From the Desk of Principal Simpson

April 1, 2021

Weekly Update

A Message from the Uniform Committee

Dear Parents,

The BFA Uniform Committee has an exciting announcement to share--new uniform vendors have been added to the BFA approved vendor list!

The Board and administration heard you (and your child(ren)'s) requests for more options regarding uniform style, fabric, price range and variety in actual vendors. Based on YOUR feedback, a Uniform Committee was organized to research and evaluate

various vendors on these and additional factors. We are pleased to announce the Board approved adding two new uniform vendors, French Toast and Tommy Hilfiger. This is exciting news; yet, as with any change, we know they'll be a few questions so we've listed several questions and answers below:

Is Educational Outfitters (EO) going away?

No. EO is still an approved vendor. You can still purchase from EO and continue to wear EO clothing.

Can I now buy clothes at Old Navy, Target, etc.?

No. Ben Franklin has a uniform policy. In order to maintain consistent uniform standards, the three selected vendors are the only approved vendors in which to purchase uniform clothing.

When do the new uniform vendors take effect?

The additional vendors' programs will launch this summer for the 2021-22 school year. Additional information and purchase availability will be available summer 2021 to give families plenty of preparation time.

How do I know what size to buy for my child?

We plan to hold a ‘try on’ event for the Tommy Hilfiger uniform options. This is a great chance to try on Tommy Hilfiger’s uniform clothing to get an idea what size and/or style might work for your child. This is expected to take place at the end of May/beginning of June. Specific dates and details TBD.

Additionally, both vendor websites have sizing measurements and recommended sizing guides to assist in this process.

We hope you are as excited about this change as we are. Click here to review our frequently asked questions document, and be sure to look for more information in future newsletters!

We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

The Uniform Committee

Hollie Turtle, Lisa Schenck, Devon Preeo, and Sarah Nisbet

BFA News

Details (with Corrections) for BFA Summer Camp Program

Summer Camp registration is now open! Families can go to MySchoolBucks and register for BFA Summer Camp. The cost to register is $25 per child, and all campers will receive a drawstring bag. It’s going to be a fantastic summer, but we’ve had to make a few changes to camp this year, so please keep reading to learn more.

Students that are currently attending K-8 and incoming students for the fall of 2021 that will be 5-years-old by June 2 are allowed to register for camp.* We are hoping interested parents will register their family early to allow us to gauge interest. Unfortunately if we don't have enough interest we won't be able to have the camp.

Camp this summer will be a bit different from years past. We’ve spent considerable time exploring field trip possibilities, but it is just not feasible this year. However, our wonderful staff are already coming up with ideas to ensure your students have a terrific summer--including the possibility of in house field trips (which may necessitate a cost increase to $210/week for those weeks).

For a number of reasons, including streamlining our processes and more predictable staff scheduling, registrations will be weekly this year. This means each family can register their child(ren) for the full week of summer camp at a rate of $200 per child and daily registrations will not be offered. We sincerely apologize if this causes your family any inconvenience.

Program Details

Dates: June 2 -August 13

Holiday closure: July 5-9

Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Costs

One time Registration Fee: $25.00 per child, all registered campers will receive a drawstring bag

Weekly Tuition: $200/week/child (may increase slightly on weeks we are able to offer in-house field trips)

If you have any questions please email us.

*If your BFA registered child turns five during the summer they may also attend, but not until the day that they turn five.

Shop the Online Book Fair in April

You’re invited to shop our Scholastic Book Fair online from April 5 – April 18. All purchases benefit our school and connect kids with new books, favorite characters, complete series and more.

You’ll love the NEW option to shop for Book Fair exclusives directly from the interactive booklist and enjoy these special online shopping features:

More than 6,000 items, including new releases, best sellers and value packs
All orders ship direct to home
FREE shipping on book-only orders over $25*
All purchases support our school and earn 25 percent in rewards for our library

We hope you'll visit our Book Fair Homepage and click “Shop Now” to get started TODAY!

Middle school girls soccer has been rescheduled for April 26-May 28. Tryouts will be outside on the turf from 4-5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, and from 2-3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21. Callbacks will be from 4-5 p.m. on Thursday, April 22.

