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Family Focus 1-20-23

date 01/23/2023 author Kris Sauer category 2022-23, January 2023 comment Leave a comment

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 (Peer Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2022-2023)

January 20, 2023

Dear BA Families: 
Happy SnoBall Week! We look forward to celebrating SnoBall next week as we honor our seniors at another traditional BA event. Review the dress up days and events below. Please plan to join us at the 8pm SnoBall Grand March on Saturday, Jan 28.

MONDAY - Jan. 23: Please note, there is no school for Faribault Public Schools on Monday; however, BA does have school. Please keep in mind that there will not be any Faribault busing Monday and make arrangements if your scholar rides the Faribault bus.

STAFF UPDATE: We look forward to welcoming Katie Smith as our new Middle School Counselor; we will have a full introduction when she begins January 30th. We are also looking for a Robotics assistant. If you are able to help on Mondays and/or Thursdays after school, please email me. You are paid a stipend to assist -
mreeder@bacards.org.

2023-24 ENROLLMENT IS OPEN! We thank you for your partnership in your scholar's education. Our Board has approved keeping tuition increases low, with only a 1% increase for next year, while working to expand scholarships and programs each year. Please be sure to complete your financial aid application (click
HERE for the application) by Feb. 22 to ensure eligibility for all available scholarships. Re-enroll in FACTS by Feb 22 and the $10 re-enrollment fee will be waived.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK - Field Trip & Events Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2023. We will have special prayers, a joint Mass, buddy day, a talent show, and on Thursday, Feb 2, an all-school field trip combined with service. Our high school students will be packing food. The food packs require 18 year olds on each line of the food pack. We will need additional adult volunteers for our 9-11th grade group. Please join us to help! Email your interest in attending by January 27th to
mreeder@bacards.org. The permission form and cost for the field trip was sent home to parents via email and to students in paper form. You can also find the forms and field trip information by clicking HERE. PLEASE RETURN YOUR FEE & FORM BY FRI, JAN. 27th. If you wish to have the fee added to your tuition, please indicate that on the form.


FUNDRAISERS & EVENT UPDATES:

  • The BA Annual Fund drive is at $207,764+ with a goal of $265,000 for this academic year! Gifts accepted through June 30, 2023.
  • BABS - A Red & Black Gala Event on April 15 is in need of silent and live auction items. We are excited to announce a new program, catered meal, and entertainment. Invites coming soon! Email Teresa Lebens with your donations at: tlebens@bacards.org
BA & DMCS 2023-24 CALENDAR: Click HERE for a copy of the 2023-2024 BA School Calendar. 

NEXT WEEK'S SCHEDULE:









UPCOMING EVENTS: Additional events are online
  • Jan 23: NO FARIBAULT BUSING. BA is in session but Faribault Public Schools do not have school on this day.
  • Jan 23-27: SnoBall Week Dress Down Days-see graphic. Reminder of our dress code policy (Handbook, p 30): When the school has special dress theme days for Homecoming and other school spirit
    events, the student should wear the specified attire or come to school in the normal dress code.
  • Jan 28: "Winter Wonderland" SnoBall Dance, Grand March & SnoBall Queen Coronation 8pm; dance ends at 11pm; Post-Prom SnoBash parent event 9-10:45pm @ Faribault's Elks Lodge-see below for more information
  • Jan 29: Rome Trip Bake Sale at DMCC after the 8am & 10am Masses.
  • Feb 3: Youth Basketball Night @ Boys Basketball game - see info below, link to sign up HERE
  • Jan 29-Feb 5: Catholic Schools Week
    • Feb 1: Joint BA/DMCS Mass @ IC, 1 hr, 8:30am
    • Feb 1: BA/DMCS Buddy Day
    • Feb 2: Class field trips (no color day), click here for forms & info
    • Feb 5: BA will host the 5 p.m. Mass @ Divine Mercy Church. We are looking for student ushers, servers, and eucharistic ministers. After Mass, high school students are invited to stay and participate in the ProLife speaker presentation. 
  • Feb 12: Winter Admissions Open House 11am-1pm. Invite a prospective Cardinal to join us! Advance registration HERE, walk-ins welcome. 
REMINDERS:
  • Attendance: If your scholar is sick or has an appointment, please email attendance@bacards.org or call 507-334-3948, x 302 by 8am if possible. Thank you!
KUDOS: Congratulations to our Robotics HS Team who partnered with another team to achieve the meet's top score in last Saturday's competition!

