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| Vol. 8, Iss. 29 |
Oct. 25, 2018
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Today has been so much fun! The students have had a blast the last couple of weeks learning about our virtues and completing the daily Mindspark challenges. I want to thank everyone who came out today to volunteer, watch, cheer and make donations to the school. We are still short of our $70,000 goal, but since we have one more week (the new deadline is Nov. 1)--I am sure we can get there! The kids were amazing today and watching everyone in the school participate makes me so proud!
I also want to provide an update from our security training and lockdown drill yesterday. The drill was executed perfectly. We got an "A+" from our district security manager. He was very impressed with how the staff and the students handled the drill. He was also impressed that we had taken his suggestions from our visit last year and implemented them so quickly. Again, I was so proud of how well our students and staff handled this important drill!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Diana Simpson
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BFA's Board of Directors has always accepted open comments from parents. Comments can be made in person at a Board meeting or submitted through our Open Comments
Form (scroll to end of page) before noon on the day of the Board meeting. Open comments submitted through the form (and received by the deadline), will be read aloud during the open comment period of the Board meeting, which is listed on the agenda. The Board may choose to respond to public comments, but is not required to do so, and will only take action on items listed on the agenda. The Board may, at its discretion, refer the matter or calendar the issue for future discussion.
Please note, we've included the
link for your convenience, but this form can always be found on the BFA website under 'Our School,' 'Board of Directors,' 'Board Meeting Agendas' (then, scroll down).
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FUN RUN STATS AND REVISED DEADLINE!
Thank you to everyone who came out to today's Fun Runs and Color Run. Whether you were a volunteer, a cheerleader, or a participant, it was great to see so much school spirit and BFA pride being demonstrated.
Earlier today, Boosterthon gave us some surprising news--PLEDGING HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH THURSDAY, NOV. 1!
Please make an effort to get in those last-minute pledges because we're almost there--to date we've received pledges of 74.8 percent toward our goal to raise $70,000 for a Makerspace. And, please don't forget that teachers get back 10 percent of dollars collected from their classroom.
Thank you, again!
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FRIDAY IS D.C. DOLLAR DRESS OF CHOICE DAY
The D.C. Fundraising team is sponsoring a
Dollar Dress of Choice day TOMORROW, Oct. 26. Just send your student in with a dollar bill (no change, please) and they can wear Dress of Choice tomorrow. All the monies raised from this optional Dress of Choice day will go to the group of kids headed to Washington, D.C. in the spring. The normal Dress of Choice guidelines apply.
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ORIGINAL WORKS ORDERS DUE TOMORROW
Last week your K-5 student was sent home with a bright yellow folder with their Original Works art, and all the necessary instructions so you can order beautiful, professional products featuring your student's artwork. A portion of all purchases goes back to our arts programs, so your support is greatly appreciated.
To order, simply follow the detailed instructions on the form, print out the receipt you were sent via email, then place the artwork along with the receipt back in the yellow folder. Your student can bring the yellow folder into the office, or give it to their teacher to turn in. It's that easy!
Please turn in your folder with receipt and artwork by tomorrow, Oct. 26. Orders placed by tomorrow will be available before our Winter Break. If you have questions, contact Mrs. Hinkle.
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SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS AND INVITE YOUR FAMILY
VETERANS DAY IS AROUND THE CORNER!
Veterans Day is quickly approaching! Here's how you can join in the celebration:
Veterans Day Slideshow - DEADLINE TOMORROW!
All BFA families are invited to submit photos of your loved ones to be included in the video slideshow that will be shown during the assemblies. I
f your family has a veteran you would like included in the slideshow, the deadline for submitting photos is tomorrow, Oct. 26. Please
email photos of your relatives who are veterans along with their name, branch of service, rank, and years served.
Assembly Programs and Veterans Reception
The assemblies are the high point of our Veterans Day celebration! Veterans, service members and BFA families are invited to join us at our Veterans Day assembly programs on Friday, Nov. 9.
- Grades K-4 will be held at 8:30 a.m.
- Grades 5-8 will be held at 12:45 p.m.
A special reception will be held just for veterans in Sanders Science Lab. Please invite the veterans in your life to come and be honored as we celebrate those who serve our country! The morning reception starts immediately following the morning assembly, around 9:30 a.m., while the afternoon reception begins at noon before the afternoon assembly.
Veterans Day Volunteers
Veterans Day is the perfect time to volunteer, and we would love your help!
Please take a look at the wide variety of opportunities and sign up if you are able to help with this important event.
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A MESSAGE FOR ALL PARENTS FROM BASE
Just a friendly reminder, as per the state of Colorado Licensing, only children registered in the BASE program may attend during BASE hours. This includes areas such as the turf field, playground areas, the BASE room, and the Lightning Gym.
