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Vol. 9, Iss. 8
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Feb. 28, 2019
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Dear Parents,
It's fairly amazing what our directors, tech crew leads, volunteers and BFA students can accomplish in one trimester, as evidenced by those who were fortunate enough to see the fantastic performance of "Beauty and the Beast, Jr." last weekend. What many people don't realize is that these musical productions are completely student run by the kids who chose the tech theatre and theatre performance electives.
Our students had to be on their toes for this performance--with multiple costume changes, complicated hair and make-up, many sets to build/change, as well as characters singing in accents (and in one case, a mask!). A ton of volunteer time, organization and LOTS of practice went into the production, but it all paid off! Congratulations to our talented cast and crew, as Ms. Johnson stated, "Your passion and dedication were evident in every song and scene, and even every scene change!"
Special thanks to our directors, Jamie Johnson, LaCretia Gelley (Audience of One), and Brenda Bauer, as well as the leaders of our Tech Crew, Ali Hinkle and Laura Tickle. Thanks to Audience of One who allowed us to borrow costumes, and to the parents who helped sew, create, organize and wash the costumes. And, a big SHOUT OUT to all the parents who collected the props we could not make and created the sets--you did a fantastic job! Finally, thank you to our BFA PTO who continues to support the performing arts at BFA by paying for us to use the rights and purchase the scripts for our show each year.
I have seen many versions (professional, high school, middle school) of this show, as it is one of my personal favorite stories, and while I will admit that I am a little biased, this production was one of the best I have seen! The work and time that was spent were well worth the outstanding end product!
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR MATH CHAMPS
Congratulations to
Quinlan Smythe
(pictured) who received
Junior Honorable Mention
at the 27th University of Northern Colorado (UNC) Math Competition last month. Many of our BFA students competed against middle schools and high schools from around the state in late November.
Hansika Lakkireddy and Quinlan Smythe
made it to the final round in Greeley this January to compete against the other qualifying contestants ranging from grades 5-12, and
Quinlan was one of six other sixth graders to win a honorable mention award. Great job!
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BATTLE OF THE BOOKS TEAMS HEADED TO SEMI-FINALS
CONGRATULATIONS to both BFA Battle of the Books teams who
won this week in the Quarterfinals! We are so proud of all our team members. The fifth grade team beat Coyote Creek 56-40. The third/fourth grade team beat Northridge 53-48 in a very exciting bonus round.
Both teams will
compete in the semi-finals next Tuesday, March 5, at Southridge Recreational Center. The 3/4 team will battle Roxborough at 4:30 p.m. and the fifth grade team will battle Roxborough at 5 p.m. Please wear your purple and black to support both teams.
Urgent Request:
Mrs. Mashburn needs more questions for "The Underneath" by Kathi Appelt and "Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson. If anyone still needs volunteer hours, we could use the questions by mid-morning on Monday, March 4, for our afternoon practice. You can check with the BFA librarians to see if there is a copy of the book you can borrow.
Questions can be sent directly to Mrs. Mashburn.
Questions should be phrased: "In which book... " And, please list the page number where we can find the answer.
Thank you and please continue supporting our teams!
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THANKS FOR SUPPORTING THE BOOK FAIR
Thank you so much for your continued support of our library by buying books at our book fairs! Because of the profits we make at the fairs, we are able to stay self-sufficient and can buy all our BFA Library books from these funds. We had a very successful fair this year, and received more than $5,000 toward new books! Also, we want to say a big thank you to all the wo
nderful volunteers who helped us with the book fair. We could not do this without your help!
Don't forget we have one more book fair this year. Buy one, get one (BOGO) will be May 20-24. Can't wait to see you there!
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GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS TONIGHT
Good luck to the girls basketball A and B teams who are playing in the quarterfinals this evening at BFA. The
A team plays North Star beginning at 4:15 p.m., and the B team plays Aspen View Academy around 5:15 p.m. Come cheer on our bolts!
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THIRD GRADE FAMILIES - PLEASE VOLUNTEER IN MARCH
THIRD GRADE FAMILIES--please volunteer in carpool this March! To help fill crucial carpool volunteer roles, we're asking
parents in each grade level to make a special effort to volunteer one month of the school year.
