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| Vol. 7, Iss. 34 |
November 16, 2017
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Each year the Douglas County Educational Foundation (DCEF) asks parents and students throughout the district to nominate teachers and support staff for the coveted
Apple Awards. Nominees receive a certificate and recognition at the school level. Then, the school chooses two of the nominees to represent the school at the District awards ceremony, where they have the opportunity to win Teacher of the Year, Classified Staff of the Year, or Administrator of the Year.
While I am off next week, enjoying time with my family and reflecting on all I have to be thankful for, I also will be spending some time nominating staff who are so deserving of acknowledgement.
I encourage all of you to do the same--take a few minutes out of your day and nominate your favorite BFA teachers and staff for these prestigious awards. The best nominations are the ones that come from students. This would be a great 'giving thanks' family activity to work on together during Thanksgiving week!
Click here for the link to submit nominations--all nominations are due by Friday, Dec. 22.
I wish you all a safe journey wherever the break takes you, and hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving week full of family, food and fun! See you back here on Monday, Nov. 27!
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There is no school next week for Thanksgiving Break. We hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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It's hard to believe, but you've made it through the first trimester! Report cards will be available on Gradelink later today.
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Dress of Choice day is tomorrow, Nov. 17, for students who have not had two uniform violations since the last Dress of Choice Day.
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RED LIGHTNING IS READY FOR THE FRUIT TOSS EVENT AT BFA
The
Fruit Toss Club will be showing off their
"Red Lightning" trebuchet for the school from 12:30 - 2:45 p.m. tomorrow, Nov. 17, at BFA. Students in afternoon Kindergarten through eighth grade will have the opportunity to come see the fruit toss machine in action and some lucky students will get hands on experience in the mechanics of making fruit fly!
The Fruit Toss Club could use your help on two fronts:
- Fruit Donations - Thanks to Jerry Flickinger and Home Depot we received a donation of 42 pumpkins, and we've purchased 22 more; however, we'd like some additional pumpkins because the more we have, the more we can toss! We have a blue bin in the lobby for donations of SMALL pumpkins or other fruit (4 pounds or less) to toss.
- Volunteers - Please sign up to help with the event. We have slots for setup, event help, and cleanup.
Thank you for your support!
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PARTICIPATE IN VIRTUE AWARENESS BOOKMARK COMPETITION, DEADLINE EXTENDED TO NOV. 17
Tomorrow is your student's last chance to design a bookmark using the theme of BFA's 13 Virtues. As part of the
Parent Teacher Organization's Virtue Awareness Program, they are asking kids to create colorful bookmarks highlighting one of Ben Franklin's 13 Virtues.
Enter the bookmark contest TODAY for a chance to have your student's artwork printed and distributed to all students. One elementary and one middle school winner will be chosen and the winners will have their design professionally printed as either a bookmark or poster.
All entries are to be submitted to the collection box in the Dana Library by Nov. 17. Please
email
Jodi Watson with any questions.
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TEACHER AND STAFF GIFT-GIVING IS CHANGING THIS YEAR
In lieu of room parents collecting voluntary donations for teacher class gifts, BFA's PTO has elected to participate in a new gift program for the entire staff this holiday season. Look in your student's Thursday folder today for details about this wonderful program called SCRIP. Parents benefit because this program streamlines the giving process--you simply write one check (or give cash) and indicate how it should be distributed. Teachers benefit because they have more than a hundred gift cards from which to choose.
In addition, because the SCRIP program gets a bulk discount from the gift cards they purchase, they are able to give the school back a portion of the money gifted, without taking funds from any staff member's gift.
Click here for a link to the order form (it also will be distributed in Thursday folders after Thanksgiving); and turn it in using the new, red lockbox at school or wait until afternoon carpool on Dec. 5 and 6 when volunteers will be collecting donations. The last day to collect donations is Dec. 8 so teachers will have time to select their gift. Room parents or another representative will hand out the gift(s) during the holiday parties.
If you have questions about the program,
email
Rachelle Calahan, SCRIP Coordinator.
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ULTIMATE SPIRIT NIGHT, HOLIDAY EDITION
Get your holiday shopping started on
Wednesday, Dec. 6, at Aspen Grove (7301 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton). Grab dinner at
Rice Bistro and Sushi, stop in for dessert at
Cold Stone Creamery, and pick up some books at
Tattered Cover. You don't have to go to all three places to participate, rather choose what works best for your family.
