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Vol. 9, Iss. 15
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April 25, 2019
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Dear Parents,
Volunteerism was a founding principle of BFA eight years ago as the school was getting started. We believe parents should be connected to, and partners in their child(ren)'s education. That's why we ask that each family contribute at least 30 volunteer hours each year (15 hours for single family households). Each month, I provide our Board with statistics on volunteerism in the school. At our April meeting, I shared that 90 percent of our families have completed some volunteer hours in the school this year. This is higher than the percentage that completed some hours last year, which is wonderful. However, I know that we can get to 100 percent!! This is my challenge for the last four weeks of the year...let's achieve 100 percent participation! Here are some easy ways to do this:
1. RECORD your hours! Please go in and make sure your hours are recorded for the year.
2. Volunteer for field days and end of year activities in the classrooms.
3. Volunteer for a shift in carpool, the lunchroom or the library. See the newsletter or the Volunteer Management webpage for additional ideas.
We also are in need of some people to volunteer next year on the Community Events Committee (CEC). This committee is responsible for the following events that our community has enjoyed during the past eight years:
- Back to School Picnic
- BooHoo Yahoo Kindergarten Celebration
- Mornings with Moms
- Goodies with Grandparents
- Donuts with Dads
- One Act Of Kindness celebrations
Unfortunately, there are no members of this c
ommittee that will be returning next year. This is a great opportunity to get involved in a way that you may not have considered before now.
These fun, traditional BFA events may not happen next year if we do not have people volunteer to take on this committee. This is a great committee for working and stay-at-home parents alike.
I'd hate for these events not to continue. If you are interested in being on CEC next year, please email me. You can even get in a couple of hours in this school year while we plan for next year.
If you have any questions about volunteering or recording hours, please
email
Michelle Bynum
, office manager and volunteer coordinator.
Thank you all for all the time you do spend helping our community. Let's get 100 percent!!
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April is Autism Awareness month. In 2018, the CDC determined that 1 in 59 children are diagnosed with autism. To help us understand a bit more about autism, we'll be publishing some facts about it throughout the month:
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Sensitivities to sound, lights, touch, and movement may be present in
children with autism. Other children with autism may crave these types of
sensory input.
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Many children with autism have difficulties maintaining eye contact.
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Fidgeting or looking away from the speaker may actually improve
understanding of language for the student.
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Speech and occupational therapies can be very helpful in treating the
symptoms of autism. Applied behavioral analysis, or ABA, is a very
commonly used and well-researched method for treating the symptoms of
autism as well.
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No two children with autism are the same!
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Resources: www.autismspeaks.org; www.ninds.nih.gov; www.cdc.gov
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BEN'S BRIGADE MEETING AND DRAFT NIGHT SOCIAL
Ben's Brigade will be holding their annual NFL Draft Night meeting and social at 6 p.m. TONIGHT, April 25, at MaxTaps (2680 E County Line Rd, Unit A) in Highlands Ranch. If you've never had a chance to attend a Ben's Brigade meeting, tonight's the perfect chance to get your feet wet. Please email
Jon Kelley
, Ben's Brigade committee manager, with any questions.
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DI FUNDRAISERS: DOC AND FROZEN TREAT SALE TOMORROW; KEEP BOLTING!
For the second year in a row, BFA has
THREE
Destination Imagination (DI) teams going to
DI Global Finals. Help the teams get to Global Finals by participating in the following fundraisers:
EXTRA Dress of Choice Day and Frozen Treat Sale TOMORROW
Who doesn't love an EXTRA Dress of Choice Day?! All students (with the exception of those going on field trips) can participate in an EXTRA Dress of Choice Day TOMORROW, April 26. To participate, send your child with $1 (please have exact change) to turn into his/her class/homeroom teacher, and s/he can join in the fun! PLUS, DI's Frozen Treat Sale is also taking place TOMORROW, APRIL 26 - and the forecast is looking perfect for a cool treat on a warm afternoon. DI team members and parents will be at school selling Otter Pops for $1 each during second recess to all grades (and during middle school recess). If your child would like to participate, please make sure s/he holds onto their frozen treat money until second recess for purchase. Single bills are greatly appreciated! (Otter Pops are gluten free and have no artificial colors or flavors.) Please note: Because the fourth grade is on a Field Trip this Friday, the alternative date for fourth graders to participate in the $1 for Dress of Choice Day is NEXT Friday, May 3.
Ben Franklin Bolting Fundraiser: Ends Saturday, May 11
Bring the lightning (and the thunder) to BFA lawns via the Ben Franklin Bolting Fundraiser!
"Bolt" a fellow BFA family for a tax-deductible donation of $25 to the BFA PTO and cover the lawn of BFA families with a dozen (12) Ben Franklin Lightning Bolts!
