Weekly Update
A message from Principal Simpson...
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Dear Parents,
I hope everyone had a nice fall break. It has been good to see all the kids back in the building, and this cooler weather is giving everyone the feeling that fall is finally here, with winter not too far behind. We noticed that many students came in this morning without jackets or sweatshirts. Please remember that we will be going outside unless the temperature is lower than 20 degrees, so students should dress for all kinds of weather. This morning, we also noticed that we had very few cars from 7:50-8 a.m., and then the car line became very busy. Please try to come earlier. There were almost twenty students who were tardy today. We close the doors at 8:13 a.m., as students need to be in their seats and ready to go at 8:15 a.m.
I wanted to provide an update on the school-wide implementation of our social-emotional curriculum, Second Step. All students should be discussing the lessons of "Being Safe," "Being Respectful," and "Be Responsible." If they haven't already, they will soon be exploring the topics of listening, focusing attention, using self-talk and being assertive. It might be a fun dinner conversation to see what they have been learning so far in Second Step. The teachers are busy completing the training for the "Bully-Proofing" component of the program. This component is new to Ben Franklin, and I plan to highlight it in more detail in a November newsletter.
Some of you may have noticed on our COVID-19 data chart (linked HERE), that we currently have a staff member who has tested positive and is out of school while they recover. The staff member became ill during fall break and did not return on Monday, so no students or other staff were exposed. In addition, we currently have two students quarantining for fourteen days due to an exposure that happened outside of school.
Conferences will be held in just over a week. You should have received communication from your teacher about how to sign up for a virtual conference. Tomorrow, an email will go out with links and instructions on signing up if you'd like to also meet with Administration and Specials teachers.
The students are getting excited about our first (maybe annual??) Trunk or Treat Halloween event next Friday. Thank you to everyone who has donated candy and snacks for the event! Keep those donations coming in...it takes a lot of treats for 950 students!
Stay warm this weekend. I hope we get a lot of moisture to help ease some of these fires in the area.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Simpson
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A message from the BFA Board of Directors...
As BFA embarks on our tenth year, we felt it was important to review our mission and vision. The original mission and vision were formed when the plans for our school were in their infancy--before we even broke ground on the building—but they have served as a checkpoint for our decisions and endeavors ever since.
However, as with our policies, it’s useful to periodically analyze them to ensure that these statements remain relevant and consistent with our values over time. Recently, the School Accountability Committee (SAC) reviewed the mission and vision statements. They did not have any recommended changes to BFA’s mission, but did offer some suggestions to update the vision. The changes they recommended ensure BFA’s emphasis on the arts and our social emotional curriculum are reflected in the vision. In addition—the changes align with our assertion that we are The Core Knowledge STEAM School of Choice in Douglas County. The Board voted on SAC’s recommendation and unanimously approved the proposed changes. Below is our new vision statement:
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.
As always, our mission and vision will continue to guide our decision-making as we serve the BFA community.
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School Tours for Prospective Parents Resume |
Do you know any families interested in sending their K-8 student(s) to BFA? If so, we'd love to show them our amazing facility! As we are currently limited by COVID-19 mitigation guidelines, we are limiting the number of tour participants and request that families sign up in advance.
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Would you like to be involved in reviewing policies that drive the direction of BFA? Please, join the School Accountability Committee (SAC) at their monthly meeting as they review the following: Parent Communication Policy, Scheduling Policy, and Financial Accounting and Reporting Policy.
The SAC is meeting via Zoom at 4:30 p.m., today, Oct 22. 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 at SAC@bfacademy.org.
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Uniform Buy Back Sale this Saturday |
Have your kids had a growth spurt or are you ready to get new uniforms for the next season? If so, mark your calendars for the upcoming Used Uniform Sale from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 24, outside in the north courtyard between the two gyms.
Due to COVID-19 constraints and logistics, the sale will be made up entirely of PTO uniform inventory. Please hold onto any consignment items for the PTO’s spring sale, as they are hopeful they’ll be able to accept consigned items then.
If you would like to shop at the uniform sale, please note that the PTO will only accept credit cards, cash, and checks. They have gently used uniforms (and some spirit wear) in most sizes and genders, so be sure to check it out!
If you would like to volunteer to help with the sale, please visit the SignUpGenius.
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Order the 2020-21 Yearbook |
Yearbook sales have officially launched! Similar to last year, the only way to purchase a yearbook is through the vendor, Walsworth. Right now, yearbooks cost $26 per book, but don't wait, as the price will go up on November 14! See the flier for additional details.
You may also order a dedication (or ad) for your student through Walsworth’s website. What a fun way to help commemorate a remarkable school year!
Order and pay for your 2020-21 yearbook and dedication today.
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Ben’s Brigade is hosting a guys night out on Thursday, Nov. 5, at Wyze Axe Throwing (4011 S. Broadway, Englewood). This event is free and is open to all BFA dads, grandpas, etc. Food will be provided. BFA has rented the whole facility for this event, but we are limited to 46 attendees, so RSVP soon to secure your spot!
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Veterans Day Celebration - Take Action NOW! |
It's time to celebrate the veterans and active duty service members in our families! There are many ways you can participate, so please read below and help us celebrate our veterans this year.
Veterans Video - Deadline Oct. 26
We are collecting digital pictures of veterans and current service members for our video. The students always enjoy seeing their loved ones honored on the big screen, so please email all digital pictures to Julie Roper at julieroper13@hotmail.com. Please include the veteran’s name, branch of military and years served. The deadline for digital pictures is 3 p.m. Monday, Oct 26. Thank you in advance for your assistance!
