Family Focus 10/15/2021
10/20/2021
Kris Sauer
2021-22, October 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)
October 15, 2021
Dear BA Families:
The first quarter comes to a close next Tuesday. As a school family, we are all feeling the weight of returning to a full school schedule filled with activities, sports, academics and events. I know that everyone is thrilled to be back into a more normal routine, but we are carrying with us the load of 18 months of a pandemic lifestyle. Join us in prayers and talking with your scholar about their struggles and triumphs at the end of this first quarter.
CONFERENCES: Our middle school staff appreciated visiting with you about your scholar's progress during Middle School conferences last night; our high school team looks forward to the same on Monday for high school students. A separate email to sign up for Parent/Teacher Conferences was sent out; register HERE or below.
UPDATES ON FUNDRAISERS:
Spooktacular: We look forward to seeing your tomorrow! Online registration is closed; same day registration is available. Please join us! We need each BA family to raise $100 through participation or pledges; this is a budgeted fundraiser for our school. More info and a pledge form HERE. To date we have 88 participants signed up. If BA reaches our goal of 115 participants by Saturday, we will have an early release day Dec 17. Thank you!- Divine Mercy Build Project - United for Our Future: Please prayerfully consider a gift, the stronger DMCS, the stronger BA will be! Click HERE to learn more.
- Annual Fund: To date we have raised: $54,200-we have reached our $50,000 match - doubling your gift! Thank you! Our goal this year is $255,000, which is critical to supporting teacher/staff salaries, supplies, books, student programs, and building and maintenance needs. Please consider a donation: Donate Online (click)
COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS: As of 10/15/21 we have had 11 total COVID positive cases for the year, three are active and quarantining. Please remember to keep your scholar home if they have any symptoms or if a member of your family is diagnosed with COVID. If they have been a close contact, students should wear a mask for one week while at school.
KUDOS: This week we thank administrative team for helping to guide in school decisions and our strategic plan, thank you - Ed Friesen, John Wollersheim, Shane Roessler and Kris Sauer.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Additional activities and sporting events online.
- Oct 16: Spooktacular Fun Run for Education. Race day registration available! Find out more HERE.
- Oct 17: "Our Lady of Fatima" movie at The Village Theater on Sunday at 6:30 pm. A donation of $1 requested.
- Oct 18: High School Parent/Teacher Conferences - 3:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Click HERE; sign up closes 9pm Sun Oct 17
- Oct 18: 7:30pm Senior parent info zoom meeting (details below)
- Oct. 19: Picture re-take day
- Oct 19: End of the 1st Quarter - check in with your scholar!
- Oct 20-22: MEA Break - NO SCHOOL
- Oct 27: NHS Induction @ BA Mass - 10:30 a.m.
- Oct 27: Jostens reps, class rings & graduation-see HS section
- Oct 27: 7:30pm Junior Parent Info Night-see HS section for more info
- Oct 29 - Trunk or Treat Dress Down Day - see info below
- Oct 29 - MS Halloween Dance, 7-10pm, see info below in MS
- Oct 31: Trunk or Treat, 4-6pm, BA parking lot. Register your trunk HERE (Note: this event is NOT Oct 30 as on some early calendars)
- Nov. 11: Veteran's Day program! Calling all Veterans, please arrive by 8:15 for a short program at 8:30 a.m.
- Nov 23 - Grandparents Day, 1pm (Updated from earlier calendars)
- Nov 24-26: Thanksgiving Break (Updated from earlier calendars)
- Find our event school calendar on our website HERE
Blessings, Mindy Reeder- President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATES
BABS Survey-Respond by TODAY, FRIDAY, Oct 15The annual April BABS event is the most longstanding, successful fundraising event at Bethlehem Academy. The Board of Directors, together with staff and the BABS committee, is interested in getting your input on this important fundraiser for our school. Please click HERE to take the survey and let us know what you think. The survey should only take 5 minutes and is completely anonymous. Thank you!
