Family Focus Jan 6, 2023
01/11/2023
Kris Sauer
January 2023, 2022-23
Leave a comment
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 (Peer Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2022-2023)
January 6, 2023
Dear BA Families:
HAPPY NEW YEAR & WELCOME BACK! I hope the spirit of Christmas resides in you all month long as we experience the layers of snow and ice this January. Did you make a New Year's resolution? For all scholars, their new semester begins this week - a great opportunity to start fresh and exceed their personal goals! Mr. Uphus will be working with scholars on any semester schedule needs.
REFLECTIONS ON THE POPE: Pope Benedict XVI passed away at age 95 on New Years Eve. He leaves a legacy for all of us to share with our families as a person of faith and strong teacher. Join me in prayers. https://www.usccb.org/news/2022/pope-benedict-eight-years-pope-capped-long-ministry-teacher-faith
UPCOMING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS' WEEK - Field Trip & Events Jan. 30-Feb. 3, 2023. Staff are busy planning Catholic Schools' Week events the week after SnoBall Week. We will have special prayers, a joint Mass, buddy day, talent show and an all-school field trip combining service with an activity on Thursday, Feb. 2. Our high school students will be packing food. The food packs require 18 year olds or older, to "close the food packs." Because of this, we will need additional adult volunteers for our 9-11th grade group. Please join us to help! Email your interest in attending by January 30th to mreeder@bacards.org. The permission form and cost for the field trip will be sent home next week and due back by January 30th.
FUNDRAISERS & EVENT UPDATES:
- The BA Annual Fund drive is at $154,500+ with a goal of $265,000 for this academic year! We are so thankful to our supporters and have received our matching gift. THANK YOU! Gifts accepted through June 30, 2023.
- BABS - A Red & Black Gala Event on April 15 is in need of silent and live auction items. Email Teresa Lebens with your items at: tlebens@bacards.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Additional events are online.
- Jan 9, 10, 12, 13: Middle School MAP Testing-see info below
- Jan 11: Student of the Month, 7:30am, Cafeteria
- Jan 12: DMCS/BA Spelling Bee
- Jan 13: Youth Basketball Night @ Girls BBall game - see info
- Jan 16: NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King Day
- Jan 19: WIN Day
- Jan 28: SnoBall Dance
- Jan 29-Feb 3: Catholic Schools Week
- Attendance: If your scholar is sick or has an appointment, please email attendance@bacards.org or call 507-334-3948, x 302 by 8am if possible. Thank you!
Please continue to pray for staff healing from surgery and continued healing for Bob Crone and Shelley Friesen, as well as all of our students as we begin Semester 2.
Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATE
Rome Trip Summer 2024: It's not too late to join! Please contact Ms Caryn Coller if interested.
Youth Basketball Nights: prospective students and families are invited to join us for these fun, free, family nights! Register online for both games HERE. Basketball Game Volunteers: The high school basketball season is upon us. With 2 dozen home games from December through February, there are many volunteer opportunities. We need parent volunteers to sell admission (tickets) and to work in the concession stand. Click the links to help: Girls Basketball Volunteers; Boys Basketball Volunteers
Basketball Officials: BA needs individuals to officiate junior high basketball this winter. Contact Ed Friesen (efriesen@bacards.org or 507-334-3948) if interested.
Counselor Tidbits: Click HERE for an update on Counseling Office staffing. Click HERE for the Counselor's Corner page on our website, including updated graduation service cord information.
Positivity Project: This week's character focus is Prudence (click for more info)HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
- After school support is available for students in the library Tuesday - Thursday until 3:30 (link to info)
- Please remind your high school student to check their email and class Schoology on a regular basis! (Thank you for your support with this!)
MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES
MAP testing will begin next week for middle school students. Please be sure your scholars get plenty of rest, eat a good breakfast, and come to school with their laptops fully charged for the online tests. See test schedule below:
Monday, January 9
P1 and 3: Grade 6 Reading
P4 and 5: Grade 7 Math
P6 and 7/8: Grade 8 Language
Tuesday January 10
P2 and 3: Grade 8 Reading
P4 and 5: Grade 6 Math
P6 and 7/8: Grade 7 Language
Thursday January 11
Morning – Spelling Bee
P6 and 7/8: Grade 6 Language
Friday January 12
P1 and 2: Grade 7 Reading
P4 and 5: Grade 8 Math
Online School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/
Family Focus 12/16/22
01/05/2023
Kris Sauer
2022-23, December 2022
Leave a comment
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 (Peer Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2022-2023)
December 16, 2022
Dear BA Families:
BLESSED 3rd WEEK OF ADVENT! This week began with our Christmas Concert on Sunday. What beautiful music our scholars created to celebrate the season! Congratulations to our band and choir directors, Mr. Lorence and Ms. Cicha on a wonderful concert. Our scholars also gathered for a special Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass, delivered our service projects to the community, and completed our FFA giving tree gifts. The snow arrived on Thursday, delaying our start and canceling our 10th and 11th grade retreat - we will reschedule for later in the year. The Back 40 does look like a Winter Wonderland!
COUNSELOR UPDATE: We are saddened to share that one of our counselors, Shane Roessler, has accepted a new position with the judicial courts. She is excited about this change, but sad to leave. Please click HERE to read her personal update. We will be working with Phoenix Counseling in replacing the counselor as soon as possible.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! I want to wish each family, each scholar, a beautiful Christmas! May the Holy Spirit guide you and wrap you in loving arms as you celebrate during break with friends and family. We are thankful for you!
FUNDRAISERS & EVENT UPDATES:
- The BA Annual Fund drive is at $97,200 with a goal of $265,000 for this academic year! We are so thankful to our supporters and will receive a $40,000 match for reaching $100,000 by 12/31/22. Thank you for considering an end-of-year gift!
- Looking for a fun stocking stuffer? Purchase a BA Bash raffle ticket, still available next week in the office!
- Post Prom has a Dine Out scheduled from 4-8pm Dec. 20 at Perkins! Go out to eat and support Post Prom!
- Join us at the BA Red Cross Blood Drive on Dec. 21 at DMCC. See info below.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Additional events are online.
- Dec 19 & 20: Finals for High School *Dress down days! See above.
- Dec 20: Dining Night Out at Perkins, 4-8pm, dine in or take out; 10% of sales back to BA Post Prom
- Dec 21: BA Red Cross Blood Drive at Divine Mercy Catholic Church-volunteers & donors needed! See below for info.
- Dec 21-Jan 3: Christmas Break-NO SCHOOL
- Jan 4: Semester 2 begins with a Red 40-min Mass day
- Jan 6: Student Council $ Dress Down Day
- Attendance: If your scholar is sick or has an appointment, please email attendance@bacards.org or call 507-334-3948, x 302 by 8am if possible. Thank you!
- MS Homework Club/HS Homework Help: Homework Club with Mrs. Kohl is offered Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, 3-4pm in Room 204 for middle school students. Academic support for high school students is led by Mrs. Ashley from 3-3:30pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the library.
Please continue to pray for staff with ailing family members, students with sick family members or parents recovering from surgery, and families with special needs this Christmas. May the light of Advent bring them hope!
Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATES
Office Hours During Break: During Christmas break, any communication, donations, or raffle tickets may be mailed in or dropped off at the side entrance door, Door C. The office will be open:
- Wed., Dec. 21 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Wed., Dec. 28 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The office will be closed all other days through January 2. January 3rd is a teacher workday and the office will be open 8am-3pm. We wish you a blessed Christmas break and a Happy New Year!
Band/Choir Christmas Concert video: Click here for a link to the Dec 11 Christmas concert and thank you to FCTV for editing the video!
Rome Trip Summer 2024: It's not too late to join! Please contact Ms Caryn Coller if interested.BA Blood Drive: BA will be hosting a blood drive at Divine Mercy Catholic Church December 21 from 9am– 2pm. More donor spots added! We are still looking for student volunteers. Students can earn service hours for each hour they are present. Click here to volunteer or donate blood: Volunteer Link; Blood Donor Link. Thank you!