In March, we'd like our third grade families to sign up for open volunteer spots in carpool. If you
don't have a third grade student, but enjoy volunteering in carpool--WE STILL NEED YOU so please consider signing up today. Just log into
HelpCounter and click on '
Check for Upcoming Opportunities.'
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THE BFA PTO NEEDS YOU! YES, YOU!
Are you interested in helping BFA while connecting with others who are passionate about our school? If so, we hope you'll consider becoming a member of the PTO team! When you volunteer with the PTO, you make a real, meaningful difference at BFA and build lasting relationships with other BFA parents. We have big roles and small roles and roles where you can volunteer from home or at school. We've got something for everyone. All we're missing is YOU!
Nominations for PTO positions
open on Friday, March 1. If you or someone you know would be a great fit, please visit the
PTO website and submit your nomination using the "PTO Elections" link.
PTO
elections are April 22-26. For more information on the PTO and what we do, including open positions, please visit the
PTO website or email
Mollie Anderson,
PTO president.
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PTO STORE OPENING TOMORROW FOR SPIRIT WEAR
The PTO is excited to announce that the
online BFA Store is
reopening tomorrow,
March 1. From tomorrow until April 15, you'll be able to purchase new short-sleeved tees and stainless steel BFA water bottles along with all your other favorite BFA spirit wear items. All items purchased will be delivered to the classroom and sent home with your student. Happy shopping!
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GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK FOR THE 2019 BENEFIT BASH
The BENefit Bash will be the PTO's primary fundraiser next school year. This biennial event has been a BFA tradition since before the school opened in 2011. Parents look forward to a night out with friends as well as an opportunity to support the school through a silent and live auction. We hope you'll save the date for the next Bash, which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26.
The BENefit Bash committee has already begun preparations for this big event. In an effort to help us learn more about what YOU would like to see at the next event, please complete this BENefit Bash survey.
This quick, 3-minute survey will allow you to tell us what you've enjoyed in the past, what you'd like to see done differently next year, and sign up to help! We want to hear your opinion, so we're giving you until March 9 to complete the survey.
If you have additional questions, would like more information, or want to start volunteering today, please contact Julia Porterfield, PTO fundraising coordinator.
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LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR AFTER SCHOOL ZUMBA!
A new, FUN after school activity is being offered by our very own
Ms. Whelan!
Our fourth and fifth grade, as well as our middle school students are invited to sign up for Zumba!
Zumba takes the "work" out of "workout" by mixing low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval style dance fitness party. It is a total workout combining elements of cardio, muscle conditioning, as well as balance and flexibility, boosting your overall energy.
Sessions run from Feb. 26 until May 16 and are $25.
- Grades 4 and 5: Tuesdays 3:30-4:15 p.m. in the Middle School Commons
- Middle School: Thursdays 3:30-4:15 p.m. in the Middle School Commons
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SHAKE SHACK SPIRIT NIGHT NEXT TUESDAY
Shake Shack (1509 Park Central Drive) is hosting a
Spirit Night for BFA next Tuesday, March 5, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and will donate 25 percent of your total meal purchase amount back to the school. So, stop by, order to-go, or carry-out and enjoy some great food while supporting BFA!
Be sure to show the flIer to the cashier so that BFA gets credit for your order.
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The final Bake Sale is coming up on
Friday, March 8! Be sure to get to school early on March 8, so your student(s) can buy a treat! The
Bake Sale will be held from 7:45 - 8:05 a.m. and during afternoon recess. Any funds raised will help BFA students offset some of the costs associated with going to Washington, D.C., so please support their efforts!
Interested in helping out with the bake sale?
We still need bake sale items and parent volunteers, so if you can help, please sign up today!
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This year, the BFA Student Council has selected
"Wish of a Lifetime"
as the charity for which to raise funds. The charity's mission is, "
to shift the way society views and values our oldest generations by fulfilling seniors' dreams and sharing their stories to inspire those of all ages."
