Family Focus 3/4/22
"But Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him,"
Jeremiah 17:7 (Bible verse of the year chosen by Peer Ministry)
March 4, 2022
Dear BA Families:
Welcome March - the season of Lent begins. With March, the sun arrives a little earlier and warms us as we prepare for Easter during the season of Lent. As part of this preparation, students in 9th grade began March with an all day in-school Youth Frontiers Respect Retreat sponsored by the Faribault Rotary. Each year, planning a religious retreat along with daily prayer, Mass and spiritual events develops our young scholars character and enriches their faith life. Throughout Lent, we will also offer the Rosary each Friday morning at 7:40 a.m., Stations of the Cross, Fridays at 10:30 a.m., and continue with weekly Mass and Adoration inviting all of our families to join us when you can.
CONCERT TONIGHT! Don't forget to join us for our winter Band/Choir concert on Friday, March 4 at 7 p.m. tonight!
CONFERENCES MARCH 10: We invite you to in-person conferences this spring. Our staff looks forward to visiting with you! Please sign up here: (Sign Up)
BA REGISTRATION FOR 2022-23 CONTINUES: BA staff and partners bring 16 new classes to BA scholars over the last two years with the option for over 300+ online courses through Catholic Virtual and CIS classes with the U of M and Marquette. It's a great time to be a Cardinal, register early and tell your friends! Enrollment is a two step process. 1) FACTS-this is where you re-enroll your scholar for next year and set up your payment plan-this can be adjusted later. 2) TADS-Apply for tuition assistance, if needed - MORE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE! Apply HERE by April 15. Award letters and tuition agreements are sent in May to enrolled students. Reach out to Kris Sauer with questions.
COVID Updates: Masks recommended. This week BA had no positive COVID cases and no one in quarantine. Since the start of the school year we have had 61 COVID positive student cases and 9 staff.
- BABS-April 9: Raffle tickets now available and donations and Baskets Needed! Order raffle tickets HERE. See ideas for donations on our webpage from group events to auction items (BABS link). Contact Teresa, our new Development & Marketing Assistant to donate your time, talent, or treasure.
- Annual Fund: To date we have raised: $281,200. What an incredible response! Gifts continue to be accepted through June 2022. Donate Online (click)
- Divine Mercy Build Project - United for Our Future: Please prayerfully consider a gift. The stronger DMCS is, the stronger BA will be! Click HERE to learn more. To date they are over $7 million!
KUDOS: To our Robotics Middle School team, competing at State this Saturday and our middle school honors band students competing in Austin. Congratulations to our State wrestlers, Aiden Tobin '22 and Bo Bokman '25 as they compete today and tomorrow. Special thanks to Julie Smisek and all of the chaperones during our Wolf Ridge 8th Grade excursion. Congratulations to our STRIVE scholarship winners Justin Delesha, Madelyn Gersemehl, Abigail Kugler, and Sophy Smith.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Additional activities and sporting events online.- March 5: MS Robotics teams @ State; MS Honors Band in Austin
- March 9: HS Choir Group Music Festival
- March 10: Conferences (Sign Up)
- March 10: BAAA Easter Flower order deadline. Order yours HERE (Store ID=440); see below and attached flyer for more info
- March 14: Softball, track & field season opener
- March 15: Spring sports meeting, 6:30pm
- March 21: Golf, baseball season opener
- March 21-25: Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
- Find our event school calendar on our website HERE
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATES
Help the Gardner Family: Former BA Band Director, Scot Gardner, is looking for volunteers to help his family meet the needs of their son, Christopher. See their letter with more information HERE and help if you can.Looking for a way to help the Caron Family? Classmate Matthew Friesen has set up a GoFundMe account to help Andrew Caron and his family as he recovers from his recent auto accident. Donate to the family HERE.
