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HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

Juniors Register by Feb 19 for FREE ACT Science Prep Class Feb 24
Mrs. Cathy Guth is offering a FREE ACT science seminar Wed, Feb 24, from 8am-12pm. The session will be held at BA (it's a non-class WIN day). The ACT prep book will be provided. Mrs. Guth will focus on science concepts and skills and test taking and pacing strategies for the ACT test. Students will also take a practice science test. Interested juniors should email Mrs. Rogers by Feb 19 at 3pm if they wish to attend this FREE course.

Virtual Drivers Training Sessions this Spring
Cannon River Driving School is offering 3 virtual classroom drivers training sessions this spring. Sessions start Feb 22, March 15, and April 5. See attached flyer for more information and to sign up.

Current 10th & 11th Grade Students: PSEO for Fall 2021
Students interested in taking PSEO courses at South Central or other colleges and universities must discuss this option with the counselor before February 22. Please note that many schools have deadlines as early as the beginning of April. FAQs about PSEO can be found here on the Counselor's Corner page on the BA website. If you have any questions concerning PSEO, please email Ms. Rogers.

SENIORS:

Please update all of your application decisions and information on Naviance as you hear results so that we know your options, plans, and how Ms. Rogers can help assist you with next steps!

College Scholarship Opportunities
There are several national and local scholarships available with deadlines in March, including the Schulze Family Foundation Scholarship, Tri-Lakes Sportsman’s Club Scholarship, Faribo 4 Kids Thomas Laughlin Scholarship, Allina Health Orthopedics Sports Medicine Scholarship, and the Steele-Waseca Electric Coop College Scholarship. Have your students check the Scholarships section of Naviance (find video here; find Naviance information on our web page here) or email Ms. Rogers to find out more.

MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES

AIM Higher K-8 Scholarship
The Aim Higher Scholarship is a $1,000, student-based scholarship awarded to K-8 students from families with demonstrated need. This year's application deadline is February 20, 2021. Application is via the online TADS financial aid form found here. Click here to find more information via the English flyer and the Spanish flyer.

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

Tuition Reduction Incentive Program (TRIP)
Earn credit by using Scrip. It's easy! Just use Scrip gift cards for your everyday purchases instead of paying with cash, check or credit card! TRIP Statements will be sent to BA families next week. If you have any questions please contact Peggy Johnson at pjohnson@dmc.cc or (507) 334-7706 ext: 2204.

DMCS Annual Catholic United Financial Raffle to Feb 28
Divine Mercy Catholic School students are selling $5 raffle tickets through Feb 28. Order tickets on their website or contact the school at 507-334-7706 if interested. Thank you for your support of our Catholic schools!

Synod at Home: 2021 Series for Lent Feb 18-March 18
The Synod at Home series takes helpful videos, tip and tools for growing in faith and pairs them with family- friendly activities. Register online. See attached flyer for more information.

WOMEN'S LENTEN SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITY
Set a Fire is our “Blessed is She” reflection book for your Lenten journey this year. We believe every woman can fully live her life when she’s guided by the Holy Spirit. Divine Mercy Catholic Church is offering several in-person and online small group options. It is free to participate in the small groups; purchasing the book is strongly encouraged. There is an option on the form to purchase a book through us to save on shipping. Small groups start the week after Ash Wednesday (Feb 17). See the registration form for information on times and locations. Visit www.divinemercy.cc/setafire for more information.

Middle School Edge/High School Youth Group
Middle School EDGE & High School Youth Group is open to all BA families. This is another great opportunity for your students to gather with others that want to grow in their faith and to enhance what they are learning in the classroom. Registration is required for both. Visit www.divinemercy.cc/faith-formation for more information.

COMMUNITY UPDATES

JO Volleyball, Gr 4-11 Sign Up
The Faribault Reds Volleyball Program is currently in the process of developing a plan for a JO Volleyball Season. All girls in grades 4-11 interested in participating are welcome! We do not have dates set at this time, but would be looking at mid-late February or early March for a start-up. Many play dates (especially for high school level athletes) would take place on Sundays as Saturdays may currently be used by winter sports teams for make-up games as needed. Please fill out the Google form at this link for each player in your household that would be interested in playing. Please email Chris Bothun at bothunchristine@gmail.com with any questions or for more information.

ATTACHMENTS

*Easter Plant Fundraiser Order Form
*Cannon River Driving School Registration Form
*Synod 2021: At Home Series for Lent

Family Focus 2/5/2021

03/05/2021 author

Kris Sauer category

2020-21, February 2021

Leave a comment

Dear BA Families:

Happy Catholic Schools' Week (CSW) 2021! This week began with Mass and continued as our scholars celebrated, supported causes, and shared talents as well as time with DMCS buddies during our CSW activities. During the dark winter months and accumulating snow, this week always lifts spirits! Congratulations to our 2021 SnoBall Queen, Abby Larson, who we crowned in a special ceremony Friday afternoon. A special thank you to our parents, our staff, and our students for their help in creating such a special week! Watch videos of our Talent Show and Coronation events on BA’s YouTube channel.

THANK YOU! The BA Home & School Association says farewell to two amazing parents who gave countless hours to the school over the last few years as Home & School officers. A HUGE THANK YOU to Jane Hillesheim and Michelle Jasinski for supporting students and staff with gifts, meals, and special recognition. We are forever grateful! A special welcome to new parent team, Chandra Wray-Raabolle and Susan McCabe as they step into their new role as officers. They will be reaching out with an email to gain more parent support in the months ahead!

DO YOU WANT FLOWERS? Check out the annual BA Activities Association flower sale to brighten up your home! Please help reach out to your extended families, co-workers, friends and neighbors to see if they are interested purchasing a little spring “pick me up” to help brighten their day this upcoming Easter. Orders are due to the BA front office Feb 24. An order form is attached or can be found online here.

BABS - Our pace for BABS is beginning to pick up and we are looking for amazing donations for our Silent and Live Auction. If you are willing to make a donation or have insight into a fantastic connection, please email us at or . THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS!

Schedule for the upcoming three weeks:

Feb. 8-11: NWEA Map Testing for Middle School & Black History Month focus
Feb. 11: Kitchen Staff appreciation day! Send a note of appreciate to our team! Student of the Month ceremony-7:30am
Feb. 12 & 15: No School; school in session the remaining 4 days of each week
Feb. 17: Ash Wednesday
Feb 20: FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION DEADLINE
Feb 21: Pancake Breakfast / postponed to 2022
Feb 24: Easter flower order deadline
Feb. 22-26: FFA Week
Feb. 25: Winter concert re-scheduled. Limited attendance, watch for information and an online publication.
Feb 28, 11am-2pm: BA Open House

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

CELEBRATING KITCHEN STAFF-Feb. 11: Join us in thanking our kitchen staff on this day with a note, a gift card, an email, or a special treat!
2021-2022 Enrollment Update: Enrollment is open! Most of you should have receive an email from FACTS this past week with instructions on how to set up your account and re-enroll your students for next year.
2021-22 FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS OPEN! Be sure to take advantage of our needs-based scholarship program; apply at this link: financial aid app. The initial application deadline is February 20, 2021.

COVID Update: As of February 5, 2021, we remain at two additional positive cases and no exposure at school. We do have 10 students choosing distance learning full time and one student quarantining.

All Illnesses: Please note, if your child is sick at any time, we do not expect them to join online learning. We want to give them time to recover. Just notify the attendance line.

FUNDRAISER UPDATES:

BA Annual Fund: Our goal is to raise $250,000 by June 30, 2021. As of February 5 we are at $222,628 - THIS IS INCREDIBLE and we are 89% of our goal. WE CHALLENGE ALL DONORS TO SHARE THEIR ANNUAL FUND GIFT BY FEB. 28 - WE LOVE BA! We need only an additional $27,372 to reach our goal.
CHRISTMAS LUNCH ANGEL FUND: To date we have raised $1940 to support families in need at BA. THANK YOU!

KUDOS: To all BA students for their special time and joy shared with their DMCS buddies!

GO CARDINALS! Our basketball games are hot as well as our students in coop sports - way to go BA athletes!

Mindy Reeder, President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org

ALL-BA UPDATES

Student Service Club Pregnancy Options Collection to Feb 11
BA's Student Service Club is collecting items to to be donated to Pregnancy Options. Items needed include: diapers (size 4, 5, 6), baby wipes & hygiene items, post-it notes, paper products (facial tissues, toilet paper), and cleaning supplies (wipes, bathroom cleaner). Please place donated items in the crib outside Mrs. Kriechbaum's room by Thurs, Feb 11.

Sick students and distance learning
If your student is sick, please email the attendance line or call 507-334-3948. Please do not email your student’s teachers. We do NOT expect sick students to join classes online. They should stay home and check PowerSchool for missing assignments once they are well. A student will NOT transition to formal distance learning at BA unless an extended illness or quarantine warrants this transition. Contact Mrs. Reeder for online learning concerns/requests. Find full information on our sick/covid/distance learning policies here.

Shadow Days & Tours
Does your student have a friend interested in BA? Invite them to join them for a shadow day or for a personal family tour. Sign up to shadow here; sign up for a family tour (offered Mon-Fri from 3-6pm) here. Applications are now open for 2021-2022! Find more information on our admission page.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

Juniors: FREE ACT Science Prep Class Feb 24
Mrs. Cathy Guth is offering a FREE ACT science seminar Wed, Feb 24, from 8am-12pm. The session will be held at BA (it's a non-class WIN day). The ACT prep book will be provided. Mrs. Guth will focus on science concepts and skills and test taking and pacing strategies for the ACT test. Students will also take a practice science test. Interested juniors should email Mrs. Rogers by Feb 19 at 3pm if they wish to attend this FREE course.

Virtual Drivers Training Sessions this Spring
Cannon River Driving School is offering 3 virtual classroom drivers training sessions this spring. Sessions start Feb 22, March 15, and April 5. See attached flyer for more information and to sign up.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of So MN Seeking 10th Grade Volunteer
The Big Brothers Big Sisters program is seeking a 10th grade male student to be a BIG to a student at DMCS. This is a wonderful volunteer program that makes such a difference in the lives of participants! Contact Ms. Rogers if interested in being a Big or want to learn more about the program.

