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| Vol. 6, Iss. 30 |
Nov. 3, 2016
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Ben Franklin Academy is happy to announce that we recently received a grant from the Alliance Project!
The Alliance Project grant is funded by the Science and Cultural Collaborative (SCC) using funds from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), which is an organization that is committed to furthering cultural and scientific experiences for the community through nearly 300 institutions. Their programs have a positive impact on millions of people each year.
Using funds from the SCFD which are raised through a penny sales tax on every $10 purchase within a seven-county region, 30 cultural and scientific organizations have established joint funding to schools. The Alliance Project, now in its nineteenth year, selects one public school and one partner school in each county for a one-year residency. In Douglas County, the grant was awarded to Challenge to Excellence school in Parker, with BFA as its partner school.
We began taking advantage of the grant today! Karen McChesney, instructor with the City of Aurora Department of Library and Cultural Services, led team building exercises for the eighth grade. Kids had fun while learning more about each other. Later this month, another representative from the City of Aurora Department of Library and Cultural Services will be onsite facilitating interactive workshops on Greek Mythology. BFA teachers Mrs. Murphy and Mr. Emmons are the BFA liaisons working with the SCFD to choose appropriate programs and determine additional curriculum applications and learning opportunities for our students.
We greatly appreciate the SCC and SCFD for selecting BFA as a partner school for the Alliance Project grant. Thanks to Mrs. Murphy and Mr. Emmons for their help in securing the grant!
We look forward to working with the SCC and SCFD to bring these valuable scientific and cultural programs to our students.
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Friday, Nov. 4, is a Teacher Work Day so there will be NO SCHOOL for students. Enjoy your three-day weekend!
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VIRTUES AND RACHEL'S CHALLENGE FOR NOVEMBER
Congratulations to all the students who received virtue awards this week! Students in grades 1-3 were recognized for demonstrating the virtues of order, cleanliness as well as doing kind things. Students in grades 4-8 receive virtue and honor roll awards after the trimester ends. Virtues for November are humility and sincerity:
Humility
- Be mindful of others before yourself. Treat them as you want to be treated. Think about how you can help others before being asked. Let others speak when it is their turn.
Sincerity
- Be kind. Say kind words and treat others as you want to be treated. Encourage each other to succeed.
The Rachel's Challenge for this month is 'Include Others.' As Rachel Scott wrote, "People will never know how far a little kindness can go."
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JOIN US TONIGHT FOR MOM'S NIGHT OUT
BFA Moms - join us for a night out from
6-8 p.m. tonight
, Nov. 3, at The Rock Wood Fired Kitchen (53 Centennial Blvd, Littleton 80129). The PTO is hosting this event for all BFA moms and will provide appetizers and pizza. Join us for a fun filled evening of socializing! Please
RSVP to let us know you'll be there.
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VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION NEXT WEEK
Celebrating Veterans is an important tradition at BFA. We hope you'll be able to join us for this special event. Below are additional details about this year's activities.
Donation Drive for Operation Gratitude
We are currently collecting candy, cards, and dental care items to send to active service members overseas through Operation Gratitude. They ask that we please do not purchase candy to send, but rather donate unopened Halloween candy (no pixy stix, please). If you are in the position to purchase something for service members, we are also collecting individually wrapped toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash for our troops. Operation Gratitude encourages students to write letters or cards to the troops that they can include with the candy and dental hygiene items in care packages. Please send in cards and letters for our service members! There are donation boxes placed in the front hall.
You're invited to BFA's 2016 Veterans Day Assemblies
Veterans and BFA parents are welcome to join us at our Veterans Day assembly programs on
Friday, Nov. 11. If you are planning to join us and are not bringing a Veteran, please park in the upper parking lot. We hope to make the spots closest to the school available for our Veterans.
- Veterans Reception at 8:30 a.m. in the Sanders Science Lab
- Assembly at 9 a.m. for grades K-4 in the BFA Gym
Afternoon Program:
- Veterans Reception at 1 p.m. in the Sanders Science Lab
- Assembly at 1:30 p.m. for grades 5-8 in the BFA Gym
This year our featured keynote speakers will be veterans from our own BFA community--Steve and Burgandy Hodge! The assemblies also will include songs performed by students and a Veterans slide show. Students are welcome to wear Boy Scout our Girl Scout uniforms to school that day.
We're excited to see you there!
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THANK YOU PARENTS AND STUDENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL FUN RUN
Thanks to everyone who helped raise money, volunteered at the events, and supported the students at the BFA Apex Fun Run. Students brought home collection envelopes last week; cash and check pledges are to be returned to school as soon as possible. Checks should be made out to BFA PTO.
Stay tuned for information about the total funds raised. Those funds will go toward Playground and STEAM Lab enhancements.
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MAKE PLANS FOR A DATE NIGHT IN NOVEMBER
Mark your calendars for the next Parent's Night Out childcare on Friday, Nov. 18, to benefit the eighth graders going to Washington, D.C. This month's theme is pajama party! Let your children wear pajamas and bring a pillow, blanket or stuffed animal. In addition to showing "The Peanuts Movie" (rated G) and providing popcorn and water, there will be a couple of stations set up to entertain kiddos with coloring, drawing and games. Concessions will be available for purchase upon drop-off. We will offer Sour Patch Kids, mini M&Ms, and granola bars.