BA Activities Association (BAAA) Annual Easter Flower Fundraiser! This annual Easter flower fundraiser is now online! The BAAA will receive 30% of all plant sales, with proceeds going to offset the costs of athletic uniforms, choir robes, robotics fees, etc. Orders must be completed by 10 PM on Thursday, March 10. NO LATE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Products can be picked up in the BA lobby April 12 & 13. Please contact your fundraiser chair: Clarice DeGrood or via 507-838-8073 with questions. Thank you for your support! Find the link to order HERE (Store ID = 440 and BA is the seller's name); flyer also attached.
Face coverings no longer required on school transportation: On Friday, Feb. 25, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated their face mask requirements for transportation operated by school systems. Beginning Monday, Feb. 28, Faribault Public Schools - and Bethlehem Academy - no longer requires students and adults to wear face coverings when riding a school bus or on other district-provided transportation. Students and staff may choose to wear a face covering at any time.
Enrollment/Financial Aid/Tuition Agreement Deadlines:
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES: We know that at this time we are seeing an increase in the mental health needs of our scholars. Here is a link to Rice County resources.
PARENT SUPPORT PROGRAM: Phoenix Counseling, with a Catholic focus, is our counseling association and is available to BA parents. Please visit their website for videos and resources as part of the "Peace of Mind" for families supported by Catholic Schools' Center of Excellence. (Link to website).
HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION
Class of 2022 College Scholarship & Other Info:
Tri-Lakes Sportsmen's Club will be offering a $500 dollar scholarship again this year to students with a love for the outdoors planning to attend a 2 or 4 year post-secondary program. Find the application HERE, due to Ms. Roessler by March 10, 2022.
BA EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Evening School Maintenance position open: Hours 3-11pm during the school year, 6:30am-3 p.m. in the summer. Deadline to apply: March 18, 2022. Click HERE for the full job description.
JOB/COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Faribault Youth Baseball Summer League Registration: Registration from Feb 1-March 15 for the 2022 summer metro baseball traveling league ages 10u-15u. Go to faribaultbaseball.com for more info and to register.Free Meals for Students
Community dinners are offered Monday-Thursday, 4:30-5:30pm at Jefferson Elementary School (922 Home Place). Kids eat free; adult meals are $3.50. More information in English and Spanish HERE.
Registration for the Steubenville Youth Conference is now open! Open to grades 8 (going into 9th next year) and up. July 29-31 at the University of St. Thomas. Cost is $275 per person, $100 deposit to hold your spot. Register online HERE. Find the conference video teaser HERE.
SUMMER STRETCH June 13th-17th, 2022 This program is designed for middle school students going into grades 6-8 to "stretch" themselves by making new friends, growing in their faith, and having new experiences. Each day includes a morning service project (local needs, River Bend Nature, Sharing and Caring Hands, Feed My Starving Children), lunchtime Bible Student, and afternoon activity (waterpark, movie, Valleyfair, tour of Twins Stadium).***activities mentioned above are subject to change based on availability. Register for Summer Stretch |
Register for Totus Tuus |
Day Program Grades 1-6 Divine Mercy Catholic School June 27-July 1 9:00am-2:30pm $50 per student, with $100 family max |
Evening Program Grades 7-12 Divine Mercy Catholic Church/Farmhouse June 25- June 30 7:30p-9:45pm Free to attend |
CALENDAR LINK
Click the link below for the school activities calendar.
Family Focus 2-25-22
"But Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him,"
Jeremiah 17:7 (Bible verse of the year chosen by Peer Ministry)
February 25, 2022
Dear BA Families:
Closing out February. This week our scholars celebrated national FFA Week with special events, games and a visit from two little lambs! In addition, our 10th and 11th grade scholars attended a full day NET Retreat for time together as classes, time for religious discussion and essential time for Mass, prayer and reflection - critical in developing the body, mind and spirit. This next Wednesday we invite you to join us for Ash Wednesday Mass at 10:30 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Church as we begin the season of Lent. Also, don't forget to join us for our winter Band/Choir concert on Friday, March 4.
