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Family Focus 7/26/24

08/01/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

July 2024, 2024-25

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“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (Campus Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2024-2025)

July 26, 2024

Dear Parent/Guardians:

We are beginning to gear up for the start of 2024-2025! Our maintenance team is hard at work cleaning the building and our concessions upgrade project is underway. Thank you to our parent volunteers who have been helping us with this project! We will be installing the concessions stand storage door and finishing painting on Monday, with carpet scheduled to be installed the end of next week. Find concessions project pictures and other great BA news on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Yesterday we emailed to you our updated 2024-2025 dress code policy. Click here for a copy of that policy plus all other back-to-school information - and don't forget to remind your son or daughter to be working on their summer read for English class! Finally, if you haven't already, please set up your tuition agreeement in EduTrak (new system this year). Click here to get started; reach out to Lisa with questions.

Our final event of the summer - the Cardinal Golf Classic - takes place next Friday, August 2nd at the Legacy. This is a great day of fun and fellowship with fellow BA parents, alumni and supporters. Click HERE for more information and to register to play. Finally, please support our 8 SMART riders with a donation through July 31. Doing so goes directly to BA student scholarships. Click HERE to show your support for their ride.

Finally, we are still looking for a few staff members to add to our team, including a driver for our BA van, choir teacher, theater director, math teacher, and substitute teachers & kitchen assistants. Find job descriptions HERE and help spread the word.

Thank you for your partnership!

Blessings,
Kris Sauer, Ed Friesen
Interim Co-Head of School

ALL BA UPDATES

Summer Band Starts July 30! High school summer band camp is on July 30^th and August 1st, 6th, 8th, 13th, and 15^th from 3:30 to 6:00. Plan to meet in the band room. We will be going over our band handbook, working on pep band music, polishing our parade marching for Homecoming, and meeting new members of the band. If you cannot make it to one of the rehearsals, please let Mr. Lorence know. (email: Brad_Lorence@bacards.org)

2024-2025 Parent Ambassadors: We are looking for grade-level parent representatives to serve as a liaison for each class with both the school and prospective families. Serving in this capacity fulfills the parent service hour requirement for the year. Find more information on the POINT BA page; click here for parent volunteer program information; contact Kris with questions.

2024-2025 Back-to-School page: Click HERE

Summer Office Hours: BA's front office is open Monday through Thursday, 9am-1pm, closed Fridays.

Red Cross Blood Drive - Wednesday, August 7
The Bethlehem Academy Student Council and Divine Mercy Catholic Church are hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, August 7 from 9am to 3pm at Divine Mercy Catholic Church. Students aged 16 and older are eligible to donate. Consider donating to help save lives!
Sign up for a time at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=Bethlehem%20Academy
Learn more about donating blood here

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE

COMMUNITY UPDATE
Shattuck/Faribault Community Soccer Camp 2024 July 29-August 2: The 2024 Summer Camp, hosted by Shattuck-St. Mary's is coming up soon! Registration now available! Hone your skills, continue playing, prepare for the fall, all with the Community Soccer Camp. Camp is hosted by the Shattuck / St. Mary's Soccer Center of Excellence! Click HERE for registration info.

Pregnancy Options Run Baby Run! Event August 10: Support the mission of Faribault's Pregnancy Options and participate in their 10th annual Run Baby Run fundraiser with 10k, 5k and 1 mile options. Click HERE for info and the link to register.

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

Family Focus 7/19/24

07/26/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

July 2024, 2024-25

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“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (Campus Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2024-2025)

July 22, 2024

Dear Parent/Guardians:

We are humbled by the confidence extended by the Board of Directors in naming us interim Co-Head of School and look forward to partnering with all of you to continue our mission of providing a Dominican Catholic education following the pillars of prayer, study, community, and service to guide your sons and daughters toward personal, spiritual, and academic excellence. (Click HERE for the leadership announcement email from Board Chair Beth Dienst sent the morning of 7/122/24 for more information.)

As we plan for 160th year of academic excellence, we are excited to welcome the following members to the Bethlehem Academy team:

Grant Yackly, Assistant AD/Assistant Dean/Technology Integrationist: I am delighted to be joining the BA community. Most recently, I served as a Health and Physical Education Teacher at the Academy of Holy Angels. Additionally, I coached boys' high school hockey for two seasons and held various summer educational positions for New Prague Area Schools. I obtained my bachelor's degree from Minnesota State University - Mankato and am set to complete my master's degree next summer at the University of St. Thomas. I am dedicated to fostering a Christ-like environment in all my past and future endeavors, both personally and professionally. I am very excited about beginning at BA!

