Family Focus 5/8/2020
05/16/2020
Ed Friesen
May 2020
Leave a comment
May 8, 2020
Note from Dr. Briscoe…
I continue to applaud the efforts of BA students and staff to help make distance learning work successfully. None of us chose this but in life we learn that many times you have to make the best of the cards that you are dealt. As noted, the school year will end for all students on Friday, May 22. We will send out a finals schedule next week. We will also send out a plan to collect all school materials and laptops May 26-28.
We continue to prepare for a graduation program on Friday, May 29. We have had to adjust our plans to meet the guidelines released today by the MN Department of Education. Our discussions involve incorporating a celebratory parade that ends in a parking lot with the viewing of a virtual video program similar to what we did for BABS. The virtual program will conclude with a drive-up diploma presentation that follows state guidelines. More details to follow, but know that we will do the very best we can to honor the BA Class of 2020.
Dr. Chuck Briscoe
UPDATES
New BA President/Principal
The BA Board of Directors this week announced the hiring of Melinda “Mindy” Reeder as BA’s new President/Principal. Dr. Briscoe is retiring after 43 years in education, the last four at Bethlehem Academy. Ms. Reeder begins her tenure at BA July 1, 2020. Click here for a copy of the Board’s press release and Ms. Reeder’s introduction letter.
Hoban Scholarship
Students entering grades 9-12 for the 2020-2021 school year are invited to apply for the John E. Hoban and Lucille M. Hoban Merit Based Scholarship. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and be in good standing with the BA Leadership Team. Interested students must prepare and submit a 2-part essay to Sr. Mary Margaret by Thursday, May 14. Click here for more information, including the essay prompt.
Front Office Staffing
We are pleased to announce that Barb Johnson will be staffing the BA front office from 9am to 3pm, Monday-Friday.
PSAT Exam Signup for Class of 2022
Current sophomores: the PSAT exam is scheduled for October 28, 2020. Students interested in taking the exam need to email Mr. Schuman at jschuman@bacards.org by Friday, May 29 to meet the registration deadline.
Calendar Updates
- May 13: AP English Lit & AP European History (online) Exam
- May 15: Last day of regular classes
- May 18-22: Finals/make up week
- May 20: AP English Language (online) Exam, 1pm
- May 20: Mary Ceremony, 7pm video premiere presentation
- May 22: AP Statistics (online) Exam, 1pm
- May 22: Last Day of School
- May 26-28: Laptop and Textbook turn-in (times to be scheduled)
- May 28: Awards Ceremony, virtual presentation
- May 29: Commencement
Needed: Used Summer Reading/IRP Novels
A note from our English Departments: If you have any old summer reading novels, or IRP (Independent Reading Novels), sitting around at home that you would not mind donating we would love them!!! We will have a table available in the gym on the day students return laptops and textbooks for these book donations. Thank you for your consideration.
2020-2021 Financial Aid & Tuition Agreements
We encourage families with financial aid applications to be responsive to any emails from TADS requesting additional information. Financial aid allocations and Archdiocesen scholarships are in progress and any applications listed as POOR or FAIR in TADS are not eligible until this information is provided. Your help is appreciated, as our goal is to have tuition agreements out in May. Please contact Kris at ksauer@bacards.org with questions on this process.
Class Registration and Pending Enrollment
We are reaching out by phone and email to students whose TADS enrollment is pending and/or who have not submitted their 2020-2021 class registration in PowerSchool. Your assistance with this process is appreciated, as it helps us plan for classes and for next year’s budget. Please note that we cannot place students in classes until their enrollment is finalized. Contact Kris at ksauer@bacards.org with any questions. Thank you!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Box Tops
Keep turning in your Box Tops or to scan them digitally for credit! You can also turn in your receipts to school right after you shop and Mrs. Smisek will do scan them digitally if you don’t have the app. And, through May 10, earn double Box Tops when you buy any Box Tops participating products. This program helps support our middle school science program. Thank you!
