 |
| Vol. 7, Iss. 30 |
October 19, 2017
|
|
Dear Parents,
Congratulations to members of our Fruit Toss Club who recently competed in the Colorado Punkin Chunkin.
Elise and Nick Foss, Natalie Keillor, Kyra and Zoe Hochhalter, Aiden Murphy, Hunter Hagerman, Ethan Prutsman, Elijah Whittemore and Caden Anderson made up the
Ben Franklin Flyers who
won third place in the youth division for accuracy using their trebuchet,
Red Lightning. Their record distance was an amazing 239 feet!
The students set up their trebuchet on site, and had a blast launching pumpkins! They impressed their coaches, Matt Keillor and Toby Foss, as well as the attendees with how well they articulated their knowledge of the science and engineering involved in creating an accurate trebuchet.
For those of you who may not be familiar, the Punkin Chunkin Colorado pulls in competitors from all across the nation. Thousands of spectators attended this festival and enjoy concerts, pumpkin patches, vendors and, of course--the chunkers!
Congratulations again to BFA's team. We're very proud of you!
|
MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND CANDIDATE FORUM TONIGHT
There is an important School Board election coming up in Douglas County this November.
We are excited to host the last public candidate forum from 6 - 9 p.m. tonight, Oct. 19, in BFA's Thunder Gym. The candidates will answer specific questions relating directly to charter schools. Click
here to view the flier
. All are encouraged to come and learn more about these candidates.
|
TIME IS RUNNING OUT - CURRENT FAMILIES ENROLL TODAY!
BFA is now accepting
enrollment applications for the 2018-19 school year. If you are an existing family and wish to enroll a sibling of a currently enrolled student (grades K-8), please do the following:
- Submit an Enrollment Application form online by clicking here.
- Email Rachelle Patterson BFA registrar, by Tuesday, Oct. 31.
Important note: Applications received AFTER this deadline may not receive priority enrollment. Additionally, there also is a chance you may lose your spot all together.
|
PARENTS NIGHT OUT TOMORROW
The kids enjoyed Fall Break--now it's your turn for some fun! Join us for a Parents Night Out from 6 - 9 p.m. tomorrow, Oct. 20. Your kids will enjoy Halloween themed activities, crafts and games as well as a movie. Popcorn and water will be provided; concessions and pizza are available for purchase. The cost is $10 per child, and we need a minimum of 30 kids to host the event. This Parents Night Out is sponsored by the Disneyland Choir group.
Sign up
your kids today!
|
The next monthly PTO meeting is tonight, Oct. 19, in the Sanders Science Lab at 6:30 p.m. Come learn about what the PTO is working on, get connected, and earn volunteer hours just for attending! Whether you want to volunteer a little or a lot, we've got a role for you. Everyone is welcome.
|
LET'S RECOGNIZE OUR VETERANS!
Veterans Day is coming up, and it is the biggest community service event at BFA! Here's how you can join in the celebration:
Veterans Wall of Honor
Each year in the school's main hallway, we display pictures and stories from students about veterans close to their hearts to create the BFA Veterans Wall of Honor. Families can download the form from the BFA website, fill it out at home, and send it to school to be added to the Wall. If you have sent forms in during past years, there is no need to submit a new one as we have saved forms from past years.
Click here to download the form. Please DO NOT send original pictures. Forms will not be returned.
All flyers need to be at school by Thursday, Nov. 2.
We are collecting digital pictures of veterans for our annual slide show. The students always enjoy seeing their loved ones honored on the big screen at the assemblies!
You may email these pictures to the Community Events Committee (CEC). Please include the veteran's name, military branch, rank, and years served. Please
upload your photos by tomorrow, Oct. 20, to be included in the slide show.
Donations on Behalf of Military Families
From
Nov. 1-10, we will be collecting candy, cards, and dental care items to send to active service members overseas through
Operation Gratitude. They ask that we don't purchase candy to send, but rather donate unused Halloween candy. If you are in the position to purchase something for service members,
we also will be collecting individually wrapped toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash for our troops. Operation Gratitude encourages students to write letters/cards to the troops that they can include with the candy and dental hygiene items in care packages.
Please send in cards and letters for our service members! There will be donation boxes placed outside the front office.
Assembly Programs and Veterans Reception
The assemblies are the high point of our Veterans Day celebration!
Veterans and BFA families are invited to join us at our Veterans Day assembly programs in the Lightning Gym on Friday, Nov. 10:
- Grades K-4 will be held at 8:30 a.m.