THEATER CLUB AUDITIONS FOR "CLUE": BA is partnering with the Paradise Center for the Arts this year and will feature our scholars in CLUE at the Paradise on April 29, 30th and May 1st. Audition packets are available in the office and open to 7-12th grade students. Students can audition on March 2nd or 3rd after school. Patrick Braucher is our director, one of the Paradise directors. Encourage your scholar!
CONFERENCES MARCH 10: We invite you to in-person conferences this spring. Our staff looks forward to visiting with you! Please sign up here: (Sign Up)
BA REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2022-23 - Early Financial Aid Applications Due March 1: BA staff and partners bring 16 new classes to BA scholars over the last two years with the option for over 300+ online courses through Catholic Virtual. It's a great time to be a Cardinal, register early and tell your friends! Enrollment is a two step process. 1) FACTS-this is where you re-enroll your scholar for next year and set up your payment plan-this can be adjusted later. 2) TADS-Apply for tuition assistance, if needed - MORE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE! Award letters and tuition agreements are sent in May to enrolled students. SIGN UP BY MARCH 1 (deadline extended!) to take advantage of all scholarship offerings and BA covering the $10 FACTS enrollment fee. Reach out to Kris Sauer with questions or to set up time for support.
COVID Updates: Masks recommended. This week BA had no positive COVID cases and no one in quarantine. Since the start of the school year we have had 61 COVID positive student cases and 9 staff.
- BABS-April 9: Raffle tickets now available. Order yours HERE. Volunteers and auction items needed! See ideas on our webpage from group events to auction items (BABS link). Contact Teresa, our new Development & Marketing Assistant to donate your time, talent, or treasure.
- Annual Fund: To date we have raised: $281,000. What an incredible response! Gifts continue to be accepted through June 2022. Donate Online (click)
- Divine Mercy Build Project - United for Our Future: Please prayerfully consider a gift. The stronger DMCS is, the stronger BA will be! Click HERE to learn more. To date they are over $7 million!
KUDOS: To our FFA team members for hosting this week and to Richard for subbing and bringing in the little lambs. Also, special thanks to our basketball coaches, participants and families - it was a great season with much to be proud of!
UPCOMING EVENTS: Additional activities and sporting events online.- March 1: No fee FACTS re-enrollment & TADS financial aid deadline for full scholarship consideration extended!
- March 1: 9th Grade Youth Frontiers Retreat @ BA (more info below)
- March 2 & 3: Theater Auditions for "Clue" after school 7-12th grades
- March 4: Class registration forms due, students grades 8-11
- March 4: Band & Choir Concert
- March 5: MS Robotics teams @ State; MS Honors Band in Austin
- March 10: Conferences (Sign Up)
- March 10: BAAA Easter Flower order deadline. Order yours HERE (Store ID=440); see below for more info & QR code
- Find our event school calendar on our website HERE
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATES
CLASS INFORMATION PARENT VIDEO: School Counselor Shane Roessler will begin meeting with students in grades 6-11 regarding class registration for 2022. Ms. Roessler will send out a parent information email and video. Signed class registration forms are due to the Counselor's office by March 4.BA Activities Association (BAAA) Annual Easter Flower Fundraiser! This annual Easter flower fundraiser is now online! The BAAA will receive 30% of all plant sales, with proceeds going to offset the costs of athletic uniforms, choir robes, robotics fees, etc. Orders must be completed by 10 PM on Thursday, March 10. NO LATE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Products can be picked up in the BA lobby April 12 & 13. Please contact your fundraiser chair: Clarice DeGrood or via 507-838-8073 with questions. Thank you for your support! Find the link to order HERE (Store ID = 440 and BA is the seller's name) or scan the QR code for a direct link:
Tuition Tax Documents: Please remember that your tax deduction for tuition spans two school years. TADS information can be downloaded from your account under Reports/Tax Year. Find the process from obtaining tax information from FACTS HERE.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES: We know that at this time we are seeing an increase in the mental health needs of our scholars. Here is a link to Rice County resources.