Juniors: Mock ACT Exam
The ACT Prep Class final packets for Juniors in Mrs. Guth’s ACT prep class are available for pickup by the gym door at DMCS. Packets can be picked at DMCS Monday-Friday between 10-11:30am and 5-6 pm. Juniors not in the prep class interested in taking the mock test in preparation for the June 13 exam should contact Mrs. Guth at cathy_guth@yahoo.com. She will score the exams and be available to help students with corrections.
Grade 9-10 Students: Be a Big!
Big Brothers Big Sister of Southern Minnesota is recruiting interested 9th and 10th grade students for next school year. Check out this message from BA junior Kennedy Tutak: https://youtu.be/U50V_lOq_ZM. Interested students need to have a valid driver’s license by December 2020; commit to at least 2 years; want to be a kid’s new friend! Click here to take the first step in becoming a Big. Contact Megan Horton, Community Outreach Director at megan@bbbsofsouthernmn.org for more information.
Yearbook Orders
Still want to buy a 2019-2020 yearbook? It’s not too late! The BA Multimedia class has worked hard to create a memorable yearbook highlighting this historic year. Purchase yours for just $60 + tax online at http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A04015000.
Tuition Payments
We are aware these are uncertain times for many of our families and finances may be tight. We have asked TADS to turn off all late payment fees. Please reach out to Sr Mary Margaret if you have concerns or need to alter your current payment plans or due dates as we are very willing to work with you. We appreciate the continual payments you are able to make as they help BA maintain a cash flow for salaries.
Building our Cardinal Community: Seniors & Community Stories
As we continue distance/online learning, building our community through (virtual) social connections is more important than ever! We continue to honor the Class of 2020 on our social media accounts. We also encourage you to send us YOUR funny, interesting, and creative photos/videos e-learning stories to ksauer@bacards.org. And if you haven't already, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter today! We also encourage you to share your own photos/videos on social media using the hashtag: #WEAREBA #TogetherWeFly. Thank you!
Senior Scholarships/Transcripts
Seniors please email Mr. Schuman at jschuman@bacards.org with any questions on scholarships or if a transcript is needed for a particular scholarship. Students still applying to colleges should use Naviance to submit their transcript requests. Parents and students are encouraged to email at any time with questions/concerns.
BA VOLUNTEER/EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Summer Lawn Mowing Jobs
The Olmsted County-based Neighbors Helping Neighbors program, a chore-based service to help seniors and those with disabilities with lawn mowing, is expanding in the Faribault area. They currently have two elderly women in our area looking for lawn mowing assistance. This summer the volunteers will not have contact with the homeowner, but will work in the yard on their own, or with their family. Contact Jackie at jglynn@familyservicerochester.org or 507-287-2010 if interested.
Nursing Home Outreach
We encourage you to join Ms. Heselton’s classes in sending letters, poems, or artwork to isolated nursing home residents. Please send your message to: Milestone Senior Living (2500 14th St NW, Faribault, MN 55021) or contact Anne Pleskonko @ lifeenrichmentfb@milestoneseniorliving.com to be a resident penpal; and/or Pleasant Manor Senior Community (41 Brand Ave, Faribault, MN 55021). Residents are lonely without the option for visitors and would love your notes of encouragement!
MSAB Captions Project
Caption podcasts for the MN State Academy for the Blind. Write subtitles for podcasts created by MSAB students. Please contact Jennifer Pelletier at jennifer.pelletier@msa.state.mn.us if you would like to help.
Seeking New Members for BA Board of Directors
It is time to think about joining the Bethlehem Academy Board of Directors. If you are committed to the mission of BA and want to help shape the future, consider applying for an open position on the Board. It meets monthly, works in-between on committees and is a vital part of BA. Applications are available here. Term begins August 2020 for three years. Questions? Contact Kathy Nass at 507-323-5365.
SAVE THE DATE FOR SUMMER 2020 EVENTS!
Summer event dates below – please add these to your calendar! More information coming soon.
