSISTANCE OPEN! Please be sure to re-enroll and complete your financial aid application (click HERE to apply) by April 14 for BA aid and scholarship consideration. Remember, you can fill out the TADS form with your 2021 or 2022 tax documents, but 2022 W2s and current pay stubs are needed. Contact Kris Sauer with questions or to set up an appointment if you help with this.
FUNDRAISER UPDATES:
- The BA Annual Fund drive is at $213,500+ with a goal of $265,000 for this academic year! Gifts accepted through June 30, 2023.
BABS - A Red & Black Gala Event on April 15: Reserve your seat by April 4 HERE!
- Raffle & Event Tickets: Visit the BABS site at babsnight.weebly.com to order your event or raffle tickets.
- Class Silent Auction Baskets: Each class is being asked to create a basket for our online silent auction. Students who contribute will get a dress-down pass that can be used any day this spring other than a Mass Day. Click HERE for more information.
- BABS Volunteers Needed! Volunteers are needed to work at BABS April 15: registration table, bartenders, food service, raffle sales, and more. This is a parent service hour event! Click HERE for more information and to sign up to volunteer.
NEXT WEEK'S SCHEDULE:
UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar
- March 20: 1st Scrub Club for HS students, 6pm. See below for info.
- March 21: Reconciliation
- March 23: 9th & 10th Grade Class Retreat
- March 24: WIN Day
- Prom $ Dress Down Day
- Yearbook Club photos taken during WIN
- March 27-31st: SPRING BREAK - No School
- April 2: Rescheduled Equal Rights Institute Prolife speaker following 5pm Mass at DMCC- see info below
- April 3: 11th grade college fair/Twins game permission slip due; see info below
- April 4:
- April 6: Senior Graduation Service Cord application due, find info HERE
- April 14: Senior yearbook survey and photos due; see senior parent email sent 3/10/23
- April 15: BABS Gala - BA's BIGGEST event of the year. You don't want to miss this great night out in support of our Cardinals! All info, including event & raffle tickets, found HERE.
REMINDERS:
- BA/DMCS JOB OPENINGS:
- We will be hiring a new Kitchen Manager and Maintenance Supervisor as Julie Trnka and Steve Zabel retire this spring - call if you wish to learn more: 334-3948 and ask for Mindy.
- We also need an adult summer work supervisor, working with student workers 30 hours/week from 8am-2:30pm June 6-August 11. Click HERE for more information.
- DMCS is hiring a full-time admissions, marketing and fundraising director. Contact Gina Ashley @ gashley@dmcs.cc for info.
Please join me in praying the DMCS Miraculous Medals prayer each Monday and praying for scholars during Lent.
Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATE
Summer Camps @ BA! Sports camps, robotics, and choir lessons are among the summer offerings at BA. Football camp and choir lesson registration is open; click HERE for information and registration forms.
Student Summer Work Program: Register by April 4: Great News! BA is again looking for summer workers to help clean and prepare BA and DMCS for the upcoming 2023-24 school year. Students selected will be under the direction of Mr. Steve Zabel and will work a week in both schools. High School students (Grades 9-12 in 2023-24) who receive tuition assistance will have first priority, but everyone is encouraged to apply. Students are guaranteed two (2) weeks at 30 hours per week earning $8.63 per hour. Please call the BA office @ 334-3948 or email Barb Johnson @ bjohnson@bacards.org by Tuesday, April 4 if interested. All student earnings will be credited to their tuition account in August.
RaiseRight/SCRIP Spring Break Update: Order by March 22 to have your gift cards delivered in time for Spring Break! The DMCS Office also has a large number of special order gift cards on hand. Find the list and other updates HERE.
Tuition Tax Statements: Click HERE for instructions on how to find and print your 2022 tuition tax statement in FACTS but use this link to get to your account; our District Code is FCS-MN.
Spring Sports Registration
Bethlehem Academy sponsors its own girls fastpitch softball program. Girls in grades 6-12 may participate. High school practices for girls softball may March 13. Middle school practices for girls softball will begin March 20. 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, track & field, golf and boys tennis. Please visit faribaultfalcons.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.
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)
Please complete registration before beginning practice.
DMCC Summer Programs: Great opportunities this summer through the Divine Mercy Catholic Church youth groups, including Totus Tuus and the high school Steubenville Conference. See the flyer below; learn more and sign up at this link.
