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Family Focus 4/26/24

date 04/26/2024 author Ed Friesen category 2023-24, April 2024 comment Leave a comment

"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)

April 26, 2024

Head of School Search Update from BA Board Chair Cory Caron:
We are making good progress in our search for a new BA Head of School! Candidates are being considered through a comprehensive review process. We will continue to provide updates as they are available. Please continue to pray for our Search Committee, Interim Leadership, and Head of School candidates. Thank you!

Dear Parent/Guardians: 

So many great things are happening at BA! The spring play, Godspell, Jr., opens tonight with a 7pm performance in Van Orsow Auditorium. Other performances are Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm. Please make time to see this wonderful production! This past week saw BA students excelling at History Day State, FFA State, and in softball and co-op sports. Sixth graders spent yesterday in retreat with Youth Frontiers focused on character and courage. God is good!


End of year activities are fast approaching. Prom is next weekend, the spring band/choir concert is May 8, and graduation and other year-end activities will quickly follow. Please encourage your student(s) to continue to work hard, focus on academics, and seek help where needed. We are here to help.

If you haven't already, please complete the 2024-2025 enrollment forms sent via PowerSchool Enrollment. Thank you to those that have completed this for next year. We have begun work on tuition assistance awards and tuition agreements. Look for more information in early May. Do contact Kris Sauer with questions. 

The week ahead:

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

  • May 4: Prom: click HERE and/or see the high school section below for more information
  • May 7: AP Statistics exam
  • May 8: AP English Literature Exam
    • Spring Band & Choir Concert
  • May 9: 1pm WIN Schedule
    • Student of the Month, 7:30am
    • FFA Ag Day
    • Avant Spanish test
  • May 10: AP European History exam
  • May 14: AP English Language exam
  • May 15: AP Music Theory exam
  • May 16: 6th grade field trip to River Bend Nature Center

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 UphusKatie 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

HS Theology Blanket Drive: BA high school theology classes are collecting gently used blankets for immigrant families. Please donate by Tuesday, April 30 if you are able!

BA Summer Camps: Cardinals Girls basketball camps for students in grades 2-7 this spring will be held June 17-21. Click HERE to sign up. Cardinal boys basketball camps are July 8-12 for students entering grades 3-6 this fall. Click HERE for the form. Robotics camp dates for students grades 3-12 are set for the weeks of August 5 and August 12. Click HERE for the registration flier. 

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES 
May 4 Prom/Post-Prom: Click HERE for Under the Sea Prom information. Click HERE for Post-Prom information. Parents! Reserve your Grand March seats by May 3; $15 each, all proceeds to Post-Prom. Click HERE for the form. Volunteers are needed to help at Post-Prom. This is a parent service hour event. Click HERE to help at Post-Prom.

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
 
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

Talk to your teens before they get behind the wheel.

Make sure they understand the risks of drunk and drugged driving.

Let your teens know that it’s never okay to get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, or to get in a car with a driver who has been drinking or using drugs. Remind youth that the best strategy for staying safe is to stay sober. 

For tips on how and when to begin the conversation, visit underagedrinking.samhsa.gov/.

Hable con sus hijos adolescentes antes de que se pongan al volante.

Asegúrese de que entiendan los riesgos de conducir ebrio y endrogado.

 Hágales saber a sus hijos adolescentes que nunca está bien ponerse al volante de un vehículo motorizado bajo la influencia del alcohol u otras drogas, o subirse a un automóvil con un conductor que ha estado bebiendo o usando drogas. Recuerde a los jóvenes que la mejor estrategia para mantenerse a salvo es mantenerse sobrio.

Para obtener consejos sobre cómo y cuándo comenzar la conversación, visite samhsa.gov/hable-ellos-escuchan


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

Home for Sale Across the Street from BA: Click HERE for more information. 

 


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 4/19/24

date 04/24/2024 author Kris Sauer category 2023-24, April 2024 comment Leave a comment

"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)

April 19, 2024


Dear Parent/Guardians: 

BABS 24: The 40th Anniversary Ruby Gala was a big success! Thank you to our parent volunteers both on the planning committee and the night of the event. Appreciation to all of you able to attended, who purchased raffle tickets, and/or who bid on our silent auction. Together we raised critical dollars to support our mission to provide personal, spiritual and academic excellence in a values, faith-based environment for our scholars. God is good! 


2024-2025 enrollment/tuition agreements: Thank you to those that have completed enrollment for next year. Please look for an email from PowerSchool Enrollment for each student at BA. Check your spam/trash folder if you don't see it in your inbox. The enrollment deposit will be implemented when tuition agreements are sent early May as EduTrak (our new payment system) is working on a few adjustments. Do try to complete enrollment by next Friday, April 26 as we will begin working on financial aid awards next week for enrolled students. As we refine our processes, we will be working to remind parents that financial assistance is an investment in our scholars and their families. Many generous donors have worked hard to provide funds for this purpose. There is an expectation that students will give their best scholarly effort and have minimal absences from school from these benefactors. Please carefully read your financial aid letter when you receive it. Do contact Kris Sauer with questions. 