BA's American Heart Challenge: This is a service learning program sponsored by SADD and the American Heart Association where students will learn the health effects of vaping & tobacco and earn 2 hours of community service for participating. Registration is at this link - donation and participation deadline is December 20, 2022.
RaiseRight Update: Click HERE for the December newsletter.BABS Donations needed! Consider adding BABS to your holiday shopping list! Find our BABS Amazon wish list at: https://a.co/bBHzgk9. Thank you!
BA Bash Raffle: Click HERE for the BA Bash raffle ticket order form.
Basketball Game Volunteers: The high school basketball season is upon us. With 2 dozen home games from December through February, there are many volunteer opportunities. We need parent volunteers to sell admission (tickets) and to work in the concession stand. Click the links to volunteer at an upcoming game: Girls Basketball Volunteers; Boys Basketball Volunteers
Basketball Officials: BA needs individuals to officiate junior high basketball this winter. Contact Ed Friesen (efriesen@bacards.org or 507-334-3948) if interested.
Counselor Tidbits: Click HERE for an update on Couseling Office staffing. Click HERE for the Counselor's Corner page on our website, including updated graduation service cord information.
Positivity Project: This week's character focus is Self-Control. Click here for more information.HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
- After school support is available for students in the library Tuesday - Thursday until 3:30 (link to info)
- Please remind your high school student to check their email and class Schoology on a regular basis! (Thank you for your support with this!)
Online School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/
Family Focus 12/9/22
12/13/2022
Kris Sauer
2022-23, December 2022
Leave a comment
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 (Peer Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2022-2023)
December 9, 2022
Dear BA Families:
BLESSED 2nd WEEK OF ADVENT! This week we celebrated St. Nicholas's Feast Day, participated in the Immaculate Conception Mass with parishioners, and gathered for Reconciliation and Adoration. We also held a dress down to support the Friesen family. Each week of Advent brings us closer in our relationship with Christ as we prepare for His coming.
As we draw closer to the end of our first semester of the school year, we are thankful for each family, each student, and each benefactor that supports BA through gifts of time, talent and treasure. This past Saturday we honored former teacher, Eileen Kriechbaum and long-time supporters, Barb and Dick Rost, as new inductees into our Court of Honor. What a joy to honor those who support our mission! We are blessed by so much support for BA!
FUNDRAISERS & EVENTS AT BA: In order to live out our mission, there is always a fundraiser or event at our school! Presently, we're inviting families to support either our Annual Fund drive, with a goal of $265,000 for this academic year, or purchase a BA Bash raffle ticket - it makes a great stocking stuffer! To date, our Annual Fund is at $84,400 - with a goal to reach $100,000 before the end of the year in order to receive up to $40,000 in matching funds! In addition, our Post Prom has a Dine Out schedule for Dec. 20 and BA is hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on Dec. 21 while our FFA collects needed items for families in the area. See below for more information.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Please remember to join us for our Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 11th beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the BA gymnasium featuring our bands and choirs. High school band and choir students should report at 5:45 p.m., middle school students should report by 6 p.m.
- Middle School Band Attire: Please dress up, Santa hats are allowed. Follow normal dress code rules.
- Middle School Choir Attire: Please dress up in black and white and follow normal dress code rules.
- High School Band Attire: Please wear all black. Follow normal dress code rules.
- High School Choir Attire: Dress up, but students will wear choir robes.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Additional events are online.
- Dec 11: 6:30-7:30pm BA Band & Choir Christmas Concerts
- Dec 13: WIN Day, 1pm schedule
- Dec 14: Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass, 10:20am (60 min)
- Dec 14: Candy gram order deadline, see info below
- Dec 14: FFA Christmas Giving Tree gift deadline, see info below
- Dec 15: Grade 10 & 11 retreat @ St. Patrick's Church in Shieldsville
- Dec 16: SADD Ugly Xmas Sweater $ Dress Down Day - Finals begin
- Dec 19 & 20: Finals for High School *Dress down days! See above.