SENIORS:

Senior Girls: Local P.E.O. Scholarship
Faribault's P.E.O. chapter offers an up to $1000 scholarship to local senior girls planning to pursue a college education. The scholarship form and essay prompts are due April 2.

College Scholarship Opportunities
There are several national and local scholarships available with deadlines in March, including the Schulze Family Foundation Scholarship, Tri-Lakes Sportsman’s Club Scholarship, Faribo 4 Kids Thomas Laughlin Scholarship, Allina Health Orthopedics Sports Medicine Scholarship, and the Steele-Waseca Electric Coop College Scholarship. Have your students check the Scholarships section of Naviance (find video here; find Naviance information on our web page here) or email Ms. Rogers to find out more.

MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES

Aim Higher Scholarship Giveaway
In honor of Catholic Schools Week, the Aim Higher Foundation is giving away two $1000 scholarships to K-8 students attending Archdiocesan Catholic schools in 2021-2022. Register here by midnight Saturday, Feb 6 to enter your name in the drawing!

AIM Higher K-8 Scholarship
The Aim Higher Scholarship is a $1,000, student-based scholarship awarded to K-8 students from families with demonstrated need. This year's application deadline is February 20, 2021. Application is via the online TADS financial aid form found here. Click here to find more information via the English flyer and the Spanish flyer.

MS Positivity Project
In our religion classes MS scholars will be looking for the characteristic of perseverance within themselves and in their classmates. Perseverance, a quality we want all of our students to strive toward, is our current focus. Please continue to have discussions at home on these topics.

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

DMCS Annual Catholic United Financial Raffle to Feb 28
Divine Mercy Catholic School students are selling $5 raffle tickets through Feb 28. Order tickets on their website or contact the school at 507-334-7706 if interested. Thank you for your support of our Catholic schools!

WOMEN'S LENTEN SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITY
Set a Fire is our “Blessed is She” reflection book for your Lenten journey this year. We believe every woman can fully live her life when she’s guided by the Holy Spirit. Divine Mercy Catholic Church is offering several in-person and online small group options. It is free to participate in the small groups; purchasing the book is strongly encouraged. There is an option on the form to purchase a book through us to save on shipping. Small groups start the week after Ash Wednesday (Feb 17). See the registration form for information on times and locations. Visit www.divinemercy.cc/setafire for more information.

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Faribault Soccer Association Summer Registration
Registration for the Faribault Soccer Association summer program is now open. The deadline to register for Traveling Soccer is February 6th. The players age is their age on December 31, 2021. Register online here; more information on the website here.

ATTACHMENTS

*Easter Plant Fundraiser Order Form
*Cannon River Driving School Registration Form

Family Focus 1/30/2021

02/03/2021 author

Kris Sauer category

2020-21, January 2021

Leave a comment

Dear BA Families:

Catholic Schools’ Week & SnoBall, Jan 30-Feb 5. As a Catholic school teacher and administrator, this next week truly shines. From being duck-taped to a wall, to praying with individual students and celebrating at a state-wide Mass with all Catholic schools, the Catholic school experience is life changing, for both staff and students. Please join us at Mass tomorrow, Saturday, Jan 30, at 4 p.m. at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, or connect with us online. BA students will be cantoring, reading, and participating in Mass as we begin the week long celebration of what truly makes us different!

TURN IN YOUR TALENT VIDEO! The Bethlehem Academy talent show will be Thursday, February 4th, as part of Catholic Schools Week. Just pre-record your talent by 3:30pm on Monday, February 1. The video will be presented to the whole school on Thursday. If you would like to participate, please sign up at this link. Students should see Mr. Gardner, Mr. Zabel, or Mr. Hillesheim with questions.

Schedule for the upcoming three weeks:

Catholic Schools Week & Snowball Activities. Theme: Faith. Excellence. Service. See the activities and dress up days at the right.
Feb 1: No Faribault busing
Feb. 8-11: NWEA Map Testing for Middle School & Black History focus
Feb. 11: We love our Kitchen Staff appreciation day! Student of the Month ceremony, 7:30am
Feb. 12 & 15: No School
Feb. 17: Ash Wednesday
Feb 21: Pancake Breakfast / postponed to 2022
Feb. 22-26: FFA Week
Feb. 26: Winter concert postponed,watch for details.
Feb 28, 11am-2pm: BA Open House

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

DRAMA & CHESS CLUB: Did you know this winter we started up two new clubs? Mr. Hillesheim and Mr. Madden reached out to support student interests.
CELEBRATING KITCHEN STAFF-Feb. 11: Join us in thanking our kitchen staff on this day with a note, a gift card, an email, or a special treat!
2021-2022 Enrollment Update: Together with DMCS, BA is moving to FACTS Tuition Management system for the 2021-2022 school year. This change is a savings to our families and our school as TADS was increasing and adding fees. We understand that this will be a bit different this year, and will provide more detailed information on the process soon. Please feel free to contact us with questions. See the attached re-enrollment flyer for more information on the process for the 2021-2022 school year and watch for a more detailed email on Monday.
2021-22 FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS OPEN! Apply for scholarships at this link: financial aid app. Please be sure to take advantage of our scholarship program. The initial application deadline is February 20, 2021.

COVID Update: As of January 29, 2021, we had two new positive COVID cases and no additional exposure at school. We do have 12 students choosing distance learning full time and four students quarantining.

All Illnesses: Please note, if your child is sick at any time, we do not expect them to join online learning. We want to give them time to recover. Just notify the attendance line as you normally would.

FUNDRAISER UPDATES:

BA Annual Fund: Our goal is to raise $250,000 by June 30, 2021. As of January 15 we are at $172,218 -Thank you! We have another $50,000 pledged bringing us to 88% of our goal. WE CHALLENGE ALL DONORS TO SHARE THEIR ANNUAL FUND GIFT BY FEB. 14 - WE LOVE BA! We need only an additional $27,782 to reach our goal.

BABS:We are looking for committee members to join our team of volunteers. If you like to decorate, call for donations, have a talent for arranging silent auction baskets, or just have great ideas, please contact me at my email below. See more information below. WE NEED YOU!

CONGRATULATIONS: To our 2021 SnoBall Queen candidates and their escorts: Abby Larson escorted by Jarrett Malecha, Caroline Sauer escorted by Jason Shuda, Verity Wray-Raabolle escorted by Kade Robb, Ashley Rost escorted by Carson Heselton, and Rylie Starkson escorted by Riley Kangas. Coronation will be live streamed on BA’s YouTube channel Friday afternoon, Feb 5, from Van Orsow Auditorium.

KUDOS: To our Peer MInistry and students who supported ProLife activities and events this past week.

I look forward to seeing families at Mass this weekend.

Mindy Reeder, President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org

ALL-BA UPDATES

No Faribault Busing Mon, Feb 1

Faribault Public Schools will not be in session Monday, February 1. There will be no Faribault bus service on this day. The BA Van will operate on a regular schedule.

Sick students and distance learning

If your student is sick, please email the attendance line or call 507-334-3948. Please do not email your student’s teachers. We do NOT expect sick students to join classes online. They should stay home and check PowerSchool for missing assignments once they are well. A student will NOT transition to formal distance learning at BA unless an extended illness or quarantine warrants this transition. Contact Mrs. Reeder for online learning concerns/requests. Find full information on our sick/covid/distance learning policies here.

Parent Volunteers Needed: BA Activities Association

Bethlehem Academy will be selling Easter Flowers as a fundraiser for the BA Activities Association. We are looking for people to share their ideas and join our committee to explore other opportunities to increase the proceeds to the BA Activities Association. Some examples of what BA Activities Association funds help to support: New varsity uniforms on a rotating basis between sports; Wolf Ridge busing; After Prom donation; 2 Scholarships for rising seniors; Special requests for equipment and other items not in the regular operating budget (Examples: Batting cage, pitching machine, choir sound shells, band instruments, student council sound system for dances, portable sound system for softball games, drama/theatre, trap shooting.) Other past funded activities include re-finishing the gym floor, new sound system in the gym, football goalposts at Teepee Tonka, and remodeling the activities storage room, and donations to teams/clubs/ organizations that work concessions during the year. If you would like to be a part of the committee, please contact Clarice DeGrood at 507-838-8073 or by email at: degrood@kmwb.net. Thank you!

BABS April 10: Save the Date!! / Parent Volunteers Needed

Bethlehem Academy Backers and Supporters (BABS) is BA’s largest annual fundraiser and a fun adult social event where we celebrate BA and raise funds for our beloved school. BABS 2021 will be held the evening of April 10. This “Denim and Diamonds” themed event will feature casino games, a silent & live auction (virtual and onsite) as well as food and drink. All parents, alumni, and friends over 21 years of age are welcome to attend this gala event. Please save the date and plan to join us! Attendance will be limited. Volunteers as well as live or silent auction items are needed. Contact Mrs. Reeder if you can help this great event in any way.

Shadow Days & Tours

Does your student have a friend interested in BA? Invite them to join them for a shadow day or for a personal family tour. Sign up to shadow here; sign up for a family tour (offered Mon-Fri from 3-6pm) here. Applications are now open for 2021-2022! Find more information on our admission page.

Facemasks and BA Car Clings Available for Sale

We are now selling BA facemasks 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.

Wanted: Spring Sports Coaches

We have the following spring sports coaching positions open: Head Baseball, Assistant Baseball, Middle School Baseball, Head Track & Field, Assistant Track & Field (# of assistants to be determined). If you or someone you know is interested please contact Athletic Director Ed Friesen at efriesen@bacards.org. March 29 is the planned start date for spring sports.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATE

Big Brothers Big Sisters of So MN Seeking 10th Grade Volunteers

The Big Brothers Big Sisters program is seeking a 10th grade female and 10th grade male student to be a BIG to a student at DMCS. This is a wonderful volunteer program that makes such a difference in the lives of participants! Contact Ms. Rogers if interested in being a Big.