October 19 - Picture Re-take Day
Scholars who missed picture day in September are invited to have their pictures taken Tuesday morning, October 19. Forms available in the front office and found HERE.
Trunk or Treat Student Dress Down Oct 29
BA’s Student Service Club is hosting a Dress Down Day Friday, October 29. For a dollar or a bag of candy, students may dress in costume or dress down for the day. Costumes should be neat, clean, modest, and school-appropriate. No scary masks or plastic weapons, please. Hats, leggings (worn with a long top/skirt/dress), sweats or athletic pants are allowed. No athletic shorts please. Close to 1000 kids participate! All proceeds go towards providing extra candy for our community-wide Trunk or Treat event from 4-6pm Sun, Oct 31 in the BA/DMCS parking lots. Sign up a Trunk HERE.
8th Grade Wolf Ridge Trip Fundraiser to Nov 5
We are having our annual Tastefully Simple fundraiser sale with 100% of the profits helping to defray the bus cost for the February eighth grade Wolf Ridge trip. The fundraiser begins this week and runs through November 5th. Product information can be found at www.tastefullysimple.com and orders can be made through Kris Shuda, a BA past parent who is generously donating the profits of her sales. Orders will be delivered directly to each customer’s door via UPS. Please direct any questions to Julie Smisek, 8th grade advisor, at jsmisek@bacards.org or Kris Shuda at the link above. Eighth graders and their families thank you for your support!
We are excited to open applications to new students for the 2022-2023 school year starting November 1st! Student shadow days begin November 2nd. Invite a student interested in BA to join your scholar for the day! Register for a shadow day HERE. Our fall open house is scheduled for Thursday, Nov 18 starting at 6pm. Pre-registration encouraged (sign up HERE); walk-ins welcome. Family tours are offered M-F from 9am-4:30pm. Click HERE to sign up. You are our greatest resource in bringing great new students to BA! Please contact Kris Sauer If you are interested in hosting a informational meeting in your home for prospective students and their families. Watch Facebook and our website (News and Enrollment tabs) for more information.
Student Services Socktober Campaign
For Socktober, the Student Services Committee is collecting socks in the boxes by the office and in Mrs. Donlon’s room, now and until the end of October. All donations will be given to St. Vincent de Paul in Faribault. Students at BA have the opportunity to earn service hours by bringing in socks. One pair is 30 minutes; students can earn only up to 2 hours of service (4 pairs of socks.) But the group encourages people to bring in as much as they can because it will help the less fortunate immensely as we are getting closer to the winter months. Thank you!
BA BASH Raffle 2021
BA is kicking off BA BASH Raffle 2021! With only 1000 tickets available, and prizes of $2021, $1021 and $521, this is a great way to get involved and support BA. We hope to raise $10,000 from this raffle and invite you to participate. Please get your ticket order form HERE and, with new beginnings ahead, pray for a healthy and positive 2022! Drawing held December 31, 2021.
Moms in Prayer Meeting Weekly
The Bethlehem Academy Moms in Prayer group meets weekly on Tuesday mornings from 8-9 am in the Adoration Chapel. Please join us! Contact Lori Bittenbender at lori@lbpublicrelations.com or 972-955-4730 with questions.
Online BA School Store!
We have select items available for purchase, either online or in the school office, including Yeti tumblers, Puravida bracelets in BA colors, and polo shirts. See the available items HERE.
LAPTOP CARE
Our laptops are brand new. Please take good care of them!
- Every weekend (Friday or Saturday night before going to bed), plug in the laptop, quit all applications, re-start the laptop and leave the display/lid open. We have a policy to check and install Apple software updates on a weekly basis.
- Use a backpack with a laptop compartment. Be careful to not drop or toss backpack with the laptop in it. Set it down gently! Also, be careful about very full backpacks - set it down to minimize the amount of weight from textbooks and other items on the laptop itself (keep backpack vertical).
