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Vol. 9, Iss. 1
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Jan. 10, 2019
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Dear Ben Franklin Academy Families,
I am excited to announce that Tuesday night the Douglas County Board of Education voted unanimously to grant Ben Franklin Academy a five-year charter renewal! While the renewal of our charter was never really in doubt, it was sure nice to hear that the district had no questions or hesitations in granting our renewal. They also were not hesitant to grant us five years, which has been the maximum renewal allowed for the past few years by the district.
The process was a long one. In fact, it started way back last May and we worked on our application all summer. After we turned in the application, a site team visited BFA and analyzed all aspects of the school from instruction and finances, to facilities. After the site visit was completed, the district reviewed all of our information in order to make an informed decision. Though the process was long, it was so rewarding to go through all of our accomplishments, acknowledge everyone's hard work and reflect on how the school has grown during the last eight years.
I want to give a special thanks to
Ann Citrin and
Paige Brock. They both spent many hours working on the application and without them it would not have been nearly as thorough.
This renewal reflects what I said in my statement to the Board of Education back in December. We are more than a school; we are a community. I can't wait to see the great things our students and staff accomplish during the next five years!
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BFA loves its volunteers, and we want to show our appreciation for all of your work. This year, the PTO will be recognizing TWO volunteers each month. One volunteer will be chosen as the 'Volunteer of the Month,' and will get exclusive use of the dedicated 'Volunteer' spot in the parking lot for their month.
Each month, a second volunteer will be randomly chosen through a monthly drawing to win a fun, surprise gift. All you have to do to be eligible to win, is log at least ONE hour of volunteer service in the month prior to the drawing.
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CONGRATULATIONS LISA KAZAZEAN!
For the month of January, Lisa Kazazean has been selected as the Ben Franklin Academy Volunteer of the Month. Lisa is being honored for consistently volunteering in the lunch room, the science lab, and her kids' classes. Her demonstration of Ben Franklin's virtue of industry in helping the staff and being present in her sons' classrooms is remarkable and greatly appreciated. For her efforts, we'd like to say thank you and are happy to recognize her.
Lisa is the mother of two boys--Zain, a third grader, and Armen, a seventh grader. This is their first year at BFA. They moved to Highlands Ranch last year after living in Vail and Vermont.
When asked what about Ben Franklin Academy she likes best, Lisa replied, "We are very happy to be a part of the BFA community. We love the academic challenge and the communication of the school, especially the Friends of Ben FB page. I could not imagine being anywhere else. I have been fortunate to meet some special parents of other students and hope to create lasting friendships."
Congratulations, Lisa! And, thank you again for all you do for our school.
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This month,
Leslie Prusse is the winner of the PTO's monthly volunteer drawing. She volunteered during Mrs. Wall's holiday classroom party in December and has won a $10 Starbucks card. Congratulations, Leslie! And, thank you again for your time and effort at BFA.
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NEW PAYMENTS PROCESSING SYSTEM
As of Jan. 1,
BFA has moved to a new payment processing system for our field trips, sports and after school activities (such as music classes and summer camp). This new system is called My School Bucks, which probably sounds familiar as many of you already use this system for school lunch payments. This system will replace RevTrak.
The change to this system was driven by Douglas County School District and is being used by all schools across DCSD.
With this new system, we are finding a few differences from what we are all used to. Please note the following important items:
1) The parameters of this new system DO NOT allow us to extend enrollment deadlines for any event. You will need to pay special attention to registration deadlines sent to you by your student's teacher/coach and complete your registrations before the close date.
2)
Due to this system being used by all of DCSD, you may see activities from some/all schools in our district. All BFA events will begin with "BFA" in the title. Therefore you can filter your search using "BFA" to only show activities or events for our school.
3) We are finding that the MySchoolBucks website is more user friendly and strongly recommend that you use the website for all registrations rather than the MySchoolBucks mobile app. They are still fine tuning the app and until it is complete, please use the website for registrations to ensure important permission items are not missed.
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Are you interested in learning more about the policies that shape our school? Would you like to be a part of the development and implementation of the Parent and Student Surveys and boost your volunteer hours? If so, the SAC is the place for you!
The School Accountability Committee (SAC) will have multiple open positions for the 2019-20 academic year and
invite all interested parents to attend one of their upcoming meetings and learn more about what they do. Meetings are the fourth Thursday of each month from 4:10-5:10 p.m. in the conference room. Come check it out!
Please
contact
Cindy Brawley for more information.
