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| Vol. 6, Iss. 28 |
Oct. 20, 2016
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Thank you to our Veterans and active duty personnel.
Celebrating veterans has become an amazing and incredibly powerful tradition at Ben Franklin Academy. On Friday, Nov. 11, BFA students and staff will honor and celebrate veterans.
Perhaps the most emotional portion of our celebration is when our students greet the veterans as they enter the gym with cheers and applause. To hear and see hundreds of students giving them a well-deserved standing ovation is amazing. Many veterans who have attended previous Veteran's Day assemblies have commented just how much this means to them.
I hope you can attend one of our assemblies and show your appreciation. This truly is a special day for all.
To all veterans and active duty personnel - you have my utmost respect and admiration. Thank you for your service.
BFA families, here is how you can join the celebration:
Veterans Wall of Honor
Each year in the school's main hallway, we display pictures and stories from students about veterans close to their hearts to create the BFA Veterans Wall of Honor. Families can download the form from the BFA website, fill it out at home, and send it to school to be added to the Wall. Click
here
to download the form. Please do NOT send original pictures. Forms will not be returned. All flyers need to be dropped off in the front office by
Thursday, Nov. 5.
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.
Donations on Behalf of Military Families
From
Nov. 7-11, we will be collecting candy, cards, and dental care items to send to active service members overseas through
Operation Gratitude. They ask that we don't purchase candy to send, but rather donate unopened Halloween candy. If you are in the position to purchase something for service members, we also will be collecting individually wrapped toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash for our troops. Operation Gratitude encourages students to write letters or make cards for the troops to be included with the candy and dental hygiene items in care packages. Please send in cards and letters for our service members. There will be donation boxes placed outside the front office.
Assembly Programs and Veterans Reception
The culmination of our Veterans Day activities are the assemblies where we celebrate and recognize our Veterans. BFA parents, grandparents and, most importantly, local Veterans, are encouraged to join us at our Veterans Day assembly programs on
Tuesday, Nov. 11:
- Grades K-4 will begin at 9 a.m.
- Grades 5-8 will begin at 1:30 p.m.
A special reception will be held for veterans 30 minutes prior to each program in the Sanders Science Lab. Please invite the veterans in your life to come, be honored, and celebrate those who serve our country!
Veterans Day Volunteers
Veterans Day is the perfect time to volunteer, and we would love your help! Please take a look at the wide variety of opportunities and
sign up
to decorate the school before the event, and/or help with the assemblies and receptions.
Veterans Day will be amazing at BFA - don't miss the chance to join in the celebration!
Sincerely,
Bob Barber
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Following is a message from Becky Mullen, vice president, BFA Board of Directors:
Now that BFA is a full-fledged STEAM school, it seams appropriate to formally introduce one of the ways we are integrating the "A": the creation of an Arts Committee. In accordance with our vision, we are fostering the arts through further utilization of BFA's incredibly talented parents.
Our BFA community is bursting with vibrant talent. We reached out to parents and teachers whose passion is to increase student awareness, experience and understanding in the visual and performing arts through deeper incorporation into BFA's curriculum and extracurricular activities. The Arts Committee offers performing and visual arts teachers additional support via parent volunteer recruitment for and participation in musicals set designs, art shows and grade level curriculum fairs. The Committee will also work to increase recognition and involvement of our arts programs through prolific showcasing in our local community. The Committee will begin showcasing student work by partnering with local businesses to display our students work. Students who excel artistically will also be recognized in the awards assemblies, in the near future.
The first Arts Committee meeting took place in August with four attendees, including Ali Hinkle and Jaime Johnson. Since then, it has grown to a team of nine artistic, creative and fun members. If you have any interest in joining this fabulous team in support of the arts at BFA, please email today. You can join as a permanent member or communicate your availability to join in on an ad hoc basis.
