From the Desk of Principal Simpson

January 20, 2022

Weekly Update

A Message from Principal Simpson

Dear Parents,

January's virtue is Resolution – Keep your word. When you have a task, get it done. Turn in your homework on time and be prepared. When we discuss the virtue of resolution with students, we encourage them to set some goals for the rest of the school year and keep up their hard work.

One of my resolutions is to maintain our high level of communication. You may have received an email from DCSD yesterday that detailed how they are scaling back their COVID communications due to the sheer volume of emails. I will not be changing our communication strategy here at BFA. You will still get an exposure notice if there is a case in your student's classroom, and I will provide community updates as needed. We will continue to maintain the COVID chart on our website as well.

Within the past few days, we have sent exposure notices to one first-grade class, one fourth-grade class, and another to a sixth-grade class. We did send our list of fourth grade cases to the health department, as we reached five cases in fourteen days.

At the Board meeting on Tuesday evening, the Board approved the staff recommendation to transition to the EnVision math program for grades k-5 next year. Middle school is already using this program and has seen much success. I'd like to thank the staff and parents of the math committee who spent hours reviewing, observing, and analyzing curriculum options during the past year to ensure we are making the best choice for our students. Their hard work has been admirable. We will have much more information about this significant change in the months to come.

I hope everyone has a safe and healthy weekend!

Diana Simpson

Second Step Program

Middle School Students Address Bullying and Harassment

In Mindful in the Middle, we are finishing up our second unit, Recognizing Bullying and Harassment. We've spent almost eight weeks delving into this unit and have had so many meaningful and informative discussions. During this unit, students also had the opportunity to reflect on their role in the presence or absence of bullying and harassment at BFA.

The culminating project requires middle school students to work together to build a plan that challenges social and environmental factors contributing to bullying. This culminating project includes creating a poster or social media campaign, outlining details of when and how their group will put the plan into place, and identifying who else will be involved in the plan's successful implementation.

Below are a few examples of the eighth graders' incredible work:

BFA News

Round Two of Open Enrollment Begins Monday

If you have a new/prospective K-8 student and did not complete Open Enrollment during Round One, please be aware that the Second Round of Open Enrollment begins at 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 24. Go to the Douglas County School District (DCSD) Open Enrollment webpage for more information.

Sweetheart Ball - Tickets on Sale NOW

All BFA girls and their father or other special adult are invited to attend this year’s Sweetheart Ball, Boots & Beauties, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29, at BFA.

Tickets are on sale NOW through Wednesday, Jan. 26, on MySchoolBucks. Tickets are $35 per couple, and $15 for each additional student. Get yours today, as tickets will not be sold at the dance.

Come learn a line dance, enjoy food and have lots of fun! Country Western apparel encouraged.

If you have questions, please contact Alissa Motazedi, PTO social coordinator. We can’t wait to see you there!

Don't Miss Your Chance to Order a Yearbook and Dedication

Yearbooks are on sale now and cost $36 per book. For details on pricing and how to order, check out the attached flier.

You also may order a dedication (ad) for your student. Click here for more information about this fun way to help commemorate a great school year! The last day to order a dedication is Tuesday, Feb. 1.

Order and pay for your 2021-22 yearbook and dedication today at: http://www.yearbookforever.com.

Online PTO Store Restocked and Ready to Open

The PTO's online store for spirit wear and spirit items will reopen next Monday, Jan. 24, and will be open until Friday, March 4. You can shop for all your BFA logo gear including t-shirts, hoodies, baseball caps, masks and gaiters, desktop calendars, and more! Make sure your kids have sweatshirts for chilly classrooms and fleece jackets or vests for recess. Find all your items at MySchoolBucks.

The PTO offers both youth and adult sizes, but if you're not sure what size to order, don't worry! The PTO will have a spirit wear booth at Parent Teacher conferences where you can browse and try on items before ordering them online. (Items will not be available for purchase at conferences.)

Orders will be delivered and sent home through your child's classroom. Masks and gaiters are not returnable. Questions? Contact Jacqui Condon, PTO spirit wear chair.

Save the Date - Spirit Night at Kneaders

Make plans to enjoy great food and support BFA from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at Kneaders (1105 Sgt. Jon Stiles Drive). They also will have cookies with the BFA logo and bolts on them for purchase!

Kneaders will give back 20 percent of all purchases, including merchandise, so be sure to mention BFA so the school will get credit for your purchase.

Hearing and Vision Screenings Begin Jan. 31

BFA will conduct our annual hearing and vision screenings at school on Monday, Jan. 31, and Tuesday, Feb. 1. Hearing and vision impact learning, so it's important to conduct screenings, and Colorado law (C.R.S. 22-1-116) states that students in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9 should be tested for sight and hearing. We also screen students that are new to the district as well as any referrals. It is important to note that this is a screening, not a complete exam. If your student wears prescription glasses or contacts, it is necessary that he/she wear them during the screening.