Tom Nardi, Middle School Theology Teacher: I am thrilled to join the BA community as the Middle School Theology Teacher! I'm from Prior Lake and attended the University of St. Thomas where I studied Theology and Catholic Studies. I spent the last year working and teaching at Brilla College Prep Middle School in The Bronx, NYC with the Seton Teaching Fellows program, and I’m excited to be back home! I’m an avid MN sports fan and watch all of the Vikings and Twins games, I also like to keep score/stats for the Twins as well. I’m excited to meet everyone and teach the students of Bethlehem Academy!

Nathan Bienias, School Counselor: I am excited to join you as your new school counselor for grades 9-12. I'm here to support you in achieving your academic goals and addressing your social and emotional needs. Originally from New Brighton, MN, I enjoy all things nerdy, including Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons. My favorite band this year is Sleep Token. A fun fact about me is that I have a twin brother with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). My girlfriend and I bond over our love of cats, and she inspired me to get two kitties of my own - pictures available upon request. I look forward to getting to know each of you and helping you find success in your high school journey!

In addition, we congratulation Brent Zabel on his promotion to Dean of Students while we welcome the

addition of Lindsay Bjorkquist, who - we learned late last week - will step in Katie Smith's position as middle school counseling support (see intro graphic at left). Stephen, as previously announced, will be on hand through the end of July before transitioning to a new counseling position at Lakeville South. Finally, we are excited to add Joe Zappa as our new nighttime custodian.

As we partner with you for the upcoming year, find a list of summer volunteer hours below - including a VERY flexible opportunity to earn hours by helping us prep and paint the concessions area for a much-needed refresh! If you haven't already, a reminder to please complete your tuition contract as soon as possible. Click HERE to log in. Find the purple tuition icon and follow the prompts to set up your contract. Thank you to those who have already taken care of this! Please note any unpaid 2023-24 tuition will be added to your 2024-2025 tuition contract if not paid by August 23rd. Contact Lisa to make arrangements for payment or if there are any questions.

Don't forget to sign up to join us for the Cardinal Golf Classic August 2nd at the Legacy. This is a great day of fun and fellowship with fellow BA parents, alumni and supporters. Click HERE for more information, including affordable sponsorship options to raise the profile of your company with our 100+ golfers. Support our 8 SMART riders with a donation through July 31. Click HERE.

THANK YOU to the Simones and Casper family for their excellent work organizing and running the BA Cardinal Cafe fair stand. Their efforts, as well as the efforts of all of our student and parent volunteers, meant we had another successful week at the Rice County Fair!

Finally, blessings and prayers to our colleagues at Divine Mercy Catholic School as they move into their new building on the DMCC parish campus. Find a link to help them move in the volunteer opportunities section below.

Blessings,
Kris Sauer, Ed Friesen
Interim Co-Head of School

ALL BA UPDATES

JULY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Parent Volunteer Program Information: Click HERE

See below for a list of parent and student volunteer opportunities this month. The concessions project help is VERY flexible in terms of days and times!

DMCS Moving Help (BA parents and students earn service hours) Click HERE to sign up. Self-report your hours in POINT; we will get a list from DMCS as well so as not to miss anyone!
Paint the Concessions Stand Monday, July 22! Help us save money on the concessions project and join us to prep and paint the concessions and bathrooms. A 2nd paint date is set for Monday, July 29. Contact Kris if you can help!

HOST FAMILY NEEDED: We are still seeking a host family for Daln, an incoming 8th grade girl from South Korea. Daln's favorite subject is P.E. and Art. She loves to make friends, work out, and aspires to become a cosmetologist. KoAm provides the host family gift of $500/month and provides additional student fund to cover all additional expense for the student. Boarding and transportation provided by the host family. BA provides a tuition credit, fulfillment of the parent service hour requirement, and a year-long home athletic passes. It is a wonderful way to bring a great cultural exchange within your own community! Please contact KoAm's local area coordinator Haewon Park at 612-234-1518 or haewon@koameduall.org.

Summer Band Starts July 30! High school summer band camp is on July 30^th and August 1st, 6th, 8th, 13th, and 15^th from 3:30 to 6:00. Plan to meet in the band room. We will be going over our band handbook, working on pep band music, polishing our parade marching for Homecoming, and meeting new members of the band. If you cannot make it to one of the rehearsals, please let Mr. Lorence know. (email: Brad_Lorence@bacards.org)

2024-2025 BA School Calendar: Click HERE

Student Summer Reading Assignments: Click HERE to find titles and reading guides for each grade and/or high school class for your sons and daughters.

Summer Office Hours: BA's front office is open Monday through Thursday, 9am-1pm, closed Fridays.

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

Family Focus 7/12/24

07/18/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

July 2024, 2024-25

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“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (Campus Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2024-2025)

July 12, 2024

Dear Parent/Guardians:

We hope you had a wonderful July 4th weekend, and are enjoying this week of sun and little to no rain!

