Family Focus, 9/1/23
09/03/2023
Kris Sauer
September 2023, 2023-24
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"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 (Campus Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2023-2024)
September 1, 2023
Dear BA Families:
Our first week of the 2023-24 academic year is wrapped up! I hope your scholar is feeling comfortable and excited about some of their classes. Our staff is working hard to ensure that curriculum is engaging and challenging, with support available when needed. Please reach out to your scholar's teachers with any questions.
ONLINE SAFETY-Wed., Sept. 6: Ensuring that your scholar is safe online is critical in today's society. Bethlehem Academy is hosting an online safety presentation for parents of 6-12th grade students on Wednesday, Sept. 6 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria. PLEASE JOIN US! This is a free presentation and so important for parents. (Flier below)
UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar.
- Sept. 4: NO SCHOOL, Labor Day
- Sept. 6, 6:00pm - Parent Social Media/Technology safety presentation by the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center. See flier below.
- Sept. 7: 1st day of Robotics, 3-5pm & MS Homework Club, see info below
- Sept. 8: All School Student Service Day after Mass! (Service Day dress code, see info below)
- Sept. 9: Deadline to order t-shirts/sweatshirts for the 2023 Dig Pink/Tackle Cancer events; click HERE to order.
- Sept. 14 - Dig Pink/Tackle Cancer Dress Down Day and fundraiser @ home volleyball game. Click HERE for more information.
- Sept. 15 - Tackle Cancer fundraiser events @ home football game
- Sept. 16: SpiritFest @ Divine Mercy Catholic Church. Volunteers needed! Click HERE to help! (Students earn service hours.)
- Sept. 28 - School picture day! Photo order forms to be sent home with students Sep 22
- Oct. 2-6: HOMECOMING WEEK!
Reminders: Don't forget, we have free breakfast offered from 7:30-8 a.m. each morning.
BA JOB OPENINGS: Email if interested at: mreeder@bacards.org
- Part-time Van Driver
- Substitute Teachers (Must have college degree)
FUNDRAISER UPDATES:
- The BA Annual Fund drive goal is: $255,000. Each gift supports our scholars and staff directly. Please consider a gift or call to set up a meeting at 507-334-3948. To date we have already received $46,552-THANK YOU! Donate online at: Annual Fund
- SAVE THE DATE! On November 3rd at 1 p.m. we will host the Bethlehem Academy Sponsorship Transition Ceremony for Dominican Veritas Ministries - Parents invited!
- Nov. 5: New Founder's Day Alumni/Donor Event - Details to come!
Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATE
Schoolwide Service Day Sept. 8: Next Friday, BA will be living out its mission of service and sending each grade out into the community to perform acts of service next Friday, Sept 8. Students will depart for their work sites following Mass (no Mass dress code), and will return in time for Period 3 (HS) and Period 8 (MS). Bag lunches will be provided by the school. Students should bring water bottles and gloves and are asked to wear Cardinal t-shirts and pants/shoes appropriate for the work at their site. See below for more information.
Grade 12 – Milestone Senior Center and United Way Bookstore. Projects range from visit with elderly to yard work, cleaning, painting, and sorting books.
Grade 11 – Divine Mercy Catholic Church. Students will help clean inside the church and do yard work at the House of Gratitude and Garden of Mercy.
Grade 10 – Calvary Cemetery. Students will paint inside of new building, clean flat grave markers; tree clearing. Extra supplies, including flat-edge shovels or other small tools for clearing tombstones, paint brushes & buckets, suggested.
Grade 9 – IRIS (Infants Remembered in Silence). Projects include yard work, cleaning, creating bereavement support packets and labeling and stamping 1500 Turkey Trot Postcards
Grade 7 and Grade 8 - River Bend Nature Center. Grade 7 will help clear buckthorn; Grade 8 will help take down the compass and collecting trash from trails and driveway.
Grade 6 – Straight River Bike Trail. Students will help clean the trail.
2022-2023 Yearbooks were distributed today (Sept. 1) in homeroom. Contact Brent Zabel (bzabel@bacards.org) with questions or to purchase a 2022-23 yearbook.
Robotics Opens Sept. 7: Robotics begins after Labor Day! Open to middle and high school students, the team meets Mon & Thurs from 3-5pm in the DMCS Media Lab. Cost to participate is $75; click HERE for the registration form.
MS Homework Help Starts Thurs, Sept 7: Homework help for middle school students is offered every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 3-4pm, starting Thursday, Sept. 7.