- A neoprene sleeve can be helpful to provide additional protection for the laptop. Note the laptops are 13" MacBook Airs (2020 M1 models)
- Some people like the clamshells that snap to the laptop. Please note some shells do not meet Apple's specifications completely and can actually add too much weight to the display, stressing the hinges.
- Keep the laptop in a safe, secure location when not using (car trunk, locked locker, etc.).
- Please let Mr. Friesen know of any problems.
Jostens' Reps-Junior & Senior Presentations
Josten's representatives will be on campus Wednesday, October 27, to speak to juniors and seniors during Cardinal hours. Students will have the opportunity to order class rings (juniors) and graduation materials (seniors), including cap and gown ordering (school pays), and announcements and other product options (choice; student pays).
Attention Senior Parents!
Mark your calendars for the following important dates:
Monday, October 18 - 7:30 p.m. Zoom meeting (at the end of zoom conferences). Shane Roessler, BA School Counselor, will be covering all things you need to know now that you have a senior. Join us for a 30 minute Zoom presentation (link here) to cover the important targets this senior year. A question and answer session will be held at the end. This meeting will be recorded for those that can not attend.
Monday, November 1 - 6:30 p.m. at the FHS Performing Arts Center.
Join all senior parents in Faribault to cover all things FAFSA. If you are new to Financial Aid, plan on attending to hear direct from the financial aid officers at South Central. Meeting at Faribault High School (FHS).
Monday, November 15 - 4:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the FHS Library
Don't know where to start with the FAFSA? Come and complete the FAFSA with help from financial aid officers from surrounding colleges. The experts will be on hand to help navigate the form and answer all questions that you may have.
Junior Parent Information Night Oct 27
MIDDLE SCHOOL INFORMATION
Middle School Hallowen Dance Oct 29
The Junior Class is hosting a middle school Halloween dance Friday, October 29 form 7pm-10pm in the BA gym. All BA grade 6-8 students are invited to attend this prom fundraiser. Cost is $10; pizza and beverages will be provided. Students must turn in a signed permission slip (click HERE) by Wednesday, October 17 to attend. Parent chaperones needed! Sign up information to follow.
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH
It’s not too late to join a Synod small group, and share your perspectives with our parish and the Archdiocese! Parents, we need your voice as well! Sign up on the DMCC website HERE. Upcoming meetings are as follows, more information in the attached flyer:
- October 19: Welcoming Parishes & Collaboration in Parish Ministry
- October 26: Liturgy& Sunday Experience & Sharing the Gospel in Word and Deed.
- November 2: Parents as Primary educators and Helping the young encounter Jesus
- November 9: Youth Ministry and Young Adult Ministry
Bethlehem Academy seeks an energetic individual to join our maintenance team! This team member will work directly with the Maintenance Supervisor in coordinating all care for the facility, from cleaning to repairs and lawn care and snow removal. Required Qualifications: 1st Class Boilers License; Basic knowledge in the following areas: plumbing, electrical and carpentry; Good vision is required in order to read material safety data sheets; Good attendance is required as well as ability to work various shifts; Ability to work extra hours if necessary. Send resume and two references to: Mindy Reeder at mreeder@bacards.org.
CALENDAR LINKS
Click the link below for the calendar.
Family Focus-MEA Update 10/19/21
10/19/2021
Ed Friesen
2020-21, October 2021
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October 19, 2021 - MEA Break Update
REMINDER: NO SCHOOL tomorrow, Wednesday, October 20th, through Friday, October 23rd. Second quarter will begin on our return to school on Monday, October 25th following the break.
Dress Code Changes Starting Oct 25
A reminder that shorts and sandals/flip flops may not be worn following the MEA break through spring break. Again, please no shorts or sandals in school starting Monday, October 25 through spring break in March.
Student Directory Update
We will be finalizing the Bethlehem Academy School Directory soon. If you do not want your phone number or address in the directory, please contact the main office ASAP at 507-334-3948 or by email to Barb Johnson. The directories will include all Gr 6-12 families and distributed to all families that have paid their Home & School dues. Please notify the office of any phone, email or address changes for school correspondence and in case we need to reach you during the school day.
