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Family Focus 4/30/2021

05/05/2021

Kris Sauer

April 2021

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April 30, 2021

Dear BA Families:
April is coming to a close and only four full weeks of school remain. The beautiful fresh air breathes spring into our school after the long, hard winter months. What an incredible year it's been! During the next four weeks work especially with your scholar to spend extra time on homework in order to finish the year strong. 

As we continue in the liturgical year of Easter celebration, what a blessing to share in the Sacrament of Confirmation with our 8th grade scholars and families, even if it was remotely. They have taken the next step with the Sacrament of Confirmation and are now "sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and strengthened for service to Christ." (US Bishops) Congratulations!
 
SENIOR PARENTS: What precious weeks and events are yet to occur in May. These memories will be seared into your mind, capturing your heart. Take time off, plan quiet time together, and treasure this final time. Know that I am praying for you and honored to share this time with you. Reminders of events and times will be sent out.

SUMMER PROGRAMMING: This summer we will offer summer sports camps, Robotics and Arts programs, see below. In addition, for some upper classmen who have missed a credit in a class, we will be offering credit recovery this summer. Students will be contacted regarding this option. Take advantage of extending learning this summer to support your scholar!

UPCOMING EVENTS:
NATIONAL TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK - May 3-7th! Send cards, write a note, share your thankfulness for all of the efforts of our teaching staff this next week! It's been an incredible year and they deserve our greatest appreciation.

• May 1: Prom Grand March, 5pm, watch live here
• May 3-7th: National Teacher Appreciation Week
• May 4: AP Calculus BC Exam
• May 5: AP English Literature Exam
• May 5: Choir and Band Concert, 6 & 7 p.m. Limited attendance but join us online via our YouTube channel or FaceBook page!
• May 6: Avant Spanish Test
• May 7: HS Mass; AP European History exam
• May 12: School Nurse Appreication Day

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• 2021-22 Financial Aid Update: We are working on financial aid. Students must be enrolled for next year for aid to be allocated. Contact Kris Sauer if you have questions or need assistance completing enrollment and/or responding to information requests from TADS.

FUNDRAISER UPDATES
BA Annual Fund: THANK YOU! We continue to close the gap and are 99% toward our goal of $250,000. Keep sharing the good news!

BABS Fund-A-Need (FAN): Thank you! We have raised enough through the FAN to add needed security cameras and purchase 12 new interactive SMART Boards for our classrooms. Help us get to 18 SMART boards-donate to the FAN here.  

FINISHING THE YEAR STRONG/COVID UPDATES: As we approach the end of the school year, we ask your assistance in remaining vigilant in upholding COVID safety protocols. Please help us keep students healthy and in school the rest of the year. Remember-

• Stay home if sick; contact the attendance line with info & symptoms;
• We encourage testing OFTEN! See links below. It is encouraged that your student test every two weeks.
• If your student or member of your household is getting tested for COVID due to exposure or symptoms, stay home and isolate until you receive and provide a copy of test results to the office.
• Consistently wear a mask, continue to social distance from others - and please ask your students to do so as well especially when not in our building and limit social gatherings.

At this time, we have no new positive cases among school students and/or staff and no one is quarantining. We will continue to follow safety protocols including spacing, mask wearing, ventilation and cleaning as well as the 10 day quarantine. Please see links to additional COVID resources below:

• MDH Home Screening Tool for COVID Symptoms
• Rice County COVID-19 Testing Resources
• Rice County COVID-19 Vaccine Information
• Rice County Free Mental Health Resources

Please pray: For Ella Banon, younger sister to BA 8th grader Barak Barner who is dealing with cancer; families suffering loss of a child in recent accidents; students who have been injured and are recovering; and I welcome continued prayers as well for my healing.

Mindy Reeder
President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org

ALL-BA UPDATES
Band/Choir Spring Concert May 5
The Spring Concert will be held in Van Orsow Auditorium. Choir begins at 6pm, Band at 7pm. Tickets will be distributed as they were for the winter concert and the event will be streamed live on our YouTube channel or FaceBook Page.

Merit-Based Hoban Scholarship Applications Available
Students in grades 8 through 11 are invited to apply for the John E. and Lucille M. Hoban Merit Based Scholarship. Students are required to write a two-part essay and must be a student in good standing with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The 2021-2022 application is attached. The deadline for submission is Monday, May 10, 2021.