Your support is appreciated--just be sure to mention BFA when you're there!
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USED UNIFORM SALE, DEC. 9
Have your kids had a growth spurt or do you just need some new uniforms? If so,
mark your calendars for the upcoming Used Uniform Sale from 9 - 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, in the Lightning Gym.
If you would like to sell your uniforms, please be sure your items are tagged and brought to the school with the inventory form
no later than Thursday, Dec. 7.
Please follow the tagging instructions and complete the inventory form
. It is important to note that no items will be held after the sale, so you will need to pick up any unsold items. Information about unsold item pickup times and locations will be sent out after the sale.
If you would like to shop at the uniform sale, please note that we only accept cash or check. We have uniforms in all sizes and genders, so be sure to check it out!
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We need two volunteers to help out with Physical Education for third, fourth, and fifth grade classes during the next few weeks. The students will be using the climbing wall and we need
one volunteer to help put harnesses on students and one volunteer to help monitor the other students in a group game. No experience necessary for our harness volunteers--we'll train you on how to properly secure and adjust the harness to ensure the safety of our students.
Please sign up TODAY for this fun volunteer opportunity. If you have any questions please
email
Mrs. Bauer.
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JOIN US FOR THE PTO MEETING TONIGHT
The next monthly
PTO meeting is from 6:30 - 8 p.m. tonight, Nov. 16, in the Sanders Science Lab. Come learn about PTO activities, get connected, and get some volunteer hours! Whether you want to volunteer a little or a lot, we've got a role for you. Everyone is welcome.
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DECEMBER PARENTS NIGHT OUT
Make plans now to attend the next
Parents Night Out on Friday, Dec. 1. The eighth graders going to Washington, D.C. are raising money for their trip, and will entertain BFA students from
6 - 9 p.m. for only $10 per child.
The SignUpGenius is coming soon but if you have questions in the mean time, please email Erin Fierro, D.C. Fundraising Committee Manager.
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COUPON BOOKS ARE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT!
Giving a loved one a coupon for local favorites like Pierre Michele French Bakery, Indulge, Mici's, Cuba Cuba, Cold Stone, Honey Baked Ham, Gigi's, Timbuk Toys, Arts on Fire, Pirates Cove, Dart Warz and Junglequest is a REAL TREAT!
Coupon books are only $35 each and is a gift that you or a loved one can use all year! 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!
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ONLY ONE TOUR LEFT THIS SCHOOL YEAR
Parents interested in joining the BFA family have one week left to tour the school. The last tour this school year is Nov. 29. The tour begins at 9 a.m. 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.
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SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES FOR THE 2017-18 YEARBOOK!
We need your help with pictures for the yearbook! We
need more candid pictures, especially of elementary students--including past events such as Harvest Festival, after school activities, middle school sports, field trips etc.
Earn some volunteer time and click here to upload photos. The code is 'yearbook2018.'
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DOUGLAS COUNTY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION EVENTS
Community Events with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts
has several discounted opportunities available from now through December for our community.
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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.
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Join the PTO at their monthly meeting from 6:30 - 8 p.m. tonight, Nov. 16, in the Sanders Science Lab. All are welcome!
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Dress of Choice day is Friday, Nov. 17, for students who have not had two uniform violations since the last Dress of Choice Day.
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The
Fruit Toss Club will be showing off their
"Red Lightning" trebuchet for the school from 12:30 - 2:45 p.m. tomorrow, Nov. 17, at BFA. Students in afternoon Kindergarten through eighth grade will have the opportunity to come see the fruit toss machine in action and some lucky students will get hands on experience in the mechanics of making fruit fly!
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Thanksgiving Break is from Nov 20 - 24. We hope you enjoy the holiday and time with family and friends.
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SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE
The School Accountability Committee (SAC) is meeting from 4:10 - 5:10 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30, in the BFA Conference Room.
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The All BFA Dads are welcome to stop by the Ben's Brigade meeting from 8 - 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Starbucks inside the Super Target (1265 Sergeant Jon Stiles Dr, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129).
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Make plans to sign up for the Parents Night Out from 6 - 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, in the Lightning Gym. All BFA students are welcome to attend, and the cost is $10 per child.
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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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