Vaccination Update
Minnesota has launched ‘Kids Deserve a Shot,’ a vaccine incentives program rewarding Minnesotans 12-17 years old for completing their COVID-19 vaccine series. Minnesotans 12-17 years old who start and complete their two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series between October 18 and November 30 are eligible to receive a $200 Visa gift card. All Minnesotans 12-17 years old who have completed their COVID-19 vaccine series at any time in 2021 can enter to win a $100,000 Minnesota College Scholarship! Five drawings will be held. Register for the incentives HERE; free vaccinations offered Thursday at Rice County Public Health. See the flyer with more information HERE.
Link to parent email on website
Can’t find the weekly parent email in your inbox? You can always find it on our website under the Resources / Parent Central tab; or click HERE.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Additional activities and sporting events online.
- Oct 19: End of the 1st Quarter - check in with your scholar!
- Oct 20-22: MEA Break - NO SCHOOL
- Oct 27: NHS Induction @ BA Mass - 10:30 a.m.
- Oct 27: Jostens reps, class rings & graduation
- Oct 27: 7:30pm Junior Parent Info Night
- Oct 29 - Trunk or Treat Dress Down Day
- Oct 29 - MS Halloween Dance, 7-10pm
- Oct 31: Trunk or Treat, 4-6pm, BA parking lot. Register your trunk HERE (Note: this event is NOT Oct 30 as on some early calendars)
- Nov. 11: Veteran's Day program! Calling all Veterans, please arrive by 8:15 for a short program at 8:30 a.m.
- Nov 23 - Grandparents Day, 1pm (Updated from earlier calendars)
- Nov 24-26: Thanksgiving Break (Updated from earlier calendars)
- Find our event school calendar on our website HERE
Click the link below for the calendar.
- BA School Calendar - Week of Oct. 25
- BA-FHS Coop Sports Calendar - Week of Oct. 18
- BA-FHS Coop Sports Calendar - Week of Oct. 25
"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)
Family Focus 10/8/2021
10/08/2021
Kris Sauer
2021-22, October 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)
October 8, 2021
Dear BA Families:
Spooktacular is almost here! This beautiful fall is a wonderful time to gather as a family for a healthy walk or run in partnership - and what better opportunity than Spooktacular with DMCS. Please join us on Oct. 16 for this important fundraiser. Bethlehem Academy seeks to raise $6,000 and have 115 participants. If we meet this goal, Dec. 17 will be an early release day for all BA students. The sign up information is below - COME OUT FOR A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY, FALL ACTIVITY!
SCHOOLOGY: All families should have received an email inviting them to set up their parent "Schoology Account." This will give you access to your scholar's classroom pages for homework, assignments and grades. Please contact Ed Friesen with any questions at efriesen@bacards.org.
CONFERENCES: A separate email to sign up for Parent/Teacher Conferences is going out today. Middle School Conferences are Oct. 14 and High School Conferences are Oct. 18. We are offering zoom only conferences this fall. Please watch for this email and sign up to meet with your scholar's teachers.
UPDATES ON FUNDRAISERS:
- Spooktacular: Join us for this Halloween-themed 5k run/1-mile walk fundraiser! To support ongoing classroom needs, we are asking each BA family to raise $100 through race participation or pledges. More info and a pledge form HERE. Earn cookies coupons & gift cards; a 5-day dress down pass & $50 Amazon gift card for the top BA fundraiser; AND if BA reaches our goal of 115 BA participants, we will have an early release day Dec 17. Click HERE to sign up to walk or run!
- Divine Mercy Build Project - United for Our Future: Please prayerfully consider a gift, the stronger DMCS, the stronger BA will be!
- Annual Fund: Our total goal this year is $255,000. To date we have raised: $35,048 (+25,000 match pledge met - THANK YOU!) Our matching donor increased the offer and will match up to $50,000 if we raise a total of $50,000 by January 1! Donate Online (click)
COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS: BA continues to watch numbers and reports. As of 10/8/21 we have had six total COVID positive cases, three are active. Please review the chart below for our present plan and keep your scholar home if they have any symptoms.