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TOWN HALL MEETING NEXT TUESDAY
The BFA Board is hosting their annual
Town Hall Meeting from 5 - 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15, in the Dana Library. We hope all parents will attend the meeting in person, or use the call in number located on the monthly Board meeting agenda to dial in and listen. (You will not be able to ask questions using the dial in number.)
And, we're making it easy for parents with young kids to attend, as our middle school students will be available to babysit elementary BFA students for FREE. The monthly Board meeting will follow at 5:30 p.m., so you are welcome to stay for all/part of that as well (although the babysitting will only be available until 6 p.m.). We hope to see you there!
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APPLE AWARD NOMINATION WINDOW CLOSES TOMORROW
Each year the Foundation for Douglas County Schools 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.
This is a great way to honor our wonderful teachers and staff, while highlighting the innovative work they do to challenge and inspire our students. This year, the process has changed and your nominations will be video or written testimonials that will be posted publicly on a customized webpage for our school. Anyone over the age of 18 can nominate, as well as students age 13 or older (if they have your permission).
Click on this link before the nomination window closes tomorrow, Jan. 11, and nominate your favorite BFA teachers and staff for these prestigious awards.
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Student Council is hosting Spirit Week next week,
Jan. 14 - 18. All BFA students are invited to participate and wear their appropriately themed attire each day. See below for the themes our Student Council selected this year:
Monday - Pajama day
Tuesday - Twin day (get a buddy or two or three or ten and dress alike)
Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday
Thursday - Character day (dress like a character from a movie, cartoon, book, etc.)
Friday - Dress of Choice
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KNEADERS SPIRIT DAY NEXT TUESDAY
Enjoy great food and support BFA on
Tuesday, Jan. 15, at Kneaders (1105 Sgt. Jon Stiles Drive). Kneaders offers a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner, so stop by Kneaders anytime between
7 a.m. and 9 p.m. to have your purchase count towards the PTO's Knead Dough Fundraiser.
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LOST AND FOUND WILL BE DONATED JAN. 21
All items still remaining in the Lost and Found will be donated on Jan. 21. If your student is missing a coat, sweatshirt, sweater, book, water bottle or lunch bag, please stop by the lost and found or ask your student to do so by end of school on Friday, Jan. 18.
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BFA's Community Events Committee (CEC) is honored to host students and their MVD (Most Valuable Dad) from
7 - 8 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 25, in the Lightning Gym for coffee, juice and donuts. (Please note this is a date change from the paper BFA desktop calendars.)
As always, a favorite uncle, grandpa or other special guest is welcome to attend if dad is not available. This event is popular, so please arrive early and park in the upper lot as to not disrupt carpool. Dads must remain with their students until they are able to head to class at 7:45 a.m.
We need your help to make this event a success so
please consider signing up for a volunteer slot. It's a fun way to get some volunteer hours!
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AFTER SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMS
Ms. Johnson has several
exciting after school performing arts programs available this spring. Read more about them and get signed up today!
Stage Combat for students in grades 3-8 will be held from 3:30 - 4 p.m. on Tuesdays from Jan. 22 through March 12. This course is an introduction and exploration of stage combat. The main goals are to develop the ability to safely portray violence onstage within the context of a play with dramatic power. Other aspects include: the development of strength, flexibility and eye/hand coordination; understanding principles of safety in working with a partner during a fight sequence; and, learning how to advance your character journey.
Improv Acting for students in grades 2-8 will be held from 3:30 - 4:15 p.m. on Thursdays from Jan. 24 through March 14. Improv is acting on the spot! This is an introductory class for students to learn the fundamentals of improvisation--the basic tools, rules, and philosophy--through games, drills, and simple scenes.
If you have not already registered for these classes, there is still time!
Registration will be available via the MySchoolBucks website through Jan. 25.
For more information
contact
Ms. Johnson
or check out this
guide
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GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE PTO'S
SWEETHEART BALL
Calling all BFA girls and their "special" adult to a beautiful "Night in Hollywood" to dance the night away, enjoy dessert and light snacks, along with other fun activities!
Saturday, Jan. 26
6 - 8 p.m.
The Falls Event Center
8199 Southpark Ct.
Highlands Ranch, 80120
Tickets are on sale NOW through Jan. 18 on the BFA Store
Ticket Pair $35 and Extra Single Ticket $15
NO tickets sold at the door
This event has traditionally been known as the father-daughter dance. And, it's still the father-daughter dance but has had a name change to reflect changing and evolving family dynamics. The PTO wants each BFA girl to know that she's invited to bring the special adult in her life - dad, stepdad, grandpa, uncle, or mom - whoever that adult may be.
