From the Desk of Principal Simpson

January 6, 2022

Weekly Update

A Message from Haley Maglieri, At-Large Director, BFA Board of Directors

Dear Parents,

They say kindness is contagious. And while academics is at the forefront of BFA’s mission and vision, kindness and compassion are of equal importance. As we begin 2022, please allow this to serve as a message of thanks for all of you who make the BFA Community a special place.

Thank you to our teachers. Your profound commitment to our students and your delivery of a high-quality education puts you at the forefront of BFA’s mission.

Thank you to our food services staff, operations staff, aides, security, school nurse(s), counselors and related service providers for filling rolls that are all necessary to keep BFA running smoothly.

Thank you to Principal Simpson, Assistant Principals Boland and Gomez, Preschool Director Hafner, as well as our Business Manager and support staff who help our students, families, and each other. Your leadership and guidance drive the work and success of BFA and our students.

Thank you to my fellow board members who have provided leadership throughout another difficult and often unpredictable year.

Thank you volunteers. Whether you volunteer time to a committee, library, carpool, recess, lunch or otherwise - your contributions help make BFA truly special.

Thank you to all BFA families and students who have shown a continued willingness to change direction at a moment’s notice. The past few years have not been easy, and your strength has been inspiring to all of us.

During what feels like a never-ending pandemic, let’s all continue to find ways to spark kindness movements within BFA and throughout the Community. You may never know the positive impact you could have.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn life around.”

– Leo Buscaglia

Earlier this week, Mrs. Simpson asked the community for suggestions on how to help the victims of the Marshall Fire. Mrs. Warner shared the following information:

The greatest need for volunteers may occur during the coming weeks as people return to their homes. Two known needs during that time will be (1) Sifting ash in homes that have burned and (2) Cleaning smoke damaged homes. Both are very dirty, tedious jobs. If you are willing to assist in these efforts, please let Mrs. Simpson know and she'll share your contact information with Mrs. Warner to pass along to the Denver North Area Communication Director who is coordinating efforts with VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster).

In preparation of these efforts, there is a need for 300 ash-sifting boxes within the next week or two. These boxes will be used to help recover items that may have survived the fire. The sifting boxes are fairly simple; they should be made from 2" x 4" boards and a mesh screen affixed to the bottom with staples or screws so that it can't come off. The dimensions required are 24"x24" or 24"x 26". They don't need to be made out of anything fancy, as they will likely be thrown away after they've been used; however, the boxes do need to be sturdy enough to last through a fair bit of sifting and it would be preferable if they don't cause splinters.

If you would like more information about how to help in these two areas, please email Mrs. Simpson.

We also hope to have a donation opportunity, but we are waiting for additional details.

Have a wonderful day!

Sincerely,

Haley Maglieri

Second Step Program

Upcoming Second Step Units

Grades K-5, Empathy

In the next few weeks, elementary classrooms will begin the Second Step Emotion Management Unit. Students learn and practice ways to identify emotions and calm strong feelings in this unit.

From Kindergarten through Grade 3, students develop emotion-related vocabulary and practice emotion-management strategies, like slow breathing, asking for help, or taking a break. By Grade 4, students focus on more complex ideas, like the role of emotion management in their lives and relationships. Grade 4 also introduces rethinking as a new way to manage emotions. In Grade 5, students begin to identify unique stressors in their own lives and plan for them in advance with new strategies.

Children who can recognize strong emotions and calm them down cope better and are less likely to be aggressive. These skills also help students calm down strong emotions when faced with learning and social challenges, which helps them succeed academically and get along well with others.

Second Step lessons specifically teach about calming down strong emotions such as anger, disappointment, frustration, and anxiety. You’ll be receiving Home Links that describe why managing strong emotions is essential and include fun activities to do with your child to help them identify strong feelings and calm down. We hope the Home Links will give you tools to use together when your child is upset.

Grades 6-8, Recognizing Bullying and Harassment

Middle school students finish up the current unit, Recognizing Bullying and Harassment, over the next four weeks.

BFA News

Preschool Intent to Enroll Open to 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 it's almost time to indicate interest in the BFA preschool program!

At 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 10, registration will open to the general public, so 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.

Do You Know any Prospective BFA Families?

If you know anyone interested in attending K-8 at BFA, please let them know the second round of Open Enrollment begins on Monday, Jan. 24. We continue to offer tours of the school, so we also encourage you to share the tour webpage link with any prospective BFA families you know.

MNO Tonight - Spots Still May Be Available

Calling all ladies of BFA! We will be going to Primal Axe House from 6:15-8 p.m. tonight, Jan. 6 from to enjoy an evening out on the PTO! All BFA mamas are invited to attend, but space is limited, so if you haven’t already signed up, please check the SignUpGenius to see if there are spots available (there were a few open slots last time we checked). We look forward to seeing you there!

You're Welcome to Join CEC Meeting Tonight

The CEC is having their monthly meeting at 7 p.m. tonight, Jan. 6, via Zoom. Details can be found on the BFA calendar. All are welcome and encouraged to participate—they would love to have your support in planning their upcoming events!

Main Event Spirit Night

Stop by for dinner and some fun to support BFA at the Main Event Spirit Night from 4-7 p.m. next Wednesday, Jan. 12. Main Event will give back 20 percent of all purchases (excluding alcohol) to BFA. Be sure to mention the Ben Franklin fundraiser so that the school gets credit for your purchase!

Our December spirit night at Modern Market raised $316.59 for the BFA PTO. Thank you to everyone who came out and supported our spirit night. Let's see if we can make the Main Event Spirit Night even better! We appreciate your continued support.

Mark Your Calendar for Donuts with Dads

The Community Events Committee (CEC) is excited to host Donuts with Dads beginning at 7 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 21, in the Lightning Gym. The CEC is working with Principal Simpson to evaluate covid cases and will let you know if we anticipate any impact to the event. In the mean time, please mark your calendar so you don’t miss this fun morning.

Sweetheart Ball, Boots and Beauties

All BFA girls and their father or other special adult are invited to attend this year’s Sweetheart Ball, Boots & Beauties (please note the theme change) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29, at BFA. Suggested dress for the event is Western attire.

Purchase your tickets online through MySchoolBucks from Monday, Jan. 10, through Wednesday, Jan. 26. Tickets will not be sold at the dance.

If you have questions, please contact Alissa Motazedi, PTO social coordinator.

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.