Order your 2020-2021 YEARBOOK
Have you ordered a yearbook for the 2020-2021 school year? May 29 is the deadline to purchase a school yearbook! Cost is $65. Order yours today - see the attached form or order online here. Contact Mr. Zabel if you have any questions. 

Adult 2021 Summer Employment Opportunity
Bethlehem Academy is looking for an energetic adult to help supervise the summer student work program. This student supervisor will work with the students under the direction of the BA maintenance team. The position runs from June 7 to  August 13 from 8am-2:30pm with a half hour lunch break. Pay is $12/hour.  Contact Steve Zabel at 334-3948 ext. 220 or by email if you or anyone you know may be interested. Position is flexible and may be shared. Deadline to apply is May 21. 

Counseling Support: We have learned of a suicide challenges circling social media on TikTok, Twitter and other sites. It involves encouraging teens to engage in "blue whale" and chapstick suicide challenges. Please be sure to talk with your child and be aware of their social media use and accounts. Here are other resources:

Home Track Meet Help
Bethlehem Academy is hosting a home track meet on Tuesday, May 11.  We are in need of volunteers for these events. Please contact Ed Friesen or Brent Zabel if you are willing to help with either of these duties.

Fair Stand Manager Needed
BA parent team sought to run the BA Cardinal Cafe fair stand July 21-25, 2021, at the Rice County Fair. Tuition reduction and training from the retiring managers provided. Contact Kris Sauer for more information.

Summer Camps @ BA!
BA will be hosting a number of camps this summer, including robotics and sports camps. Click here for information and registration forms for all our summer camps.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

SENIORS: Mary Ceremony Slide Show photos wanted

A note from Mr. Zabel: It is hard to believe that we are already preparing for our Mary Ceremony. We are so proud of the accomplishments our Seniors have achieved over the years. Seniors in Multimedia are currently working on creating a senior slide show that will be presented during the Mary Ceremony. We invite you to drop some photos of memories throughout their years growing up at this link. Students are using photos from this folder for the senior slide show. Please keep in mind we have to limit the video and will not be able to use ALL of the pictures you may put in this folder. Thanks again for helping us capture these memories of your graduates!

SENIORS: Faribault Daily News Graduation Section-May 6 Deadline
The Faribault Daily News will again publish its annual special section featuring area high school graduates. There is also a special online version where seniors can create and personalize a page of their own to share with friends and family. Graduates or their parents may submit a photo (at least 1MB, vertical and preferably pictured from the waist up) and information on the Daily News website at bit.ly/3t6yEL3. It is free; the deadline for graduate submissions is May 6. For more information, contact Regional Managing Editor Suzanne Rook at 507-333-3134 or editor@faribault.com.

SENIORS: Post-Graduate Info Needed
Ms. Rogers sent seniors a Naviance survey this week for information on their post-secondary plans. The survey is required regardless of whether they are undecided, attending 2 or 4 year school, going straight to a career, into the military, anything!! Survey deadline is May 13. Failure to fill out this survey by Thursday, May 13th, means your student is not guaranteed to be in the graduation program.

SENIORS: Grad Party List
A reminder to please email Class of 2021 grad party details (date, time, location, menu) to Barb Johnson for the master class grad party list.  

JUNIORS: Upcoming ACT Test Dates
Register here! for the June 12 exam (sign up deadline: May 7; late signup deadline: May 21). 

DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH (DMCC) & SCHOOL (DMCS) UPDATES

Sacred Relics of the Saints: Treasures of the Church, May 10 @ DMCC
Divine Mercy Catholic Church presents a teaching and exposition of Sacred Relics on Monday, May 10 at 6:30pm. See attached flyer. Fr. Carlos Martins of the Companions of the Cross will be here with an extraordinary Vatican collection of over 150 relics, some as old as 2000 years. The Church of St. Dominic in Northfield will present the same program on Saturday, May 15, at 6:00 pm.

Spring Break 2022 Guatemala Trip
Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 Spring Break Mission Retreat to Guatemala. Deadline to apply is May 1st. Click here for more information. 

JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Faribault Golf Course: Kitchen Workers
Faribault Golf Course is seeking 3 part-time line cooks (1-2+ years’ experience) to start the golf season. Pay depends on experience and availability. Call or send resumes to Chef Patty LeBeau at chefpattylabeau@gmail.com or call 612-701-7190.
 