THANK YOU to our 2024 SMART Riders: current and past parents Sara & Cory Caron, Aaron Langer, Bob Crone, and George Farmer; alumni Wade Bauer (BA Class of 1974) and Dave DeGrood (BA Class of 1977); and BA Art Teacher Jason Hillesheim! They have been braving the heat and contending with newly arranged routes thanks to all the rain we've had lately. The ride concludes tomorrow (Saturday). Please keep them in your prayers as they ride and raise dollars to help BA students with tuition assistance, and consider supporting them with a donation HERE.

As we partner with you for the upcoming year, find a list of summer volunteer hours below - including a VERY flexible opportunity to earn hours by helping us remove wallpaper, paint, and prep the concessions area for a much-needed refresh! A reminder to please complete your tuition contract as soon as possible. Click HERE to log in. Find the purple tuition icon and follow the prompts to set up your contract. Thank you to those who have already taken care of this! Please note any unpaid 2023-24 tuition will be added to your 2024-2024 tuition contract if not paid by August 23rd. Contact Lisa to make arrangements for payment or if there are any questions.

Don't forget to sign up to join us for the Cardinal Golf Classic August 2nd at the Legacy. This is a great day of fun and fellowship with fellow BA parents, alumni and supporters. Click HERE for more information, including affordable sponsorship options to raise the profile of your company with our 100+ golfers.

Finally, blessings and prayers to our colleagues at Divine Mercy Catholic School as they move into their new building on the DMCC parish campus. Find a link to help them move below.

Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
Kris Sauer, Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel
Click on individual names to contact a member of the Leadership Team or email the entire team at leadership@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATES

July 17-21: BA fair stand @ the Rice County Fair - parent and student volunteers needed, click here to sign up. Help needed all shifts but especially on Sunday, July 21.
DMCS Moving Help (BA parents and students earn service hours) Click HERE to sign up.
Concessions Phase 1: July 16, 6:30pm: Help us save money on the concessions project and join us to strip the wallpaper borders in the bathrooms. Prep and painting planned for the last 2 weeks of July. Contact Kris if you can help!

Summer Office Hours: BA's front office is open Monday through Thursday, 9am-1pm, closed Fridays.

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

Family Focus 6/30/24

07/12/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

June 2024, 2023-24

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"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 (Campus Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2023-2024)

June 30, 2024

Dear Parent/Guardians:

The Bethlehem Academy Board of Directors closed out the 2023-2024 school year at their meeting Wednesday night. Thank you to outgoing Board Chair, Cory Caron, for his leadership these past three years and welcome to incoming Board Chair, Beth Dienst. We extend our gratitude as well to Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa Associates Mary Jane Alexander and Patty Murray, for their service to the Board.

The Selection Committee for the Head of School position, together with school leadership, is actively working on an interim leadership model for the 2024-2025 school year while we continue with the search process. We will share more in the coming weeks.

The Board also passed an updated PSEO class reimbursement policy effective for next school year: for each PSEO class of 3 credits or more taken in a high school semester, tuition may be reduced 3.5% if, upon successful completion of the course, parents make a request to the BA business office within a time period set by the school administration. Once classes begin in the fall, details on the process and relevant deadlines will be provided in a timely manner to those affected by this policy.

Tuition contracts / Scrip: We ask parents to complete their tuition contracts and set up a payment schedule in EduTrak ASAP. Click HERE to log in. Find the purple tuition icon and follow the prompts to set up your contract. Email Lisa Moon if you need family key information to set up an account. FYI: Scrip credits earned will be applied to EduTrak contracts as a payment June 28.

Happy Fourth of July! A reminder that the office will be closed next week, July 1-5. The leadership team is likewise taking time away from the office July 1-5. Enjoy your time with friends and family!

Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
Kris Sauer, Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel
Click on individual names to contact a member of the Leadership Team or email the entire team at leadership@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATES

RAFFLE/VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Parent Volunteer Program Information: Click HERE

July 11-13: SMART Bike Ride for Catholic education. Click HERE to register to ride or sponsor a rider. (Participating parents earn volunteer hours for biking!)
July 17-21: BA fair stand @ the Rice County Fair - parent and student volunteers needed, click here to sign up.
August 2: BA Cardinal Golf Classic - sponsor this great event and/or golf with us at the Legacy! Click here to register.

FREE Baby Grand Piano! A member of our BA community has a Yamaha baby grand piano they would like to give to a passionate instrument lover who will take it and care for it. Please reach out to Gina Yetzer if interested.

2024-2025 BA School Calendar: Click HERE

Student Summer Reading Assignments: Click HERE to find titles and reading guides for each grade and/or high school class for your sons and daughters.

Lost and Found: Claim by July 10!

Summer Office Hours: BA's front office is open Monday through Thursday, 9am-1pm, closed Fridays, and will be closed the week of July 1-5.