- Cardinal Café @ the Rice County Fair: July 22-26
- Cardinal Golf Classic: Friday, August 7
- S.M.A.R.T. Challenge Ride: Thursday, August 6-Saturday, August 8 (1-day ride options available!)
- Heritage Days Parade: Saturday, August 8, 2pm.
Attached Files |
Family Focus 5/1/2020
05/01/2020
Ed Friesen
May 2020
Leave a comment
May 1, 2020
Note from Dr. Briscoe…
Happy May Day! I want to thank all if you for your outstanding support of BABS 2020 last weekend. This was our first virtual BABS and we had a record Fund-a-Need raising nearly $73,000. By topping $70,000, we were able to get a $25,000 match from a very prominent Minnesotan with no previous connection to BA. All of the match will go to scholarships to help us get additional students that we really need for the 2020-21 school year.
We will end the 2019-20 school year on May 22 for all students. We will be sending a schedule to have student drop off laptops and books from May 26-29. We will follow all guidelines from the Governor, the Archbishop and the Department of Health.
We have decided to have Graduation on Friday, May 29. Our goal is to have a commencement where the seniors are present and appropriately spaced in Van Orsow Auditorium. Our second goal is to have the parents appropriately spaced in the bleachers. Our hope is that we may be able to have other family members present as well. We intend to live-stream commencement. We will also record it. If none of that is possible, we will hold a virtual event on May 29. All decisions will be based on guidance given by Governor Walz, the MN Department of Education, MN Department of Health, the CDC and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis as well as consult with Dusty Dienst, Faribault’s Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management, and with other schools.
We are committed to creating the best possible graduation experience we can for the Class of 2020. Unfortunately, what we want to do and what we can do may not align. No matter what, we will celebrate the Class of 2020 and the completion of this milestone.
Dr. Chuck Briscoe
UPDATES
Seniors: Graduation Stoles
Seniors: please return your red graduation stole to BA on Monday, May 4. We will be sending those back to our Josten’s representative so that the 2020 year can get printed on the stoles. Drop off can be done in the school office between 9am and 3pm on Monday, May 4. We are expecting a quick turnaround in time for the May 29 ceremony. Extra official announcements will also be available for $1 each.
Rising Seniors, Juniors & Sophomores: Student Council Elections
It is time to elect Student Council Officers for next school year. Students in the Class of 2021, 2022, and 2023 were sent emails with information on how to run for office. Candidate’s video speeches need to be sent to Mr. Friesen by Wednesday, May 6.
Juniors: Mock ACT Exam
The ACT Prep Class final packets for Juniors in Mrs. Guth’s ACT prep class are available for pickup by the gym door at DMCS starting Friday, May 1. Packets can be picked at DMCS Monday-Friday between 10-11:30am and 5-6 pm (evening pickup starting Monday, May 4). Juniors not in the prep class interested in taking the mock test in preparation for the June 13 exam should contact Mrs. Guth at cathy_guth@yahoo.com. Students can email Mrs. Guth their answers. She will sent students an answer key after correcting the exams and will be available to help them with corrections.
Calendar Updates
- May 1: BA in distance learning
- May 2: Prom - Postponed, new date/format TBD
- May 4: BA in distance learning school
- May 6: Spring Concert - Canceled
- May 6: Student Council Candidate Video Deadline
- May 7: Student of the Month, 9:30am ceremomy premieres live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FaribaultBA/)
- May 15: Last day of regular classes
- May 18-22: finals/make up week
- May 22: Last Day of School
- May 26-28: Laptop and Textbook turn in
- May 29: Commencement
2020-2021 Financial Aid & Tuition Agreements
We encourage families with financial aid applications to be responsive to any emails from TADS requesting additional information. Financial aid allocations and Archdiocesen scholarships are in progress and any applications listed as POOR or FAIR in TADS are not eligible until this information is provided. Your help is appreciated, as our goal is to have tuition agreements out in May. Please contact Kris at ksauer@bacards.org with questions on this process.
