December 9, 2021
Weekly Update
A Message from Principal Simpson
Simpson
Dear Parents,
 
What a fun week! Last night the after school choir held a winter performance, and it was so fun to see our students on the stage singing and dancing. It was also lovely to see families and extended families in the audience. Thanks for supporting this talented group of students!

Our transition to choice in regards to face coverings has gone smoothly. If your student experiences any negativity around wearing or not wearing a mask, please let your teacher, Mr. Gomez, Mrs. Boland, or myself know as this is not acceptable. We want to help if there is an issue, but can only do so if you notify us about it.

As you'll see in the article below, the Apple Awards nomination window is open. They accept nominations for all staff categories through December 12 (this Sunday!). These awards are a great way to recognize our teachers and staff for all of their hard work; in addition, we use these nominations to choose our representatives for the award ceremony in the spring. BFA has so many excellent, dedicated teachers and staff members that are deserving of this recognition, so I hope to see a record number of nominations from our community this year!

I also have a quick reminder as we head into Winter Break. Please be sure you are checking Gradelink regularly, as it’s an important resource for teachers to keep parents updated on their students' progress. For grades 1-8, this is where you can find information on grades and assignments. You can also see any dress code violations or discipline referrals for the upper grades. If you need assistance logging into Gradelink, please contact your teacher. 

We are looking forward to ushering in Winter Break with a modified spirit week. Big thanks to Student Council for organizing the spirit week and coming up with lots of creative ideas.

I hope everyone has a terrific weekend!


Diana Simpson
Volunteer Appreciation
BFA loves its volunteers, and we want to show our appreciation for all of your work. The PTO recognizes two volunteers each month. A volunteer will be chosen as the Volunteer of the Month, and will get exclusive use of the dedicated, reserved Volunteer of the Month spot in the parking lot for their respective month. 

In addition, each month a 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.

Thanks to all our volunteers for your continued support of BFA!
Congratulations Nikki Busto
For the month of December, Nikki Busto has been selected as the Ben Franklin Academy Volunteer of the Month. She is being recognized for all of her work on the wonderful Veterans Day Assembly. We sincerely appreciate her dedication, organizational skills and resourcefulness, and want to recognize all the energy she put into this event.

Nikki and her husband, Jeremy, have a State Farm Agency in Littleton. Their two sons, Logan (third) and Cole (first), have been attending BFA for four years. 
 
When asked about the Veterans Day celebrations, Nikki said, “This is my third year assisting in the planning of our annual Veterans Day Ceremony. While the event takes a great deal of planning, I know that the other CEC members would agree that it is extremely rewarding to organize this event each year and to recognize our Veterans for their service and sacrifices that they have made for our country. There are numerous volunteers that contribute so much of their personal time to make sure that this event is a success. Our family appreciates the traditions of BFA, including hosting this event each year!”
 
Congratulations, Nikki, and thank you for coordinating our Veterans Day celebration!

If you know someone who should be considered for volunteer of the month for outstanding volunteerism, please email Denise Battista, PTO president.
gelato
Thank You Jeanne Hackerott!
This month, Jeanne Hackerott is the winner of our drawing for her volunteer time in November. Jeanne volunteered in the art room and chaperoned the fifth grade Ameritowne field trip. She has won our monthly drawing and will receive a $10 gift card to Gelato & Co. 

Congratulations, Jeanne, and thank you for being an active BFA volunteer throughout your family's tenure at BFA!
BFA News
apple
2022 Apple Award Nominations Due Dec. 12
Each year the Foundation for Douglas County Schools asks parents and students throughout the district to nominate teachers and support staff for the coveted Apple Awards. Nominees receive a certificate and recognition at the school level. Then, we choose two of the nominees to represent the school at the District awards ceremony, where they have the opportunity to win Teacher of the Year, Classified Staff of the Year or Administrator of the Year.
 
This is a great way to honor our wonderful teachers and staff, while highlighting the innovative work they do to challenge and inspire students. Again this year, your nominations will be submitted as a video or written testimonial that will be posted publicly on a customized webpage for our school. Anyone over the age of 18 can nominate, as well as students age 13 or older if they have your permission. Parents can submit nominations on behalf of students 12 and younger.
 
We hope you'll click on this link (scroll down; you'll find BFA in the Charter Schools list) before the nomination window closes on Dec. 12, and nominate your favorite BFA teachers and staff for these prestigious awards.
lost
Check Lost and Found Before Break
Please ask your student to check the Lost and Found areas for missing coats, BFA sweatshirts, uniform items, lunch boxes, water bottles and even missing baseball gloves.