Fundraising Update: While we reached our BABS appeal goal for scholarship and mission, we are about $5000 short of our $50,000 goal to upgrade the concessions and gym areas with new carpet, paint, and storage areas as well as refinishing the stage floor and purchasing a new screen/sound system in the gym. No donation is too small! Click HERE to donate online to the gym/concessions special appeal. The Annual Fund, which covers faculty and educational expenses not covered by tuition, is currently at $205,818 of the $255,000 budgeted for this year. 
 

Here is a look at our upcoming schedule:

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

  • April 26-28: Godspell, Jr performances
  • April 29: Daily open campus begins for eligible seniors, except period 3 today for seatbelt safety/drunk driving panel high school presentation
  • May 4: Prom: click HERE and/or see the high school section below for more information
  • May 7: AP Statistics exam
  • May 8: AP English Literature Exam
    • Spring Band & Choir Concert
  • May 9: 1pm WIN Schedule
    • Student of the Month, 7:30am
    • FFA Ag Day
    • Avant Spanish test
  • May 10: AP European History exam
  • May 14: AP English Language exam
  • May 15: AP Music Theory exam

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 UphusKatie 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: Robotics camp dates are set for the weeks of August 5 and August 12. Click HERE for the registration flyer. Dates are being confirmed for our athletic camps. Stay tuned for more details.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES 
May 4 Prom/Post-Prom: Click HERE for Under the Sea Prom information. Click HERE for Post-Prom information. Parents! Reserve your Grand March seats by May 3; $15 each, all proceeds to Post-Prom. Click HERE for the form. Volunteers are needed to help at Post-Prom. This is a parent service hour event. Click HERE to help at Post-Prom.

Senior Week Event Dates/Times
  • Wed, May 22, 1pm: Mary Ceremony, BA gym
  • Wed, May 22, 7:30pm: Baccalaureate, DMCC
  • Fri, May 24, 9-11am: Awards Day program, including all senior awards/scholarships, BA gym
  • Fri, May 24, 11:15am: Senior/Staff Brunch
  • Fri, May 24, 7:30pm: Commencement, BA gym
DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE
 
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

Talk to your teens before they get behind the wheel.

Make sure they understand the risks of drunk and drugged driving.

Let your teens know that it’s never okay to get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, or to get in a car with a driver who has been drinking or using drugs. Remind youth that the best strategy for staying safe is to stay sober. 

For tips on how and when to begin the conversation, visit underagedrinking.samhsa.gov/.

Hable con sus hijos adolescentes antes de que se pongan al volante.

Asegúrese de que entiendan los riesgos de conducir ebrio y endrogado.

 Hágales saber a sus hijos adolescentes que nunca está bien ponerse al volante de un vehículo motorizado bajo la influencia del alcohol u otras drogas, o subirse a un automóvil con un conductor que ha estado bebiendo o usando drogas. Recuerde a los jóvenes que la mejor estrategia para mantenerse a salvo es mantenerse sobrio.

Para obtener consejos sobre cómo y cuándo comenzar la conversación, visite samhsa.gov/hable-ellos-escuchan


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

Home for Sale Across the Street from BA: Click HERE for more information. 
 


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

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

Friday Focus April 12, 2024

date 04/16/2024 author Kris Sauer category 2023-24, April 2024 comment Leave a comment

"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)

April 12, 2024


Dear Parent/Guardians: 

BABS 24: The 40th Anniversary Ruby Gala is tomorrow! We are so excited to celebrate our school community, our mission, and our 2024 Court of Honor Inductees at tomorrow's event. We look forward to seeing you there! If you didn't get tickets to the Gala, please consider bidding on our online silent auction. In addition to the wonderful homeroom baskets you helped create, we have over 90 amazing items to choose from, including a designated student parking spot, senior photo packages, autographed sports gear, a Coach purse set, and so much more! Click
HERE to check it out - bidding closes at 6:30pm tomorrow, April 13. Thank you for your support! 


2025-2025 enrollment: We are so excited to have our PowerSchool Enrollment system up and running! As a tuition-based school enrollment numbers drive everything from budgeting decisions to hiring. Accurate data is very important. Please complete this ASAP if you haven't already. To do so, look for an email from PowerSchool Enrollment; please check your junk/spam folder if you have troubles finding it. A reminder that we are still working with EduTrak to properly process the enrollment deposit; you can complete this step at a later date. Do reach out to Kris Sauer with questions if the system isn’t working for you. Thank you for your patience.

