Category : May 2023
Family Focus, 5/26/23
06/01/2023
Kris Sauer
May 2023
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"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7 (Peer Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2022-2023)
May 26, 2023
Dear BA Families:
A Cardinal send off to our Seniors! We gathered to recognize scholars from all grades, but especially our seniors, for our 2022-23 BA Awards Day Ceremony. What an honor for our staff to recognize your scholars. Each year brings growth for scholars in all four pillars of: prayer, study, community and service. After the ceremony, staff gathers with seniors for our traditional brunch. This intimate event is our final send-off with our seniors, before commencement. Senior parents - thank you! Thank you for giving your scholar the gift of Catholic education and for partnering with us throughout this journey!
EARLY RELEASE DAYS & DRESS CODE: Just a reminder that there is no school on Monday, May 29. School resumes on Tuesday, May 30th and our last day is Wednesday, May 31st. Our last two days we will release at 1 p.m. Lunch is provided. See the dress code notes, below.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ATHLETES! Our girls' softball brought home the Sub-Section Title with a phenomenal 10-0 victory! Come and cheer them on this next Tuesday, May 30. BA participants in Coop FHS sports are also shining at regional events. Watch the news for all of the updates and progress of our athletes.
STAFFING UPDATES FOR 2023-24:
- New Staff/Positions for 2023-24:
- Brent Zabel as Middle School Dean/Advanced Science Course Teacher.
- Kallie Donahue Battles - 9th and 10th grade science and MS theology.
- Jolene Beske is joining our staff to teach business courses.
- Katy Ashley will be teaching some social studies courses as she begins her teacher training.
- Welcome to our new office team: Nikki Dut as our office secretary and Lori Bittenbender as the office assistant, see write ups, below.
- Please welcome Jon Rysdam, our new Lunch Program Supervisor. His introduction coming soon.
- The BA Annual Fund drive is at $233,900+ with a goal of $265,000 for this academic year! Gifts accepted through June 30, 2023.
- BA Cardinal Club Raffle ticket order forms have been mailed! Get yours early to win!
NEXT WEEK'S SCHEDULE:
UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar.
- Monday, May 29: Memorial Day - no school
- Tuesday, May 30: 1pm dismissal, lunch served
- Wednesday, May 31: 1pm dismissal, lunch served - last day of school! *Students may come out of dress code, but dress for the weather and review the "not allowed" list for out-of-dress code days.
- BA Summer events: See below for great ways to support BA and earn service hours for parents and students!
It has been an honor for our staff and faculty to serve your family and your scholar. May summer be a blessing to you and your family, and may God keep you safe in your travels. Until next fall - Fly Cardinals!
Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATE
Introducing New BA Staff:
Nikki Dut, Office Secretary: I am honored to be a part of such a brilliant team. I’m a mother of six and have taken in two additional children as well. I love cooking, planning events and fundraising for organizations. I also enjoy reading and learning, walks and outdoors. I am currently completing my bachelor’s degree as well. I look forward to remembering each and everyone’s name and face when I begin at BA!
Lori Bittenbender, Office Assistant: I am looking forward to serving the BA community while working in the front office. Our family has lived in Faribault for the last 5 years. We have an 8th grade daughter at BA and our son will join the Cardinal family as a 6th grader next school year. Our oldest daughter will be a junior at Shattuck St. Mary's where my husband is a teacher. For the past 17 years, I have owned my own business as a public relations freelancer but have also been involved in education field for many years as a reading tutor as well as working and living on boarding school campuses.
23-24 Tuition Agreements: parents with enrolled students for 2023-24 should have received an email with their tuition agreement. Please review your agreement and payment plan. If you need to change the payment schedule of your agreement, please contact Kris Sauer at ksauer@bacards.org or 507-334-3948, x206. If you believe you require additional financial assistance, please complete the form found here.
Order your 2022-2023 BA Yearbook! Click HERE to order online or use the form found here and return to the front office with your payment. Orders due May 31. Contact Mr. Zabel at bzabel@bacards.org with questions.
Save the date for BA summer events! See below for several parent and student summer service opportunities. All are great ways to support BA! See our Events page HERE; more information to follow via parent email.
- Heritage Days Parade, June 17: be on the BA/DMCS float! Student and parent sign up at this link.
- Cardinal Cafe at the Rice County Fair, July 19-25: work the fair stand and get your hours in early! Find the sign up HERE.