This year, the school has contracted with Tender Care Consulting, LLC, for the screenings. We also need parent volunteers to help. If you are interested, it’s a great way to get your volunteer hours! See the SignUpGenius for details.

You will receive a letter if your student does not pass the screening. Students with concerns should be evaluated by a health care professional. Please take the letter to your appointment and have the provider complete the bottom of the form, and return it to your school's health office.

Colorado Department of Education Standards for hearing and vision are available online.

Please contact Mrs. DeBellis in the Health Room if you have questions or concerns about your student.

In Case You Missed It...A Message from the Board

The ability of BFA to carry out the mission and vision depends upon the strength of our organizational foundation, beginning with the Board of Directors. This spring, the BFA community will elect (or re-elect) one (1) director to serve on the seven-director Board, for a term of three years. The current Board of Directors will also appoint one (1) director, in accordance with the Board of Directors Election Policy.

Do you know someone who is passionate about BFA? A thinker, a person who is trustworthy, a team player, a good listener you can always approach, a person who steps in to help, or sees the problem before it is one? Please nominate that person to serve on the BFA Board of Directors in 2022.

We are seeking a record number of nominations. We challenge each and every BFA family to nominate at least one qualified candidate when election nominations open in February. To have a diverse, talented, dedicated, and passionate Board that is also representative of our families means we need YOU!

We are seeking committed and passionate individuals with a broad range of skills and knowledge in topics such as:

Law/Charter School Law
Investments/Banking
Public Relations
Fundraising/Capital Campaign
Strategic or Long-Range Planning
Business Owner

Please Save the Date!

Please, join us for the BFA Town Hall prior to the February Board Meeting on Feb. 22, to learn more about the current state of BFA and continued ways to become involved!

BFA Board President Matt Keillor Shares What Being on the BFA Board Has Meant to Him:

It has been an honor to serve on BFA's Board of Directors for the past 4.5 years. Working with a diverse group of professionals who volunteer their time to oversee the strategic direction, policies, and governance of Ben Franklin Academy has made an incredible impact on me personally and professionally.

The past two years have been challenging yet very rewarding as we have navigated the effects of COVID on our community. We understand that there is no perfect solution. The Board, along with the leadership of Principal Simpson, has taken a methodical and strategic approach to prioritize in-person learning as much as possible. We remain committed to the goal of providing an exceptional learning experience for our students.

If you know someone who shares the passion of making a difference for the students at BFA, I highly recommend you nominate him/her (or yourself) to run for a seat on the Board of Directors. The reward of knowing that you are making a lasting impact on kids' educational experience is well worth it!

Matt Keillor

President, BFA Governing Board

Donuts with Dads Postponed

Due to the increase in COVID cases, the Community Events Committee (CEC) will need to postpone Donuts with Dads, originally scheduled for tomorrow, Jan. 21.

They look forward to hosting the event some time in the future.

For Your Information...Warriors Volleyball

Warriors spring volleyball session is beginning soon! They have teams for boys and girls, grades 1-8.

See the flier or their website for additional information and to get registered.

For Your Information...National Charity League

On occasion, we like to share service and character-building opportunities with our community, such as participating in the Scouts. Today, we’re passing along information about an organization newer to Douglas County, but with 280 chapters nationwide.

Middle school girls who live or go to school in Douglas County are invited to apply to participate in National Charity League. It is a mother-daughter organization that is based around volunteering, leadership and cultural events. There is more information on the attached flier for anyone that might be interested!

If You Have Not Already - Please Sign Up for King Soopers Rewards or Amazon Smile

If you are a King Soopers or Amazon shopper, you can help earn money for BFA by signing up for King Soopers Community Rewards and Amazon Smile. Here's how:

To sign up for King Soopers Community Rewards:

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 Save.
Next time you check out at King Soopers or City Market, scan your card (or enter your alternate ID), and BFA will get money back from your purchase.

This program adds up quickly, so please consider participating.

To sign up for Amazon Smile:

Go to: smile.amazon.com, and click Get Started.
Enter ‘Ben Franklin Academy Parent-Teacher Organization’ in the search box, and select BFA PTO as the organization that you want to support.
Once you have signed up for Amazon Smile online, you can enable Amazon Smile through the Amazon app, by selecting Gifting and Charity from the menu in the lower right-hand corner, then Amazon Smile.

You can find out more information about the AmazonSmile program including how to link your Amazon account to BFA, click here.

Please email fundraising@bfacademy.org with any questions. Thank you, again, for your support of BFA and the PTO!

Upcoming Events

BFA's Guiding Principles

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.