Place an order on the
lace an order on the
and enter the address of the family you want to bolt. When you enter the bolted family's address, you remain anonymous or let 'em know who bolted them. The DI teams will place the BFA "bolts" in the family's yard for which you paid. Then the family who is "bolted" can choose to have the "bolts" moved to another lawn for $25 by placing an order
on the
BFA Store
to keep the fun going. The DI teams will remove the "bolts" the following evening regardless of giving a donation.
Let's be Frank(lin) about it - bolting is fun!
Note:
You will need the address of the family you'd like to "bolt." Helpful hint: Use the Directory On Tap app to look up an address to "bolt." DI teams can only deliver to families currently attending BFA. They cannot deliver to a public space or a townhouse, condo or apartment complex. Please email Missy Washeck with any questions.
At the end of May, BFA's three DI teams will travel to Kansas City, Missouri, to compete among more than 8,000 participants (approximately 1,400 teams) from more than 15 different countries. The cost to attend Global Finals is about $1,500-$2,000 per student. DI is a creative problem-solving program that integrates STEAM principles and teaches 21st century skills, including leadership, teamwork, positive thinking and project management.
Thank you for supporting the BFA DI teams!
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PTO ELECTIONS OPEN UNTIL MIDNIGHT TOMORROW
The PTO is an integral part of the BFA community. The mission of the PTO is to seek resources to strengthen, enhance, and encourage the educational and social experience at Ben Franklin Academy. Each year, the parent community is asked to vote for open executive officer and committee chair positions.
To view the candidate bios, please visit the PTO Elections page of the BFA website.
Your vote is important.
Voting is open through TOMORROW, April 26, at 11:59 p.m. MST. To vote, please go to the following
link
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Each family unit is permitted to cast one vote per position, and election results will be announced at the PTO meeting on Wednesday, May 8.
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BFA'S TEACHER AND STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK
National Teacher Appreciation Day is coming up on Tuesday, May 7. Because the teachers and staff at BFA go above and beyond, we feel that just one day isn't enough! So, the PTO will be recognizing all of our incredible teachers and staff during the entire week of May 6, with your help! Keep an eye out for a flyer coming home next week with details about the events we have planned for them, and with ideas for ways you can honor the teachers and staff who make BFA such a special place for our children.
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2019-20 DISNEY CHOIR ELECTIVE PACKET AVAILABLE NOW
During the 2019-20 school year, BFA is proud to offer a
middle school choir elective that culminates in a performance at Disneyland.
These students will commit to a year-long elective to learn choral and sight-reading techniques. Next
April, they will travel to Disneyland to perform and take a workshop with Disney performers.
We plan to offer this opportunity once every three years so this will be current middle school
students' only opportunity to participate. We are able to offer 45 spots, first come first serve.
Students will not need to audition for this choir. If your student is a
current fifth, sixth and/or seventh grader and you are interested in the choir but missed the meeting, please review and complete this
packet.
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DO GOOD WITH BURRITOS - CHIPOTLE SPIRIT NIGHT
Join us at Chipotle (2209 West Wildcat Reserve Parkway) from
4-8 p.m. on Monday, April 29, for a fundraiser to support BFA! Chipotle will give 33 percent of the proceeds back to the school
but we have to reach at least $300 in total sales to get the benefit, so bring your friends and come hungry!
You will receive a flier with the details in your student's Thursday folder today;
please be sure to show or mention the flier to the cashier before ordering. Online orders will not be included in the fundraiser total.
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NEED BASE ON LAST DAY OF SCHOOL?
A message from the BASE director:
As you know, the last day of school (May 24) is a half-day. If you are in need of BASE after school care,
you will need to preregister for that day through this MySchoolBucks link. Registration is open now and will close on Sunday, May 12. This day will be treated like a summer camp day, so we'll have a planned activity, a movie, as well as outside and gym time offered.
We will be open from noon until 6 p.m. The cost for the day will be $45 per student; there will only be 60 spots available. All kids that are not picked up after all call will go to BASE and be charged accordingly, space pending. If you have any questions please
email
Mrs. Savoy.
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AVOID THE SUMMER SLIDE WITH BOOTCAMP AT BFA!
Help prevent some of the inevitable 'summer slide' by joining us for Summer Bootcamp at BFA!
We will be hosting two
Bootcamp sessions to review math, reading and writing skills for incoming first graders, second graders, and third graders. Each session will meet for two hours per day, for four consecutive days. We will host
both
a June and July Session. Please visit the
SignUpGenius
for more information.
