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| Vol. 6, Iss. 25 |
Sept. 22, 2016
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Dear Parents,
We are very fortunate to have a great school community at Ben Franklin Academy. The parents, staff and students are tremendous and have created a wonderful sense of community. This sense of community extends beyond our hallways and beyond our property into the surrounding areas as well.
I am asking you all to think what it would be like to live next to a school or have a school open in your neighborhood; perhaps this is a reality for some of you. Now think how your daily commute or simply running an errand could be impacted with an increase in the number of cars parking in your neighborhood. Add to that the fact that some of these cars are making U-turns in the neighborhood, potentially causing a safety hazard. Most of us can agree that we would not like that.
We have seen an increase in the number of parents parking on Greensborough Drive and having their child walk over there for pick up. Understandably, this is causing some concerns with the local residents. We need to reduce or eliminate BFA parents parking on Greensborough and the surrounding area.
We have a responsibility to be good neighbors and to do what we can to minimize the impact of BFA parents parking in local neighborhoods. People think they are saving time by parking there, but that really is not the case. With the recent improvements in our carpool procedures, the wait times during afternoon pick up have been reduced. Most people can arrive on property between 3:45 - 3:50 p.m. and get through the carpool line and pick up their child in a matter of minutes - minimal waiting! Please use the carpool line and do not park on Greensborough or in the surrounding neighborhoods.
In addition, if you need to pick up your child early from school for an appointment, please do so no later that 2:55 p.m. This will get you in and out before car pool starts and reduce possible congestion.
Thank you so much for helping with this. The bottom line is that we are committed to providing the safest carpool for your children while being good neighbors to a group of people that really do support Ben Franklin Academy.
Sincerely,
Bob Barber
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GRADUATES DISCUSS HOW BFA PREPARED THEM FOR HIGH SCHOOL
Many BFA graduates have come back to tell us how well prepared they were for high school. Now, we'd like to give you the opportunity to hear from them directly. We are hosting several recent BFA graduates who represent various high schools in the area at
6 p.m., tonight, Sept. 22, in the Middle School Commons. We've invited them back to talk to you about how BFA prepared them for high school and answer questions. Parents and students, please plan on joining us for this fun event!
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CHECK OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE STEM EXPO THIS FRIDAY
Hope your kids are getting excited for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Expo. Tell them to be on the look out for BB-8, the new Droid made famous in the film
Star Wars:The Force Awakens.
That's right, a company called Sphero from Boulder, CO created BB-8 and will be at the Expo! The BFA Coding Club also is using products from Sphero, including the world's first app-enabled robotic ball.
Parents are welcome to visit the Expo--just ask your student's teacher what time their grade will be attending. Also, please send a bag with your child on Friday for handouts that might come home. Thank you to all the volunteers who have signed up to help. There are a few more slots available, and we would appreciate your support so please
sign up today.
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ACTION REQUIRED TODAY FOR BFA'S ONLINE DIRECTORY
It's time to update and add new families to the BFA directory. If you would like to update your family's information for the directory or opt out, you need to take action today.
You have until tomorrow, Sept. 23, to do the following:
1. If your child goes by a nickname or shortened name,
email
Christi Richardson, PTO vice president.
2. If you have recently moved or changed an email/cell number, update your information in the Douglas County School District database and
email
Rachelle Patterson, registrar.
3. Complete the
online form if you DO NOT want any or all of your personal information listed in the directory.
You may opt out completely or partially by filling out the form. If you take no action, your information will be included in the BFA Directory.
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BEN'S BRIGADE MEETING TONIGHT
BFA Dads and current Ben's Brigade members, make plans to attend the
Ben's Brigade meeting
from 8 - 9 p.m., tonight, Sept. 22, at the Highlands Ranch Target Starbucks (1265 Sergeant Jon Stiles Dr).
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I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM, WE ALL SCREAM FOR TEACHERS SCOOPING ICE CREAM!