Please continue to join me in praying for family members, BA parents, and staff members who need God's healing touch!

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

ALL BA UPDATE

SnoBash, Jan 28: Parents: Come and join us at the Elks from 9-10:45pm for a night of fun supporting post-prom activities! To purchase advance tickets either use Venmo (see QR code or click HERE) or drop payment in the BA office. Be sure to include the number of tickets, names, and an email address for confirmation with your payment. The post prom committee will have a list of pre-paid guests at the front door. Advance ticket sales will be accepted until Jan 27 @ 3pm.

Parent/Teacher Conference Update: Our winter parent-teacher conferences will NOT be held February 15 as originally scheduled. The new date is Wednesday, March 1, 4-8pm with conferences held via Zoom. A sign up link will be sent at a later date.

Theatre Club Update: Going forward Theatre Club will meet EVERY Wednesday at 3pm. All are welcome!

Rome Trip Summer 2024: It's not too late to join! Interested students should contact Ms Caryn Coller if interested.

Youth Basketball Night Feb 3: Prospective students and families are invited to join us Feb 3 at the boys basketball game for a fun, free, family night! Register online HERE

Basketball Game Volunteers/Parent Service Hours:  The high school basketball season is upon us.  With 2 dozen home games from December through February, there are many volunteer opportunities.  We need parent volunteers to sell admission (tickets) and to work in the concession stand.  Click the links to help: Girls Basketball VolunteersBoys Basketball Volunteers and your parent service hours will be automatically recorded. Thank you!

Basketball Officials: BA needs individuals to officiate junior high basketball this winter. Contact Ed Friesen (efriesen@bacards.org or 507-334-3948) if interested.

Counselor Tidbits: Click HERE for the Counselor's Corner page on our website, including updated graduation service cord information.

Positivity Project: This week's character focus is Perserverance (click for more info)

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

Jan 28 SnoBall Dance Info/Purchase Tickets by Jan 24: The January 28 "Winter Wonderland" SnoBall is a girl-ask-boy semi-formal dance for students in grades 9-12. Tickets are on sale during high school lunches ($30/couple, $15/single) through Tues, Jan 24. A signed form, found in the front office, is required for a non-BA grade 9-12 guest. Typically, the girls purchase a tie for their date that matches their dress. The girls arrange for a bouquet and boutonniere with a local florist that the boy picks up and pays for the day of the dance. Boys wear a dress shirt (most choose black), tie, and nice pants; girls wear semi-formal dresses. Attire that is neat, clean, and modest is expected of all participants. Couples usually go out to dinner with a group of friends prior to the Grand March. Parents and guests gather in the gym at 8:00pm for the Grand March, where participating couples are introduced and the SnoBall Queen is crowned. There will be a row of chairs in front of the stands for guests with mobility issues. Usually, the Mother-Son/Father-Daughter dance follows coronation, then parents and guests depart and the dance begins. The dance ends at 11:00 p.m.

SnoBall Grand March Reserved Seating: The post-prom committee is selling $15 reserved seats for SnoBall's Grand March Saturday, January 28. This is separate from and behind the rows reserved for SnoBall Court parents/families. Email Darla Hanson at
darma2200@gmail.com to reserve your seat.

SENIOR PARENTS: SNOBALL SNACK DONATIONS: From Brooke Johnson, Senior Class Secretary: "Thank you so much for your continued support over our years at BA; our gratitude is immeasurable. You make it possible to have events like SnoBall every year. In honor of our final year at BA, we have one more “ask” of you. We are looking to have snacks and beverages available at the SnoBall dance, snacks like salty/savory chips, sweet treats, fruits/veggies, and water/juice! We invite you to donate by clicking
HERE.  Thanks again—you’re the BEST!"

High School Reminders:
  • After school support is available for students in the library Tuesday - Thursday until 3:30 (link to info)
  • Senior Scholarships: Click HERE for a list of college and community scholarship opportunities, requirements and deadlines!
  • Senior Service Cord: Click here for the senior service cord guidelines. Applications due April 6, 2023. 
  • Please remind your high school student to check their email and class Schoology on a regular basis! (Thank you for your support with this!) 
Juniors & Seniors: ACT Exams: Find ACT college test dates and registration deadlines at this LINKSAT Testing: Find SAT college test dates and registration deadlines HERE.

MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES
Click HERE to sign up for the DMCC MS Retreat! 

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

Family Focus 1-13-23

date 01/17/2023 author Kris Sauer category January 2023, 2022-23 comment Leave a comment

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 (Peer Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2022-2023)

January 13, 2023

Dear BA Families: 
Bethlehem Academy had an active week, from athletic events to academic competitions, complete with a snow/ice day! Our staff love seeing our scholars thrive! Keeping our scholars involved in programs along with their academic schedule helps them develop in body, mind, and soul. Thank you for encouraging your scholar to participate. SnoBall will be celebrated the week of January 23rd. This tradition invites our young women to ask a young man to the SnoBall dance. We will honor our seniors at different events during this week. Congratulations to our 2023 SnoBall Queen candidates - Destinee Fregoso, Lindsay Hanson, Brooke Johnson, Reagan Kangas, and Amelia Pemrick. See below for more details!

UPCOMING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS' WEEK - Field Trip & Events Jan. 30-Feb. 3, 2023. After SnoBall, we celebrate Catholic Schools' Week. We will have special prayers, a joint Mass, buddy day, a talent show, and on Thursday, Feb 2, an all-school field trip combined with service. Our high school students will be packing food. The food packs require 18 year olds on each line of the food pack. We will need additional adult volunteers for our 9-11th grade group. Please join us to help! Email your interest in attending by January 27th to
mreeder@bacards.org. The permission form and cost for the field trip was sent home to parents, via email, and to students, in paper form. You can also find the forms and field trip information by clicking HERE. PLEASE RETURN YOUR FEE & FORM BY JAN. 27th. If you wish to have the fee added to your tuition, please indicate that on the form.

BETHLEHEM ACADEMY TRIP EXPERIENCES: Each year BA strives to offer a travel experience to educate and enrich. This year we have a group of students traveling with Mr. Wollin on a Close Up trip to New York and Washington, D.C. Next year, your scholar has the opportunity to travel to Rome! An informational and fundraising meeting will be held Jan. 19 at 1:30 during WIN time for interested scholars. If you have further questions, contact Caryn Coller ccoller@bacards.org


FUNDRAISERS & EVENT UPDATES:

  • The BA Annual Fund drive is at $205,494+ with a goal of $265,000 for this academic year! We are so thankful to our supporters and have received our matching gift. THANK YOU! Gifts accepted through June 30, 2023.
  • BABS - A Red & Black Gala Event on April 15 is in need of silent and live auction items. Email Teresa Lebens with your items at: tlebens@bacards.org
NEXT WEEK'S SCHEDULE:







UPCOMING EVENTS: Additional events are online
  • Jan 13: Youth Basketball Night @ Girls BBall game - see info below
  • Jan 16: NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King Day
  • Jan 19: WIN Day
  • Jan 23: NO FARIBAULT BUSING. BA is in session but Faribault Public Schools do not have school on this day.
  • Jan 23-27: SnoBall Week Dress Down Days-see below for more info
  • Jan 28: "Winter Wonderland" SnoBall Dance, Grand March & SnoBall Queen Coronation 8pm; dance ends at 11pm; Post-Prom SnoBash parent event 9-10:45pm @ Faribault's Elks Lodge-see below for more information
  • Feb 3: Youth Basketball Night @ Boys Basketball game - see info below
  • Jan 29-Feb 5: Catholic Schools Week
    • Feb 1: Joint BA/DMCS Mass @ IC, 1 hr, 8:30am
    • Feb 1: BA/DMCS Buddy Day
    • Feb 2: Class field trips (no color day), click here for forms & info
    • Feb 5: BA will host the 5 p.m. Mass @ Divine Mercy Church. We are looking for student ushers, servers, and eucharistic ministers. After Mass, High School students are invited to stay and participate in the ProLife speaker presentation. 

REMINDERS:
  • Attendance: If your scholar is sick or has an appointment, please email attendance@bacards.org or call 507-334-3948, x 302 by 8am if possible. Thank you!
KUDOS: Congratulations to our Knowledge Bowl! They placed 6th out of 27 teams - GO CARDINALS! Congratulations to Megan (1st) and Caitlin (2nd) Cina for winning the BA/DMCS Spelling Bee. It was a tough competition and we salute all participants. Thanks to Angela Cina for coordinating and Shari Piehl for reading the words to our scholars. If you have a chance, stop in at the Paradise to view the beautiful art displayed by our BA scholars! Thanks to Jason Hillesheim for setting up another show.