- Grades 5-8 will be held at 10:20 a.m.
A
special reception will be held just for veterans in between the two assemblies in the hallway outside the gym.
Please invite the veterans in your life to come and be honored as we celebrate those who serve our country!
Veterans Day Volunteers
Veterans Day is the perfect time to volunteer, and we would love your help! Please take a look at the wide variety of opportunities and sign up
here or
here.
Veterans Day is always amazing at BFA--don't miss the chance to join in the celebration!
|
HELP MAKE THE BASH A SUCCESS--DONATE TODAY
The Benefit Bash is our BFA PTO's primary fundraiser this year. While last year's funds went toward playground improvements, this year
the PTO plans to raise money for teacher requests and an outdoor classroom. But, to ensure the Bash is a success,
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
We are still looking for all sorts of donations, including trips, condos and event tickets. If you'd like to make a donation,
email
Shele Steel, BENEfit Bash Procurement Committee Manager. If you're not able to attend the Bash, but would like to make a donation to the school, visit the
BFA Store, and click 'Donate!'
|
A Note from Ms. Johnson...
T
he middle school music program takes a trip to Disneyland to perform and participate in workshops every three years. The next trip will be in the 2019-20 school year. That means that the current fourth, fifth and sixth graders will be eligible for this trip. If you think your student would like to take the choir elective and go to Disneyland, you have the option to start fundraising now. This would give you three school years to raise money. Families that help with early fundraising will be allowed to apply to the trip a day early when registration opens. Please contact Ms. Johnson if you are interested in fundraising early and she will give you more information. Please note, if there isn't any interest in fundraising now from the families then fundraising won't start until the 2019-20 school year.
|
DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS SWELL EVENT!
Fellas and Flappers, Guys and Dolls, everyone will be at this swell event to raise some scratch for BFA. Join us Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Vehicle Vault for an auction, dinner, plenty of hooch and even a little jazz! This exciting event is the BFA PTO's primary fundraiser of the year, and we need all BFA families to get involved because this year's proceeds go toward teacher requests and an outdoor classroom!
Tickets are $55 per person, and are on sale NOW.
Order your tickets today to get your password to enter the speakeasy. Hurry--prices go up Saturday, Oct. 21!
Your ticket includes: hors d'oeuvres, a plated 3-course dinner (choice of either Apricot Chicken Roulade and Herb Crusted Petite Beef Shoulder Loin, or Stuffed Portobello Mushroom), silent and live auctions, as well as a special look at rare and exotic automobiles.
All are invited to get dolled up for this fun and exciting adults-only night out! Cocktail attire/business casual is recommended, but feel free to wear whatever makes you comfortable.
Feeling the '20's theme? Put on your pearls! 1920's attire is encouraged!
Questions?
Never been to a Bash? Have questions about what your ticket price covers and what we are raising money for? Find answers to these and other questions on the website or email the PTO.
|
THINKING ABOUT COMING TO THE BASH, BUT DON'T HAVE A SITTER?
The PTO is excited to share that
Kidstown will be providing childcare at a special rate for BFA Families on Nov. 11! BFA families pay
$5 per hour for the first child and $4 per hour for each additional child, plus they will waive new family registration fees. For more information about rates and the special party theme, please
call Kidstown at 720-344-2500. Thank you Kidstown!
|
2018-19 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
This week, BFA's Board of Directors approved the 2018-19 Academic Calendar. To view the calendar, click here or check the BFA website.
|
Your online BFA directory is available today!
You should have received an email yesterday from
[email protected] with instructions about how to access the directory from Directory on Tap, a free app for the iPhone, iPad and Android.
If you have not used this app in the past, please consider checking it out. It is a wonderful resource, as it contains each family's class roster and contact information, as well as the entire BFA directory. You also can email or call other BFA families directly from the app. Look for your email and get started using Directory on Tap today!
Please email Directory on Tap with any issues.
|
Ms. Johnson is looking for volunteers to sew costumes for the middle school musical,
Seussical,
Jr. Please
email her if you are interested in helping.
|
LAST CALL FOR SPIRIT WEAR
Still need to get your student spirit wear? You can purchase BFA spirit wear through the online store. But hurry--after Oct. 31, the online store will be closed until the spring.
|
WANT MORE REASONS TO COME TO THE BASH? DO YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING!