If your student chooses to play outside after he/she has been picked up from school, they may do so until 4 p.m. BASE starts promptly at that time and we ask that all non-BASE students vacate the BFA premises immediately. If you have any questions please
email
Leigh Savoy, BASE director. T
hank you!
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THANKS BEN'S BRIGADE FOR STRIPING LOT!
DAD'S WELCOME AT MEETING TONIGHT
Thanks to the Ben's Brigade members who recently repainted the stripes in the parking lot.
We appreciate you!
If you want to learn more about this organization--
join them at 8 p.m. tonight, Oct. 25, at the Starbucks inside Super Target
for the monthly Ben's Brigade meeting.
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There is no school next Friday, Nov. 2, as it is a professional work day for our teachers.
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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 January!
- Now - December 31, 2018: $26.00 per book
- January 1, 2019 - February 28, 2019: $31.00 per book
- March 1, 2019 - March 31, 2019: $36.00 per book
Order and pay for your 2018-19 Yearbook today!
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MIDDLE SCHOOL HALLOWEEN SKATE NIGHT
BFA's Student Council is hosting a Halloween Skate Night! This FUN costume party for BFA middle school students only (grades 6-8) is from
6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1, at Skate City in Littleton. Admission is $5 per middle school kiddo and skate rental is $2.50. Dinner is included-either two slices of pizza and a drink, OR one hot dog, chips and a drink. They'll also be a costume contest, a FREE $5 game card and the opportunity win the GOLDEN SKATE plus $100 for your class. Don't miss it!
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EIGHTH GRADE--IT'S YOUR TURN!
EIGHTH GRADE FAMILIES--you know how it's done! 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 October, we'd like our eighth grade families to sign up for open volunteer spots in carpool. If you don't have an eighth 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.'
If you are a new family and have not logged into HelpCounter yet, or want to volunteer but simply can't help with carpool, see our Volunteer Management
webpage.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL MONSTER BASH COSTUME PARTY
Ghosts and witches and creatures of fright,
Don't miss the call of Halloween night.
Come one, come all in the threads of the season,
If you miss this bash, 'tis an act of treason.
Come if you dare...hope you're not scared at the BFA Monster Bash Costume Party!
What: Food, Fun and Friends
When: From 7 - 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27
Where: BFA Lightning/Thunder Gyms
Attire: Choose your favorite Halloween costume OR dress for a masquerade ball-you decide. Please do not wear a full-face mask, bring any sort of weapon, and no costumes with blood/gore. Regular dress of choice guidelines apply--no clothing that contains offensive wording/images and no revealing clothes.
This is a FREE event for all middle school students. No dates allowed.
We need volunteers to make this event a success, so please consider
signing up to volunteer for the day of the event. Thanks in advance for your help!
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It's Box Tops collection time!
Attached is a Halloween collection sheet you can use to send in your Box Tops. Just glue or tape the Box Tops onto it and send it in with your student to give to his or her homeroom teacher. If it's easier, you can also send them in a plastic baggie. Did you know that
A LOT of Box Tops expire in November due to the
submission
deadline
?
It's time to get them all turned in, so while you're clipping your Box Tops, please remember check your unused boxes of cereal, granola bars, zip lock bags and paper products.
Let's make this our biggest collection to date. Each Box Top is free money for our school so every Box Top helps. If you have questions, or would like to help out with Box Tops, please
email
Lauren Flint, Box Top committee chair.
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GET YOUR SPIRIT WEAR BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE
The online spirit wear
store closes for the season next Wednesday, Oct. 31, so get your spirit wear now before it's too late!
There's less than one week until the PTO's online spirit wear store closes until the spring.
Purchases made
online
will be delivered to the classroom and sent home with your student.
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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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BFA ENROLLMENT FOR NEW STUDENTS BEGINS NEXT WEEK
If you missed previous messages regarding enrollment at BFA, please be sure to read the following article as the enrollment process at Ben Franklin Academy (BFA) for the 2019-20 school year has changed.
Parents of ALL NEW K-8 BFA students for the 2019-20 school year need to take action by completing DCSD's Open Enrollment process.
Even if you have a student who currently attends kindergarten through eighth grade at BFA, you will need to complete DCSD Open Enrollment for any NEW, or incoming K-8 students. For example, if you have a third grader attending BFA, and want to send your child to Kindergarten at BFA, you MUST complete Open Enrollment for the upcoming Kindergarten student.
The first round of Open Enrollment begins soon!
FIRST ROUND: Runs Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, beginning at 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 3.
All families are highly encouraged to complete Open Enrollment during the First Round.