Please continue to join me in praying for family members, BA parents, and staff members who need God's healing touch!

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

ALL BA UPDATE
SnoBall Week Dress Down Theme Days: 
Monday, Jan 23: Pajama Day; Tuesday, Jan 24: Jersey Day; Wednesday, Jan 25: Dress Your Best (or Mass attire); Thursday, Jan 26: Cardinal Spirit Day; Friday, Jan 27: Beach Day. We will have a SnoBall Court assembly and prayer service Fri, Jan 27 starting at 1pm. See HS section below for SnoBall Dance information.


SnoBash, Jan 28: Come and join us for a night of fun supporting post-prom activities! Open to all parents, SnoBash 2023 will be held at the Elks Lodge in Faribault, Saturday, Jan 28, from 9-10:45pm. To purchase advance tickets, please place payment in an envelope ($20/ticket in advance, $25 at the door) and drop in the designated basket in the BA office. On the envelope, please list the number of tickets, names, and an email address for confirmation. The post prom committee will collect from the office, send confirmations, and have a list of pre-paid guests at the front door. Advanced ticket sales will be accepted until January 27 @ 3pm.

Theatre Club Update: going forward we will have Theatre Club EVERY Wednesday at 3pm starting January 18. All are welcome!

Rome Trip Summer 2024: It's not too late to join! Interested students should plan to attend the Jan 19 1:30pm meeting in m
Mr. Nuehring's room. Please contact Ms
Caryn Coller if interested.

Youth Basketball Nights: prospective students and families are invited to join us for these fun, free, family nights held Jan 13 and Feb 3! Register online for both games HERE

Basketball Game Volunteers/Parent Service Hours:  The high school basketball season is upon us.  With 2 dozen home games from December through February, there are many volunteer opportunities.  We need parent volunteers to sell admission (tickets) and to work in the concession stand.  Click the links to help: Girls Basketball VolunteersBoys Basketball Volunteers and your parent service hours will be automatically recorded. Thank you!

Basketball Officials: BA needs individuals to officiate junior high basketball this winter. Contact Ed Friesen (efriesen@bacards.org or 507-334-3948) if interested.

Counselor Tidbits: Click HERE for the Counselor's Corner page on our website, including updated graduation service cord information.

Positivity Project: This week's character focus is Perserverance (click for more info)

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

Jan 28 SnoBall Dance Info: The January 28 "Winter Wonderland" SnoBall is a girl-ask-boy semi-formal dance for students in grades 9-12. Tickets are on sale during high school lunches ($30/couple, $15/single) starting next week. Typically, the girls purchase a tie for their date that matches their dress. The girls arrange for a bouquet and boutonniere with a local florist that the boy picks up and pays for the day of the dance. Boys wear a dress shirt (most choose black), tie, and nice pants; girls wear semi-formal dresses. Attire that is neat, clean and modest is expected of all participants. Couples usually go out to dinner with a group of friends prior to the Grand March. Parents and guests gather in the gym at 8:00pm for the Grand March, where participating couples are introduced and the SnoBall Queen is crowned. Usually, the Mother-Son/Father-Daughter dance follows coronation, then parents and guests depart and the dance begins. The dance ends at 11:00p.m.

SnoBall Grand March Reserved Seating: The post-prom committee is selling $15 reserved seats for SnoBall's Grand March Saturday, January 28. This is separate from and behind the rows reserved for SnoBall Court parents/families. Watch for further details on how to reserve your seat. 

High School Reminders:
  • After school support is available for students in the library Tuesday - Thursday until 3:30 (link to info)
  • Please remind your high school student to check their email and class Schoology on a regular basis! (Thank you for your support with this!) 
Juniors & Seniors: ACT Exams: Find ACT college test dates and registration deadlines at this LINKSAT Testing: Find SAT college test dates and registration deadlines HERE.

MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES
Click HERE to sign up for the DMCC MS Retreat! 

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

Family Focus Jan 6, 2023

date 01/11/2023 author Kris Sauer category 2022-23, January 2023 comment Leave a comment

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 (Peer Ministry-selected Bible verse for 2022-2023)

January 6, 2023

Dear BA Families: 

HAPPY NEW YEAR & WELCOME BACK! I hope the spirit of Christmas resides in you all month long as we experience the layers of snow and ice this January. Did you make a New Year's resolution? For all scholars, their new semester begins this week - a great opportunity to start fresh and exceed their personal goals! Mr. Uphus will be working with scholars on any semester schedule needs. 

