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| Vol. 6, Iss. 27 |
Oct. 6, 2016
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It is hard to believe that it is time to talk about the "s" word - snow that is. This week's rain and cooler temperatures reminded me that snow is just around the corner and that it may impact school. One never knows if there will be enough snow to cancel or delay school, but it is important to know how to find out if classes at BFA are cancelled or what happens on a delayed start day.
BFA follows the direction of the Douglas County School District (DCSD) regarding school closures/delays due to weather. If the DCSD decides to close school for the day, then BFA will be closed as well. Sometimes, the weather is not severe enough for a closure, but may be significant enough to have a delayed school start. If the district calls for a delayed start, school at BFA will start 90 minutes later than normal. This means school will start at 9:45 a.m. Carpool on a delayed start day begins at 9:15 a.m. and before school care will open at 8 a.m. Please do not drop off your child earlier than 8 a.m. for before care, as no one will be here to supervise your child.
All school closures can be seen on most of the local TV channels in the morning. You also may call the DCSD weather line at 303-387-SNOW (7669) to hear the latest updates on school closures or delayed starts. We also will send out an announcement via Constant Contact and the new BFA app regarding closures or delays.
The Douglas County School District has been divided into three areas: Highlands Ranch, Parker and Castle Rock. It is possible for the district to close or delay school in only one of the areas. This is rare, but it is possible. If you see on the TV or hear on the weather line that Douglas County is listed as closed or delayed start that means all of the schools are closed or delayed. If you see or hear that the Parker area is closed or delayed that means that Highlands Ranch and Castle Rock are open.
I realize that we must rely on parents driving their children to school and that you may feel the road conditions are unsafe. You always have the option of keeping your child home if you feel that the roads are unsafe even if the school is open. This will be listed as an excused absence.
Sincerely,
Bob Barber
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Fall Break begins tomorrow, Oct. 7, and lasts until Oct. 14. School resumes on Monday, Oct. 17.
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VIRTUES AND RACHEL'S CHALLENGE FOR OCTOBER
Congratulations to all the students who received virtue awards last week! Students in grades K-4 were recognized for demonstrating the virtues of silence, justice as well as kindness. Virtues for October are order and cleanliness:
Order
- All things have their place. Keep your work area in order; keep your day in order.
Cleanliness
- Keep yourself and your work area clean. Keep your uniform clean. Keep your school clean. Keep your words clean.
The Rachel's Challenge for this month is 'Do Kind Things.' As Rachel Scott wrote, "if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go."
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SUPPORT BFA AND PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS
The BFA Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is proud to offer many opportunities to support our school through your sponsorship.
Click here for an updated sponsor document that contains additional details, and find the sponsorship level that's right for your business.
Sponsorships
are available now. Sign up by tomorrow, Oct. 7, in order to receive a yard sign placed along the carpool lanes during the Fun Run (where listed). Go to the
BFA Store and select "Donate" to become a sponsor. If you have questions,
email
Serena Grissom and
Rachael Hamburger, PTO fundraising coordinators.
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NEED A CLASS ROSTER OR THE BFA DIRECTORY? GET THE DOT APP TODAY!
Your online BFA directory is now available. You should have received an email from directoryontap@gmail.com with instructions about how to access the directory from Directory on Tap, a free app for the iPhone, iPad and your Android device.
If you have not used this app in the past, please consider checking it out. It is a wonderful resource, as it contains each family's class roster and contact information, as well as the entire BFA directory. You also can email or call other BFA families directly through the App. We also have included a feature to update your contact information throughout the year.
Look for your email and get started using Directory on Tap today. Please
email the app's administration team with questions.
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WAHOO! IT'S CONFERENCE TIME!
It's Spirit Night all week at Wahoo's Fish Taco. Wahoo's in Highlands Ranch (870 Cpl. Max Donahue Lane) is donating 25 percent of their incremental sales for the week to BFA. Go for lunch or dinner, now through Sunday, Oct. 9. Take advantage of a delicious and quick meal and support the school. Proceeds benefit all BFA students.
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LET'S LET EVERYONE KNOW - BFA IS ONE COOL SCHOOL!
Macaroni Kid is a
weekly online newsletter and website that covers kid- and family-friendly events, activities and businesses in our area.
Each year,
they hold a 'Cool School' contest whereby the community can vote for their favorite school. Vote today and every day until the contest ends on Friday, Oct. 21, 2016. (It takes around 30 seconds to vote.) You have to be 18 or older to vote, and you can vote once each day. The winning school will receives a $500 gift card, a lunch for staff and a $250 gift card for toys and STEM supplies.