FACTS Family Portal for Enrollment & Tuition Agreements: Through our partnership with FACTS, we have now upgraded our enrollment and tuition payment systems into one family portal, effective immediately. Due to this transition, all families will access their FACTS Payment Plan through their FACTS Family Online account, which was created during enrollment. Click here to access the FACTS family login page; click here for detailed instructions on how to log in. Please contact FACTS Customer Service at 1-866-412-4637 or Kris Sauer at BA if you have trouble accessing your account.
2021-22 Tuition Agreements: Families who have not set up their tuition agreement in FACTS (not TADS) for the current school year have accounts that are PAST DUE. Please set up your tuition payment plan prior to MEA break or your student(s) will not be allowed to attend classes following the break. Contact Kris Sauer if you have questions or need assistance.
KUDOS: This week we are celebrating our Maintenance Team - Steve, Loren and Hugh! Please send them a card and thank them for all they do!
UPCOMING EVENTS: Additional activities and sporting events online.
- Oct 14: Middle School Parent/Teacher Conferences offered via Zoom. Click HERE to sign up.
- Oct. 15: Recognizing our School's Leadership Team (National Boss' Day) - Ed Friesen, Mindy R, Kris S and John W. Thank them for all they do to help lead our school!
- Oct 16 - Spooktacular Fun Run for Education. Sign up HERE
- Oct 18: High School Parent/Teacher Conferences, via Zoom. Click HERE to sign up.
- Oct. 19: End of the 1st Quarter - check in with your scholar!
- Oct 20-22: MEA Break - NO SCHOOL
- Oct 27 - NHS Induction @ BA Mass - 10:30 a.m.
- Oct 31 - Trunk or Treat, 4-6pm, BA parking lot. Register your trunk HERE (Note: this event is NOT Oct 30 as on some early calendars)
REMINDERS:
- Homework Club will run Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3-4 p.m. with Mrs. Kohl. Mr. Ponciano is here Monday and Wednesday from 3:15-4 p.m. as well to support high school scholars.
Blessings, Mindy Reeder- President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATES
MN Vikings Discounted Tickets & BA Football Fundraiser
The Minnesota Vikings are excited to offer an outstanding combination of football and fundraising. Through this special offer, $66 tickets are discounted to $58 to the noon October 10 game vs. the Detroit Lions. Plus, for each ticket sold through this special offer, the Minnesota Vikings will donate $10 to the Bethlehem Academy football program. Click on Buy Tickets to secure your seats!
BABS Survey-Respond by Oct 15The annual April BABS event is the most longstanding, successful fundraising event at Bethlehem Academy. The Board of Directors, together with staff and the BABS committee, is interested in getting your input on this important fundraiser for our school. Please click HERE to take the survey and let us know what you think. The survey should only take 5 minutes and is completely anonymous. Thank you!
USDA School Lunch Program Info
BA is participating in the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Seamless Summer Option (SSO) for the entirety of the 2021-22 school year. This means that our school provides free meals to all students! To read Mrs. Trnka's letter on the USDA program, please click HERE.
Student Services Socktober Campaign
For Socktober, the Student Services Committee is collecting socks in the boxes by the office and in Mrs. Donlon’s room, now and until the end of October. All donations will be given to St. Vincent de Paul in Faribault. Students at BA have the opportunity to earn service hours by bringing in socks. One pair is 30 minutes; students can earn only up to 2 hours of service (4 pairs of socks.) But the group encourages people to bring in as much as they can because it will help the less fortunate immensely as we are getting closer to the winter months. Thank you!
BABS Raffle 2021
BA is kicking off BABS Raffle 2021! With only 1000 tickets availabe, and a top prize of 2021. Creating new ways to support our mission is essential during this ongoing pandemic. We hope to raise $10,000 from this raffle and invite you to participate. Please order your tickets HERE and, with new beginnings ahead, pray for a healthy and positive 2022! Drawing held December 31, 2021.