Our goal this year is to raise more than $7,000 to grant a senior's lifelong wish. To do so, student council is organizing a number of activities during the week of
March 11 - 15,
including:
- Monday, March 11 - Wednesday, March 13 - Schoolwide Penny Wars
- Thursday, March 14 - All school Skate City social 6-8 p.m.
- Friday, March 15 - Middle school "Dodgeball for Dollars" and BBQ lunch
Watch for more details coming soon!
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SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED FOR DESTINATION IMAGINATION TOURNAMENT
Come cheer on your BFA Destination Imagination (DI) teams at the South Metro tournament on Saturday, March 9, at Littleton High School (199 E. Littleton Blvd., Littleton, 80121)!
BFA has four elementary and middle school teams competing throughout the day. Our teams will be demonstrating their problem solving skills in the following categories:
Engineering Challenge: Monster Effects
- 9 a.m., Main Gym - Served with a Side of Fries, Elementary
- 10:20 a.m., Main Gym - Kolorful Koalas, Elementary
- 2:40 p.m., Main Gym - BFA STARs, Middle
Service Learning Challenge: Escape Artists
- 1 p.m., Library - Did Someone Say Our Name?, Middle
The teams would enjoy your support and to see BFA faces in the audience rooting them to victory! Everyone is welcome. The entire tournament schedule is available by clicking here.
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PUT YOUR SCHOOL PRIDE ON DISPLAY!
GO BOLTS! Show your school pride by placing a BFA Bolts sign in your yard. There is a limited quantity of yard signs left, and they are being sold for only $10 each.
After you place your order on the
BFA Store, the sign will be delivered to your student at school. Now that the snow is starting to melt and spring is in the air, it's a great time to display your school spirit in your yard!
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We are four weeks into our Heart Challenge and
so far we have raised $5,623 for the American Heart Association. If you would still like to register, click
here and then search for our school.
All envelopes and donations are due TOMORROW.
Thank you to everyone who donated to this worthy cause.
The kids are doing a great job meeting the Heart Challenge! So far students have a total of 7,196 minutes in our target heart rate zone and burned 30,530 calories.
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CLASS PICTURES (EXCEPT FIFTH GRADE)
Lifetouch will be here to take class pictures on Wednesday, March 6. A form will come home this week so you can submit an order for pictures. All students should be in Formal Uniform on class picture day.
Please note, fifth grade will not take class pictures on March 6; they will take pictures on Tuesday, April 2, and will need to wear Formal Uniform. More information to follow.
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LOST AND FOUND WILL BE DONATED SOON
The Lost and Found pile is growing again! Please stop by next time you are at the school and look to see if your family has a sweater, sweatshirt, coat, etc. sitting in the Lost and Found. Items will be donated in March during Spring Break.
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BFA VOLLEYBALL AND SOCCER TRYOUTS NEXT WEEK
As announced earlier this week, we have moved soccer tryouts to March 4 and 5, with callbacks on March 7. The tryouts will be held from 4:15 - 5:30 p.m. on BFA's turf field. We are watching the weather and will let you know if something changes.
Boys volleyball tryouts are from 4:15 - 5:30 p.m. on March 4 and 6 in the small Lightening Gym, with callbacks on March 7 in the BFA Thunder Gym.
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TIME TO PURCHASE YOUR 2018-19 YEARBOOK
There's only one month left to purchase your yearbook, and today is the last day to purchase at a discount! This year, the only way to purchase a yearbook is through our vendor, Walsworth. We will not be offering yearbook sales at any other events throughout the year. Order yours today before prices go up again!
Today, Feb. 28 - $31 per book
March 1 - March 31 - $36 per book
You may also order a dedication (or ad) for your student through Walsworth's website. What a fun way to help commemorate a great school year!
Order
and pay for your 2018-19 yearbook and/or dedication today.
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NEED PARENT PHOTOGRAPHERS
We need your help with pictures for the yearbook! We
need more candid pictures
--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 'YEARBOOK2019.'
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ATTENTION EIGHTH GRADE FAMILIES
As you prepare for your eighth grader's high school enrollment, you may need to request transcripts and/or other records. If that's the case,
please email our registrar, Colleen Bobbin, and let her know exactly what the high school requires. (They should specify which records are needed, and understanding their exact requirements will eliminate delays in processing.)