- Dec 20: Dining Night Out at Perkins, 4-8pm, dine in or take out; 10% of sales back to BA Post Prom
- Dec 21: NO SCHOOL
- Dec 21: BA Red Cross Blood Drive at Divine Mercy Catholic Church-volunteers needed! See below for info.
- Dec 21-Jan 3: Christmas Break-NO SCHOOL
- Jan 4: Semester 2 begins
- Attendance: If your scholar is sick or has an appointment, please email attendance@bacards.org or call 507-334-3948, x 302 by 8am if possible. Thank you!
- MS Homework Club/HS Homework Help: Homework Club with Mrs. Kohl is offered Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, 3-4pm in Room 204 for middle school students. Academic support for high school students is led by Mrs. Ashley from 3-3:30pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the library.
Please continue to pray for staff with ailing family members, students with sick family members, struggling students, and families with special needs this Christmas. May the light of Advent bring them hope!
Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATES
Rome Trip Summer 2024: It's not too late to join! Please contact Ms Caryn Coller if interested.
BA's American Heart Challenge: This is a service learning program sponsored by SADD and the American Heart Association where students will learn the health effects of vaping & tobacco and earn 2 hours of community service for participating. Registration is at this link - donation and participation deadline is December 20, 2022.
BA Blood Drive: BA will be hosting a blood drive at Divine Mercy Catholic Church December 21 from 9am– 2pm. We are still looking for 8 student volunteers. Students can earn service hours for each hour they are present. Click here to volunteer: Volunteer Link. All blood donations slots have been filled. Thank you!Calling all recent BA graduates! Ms. Shane Roessler, School Counselor, is looking for recent graduates to return and be part of panel of college students to share what college is like, how it is different/same than high school and any other insider information that they wish they would have known their senior year in high school. We will be hosting this panel over a lunch period early January (the first week we return to school). If you know of a graduate who will be around during that time, please let Mrs. Shane Roessler know at sroessler@bacards.org, or call/text 507-291-3675. THANK YOU!
RaiseRight Update: Last weekly order before Christmas is due Tues, Dec 13. Limited supply of small denomination gift cards available at DMCS and at Divine Mercy Church. Click HERE for the December newsletter with more information.BABS Donations needed! Consider adding BABS to your holiday shopping list! Find our BABS Amazon wish list at: https://a.co/bBHzgk9. Thank you!
Basketball Game Volunteers: The high school basketball season is upon us. With 2 dozen home games from December through February, there are many volunteer opportunities. We need parent volunteers to sell admission (tickets) and to work in the concession stand. See the links below to volunteer at an upcoming game:
- Girls Basketball Volunteers: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090949a4ac29a4fd0-22231
- Boys Basketball Volunteers: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090949a4ac29a4fd0-2223
Basketball Officials: BA needs individuals to officiate junior high basketball this winter. Contact Ed Friesen (efriesen@bacards.org or 507-334-3948) if interested.
Boys Basketball Middle School Coach Opening: BA is currently looking for an additional middle school boys basketball coach. Interested individuals may contact Ed Friesen (efriesen@bacards.org or 507-334-3948) if interested.
Counselor Tidbits: Click HERE for this a tidbit on gratitude. Click HERE for the Counselor's Corner page on our website, including updated graduation service cord information.
Click HERE for the BA Bash raffle ticket order form.
Positivity Project: This week's character focus is Self-Control. Click here for more information.
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
- After school support is available for students in the library Tuesday - Thursday until 3:30 (link to info)
- Please remind your high school student to check their email and class Schoology on a regular basis! (Thank you for your support with this!)
MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES
Middle School News: Click HERE to find the second quarter middle school newsletter. You should also have received a copy by email. Please contact your child’s advisory teacher if you have any questions or concerns. Thank your for partnering with us at Bethlehem Academy!
DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC SCHOOL/CHURCH UPDATESHelp Wanted: Divine Mercy Catholic School is seeking a 9th-12th grade student to assist in their After School Program. This can be Monday-Friday or shared with another person and can range in time from 3:00-4:30 pm or later, if needed. This is a paid position. Please contact Ginger Van Hecke at DMCS if you are interested.
Online School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/