ATTACHMENTS
2021-2022 BA/DMCS School Calendar
Hoban Scholarship 2021 Application
Yearbook Order Form
Sacred Relics DMCC May 10 

Family Focus 4/23/2021

04/28/2021

Kris Sauer

April 2021

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April 23, 2021

Dear BA Families:
As I write this newsletter on Thursday, sunshine streams into the windows of my home where I continue to recover. As was previously shared, my surgery was successful and additional bone and CT scans did not show any spread of the cancer past my lymph nodes. I am thankful for your prayers and support and will be able to join students, families and staff remotely for the next few weeks.

I was saddened to learn about students connected to our school who have been injured or passed away during these past few weeks. We are thankful for our counselor and your partnership as we support our students during these times. Please continue to reach out to Ms. Rogers or other staff for any emotional needs this spring.

Staff Announcements!
New Band Director Hired: We are excited to announce that Mr. Edward Wendt, Jr. will be joining Bethlehem Academy as our new band director. He will be replacing Mr. Scot Gardner, Bethlehem Academy’s band (and occasional choir) teacher of 44 years. Mr. Wendt comes from the Totino-Grace Fine Arts Academy, where he taught various music groups, and Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Winsted where he instructed high school band and other various groups and ensembles. Please join us as we welcome him into the BA family.

Retirement Announcement: After 33 years, Eileen Kriechbaum has also announced her decision to retire. Her love of the Spanish language and culture has inspired 100s of BA students to continue in their Spanish studies beyond high school. We will miss her energy and love as she transitions to retirement. 

Retirement Celebrations: With three dedicated staff retiring this spring, including Tracy Meschke, Eileen Kriechbaum, and Scot Gardner (details below for Mr. Gardner), watch for additional details later this spring to join BA in honoring all three staff as they leave a legacy for all to follow at BA.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• April 26-28: MS MAP Testing - see below
• April 26-30: Prom Dress Down Days
  • Monday, April 26 - Beach Day
  • Tuesday, April 27- Neon Day 
  • Wednesday, April 28- America Day 
  • Thursday, April 29- Jersey Day
  • Friday, April 30- Prep day (MS students must be in Mass-appropriate clothes
• April 29: Student of the Month, 7:30am in the Gym / ACT Aspire 9th grade makeup test day
• April 30: Middle School Mass Day 
• May 1: Prom 2021, Grand March streamed live on our YouTube channel here
• May 4: AP Calculus BC Exam
• May 5: AP English Literature Exam
• May 5: Band and Choir Concert, 6 & 7 p.m. Limited attendance but join us online via our YouTube channel!
• May 6: Avant Spanish Test
• May 7: AP European History exam

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• 2021-22 Financial Aid Update: We are working on financial aid. Students must be enrolled for next year for aid to be allocated.Contact Kris Sauer if you have questions or need assistance completing enrollment and/or responding to information requests from TADS.
• 2021-2022 School Calendar: copy attached

FUNDRAISER UPDATES
BA Annual Fund: THANK YOU! We continue to close the gap! As of today we have received $246,996 in gifts, 99% toward our goal of $250,000. Keep sharing the good news.

BABS Fund-A-Need (FAN): Thank you! We have raised enough through the FAN to add needed security cameras and purchase 11 new interactive SMART Boards for our classrooms. Help us get to 18 SMART boards-donate to the FAN here.  

FINISHING THE YEAR STRONG/COVID UPDATES: As we approach the end of the school year, we ask your assistance in remaining vigilant in upholding COVID safety protocols. We've seen an uptick in students and family members who have been asymptomatic but tested positive for COVID, and numbers in Rice County continue to climb as COVID variants take hold. Please help us keep students healthy and in school the rest of the year. Remember-

• Vaccinations now available for students 16 or older! See link below.
• Stay home if sick; contact the attendance line with info & symptoms;
• We encourage testing OFTEN! See links below. It is encouraged that your student test every two weeks.
• If your student or member of your household is getting tested for COVID due to exposure or symptoms, your student should stay home and isolate until you receive and provide a copy of test results to the office.
• Consistently wear a mask, continue to social distance from others - and please ask your students to do so as well especially when not in our building and limit social gatherings.

At this time, we have no new positive cases among school students and/or staff. Any confirmed or exposed school members are quarantined. All interested staff have received the vaccine. We will continue to follow safety protocols including spacing, mask wearing, ventilation and cleaning as well as the 10 day quarantine. Please see links to additional COVID resources below:

• MDH Home Screening Tool for COVID Symptoms
• Rice County COVID-19 Testing Resources
• Rice County COVID-19 Vaccine Information
• Rice County Free Mental Health Resources

Please pray: For Ella Banon, younger sister to BA 8th grader Barak Barner who is dealing with cancer; families suffering loss of a child in recent accidents; students who have been injured and are recovering; and I welcome continued prayers as well for my healing.