Items will be donated during Winter Break.
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Let's Get Into the Holiday Spirit
Student Council wants to spread a little joy before the Winter Break so they've received permission to organize a mini Spirit Week beginning on Monday, Dec. 13. Students should wear their regular uniform Monday through Thursday and can add the holiday accessories listed below if they choose; Dress of Choice is next Friday, Dec. 17.

  • Monday: Holiday Hats - Bring a hat that shows holiday spirit.
  • Tuesday: Holiday Socks - Wear socks that are festively themed. You have to be able to see what makes it festive while wearing it.
  • Wednesday: Warm and Cozy - Wear something cozy with your uniform, for example: a warm hat, scarf or warm hoodie. Please no blankets, mittens, boots or a comfy. 
  • Thursday: Tropical Holiday - Bring beach themed accessories, for example: leis, shark tooth necklace, straw hat.
  • Friday: Dress of Choice/Ugly Sweater Day- Make your dress of choice day an ugly sweater day!
yearbook
Get Your Yearbook Before Break
Yearbooks are on sale now! Yearbooks cost $30 per book, but don’t wait, as the price will go up to $36 after Winter Break. For details on pricing and how to order, check out the attached flier

You may also order a dedication (ad) for your student. What a fun way to help commemorate a great school year!

Order and pay for your 2021-22 yearbook and dedication today at: http://www.yearbookforever.com.
Cheer
Register for the Spring Cheer Season
We are very excited to offer a spring season of cheer this school year to support the girls basketball team! All middle school students (grades 6-8) are eligible to participate. The season runs from Monday, Jan. 3, through Monday, Feb. 28. Please register in MySchoolBucks to participate (20 students max). The cost is $120 for new team members and $100 for those returning from the fall 2021 season as they already have a uniform. Registration for all opens Monday, Jan. 13. Please see the flier and/or email Ms. Whelan with any questions.
Cara
K-2 Author Visit - Kids Can Still Get a Book!
We are very excited that BFA’s own children’s book author, Cara Brzezicki, is coming for a visit with kindergarten, first and second grade students at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow, Dec. 10, in the small gym.

Students can purchase books for $10 (cash or check made out to Cara Brzezicki) the day of the event. Click here to learn more about the book.

While parents often enjoy attending author events as much as the kiddos, as part of our Covid mitigation strategy, this will be a student-only event.
MomsNightOut
Mom's Night Out this January
Ladies, you deserve a night out! To celebrate surviving the holidays, please join PTO members for a fun evening of mixing, mingling, and…wait for it…AXE THROWING!! We will be going to Primal Axe House from 6:15-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 6, to enjoy an evening out on the PTO. All BFA mamas/guardians are invited to attend, but please reserve your spot on the SignUpGenius soon, as space is limited. We look forward to seeing you there!
Next Week is Modern Market Spirit Night
The PTO Spirit Night for December is from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. next Thursday, Dec. 16, at Modern Market in Highlands Ranch (537 W Highlands Ranch Pkwy). Modern Market will donate 30 percent of your meal’s price back to BFA for all dine-in or take-out orders. Please be sure to mention that you are with BFA before placing your order.
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Sweetheart Ball, A Night in Disguise
All BFA girls and their father or other special adult are invited to attend this year’s Sweetheart Ball, A Night in Disguise, a glowing masquerade from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29, at BFA. Mark your calendars! Tickets will go on sale after Winter Break.

If you have questions, please contact Alissa Motazedi, PTO social coordinator.
PTO Logo
December PTO Meeting and Holiday Gathering
Please join members of the BFA PTO for their holiday gathering! This FUN event is for all of the adults who make BFA a special community (PTO members AND non-members) and will be held at 7:45 p.m. TONIGHT, Dec. 9, at Los Dos Potrillos (35 Springer Drive). Dinner will be provided by the PTO, and there will even be a gift exchange. They will also be giving away two monthly parking spots at the event. (Must be present to win.) Please check the SignUpGenius for more details and to RSVP. Happy holidays!
 
You’re also invited to join the PTO for their December meeting prior to the holiday gathering at 6:30 p.m. tonight, Dec. 9, in the Sanders Science Lab.
Preschool
Intent to Enroll Open for Preschool
Current BFA families can express interest in the preschool program for the three-year-old and four-year-old classes via the Intent to Enroll form on the preschool webpage. 

Preschool enrollment for new BFA families is on a first come, first served basis, so it''s a good idea to complete the Intent to Enroll form early; but we certainly encourage parents to fill out the form before Friday, Jan. 7, as it will be available to the general public at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 10.
 
If you are interested in the Ben Franklin Academy Preschool program, please click here for more information. And, don't forget to look at the website for the preschool class schedule and tuition information for next school year.
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.