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It's time to start raising money for playground and STEAM Lab enhancements! By now you should have received your child's fun run packet. Use the web site address and the access code on your student's packet (located in their Apex Lanyard) to log in, then select your student's t-shirt size, and get started collecting pledges.
The BFA Apex Fun Run is the Parent Teacher Organization's major fundraiser of this school year, and incorporates leadership, BFA's 13 Virtues and fitness. Students are encouraged to collect pledges for the laps they'll run next Thursday, Oct. 27, and will earn prizes based on the amount they raise. They also will receive an Apex band and have the opportunity to win team awards.
Come cheer on the kids or consider volunteering Thursday, Oct. 27, during your student's FUN RUN!
- Fun Run 1 - Grades: Preschool (a.m.), Kindergarten (full-day and a.m.) and First at 8:30 a.m.
- Fun Run 2 - Grades: Second and Third at 9:30 a.m.
- Fun Run 3 - Grades: Fourth and Fifth at 10:30 a.m.
- Fun Run 4 - Grades: Preschool (p.m.) and Kindergarten (p.m.) at 1:00 p.m.
- Color Run - Grades: Sixth, Seventh and Eighth at 2:15 p.m.
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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 are as follows:
- Kindergarten: Complete the required 40 minutes of 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
If you have questions, email Serena Grissom and Rachael Hamburger, PTO fundraising coordinators.
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LOOKING FOR A WAY TO SUPPORT BFA AND PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS?
The BFA PTO is proud to offer many opportunities to support our school through your sponsorship.
Click here for additional details, and find the sponsorship level that's right for your business.
Sponsorships are available now.
Go to the
BFA Store
and select "Donate" to become a sponsor. Email
Serena Grissom and Rachael Hamburger, PTO fundraising coordinators,
with questions.
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PTO ROLLS OUT NEW VOLUNTEER
APPRECIATION PROGRAM
The PTO would like to recognize families who have met their 30-hour family (15-hour single-parent household) volunteer requirement. Each month, the PTO will enter all families who have met their volunteer requirement into a drawing for a monthly reserved parking spot. The earlier in the year you complete your requirement--the better your chances of winning a parking spot for the month!
Also, since the lunchroom and carpool have such a significant need for volunteers, we will add an entry for each family who volunteers for those positions during the month prior to the drawing. That's a possibility of three entries per month! Please make sure to log all of your volunteer hours in Help Counter by the twenty-fifth day of each month to be eligible for the next month's drawing. Please
email Christi Richardson, PTO vice president, with any questions.
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WE MADE THE TOP 10 - KEEP VOTING!
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. This week, we were notified that we are in the top 10 schools with the most votes. If every BFA family votes NOW and again tomorrow before the contest ends, we have a chance to WIN! (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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HELPING CHILDREN COPE WITH STRESS
The Community Events Committee (CEC) is hosting a Parent Seminar later this month on
Helping Your Children Cope With Stress
. It will be presented by Hugh Redford, BFA School Psychologist, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, in the Preschool Room. Childcare will be provided.
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BFA MOMS - THIS NIGHT'S FOR YOU!
Calling all moms--The PTO is hosting a wonderful night out for ALL Ben Franklin moms from
6-8 p.m.
on
Thursday, Nov. 3,
at The Rock Wood Fired Kitchen (53 Centennial Blvd, Littleton). Join us for a fun-filled evening of socializing! Light appetizers will be provided.
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RACHEL'S CHALLENGE KICKED OFF TODAY!
Rachel's Challenge for the 2016/17 school year kicked off today with multiple student assemblies lead by Michael Hill, a member of the Rachel's Challenge team. Rachel's Challenge is part of the school's character education program, along with emphasis on the 13 Virtues. Today, students in grades K-5 watched age-appropriate videos and learned about five steps they can take to create a culture of kindness:
- Use kind words and do kind things.
- Accept and include others.
- Choose positive influences.
- Set goals and go after them.
- Keep a journal.
