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Family Focus 9/22/23

date 09/26/2023 author Kris Sauer category 2023-24, September 2023 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)


September 22, 2023

A Message from the BA Board Chair:
Dear Bethlehem Academy Community,


Thank you for your continued support of our great Catholic school! 

I want to provide a quick update on transition planning following Mindy’s announcement that her last day will be October 13. The board and faculty/staff met and have started the foundational open discussions for an interim coverage plan, as well as what is required for future leadership structure for long term success. The board will be meeting again next week and will continue to provide updates through this process. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated not only through this transition but daily for the students as they become our next generation of Christian leaders. Veritas! 

Sincerely,
Cory Caron, Board of Directors Chairperson, cory.caron@yahoo.com

President/Principal Message:
Dear BA Families: 

Completion of our first month of school! This is a great opportunity to check in with your scholar on their progress in each class as we are midway through this first quarter. 

Please welcome Gina Yetzer to our school family. Gina is our new Office Administrative Assistant - stop in and introduce yourself!
Hello, I’m Gina Yeltzer and am very happy to be at BA and back working in a Christian environment! My husband, Joe, is Chief Deputy for the county and we have three children: Gabrielle (20, studying at Eckard College), Isaac (17, senior at FHS) and Eddie (15, sophomore at FHS). We are an active family who loves to be outdoors on the beach or skiing in the mountains. I appreciate your patience as I learn all my new duties and look forward to the year ahead.

Here is a look at our schedule for next week:

UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar.
  • Sept. 25: National Food Service Day - Thank our lunch team!
  • Sept 25-28: Middle School MAP testing-be sure students have fully charged laptops every day this week!
  • Sept. 26: Rome Trip Dress Down $$1 sweats; $2 leggings
  • Sept. 27: Guatemala Trip Bake Sale before and after school; items range from $1-4.
  • Sept. 28: School picture day! Photo order forms sent home today (9/22), extra copies available in the front office.
  • Sept. 29: 7th Grade field trip to River Bend Nature Center
    • No PM Faribault busing; Faribault public schools will dismiss and buses will run at 1pm due to the Faribault homecoming parade. BA will be in session regular hours that day; the BA van will run at our normal dismissal time. 
    • Paradise Center for the Arts Student Exhibit Reception, 5-7pm: Opening reception for BA student artwork featured in the PCA's Corey Lyn Creger Art Gallery. 
  • Oct. 2-6: HOMECOMING WEEK! See below for themed dress down days & more information
  • Oct 6: Parent/Alumni Social @ Corks & Pints following the football game. First 100 adults get at $1 off their beverage of choice. Join us!

BA JOB OPENINGS: Have a flexible schedule? Consider driving our student van in the morning (6:50-7:50) and/or in the afternoons after fall sports finish. We are also in need of a part-time kitchen assistant and a gambling program manager. Email mreeder@bacards.org if interested.

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 $49,212-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! Guest speaker: former BA Principal Sr. Kathleen Theis, OP.
  • Nov. 5: New - Founder's Day 50 Fundraiser!  Details to come!
Please pray for our Board as we plan for an interim principal position.

Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATE

Homecoming 2023 Themed Dress Down Days

  • Mon., Oct 2: Color Day 6th grade: red; 7th grade: black; 8th grade: white; 9th grade: green; 10th grade: blue; 11th grade: purple; 12th grade: pink
  • Tues., Oct 3: Gray Out + Anything but a Backpack
  • Wed., Oct 4: Mass Attire
  • Thurs., Oct 5: Teacher/Student Role Reversal Day
  • Fri., Oct 6: Cardinal Spirit Wear
Homecoming Week 2023: Theme - Knock out the Knights 2.0! T-shirt orders due Tues, Sept 26. Week features daily themed dress down days (see above). Wednesday is the DMCS & BA Mass at 8:30, followed by student buddy activities. A pep fest is held Friday noon in Van Orsow Auditorium followed by Homecoming King coronation at 1:00pm. All are invited to attend. (Note that by longstanding tradition, BA crowns a Homecoming King but not a Homecoming Queen. Instead, seniors elect a SnoBall Queen at the winter SnoBall.) The Homecoming parade typically begins around 1:30pm Friday following the pep fest. Note that students are dismissed after the parade concludes, usually around 2:00pm. (Faribault buses run on a normal dismissal schedule.) The Homecoming dance follows the Homecoming football game and is a mixer (not an “ask” dance) open to all high school students. Non-BA high school students may attend the homecoming mixer if registered in the main office prior to the event. This year, BA will host a parent/alumni social at Corks and Pints Friday night following the football game. First 100 people through the door get $1 off a drink of their choice!