Class Registration and Pending Enrollment
We are reaching out by phone and email to students whose TADS enrollment is pending and/or who have not submitted their 2020-2021 class registration in PowerSchool. Your assistance with this process is appreciated, as it helps us plan for classes and for next year’s budget. Please note that we cannot place students in classes until their enrollment is finalized. Contact Kris at ksauer@bacards.org with any questions. Thank you!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Grade 9-10 Students: Be a Big!
Big Brothers Big Sister of Southern Minnesota is recruiting interested 9th and 10th grade students for next school year. Check out this message from BA junior Kennedy Tutak: https://youtu.be/U50V_lOq_ZM. Interested students need to have a valid driver’s license by December 2020; commit to at least 2 years; want to be a kid’s new friend!Click here to take the first step in becoming a Big. Contact Megan Horton, Community Outreach Director atmegan@bbbsofsouthernmn.org for more information.
Yearbook Orders
Still want to buy a 2019-2020 yearbook? It’s not too late! The BA Multimedia class has worked hard to create a memorable yearbook highlighting this historic year. Purchase yours for just $60 + tax online athttp://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A04015000.
Tuition Payments
We are aware these are uncertain times for many of our families and finances may be tight. We have asked TADS to turn off all late payment fees. Please reach out to Sr Mary Margaret if you have concerns or need to alter your current payment plans or due dates as we are very willing to work with you. We appreciate the continual payments you are able to make as they help BA maintain a cash flow for salaries.
Building our Cardinal Community: Seniors & Community Stories
As we continue distance/online learning, building our community through (virtual) social connections is more important than ever! We continue to honor the Class of 2020 on our social media accounts. We also encourage you to send us YOUR funny, interesting, and creative photos/videos e-learning stories to ksauer@bacards.org. And if you haven't already, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter today! We also encourage you to share your own photos/videos on social media using the hashtag: #WEAREBA #TogetherWeFly. Thank you!
Senior Scholarships/Transcripts
Seniors please email Mr. Schuman at jschuman@bacards.org with any questions on scholarships or if a transcript is needed for a particular scholarship. Students still applying to colleges should use Naviance to submit their transcript requests. Parents and students are encouraged to email at any time with questions/concerns.
BA VOLUNTEER/EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Summer Lawn Mowing Jobs
The Olmsted County-based Neighbors Helping Neighbors program, a chore-based service to help seniors and those with disabilities with lawn mowing, is expanding in the Faribault area. They currently have two elderly women in our area looking for lawn mowing assistance. This summer the volunteers will not have contact with the homeowner, but will work in the yard on their own, or with their family. Contact at jglynn@familyservicerochester.org or 507-287-2010 if interested.
Nursing Home Outreach
We encourage you to join Ms. Heselton’s classes in sending letters, poems, or artwork to isolated nursing home residents. Please send your message to: Milestone Senior Living (2500 14th St NW, Faribault, MN 55021) or contact Anne Pleskonko @ lifeenrichmentfb@milestoneseniorliving.com to be a resident penpal; and/or Pleasant Manor Senior Community (41 Brand Ave, Faribault, MN 55021). Residents are lonely without the option for visitors and would love your notes of encouragement!
MSAB Captions Project
Caption podcasts for the MN State Academy for the Blind. Write subtitles for podcasts created by MSAB students. Please contact Jennifer Pelletier at jennifer.pelletier@msa.state.mn.us if you would like to help.
Seeking New Members for BA Board of Directors
It is time to think about joining the Bethlehem Academy Board of Directors. If you are committed to the mission of BA and want to help shape the future, consider applying for an open position on the Board. It meets monthly, works in-between on committees and is a vital part of BA. Applications are available here. Term begins August 2020 for three years. Questions? Contact Kathy Nass at 507-323-5365.
SAVE THE DATE FOR SUMMER 2020 EVENTS!
Summer event dates below – please add these to your calendar! More information coming soon.
- Cardinal Café @ the Rice County Fair: July 22-26
- Cardinal Golf Classic: Friday, August 7
- S.M.A.R.T. Challenge Ride: Thursday, August 6-Saturday, August 8 (1-day ride options available!)