Mindy Reeder
President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org

ALL-BA UPDATES
Counseling Support: We have learned of a suicide challenges circling social media on TikTok, Twitter and other sites. It involves encouraging teens to engage in "blue whale" and chapstick suicide challenges. Please be sure to talk with your child and be aware of their social media use and accounts. Here are other resources:

Merit-Based Hoban Scholarship Applications Available
Students in grades 8 through 11 are invited to apply for the John E. and Lucille M. Hoban Merit Based Scholarship. Students are required to write a two-part essay and must be a student in good standing with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The 2021-2022 application is attached. The deadline for submission is Monday, May 10, 2021.

Order your 2020-2021 YEARBOOK
Have you ordered a yearbook for the 2020-2021 school year? May 29 is the deadline to purchase a school yearbook! Cost is $65. Order yours today - see the attached form or order online here. Contact Mr. Zabel if you have any questions. 

Adult 2021 Summer Employment Opportunity
Bethlehem Academy is looking for an energetic adult to help supervise the summer student work program. This student supervisor will work with the students under the direction of the BA maintenance team. The position runs from June 7 to  August 13 from 8am-2:30pm with a half hour lunch break. Pay is $12/hour.  Contact Steve Zabel at 334-3948 ext. 220 or by email if you or anyone you know may be interested. Position is flexible and may be shared. Deadline to apply is May 21. 

Lilly O’Donnell Memorial Service April 30
There will be a memorial candle vigil for Lilly O’Donnell on Friday, April 30, 8:30pm at the Northfield High School football field. Please wear a mask if you plan to attend.

Band/Choir Spring Concert May 5
The Spring Concert will be held in Van Orsow Auditorium. Choir begins at 6pm, Band at 7pm. Tickets will be distributed as they were for the winter concert and the event will be streamed live on our YouTube channel. Additional information will be provided by Mrs. Kratt and Mr. Gardner.

Online School Store Now Open! 
BA facemasks, car clings and **NEW** polos are now available for purchase on our online school store. Also available are BABS fixed priced items, including wrought iron planters and messenger bags. Click here to purchase these great items! 

BASEBALL APPAREL - Click HERE to order by this Saturday, April 24.

Home Track Meet Help
Bethlehem Academy is hosting home track meets on Thursday, April 29 and Tuesday, May 11.  We are in need of 2 more volunteers for these events:

• Public Address Announcer - follow a script to announce upcoming races and possible announce results as they become available
• Starter's Assistant - assist in getting race results and getting next race participants ready.

Parent Volunteers for Mr. Gardner Open House June 12
Calling all band parents/guardians! Scot Gardner has served Bethlehem Academy as the band director for 44 years. During his tenure, he has touched the lives of thousands of students, building their confidence, inspiring them with his love of music, and inviting them to strive for excellence both in their music and in life. To celebrate Scot, Cassie Kratt is seeking parents volunteers to help plan a retirement open house to be held at BA on Saturday, June 12. Please email Cassie if you are interested in honoring Scot in this special way. Thank you! 

Fair Stand Manager Needed
BA parent team sought to run the BA Cardinal Cafe fair stand July 21-25, 2021, at the Rice County Fair. Tuition reduction and training from the retiring managers provided. Contact Kris Sauer for more information.

Summer Football and Girls Basketball & Volleyball Camps 
BA will be hosting a number of camps this summer. Football camps are open to students in Grades 4-12, with a passing camp open to varsity players. Girls basketball and volleyball camps are open to girls in grades 2-8. Click here for information on all our summer sports camps.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

The ACT ASPIRE make up test for 9^th grade students is next Thursday, April 29. Students will be contacted individually at school to attend the make-up session. ACT has informed us that we will have test scores sometime in July.  To learn more about the test, visit www.act.org/actaspire.

JUNIORS: Upcoming ACT Test Dates
Register here! for the June 12 exam (sign up deadline: May 7; late signup deadline: May 21). 

SENIORS: Faribault Sertoma Club Scholarship
The Faribault Sertoma Club is offering two $1500 scholarships for post secondary education. The recipients of the scholarships will best personify Sertoma's motto, "Service to Mankind". Deadline is April 30. 