Spooktacular & Shoe Drive: Join the fun! Register for the Oct 14 Spooktacular Fun Run for Catholic education HERE. Watch for details on fabulous participant prizes. New this year - old tennis shoe drive for St. Vincent de Paul (+ coupon.) Click HERE for more info.

Trunk or Treat Oct 31: Volunteer trunks needed for the BA/DMCS community-wide Trunk or Treat event Tuesday, October 31 from 4-6pm in the BA/DMCS parking lots. This is a parent and student service hour event. Sign up to host a trunk HERE. 

Home and School: Reminder to please pay your $30 Home and School dues! Scan the QR code at left to pay via Venmo or send a check in to the BA front office. Thank you!

Rome Pilgrimage June 2024: It's not too late to sign up for the 2024 Pilgrimage to Rome! 
Highlights of the trip will include St. Peter’s Basilica Mass and tour, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, San Francesco - Church of St. Francis, and Michelangelo’s David. Cost for trip is $3,995 which includes airfare, accommodations, transportation in Rome and to Assisi and Florence, as well as most meals. Trip is open to current high school students and adults.  Please contact Ms. Caryn Coller for more details or student permission slip. 
Click HERE for our travel company information.

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

National Honor Society Applications Due Oct 2: Forms available in the BA front office. All eligible juniors and seniors who are not already NHS members were sent an email inviting them to apply.



DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES

































Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center in Prior Lake, MN
is offering a Family Retreat, Oct 20-22, 2023, titled:
God is Near: Knowing God-with-Us.
  • Arrive Friday between 4:00-7:00 p.m. Depart Sunday by 12:30. Suggested offering: $50 deposit per family; $190 per adult; $50 for kids; children five/under free. 

Register by clicking the button below or call 952.447.2182 (Tues-Fri 9:00-4:00).

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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, 9/15/2023

date 09/19/2023 author Kris Sauer category 2023-24, September 2023 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)


September 15, 2023

Dear BA Families: 

Tackle Cancer Fundraiser! Our BA Volleyball had a blast raising funds for cancer on Thursday and tonight, please join us for the BA Football Tackle Cancer event. This fundraiser is a wonderful way to support those who have been touched by cancer - THANK YOU! BA Staff looks forward to seeing you out at the Divine Mercy Parish Festival on Saturday, it's going to be a great weekend. Here is a look at our schedule for next week:


UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar.
Middle School Homework Club: Closed, Monday, Sept. 18; Open - Tues., Sept. 19 and Thurs., Sept. 21 (3-4 p.m.)

  • Sept. 16: SpiritFest @ Divine Mercy Catholic Church. Volunteers still needed! Click HERE to help! (Students earn service hours.) 
  • Sept. 18: National Priest Day! Thank our priests for all they do!
  • Sept. 25: National Food Service Day - Thank our lunch team!
  • Sept. 26: Rome Trip Dress Down $$1 sweats; $2 leggings
  • Sept. 28: School picture day! Photo order forms to be sent home with students Sep 22.
  • Sept. 29: 7th Grade goes to River Bend Nature Center
  • 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: Part-time Van Driver - Email if interested at: mreeder@bacards.org 

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 $48,702-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!
Please pray for our seniors who will be on their senior retreat this Sunday and Monday, thank you!

Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATE

Rome Pilgrimage - June 7-18, 2024: Attention Bethlehem Academy families, it is not too late to sign up for the 2024 Pilgrimage to Rome.  Highlights of the trip will include St. Peter’s Basilica mass and tour, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, San Francesco - Church of St. Francis, and Michelangelo’s David.  Cost for trip is $3,995 which includes airfare, accommodations, transportation in Rome and to Assisi and Florence, as well as most meals.  Trip is open to current high school students and adults.  Please contact Ms. Caryn Coller for more details or student permission slip.  ccoller@bacards.orgLink to our travel company - Ciaoromatravel.com

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
Letter Jackets - This past week Meca Sportswear was at BA for letter jacket orders.  BA has worked with Meca for letter jacket ordering for many years.  The Meca Sportswear representative will be at BA again on a date to be determined.