- Heritage Days Parade: Saturday, August 8, 2pm.
Family Focus 4/25/2020
04/25/2020
Ed Friesen
April 2020
Leave a comment
April 25, 2020
Note from Dr. Briscoe…
I want to thank all of you for your outstanding support of the 2019-20 BA Annual Fund. After not meeting our goal for the past several years, we have been able to exceed our goal of $200,000 by $43,000. We are now at $243,000 and still climbing. You are helping us to fill the gap between what student pay for tuition and what it costs us to cover our costs and keep the lights on at BA. Thank you for your help!
TONIGHT is our first and hopefully our last Virtual BABS. This is the 35th annual BABS and because of Covid-19 we are hosting BABS as a virtual event. We had several people come together to make a 35 minute video on April 15. It will be very strange to deliver a speech on the stage in the BA Auditorium at the podium with the cameraman being the only person in the auditorium. We need you to go on-line and bid on both silent and live auction items. There are several great items that we hope you will find interesting enough to bid on. We will conclude the program with the fund-a-need portion of the program. All dollars generated in the fund-a-need will go to mission and scholarship. Our enrollment is down and we really need to open our doors for more students. The dollars that you donate on Saturday will help open the doors for students. You know the quality of a BA education and how it changes the lives of students forever.
The Governor on Thursday extended distance learning for the rest of the school year. We are tentatively planning on having the school year end on May 22 for everyone. We will have a decision on Graduation by next Friday.
We value all of you for trusting your students’ education with a great faculty.
Dr. Chuck Briscoe
UPDATES
BABS 2020 TONIGHT!
BABS will be live tonight via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FaribaultBA/ and on our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/bethlehemacademy. The auction site is live and can be found at https://one.bidpal.net/babs. Our Fund-a-Need this year is for mission and scholarship – donations can be made online or by sending a check to us at BA. We are well on our way to our Fund-a-Need goal of $70,000. If we hit the goal tonight, we will get a matching gift of $95,000. Thank you for your support. Now, more than ever, #WEAREBA!
Distance Learning Update
Governor Tim Walz on Thursday issued an executive order announcing that all schools in Minnesota will remain closed through the end of the academic year. Our teachers and staff have planned for this possibility and are prepared to continue instructing your child via distance learning through the end of the school year.
In light of this announcement, we have made some adjustments to our academic calender: May 1 and May 4 are distance learning days at BA. (The public schools have this day off; we do not.) The last day of regular class instruction, especially at the high school level, will be May 15. The week of May 18 will be for completion of final projects, papers, tests and make up work with the last day of school falling on May 22. Students will turn in laptops and textbooks the week of May 26-28.
The Minnesota State High School League yesterday announced the cancellation of all spring activities. We are making plans to host the Mary and Awards Ceremony virtually, with a decision on Commencement by next week. Senior received their caps and gowns yesterday and had their pictures taken. We continue to honor the Class of 2020 via social media posts and will continue to find ways to celebrate them and share this important milestone with the community while still adhering to stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines.
Thank you for your patience, understanding and flexibility during this unprecedented time. The health and safety of our students remains our top priority as we continue to navigate this national health crisis.
Calendar Updates
- Spring Play, April 24-26: Cancelled
- May 1: BA in distance learning
- Prom, May 2: Postponed, new date/format TBD
- May 4: BA in distance learning
- Spring Concert, May 6: Cancelled
- May 15: Last day of regular classes
- May 18-22: finals/make up week
- May 22: Last Day of School
- May 26-28: Laptop and Textbook turn in
2020-2021 Financial Aid & Tuition Agreements
We encourage families with financial aid applications to be responsive to any emails from TADS requesting additional information. Financial aid allocations and Archdiocesen scholarships are in progress and any applications listed as POOR or FAIR in TADS are not eligible until this information is provided. Your help is appreciated, as our goal is to have tuition agreements out in May. Please contact Kris at ksauer@bacards.org with questions on this process.