Moms in Prayer Meeting Weekly
The Bethlehem Academy Moms in Prayer group meets weekly on Tuesday mornings from 8-9 am in the Adoration Chapel. Please join us! Contact Lori Bittenbender at lori@lbpublicrelations.com or 972-955-4730 with questions.
Game Day Volunteers Needed
Our athletics program depends on the helping hands of many volunteer parents and alumni. For football and volleyball, we need adults to help at the admissions table/gate and in the concession stand. Please consider sharing your time and talent with us!
The VOLLEYBALL volunteer sign-up can be found at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090949a4ac29a4fd0-2021
The FOOTBALL volunteer sign-up can be found at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090949a4ac29a4fd0-20211
Online BA School Store!
We have select items available for purchase, either online or in the school office, including Yeti tumblers, Puravida bracelets in BA colors, and polo shirts. See the available items HERE.
LAPTOP CARE
Our laptops are brand new. Please take good care of them!
- Every weekend (Friday or Saturday night before going to bed), plug in the laptop, quit all applications, re-start the laptop and leave the display/lid open. We have a policy to check and install Apple software updates on a weekly basis.
- Use a backpack with a laptop compartment. Be careful to not drop or toss backpack with the laptop in it. Set it down gently! Also, be careful about very full backpacks - set it down to minimize the amount of weight from textbooks and other items on the laptop itself (keep backpack vertical).
- A neoprene sleeve can be helpful to provide additional protection for the laptop. Note the laptops are 13" MacBook Airs (2020 M1 models)
- Some people like the clamshells that snap to the laptop. Please note some shells do not meet Apple's specifications completely and can actually add too much weight to the display, stressing the hinges.
- Keep the laptop in a safe, secure location when not using (car trunk, locked locker, etc.).
- Please let Mr. Friesen know of any problems.
BA AND COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
BA Development & Marketing AssistantBethlehem Academy seeks an energetic individual to join our team. If you love fundraising, are quick with databases and have a passion for communication, this is the position for you! Qualifications: Four-year college degree in communications or marketing OR the equivalent of work experience in marketing, fundraising or database management. Experience with database programs preferred, specifically Raiser’s Edge, or willing to train. In this position you will support fundraising, special events, communications, alumni relations and admissions efforts. This position works directly with the President and Director of Enrollment to support the tracking, promotion and planning of development and marketing events throughout the year. Please send your resume and two references to: Melinda Reeder, mreeder@bacards.org by Oct. 25, 2021.
BA Maintenance Position Available
Bethlehem Academy seeks an energetic individual to join our maintenance team! This team member will work directly with the Maintenance Supervisor in coordinating all care for the facility, from cleaning to repairs and lawn care and snow removal. Required Qualifications: 1st Class Boilers License; Basic knowledge in the following areas: plumbing, electrical and carpentry; Good vision is required in order to read material safety data sheets; Good attendance is required as well as ability to work various shifts; Ability to work extra hours if necessary. Send resume and two references to: Mindy Reeder at mreeder@bacards.org.
Student Job Opportunity @ DMCS
Divine Mercy Catholic School is looking for a responsible 16-18 year old to work in their After Care Program. Available times are 3-5:30pm, schedule is flexible and varies. Contact Ginger Van Hecke at gvanhecke@dmcs.cc if interested.
Northfield Automotive Office Receptionist
Northfield Automotive is looking for a friendly and motivated part time Receptionist to join our office family. We are a growing dealership and looking to expand our staff. Schedule is Monday through Thursday 3:00pm to 8:00pm and Saturdays 8:00am to 5:00pm.Initial duties would include answering phones and scheduling, filing and scanning and other office work as needed $13-$16/hr. Pay depends on experience. Please apply in person: Northfield Automotive Inc., 1201 Hwy 3 South, Northfield, MN 55057, 507-645-4478.
CALENDAR LINKS
Click the link below for the calendar.
ATTACHMENTS