Family Focus 7/23/21
07/28/2021
Kris Sauer
2021-22, July 2021
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July 23, 2021
Dear BA Families:
Student and family volunteer time is needed for the success of BA events - and a rich part of our history. Each year we ask families to give the gift of time, 25 hours of their time, to support the many events, fundraisers, and programs at BA. With the beginning of our fiscal year in July, the Rice County Fair is the first opportunity students and families have to volunteer. If all students and parents signed up for one shift, we would be overwhelmed, but the work load would be easy. Typically our teams or clubs sign up for a time to work together - as we get back into our more "normal" events now that COVID restrictions have lifted, we need everyone to step up. We could really use your support this Saturday or Sunday at the Rice County fair stand - sign up online at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4aa5a72ba7fd0-bafood Additional volunteer hours will be available throughout the year as well.
Tracking Volunteer Hours
- Parents: In 2019 we kicked off an online tracking form for parents (which we did not use last year due to COVID limits on events). If you're volunteering at the fair, are part of our School Board or other committees, please track your time and let us know how you like to volunteer. Visit our volunteer page at: https://www.bacards.org/page/3105
- Students: Separately, our students track their volunteer and service hours through a school program called Naviance. This tracking helps them ensure that they've met their volunteer goals for the year, which vary by grade, and will also help remind them of their effort when they apply for scholarships and recognition.
FREE LUNCH in 2021-22: As a carryover of COVID school grants and support, BA will once again be offering free lunches to students. You'll only need to put money into your child's account for those extra helpings and treats that they love!
SUPPORTING THE DMCS "United for our Future." This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the presentation to build a new school building for DMCS out on the grounds near the church. What a beautiful plan to ensure Catholic education in Faribault for generations! Some might wonder how this connects to BA. Our support in connected in multiple ways. First as united Catholic Schools of Faribault, we grow together and partner in so many ways. Our schools are stronger together and our partnership has endless potential. Second, DMCS is our main feeder school. Third, the new parish hall and school will provide additional opportunities for BA to partner with our parish and school for space, events and sports programs. Please join DMCS in prayers at this point for the success of their Capital Campaign, the future of Faribault Catholic schools.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- July 23-27: Cardinal Cafe at the Rice Count Fair! Sign up HERE to volunteer.
- July 29-31: SMART Ride - Sponsor one of our 10 riders, including Class of 2021 grads Luke Bauer and Isaac Caron!
- August 6: Cardinal Classic Golf Tournament, Faribault Golf Club. Spots are filling fast! Sign up to play, click here.
- August 12: Fall sports meeting, 6:30pm, BA gym
- August 25: Back-to-School Picnic, 5-7pm, BA Back 40
- August 25: New Family Orientation, 6:30pm, BA Cafeteria
- August 26: Student Orientation, 9-11:30am (No Faribault busing; BA Van routes will run)
- August 30: First Day of School! (Faribault busing & BA Van will run)
God bless you during the summer months! Our office will be open from 9am--1pm Monday-Thursday. Stop in and don't forget to remind your students to complete their summer reading!
Blessings, Mindy Reeder
President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL-BA UPDATES
Summer Band Program Starts August 3
Grade 7-12 band students - Mr. Wendt is starting up summer band! Band will practice Tues-Wed from 7-8:30pm the first three weeks of August. Plan to be at BA 7-8:30pm Aug 3-4, Aug 10-11, and Aug 17-18. Watch your email for more information.
Back to School Information: Find back to school information, including school supply lists, summer reading assignments, and other important information on our Back to School page HERE. Our annual summer back to school mailing will be sent early August.
Summer Read Program
Don't forget about your student's summer read! Find the list of books and the handouts on our website at this link.
SMART Ride July 29-31, 2021
Support one of our 10 riders for this 10th anniversary of the SMART Ride! This great event raises money for student scholarships! Riders include current & past parents, alumni (including 2 from the Class of 2021), and friends of BA. Click here to support one of these great riders - every pledge counts!
Cardinal Golf Classic Aug 6
Sign up by Friday, July 30, to join the Aug 6 Cardinal Golf Classic at the Faribault Golf Club. Scramble format starts at 12 noon & spots are filling fast! Sign up your foursome here today!