Besides, Meca, students may also purchase letter jackets from Josten's.  BA has worked with Josten's for yearbooks and graduation items for many years.  Josten's has recently expanded into letter jackets.  Josten's will have a representative at BA on Wednesday, September 20 during the lunch hour.  Please click here for more information on the letter jacket option from Josten's.
 




DIVINE MERCY CHURCH & SCHOOL UPDATES

















Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center in Prior Lake, MN
is offering a Family Retreat, Oct 20-22, 2023, titled:
God is Near: Knowing God-with-Us.
  • Arrive Friday between 4:00-7:00 p.m. Depart Sunday by 12:30. Suggested offering: $50 deposit per family; $190 per adult; $50 for kids; children five/under free. 

Register by clicking the button below or call 952.447.2182 (Tues-Fri 9:00-4:00).

Image


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, 9/8/2023

date 09/08/2023 author Ed Friesen category 2023-24, September 2023 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)


September 8, 2023

Dear BA Families: 

Service and Learning. This week our scholars heard from the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center on online safety and their online footprint. The lyceum highlighted online citizenship as well as what to watch out for when online. Additionally, parents attended an evening presentation. Visit their webpage for information (Jacob W).

On Friday, all BA scholars gathered for grade level service projects across town including: parish grounds; Milestone Senior Center; United Way Bookstore; IRIS; Calvary Cemetery; River Bend Nature Center and clean up along the Straight River Bike trails. This day of service is a tradition at BA, bringing scholars together as we serve out the Dominican Pillar of Service in our community.

IN CLASSROOMS: BA scholars should be feeling comfortable with their schedules and their classes. Student homework is in Schoology, so be sure to ask them to see the Schoology class pages. Parents can check grades periodically in PowerSchool. Reach out with questions on these programs to our technology coordinator, Ed Friesen at .

HOMEWORK HELP: Students can find teachers before or after school for support. We do have homework club for Middle School starting every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3-4 p.m. For High School students, Ms. Ashley has resource time, email her at: . For High School math, Mrs. Allen is available after school and Mr. Gilmore before school. 


UPCOMING EVENTS: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar.

  •  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!

See the Prom Fundraiser! Scan and order your hats today.

Reminders:  Don't forget, we have free breakfast offered from 7:30-8 a.m. each morning. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. and pick up time is 3 p.m. Lifeteen kicks off this Sunday, see flier below.


BA JOB OPENINGS: Email if interested at: mreeder@bacards.org

  • Part-time Van Driver
  • Substitute Teachers (Must have college degree)

FUNDRAISERS & EVENT 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 $47,102-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!
Please pray for our scholars when they are online. Special prayers for our new students, may they connect with BA scholars and families.

Blessings, Mindy Reeder - President/Principal
mreeder@bacards.org

ALL BA UPDATE

Mass Day School Store: Click HERE to order Mass Day-appropriate BA gear.

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 Team Registration Open: The Vex IQ Robotics season has begun and it's not too late to join the team! Open to middle and high school students, Robotics 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: Homework help for middle school students is offered every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 3-4pm.


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.

Letter Jackets: Students that have earned a letter in an activity or expect to earn a letter this school year may order a letter jacket.  Bethlehem Academy has worked with Meca Sportswear for chenille letters and letter jackets for over 30 years.  The BA Chenille Letters we award to students are from Meca Sporswear.  Meca will be here on Thursday, September 14 for letter jacket sizing and ordering.  Click HERE for more for more information on letter jackets from Meca.  The traditional BA letter jacket has been around for decades.  It is a Cardinal Red jacket with leather sleeves along with 2 white UCLA shoulder insert stripes.  Alternatively, students may also consider an all-black leather jacket.  The base of the jackets includes the student's graduation year on a sleeve and name on the front chest.

Josten's recently expanded into the letter jacket business.  Their sales rep will be here a week after Meca Sportswear.  Bethlehem Academy has worked with Josten's in other areas (yearbooks, class rings, graduation items) for many years as well.  The Josten's jacket base price DOES NOT include the student's graduation year on a sleeve and name on the front chest.  Click HERE for Josten's online ordering information.  


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


 


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