Current 10th & 11th Grade Students: PSEO for Fall 2021

PSEO offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take courses at eligible post-secondary institutions. Students must meet the admissions requirements of the post-secondary institution, but do not pay for tuition, fees, or books. They earn high school credit and, if students continue their education beyond high school, colleges or universities may choose to transfer their completed coursework through PSEO as college credits. Students interested in taking PSEO courses at South Central or other colleges and universities must discuss this option with the counselor prior to class registration, which will open to returning students the week of February 22. Please note that many schools have deadlines as early as the beginning of April. FAQs about PSEO can be found here on Counselor's Corner on the BA website. If you have any questions concerning PSEO, please reach out to Ms. Rogers at .

Important information: Shattuck ACT Site Closure

The Faribault Shattuck - St. Mary's testing site shows up on ACT.org when your student is registering for their test but it is closed to testing. DO NOT SIGN UP FOR SHATTUCK AS YOUR STUDENT'S TESTING SITE THIS SPRING. If your student has already signed up for the ACT, please have them check their account for where they have been scheduled to take their test. ACT may have changed the testing location without notifying you or your student. Shattuck being listed is a mistake through ACT, but it has not gotten fixed yet. Reach out to Ms. Rogers with any questions.

SENIORS:

Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation College Scholarship Program: Deadline March 1, 2021

The Schulze Family Foundation is committed to providing assistance to students from middle-income families who do not receive federal grant assistance. Schulze welcomes applications from students who have distinguished themselves through school, community and/or church activities while showing strong academic achievement in high school. Forty-six (46) scholarships of $5,000 per year will be awarded for four consecutive years of full-time enrollment with satisfactory academic performance. MN Catholic high school students must have completed their elementary education at a Catholic school to be eligible. If you are interested in your student applying, your student may find the application form on the Scholarships section of their Naviance Account. Please reach out to Ms. Rogers with any questions.

Other College Scholarship Opportunities

There are several local scholarships available with deadlines in March, including the Tri-Lakes Sportsman’s Club Scholarship, Faribo 4 Kids Thomas Laughlin Scholarship, Allina Health Orthopedics Sports Medicine Scholarship, and the Steele-Waseca Electric Coop College Scholarship. Have your students check the Scholarships section of Naviance (find video here; find Naviance information on our web page here) or email Ms. Rogers to find out more.

MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES

MS Positivity Project

In our religion classes MS scholars will be looking for the characteristic of perseverance within themselves and in their classmates. Perseverance, a quality we want all of our students to strive toward, is our current focus. Please continue to have discussions at home on these topics.

AIM Higher K-8 Scholarship

The Aim Higher Scholarship is a $1,000, student-based scholarship awarded to K-8 students from families with demonstrated need. This year's application deadline is February 20, 2021. Application is via the online TADS financial aid form found here. Click here to find more information via the English flyer and the Spanish flyer.

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

DMCS Annual Catholic United Financial Raffle to Feb 28

Divine Mercy Catholic School students are selling $5 raffle tickets through Feb 28. Order tickets on their website or contact the school at 507-334-7706 if interested. Thank you for your support of our Catholic schools!

SCRIP Statements Early Feb

Look for your TRIP Statements (SCRIP statement summary) the first week in February. If you have not yet tried our Scrip Program, please contact Peggy Johnson, at pjohnson@dmcs.cc at DMCS for more information. She would be happy to help walk you through the process and answer your questions. Find out just how easy it is to earn credit towards your child's tuition!

WOMEN'S LENTEN SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITY

Set a Fire is our “Blessed is She” reflection book for your Lenten journey this year. We believe every woman can fully live her life when she’s guided by the Holy Spirit. Divine Mercy Catholic Church is offering several in-person and online small group options. It is free to participate in the small groups; purchasing the book is strongly encouraged. There is an option on the form to purchase a book through us to save on shipping. Small groups start the week after Ash Wednesday (Feb 17). See the registration form for information on times and locations. Visit www.divinemercy.cc/setafire for more information.

Archdiocesan Synod 2021

As referenced in Mrs. Reeder’s message above, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Synod enters Year 2: “The Church Prepares” with a series of listening events each month. Inspired by the thousands of participants at the Prayer and Listening Events, this series connects their stories to the story of the Church. Each virtual event includes a talk, testimonials, and a live panel discussion including Archbishop Hebda. Registration is required to participate live. All events begin at 7pm; future dates are Jam 27, Feb 4, and Feb 9. Register online to participate and submit your questions! Zoom links will be sent to registrants prior to each event. Registration is limited to 500 participants per event. A flyer with more information is attached.

Middle School Edge/High School Youth Group

Middle School EDGE & High School Youth Group is open to all BA families. This is another great opportunity for your students to gather with others that want to grow in their faith and to enhance what they are learning in the classroom. Registration is required for both. Visit www.divinemercy.cc/faith-formation for more information.

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Faribault Soccer Association Summer Registration

Registration for the Faribault Soccer Association summer program is now open. The deadline to register for Traveling Soccer is February 6th. The players age is their age on December 31, 2021. Register online here; more information on the website here.

JO Volleyball, Gr 4-11 Sign Up

The Faribault Reds Volleyball Program is currently in the process of developing a plan for a JO Volleyball Season. All girls in grades 4-11 interested in participating are welcome! We do not have dates set at this time, but would be looking at mid-late February or early March for a start-up. Many play dates (especially for high school level athletes) would take place on Sundays as Saturdays may currently be used by winter sports teams for make-up games as needed. Please fill out the google form at this link for each player in your household that would be interested in playing. Please email Chris Bothun at bothunchristine@gmail.com with any questions or for more information.

ATTACHMENTS

* 2021-2022 Enrollment Information

Family Focus 1/22/2021

01/30/2021 author

Ed Friesen category

2020-21, January 2021

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Dear BA Families:

Today is the “National Sanctity of Human Life” day. President Ronald Reagan issued a presidential proclamation on January 13, 1984, designating this day for the first time in history, beginning with the Sunday of January 22 in 1984. This week Bethlehem Academy students shared prayers, petitions and reflections each morning. Peer Ministry led a reflection and a Hail Mary at Mass today. Classes spent more time in Adoration. Our Student Service Club created blankets and raised dollars to support Pregnancy Options of Faribault. We also had scholars attend, with parish families, the March for Life in St. Paul including Marty Brazil ‘21 who assisted Bishop Cozzens. As we close out this week, we invite families and students to participate with Pregnancy Options in downtown for special prayers and events starting at 6:30 p.m. In addition, the Diocese invites all families to join them with a new study this winter on the teachings of the Catholic Church. See the attached flyer for details.

Calling All Talented Students! The Bethlehem Academy talent show will be Thursday, February 4th, as part of Catholic Schools Week. Each act will need to be pre-recorded by 3:30pm by Monday, February 1. The video will be presented to the whole school on Thursday. If you would like to participate, please sign up at this link. If you have any questions, please see Mr. Gardner, Mr. Zabel, or Mr. Hillesheim.

Schedule for the upcoming three weeks:

Mon, Jan 25: No School- Teacher Workday
Tues, Jan 26-Fri, Jan 29: All students in person learning Tuesday through Friday. Wednesday is a regular class day this week. Friday Middle School Mass.
Friday, Jan 29: High School club photos during WIN
Catholic Schools Week & Snowball Activities. Theme: Faith. Excellence. Service.
- Sat, Jan 30 - SnoBall dance CANCELLED
- Sat, Jan 30-4pm: BA Catholic Schools Week Mass at DMCC - if your family would like to assist at Mass, please reach out to Mrs. Kratt or Ms. Shimota.
- Mon, Feb 1- Country vs. Country Club (Hats allowed) / NO FARIBAULT BUSING TODAY
- Tues, Feb 2- Jersey Day - Day of Giving: students will be creating valentine cards for area seniors
- Wed, Feb 3 - WIN DAY- No Classes - come in for support and projects
- Thurs, Feb 4- Pajama/Relaxed Clothes Day; Buddy Day with DMCS (virtual activities) and BA Talent Show presentation.
- Fri, Feb 5- Dress to Impress, HS Mass; Snoball Activities & Crowning

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

FREE LUNCH: Will continue through April 30 for all BA students.
2021-22 FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS OPEN! Apply early for scholarships at this link: financial aid app. Please be sure to take advantage of our scholarship program. The initial application deadline is February 20, 2021.

COVID Update: As of January 22, 2021, we have two new positive COVID cases and no additional exposure at school. We do have 11 students choosing distance learning full time.

Updated Student Symptom Screening form and Decision Tree - click on the links for updated information.
All Illnesses: Please note, if your child is sick at any time, we do not expect them to join online learning. We want to give them time to recover. Just notify the attendance line as you normally would.

FUNDRAISER UPDATES:

BA Annual Fund: Our goal is to raise $250,000 by June 30, 2021. As of January 15 we are at $132,008 -Thank you! We have another $50,000 pledged bringing us to 73% of our goal. Remember, by making a larger donation in 2021, you may actually decrease your taxable income!

BABS:We are looking for committee members to join our team of volunteers. If you like to decorate, call for donations, have a talent for arranging silent auction baskets, or just have great ideas, please contact me at my email below. WE NEED YOU!

KUDOS: To our Student Service Club for creating blankets in support of Pregnancy Options!

Have a blessed, long weekend. We will see students on Tuesday, January 26.

Mindy Reeder, President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org

ALL-BA UPDATES

No Faribault Busing Mon, Feb 1

Faribault Public Schools will not be in session Monday, February 1. There will be no Faribault bus service on this day. The BA Van will operate.

Sick students and distance learning

FFA Meeting Tues Jan 26

Students in grades 7-12 are invited to join our next FFA meeting, held next Tuesday, January 26, after school at 3pm in Ms. Story’s classroom.

BABS April 10: Save the Date!!

Bethlehem Academy Backers and Supporters (BABS) is BA’s largest annual fundraiser and a fun adult social event where we celebrate BA and raise funds for our beloved school. BABS 2021 will be held the evening of April 10. This “Denim and Diamonds” will feature casino games, a silent & live auction as well as food and drink. All parents, alumni, and friends over 21 years of age are welcome to attend this gala event. Please save the date and plan to join us! Attendance will be limited and the auction portion will be both live and virtual. Volunteers as well as live or silent auction items needed. Contact Mrs. Reeder if you can help this great event in any way.