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VALENTINE'S PARENTS NIGHT OUT
Please save the date for a Valentine's Parents Night out from 6-10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8, at BFA. Enjoy a quiet, kid-free date night while the Washington, D.C. eighth graders entertain your kids with games, movies, crafts and treats. Please watch for additional information and signup link!
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Join the Shark Tank (5th Grade) to hear more about various product inventions! Use this
l
ink for additional details and to sign up for this fabulous volunteer opportunity.
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SHOW YOUR LOVE ON VALENTINE'S DAY
SMENCILS are back and joining them this year are
BACKPACK BUDDIES! Surprise your student on Valentine's Day with a giant scented pencil and/or an adorable scented backpack buddy with a
personalized note from you that will be delivered on Valentine's Day by the eighth grade Washington, D.C. students. Profits help the eighth graders with the cost of their trip and what a fun way to surprise your student on the special day. Please watch for additional information and the link for ordering these awesome gifts!
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SECOND GRADE FAMILIES - PLEASE VOLUNTEER IN JANUARY
SECOND GRADE FAMILIES--please volunteer in carpool this January! 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 January, we'd like our second grade families to sign up for open volunteer spots in carpool. If you
don't have a second 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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TIME TO PURCHASE YOUR 2018-19 YEARBOOK
Yearbook sales have officially launched! 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. Don't wait, as prices will increase beginning in March!
- Jan. 1 - Feb. 28: $31 per book
- March 1 - 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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PRESCHOOL ENROLLMENT FOR GENERAL PUBLIC
Do you have friends interested in a preschool that uses the Core Knowledge Sequence and offers a nurturing environment and individualized instruction to ensure your little one is ready for Kindergarten? If so, please let them know that enrollment for the BFA preschool is open to the general public beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 14, via the BFA website. For more information, interested parents can
email our Preschool Director,
Kristen Goldberg.
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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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GET YOUR DISCOUNT TICKETS TODAY
The Foundation for Douglas County Schools
Community Events Program
is out with their latest fundraisers! 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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Students will compete with each other to test their ability to spell challenging words beginning at 2:35 p.m. today, Jan. 10, in the Thunder Gym.
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FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
BFA's Finance Committee is meeting via conference call from 6 - 8 p.m. tonight, Jan. 10.
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Enjoy great food and support BFA on
Tuesday, Jan. 15, at Kneaders (1105 Sgt. Jon Stiles Drive). Stop by Kneaders anytime between
7 a.m. and 9 p.m. to have your purchase count towards the PTO's Knead Dough Fundraiser.
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Tours for prospective K-8 families will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays beginning Jan. 15 and running through March 26 (except March 19 as it's Spring Break).
At that time, we'll show prospective parents around the school so they can see firsthand why we are the STEAM School of Choice in Douglas County. Anyone going on a tour should bring a Driver's License and arrive a few minutes early so we can scan their license before the tour begins.
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The BFA Board is hosting their annual Town Hall Meeting from 5 - 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15, in the Dana Library. FREE babysitting is available from 5 - 6 so parents of elementary BFA students can attend the meeting.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
The BFA Board of Directors meets monthly during the school year at 5:30 p.m. in our school's library. Parents are welcome to attend the Board meetings, or use the call-in number listed on the agenda to listen to the meeting. The next Board meeting is from 5:30 - 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15, in the Dana Library. The agenda will be available via the BFA website 24 hours prior to the meeting.
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Students will compete with each other to test their geography knowledge beginning at 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, in the Thunder Gym.
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Doggie Town is a-buzz with excitement! Judges from the famous Wurstchester Dog Show are coming to spot new talent, and everyone is busy rehearsing for the big show. General German Shepherd is drilling on proper etiquette and discipline, the singing Dalmatians are connecting the dots, the Boxers are toning and getting in shape. But why is Rover the mutt so sad? Join the huskies, poodles, pointers and more (AKA BFA First Graders) as they help Rover discover his special talent, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, in the Thunder Gym.
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Join our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) for their monthly meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, in the Sanders Science Lab. All BFA community members (parents, teachers, legal guardians) are welcome.
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Students can wear
Dress of Choice Friday, Jan. 18, if they have not had two dress code violations since the last Dress of Choice Day. Clothing should follow the guidelines outlined in the
uniform policy.
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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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