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| Vol. 7, Iss. 14 |
April 13, 2017
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Following is a message from Bill Castor, secretary, BFA Board of Directors...
Thank you to all of the families and staff members that voted and helped select our newest BFA Board members. Burgandy Hodge and Matt Keillor received the most votes this year and will be seated in Seat 5, Class C and Seat 6, Class C, respectively. The BFA Board also appointed Steve Haas to fill Seat 7, Class C. All of these positions are for a three year term, ending in May 2020.
On behalf of the entire Board, I'd like to say congratulations to the new Board members and thank all of those who accepted the nomination, as well as those who took the time to vote. There were seven very good choices this election and I really appreciate the broad participation from all of those involved.
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NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, APRIL 21
There is a teacher planning day on Friday, April 21, so there is no school for students. Parents - enjoy your long weekend!
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PARENT SATISFACTION SURVEY RESULTS AVAILABLE
The 2017 Parent Survey Results are in! Thank you to all the parents who participated. The School Accountability Committee (SAC), Board of Directors and Administration value your feedback. Click
here to view the results.
SAC is currently looking for new members for the 2017-18 school year. If you want to impact current policies, know how our students are scoring academically, and want to shape BFA's academic plan, then SAC is the place for you! Our next meeting is at 4:10 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, in the BFA Conference Room. Email the SAC for more details.
Drumroll please....the following lucky families won a participation prize: Archer, Battista, Billups, Burke, Gimbel, Kimball, Lidstone, Kristi Morris, and the Roper family. Please email
SAC to choose your $25 gift card.
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JOIN THE PTO NEXT SCHOOL YEAR
Are you looking for a fun way to support BFA students and staff? Are you interested in meeting other dedicated BFA parents? If so, consider joining BFA's Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)!
For more information about the types of PTO positions available next year, please review the
PTO job descriptions for 2017-18. If you are interested in any of the positions, please
email
Mindy Pooler
or
Lisa Travis Fischer, PTO co-secretaries, as soon as possible to obtain further information about the election/nomination process.
Nominations will be accepted through noon next Wednesday, April 19; elections will be held April 20-30. We hope you will consider joining the PTO!
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With the weather getting warmer, please remember to send in a reusable water bottle with your student(s). The temperatures will be lovely the next couple of weeks, and the kids will be outside playing every day. Lets make sure they are well hydrated!
In addition, please be sure your student applies sunscreen before school every day. Unfortunately, this must be done at home as it is against District policy to apply sunscreen in school.
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LET'S GET READY FOR "A NIGHT AT THE SPEAKEASY"
The 2017 Benefit Bash, "A Night at the Speakeasy," is BFA's major fundraiser for the 2017-18 school year. It will take place on
Nov. 11, 2017, with preparations happening now until event night. See the attached
flyer to find out how you can help.
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Congratulations to all the students who participated in the Elementary Science Fair! The students' demonstrated their enthusiasm for science through their amazing projects. There were some very unique ideas; for example one student incorporated his love of hunting into a project about the use of a bow and arrow, and another student came up with a hypothesis about tornadoes. There were also several interesting projects about parachutes and moldy bread. Students, staff and parents were excited to be a part of this annual event and commented on how much fun they had discussing and looking over all the projects. Congratulations to the following students who received an award for, 'Thinking Like a Scientist.'
Third Grade:
Kiefer Bale,
Lauren Francen,
Cael Gardner,
Ella McGeary,
Mason Scott,
Catherine Slaughter, Aubrie Titus, and Xavier Watson
Fifth Grade: Mara Anton, Chandler Bay, Andrew Beffel, Cora Brown, Nicholas Castor, Joshua Cox, Charolotte Emig, Alex Feifarek, Kyle Ferguson, Sawyer Henbest, Katelyn Hoff, Abigail Hullinger, Rachel Kraft, Kaylee Macias, Samuel Maikkula, Evan McDermott, Mina Poleschook, Ethan Prutsman, Jackson Pumphrey, Drew Salvo, Hayden Smith, and Addison Torres
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TAX DAY BLUES? WE KNOW A WAY TO MAKE YOU SMILE!