Basketball Games: Spectator Update

The number of spectators that can attend basketball games this season is limited due to State of Minnesota orders. The Gopher Conference is limiting the number to 2 spectators per participant. This restriction allows each school to better meet both social distancing guidelines and any contact tracking requirements should the need arise. (The Big 9 Conference is also limiting spectators to 2 per participant.) Varsity/JV parents have been contacted about the opportunity to purchase passes for the season. Contact Athletic Director Ed Friesen with any questions.

Please see our online school calendar for links to live-streams of games. The calendar is available on our school website (www.bacards.org) and our sports website (sports.bacards.org)

Shadow Days & Tours

Does your student have a friend interested in BA? Invite them to join them for a shadow day (classmates are encouraged to come together) or for a personal family tour. Sign up to shadow here; sign up for a family tour (offered Mon-Fri from 3-6pm) here. Applications are now open for 2021-2022! Find more information on our admission page.

Facemasks and BA Car Clings Available for Sale

Wanted: Spring Sports Coaches

We have the following spring sports coaching positions open: Head Baseball, Assistant Baseball, Middle School Baseball, Head Track & Field, Assistant Track & Field (# of assistants to be determined). If you or someone you know is interested please contact Athletic Director Ed Friesen at efriesen@bacards.org. At this time, we believe the spring season will start late March or early April – a couple of weeks later than normal.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATE

HS Club Photos Jan 29

On Friday, January 29, all high school clubs will have their photos taken for the yearbook. Many of the clubs have special t-shirts; students should bring them next Friday to wear for the pictures. Clubs involved are: SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), SSC (Student Service Club), Student Council, Peer Ministry, FFA (Future Farmers of America); BA Band, BA Choir, Chess Club.

HS Drama Club

BA is starting a Drama Club for high school students! The club’s first meeting will be held Wednesday, Jan 27 at 3:05pm in Mr. Hillesheim’s room. If your student is interested in any aspect of drama - both on stage or behind the scenes - please encourage them to attend.

Current 10th & 11th Grade Students: PSEO for Fall 2021

ACT Test Prep Class through Faribault Community Education

As they have done in the past, Faribault Community Education is offering an ACT Test prep class through Advantage Test Prep (other classes and locations found at www.advantageprep.net). The 3-hour classes are held on 4 Saturdays starting January 30 at the Faribault Education Center. There is also an online class option. Click here for more information.

SENIORS:

FAFSA Updates 2021

The covid relief bill passed at the end of 2020 included some significant changes to the FAFSA. Here is an article that explains what changes were made. FAFSA is also providing a free educational webinar to the public on all recent changes to the college process on Wednesday, January 27 at 7pm. You can join through this Zoom Link. For other information about financing your student's education, please check out this page on the BA website, or reach out to Ms. Rogers at trogers@bacards.org with any additional questions.

College Deadline Update Emailed to Seniors: It is getting to that point where college deadlines have either recently passed or are coming up very soon! Contact Ms Rogers If you need: mid-year transcripts, information about schools/programs or pathways to your chosen trade, or help with scholarship applications. If you have received a decision about your application: update your application status in Naviance. If you have decided where you are going next year: update your decision status in Naviance. If you are still considering your plans for next year, email Ms. Rogers at: trogers@bacards.org to discuss your options.

College Scholarship Opportunities

MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES

MS Positivity Project

AIM Higher K-8 Scholarship

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

SCRIP Statements Early Feb

You Can't Inspire without Fire! Speaker Jan 25

Guest speaker Joe Roueche will be at DMCC Monday, January 25th at 6:30pm. All are welcome! We will begin our night with practical guidance on how to grow in our own relationship with Jesus while leading others to Him followed by a time of Adoration. Faith is caught not taught so we must have faith alive so as to inspire that in those in our sphere. Four Steps shared on how to 'acquire the fire.'

WOMEN'S LENTEN SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITY

Archdiocesan Synod 2021

Middle School Edge/High School Youth Group

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Pregnancy Options March for Life Event, Jan 22 (TONIGHT!) @ 6:30pm in Faribault

Faribault Soccer Association Summer Registration

Attached Files

School Newsletters Synod January.pdf

Family Focus 1/15/2021

01/15/2021 author

Ed Friesen category

January 2021, 2020-21

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Dear BA Families:

Happy Snow! I hope that this heavier snowfall finds you safe and warm in your home. As our announcement shared yesterday, today is a snow day for our middle school students and an online learning day for our high school scholars. At this point in the year, we want to give our high school students every opportunity to be successful and stay on track toward their academic goals. Thank you for partnering with us in this goal. All afternoon activities and sporting events have been canceled for today.

Congratulations! Special congratulations to our Spelling Bee participants from DMCS and BA: Abby Bauer, Megan Cina, Caden Dokkestul, Owen Dotterweich, Langston Richter, Sarah Tobin, Mikayla Dienst, Keira Dryer, Braiden Johnson, Keira O'Connor, Raymond Onstad, Leighton Richter, Ella Simon, and Adey Wesee. After two hours, our finalists were: 1st- Langston Richter, 2nd-Owen Dotterweich and 3rd-Leighton Richter. I am so impressed with all of the contestants. Such dedication and drive to academic excellence and the Sinsinawan Dominican pillar of study!

Calling All Talented Students! The Bethlehem Academy talent show will be Thursday, February 4th, as part of Catholic Schools Week. Each act will need to be pre-recorded by 3:30pm on Monday, February 1. The video will be presented to the whole school on Thursday. If you would like to participate, please sign up at this link. If you have any questions, please see Mr. Gardner, Mr. Zabel, or Mr. Hillesheim.

Schedule for the upcoming three weeks:

- Mon, Jan 18: No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
- Tues, Jan 19-Fri, Jan 22: All students in person learning. Friday High School Mass

Tues, Jan 19: Right to Life Dress Down Day (see details below)

Fri, Jan 22: HS Right to Life March in St. Paul and Pregnancy Options of Faribault local event at 6:30 p.m. by their offices with guest speakers (see more info on this local event below).
Mon, Jan 25: No School - Teacher Workday
Tues, Jan 26-Fri, Jan 29: All students in person learning. Friday Middle School Mass
Sat, Jan 30-4pm: BA Catholic Schools Week Mass at DMCC - if your family would like to assist at Mass, please reach out to Mrs. Kratt or Ms. Shimota.
Catholic Schools Week & Snowball Activities. Theme: Faith. Excellence. Service.
- Mon, Feb 1- Country vs. Country Club (Hats allowed)
- Tues, Feb 2- Jersey Day - Day of Giving: students will be creating valentine cards for area seniors
- Wed, Feb 3 - WIN DAY-come in for support and projects
- Thurs, Feb 4- Pajama/Relaxed Clothes Day; Buddy Day with DMCS (virtual activities) and BA Talent Show presentation.
- Fri, Feb 5- Dress to Impress, HS Mass; Snoball Activities & Crowning

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

FREE LUNCH: Will continue through April 30 for all BA students.
2021-22 FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS OPEN! Apply early for scholarships at this link: financial aid app. Please be sure to take advantage of our scholarship program. The initial application deadline is February 20, 2021.
MARCH FOR LIFE: This January 22 is the March for Life with the Diocese and/or a local gathering in Faribault with Pregnancy Options at 6:30 p.m (see more info in the community section below).

COVID Update: As of January 8, 2021, we have one new COVID case with possible exposure at school in high school. We do have 11 students choosing distance learning fulltime and 20 students quarantining.

Updated Student Symptom Screening form and Decision Tree - click on the links for updated information.
All Illnesses: Please note, if your child is sick at any time, we do not expect them to join online learning. We want to give them time to recover. Just notify the attendance line as you normally would.

FUNDRAISER UPDATES:

BA Annual Fund: Our goal is to raise $250,000 by June 30, 2021. As of January 15 we are at $130,428 -Thank you! We have another $50,000 pledged bringing us to 72% of our goal. Remember, by making a larger donation in 2021, you may actually decrease your taxable income!

BABS:We are looking for committee members to join our team of volunteers. If you like to decorate, call for donations, have a talent for arranging silent auction baskets, or just have great ideas, please contact me at my email below. WE NEED YOU!

KUDOS: To our Student Service Club for creating blankets this week in support of Pregnancy Options!

Have a blessed long weekend as we celebrate Martin Luther King Day on Monday!

Mindy Reeder, President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org

ALL-BA UPDATES

Right to Life Dress Down Day, Tuesday, Jan 19

Student Service Club is having a dress down day this Tuesday, Jan 19, in honor of Right to Life month. All funds collected will go to buy diapers and other baby items for Pregnancy Options. To dress down (sweatpants ok): pay $1 and/or donate the following items: post-it notes, paper products; K cups for Keurig, tea bags, cleaning supplies (wipes, bathroom cleaner), diapers (sz 4, 5, 6), baby wipes & hygiene items; To wear a hat: add $2; To wear leggings: add $2 (Make sure the sweater or shirt covers up the backside!) Please help this organization out. THANK YOU!

Basketball Games: Spectator Update

See our online calendar for streaming links to games. Subscribe to our NFHS Network Channel to watch most of our games, both home and away, online.

Home and School: Volunteers Needed!

Home and School - your parent organization! - is looking for new parent volunteers to lead this parent group so vital to our BA community. Jane and Michelle are “retiring” and without new leader volunteers, this group will have to disband. Contact Jane at jandjhillesheim@charter.net or Barb or Tammy in the office (507-334-3948) if you have any questions.

Shadow Days & Tours

BA Angel Hot Lunch Fund

The lunch program still has over $1500 in negative hot lunch accounts. If you are able during this time of free hot lunches, please consider donating to help clear these accounts. If 30 BA families donated $50 each, we could bring current all accounts and help our families who are struggling during this pandemic. Drop a donation in an envelope marked “BA Angel Lunch Account Fund” in the front office; contact Tracy Meschke at tmeschke@bacards.org with any questions. Thank you!

Facemasks and BA Car Clings Available for Sale

Wanted: Spring Sports Coaches

We have the following spring sports coaching positions open: Head Baseball, Assistant Baseball, Middle School Baseball, Head Track & Field, Assistant Track & Field (# of assistants to be determined). If you or someone you know is interested please contact Athletic Director Ed Friesen at efriesen@bacards.org. At this time, we believe the spring season will start late March or early April – a couple of weeks later than normal.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATE

Interested in College Band?

