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Weekly Update
A Message from Principal Simpson
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Dear Parents,
This week is National School Choice Week! If you are in the building today, you'll notice staff wearing School Choice stickers and see a fun banner and other messages throughout the school. We understand all our families chose BFA—and that it requires a certain level of commitment to get the proper uniform and provide transportation for student(s). And, while attending BFA does require some extra effort, families tell me they sincerely appreciate the sense of community, the rigorous education, high expectations, the amazing staff, the thirteen virtues, individualized learning, and so many of the other advantages that BFA offers. We are grateful that parents in our state are able to choose what's best for their student(s) and that you trust us with your student’s education and growth. Thank you for choosing BFA!
This week has been critical in our charter renewal process. On Tuesday night, the DCSD Board of Education voted to grant our charter renewal for another five years (the most extended term available). Our next step is negotiating our contract with the district, but the biggest hurdle over--we are renewed! The charter renewal process went very smoothly and the district had no hesitation about our renewal, which is a testament to our staff, students, and community. I am so proud to be the leader of this fantastic school!
The teachers and staff of BFA are the best. They are hard-working professionals who are always seeking to refine the curriculum, enhance their individual skills, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of students. Each year, the school community recognizes one teacher and one support staff member with Apple Award nominations. I am happy to announce that Tracy Pierce and Jeanelle Korhonen are Ben Franklin's Apple Award representatives! Congratulations, Tracy and Jeanelle! Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations this year!
Thank you again for choosing BFA! Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Simpson
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Jeanelle Korhonen & Tracy Pierce
Apple Award Representatives
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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 (OE) is NOW OPEN. Submissions during the Second Round of OE are added to the bottom of any existing waitlists from the First Round in timestamped order. Please tell prospective parents to go to our Enrollment webpage and/or the Douglas County School District (DCSD) Open Enrollment webpage for more information.
We continue to offer tours of the school, so we also encourage you to share the tour webpage link with any prospective BFA families.
If you know any families interested in BFA's preschool, please encourage them to complete the Intent to Enroll form on our website. For additional information or to schedule a tour, they can contact Preschool Director, Lori Hafner.
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Mardi Gras Masquerade this Saturday
Volunteers Still Needed
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We’re looking forward to seeing the BFA girls and their father or other special adult at the Sweetheart Ball, Mardi Gras Masquerade, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. this Saturday, Jan. 27, at BFA. Suggested dress for the event is semi-formal attire and a masquerade mask! (There will be masquerade masks available at the dance.) Dessert and drinks will be served.
The PTO needs your help to make this event a success. If you are interested in volunteering to help at the event (decorating, crafts, games, etc.), you can sign up here, and if you’d like to donate desserts for the ball, please sign up here.
If you have any questions, please contact Katie Graham, Sweetheart Ball committee manager.
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After School Musical Opportunity for K-2 Students | |
Ms. Johnson is offering an after school musical opportunity for students in grades K-2 this spring! Students will meet from 3:30 - 4:10 p.m. on Tuesdays, beginning Feb. 6. The “Best Pet Show Ever!” will be performed by students at 6 p.m. on May 8.
For additional details and to register, click here.
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After School Musical for Grades 3-8 | |
Ms. Gelley is offering an after school musical opportunity for students in grades 3-8 this spring! The class will meet from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays beginning Feb. 7. The musical, “At the Bandstand! A Rock ’n’ Roll Review” will be performed by students at 6 p.m. on May 9.
For additional details and to register, click here.
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Hearing and Vision Testing | |
Hearing and vision screenings will take place on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, for students in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7, any students new to BFA, plus any referrals.
If your student wears prescription glasses or contacts, it is necessary that he/she wear them during the screening.
Any student who did not pass the initial hearing screening will do a re-screening in March/April.
Volunteers & Donations Needed:
There are still a few volunteer opportunities available. Click here for more information about how you can help.
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Thank You Ryan Ward and Kimberlie Waddoups | |
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.
For December, the winner of the drawing is Ryan Ward for his volunteer time. And this month, Kimberlie Waddoups is the winner for her volunteer time. They have each won a gift card to Starbucks.
