 |
| Vol. 7, Iss. 29 |
October 5, 2017
|
|
Dear Parents,
The Parent Teacher Organization's primary fundraiser of the year, the BENefit Bash,
A Night at the Speakeasy, is quickly approaching. Although our school is in an excellent financial position, this fundraiser is important to the school because it allows us to provide meaningful enhancements over and above what our current year's budget might allow. In the past, PTO fundraising dollars have been used for playground equipment/improvements, books for the library and individual classrooms, technology and associated software, the climbing wall, building additions for lunchroom storage, music instruments, furniture, licenses/costumes for musical productions and athletic jerseys.
This year, the PTO hopes to raise money to fund teacher requests and provide an outdoor classroom for students. There are a number of ways to help ensure the BENefit Bash is successful--everything from volunteering to procure items or decorate baskets, to donating a social or attending the event itself. I hope you will consider participating in whatever way works best for your family.
Get Your Tickets to
A Night at the Speakeasy!
The Ben Franklin Academy PTO is excited to invite you to the 2017 BENefit Bash, A Night at the Speakeasy, on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Vehicle Vault (18301 Lincoln Meadows Parkway, Parker). This event includes hors d'oeuvres, a plated three-course dinner, silent and live auctions (Live Auction by: Greg & Pam Johnson of Ascend Auctions, BFA Grandparents), as well as the opportunit
y to view a museum collection of rare and exotic automobiles.
Tickets are $50 per person, and are ON SALE NOW! Get your tickets today, before prices go up on Friday, Oct. 13!
Volunteer
Contact Serena Grissom and
Rachael Hamburger, PTO Fundraising Coordinators to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
Email Shele Steel, BENEfit Bash Procurement Committee Manager, to help with procurement.
Donate
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.
Donate a Spectacular Social - Last Day to Sign Up is Today!
Sign up to host/sponsor a fun party or social event, invite as many people as you want, set a per-person fee to attend the event, and donate all the proceeds to BFA. This will help raise money for the school, and it's FUN!
Sign up today, Oct. 5, to host or sponsor an event. If you have questions, please
email Sabina Boeckman.
Consider becoming a Sponsor
The PTO is proud to offer many opportunities, in a range of price points, to support our school through your sponsorship.
For details on the available sponsorship options, including Field Day and the upcoming BENefit Bash, click here to review the flier. If you are interested in a sponsorship, please
email
Denise Battista, Sponsorship Coordinator, with your desired sponsorship. All sponsorship offerings are first come, first served in the order received via email. To be included in the BENefit Bash catalog and/or yard signs, sponsorship payments must be received no later than Monday, Oct. 16. Please send your catalog advertisement and logos in print-ready format (high resolution JPEG, PDF, PNG, or TIF).
Questions?
If you've never been to the BENefit Bash, the PTO put together a Frequently Asked Questions document that answers all sorts of questions, such as what your ticket price covers and what you should wear. Find answers to these and more on the PTO Committee Page or email the PTO.
If you're not able to attend the Bash, but would like to make a donation to the school, visit the BFA PTO store and click 'Donate!'
Thanks for your support of this important event!
|
There is no school on Friday, Oct. 6, as it is a comp day, and we'll be off school for Fall Break Oct. 9 - 13. We hope you have a great break, and we look forward to seeing our students again on Oct. 16.
|
OPEN ENROLLMENT OPEN FOR CURRENT FAMILIES
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.
|
If you measure how much BFA students enjoyed the STEAM Expo by smiles and noise level, then this year was a smashing success! There were 28 stations, eight of which were focused on the Arts, and our Fruit Toss Club displayed their trebuchet. A HUGE THANK YOU to the 45 parents and family members who volunteered to help with the event.
This is the first time we added the "A" to transform our
STEM
Expo into a STEAM Expo. The integration of the "A" encourages our students to explore the Arts, which fosters creativity in all subject areas. This is also the first time we've had HawkQuest at the Expo--thank you to the BFA PTO for making that happen.
Seeing a Falcon, Owl, and Bald Eagle was a huge treat!
Special thanks to the vendors who participated this year:
HawkQuest, Bear Creek Lake Park, Kodo Kids, National Park Service,Modular Robotics, United Launch Alliance, Colorado Code Club, Lockheed Martin, and Music & Arts.
