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| Vol. 6, Iss. 32 |
Nov. 17, 2016
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Following is a m
essage from Kent Barwind, treasurer, BFA Board of Directors:
One of my favorite responsibilities as a BFA Board director is to observe our teachers and students in the classroom. Each Board director is required to observe multiple classrooms each year. The goal is to simply watch what is being taught, how the kids learn, and see the curriculum and character programing in action.
Throughout my three years on the BFA Board, I have seen grades from preschool through eighth. I have watched PE, music and technology, as well as multiple middle school electives. I am always amazed to see how excited our students are to share with me what they are learning. This year was a first for me, as the eighth grade science class offered to vacuum seal me in a trash bag. Unfortunately, the materials were not available, and I was never put through the experiment.
Observing in the classrooms has given me such a wonderful feeling about the students we have, and for how much our teachers care for each of them individually. I love to see the Thirteen Virtues being implemented in the classroom, as well as the character programing that is in place through Rachel's Challenge. Our teachers and students have done a fantastic job incorporating these ideals into the classroom each and every day. Thank you to the teachers and students for letting me interrupt your day, and teaching me what it's like to be a part of Ben Franklin Academy.
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Last weekend,
Ben's Brigade hauled and placed six tons of rock into school planting beds and along the sidewalk adjacent to Plaza Road. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped out. It looks fantastic!
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JOIN US TOMORROW FOR THE STEAM FRUIT TOSS
The third annual
BFA STEAM Fruit Toss will take place
tomorrow, Nov. 18, and it has a new twist this year! The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Committee decided not to limit themselves to just pumpkins. Instead, they plan to showcase the work of the STEAM Fruit Toss Club, which launched a variety of fruit this past fall while calculating weight, angle and mass to precisely hit a target. Students in grades K-8 will participate in the event tomorrow from noon - 3 p.m.
Volunteers are needed!
Email
Matt Keillor to help out with this exciting event.
And, if you love science as much as we do, make a point to watch the Discovery Channel at 8 p.m. on
Saturday, Nov. 26, when Littleton's own John Heffelfinger, who recently launched a pumpkin 2,347 feet, will be featured.
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APPLE AWARD NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED BEGINNING
THIS WEEK
Who has the best teachers in the Douglas County School District? The answer is easy--Ben Franklin Academy does! BFA's teachers and staff are highly dedicated individuals who go above and beyond every day to make sure our 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.
If you would like to formally recognize a BFA teacher or staff member, consider nominating them for 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 can be 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. This year, the DCEF would like to know how your nominee advances the District's
Strategic Plan. The nomination window is open now, and goes through Jan. 13, 2017.
Nominations can be made by going to the DCSD website.
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NEED A NIGHT OUT TOMORROW?
The next Parent's Night Out childcare is from 6:30 - 9 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 18. Proceeds benefit the eighth graders going to Washington, D.C. The 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--Sour Patch Kids, mini M&Ms and granola bars--will be available for purchase upon drop-off. These items cost $1 each and will only be available if purchased by a parent at sign in.
Childcare is just $5 per child. 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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87 PERCENT COLLECTED - KEEP SENDING IN THOSE PLEDGES!
Thank you for your incredible support of BFA through the PTO's main fundraiser this year.
We have collected 87 percent of our pledges so far. If you have pledges outstanding, please send them to school as soon as possible. Checks should be made out to BFA PTO; and please be sure to note the student receiving the pledge as well as who the pledge is from. For example, neatly write the name of the student the memo line (student: Nancy Drew) and the name of the benefactor (from: Carson Drew) so we can match amounts pledged to funds received.
Totals will be shared as soon as final numbers are available. Funds will go toward playground and STEAM lab enhancements.
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Whether you want to get involved or just be in the know, you are welcome to attend the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) meeting tonight. They are
meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanders Science Lab for their monthly PTO meeting. Babysitting will be available. Hope to see you there.