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REGISTER FOR VOLLEYBALL SUMMER CAMP
Incoming fifth through eighth grade BFA boys and girls are invited to a Summer Volleyball Camp! T
here are two sessions from July 8 - 12, a morning session for incoming fifth through eighth grade beginners and an afternoon session for incoming sixth through eighth grade experienced players. Each session is $150. There are also t
hree evening clinics available July 8-10; these are separate from the two daytime sessions and cost $50 for all three clinics. Register for the day camp and/or evening clinics!
Registration is NOW OPEN through MySchoolBucks and closes June 30. Please see the
flier for more information.
If you know a current high school player who would like to volunteer that week, please ask him/her to contact Coach Haufschild. We are also looking for parent volunteers who want to earn 2019-20 volunteer hours. Sign up today!
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HELP WITH FIELD DAY BOUNCE HOUSE OR MILE RUN
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TIME TO START PREPARING FOR THE BENEFIT BASH
Want to help with BFA's biggest fundraiser next year, but don't know how? T
he BENefit Bash Committee is looking for volunteers to complete a variety of activities at school, at home, and at the event on Oct. 26, 2019. If you would like to help, please
email Julia Porterfield, PTO fundraising coordinator.
And,
don't miss the next BENefit Bash procurement meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, April 29. The meeting will take place at
Rachelle Calahan's house and is KID FRIENDLY! They'd love your help connecting with local businesses and donors to gather great items for the BENefit Bash auctions. Procurement is EASY, FUN, and a great way to meet new people and earn volunteer hours on your own schedule.
If you're interested in attending, or if you have an auction item you'd like to donate, please email Rachelle Calahan and Courtney Chesy, BENefit Bash procurement committee co-managers.
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SUMMER CAMP IS BACK AND COSTS ARE CHANGING
If you need full-time day care for the summer, want to schedule your own summer break, or are looking for a safe, fun way for your student to connect with other Ben Franklin Academy kids, then please sign up for Summer Camp!
Please make note of the change in the cost of summer camp this year. We had previously planned to keep costs the same, but as we started preparations and making purchases for the camps, we were forced to account for the rising costs of supplies, transportation and venues. Therefore, due to an increase in our expenses associated with running the camp, we will need to increase our tuition by $10 per day.
Summer Camp will operate on either a weekly or a daily registration schedule; and the costs will be as follows:
Weekly registration
: Tuition will be a flat $195 fee, per child/day, which is a $60.00 discount rate from the daily tuition rate.
Daily registration
: If registering for specific days only, tuition will be $45/child/day for general/in-house activities and $60/child/day for off-site field trip or special in-house activity days.
Program Details
Dates: May 29 - August 9; Closed July 1-5
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Days: Monday through Friday
Summer Camp is open to any currently enrolled BFA student 5-years old and above. Your child must be 5 on or before May 29 to participate.
All child(ren) must be registered using the online system in advance. Registration will close at 11:59 p.m. (MST) on Sunday, two (2) weeks prior to the date you would like your child(ren) to begin camp. For example, on Sunday, June 2, you can register your kiddo for Summer Camp beginning on Monday, June 17.
The summer camp calendars are now available. If you would like a copy please email us! (For your reference, the email is
[email protected].)
If you have any questions please
email
Leigh Savoy or
Janet Harlow.
Go to MySchoolBucks or click here to register.
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SEND YOUR KIDDO TO STEM CAMP THIS SUMMER
Are you looking for something interesting and fun for your rising third, fourth and fifth graders to do this summer? Look no further, because
Mrs. Lewicki is offering two STEM Camps at BFA this Summer!
Students will work in teams to perform experiments, discover the principles behind the experiment, innovate a new design with their team, and perform the experiment again. The fun increases throughout the week as teams compete against each other to earn points. The winning team at the end of the week will receive a mad scientist award. Limit 10 students, and the
registration deadline is May 20.
Email Mrs. Lewicki for registration details.
Session 1: NATURAL DISASTERS, June 25-28, Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. $150
Change on earth can be violent and amazing. Explore natural disasters like earthquakes, tornadoes, wildfires, mudslides, and floods. Build simulations and create the your own natural disasters. Learn how these natural events work and how they change the earth. As a team, engineer structures that will withstand these disasters.
Session 2: PHYSICS,
July 23-26, Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. $150
Physics is tricky. What do you know about friction, buoyancy, speed, thrust and lift? Explore the physics behind things that fly, float and zoom. Engineer ways to make different objects move. Then, test, improve, and test them again until you can make them move!
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LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are still needed in the Library! There are plenty of openings in April and May, so you can meet your volunteer requirement before school ends.
Sign up
today!
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LOOKING FOR A WAY TO CELEBRATE A SUMMER BIRTHDAY?
Does your student have a summer birthday? Surprise them with a birthday bag delivered in the last week of school! Birthday bags contain fun goodies and a personalized note from you. They are delivered to your child's classroom and presented with a birthday song sung by the eighth graders.
