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Vol. 10, Iss. 2
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January 16, 2020
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I'm not sure if you realize it, but many of the eighth graders graduating this year started out in our very first kindergarten class! It's bittersweet for me to see so many of them registering for high school. It's becoming real that these students, many of whom I have known since they were 5, will be graduating from BFA in May. One of my goals for this spring is to meet with eighth graders to find out what BFA traditions and activities these students have really enjoyed. I want to better understand which traditions made their experience here a positive one.
I've invited small groups of eighth graders to have lunch with me during the next few weeks to gather feedback on their experiences here. My first lunch was this week and, I have to say, these are some amazing students! The group I met with this week were articulate and thoughtful when I asked what they enjoyed as well as what they would change about this school. I will be sharing more feedback after I've had more lunches. If your eighth grader is interested in sharing feedback with me, please have them fill out the form using the link that Mrs. Pierce sent out last week.
Staying with the theme of resolutions, I am hoping that some of your goals/resolutions for 2020 include becoming more involved at the school. We have seen a sharp decline in volunteers, particularly for morning drop off and afternoon carpool. We'd love to have additional volunteers during both pick-up and drop-off to help the process move more quickly and safely. We have many other areas that are in need of volunteers as well. We'd love to see you in and around the building helping in classrooms, the library, specials, and even at recess. If you are having a hard time finding volunteer opportunities that fit your availability and/or your strengths, you can go to our
website and look for ideas or, let
me know, and I will help find the best place for you to volunteer.
I hope you all have a safe and fun extended weekend!
Diana Simpson
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Students can wear
Dress of Choice tomorrow, Jan. 17,
if they have not had two dress code violations since the last Dress of Choice Day. Clothing should follow the guidelines outlined in the uniform policy.
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To honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., there will be no school on Monday, Jan 20. Enjoy the three-day weekend!
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR
SPELLING BEEN WINNERS!
Architha Kannojoo (5th) and Laurel Henbest (6th) are co-champions of BFA's 2020 spelling bee!
They will now compete at the district spelling bee on Saturday, Feb. 8, at Castle Rock Middle School. It is a public event so if you'd like to go and show your BFA support then you're welcome to attend.
Congratulations, spellers!
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PLEASE TAKE ACTION TODAY
NEED SIZE FOR FIELD DAY SHIRT
Field day is still a few months away but we're getting ready now.
The PTO is providing field day t-shirts for
all BFA students in grades K-8. But we need to know what size to order for your student(s). Please complete this Google Form and the PTO will handle the rest. If you have more than one K-8 student at BFA, please complete one form per student.
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At BFA, the PTO thinks all birthdays are important especially that of our school's namesake, Ben Franklin. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17, 1706, tomorrow marks his 314th birthday. To help celebrate his special day, the PTO will provide birthday treats for all students and staff. Fortune cookies with various quotes from Ben on the fortunes inside will be distributed tomorrow, along with allergen friendly fruit snacks. Be sure to ask your student about their fortune from Ben. Happy birthday, Ben Franklin!
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As a special thank you to all of our outstanding volunteers, the PTO is happy to announce we'll be
coordinating early sign-ups for elementary February Parent Teacher Conferences for all volunteers who have
met their annual volunteer quota with
all hours logged in HelpCounter before Thursday, January 23. The elementary teachers will be reaching out to all eligible families prior to releasing the SignUp Geniuses to all families.
Thank you, volunteers, for all your efforts!
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Student Council is hosting a winter formal for middle schoolers. Join us from 6 - 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, for a night of fun and dancing. Suggested attire is formal wear, but you can come in whatever feels comfortable. Tickets are available to current BFA middle school students for $5 each if you purchase through MySchoolBucks by end of day on February 6. Tickets will be $10 at the door. Dinner will not be served at the dance, so make sure your student grabs something beforehand, but there will be a dessert bar and hot cocoa.
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SWEETHEART BALL - NIGHT IN GOTHAM CITY
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Tickets are on sale NOW for the 2020 Sweetheart Ball - Night in Gotham City.
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 the superhero photo booth and capture the moments you want to remember.
Everyone is encouraged to dress as their favorite superhero, and we'll have a prize for the best costume! Costumes should follow the spirit of our Dress of Choice guidelines. Please no revealing/offensive clothing, full face masks, costumes with pretend blood/gore, or pretend weapons. It's guaranteed to be a SUPER night.
Event Details:
When: 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25
Where: BFA
How Much: A ticket pair is $20, and an extra single ticket is $5. Every ticket includes a slice of pizza!
Next Steps: Get your tickets via
MySchoolBucks
NOW thru Jan 23. NO tickets sold at the door.
Please
Lynsey Humphries, PTO social coordinator,
if you have questions or would like to help with putting on this fun event.
To volunteer before, during, or after this fun event please visit our SignUpGenius.
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SPIRIT WEAR STORE OPEN IN FEBRUARY
The
PTO's spirit wear store is opening for one month beginning February 1. If you or your student need a new BFA t-shirt, hoodie, or other BFA spirit wear, or spirit items, your chance is coming! Please visit the store on
MySchoolBucks to place an order.
The store will close again in March--so get your items TODAY.
All items will be delivered to the classroom and sent home with your student.
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SKATE CITY SOCIALS FOR ALL BFA STUDENTS!
BFA's Student Council is hosting
two Scavenger Hunt Skate Nights! These fun socials will be held for all BFA students:
- Tonight, Jan. 16: BFA middle school students (grades 6-8 only) are invited to attend the Skate City Scavenger Hunt social from 5-7 p.m. at the Skate City in Littleton; and
- Tuesday, Jan. 21: BFA elementary students (grades K-5 only) are invited to the Scavenger Hunt from 5-7 p.m. at the Skate City in Littleton.