REFLECTIONS ON THE POPE: Pope Benedict XVI passed away at age 95 on New Years Eve. He leaves a legacy for all of us to share with our families as a person of faith and strong teacher. Join me in prayers. https://www.usccb.org/news/2022/pope-benedict-eight-years-pope-capped-long-ministry-teacher-faith

UPCOMING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS' WEEK - Field Trip & Events Jan. 30-Feb. 3, 2023. Staff are busy planning Catholic Schools' Week events the week after SnoBall Week. We will have special prayers, a joint Mass, buddy day, talent show and an all-school field trip combining service with an activity on Thursday, Feb. 2. Our high school students will be packing food. The food packs require 18 year olds or older, to "close the food packs." Because of this, we will need additional adult volunteers for our 9-11th grade group. Please join us to help! Email your interest in attending by January 30th to mreeder@bacards.org. The permission form and cost for the field trip will be sent home next week and due back by January 30th.

FUNDRAISERS & EVENT UPDATES:

  • The BA Annual Fund drive is at $154,500+ with a goal of $265,000 for this academic year! We are so thankful to our supporters and have received our matching gift. THANK YOU! Gifts accepted through June 30, 2023.
  • BABS - A Red & Black Gala Event on April 15 is in need of silent and live auction items. Email Teresa Lebens with your items at: tlebens@bacards.org
NEXT WEEK'S SCHEDULE:




UPCOMING EVENTS: Additional events are online
  • Jan 9, 10, 12, 13: Middle School MAP Testing-see info below
  • Jan 11: Student of the Month, 7:30am, Cafeteria
  • Jan 12: DMCS/BA Spelling Bee
  • Jan 13: Youth Basketball Night @ Girls BBall game - see info
  • Jan 16: NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King Day
  • Jan 19: WIN Day
  • Jan 28: SnoBall Dance
  • Jan 29-Feb 3: Catholic Schools Week
REMINDERS:
  • Attendance: If your scholar is sick or has an appointment, please email attendance@bacards.org or call 507-334-3948, x 302 by 8am if possible. Thank you!
KUDOS: 
Please continue to pray for staff healing from surgery and continued healing for Bob Crone and Shelley Friesen, as well as all of our students as we begin Semester 2.

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

ALL BA UPDATE

Rome Trip Summer 2024: It's not too late to join! Please contact Ms Caryn Coller if interested.

Youth Basketball Nights: prospective students and families are invited to join us for these fun, free, family nights! Register online for both games HERE

Basketball Game Volunteers:  The high school basketball season is upon us.  With 2 dozen home games from December through February, there are many volunteer opportunities.  We need parent volunteers to sell admission (tickets) and to work in the concession stand.  Click the links to help: Girls Basketball VolunteersBoys Basketball Volunteers

Basketball Officials: BA needs individuals to officiate junior high basketball this winter. Contact Ed Friesen (efriesen@bacards.org or 507-334-3948) if interested.

Counselor Tidbits: Click HERE for an update on Counseling Office staffing. Click HERE for the Counselor's Corner page on our website, including updated graduation service cord information.

Positivity Project: This week's character focus is Prudence (click for more info)

HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
High School Reminders:
  • After school support is available for students in the library Tuesday - Thursday until 3:30 (link to info)
  • Please remind your high school student to check their email and class Schoology on a regular basis! (Thank you for your support with this!) 
Juniors & Seniors: ACT Exams: Find ACT college test dates and registration deadlines at this LINKSAT Testing: Find SAT college test dates and registration deadlines HERE.

MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES
MAP testing will begin next week for middle school students. Please be sure your scholars get plenty of rest, eat a good breakfast, and come to school with their laptops fully charged for the online tests. See test schedule below:

Monday, January 9
P1 and 3: Grade 6 Reading 
P4 and 5: Grade 7 Math
P6 and 7/8: Grade 8 Language

Tuesday January 10
P2 and 3: Grade 8 Reading
P4 and 5: Grade 6 Math
P6 and 7/8: Grade 7 Language

Thursday January 11
Morning – Spelling Bee
P6 and 7/8: Grade 6 Language 

Friday January 12
P1 and 2: Grade 7 Reading
P4 and 5: Grade 8 Math

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