Family Focus 12/17/21
01/05/2022
Kris Sauer
2021-22, December 2021
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"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)
December 17, 2021
Dear BA Families:
Blessed third week of Advent. This week at Mass not only did we celebrate Advent, but we honored Mary through the remembrance of her appearance to Juan Diego, as "Our Lady of Guadalupe." God ensures that His message is brought to people all over the world - "Go and make disciples of all nations!" What a wonderful time of year to celebrate His message.
2021 Christmas Video Greeting: Together with Divine Mercy Catholic School Principal Gina Ashley, MERRY CHRISTMAS from all of us at our Catholic Schools of Faribault. Watch the Christmas greeting video HERE.
Parent Programs: Please find links and information for two special parent resources to support you especially during some of the challenges our families have been experiencing. Father Louie will be leading a parent session to help guide you this winter. See below for all the details and to sign up. Through our counseling partnership with Phoenix Counseling, parents have access to additional resources with a Catholic focus. 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). PLEASE NOTE - BA has not received any Tik Tok threats but takes all posted concerns seriously working with families, counselors and the County when needed. If you see or hear of any concerns or threats to BA, or regarding students individually, please alert school staff. THANK YOU.
COVID Updates: Masks will be recommended but not required when we return from break. This week BA had no additional positive COVID cases and all students will be off of quarantine. Please remember this may need to be changed again if we see an increase in cases. We did, however, have several fluenza and bronchitis cases, so please monitor your child for symptoms. Since the start of the year we have had 35 Covid positive student cases and 6 staff test positive. ADDITIONAL MASK DONATIONS NEEDED! Please bring to the front office if you are able to help.
UPDATES ON FUNDRAISERS:
- BA BASH Raffle 2021: It's not too late! Raffle tickets make great stocking stuffers! Prizes are $2021, $1021 and $521. You can drop off your order form in the entry way next week and still get in the drawing. Please find an order form HERE. Drawing will be held December 31-only 400 tickets remain!
- 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 $6 million!
- Annual Fund: To date we have raised: $140,400. We are over 50% of the way to our goal of $255,000. THANK YOU! Please consider a donation through June 2022: Donate Online (click) END OF YEAR GIFTS WILL HELP US TRIPLE OUR DONATION AND REACH $200,000 by January 31, 2022.
KUDOS: Congratulations to our bands and choirs for their beautiful Christmas concerts and special thanks to Mr. Wendt and Mr. Battles. Kudos to the following students who were nominated to play in the Gopher Conference Honor Band in February, chosen for their leadership and musicianship: Anne Azelton '25, Alaisha Garcia-Lopez '23, Penelope Parrish '24, Matthew Croke '22, and Madelyn Bauer '22. We're also celebrating our Robotics Middle School Team who will be going to State and our Knowledge Bowl placed 8th out of 19 teams at their first competition!
UPCOMING EVENTS: Additional activities and sporting events online.- Dec 20-Jan 2: Christmas Break - No School
- Jan 3: School resumes, RED day
- Jan 7: Youth Basketball Night @ Girls home game - see below
- Jan 11: Dining Night Out @ Godfather's for Prom
- Jan. 13 - 8:30 a.m.: Spelling Bee in BA Gym
- Jan 14: Knowledge Bowl Contest
- Jan 17-18: NO SCHOOL, MLK & Teacher Workshop Day
- Jan 29: SnoBall (Gr 9-12 semi-formal girl-ask-boy dance)
- Jan 30-Feb 6: Catholic Schools Week
- Find our event school calendar on our website HERE
- The Salvation Army needs bell ringers: Sign up here www.registertoring.com
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATES
Rome Trip Bake Sale Dec 19: BA students going on a pilgrimage to Rome this June, are hosting a bake sale at Divine Mercy Catholic Church to fundraise their trip. Please stop by after the 8am and 10am Masses on December 19 to support these students and get delicious treats!
FACTS Parent Portal Set Up: If you haven't logged in to FACTS recently, a reminder that you will have to "set up" your FACTS Family Portal to access your accounts. Username is your full email address; previously set up password should work. Find full instructions HERE.
2022-2023 Re-enrollment & Financial Aid: 2022-2023 re-enrollment for returning students will open January 10 via FACTS. Watch for further information. Financial aid applications are now available for 2022-2023. Apply via TADS at this link & click on Financial Aid Assessment to get started. Application deadline is February 22 to be considered for all available scholarships.
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.
Online School Store Launched @ Star Sports & Apparel! BA has opened at school store at Star Sports and Apparel. Orders are filled as they are placed, so purchase your BA gear any time! Click HERE to for all the great options!