PARENT SUPPORT PROGRAM: Phoenix Counseling, with a Catholic focus, is our counseling association and is available to BA parents. Please visit their website for videos and resources as part of the "Peace of Mind" for families supported by Catholic Schools' Center of Excellence. (Link to website).
HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION
9th Grade Retreat March 1: 9th graders will participate in a Youth Frontiers Respect Retreat sponsored by the Rotary Club of Faribault here at BA. Please click HERE for more information about Youth Frontiers and to watch a video about the Respect Retreat.
Class of 2022 College Scholarship & Other Info:
Tri-Lakes Sportsmen's Club will be offering a $500 dollar scholarship again this year to students with a love for the outdoors planning to attend a 2 or 4 year post-secondary program. Find the application HERE, due to Ms Roessler by March 10, 2022.
College/FAFSA Resources: The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is offering a series of webinars from Feb 5-March 1 to help you learn more about the FAFSA (financial aid), how to compare offers from schools (once your child has applied), scholarships and how to navigate the system of paying for any level of education after high school. To register any of the webinars using Zoom, visit https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItdu6hrjIqG4mCsdrn5Tv. Visit https://www.ohe.state.mn.us/ for information about each of Minnesota’s financial aid programs. Questions can be directed to the state’s financial aid hotline: (651) 642-0567.
MIDDLE SCHOOL INFORMATION
Aim Higher Foundation K-8 Scholarships: Every year, students at Bethlehem Academy (Faribault, MN) receive tuition assistance scholarships from the Aim Higher Foundation. We would like to thank the many donors and friends who help make our great school accessible to all families! Learn more HERE. Apply via the TADS financial aid application HERE and click on Financial Aid Assessment. Deadline extended to March 1, 2022!
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC SCHOOL AND CHURCH
Registration for the Steubenville Youth Conference is now open! Open to grades 8 (going into 9th next year) and up. July 29-31 at the University of St. Thomas. Cost is $275 per person, $100 deposit to hold your spot. Register online HERE. Find the conference video teaser HERE.
BA EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Evening School Maintenance position open: Hours 3-11pm during the school year, 6:30am-3 p.m. in the summer. Deadline to apply: March 18, 2022. Click HERE for the full job description.
Part-time Spring Coaching Positions @ Bethlehem Academy
If interested in coaching a spring sport (track, softball, baseball), we have spots available. Or, if know of someone that may have interest…please email athletics@bacards.org.
JOB/COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Ace Hardware is Hiring! Faribault's Ace Hardware store is looking for a floor associate. Must be at least 15 years old. See Tyler at Faribault Ace Hardware. (421 2nd Ave NW; 507-332-7414.)
Faribault Youth Baseball Summer League Registration: Registration from Feb 1-March 15 for the 2022 summer metro baseball traveling league ages 10u-15u. Go to faribaultbaseball.com for more info and to register.
Free Meals for Students
Community dinners are offered Monday-Thursday, 4:30-5:30pm at Jefferson Elementary School (922 Home Place). Kids eat free; adult meals are $3.50. More information in English and Spanish HERE.
CALENDAR LINKS
Click the link below for the calendar.
Family Focus 2-17-22
"But Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him,"
Jeremiah 17:7 (Bible verse of the year chosen by Peer Ministry)
February 17, 2022
Dear BA Families:
United in prayer. This week one of our students was in a tragic accident. He is recovering thanks to prayers and miracles. We ask for your continued prayers for Andrew Caron and the Caron family as he heals and recovers. What a blessing that we can come together to support and care for each other through prayer.
LONG WEEKEND AHEAD: Please don't forget that you have a long weekend. Friday, Feb. 18 and Monday, Feb. 21 are "No School Days." Not only is this a great opportunity for scholars to relax or travel, but it is also a great time to make up any late work.
APPRECIATION OF STAFF: Please thank your Faribault bus drivers and the BA van driver on Wednesday, Feb. 23 for Bus Driver Appreciation Day in our District. Cards and tokens of gratitude appreciated!
