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Vol. 10, Iss. 4
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January 30, 2020
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A message from Sarah Nisbet, director at large, BFA Board of Directors...
The Board wants YOU....to run for a BFA Board of Directors position! Nominations open on Feb 3 and close Feb 21 at midnight. This spring, we will be electing two Board members and the Board will appoint one Board member. The Board is seeking community members with a financial background as well as other skill sets, 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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GEO BEE CONTESTANTS KEEP IT EXCITING
BFA hosted it's annual Geo Bee on Jan. 23. Participants were determined by scores in a qualifying round which was given to all students in grades 4-8; BFA's Bee had representatives from each grade (4-8), including:
Noah Kolbo, Blase Jones, Aaron Stevenson, Laurel Henbest, Katie Metz, Alex Fabela, Kaleb Weaver, Brecken Corson, Kyle Ferguson, and Evan McDermott.
The Geo Bee is sponsored by National Geographic and questions can vary anywhere from state capitals, to imports/exports or animal habitats. So, our participants have a vast knowledge of a wide array of topics!
Again this year, the contest was very exciting!
All our participants did well and we're proud of their effort,
but the final round ended up with a battle between two competitors--Kaleb Weaver and Blase Jones. Both contestants fought hard for the first place position. The final round was composed of three questions with written answers.
In the end, Blase secured the school championship position with a nail-biter finish!
Thanks to
Mrs. Stolk who organized and ran the Bee, and to
Mrs. Simpson for asking all the tough questions. Also, thanks to all the contestants who taught us a thing or two (or three) about geography; finally--
congratulations again to our champion, Blase Jones (pictured)!
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FREE, EXTRA DRESS OF CHOICE DAY FOR YOUR STUDENT
The
Parent Satisfaction Survey will be available beginning next Thursday, Feb. 6.
Families who take the survey and report their family number will receive an extra Dress of Choice day for their child(ren) on April 24 and be entered into a drawing for a BFA parking spot for the month of August. This is your opportunity to give valuable feedback and suggestions to the Administration and Board. In fact, i
f you've posted comments on the Friends of Ben Facebook page, we encourage you to add those to the parent survey instead, as this is the data analyzed by SAC, the administration and the Board.
If you still need volunteer hours, volunteers are needed to work the SAC table during parent/teacher conferences from 4 to 8 p.m. on February 11 and 13. This is the perfect opportunity for eighth grade Washington, D.C. families! Be sure to sign up TODAY!
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It's hard to believe, but it's already time to start thinking about summer camp! We'll be offering another exciting Summer Camp program again this year.
There is a big change for camp this year--we'll only offer weekly registrations. There will no longer be an option for daily registration. What does this mean? Parents still need to register at least two weeks out from the date of camp, but will sign up for the full week. The full week cost is $195 and includes two field trip days and three in-house days.
The annual registration fee has not changed; it's $35 and can be paid through MySchoolBucks beginning TODAY, Jan. 30. The first week of camp will be May 27-29 and will cost $115, as we camp will only be three days that week.
Program Details:
Dates: May 27-August 14 (Closed June 29-July 3)
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Days: Monday through Friday
Summer Camp is open to any currently enrolled (incoming) BFA Kindergarten-8th grade student 5-years-old and above. Your child must be 5 on or before May 27, 2020 to participate.
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TAKE ACTION IF YOU ORDERED A BRICK
If you ordered a Pathway to Learning brick during the 2019 BENefit Bash, keep an eye out for an email in the coming week from PTO Fundraising, confirming the size of your purchased brick, and with details on how to submit inscription information. Emails will be sent to the mailbox you used to register with PTAPal. Bricks are expected to be placed in front of the school sometime in April/May based on weather conditions. Thank you to everyone for supporting the BENefit Bash and our great school!
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ALL WELCOME AT CEC MEETING
Please join members of the Community Events Committee (CEC) for their monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at the Starbucks Cafe in Target (Highlands Ranch Town Center). They will be planning their spring events and invite all new and current CEC members to join them, as well as anyone interested in learning more about what they do. As a reminder, all CEC meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month.