SENIORS: Grad Party List
A reminder to please email Class of 2021 grad party details (date, time, location, menu) to Barb Johnson for the master class grad party list.  

SENIORS: Faribault Daily News Graduation Section-May 6 Deadline
The Faribault Daily News will again publish its annual special section featuring area high school graduates. There is also a special online version where seniors can create and personalize a page of their own to share with friends and family. Graduates or their parents may submit a photo (at least 1MB, vertical and preferably pictured from the waist up) and information on the Daily News website at bit.ly/3t6yEL3. It is free; the deadline for graduate submissions is May 6. For more information, contact Regional Managing Editor Suzanne Rook at 507-333-3134 or editor@faribault.com.

MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES

Grade 6-8 MAP Testing April 26-28
Middle school students will spend 2 periods daily next Monday through Wednesday (April 26-28) in MAP testing in math, reading, science and language. Please be sure your student gets a good night’s sleep and is well rested for these exams.

DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH (DMCC) & SCHOOL (DMCS) UPDATES

Sacred Relics of the Saints: Treasures of the Church, May 10 @ DMCC
Divine Mercy Catholic Church presents a teaching and exposition of Sacred Relics on Monday, May 10 at 6:30pm. See attached flyer. Fr. Carlos Martins of the Companions of the Cross will be here with an extraordinary Vatican collection of over 150 relics, some as old as 2000 years. The Church of St. Dominic in Northfield will present the same program on Saturday, May 15, at 6:00 pm.

Spring Break 2022 Guatemala Trip
Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 Spring Break Mission Retreat to Guatemala. Deadline to apply is May 1st. Click here for more information. 

JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Faribault Golf Course: Kitchen Workers
Faribault Golf Course is seeking 3 part-time line cooks (1-2+ years’ experience) to start the golf season. Pay depends on experience and availability. Call or send resumes to Chef Patty LeBeau at chefpattylabeau@gmail.com or call 612-701-7190.

Tri-Star Manufacturing: Assembly Work
Student workers sought for summer assembly work at Tri-Star Manufacturing in Kasson. Contact Peggy Sheldon at 507-331-4347 if interested.
 

ATTACHMENTS
2021-2022 BA/DMCS School Calendar
Hoban Scholarship 2021 Application
Yearbook Order Form
Sacred Relics DMCC May 10 

Family Focus 4/16/2021

04/20/2021

Kris Sauer

April 2021

Leave a comment

April 16, 2021

Dear BA Families:

I am pleased to report that Mrs. Reeder's surgery went well and she is resting at home. Your continued prayers for her recovery are greatly appreciated.

BABS 2021 - DENIM & DIAMONDS THANK YOU! Thank you to all the donors, supporters, participants, and volunteers who made BABS 2021 a success! I am pleased to report that so far BABS has brought in $102,886, including $45,916 from the auctions, raffles, and games and $56,970 for our Fund-A-Need (FAN). That is enough in FAN donations to purchase all needed security cameras and 11 new SMART Boards for our classrooms. Our goal is to raise enough to purchase SMART Boards for all 18 of our classrooms. You can watch the video here and donate directly to this year's Fund-A-Need here. Please help if you can, and thank you for helping us raise the dollars needed to continue to empower our students and staff to achieve personal, spiritual, and academic excellence here at Bethlehem Academy!

Upcoming schedule: 

• April 21: Administrative Professional Day - say thank you to our front office staff!
• April 23: HS Mass Day
• April 26-28: MS MAP Testing
• May 1: Prom 2021

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• 2021-22 Financial Aid Update: We will be working on financial awards in the next few weeks. Students must be enrolled for next year for aid to be allocated. If you haven't already, please complete enrollment in FACTS and respond to any emails from TADS requesting financial aid application documents or additional information, as we cannot review/assess incomplete applications. Contact Kris Sauer if you have questions or need assistance with this process. 
• Earn Tuition Credit - Summer Student Workers Needed: We still have openings in our summer student work program. Students are guaranteed 2 weeks of work and all earnings are credited towards tuition. Contact Barb Johnson to sign up. 

FUNDRAISER UPDATES
BA Annual Fund: THANK YOU-what a blessing! We are at $246,878. 98.7% of our goal of $250,000. Gifts to the annual fund can be sent through June 30, 2021 - perhaps we will surpass our goal thanks to prayers and support this year!