Childcare will run from 6:30-9 p.m. and is just $5 per child. Volunteers will watch your child(ren) 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 Thursday, Nov. 10, to host the event. Sign up early to help ensure the event is not cancelled. Please sign up each child individually, and please be sure to feed your child(ren) dinner before they come.
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CONGRATULATIONS WALLY AGNEW!
Wally is the first recipient of the Volunteer Quota Award. Wally has earned a reserved parking spot in front of the school for the month of November. The parking spot is designated with a "Volunteer Quota Recipient" sign and is reserved for the Agnew family in November. Mr. Agnew is a BFA Grandparent who volunteered in the lunchroom and in carpool last month. We sincerely appreciate his contributions to BFA!
There were a total of 137 entries in the October drawing. Volunteers receive an entry each month after meeting their annual volunteer quota. In addition, entries are earned if you volunteer in the lunchroom or carpool during the month prior to the drawing. That's a total of three possible entries! Remember to log your volunteer hours in Help Counter by Nov. 25 to be entered into the December drawing. Please email Christi Richardson, PTO vice president, with questions.
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PERSONALIZED YEARBOOK DEDICATIONS
Our yearbook vendor offers the opportunity to create a personalized ad/dedication for the yearbook. If you are interested in writing a short note to your Kindergarten - seventh grader, it costs $10. If you'd like to write your eighth grader a note and include a picture, it is $15. The deadline for all dedications is Jan. 6, 2017. Log on to the yearbook website to get started today!
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SAVE THE DATE - CHICK FIL A SPIRIT NIGHT
Join us from 5 - 8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 14, at Chick-fil-A in Town Center (950 Cpl Max Donahue Ln) for the next BFA spirit night. Have a great dinner at Chick fil A while you raise money for all BFA students. Please mention BFA when you order, so the school can get credit.
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READY, SET, ACTION!
Mini Movie Makers club is back by popular demand! This after-school club teaches your student how to create an animated movie using Frames. Kids in grades 3-6 can sign up to learn how to design characters, record voices, create backgrounds and so much more! The new session is on Thursdays from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. and begins Jan. 5. Spots are limited, so
sign up today at the BFA Store. If you have questions, checkout this
flier or
email Ms. Goldin.
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TIME TO CHECK THE LOST AND FOUND!
The Lost and Found is filling up again! There are many great water bottles, sweaters and jackets waiting to be claimed. Please be sure to have your student check the Lost and Found before Friday, Nov. 18, when all remaining items will be donated.
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PROSPECTIVE FAMILY TOURS CONTINUE IN NOVEMBER
November is the last month for tours before enrollment deadlines.
Every Wednesday in November (except Nov. 23) 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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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.
Cheer 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, orpurchase 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 topurchase discounted tickets for these great shows. Be sure to use promo code DCSDFUND. For more information click here.
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ICY TEMPERATURES ARE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER
Never fear, the Winter Fest is near! Join us for a wonderful afternoon of food, games and, of course, the much anticipated cake walk. Winter Fest will be held from 4 - 7 p.m. on Jan. 28, 2017.
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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 November, the PTO has chosen Toby Foss. Toby has volunteered with the BFA STEM Committee since the very beginning. He has a Bachelors of Science in Computer Engineering and a Master's in Computer Security. He has lived in Turkey, Italy, and Germany, as well as more than 20 different cities in the United States.
Toby has many passions, including international travel, ham radio, Boy Scouts, high altitude ballooning, electronics and engineering; but, most important to him is his family--his wife Kristen, son Nickolas, and daughter Elise, who is a 4th grader at BFA. Most recently Toby has been involved the STEM Expo with his 3D printer, and the Pumpkin Chunk'n Club.
Toby says, "to me, BFA is more than a school, it is whole community that encourages artists, musicians, thinkers, and of course STEM!!!"
Thank you, Toby - BFA wouldn't be the wonderful school it is without volunteers like you!
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MOM'S NIGHT OUT
All BFA moms - make plans to attend the Mom's Night Out
from 6-8 p.m. at The Rock Wood Fired Kitchen (53 Centennial Blvd Littleton CO 80129).
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NO SCHOOL
Friday, Nov. 4, is a teacher work day so there is no school. Our next scheduled break is Nov. 21 - 25 for Thanksgiving.
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FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
The Finance Committee is meeting at 5 p.m. in the BFA Conference Room. Their next meeting is Dec. 12.
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ELECTION DAY
Don't forget to vote!
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SIXTH GRADE OUTDOOR ED
The sixth graders are leaving for Outdoor Ed on Tuesday, Nov. 8, and will return on Friday, Nov. 11.
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STEM MEETING
The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. in Sanders Science Lab. Their next meeting is Dec. 7.
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VETERANS DAY
Join us for our annual Veterans Day celebration. There will be two assemblies on Veterans Day, one at 9 a.m. and another at 1:30 p.m. Please invite your favorite Veteran to join us a half hour before each program for a reception.
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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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