Copy
   January 13, 2016
 
Lord,
 
Inspired by the Holy Spirit of Love
and receptive to the Spirit's inspirations,
we seek always to move toward
profound love of God
and love of neighbor without distinction.
Help us to follow Jesus as we work toward unity
of neighbor with neighbor
and neighbor with God
in prayer and in service to our world.

Amen.
 
 
All School News
Admissions Information for Future Red Knights 
Do you have a future Red Knight who wants to attend BSM next year? Please visit the BSM Admissions page here to fill out an application. The priority application deadline is Friday, January 15, in order to be registered for the 7th and 9th grade placement test on Saturday, January 16. The admissions team is excited to work with you and the Red Knights of tomorrow! If you have any questions about the admissions process, please contact the admissions team by email or by phone 952-915-4345.
 
Guatemala Mission Trip 2016 
Mark your calendars for the Guatemala Mission Trip July 10-19, 2016! An information session will be held tonight, Wednesday, January 13, 7 p.m. in the library for families of those students interested in going on the trip. Parents are welcome to email Matt McMerty-Brummer with any questions or for more detailed information. 

Annual Fund
We are very thankful to partner with our BSM students and the RKVC program to lead Annual Fund student calling sessions throughout the year. Special thanks to all of our student volunteers for being great advocates for the Red Knight community!

Featured Annual Fund Student Caller: Maddie Kurtovich
Maddie is an outgoing freshman at BSM who always has a smile on her face. She is a Red Knight soccer player who is also involved in Mock Trial, Red Knight Volunteer Corps (RKVC), and the Student Ambassador Club. Maddie not only loves that BSM has a great soccer program, but she also loves that our school offers a quality education. About her classes, Maddie says: "I have many classes that challenge me, but they aren't so difficult that I give up." Thanks Maddie!

Upcoming Events
  • January 18 - MLK Day, No School 
  • January 20-21 - Final Exams (Early Release)
  • January 22 - End of Semester (Early Release)
  • January 25 - No School 
  • February 3 - Catholic School's Week Mass (9:15 a.m.) 
  • February 5 - No School
  • February 10 - Ash Wednesday Mass 

Click here to view the BSM 2016-2017 Preliminary Academic Calendar

Click here to view the BSM Master Calendar

Click here to view the Lunch Menu
 
back to top 
Senior High

Holiday Ball

The annual Holiday Ball is Saturday, January 23, 7-11 p.m., Sheraton Minneapolis West (Ridgedale). Dinner (taco bar) will begin at 7:30. This is a girl-ask-boy dance for sophomores, juniors and seniors. Tickets are $45 per person and $90 per couple. Tickets are being sold (cash or check) in the Spirit Shop window during all lunches and must be purchased no later than this Friday, January 15. 
  • Students who do not attend the dinner will not be admitted to the dance.
  • Students who are bringing a non-BSM guest are required to have a signed visitor’s form on file in order for the visitor to attend the dance. Those forms are available at the ticket window.
  • Students will not be dismissed until 11 p.m.
  • Students will be randomly breathalyzed throughout the evening.
  • Students must wear shoes or socks while at the Sheraton.
  • All school rules regarding possession/use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs will be in effect.    

Grand Knight Candidates

Six senior boys have been selected by their classmates as Grand Knight candidates. The Grand Knight rules over the Holiday Ball. The candidates are Nick Austin, Jerry Calengor, Nick Gionet, Auggie Moore, Matt Paal and Vinny Zattoni. Coronation is Tuesday morning, January 19. Emcees for coronation, also selected by their classmates, are Max Bernstein and Bill Lichliter.
 

Spring Break 2017 in Italy

This is open to all of next year's 10th-12th graders, but of particular interest to students taking Latin or AP European History, and anyone interested in the art, culture and history of Italy and of the Church. We will visit Venice, Florence, San Gimignano, Naples, Sorrento, Pompeii, Capri and Rome with a special trip to the Vatican. The early enrollment credit of $400 has been extended through January 15, 2016!  CONTACT: Mr. Rob Epler for tour and registration details. 
 