BA REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2022-23: Enrollment is a two step process:
1) FACTS-this is where you re-enroll your scholar for next year and set up your payment plan. 2) TADS-this is where you go to complete a tuition assistance request, if desired. Award letters and tuition agreements are sent in May to enrolled students. SIGN UP BY MARCH 1 (deadline extended!) to take advantage of all scholarship offerings and BA covering the $10 FACTS enrollment fee. Reach out to Kris Sauer with questions or to set up time for support.
HIGH SCHOOL ACT SCIENCE PREP COURSE @ BA: Will your scholar be taking the ACT this April? Plan to attend the ACT Science Prep course, free to BA scholars, with Cathy Guth on Wed., March 9 from 6-8 p.m. and Sat., March 12 from 9-11 a.m. Scholars will need to attend both sessions to complete their preparation. ACT Prep is taught in our English and Math classes but science prep is offered annually through these workshops. SIGN UP in the BA Office by Feb. 25, no cost. REMINDER: ACT spring test sign up is also due by Feb. 25 online: (ACT Test SIGN UP)
COVID Updates: Masks recommended. This week BA had one positive COVID case. We had two students in quarantine. Since the start of the school year we have had 61 COVID positive student cases and 9 staff.
- BABS-April 9: Raffle tickets now available. Order yours HERE. Volunteers and auction items needed! See ideas on our webpage from group events to auction items (BABS link). Contact Teresa, our new Development & Marketing Assistant to donate your time, talent, or treasure.
- Annual Fund: To date we have raised: $280,445. What an incredible response! Gifts continue to be accepted through June 2022. Additional gifts help us increase staff salaries, expand programs and support for students, and care for our building and grounds: Donate Online (click)
- Divine Mercy Build Project - United for Our Future: Please prayerfully consider a gift. The stronger DMCS is, the stronger BA will be! Click HERE to learn more. To date they are nearly at $7 million!
KUDOS: Thank you to all of our scholars and parents who came to help host a fantastic open house this past Sunday! We continue with shadow visits and tours and encourage you to invite others to consider joining the BA Family. Also, don't forget to check out the Paradise Center for the Arts art opening reception this Friday, Feb 18 featuring BA scholar, Summer Heselton!
UPCOMING EVENTS: Additional activities and sporting events online.- Feb 18: NO SCHOOL
- Feb 18: Paradise Center for the Arts gallery opening reception, 5-7pm
- Feb 21: NO SCHOOL
- Feb 23: Bus Driver Appreciation Day
- Feb 24: Gr 10 & 11 NET Retreat, Shieldsville
- Feb 28: Parent Class Registration Info Night (see below)
- March 1: No fee FACTS re-enrollment & TADS financial aid deadline for full scholarship consideration extended!
- March 1: 9th Grade Youth Frontiers Retreat @ BA (more info below)
- March 4: Class registration forms due, students grades 8-11
- March 4: Band & Choir Concert
- March 5: MS Robotics teams @ State; MS Honors Band in Austin
- March 10: Conferences (Sign up will be out next week)
- March 10: BAAA Easter Flower order deadline. Order yours HERE (Store ID=440); see below for more info & QR code
- Find our event school calendar on our website HERE
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATES
Class Registration Starts Next Week/Feb 28 Parent Info Session: School Counselor Shane Roessler will begin meeting with students in grades 6-11 regarding class registration for 2022. Ms. Roessler will hold a Parent Class Registration Information Night at BA Monday, Feb 28. Parents of current middle school students are invited to join her @ 6pm, 8th grade parents @ 6:30pm and parents of grades 9-11 students at 7:30. Sessions will be recorded for later viewing. Signed class registration forms are due to the Counselor's office by March 4. More information to follow next week.BA Activities Association (BAAA) Annual Easter Flower Fundraiser! This annual Easter flower fundraiser is now online! The BAAA will receive 30% of all plant sales, with proceeds going to offset the costs of athletic uniforms, choir robes, robotics fees, etc. Orders must be completed by 10 PM on Thursday, March 10. NO LATE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Products can be picked up in the BA lobby April 12 & 13. Please contact your fundraiser chair: Clarice DeGrood or via 507-838-8073 with questions. Thank you for your support! Find the link to order HERE (Store ID = 440 and BA is the seller's name) or scan the QR code for a direct link:
Tuition Tax Documents: Please remember that your tax deduction for tuition spans two school years. TADS information can be downloaded from your account under Reports/Tax Year. Find the process from obtaining tax information from FACTS HERE.