REMINDER: Required Immunizations
All students who will be in 7th grade this fall are required by law to have a Tdap (tetanus booster) as well as a meningitis shot. The meningitis shot is the first in a two-shot series which should be completed at 16 years of age. Students who will be in 12th grade are required by law to have a second meningitis shot. Students should have had their first shot in the series before the start of 7th grade. Any students who have conscientious objector forms on file will need to fill out a new form for this fall. If you have any questions or need a conscientious objector form, please contact Mary Herzog in the nurse’s office, 507-334-3948.
SCRIP Note Update: BA students and families may participate in the DMCS Scrip program to earn tuition credit. See the attached summer program update for more information.
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
1st United Bank Junior Board
Rising 11th and 12th graders are invited to apply for the 1st United Bank Junior Board of Directors. Applications due September 10, 2021. More information attached.
ATTACHMENTS
Scrip Note Update
1st United Bank Board of Directors Application
Family Focus 7/16/21
07/21/2021
Kris Sauer
July 2021, 2021-22
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July 16, 2021
Dear BA Families:
It's Rice County Fair time! If you haven't signed up for a shift, please review the openings for the BA Fair Stand. We need everyone to support the stand as we support the community at the Rice County Fair!
Our staff continues to prepare for the next school year through professional development, implementation of "Houses," the Positivity Project school wide, and new courses. We are excited to welcome 19 new students this fall, an increase in enrollment of 7%! Our BA family also welcomes new teachers after the retirement of dedicated staff this year and changes in teachers. On a sad note, we say farewell to two additional staff, Matt Knutson and Sister Melissa Schreifels. They both touched students lives and we wish them the best in their new positions.
Please welcome: Edward Wendt, Band Director; Rachel Tondryk, Spanish Instructor; Father John Powers, 7th grade theology/Chaplain; Dave Wollin is expanding his role as an AP teacher and will also be our HS support instructor.
We also added two staff added this month:
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Lynette Battles - Middle School & High School Math Teacher: Mrs. Battles graduated from Bethlehem Academy. She has taught in Catholic education for the past 15 years and earned her BS in Communication Disorders from the University of Minnesota, and a teaching license through the College of St. Catherine. She begins her Masters program through the University of St. Thomas Murray Institute this fall. She's very happy to continue her teaching career at Bethlehem Academy and looks forward to engaging math students and working with BA staff and families. She currently lives in Faribault with her husband Josh, and they have four children, Jacob, Noah, Alissa, and Shae. |
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Mr. Michael Bengen - PE/Health Teacher: Mr. Bengen graduated from Winona State University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a minor in Developmental Adapted PE. He has a passion for helping people learn and become a better version of themselves. Outside of teaching, he enjoys going to his family camper where he fishes and plays yard games. Mr. Bengen is looking forward to being able to get to know the students at BA and possibly be able to coach some of them in the near future. |
We are also working with the Archdiocese, State, and County to review any needed COVID protocols for the fall of our school year. We will inform families of any updates, but do not anticipate many requirements.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- July 23-27: Cardinal Cafe at the Rice Count Fair! Sign up HERE to volunteer.
- July 29-31: SMART Ride - Join us to raise scholarship dollars or sponsor one of our 9 riders, including Class of 2021 grads Luke Bauer and Isaac Caron!
- August 6: Cardinal Classic Golf Tournament, Faribault Golf Club. Spots are filling fast! Sign up to play, click here.
FUNDRAISERS:
- BA Fair Stand: We need your support at the Rice County Fair. We want to thank the Simones family for agreeing to manage the stand and we need you to volunteer - July 21-25, 2021. We are asking EVERY STUDENT AND FAMILY TO TAKE A SHIFT IN ORDER TO MEET OUR BUDGETARY NEEDS. Click HERE to sign up today. Thank you!
Blessings, Mindy Reeder
President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL-BA UPDATES
SMART Ride July 29-31, 2021
Save the date for this summer's SMART ride! Single day biking options available or join all 3 days, with camping at Minneopa State Park near Mankato. This great event raises money for student scholarships! Click here for information on joining the ride or sponsoring a rider.
