Dear Parents,

As we rapidly approach the 2019 BENefit Bash, I want to take a minute and thank you for your support of our school's primary fundraiser this year. The BENefit Bash, sponsored by the BFA Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), is one of the longest standing traditions at our school. Many of the newer families at BFA may not know this, but the first BENefit Bash was actually held months before we broke ground on the school back in 2011. Our school's current eighth grade class was the incoming kindergarten class. Over the years, funds raised at the BENefit Bash gave us the opportunity to purchase big items like playground equipment, books for the library, and the outdoor classroom as well as other items not incorporated into the annual staff budget, including classroom, curriculum, technology and program enhancements. It's the combination of all these things that help make and keep BFA the outstanding school that it is today.

Just like the incoming kindies have grown up over the last nine years, the Bash is growing up a little this year, too. What used to be the silent auction, available only if you purchased a ticket to and attended the main event, is now the online auction. Participation in the online auction, which will run from October 20-24, is free to anyone who registers at https://bfacademy.ptapal.com. Most of the retail donated items and baskets will be available through the online auction. At the main event itself, the old pen and paper bid sheets are being replaced by mobile bidding. And, for the first time, we are now offering an official after party. Truth be told, we really wanted the BENefit Bash to have something for everyone and to be more inclusive of the varied interests of our school community.

This year, our goal is to raise enough funds to make enhancements to the outdoor classroom, such as adding a privacy fence and replacing the ground cover with artificial turf. Further, we hope to be able to continue to support BFA's programs such as Lexia and iReady, licensing for musical productions, performance costumes, as well as fulfill teacher and staff requests.

Additionally, the PTO is happy to announce that included in this year's online auction will be the option to contribute to eighth graders attending the Washington, D.C. trip. The funds collected through this online option will benefit all eighth grade students registered to participate in the trip in May of 2020. Anyone can register for the online auction including members outside of the BFA community. Proceeds from the Spirit Rock, October Spirit Night, and uniform buyback sales will be used to fund the PTO's small group grant account whose designated beneficiaries will be the students attending the Disney Choir Elective trip and students who are headed to the Destination Imagination (DI) Global competition. By offering these two options, we are pleased to help offset some of the costs of BFA's small groups as they go out and represent our fine school.

The BENefit Bash is just one of the things that makes our school community so special. And, like so many other things at BFA, we cannot do it alone. In 2011, and every year since, it has taken our community working together to achieve all of our lofty goals. By supporting each other and working together, I'm confident we can continue the traditions and practices that will promote the success of our students, staff, and school community.

We hope you've purchased your event tickets and plan to join us at one or more of the Bash events this year!

Sincerely,

Mollie Anderson

President, Ben Franklin Academy Parent Teacher Organization