Members of the Notre Dame Band are hosting a series of virtual open house events for high school students interested in college band. The open house for the Minnesota, the Dakotas and Montana region is THIS SUNDAY, January 17th, at 6pm EST / 5pm CST.RSVP HERE. Notre Dame band members will be talking about aspects of college band in general, as well as information about the Notre Dame Band. This event is intended for high school juniors and seniors, but freshmen and sophomores are invited to attend as well.

Current 10th & 11th Grade Students: PSEO for Fall 2021

PSEO offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take courses at eligible post-secondary institutions. Students must meet the admissions requirements of the post-secondary institution, but do not pay for tuition, fees, or books. They earn high school credit and, if students continue their education beyond high school, colleges or universities may choose to transfer their completed coursework through PSEO as college credits. Students interested in taking PSEO courses at South Central or other colleges and universities must discuss this option with the counselor prior to clss registration, which will open to returning students the week of February 22. Please note that many schools have deadlines as early as the beginning of April. FAQs about PSEO can be found here on Counselor's Corner on the BA website. If you have any questions concerning PSEO, please reach out to Ms. Rogers at trogers@bacards.org.

ACT Test Prep Class through Faribault Community Education

Juniors (and Seniors): ACT Test Sites Re-opening

Students whose ACT test was cancelled last December should check their registration status through their ACT.org account. Testing sites have begun to re-open in Minnesota, and students may be able to register for upcoming tests. The deadline for February 6 test registration is Friday, January 15. Please contact Ms. Rogers at trogers@bacards.org with any questions.

SENIORS:

FAFSA Updates 2021

Tri-Lakes Sportsman’s Club Scholarship

Graduating seniors interested in the outdoors and/or pursuing a degree in the outdoors or the environment are invited to apply for a $500 scholarship sponsored by the Tri-Lakes Sportsman’s Club. An application and personal essay, due March 10, is required. See Naviance or Ms. Rogers for more information.

Faribo 4 Kids Thomas Laughlin Scholarship

Faribo 4 Kids is sponsoring the Thomas Laughlin scholarship opportunity. There are 2 scholarships, each worth $1500. Applications must be postmarked by March 19, 2021. Seniors were sent this email Jan 6; more information can also be found through "Scholarships" on Naviance.

Allina Health Orthopedics Sports Medicine Scholarship

Allina Health Orthopedics will be offering two $2,500 scholarships, which will be awarded annually to one female and one male student athlete who intends to attend college to pursue a career in sports medicine. Deadline to apply is March 1, 2021. Contact Ms. Rogers for more information.

Steele-Waseca Electric Coop College Scholarship

Are you a Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric customer who has a Class of 2021 scholar planning to continue his/her education full-time at a two- or four-year technical school or college? If so, please have your senior email Ms. Rogers to find out more about applying for a $500 scholarship. Eligible students will be asked to fill out a form detailing academics, school and community involvement, and submit a short essay on their future goals.

MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES

MS Positivity Project

In our religion classes MS scholars will be looking for the characteristic of perseverance within themselves and in their classmates. Perseverance is a quality we want all of our students to strive toward. Attached please find the perseverance card for your information and for extended conversations at home.

AIM Higher K-8 Scholarship

The Aim Higher Scholarship is a $1,000, student-based scholarship awarded to K-8 students from families with demonstrated need. This year's application deadline is February 20, 2021. Application is via the online TADS financial aid form found here. Click here to find more information via the English flyer and the Spanish flyer.

DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES

Middle School Edge/High School Youth Group

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Pregnancy Options March for Life Event, Jan 22 6:30pm in Faribault

Pregnancy Options invites you to gather with them at 6:30pm January 22 in the street in front of Pregnancy Options (18 2nd St NW, Faribault). There will be hot apple cider and hot chocolate along with candles. We will be praying for the end of abortion, the overturning of Roe v Wade, and the strength of Pregnancy Options. Mayor Kevin Voracek will be present and will sign a proclamation on the Sanctity of Life in Faribault. Rep. Brian Daniels, Sen. John Jaskinski, and a representative from MCCL have been invited to come to share a few words. They are offering this as an alternative to and/or in addition to going to the Capitol. This will not be a long event and the center will be open if you would like to visit. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact the director, Gina Little. There are many ways to participate depending on what you are interested in! Gina’s email is gina@pregnancyoptionsfbo.org.

Faribault Soccer Association Summer Registration

Attached Files

Perseverance Character Card.pdf

Family Focus 1/8/2021

01/08/2021 author

Ed Friesen category

January 2021, 2020-21

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January 8, 2021

Dear BA Families:

Happy New Year! Our first semester ended with much success. So many of our students worked incredibly hard to end the semester positively. THEY ARE DEDICATED SCHOLARS! I pray for our students each week and am so grateful to partner with you and our staff as we celebrate their success.

We will be in our Hybrid Phase One learning model next week, and in person every day the last two weeks of January due to previously scheduled days off:

Week Jan 11-15: Students in building Mon-Tues, Thurs-Fri. No class Wednesday-faculty available for student support. Friday, Jan 15 - Middle School Mass day.
Monday, Jan 18: No School. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Tue, Jan 19-Fri, Jan 22: All students in person learning. Friday High School Mass
Mon, Jan 25: No School - Teacher Workday
Tues Jan 26-Fri, Jan 29: All students in person learning. Friday Middle School Mass

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

FREE LUNCH: All BA students will receive Free Hot Lunch through April 30 due to our acceptance into a COVID relief program. An email (copy attached) regarding this was sent out earlier this week. Special thanks to our lunch program team who took the additional steps and to qualify BA for this program.
FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS OPEN: An email (copy attached) was sent to families inviting you to apply for financial aid for 2021-2022. Please be sure to take advantage of our scholarship program. Early applications encouraged; the initial application deadline is February 20, 2021.
MARCH FOR LIFE: This January 22 is the March for Life with the Diocese. Please see the information to sign up your scholar. Space is limited this year due to COVID protocols, please sign up by Tuesday, January 13 as this is a wonderful opportunity for our students to actively participate with others of their faith.

COVID Update: As of January 8, 2021, we have not had any additional Covid-19 cases where students have been in school. We do have 25 students distance learning due to personal requests, confirmed cases at home or exposure.

Updated Student Symptom Screening form and Decision Tree - click on the links for updated information.
All Illnesses: Please note, if your child is sick at any time, we do not plan to have them join online learning. We want to give them time to recover. Just notify the attendance line as you normally would. They will have time to make up assignments.

FUNDRAISER UPDATES:

BA Annual Fund: Our goal is to raise $250,000 by June 30, 2021. As of January 8 we are at $125,200 -Thank you! We have another $50,000 pledged bringing us to 70% of our goal. Remember, by making a larger donation in 2021, you may actually decrease your taxable income!

BA Bash Raffle: Thank you for participating in our new, BA Bash Raffle. BA profited $12,400 from the raffle. Our budgeted goal was $10,000. Congratulations to our winners: 1stPrize: Joanne DeGrood; 2ndPrize: Jolene Mostrom; 3rdPrize: Pam Sartor

Thank you for your feedback on our winter survey. These results and your input is helping us reaffirm areas of strength and plan for areas for growth, not only for this year, but next year as well. We look forward to revised and additional classes, expanded spiritual activities and experiences, accelerated programming, community building events and additional student support. God is great! Keep praying for all that God has planned for your scholar and BA!

Mindy Reeder, President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org

ALL-BA UPDATES

Robotics Returns Monday, January 11

After a required pause, the Vex Robotics Club is ready to get back to action! Any grade 6-12 BA student interested in joining should plan to meet Mondays starting Jan 11 from 3-5pm in the BA library. No fees this year. If interested and not yet signed up, please bring a copy of the attached form to the Monday’s meeting. Contact Coach Robinson at mrobinson@dmcs.cc with any questions.

Home and School: Volunteers Needed!

Home and School - your parent organization! - is looking for new parent volunteers to lead this parent group so vital to our BA community. See attached letter for more information; contact Jane Hillesheim or Barb or Tammy in the office (507-334-3948) if you have any questions.

Shadow Days & Tours

Does your student have a friend interested in BA? Invite them to join them for a shadow day (classmates are encouraged to come together) or for a personal family tour. Sign up to shadow here; sign up for a family tour (offered Mon-Fri from 3-6pm) here. Mid-year transfers are welcome, and applications are now open for 2021-2022. Find more information on our admission page.

BA Angel Hot Lunch Fund

The lunch program still has over $1500 in negative hot lunch accounts. If you are able during this time of free hot lunches, please consider donating to help clear these accounts. If 30 BA families donated $50 each, we could bring current all accounts and help our families who are struggling during this pandemic. Drop a donation in an envelope marked “BA Angel Lunch Account Fund” in the front office; contact Tracy Meschke at tmeschke@bacards.org with any questions. Thank you!

Facemasks and BA Car Clings Available for Sale

We are now selling BA facemasks and car clings in the BA Front Office! Click here to see the facemask and here for the car clings. They are “sold out” in the school store because they are now available here at BA! Send in payment (cash or check to BA) with your order to Tammy in the front office or Email Tammy with any questions.

Semester 1 Report Cards

Semester 1 report cards were sent in a password-protected email earlier this week. Please contact us if you did not receive the report card or had difficulty with opening the report card.

Winter Sports has Begun!

The winter sports teams began practicing this week. The first games will take place at the end of next week. Seating capacity will be limited to 2 spectators per participant; some junior high venues may be more limited. Most games will be live-streamed. Visit our online school calendar or our sports website for schedules, including streaming links. Or, download the rST Activity Scheduler app to your smart phone to access schedules and streaming links. For coop sports schedules and streaming links, visit their online calendar or sports website.

Wanted: Spring Sports Coaches

We have the following spring sports coaching positions open: Head Baseball, Assistant Baseball, Middle School Baseball, Head Track & Field, Assistant Track & Field (# of assistants to be determined). If you or someone you know is interested please contact Athletic Director Ed Friesen at efriesen@bacards.org. At this time, we believe the spring season will start late March or early April – a couple of weeks later than normal.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

Faribo 4 Kids Thomas Laughlin Scholarship

Faribo 4 Kids is sponsoring the Thomas Laughlin scholarship opportunity. There are 2 scholarships, each worth $1500. A copy of the application form is attached. Applications must be postmarked by March 19, 2021. Seniors were sent this email Jan 6; more information can also be found through "Scholarships" on Naviance.