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If you missed the opportunity to order Original Works or wish to place a second order, we have extended the window to order products featuring your student's art! The main program is closed, and those orders are in process; however, late orders may be submitted until Wednesday, Nov. 30. Late orders are not guaranteed for holiday delivery, but Original Works does their best to ship them before winter break.
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. Please email Ms. Hinkle with questions.
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HOLIDAY REMINDER FROM NUTRITION SERVICES
For those grades planning classroom Thanksgiving feasts
on Friday, please remember to bring all necessary utensils and serving dishes. The BFA kitchen is run by Douglas County Nutrition Services and is not allowed to lend or hand out any utensils or kitchen tools, as it is a nut-free facility and this risks contamination. Thank you for your understanding.
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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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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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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.
If you're interested in helping plan Winter Fest, please join us at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the Starbucks inside King Soopers at 9551 S University (University & Highlands Ranch Pkwy). If you have any questions, please
email
Gwen Feifarek, Winter Fest committee manager.
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Time to get rid of all that extra change laying around! Your student can put it to good use at the
bake sale on Friday,
Dec. 2. Proceeds benefit eighth graders attending the Washington D.C. trip. Baked goods will be sold before school on both the first and second floor, and on the playground during second recess. We will have a variety of baked goods available, including items that are safe for children with dietary restrictions (gluten, nuts, etc.). Help support the eighth graders, while kiddos get to enjoy tasty treats!
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Ben Franklin Academy's Student Council is proud to sponsor a
food drive from Nov. 30 - Dec. 9, to benefit the families of Crawford Elementary School in Aurora. The school's population consists of some of the metro areas neediest residents. Often, the only meals these children receive is at school. During the winter break, when the school is closed, these families struggle getting enough to eat. Please consider donating the following items:
- Cup O' Noodles
- Boxes of cereal
- Cereal bars and granola bars
- Fruit cups
- Single serving ravioli
- Dried lentils
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Give your student a pleasant surprise 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 AND FOUND DONATED TOMORROW
Come find your items before they are permanently lost! There are many great water bottles, sweaters and jackets waiting to be claimed. Tomorrow,
Nov. 18, all remaining items will be donated.
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LAST PROSPECTIVE FAMILY TOUR - NOV. 30
Wednesday, Nov. 30, is the last scheduled tour before enrollment deadlines. The tour begins 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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SAVE THE DATE - SPIRIT NIGHT DEC. 6
BFA's next Spirit Night is
Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 5 - 9 p.m. at Chipotle Mexican Grill (2209 W Wildcat Reserve Pkwy). Hope to see you there!
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Select Rewards coupon books are perfect for the holiday season and
good through Aug. 31, 2017, so get yours today. The book offers savings for the holidays, including a $15 coupon for the HoneyBaked Ham store, $10 toward your purchase at the Big Tool Box, $10 off at Eskimo Ski and Board Shop, and $5 toward your purchase at Rocket Fizz. (Minimum purchase requirements apply.) If you enjoy taking advantage of significant savings on restaurants around town--look no further! The book offers coupons for Indulge, Mici's, Cuba, Cuba, Casa Caliente, Costa Vida, Anthony's and more! And, if you are looking for stay-cation savings, check out their coupons for Monster Mini Golf, Dart Warz, Arts on Fire and Cold Stone Creamery. The books also make great gifts for that hard to buy loved one.
Email
Tiffanie Vaught if you would like to purchase a book.
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USED UNIFORM SALE DEC. 10
Save the date for the next Used Uniform Sale from 9 - 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. After this uniform sale, all unsold uniforms will be returned to the consignors. More details will be provided after Thanksgiving break.
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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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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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PRESCHOOL ENROLLMENT FOR BFA FAMILIES
Preschool open enrollment for current BFA families begins Thursday, Dec. 1. If you are interested in enrolling, email Kristen Goldberg, preschool director.
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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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