Fall Sports: Fall sports are underway. Please visit https://www.bacardinals.com for more information. The online registration form for football and volleyball can be found under the More menu as can the link to pay the $140 activity fee. The activity fee may also be paid by check or as an additional charge to your tuition account.
Middle school soccer began Tuesday, August 29. Please visit faribaultfalcons.com for more information on cooperative sports or contact the activities office.Fall Trap: if your scholar is interested in either a fall trap shooting league and/or occasional practice sessions, contact Coach Troy at 507-384-7386 or tcmarquardt@gmail.com.
Sept 6 Parent Social Media Presentation Flyer:
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Rotary STRIVE Scholarship Program for Seniors: Rotary's STRIVE program kicks off with their first meeting September 13. Click HERE for more information on this scholarship program. Click HERE to register.
1st United Jr Board of Directors Scholarship Program: BA juniors and seniors are invited to apply for the 1st United Jr Board of Directors. This is a scholarship program. Deadline to apply is September 15. Find information and the application HERE.
DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES
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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 8/26/23
08/30/2023
Kris Sauer
2023-24, August 2023
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"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 (Campus Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2023-2024)
August 26, 2023
Dear BA Families:
We look forward to seeing your scholars on Monday for orientation! Please see the schedule below for times and details. Our first full day of school will be Tuesday, August 29th. A reminder that from 7:30-8:00 a.m. we offer a free, continental breakfast for all scholars. Lunches this year are also free, however, extra snacks and treats will be taken out of your scholar's lunch account, so please send in a check. Additionally, Mr. Friesen sent email went to returning parents and students Friday afternoon with information on how to sign up to pick up their laptops this weekend.
Monday, Aug 28 Back to School Picnic & Orientation Events
8:30am: Seniors arrive to pick out their parking spot9-11:30am: Student Orientation (new & returning students, no hot lunch). Meet in the gym. Homeroom assignments will be posted for student reference. Students will get copies of their schedules and their locker assignments in homeroom. Bring your school supplies to get set up for Tuesday!
11:30am-1pm: New-Gr 9-12 Laptop Training (lunch provided)
5:30pm, New Middle School Parent Meeting, BA Cafeteria: Mandatory parent orientation meeting for all 6th grade and new 7th and 8th grade students. New 7th/8th graders will get their laptops; 6th grade students will get their laptops in technology class; a parent must attend this meeting in order for the laptop to be taken home. Please email Brent Zabel if you are not able to attend.
6:00pm, New High School Parent Meeting: All new high school parents are invited to join us in Room 105 for information and resources to help make your scholar's transition to BA a success.
6:30pm Back-to-School Picnic for All BA Families: All Cardinal families are invited to join us for our Back-to-School picnic at 6:30pm! Free hot dog dinner and games for the whole family. We'll have information tables (student groups and more) and BA gear for sale. Join us on the Back 40 (south side of BA near the greenhouse) for a great way to kick off a fantastic Cardinal year!
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: Tuesday, August 29
7:30 a.m. Doors Open/Breakfast available (students must eat in the cafeteria)
8:05 a.m. Tardy Bell
2:55 p.m. Dismissal
FUNDRAISER UPDATES:
- The BA Annual Fund drive letters were mailed out this August. Our goal for this year is: $255,000. Each gift supports our scholars and staff directly. Please consider a gift this year or call to set up a meeting at 507-334-3948. To see the letter, please visit: Annual Fund
UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar.
- Aug. 29: First Day of School! Tardy bell rings at 8:05 a.m.
- Sep 4: NO SCHOOL, Labor Day
- Sep 6, 6:00pm - Social Media/Technology safety presentation for Parents presented by the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center. See flyer below.
- Sep 14 - Dig Pink cancer fundraiser @ home volleyball game
- Sep 15 - Tackle Cancer fundraiser events @ home football game
- Sep 16: SpiritFest @ Divine Mercy Catholic Church
- Sep 28 - School picture day! Photo order forms to be sent home with students Sep 22
BA JOB OPENINGS: Email if interested at: mreeder@bacards.org
- Part-time Van Driver
- Substitute Teachers (Must have college degree)
Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATE
Schedule Updates/Counselor Meetings: Reminder that School Counselor Stephen Uphus is available to meet with students regarding scheduling changes following orientation Monday, Aug 28 from 1:30am-3pm.
Fall Sports: Fall sports are underway. Grades 9-12 teams are finishing their first week of practices. Middle school teams will begin practices on Monday, August 21: 7th/8th grade football will meet at 3:15 in Room 211. Grades 6-8 volleyball will practice from 3:30-5:00 at DMCS on Monday. Please visit https://www.bacardinals.com for more information. The online registration form for football and volleyball can be found under the More menu as can the link to pay the $140 activity fee. The activity fee may also be paid by check or as an additional charge to your tuition account.
