Family Focus 12/1/23
12/07/2023
Kris Sauer
December 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)
December 1, 2023
Dear BA Families:
This Sunday begins the Advent season and with it, the opportunity to center our thoughts on hope. As Fr. Mike Schmitz says in this video, advent "is a season of devout and joyful preparation for the coming of Jesus." At BA, we have added Advent wreaths to our classrooms and hallways, and the manger is set up in our lobby as we await the birth of Jesus. Special morning prayers, reconciliation, and special Masses to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe are among the ways we will prepare for the season.
Thank you to all our grandparents who joined us November 21! The gym was packed with joyful faces and students and grandparents joined in a prayer service, special activities, and tours of the school. We are indeed blessed!
Fundraising update: We are 3 weeks away from our Autumn Cash Raffle drawing. We are halfway to our goal of raising $10,000 through this fundraiser. Get your $25 ticket today and help us reach $10k by Dec. 21!! Our Annual Fund goal is to raise $255,000 for the general operations of the school, with $137,849 received so far. Consider a year end gift and donate HERE.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar.
- Dec. 2: DMCC HS Youth Group devotions & movie night, 6-10pm (see flyer below)
- Dec. 4: Grade 11 retreat
- Dec. 5: NHS $ Dress Down Day
- DMCC Advent Penance Fair, 3-6:30pm (see below)
- Dec. 6: BABS planning meeting, 4pm
- 8th grade parent Wolf Ridge mtg, 6pm, Rm 207
- Dec. 7: 1pm WIN Schedule
- Student of the Month, 7:30am, BA Gym
Dec. 7: Prom dining night out at Godfather's, 4-7pm
- Dec. 8: Immaculate Conception Mass, 10:30am (parish collection)
- Dec. 9: Mission Trip Movie Night, DMCS gym, 6:30pm
- Dec. 12: Reconciliation, special schedule
- Dec. 15: Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass, 10:30am
- Dec. 17: Band/Choir Christmas Concert, 1:30pm, BA Gym
- Dec. 20: BA-hosted Red Cross Blood Drive, 9am-2pm, at DMCC Sign up HERE
- Dec. 21: 1pm dismissal
- Dec. 22-Jan. 3: Christmas Break
- Jan 4, 2024: 1st day of Semester 2
- Middle School: 3-4pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Room 204 with Mrs. Kohl
- High School: 3-3:30pm Monday and Wednesday, Room 105 with Ms. Ashley
Finally, we are looking for a new kitchen assistant, Mon-Fri, 7:30am-1:30pm. Contact John Wollersheim or Kris Sauer with questions, find the position description HERE.
Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
John Wollersheim, Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel, Kris Sauer, Stephen Uphus
ALL BA UPDATE
Parent Help Needed! We are currently in the last 3 weeks of our Autumn Cash Raffle. Our budget is to raise $10,000 through this fundraiser. Please help us reach our goal and purchase at least ONE $25 ticket. Drawing to be held Dec. 21, with cash prizes of $2023, $1023, and $523 for the lucky winners. Click HERE to order your ticket today!
Help Sell Raffle Tickets! Parent and student volunteers are needed after all DMCC Masses this month and at the Dec 16 Chad Johnson event to sell raffle tickets. This is a parent and student service hour opportunity. Sign up HERE.
Yearbook Orders: Multimedia student have been working hard on the 2023-2024 yearbook. If you order by 1/26/24, the price is $69 + tax. Click HERE to order online. Please contact Mrs. Kallie Battles at with questions.
ATHLETICS UPDATES
Parent Volunteers needed for home basketball games:Basketball Team Apparel:
- Boys Basketball Team Store: https://jpwilder.myshopify.com/collections/ba-cardinals-boys-basketball - Store closes Sunday Night!
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Drivers Training @ BA: Cannon River Driving School is hosting driver's training for interested students the weeks of March 11 and March 18, 2024. Classes will run Monday-Friday from 3:15-6:30pm at BA. Cost $125/student. Registration closes March 8; at least 10 student must enroll to run the course at BA. Registration information coming soon.
Seniors: College Scholarship Info: Go to our scholarship page HERE for updated local and national college scholarship offerings.
MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES
8th Grade Wolf Ridge Parent Meeting: Wednesday, December 6, 6pm in Room 207-208 - Julie Smisek's classrooms. Contact Julie with questions.
DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES
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Register for the Eucharistic Congress here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4cb0329e-b079-490f-a808-16c9d3c1d5b6
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 11/17/23
11/30/2023
Kris Sauer
November 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)
November 17, 2023
Dear BA Families:
As approach Thanksgiving break, we are profoundly blessed to be continuing the Dominican legacy gifted to us by the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa and extraordinarily grateful for you, our families, as well as our alumni, supporters, and benefactors who make up our school community. Thank you!
Grandparents Day November 21: All grandparents are invited to join us Tuesday, November 21 at 1pm for our Grandparents Day program. Students whose grandparents are unable to attend may invite someone else in their lives to join us or will be "adopted" by students with visiting grandparents. Note that students will be dismissed around 2:30pm following the conclusion of the program (note later dismissal time). Click HERE for a copy of the flyer with more information, including the annual Grandparent's Day baking contest and an optional questionnaire. Parent volunteers needed for reception setup and staffing starting at 11:30. Email Kris Sauer if you are able to help - earn parent service hours!
UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar.
- Nov. 19: Paul J. Kim event @ DMCC. Sign up HERE
- Nov. 20: Boys basketball season begins
- Nov. 21: Grandparents Day, 1pm; early dismissal at 2:30pm
- Nov. 22-24: Thanksgiving Break
- Nov 30: Prom $ Dress Down Day
- Dec. 4: Grade 11 retreat
- Dec. 5: NHS $ Dress Down Day
- Dec. 6: 8th grade parent Wolf Ridge mtg, 6pm, Rm 207
- Dec. 7: 1pm WIN Schedule
- Student of the Month, 7:30am, BA Gym
- Prom dining night out at Godfather's, 4-7pm
- Dec. 8: Immaculate Conception Mass, 10:30am
- Dec 12: Reconciliation, special schedule
- Dec. 15: Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass, 10:30am
- Dec 17: Band/Choir Christmas Concert, 1:30pm, BA Gym
- Middle School: 3-4pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Room 204 with Mrs. Kohl
- High School: 3-3:30pm Monday and Wednesday, Room 105 with Ms. Ashley
God's blessings to you on this Thanksgiving - may you enjoy time with family and friends; prayers for all those who have recently lost loved ones; prayers for peace and an end to ongoing world conflicts.
Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
John Wollersheim, Ed Friesen, Brent Zabel, Kris Sauer, Stephen Uphus
ALL BA UPDATE
Yearbook Orders! Multimedia student have been working hard on the 2023-2024 yearbook. If you order by 1/26/24, the price is $69 + tax. Click HERE to order online. Please contact Mrs. Kallie Battles at with questions.
Autumn Cash Raffle: Support BA! Purchase a raffle ticket and win cash prizes ranging from $2023 to $523. Click HERE for the order form. ATHLETICS UPDATES
Girls and Boys Basketball Registration: Registration for girls and boys basketball is now open. The link to register may be found on our athletics website, https://bacardinals.com under the More menu. The activity fee for participating in basketball is $140 per player. The fee may be paid online under the More menu at bacardinals.com, by check or by having the fee added to your tuition account. Student participants must also have a valid sports physical clearance on file with the school's activities office in order to participate. Sports physicals are good for 3 years from the date of the exam. Sports physical clearance forms are available on bacardinals.com under the More menu. Boys Basketball practices will begin on Monday, November 20.
Basketball Team Apparel:
- Girls Basketball Team Store: https://jpwilder.myshopify.com/collections/ba-cardinal-basketball
- Boys Basketball Team Store: https://jpwilder.myshopify.com/collections/ba-cardinals-boys-basketball
Girls JO Volleyball Registration Meeting: Sunday, November 26, 7pm in the BA Cafeteria. Open to all 6th-11th grade girls. Find the flyer with more information and the link to register HERE.
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Juniors: ACT Test BOGO Offer - Deadline TODAY, Dec 17: Students who pay to register for the December 2023 ACT will receive a discount code that can be used to take another ACT® test for free. Click HERE for more information.
Seniors: College Scholarship Info: Go to our scholarship page HERE for updated local and national college scholarship offerings.
MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES
8th Grade Wolf Ridge Parent Meeting: Wednesday, December 6, 6pm in Room 207-208 - Julie Smisek's classrooms. Contact Julie with questions.
