 |
| Vol. 7, Iss. 37 |
December 14, 2017
|
|
Dear Parents,
Last year, when we added our "STEAM" wing, I knew that our outstanding Arts Programming would just blossom in their new space. I have not been disappointed! A highlight of my weekly tours for prospective parents is to show off what our students are accomplishing in art and music. The artwork in our hallways has taken on a new shine and continues to awe me. In the last week alone, I have attended a ukulele concert as well as outstanding musical performances including "Flakes," "Elf Jr." and "A Bear-y Merry Holiday." It is so much fun to watch the students performing, and to see them learn how to use the lights and manage sound for the stage.
Our Arts Program needs the help of our BFA community to continue providing amazing opportunities for our students, so we are creating the 'A-Team.'
The A-Team will be the parent support group for the performing and visual arts department at Ben Franklin Academy. Ali Hinkle and Jaime Johnson invest themselves tirelessly in the development of our students who, in turn, inspire and entertain us through their artistic, musical and dramatic talents. The vision of these teachers is to perpetually raise the bar in quality and level of participation. In today's educational climate, it takes parents who share this vision to support the efforts of these teachers.
We're here to help Ms. Johnson and Mrs. Hinkle and we need YOUR help too! Specifically, we are looking for the following:
Room Parents
- This role involves coordinating other parents to help with performance set up or art hanging, etc.
Costumers-
We need parents with either sewing skills OR 'thrifty shopping skills' to help Ms. Johnson make and/or find costumes for the middle school musical.
Set Building-
If you have woodworking, construction or set building skills, we'd appreciate your help with building sets for various performances.
Performing and Visual Arts Liaison-
This role is for anyone who wants to support music and art at BFA. These opportunities do not require artistic or musical skills. They might include: art room help, art display, green room parent, organizing meals for performers, fundraising (Disneyland trip), special events (poppies for Veterans Day or Talent Show), etc.
If you can help or would like more information, please click on this link. This will help our staff develop a "wish list" of parent volunteers who have a passion for the arts!
As always, thank you for your continued support of all we do here at BFA.
|
WE CONCLUDE...SCIENCE FAIR ROCKS!
The BFA seventh grade science fair was last Friday, Dec. 8, and our seventh graders did a fantastic job on their projects! Thank you to the volunteers who helped judge the fair. Congratulations to the students listed below who have been invited to participate in the Denver Regional Science Fair on Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Auraria Campus. Good job thinking like a scientist!
|
Aaditya Bahl
|
Piper Bostley
|
Dominick Marchetti
|
Farrah Onvani
|
|
Ty Barwind
|
Maxwell Hatfield
|
Sahithi Mathukumilli
|
Allison Pines
|
|
Elliot Baugh
|
Ella Keen
|
Owen Miller
|
Sreehitha Sajja
|
|
Paxton Becker
|
Mary Kodenkandath
|
Sydney Monday
|
Josephine Shuler
|
|
Sophia Bettis
|
Lauren Koeniger
|
Laynie Morris
|
Samantha Stratton
|
|
BOYS BASKETBALL TEAMS COMPETING IN SEMI-FINALS
Congratulations to the boys basketball teams for a terrific season!
Both A and B teams will play in the semi-finals on Saturday, Dec. 16, at SkyView Academy. The A team will play Southeast Christian from 9 - 10 a.m.; B team plays Platte River Academy at 10 a.m. If the teams win, they'll move on to the finals beginning at 11 a.m.
Good luck gentlemen!
|
APPLE AWARD NOMINATIONS DUE NEXT WEEK
As you think about ways to
demonstrate your appreciation to your student's teachers and support staff this holiday season, consider nominating him/her for an
Apple Award.
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.
Please take a few minutes out of your day and nominate your favorite BFA teachers and staff for these prestigious awards. Click
here for the link to submit nominations--all nominations are due by Friday, Dec. 22.
|
PRESCHOOL ENROLLMENT OPEN FOR BFA FAMILIES
Are you interested in a preschool that uses the Core Knowledge Sequence along with a nurturing environment and individualized instruction to ensure your little one is ready for Kindergarten? If so, we hope you'll consider the BFA preschool!
Preschool enrollment is now open to current BFA families. To enroll, please complete the Intent to Enroll form by Friday, Dec 22. Please note that preschool slots are available on a first come, first served basis and spots do fill quickly. Enrollment will open to the public on Jan 17. For more information,
email our Preschool Director,
Kristen Goldberg.
|
IMPORTANT NEWS FOR BASE FAMILIES
Beginning Jan. 1, 2018, we will be moving to MANDATORY automated payments for ALL BASE accounts. If you are not already set up for automated payments, please complete the
Tuition Express Authorization form and return it to BASE staff as soon as possible.
Accounts that do not have an authorization form in place by Monday, Jan. 8, (the day after break) will be charged an administrative fee of $25 per weekly billing cycle.
|
It's the season of giving, and the BFA middle school Student Council is excited to support
Ronald McDonald House Charities as their philanthropy project for the fall/winter. Ronald McDonald House provides a loving and low cost 'home away from home' for families needing to be near their seriously ill or injured children while they are being treated at one of our area hospitals.