FINISHING THE YEAR STRONG/COVID UPDATES: As we approach the end of the school year, we ask your assistance in remaining vigilant in upholding COVID safety protocols. We've seen an uptick in students and family members who have been asymptomatic but tested postive for COVID, and numbers in Rice County are also going up as COVID variants take hold. Please help us keep students healthy and in school the rest of the year by:

• Staying home if sick; contact the attendance line with info & symptoms;
• If your student or member of your household is getting tested for COVID, your student should stay home and isolate until you receive and provide a copy of test results to the office;
• Consistently wear a mask, continue to social distance from others - and please ask your students to do so as well.

At this time, we have 1 positive case among school students and/or staff. Any confirmed or exposed school members are quarantined. All interested staff have received the vaccine. We will continue to follow safety protocols including spacing, mask wearing, ventilation and cleaning as well as the 10 day quarantine. Please see links to additional COVID resources below:

• MDH Home Screening Tool for COVID Symptoms
• Rice County COVID-19 Testing Resources
• Rice County COVID-19 Vaccine Information
• Rice County Free Mental Health Resources

Please pray: For Mrs. Reeder and all members of our community dealing with cancer, including Ella Banon, younger sister to BA 8th grader Barak Barner.

John Wollershim, Assistant Principal
jwollersheim@bacards.org

ALL-BA UPDATES
Parents Volunteers Sought for Mr. Gardner Open House
Calling all band parents/guardians! Scot Gardner has served Bethlehem Academy as the band director for 44 years. During his tenure, he has touched the lives of thousands of students, building their confidence, inspiring them with his love of music, and inviting them to strive for excellence both in their music and in life. To celebrate Scot, Cassie Kratt is seeking parents volunteers to help plan a retirement open house during the early summer of 2021. Please email cricker@bacards.org if you are interested in honoring Scot in this special way. Thank you! 

School Store!
Need BA facemasks or car clings? Missed out on buying the cool wrought iron planters on our BABS silent auction?!? We've set up an online school store for these items and more! Click here to purchase these great items! Coming soon: BA polo shirts!

Fair Stand Manager Needed
BA parent team sought to run the BA Cardinal Cafe fair stand July 21-25, 2021, at the Rice County Fair. Tuition reduction and training from the retiring managers provided. Contact Kris Sauer for more information.

Student Summer Workers NEEDED!! 
Our summer student work program is back! Interested high school students (grades 9-12 in 2021-22) are encouraged to apply. Please call the BA office @ 334-3948 or email Barb Johnson with the names of your students. Students are guaranteed 2 weeks and will work at both BA & DMCS under the direction of Head Custodian Steve Zabel. Hired students may be asked to work additional weeks. The hourly wage is $8.21/hour. All earnings will be credited to their tuition account. 

Summer Football and Girls Basketball & Volleyball Camps 
BA will be hosting a number of camps this summer. Football camps are open to students in Grades 4-12, with a passing camp open to varsity players. Girls basketball and volleyball camps are open to girls in grades 2-8. Click here for information on all our summer sports camps.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

GRADE 10/11: PSEO Update
PSEO Student Registration: Deadline May 31st, no exceptions. More information about what PSEO is can be found here on the BA website. If your student is interested in PSEO, they must set up an appointment with Ms. Rogers to discuss their options; apply to their selected college’s PSEO program; email Ms. Rogers a completed Notice of Student Registration form and a transcript request, OR meet with Ms. Rogers a second time. If emailed, must be sent before noon on 05/31.

JUNIORS: Upcoming ACT Test Dates
Register here! for the June 12 exam (sign up deadline: May 7; late signup deadline: May 21). 

College Visit Info
Virtual College Night Event Week of April 19
BA Students have been invited to a Virtual college night event! With the ongoing challenges of holding in-person College Fairs, the school/college counseling staff from Catholic high schools in the metro area have teamed up to deliver exciting programming for students and families the week of April 19, 2021. These events will include live, virtual sessions with admission representatives from a variety of colleges and universities with a different theme each night. Sessions will begin at 6:30 p.m. with recordings available later. Registration for these events is free, yet necessary to secure a spot, due to limited capacity. 

SENIORS: Faribault Sertoma Club Scholarship
The Faribault Sertoma Club is offering two $1500 scholarships for post secondary education. The recipients of the scholarships will best personify Sertoma's motto, "Service to Mankind". Deadline is April 30. 

SENIORS: Grad Party List
A reminder to please email Class of 2021 grad party details (date, time, location, menu) to Barb Johnson for the master class grad party list.  