Congratulations, Ryan and Kimberlie!
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All Dads Invited to Ben's Brigade Meeting Tonight | |
BFA Dads are invited to attend the Ben’s Brigade meeting at 8 p.m. TONIGHT, Jan. 25, at Max Taps Highlands Ranch (2680 E. County Line Road). They would love to have more dads get involved!
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 earn volunteer hours. Ben’s Brigade handles work projects around the school, provides volunteers for school functions, and hosts a number of social events throughout the year - some just for dads and some with kids as well.
Contact Curtis Anderson and Justin Mayhall, Ben’s Brigade co-committee managers to learn more.
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Dedication Deadline Approaching; Yearbook Prices go up Saturday | |
Be sure to order your 2023-24 yearbook now for the best pricing! Right now, yearbooks cost $48 per book. The price will go up to $50 this Saturday, Jan. 27.
You may also order a yearbook dedication (parent tribute ad) for your student. Dedications are $40, and must be ordered by Jan. 31. These ads are a fun way to help commemorate a great school year!
This year, we are using a new company, Jostens, for our yearbooks. You can order and pay for your 2023-24 yearbook, and your dedication now!
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Guidelines for Determining Student Attendance due to Illness | As we go into the colder months, illness seems to follow. Please see the following guidelines and check out our Health and Wellness webpage if you have questions about when your student can return to school. | | | |
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PTO Virtues Awareness Program | |
To start the year, students have been focusing on this month’s virtues, Moderation and Order. What a great way to kick off a new year!
The BFA interpretations of these virtues are:
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Moderation - Keep yourself in balance. Focus both on accomplishing things in which you excel and those you do not. Try new things.
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Order - All things have their place. Keep your work area in order; keep your day in order.
At the start of a new year, many of us refresh our spaces, clean out clutter, and try to give our homes and spaces a fresh start. This type of renewal/refresh can also be applied to other areas of life. For example, when thinking about our students, we can strategize how to help them keep their spaces, rooms, and backpacks tidy. And, we also can help them to think about how to better manage their time in this new year. Maybe you help your student set aside planning time for the week ahead, or help them prioritize their extracurricular activities so they can have additional time for themselves or more time to try something new.
Practicing the virtues of Moderation and Order might help us all start the year off feeling more balanced.
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Board of Directors Election News | |
In order to have a diverse, dedicated, and passionate Board that is also representative of our BFA families, we need YOU (or someone you know)! Similar to last year, we are seeking a record number of nominations for the 2024 Board of Directors Election. We challenge each and every BFA family to nominate at least one qualified candidate when nominations
open on Feb. 1, 2024.
In April, the BFA community will elect (or re-elect) one (1) director to serve on the seven-director Board, for a term of three years. The current Board of Directors also will appoint one (1) director, in accordance with the Board of Directors Election Policy. We are seeking committed and passionate individuals with a broad range of skills and knowledge, including, but not limited to: finance, education, real estate, legal, governance, strategic or long-range planning, or business ownership.
Save the Dates!
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Nominations will take place from Feb. 1 - March 1, 2024. Additional information regarding the nomination process will be provided on Feb. 1.
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The Candidate Q&A will take place on March 26 prior to the Board meeting.
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Voting will take place from April 1 - April 12, 2024.
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The Election Results will be announced during the Board meeting on Tuesday, April 16. The current Board also will appoint (1) member to the Board of Directors during the April Board meeting.
Wondering Where to Begin?
Learn more about the BFA Board by attending our next meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20. For any questions please contact Keri Street or Adam Lucero.
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Support BFA While You Shop | |
If you are a King Soopers shopper, you can help earn money for BFA by signing up for King Soopers Community Rewards. For details on how to sign up for King Soopers Community Rewards visit their webpage or click here for instructions.
It's CRAZY how quickly this program adds up and how much our school can earn. From July - Oct. of 2023, BFA earned $5,341 back from this program!
Please contact Andreya Flanigan, PTO fundraising coordinator, with any questions. Thank you, again, for your support of BFA and the PTO!
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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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