The STEAM Expo is an ALL volunteer driven event, and it takes hundreds of combined volunteer hours to produce this event. And a huge thanks to our planning committee and station leaders that made this event possible: Tobi Anderson, Trent Adams, Summer Allen, Elizabeth Billups, Annie Burt, Rachelle Callahan, Marty Denham, Dee Duncan, Jonathan Feifarek, Toby Foss, Dylan Gregory, Vince Molieri, Rachel Molieri, Monica Metz, Kristi Morris, Alaina Reilly, Stephanie Ortiz, Kimberly Pellegrino, Ram Sajja, Abhi Sur, Emily Ward and Michelle Ziegler.
|
BFA PARTICIPATES IN PUNKIN CHUNKIN THIS WEEKEND
Come watch the
BFA STEAM Fruit Toss Club (the Ben Franklin Bolts) compete in the Punkin Chunkin Colorado competition this weekend
(
Oct 7-8) at the Aurora Fairgrounds. They have been working hard to build Red Lightning, their trebuchet for the event!
They are competing in the Youth category for accuracy (sending pumpkins 100 - 300 ft), starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7, and shooting once an hour until 4 p.m. They also compete from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8. Tickets are $5/day for those 5 and up, and there will be other
activities, such as live music, face painting, pony rides, crafts, a pumpkin patch and blow-up corn maze. Come cheer on the Ben Franklin Bolts!
|
SADDLE UP PARTNER, AND GET READY FOR THE FINAL DAY OF THE FALL BOOK FAIR
BFA's Scholastic Book Fair will be held through today, Oct. 5, in conjunction with Parent-Teacher conferences:
- Thursday, Oct. 5 - 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Please remember the front office is closed from 3 - 4 p.m. each day to help with carpool.
|
LAST CALL FOR SPIRIT WEAR AT PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES TONIGHT!
The PTO will be selling spirit wear, including the desktop calendars, from 5-7 p.m. TONIGHT at parent teacher conferences. After Oct. 31, the online store will be closed until the spring. So...this is the last call for spirit wear! Please note we can only accept cash or check payments in person but can accept credit cards through the BFA online store.
|
COUPON BOOKS AVAILABLE AT CONFERENCES
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, please look for
students selling them in the main hallway at parent teacher conferences, or
email Erin Fierro, D.C. Fundraising Committee Manager.
Hurry and get these valuable coupon books today before they're all gone!
|
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 November 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!
|
LET'S RECOGNIZE OUR VETERANS!
It's time to start getting excited about BFA's annual Veterans Day celebration! Here's how you can get involved:
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 upload these pictures to the BFA website by clicking
here. Please upload your photos by Friday, Oct. 20, to be included in the slide show.
Assembly Programs and Veterans Reception
Military veterans and BFA parents are welcome to join us at our Veterans Day assembly programs on Friday, Nov. 10 at 8:30 a.m. and 10:20 a.m. A reception will be held for veterans in between the two assemblies in the hallway outside the big gym. Please invite the veterans in your family or neighborhood to attend - it is great for BFA students to be able to honor these veterans at school! And, please mark your calendars and plan to attend, as the more parents and families we have there to honor the veterans, the more meaningful the assemblies will be.
Veterans Wall of Honor
Families who would like to
submit information sheets about loved ones who are veterans can download the form
here (look under the Veterans Day tab) and return it to school.
Donations on Behalf of Military Families
From Nov. 1-10, we will be collecting
dental care items, cards, and unused Halloween candy to send to those serving our country through
Operation Gratitude.
More details will follow in the coming weeks, but start making plans now to join in the celebration!
|
DIRECTORY ON TAP AVAILABLE SOON
Your online BFA directory will be available soon. You should receive an individual email 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 can also email or call other BFA families directly through the app.
Look for your email, and get started using Directory on Tap! Email Directory on Tap with questions.
|
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.
|
PUT AWAY THE CROCKPOT AND JOIN US FOR DINNER
Make dinner a selfless act, and join us for a fundraiser to support Ben Franklin Academy. The BFA PTO's next Spirit Night will be held from 5 - 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Chipotle (2209 W Wildcat Reserve Pkwy Unit E1A in Highlands Ranch). With your help, this will be an incredible fundraiser as Chipotle will donate 50 percent of the proceeds to BFA!
|
BOX TOPS COLLECTION DAY, OCT. 18
The next Box Tops collection day is Wednesday, Oct. 18, so let's get clipping. Every Box Top counts - we've already raised more than $400 this year! Thank you to everyone who sent in Box Tops in September. Let's do it again!
|
All BFA Moms are cordially invited to attend the PTO-hosted
Mom's Night Out from
5:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at C.B. & Potts (43 West Centennial Blvd., Highlands Ranch, CO 80126). Bring a friend and join us for an evening 'off' to relax and enjoy amazing company. Appetizers will be provided by the PTO.
