Welcome New BFA Families!
A Message from Principal Simpson
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Dear New BFA Families,
Welcome new Ben Franklin Academy (BFA) families! We will include you in our weekly newsletters moving forward. This newsletter is an excellent resource for information about camps, registration, orientation, uniforms, opportunities to get involved next school year, etc. The newsletter goes out every Thursday during the school year.
Please mark your calendars for a New Family Welcome at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 9, at BFA in the Thunder (big) gym. We’ll give an overview of what to expect during the summer and a tour of the school. You’ll also hear from representatives of our various committees.
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 our website, click on Parents, then look for Getting Started at BFA: Helpful Information for New Families.
We are excited to have you join our BFA family and hope you can attend the New Family Welcome next month!
Principal Simpson
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Weekly Update
A Message from BFA Board of Directors President, Matt Keillor
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Dear Parents,
Each year at our April Board Meeting, two important things happen--new Directors are announced, and the School Accountability Committee (SAC) presents their findings and recommendations from the annual BFA Parent Satisfaction Survey.
Thank you to all who voted in this year’s election for the Board of Directors. We had a terrific group of well-qualified individuals, and I am pleased to announce the two candidates (pictured below) who will each serve a three-year term:
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Keri Street was elected by the BFA community and will serve on Seat 3, Class B; and
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Sarah Nisbet was appointed to her second term occupying Seat 4, Class B.
We look forward to working with these two board members. A special thanks to Haley Maglieri, director-at-large, who led the Succession Committee and presided over this year’s election process.
Woody Haynes, SAC chair, presented the findings of the recent BFA Parent Survey and recommended action items to the Board. The SAC and the Board read through every one of the 1,100+ parent comments. We sincerely appreciate everyone who completed the survey and provided feedback on how we can improve our school. These suggestions and community comments help us reflect on the current school year and develop our 2022-23 strategic plan during our annual Board retreat in June.
As we wrap up the 2021-22 school year, we continue to strive for excellence in making BFA The STEAM School of Choice in Douglas County.
Sincerely,
Matt Keillor
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During the summer there are resources and support tools available to our BFA families and students that can be accessed from home. The list below pulls together what has been shared during the school year related to Social-Emotional Learning and the Second Step Program.
General Second Step and SEL Information
All of Mrs. Simpson’s Principal Newsletters, with Second Step and SEL information, can be found on the Ben Franklin Academy website, linked here.
Parents also can go to Second Step® Programs: Information for Families, a webpage designed by the Committee for Children, and learn more about social-emotional learning, why it’s important, what their child is learning through the Second Step program, and to view sample lessons.
Elementary
Earlier this year, our teachers sent out newsletters or emails that included Homelinks and the activation code to join www.secondstep.org. With this code, you have access to watch videos about the Second Step program and get information about what your student is learning for each unit. Please reach out to your child’s classroom teacher if you need your code.
Middle School
Emails were sent out to middle school families before starting each Second Step Unit with helpful information. If you would like these resent or did not receive the emails, please reach out to Tracy Pierce, tpierce@bfacademy.org, and she will be happy to help.
ParenTeen Connect - This is a free resource for parents that provides expert advice and practical tools for dealing with real parent-teen issues that cause conflict in their lives—including screen time, independence, responsibility, and communication. More information can be found in the ParenTeen Connect article.
Douglas County School District Resources - More information on Social-Emotional Learning and wellness is available at www.dcsdk12.org/SocialEmotionalWellness. You’ll find resources and support for your whole family on self-care, mental health, social-emotional wellbeing, fitness, nutrition, and more on the website.
Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids - You can use these evidence-based resources to spark important conversations and teach your kids a set of essential mental health skills.
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There is NO SCHOOL tomorrow, April 22, as it is a teacher planning day. We hope you have a terrific weekend!
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For the month of May, Nutrition Services has informed us that the pizza on Tuesdays will once again be provided by Pizza Hut. (Let the happy dancing commence!)
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Douglas County Libraries (DCL) came into school this week to give Book Talks to our fourth graders. A DCL Librarian came in and spoke with classes about 21 new and exciting books for fourth graders. They played Book Bingo and students won books and special stickers.
We are also gearing up for the DCL Summer Reading Program; preregistration begins on May 1. We'd love EVERYONE (adults too!) to sign up for the summer reading program again this year. The first place prize of $500 helps us purchase quite a few books for the kiddos!