- Parents will use their DCSD EngagED Parent Portal to access Open Enrollment. (Hint: You used your EngagED Parent Portal to complete Express Check-In in August.) Parents without a DCSD EngagED Parent Portal account will be able to create one immediately after First Round opens on Nov. 1. If you do not know your username and password, please email BFA's registrar, Colleen Bobbin. Keep in mind, if you have any concerns about accessing your Parent Portal, try to log in early in the process and, if you encounter problems, email the registrar well in advance of the deadline on Monday, Dec. 3.
- If you are applying for Kindergarten, your child MUST turn five by Oct. 1 of the enrollment year. For example, if your student will be five by Oct. 1, 2019, they can apply for the 2019-20 school year.
- Open Enrollment submissions during the FIRST ROUND ONLY will have priority based on the following:
- Children in the household of Founding Families;
- Siblings of current students. Siblings that share the same birth date (ie. twins or triplets) shall receive automatic enrollment;
- Children of full-time teachers; and
- BFA preschool students. (See Mrs. Goldberg's Oct. 17 email for specific details.)
IMPORTANT: Parents with students who have the above priorities who miss First Round of Open Enrollment will NOT receive priority in the Second Round of enrollment. If you want to leverage your priority status, please plan to complete Open Enrollment during First Round.
- Parents will see offers in the EngagED Parent Portal on or after Tuesday, Dec. 11, and MUST log back in by 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 17, to accept an open enrollment offer. If you receive an offer, and do not accept it by the deadline, you will automatically be placed on the second round open enrollment wait-list, which runs from Jan. 22 to Aug. 1.
- Parents who accept an offer will receive enrollment requirements and deadlines via email. You can get a head start on some of these requirements by ensuring you have the following information handy: copy of your student's birth certificate, updated immunization records, and proof of residency. One of the following will be required for proof of residency:
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- Lease Agreement
- Purchase Agreement
- Tax Notice
- Warranty Deed
- Deed of Trust
SECOND ROUND: Runs Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019 - August 1, 2019
- Open Enrollment during Second Round is "first come, first served." Parents requesting open enrollment for their child in the Second Round are placed on the wait-list behind those that are currently on the wait-list from first round. Priorities will NOT be considered.
The DCSD Open Enrollment webpage provides the most up-to-date information and specific details about the process, as well as answers to commonly-asked questions. Please visit this site well before Open Enrollment begins on Thursday, Nov. 1. If you have questions about enrollment, please
email our registrar or call 720-383-4519 x3104 to reach the registrar.
Current BFA Students
Current K-8 students intending to return to BFA next school year DO NOT need to take any action. If your K-7 student will not return to BFA next year, please let the registrar know via email.
Preschool Students
Preschool Enrollment for the three-year-old and four-year-old classes will take place via the preschool webpage on the BFA website. Preschool enrollment for current BFA families will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 3. Preschool enrollment for the general public will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 14.
If you are interested in the Ben Franklin Academy Preschool program, please click here for more information.
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K-5 HALLOWEEN PARTY REMINDERS
As we mentioned in our email yesterday, our elementary students are starting to get excited about next week's Halloween celebrations on Wednesday, Oct. 31! Teachers and room parents enjoy making Halloween special for your kids, but there are a few important considerations to keep in mind when coming to school for a party.
Costumes
Elementary students (K-5) can bring a Halloween costume to school for the parade and classroom party. (Please look for an email from your teacher and/or room parent with specific details about your student's party.) They will have time to change prior to the activities. Costumes should follow the spirit of our Dress of Choice guidelines; please no revealing/offensive clothing, full face masks/face paint, costumes with pretend blood/gore, or pretend weapons.
Parking
Please park in a designated parking space and (as always) refrain from parking along the curb in the parking lot, or in a volunteer of the month, teacher of the week, or purchased parking spot that is not yours--even if it is just for a few minutes. After the overflow lot is full, you may park along the 'B' lane. We kindly remind you not to park in A-lane as this must be kept open to facilitate the flow of traffic.
Entry into the School
For the safety of our students, we need to be sure that EVERY PERSON who enters the building has had their license scanned THIS SCHOOL YEAR.
All parents will need to pick up their badges upon entry to the building or have their license scanned to obtain a badge. All visitors inside the school will need to wear their badge during the festivities.
- Parents who have come into the office and had their license scanned THIS YEAR and received their official volunteer badge will be routed through the main doors. A staff member will distribute their volunteer badges.
- Parents who did not have their pictures taken during Registration and have not had their license scanned before volunteering this school year, as well as ALL guests (grandparents, relatives, neighbors, etc.) will need to come through the main office to have their license scanned. No exceptions will be made. Please make sure that every person has a license.
- Anyone who had their picture taken during Registration but has not provided their license to be scanned this school year, will need to come through the main office with their license.
You may come to the school before the day of the party day to have your license scanned and have your official volunteer badge issued; if you are planning to do so, please stop by between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. any day prior to the party.
Please pay special attention to the times outlined in your room parent's email for information about the start time of your student's party.
Most all parties will be held from 1:45 - 2:45 p.m., with the K-5 parade beginning at 1:45 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend! Parents may release their students after the party if they sign them out with their student's teacher. We'd appreciate it if all partygoers
leave before carpool begins around 3 p.m., otherwise it will be more difficult to exit the parking lot as you'll be in the middle of the carpool process. Please
email questions about the parties to
Amanda Trenck and
Emily Tenhundfeld, co-room parent coordinators.
Party Supplies
Keep in mind that you need to bring all the supplies needed for your Halloween party activities. As a friendly reminder, please note that you may not remove items from the staff lounge or the school's kitchen for your activities.
Thank you for helping us keep all BFA kids safe and ensuring that everyone has a fun Halloween celebration!
We look forward to seeing you on Oct. 31.
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SPREAD THE WORD - SCHOOL TOUR TUESDAYS
Do you know any families interested in sending their student(s) to BFA? If so, we'd love to show them our amazing facility! Tours for prospective K-8 families will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays through Nov. 27 (with no tour Nov. 20 due to Thanksgiving 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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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.
Basketball fans - Get your discount tickets for the Denver Nuggets vs.Utah Jazz at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Pepsi Center. See the flier for more information; there are two alternate game choices as well. Order tickets by Oct. 26 to ensure our school benefits. Click here to purchase.
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The Fun Runs and the Color Run will be held today, Oct. 25. Our FunRun is on the large turf field and the Color Run will be held in the upper parking lot. The Run is FUN for kids and parents alike, so make plans to cheer on your student(s) during their Fun Run. Run times per grade are as follows:
- 8:30-9:30 a.m. - Morning preschool, full day and morning kindie, first and second grade
- 9:40-10:40 a.m. - Third, fourth and fifth grades
- 12:45-1:15 p.m. - Afternoon preschool and afternoon kindie
- 2:15-3:00 p.m. - Sixth, seventh and eighth grades
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SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY MEETING
The School Accountability Committee (SAC) is meeting at
4:10 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25, in the BFA Conference Room. All are welcome to attend.
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Ben's Brigade is meeting from
8 - 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25, at the Starbucks inside the Highlands Ranch SuperTarget (
1265 Sergeant Jon Stiles Dr
).
All BFA dads are welcome to attend.
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D.C. DOLLAR DRESS OF CHOICE DAY
Mark your calendars, the D.C. Fundraising team is sponsoring a
Dollar Dress of Choice day on Friday, Oct. 26. Just send your student in with a dollar bill (no change, please) and they can wear Dress of Choice that day. All the monies raised from this optional Dress of Choice day will go to the group of kids headed to Washington, D.C. in the spring. The normal Dress of Choice guidelines apply.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL MONSTER BASH COSTUME PARTY
Come for food, fun and friends at the Middle School Monster Bash!
When: From 7 - 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27
Where: BFA Lightning/Thunder Gyms
Attire: Choose your favorite Halloween costume OR dress for a masquerade ball-you decide. Please do not wear a full-face mask, bring any sort of weapon, and no costumes with blood/gore. Regular dress of choice guidelines apply--no clothing that contains offensive wording/images and no revealing clothes.
This is a
FREE event for all middle school students. No dates allowed.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAY AND GUITAR PERFORMANCE
Our middle school drama students are excited to present, "Sideway Stories from Wayside School" based on the novels by Louis Sachar. And, our musically inclined students who have been learning the fundamentals of playing acoustic guitar will be putting on their own performance! It's going to be an amazing show. Parents are welcome from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 29, on BFA's Performance Stage.
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Tours for prospective K-8 families will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays through Nov. 27 (with no tours Nov. 20 due to school breaks). 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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Elementary students (K-5) can bring a Halloween costume to school for the parade and classroom party. (Please look for an email from your teacher and/or room parent with specific details about your student's party.)
Most all parties will be held from 1:45 - 2:45 p.m., with the K-5 parade beginning at 1:45 p.m.
Parents may release their students after the party if they sign them out with their student's teacher. We'd appreciate it if all partygoers leave before carpool begins around 3 p.m., otherwise it will be more difficult to exit the parking lot as you'll be in the middle of the carpool process.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL HALLOWEEN SKATE NIGHT
BFA's Student Council is hosting a Halloween Skate Night! This FUN costume party for BFA middle school students only (grades 6-8) is from
6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1, at Skate City in Littleton. Admission is $5 per middle school kiddo and skate rental is $2.50. Dinner is included-either two slices of pizza and a drink, OR one hot dog, chips and a drink. They'll also be a costume contest, a FREE $5 game card and the opportunity win the GOLDEN SKATE plus $100 for your class. Don't miss it!
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There is no school next Friday, Nov. 2, as it is a professional work day for our teachers.
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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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