As our students take their first semester finals...
Calm their hearts, O God,
that they may feel Your loving presence.
Calm their minds, that their thoughts
might be clear and correct.
Bless every person who
has been a part of their journey -
family, teachers, friends and classmates.
And may they know Your love for them
regardless of the grade they receive.
Final Exams: January 18-20 The final exam schedule for the senior high can be found here and the junior high schedule can be found here. Final exams are for the senior high only, junior high students are in class and need to be in attendance for standardized testing. Please note that senior high students are required to take their final exam on the day and time that is scheduled. Exceptions (which must be pre-approved), are made for reasons such as a funeral, school sponsored events or a physician's recommendation. Students are encouraged to take advantage of office hours to meet with teachers to review for final exams. Buses will run at the regular school day times January 18 and January 19. On January 20, buses will leave right after the last final exam. Taher lunch service will be available each day during final exams.
Learning Differences Support Group The Parents of Students with Learning Differences Support Group will meet the first week of each month, alternating days and evenings to accommodate most schedules. The format will consist of a 45 minute topic presentation, followed by a 35 minute small or large group discussion where parents can share experiences and support each other. January’s topic is assistive technology. Future topics may include college prep planning, assisting with social challenges and better ways to leverage the tools available at BSM. All are welcome!
Schedule:
Wednesday, February 8, 7 p.m. - Topic TBD: Library
BSM Insight Program The BSM Insight Program was developed by the Chemical Health Department to meet the sanctions for alcohol and drug policy violations. When a violation has occurred, students meet with the alcohol and drug counselor for an assessment and recommendations. Participation with the Insight Workshop is expected.
The Insight Workshop is an early intervention, prevention group for students who may be struggling with alcohol and/or drug use issues. Participation has been successful for a large majority of teens. Through group discussions, contemporary films, awareness exercises and guest speakers the workshop addresses ways for students to direct their life without alcohol and drug use, find healthier social outlets, learn helpful decision making tools, problem solving skills and increase self- awareness.
The Insight Workshop will meet Saturday, January 28,10 a.m. - 2 p.m., in room 109. We are inviting all students who have a need to address chemical health problems to participate in the workshop. If you know a student who may benefit from participation in the program, please refer them to Gayle Knopik, LADC at 651-329-2404.
Upcoming Events
January 18-20 - Final Exams (See more details above)
January 21 - Holiday Ball
January 23 - No School (First semester ends)
January 24 - First day of second semester
February 1 - Block Day: Event/Mass
February 2 - Block Day: Event
February 3 -Main Office Closed for Faculty/Staff Retreat (8 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Senior High Fathers and Daugthers Registration is now open for the Father/Daughter Dance. Senior high (9th-12th) girls and their fathers or father-figures are invited to attend A Knight at the Beach, Saturday, March 11, 6-11 p.m. at the Earle Brown Heritage Center. Join us for dinner, dancing and photo opportunities. New this year there will be some competitive events with opportunities to be awarded awesome prizes! Register before Wednesday, January 25 to be entered into a drawing for a $100 Lululemon gift card. Registration and additional event details can be found here. Questions? Contact event chairs Dana Sohm or Jane Steck.
Registration deadlines for upcoming SAT and ACT tests:
ACT: Saturday, February 11
Registration deadline: Friday, January 13
Late registration deadline: Friday, January 20
SAT: Saturday, March 11
Registration deadline: Friday, February 10
Click respective links for a complete listing of SAT and ACT deadlines for the 2016-2017 school year.
Gap Year Fair Groves Academy is hosting a USA Gap Year Fair, Thursday, January 26, 7 - 9 p.m. with a keynote speaker beginning at 6 p.m. 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 is available here.
Parents of Seniors Some colleges request a mid-year transcript from applicants. For example, many 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.
Summer Enrichment Opportunities The fall and early winter are good times to start thinking about enrichment opportunities for next summer. The BSM website has an extensive list of programs that colleges offer for high schools students. Some programs, such as ones sponsored by Duke University and the University of Notre Dame, have started accepting applications. Please see the Summer Opportunities page of the BSM website for a complete list.
Applying for Extended Time (PSAT, ACT, SAT and AP Exams) If your son or daughter meets all of the following three criteria, he or she may qualify for extended time on standardized tests:
Documentation from a complete assessment of his/her disability (including academic and intelligence tests) done by a licensed professional in the past three years, OR an update of a previous assessment
Has an accommodation plan on file at BSM that states the need for extended time on tests
Your son or daughter is currently using extended time in at least one class at BSM.
Please start any application for extended time at least one month before the test’s registration deadline. For example, the registration deadline for the April 8 ACT is March 3. You should begin the process with Dave Herbst, BSM’s Learning Specialist, by February 3. For specifics, click here, then click “Applying for Extended Time.” Contact Dave Herbst if you have any questions or to begin the process 952-915-4358, ext. 2491.