Please RSVP to let us know you're coming.
|
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. Whether you want to volunteer a little or a lot, we've got a role for you. Everyone is welcome!
|
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 Oct. 11 and 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.
|
YEARBOOKS AVAILABLE AT INTRODUCTORY PRICE
If you did not purchase your yearbook during registration, you can still get yours today at
Yearbook Forever
for the introductory price of $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. There will also be two alternate nights 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.
|
The Parent Teacher Organization highlights a volunteer 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 or parking in the reserved volunteer of the month parking space.
|
|
|
|
For the month of October, the PTO has chosen Mike and Shele Steel as our volunteers of the month. They've both taken on roles with the Landsharks programs - Mike as head coach of the BFA team and Shele as Site Director for Douglas County. Additionally, Shele has been leading the procurement team for the BENefit Bash. And, last but not least, their company, MTN, INC, generously donated the labor to install the Pathway to Learning bricks last summer.
Shele is a Colorado native and Mike is from Alaska but have lived in Colorado for almost 30 years. They have four children--Corrie who is in junior in college in Chicago, Ben, a freshman in college in Colorado, Elise in fifth grade, and Lilly in third grade at BFA. This is their fifth year at BFA. They love to be with their family and go on hikes, ski, snowboard and snowshoe together. They also love to go on vacation, picking a new place each year so that their kids can be exposed to, and learn about as many different cultures as possible.
When asked to describe what makes Ben Franklin Academy special to them, Shele replied, "The day I stepped foot into BFA and the people knew my name right away we thought the school was unlike any other. The caring and compassion that comes from all of the staff is above and beyond. We are proud to be a part of this school community."
Congratulations, Mike and Shele! Thank you for all you do for our school.
|
BFA's Scholastic Book Fair will be held Monday, Oct. 2, through Thursday, Oct. 5, in conjunction with Parent-Teacher conferences:
- Monday, Oct. 2, and Wednesday, Oct. 4 - 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct 3, and Thursday, Oct. 5 - 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Please remember the front office is closed from 3 - 4 p.m. each day to help with carpool.
|
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, Oct. 5. Parents of kids in grades K-4 should have signed up for a time with their student's teacher; fifth grade will offer drop in conferences in Middle School Commons and middle school teachers will be in the Thunder Gym. Conferences generally run from 4:15 - 8 p.m. with a half hour break for dinner from 5:30 - 6 p.m. Please note, if your 5-8 grade teacher is not back in the Commons/Gym by 6 p.m., it may be because they were delayed in going to dinner.
|
There is no school on Friday, Oct. 6, as it is a comp day, and we'll be off school for Fall Break Oct. 9 - 13.
|
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
The Finance Committee is meeting from
5 - 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, in the Shelly Dana Library.
|
PRESCHOOL PICTURE RETAKE AND VISION SCREENING
Picture retake and vision screening for preschool students is from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, and Wednesday, Oct. 18.
|
The BFA PTO's next Spirit Night will be held from 5 - 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Chipotle (2209 W Wildcat Reserve Pkwy Unit E1A in Highlands Ranch).
|
BFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
The BFA Board of Directors will meet beginning at 5:30 p.m. on
Tuesday, Oct. 17, in the Shelly Dana Library. Did you know you can attend the meeting in person or call in and listen? The dial in number and participant code is posted on the agenda.
|
PRESCHOOL PICTURE RETAKE AND VISION SCREENING
Picture retake and vision screening for preschool students is from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, and Wednesday, Oct. 18.
|
BOX TOPS COLLECTION DAY, OCT. 18
The next Box Tops collection day is Wednesday, Oct. 18, so please send in your clipped Box Tops in a small sealed baggie.
|
All BFA Moms are cordially invited to attend the PTO-hosted
Mom's Night Out from
5:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at C.B. & Potts (43 West Centennial Blvd., Highlands Ranch, CO 80126).
Please RSVP to let us know you're coming.
|
SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE MEETING
The DCSD School Board Charter Public Forum will be held at BFA on Thursday Oct. 19. There will be a candidate meet and greet at 6:15 p.m. and the forum begins at 7 p.m.
|
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.
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