Allina Health Orthopedics Sports Medicine Scholarship

Steele-Waseca Electric Coop College Scholarship

MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES

AIM Higher K-8 Scholarship

The Aim Higher Scholarship is a $1,000, student-based scholarship awarded to K-8 students from families with demonstrated need. This year's application deadline is February 20, 2021. Application is via the online TADS financial aid form found here. Find more information via the English flyer and the Spanish flyer.

DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES

March for Life Friday, January 22

As promoted to our high school students in religion class: high school and college students are invited to this day of prayer, inspiration, pro-life education and advocacy for the pre-born. Families are welcome and may register as a group. Cost is $25 per person; lunch and transportation provided by Divine Mercy Youth Ministry. Online registration by January 13 required. Click here to learn more. There will some phenomenal speakers, and the group will be marching from St. Agnes to the Capitol for the MCCL rally at the Capitol. Space is limited due to COVID transportation restrictions.

Middle School Edge/High School Youth Group

Attached Files

Thomas Laughlin Scholarship Application 2021.pdf

VEX EDR Parent-Student Letter.pdf

Financial Aid Announcement 2021-22.pdf

BA H and S Jan 2021 Letter.pdf

Free Hot Lunch 2021 FAQ.pdf

Family Focus 12/18/2020

12/18/2020 author

Ed Friesen category

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*** REMINDER: NO SCHOOL Monday, December 21 and Tuesday, December 22. Classes resume Monday, January 4, 2021***

Dear BA Families:

MERRY CHRISTMAS! At this time of year I want to extend my appreciation for the partnership we have with all of you, our scholars and families. We are honored that you have chosen Bethlehem Academy. We know that God placed each scholar in the BA family for a very special purpose. All of our teachers and staff extend our wishes and prayers to you for rest and renewal this Christmas and many blessings for 2021!

We will return to school on January 4 in this same Hybrid Phase One learning model as this week. Please remember, if you were in large groups or traveled, stay home this first week and notify us by email at attendance@bacards.org for online learning. Our schedule the week of Jan 4 :

Monday, Jan. 4, Red Day: All students in person learning.
Tuesday, Jan. 5, White Day: All students in person learning.
Wednesday, Jan. 6: No classes scheduled. Scholars may be asked to come in for support or may request time with teachers.
Thursday, Jan. 7, Red Day: All students in the building.
Friday, Jan. 8, White Day: All students in person learning. HS Mass Day - 8:30 a.m. Dress for Mass.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: We missed our traditional, beautiful Christmas concerts. Watch online next week for links to a limited, online concert on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. Please plan to enjoy the wonderful music and share this with family at home. This second semester we welcome new 6th grade student, Trey M. Please help welcome him to our school family.

COVID Update: As of December 17, 2020, we have not had any additional cases and remain at nine positive Covid-19 cases total in our BA family since this fall (members who have tested positive but not transferred through school.) Presently we have no students needing to quarantine.

Updated Student Symptom Screening form and Decision Tree - click on the links for updated information.
Traveling for Christmas or gathering with groups outside of your immediate family? Please plan to quarantine at home and notify the school office that your child will be online that first week in January. Call/email the school attendance line (507-334-3948, attendance@bacards.org) to let us know. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our students and staff safe!
All Illnesses: Please note, if your child is sick at any time, we do not plan to have them join online learning. We want to give them time to recover. Just notify the attendance line as you normally would. They will have time to make up assignments.
Online learning transition for quarantine: If your scholars needs to quarantine for exposure or while waiting for test results, please notify the attendance line as you normally would for an illness. Generally we ask that a student be out three days before transitioning to formal distance learning.
Counseling support is available at school with our counselor for students, Ms. Tori Rogers. Please email her if your child would like time to visit each week at: trogers@bacards.org. If you or your family is looking for additional support, one of our BA families reached out to share their information, Leah Ernste, 952-373-0055.

STAFF CHANGES: Several teachers will be making adjustments to their schedule in the second semester. Mr. Scot Gardner is happy to have his son, Christopher, back home. He plans to return to teaching in January. Mr. Dave Wollin made the hard decision to only teach his AP class during the 2nd semester for personal reasons. Mr. Tom Madden looks forward to teaching the geography classes.

SPECIAL PRAYER OPPORTUNITY FOR TEENS: Join the parish as we begin 2021 in prayer during a special Adoration hour on January 1, 2021, from 7-8 p.m. See the attached flier for details!

FUNDRAISER UPDATES:

BA Annual Fund: Our goal is to raise $250,000 by June 30, 2021. As of December 17 we are over $100,000 -Thank you! We invite you, or your extended family, to help us reach halfway to our goal by Christmas! This is a great time to give! With the 2020 COVID giving tax rule changes, all donations of any amount can be taken as a tax credit in 2020. We reached our original goal of $100,000 by Christmas and invite you to help us achieve our stretch goal by January 1, 2021 of $125,000, halfway toward our total goal of $250,000. Spread the news!

BA Bash Raffle Tickets-Did you get your order in? Raffle tickets make a great stocking stuffer! Only 1000 of the $25 tickets printed. Top Prize-$2020, 2nd Prize-$1020, 3rd Prize: $520. Proceeds help us cover extra costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic and educational needs for our students and staff. Click HERE to download your order form. All ticket orders must be received by December 30, 2020. To date we’ve sold nearly 600 tickets.

KUDOS: To our National Honor Society, Student Service Club, Student Council, and many students who participated in various service projects throughout Advent. From sending cards to nursing homes and hospitals, to care packages and gifts to St. Vincent de Paul and area residents in need, their acts made a difference! We even had students helping to deliver home-cooked meals. Such an amazing impact our scholars make in our community! Great work also to our FFA students on their fruit and butter braid sales! This will help to grow their programming.

Congratulations also to Elliot Smith who was named to the Minnesota Football Coaches Association (MFCA) Class 1A Individual Academic All-State Team. Only 14 players from all of Class A were selected for this honor. Congratulations also to seniors Kennedy Tutak (Hamline University, volleyball) and Kade Robb (Dakota State University, basketball) on their commitment to continue athletics next year at the collegiate level.

Extending the sincerest wishes for a beautiful Christmas and Happy New Year!

Mindy Reeder, President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org

ALL-BA UPDATES

BA Winter 2020 Survey: Deadline Today-Friday, Dec 18

If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to respond to our survey as we complete our first full semester of the academic year. Please do so TODAY, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, so we may assess results over the Christmas break. Find the parent survey at this link and the student survey at this link.

Attendance Reminders

A reminder to call or email the front office (507-334-3948 or attendance@bacards.org) if you plan to have your scholar learn online January 4-8 or with any changes to your scholar’s attendance - doctor appointment, excused absence, college visit, etc. The front office will then inform your scholar’s teachers. Thank you for your help with this!

Home and School Update

It’s not too late to pay your Home and School dues! Please turn your $25 in at the front office. Also a reminder that Home and School is looking for new parent volunteers. See the attached Christmas letter from Michelle and Jane. New volunteers are needed or this group so vital to our school community will have to end. Thank you!

BA Christmas Angel Fund

Help us support BA families in need!Please consider a donation to the Christmas Angel Student Lunch Account Fund. Many families in our BA community are struggling in a multitude of ways this Christmas season. Please keep them all in your prayers and, if you are able, please consider donating to help families cover their students’ lunch accounts, many of whom fall just outside the federal and state guidelines for assistance. Donations can be dropped off at the BA front entrance or mailed to our address. Thank you for the donations we’ve already received.

Prospective Student Visit Options

Help us grow our student enrollment and spread the good news about BA! Take the Future Cardinal Challenge and invite one family/student to join us for a personal tour or one of our limited shadow opportunities. Mid-year transfers are welcome, and applications are now open for 2021-2022. Find more information on our admission page.

Alumni Update Form

We would appreciate any updates for your post-college graduates. Please fill out the attached form and email it to Sister Mary Margaret. Alumni can also update their contact information, sign up for our Veritas newsletter, or share news on our Alumni website page found here. Thank you!

Holiday Shopping: Amazon Smiles

If you are holiday shopping via Amazon, go to https://smile.amazon.com, pick Bethlehem Academy as your organization and AmazonSmile will donate to BA, at no cost to you. It works with Amazon Prime and you can use Scrip to pay for your purchases. Thank you!

Holiday Scrip: Holiday SCRIP is a great option for gift giving! You purchase these small denomination gift cards after all Sunday Masses at Divine Mercy Catholic Church and from the Divine Mercy Catholic School Business Office at 15 SW Third Avenue.

Winter Sports Update

Governor Walz's current orders will allow sports teams to begin practicing on Monday, January 4. However, a date for when games may start has not been set. We will be receiving additional guidance and direction from the Minnesota State High School League in the coming days. Please watch for more information about the winter sports season to come in the near future.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

Unemployment Benefits to HS Students

The State of MN has announced that due to Covid-19, high school students who have lost work due to the pandemic may be eligible to receive unemployment. If your student lost their job due to the pandemic, they may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. The application deadline is December 26. FYI that Ms. Rogers also emailed this information to all high school students December 10. Find more information here.

Ag Career Scholarship

The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) is providing four $5,000 scholarships to MN students who are pursuing a career in agriculture. Find the application at mncorn.org/scholarships. The deadline to apply is January 8. Scholarship applicants must be a young adult member of MCGA who is working toward a degree in an agriculture-related field.

Steele-Waseca Electric Coop College Scholarship

DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES

Mill City Senior Living Caroling Dec 19

Join DMCC in Caroling on Saturday, December 19th to spread some Advent and Christmas joy to our parishioners living at Mill City Senior Living. Please arrive at 5:50pm and head towards the flagpole. A table will be set up with candles and song sheets. If you would prefer to have the songs emailed to you so that you have them on your phone, please contact Andrea Gibbs. We will begin singing at 6:00pm. Mill City asks that you please wear a face covering and keep distanced from those not in your household. Mill City 's address is 1520 17th St NW, Faribault

JAN 1: SPECIAL PRAYER OPPORTUNITY FOR TEENS: Join the parish as we begin 2021 in prayer during a special Adoration hour on January 1, 2021, from 7-8 p.m. See the attached flier for details!