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Senior Parents: Open Campus Information: Find BA's Open Campus Policy and parent permission form HERE. Please note that for accountability reasons, seniors today were given an excused absence for their open campus study hall. This does not count against them and is cross-referenced with the front office open campus sign out sheet. Starting next week, students will be marked OC (Open Campus) for those class periods. Please contact Mr. Wollersheim at jwollersheim@bacards.org or 507-334-3948 with questions.
11th Grade! April 26th College Fair and Twins Game Outing: Permission slips were emailed to students today about an opportunity to attend a college fair and Twins game on Wednesday, April 26th. Click HERE for the permission slip, due to the BA front office by Monday, April 3.
High School Reminders:
After school support is available for students in the library Tuesday - Thursday until 3:30 (link to info)
Senior Scholarships: Click HERE for a list of college and community scholarship opportunities, requirements and deadlines!
Senior Service Cord: Click here for the senior service cord guidelines. Applications are due April 6, 2023.
Please remind your high school student to check their email and class Schoology on a regular basis! (Thank you for your support with this!)
Juniors & Seniors: ACT Exams: Find ACT college test dates and registration deadlines at this LINK. SAT Testing: Find SAT college test dates and registration deadlines HERE.
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES
Register at https://forms.gle/DCbiXH3uqNUGHjii6 by March 17 for the Lifeline DMCC Youth Ministry event:
Learn more about these summer programs at DMCC and sign up at this link.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Job Opportunity: Simple and Grand, owners of the Faribault Growers Greenhouse, has a temporary employment opportunity mid-April (approximately April 10 through April 21 Monday through Friday, depending on weather). They are looking for 4-6 students to help with truck loading/unloading after school. Pay is $18 per hour. Contact is Angie Burns at 612-839-8814.
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 3-10-23
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 (Peer Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2022-2023)
March 10, 2023
Dear BA Families:
Prayers during Lent. I pray that your Lenten journey is blessed and you experience renewal as you prepare for Easter. This week our scholars gathered for Mass with Fr. Clayton and Stations of the Cross today with Fr. Powers. Next week we will have a 11th grade class retreat.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CHOIR & BAND! Both participated in a District Music Festival in Pine Island this past Wednesday. The choir earned a "Superior" rating with our young band earning an "Excellent" rating - just two points shy of the highest ranking. We are so proud of our new teachers, our gifted scholars, and the growth in these programs!
BABS 2023: I want to personally invite you to join us in celebrating the school year at BABS - a Red & Black Gala! We are changing it up this year, with a cocktail hour, buffet dinner and live entertainment and want you to join us as we continue to support our scholars. All of the details, including ways for you to support BABS, attend, or volunteer, are below. Classes are also collecting grade level items for a Silent Auction Class Basket - see the details below.
Wolf Ridge Thank You! Julie Smisek, middle school science teacher, and the eighth grade students would like to thank the Faribault Knights of Columbus #889 for a generous donation. The Faribault KC’s donated $1000 to the eighth grade class to help defray the cost of their bus for their winter field trip to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center. Students do fundraise during the fall and winter for this trip, but with increasing transportation costs, this generous donation helped to offset additional costs. Additionally, we wish to thank all of our teachers and parent chaperones!
2023-24 RE-ENROLLMENT AND TUITION ASSISTANCE OPEN! Please be sure to re-enroll and complete your financial aid application (click HERE to apply) by April 14 for BA aid and scholarship consideration. Remember, you can fill out the TADS form with your 2021 or 2022 tax documents, but 2022 W2s and current pay stubs are needed. Contact Kris Sauer with questions or to set up an appointment if you help with this.
FUNDRAISER UPDATES:
- The BA Annual Fund drive is at $213,500+ with a goal of $265,000 for this academic year! Gifts accepted through June 30, 2023.
BABS - A Red & Black Gala Event on April 15 is in need of silent, live and dessert auction items. Email Teresa Lebens with your donations at: tlebens@bacards.org.
- Raffle & Event Tickets: Visit the BABS site at babsnight.weebly.com to order your event or raffle tickets.
- Class Silent Auction Baskets: Each class is being asked to create a basket for our online silent auction. Any student contributing an item or money to the class basket will get a dress-down pass that can be utilized on any day this spring other than a Mass Day. Click HERE for more information.
- BABS Volunteers Needed! Volunteers are needed to work at BABS April 15: registration table, bartenders, food service, raffle sales, and more. This is a parent service hour event! Click HERE for more information and to sign up to volunteer.