January Youth Basketball Nights: Youth basketball teams, prospective Cardinals, DMCS families all invited to join us! Sign up HERE.
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!
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.
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC SCHOOL AND CHURCH
DMCC Christmas Eve Candlelight Prayer Walk
“In Honor of” or “In Memory of” Luminary Bags can be purchased for $5 after Masses this weekend (Dec 18-19). The display will be set up outside of DMCC on Christmas Eve from 5-10pm. This event is sponsored by Knights of Columbus #889 with all proceeds benefiting the Sister Parish in Panajachel, Guatemala. Flyer with more information found HERE.
Parents, Your Children Need You! Join Fr. Louie for a 10-session book study of Made This Way: How to Prepare Kids to Face Today’s Tough Moral Issues by Leila Miller & Trent Horn. We will explore topics including: Homosexuality, Sex Outside of Marriage, Divorce, Contraception, Abortion, Reproductive Technologies, Modesty, Pornography, and Transgender Identity. Focus will be on: What does the Church teach? As well as advice for talking with children and advice for talking with teens. Sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 7:15pm – 8:30pm on the IC/Divine Mercy School campus beginning January 12. Registration is required. Click HERE for more information and registration.
BA EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Part-time Positions @ Bethlehem Academy
Interested in a part-time position? Bethlehem Academy is currently hiring a BA van driver for driver for daily student transportation. Click HERE for more information. We also have coaching openings in track and field and fast pitch softball and are looking for people to officiate junior high basketball games. Please email athletics@bacards.org if interested.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
8th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Writing Contest: Click HERE to find a flyer for the MLK writing contest. We're looking for student poems or essays (150 words max) on MLK's dream speech and what it means to the writer. Cash prizes will be awarded for 6th - 8th grades and 9th - 12th grades. Winners will be announced at the breakfast on 1/17. Entries need a student's full name, phone number, grade, your name, and school. Student entries must be submitted by Friday, January 7, 2022.
Free Meals for StudentsCommunity 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 12/10/21
12/14/2021
Kris Sauer
December 2021, 2021-22
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"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)
December 10, 2021
Dear BA Families:
Blessed second week of Advent. Campus ministry gathered us for our weekly Advent prayer prior to Mass. As you celebrate at home, here are some additional family Advent resources, click "Advent." In addition, we invite you to join us for our Christmas concerts. Our Choirs will perform this Sunday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. in IC Church and our Band concert will be Monday at 7 p.m. in the BA Gymnasium.
Snow Days: Today is our first snow day. For our first 2 snow days we will have "no school days" - no online learning. Any additional snow days will be online learning days. Like today, we follow Faribault Public Schools in calling a snow day. If you did not receive a notice via text or email please let the office know. We also post on our website and on Facebook when this occurs. In addition, all of today's evening activities are canceled. Today is a school scheduled "red day" - therefore, Monday will be our "red day." Students are also reminded to bring their $1 as we moved "Ugly Sweater Day" to Monday. Bring $2 if your scholar wants to wear a hat or leggings.
COVID Updates: Masks remain required in classes as an additional mitigation strategy for our final week prior to break. This week BA had no additional positive COVID cases; we have two active COVID cases and four additional students required to quarantine. Since the start of the year we have had 35 total positive student cases and 6 staff test positive. Please help us stay in-person by following these mitigation strategies. Bishop Hebda recently urged additional mitigation strategies for large indoor gatherings. See his Dec 1 letter HERE and his Dec 9 Video HERE. ADDITIONAL MASK DONATIONS NEEDED! Please bring to the front office if you are able to help.
UPDATES ON FUNDRAISERS:
- BA BASH Raffle 2021: Great stocking stuffers! Prizes are $2021, $1021 and $521. One more week to get your ticket! Please order HERE or call and email the office. Drawing held December 31.
- 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 $6 million!
- Annual Fund: To date we have raised: $89,400 with a match of $50,000! Our goal is $255,000 for critical needs of our school. Please consider a donation through June 2022: Donate Online (click)
KUDOS: To all of our basketball teams and coaches as they begin the season! Also, we wish to congratulate our coop sports members in wrestling, hockey, dance line and swimming for their hard work in getting off to a great start! Special congratulations to our Students of the Month in specialist classes: Cecilia Azelton, Carter Pavek, Claire Wisdo, Aiden Tobin, Aubrey Howard, Kacie Hofius, Caiden Lamphere, and Michael Crone.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Additional activities and sporting events online.
