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| Vol. 7, Iss. 9 |
March 2, 2017
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Dear Parents:
You can find it on the BFA website, you can see it when you enter the school. It drives everything we do at BFA. What is it I am referring to? Could it be the welcoming environment that we have created here, or the sense that all of our students really enjoy coming to school and learning? While those are very evident at BFA, they are incorrect answers. I am referring to BFA's mission and vision.
A
mission statement is important to any organization, especially a school. This statement provides a brief description of BFA's fundamental purpose and answers the question, "Why do we exist?" The mission statement articulates BFA's purpose to staff, parents and students, as well as to the general public. BFA's mission statement is as follows:
Our mission is to develop young adults with character like America's founding Renaissance man, Benjamin Franklin: well-read, scientifically curious, and civically engaged.
Our goal at Ben Franklin Academy is to provide an outstanding education to all students. We teach and reinforce the school's 13 virtues, emphasize science, technology, literacy and math, and provide many opportunities for students to give back to the school and the community. We encourage students to "stay curious" and to continually ask questions. Kids minds are like sponges and we want to fill their minds with valuable information and encourage them to become lifelong learners.
A vision statement
is sometimes called a picture of an organization, but it's so much more than that. A vision statement is our inspiration and provides the framework for all our strategic planning. BFA's vision statement articulates our dreams and hopes for the school and your child. It reminds us of what we are trying to build. BFA's vision is as follows:
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.
BFA's vision statement is intentionally robust, and we strive everyday to implement it with fidelity. The Core Knowledge Sequence provides a challenging and sequenced curriculum. We set high expectations for all of our students and provide the tools and resources necessary for all students to achieve these expectations. All teachers and staff at BFA truly believe that every student can achieve at a high level. To accomplish this, teachers review the many assessment data points that they receive for each student and use this information to guide and differentiate instruction.
Accountability is key as well. BFA exists to educate and academically grow kids. We strive every day to do this to the best of our ability. We provide on-going training opportunities for the staff. They are trained on best practices and are provided time to meet with colleagues to discuss what may be working or not working in a particular grade. And, when they identify an area of improvement, they have the flexibility to work with their team to make a change
. The administration team observes and evaluates teachers to make sure they are staying true to the mission and vision of the school. We have EXCELLENT teachers at BFA; and our goal is to provide opportunities for continuous improvement.
Finally, a child's educational experience is not complete without art, music, PE, technology and character education. The STEAM focus allows BFA students to become well-rounded individuals who are well-prepared for high school and beyond.
It is extremely important for us to stay true to our mission and vision. Everything from BFA's strategic plan to the curriculum we use at school follows our mission and vision, which ensures that we continually provide the best education possible for your child.
Sincerely,
Bob Barber
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SAVE YOUR CHANGE FOR THE BAKE SALE!
Eighth graders will be
selling baked goods before school from 7:30 - 8:10 a.m. tomorrow, March 3, in the main and upstairs hallways
. Baked goods also will be on sale during afternoon recess. All proceeds go to support students attending the Washington, D.C. trip.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR A NIGHT IN PARIS FATHER DAUGHTER EVENT
We need your help to make our Father Daughter event a success. If you are looking for a FUN way to earn volunteer hours, or if you have a daughter attending and want to help your little lady have the time of her life, s
ign up to help run the event. Please sign up for whatever slots work for you.
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DON'T MISS ENCORE PERFORMANCE OF
ALADDIN, JR. BY BFA STAFF
All are welcome to attend the staff rendition of Aladdin, Jr. at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 10, at BFA. There will be singing, dancing and (possibly) some tomfoolery, as BFA staff take on the roles of Princess Jasmine, Aladdin, Jafar and the Genie.
When the street urchin, Aladdin (AKA Mr. Emmons), vies for the attention of the beautiful Princess Kinsella, he uses a Totally Stolked genie's magic power to help him achieve his dreams.
After the gene, an enchanting magic carpet, and a mysterious baby help Aladdin escape from the Cave of Wonders--he heads North and gets entangled in a Webb of trouble. Thank goodness Sultan Barber is there to help save the day! Johnson, Hinkle, Bauer, Golden and more are here in Disney's Aladdin Jr., a musical adventure filled with magic, mayhem and the power of love.
It is going to be an entertaining evening, so please make plans to come! Tickets are $5 per person at the door, and proceeds benefit the Disneyland Choir trip.
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The PTO meeting cancelled due to poor road conditions has been rescheduled for
tonight, March 2, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.,
in the Sanders Science Lab.
This meeting will be a combined meeting for February/March, so the PTO will meet until 8:30 p.m. Childcare will be available! Please note: the regularly scheduled meeting for March 16, has been cancelled. Hope to see you tonight.
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TEACHER AND STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK QUICKLY APPROACHING
We will be celebrating our amazing teachers and staff during the week of March 13. This year's theme is "You're the Star!" Look for more details in next week's Thursday folders
, as well as an email from your Room Parent.
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SAVE THE DATE FOR MORNING WITH MOMS
BFA's Community Events Committee (CEC) is honored to host students and their moms from
7 - 8 a.m. on Friday, March 10, in the BFA Gym. There will be coffee, juice, sweet treats and some gluten free items available. Classes will begin at the usual time, so Moms are welcome to stay with their student until 8:10 a.m. or, beginning at 7:45 a.m., all students can go directly to their classroom.