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PTO Elections Open Tuesday - Meet the Candidates! |
The PTO is an integral part of the BFA community, whose mission is to seek resources to strengthen, enhance, and encourage the educational and social experience at Ben Franklin Academy. Since it began serving BFA, the PTO has raised funds to provide all manner of items for the school, including playground equipment, library books, a climbing wall, the outdoor classroom, and the MakerSpace as well as tools and resources needed by the teachers, staff and administration. In addition, we organize multiple social events to bring together the entire BFA community.
Each year, the parent community is asked to vote for open executive officer and committee chair positions. Your vote is important. Voting will be open from Tuesday, April 26, through Saturday, April 30. Each family unit is permitted to cast one vote per position. Election results will be announced at the PTO meeting on Sunday, May 15.
Thank you to everyone who accepted a nomination. We have a great slate of candidates! To view the candidate bios, please visit the PTO webpage, and click on PTO Elections.
Thinking about volunteering for the PTO? There’s still time! The following positions are currently open for next year:
Treasurer
Secretary
Ben’s Brigade Committee Chair
Teacher Appreciate Committee Chair
Virtue Awareness Committee Chair
Uniform Consignment Sale Committee Chair
Yearbook Committee Co-Chair
Spirit Rock Committee Manager
Spring Social Committee Manager
Trunk or Treat Committee Manager
If you or anyone you know would be a good fit for these positions, please contact Denise Battista, PTO president.
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Mother Son Event - Tickets Sales End Tomorrow |
Calling all BFA moms and their sons! The spring Mother-Son social event is just around the corner. It will be held from 3-8 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at BFA. Tickets are on sale now through MySchoolBucks. Ticket sales end TOMORROW, April 22, so get your tickets today!
Tickets are $25 per couple, and $5 for each additional participant (with a maximum cost of $35 per family). Please note that ticket sales are time-specific based on the age of your child, but you are welcome to come for the entire time (3-8 p.m.) to participate in all of the other activities and enjoy the food!
In addition to the epic Nerf battles, there will be other fun activities including board breaking and jousting. And, dinner will be provided. Come prepared to have tons of fun!
Please contact Alissa Motazedi with any questions.We look forward to seeing you there!
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2022 Summer Camp
New This Week: Weekly Registrations Now Open!
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Ben Franklin Academy will offer another exciting Summer Camp program this year. Do you need full-time day care for the summer? Or perhaps you are just looking to get a break a few days per week. Maybe your kids would like to connect with other Ben Franklin Academy 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 is staffed by people you know and trust!
Initial student registration and WEEKLY registrations are NOW OPEN though MySchoolBucks!
Program Details
Dates: June 1 - Aug. 17; camp will be closed July 4-8
Hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Days: Monday through Friday
Summer Camp is open to any currently enrolled BFA student age 5 and older. Your child must be 5 on or before Wednesday, June 1, to participate. The activities calendar is complete. Please email summercamp@bfacademy.org if you would like to see the list of activities.
Costs
One-time Registration Fee: $25 per child; All registered campers will receive a camp t-shirt and daypack.
Tuition: $200/week/child
In February, the BASE program was awarded a grant from the state of Colorado. With the funds we received, we lowered the registration fee to $25 per student. In addition, we've lowered the weekly fee to $200, and will not be charging more for the field trips and other special activities we are planning for this summer.
Please send any questions to: summercamp@bfacademy.org. Please note: If you have never signed up for BFA’s Before/After School Enrichment (BASE) program, you will be required to do so before you are able to register for summer camp. If you need the link, please email base@bfacademy.org and it will be sent to you.
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Disneyland Choir Elective for Next School Year |
Parents of students currently in grades 5, 6 and 7, if you missed the Disneyland Choir meeting explaining the requirements and trip details for the 2022-23 school year, please click here for all the relevant information. This opportunity to perform and participate in a workshop at Disneyland is a middle school tradition for those that enjoy singing and performing arts.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Johnson.
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CEC Seeks Communications Officer |
Do you love organizing and communicating? Would you like to be more involved in the BFA community? Then, we have a great volunteer opportunity for you! The Community Events Committee (CEC) is seeking a Communications Officer for the upcoming 2022-23 school year. Responsibilities include writing newsletter articles, creating the SignupGenius for CEC sponsored events, and checking/responding to CEC emails on a weekly basis. This is an elected position for a 2-year term.