Cardinal Golf Classic Aug 6
Registration is open for the annual Cardinal Golf Classic! This year's event will be held at the Faribault Golf Club Friday, August 6 with a scramble format starting at 12 noon. Registration just $100 includes golf, awards dinner, gift and hole contests. Spots filling fast. Sign up your foursome here today!
Back to School Information: Find back to school information, including school supply lists, summer reading assignments, and other important information on our Back to School page HERE. Our annual summer back to school mailing will be sent early August.
Don't forget about your student's summer read! Find the list of books and the handouts on our website at this link.
REMINDER: Required Immunizations
All students who will be in 7th grade this fall are required by law to have a Tdap (tetanus booster) as well as a meningitis shot. The meningitis shot is the first in a two-shot series which should be completed at 16 years of age. Students who will be in 12th grade are required by law to have a second meningitis shot. Students should have had their first shot in the series before the start of 7th grade. Any students who have conscientious objector forms on file will need to fill out a new form for this fall. If you have any questions or need a conscientious objector form, please contact Mary Herzog in the nurse’s office, 507-334-3948.
SCRIP Note Update: BA students and families may participate in the DMCS Scrip program to earn tuition credit. See the attached summer program update for more information.
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
1st United Bank Junior Board
Rising 11th and 12th graders are invited to apply for the 1st United Bank Junior Board of Directors. Applications due September 10, 2021. More information attached.
ATTACHMENTS
Scrip Note Update
1st United Bank Board of Directors Application
Family Focus 6/29/21
07/16/2021
Kris Sauer
June 2021, 2020-21
Leave a comment
June 29, 2021
Dear BA Families:
Happy July 4th! I hope that the month of June has brought you relaxation and joy that only Minnesota summers can bring. This month BA scholars attended camps, church programs and summer support. Teachers continued in their educational journey through June professional development opportunities. Our maintenance team and student workers dig in every day to ensure that our buildings are prepared to shine this fall. We are so thankful for their hard work and impressed with our student workers!
Join us this summer! We need your support and involvement to ensure success at our summer events. Please be sure to sign up to take a shift at the Rice County Fair, join us on the trails or sponsor a rider on our BA SMART Ride, and gather your team for the BA Golf Classic! See all the details below.
As we prepare for the next school year, we look forward to beginning the year by implementing "Houses" and the Positivity Project school wide. These programs extend social and emotional learning programming by connecting more students and celebrating our unique, God given traits. Our enrollment is up for the first time in four years and we look forward to welcoming new students into the BA Family as well as new teachers. Please welcome:
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Father John Powers: Father John grew up in Northeast Minneapolis with his sister, and parents, Marge and Mike Powers. He attended St. John’s University, studying history, and graduated in 2009. He entered the St. Paul Seminary and was ordained in 2015. He has served at various locations and will now be assigned to Holy Trinity in Waterville, St. Andrew’s in Elysian and Bethlehem Academy where he will teach a middle school theology class. Father John looks forward to getting to know our students and families! |
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Shane Roessler - Counselor: Mrs. Roessler is an experienced counselor with over 20 years of service. She lives in Waseca with her husband and two daughters. She will be supporting our students as our new guidance counselor beginning in the fall. "I would have to say that I am most excited to begin working with a great group of students who are striving to be the best they can be and helping out the world around them." |
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Edward Wendt, Jr. – Band Teacher: Mr. Wendt, Jr. comes to BA band from Totino-Grace Fine Arts Academy. He has organized drum lines, directed jazz and pep bands and organized band trips to St. Louis, Memphis and New Orleans. "I want my students and future students to have experiences like these that they will remember for the rest of their lives. These experiences are what I hope to bring to the classroom when teaching band for Bethlehem Academy!" |
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Rachel Tondryk – Spanish Teacher: Rachel graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a double major in Spanish and Education. Her last year of college was spent living in Costa Rica and attending La Universidad de Veritas in San José. She taught Spanish at her alma mater, Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School, coached, and served on various committees. After a short period at home with her children she returned to teaching at St. Dominic School in Northfield. Rachel is thrilled to continue at BA and feels blessed that she and her daughters will be a part of the BA community. |
In addition, positions have been offered for our new math teacher and high school support staff person - introductions coming soon!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- June 28-July 13: School Store open - see below for details
- July 23-27: Cardinal Cafe at the Rice Count Fair!