Mental Health Resources: We know that at this time we are seeing an increase in the mental health needs of our scholars. Here is a link to Rice County resources.
PARENT SUPPORT PROGRAM: Phoenix Counseling, with a Catholic focus, is our counseling association and is available to BA parents. Please visit their website for videos and resources as part of the "Peace of Mind" for families supported by Catholic Schools' Center of Excellence. (Link to website).
Home Basketball Game Help Needed: Many volunteers are needed to help at home basketball games this winter. Please consider sharing your time and talent in support of our student activities!
HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION
9th Grade Retreat March 1: 9th graders will participate in a Youth Frontiers Respect Retreat sponsored by the Rotary Club of Faribault here at BA. Please click HERE for more information about Youth Frontiers and to watch a video about the Respect Retreat.
Class of 2022 College Scholarship & Other Info:
Tri-Lakes Sportsmen's Club will be offering a $500 dollar scholarship again this year to students with a love for the outdoors planning to attend a 2 or 4 year post-secondary program. Find the application HERE, due to Ms Roessler by March 10, 2022.
College/FAFSA Resources: The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is offering a series of webinars from Feb 5-March 1 to help you learn more about the FAFSA (financial aid), how to compare offers from schools (once your child has applied), scholarships and how to navigate the system of paying for any level of education after high school. To register any of the webinars using Zoom, visit https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItdu6hrjIqG4mCsdrn5Tv. Visit https://www.ohe.state.mn.us/ for information about each of Minnesota’s financial aid programs. Questions can be directed to the state’s financial aid hotline: (651) 642-0567.
MIDDLE SCHOOL INFORMATION
Aim Higher Foundation K-8 Scholarships: Every year, students at Bethlehem Academy (Faribault, MN) receive tuition assistance scholarships from the Aim Higher Foundation. We would like to thank the many donors and friends who help make our great school accessible to all families! Learn more HERE. Apply via the TADS financial aid application HERE and click on Financial Aid Assessment. Deadline extended to March 1, 2022!
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC SCHOOL AND CHURCH
Registration for the Steubenville Youth Conference is now open! Open to grades 8 (going into 9th next year) and up. July 29-31 at the University of St. Thomas. Cost is $275 per person, $100 deposit to hold your spot. Register online HERE. Find the conference video teaser HERE.
BA EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Evening School Maintenance position open: Hours 3-11pm during the school year, 6:30am-3 p.m. in the summer. Deadline to apply: March 18, 2022. Click HERE for the full job description.
Part-time Spring Coaching Positions @ Bethlehem Academy
If interested in coaching a spring sport (track, softball, baseball), we have spots available. Or, if know of someone that may have interest…please email athletics@bacards.org.
JOB/COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Ace Hardware is Hiring! Faribault's Ace Hardware store is looking for a floor associate. Must be at least 15 years old. See Tyler at Faribault Ace Hardware. (421 2nd Ave NW; 507-332-7414.)
Faribault Youth Baseball Summer League Registration: Registration from Feb 1-March 15 for the 2022 summer metro baseball traveling league ages 10u-15u. Go to faribaultbaseball.com for more info and to register.
Free Meals for Students
Community dinners are offered Monday-Thursday, 4:30-5:30pm at Jefferson Elementary School (922 Home Place). Kids eat free; adult meals are $3.50. More information in English and Spanish HERE.
CALENDAR LINKS
Click the link below for the calendar.