- SMART Ride, July 27-29: Bicycle single or multiple days for BA
- Cardinal Golf Classic, Aug 4 at the Faribault Golf Club: Committee members needed - will earn parent hours! Contact Kris at ksauer@bacards.org
Summer Band: High school (gr 8-12) summer band camp late July, early August; high school percussion tryouts due by July 25; band lessons for all grades starting after July 4th. Click HERE for Mr. Lorence's letter with all the details.
Summer Math Tutoring:
- Mrs. Lynette Battles will be offering math tutoring this summer for 4th-8th grade students. Cost is $150 for 6 one hour sessions. Please email her at lbattles@bacards.org for more information and availability.
- Mr. David Gilmore is offering math tutoring for $30/hour this summer. Contact him at David_Gilmore@bacards.org
Summer Camps @ BA: Click HERE for information and registration forms for football, basketball, volleyball, robotics camps and summer voice lessons.
DMCC Summer Programs: Great opportunities this summer through the Divine Mercy Catholic Church youth groups, including Totus Tuus. More info and sign up at this link.
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Juniors: Sign up for STRIVE: STRIVE, a Faribault Rotary-sponsored program is taking registrations for the 2023-2024 school year. Sign up to participate HERE.
Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/
Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/
Family Focus 5-19-23
05/24/2023
Kris Sauer
May 2023
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"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7 (Peer Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2022-2023)
May 19, 2023
Dear BA Families:
May God richly bless our Seniors this next week! Please join us at our Baccalaureate Mass on Wednesday, May 24th or for graduation on Friday, May 26 as we recognize our seniors' hard work and accomplishments. I invite you to also join me in continuing to pray for our seniors.
It is with a heavy heart that I share that John Wollersheim, Assistant Principal, will be officially retiring from his position at BA. He will continue to support BA as a consultant next year. We will be celebrating all of our staff who are retiring during our awards ceremony on Friday, May 26 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Please send cards to honor them.
EARLY RELEASE DAYS & DRESS CODE: Just a reminder that students will be released between 11 and 11:30 a.m. after the BA Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 26. No lunch is provided. There is no school on Monday, May 29 and school on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 30th & 31st ,will release at 1 p.m. Lunch is provided the last two days of school. See the dress code notes, below.
KUDOS to our FFA TEAM! Our FFA Team gathered last Saturday for their banquet, to recognize their leaders, and to commemorate their teams and accolades. Our Dairy team even received an additional national award this week - with a plaque now hanging in our ag department classroom. Congratulations to Mr. Johnson and all of his team!
SUPPORT OUR ATHLETES! Join our athletes this next week as they compete at regional and state competitions. Our girls' softball is ranked #1 in our division! Play off games for them are at home on Monday and Tuesday. Coop sports will also have regional and state competitions, go to the BA sports calendar to support our Cardinals!
STAFFING UPDATES FOR 2023-24:
- BA Staff Retiring: Steve Zabel, Julie Trnka, Barb Johnson, John Wollersheim and Tammy Anderson
- BA Teachers Leaving: Father John Powers, Josh Maus and Mark Nuehring
- New Staff for 2023-24: We welcome Brent Zabel as Middle School Dean. He will continue to also teach the upper level science courses. Ms. Kallie Donahue Battles is joining the BA family as our new 9th and 10th grade science instructor and additional courses. Jolene Beske is joining our staff to teach business courses while Katy Ashley will be teaching some social studies courses as she begins her teacher training.
- The BA Annual Fund drive is at $233,900+ with a goal of $265,000 for this academic year! Gifts accepted through June 30, 2023.
NEXT WEEK'S SCHEDULE:
UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar.
- May 18-31: Click here for a printable copy of the finals/senior week schedule
- Wednesday, May 24: Mary Ceremony in gym @ 1pm, assembly schedule; Baccalaureate at DMCC, 7:30pm
- Friday, May 26: Awards Day @ 9:30am, Mass dress code; grades 6-11 dismissed around 11am, no lunch served; Commencement, 7:30pm
- Monday, May 29: Memorial Day - no school
- Tuesday, May 30: 1pm dismissal, lunch served
- Wednesday, May 31: 1pm dismissal, lunch served - last day of school! *Students may come out of dress code, but dress for the weather and review the "not allowed" list for out of dress code days.
- BA Summer events: See below for great ways to support BA and earn service hours for parents and students!