PSE Local Coordinator Position Available: PSE, the student exchange company that is sending Bethlehem Academy a Korean boy for the '24-'25 school year is looking for a Local Coordinator. This is a contracted, paid position and is about 1 hour per month. The Local Coordinator checks in with the student and the host family monthly and fills out an online report (14 questions) and uploads the students grades in a PDF format. The LC vets the host family, making a trip to the home to meet the family and see the student's bedroom and also does an orientation with the family (a PowerPoint presentation) and also the same with the student. The pay is $80 a month to fill out the online report and the LC then gets paid $300 for meeting the family and doing the orientations for both students. Please contact Cheryl Da Silva, PSE Regional Manager 617 710 5700 or cdasilva@pse-edu.org if interested.

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Faribault Transportation Open House:
Faribault Transportation is holding an Open House on Tuesday, June 25th from 4:00 to 6:30pm. It’s a fun Summer get together with our drivers. It is open to the community. If you are interested in driving school bus or being a bus aide, this is a great opportunity to learn more about these positions at Faribault Transportation. Tuesday, June 25th from 4-6:30pm. Bring your family!! Faribault Transportation is located at 2615 NW 1st Ave. in Faribault.

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

Family Focus 6/21/24

06/27/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

June 2024, 2023-24

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Prayers and thanksgiving for a successful, faith-filled trip student trip to Italy (including Rome, Assisi, and Florence), for an end to this incessant rain, and for a safe, happy, and healthy summer break!

Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel, Kris Sauer, Stephen Uphus, Katie Smith
Click on individual names to contact a member of the Leadership Team or email the entire team at leadership@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATES

RAFFLE/VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Parent Volunteer Program Information: Click HERE

WIN CASH-Cardinal Club Raffle: Order your 2024 Cardinal Club raffle tickets by noon June 27 for a chance to win cash! Top prize: $1500. Click HERE for an order form.
July 11-13: SMART Bike Ride for Catholic education. Click HERE to register to ride or sponsor a rider. (Participating parents earn volunteer hours for biking!)
July 17-21: BA fair stand @ the Rice County Fair - parent and student volunteers needed, click here to sign up.
August 2: BA Cardinal Golf Classic - sponsor this great event and/or golf with us at the Legacy! Click here to register.

2024-2025 BA School Calendar: Click HERE

Staff/Student Summer Reading Assignments: Both students and staff have a summer reading assignment this year. Click HERE to find titles and reading guides for each grade and/or high school class for your sons and daughters. Staff is reading "The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness" by Jonathan Haid, a particularly timely title as social media warnings and school cell phone bans are in the news this week.

Lost and Found: Claim by July 10!

Summer Office Hours: BA's front office is open Monday through Thursday, 9am-1pm, closed Fridays, and will be closed the week of July 1-5.

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

Family Focus 5/31/24

06/20/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

May 2024, 2023-24

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"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 (Campus Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2023-2024)

May 31, 2024

Dear Parent/Guardians:

Happy summer! We hope you and your family has a wonderful, relaxing break. School may be finished for the year, but there is still a lot happening at BA! See below for important summer transition information.

Staffing Updates: The end of the school year also brings with it some changes in staffing for next year. We are excited to welcome Mr. Tom Nardi to the staff as our new middle school theology teacher. Tom is a University of St. Thomas alumni who spent the last year in the Bronx with the with the Seton Education Partners program. We are excited to welcome him to the BA team! Sadly as the school year ends, we say farewell to Ms. Emily Cicha (Choir) who will be moving on to new opportunities and to Mr. Ken Gigante who has returned to the Philippines with his family. Mr. Stephen Uphus will also be departing staff for a new opportunity, but will be available to work with students through the end of July and will continue coaching football in the fall. We are thankful for their time with us at BA and wish them all the best. We are working to fill these positions, along with hiring a night time custodian and a high school math teacher. Find current openings HERE and please spread the word!

Parent Volunteer Program: Information was sent out via email Thursday. A reminder that the policy was amended this year and any parent hours not served (25 hours per family) will be billed next May. Please click HERE for all the details and to get signed up in POINT (replacing SignUpGenius) to volunteer. LOTS of summer volunteer opportunities, including selling raffle tickets after Mass June 15-16, the Heritage Days parade June 15, helping on the golf tournament committee, biking the SMART Ride July 11, 12 and/or 13, working at the BA fair stand (July 17-21), and signing up to be a parent class ambassador. Reach out to Kris Sauer with any questions.

2024-2025 tuition contracts are now available in Wordware/EduTrak. If you have an existing account, please click HERE to log in. Find the purple tuition icon and follow the prompts to set up your contract. Don't have an account? Watch for an email from Lisa Moon with your family key and login information. Please reach out if to Kris or Lisa if you have any questions. Thank you!