Middle School Edge/High School Youth Group

Attached Files

Adoration Teens.pdf

Home and School Christmas Letter.pdf

Alumni UpdateFall 2020.pdf

Family Focus 12/11/2020

12/11/2020 author

Ed Friesen category

December 2020, 2020-21

Leave a comment

December 11, 2020

Dear BA Families:

Blessed 2nd Week of Advent! This week brought BA students and staff together both here and online for our Immaculate Conception Holy Day Mass. What a joy to celebrate this feast day.

BA RECEIVES FULL ACCREDITATION! After our review we are happy to share that Bethlehem Academy continues as a school of excellence and is now fully accredited by MNSAA for another seven years. Each accreditation review period has us reflect on our strengths and areas for growth. Please visit our strategic plan here for updates on our progress.

This week my father quietly left this world. He loved Christmas and in the past had portrayed St. Nicholas for the students at my Catholic elementary schools, even though he was a Lutheran! It’s fitting that God called him home the morning after the feast day for St. Nicholas. I thank the BA community for your kind words and prayers during this time of loss. You may view his story at: https://www.parkerkohlfuneralhome.com/obituary/JamesJim-Biers Others of the BA family also recently passed including Father Patrick Griffin. Our prayers are with all families at this time who are experiencing loss as their loved ones are called home.

This next week we will be in our Hybrid Phase One learning model. Here is a review of the week ahead, a detailed bell schedule for the week is attached:

Monday, Dec 14, Red Day: All students in person learning. Ugly Sweater $1 Dress Down Day, proceeds to purchase masks for St. Vincent de Paul. Band practice, all grades.
Tuesday, Dec 15, White Day: All students in person learning. Christmas Sock Day. Special high school schedule for reconciliation/regular middle school schedule. Band practice, all grades.
Wednesday, Dec 16: No classes scheduled. Students may be asked to come in for exams (distance learners) and/or additional assistance/review as arranged with teachers.
Thursday, Dec 17, Red Day: All students in the building. Special middle school schedule for reconciliation. Regular schedule for high school. Red Day high school final exams/activities.
Friday, Dec 18, White Day: Middle school Mass celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe. MS follows a Mass day dress code and schedule. High school follows a regular White Day schedule. White day high school final exams/activities. Parent and student surveys due by 6pm.
Monday, Dec 21- Friday, Jan 1: NO SCHOOL / MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY 2021!

COVID Update: As of December 9, 2020, we have not had any additional cases and remain at nine positive Covid-19 cases in our BA family (members who have tested positive but not transferred through school.) Presently we have only one student quarantining due to outside exposure, not exposure through BA and therefore we are returning to school next week in Hybrid Phase One (all students here, four days a week). Please continue to follow the protocols at home and any time your family is in public so that we can offer hybrid or full in-person learning in the months ahead depending on our numbers, the County numbers, and State and Archdiocese recommendations.

Updated Student Symptom Screening form and Decision Tree - click on the links for updated information.
Traveling for Christmas or gathering with groups outside of your immediate family? Please plan to quarantine at home and notify the school office that your child will be online that first week in January. Call/email the school attendance line (334-3948, attendance@bacards.org) to let us know. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our students and staff safe!

BA Survey: Please take a few minutes to respond to our survey questions as we complete our first full semester of the academic year. We ask that you please complete the survey by next Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. Find the parent survey at this link and the student survey at this link.

FUNDRAISER UPDATES:

BA Annual Fund: Our goal is to raise $250,000 by June 30, 2021. As of December 9 we are at $80,044-Thank you! We invite you, or your extended family, to help us achieve $100,000 in our Annual Fund by Christmas! This is a great time to give! With the 2020 COVID giving tax rule changes, all donations of any amount can be taken as a tax credit in 2020. Please spread the news and help us achieve $100,000 by Christmas!

BA Bash Raffle Tickets-Looking for a unique stocking stuffer? Order 2020 BA Bash Raffle tickets! Only 1000 $25 tickets printed - send your payment to the front office today and we’ll place you in the drawing. Top Prize-$2020, 2nd Prize-$1020, 3rd Prize: $520. Proceeds help us cover extra costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click HERE to download your order form. All ticket orders must be received by December 30, 2020. Thank you!

KUDOS: Congratulations to Elliot Smith ‘21, one of only 14 MN students named to the Minnesota Football Coaches Association Class 1A Individual Academic All-state Team and to the following on being named to the Gopher Volleyball All-Conference Team: Brianna Radatz ‘21 (1st team); Kennedy Tutak ‘21 (second team); Reagan Kangas ‘23 (honorable mention) and Jennifer Robert (sportsmanship award). Brianna, Kennedy, and Kate Trump ‘23 were also named to the Faribault Daily News All-Area Volleyball Team!

Blessings during our first week of Advent! Please continue to pray for the Gardner family.

Mindy Reeder, President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org

SCHEDULE CHANGE: Christmas Break will be a full two week break to clean our building and allow additional professional development time for our staff. We will be out of school Dec. 21-Jan. 1, 2021.

ALL-BA UPDATES

Christmas Spirit Dress Down Day Monday!

Get in the Christmas spirit! SADD and BA’s Student Service Club are sponsoring a $1 Christmas Sweater Dress Down Day on Monday, December 14. As they requested, all proceeds will go to purchase face masks for St. Vincent de Paul. Mask donations are also welcomed. Extend the Christmas spirit and wear Christmas socks on Tuesday-no donation required.

MS and HS Band/Choir Next Week

Thank you to David Swenson ‘15 for filling in for Mr. Gardner! A reminder that both high school and middle school students will have band Monday and Tuesday next week, December 14 and December 15. Please be sure your students have their instruments as we will be recording their Christmas songs on Tuesday to share with our community later in the week. Choir will record on Thursday, Dec 17. Students will not have band practice next Thursday and Friday but will have a study hall instead.

Attendance Reminders

A gentle reminder to call or email the front office (507-334-3948 or attendance@bacards.org) for any changes to your scholar’s attendance - doctor appointment, excused absence, college visit, change in distance learning, etc. They will then inform your scholar’s teachers. Thank you for your help with this!

Home and School Update

Make your voice heard!

A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators and House members have revived the COVID relief talks and the US Council of Cathlic Bishops (USCCB) is asking for our help to ensure Catholic schools are included in this new legislation. To tell Congress Catholic schools need access to emergency aid, click on this link to share your support.

BA Christmas Angel Fund

Prospective Student Visit Options

Help us grow our student enrollment and spread the good news about BA! Take the Future Cardinal Challenge and invite one family/student to join us for a personal touror one of our limited shadow opportunities. Mid-year transfers are welcome, and applications are now open for 2021-2022. Find more information on our admission page.

Alumni Update Form

Mobile Food Distribution: Volunteers & Distribution Info

Area community groups have joined forces to provide mobile food distribution. Drop off sites are Thursday, 12/17 at South Central College and 12/18 at Evergreen Estates and Cannon River Mobile Home Park. Flyers in English and Spanish attached with more information.

Holiday Shopping: Amazon Smiles

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

December ACT Exam Cancelled

The ACT for December 12 has been cancelled due to COVID 19. If you were planning to take the test on this date, you should be rescheduled for a future date. A reminder to seniors: most schools right now are test optional due to the pandemic. Please contact Ms. Rogers if you have questions or need help rescheduling your ACT exam.

Unemployment Benefits to HS Students

The State of MN has announced that due to Covid-19, high school students who have lost work due to the pandemic may be eligible to receive unemployment. If your student lost their job due to the pandemic, they may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. The application deadline is December 26. FYI that Ms. Rogers also emailed this information to all high school students December 10. Find more information here.

Ag Career Scholarship

The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) is providing four $5,000 scholarships to MN students who are pursuing a career in agriculture. Find the application is at mncorn.org/scholarships. The deadline to apply is January 8. Scholarship applicants must be a young adult member of MCGA who is working toward a degree in an agriculture-related field.

DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES

Middle School Edge/High School Youth Group

Attached Files

December 2020-Finals Week Schedule.pdf

Home and School Christmas Letter.pdf

Food Delivery in Faribault-English-December2020 FINAL Locations.pdf

Food Delivery in Faribault-Spanish-December20202 - FINAL Locations.pdf

Alumni UpdateFall 2020.pdf

Family Focus 12/4/2020

12/04/2020 author

Ed Friesen category

December 2020, 2020-21

Leave a comment

Dear BA Families:

Welcome Advent! What a blessing to celebrate Advent and prepare our hearts for the joyous celebration of Christmas and the birth of our Savior. Bethlehem Academy is decked in Advent reminders, from our creche to our Advent wreath. During our full hybrid model, a member of our Peer Ministry group is reading an Advent prayer each Monday and Thursday morning while we light the first week’s candle.

This week Mrs. Jandro returned to her math classroom. We are so excited to have her back at school and invite everyone to continue to pray for her extended healing. In addition, we will have a substitute teacher for Band. Welcome to David Swenson, Class of 2015 alum and a music and theology graduate studies student at the University of Notre Dame. He will sub over the next two weeks for band rehearsals when he is available. Please remind your scholar to bring their band instrument!

This next week we will continue with our full hybrid learning model. Here is a review of the week ahead:

Monday, Dec. 7: All A-Ka scholars report; Ke-Z scholars report online to PowerSchool and check in with all classes for lessons and assignments. (Unless you have made other arrangements.)
Tuesday, Dec. 8: MASS DAY SCHEDULE 8:05 a.m. - All in person and online students report, middle school to homeroom, high school to first hour classes. All students in the building will attend Mass in our gymnasium as it is a Holy Day and DMCS will be at IC Church. Students at home (Ke-Z) are asked to join us online on our YouTube channel. (www.tinyurl.com/BethlehemAcademy)

9:30 a.m. – Ke-Z students report online to PowerSchool and check in with all first hour classes for lessons and assignments.

Wednesday, Dec. 9-Student Support Day (WIN): Students needing support or time for projects may schedule time to come into the building or may be requested to report by a teacher. Student Service Club will be packing COVID bags for St. Vincent de Paul from 2-3pm.
Thursday, Dec. 10-Friday, Dec 11: All Ke-Z scholars report; A-Ka report online to PowerSchool and check in with all classes for lessons and assignments. (Unless you have made other arrangements.)