Senior High Finals Schedule

The senior high final exam schedule is noted here. The "office hours" listed indicate times that teachers will be available in their classrooms to meet with students, both individually and in small groups, to prepare for final exams. Students are expected to take their final exams according to the schedule without exception. Thank you to the Parent Association for arranging for Adoration during the times our students are taking exams. The Parent Association will also be serving breakfast sandwiches for students each morning of final exams. Additionally, Taher will be open for a limited options lunch on final exam days. Buses will run at regular times in the morning each day, and depart school after the last final exam each day. Final grades for this semester become part of the student's official transcript and will be posted on PowerSchool no later than January 28, 2016. Please direct specific questions to your student's guidance counselor, or call the Main Office at 952-927-4176 with general questions.  

Complimentary Finals Power Breakfast For Students + Teachers! 
To support our students and staff, the Parent Association will be offering complimentary hot breakfast sandwiches, orange juice and yogurt cups prior to the start of school January 20-22. Service begins Wednesday, January 20, 8 a.m. and 7 a.m. Thursday, January 21 and Friday, January 22 in the Commons. Good Luck!  

back to top
Junior High

BSM Junior High Winter Party

All junior high students are invited to attend the Winter Party, Friday, January 29, 7-9:30 p.m. at BSM for an admission fee of $2. There will be many fun activities including basketball, dodge ball, ping-pong, black jack, bingo, snacks/drinks, contests, music and dancing. New this year: Human Foosball inflatable in the Great Hall! The theme this year is "Sports Jerseys" (professional or amateur). Student Council will also be collecting shoes for World Soles (athletic shoes are in particular need). Students may bring in shoes (used or new) the week of the party, January 26-29, or the night of the party. We are looking for volunteers and donations for the party. If you are available and would like to volunteer, please sign up using the Sign Up Genius site here. 
 

Wolf Ridge Field Trip

The entire 8th grade class will be traveling to Wolf Ridge February 15-19, 2016. Information has already been sent home to parents concerning this field trip; however, if there are any 8th grade parents who have not yet volunteered to chaperone and would like to, please contact Dave Platt. 


Save the Date- Junior High Ski Day!

The junior high will be going to Afton Alps during the school day Tuesday, February 9.  Students will have the choice to ski or snowboard and may bring their own equipment or rent from Afton. Students who rent equipment will participate in a group lesson. Experienced students pass through the lesson and ski independently. We encourage all students to participate. Watch for permission slips at the end of January.
Athletics & Activities

Minnesota Timberwolves 3.0 Club!

The Minnesota Timberwolves have started a 3.0 Club to reward and honor students for their academic success! If you have a 3.0 or higher GPA and would like to attend a home game at the Target Center, you can pick up a certificate in the athletic office or download the PDF file here and return to the athletic office. Hurry, tickets are limited! 
 
back to top
Parent Association
Recruiting for Parent Association Board 2016-2017
Joining the Parent Association Board is a fantastic way to connect with BSM and to work with great people to make a difference for the BSM community. If you are interested in getting involved, please complete the online interest and experience questionnaire here. Board positions to be filled include-treasurer and assistants to hospitality, faith and wellness, social programs, ways and means, student and faculty recognition and the chair of junior high activities. In addition to these board positions, we fill leadership roles for our committees and other PA events. All of the open positions and job descriptions are listed on the Parent Association web page here. Contact Sheila Jones, 612-801-8214 with any questions. Decisions regarding the positions will be made by March 14, 2016.

Father Daughter Dinner Dance
Calling all senior high cowgirls and fathers! It’s time to register for this year’s Father Daughter Dinner Dance! Senior high female students and their dads/guardians are invited to mosey on down to the Father Daughter Dinner Dance on Saturday, February 20, 6-11 p.m. at the Earle Brown Heritage Center. This year’s theme is "MidKnight Rodeo.” Get ready to put on your boots and bling, and spend a wonderful evening with your daughters. Formal invitations will be mailed later this month. You won’t want to miss this truly memorable BSM tradition. Cowgirls will be able to reserve table spots in the Spirit Shop. No tables may be organized or reserved until all registrations have been confirmed, so be sure and have all your friends register early! Click here to register! If you have any old cowboy hats or boots you would be willing to donate for the event’s decorating committee, please drop them off at the front office.

Mother-Son Knight
Registration is open for the Mother-Son Knight for 9th-12th grade boys and their mothers/guardians. Get your game on at Pinstripes, the all-new location for this year's Mother-Son Knight Friday, March 11, 6-9 p.m.! Senior high boys and their moms/guardians can try their luck at the Casino Knight presented by Las Vegas Tonight. Challenge moms and classmates to a game of bocce, bowling, blackjack, bingo or other casino games plus food by Pinstripes Bistro. Registration is now open. Click here to join the fun. Early-bird ticket purchases by February 5, enter you into a prize drawing for four Minnesota Wild tickets. For any questions or to volunteer, please contact Teri Dewey Smogard or Mary Tucker.

