A Message from the BFA Board of Directors |
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What Participating on BFA's Governing Board Has Meant to Me
As we look toward nominating candidates to serve on the seven-member BFA Board of Directors this spring, we felt it was important for you to hear directly from Board members about their experience serving on the Board. Below is a message from the Board’s President, Bill Castor.
As I near the end of my sixth, and final year on the BFA Governing Board, I often reflect on the meaningful impact it has had on my life. I will always look back fondly on the great people I have been privileged to work with and the amazing team that makes BFA such a great place to educate our children.
As only the third President of the BFA Governing Board, I am humbled and grateful when I think of those who came before me. They, far more than I, can be credited with putting our school in such a strong financial position, and even more noteworthy, in such a respected position within our community.
I will always remember the relative ease BFA had during the renewal of our Charter Agreement in 2019. While other area charter schools faced scrutiny over their finances and various challenges to their operating structure and decisions, we saw virtually no challenges, but rather an outcry of supportive comments and several supportive notes from DCSD. This was not as much of a reflection of a current state of BFA, but more of a recognition of the conservative and consistent leadership that founded and grew BFA during the early years.
That philosophy and commitment continues to guide our decisions to this day. We have always taken pride in following the rules, setting conservative budgets and managing expenses within that budget. This is the legacy of our predecessors and it is the fundamental expectation that ensures our continued success.
First, I would like to thank all of the people that share my commitment to our children. Without exception, Principal Simpson, the Assistant Principals, my fellow Board members and the teachers and staff at BFA, always put our children first when making difficult decisions. This has never been more apparent than this year. Second, I would like to encourage anyone in our BFA community with a similar passion for ensuring that our high standards are maintained, to consider running for one of the open Board positions. BFA was founded and has thrived because of the personal commitment of our parent community. We are financially sound, stable, and respected because of the active participation of our stakeholders, so please consider lending your passion and expertise to ensure that our traditions are continued. I am confident you will realize a great return on your investment.
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It's Time to Think about How YOU Can Serve |
You – yes, YOU – who do you know? Who’s passionate about BFA? A thinker? That person with the ideas? That team player who rolls up their sleeves? That good listener you can always approach? Who steps in to help? Or sees the problem before it is one? Who can you get behind? Or, does that describe YOU?
This spring, the BFA community will elect one (1) director, and the Board of Directors (Board) will appoint one (1) director, in accordance with the Board of Directors Election Policy to serve on the volunteer, seven-director BFA Board, for a term of three-years. 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 early February. The ability of our charter school to carry out our mission and vision depends upon the strength of our organizational foundation, beginning with our Board itself. To have a diverse, talented, dedicated, and passionate Board that is also representative of our families means that YOU must speak up!
The Board is 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 Campaigns
- Strategic or Long-Range Planning
- Business Ownership
Don’t know where to begin? Learn more about the BFA Board by attending our next meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19, via Zoom.
All Families, Save the Date: Please, join us for the BFA Town Hall prior to the February Board Meeting. The Town Hall will begin at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, and will be held via Zoom. The Town Hall will focus on the current state of BFA and ways to become more involved.
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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!
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Congratulations Natalie Lucero |
For the month of January, Natalie Lucero has been selected as the Ben Franklin Academy Volunteer of the Month. Natalie is being recognized for the time she spent procuring the PTO's new spirit rock as well as organizing and executing the SCRIP program in December. Her work is always thoughtful and intentional. She consistently demonstrates Ben Franklin's virtue of resolution by staying focused on her tasks and bringing them to completion on time. We're happy to recognize her and appreciate all her hard work!
Natalie and her husband, Adam, are the parents of Nori (4th grade) and Nash (2nd grade). The Lucero family has been at BFA since 2016 when Nori started kindergarten. Natalie has volunteered as a room parent and with the PTO during the past few years. Adam serves on the BFA Board of Directors.
According to Natalie, "BFA has been the perfect fit for our family with a challenging, personalized curriculum for our kids. The teachers and staff make BFA feel like a family and a bonded community rather than a large educational facility. We feel honored to be able to volunteer and give back to such a wonderful school."
Congratulations again, Natalie. We're grateful for your dedication and all you do for the BFA community!
