Welcome! This is the Principal Newsletter that is sent to families every Thursday throughout the school year. It's important to you because it contains information about summer activities, uniforms, opportunities to get involved at BFA, and tasks to complete this summer in preparation for next school year.

In addition, we’ve created a webpage especially for you to help answer some of the questions you may have about BFA. You can go to the Getting Started at BFA: Helpful Information for New Families webpage now, or find the webpage later by going to the BFA website and looking under the Parents tab.

If you are enrolled for next school year and have not attended a BFA tour, we are happy to provide one additional opportunity before we break for the summer. Join us at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, in the Thunder gym. Doors will open at 5:45 p.m., then we'll divide into groups and start the tours promptly at 6 p.m. This tour is the same one we’ve offered prospective parents all school year, and will likely last 45-60 minutes.

The tour can be lengthy for younger children, but if you decide to bring them, we kindly ask that you leave strollers at home. We anticipate a large group and that will help us move from floor-to-floor more quickly.

We'll be providing a lot of information during the next few months, but if you have any questions in the meantime, please contact us at info@bfacademy.org.

There is no morning BASE tomorrow, April 28, due to the CEC Breakfast with Bros event.

Next Wednesday, May 3, is a Formal Uniform Day. Students should wear a navy polo shirt with the BFA logo and tan pants, shorts, skirt or a skort.

Friday, May 5, is Spirit Day and Fun Sock Friday. For Spirit Day, students can wear a t-shirt purchased through the PTO which has the official BFA logo, a t-shirt/sweatshirt from a BFA sport, or a prior year's BFA Field Day shirt. These spirit tops should be worn with regular uniform bottoms. And, all students are welcome to wear fun (but appropriate) socks.

Congratulations to Avani Saboo who participated in the regional History Bee and Geography Bee conducted by the International Academics Competition on Saturday, April 22. She competed with participants from various schools in and around the Denver Metro, as well as students from other states in the seventh grade category. She won FIRST place in the History Bee, SECOND place in Geography Bee and qualified for Nationals in both categories.

She also qualified for History Olympiad International which will be held in Rome, Italy, this July as well as the International Geography competition to be held in the Summer of 2024.

We’re extremely proud of Avani and look forward to hearing how she does in Nationals later this summer in Arlington, Va., and in the International Geography competition in 2024.

The CEC is excited to host all students and their fathers (or other special adult) for a morning of fun from 6:45 - 7:45 a.m. tomorrow, April 28. The morning will begin in the Lightning (small) gym with burritos, donuts and refreshments. Festivities will continue in the Thunder (big) gym with games and photo opportunities. We ask that you arrive no later than 7:30 a.m. as this is a popular event. Fathers and students may begin leaving the gym at 7:45 a.m. so students can head to class. Students should be in their classrooms by the normal time (8:10 a.m.). Gluten free options will be available upon request.

Parking for the Event

Please park in the upper lot to allow our teachers and staff the opportunity to park in the lower lot. Should the upper lot fill completely, overflow parking will take place in the “B” carpool lane. "A" carpool lane will remain open for regular morning carpool drop off.

For those not attending, morning carpool will take longer so please be patient.

Volunteer Opportunties

There are still a few volunteer opportunities available--check the sign-up today!

There will be NO BASE care tomorrow morning due to this event.

Ben's Brigade is a PTO group open to all BFA dads that provides a place for dads to get to know each other, as well as opportunities for unique ways to give back to the school and volunteer. 

Want to find out more? Join them at the Ben's Brigade meeting at 8 p.m. TONIGHT, April 27, at Max Taps (2680 E. County Line Road). All dads are welcome!

Or, come to their end-of-year Dads and Kids picnic from 12-2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, at Redstone Park (3280 Redstone Park Circle). Ben’s Brigade will be providing hot dogs, hamburgers, and drinks. Please RSVP if you plan on attending, so they know how many to expect.

Contact Curtis Anderson, Ben’s Brigade committee manager, to learn more.

The 2023 BFA Science Fair is quickly approaching and we need judges! You don’t need prior experience, and volunteers can be parents from any grade. Judging will take place on Monday, May 8, and Tuesday, May 9. In addition, we need one additional volunteer from 8:25 - 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 10. Interested in signing up? Please fill out the judging signup and/or the viewing volunteer signup link.

Remember, families will have an opportunity to view all of our student's amazing experiments from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9. After carpool has finished on May 9, bring your family to the Science Fair! All students will have a chance to view the experiments on Wednesday during the day.

As an integral part of the BFA community, the PTO strives to seek resources to strengthen, enhance, and encourage the educational and social experience at Ben Franklin Academy.

Each year, the BFA community is asked to vote for open executive officer and committee chair positions. Your vote is important. Voting is open NOW, through Saturday, April 29. Each family unit/staff member is permitted to cast one vote per position. Election results will be announced at the PTO meeting on Sunday, May 7.

If you have any questions, please contact Erin Crowe, PTO Secretary.