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ON YOUR MARKS, GET SET, READ!
In addition to earning prizes for running laps during this year's Fun Run, students will also have the opportunity to earn an extra prize for meeting a reading or language arts goal.
Goals for each grade:
- Kindergarten: Complete the required 40 minutes in Lexia for the week of Oct. 24
- Grades 1 - 6: Earn 75 percent of the first trimester AR goal by Oct. 28
- Grade 7: No missing language arts assignments for the week of Oct. 24
- Grade 8: Book interviews completed for the week of Oct. 24
The Fun Run, BFA's major fundraiser for 2016-17, is Oct. 18-27. The Apex team will be on campus for two weeks teaching our students leadership and fitness. The money raised will help fund new playground enhancements, STEAM building enhancements, and many other items which benefit our students and teachers. If you have questions,
email
Serena Grissom and
Rachael Hamburger, PTO Fundraising Coordinators.
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BFA CELEBRATES OUR VETERANS!
It's time to start getting excited about BFA's 2016 Veterans Day celebration! Here's how you can get involved:
Veterans Slide Show
We are collecting digital pictures of veterans for our annual slide show. The students always enjoy seeing their loved ones honored on the big screen at the assemblies. You may upload these pictures to the BFA website by clicking here. Please upload your photos by Monday, Oct. 24, to be included in the slide show.
Assembly Programs and Veterans Reception
Military veterans and BFA parents are welcome to join us at our Veterans Day assembly programs on Friday, Nov. 11, at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. A reception will be held for veterans 30 minutes prior to each program in the Sanders Science Lab. Please invite the veterans in your family or neighborhood to attend. It is great for BFA students to be able to honor these veterans at school!
Veterans Wall of Honor
We will be asking families to submit information sheets about loved ones who are veterans.
Donations on Behalf of Military Families
During the week of Nov. 7-11, we will be collecting dental care items and unopened Halloween candy to send to those serving our country through Operation Gratitude.
More details will follow in the coming weeks, but start making plans now to join in the celebration!
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PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent-Teacher Conferences will continue tonight,
Oct. 6, for all students.
Preschool parents and parents of students in grades K-4 should have signed up already; teachers are looking forward to seeing you in their classroom during your selected time slot.
Fifth grade and middle school teachers will be holding drop-in conferences so 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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LAST DAY OF FALL BOOK FAIR
BFA's Scholastic Book Fair is happening now, in conjunction with Parent-Teacher conferences. The book fair will be open until 8 p.m. tonight.
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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COUPON BOOKS AVAILABLE TONIGHT AT PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
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 tonight at parent teacher conferences. Purchases can be made with cash or a check.
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EPIC SCHOOLKIDS COLORADO PACK
Vail Resorts is offering the Epic SchoolKids Colorado Pack again this year. This free program offers students in grades K-5 four days of skiing and riding at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone. The deadline for this free program is quickly approaching. Parents should take their students to a participating location--Colorado Ski and Golf, Colorado Ski and Sport or a Boulder Ski Deals location--
by Oct. 9, to register their child in person. It also includes one free, first-timer ski or ride lesson with equipment rental. When registering, be sure to bring your student and a physical copy of their report card, transcript, school id or birth certificate. Check out this
website
for more details.
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PROSPECTIVE FAMILY TOURS
Tours are continuing in October! Every Wednesday in October, except Oct. 12, which is during fall break, families are welcome to
tour the school
. Tours begin at 9 a.m. 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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DCSD NIGHT WITH THE COLORADO AVALANCHE
Get your tickets today for the Douglas County School District Community Night with the Colorado Avalanche. The Colorado Avalanche are hosting the Winnipeg Jets at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, and you can go for just $24 a ticket. The Colorado Avalanche will donate a portion of every ticket to benefit the Douglas County Education Foundation. Seating will be throughout the Pepsi Center, with ticket values ranging from $30-$103. Check out the flier; then click here to purchase tickets.
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KEEP CLIPPING THOSE BOX TOPS!
In anticipation of the next Box Top collection date on Wednesday, Oct. 19, the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) has a few reminders for parents:
- Please look at the expiration date listed on each Box Top as expired Box Tops will not be accepted by Box Tops for Education.