- Dec. 12: BA Choir Christmas Concert, 2pm, IC Church
- Dec. 13: BA Band Christmas Concert, 7pm, Van Orsow Auditorium
- Dec. 13: SADD Ugly Sweater Dress Down Day (rescheduled)
- Dec 13: Post-Prom Dining Night Out @ Basilleo's - see below
- Dec. 15: Knowledge Bowl meet @ Rochester
- Dec. 16: Prom Dining Night Out @ A&W - see below
- Dec. 17: Rome Trip Dress Down Day; FFA Competition Day
- Dec 20-Jan 2: Christmas Break - No School
- Jan 7: Youth Basketball Night @ Girls home game - see below
- Jan. 13 - 8:30 a.m.: Spelling Bee
- Find our event school calendar on our website HERE
- The Salvation Army needs bell ringers: Sign up here www.registertoring.com
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATES
Staff Xmas Lunch Help: Home and School needs your help! We are hosting our annual Christmas Luncheon for the BA Faculty and Staff Thursday, Dec 16 and are looking for donations of your time and treats! If you can help, please sign up HERE.
Rome Trip Bake Sale Dec 19: BA students going on a pilgrimage to Rome this June, are hosting a bake sale at Divine Mercy Catholic Church to fundraise their trip. Please stop by after the 8am and 10am Masses on December 19 to support these students and get delicious treats!
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.
Prom/Post-Prom Fundraisers
The Junior Class is hosting several fundraisers to raise money for Prom; Junior and senior parents are likewise hosting several fundraisers for the Post-Prom event. See below for dates and information:
- CANCELED Dec 10-& 11 Post-Prom Apple Pies @ Hy-Vee: Hy-Vee had a supply chain issue; we have had to cancel this fundraiser.
- Dec 13 Post-Prom Dining Night Out @ Basilleo's; 10% of all purchases Monday, Dec 13 from 4-10pm - including gift cards! - will go back to the BA After Prom Party. Take-out and delivery will be available in addition to dining in the restaurant.
- Dec. 16: Prom Dining Night Out @ A&W - a portion of all sales from 4pm to close - both in the restaurant and via the drive through - will go towards BA's 2022 Prom hosted by the Junior Class.
Online School Store Launched @ Star Sports & Apparel! BA has opened at school store at Star Sports and Apparel. Orders are filled as they are placed, so purchase your BA gear any time! Click HERE to for all the great options!
Holiday Scrip Now Available! Click HERE for a flyer with more information.
January Youth Basketball Nights: Youth basketball teams, prospective Cardinals, DMCS families all invited to join us! Sign up HERE.
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!
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.
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC SCHOOL AND CHURCH
BA EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Part-time Positions @ Bethlehem Academy
Interested in a part-time position? Bethlehem Academy is currently hiring a BA van driver for driver for daily student transportation. Click HERE for more information. We also have coaching openings in track and field and fast pitch softball and are looking for people to officiate junior high basketball games. Please email athletics@bacards.org if interested.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Rice County Vaccination Clinic Dec 14
Rice County is providing free COVID -19 vaccinations at the Faribault Middle School Tues, Dec 14 from 3:30-5:30pm. Find information in English HERE and in Spanish HERE.
PetSmart is hiring! Click HERE for a flyer with more information.
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 12/3/21
12/09/2021
Kris Sauer
2021-22, December 2021
Leave a comment
"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)
December 3, 2021
Dear BA Families:
Welcome Advent! As we begin Advent our hearts seek the renewal of Christ in this Season of Hope. Our students attended Reconciliation this week as we began Advent. Join us each week at our Mass for additional Advent prayers and reflections led by Campus Ministry. Family Advent resources are available, click "Advent." Faribault is also hosting a special Winterfest this Saturday, join the fun at: Winterfest in Faribault!
Benefactor's Brunch: This Saturday we will honor four BA supporters inducting them to the Court of Honor. This year we recognize Sister Mary Margaret Murphy, Russ Kennedy, Dr. Walter Neihaus '55 and Mary Heideman. All four benefactors exemplify the spirit of our four Dominican Pillars: Prayer, Study, Community and Service, by supporting BA with gifts of time and treasure for many years. We are blessed!
Snow Days: Should we have a snow day in December, please know that our first 2 snow days are no school days - no online learning. Any additional snow days will be online learning days. We follow Faribault Public Schools in calling a snow day, and notify our families via text, email and Facebook when this occurs.