Middle school soccer will begin on Tuesday, August 29 right after school. Please visit faribaultfalcons.com for more information on cooperative sports or contact the activities office.
Rotary STRIVE Scholarship Program for Seniors: Rotary's STRIVE program kicks off with their first meeting September 13. Click HERE for more information on this scholarship program. Click HERE to register.
Sept 6 Parent Social Media Presentation Flyer:
DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES
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Click HERE to fill out the Youth Discipleship survey.
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 8/18/23
08/23/2023
Kris Sauer
2023-24, August 2023
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"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 (Campus Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2023-2024)
August 18, 2023
Dear BA Families:
Welcome Back! Our BA teachers return on Monday with a full week of workshops planned to prepare for a fantastic school year. We are excited to welcome returning and new scholars to BA. With new courses and plans for the year in progress, we look forward to a wonderful year together. Go Cardinals!
What's New at BA?
- Friday Mass Days @ Immaculate Conception Church- Join us now on Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
- Habitudes - for Social Emotional Learning (a part of Theology)
- New Courses - Business education, Church History, War History, AP Music Theory, Current Events
- New Teachers & Staff: Kenneth Gigante, MS Math Support & Theology; Cecilia Allen, HS Algebra 2; Jolene Beske, Business classes; and Kallie Battles, HS Science, Multimedia and Int. Algebra. New staff: Lori Bittenbender, front office; Penny Thorpe & Jason Collins, maintenance; Jon Rysdam & Sarah Babcock, kitchen.
- Change of Titles/Duties: Brent Zabel will be acting Middle School Dean; Ed Friesen will be Administrative Dean, supporting teachers and managing high school discipline; Katy Ashley will be teaching HS Social Studies courses, as well as HS Theology.
- Building Updates: New walk-in freezer in our cafeteria. Updated library space to classroom and student center (still in progress.)
- The BA Annual Fund drive kicks of this August with a goal of $255,000. Each gift is supports our scholars and staff directly. Please consider a gift this year or call to set up a meeting at 507-334-3948.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar.
- Wed., Aug. 23 (5:30-6:30 p.m.) Back to School Picnic
- Wed., Aug. 23 (6:15-7 p.m.) New family orientation (parents and students)
- Mon., Aug. 28 (9-11:30 a.m.) Student Orientation
- Seniors - arrive by 8:30 a.m. to pick your parking spot.
- New High School Students - 11:30a.m.-1p.m. Stay to eat pizza and receive your laptop.
- MANDATORY New Middle School Parents (All Gr 6, New Gr 7 & 8) technology training/orientation - 5:30p.m., BA Cafeteria, at least one parent must attend to get student laptop
- Tues. Aug. 29: First Day of School! Tardy bell rings at 8:05 a.m.
BA JOB OPENINGS: Email if interested at: mreeder@bacards.org
- Part-time Van Driver
- Part-time Kitchen Assistant
- Substitute Teachers (Must have college degree)
Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org
ALL BA UPDATE
Schedule Updates/Counselor Meetings: See dates below for times when School Counselor Stephen Uphus will be available in person to discuss schedule changes/additions. The open office hours will be on a first-come-first-serve basis. FYI that he sent this information directly to students via their BA email. Mr. Uphus will continue to work on requests that have already been sent, but encourages students to come see him during the times below as it is usually easier to sort things out in person. Please know that you can email Stephen as well at suphus@bacards.org or at 507-334-3948, ext. 217 | voice/text: 507-323-9979. Office availability listed below:
- Thursday August 24th: 8am-3pm
- Friday August 25th: 8am-3pm
- Monday, August 28th (following student orientation): 11:30am-3pm
Fall Sports: Fall sports are underway. Grades 9-12 teams are finishing their first week of practices. Middle school teams will begin practices on Monday, August 21: 7th/8th grade football will meet at 3:15 in Room 211. Grades 6-8 volleyball will practice from 3:30-5:00 at DMCS on Monday. Please visit https://www.bacardinals.com for more information. The online registration form for football and volleyball can be found under the More menu as can the link to pay the $140 activity fee. The activity fee may also be paid by check or as an additional charge to your tuition account.
Middle school soccer will begin on Tuesday, August 29 right after school. Please visit faribaultfalcons.com for more information on cooperative sports or contact the activities office.
DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES
Click HERE to fill out the Youth Discipleship survey.
Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/
Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/