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This month, Betsy Brown is the winner of our drawing for her volunteer time in December. Betsy earned volunteer hours for attending the December Board meeting, and has won a $10 gift card to Jamba Juice. Thanks for listening to the Board meeting, Betsy!
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Tomorrow, Jan. 15, is a Dress of Choice Day for all students. As always, please pay special attention to the Dress of Choice policy:
Dress of Choice Days shall be scheduled periodically as a reward for those students who have not received two (2) Uniform Policy Violations between the previous DOC day and the upcoming DOC day. Clothes worn by all the students during the DOC days shall be modest, in good condition, and neat in appearance. Students are not allowed to wear pajama items or clothing that contains wording or images that could be interpreted as racial, vulgar, or offensive in any way. Revealing clothes are not acceptable (i.e. tank tops, midriffs, sleeveless, etc.)
Monday, Jan. 18, there is no school as we take a day to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Next Wednesday, Jan. 20 is a remote learning day for all students.
And, please mark your calendar for the upcoming Spirit Week. It begins on Monday, Jan. 25, and runs through Jan. 29. Below are the themes for each day:
Jan. 25- Show your Sparkle: Dress your Best Day
Jan. 26- Warm and Cozy Day: PJs/comfy clothes
Jan. 27- Remote Wednesday- DOC :)
Jan. 28- Beach Day
Jan. 29- Tacky Holiday/Ugly Sweater (December Holidays OR Valentines tacky)
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We currently have a grant from the government, so lunch at school is FREE. And, Nutrition Services announced recently that meals will remain free through the remainder of the school year. However, Nutrition Services does have a requirement--students must order an entree, select milk OR a fruit OR a veggie. They can select water if they choose a fruit or veggie. But, if they don't have a fruit, a vegetable, or milk on their tray, it's not free. Click here to see the Nutrition Services flier.
Remote learners still have the opportunity to pick up meal bags. Meal pick ups will take place from 1- 2 p.m. every Tuesday and Friday. See the Nutrition Services webpage for details.
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Preschool Enrollment Open to General Public |
If you know a family who is interested in a preschool that uses the Core Knowledge Sequence and offers a nurturing environment as well as individualized instruction to ensure their little one is ready for Kindergarten, then let them know preschool registration is open!
As of yesterday, Jan. 13, registration opened to the general public, so now any interested parents can complete an Intent to Enroll form. Spots are very limited so filling out the Intent to Enroll form DOES NOT guarantee enrollment into our program. See the preschool enrollment webpage for additional details and the link to the Intent to Enroll form.
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Tours for Prospective Parents Resume |
We’re very excited to have the opportunity to show prospective K-8 parents around our wonderful school. We’ve added tour slots through mid-February, so please share our tour webpage link with any prospective BFA families you know. For your information, the upcoming tours are scheduled on days when K-8 students are remote.
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At BFA, the PTO thinks all birthdays are important especially that of our school’s namesake Ben Franklin. Born January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts, this Sunday marks his three hundred and fifteenth birthday. To help celebrate his special day, the PTO is bringing in birthday cookies (and allergen friendly fruit snacks) tomorrow for all in-person students and staff.
Happy 315th birthday, Ben Franklin!
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Final Call to Participate in Uniform Survey |
In case you missed it, the Uniform Committee would like your feedback on adding additional uniform vendors to BFA. Please complete this short survey by Sunday, Jan. 17. The committee hopes EVERY FAMILY will take a few minutes to complete the survey as they'd like the opinion of all BFA parents.
Your feedback will be shared with the Board of Directors at their next meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 19. Thank you!
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Join CEC as they Meet via Zoom Next Week |
The Community Events Committee (CEC) will hold their monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 20, via Zoom. They'll discuss spring CEC Events. They hope you'll be able to listen in! The zoom call information is on the BFA calendar. Please contact Mindy Pooler with any questions. They are looking forward to seeing everyone (on Zoom) next Wednesday!
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Service Opportunity for Middle School Girls |
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!
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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.
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Ben Franklin Academy
2270 Plaza Drive
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
www.bfacademy.org
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Main Office Phone: 720-383-4519
Email: info@bfacademy.org
Attendance Phone: 720-432-9239
Email: attendance@bfacademy.org
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