Interested parties, please submit a brief paragraph of your interest to cec@bfacademy.org no later than end-of-day on Saturday, April 30. A vote will take place in May. Feel free to contact the CEC chair, Becky Mayka, if you have any questions.
The CEC looks forward to growing their team and welcoming new ideas!
Volunteer Appreciation Event
Also, please SAVE THE DATE for the CEC end-of-year celebration. The CEC had another successful year and we are excited to celebrate the hard work of our volunteers! Our celebration will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, at Los Dos Potrillos in Highlands Ranch. Please RSVP to reserve your spot!
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Cold Stone Creamery Spirit Night Next Week |
I scream, you scream, we all scream for…Cold Stone Spirit Night!
Come enjoy some yummy ice cream from 4-8 p.m. next Wednesday, April 27, at the Cold Stone Creamery in the Highlands Ranch Town Center. Cold Stone will give back 20 percent of all orders to the BFA PTO!
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Middle School Supports RezDawg |
Middle School Charity Week officially kicked off with our annual Dodgeball for Dollars event, and will continue next week as we showcase our middle school sports. Cross country will compete on Tuesday, soccer on Wednesday, volleyball on Thursday, and basketball on Friday.
The Student Council will also be collecting items from middle school families for RezDawg through Friday, April 29. Donations boxes will be placed in homerooms and boxed up at the end of the week for donation. Following are the items middle school families are welcome to donate to help RezDawg:
- Animal bedding which includes used blankets, quilts, and sheets twin size or smaller. Items must be clean, in good condition, and come from a smoke free home.
- Dog and cat toys - new only
- Stethoscopes - used in good condition
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Make plans to join us for the last Spirit Night of the year from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10, at Skate City in Littleton (5801 S. Lowell Way, 80123). This is a private event for our school community!
The PTO needs at least 50 skaters to earn money back for the BFA PTO. Hope to see you there!
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Ben's Brigade Meeting and Picnic |
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.
Want to find out more? Join them at the Ben's Brigade Meeting at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, at Max Taps (2680 E. County Line Road). Or, come to their end-of-year picnic from 12 - 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, at Redstone Park (3280 Redstone Park Circle). All dads are welcome!
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Donuts with Dads Details and Volunteer Opportunities |
The CEC will be hosting students and their dads (or other special adults) from 7 – 8 a.m. on Friday, April 29, in the BFA Lightning (small) gym.
Come start your day with a donut, fruit, and coffee or juice. There will also be games in the Thunder (big) gym, photo ops, and a small craft that kiddos can take home. This is a popular event, please plan to arrive early and park in the upper lot to ensure carpool is not interrupted. Dads can hang out with their kids until 7:45 a.m., then students can go to their classrooms. All students should be in class by 8:10 a.m.
Gluten free options available upon request. Donuts are being provided by Mr. Donut located in Lonetree.
We hope you can join us to celebrate all BFA's SUPER DADS!
Earn Volunteer hours!
Volunteers are needed to help the CEC make Donuts with Dads a special event! They need help to set up the event on April 28, as well as the morning of the event. Sign up here to claim your spot.
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Parents Invited to View and Judge Science Fair Projects |
It’s elementary Science Fair time at BFA! This is an exciting time of year when students use the scientific method and get creative to test a hypothesis (and all the parents learn to be extra patient about the strange substances growing on their counters!). If you want to see the end result of all this experimentation, you can come in to view students’ work on Monday, May 9 (bring your Driver’s License if you don't have a badge). Below are the times assigned to each class. (Keep in mind, the front office closes at 3 p.m. for afternoon carpool.)
8:30-8:50 a.m. - Hinz/Harms
8:50-9:10 a.m. - Triplett/DeRis
9:15-9:35 a.m. - Dunn/Buzalka
9:35-9:55 a.m. - Hodge/Walter
10:00-10:20 a.m - Hildebrand/Whelan
10:20-10:40 a.m. - Bauer/Ferguson
12:55-1:15 p.m. - Loehr/Gautier
1:15-1:35 p.m. - Wilson/Ciardullo
1:45-2:05 p.m. - Lindgren/Van Wyk
2:05-2:25 p.m. - Wall/Arnold
2:35-2:55 p.m. - M. McGinty/C. McGinty
2:55-3:15 p.m. - Pitone/DePasse
And, we very much need your help in judging the Science Fair projects on Tuesday, May 10, and/or Wednesday, May 11. Don’t worry if you’ve never judged before, Mrs. Ward will go over expectations with you—but what’s really important is having volunteers who are willing to listen to the students explaining their projects. Please sign up to help!