Adoration for January Finals
Adoration during January finals is January 20-22 in the chapel, 8:15 – 11:45 a.m. A true blessing of being part of a Catholic faith-based school, is the opportunity to pray for our students, faculty and staff in our school chapel. During the upcoming final exams, Wednesday, January 20 through Friday, January 22, the Blessed Eucharist will be on display in the chapel.  All parents are invited and encouraged to sign up for half hour increments to pray during final exams. This is a wonderful tradition at BSM. Please sign up on the Sign Up Genius link here.

Box Tops for Education
That's right. Starting in January, BSM will start collecting Box Tops for Education. Continue your tradition of clipping and saving Box Tops, while benefiting BSM. There will be a box in the main office for collection. More information on participating products at can be found here at Box Tops for Education. 

Recycle Your Used Cell Phones, iPads or iPods at BSM  
The BSM Parent Association collects used iPhones, iPads and Android phones. Any brand, any carrier and any age cell phone is accepted. There is a gold cell phone collection box in the Main Office. Phones deposited in this box are recycled through Smartphone Recycling and will benefit BSM programs. Contact Leslie Wille with any questions, and thanks for your support! 

Save the Date, Volunteers Needed-Treasure Hunt 2016
Now in its 16th year, Treasure Hunt is the largest Parent Association event fundraiser of the school year. This huge garage sale, April 28-30, is successful due to the extraordinary generosity of the BSM community and over 200 volunteers! Sign up to volunteer here. This year we are in need of category captains who oversee a department by organizing and pricing and having it ready to go for the day of the sale. We are specifically looking for someone to oversee furniture, linens, and housewares. Shifts are available for set-up April 23–April 27 and for days of sale April 28-30. To learn more about the event click here. Thank you!

back to top
Guidance

Registration Deadlines for Upcoming SAT and ACT Tests 

  • ACT, Saturday, February 6 - Late Registration Deadline, Friday, January 15
  • SAT, Saturday, March 5 - Registration Deadline, Friday, February 5.
Visit respective links for a complete listing of SAT and ACT deadlines for the 2015-2016 school year. Use BSM’s school code, 242-202, when registering for these exams.
 

Parents of Seniors

  1. Regarding the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): the 2016-2017 FAFSA on the web worksheet is now available online here. Completing the worksheet prior to online submission of the FAFSA is helpful to some families. You must complete the FAFSA online if you are applying for federal student aid. There are three categories of federal student aid: grants, work-study and loans. Many colleges have February or March submission deadlines for the FAFSA, so get your FAFSA completed and submitted as soon as possible.
  2. Some colleges request a mid-year transcript from applicants. For example, all common application colleges require them. The counselors will survey seniors via email in mid-January to find out which non-common application colleges have requested a mid-year transcript. The counselors will then send mid-year transcripts to colleges for seniors during the last week of January. 

Gap Year Fair

Groves Academy is hosting a USA Gap Year Fair Tuesday, January 26, 6 - 9 pm.  What is a Gap Year? It is a period of time between completing high school and beginning college, when a student steps outside the traditional classroom to explore the world, reflect on personal values and goals, and prepare to take the next purposeful step in life. This fair is designed to provide students and parents with a broad exposure of gap year programs and the opportunity for face-to-face conversations with the people who work in the field. More information and registration can be found here.  


Summer Opportunities for Enrichment

The Summer Opportunities page of the BSM website has many opportunities for enrichment this summer. Many colleges offer programs for high school students and some, such as Notre Dame, have rapidly approaching deadlines. You can find these opportunities on the BSM website here.  


back to top
Spirit Shop

Happy New Year

Surprise your student on their birthday with a balloon bouquet form the Spirit Shop! Simply call us at 952-767-3123 to place your order. Please note that the Spirit Shop will be closed January 20-22 due to early dismissal for finals. If your student has earned a varsity award, the letter jacket representative will be available in the cafeteria on Tuesday, January 26 and Wednesday, January 27 to take orders.
 
The Spirit Shop is open 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on school days.
 
back to top
Let's Get Social!
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Instagram
Website
Email
Copyright © 2014, Benilde-St.Margaret's School, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address:
2501 Highway 100 South, St. Louis Park, MN  55416

unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences