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Family Focus 1/8/2021

date 01/08/2021 author Ed Friesen category 2020-21, January 2021 comment Leave a comment

January 8, 2021

Dear BA Families:

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

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

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

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

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

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

FUNDRAISER UPDATES:

  • BA Annual Fund: Our goal is to raise $250,000 by June 30, 2021As of January 8 we are at $125,200 -Thank you! We have another $50,000 pledged bringing us to 70% of our goal. Remember, by making a larger donation in 2021, you may actually decrease your taxable income! 
  • BA Bash Raffle: Thank you for participating in our new, BA Bash Raffle. BA profited $12,400 from the raffle. Our budgeted goal was $10,000. Congratulations to our winners: 1stPrize: Joanne DeGrood; 2ndPrize: Jolene Mostrom; 3rdPrize: Pam Sartor

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

Mindy Reeder, President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org

 

ALL-BA UPDATES

Robotics Returns Monday, January 11

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

Home and School: Volunteers Needed!

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

Shadow Days & Tours

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

BA Angel Hot Lunch Fund

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

Facemasks and BA Car Clings Available for Sale

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

Semester 1 Report Cards

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

Winter Sports has Begun!

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

Wanted: Spring Sports Coaches

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

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

Faribo 4 Kids Thomas Laughlin Scholarship

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

Allina Health Orthopedics Sports Medicine Scholarship

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

Steele-Waseca Electric Coop College Scholarship

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

MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES

AIM Higher K-8 Scholarship

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

DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES

March for Life Friday, January 22

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

Middle School Edge/High School Youth Group

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

 

Attached Files

Thomas Laughlin Scholarship Application 2021.pdf

VEX EDR Parent-Student Letter.pdf

Financial Aid Announcement 2021-22.pdf

BA H and S Jan 2021 Letter.pdf

Free Hot Lunch 2021 FAQ.pdf

 

Family Focus 12/18/2020

date 12/18/2020 author Ed Friesen category Uncategorized comment Leave a comment

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

Dear BA Families:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FUNDRAISER UPDATES:

  • BA Annual Fund: Our goal is to raise $250,000 by June 30, 2021As of December 17 we are over $100,000 -Thank you! We invite you, or your extended family, to help us reach halfway to our goal by Christmas! This is a great time to give! With the 2020 COVID giving tax rule changes, all donations of any amount can be taken as a tax credit in 2020. We reached our original goal of $100,000 by Christmas and invite you to help us achieve our stretch goal by January 1, 2021 of $125,000, halfway toward our total goal of $250,000. Spread the news!
  • BA Bash Raffle Tickets-Did you get your order in? Raffle tickets make a great stocking stuffer! Only 1000 of the $25 tickets printed. Top Prize-$2020, 2nd Prize-$1020, 3rd Prize: $520. Proceeds help us cover extra costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic and educational needs for our students and staff. Click HERE to download your order form. All ticket orders must be received by December 30, 2020. To date we’ve sold nearly 600 tickets. 

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

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

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

Mindy Reeder, President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org

ALL-BA UPDATES

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

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

Attendance Reminders

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

Home and School Update

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

BA Christmas Angel Fund

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

Prospective Student Visit Options

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

Alumni Update Form

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

Holiday Shopping: Amazon Smiles

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

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

Winter Sports Update

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

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

Unemployment Benefits to HS Students

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

Ag Career Scholarship

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

Steele-Waseca Electric Coop College Scholarship

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

DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES

Mill City Senior Living Caroling Dec 19

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

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

Middle School Edge/High School Youth Group

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

 

Attached Files

Adoration Teens.pdf

Home and School Christmas Letter.pdf

Alumni UpdateFall 2020.pdf

 

Family Focus 12/11/2020

date 12/11/2020 author Ed Friesen category 2020-21, December 2020 comment Leave a comment

December 11, 2020

Dear BA Families:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FUNDRAISER UPDATES:

  • BA Annual Fund: Our goal is to raise $250,000 by June 30, 2021As of December 9 we are at $80,044-Thank you! We invite you, or your extended family, to help us achieve $100,000 in our Annual Fund by Christmas! This is a great time to give! With the 2020 COVID giving tax rule changes, all donations of any amount can be taken as a tax credit in 2020. Please spread the news and help us achieve $100,000 by Christmas!
  • BA Bash Raffle Tickets-Looking for a unique stocking stuffer? Order 2020 BA Bash Raffle tickets! Only 1000 $25 tickets printed - send your payment to the front office today and we’ll place you in the drawing. Top Prize-$2020, 2nd Prize-$1020, 3rd Prize: $520. Proceeds help us cover extra costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click HERE to download your order form. All ticket orders must be received by December 30, 2020. Thank you!

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

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

Mindy Reeder, President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org

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

ALL-BA UPDATES

Christmas Spirit Dress Down Day Monday!

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

MS and HS Band/Choir Next Week

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

Attendance Reminders

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

Home and School Update

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

Make your voice heard!

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

BA Christmas Angel Fund

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

Prospective Student Visit Options

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

Alumni Update Form

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

Mobile Food Distribution: Volunteers & Distribution Info

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

Holiday Shopping: Amazon Smiles

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

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

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

December ACT Exam Cancelled

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

Unemployment Benefits to HS Students

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

Ag Career Scholarship

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

DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES

Middle School Edge/High School Youth Group

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

 

Attached Files

December 2020-Finals Week Schedule.pdf

Home and School Christmas Letter.pdf

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

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

Alumni UpdateFall 2020.pdf

 

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