Class Registration and Pending Enrollment
We are reaching out by phone and email to students whose TADS enrollment is pending and/or who have not submitted their 2020-2021 class registration in PowerSchool. Your assistance with this process is appreciated, as it helps us plan for classes and for next year’s budget. Please note that we cannot place students in classes until their enrollment is finalized. Contact Kris at ksauer@bacards.org with any questions. Thank you!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tuition Payments
We are aware these are uncertain times for many of our families and finances may be tight. We have asked TADS to turn off all late payment fees. Please reach out to Sr Mary Margaret if you have concerns or need to alter your current payment plans or due dates as we are very willing to work with you. We appreciate the continual payments you are able to make as they help BA maintain a cash flow for salaries.
Building our Cardinal Community: Seniors & Community Stories
As we continue distance/online learning, building our community through (virtual) social connections is more important than ever! We continue to honor the Class of 2020 on our social media accounts. We also encourage you to send us YOUR funny, interesting, and creative photos/videos e-learning stories to ksauer@bacards.org. And if you haven't already, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter today! We also encourage you to share your own photos/videos on social media using the hashtag: #WEAREBA #TogetherWeFly. Thank you!
SENIOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
Senior Scholarships/Transcripts
Mr. Schuman will continue to email all seniors any new scholarship offers that come up. See below for a list of current scholarships and deadlines. Students should email Mr. Schuman at jschuman@bacards.org with any questions or if a transcript is needed for a particular scholarship. Students still applying to colleges should use Naviance to submit their transcript requests. Parents and students are encouraged to email at any time with questions/concerns.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Faribault Sertoma Club Scholarship
The Faribault Sertoma Club will offer (2) $1500 scholarships for post-secondary education to high school seniors graduating in the spring of 2020. The recipients of these scholarships will be students who best personify Sertoma’s motto, “Service to Mankind.” Please email Mr. Schuman for an application. Deadline is April 30, 2020.
Rotary STRIVE Program Postponed
Juniors: the Rotary STRIVE program is postponed until further notice. Please e-mail Faribaultrotarystrive@gmail.com if you have any questions.
BA VOLUNTEER/EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Summer Lawn Mowing Jobs
The Olmsted County-based Neighbors Helping Neighbors program, a chore-based service to help seniors and those with disabilities with lawn mowing, is expanding in the Faribault area. They currently have two elderly women in our area looking for lawn mowing assistance. This summer the volunteers will not have contact with the homeowner, but will work in the yard on their own, or with their family. Contact at jglynn@familyservicerochester.org or 507-287-2010 if interested.
Nursing Home Outreach
We encourage you to join Ms. Heselton’s classes in sending letters, poems, or artwork to isolated nursing home residents. Please send your message to: Milestone Senior Living (2500 14th St NW, Faribault, MN 55021) or contact Anne Pleskonko @ lifeenrichmentfb@milestoneseniorliving.com to be a resident penpal; and/or Pleasant Manor Senior Community (41 Brand Ave, Faribault, MN 55021). Residents are lonely without the option for visitors and would love your notes of encouragement!
MSAB Captions Project
Caption podcasts for the MN State Academy for the Blind. Write subtitles for podcasts created by MSAB students. Please contact Jennifer Pelletier at jennifer.pelletier@msa.state.mn.us if you would like to help.
Seeking New Members for BA Board of Directors
It is time to think about joining the Bethlehem Academy Board of Directors. If you are committed to the mission of BA and want to help shape the future, consider applying for an open position on the Board. It meets monthly, works in-between on committees and is a vital part of BA. Applications are available here. Term begins August 2020 for three years. Questions? Contact Kathy Nass at 507-323-5365.
SAVE THE DATE FOR SUMMER 2020 EVENTS!
Summer event dates below – please add these to your calendar! More information coming soon.
- Cardinal Café @ the Rice County Fair: July 22-26
- Cardinal Golf Classic: Friday, August 7
- S.M.A.R.T. Challenge Ride: Thursday, August 6-Saturday, August 8 (1-day ride options available!)
Attached Files |