It’s time to start rounding up BFA library books! Your student may have time to read their favorites one more time, but everything should be turned in by Wednesday, May 17.

Looking for volunteer hours? We need your help to make the Mother-Son Nerf Battle Event a success! The event is from 3-8 p.m. this Saturday, April 29, at Path Movement. If you’re interested in volunteering, please see the sign-up.

Please contact PTO Social Coordinator, Ewelina Chrzanowski, with any questions.

Did you know that one of the BFA PTO's traditions is a private summer event at Pirate's Cove for families who complete their recommended volunteer hours? That's right! Your entire immediate family can attend a private BFA night at Pirate's Cove on the PTO!  

Not only that, if you earn 50, 75 or 100 volunteer hours, you will be awarded special BFA logo'd items (distributed at Pirate's Cove check-in) to show our appreciation for going above and beyond. So, mark your calendars for this year's Pirate's Cove BFA Night which will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, June 25. Be sure to log those volunteer hours. You don't want to miss it!

Please note: No additional tickets will be sold. This is an event for those for families who have completed and recorded their family’s recommended volunteer hours (30 hours per family or 15 hours per single household) in Help Counter by midnight Wednesday, May 31, ONLY. No exceptions will be made.

Thank you to all the families who have volunteered this year. We sincerely appreciate all that you do for BFA! 

The PTO is looking for Room Parents (K-5) for next school year! Being a Room Parent is a fun way to get your volunteer hours in, develop a great relationship with your child's teacher and get involved in the school. If you are interested, please send an email to Anne Chacon, the PTO room parent coordinator.

The next PTO Used Uniform Sale will take place from 9 – 11 a.m. and from 2 – 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, in the Lightning Gym. Families who would like to sell their own items at the sale can sign up for a slot to manage the sale of their items. The PTO will supply table space. We also need volunteers for the sale. See the sign up for details! 

If you’d like to donate your previously used uniforms cleaned and in good condition (no holes, worn out knees, stains, etc.), you may bring them to the school. There will be collection bins in the vestibule. 

Make plans to join us for the final spirit night of the year from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, at Skate City in Littleton (5801 S. Lowell Way, 80123). 

This is a private event for our school community. The more skaters we have in attendance, the more money we will earn for BFA. Hope to see you there!

It's time to get registered for BFA's Summer Camp and sign up for the weeks you want! The initial summer camp registration is open in MySchoolBucks (use your desktop or laptop--not the app). Please note, summer camp attendees need to register each summer before using the program. Registration costs $35, and includes a t-shirt and a day pack.

The individual weeks are starting to fill up quickly, register now to reserve your spot!

If you have a new incoming BFA student or Kindergartner to register, please reach out to summercamp@bfacademy.org to learn how you can register your child. 

The summer camp activities and field trip calendar is available; please email us to see it.

This summer, we’re able to offer parents the low weekly fee of $200 per child, per week because BASE received a grant last year from the State of Colorado. We’re very happy that we can still use the remaining funds this summer to keep costs down, but next summer, we will have to increase our fees.

Summer Camp will be open from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The first day of camp is Wednesday, May 31, and camp will run through Friday, Aug. 11. We will be closed July 3-7 for the holiday week. We will go on two field trips per week and have lots of other fun activities during the week.  

Have your kids asked about the music lessons that happen during school? Harper Arts is thrilled to be returning next school year to offer music lessons and coaching at BFA. Students will continue to have the option to have piano, guitar, ukulele and voice during the school day! Students are approved to participate in this during DEAR, recess, specials, electives (middle school) and advisory (middle school). There will also be a limited number of spaces available after school. The cost of this program is $155 per month for the school year (small supply and book fees apply as well). These prices are based on one student for 20-minute lessons. Sibling discounts are available. Unlock your passion and potential with Harper Arts at BFA! 

Click here to sign up today! 

If you have an incoming kindergartener, Miss. McGinty will be hosting two sessions of Kindergarten Boot Camp this summer. This is a great way for your new kindie to see the school, get a glimpse of what some of the lessons will be like, and meet some of their classmates. This can make the transition in the fall much smoother. 

The sessions are four days each, Monday through Thursday, and run from 10 a.m. until noon each day. Session 1 is June 5 - 8, and Session 2 is June 12-15. Cost is $85 per child. Please sign up here.

Come join Mrs. Flint at Science Camp this summer! Incoming second through sixth graders are welcome to participate in one or more sessions. There are four different camp themes—National Parks, Chemistry, Ocean and Forensics—and each camp includes lots of terrific activities so kids will have fun and learn a little science along the way! Choose from several different weeks and two different times. Spots are limited so see the flier, and click on this form to sign up today!

Girls of all abilities are encouraged to attend the Summer Basketball Camp from 8 – 11 a.m., July 10-13 at BFA. Incoming fifth through eighth grade girls will work on furthering the development of dribbling, shooting, offensive, and defensive skills through drills, game situations, and fun activities! See the flier for more details and complete the registration form.