Please join me in prayers this spring as we wrap up our school year, praying for our scholars and teachers in the final weeks of the school year with special prayers for our seniors. Special prayers for Ms. Tondryk and Mr. Wollin as they support their family members.
Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATE
23-24 Tuition Agreements: parents with enrolled students for 2023-24 should have received an email with their tuition agreement. Please review your agreement and payment plan. If you need to change the payment schedule of your agreement, please contact Kris Sauer at ksauer@bacards.org or 507-334-3948, x206. If you believe you require additional financial assistance, please complete the form found here.
Order your 2022-2023 BA Yearbook! Click HERE to order online or use the form found here and return to the front office with your payment. Orders due May 31. Contact Mr. Zabel at bzabel@bacards.org with questions.
Save the date for BA summer events! See below for several parent and student summer service opportunities. All are great ways to support BA! See our Events page HERE; more information to follow via parent email.
- Heritage Days Parade, June 17: be on the BA/DMCS float!
- Cardinal Cafe at the Rice County Fair, July 19-25: work the fair stand and get your hours in early!
- SMART Ride, July 27-29: Bicycle single or multiple days for BA
- Cardinal Golf Classic, Aug 4 at the Faribault Golf Club: Committee members needed! Contact Kris at ksauer@bacards.org
Summer Band: High school (gr 8-12) summer band camp late July, early August; high school percussion tryouts due by July 25; band lessons for all grades starting after July 4th. Click HERE for Mr. Lorence's letter with all the details.
Summer Math Tutoring:
- Mrs. Lynette Battles will be offering math tutoring this summer for 4th-8th grade students. Cost is $150 for 6 one hour sessions. Please email her at lbattles@bacards.org for more information and availability.
- Mr. David Gilmore is offering math tutoring for $30/hour this summer. Contact him at David_Gilmore@bacards.org
Summer Camps @ BA: Click HERE for information and registration forms for football, basketball, volleyball, robotics camps and summer voice lessons.
DMCC Summer Programs: Great opportunities this summer through the Divine Mercy Catholic Church youth groups, including Totus Tuus. More info and sign up at this link.
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Juniors: Sign up for STRIVE: STRIVE, a Faribault Rotary-sponsored program is taking registrations for the 2023-2024 school year. Sign up to participate HERE.
Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/
Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/
Family Focus 5/12/23
05/16/2023
Kris Sauer
May 2023
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"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7 (Peer Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2022-2023)
May 12, 2023
Dear BA Families:
May events continue! This week our musical students shared their talents at the Spring Concert. From strings, to jazz, and a teacher/student published song, music rang out in the auditorium. Thank you for joining us and a special thank you to Emily Cicha and Brad Lorence for preparing their scholars for a wonderful performance.
Additionally this week, our Houses gathered for the last time this year. We made more than 400 sandwiches for the homeless, worked together in each House to complete a scavenger hunt, and listened to speeches from students running for office as well as a special presentation from Air Force 1st Lt. Joe Belina, OHS '16 and Air Force Academy grad. It was a great week to be Cardinal! Special thanks to all of our teachers during this Teacher Appreciation Week, and to our lunch ladies and maintenance teams for the extra work with Houses and our Spring Concert. THANK YOU!
STAFFING UPDATES FOR 2023-24:
- BA Staff Retiring: Steve Zabel, Julie Trnka, Barb Johnson and Tammy Anderson (Please contact me to learn more.)
- BA Teachers Leaving: Father John Powers, Josh Maus and Mark Nuehring
- New Staff for 2023-24: We welcome Brent Zabel as Middle School Dean. He will continue to also teach the upper level science courses. Ms. Kallie Donahue Battles is joining the BA family as our new 9th and 10th grade science instructor and additional courses. Jolene Beske is joining our staff to teach business courses while Katy Ashley will be teaching some social studies courses as she begins her teacher training.
- The BA Annual Fund drive is at $232,200+ with a goal of $265,000 for this academic year! Gifts accepted through June 30, 2023.
- Watch for information on our Cardinal Club Raffle, the Heritage Days parade June 17, the Cardinal Cafe at the Rice County Fair July 19-23, our SMART Ride July 27-29, and Cardinal Golf Classic August 4!
NEXT WEEK'S SCHEDULE:
UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar.