Student Council's project has two parts:
- Collection of cleaning and kitchen supplies (now through Jan. 12), and
- A soda can pop-tab collection competition between homerooms/advisory classes (now through Feb. 23).
Please see this
flier for specific product needs and collection details.
Please show your support for the Student Council's efforts in helping this worthy charity! Collection boxes are located in the lobby.
|
ALL ARE WELCOME AT TONIGHT'S PTO MEETING/HOLIDAY SOCIAL
You're invited to join the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Committee beginning at
6:30 p.m. TONIGHT, Dec. 14, for a festive meeting/social and gift exchange!
They will meet in the Sanders Science Lab at BFA, get business out of the way, enjoy a catered meal, and then head over to Max Taps (
2680 E County Line Rd., Suite A) for a gift exchange/holiday social.
Please RSVP NOW, so they have enough food for all. If participating in the gift exchange, please bring a wrapped $20 gift.
|
PE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY TOMORROW
If you have time tomorrow morning,
Ms. Rooney, Mrs. Van Wyk and Ms. Lindgren's classes still need volunteers.
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
.
|
PARENTS NIGHT OUT THIS FRIDAY
Make plans now for your students to attend the next
Parents Night Out held this Friday, Dec. 15
.
This event is a fundraiser for students who plan to enroll in the Disneyland Choir elective.
At this Parents Night Out, kids will play games, participate in activities and watch a movie from
6 - 9 p.m. for only $10 per child while you shop or enjoy a well-deserved night out. They will offer popcorn and water, and concessions will be available for purchase.
Sign up today!
|
LOST AND FOUND WILL BE DONATED SOON
The jackets, sweatshirts, school shirts, water bottles and books are starting to pile up in the Lost and Found.
Please check to see if you are missing something--there's a good chance it's in the Lost and Found! We'll donate all remaining items very soon.
Also, remember to put your last name inside jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts and on your student's water bottle. We will check for a name before we donate an item.
|
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL AT SKATE CITY
Middle school students are invited to a winter social! BFA's Student Council has organized a Winter Wonderland roller skating event from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Skate City (5801 S Lowell Way). This is a private event and is for BFA middle school students only. Admission is $5, traditional skates are $2.50 and there are food specials available. See the
flier for more details.
|
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!
|
DCEF DISCOUNT EVENT TICKETS
Interested in the National Western Stock Show? The Foundation for Douglas County Schools has your discount tickets! BFA families can click on the Stock Show link and use the promo code DOUGCO.
Community Events with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts
has several discounted opportunities available from now through December for our community.
|
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.
|
MIDDLE SCHOOL CHARITY WEEK
The BFA middle school
Student Council is excited to support Ronald McDonald House Charities as their philanthropy project for the fall/winter. Student Council's project has two parts: collection of cleaning and kitchen supplies (
now through Jan. 12), and a soda can pop-tab collection competition between homerooms/advisory classes (
now through Feb. 23).
|
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
BFA's Finance Committee is meeting from 5 - 7 p.m. tonight, Dec. 14, in the Dana Library.
|
PTO MEETING/HOLIDAY SOCIAL
The
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Committee meeting/holiday social begins at 6:30 p.m. tonight, Dec. 14.
Join them in the Sanders Science Lab for dinner and a meeting, then head over to Max Taps (
2680 E County Line Rd., Suite A)
for a gift exchange/holiday social.
Please RSVP now!
|
DECEMBER PARENTS NIGHT OUT
The next
Parents Night Out is from 6 - 9 p.m. tomorrow, Dec. 15. at BFA.
For only $10 per child, kids will play games, participate in activities and watch a movie. They will offer popcorn and water, and concessions will be available for purchase.
|
BOYS BASKETBALL TEAMS COMPETING IN SEMI-FINALS
Both A and B teams will play in the
semi-finals on Saturday, Dec. 16, at SkyView Academy. The A team will play Southeast Christian from 9 - 10 a.m.; B team plays Platte River Academy at 10 a.m.
|
BFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
The BFA Board of Directors will meet from
5:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19, in the Dana Library. All are welcome to attend. If you cannot attend in person, you may call into the Board meeting using the number found at the top of the agenda.
|
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL AT SKATE CITY
BFA's Student Council has organized a Winter Wonderland roller skating event from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Skate City (5801 S Lowell Way). This is a private event for BFA middle school students only. Admission is $5, traditional skates are $2.50 and there are food specials available.
|
SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING
The School Accountability Committee (SAC) is meeting from 4:10 - 5:10 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, in the BFA Conference Room.
|
Friday, Dec. 22, is a Dress of Choice day for students who have not had two uniform violations since the last Dress of Choice day.
|
Students will celebrate the holidays on Friday, Dec. 22, during their holiday parties.
|
We hope you enjoy your Winter Break from Dec. 25 - Jan. 5. Students return to class on Monday, Jan. 8.
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
