Family Focus Newsletter 2025-2026

Dear BA Families,

We are proud to celebrate some truly outstanding accomplishments by our students this past week! Congratulations to our Knowledge Bowl team — Luke McCrea, Allison McCabe, Ravi Lebgue, and Mason Bishop — who earned first place on Wednesday and will advance to the regional meet in March. Their teamwork, preparation, and academic excellence reflect the very best of Bethlehem Academy’s commitment to study and scholarship. We wish them continued success as they move on to the next level of competition!

Our athletes are also making history. Tommy Kunze has set a new all-time career points record with 141 points (goals and assists), surpassing the previous record held by BA alumnus Christian Von Ruden. In addition, Tommy has broken the all-time career goals record with an incredible 76 goals! On the basketball court, Owen Dotterweich joined the prestigious 1,000 Career Points Club and now holds the career 3-point school record at BA, two remarkable milestones that speak to his dedication and consistency. Sarah Tobin also rewrote the record books this week, breaking the previous single-season rebounds record of 238 (held by Morgan Wilson ’25) and finishing the regular season with an extraordinary 264 rebounds.

We are so proud of these students for their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to excellence — Go Cardinals!

Blessings,

Paula Leider

Click HERE for the February Lunch Menu

**National FFA Week**

**Campus Ministry Baby Bottle Drive this week-see below**

Monday, Feb 23: White Day

Tuesday, Feb 24: Red Day

FFA Staff Breakfast

Wednesday, Feb 25: White Day

Parent-Teacher Conference 3:45pm-7:30pm

Thursday, Feb 26: Red Day

FFA Blue & Gold Dress Day

BBB Section Playoffs 7pm vs Spring Grove (H)

Friday, Feb 27: White Day

10:30am Mass @ BA

TADS tuition assistance application deadline. Click HERE to apply.

MARCH 2: Spring Band Concert, 6:30pm; SE MN Finals Spelling Bee; Track & Field Info Mtgs

MARCH 3: 7th Grade NET Retreat, Mother Samuel Building

MARCH 4: Prom Dining Night Out @ Godfather's, 4-7pm

MARCH 6: End Quarter 3; MS Student Art Show at the Paradise Opening Reception 5p-7p

MARCH 7: Middle School Robotics Team @ State

MARCH 12: Knowledge Bowl Regional Meet

MARCH 13: No Faribault busing; DMCS Meat Raffle event, 6-9pm

MARCH 14: Sr. Theresa 90th Birthday Party, 1-3pm, Mother Samuel Building

Click Here for 2026-2027 School Calendar

Parent-Teacher Conferences February 25

Parent-teacher conferences are a valuable opportunity to connect, celebrate your child’s growth, and partner together to support continued success. Our teachers look forward to sharing insights about academic progress, classroom engagement, and ways we can continue working together to help your child reach their full potential. Please use the SignUpGenius link below to sign up.

Parent-Teacher Conference Sign Up

2026-2027 Tuition Assistance Applications Due Feb 27

Tuition assistance applications are now open in TADS. Interested families must apply online by February 27, 2026. A reminder that applications must be submitted every year for all aid consideration, including the Aim Higher, Flaherty Foundation, and CSAF scholarships. Click the link below to get started. More information, including application worksheets in English and Spanish, on our website HERE. Need help scanning documents or accessing the forms? Contact Kris (ksauer@bacards.org / 507-334-3948) to set up an appointment.

TADS Tuition Assistance Application

Donate Your BA T-Shirts!

Got BA gear at home you no longer want/need? Jody Hayson, 2000 BA grad and mom to Morgan Wilson '25, has offered to make a BA t-shirt quilt for our upcoming BABS gala. Turn in any kind of BA shirt, sweatshirt, or BA sports gear and we'll get it to Jody. Thank you!

🥎 It’s Time to Sign Up for BA Fastpitch Softball! 🥎

Calling all Cardinals — the season is just around the corner! Don’t miss your chance to be part of the energy, teamwork, and Cardinal pride on the diamond this spring.

✅ Register here:
Girls Fastpitch Softball Registration Form:
https://forms.gle/vWaz4sqY7dJwn7LD9

💳 Pay Activity Fee here:
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/NMRCW4NSTB36Q

Sign up today and get ready to play ball! ❤️🥎 #CardinalPride

Track & Field Info Meetings

Track and Field Information Meeting 👟🥇

Whether you’re a returning athlete or thinking about coming out for the first time, join us for a meeting about the upcoming track and field season!

High School:

📅 Monday, March 2
⏰ 3:00 PM
📍 BA Cafeteria

Middle School:

📅 Monday, March 2
⏰ 2:30 PM
📍 Room 105 (Mr. Gathje’s classroom)

Spring Co-op Sports Registration

Co-Op Spring Sports registration is now open! Please complete registration through your Campus Portal Login. If you have any questions regarding co-op sports registration, please contact:

📧 Shawn Behrens at sbehrens@faribault.k12.mn.us

See Wicked this Summer!

Here's your chance at tickets to the July 9th 1:00 p.m. matinee performance of Wicked. Tickets are $84 with carpooling to the Orpheum Theater to be organized.

**Bonus: this includes an opportunity for students to meet and talk with the cast after the performance!

Reserve Your Wicked Tickets Here

BA Trap Team Nothing Bundt Cake Fundraiser

Trap team members are hosting a Nothing Bundt Cake fundraiser. Orders due March 28!

Sign up for Steubenville!

Arts Scholarships Available!

Faribault's Community Action Center (CAC) was awarded significant scholarship money to be used in Rice County for ANYONE (adults, youth) seeking financial support for program/lesson fees to participate in arts programs. Fill out a simple form at the CAC to be eligible for the scholarships - proof of income NOT requires.

Eligible programs include:

music - including voice or instrument lessons, summer camps, etc.
creative writing, song writing, etc.
studio arts - including traditional craft and folk arts
performing arts - including dance and theater

bacards.org

February 20, 2026 February 20, 2026

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