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Vol. 9, Iss. 31
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November 7, 2019
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Dear Parents,
As I've said in the past, Veterans Day is one of my favorite celebrations. It's an honor to host veterans from our community and to teach our new generation about the sacrifices service members have made on their behalf. I hope you can join us for one of the assemblies, or at the very least, turn in your Wall of Honor form to recognize veterans and/or current service members in your own family.
The CEC has invited men and women from Littleton Fire Station 18 to come by during morning carpool as a way to recognize first responders. Unless they get called away, you'll see their fire truck in the southwest part of the parking lot. Please honk and wave (but don't stop!) and show your appreciation to our local first responders. (The CEC will continue to show our love for First Responders by buying pizza for the station that evening!)
The CEC has planned
two ceremonies on Monday, Nov. 11--the first ceremony is at 8:45 a.m. and the second is at 10:45 a.m. A reception will be held for veterans between the two assemblies in the Sander's Science Lab. We hope you'll invite veterans in your family or neighborhood to join us!
Below is the schedule in case you want to attend the same assembly as your student(s):
- 8:45 a.m. - Preschool through second grade, as well as grades 4 and 5
- 10:45 a.m. - 3rd grade and grades 6-8 (Fourth graders will sing, but not stay for the entire assembly.)
We're thrilled to have two impressive speakers for the assemblies. Major General Michael A. Loh, the adjutant general for the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and Command Sergeant Major William D. Woods, senior enlisted leader to the adjutant of Colorado, will be at both assemblies to tell students about their experiences.
Parents should park in the overflow lot for the assemblies because we are leaving the lower lot open for veterans. And, we invite any kids who participate in boy/girl scouts to wear their scouting uniform on Monday.
In addition to the assemblies, the CEC also is coordinating an outreach project to support Veterans in our community. This year they will be collecting gloves, scarves, fleece blankets and hand/toe warmers for the VA Hospital. The CEC will be collecting donations through Friday, Nov. 15. Please label your item(s) with your student(s) name and grade(s). Thank you in advance for your support!
Part of what makes Veterans Day so special is how amazing our halls look when the CEC decorates for the event. This year, the CEC only received around 30 Wall of Honor submissions and, unfortunately, they DO NOT have forms from prior years to display. I'd love to see our hallways filled with your pictures and stories again this year, so if you have a veteran or service member to honor, I hope you'll complete a Wall of Honor form.
I look forward to seeing you all on Monday!
Sincerely,
Diana Simpson
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BFA loves its volunteers, and we want to show our appreciation for all of your work. This year, the PTO will be recognizing TWO volunteers each month. One volunteer will be chosen as the 'Volunteer of the Month,' and will get exclusive use of the dedicated 'Volunteer' spot in the parking lot for their month.
Each month, a second volunteer will be randomly chosen through a monthly drawing to win a fun, surprise gift. All you have to do to be eligible to win, is log at least ONE hour of volunteer service in the month prior to the drawing.
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CONGRATULATIONS SARA HOPE!
For the month of November,
Sara Hope has been selected as the Ben Franklin Academy Volunteer of the Month! She is being honored for all the time and effort she put into the BENefit Bash.
Sara entered all of the auction items into PTA Pal, stored all of the physical items at her home, and put together all of the themed baskets. She single-handedly took on several large and daunting tasks and demonstrated order, moderation, and frugality throughout everything she did to help finalize preparations for the BENefit Bash. For all of her efforts, we'd like to say thank you and recognize her.
Sara and her husband, Scott, are the parents of daughters Maddie (junior at Mountain Vista High School) and Charlie (4th grade). This is their seventh year at BFA. Charlie started in the 3/4-year old preschool room in 2013. Sara says,
"There are so many things that I love about BFA, including the extremely dedicated teachers and staff, strong sense of community and high level of parent involvement."
Congratulations, Sara! And, thank you again for all you do for our school.
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THANK YOU LARISSA MEISTER
This month,
Larissa Meister is the winner of our drawing for her volunteer time in October. She
volunteered in science lab for Mrs. Hildebrand's class and in centers for Mrs. North's class. Thanks to her efforts, she has won a $10 gift card to Jamba Juice. Congratulations, Larissa! And, thank you again for your contributions at BFA.
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CARPOOL RUNS BETTER WITH VOLUNTEERS!
We need parent involvement in BFA's carpool; while most of the BFA staff help with carpool in some manner, we need a few parent volunteers each day to ensure both morning and afternoon carpool run smoothly.
Please consider volunteering! This month, we're sending out a special request to all SEVENTH GRADE FAMILIES - we'd appreciate your help in carpool in November. Carpool volunteers are critical so
sign up or show up today.