Save the date for our first Spirit Night of the school year. Come watch the BFA staff scoop ice cream for our wonderful students and their families, and help raise money for BFA. The event will be held from
4:30 - 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27, at Cold Stone Creamery in Highlands Ranch Town Center (9338 Dorchester St.). Proceeds benefit all BFA students.
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MAKE PLANS NOW FOR FALL BREAK
BFA's BASE program is offering care during fall break this year.
Child care for the week of Oct. 10 - 14 will be similar to the summer camp program. At least 15 families must sign up for us to offer the program. The cost is $50 for Monday as we'll be taking the kids to a pumpkin patch; and $35 per day, Tuesday through Friday of that week. Child care will be available from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. It is going to be a fantastic week with a field trip, movies and lots of other fun activities.
Registration is open now and closes on Monday, Oct. 3. All registrations are non-refundable, unless we do not have enough families sign up. If that occurs, we will notify you on Monday, Oct. 3 and refund your payment. Please note, a registration fee of $25 is required for BASE participants. If you have not paid this for 2016-17, we will contact you. Click
here for the registration paperwork and parent handbook. To register, click
here and select BASE camp. If you have any questions,
email
Leigh Savoy.
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PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on
Tuesday, Oct. 4, and Thursday, Oct. 6, for all students.
Preschool parents received sign-up forms already; teachers are looking forward to seeing you in their classroom during your selected time slot.
Teachers of students in grades K- 4 will send out information regarding conferences next week as well as a sign up for a specific date and time.
Fifth grade and middle school teachers will be holding drop-in conferences whereby parents can visit with each of their student's teachers. Parents of fifth graders can head to the Middle School Commons for their conferences, while middle school parents should go to the BFA gym. Conferences will be held from 4:15 - 8:15 p.m. and parents are welcome to visit with each teacher for 10 minutes.
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FALL BOOK FAIR COMING SOON
BFA's fall Scholastic Book Fair will be held Monday, Oct.3, through Thursday, Oct. 6, in conjunction with Parent-Teacher conferences:
- 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday, Oct. 3, and Wednesday, Oct. 5, and
- 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 4, and Thursday, Oct. 6. Please note, the office is closed from 3 - 4 p.m. every day so unless you are in the building already, you will need to wait until carpool ends to come in and shop.
Click
here
for a preview of all the exciting selections that will be offered this year. Visit the fair and enter your child's name in a drawing for books and miscellaneous items. The drawing will be held after the fair. We are looking forward to seeing you there!
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DON'T LET THESE SAVINGS PASS YOU BY - COUPON BOOKS STILL AVAILABLE
Have you purchased a Select Rewards coupon book yet? The book contains valuable coupons for Cold Stone, Indulge, Mici's, Farro, Rita's Italian Ice, Anthony's, Dart Warz and more! If you would like to purchase a Select Rewards book and support the eighth grade Washington, D.C. trip please
email
Tiffanie Vaught. Books also will be available at parent teacher conferences. Purchases can be made with cash or a check.
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WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DESTINATION IMAGINATION? HERE'S YOUR CHANCE!
Have you heard about Destination Imagination (DI)? The organization's vision is, 'to teach students the creative process and empower them with the skills needed to succeed in an ever changing world.' If this sounds like something that would interest your student, please attend an informational meeting at
6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5, in the Library to learn more about this amazing program. We encourage you to bring your student.
Last year, BFA's DI teams had a record year with three teams making it to the state competition and two of those teams continuing on to the Global Finals. We are looking forward to another great year. If you are interested in joining a team or being a team manager,
sign up today.
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SAVE THE DATE - BFA FUN RUN, OCT. 18-27
Students will participate in the BFA Fun Run, BFA's major fundraiser for 2016-17, next month! The Apex team will be on campus for two weeks teaching our students leadership and fitness through this year's theme - APEX LEGENDS - which stands for:
- Learn
- Engage
- Give
- Empower
- Never Quit
- Do
During this time, students will be raising pledges for the laps they'll run at the
Fun Run on Thursday, Oct 27. The money raised will help fund new playground enhancements, STEAM building enhancements, and many other items which benefit our students and teachers. Look for additional details in the coming weeks.