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Mark your calendars for the BFA Spirit Night at Chipotle (2209 W. Wildcat Reserve Pkwy) from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Look for the
flier
in your child's Thursday folder. Chipotle will donate 33 percent of the proceeds to BFA, so be sure to show the flyer or tell the cashier that you are with BFA, to make your purchase will count!
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Moms and ladies of BFA, your turn for an evening out is coming up again! Please join members of the PTO at Lansdowne Arms in Highlands Ranch at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, after the PTO meeting, for Moms' Night Out. Light appetizers will be provided. We hope to see you there!
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Please mark your calendars for our annual Morning with Moms from 7-8 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, at BFA. The Community Events Committee (CEC) is hosting this fun event for students and their mom (or aunt, grandma, special family friend) and plan to treat attendees to some delicious goodies. Moms, please plan on staying with your student(s) in the gym until at least 7:45 a.m., and you're welcome to walk your student(s) to their classroom before you leave at 8 a.m. We're looking forward to spending a great morning together.
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DONUTS WITH DAD A SUCCESS
The CEC would like to thank all their volunteers for helping to ensure our students had a fun morning with their dads. We had
more than 550 attendees this year, which might have set a record! We would like to also give a shout out to two local community businesses who supported our event:
- Starbucks (corner of Wildcat Reserve Pkwy and McArthur Ranch Rd) graciously donated coffee for 300 people.
- Mr. Donuts (8854 Maximus Drive, Lone Tree, CO 80124) donated extra donuts and gave us a fantastic deal on more than 600 donuts.
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The PTO wants to share a BIG thank you to all of their fabulous volunteers for making our annual Sweetheart Ball a success! Thank you to our wonderful baking committee and parents for donating yummy baked goods, fruit, veggies and drinks for our boys and their special adult to enjoy. Thank you to everyone who spent their Saturday morning helping setup tables, decorate the school and thank you to the volunteers who helped Saturday night during the dance and cleaning up.
A very special thank you goes out to Monica Candelaria, Kara Tefft, Tyler Holden, Dan Flint and Dan Tocci. Monica Candelaria spent hours painting boxes to make our awesome cityscape decorations and put together our fun candy guessing game. Kara planned all of our terrific superhero games and put together all the table decorations. Tyler Holden was Batman, Dan Flint was BumbleBee and Dan Tocci was Doctor Strange. They all did a fantastic job and the boys really enjoyed having them attend our dance. And, we sincerely appreciate all the hard work of PTO social chair, Lynsey Humphries!
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SUPPORT BFA USING RELOADABLE GROCERY CARDS
L
ast spring, King Soopers and City Market replaced the reloadable grocery card fundraising program with an even better AND EASIER rewards program. The King Soopers Community Rewards Program helps our school earn money back from each purchase when you scan a linked King Soopers or City Market loyalty card at check out. Here's how it works -
- 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 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.
Since the new program began last April,
BFA has earned more than $2,600 from 45 linked accounts. While you do that shopping to get ready for this weekend's Super Bowl, you can earn money for BFA while you shop at King Soopers or City Market.
We hope you'll take the time to link your account to BFA so we can increase those easy fundraising dollars. Thank you to everyone for your continued support!
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A message from the American Heart Association...
We already have 201 students who have pledged to be heart healthy and signed up for The Kids Heart Challenge. These students have helped raise $9,833 towards our $16,000 goal!
Don't forget - the AHA has partnered with The Denver Nuggets this year. Students who raise $50 or more will be invited ON COURT to SHOOT HOOPS after two specific games. We're excited to announce that we already have 52 students who have earned their on court moment!
In addition, this Friday ONLY, students who have raised $150 so far will be awarded with a special squishy heart as a thank you.
These students have earned their hearts already:
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First Name
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Last Init.
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Teacher
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Grade
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Gabrielle
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C
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Triplett
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1st
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Isaac
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C
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Ferguson
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1st
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Ada Mae
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L
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Triplett
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1st
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Jordyn
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W
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Ferguson
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1st
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Hanna
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K
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Whelan
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2nd
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Myles
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R
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Hildebrand
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2nd
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Levi
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A
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Gautier
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3rd
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Tegan
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C
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Wilson
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3rd
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Ryan
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F
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Van Wyk
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4th
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Chase
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K
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Arnold
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4th
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Brooke
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L
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Arnold
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4th
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Jude
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P
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van wyk
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4th
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Lainey
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P
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Arnold
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4th
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Sophie
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R
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van wyk
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4th
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Kaia
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W
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Lindgren
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4th
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Brenden
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B
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Lewicki
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5th
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Architha
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K
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Dunn
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5th
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Kennedie
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R
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Brook
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Kindergarten
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Can you help the AHA hit the goal of $16,000 by February 21?