BFA Dads - please consider volunteering for this fun event! The CEC is looking for five dads from 6 - 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 9 to help set-up. On the morning of the event, the CEC will need a greeter, a photographer and five gentlemen to serve food and pour drinks. These dads should arrive at school at 6:45 a.m. and plan to stay until 8 a.m. They will also need five helpers to clean up from 8 - 9 a.m.
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BATTLE OF THE BOOKS UPDATE
Congratulations to both of BFA's Battle of the Books teams! The third/fourth grade and fifth/sixth grade teams won their battles and will advance to the semi-finals next Tuesday, March 7.
The third/fourth grade team won 48 - 43 against Bear Canyon; and the fifth/sixth grade team won 45 - 40 against Arrowwood. The third/fourth and fifth/sixth grade teams will battle Cougar Run next Tuesday at the James H. LaRue Library in Highlands Ranch (9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd.) at 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.
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DESTINATION IMAGINATION REGIONAL COMPETITION
Please join BFA's Destination Imagination (DI) teams as they compete in the regional competition on Saturday, March 11, at Chaparral High School (15655 Brookstone Dr., Parker 80134). All are welcome to attend!
We have six teams competing this year in the following categories:
Technology: Show and Tech
8:40 a.m. - Kitty Litter
Scientific: Top Secret
8 a.m. - Fat Hippos with a side of Salted Carmel
11:54 a.m. - BFA Believers
2:50 p.m. - Super Snackers
Fine Arts: Vanished
8:40 a.m. - Colorful Monkeys Go Bananas with Awesome New Tigers
10:20 a.m. - Pink Fluffy Unicorns Dancing on Rainbows
We would love to see BFA friends in the audience rooting our teams to victory.
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The PTO would like to thank one of our 2016-17 Gold Sponsors,
KidsTown, in Highlands Ranch. We're able to do so much for our kids through your continued support!
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PANDA EXPRESS SPIRIT NIGHT - MARCH 15
BFA's next Spirit Night is from 4 - 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15, at the Village Center Panda Express (9563 S University). When ordering online, use code 227171 at checkout to ensure your purchase supports BFA. Proceeds go to all students.
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ALL BFA MOMS WELCOME TO ENJOY A NIGHT OUT
Your BFA PTO will be hosting a Mom's Night Out for
ALL BFA MOMS from
5:30 - 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 30. Join us at Hacienda Colorado (5066 S Wadsworth Blvd.) for a wonderful night of tacos, socializing, and FUN! This event is for all BFA Moms--if you are new to BFA or have not attended a Mom's Night Out in the past, we encourage you to come as this a great way to meet other BFA parents. Please
RSVP
so we know how many are coming.
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Congratulations Jennifer and Craig Jones on your March Parking Spot! The Jones family has met their 30-hour volunteer requirement, so they were qualified for an entry into the monthly drawing.
Did you know volunteering in Carpool or the Lunch Room could earn you a monthly parking spot even if you haven't met your volunteer quota? Regardless of meeting your volunteer quota, we have also decided to include families that volunteer in the lunch room or carpool during the month prior to the drawing since those opportunities have the most need each month.
Thank you to the Jones family for spending time in the school and making BFA such an amazing place.
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PARENTS NIGHT OUT - MARCH 31
Mark your calendars for the next
Parent's Night Out childcare on Friday, March 31, to benefit the eighth graders going to Washington, D.C. Let your children wear pajamas and bring a pillow, blanket or stuffed animal. Students can watch Disney's 'Moana,' we will provide popcorn and water, and there will be 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 for $1 each, cash or check.
NEW FOR THIS PNO:
Childcare will run from 6 - 9 p.m. (30 extra minutes!) 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 40 children by
Thursday, March 23, 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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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 PTO will meet tonight, March 2, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., in the Sanders Science Lab.
This meeting will be a combined meeting for February/March, so the PTO will meet until 8:30 p.m.
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BAKE SALE
Eighth graders will be selling baked goods before school from 7:30 - 8:10 a.m. on Friday, March 3, in the main and upstairs hallways. Goodies will also be sold during afternoon recess.
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FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE
If you have purchased a ticket for the Father Daughter Dance, we look forward to seeing you from 6 - 8 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at BFA for a night of dinner, dancing and more. Passports to the dance will be sent home with students today.
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CEC MEETING
Join the Community Events Committee (CEC) for their meeting from 6 - 7 p.m. on March 7, in the BFA Library.
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FULL DAY KINDIE MUSICAL
Join our full-day Kindergarten students as they take us on a journey to Herb's magical garden. The seeds have sprouted, the rain has come, and petals bloom brightly in the sun. But what's this!?! The weeds are taking over! Join the fun from 6:30 - 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8, in the new performance area.
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SPIRIT WEAR DAY
Friday, March 10, is Spirit Wear Day. Students can wear their spirit day T-shirt, a field day T-shirt from a previous year or their Apex Fun Run T-shirt.
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MORNING WITH MOMS
BFA's Community Events Committee (CEC) will host students and their moms from 7 - 8 a.m. on Friday, March 10, in the BFA Gym. There will be coffee, juice, sweet treats and some gluten free items available.
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ALADDIN JR.
All are welcome to attend the staff rendition of Aladdin, Jr. at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 10, at BFA.
Tickets are $5 per person at the door, and proceeds benefit the Disneyland Choir trip.
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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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