If you have questions,
email
Serena Grissom and
Rachael Hamburger, PTO Fundraising Coordinators.
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THANKS FOR A TERRIFIC SPIRIT WEEK!
Thanks again to our student council who organized this year's Spirit Week and to all the students who participated! Your enthusiasm was incredible and we appreciate all the time and energy parents and students put into each day's theme. Thanks for showing your school spirit BFA!
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ENROLLING A SIBLING AT BFA? TAKE ACTION TODAY!
BFA is now accepting enrollment applications for the 2017-18 school year. If you wish to enroll a sibling of a student currently enrolled at BFA (grades K-8), please complete the following steps:
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Submit an Enrollment Application form online by clicking
here; and
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Email
Rachelle Patterson, registrar, by
Monday, Oct. 31.
Please note, applications received after this deadline may not receive priority enrollment. In fact, there is a chance you may lose your spot all together.
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LUNCH ORDERS FOR LATE DROP OFF
If your student is going to be late to school and plans to order hot lunch, please email the teacher your student's lunch preference (e.g. cheese pizza) before 8:15 a.m. This will allow them to add your student's order to their lunch count for that day.
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PROSPECTIVE FAMILY TOURS
Parents interested in joining the BFA family are welcome to
tour the school
Wednesdays in September. Tours begin at 9 a.m. each Wednesday and will be lead by a member of BFA's administrative team. New families--please remember to bring your driver's license and check in a few minutes before the tour is scheduled to begin.
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ATTENTION PARENTS! NEED AN EVENING OUT?
Mark your calendars for the first
Parent's Night Out child care on Oct. 21, to benefit the eighth grade Washington, D.C. trip. Child care will run from
6:30-9 p.m. and is just $5 per child. Volunteers will watch your children while you grab a bite to eat or do some shopping. We can only accept BFA students (including preschool students). We must sign up at least 30 children by Oct. 14, to host the event - sign up early to help ensure the event is not cancelled. Please feed your children dinner before they come. We will show Zootopia (rated PG) and provide popcorn and water.
Sign up your children today! (Please note: sign up each child you are bringing individually.) Additional Parents Night Out child care dates are as follows:
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HEY KIDS--ARE YOU READY TO RUN?
It's time for the 5th Annual Mountain Vista Elementary Cross Country race! Kids in grades 3 - 6, come race against the other elementary runners in our area. The race is at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the Mountain Vista High School (MVHS) Cross Country (XC) course. Warm up with the MVHS four-time cross-country state champions! All racers will receive a Vista Nation XC t-shirt and a finishers medal. We have ribbons for the top 10 boys and girls in each race. Start training now!
Registrations and fees ($10) are due on Wednesday, Sept. 28, to Mrs. Bauer. Late and walk-up registrations are $15. Click
here for more information or
email Mrs. Bauer. You are also welcome to
email Vista Team Parent, Kimberly Romine, with questions.
Our students have done really well in this race in the past! You do not have to be in Mountain Vista's direct feeder area to run with us. It is always fun to see so many BFA students out there running! Go BFA Runners! Click
here for the registration form and return it to Mrs. Bauer.
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GROCERY CARDS EARN MONEY FOR BFA
Did you know you can
earn money for BFA each time you shop at King Soopers and Safeway? And did you know you can order your King Soopers and Safeway cards online via the BFA Store?
To obtain a grocery gift card, click
here or go to the BFA Store
, click on Grocery Cards and order your King Soopers and/or Safeway card. The cards are pre-loaded with $5. When ordering, be sure to include your FIRST/LAST NAME and FULL MAILING ADDRESS. Your King Soopers/ Safeway card(s) will be mailed directly to the address you provide. Once the order is received, please allow five business days for processing.
