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| Vol. 6, Iss. 31 |
Nov. 10, 2016
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Who has the best teachers in the Douglas County School District? The answer is easy--Ben Franklin Academy does! I truly believe that we have a highly dedicated group of teachers who go above and beyond every day to make sure your kids are educated in a safe and caring environment where they feel comfortable and confident to take chances. Teachers have established high expectations for all students and provide all the tools necessary for the students to accomplish those expectations. Of course, our success is not complete without the tremendous efforts of our support personnel, which includes the office staff, custodial staff, lunchroom staff and our instructional aides.
I know the BFA parent community appreciates our teachers and staff and routinely demonstrates that in many different ways. Today, I'd like to tell you about a formal opportunity to show your appreciation - the DCEF Apple Awards.
The Apple Awards were created in 2006 to provide the opportunity
to recognize and celebrate excellent, innovative teachers, administrators and support staff. Nominations for the Apple Awards are submitted online by staff, students, parents and members of the community. You may nominate more than one person; and nominations must be made using the online form, no exceptions. The nomination window begins Monday, Nov. 14, and goes through Jan. 13, 2017.
Beginning Monday, nominations can be made by going to the DCSD website.
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VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION TOMORROW
Celebrating Veterans is an important tradition at BFA. We hope you'll be able to join us for this special event. Below are details about this year's activities.
Donation Drive for Operation Gratitude
Tomorrow is the final day for our donation drive. Please send in candy, cards and dental care items for active service members overseas through Operation Gratitude. Operation Gratitude requests that we 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 also are collecting individually wrapped toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss and mouthwash for our troops. Operation Gratitude encourages students to write letters or cards to the troops which will be included 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 tomorrow
, 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. Also, please note that we reserve the first row of seats in the assembly for 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 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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FUN RUN CHECKS ARE STILL COMING IN!
Thank you for your incredible support of BFA through the Parent Teacher Organization's main fundraiser this year! If you have pledges outstanding, please send them to school as soon as possible. Checks should be made out to BFA PTO.
Totals will be shared as soon as final numbers are received. Funds will go to the school to pay for playground and STEAM Lab enhancements.
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CHICK-FIL-A SPIRIT NIGHT ON MONDAY
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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GIVE THE GIFT OF ORIGINAL ART!
Every year, parents of students in grades Pre-K - 5 have the opportunity to purchase items featuring their student's artwork. A few weeks ago students brought home their art as well as an Original Works flier detailing the 2016 product line. If you are interested in purchasing items, please go to the Original Works website and click on the Gallery tab at the top of the page. It will prompt you to enter the School Code you received on the form sent home with your student. Original Works items make great gifts for you or a loved one so order today! All orders must be submitted by Nov. 16, and will be delivered on Dec. 6. Please email Ms. Hinkle with questions.
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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. They 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. Only BFA students will be accepted (including preschool students).
Please sign up each child individually, and please be sure to feed your child(ren) dinner before they come.
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YEARBOOK PRICE INCREASE QUICKLY APPROACHING
Order your 2016-17 yearbook by Nov. 30, and pay just $26. Beginning Thursday, Dec. 1, the price will increase to $31.
Be sure to order today so that you get the best price! Books will be on sale through Jan 31; after which, there will only be a very limited number of books available. Please email Katie Devlin, BFA PTO Yearbook Chair, with any questions.
Our yearbook vendor offers the opportunity to create a personalized ad/dedication for the yearbook. Dedications to kids in grades K - 7 cost $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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Give your student a pleasant surprise next week and volunteer in the lunchroom! Kids love seeing their parents during the school day, and Ben Franklin's lunchroom couldn't run efficiently without our wonderful parent volunteers. Please consider helping out today. Our volunteers assist our lunch aides with setting up the lunchroom tables, helping students open food and drink containers, monitoring student safety and activity, cleaning tabletops between lunch sessions, and assisting with final cleanup after all students have eaten. Our volunteer sessions last from 10:50 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., and our signups are via
Helpcounter
. You are welcome to sign up in advance or walk-in. Please note, younger siblings are
not allowed in the lunchroom during volunteer shifts.
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CALLING ALL CREATIVE BFA PARENTS!
Are you one of BFA's many artistic parents? If you have an interest in painting, photography, creative writing, graphic design, dancing, sculpting, jewelry making, singing, playing an instrument, acting, scene design or any other area of the arts--we need you!
Consider helping out with the new BFA Arts Committee. The Committee is collecting names of parents to help with future projects by area of interest. You are not expected to make a volunteer commitment now, rather your name will be on a list of interested families to contact when projects arise. For example, if you indicate interest in scene design, we will invite you to help build sets for our musicals. The options are almost endless, so let us know your passion! If you want to support the arts at BFA, but don't feel a particular interest in one area, please email us today to sign up for our general team. We appreciate your support of the arts at BFA!
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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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LOST SOMETHING LATELY?
Come find your items before they are permanently lost! There are many great water bottles, sweaters and jackets waiting to be claimed.
On Friday, Nov. 18, 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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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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BOX TOP COLLECTION NEXT WEEK
In anticipation of the next
Box Top collection date on Wednesday, Nov. 16
, 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. If using the app, be sure to keep your receipts. 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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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, 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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BFA will be closed for Thanksgiving Break from Monday, Nov. 21 through Friday, Nov. 25. We hope our students, staff and parents enjoy the week off!
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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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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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SPIRIT NIGHT AT CHICK-FIL-A
The next Spirit Night to benefit all students is from 5 - 8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 14, at Chick-fil-A in Town Center (950 Cpl Max Donahue Ln). Please mention BFA when you order, so the school can get credit.
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BOARD MEETING
Attend the Board meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, in the BFA Library. Their next meeting is Dec. 13.
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BOX TOPS DUE
Send in your Box Tops in a plastic baggie with your student's name and classroom written on the outside.
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PTO MEETING
The Parent Teacher Organization is meeting on Thursday, Nov. 17, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanders Science Lab. Their next meeting is on Dec. 15.
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SAC MEETING
Join the School Accountability Committee is meeting from 4:10 - 5:10 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17, in the BFA Conference Room. Their next meeting is Thursday, Dec. 15.
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FRUIT TOSS/PUMPKIN CHUNKIN' CELEBRATION
The STEM Committee is planning on demonstrating their trebuchet next Friday, Nov. 18.
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DRESS OF CHOICE DAY
Students without two uniform violations since the last dress of choice day may wear Dress of Choice on Friday, Nov. 18. The next dress of choice is Dec. 16.
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NO SCHOOL
Thanksgiving break is from Nov. 21 - 25. The next school break begins Dec. 19.
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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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