The auctions at the bash offer a great opportunity to do some holiday shopping, while supporting our school! We are thrilled to give you a sneak peek at some of this year's amazing auction items:
- Four Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Tickets
- Teacher experiences
- Gift cards for everyone in the family, including Woodhouse Day Spa
- Staycation packages
- Grade level book baskets featuring books recommended by our teachers
- Star Wars and Disney themed gift baskets
- Avalanche game tickets
Don't miss out on these and many more exciting auction items. There's something for everyone at the Bash.
|
SAVE MONEY AND SUPPORT OUR EIGHTH GRADERS
Get them while you still can--the eighth grade students still have coupon books available! They are $35 each and contain coupons to many local restaurants and businesses. The paper coupons can be used once, and with the app, you get the discount AGAIN with duplicate coupons. Also, this year your purchase includes a small card good for multiple uses at five businesses.
To purchase,
email Erin Fierro, D.C. Fundraising Committee Manager.
Hurry and get these valuable coupon books today before they're all gone!
|
SPREAD THE WORD - PROSPECTIVE PARENTS TOUR BFA
Parents interested in joining the BFA family are welcome to
tour the school Wednesdays in October and November. Tours begin at 9 a.m. each Wednesday (except Nov. 22) and will be lead by Principal Simpson. New families--all adults should
bring your driver's license and check in a few minutes before the tour is scheduled to begin.
|
If you did not purchase your yearbook during registration, you can still get yours today at
Yearbook Forever
for $26! Hurry before the price goes up!
If you have questions, contact Alissa Motazedi, PTO Yearbook Committee Chair.
|
DOUGLAS COUNTY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION EVENTS
Community Night with the Colorado Rapids vs. FC Dallas
Saturday, Oct. 7
, at 7 p.m.
Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Tickets $24 (reg. $32 - $65); Click here for a flier with more information.
Students eighth grade and under who purchase tickets will be given the opportunity to participate in the Halftime High 5 Squad and receive a FREE Rapids T-Shirt!
Community Events with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts
has several discounted opportunities available from now through December for our community.
Top selling schools will participate in special game day experiences. Keep in mind, this is the same night as the BENefit Bash, but there will also be two alternate nights, Nov. 17 and 30, available at a discounted ticket price.
|
WANT YOUR KIDDO TO HAVE THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER?
Send them a Birthday Bag!
Celebrating birthdays at BFA just got more fun! Order your child a Birthday Bag for just $10, and s/he will receive:
- A bag full of goodies such as erasers, pencils, bouncy balls, etc. (no food or candy will be in the bags);
- A birthday certificate good for a free bake sale item at the next bake sale;
- A personalized note from you, if requested; and
- A 'Happy Birthday' serenade by the eighth graders who deliver the bag to your student's classroom.
Did your child already celebrate their birthday or do they have a summer birthday?
We also will deliver "Un-birthday Bags" for students who have already celebrated their birthday, and "Half-birthday Bags" for summer birthdays.
You can purchase Birthday Bags online through the BFA Store.
|
SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE MEETING
The DCSD School Board Charter Public Forum will be held from 6 - 9 p.m. tonight, Oct. 19, in BFA's Thunder Gym.
|
JOIN US FOR THE NEXT PTO MEETING ON OCT. 19
The next monthly PTO meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, in the Sanders Science Lab.
|
Parents Night Out is from 6 - 9 p.m. tomorrow, Oct. 20.
Sign up
your kids today!
|
BFA's sixth graders are excited to attend outdoor education program Oct. 23-26, where they focus on working together as a team to achieve success and will have multiple opportunities to demonstrate leadership and self-reliance.
|
Travel back in time and join inquisitive archaeologists Taki and Tut, along with their fossil friend Lucy, as they explore the wonders of ancient civilization. From the farm laborers of early Mesopotamia and Egyptian mummies who "rap" to a chorus of ancient Greeks to Romulus and Remus who dream of building a great city, join us at
6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25, in the Thunder Gym to discover the archeological mysteries of the past.
|
There is a School Accountability Committee (SAC) meeting meeting from 4:10 - 5:10 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, in the BFA Conference Room.
|
Ben's Brigade will meet at
8 p.m. on Thursday Oct. 26 in the Starbucks inside the Super Target
(1265 Sergeant Jon Stiles Dr).
|
Ben Franklin Academy
2270 Plaza Drive
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 |
Fax: (303) 974-1738
|
|
|
Our mission is to create young adults with character like America's founding Renaissance man, Benjamin Franklin: well-read, scientifically curious, and civically engaged.
|
|
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.
|
|
Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Purity and Humility.
|
|
|
|
|
|