2 Host Families Needed! We are looking for two families to host an 8th grade girl and an 8th grade boy (not siblings) from South Korea for 2024-2025. Please consider opening your home to this student so they can join us at BA! Host families receive a monthly stipend, a tuition credit, and fulfill their parent service hour commitment when they host an international student. Please contact Kris Sauer if interested.

UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2024-2025 BA School Calendar

June 15: Heritage Days parade - parent/student volunteers needed. Click HERE to sign up.
July 11-13: SMART Bike Ride for Catholic education. Click HERE to register to ride.
July 17-21: BA fair stand @ the Rice County Fair - parent and student volunteers needed, click here to sign up.
August 2: BA Cardinal Golf Classic - golf with us at the Legacy! Earn service hours - be a committee member for this event! Click here to sign up.

Kudos to our spring sport athletes! Good luck to our co-op track athletes competing in section finals tomorrow. Special shout out to Barak Barner (110 hurdles) and Brooklyn Becker (800m) qualifying for state in Thursday's preliminary races. Girls softball finished their season in Austin last week, boys co-op baseball finished their season in Winona yesterday with a tough 6-5 loss.

Prayers for a safe, happy, healthy summer break!

Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel, Kris Sauer, Stephen Uphus, Katie Smith
Click on individual names to contact a member of the Leadership Team or email the entire team at leadership@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATES
Summer Office Hours: Starting Monday, June 3, BA's front office will be open Monday through Thursday, 9am-1pm, closed Fridays.

Summer Reading Assignments: English teachers have begun sharing the 2024 class-based summer reading assignments. Click HERE to find titles and reading guides for each grade and/or high school class.

BA Summer Camps: All are welcome to join our summer camp programs! Click HERE for information and registration forms for our volleyball, girls & boys basketball, football, and robotics camps this summer. Information for the fall 2024 grade 4-6 youth football league sign up is also included on this page.

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE

Click HERE to register for Totus Tuus.

Click HERE to sign up for Summer Stretch.

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

Family Focus 5/25/24

05/30/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

May 2024, 2023-24

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June 15: Heritage Days parade - parent/student volunteers needed
July 11-13: SMART Bike Ride for Catholic education
July 17-21: BA fair stand @ the Rice County Fair - parent and student volunteers needed
August 2: BA Cardinal Golf Classic - golf with us at the Legacy!

Prayers for the Class of 2024 and for a restful Memorial Day weekend. Prayers to all our fallen military members and their families.

Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel, Kris Sauer, Stephen Uphus, Katie Smith
Click on individual names to contact a member of the Leadership Team or email the entire team at leadership@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATES
Message from the School Nurse: If your student has a medication that is not controlled, please pick up from the nurses office by May 29, 2024. If you have a controlled medication, make sure you have made arrangements to pick from nurse before May 29, at 1pm. Thank you! Have a great summer!

Summer Office Hours: Starting Monday, June 3, BA's front office will be open Monday through Thursday, 9am-1pm, closed Fridays.

Summer Reading Assignments: English teachers have begun sharing the 2024 class-based summer reading assignments. Click HERE to find titles and reading guides for each grade and/or high school class.

BA Summer Camps: All are welcome to join our summer camp programs! Click HERE for information and registration forms for our volleyball, girls & boys basketball, football, and robotics camps this summer. Information for the fall 2024 grade 4-6 youth football league sign up is also included on this page.

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE

Click HERE to register for Totus Tuus.

Click HERE to sign up for Summer Stretch.

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Fall sport option for BA students! Mountain biking with the local team: Cannon Valley Composite. All ability levels are welcome. For more information, reach out to Coach Todd Trembley at ttrembley@charter.net

Stanford Summer Mentors program: Click HERE for the flyer with more information on this program.

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

Family Focus 5/17/24

05/24/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

2023-24, May 2024

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"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 (Campus Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2023-2024)

May 17, 2024

Dear Parent/Guardians:

What a blessing to celebrate Mass this morning with Divine Mercy Catholic School! We concluded Mass with a Eucharistic Procession where interested students and staff silently and reverently followed the Eucharist and Our Lady of Fatima from the front steps of BA to the Adoration Chapel. The procession also helped our school community commemorate and kick off locally the Eucharistic Congress procession starting today across the country. God is good!

Graduation Week! This is one of the busiest and most rewarding weeks of the year as we prepare to honor and celebrate the Class of 2024! Please join us Wednesday, May 22 at 1pm in the gym for the all-school Mary Ceremony and for Baccalaureate Mass with Bishop Williams at 7:30pm at Divine Mercy Catholic Church. Friday, May 24, we will gather at 9:30am for our grade 6-12 Awards Ceremony. We ask that grade 6-11 students be in Mass Dress Code on Wednesday and Friday next week. Students grades 6-11 will be dismissed at the conclusion of the Awards Ceremony, Friday around 11am. No grade 6-11 lunch will be served Friday, May 24. Please join us at 7:30pm May 24 for the Class of 2024 Commencement ceremony. All are welcome. Senior parents - see below for additional information.

