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| Vol. 7, Iss. 13 |
April 6, 2017
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Dear Parents,
As parents and educators, we desire the same thing for our children - the best possible education. At BFA, we are committed to every child's success. As part of that process, we strive to create balanced classes that meet the academic and social needs of your child.
Meetings for placement into K-8 grades will take place during the upcoming teacher in-service day. At each grade level, the classroom teachers and all of our professional staff will meet to provide input for placement in the 2017-18 school year.
As you may know, each of our classes is a heterogeneous group of children. When we develop our classes, we consider reading and math abilities, gender, learning style/teaching style, behavioral patterns, peer relationships and overall class balance.
The professional staff has the responsibility to determine the best placement for each child. If your child has needs that are not already known to the school, please communicate that with your child's current teacher as soon as possible. We are not able to consider requests for specific teachers or friends, but I assure you that we strive to make the best placement for each child.
Through a collaborative effort, I am confident that we will provide the best possible instructional program for every student.
Sincerely,
Bob Barber
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Your involvement in our school is the key to our continued success. To date, only 33 percent of our community has voted for the two elected seats on the BFA board of directors. There is a day and a half left to vote, so please take time to cast your vote today.
Information about each
candidate
is available on the BFA website, and you are encouraged to read about each one.
Voting by the Parent Voting Group for the two (2) open, elected seats continues through Friday, April 7, at 11:59 p.m. MT. Each family within the Parent Voting Group can
vote for one candidate for each of the two available elected seats; in other words, each family can vote for two candidates--the candidate with the the highest number of votes will fill Class C Seat 5, and the candidate receiving the second highest number of votes will fill Class C Seat 6. Each seat serves the same 3-year term and has the same voting rights.
Results of the election will be announced, and the appointment by the Board will made, on Tuesday, April 11, at the regularly scheduled Board meeting.
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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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JUDGES STILL NEEDED FOR TUESDAY'S SCIENCE FAIR
Spring means SCIENCE FAIR, and we need your help with morning and afternoon shifts on Tuesday, April 11! You don't need science experience or a science background to help. This fair is non-competitive, so it is really about getting kids excited about experimenting, igniting their passion for science and celebrating our students' hard work.
Sign up today to be a part of the team that talks to our elementary students about their amazing projects and shows support for their efforts to demonstrate the scientific method.
Parents are welcome to come view all the projects from 4 - 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, at BFA.
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Congratulations to all the students who were chosen to participate in the Douglas County School District (DCSD) Visual Arts Show! Artwork from approximately 30 BFA students was displayed at the show. We are proud of all our talented artists, and want to give special recognition to the following award recipients:
Sydney Caldera, Eighth Grade, Second Place for Photography
Max Morris, Eighth Grade, Honorable Mention for Photography
Philip Vessa, Eighth Grade, Best of Show
Julie Jurkowski and
Rowan Dwyer, Artwork Purchased
Ryan Fletemeyer, Fourth Grade, First Place - Air Academy Federal Credit Union Awards
Tuhin Sur, Fifth Grade, First Place - Air Academy Federal Credit Union Awards
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ROCKIES SPIRIT DAY TOMORROW
To celebrate the Rockies first home game of the season, tomorrow, April 7, students can wear a Rockies (or any sports team) T-shirt or jersey. Students may wear a sports team jersey/shirt, along with their regular, uniform bottoms.
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VOLUNTEER QUOTA AWARD WINNERS
Congratulations Mary and Jason Vansyoc, the recipients for the Volunteer Quota Award parking spot for the month of April. Please do not park in this (or any) designated spot because they earned it by completing their required 30-hour volunteer requirement.
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INTERESTED IN GETTING MORE INVOLVED NEXT SCHOOL YEAR?
The Community Events Committee (CEC) is looking for new members for next school year. They are a small, very fun group that hosts three morning events along with One Act of Kindness (OAK) parties and our Veteran's day activities. Supporting the CEC is a fantastic way to earn volunteer hours and meet other BFA parents! Email them if you are interested in learning more.
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REGISTER TODAY FOR THE AFTER SCHOOL STEM CLUB
Does your student love science?
Beginning April 10, Mrs. Lewicki will be offering a STEM club on Mondays from 4-5 p.m. for six weeks. This club is for students in grades 3-5 who are science lovers, mathematicians and/or kids who just love to build and experiment. They will be studying the science of centripetal force by making spinners, inertia by making pendulums and friction by creating marble runways. Every
Monday
is sure to be packed full of scientific exploration and fun. The cost for the club is $60, and spots are limited.
Register today or
email
Mrs. Lewicki
if you have any questions.
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A FEW SLOTS LEFT FOR LAST PARENTS NIGHT OUT OF THE YEAR!
There are still spaces left for the Pirates and Princesses Costume Pizza Night which will be held from 6:30 - 9 p.m. on Friday, April 7, at BFA! This exciting event is for BFA students in preschool through fifth grade, and tickets are only $10. There are games and activities for kids of all ages, and each student will receive one piece of pizza and one drink. Extra slices of pizza and concessions will be available for a minimal cost. Costumes are optional so kiddos can come in their jammies, or they are welcome to wear their favorite pirate or princess costume. If you can't drop off right at 6:30 p.m. due to a prior commitment, you are still welcome to attend--just let us know you'll be arriving late. Sign up for this FUN event today! All proceeds of this event benefit the middle school Disneyland Choir trip. Click here for more information.