Boys of all abilities are encouraged to attend the Summer Basketball Camp from 9 – noon, July 31 - Aug. 3 at BFA. Incoming fifth through eighth grade girls will work on furthering the development of dribbling, shooting, offensive, and defensive skills through drills, game situations, and fun activities! See the flier for more details and complete the registration form.

Incoming students in grades 5-8 interested in learning how to make lotions, bath bombs, soaps, and other fun products, please join us for a 3-day Chemistry Camp 4 Future Entrepreneurs! The camp is from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 19 – 21** at Ben Franklin Academy.

Ms. Svensen and Mrs. Paulson will teach you how you can make your own great products and learn from an industry professional while investigating how daily hygiene products are made. Click on this link for more information and to sign up.

**Please note the new time/dates and shorter camp (due to schedule conflict, we reduce the camp dates and cost.) Sign up by May 15, and get the camp for ONLY $200. The price goes up May 16.

Any incoming middle schooler interested in playing soccer this summer, can sign up for the Soccer Kick-Arounds and join us every Tuesday morning for some friendly soccer games. Games will be from 8:30-10 a. m. on Tuesdays, May 30 - August 8. Click on the Kick Arounds link for more information and to register. 

Join us for a fun and exciting Biology Camp from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. June 12-15 at BFA. We will learn interesting facts and then dissect various organisms, while we look at characteristics of life around our school, rivers, and oceans. The camp is hosted by Ms. Svensen and is open to all incoming 5th-8th graders. 

Join us for a fun and exciting Chemistry Camp from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. July 10-13 at BFA. Each day will have a different theme around chemistry. If you love anything that fizz, bubbles or explodes, this is the camp for you! The camp is hosted by Ms. Svensen and is open to all incoming 4th-8th graders.

All incoming 2023 BFA 5th-8th grade BOYS and GIRLS are welcome to register for the co-ed volleyball camp held at BFA! Mrs. Murphy is hosting the day camp from July 24-28, with a morning session for beginners and an afternoon session for experienced players.

In addition, there are evening clinics on July 24, 25, and 26 for those who want to focus on specific skills. The evening clinics run from 5:30 – 7 p.m. To find out all the details, please see the flier; to register, complete this form.

2023 BFA Summer Soccer Camp run by Ms. Svensen is open to any incoming student in grades 5 – 8 for 2023-2024 school year. Soccer camp will focus on mastering soccer's essential skills, and using individual ability in 1v1, 1v2, 2v2, 2v3 small group settings essential for the building blocks of the full field game, both indoor and outdoor.

The camp is scheduled from 8:30-11 a.m. July 17-20 on the BFA turf and large gym. Whether you want to play for BFA or want to try something new, it's a great opportunity to play some soccer with other middle schoolers this summer. 

Have you ever wanted to learn how to make Amigurumi Dolls? Or just learn how to crochet? This three-day camp hosted by Mrs. Paulson and Mrs. Jones will get you started for only $100. This camp is for incoming 4th graders to outgoing 8th graders, and runs from noon to 3:30 p.m. June 12 - 14 at BFA.

During this camp, students will learn the basics of crocheting, while making cute worry worms, an Amigurumi Chick, and one additional animal that students will select at camp.

Space is limited to 25. Adults are welcome to sign up as well--this is a fun camp to do with your student(s)! The early bird discount is $75 and runs through May 15. Click here to register.

Ms. Whelan and Mrs. Harms are very excited for their Summer Cheer Camp! It’s for students headed into grades 3-8 who are interested in Cheer/Poms.The camp will be held from 9 a.m. – noon, June 26-30, at BFA. For more information and to register, see the flier. Please contact Ms. Whelan and Mrs. Harms with questions.

Ms. Konesky is offering a Photography Camp this summer to help students ages 9+ learn about shutter speed, ISO, aperture, composition and more! It’s going to be a blast with walking photography trips to Flyin’ B park, along the canal trail, and in the surrounding neighborhoods. The camp is from 9 – 11:30 a.m., June 5-9, at BFA. See the flier for all the details, and click here to register.

Help prevent some of the inevitable Summer Slide by joining Sarah Harrell, and Ellen Cain, for their 5th annual Summer Bootcamp at BFA!

They will be hosting BFA Bootcamp sessions in BFA's Outdoor Classroom for incoming Kindies as well as first, second and third graders. 

Incoming Kindies will meet for 1.5 hours per day, and all other students will meet 2 hours a day. The June and July Bootcamps will meet over 3 consecutive days.

Space is limited, so please see their sign up for additional information and to get registered.

Mrs. Tickle is offering a SUPERHERO STEAM CAMP this summer from 9-11:30 a.m., June 12-16, at BFA. The STEAM Camp is for students CURRENTLY in grades 2-4.

To find out more information, see the flier. Space is limited, so be sure to register today! 

ThunderRidge high school asked us to pass along this information about their boys basketball camps this summer.

See their flier for all the details.