NEXT WEEK'S SCHEDULE:
UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar
- March 10: END OF 3RD QUARTER
- March 13:
- Senior Open Campus Forms Due. Click HERE.
- Post Prom meeting, 6 p.m., BA Cafeteria
- Play practice begins, 6 p.m.
- March 14:
- 11th Grade Class Retreat
- Basilleo's Dining Night Out for post prom, 4-8pm
- March 16:
- Cannon River Driving School registration deadline. See info below.
- History Day Regionals in Mankato-36 high school students participating!
- March 17:
- SADD St. Patrick's Day $ Dress Down for Feed My Starving Children
- Senior open campus begins, Fridays only through April 28
- High School Lock In Event 6-10pm. Students sign up HERE; Parents (BA service hours earned) volunteer HERE
- DMCC Youth Ministry Lifeline event registration deadline-see info below, register HERE
- DMCS Scholarship Night-see info below
- March 20: 1st Scrub Club for HS students, 6pm. See below for info.
- March 21: Reconciliation
- March 23: 9th & 10th Grade Class Retreat
- March 24: WIN Day
- Prom $ Dress Down Day
- Yearbook Club photos taken during WIN
- March 27-31st: SPRING BREAK - No School
- April 4:
- Red Cross Blood Drive @ BA, 9am-2pm. Search by date and sign up to give HERE.
- Student Summer Work Program sign up deadline, see info below
- April 6: Senior Service Cord application due, find info HERE
- April 14: Senior yearbook survey and photos due; see senior parent email sent 3/10/23
- April 15: BABS Gala - BA's BIGGEST event of the year. You don't want to miss this great night out in support of our Cardinals! All info, including event & raffle tickets, found HERE.
REMINDERS:
- CLASS REGISTRATION/NEW ELECTIVES! Click HERE for a summary of new options and elections. Find the 2023-2024 Course Guide and registration forms under Quick Links on our website HERE. Contact Mr. Uphus with questions ASAP as these are all due.
- ATTENDANCE: If your scholar is sick or has an appointment, please email attendance@bacards.org or call 507-334-3948, x 302 by 8am if possible. Thank you!
- HIRING FOR SUMMER 2023 & 2023-24: We will be hiring a new Kitchen Manager and Maintenance Supervisor as Julie Trnka and Steve Zabel retire this spring - call if you wish to learn more: 334-3948 and ask for Mindy. We also need an adult summer work supervisor, working with student workers 30 hours/week from 8am-2:30pm June 6-August 11. Click HERE for more information.
Please join me in praying the DMCS Miraculous Medals prayer each Monday and praying for scholars during Lent.
Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATE
Tuition Tax Statements: Click HERE for instructions on how to find and print your 2022 tuition tax statement in FACTS but use this link to get to your account; our District Code is FCS-MN.
Spring Sports Registration
Bethlehem Academy sponsors its own girls fastpitch softball program. Practices begin March 13. Girls in grades 6-12 may participate. 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, track & field and golf. Please visit faribaultfalcons.com for more information. (Faribault Falcons registration page). Payment of activity fees is done online through the Faribault Public Schools InfiniteCampus portal. Please contact Shawn Behrens in the Faribault Activities Office (sbehrens@faribault.k12.mn.us or 507-333-6210) for setting up your InfiniteCampus account. Note: Select the activity fee for your child's age (not team level).
Message from Track Coach Mark Bongers:
Hello, this is Mark Bongers. I am the Head Girls Coach for Track and Field here at Faribault. The boys head coach is Dave Wieber. I had my son graduate from Bethlehem Academy about 6 years ago. When Alex was in school we often talked about how great it would be to have BA and FHS together for Track and Field. Since this time, I have been a strong supporter of this idea. Over a year ago, I went to a FHS school board meeting and helped to get this cooperative program approved.
I think it is important to have the best after school programs available. I want to train any athlete to be the best at Track and Field no matter what school they go to in Faribault. I coach Cross Country and appreciate and enjoy the opportunity to coach all of Faribault's distance runners.
Please think hard about sending your student to Track and Field. It is the best cross training program for Football, Volleyball, Dance, Cross County or Basketball. What you learn in track and field helps you with your other sports.