Finals begin next week for students grades 9-11, with Cardinal A-C finals Thursday and Cardinal D finals Friday morning. Seniors will take their white period 1-3 exams Monday and red period 1-3 finals Tuesday. Please encourage your scholar to reach out to teachers with questions or for assistance as the year winds down.

Lunch program update: Last month, BA's lunch program successfully passed an in-person administrative review conducted by the MN Department of Education's USDA-governed school nutrition program. Earlier this week we had a snap MN Department of Health inspection, which the program also successfully passed. This correlates to the results of previous snap inspections, which are standard, conducted earlier this year.

Have you completed the enrollment form for your student(s) for next year? You should be receiving emails from PowerSchool Enrollment. If you do not see them, please check your junk/spam folder. Tuition award letters were sent Tuesday to parents whose students are re-enrolled. Please contact Kris Sauer if you do not see an email or wish to discuss enrollment for next year. We anticipate releasing tuition contracts via EduTrak and providing updated information on the parent volunteer program - including several summer volunteer opportunities - next week. Thank you for your commitment to Catholic education for your student(s)!

The week ahead:

UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2024-2025 BA School Calendar

May 27: Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
May 28: 1:05 dismissal for all students
- High school red period 1-3 exams
May 29: Last Day of School, 1:05pm dismissal
- High school white period 1-3 exams
- Gr 6-11 Laptop & power cord turn in

Prayers for the Class of 2024, for those who have recently lost loved ones, and for all those in our BA community who are suffering either physically or mentally.

Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel, Kris Sauer, Stephen Uphus, Katie Smith
Click on individual names to contact a member of the Leadership Team or email the entire team at leadership@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATES
Message from the School Nurse: If your student has a medication that is not controlled, please pick up from the nurses office by May 29, 2024. If you have a controlled medication, make sure you have made arrangements to pick from nurse before May 29, at 1pm. Thank you! Have a great summer!

Summer Reading Assignments: English teachers have begun sharing the 2024 class-based summer reading assignments. Click HERE to find titles and reading guides for each grade and/or high school class.

BA Summer Camps: All are welcome to join our summer camp programs! Click HERE for information and registration forms for our volleyball, girls & boys basketball, football, and robotics camps this summer. Information for the fall 2024 grade 4-6 youth football league sign up is also included on this page.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Senior Week Event Dates/Times/Info:

Wed, May 22, 1pm: Mary Ceremony, BA gym: parents and special guests invited to attend. The Mary Ceremony is a beautiful all-school ceremony held in Van Orsow Auditorium. Seniors pay tribute to Mary with speeches and a prayer service/crowning ceremony, then honor all those who are important in their lives by distributing flowers of varying significance to fellow students, faculty, parents, guardians, grandparents, and other special friends in attendance. Seniors wear their caps and gowns.
Wed, May 22, 7:30pm – Baccalaureate Mass at Divine Mercy Catholic Church (seniors report by 7:15pm and wear their caps and gowns) All families and guests invited to join us for a special Mass celebrating the Class of 2024. Bishop Williams will preside; the Christian Man/Woman Award announced at Mass.
Friday, May 24, 9:30am – Awards Day program: All school and senior academic, athletic, and activities-related awards are announced at this event. Senior scholarships are announced and awarded. Seniors wear their caps and gowns. Parents are invited to attend.
Fri, May 24, 11:15am – Faculty/Staff/Senior Brunch – Seniors only with faculty and staff; traditionally senior moms have separately set up a lunch at this time.
Fri, May 24, 7:30pm – Commencement (seniors report by 7:15pm; band/choir report earlier). Held in Van Orsow Auditorium. All are welcome to attend. Seating is first come, first serve and there is no limit to the number of attendees.

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE

Click HERE to register for Totus Tuus.

Click HERE to sign up for Summer Stretch.

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

Family Focus 5/10/24

05/16/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

May 2024, 2023-24

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**Head of School Update from the Search Committee**
Thank you for your prayers and patience as we work through the Head of School search process. We are continuing to evaluate candidates and will be having one spend most of this coming Tuesday, May 14, touring BA, visiting classrooms, and meeting with faculty, staff, and student leaders.

Dear Parent/Guardians:
Thank you to our teachers! We enjoyed honoring our teachers all week for their hard work and dedication to our students. Congratulations to our band and choir students for a lovely concert Wednesday night, to our FFA students for an educational agricultural day Thursday, and to our Students of the Month honored Thursday morning for their work in math, science, and agricultural. The final weeks of school are upon us - we are actively preparing for Senior Week and finals - and encourage you to reach out if your student needs support these next few weeks.