SENIORS: Faribault Daily News Graduation Section-May 6 Deadline
The Faribault Daily News will again publish its annual special section featuring area high school graduates. There is also a special online version where seniors can create and personalize a page of their own to share with friends and family. Graduates or their parents may submit a photo (at least 1MB, vertical and preferably pictured from the waist up) and information on the Daily News website at bit.ly/3t6yEL3. It is free; the deadline for graduate submissions is May 6. For more information, contact Regional Managing Editor Suzanne Rook at 507-333-3134 or editor@faribault.com.

DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH (DMCC) & SCHOOL (DMCS) UPDATES

Guatemala Mission Trip Info Night April 19
Interested high school students and their parents should plan to attend this introductory session held April 19 at 6pm in the St. Faustina Commons. Email Anna at ablessing@divinemercy.cc with questions.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Faribault Golf Course: Kitchen Workers
Faribault Golf Course is seeking 3 part-time line cooks (1-2+ years’ experience) to start the golf season. Pay depends on experience and availability. Call or send resumes to Chef Patty LeBeau at chefpattylabeau@gmail.com or call 612-701-7190.

Tri-Star Manufacturing: Assembly Work
Student workers sought for summer assembly work at Tri-Star Manufacturing in Kasson. Contact Peggy Sheldon at 507-331-4347 if interested.
 

ATTACHMENTS
AP Exam Dates & Information

Family Focus April 9, 2021

04/16/2021

Kris Sauer

April 2021

Leave a comment

Dear BA Families:

I am pleased to report that Mrs. Reeder's surgery went well and she is resting at home. Your continued prayers for her recovery is greatly appreciated.

JOIN US VIRTUALLY OR IN PERSON: BABS - DENIM & DIAMONDS, is TOMORROW, April 10! We look forward to seeing many of you at BABS tomorrow night for our in-person event. For those not able to attend, we encourage you to support this great event virtually! The Silent Auction is open and features many wonderful items. Place your bids through Sunday, April 11 at 2pm here.  Our Live Auction will be live streamed on both our Facebook page and our YouTube channel. You can donate directly to this year's Fund-A-Need here. Please help if you can! 

Upcoming schedule: 

• April 10: BABS Denim & Diamonds, find info here
• April 12: Grade 10 ASPIRE test (NEW DATE); last day to purchse Prom tickets
• April 14: Grade 9 ASPIRE test (NEW DATE)
• April 21: Administrative Professional Day - say thank you to our front office staff!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• 2021-22 Financial Aid Update: We will be working on financial awards in the next few weeks. Students must be enrolled for next year for aid to be allocated. If you haven't already, please complete enrollment in FACTS and respond to any emails from TADS requesting financial aid application documents or additional information, as we cannot review/assess incomplete applications. Contact Kris Sauer if you have questions or need assistance with this process. 
• Earn Tuition Credit - Summer Student Workers Needed: We still have openings in our summer student work program. Students are guaranteed 2 weeks of work and all earnings are credited towards tuition. Contact Barb Johnson to sign up. 

FUNDRAISER UPDATES
BA Annual Fund: THANK YOU-what a blessing! We are at $246,038 - 98% of our goal of $250,000. Gifts to the annual fund can be sent through June 30, 2021 - perhaps we will surpass our goal thanks to prayers and support this year!

FINISHING THE YEAR STRONG/COVID UPDATES: As we approach the end of the school year, we ask your assistance in remaining vigilant in upholding COVID safety protocols. We've seen an uptick in students and family members who have been asymptomatic but tested postive for COVID, and numbers in Rice County are going up as well as COVID variants take hold. Please help us keep students healthy and in school the rest of the year by:

• Staying home if sick; contact the attendance line with info & symptoms;
• If COVID testing, stay home and isolate until you receive and provide a copy of test results to the office;
• Consistently wear a mask, continue to social distance from others - and ask your students to do so as well.

At this time, we have 1 positive case among school students and/or staff. Any confirmed or exposed school members are quarantined. All interested staff have received the vaccine. We will continue to follow safety protocols including spacing, mask wearing, ventilation and cleaning as well as the 10 day quarantine. Please see links to additional COVID resources below:

• Updated Quarantine Guidance for Vaccinated Persons
• COVID-19 Testing for Kids and Families
• COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Expanded to all Minnesotans 16+
• Visit MDH COVID-19 Vaccine Website
• MDH Travel Updates

• Rice County Free Mental Health Resources

Please pray: For the O'Donnell family, who lost Lilly (former BA classmate of our junior class) to a tragic car accident last weekend; Ella Banon, younger sister to BA 8th grader Barak Barner; and Mrs. Reeder as she recovers from surgery.