It takes some time to gather all the necessary documents, so
please allow three business days (72 hours) to complete the request. Once the student's packet has been completed, the registrar will email the requesting parent and leave the packet at the front desk for pick up.
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BEFORE SCHOOL ELEMENTARY SPANISH
Is your elementary student interested in learning Spanish? If so, our middle school Spanish teacher,
Señora Connell, is offering a Spanish class for elementary students
. You can sign up for classes by the month; the cost for this activity is $50 per student (less on shorter months).
- Kindergarten, first and second grade will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8 a.m.
- Third, fourth and fifth grade will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 to 8 a.m.
Y
ou can sign up for one month at a time; classes continue through the end of May and follow the regular BFA school calendar for breaks/days off. Sign up today through
My School Bucks! Please
contact
Señora Connell with any questions.
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GOT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE?
RENT THE ROCK!
Have a birthday to celebrate or a team to cheer on? Then rent the Spirit Rock! You've probably already seen the fun messages painted on the rock, and it's just $15 per day for you to display your message.
For more information on how to rent and paint the rock, visit the PTO
webpage. If you have questions,
email
Sara Hope
, spirit rock committee manager.
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MAKE YOUR STUDENT'S BIG DAY SPECIAL--SEND A BIRTHDAY BAG
Order your birthday bags today and help our eighth graders who are going to Washington, D.C. next spring. For just $10, our
eighth graders will deliver a bag of goodies (no food included) to your child's classroom and surprise him or her with a special Happy Birthday song. We're happy to celebrate half birthdays too! Bags are available for
purchase on the BFA online store. Please order early to ensure delivery on your child's special day.
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NEW SPRING EVENTS! GET YOUR DISCOUNT TICKETS TODAY
The Foundation for Douglas County Schools
Community Events Program
is out with their latest fundraisers; check out their spring flier! The Foundation works with our community event partners to provide substantially discounted tickets to cultural venues and sporting events; and, best of all, your ticket purchases benefit DCSD. Go to their website for the latest information on discount tickets.
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The School Accountability Committee (SAC) is meeting from
4:10 - 5:10 p.m. tonight, Feb. 28, in the BFA Conference Room. All are welcome to attend.
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Ben's Brigade is meeting from
8 - 9 p.m. tonight Feb. 28, at the Starbucks inside Super Target
(1265 Sergeant Jon Stiles Dr, Highlands Ranch ). All BFA Dads, Stepdads, Grandpas are welcome to attend.
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Friday, March 1, is a BFA Spirit Day! Students are welcome to wear their spirit wear T-shirts, a field day shirt from a previous year or their Fun Run shirt with regular uniform bottoms.
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SCHOOL TOUR FOR PROSPECTIVE PARENTS
Tours for prospective K-8 families will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays through March 26 (except March 19 as it's Spring Break).
There is no need to RSVP. Tours typically run about one hour. Prospective parents should bring their Driver's License and arrive a few minutes early so we can scan their license before the tour begins.
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There is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) meeting from 5:30 - 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, in the Sanders Science Lab.
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Wednesday, March 6, is a Formal Uniform Day. Students should wear tan pants, shorts, skirt or a skort with a navy polo shirt embossed with the BFA logo.
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CLASS PICTURES (EXCEPT FIFTH GRADE)
Lifetouch will be here to take class pictures on Wednesday, March 6. A form will come home this week so you can submit an order for pictures. All students should be in Formal Uniform on class picture day.
Please note, fifth grade will not take class pictures on March 6; they will take pictures on Tuesday, April 2. More information to follow.
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Don't miss our full-day kindies as they perform in the mewsical, Kitty Cat Capers! If Miss Tabitha has her way, you'll go home with a new 'pet' from Purrrfect Paws and Claws Finishing School. They perform at 6:30 p.m. on March 6, on the BFA Performance stage.
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The
Bake Sale will be held from 7:45 - 8:05 a.m. on Friday, March 8, in the lobby and during afternoon recess. Any funds raised will help BFA students offset some of the costs associated with going to Washington, D.C., so please support their efforts!
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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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