- May 17: Guatemala Mission Trip application due
- May 18-31: Click here for a printable copy of the finals/senior week schedule
- Wednesday, May 24: Mary Ceremony in gym @ 1pm, special schedule; Baccalaureate at DMCC, 7:30pm
- Friday, May 26: Awards Day @ 9:30am, grades 6-11 dismissed around 11am, no lunch served; Commencement, 7:30pm
- Monday, May 29: Memorial Day - no school
- Tuesday, May 30: 1pm dismissal, lunch served
- Wednesday, May 31: 1pm dismissal, lunch served - last day of school!
Please join me in prayers this spring as we wrap up our school year, praying for our scholars and teachers in the final weeks of the school year with special prayers for our seniors.
Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATE
Order your 2022-2023 BA Yearbook! Click HERE to order online or use the form found here and return to the front office with your payment. Orders due May 31. Contact Mr. Zabel at bzabel@bacards.org with questions.
Summer Math Tutoring: Lynette Battles will be offering math tutoring this summer for 4th-8th grade students. Cost is $150 for 6 one hour sessions. Please email her at lbattles@bacards.org for more information and availability.
Summer Camps @ BA: Click HERE for information and registration forms for football, basketball, volleyball, robotics camps and summer voice lessons.
DMCC Summer Programs: Great opportunities this summer through the Divine Mercy Catholic Church youth groups, including Totus Tuus. More info and sign up at this link.
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Juniors: Sign up for STRIVE: STRIVE, a Faribault Rotary-sponsored program is taking registrations for the 2023-2024 school year. Sign up to participate HERE.
Reminder: High school after school support is available for students in the library Tuesday - Thursday until 3:30.
Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/
Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/
Family Focus, 5/5/23
05/10/2023
Kris Sauer
May 2023
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"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7 (Peer Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2022-2023)
May 5, 2023
Dear BA Families:
It's Prom at BA and May events! Join us tomorrow (Saturday, May 6) for our Prom Grand March at 5pm, details below as our May events begin. Also, for your planning purposes, please keep in mind we will have three early release days this spring:
- Friday, May 26 (Awards Day @ 9:30am, dismissed around 11am, no lunch);
- Tuesday, May 30 (lunch served, 1pm dismissal);
- Wednesday, May 31st (lunch served, 1pm dismissal) - last day of school!
Teacher Appreciation Week May 8-12: Bethlehem Academy is blessed to have a history of teachers serving our scholars for many years. Additionally, this year we welcomed new teachers into our Catholic school family. Please thank them for their service and dedication and celebrate them this week - send an email, a note card, or treats to school. WE LOVE OUR TEACHERS!
The Month of Mary: May is the month of Mary. We began this month with the DMCS 1st grade Mary Crowning. What a joy to celebrate Mass as an entire school family! Later this month, our seniors will close out our year with the Mary crowning ceremony and the distribution of flowers to those who made a difference in their lives. Additionally, the Archdiocese offers family events for the month of May honoring Mary, see the opportunities below.
STAFFING UPDATES FOR 2023-24:
- BA Staff Retiring: Steve Zabel, Julie Trnka, Barb Johnson and Tammy Anderson (Please contact me to learn more.)
- BA Teachers Leaving: Father John Powers and Mark Nuehring
- New Staff for 2023-24: We welcome Brent Zabel as Middle School Dean. He will continue to also teach the upper level science courses. Ms. Kallie Donahue Battles is joining the BA family as our new 9th and 10th grade instructor and may teach additional courses, see Kallie's introduction below.
- The BA Annual Fund drive is at $227,200+ with a goal of $265,000 for this academic year! Gifts accepted through June 30, 2023.
- Watch for information on our Cardinal Club Raffle, the Cardinal Cafe at the Rice County Fair, our SMART Ride and Cardinal Golf Classic!
NEXT WEEK'S SCHEDULE:
UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar. See some additional Archdiocese events and invitations below.
- May 6:
- May 7: Guatemala Mission Trip info meeting (option #2), 6pm DMCC
- May 8: Last 1pm WIN day of the quarter for support
- May 9: AP English Language Exam, Student Council candidates registration due
- May 10:
- Student of the Month, 7:30am
- BA Band/Choir Spring Concert, 6:30pm in Van Orsow Auditorium
- May 11: AM WIN Schedule - House Activity & Student Council Candidate speeches; AVANT Spanish Test
- May 12:
- Ag Science/FFA Baby Animal Day @ BA
- Student Council elections
- DMCS Family Fun Day, 4:30-7pm : Student Volunteers needed! Click here to sign up to volunteer.