Let someone else cook dinner! Join us for our next
Spirit Night from 5 - 8 p.m. on tax day, Tuesday, April 18, at Chick-fil-A in Highlands Ranch Town Center (950 Cpl Max Donahue Ln). Be sure to mention Ben Franklin Academy to your cashier.
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PTO RECOGNIZES VOLUNTEERS
Since Volunteer Appreciation Week is in April, it's the perfect time to let you know that the PTO is rewarding families who have met their volunteer requirement with
FREE admission to BFA's Pirates Cove Night on Friday, June 16. You still have time to fulfill your 30-hour requirement (15 hours for single parent households). Click
here for a list of volunteer opportunities. As always, please continue to log your hours above your 30-hour minimum, as they help BFA earn grants to support the school.
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BFA's Student Council has been busy planning "Wish Week," which will run from April 24 - 29. We will be collecting donations throughout the week to support Brayden, a boy from Pueblo suffering from a neurological condition. Brayden's wish is to be a Cowboy. Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, please be generous and help him realize his wish!
Plans for "Wish Week" include:
Wednesday, April 19
: Kick Off Assembly with presentation from "Make-A-Wish" Foundation
Monday, April 24 - Green Day:
Wear green to support Brayden. It's his favorite color.
Monday, April 24
through Friday, April 28 - Penny Wars: Donate your change and bills. Pennies and bills count positively toward grade level totals, silver coins lower them (put your silver coins in other grade level's jars to lower their totals). The winning grade level gets a popsicle party.
Thursday, April 27, 4:15 - 6 p.m. - Volleyball Tournament:
Boys vs. Girls, and Winner vs. Staff! Tickets are $5.00; but watching the competition is priceless.
Saturday, April 29, 9 a.m. - Noon - Breakfast and Carwash:
Enjoy a bagel and coffee/juice ($2), while getting your car washed by hand! ($5-$10 donation).
Let's make Brayden's wish become reality!
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GET YOUR TICKETS TO MOMAPALOOZA
Join us at
Momapalooza which will be held from 5:30 - 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, at BFA. You won't want to miss out on this exciting Mother Son event with dinner, dancing, obstacle course and more. Tickets are $20 for a mother/son pair, and $10 for each additional child.
Order your tickets today. They will only be available until
April 25.
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SEND IN YOUR BOX TOPS NEXT WEDNESDAY
Keep those Box Tops coming in. The next collection is Wednesday, April 19. The top middle school and elementary classes will receive a pizza or ice cream party.
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ALL WELCOME TO ATTEND PTO MEETING NEXT THURSDAY
The
PTO meets at 6:30 p.m. next Thursday, April 20, in the Sanders Science Lab. If you'd like to know more about what the PTO does, including updates on the elections and appointed positions, please join them!
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SAVE THE DATE FOR SPRING PICNIC
Ben's Brigade will hold its
First Annual Park/Picnic Outing for BFA Dads and their student(s)
from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. on SUNDAY, April 23, at Redstone Park
(3280 Redstone Park Cir, Littleton). More details to follow.
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HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT SENATE BILL 61?
Recently there has been some press about
Senate Bill 61, which "requires a
school district to distribute revenue it receives from ongoing local property tax mill levies equally, on a per-student basis." If you are interested in learning more about this bill and advocating on behalf of your student(s), make plans to attend a meeting this month and get engaged in the discussion. The next meeting will be held from 6 - 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26, at the CR Bank Room West in the Philip S. Miller Library (100 S. Wilcox St.). Speakers include Dan Schaller, director of Governmental Affairs with the Colorado League of Charter Schools, and Ross Izard, Senior Education Policy Analyst with the Independence Institute. Click here for a flier with more information.
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REGISTER FOR SUMMER CAMP TODAY
It is hard to believe, but it's
already time to start thinking about Summer Camp! Ben Franklin Academy is happy to announce that we will offer an exciting Summer Camp program again this year.
Do you need full-time daycare for the summer? Or perhaps you want to schedule something fun for your kids once a week while you run errands. Maybe your kids would like to connect with other Ben Franklin Academy kids and enjoy fun, summer social time? Whatever your situation, our Summer Camp is sure to keep your kids safe and entertained. And, the best part is--the program is staffed by people you know and trust!
