Weekly Update
A Message from Principal Simpson
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Dear Parents,
A year ago, I was sending out a completely different newsletter. Back then, we were scrambling to get worksheets printed off and materials sent home with the news that the school might be closed for a week or so; little did we know what the next twelve months would bring. It seems that many of us are feeling more optimistic these days, and it’s my hope that families are able to get out and do something fun this spring break—whether that’s taking advantage of all the snow we’re supposed to get, relaxing at home, or traveling—especially, since spring break looked so
different in 2020.
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Since many of you may be traveling for break, I thought it would be an excellent time to remind you of a couple of things. If you are traveling, please monitor your family closely for any symptoms and consider quarantining a day or two or even getting tested after you get home to ensure everyone is well before returning to school. As a reminder, fever and cough are not the only symptoms of COVID. Students have tested positive with only minor complaints of runny/stuffy noses and general cold symptoms, and no fever or cough. During break, please contact me directly through email if you find out about an exposure or if someone in your household tests positive for the virus. We will not be monitoring our attendance email, or phone calls to the office over the break.
We are preparing for state CMAS testing to begin after the break for grades 3-8. Currently, we are planning to administer Math and English/Language Arts tests to all students in grades 3-8 and science tests to all fifth and eighth graders. There are bills in the State Legislature that may impact our testing. The current bill under discussion would have each grade level taking either the Math OR English/Language Arts tests, and no one would take science. Unfortunately, we will not know which testing will take place until very close to our testing dates in late March. I will keep you updated as I hear any news surrounding state testing.
I hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing spring break.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Simpson
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BFA loves its volunteers, and we want to show our appreciation for all of your work. The PTO recognizes two volunteers each month. A volunteer will be chosen as the Volunteer of the Month, and will get exclusive use of the dedicated, reserved Volunteer of the Month spot in the parking lot for their respective month.
In addition, 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.
Thanks to all our volunteers for your continued support of BFA!
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Congratulations Donovan and Lisa Schenck! |
Donovan and Lisa Schenck have been selected as the Ben Franklin Academy Volunteers of the Month for March. They are a new BFA family and have jumped right into helping with meaningful volunteer work in our school community. Donovan has helped with recess, participates in Ben's Brigade and had oversight of the Ben's Brigade garden bed project last fall. Lisa has been active with the School Accountability Committee (SAC) and we are grateful for all the time she spent researching and vetting additional uniform vendors. We sincerely appreciate their combined efforts. Thank you Donovan and Lisa!
The Schencks are excited to be a first year BFA family! They have two sons, the oldest in first grade and a younger son who will start at BFA in a year. Donovan also has two older children—one in high school and the other in college. Their three sons play hockey and the Schenck family can be found at the hockey rink at all hours of the day. When asked what they like about BFA, Lisa responded, “We love the amazing teachers at BFA who continuously go above and beyond, and the community created from all of the families volunteering and contributing to make BFA an amazing school for our kiddos.”
Congratulations Donovan and Lisa! And, thank you again for all you do for BFA!
If you know someone who should be considered for volunteer of the month for outstanding volunteerism, please email Mollie Anderson, PTO president.
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Thank You Meredith Van Deman! |
This month, Meredith Van Deman is the winner of our drawing for her volunteer time in February. Meredith earned volunteer hours by doing Thursday folders for Mrs. Harms, and has won a $10 gift card to Festive Cup Coffee. Congratulations, Meredith! And, thank you again for your time and effort at BFA.
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Tomorrow, March 12, is a regular Dress of Choice Day for all students (unless the student received two uniform violations since the last Dress of Choice Day).
Next week, March 15-19, is Spring Break. Hope you and your family enjoy the break! Our next remote learning day is Wednesday, March 24.
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Office Hours and Use of Preschool Lot |
As a reminder, on remote Wednesdays the office is open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. (The office is closed during school breaks, and summer office hours are generally different.) There will not be anyone available outside those times to accept homework/projects, answer questions or distribute learning materials.
If you come by the school during a remote learning Wednesday, please keep in mind that preschool is in session. As always, be mindful of your speed in the parking lot. Additionally, out of an abundance of caution for our preschool kiddos, we need to request that parents do not drive through or park in the north/preschool lot (the small lot that is often gated for recess). Even if your student has an activity at school, please do not use the preschool lot during normal school hours (8:15 a.m.–3:30 p.m.) any day of the week.
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Backpack Society Helps BFA Families |
We are excited to partner with the Backpack Society to provide weekend meals to our students and their families. You can choose from two options, either sign up your student or sign up your family. This week, there is also a sign-up for assistance during Spring Break. If you have any questions about the program or about the Backpack Society, please email or visit their website.
Student Program:
Family Program:
- This program requires the family to pick up at Mountainview Christian Church Parking Lot. For your information, the Backpack Society is not affiliated with the church, rather the church kindly lets them use their lot for delivery purposes.
