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Vol. 9, Iss. 34
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December 5, 2019
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Dear Parents,
We are still celebrating being a John Irwin School of Excellence for the second year in a row! This week, our school was recognized at the DCSD Board Meeting and we received our John Irwin School of Excellence banner.
This recognition is given by the Colorado Department of Education because our students exceeded expectations in academic achievement on the CMAS
tests last spring. This award is more difficult for K-8 schools to win than it is for a standalone elementary or middle school, as both our elementary and middle school must exceed expectations in order for us to win. I am so proud of our students and staff! Everyone worked hard throughout the school year and this award is a testimony to their dedication.
Last spring, the Douglas County Commissioner's office committed ten million dollars to safety and security for the district's schools. Any school interested in receiving some of these funds filled out an application with details of the safety and security projects (including mental health supports) they'd like to implement. I am happy to say that we've been awarded funding for some of the projects for which we applied. We have not received details on what parts of our proposal were funded as of yet, but we are receiving some of the ten million dollars. The County Commissioners were very generous and we are thankful for their support of all schools in Douglas County!
And, I have more good news--we had such outstanding community participation for the BENefit Bash that all students have earned an extra dress of choice day! Thursday, Dec. 19, will be the big day. Thanks to everyone for supporting the Bash and therefore supporting the school!
Lastly, we have been very short on carpool volunteers this week. Any help during AM or PM carpool would be appreciated! In December, we've asked for extra help from our first grade parents, but we would be happy to see any smiling faces in safety vests at 7:45 a.m. or 3:15 p.m. each day! Thank you!
Sincerely,
Diana Simpson
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PRESCHOOL ENROLLMENT OPEN FOR BFA FAMILIES
Preschool enrollment is now open for families that have another student currently enrolled in BFA's kindergarten through eighth grade classes.
Please complete this form to express your interest in our program. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into the preschool as it is determined on a first come, first serve basis. You will receive an email confirming the spot requested or that you have been wait listed.
If you know of a family who does not have students at BFA but is interested in BFA's preschool, please let them know that preschool enrollment will open to the public on Jan. 13 at 9 a.m.
Questions? Please email our preschool director, Kristen Goldberg.
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THANK YOU NISHA AND JAMES NELSON!
Each month, a
BFA volunteer will be randomly chosen through a 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.
This month,
James and Nisha Nelson are the winners of the PTO monthly drawing for their volunteer time in November.
Nischa volunteered in the science lab and at the fourth grade Medieval Festival, and James is active with Ben's Brigade. They have won a $10 gift card to Starbucks.
Congratulations, Nischa and James! And, thank you again for the time and effort you put into volunteering at BFA.
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FIRST GRADE FAMILIES--VOLUNTEER IN DECEMBER
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 FIRST GRADE FAMILIES - we'd appreciate your help in carpool in DECEMBER. Carpool volunteers are critical so
sign up or show up today.
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SCRIP GIFTING DEADLINE TOMORROW
Tomorrow is the
LAST DAY to place your SCRIP orders for holiday staff and teacher gifts!
To
place your SCRIP order and pay with credit card, visit
MySchoolBucks.com. Staff are listed under "BFA - PTO SCRIP Gifting" and grouped by grade or category. Select the appropriate grade or category to open the group window. Use the dropdown menu to select the staff member you're gifting and enter your gift amount in the "Amount to Pay" box. You may designate how much you would like to give to each teacher/staff member in whole-dollar increments. (You also may elect to have your student's name only, not gift amount, shared with the recipient when you place your order.) Repeat as many times as needed until all of your staff gift orders have been placed. And, don't forget to check out when you're all done!
Due to the time needed to calculate all gift amounts as well as place and coordinate all gift orders, the
PTO cannot accept orders after tomorrow, Dec. 6. The gifts will be given to the staff the week before Winter Break, and will be in lieu of any other class gift/collection.
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.
Questions? Visit the PTO
webpage or
contact
Rachael Hamburger, SCRIP coordinator.
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PTO UNIFORM CONSIGNMENT SALE THIS SATURDAY
Have your kids had a growth spurt or are you ready to get new uniforms for next year? If so,
we hope to see you at the upcoming Uniform Consignment Sale from 9 - 11 a.m. this Saturday, Dec. 7, in the Lightning Gym. Please note that the PTO will only accept cash or check. The sale offers uniforms in all sizes and genders, so be sure to check it out!
If you would like to volunteer to help with the sale,
please visit the SignUp Genius link.
If you are selling items, any
unsold items should be picked up between 12-1 p.m. after the sale on December 7. Note that items will not be held after December 7.