- Be sure to put your child's name and classroom on the bag of Box Tops sent into school. The PTO will hand out trophies for Elementary and Middle School classrooms that send in the most Box Tops during the trimester. Encourage your student to send in Box Tops so their class can win.
- Box Tops has a new app. Download the app and start earning even more money for BFA. The website also has several great resources.
Volunteers needed: The PTO needs your help bundling the Box Tops. They will be scheduling both evening and daytime sessions so all of our parents have a chance to help out. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please email Jen Jones, Box Top Committee Chair.
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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). 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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JOHN ADAMS HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATIONAL MEETING HELD AT BFA
Have you thought about where your children will attend high school? Looking for a great charter school that will continue the legacy of excellence your students have received in elementary and middle school?
John Adams High School is a Douglas County charter school opening in fall 2017 in the I-25/C-470 corridor. Seats are filling up fast for the inaugural 2017-18 class of freshmen and sophomores.
JAHS' mission is to prepare students for collegiate success by offering a full college-preparatory program that includes an extensive college counseling program, AP classes, character education and life skills. JAHS will also offer a wide array of athletic programs and extracurricular activities.
JAHS will hold a parent information meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19
, at Ben Franklin Academy. Come hear more about JAHS and why it's a unique opportunity for you and your student. We'll also share more about our location and busing options for students.
For more information and intent-to-enroll form, click here.
Please note, John Adams High School is a separate legal entity and is not in any way affiliated with Ben Franklin Academy.
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SAVE THE DATE FOR WINTERFEST!
Depressed because there's no Harvest Fest? Put those feelings to rest and get ready for WINTERFEST. Save the date
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Jan. 28, 2017.
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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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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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The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) highlights one (or more) volunteer(s) each month who has gone above and beyond in his/her contributions to the school. This volunteer receives recognition in this newsletter and on the school website. S/he also has the privilege to park in one of our reserved parking spaces.
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For October, the PTO has chosen Bryan and Stephanie Molen. Bryan and Stephanie moved to Highlands Ranch in 2009. They have three kids at BFA: Kaitlyn in fifth grade, Jacob in second grade, and Jackson in Kindergarten. They have been at BFA for three years, and look forward to continued involvement and a meaningful commitment to BFA during the years to come. Bryan works downtown in commercial risk management, and Stephanie is a devoted wife and mother. Both of them are passionate about their kids' education and community involvement.
Stephanie volunteered as a room mom in their first year at BFA. She is now in her second year as an officer on the Community Events Committee (CEC) and continues to be very involved, helping out in the kids' classrooms whenever she can. Bryan has volunteered time both in class and in work for the CEC since starting at BFA. He was elected to the Board of Directors in May and serves as the board liaison for the SAC Committee. Both are committed to helping out whenever they can.
What Bryan and Stephanie love about BFA is "the passion, focus, and sense of community that the administration, teachers, and families have created at Ben Franklin Academy. We are so thankful to be a part of this fantastic school!"
Thank you, Bryan and Stephanie - we appreciate your support of BFA!
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PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent-Teacher Conferences will continue tonight, Oct. 6, for all students. The next Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Feb. 15 and 16, 2017.
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BOOK FAIR
BFA's Scholastic Book Fair continues until 8 p.m. tonight, Oct. 6, in conjunction with Parent-Teacher conferences.
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FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
The Finance Committee is meeting from 5 - 6 p.m. tonight, Oct. 6, via conference call.
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FALL BREAK
There will be no school from Oct. 7 - 14. Students will return to school on Monday, Oct. 17.
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FUN RUN BEGINS
BFA'S primary fundraiser of the 2016-2017 school year runs from Oct. 18-27.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
The BFA Board of Directors is meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the BFA Library. Their next meeting is Nov. 8.
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BOX TOPS DUE
Turn in your Box Tops using a sealed plastic bag, and be sure to indicate your student's name and classroom.
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SAC MEETING
The School Accountability Committee is meeting from 4:10 - 5:10 p.m. in the school's Conference Room. Their next meeting is on Nov. 17.
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PTO MEETING
The Parent Teacher Organization is meeting tonight from 6:30 - 8 p.m. in the Sanders Science Lab. Their next meeting will be held on Nov. 17.
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SPIRIT WEAR DAY
Students can wear spirit wear t-shirts or field day t-shirts from a previous year with regular uniform shorts, pants, skirt or skort.
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PARENTS NIGHT OUT
Families who signed up to participate in the Parent's Night Out will receive child care from 6:30-9 p.m. for just $5 per child.
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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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