The King Soopers and Safeway fundraising programs donate 5 percent of your purchases back to the school. All you have to do is re-load your King Soopers or Safeway gift card at customer service OR the register before you scan your first item. Buy your groceries, gasoline at fuel centers, lottery tickets and postage stamps while helping BFA at the same time! (Safeway gift cards also can be used at Albertson's locations.)
BFA raised more than $5,500 last year!
For more information or questions,
email
Amy Sunahara, Grocery Card Coordinator.
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BE A HERO FOR THE DAY--BUY A BIRTHDAY BAG
Celebrating birthdays at BFA is fun! For
$10, your child will receive the following:
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A bag full of goodies, such as erasers, pencils, bouncy balls, etc. (no food or candy will be in the bags) delivered to their classroom by eighth graders
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A personalized note from you (if requested)
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Eighth graders singing happy birthday to your child in his/her classroom while delivering the bag
Did your student already celebrate his/her birthday? Is his/her birthday in the summer? We also will deliver "unbirthday bags" for students who have already celebrated their birthday or "half-birthday bags" for summer birthdays.
Thank you for supporting the eighth graders' trip to Washington, D.C.!
To order your birthday bags, click here. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Simpson.
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Ben's Brigade will be holding their next meeting
from 8 - 9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22
, at the Highlands Ranch Target Starbucks (1265 Sergeant Jon Stiles Dr).
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Students can wear spirit day shirts or t-shirts from a previous field day for Spirit Day. The next Spirit Day is Oct. 21.
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The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Expo will be held in the gym all day. Please sign up to volunteer or simply join us for this fun event.
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SEVENTH GRADE OUTDOOR EDUCATION
The seventh graders are headed to Keystone Science School Sept. 26 - 28. They leave around 9 a.m. on Sept. 26 and return at approximately 2 p.m. on Sept. 28.
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SPIRIT NIGHT
Join us for the first Spirit Night of the year! The event will be held from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27, at Cold Stone Creamery in Highlands Ranch (9338 Dorchester St.).
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BOOK FAIR
BFA's fall Scholastic Book Fair will be held Monday, Oct.3, through Thursday, Oct. 6, in conjunction with Parent-Teacher conferences:
- 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday, Oct. 3, and Wednesday, Oct. 5
- 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 4, and Thursday, Oct. 6
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PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 4, and Thursday, Oct. 6, for all students.
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FORMAL UNIFORM DAY
The first Wednesday of every month is Formal Uniform Day. Students should wear a navy polo shirt with the BFA logo, and tan shorts, pants, shirt or a skort.
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STEM COMMITTEE MEETING
The Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Committee will meet from 5:30 - 7 p.m., Oct. 5, in the Sanders Science Lab. Their next meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 2. All are welcome!
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DESTINATION IMAGINATION INFORMATIONAL MEETING
If you are interested in learning more about Destination Imagination (DI), please attend an
informational meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 5, at BFA
to learn more about this amazing program. We encourage you to bring your student.
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DRESS OF CHOICE DAY
Thursday, Oct. 6, is Dress of Choice Day for all students without uniform violations. The next Dress of Choice Day is Nov. 18.
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FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
The Finance Committee is meeting from 5 - 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6, in the BFA Library.
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FALL BREAK BEGINS
There will be no school from Oct. 7 - 14. Students will return to school on Oct. 17.
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Ben Franklin Academy
2270 Plaza Drive
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 |
Fax: (303) 974-1738
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Our mission is to create young adults with character like America's founding Renaissance man, Benjamin Franklin: well-read, scientifically curious, and civically engaged.
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Our students will excel academically through a challenging, sequenced curriculum that emphasizes math, science, and literacy. We will be a data driven institution, focusing on individual students. Our students, teachers, parents, staff, and leaders will be held accountable for the success of our school. Finally, we recognize that an education is incomplete without fostering the arts, sports, nature, and character.
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Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Purity and Humility.
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