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ALL INVITED TO STOP BY STEM TABLE AT CUBA CUBA
The
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Committee is having a casual gathering from 6-7:30 p.m. at Cuba Cuba (9567 S University Blvd) next Tuesday, in lieu of their normal meeting. They are planning to support BFA teacher,
Mrs. Crespo and STEM Committee stalwart
Dee Duncan in their efforts to raise money for the American Heart Association in memory of Jose 'Chino' Crespo. They welcome anyone from the BFA community who would like to enjoy some delicious Cuban food and talk about STEM at BFA!
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GIRLS BASKETBALL - PLEASE REGISTER TO TRYOUT
It's time for middle school girls basketball tryouts! Since we've had a good amount of interest in our sports programs, we'd like students to register for tryouts so we have an idea how many kids plan to participate. Of course, there is no cost to register for tryouts, but
you must register your student through MySchoolBucks by 9:59 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15. Tryouts will be held from
4:15 - 6:15 p.m. on Dec. 18 and 19 at BFA.
Once tryouts have been completed, the coaches will contact the players that have been chosen for one of the teams. At that time, each player will then need to register and pay for basketball.
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HOLIDAY GATHERING SPONSORED BY YOUR PTO
Please join members of the BFA PTO for their holiday gathering! This FUN event is for ALL BFA PARENTS, and will be held at
7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the Rock Bottom Brewery (1505 Park Central Dr.) near BFA!
This gathering is for all the adults who make BFA a special community - PTO members AND nonmembers. The food will be provided by the PTO, and there's even a gift exchange!
Check the SignUpGenius link for more details and to RSVP. Please sign up to let us know you can make it. Happy holidays!
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Get your burger and shake on while helping raise funds for BFA. Our December spirit day/night at Shake Shack (1509 Park Central Drive) will be from
11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Monday, Dec 16. Shake Shack will donate 25 percent of the proceeds back to BFA. All orders must be placed in person (no online or phone in orders) and accompanied by a flier. Look for your flier in next week's Thursday folder.
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SPRING AFTER SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS CLASSES
If you have a student interested in performing arts,
there are several exciting after school options for you to consider this spring, including:
Applying stage makeup is a skill all actors need. The objective of the course is to expose students to the various aspects of theatrical makeup. They will learn about products, tools and techniques of makeup application for the stage including basic highlight and shadow, character make-up, old age make-up and injury special effects.
Improv is acting on the spot! This class provides an introduction to the fundamentals of improvisation. Students will learn the basic tools, rules, and philosophy of improv through games, drills and simple scenes.
Production musicals will incorporate acting, singing, and dancing in a story telling performance. All students are cast in the musical "Race to the Finish."
This is a class for students that enjoy the grade level musicals and want to learn the next level. This is NOT a riser musical. Students will learn about acting, singing and how to move on stage as they practice and perform in the musical, "The Most Epic Birthday Party Ever."
More information about each class can be found in this brochure. And, you can register NOW! Please contact Ms. Johnson with questions.
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CALLING ALL PARENT PHOTOGRAPHERS
We need your help with
pictures for the yearbook! Do you have pictures of class parties and activities, after school activities, middle school sports, or field trips? Earn some volunteer time too;
simply click here t
o upload your photos.
There are separate links for each grade once you click on the link, so you can select the appropriate grade and upload your photos!
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AFTER SCHOOL CHOIR PERFORMANCES
Our after school choir, Disney choir, band and orchestra are all performing at 6:30 p.m. tonight, Dec. 5, on the Performance Stage. All are welcome to come enjoy their beautiful music!
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The PTO is hosting a
Uniform Consignment Sale from 9 - 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, in the Lightning Gym.
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ALL INVITED TO STOP BY STEM TABLE AT CUBA CUBA
The STEM Committee is having a casual gathering from 6-7:30 p.m. at Cuba Cuba (
9567 S University Blvd)
next Tuesday, in lieu of their normal meeting. They welcome anyone from the BFA community who would like to enjoy some delicious Cuban food and talk about STEM at BFA!
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The boys basketball B team playoffs will be held at 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at BFA. GO BOLTS!
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The boys basketball A and B team playoffs will be held at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, at BFA. Good luck gentlemen!
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FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
The Finance Committee will meet from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, in the Conference Room. All are welcome to attend.
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Y.E.S.S. SEMINAR FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS
Middle school parents, please mark your calendars to attend a seminar on the pitfalls of cell phone usage, social media, and technology. The event will be held from
6 - 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, at BFA. The seminar is hosted by the Youth Education and Safety in Schools (Y.E.S.S.) Program.
Sign up to attend!
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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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