COVID Update: As of December 3, 2020, we have had 9 positive Covid-19 cases in our BA family (members who have tested positive but not transferred through school.) Presently we have 22 students quarantining due to outside exposure, not exposure through BA. Please continue to follow the protocols at home and any time your family is in public so that we can offer hybrid or full in-person learning in the months ahead depending on our numbers and State and Archdiocese recommendations. When these numbers drop, or we have no additional cases in our BA family, we can consider changing learning models.

Updated Student Symptom Screening form and Decision Tree - click on the links for updated information.
Traveling for Christmas or gathering with groups outside of your immediate family?Please plan to quarantine at home and notify the school office that your child will be online that first week in January. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our students and staff safe!

FUNDRAISER UPDATES:

BA Annual Fund: Our goal is to raise $250,000 by June 30, 2021. To date we are at $75,944-Thank you! We invite you, or your extended family, to help us achieve $100,000 in our Annual Fund by Christmas! This is a great time to give! With the 2020 COVID giving tax rule changes, all donations of any amount can be taken as a tax credit in 2020. Please spread the news and help us achieve $100,000 by Christmas!

BA Bash Raffle Tickets-Looking for a unique stocking stuffer? Order 2020 BA Bash Raffle tickets! Only 1000 $25 tickets printed - send your payment to the front office today and we’ll place you in the drawing. Top Prize-$2020, 2nd Prize-$1020, 3rd Prize: $520. Click HERE to download your order form. All ticket orders must be received by December 30, 2020. Thank you!

KUDOS: Thank you to all of our parents who helped to contribute to the coffee treat at school this week for our staff. What a blessing! Also, congratulations to all of our Students of the Month honored this week. They exemplified one of the four Dominican pillars of prayer, study, community and service and we are so proud of our scholars: Shae Battles, Riley Bauer, Madelyn Bauer, Luke Caron, Aiden Carroll, Megan Cina, Matthew Croke, Karlie DeGrood, Madelyn Gersemehl, Aubrianna Howard, Allison McCabe, Luke McCrea, Sophy Smith, Zachary Velishek, Jonathan Vold, and Verity Wray-Raabolle.

Blessings during our first week of Advent! Please continue to pray for the Gardner family.

Mindy Reeder, President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org

SCHEDULE CHANGE: Christmas Break will be a full two week break to clean our building and allow additional professional development time for our staff. We will be out of school Dec. 21-Jan. 1, 2021.

ALL-BA UPDATES

BA Mass Update

Several families have reached out regarding viewing live BA Masses via Divine Mercy Catholic Church’s Facebook page. FYI that the parish Facebook page can be viewed without logging into Facebook, as it is a public site. Viewers can ignore the log-in/create account information that loads on the bottom of the page and watch Mass without having to log in. With the no wifi in Immaculate Conception, streaming to YouTube or other platforms can be a challenge while streaming to Facebook using a cellular connection has worked consistently. Know also that the Masses remain on the DMCC Facebook page in video format, so if you have concerns and are not able to be with your student while Mass is streaming live, you can choose to watch it together at a time that is more convenient for your family. Finally, as we will be hosting a separate on Tuesday, December 8 a Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mass (a Holy Day of Obligation) in Van Orsow Auditorium. That Mass will be streamed on our BA YouTube channel. Find that link here.

BA Christmas Angel Fund

Prospective Student Visit Options

Alumni Update Form

Mobile Food Distribution: Volunteers & Distribution Info

Area community groups have joined forces to provide mobile food distribution. Drop off sites are Thursday, 12/17 at South Central College and Friday 12/4 and 12/18 at Evergreen Estates and Cannon River Mobile Home Park. Flyers in English and Spanish attached with more information. Volunteers also need to pack and distribute the food boxes! Contact Becky Ford at becky@faribaultyouthinvestment.org to help.

Holiday Shopping: Amazon Smiles

If you are holiday shopping at Amazon, please go to smile.amazon.com and choose Faribault B A Inc. as your organization (include a space between the B and the A). Amazon will send BA a donation for every purchase you make. It works with Amazon Prime and you can use Scrip to pay for your purchases. Thank you!

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

Potential KoAm Host Family Opportunity

The KoAm Educational Foundation has reached out about a possible international transfer student. Jisoo (9th-grade female) has been studying in Minnesota this fall, but her school is extremely small (7 girls in the entire high school), and she is looking for a school with more opportunities to make friends and get involved. Jisoo is outgoing, practical, and laid-back. She loves to dance, compose, and sing and is hoping to pursue a career in the arts. She is an only child but would love a host family with siblings she can interact with and spend time with. She came to the US spring 2020 right before COVID, and despite the difficulty of distance learning, she came back this fall in the hopes of attending school in person and learning more about US culture and language. Please contact Kris at ksauer@bacards.org or KoAm at administrator@koameduall.org or call KoAm at 1-800-521-6640 for more information.

DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES

Attached Files

Alumni UpdateFall 2020.pdf

Bash 2020 Raffle Ticket Form.pdf

Food Delivery in Faribault-English-December2020 FINAL Locations.pdf

Food Delivery in Faribault-Spanish-December20202 - FINAL Locations.pdf

Nov. 30 - Return to School - Full Hybrid

11/24/2020 author

Ed Friesen category

November 2020, 2020-21

Leave a comment

Dear BA Families:

Thank you for partnering with us during these challenging times. Our online learning reset period improved student success and engagement compared to online learning last spring, and we thank you for partnering with us during this timeframe. We even welcomed a new middle school student during this period! As you are aware, COVID 19 cases and deaths have escalated dramatically since we went into our reset. We pray that you and your extended family have remained healthy and safe during this time.

With planning and prayers, we are returning to campus starting Monday, November 30, 2020, in our full hybrid model which splits our student body into two alpha sections. This decision was made based on county numbers, input from the Diocese, school leadership team, faculty and our own quarantining and COVID case counts which have been changing daily. To date, we have had nine positive cases. By moving to a full hybrid model, even if a student tests positive for COVID, we will significantly limit the number of students we need to send home to quarantine. By reducing the number of students in the building, we can also mitigate any possible holiday exposure and increase our chances to return to full in-person learning possibly yet this December. Here are specifics for how this model will work, starting Monday, Nov. 30:

November 30-Dec. 11, 2020: Full Hybrid

Students with last names A-Ka report to school Monday and Tuesday each week.
Students with last names Ke-Z report to school Thursday and Friday
Wednesday is our support day - no scheduled classes. Students who need extra support or time to work on projects may come to school. Both teachers and/or students may schedule meetings for this time.
A full detailed report of our hybrid model is in our Addendum for your review is at this link.

Some students may be asked to report daily; we will be contacting those families directly. If you have any extenuating circumstances which warrants a change for your child’s reporting days, please email the school to let us know of your request: mreeder@bacards.org.

What will the next two weeks look like? Both Faribault and BA’s buses are still operating.

Mon, Nov. 30-Tues, Dec 1: All A-Ka scholars report; Ke-Z report online to PowerSchool and check in with all classes for lessons and assignments.*Tuesday we celebrate students of the month from A-Ka.
Wednesday, Dec. 2 –Students needing support or time for projects may schedule time to come into the building or may be requested to report by a teacher.
Thursday, Dec. 3 – All Ke-Z scholars report; A-Ka report online to PowerSchool and check in with all classes for lessons and assignments. *Today we celebrate students of the month from Ke-Z.
Friday, Dec. 4 – MASS DAY SCHEDULE. All in person and online students report to homeroom. Ke-Z students will attend Mass. All students at home (A-Ka) are asked to watch Mass online (https://www.facebook.com/divinemercy.cc). 9:30am: Students report to class, A-Ka students report online and check all classes for lessons and assignments.
Monday, Dec. 7 – All A-Ka scholars report; Ke-Z report online to PowerSchool and check in with all classes for lessons and assignments.
Tuesday, Dec. 8 – MASS DAY SCHEDULE. All in person and online students report to homeroom. All students in the building will attend Mass in our gymnasium as it is a Holy Day and DMCS will be at IC Church. All students at home (Ke-Z) are asked to join us online (https://www.facebook.com/divinemercy.cc). 9:30 a.m. – Ke-Z students report online to PowerSchool and check in with all classes for lessons and assignments.
Wednesday, Dec. 9 – Students needing support or time for projects may schedule time to come into the building or may be requested to report by a teacher.
Thursday, Dec. 10-Friday, Dec 11: All Ke-Z scholars report; A-Ka report online to PowerSchool and check in with all classes for lessons and assignments.

Why are we returning in this full hybrid model? Due to our reset, Bethlehem Academy is better positioned to have students safely in the building; however, since the time of our initial shift to an online reset on November 10, we have had new students and staff diagnosed with COVID, new families having to quarantine, and more families asking to move to distance learning if we return. By returning to campus in full hybrid, we can further mitigate exposure. For those of you still worried if it is safe to return to campus, please know that we have taken even additional precautions including:

Spreading desks out further or grouping them to limit possible exposure.
Limited lunchroom seating to no more than 3 a table
In addition, to date we have not had spread within our building

Final Note: Please note, this plan may still need to be adjusted depending on COVID cases within our building, exposure, or on a positive side, the lack of cases or exposure. The more you do at home to mitigate cases and exposure, the more likely we can continue in hybrid or change to full in-person learning.

Finally, a couple of notes:

In regards to students when learning remotely, the teachers have adapted their format to do a check in with distance and flipped lesson, so that when students are here they are getting more direct support, which is what was recommended by the schools utilizing this learning model. Our staff feel confident that this will work well.
Revised symptom checklist for student self-screening: At the advice of public health authorities, we have revised our student screening checklist. Please see the attached checklist to screen for symptoms on days your student will be in the building.

Please contact the school with any questions. Sending wishes for a blessed and safe Thanksgiving! Finally, lease share enjoy and share this link to our virtual Grandparents Day program.

Blessings,

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SCHEDULE CHANGE: Christmas Break will be a full two week break to clean our building and allow additional professional development time for our staff. We will be out of school Dec. 21-Jan. 1, 2021.

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