Have you completed the enrollment form for your student(s) for next year? You should be receiving emails from PowerSchool Enrollment. If you do not see them, please check your junk/spam folder. If you still do not see an email or wish to discuss enrollment for next year, please contact Kris Sauer. FYI that the requested enrollment fee will be incorporated into the tuition agreements which will be sent in the next week or so.

The week ahead:

UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2024-2025 BA School Calendar

May 20: Senior exams, white periods 1-3
May 21: Senior exams, red periods 1-3
May 22: Mary Ceremony, 1pm
- Baccalaureate Mass @ DMCC, 7:30pm
May 23: High school final exams Cardinals A, B, C
May 24: **Gr 6-11 dismissed around 11am, no lunch served**
- High school Gr 9-11 Cardinal D exams
- Awards Day, 9:30-11am
- Senior Brunch, 11:15am
- Commencement, 7:30pm
May 27: Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
May 28: 1:05 dismissal for all students
- High school red period 1-3 exams
May 29: Last Day of School, 1:05pm dismissal
- High school white period 1-3 exams
- Gr 6-11 Laptop & power cord turn in

Kudos to:

The junior class and the prom and post-prom coordinators/parent volunteers for a very successful Prom 2024: Under the Sea!
Middle and high school choir and band students for a lovely concert Wednesday night.
FFA students for their work sharing all things agriculture with BA and DMCS students Thursday during FFA Ag Day

Prayers for those who have recently lost loved ones, and for all those in our BA community who are suffering either physically or mentally at this time.

Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel, Kris Sauer, Stephen Uphus, Katie Smith
Click on individual names to contact a member of the Leadership Team or email the entire team at leadership@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATES
BA Summer Camps: All are welcome to join our summer camp programs! Click HERE for information and registration forms for our volleyball, girls & boys basketball, football and robotics camps this summer. Information for the fall 2024 grade 4-6 youth football league sign up is also included on this page.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Senior Scholarships: Senior scholarship information sought for the commencement program. Please email Kris Sauer with necessary information ASAP.

Senior Week Event Dates/Times:

Wed, May 22, 1pm: Mary Ceremony, BA gym: parents and special guests invited to attend. The Mary Ceremony is a beautiful all-school ceremony held in Van Orsow Auditorium. Seniors pay tribute to Mary with speeches and a prayer service/crowning ceremony, then honor all those who are important in their lives by distributing flowers of varying significance to fellow students, faculty, parents, guardians, grandparents, and other special friends in attendance. Seniors wear their caps and gowns.
Wed, May 22, 7:30pm – Baccalaureate Mass at Divine Mercy Catholic Church (seniors report by 7:15pm and wear their caps and gowns) All families and guests invited to join us for a special Mass celebrating the Class of 2024. Bishop Williams will preside; Christian Man/Woman Award announced at Mass.
Friday, May 24, 9:30am – Awards Day program: All school and senior academic, athletic, and activities-related awards are announced at this event. Senior scholarships are announced and awarded. Seniors wear their caps and gowns. Parents are invited to attend.
Fri, May 24, 11:15am – Faculty/Staff/Senior Brunch – Seniors only with faculty and staff; traditionally Senior moms have separately set up a lunch at this time.
Fri, May 24, 7:30pm – Commencement (seniors report by 7:15; band/choir report earlier). Held in Van Orsow Auditorium. All are welcome to attend.

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE

Click HERE to register for Totus Tuus. Click HERE to sign up for Summer Stretch.

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Talk to your teens about the risks associated with marijuana use.

Make sure they know the facts.

It’s illegal for people under age 21 to use and possess marijuana in Minnesota, and the legal ramifications could vary widely. If your child is in possession of marijuana, they will be disqualified from participating in sports and activities. In addition, using marijuana before age 18 may affect how the brain builds connections for functions like attention, memory and learning.

For more facts about marijuana, visit https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/images/tipsforteens_marijuana_508.jpg

Hable con sus hijos adolescentes sobre los riesgos asociados con el consume de marihuana. Asegúrese de que conozcan las realidades. Es ilegal que personas menores de 21 años consuman y posean marihuana en Minnesota, y las ramificaciones legales podrían variar ampliamente. Si su hijo está en posesión de marihuana, será descalificado para participar en deportes y actividades. Además, consumir marihuana antes de los 18 años puede afectar la forma en que el cerebro establece conexiones para funciones como la atención, la memoria y el aprendizaje. Para obtener más datos sobre la marihuana, visite

https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep20-03-03-011.png

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

Family Focus May 3, 2024

05/09/2024 author

Kris Sauer category

May 2024, 2023-24

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UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2024-2025 BA School Calendar