Admission is $5 per person and skate rental is $3. Dinner is FREE, compliments of Student Council--either a slice of pizza and a drink, OR one hot dog, chips, and a drink. Skate City is also offering a special $15 game card for only $5. It's sure to be a good time for all so we hope to see you there!
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SAVE THE DATE AND SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER FOR DONUTS WTIH DAD
We hope our Dads will be able to attend
Donuts with Dad from 7 - 8 a.m. next Friday, Jan. 24, at BFA
. We still need volunteers to make this event a success, so we hope some of our terrific parents will
sign up
to help out!
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ORIGINAL WORKS CUSTOM PRODUCTS
If you love Original Works items, we have some good news for you! New orders can be placed through the Original Works
eStore
either from the artwork image used during the Fall 2019 Original Works program, or from other artwork or photos of your choice that you can easily upload to the eStore. Orders are due by February 28; see flier for additional details. Original Works will process the orders, and then conveniently ship them directly to your home.
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PRESCHOOL INTENT TO ENROLL
Do you have friends interested in a preschool that uses the Core Knowledge Sequence and offers a nurturing environment and individualized instruction to ensure your little one is ready for Kindergarten? If so, please let them know that enrollment for the BFA preschool is open to the general public NOW via the BFA
website. Interested parents need to complete an Intent to Enroll form; there is no guarantee of placement as all spots are first come, first served. For more information, interested parents can
email
our Preschool Director,
Kristen Goldberg
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BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL 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 month, per student; and, payments should be made via Zelle or check (made out to Patricia Connell).
Morning classes: Kids in grades K-5 will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 to 8 a.m. in the Spanish classroom (#276)
Afternoon classes: Kindergarten through second grade will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 - 4 p.m. in the Spanish classroom (#276). Third grade through fifth grade will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 - 4 p.m. in the Spanish room (#276).
You can sign up for one month at a time. Classes follow the regular BFA school calendar for breaks/days off, and continue until the end of May. Sign up today!
Please contact Señora Connell for registration, payment information and questions.
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MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD...IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Are you ready to actively engage in the Ben Franklin Academy (BFA) community?
This spring, the BFA community will elect two (2) directors and the BFA Board of Directors will appoint one (1) director in accordance with the Board of Directors Election Policy to serve on the volunteer, seven-director BFA Board. Each seat is for a three-year term. We hope to receive a record number of nominations with a view to having a diverse, talented and dedicated pool of candidates to draw from for BFA's Board.
The Board is
seeking committed and passionate individuals with a broad range of skills
and knowledge in topics such as:
- Organizational and Financial Management
- Strategic or Long-Range Planning
- Banking and Trusts
- Business/Corporate
- Academic/Education
- Technology
The ability of any charter school to carry out its mission and vision depends on the strength of its organizational foundation. A critical element of this foundation is the charter school board itself. In addition to fulfilling legal requirements, every charter school needs a board composed of individuals who not only support the school's mission but also sincerely believe in and seek to promote it. Advocating for BFA and its educational philosophy is an important function of the Board and involves promoting the mission, vision and goals of BFA within both the BFA community and the community at large.
SAVE THE DATE: Please join us at the BFA Town Hall at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, to learn more about the current state of BFA and opportunities to be involved in the future.
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BFA's Student Council is hosting a
Scavenger Hunt Skate Night from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16,
at the Skate City in Littleton.
BFA middle school students (grades 6-8 only) are invited to attend.
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FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
The Finance Committee will meet from 6-8 p.m. this evening, Jan. 16, in the Conference Room. All are welcome to attend.
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Students can wear Dress of Choice tomorrow, Jan. 17, if they have not had two dress code violations since the last Dress of Choice Day. Clothing should follow the guidelines outlined in the uniform policy.
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To honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., there will be no school on Monday, Jan 20. Enjoy the three-day weekend!
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SKATE CITY SOCIAL FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS!
BFA's Student Council is hosting a Scavenger Hunt Skate Night on
Tuesday, Jan. 21, for
BFA elementary students (grades K-5 only). The Scavenger Hunt is from 5-7 p.m.
at the Skate City in Littleton.
Admission is $5 per person and skate rental is $3.
Dinner is FREE, compliments of Student Council--either a slice of pizza and a drink, OR one hot dog, chips, and a drink. Skate City is also offering a special $15 game card for only $5. It's sure to be a good time for all so we hope to see you there!
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The next BFA Board of Directors meeting is from 5:30 - 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The agenda will be posted on the Board webpage 24 hours in advance of the meeting. All are welcome to attend the meeting or use the call-in number on the top of the agenda to listen to the meeting.
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This month's PTO meeting will be
held from 6:30 - 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, in the Sanders Science Lab. There was some confusion as the paper calendar differs from the website calendar, so we wanted to be sure everyone had the correct information. As usual, all BFA parents are welcome and encouraged to come to PTO meetings and find out more about the exciting things we have planned!
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The Geography Bee will be held at 2:35 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23, in the Thunder Gym. Two kids from each grade, 4-8, will participate in the Bee. Good luck to all the participants!
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The School Advisory Committee (SAC) will meet from 4:30 - 5:30 on Thursday, Jan. 23, in the Conference Room.
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Ben's Brigade will meet from 8 - 9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23, at Lansdowne Arms in Highlands Ranch. All BFA dads are welcome to attend!
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Donuts with Dad is from 7 - 8 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at BFA. We hope our BFA dads, favorite uncles or grandpas will be able to attend!
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SWEETHEART BALL - NIGHT IN GOTHAM CITY
Calling all BFA boys and their "special" adult to a super "Night in Gotham City" from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, at BFA.
Everyone is encouraged to dress as their favorite superhero, and we'll have a prize for the best costume!
NO tickets sold at the door.
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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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