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2022 Summer Volleyball Camp |
All incoming 2022 BFA 5th-8th grade BOYS and GIRLS are welcome to register for the co-ed volleyball camp held at BFA! The day camp will be from July 11-15, with a morning session for beginners and an afternoon session for experienced players. The cost is $200 for the week. In addition, there are evening clinics July 11 - 13 for those who want to focus on specific skills. The evening clinics run from 6:30 – 8 p.m. and are $50.
To register, please complete this form which includes payment information.
Morning Session: 9 a.m. - Noon
This session is for ALL incoming 5th, and incoming 6th-8th grade BEGINNER volleyball players. Beginner players have an introductory understanding of the game, but do not possess consistent skills of passing, setting, hitting and serving. This session will teach the fundamentals of the game and provide a refresher for those who want it. We will end the week with a Friday tournament. Games, fun and prizes will be won throughout the week!
Afternoon Session: 1 - 4 p.m.
This session is for incoming 6th-8th grade EXPERIENCED players who have played a volleyball season either with BFA or outside of BFA. To qualify for this session, you need to know the rules of the game, and possess basic consistent skills of passing, setting, hitting and serving. This session will review the fundamentals of the game, but will mainly focus on increased individual skill level and level of team play, as well as playing specific positions and a 6-2 offense. We will end the week with a Friday tournament. Prizes will be won throughout the week!
Evening Clinics: 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Evening clinics are open to all players and can be attended in addition to the day camp for extra skill development. Day camp registration is not required for evening clinic registration. The evening clinics are faster paced and more intensive skill based.
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MONDAY, JULY 11: PASSING/DIGGING
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TUESDAY, JULY 12: SETTING/BLOCKING
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 13: OVERHAND SERVING/HITTING
Parent Volunteers Needed
Parents, if you are interested in volunteering and earning 2022-23 volunteer hours, please sign up now!
High School Players/BFA Volleyball Graduates
Coach Haufschild loves having high school players (boys and girls) come as volunteer coaches! It looks great on college applications and can help you earn any volunteer requirements for high school. Please read this flier and sign up to volunteer!
QUESTIONS? Please email Coach Haufschild.
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Lost and Found Donated at Year-End |
The Lost and Found is starting to fill up again! All items will be packed up on the last day of school and donated to charity. And, in case you did not know, our National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) goes through the inventory and returns items with READABLE names weekly. Please note: if you include your first AND last name on items, they are more likely to be returned.
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Fall Registration Open for Harper Arts Lessons |
Have your kids been asking you about the music lessons that happen during school? Harper Arts is thrilled to be returning again next year to offer music lessons and coaching at BFA. Students will continue to have the option to have piano, guitar, ukulele, voice, acting and audition coaching during the school day and after school.
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). Lessons occur weekly during the regular school schedule. Sibling discounts are available. Unlock your passion and potential with Harper Arts at BFA!
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Sign Up Today for King Soopers Rewards and Amazon Smile |
If you are a King Soopers or Amazon shopper, you can help earn money for BFA by signing up for King Soopers Community Rewards and Amazon Smile. Here's how!
To sign up for King Soopers Community Rewards:
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Sign in to your digital account at King Soopers Community Rewards. If you haven't already set up an account, set up your account and link your King Soopers card or phone number to your account.
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Click on Community Rewards, Enroll Now and search for Ben Franklin Parent Teacher Organization or enter our code XN773. Click Save.
- Next time you check out at King Sooper or City Market, scan your card (or enter your alternate ID), and BFA will get money back from your purchase.
This program adds up quickly, so please consider participating.
To sign up for Amazon Smile:
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Go to: smile.amazon.com, and click Get Started
- Enter ‘Ben Franklin Academy Parent-Teacher Organization’ in the search box, and select BFA PTO as the organization that you want to support
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Once you have signed up for Amazon Smile online, you can enable Amazon Smile through the Amazon app, by selecting Gifting and Charity from the menu in the lower right-hand corner, then Amazon Smile.
You can find out more information about the AmazonSmile program including how to link your Amazon account to BFA, click here.
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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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