John Wollershim, Assistant Principal
jwollersheim@bacards.org

ALL-BA UPDATES

Spring Sports
Spring sport activity fees may be paid online or by sending a check to the school office.  The activity fee for baseball, fastpitch softball, golf and track & field is $135 per participant.  The $165 fee for trap shooting may also be paid online or by sending a check to the school office.

Student Summer Workers NEEDED!! Sign Up By April 6
Our summer student work program is back! Interested high school students (grades 9-12 in 2021-22) are encouraged to apply. Please call the BA office @ 334-3948 or email Barb Johnson with the names of your students. Students are guaranteed 2 weeks and will work at both BA & DMCS under the direction of Head Custodian Steve Zabel. Hired students may be asked to work additional weeks. The hourly wage is $8.21/hour. All earnings will be credited to their tuition account. 

Summer Football and Girls Basketball Camps Registration Now Open
BA will be hosting a number of camps this summer. Football camps are open to students in Grades 4-12, with a passing camp open to varsity players. Girls basketball camps are open to girls in grades 2-8. See attached flyers for more information. 

Face masks and BA Car Clings Available for Sale
We are now selling BA face masks and car clings in the BA Front Office! Click here for more information. Send in payment (cash or check made out to BA) with your order to Tammy in the front office or email Tammy with any questions. 

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

Dear Parents: Navigating College Admissions-April 13 Virtual Event
Sponsored by the MN Independent School Forum, BA parents are invited to attend this free 6:30pm April 13 virtual event. In his book, Dear Parents (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2018), Jon McGee, Head of School at Saint John’s Preparatory School in Collegeville, MN, offered parents of college-bound students a road map for navigating the complex and often emotional challenge of preparing themselves and their children for college. The parent of four children (one college graduate, two currently in college, and one still in high school), McGee will offer insights and guidance drawn from years of personal and professional experience about college, college preparation, and college choice at the various stages of our children’s lives. Click here to sign up for this FREE event.

GRADE 10/11: PSEO Update
PSEO Student Registration: Deadline May 31st, no exceptions. More information about what PSEO is can be found here on the BA website. If your student is interested in PSEO, they must set up an appointment with Ms. Rogers to discuss their options; apply to their selected college’s PSEO program; email Ms. Rogers a completed Notice of Student Registration form and a transcript request, OR meet with Ms. Rogers a second time. If emailed, must be sent before noon on 05/31.

JUNIORS: Upcoming ACT Test Dates
Register here! for the June 12 exam (sign up deadline: May 7; late signup deadline: May 21). 

College Visit Info

Virtual College Night Event Week of April 19
BA Students have been invited to a Virtual college night event! With the ongoing challenges of holding in-person College Fairs, the school/college counseling staff from Catholic high schools in the metro area have teamed up to deliver exciting programming for students and families the week of April 19, 2021. These events will include live, virtual sessions with admission representatives from a variety of colleges and universities with a different theme each night. Sessions will begin at 6:30 p.m. with recordings available later. Registration for these events is free, yet necessary to secure a spot, due to limited capacity. 

SENIORS: Faribault Sertoma Club Scholarship
The Faribault Sertoma Club is offering two $1500 scholarships for post secondary education. The recipients of the scholarships will best personify Sertoma's motto, "Service to Mankind". Deadline is April 30. 

SENIORS: Open Campus
Open campus for seniors in good standing begins today and is offered every  Friday through April 30. Daily open campus begins Monday, May 3rd. Seniors may only leave campus during a scheduled lunch or study hall. Signed parent permission is required and students must sign in and out in the front office. 

SENIORS: Grad Party List
A reminder to please email Class of 2021 grad party details (date, time, location, menu) to Barb Johnson for the master class list.  

DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH (DMCC) & SCHOOL (DMCS) UPDATES

Guatemala Mission Trip Info Night April 19
Interested high school students and their parents should plan to attend this introductory session held April 19 at 6pm in the St. Faustina Commons. Email Anna at ablessing@divinemercy.cc with questions.
 

ATTACHMENTS
Football Passing Camp (Varsity)
Football Summer Camp (Grades 4-12)
Girls Basketball Summer Camp (Grades 2-8)