Thanks and if you are interested, Track and Field practice starts at 3:30 pm on Monday, March 13. You will need to sign your athlete up at the Activities Office FHS prior to involvement in Track and Field.
Driver’s Ed @ BA Register by March 16: Cannon River Driving School will be hosting driver’s training at Bethlehem Academy. At least 10 students are needed to run the class, which runs March 18 (8am-11am), March 20-24 and April 3-6 (3:15-6:15pm). Please fill out and mail the contract (click HERE or get a copy in the BA Office) directly to the driving school with your payment. Contact Denise or Adam at adam_rueger@yahoo.com with questions.
DMCC Summer Programs: Great opportunities this summer through the Divine Mercy Catholic Church youth groups, including Totus Tuus and the high school Steubenville Conference. See the flyer below; learn more and sign up at this link.HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
- After school support is available for students in the library Tuesday - Thursday until 3:30 (link to info)
- Senior Scholarships: Click HERE for a list of college and community scholarship opportunities, requirements and deadlines!
- Senior Service Cord: Click here for the senior service cord guidelines. Applications are due April 6, 2023.
- Please remind your high school student to check their email and class Schoology on a regular basis! (Thank you for your support with this!)
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES
COMMUNITY NEWS
Job Opportunity: Simple and Grand, owners of the Faribault Growers Greenhouse, has a temporary employment opportunity mid-April (approximately April 10 through April 21 Monday through Friday, depending on weather). They are looking for 4-6 students to help with truck loading/unloading after school. Pay is $18 per hour. Contact is Angie Burns at 612-839-8814.
Online School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/
Family Focus 3/3/23
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 (Peer Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2022-2023)
March 3, 2023
Dear BA Families:
Welcome March and the Season of Lent. Our Season of Lent began last week amidst the snow storms. Each week we will continue to gather for Mass, take time in prayer for Adoration, and will celebrate in March the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Stations of the Cross. Additionally, Campus Ministry is leading prayers throughout Lent. Please join us in preparing for Easter through prayer, alms giving and fasting.
HISTORY DAY: This week all high school scholars shared their history projects at school for an opportunity to move forward to regional competitions. From individual projects, to websites, papers and group projects, Bethlehem Academy has multiple projects eligible to compete at regions. Congratulations! Thanks to Mr. Bjornson for bringing this opportunity to BA.
BRICK REPAIR: You may have noticed that on the south side of our building work is being done on our bricks. At the top of our outer brick wall, we need to repair the facade. This is a big project and students may here some of the pounding and work throughout the day.
SALUTING WINTER SPORTS & ACTIVITIES! Monday's girls basketball section game was a tough loss, but the team played with so much heart. We are so proud of the girls for a great season - making it to Rochester for the first time since 2017! Coop athletics have also shined with BA scholars at state this weekend in wrestling-Hunter Conrad, Bo Bokman, and Elliot Viland. The Emeralds went to state and brought home 4th place in high kick, 10th in jazz. BA Faribault swimmers and hockey team had a great seasons also. Keep cheering on our scholars - athletics is a big commitment and we are so proud! Special thanks to all of our coaches for the great season.
Additionally, BA's Knowledge Bowl took 8th out of 24 teams at regions and looks forward to moving up next year. FFA hosted a great celebration week and has several individuals and groups moving forward with Regional or State competitions. Middle School robotics will be competing at State this weekend - GO CARDINALS!
2023-24 RE-ENROLLMENT AND TUITION ASSISTANCE OPEN! Please be sure to complete your financial aid application (click HERE to apply) by April 14 for BA aid and scholarship consideration. Remember, you can fill out the form with your 2021 or 2022 tax documents, but 2022 W2s and current pay stubs are needed. Contact Kris Sauer with questions or to set up an appointment if help is needed filling these out.
FUNDRAISER UPDATES:
- The BA Annual Fund drive is at $213,400+ with a goal of $265,000 for this academic year! Gifts accepted through June 30, 2023.
- Raffle & Event Tickets: Visit the BABS site at babsnight.weebly.com to order your event or raffle ticket.
- Class Silent Auction Baskets: Each class is being asked to create a basket for our online silent auction. Watch for details coming home! Any student contributing an item or money to the class basket will get a dress-down pass that can be utilized on any day this spring other than a Mass Day. Click HERE for more information.
- BABS Volunteers Needed! Volunteers are needed to work at BABS April 15: registration table, bartenders, food service, raffle sales, and more. This is a parent service hour event! Click HERE for more information and to sign up to volunteer.