May 14: AP English Language exam
May 15: **No parking in main lot** for DMCS concerts
- AP Music Theory exam
May 16: 6th grade field trip to River Bend Nature Center
May 17: 10:30am joint Mass at BA with DMCS
May 18: FFA Banquet
May 22: Mary Ceremony, 1pm
- Baccalaureate Mass @ DMCC, 7:30pm
May 24: **Gr 6-11 dismissed around 11am**
- Awards Day, 9:30-11am
- Senior Brunch, 11:15am
- Commencement, 7:30pm
May 27: Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
May 29: Last Day of School, 1:05pm dismissal

Kudos to:

The entire cast and crew of Godspell, Jr. as well as to Will McIntyre for directing the play and Jason Hillesheim for all his behind-the scenes work - what an amazing weekend of performances!
Our Cardinal community for donating over 65 blankets to immigrant families in Rochester, and to Celeste Donlon and SADD for organizing this wonderful service event. God is good!
Mr. Stephen Uphus and SADD for a very successful series of high school events and activities for Safe Driving Week.

Prayers for a safe and successful Prom and Post-Prom event, those who have recently lost loved ones, and for all those in our BA community who are suffering either physically or mentally at this time.

Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel, Kris Sauer, Stephen Uphus, Katie Smith
Click on individual names to contact a member of the Leadership Team or email the entire team at leadership@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATES
May 8 Spring Concert Reminders: Choir - students will need to be in the choir room at 6:30 if they are 6/7^th graders, and at 6:15 if they are 8^th graders or in high school. Dress code is black and white dress clothes for 6^th/7^th grade students, and black shoes and dressy clothing for under the robes for 8^th/high school. Band -call time for the high school band (8^th through 12^th graders) is at 6:15pm, and 6:30pm for the 6^th and 7^th graders. Students should have their instrument put together and be ready to go in the gym at these times. Middle school dress is formal, and the high school band needs to wear their concert blacks.

Student of the Month, May 9: Is your student receiving a Student of the Month award next Thursday? Please RSVP to Gina in the front office if you will be attending. Thank you!

BA Summer Camps: All are welcome to join our summer camp programs! Click HERE for information and registration forms for our volleyball, girls & boys basketball, football and robotics camps this summer. Information for the fall 2024 grade 4-6 youth football league sign up is also included on this page.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Senior Decision Day: Seniors are asked to wear their college gear on Thursday, May 9. We'll take decision day photos during the WIN period to share on BA's Facebook page.

Senior Scholarships: Senior scholarship information sought for the commencement program. Please email Kris Sauer with necessary information.

Senior Week Event Dates/Times:

Wed, May 22, 1pm: Mary Ceremony, BA gym: parents and special guests invited to attend. The Mary Ceremony is a beautiful all-school ceremony held in Van Orsow Auditorium. Seniors pay tribute to Mary with speeches and a prayer service/crowning ceremony, then honor all those who are important in their lives by distributing flowers of varying significance to fellow students, faculty, parents, guardians, grandparents, and other special friends in attendance. Seniors wear their caps and gowns.
Wed, May 22, 7:30pm – Baccalaureate Mass at Divine Mercy Catholic Church (seniors report by 7:15pm and wear their caps and gowns) All families and guests invited to join us for a special Mass celebrating the Class of 2024. Bishop Williams will preside; Christian Man/Woman Award announced at Mass.
Friday, May 24, 9:30am – Awards Day program: All school and senior academic, athletic, and activities-related awards are announced at this event. Senior scholarships are announced and awarded. Seniors wear their caps and gowns. Parents are invited to attend.
Fri, May 24, 11:15am – Faculty/Staff/Senior Brunch – Seniors only with faculty and staff; traditionally Senior moms have separately set up a lunch at this time.
Fri, May 24, 7:30pm – Commencement (seniors report by 7:15; band/choir report earlier). Held in Van Orsow Auditorium. All are welcome to attend.

DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE


Click HERE to register for Totus Tuus. Click HERE to sign up for Summer Stretch.

Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Talk to your teens about the risks associated with marijuana use.

Make sure they know the facts.

It’s illegal for people under age 21 to use and possess marijuana in Minnesota, and the legal ramifications could vary widely. If your child is in possession of marijuana, they will be disqualified from participating in sports and activities. In addition, using marijuana before age 18 may affect how the brain builds connections for functions like attention, memory and learning. For more facts about marijuana, visit https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/images/tipsforteens_marijuana_508.jpg

Hable con sus hijos adolescentes sobre los riesgos asociados con el consume de marihuana. Asegúrese de que conozcan las realidades.

Es ilegal que personas menores de 21 años consuman y posean marihuana en Minnesota, y las ramificaciones legales podrían variar ampliamente. Si su hijo está en posesión de marihuana, será descalificado para participar en deportes y actividades. Además, consumir marihuana antes de los 18 años puede afectar la forma en que el cerebro establece conexiones para funciones como la atención, la memoria y el aprendizaje. Para obtener más datos sobre la marihuana, visite https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep20-03-03-011.png

Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/

Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/

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