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Sign up here: https://www.backpacksociety.org/family-weekend-food-program
Spring Break Program:
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Congratulations to Quinlan Smythe who has been invited to participate in the Mathleague.org Colorado State Championship! The Mathleague.org middle school program consists of a series of contests held throughout the school year, culminating in a National Championship. Top-scoring students in qualifying rounds are invited to compete in their State Championship contest held in March. Winners of each State Championship are invited to compete in the U.S. National Middle School Championship in May. Good luck, Quinlan!
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BFA's DI Teams' Virtual Schedule |
You can virtually cheer on your BFA Destination Imagination (DI) teams at the 2021 Showcase Event and State Tournament – at any time and at your convenience – from now until April 3!
In Colorado, DI teams are competing virtually at the 2021 Showcase Event and the State Tournament. Team submissions for both the Central Challenge and Instant Challenge are due in early March for the Showcase Event; teams will receive feedback and scores on Saturday, March 13. Teams will not “place” at the Showcase Event, as ALL teams (including Rising Stars teams) will proceed to the State Tournament.
For the State Tournament, teams will re-submit their solutions in mid- to late March and receive scores on Saturday, April 3. The State Tournament award ceremony will take place on Facebook Live on April 3; teams that place first, second, third and fourth in each level and challenge (except Rising Stars) will be invited to compete at Global Finals, which is currently planned as an in-person competition from July 21-24, in Kansas City, Missouri. We will keep you posted on BFA’s DI teams’ results.
The teams are as follows (pictured in order):
Team Name: The Adventurers, Critter’s Big Adventure, Early Learning, Rising Stars Level
Team Members: Wyatt Henbest, Owen Johnson, Ada Littrell, Jacob Littrell, Brody Maas-Baldwin and Benjamin Sparks
Team Managers: Christiana and Scott Sparks
Team Name/Challenge: Creative Stallions, The Next Level, Technical, Elementary Level
Team Members: Delaney Deidel, Elias Lidstone, Charlee McChesney and Taylor Neale
Team Manager: Michelle McChesney
Good luck to BFA's DI teams!
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Plan to Listen to Board Forum |
Please mark your calendar and plan to join the Board Forum via Zoom at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23, before the regularly scheduled BFA Board meeting. This is your opportunity to hear directly from the Board nominees during a Question and Answer session. We also 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.
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Modern Market Spirit Night After Break |
Treat yourself to lunch out or take the night off from cooking, and come enjoy some delicious, healthy food while supporting BFA! From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23, Modern Market (537 W Highlands Ranch Pkwy #108) will donate 30 percent of your meal’s price back to BFA! You can order online with the promo code: giveback008, or if you order in-store, please be sure to mention the BFA fundraiser so that BFA gets credit for your purchase. Thanks for supporting the BFA PTO!
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The Community Events Committee (CEC) has a twist on their annual 'Donuts with Dad' event. The newly named "DIY Dads" will celebrate the dads and/or special men in our families virtually this year! A gift bag will be sent home with all families today, March 11.
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So Many Reasons to Join the PTO Team! |
Thinking about volunteering with the PTO? There are so many reasons why you should! Here are just a few:
- We make a difference.
- Meet new people and have fun!
- We can match jobs to your interests and availability.
- Know what's going on at BFA.
- Be a part of the community.
PTO elections will be held April 26 - 30. The right position is waiting for you! Click here to apply or nominate someone you know TODAY for the 2021-22 PTO team.
More information on the PTO, including the top 10 reasons you should join the PTO, and job descriptions (with time commitment estimates) of the PTO's volunteer opportunities, can also be found in the Elections section of the PTO's webpage. Or, join us for one of our monthly meetings held over Zoom on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
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Say THANKS! Celebrate Staff with SCRIP |
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).
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.
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The Community Events Committee (CEC) monthly meeting scheduled for March 17 has been postponed due to Spring Break. Please join us at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24, via Zoom to discuss our final events for the school year. Details are on the school calendar. All are welcome.
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to the CEC.
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It’s time to start thinking about summer camp! As announced last week, BFA will be offering an exciting Summer Camp program this year. We’re still working on all the details, but we’re planning to ensure your kids have a fantastic summer!
Do you need full-time day care for the summer? Or perhaps you are just looking to get a break from your children a few days per week. Maybe your kids would like to connect with other BFA kids and enjoy fun, activities and social time. Whatever your situation, our Summer Camp program is sure to keep your kids safe and entertained; and the best part is that our Summer Camp program is staffed by people you know and trust! Summer Camp is open to any currently enrolled BFA student 5-years-old and above. (Your child must be 5 on or before June 2 to participate.)
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 day pack
Daily Tuition: $40.00/day/child
Watch for the summer camp calendar to be available in April 2021. If you have any questions please email us. Information on registration will be coming out soon via the newsletter.
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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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Ben Franklin Academy
2270 Plaza Drive
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
www.bfacademy.org
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Main Office Phone: 720-383-4519
Email: info@bfacademy.org
Attendance Phone: 720-432-9239
Email: attendance@bfacademy.org
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