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REPORT CARDS AVAILABLE NEXT WEEK
Believe it or not,
first trimester ends this Friday, Nov. 8! Grades will be available through
Gradelink on Thursday, Nov. 14.
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Ben's Brigade will be hosting a bowling night for all BFA Dads. Please join other Dads from
8 - 9:30 p.m. TONIGHT, Nov. 7, at Bowlero Lone Tree for a free night of bowling, pizza and wings. You do not need to be a member of Ben's Brigade to attend--just come have some fun with other BFA Dads!
Please email Ben's Brigade to RSVP.
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LAST CHANCE AUCTION ENDS TOMORROW; GET YOUR BRICK BEFORE THEY ARE GONE!
Last Chance Auction IS GOING ON NOW, and will be ending tomorrow so log into your PTA Pal account TODAY at
https://bfacademy.ptapal.com and get in on all the bidding FUN!
The auction includes, among other things, teacher experiences. No ticket is needed to participate. All you have to do is be registered at PTA Pal in order to participate and bid.
Pathway to Learning Bricks are BACK. This is your last chance to purchase a commemorative brick for placement in front of the school alongside the existing bricks.
Bricks will not be available for purchase after the auction closes tomorrow. These commemorative bricks are a great way to leave a lasting memory of your time at our school. Purchased bricks are scheduled to be installed Spring 2020 prior to the last day of school.
To purchase, simply login/register at:
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KNOW A FAMILY INTERESTED IN BFA?
ONLY A FEW TOURS LEFT THIS YEAR!
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 November 19, and again from January 21 - March 31. We'll also have a tour on
April 7 and May 5.
We look forward to showing 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 ten minutes early so we can scan their license before the tour begins. There is no need to RSVP, and tours last around 45 minutes.
If you have a friend interested in our preschool program, they should
contact
Kristen Goldberg, preschool director.
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A message from Nutrition Services...
On Wednesday, Nov. 13, DCSD nutrition services will hand out
Johnny Pops to kids who buy hot lunch for
World Kindness Day.
Kids who bring their lunch may buy one for $1.
Click
here for allergen information.
Contact
Holly Long with questions.
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Moms and ladies of BFA--it's your turn!
Please join members of the PTO at
7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at Smokin' Fins in Highlands Ranch. This fun Moms Night Out will take place following the PTO meeting. Light appetizers will be provided. Please
RSVP so they have an accurate count for the restaurant.
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YOU GET PIZZA, PARRY'S GIVES BACK!
Parry's Pizzeria and Bar (9567 S University Blvd., 80126) will be hosting a BFA Spirit Night from 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov.14. Parry's will donate 20 percent of the purchases back to BFA--so, make plans for a pizza night and help BFA!
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THANK A STAFF MEMBER WITH SCRIP
BFA will use SCRIP for holiday staff gifting again this year. This convenient, online program replaces room parent collections and facilitates convenient group gifting.
Each family makes one payment through MySchoolBucks for all of their teacher and staff gifts. At the end of collections, each staff member will receive an email with the total collected on their behalf and is able to select gift cards they would like to receive.
Participation in the SCRIP program is completely voluntary. You are welcome to participate with any amount, or alternatively gift the teachers and staff on your own. Families will be able to place SCRIP orders via MySchoolBucks and pay by credit card. You may designate how much you would like to give to each teacher/staff member in one-dollar increments.
Collections will take place Dec. 2-6 with gift cards being distributed during the week before Winter Break.
Questions? Visit the PTO
webpage or
contact
Rachael Hamburger, SCRIP coordinator.
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PLEASE CHECK LOST AND FOUND
Please ask your student(s) to
check the Lost and Found if they are missing a sweater, BFA sweatshirt, coat/jacket, lunch box or water bottle. Items will be donated during Thanksgiving Break.
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Yearbook sales have officially launched! Similar to last year, the only way to purchase a yearbook is through our vendor, Walsworth. The PTO will not be offering yearbook sales at any other events throughout the year. Don't wait, as prices will increase beginning in January.
Nov. - Dec. 31, 2019 = $26.00 per book
Jan. 1 - Feb. 29, 2020 = $31.00 per book
March 1 - March 31, 2020 = $36.00 per book
Order and pay for your 2019 - 20 yearbook today.
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SAVE THE DATE FOR THE PTO'S SWEETHEART BALL
We are changing things up this year, and
giving our sons an opportunity to show off their sweet dance moves.
Calling all BFA boys and their "special" adult to a super "Night in Gotham City" to enjoy some dancing, games, light snacks and dessert. Get silly in our superhero photo booth and capture the moments you want to remember. Everyone is encouraged to dress as their favorite superheroes. It's guaranteed to be a SUPER night.
Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020
6-8 p.m.
Please
contact
Lynsey Humphries, PTO social coordinator, with questions.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...ROUND ONE OF DCSD OPEN ENROLLMENT HAS STARTED
DCSD's online Open Enrollment has started for the 2020-21 school year. Parents of ALL NEW K-8 BFA students for the 2020-21 school year need to take action by completing the 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.
Note: If you are a current BFA family and plan to Open Enroll a student in BFA's 2020-21 kindergarten class, please complete this Preference Form and submit it to Colleen Bobbin by Monday, Nov. 11.
First Round of Open Enrollment
FIRST ROUND: Runs through 3:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. All families are highly encouraged to complete Open Enrollment during the First Round.
- Parents will use their DCSD EngagED Parent Portal to login and access the Open Enrollment tool. (Hint: You used your EngagED Parent Portal to complete Express Check-In in August.)
- If you do not know your username and password, please email BFA's registrar, Colleen Bobbin, BEFORE Thanksgiving Break.
- Parents without a DCSD EngagED Parent Portal account will be able to create one once First Round opens on Nov. 1.
- For Kindergarten, your child MUST turn five on or before Oct. 1, 2020 to be eligible for 2020-21 kindergarten.
- 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; 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 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.
- To accept an Open Enrollment offer, parents MUST accept via the EngagED Parent Portal before 4 p.m. on Dec. 16.
- If a parent does not accept an offer by the deadline, the student automatically will be placed on the Second Round Open Enrollment wait-list.
- Parents who accept an offer will receive enrollment requirements and deadlines via email from the BFA registrar. 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:
- Lease Agreement
- Purchase Agreement
- Tax Notice
- Warranty Deed
- Deed of Trust
SECOND ROUND: Runs Jan. 22 - Aug. 3, 2020
- 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.
Second Round Offers:
- As space becomes available, offers during Second Round will be made via the email address parents submitted during Open Enrollment. (Offers during this round will not be visible from the Open Enrollment tool, rather parents should look for an email from the school's registrar.) Parents who accept an offer will receive enrollment requirements and deadlines via email from the BFA registrar. Unfortunately, if parents miss the deadlines outlined in the registrar's email, the enrollment offer will be withdrawn and another student on the list will be given an opportunity to enroll.
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 November 1. If you have questions about enrollment, please
email our registrar or call 720-383-4519 x3104 to reach the regi
strar.
CURRENT BFA STUDENTS:
Current K-8 students intending to return to BFA next school year DO NOT need to take any action. If your 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. 2. Preschool enrollment for the general public will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 13.
If you are interested in the Ben Franklin Academy Preschool program, please click
here for more information.
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Please join other Dads from
8 - 9:30 p.m. TONIGHT, Nov. 7, at Bowlero Lone Tree for a free night of bowling, pizza and wings.
Please email Ben's Brigade to RSVP.
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Last Chance Auction will end on Friday, Nov. 8. This is your last opportunity to bid on teacher experiences and buy a brick. Log into your PTA Pal account at
https://bfacademy.ptapal.com
to participate!
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Veterans Day is next Monday, Nov. 11, and we invite you to join us at our annual BFA Veterans Day assemblies! We will be holding two ceremonies on
Monday, Nov. 11, the first ceremony at 8:45 a.m. (K-4th) and the second at 10:45 a.m. (4th-8th)
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A reception will be held for veterans between the two assemblies in the Sander's Science Lab.
There is still time to invite veterans in your family or neighborhood to join us!
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Tours for prospective K-8 families will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays through November 19.
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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There is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Committee meeting from
5:30 - 7:30 on Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the Sanders Science Lab. BFA parents are welcome to attend and find out more about STEM Committee activities at BFA!
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On Wednesday, Nov. 13,
DCSD nutrition services will hand out Johnny Pops to kids who buy hot lunch for World Kindness Day. Kids who bring cold lunch may buy one for $1.
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YOU GET PIZZA, PARRY'S GIVES BACK!
Parry's Pizzeria and Bar (9567 S University Blvd., 80126) will be hosting a
BFA Spirit Night from 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov.14. Hope to see you there!
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FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday,
Nov. 14, the BFA Finance Committee will meet from 6-8 p.m. in the BFA Conference Room. Parents are welcome to attend.
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ACCELERATED READER DRESS OF CHOICE DAY
If your student in
grade 1-5 has met their Accelerated Reader goal for the trimester per their teacher, he/she may wear Dress of Choice on Friday, Nov. 15. Congratulations readers!
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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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