Birthday bag sales will end on May 15, but deliveries will still be made through the week of May 20.
Bags are $10,
and 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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Incoming Kindergartners--
join Mrs. Brook for a Kindergarten Boot Camp this summer! This fun camp provides an introduction to kindergarten literacy and math.
The Kindie Boot Camp is designed to provide an opportunity for new kindergarten students to become familiar with BFA and the kindergarten classroom.
Campers will learn a new letter and number every day, gain new skills, make friends, and work on crafts.
There are three boot camp sessions, and space is limited to 16 kids per session. Camps will be held June 24 - 28, July 15 -19 and July 22 - 26; sessions are from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, at BFA. Parents should not sign up for more than two sessions so others can have a chance to register. The cost is $65 per session (cash or check). Please bring payment on the first day of your session and make checks payable to Debbie Brook. See the flier and sign up for a session today!
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FIFTH GRADE PARENTS- PLEASE VOLUNTEER IN CARPOOL! FOURTH GRADE - YOU'RE UP NEXT!
FIFTH GRADE FAMILIES--please volunteer in carpool this APRIL! 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 April, we'd like our FIFTH GRADE families to sign up for open volunteer spots in carpool. If you
don't have a fifth 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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LAST CHANCE TO RENT THE ROCK!
There are FIVE OPEN DAYS left this school year for you to rent the rock:
- Fri, April 26
- Mon, April 29
- Tues, April 30
- Fri, May 17
- Tues, May 21
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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A new, FUN after school activity is being offered by our very own
Ms. Whelan!
Our fourth and fifth grade, as well as our middle school students are invited to sign up for Zumba!
Zumba takes the "work" out of "workout" by mixing low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval style dance fitness party. It is a total workout combining elements of cardio, muscle conditioning, as well as balance and flexibility, boosting your overall energy.
Sessions run from now until May 16 and are $25.
- Grades 4 and 5: Tuesdays 3:30-4:15 p.m. in the Middle School Commons
- Middle School: Thursdays 3:30-4:15 p.m. in the Middle School Commons
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PUT YOUR SCHOOL PRIDE ON DISPLAY!
GO BOLTS! Show your school pride by placing a BFA Bolts sign in your yard. There is a limited quantity of yard signs left, and they are being sold for only $10 each.
After you place your order on the
BFA Store, the sign will be delivered to your student at school. Now that the snow is starting to melt and spring is in the air, it's a great time to display your school spirit in your yard!
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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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NEW SPRING EVENTS! GET YOUR DISCOUNT TICKETS TODAY
The Foundation for Douglas County Schools
Community Events Program
is out with their latest fundraisers; check out their spring flier! 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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The School Accountability Committee (SAC) is meeting from 4:10 - 5:10 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, in the BFA Conference Room.
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BEN'S BRIGADE MEETING AND DRAFT NIGHT SOCIAL
Ben's Brigade will be holding their annual NFL Draft Night meeting and social at 6 p.m. TONIGHT, April 25, at MaxTaps (2680 E County Line Rd, Unit A) in Highlands Ranch.
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DI DRESS OF CHOICE AND FROZEN TREAT SALE
The DI teams will raise funds through an
EXTRA Dress of Choice Day and Frozen Treat Sale on Friday, April 26
. To participate, in the Dollar Dress of Choice, send your child with $1 (please have exact change and no coins) to turn into his/her class/homeroom teacher. If your student would like to purchase an Otter Pop at recess, you can send in another $1 for that as well.
Single bills are greatly appreciated!
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The Spring Social event (formerly Mother-Son event) for boys and their special adult will take place from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, at Bowlero in Lone Tree. Tickets should have been purchased in advance.
No tickets will be sold at the door.
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Join us at Chipotle (2209 West Wildcat Reserve Parkway) from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, April 29, for a fundraiser to support BFA!
Be sure to show or mention the flier to the cashier before ordering. Online orders will not be included in the fundraiser total.
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BENEFIT BASH PROCUREMENT MEETING
T
he next BENefit Bash procurement meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, April 29. The meeting will take place at
Rachelle Calahan's house and is KID FRIENDLY! If you're interested in attending, or if you have an auction item you'd like to donate, please
email
Rachelle Calahan and
Courtney Chesy, BENefit Bash procurement committee co-managers.
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It's the LAST 'first Wednesday of the month' Formal Uniform Day on Wednesday, May 1! Students should wear their Formal Uniform that Wednesday, which is a navy polo shirt with the BFA logo and tan pants, shorts, skirt or a skort.
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Friday, May 3, is a Spirit Day. Students can wear their favorite Spirit Wear shirt, or field day shirt from a prior year, or their Fun Run shirt. Students should wear regular uniform bottoms.
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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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