From the Desk of Principal Simpson

Dec. 17, 2020

Weekly Update

A Message from Principal Simpson

Dear Parents,

First, I would like to thank you for your overwhelming generosity with your SCRIP giving. I know our teachers and staff, myself included, are so appreciative of your gifts.

I realize the last minute change for our last week of learning threw us all for a bit of a loop, but seeing the kids' smiling faces on Zoom this week has been great. Thank you for your support as we worked to get everyone healthy. We’re all excited to get back together on Monday, Jan. 4.

Please communicate directly to me (we do not monitor the attendance line/email during the break) if you have a positive COVID case or exposure during the next two weeks. We do have to continue our contact tracing even though we are not in the building.

We did learn yesterday that Colorado has adopted the CDC's new quarantine guidelines and that schools will follow them as well. The new guidelines are as follows:

After exposure to a positive case of COVID-19, the exposed person may return after a ten-day quarantine period if they have monitored symptoms daily and have been symptom free (no fever, no cough, no cold-like symptoms).
If the exposed person gets tested after five days, and the test comes back negative, they can return after seven days. The test has to be administered after day five for the person to return on day seven.

We’ll implement these new guidelines when we return in January. Please email me with any questions.

I hope everyone has a fun, festive, safe, and healthy holiday season!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Simpson

BFA News

Calendar Notes

Winter Break is Dec. 21 through Jan. 1. We'll see most of you back IN PERSON on Jan. 4. Please note--the paper desk calendar has the wrong date.

Thank you for your feedback on the 2021-22 Academic Calendar earlier this year. The Board approved the calendar and it's on our website. If you'd like a printed copy, click here to download a PDF version or go to the forms page on the website.

We hope you have a wonderful break and we can't wait to see you in 2021!

Be sure to Accept Enrollment Offer by Deadline

If you participated in the first round of DCSD Open Enrollment to enroll a new student at BFA or to choice into a DCSD school for your upcoming freshman, please remember offers are available in the EngagED Parent Portal NOW. To accept an offer and move on to the enrollment step, the parent must accept via their EngagED Parent Portal before 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18. Please be sure you accept your offer by the deadline!

Let our registrar, Colleen Bobbin, know right away if you have any questions.

SAC to Review Several Policies at Meeting Today

Would you like to be involved in reviewing policies that drive the direction of BFA? If so, please join us at the monthly School Accountability Committee (SAC) meeting as they review the following: Elementary Chromebook Policy, Asset Management Policy, Board of Directors Election Policy, Uniform Policy, and Uniform Standards for Girls Table.

The SAC is meeting at 4:30 p.m. today, Dec 17, via Zoom. The details of the Zoom meeting are available on the BFA calendar. If you would like information about serving on the SAC or participating in the Zoom meeting, please contact Woody Haynes, chair, at SAC@bfacademy.org.

SCRIP Teacher and Staff Holiday Gifting Update

Thank you to everyone who contributed during the SCRIP collection week earlier this month. A total of $21,479 was collected from BFA families!

Staff were notified of their respective gift amounts this past weekend, gift card selections have been made, and the order placed. Led by Natalie Lucero, BFA SCRIP coordinator, the PTO is organizing all the orders and will distribute the electronic gift cards.

Apple Award Nomination Deadline Dec. 20

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, we choose 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 students. Again this year, your nominations will be submitted as a video or written testimonial 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.

We hope you'll click on this link (scroll down for BFA) before the nomination window closes on Dec. 20, and nominate your favorite BFA teachers and staff for these prestigious awards.

We all need to buy groceries and most of us need gas for our vehicles; but did you realize that with just a few minutes of administrative work, you can support BFA while making all these regular purchases? Here's how:

Sign in to your digital account at King Soopers Community Rewards. If you haven't already, set up your account and link your King Soopers card or phone number to your account.
Click on Community Rewards, Enroll Now and search for Ben Franklin Parent Teacher Organization OR enter our code, XN773. Click Enroll.
Next time you check out at King Soopers or City Market, scan your card (or enter your alternate ID) and BFA will get money back from your purchase.

It's FANTASTIC how quickly this program adds up and how much our school can earn. From July 1 to September 30 of this year, BFA earned $1,667.85 back from this program.

For more information, please visit King Soopers Community Rewards website. As always, thank you for your support of BFA and the PTO.

Don't Forget to Order a 2020-21 Yearbook

Yearbooks are on sale now! The yearbooks cost $31 per book, and can be purchased through our vendor, Walsworth. We will not be offering yearbook sales at any events. See the yearbook flier.

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! See the flier for additional information.

Order and pay for your 2020-21 Yearbook and dedication today at http://www.yearbookforever.com.

Preschool Enrollment for BFA Families

Preschool enrollment is now open for families that have another K-8 student currently enrolled at BFA. Please complete this form to express your interest in our program.

Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into the preschool as it is determined on a first come, first serve basis. You will receive an email confirming the spot requested or that you have been placed on the wait list.

Please email the Preschool Director, Lori Hafner, with any questions.

Terrific Opportunity for Performing Arts Lessons at School

Harper Arts continues to offer lessons and coaching for our students during the school day and has a few openings beginning January 2021. This school year, students will have the option to have piano, guitar, ukulele, voice, acting and audition coaching.

Students are approved to participate in this opportunity during DEAR, recess, specials, electives (middle school) and advisory (middle school). There also will still be a number of spaces available before and after school.

Space for this program is EXTREMELY LIMITED! Click here to register now. Priority shall be given on a first come, first served basis!

Upcoming Events

BFA's Guiding Principles

Mission:

Our mission is to create young adults with character like America's founding Renaissance man, Benjamin Franklin: well-read, scientifically curious, and civically engaged.

Vision:

Our students will excel academically through a challenging, sequenced curriculum that emphasizes math, science, the arts, 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 social emotional development, character, sports, and nature.

13 Virtues:

Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Purity and Humility.