IT'S ALMOST TIME TO SLIME!
The top fundraising student in each grade will get to slime your PE teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal during a special SLIME CELEBRATION!
- Once you register online or on the Kids Heart Challenge app, you can send texts and emails to friends and family to help you help others and earn your TIME TO SLIME! Our school also earns gift certificates to purchase PE and recess equipment so we can keep students moving. Last year we received more than $800 back!
Thank you again for your support of the American Heart Association!
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IT'S A BOOK FAIR JUNGLE OUT THERE!
The 'jungle' is coming to BFA in the form of our spring Book Fair! We're so excited to be able to offer you and your student(s) new books at discounted prices. This time, Book Fair set up will be Feb. 6, and student preview day will be Feb. 7. Sales will begin Monday, Feb 10, and run through Thursday, Feb 13. Please keep in mind, we fund new purchases for the library with money earned from book fairs; it's a win/win--you get discounted books and the library receives enough funds to pay for books our kids can check out throughout the school year.
A couple important things to note...the
library will be closed to students trying to check out/return books on Feb. 6 and 7
. In addition, it's important that you
do not leave small children unaccompanied in the library during parent teacher conferences
(or it really will become a jungle!). Library staff and volunteers are too preoccupied with their work to watch children while you are in conferences, and it becomes a safety concern for the children. To that end, we're happy to announce that
students from National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) will provide FREE baby-sitting during conferences again this year. Additional details will be available in future newsletters.
We hope you'll visit the Book Fair during one of the following times:
- Monday, Feb.10, and Wednesday, Feb. 12 - 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Tuesday, Feb. 11 and Thursday, Feb. 13 - 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m.
Once again we will be offering e-wallet so that parents don't have to worry about sending cash, check or credit card; watch this video to find out more.
The scholastic homepage is a good resource and, if you're like us and you can't get enough Book Fair information, you can watch a Book Fair video (click on your child's grade level).
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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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HEARING AND VISION SCREENING
BFA will conduct our annual hearing and vision screenings for grades K,1,2,3,5 and 7, as well as for new BFA students, on Monday Feb. 3, and Tuesday, Feb. 4. 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.
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, then return it to the health office.
Colorado Department of Education Standards for hearing and vision are available online.
Please contact the Health Room if you have questions or concerns about your student.
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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.
Please contact Señora Connell if you have any questions.
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HEARING AND VISION SCREENING
BFA will conduct our annual hearing and vision screenings for grades K,1,2,3,5 and 7, as well as for new BFA students, on Monday Feb. 3. 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.
Please contact the Health Room if you have questions or concerns about your student.
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CHEER AND BASKETBALL PICTURES
Sports pictures for cheer and basketball will be
after school on Monday, Feb. 3. Please have students bring their uniforms to school!
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HEARING AND VISION SCREENING
BFA will conduct our annual hearing and vision screenings for grades K,1,2,3,5 and 7, as well as for new BFA students, on Tuesday, Feb. 4. 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.
Please contact the Health Room if you have questions or concerns about your student.
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TOURS FOR PROSPECTIVE PARENTS
Tours for prospective K-8 families will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays now through
March 31.
We'll also have a tour on April 7 and May 5.
Please note, there will be no tours on
March 17
while students are on break.
Anyone going on a tour should bring a Driver's License and arrive a few minutes early so we can scan their license before the tour begins.
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Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend the next
Community Events Committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4
, at the Starbucks inside the Highlands Ranch Super Target.
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Wednesday,
Feb. 5, is a Formal Uniform Day
. Students should wear their navy polo shirt with the BFA logo and tan pants, shorts, skirt or a skort.
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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 will be $10 at the door. There will be hot cocoa and dessert at the event.
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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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