There will only be one team this year for BFA. Registration for tryouts is OPEN NOW! Any middle school girl interested in trying out for the team this year must register online through MySchoolBucks by Monday, April 19, or they will not be able to try out. Games this season will be Tuesdays and Thursdays, and practices will be after school on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Make sure you have a water bottle and athletic gear for tryouts. Cleats, shin guards, and a soccer ball are recommended but not mandatory for tryouts. Contact Ms. Poleschook if you have any questions.

Sweetheart Ball for BFA Girls

All BFA young ladies and their dad or special adult guest are invited to attend this year’s Sweetheart Ball, Light Up the Night, a girls’ glow dance from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, April 24, at BFA. Tickets are $35 per couple and $15 for each additional child. Tickets will go on sale tomorrow, April 2, through MySchoolBucks.

We need your help make this event a success. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Alissa Motazedi, PTO social coordinator.

Music Lessons at School with Harper Arts

Have your kids asked about the music lessons that happen during school? If so, it’s time to get them signed up for next school year! Harper Arts is thrilled to be returning to offer music lessons and coaching at BFA. Students will continue to have the option to receive piano, guitar, ukulele, voice, acting and audition coaching during the school day and after school. Students are approved to participate in lessons during DEAR, recess, specials, electives (middle school) and advisory (middle school). There also will be a limited number of spaces available after school.

The cost of this program is $150 per month for the school year (small supply and book fees apply as well). These prices are based on one student for 30 minute lessons. Sibling discounts are available. Unlock your passion and potential with Harper Arts at BFA! Spots are EXTREMELY LIMITED at this time! Click here to sign up today!

April Spirit Night at Five Guys

The PTO's next spirit night is coming up quickly. Mark your calendars for spirit night at Five Guys in Highlands Ranch from 3-9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21. Five Guys will donate 15 percent of all purchases made back to BFA. Please mention you're with BFA at the register so your order gets included in our spirit night.

Voting Starts Next Week - Watch Board Forum and Hear from Nominees

If you missed the opportunity to hear directly from the Board nominees during the Board Forum last week, please click here to watch the question and answer session. In addition, we encourage you to read about each candidate via the Board Election webpage.

As a reminder, voting for the Seat 1, Class A director will take place electronically April 9-18. Results of the election will be announced, and the appointment will be made on Tuesday, April 20, at the regularly scheduled Board meeting.

Brush Up on Your Charter School Knowledge

Ben Franklin Academy is excited to partner with the Colorado League of Charter Schools and their ACT Advocacy Network to bring trainings to our families. This upcoming training is designed to build your charter school knowledge and your advocacy skills so we can leverage our collective power as a school, and as part of the Douglas County charter school community. Our aim is to protect the outstanding education provided to our students through a charter school education. In this one-hour training, you will learn about charter myths and facts and what makes us unique. Please join us (and log your time as a volunteer hour)!

What: Charter School Basics

Where: On-line via Zoom

When: 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 6, session open to multiple Douglas County charter schools’ families

RSVP: REGISTER FOR 4/6 HERE 9 a.m. session

Say Thanks with SCRIP

Preschool Parents Can Participate Too!

BFA will use SCRIP for end of year staff gifting again this year. This convenient, online program replaces room parent collections and facilitates convenient group gifting. Each family makes one payment through MySchoolBucks for all of their teacher and staff gifts. At the end of collections, each staff member will receive an email with the total collected on their behalf and is able to select gift cards they would like to receive.

Participation in the SCRIP program is completely voluntary. You are welcome to participate with any amount, or alternatively gift the teachers and staff on your own. Families will be able to place SCRIP orders via MySchoolBucks and pay by credit card. You may designate how much you would like to give to each teacher/staff member in one-dollar increments. Collections will take place April 12-18 with gift cards being distributed during Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week (May 3-7).

A form for preschool-only families will be available online by April 5. The completed preschool form and a check need to be dropped off in the PTO lock box located in the BFA front office by April 16.

Look for more information in future newsletters regarding details on how to contribute to your teacher's gift! Questions? Visit the PTO webpage or contact Natalie Lucero, SCRIP coordinator.

Rent the Rock and Celebrate your Student!

The new spirit rock is ready for painting, and dates are available through the end of the school year! Reserve your dates on the BFA Spirit Rock SignUpGenius. Rental rates are $15/day. Please only use paint to decorate the rock. Adhering other materials to the rock makes it difficult for the next group to decorate it. If you have any questions about renting it, see our flier or contact Sara Hope, Spirit Rock 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.