Program Details
Dates: May 31 - Aug. 11; Closed July 3-7
Hours:
7 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Days: Monday through Friday
Summer Camp is open to any currently enrolled BFA student age 5-years-old and above. Your child must be five on or before May 31 to participate.
Program Costs
Registration: There is a $35/per child one-time registration fee. All registered campers will receive a camp T-shirt and daypack.
Daily Tuition: The cost of the camp is $35/day/child for non-field trip days and $50/day/child for field trip days.
Click here to begin the
registration process, and to choose blocks of days or specific days of camp throughout the summer.
Detailed daily activity schedules available below:
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GET YOUR DCSD DISCOUNTED TICKETS
Denver Center for the Performing Arts
April 21 - May 7
1101 13th St, Denver, CO 80204
$35 tickets (Promo code DCSD)
Limited tickets available!
Community Night with the Colorado Mammoth (vs. Saskatchewan Rush)
Friday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m.
Pepsi Center
1000 Chopper Cir, Denver, CO 80204
$15 Upper Level and $23 Lower Level
Elitch Gardens Douglas County Community Days
Take advantage of Elitch Gardens discount tickets and pay only $27.99 per admission (ages 3 and under are free) from June 2 - 4. If you purchase tickets by May 31, you will receive a free return ticket to the park valid mid-August through mid-October. Please remember to use our school code (BFA) at checkout and $4 from each ticket purchased will be donated to our school. Click here for more details and to buy tickets.
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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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SPIRIT NIGHT AT CHICK-FIL-A
Join us for the next Spirit Night from 5 - 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, at Chick-fil-A in Highlands Ranch Town Center (950 Cpl Max Donahue Ln). Be sure to mention Ben Franklin Academy to your cashier.
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BOX TOP COLLECTION DAY
Please remember to put your Box Tops in a baggie with your student's name, and send your Box Tops to school on Wednesday, April 19.
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MAKE A WISH ASSEMBLIES
On Wednesday, April 19, we will have assemblies to kick off Wish Week. BFA's Student Council is planning "Wish Week," which will run from April 24 - 29. We will be collecting donations throughout the week to support Brayden, a boy from Pueblo suffering from a neurological condition.
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ARTS COMMITTEE MEETING
Join the Arts Committee as they meet from 5 - 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, in the Art Room.
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DISNEYLAND CHOIR CONCERT
All are welcome to attend the Disneyland Choir concert beginning at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, in the BFA Gym.
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DRESS OF CHOICE DAY
Thursday, April 20, is Dress of Choice day. Students without two uniform violations since the last regular Dress of Choice Day may participate.
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EARTH DAY
Thursday, April 20, is Earth Day, and teachers have planned multiple activities to celebrate. Mrs. Ward has different activities planned for each elementary grade, including recycling 'Cheerio' tires, making a bird feeder, cleaning up an oil spill, playing with wind power and looking into solar power. As part of our commitment to recognizing Earth Day, the sixth grade is cleaning up Fly'n B park next week.
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PTO MEETING AND ELECTIONS
PTO elections begin on Thursday, April 20, and go through Sunday, April 30. Join the PTO for their meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 20.
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SAC COMMITTEE MEETING
The School Accountability Committee (SAC) is meeting from 4:10 - 5:10 on Thursday, April 20, in the Conference Room.
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NO SCHOOL - TEACHER WORK DAY
There is a teacher planning day on Friday, April 21, so there is no school for students. Enjoy your long weekend!
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DISNEY CHOIR TRIP
Students participating in the Disneyland elective are headed to California for their performance on Friday, April 21. They will spend the long weekend participating in a performance and workshop, as well as enjoy Disneyland, Universal Studios and Newport Beach.
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BEN'S BRIGADE PICNIC OUTING
Ben's Brigade will hold its
First Annual Park/Picnic Outing for BFA Dads and their student(s)
from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. on SUNDAY, April 23, at Redstone Park
(3280 Redstone Park Cir, Littleton). More details to follow.
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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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