The Middle School program focused on leaving a positive legacy and students were challenged to do the following:
- Leave a legacy of kindness.
- Show compassion.
- Practice pre-acceptance and don't pre-judge.
- Learn from your mistakes.
- Forgive yourself and others.
Rachel's Challenge is based on the writings and life of 17 year-old Rachel Scott who was the first student killed at Columbine High School in 1999. The program is designed to create a culture of kindness and compassion and to equip students and adults with resources to insure that their schools are safe, caring and supportive learning environments.
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THINGS ARE GETTING SPOOKY - HALLOWEEN PARTIES NEXT WEEK
Halloween
parties for
K-5 students
will take place on
Friday, Oct. 28
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Students will have a parade at the beginning of the parties. The students' parade will follow an established route. Parties will commence immediately following the parade.
Costume guidelines: No weapons, blood, gore or make-up. Costumes should be conservative in style. Masks are permitted as long as they follow the guidelines. Kids will bring their costumes to school to change into after lunch.
For middle school students (grades 6-8), students may dress up for their party on
Oct. 28; however, their costumes will follow the same guidelines as the elementary students (see above). Middle school students will not be participating in the parade.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO BFA RUNNERS!
On Tuesday Oct. 4, thirty BFA students participated in the Mountain Vista Elementary Cross Country Race. BFA had a great showing and the runners did an amazing job! In fact, a couple of the high school coaches offered positive feedback about our talented BFA students. We are so proud of everyone who raced, and would like to especially recognize the fifth grade students, as seven of them placed in the top 10: Elli Carroll (second place - girls), Chris Carroll (second place - boys), Addi Torres (third place), Nicholas Castor (sixth place), Madison Jones (eighth place), Hayden Smith (ninth place), and Porter Dixon (tenth place). Congratulations!
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SKATE CITY PROGRAMS ADDED TO DCEF OFFERINGS
The Douglas County Educational Foundation (DCEF) has several exciting events scheduled. Check out these discounted programs and ticket opportunities:
DCEF recently partnered with Skate City in Littleton to provide students access to great programs at a terrific price. Hockey and skating classes begin the first week of November. A portion of the registration fee goes back to our school and all first time skaters receive a free pair of skates.
C
heer on the Colorado Avalanche as they take on the Winnipeg Jets,
Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.
BFA parents can purchase discounted tickets with a portion of every ticket sold going back to our school. Top selling schools are eligible for special perks and prizes. Click here for a
flier
, or
purchase
tickets now!
Tickets are selling out fast for DCPA Holiday Community Event Offerings: "A Christmas Carol", "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - the Musical" and "Finding Neverland". Don't wait to purchase discounted tickets for these great shows. Be sure to use promo code DCSDFUND. For more information click here.
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LAST CHANCE FOR PARENTS NIGHT OUT IN OCTOBER
The first Parent's Night Out is this Friday, Oct. 21. Sign-ups will end Thursday night. Please make sure to feed your children dinner before coming to the event.
Childcare will run from 6:30-9 p.m. and is just $5 per child. Payment will be taken at check-in and we can accept cash or checks. Parents are required to check children in and out. 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 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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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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DON'T MISS OUT ON THESE GREAT SAVINGS
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. Purchases can be made with cash or a check.
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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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PROSPECTIVE FAMILY TOURS
Tours are continuing in October! Every Wednesday in October families are welcome to
tour the school
. Tours begin at 9 a.m. and will be led 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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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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BFA APEX FUN RUN
BFA'S primary fundraiser of the 2016-2017 school year runs from Oct. 18-27.
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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's Brigade is meeting on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 8 p.m. in the Target Starbucks (1265 Sergeant Jon Stiles Dr, Highlands Ranch). All BFA Dads are welcome to attend.
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HALLOWEEN CLASSROOM PARTIES
Halloween parties will be held for all grades beginning at 1:45 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28.
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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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