Save the date for the junior high winter party Friday, January 27, 7-9:30 p.m. Highlights include: student DJ’s, bingo, ping-pong, basketball and inflatable human foosball in the Great Hall. The theme is "Sports" and students are encouraged to wear any sports-themed attire. Students are asked to bring a donation to the God's Child Mission Project in Guatemala or pay a $5 entrance fee:
size medium latex free disposable gloves
baby wipes
children's vitamins (nothing expired please)
baby lotion
baby shampoo
8 oz baby bottles
Volunteers are needed to chaperone and donate items for the party. To sign up, click here.
Junior High Ski Day The junior high students will be going to Buck Hill during the school day Monday, February 13. Students will choose between tubing and skiing/snow boarding. Cost is approximately $25. The cost for those skiing includes a lesson, lift ticket, rental and helmet. The permission slip has been emailed to students and must be returned by Friday, January 27 (it is also available on Haiku). Students will not be allowed to change their minds once the permission slip is handed in.
LAST CALL 8th Grade Parents We need a kindergarten-aged photo of your graduating eighth grader. It will be used in the yearbook along side the student's 8th grade photo. The deadline has been extended to Friday, January 20.
Attention baseball players (grades 1-9), join BSM's baseball teams for the 2017 Winter Baseball Clinic. There are three clinic options and will be held Sundays (five) - February 12-March 12, 2017. For clinic information and registration, click here. Clinics will be conducted by Head Coach Tony Cicalello and coaches/players from the BSM baseball program, plus several former college players. Deadline to register is Wednesday, February 1.
State Girls Soccer Banner Reveal The girls' state soccer championship banner will be unveiled, Tuesday, January 31 at halftime of the boys' basketball game vs. St. Louis Park. Come and share the excitement of the girls' soccer championship in the US Bank Stadium. This is the girl's 4th State Class A Championship!
State Football Banner Reveal Come celebrate the first ever football championship game! The BSM football's state championship banner will be unveiled Friday, January 20 halftime of the boys' varsity basketball game vs. Robbinsdale Cooper. Game time 7 p.m. in the Haben Center.
Spring Sports Meetings The informational meetings for spring sports will be held Wednesday, February 15 at 2:45 p.m. All students in Grades 7-12 planning to participate in a spring sport/activity will need to attend. See list of locations below:
Recruiting for Parent Association Board We need you for Parent Association Board 2017-2018. 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-secretary and assistants to 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 Dana Sohm with any questions before February 22, 2017. Decisions regarding the positions will be made by March 15, 2017.
Senior Parent Meeting Save the date for the senior parent meeting in the BSM theater, Wednesday, January 25, 7 p.m. Issues related to policies and procedures for finals, graduation ceremony, etc. will be discussed. Part of the meeting will also cover details about this year’s senior party (which follows commencement Friday, June 2) including registration, cost, activities and more. This parent-chaperoned, parent-organized, all night-party for our graduates is sponsored by the Parent Association. It is a wonderful way to celebrate our seniors and their success!
Adoration During Finals There will be Adoration in the BSM Chapel during final exams Wednesday, January 18, Thursday, January 19, and Friday, January 20, 7:45 - 11:45 a.m. The Blessed Eucharist will be on display during this time as volunteers offer prayers for students. There will be a minimum of one volunteer praying at all times and additional parents are welcome to attend at anytime and join in silent prayer.
Just for Parents Please join us Tuesday, January 31, 1 - 2:30 p.m. during Catholic Schools Week for a discussion titled "What it Means To Be in a Catholic School Community," presented by religion teacher Jeremy Cramer. Just for Parents meets in the Library Conference Room and light refreshments will be served.
Thank You BSM for a Great Shoe Drive! Thanks to BSM students, parents, faculty and alumni, the BSM Parent Association was able to collect 2,732 pairs of shoes and earn $1,000 to support BSM scholarships and school programs. The shoes were sent to impoverished nations like Haiti, Ghana and Guatemala to help support micro enterprise endeavors and self-sufficiency. Thank you to all who helped us reach our goal!
Box Tops for Education
Download the Box Tops for Education App and turn your everyday receipts into cash for BSM. It's free and easy. Here's how it works:
Download the Box Tops App from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
Find offers on the app and buy those products.
Scan your receipt using the camera on your phone.
Watch the earnings stack up.
You can still grab your scissors and clip the old fashioned way too. Box Tops are worth 10¢ each and quickly add up to real cash for our school. There is a collection box in the Main Office, and they can be dropped off at anytime.
For more information on the Box Tops for Education program, including a list of participating products and how to become a member to receive exclusive coupon offers, click here.
Valentine's Day is Near! We will be offering a special balloon and a sweet treat delivery for $5. Surprise your student during their lunch time and wish them a happy Valentine's day. The deadline is Monday, February 13. So call your order in at 952-767-3123 or stop by the Spirit Shop to place your order.
Spirit Shop hours are 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on school days.