Veterans Wall of Honor - Deadline Nov. 2
As many of you know, each November in preparation for our annual Veterans Day celebration, BFA's halls reflect the respect and admiration our community has for its veterans through our decorations, flags and Wall of Honor Forms. If you would like to contribute to the Wall of Honor, please make a COPY of your favorite pictures from the veterans and/or current service members in your family and complete the Wall of Honor form. Let's FILL the school's halls with the faces of our loved ones who have bravely served our country. Please return the form(s) to school no later than 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.
Car Decoration Event - Happening Nov. 11
Come decorate your car for the Veterans Day Parade! The CEC will hold a car decorating event from 12-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at BFA in the upper parking lot. The CEC will provide decorations but please feel free to bring your own decorations to use or share with other BFA families. This event will require masks and adhere to social distancing.
Veterans Day Celebration - Happening Nov. 12
BFA will hold a Veterans Day Car Parade from 7:45 - 8:15 a.m. during our regularly scheduled carpool on Thursday, Nov. 12. We invite families to decorate their cars with balloons, streamers, and flags to honor the veterans of our BFA families and larger community.
Attention Veterans and Service Members - RSVP Oct. 30
We invite all BFA family members who are active duty service members or veteran's to be honored guests at our Veteran's Day Car Parade. If your family member is planning to join us, please RSVP to cec@bfacademy.org no later than 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, so the CEC committee can plan accordingly. We hope you will join us!
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If you have any paper clipped Box Tops, it’s time to turn them in! Please send them to school by Monday, Oct. 26. Your kids can drop them in the box right inside the front doors by the office, or they can give them to their teacher.
And, don’t forget to keep scanning or emailing in your receipts. You can scan your receipts with the Box Tops app. Or, if you’re shopping online, you can forward your email receipt to: receipts@boxtops4education.com, using the email address that’s associated with your Box Tops account.
For more information, click here or email Alaina Tinney, Box Tops committee chair. Thank you for helping us reach our Box Tops goal!
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Attn: Eighth Grade Families Needing Transcripts |
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, Mrs. 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.) Please note: If the high school requires a first trimester grade report, but your preference is to submit your records to the high school earlier, then you can print the report card and send it to the school when the grade report becomes available.
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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It’s EASY to earn money for BFA by just by going about your busy life! Simply sign up for the King Soopers Rewards Program, then you’ll earn money for our school every time you grocery shop at King Soopers/City Market or fill up your gas tank at a King Soopers Fuel Center.
Here’s how you can earn money for BFA by doing things you're already doing anyway:
- Sign in to your digital account at King Soopers Community Rewards. If you haven't already set up an account, 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 Sooper or City Market, scan your card (or enter your alternate ID), and BFA will get money back from your purchase.
It's incredible how quickly your purchases add up and how much our school can earn. Thanks to our dedicated families, 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. Thank you, again, for your support of BFA and the PTO.
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Trunk or Treat Halloween Fun - Friday, Oct. 30 |
In lieu of usual elementary and middle school Halloween activities, the PTO is hosting TRUNK OR TREAT on Friday, Oct. 30! Throughout the day, classes will be invited to step outside by cohort group and participate in Trunk or Treat where volunteers will be distributing trinkets, candy, popcorn and/or fruit snacks from the trunk of their own vehicle parked in an assigned spot. Remote learners are invited to trunk or treat from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the upper parking lot. (Of course, all volunteers and students will be expected to follow strict safety precautions.)
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we ask that only volunteers attend the Trunk or Treat event. Unfortunately, we cannot have crowds of individuals gathered watching the event. Please refrain from coming if you are not volunteering. Remote learning parents, please look for an email next week with all the details pertaining to your kiddos.
Thank you to all who have volunteered for this event! If you are donating treats or snacks, please drop them off at the front office by tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 23.
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Requesting Donations for Veterans |
The CEC will be collecting donations for the Veterans Hospital from Monday, Nov. 2 through Friday, Nov. 13. The VA is in dire need of single fleece blankets, hand/foot warmers, gloves/mittens and socks. (Please, do not send in hats this year.) Donation boxes will be located at each entrance so students can easily drop items on their way into school each morning. Thank you in advance for assisting veterans in our community who are in need of extra support.
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In Case You Missed It...2021-22 Enrollment |
Will you have a K-8 student you’d like to attend BFA for the 2021-22 school year? Do you have a relative, neighbor or friend who will?
DCSD's online Open Enrollment starts November 2 so it’s about time to take action!
Parents of ALL prospective K-8 students, including siblings of current BFA K-8 students and BFA preschool students, must complete Open Enrollment during First Round to earn a priority status.
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 BFA students. Siblings that share the same birth date (ie. twins or triplets) shall receive automatic enrollment; and
- Children of full-time teachers;
- BFA preschool students, as detailed in the Enrollment Policy.
IMPORTANT: Parents with students who have the above priorities who miss First Round of Open Enrollment and complete it during Second Round will NOT receive priority enrollment. To leverage priority status, please complete Open Enrollment during First Round.
Visit the DCSD Open Enrollment webpage before November for the most up-to-date information, step by step instructions, as well as answers to commonly-asked questions. After reviewing this information, if you have questions about enrollment, please email our registrar, Colleen Bobbin.
Current K-7 BFA Students
No action is needed for current 2020-21 BFA K-7 students intending to return to BFA for the 2021-22 school year. If your student will not return to BFA next year, please let the registrar know via email.
2021-22 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 Wednesday, Dec. 2. Preschool enrollment for the general public will begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13.
If you are interested in the Ben Franklin Academy Preschool program, please click here for more information.
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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.
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Ben Franklin Academy
2270 Plaza Drive
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
www.bfacademy.org
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Main Office Phone: 720-383-4519
Email: info@bfacademy.org
Attendance Phone: 720-432-9239
Email: attendance@bfacademy.org
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