A reminder to families concerned about affording BA: Scholarships and tuition assistance is available. We believe our prep education should be accessible to all families who desire it for their scholars. We offer flexible payment plans and welcome all families to apply for tuition assistance so that we may partner with you to create a plan that works for your family. To do that, please fill out a financial aid application form by Monday, April 15. Apply at www.mytads.com. High school students wishing to be considered for the merit-based Hoban Scholarship must submit their essays to Kris Sauer by Tuesday, April 16. 

 

Here is a look at our upcoming schedule:

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

  • April 21-23: FFA at State
  • April 22-25: Middle School MAP testing
  • April 24: Administrative Professionals Day - thank our front office staff for their hard work!
  • April 25: 6th Grade Youth Frontiers Retreat @ BA; 11th grade college fair/Twins game event
  • April 26-28: Godspell, Jr performances
  • April 29: Daily open campus begins for eligible seniors
  • May 4: Prom - tickets go on sale April 8; see the high school section below for more information

Prayers for a successful BABS event, for our Head of School search, 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 UphusKatie 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

Tuition Assistance: families concerned about affording a BA education are encouraged to complete a TADS financial aid application by Monday, April 15 to be considered for BA needs-based scholarships and grants. Apply at www.mytads.com.

HOBAN Scholarships for 2024-2025 BA 9-12 Scholars Due Tuesday, April 16: Applications for this merit scholarship are now open. 2024-25 students in good standing with a current GPA of 3.0 or higher are invited to apply by submitting the required essay to Mrs. Sauer by April 16. Click HERE for more information.


Tax Information in FACTS: Looking for tuition information for your 2023 tax return? Click HERE for a step-by-step guide to finding that information in FACTS. Contact Kris or Lisa if you need further assistance.

BA Summer Camps: Robotics camp dates are set for the weeks of August 5 and August 12. Click HERE for the registration flyer. Dates are being confirmed for our athletic camps. Stay tuned for more details.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES 
May 4 Prom/Post-Prom Information: Prom tickets go on sale Monday, April 8 through Friday, April 19. Tickets are $30/person. Click HERE for Under the Sea Prom information and HERE for the non-BA student guest permission form. Click HERE for Post-Prom information and HERE for the permissions slip. All permission slips are due April 19. Parents! Volunteers are needed to help at Post-Prom. This is a parent service hour event. Click HERE to help at Post-Prom.

Seniors!

  • Grad pictures, yearbook survey due April 12: Upload graduation photos HERE; click HERE to fill out the senior yearbook survey to submit your post-graduation plans.
  • College Scholarship Info: Many local scholarships have April deadlines! Go to our scholarship page HERE for continuously updated local and national college scholarship offerings. 
  • Josten's Orders Still Open: Josten's has confirmed that senior parents can still order graduation items. Click HERE to place your order.
  • Senior Week Event Dates/Times
    • Wed, May 22, 1pm: Mary Ceremony, BA gym
    • Wed, May 22, 7:30pm: Baccalaureate, DMCC
    • Fri, May 24, 9-11am: Awards Day program, including all senior awards/scholarships, BA gym
    • Fri, May 24, 11:15am: Senior/Staff Brunch
    • Fri, May 24, 7:30pm: Commencement, BA gym
DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATE
 
Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6
 
COMMUNITY UPDATE

Talk to your teens before they get behind the wheel.

Make sure they understand the risks of drunk and drugged driving.

Let your teens know that it’s never okay to get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, or to get in a car with a driver who has been drinking or using drugs. Remind youth that the best strategy for staying safe is to stay sober. 

For tips on how and when to begin the conversation, visit underagedrinking.samhsa.gov/.

Hable con sus hijos adolescentes antes de que se pongan al volante.

Asegúrese de que entiendan los riesgos de conducir ebrio y endrogado.

 Hágales saber a sus hijos adolescentes que nunca está bien ponerse al volante de un vehículo motorizado bajo la influencia del alcohol u otras drogas, o subirse a un automóvil con un conductor que ha estado bebiendo o usando drogas. Recuerde a los jóvenes que la mejor estrategia para mantenerse a salvo es mantenerse sobrio.

Para obtener consejos sobre cómo y cuándo comenzar la conversación, visite samhsa.gov/hable-ellos-escuchan


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

Home for Sale Across the Street from BA: Click HERE for more information. 
 


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

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

Our Mission
Bethlehem Academy, a Catholic school in the Sinsinawa Dominican tradition, strives to empower its students and staff to achieve personal, spiritual and academic excellence. We challenge ourselves to love as Jesus Christ loved, to lead, to serve, to inspire and to seek the truth: Veritas.
Address
105 3rd Ave. SW
Faribault, MN  55021
Phone:  507-334-3948
Fax:  507-334-3949