- July 29-31: SMART Ride - Join us to raise scholarship dollars!
- August 6: Cardinal Classic Golf Tournament, Faribault Golf Club. Sign up to play, click here.
FUNDRAISERS:
- Annual Fund: We are just shy, $1,100 from our $250,000 annual fund goal. Thank you to everyone who helped us surpass all previous annual fund drives in this critical year!
- Cardinal Club Raffle: One more day to get your raffle tickets in! Get your order in by noon Wed June 30 to be included in tomorrow's drawing at 1:56pm. To date we have raised more than $11,000 to support BA needs through this raffle.
- BA Fair Stand: We need your support at the Rice County Fair. We want to thank the Simones family for agreeing to manage the stand and we need you to volunteer - July 21-25, 2021. We are asking EVERY STUDENT AND FAMILY TO TAKE A SHIFT IN ORDER TO MEET OUR BUDGETARY NEEDS. Click HERE to sign up today. Thank you!
ANNOUNCEMENTS: 2021-22 Tuition Agreements Sent: Financial aid has been awarded and tuition agreements have been sent. Please complete your agreement ASAP so we may plan for the fall. Contact Kris Sauer or Sister Mary Margaret if you have questions or concerns regarding your agreement.
May your summer bring joy, may your family find peace and may God bless you during the summer months! Our office will be open from 9-1 p.m. M-Th. Stop in!
Blessings, Mindy Reeder
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL-BA UPDATES
Cardinal Cafe at the Rice County Fair!: The Rice County Fair is back and so is the Cardinal Café! Join us for this longstanding BA tradition! Volunteers are needed for all shifts. Jobs include taking orders, taking and assembling food, drink and snack orders and manning the grill! Help promote BA and earn service hours. Sign up to volunteer HERE. Tell all your friends to stop by and get a burger, a famous Lunch Lady cookie, or just to say hello while at the Rice County Fair this year!
SMART Ride July 29-31, 2021
Save the date for this summer's SMART ride! Single day biking options available or join all 3 days, with camping at Mankato. This great event raises money for student scholarships! Click here for information on this great event.
Cardinal Golf Classic Aug 6
Registration is now open for the annual Cardinal Golf Classic! This year's event will be held at the Faribault Golf Club Friday, August 6 with a scramble format starting at 1pm. Registration just $100 includes golf, awards dinner, gift and hole contests. Sign up your foursome here today!
Summer Sports Camps @ BA!
BA/DMCS football and basketball summer camps are still open! Click here for information and registration forms for these great programs!
2021-2022 Calendar, Supply List: See attached for next year's BA/DMCS school calendar and school supply list.
Don't forget about your student's summer read! Find the list of books and the handouts on our website at this link.
Host Family Needed for 2021-22
Host family needed for KoAm-sponsored Jiyun (8th grade female from South Korea), arriving next fall. Great cultural exchange, monthly stipend & support provided. Jiyun is sociable, empathetic, proactive, and responsible. She wants to become a good college student with good English skills. Jiyun has a younger brother and loves school, friends, and music. She is excited to come to America and study at BA! Contact Kris Sauer if interested in this great opportunity.
REMINDER: Required Immunizations
All students who will be in 7th grade this fall are required by law to have a Tdap (tetanus booster) as well as a meningitis shot. The meningitis shot is the first in a two-shot series which should be completed at 16 years of age. Students who will be in 12th grade are required by law to have a second meningitis shot. Students should have had their first shot in the series before the start of 7th grade. Any students who have conscientious objector forms on file will need to fill out a new form for this fall. If you have any questions or need a conscientious objector form, please contact Mary Herzog in the nurse’s office, 507-334-3948.
ATTACHMENTS
2021-2022 BA/DMCS School Calendar
2021-2022 School Supply List