UPCOMING EVENTS: BA Basketball play off games and additional events are online. Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar
- March 3: Winter Band/Choir Concert, Prom Fish Fry @ American Legion
- March 4: MS Robotics @ State
- March 6: Maintenance Staff Appreciation Day
- March 7: CIS History Field Trip to U of MN
- March 8: Student of the Month, 7:30am, Cafeteria
- March 9: The Signery post prom fundraiser @ Bashers 6:30-8:30pm
- March 10: END OF 3RD QUARTER
- March 14: Junior Retreat, Basilleos Dining Night Out for post prom
- March 16:
- Cannon River Driving School registration deadline. See info below.
- History Day Regionals
- March 17:
- SADD $ Dress Down for Feed My Starving Children
- DMCC Youth Ministry Lifeline event registration deadline-see info below, register HERE
- DMCS Scholarship Night-see info below
- March 20: 1st Scrub Club for HS students, 6pm. See below for info.
- March 21: Reconciliation
- March 23: 9th and 10th Grade Retreat Rescheduled
- March 24: Prom Dress Down Day $$
- March 27-31st: SPRING BREAK - No School
- April 4: Red Cross Blood Drive @ BA, 9am-2pm. Search by date and sign up to give HERE.
- April 15: BABS Gala. All info found HERE.
- CLASS REGISTRATION/NEW ELECTIVES! We are excited to offer new electives for next year! Mr. Uphus has begun working with rising high school scholars to register for classes, with forms due by Friday, March 3. Find the 2023-2024 Course Guide and registration forms under Quick Links on our website HERE.
- ATTENDANCE: If your scholar is sick or has an appointment, please email attendance@bacards.org or call 507-334-3948, x 302 by 8am if possible. Thank you!
- LUNCH ROOM POSITION AVAILABLE: We are looking for a kitchen assistant to join our joyful team, immediately. Staff will work to create and prepare for meals, cutting and washing fruits and vegetables, cooking, and serving our student body. Hours are 7:30am-1:30pm when school is in session. Email mreeder@bacards.org if interested.
- HIRING FOR 2023-24: We will be hiring a new Kitchen Manager and Maintenance Supervisor as Julie Trnka and Steve Zabel retire this spring - call if you wish to learn more: 334-3948 and ask for Mindy.
Please join me in praying the DMCS Miraculous Medals prayer each Monday and praying for scholars during Lent.
Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATE
Tuition Tax Statements: Click HERE for instructions on how to find and print your 2022 tuition tax statement in FACTS but use this link to get to your account; our District Code is FCS-MN.
Spring Sports Registration:
Bethlehem Academy sponsors its own girls fastpitch softball program. Practices for softball may begin March 13. Girls in grades 6-12 may participate. 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, track & field and golf. Please visit faribaultfalcons.com for more information. (Faribault Falcons registration page). Payment of activity fees is done online through the Faribault Public Schools InfiniteCampus portal. Please contact Shawn Behrens in the Faribault Activities Office (sbehrens@faribault.k12.mn.us or 507-333-6210) for setting up your InfiniteCampus account. Note: Select the activity fee for your child's age (not team level)
Driver’s Ed @ BA Register by March 16: Cannon River Driving School will be hosting driver’s training at Bethlehem Academy. At least 10 students are needed to run the class, which runs March 18 (8am-11am), March 20-24 and April 3-6 (3:15-6:15pm). Please fill out and mail the contract (click HERE or get a copy in the BA Office) directly to the driving school with your payment. Contact Denise or Adam at adam_rueger@yahoo.com with questions.DMCC Summer Programs: Great opportunities this summer through the Divine Mercy Catholic Church youth groups, including Totus Tuus and the high school Steubenville Conference. See the flyer below; learn more and sign up at this link.
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
High School Reminders:
- After school support is available for students in the library Tuesday - Thursday until 3:30 (link to info)
- Senior Scholarships: Click HERE for a list of college and community scholarship opportunities, requirements and deadlines!
- Senior Service Cord: Click here for the senior service cord guidelines. Applications are due April 6, 2023.
- Please remind your high school student to check their email and class Schoology on a regular basis! (Thank you for your support with this!)
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES
Register at https://forms.gle/DCbiXH3uqNUGHjii6 by March 17 for the Lifeline DMCC Youth Ministry event:
Online School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/