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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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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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HELP PLAN NEXT SCHOOL YEAR'S BASH
The PTO is beginning to plan for next school year's major fundraiser, the BENef
it Bash. The Bash is a fun event that brings our community together to raise money for our school.
The last BENefit Bash was an overwhelming success with more than $86,000 (gross) raised. The PTO needs your help to ensure the continued success of this important event so please take a few moments to review this flier
.
There are many volunteer opportunities available with a range of responsibilities--both during the planning phases and for the night of the event.
Email
the PTO to let them know if there is a committee that interests you.
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BEN'S BRIGADE NEW LOGO
SAVE THE DATE FOR SPRING PICNIC
Be on the lookout around school for Ben's Brigade members wearing T-shirts with the group's newly created logo. Among their many volunteer activities, they'll soon be hosting two Ben's Brigade carpool events.
Ben's Brigade will hold its
First Annual Park/Picnic Outing from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, 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 meetings will be held from 6 - 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12, at Parker Core Knowledge (11661 Pine Drive) and 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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TYLENOL PROTOCOL 2016-17
Following are BFA's procedures regarding the administration of Tylenol and/or acetaminophen.
- Tylenol cannot be administered from the Health Office without a medical order from the doctor, signed by both the doctor and a parent.
- MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8) can carry a ONE DAY supply of an over-the-counter pain reliever (Tylenol/Ibuprofen) in its original packaging. Please do not send in large bottles of the medication.
FEVER
If a student has had a fever of 100 degrees or more, they can only return to school after being fever free (without the use of any fever reducing medicine) for 24 hours.
ESSENTIAL OIL POLICY
Per Douglas County School District, no essential oils or homeopathic remedies can be administered by our Health Room staff or be carried by students. Please use these at home only. The oils may cause allergic reactions to other students or staff.
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GET YOUR DCSD DISCOUNTED TICKETS
DCSD Appreciation Day with the Colorado Rockies
(vs. LA Dodgers) -
OPENING WEEKEND!!
Sunday, April 9, at 1:10 p.m.
Coors Field
2001 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205
$16 upper level, $24 lower level
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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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 the school 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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VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL
For April, the PTO has chosen Anna West. Anna and her husband Bill
happily just celebrated their 16th anniversary. They have four great kids: Rachel, a sophomore at TRHS and BFA alumni, Kaden, seventh grade, Brynna, fifth grade, and Annika, Kindergarten. Anna calls herself "a mom first" and is lucky enough to be able to offer massage therapy during her downtime. Anna and Bill believe strongly in supporting not only their kids (and their various activities) but in serving their community, as well. Anna enjoys serving our veterans through the U.S. Marine Corps Auxiliary League. She loves reading, cooking and traveling when she has the time.
When asked what she loves about Ben Franklin Academy, Anna says, "we chose BFA for the high standards of education, the character building, and the use of technology. We stay because our children are thriving here."
Thank you, Anna, for all you do for BFA! Your volunteer efforts help all of our children thrive here.
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BFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTIONS
Voting by the Parent Voting Group for the two (2) open, elected seats will take place electronically
through Friday, April 7, at 11:59 p.m. MT
. Each family within the Parent Voting Group can vote for one candidate for each available elected seat.
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LAST DAY - BFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTIONS
Voting by the Parent Voting Group for the two (2) open, elected seats will take place electronically
through Friday, April 7, at 11:59 p.m. MT
. Each family within the Parent Voting Group can vote for one candidate for each available elected seat.
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ROCKIES SPIRIT DAY
To celebrate the Rockies first home game of the season, tomorrow, April 7, students can wear a Rockies (or any sports team) T-shirt or jersey. Students may wear a sports team jersey/shirt, along with their regular, uniform bottoms.
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PIRATE AND PRINCESS PIZZA COSTUME PARTY
Students are excited to participate in the Pirates and Princesses Costume Pizza Night from 6:30 - 9 p.m. on Friday, April 7, at BFA! This event is for BFA students in preschool through fifth grade, and tickets are only $10. There are games and activities for kids of all ages, and each student will receive one piece of pizza and one drink.
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FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
The Finance Committee is meeting from 5 - 6 p.m. on Monday, April 10, in the BFA Library.
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ELEMENTARY SCIENCE FAIR
The Science Fair encourages kids to experiment and ignites their passion for science. We can't wait to see the results of all their hard work. Parents are welcome to come view all the projects from 4 - 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, at BFA.
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BOARD MEETING
The BFA Board of Directors is meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, in the BFA Library. All are welcome to attend.
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BFA FOUNDATION MEETING
Immediately following the Board meeting, the BFA Foundation will be meeting on Tuesday, April 11, in the BFA Library.
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ELEMENTARY SCIENCE FAIR
The Elementary Science Fair continues Wednesday, April 12, for grades K-2, third and fifth.
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NEW FAMILY ORIENTATION
Orientation for new students and incoming Kindergartners will be held from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12, in the large BFA Gym.
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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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