COVID Updates: Currently masks are required in classes as an additional mitigation strategy. This week BA had 3 positive COVID cases in quarantine with no exposure at school. There are no additional students required to quarantine at this time. Since the start of the year we have had 35 total positive cases. Please help us stay in-person by following these mitigation strategies. ADDITIONAL MASK DONATIONS NEEDED! Please bring to the front office if you are able to help.
UPDATES ON FUNDRAISERS:
- BA BASH Raffle 2021: Great stocking stuffers! Prizes are $2021, $1021 and $521. Please get your ticket order form HERE. Drawing held December 31, 2021.
- 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.
- Annual Fund: To date we have raised: $78,900 with a match of $50,000! Our goal is $255,000 for critical needs of our school. Please consider a donation through June 2022: Donate Online (click)
KUDOS: Congratulations to Justin Delesha who completed his Eagle Scout project out at Calvary Cemetery. He constructed a compost and dirt depository at the south end of the cemetery. Special congratulations extended to all BA students featured in this month's Art Exhibit at the Paradise Center for the Arts and thanks to Mr. Hillesheim for all of his preparations for the beautiful exhibit.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Additional activities and sporting events online.
- Dec 4: Benefactor's Brunch
- Dec 7: WIN Day
- Dec 10: SADD Ugly Sweater Dress Down Day-proceeds to St. Vincent de Paul for toys and food items
- Dec 10-11: Apple Pie Prom fundraiser at Hy-Vee - see below
- Dec. 12: BA Choir Christmas Concert, 2pm, IC Church
- Dec. 13: BA Band Christmas Concert, 7pm, Van Orsow Auditorium
- Dec 13: Post-Prom Dining Night Out @ Basilleo's - see below
- Dec. 15: Knowledge Bowl meet @ Rochester
- Dec. 16: Prom Dining Night Out @ A&W - see below
- Dec. 17: Rome Trip Dress Down Day; FFA Competition Day
- Dec 20-Jan 2: Christmas Break - No School
- Find our event school calendar on our website HERE
- The Salvation Army needs bell ringers: Sign up here www.registertoring.com
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATES
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.
Prom/Post-Prom Fundraisers
The Junior Class is hosting several fundraisers to raise money for Prom; Junior and senior parents are likewise hosting several fundraisers for the Post-Prom event. See below for dates and information:
Dec 10-& 11 Post-Prom Apple Pies @ Hy-Vee: BA's Post-Prom committee is making and selling apple pies on Friday December 10 from 4pm to 8pm and Saturday December 11 from 11am-3pm. Pies are $12.99. Volunteers needed! Sign up to help HERE.
- Dec 13 Post-Prom Dining Night Out @ Basilleo's; 10% of all purchases Monday, Dec 13 from 4-10pm - including gift cards! -
will go back to the BA After Prom Party. Take-out and delivery will be available in addition to dining in the restaurant.
- Dec. 16: Prom Dining Night Out @ A&W - a portion of all sales from 4pm to close - both in the restaurant and via the drive through - will go towards BA's 2022 Prom hosted by the Junior Class.
Candy Grams! Help support the BA Rome pilgrimage trip! Candy canes with a message can be ordered for $1 each. Candy canes will be delivered Dec 17. Return the order form attached with payment (write "Candy Gram" on the envelope) to the front office by Dec 10.
Online School Store Launched @ Star Sports & Apparel! BA has opened at school store at Star Sports and Apparel. Orders are filled as they are placed, so purchase your BA gear any time! Click HERE to for all the great options!
Counselor's Resources: Twice a month in homeroom prior to Mass, our school counselor is providing homeroom teachers with a Mass-linked reflection to share with students. Find today’s reflection HERE.
Holiday Scrip Now Available! Click HERE for a flyer with more information.
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!
MIDDLE SCHOOL INFORMATION
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC SCHOOL AND CHURCH
DMCS Kids Christmas Shop Donations Needed!
PAWS, the parent group at DMCS, is hosting their first annual Kids Christmas Shop. Donate possible gift items by December 9th. See FLYER for more information.
BA EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Part-time Positions @ Bethlehem Academy
Interested in a part-time position? Bethlehem Academy is currently hiring a BA van driver for driver for daily student transportation. Click HERE for more information. We also have coaching openings in track and field and fast pitch softball and are looking for people to officiate junior high basketball games. Please email athletics@bacards.org if interested.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Rice County Vaccination Clinic Dec 14
Rice County is providing free COVID -19 vaccinations at the Faribault Middle School Tues, Dec 14 from 3:30-5:30pm. Find information in English HERE and in Spanish HERE.
PetSmart is hiring! Click HERE for a flyer with more information.
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.
ATTACHMENTS