- May 15: Intercultural Club Midtown Global Market field trip. Permission slips due May 10. Find the form HERE.
- May 17:
- Student Council Class Officer elections
- Guatemala Mission Trip application due
- May 18-31: Click here for the finals/senior week schedule
- Positions available at Bethlehem Academy for 2023-2024, contact Mindy Reeder at 507-334-3948 or at mreeder@bacards.org:
- Kitchen Manager; and
- Maintenance Supervisor
- DMCS is hiring a full-time admissions, marketing and fundraising director. Contact Gina Ashley @ gashley@dmcs.cc for info
Please join me in prayers this spring as we wrap up our school year, praying for our scholars and teachers in the final weeks of the school year with special prayers for our seniors.
Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATE
Welcome BA Alum, Kallie Battles! My name is Kallie (Donahue) Battles. I am excited to return to BA as a teacher! After graduating from BA in 2017, I studied biology and education at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. Most recently, I taught middle school science at Holy Cross Catholic School in Webster. My husband, Noah, and I are getting ready to welcome our first child this June. I look forward to meeting you and your children this fall!
Student Volunteer Opportunities: See below for 2 great opportunities for students to volunteer and earn service hours!
- Saturday, May 6 Kite Festival at Divine Mercy Catholic Church! One-hour slots available from 9am through 1pm. Click HERE to volunteer.
- Friday, May 12, 4:30-7pm, DMCS Family Fun Day at Divine Mercy Catholic Church. Help especially needed at the temporary tattoo bar and bingo game. Click HERE to sign up and volunteer.
Guatemala Mission Trip Info Session: Live your faith - join the joint BA/DMCC Guatemala Mission Trip February 2024! If you missed Wednesday's meeting, a second information session will be held Sunday, May 7, 6pm in the commons area at Divine Mercy Catholic Church. Interested but can't make the meeting? Contact Mrs. Rachel Tondryk for more information. Ready to sign up? Click HERE to fill out the mission trip application form, due May 17.
Order your 2022-2023 BA Yearbook! Click HERE to order online or use the form found here and return to the front office with your payment. Orders due May 31. Contact Mr. Zabel at bzabel@bacards.org with questions.
RaiseRight (SCRIP) Tuition Credit Program Update for April: Click HERE.
Summer Math Tutoring: Lynette Battles will be offering math tutoring this summer for 4th-8th grade students. Cost is $150 for 6 one hour sessions. Please email her at lbattles@bacards.org for more information and availability.
DMCC Summer Programs: Great opportunities this summer through the Divine Mercy Catholic Church youth groups, including Totus Tuus and the high school Steubenville Conference. See the flyer below; learn more and sign up at this link.
Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Prayer Events:
|
Friday, May 5 – Final First Friday Adoration: Join in praying before the Blessed Sacrament for our state and our lawmakers from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Capitol in Rm B420 – the Governor’s Dining Room. Learn more. Thursday, May 11 – Final Capitol Thursday: RSVP to join the MCC staff from 10 – 11:30 a.m. and learn about advocacy, have a Capitol tour, and meet with your legislators. |
Archdiocesan Family Rosary Procession |
Sunday, May 7, 2 p.m. (Procession line-up at 1:30 p.m.), Procession from State Capitol to Cathedral of Saint Paul As a public witness to our Catholic faith during the month of May dedicated to our Blessed Mother Mary, come with family and friends to the annual Archdiocesan Family Rosary Procession. Archbishop Bernard Hebda will join at the Capitol and in the Cathedral. Learn more and view the Archbishop's video inviting you to participate HERE. |
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Prom/Post-Prom information: Click HERE for Into the Night Prom information and HERE for a non-BA student guest permission form. Click HERE for Post-Prom information and the permissions slip. All permission slips are due April 28.
Juniors: Sign up for STRIVE: STRIVE, a Faribault Rotary-sponsored program is taking registrations for the 2023-2024 school year. Sign up to participate HERE.
Senior Parents: Open Campus Information-Daily open campus began Monday, May 1 for eligible seniors. Lunch and study halls are eligible, Mass is not. Please contact Mr. Wollersheim at jwollersheim@bacards.org or 507-334-3948 with questions.
High School Reminders:
After school support is available for students in the library Tuesday - Thursday until 3:30 (link to info)
Senior Scholarships: Click HERE for a list of college and community scholarship opportunities, requirements and deadlines.
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES
Student volunteers needed! Sign up for this student service hour event HERE.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/
Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/