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DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES
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COMMUNITY INFORMATION
15th Annual IRIS Turkey Trot Nov. 23: Volunteers needed. Click HERE to sign up and help (student volunteer hours earned). Want to run/walk? Sign up for the race HERE.
Faribault Soccer Registration Opens Nov. 1: Faribault Soccer runs off-season programs for ages 3-18. Program registration opens November 1. Click HERE for the flyer; click HERE to register.
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 11/10/23
11/14/2023
Kris Sauer
November 2023, 2023-24
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)
November 10, 2023
Dear BA Families:
The Luckow Family asked that we share the message below with all of you:
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Please continue to keep the Luckow Family in your prayers.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar.
- Nov. 13: Girls basketball season begins
- Nov. 14: NHS $ Dress Down Day
- Nov. 15: Grade 9 & 10 Retreat, Shieldsville; AP test fees due (see below)
- Nov. 19: Paul J. Kim event @ DMCC. Sign up HERE
- Nov. 20: Boys basketball season begins
- Nov. 21: Grandparents Day, 1pm; early dismissal at 2pm
- Nov. 22-24: Thanksgiving Break
Thank you Veterans! This morning we held a Veteran's Day ceremony, featuring guest speaker Captain Stephen Uphus, Minnesota Army National Guard and BA School Counselor. Thank you to SADD for planning the ceremony, and to all who participated.
Last Friday we celebrated our long heritage with the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa and formally transferred the canonical sponsorship of Bethlehem Academy to Dominican Veritas Ministries (DVM). Find a link to the ceremony HERE; Click HERE for a brief description of DVM and what it means for the governance of BA.
Grandparents Day November 21: All grandparents are invited to join us Tuesday, November 21 for a 1pm Grandparents Day program. Students will be dismissed following the conclusion of the program around 2pm.
A reminder that homework help is available for both middle and high school students:
- Middle School: 3-4pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Room 204 with Mrs. Kohl
- High School: 3-3:30pm Monday and Wednesday, Room 105 with Ms. Ashley
Continued prayers for the Luckow family and for all members of our community who have lost loved ones this past month.
Blessings, The BA Leadership Team
ALL BA UPDATE
Autumn Cash Raffle: Purchase a raffle ticket and win cash prizes ranging from $2023 to $523. Click HERE for the order form. ATHLETICS UPDATES
Girls and Boys Basketball Registration: Registration for girls and boys basketball is now open. The link to register may be found on our athletics website, https://bacardinals.com under the More menu. The activity fee for participating in basketball is $140 per player. The fee may be paid online under the More menu at bacardinals.com, by check or by having the fee added to your tuition account. Student participants must also have a valid sports physical clearance on file with the school's activities office in order to participate. Sports physicals are good for 3 years from the date of the exam. Sports physical clearance forms are available on bacardinals.com under the More menu.
Varsity and JV Girls basketball practices will begin on Monday, November 13. Middle School Girls basketball practices will begin on Tuesday, November 14. Boys Basketball practices will begin on Monday, November 20.
Registration for Winter Co-operative Sports through Faribault Public Schools is now open. This includes Dance, Hockey, Wrestling, Gymnastics and Boys Swimming. Register through Faribault's Infinite Campus Portal. Click here for an InfiniteCampus portal account application form. Or, contact portalhelp@faribault.k12.mn.us for assistance in setting up an account.
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
AP Exam Fees Due Wednesday, Nov. 15: Reminder that AP test registration and payment is due to Mr. Uphus or AP teachers by the end of the day on Wednesday, November 15 (original deadline was Nov 13. Cost for each exam is $98. Reach out to Mr. Uphus with any questions or concerns about payment and ordering.
Seniors: College Scholarship Info: Go to our scholarship page HERE for updated local and national college scholarship offerings.
DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES
Sign up for the Paul Kim event here: https://forms.gle/JBBi7v4FQvEr5CKWA
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
15th Annual IRIS Turkey Trot Nov. 23: Volunteers needed. Click HERE to sign up and help (student volunteer hours earned). Want to run/walk? Sign up for the race HERE.
Faribault Soccer Registration Opens Nov. 1: Faribault Soccer runs off-season programs for ages 3-18. Program registration opens November 1. Click HERE for the flyer; click HERE to register.
Online BA School Calendar:
https://gopherconference.org/public/genie/7/school/7/
Online Faribault Falcons Calendar:
https://big9conference.org/public/genie/4/school/7/