The Succession Committee of the BFA Board of Directors is pleased to announce the Call for Nominations for the BFA Board of Directors ("Board") is open and will remain so until 11:59 p.m. MST on Friday, February 17, 2023.

The BFA Board of Directors is responsible for the strategic direction and the policies that govern Ben Franklin Academy. Each of the seven members of the Board have their own specialty and expertise and we all work together to support the mission and vision of BFA.

Please consider nominating yourself or someone you know for the BFA Board of Directors. We are seeking leaders who are passionate and committed to the mission, vision, and long-term strategic plan of BFA to serve on the Board.

In 2023, there are three (3) open director seats on the BFA Board, which will be filled according to the Board of Directors Election Policy. Each seat is for a three-year term. Two (2) directors will be elected by the School Voting Group, and one (1) director will be appointed by the BFA Board. 

Please click the button below to learn more about the upcoming Board Election/Appointment including the nomination, voting, and appointment processes, as well as the qualifications.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) would like us to remind parents that getting vaccinated is an important part of school readiness and keeps children from catching and spreading diseases. The letter linked here outlines vaccine requirements, important resources, as well as the exemption process. If you read through to the end of the letter, you can also find BFA’s rate of vaccinations as of the 2021-22 school year.

Nutrition Services has notified us that there have been several changes to the February lunch menu. If you printed off the lunch menu prior to today, Feb. 2, we kindly ask that you reprint the menu so you have the most up-to-date version. Click here for the menu.

Thank you to all who helped make the PTO's Sweetheart Ball a success! We especially want to recognize the event chairs, Kelly Dees and Christina Dilley, as well as social coordinator, Ewelina Chrzanowski.

There were around 400 attendees--a record number--who enjoyed dancing, games and gelato! Thank you to all who donated baked goods and those who helped with the event.

We also sincerely appreciate our sponsors, Gelato & CO and Destiny Dance Studio!

In the coming weeks, look out for a photo link in the Principal Newsletter. The PTO plans to provide a 5x7 photo to each family who attended the event.

The School Accountability Committee (SAC) is meeting from 4:30-6:30 p.m. tonight, Feb. 2, in the BFA Conference Room and via Zoom. They will review the following policies: Financial Accounting and Reporting, Inventory Management and Book Donation. All are welcome to participate! The agenda is linked here and the details also are on the BFA calendar.

Calling all ladies of BFA! Save the date for a fun evening of mixing, mingling, and dinner from 6-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1, at Los Dos Potrillos in Highlands Ranch. Look for a sign up to come out soon!

Please contact Kristin Clark-Bretch, PTO welcoming committee manager, with any questions.

The CEC is excited to host students and their moms (or other special adult) for a fun Morning with Moms from 6:45 – 7:45 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 10. The morning will begin in the Lightning (small) gym with light 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. Moms and students may begin leaving the gym at 7:45 a.m. Students should be in their classrooms at the normal time (8:10am). Gluten Free options will be available upon request.

Parking for Morning with Moms

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.

Parents not attending the event: We will most likely use "A" carpool lane ONLY for regular morning carpool drop off. Please be flexible and kindly allow others to merge when necessary. Carpool may run a bit slower than normal so please be patient.

Volunteers Needed

We still have a few volunteer opportunities available. This is a perfect opportunity for dads to get volunteer hours so our BFA moms can attend with their children. Please see this sign-up for volunteer opportunities. Thank you in advance.

Save the Date for a spirit night at Modern Market from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9, at the Highlands Ranch location (537 W Highlands Ranch Pkwy). Modern Market will donate 30 percent of your meal’s price back to BFA for all dine-in or take-out orders. 

For more details on the spirit night, including how to order so that BFA gets credit for your purchase, and to RSVP, click here. In order for our spirit night to not get cancelled, we need at least 20 people to RSVP. (This is how Groupraise does their fundraisers.)

If you have gently used uniforms that you would like to donate to the PTO, you can leave them, as well as any uniform accessories, in the front office donation box NOW through Tuesday, Feb. 7. (Please wash and fold the clothing before donating.)

These donations will be sold at Parent-Teacher Conferences from 4 - 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13, and Wednesday, Feb.15. All uniform pieces will be $5 at the sale, or 5 pieces for $20. The PTO's goal is to continue to support our children, staff and families by offering affordable uniform options while simultaneously funding the PTO. 

Looking for volunteer hours? Consider volunteering for the sale by contacting Jessica Kostelecky, PTO uniform buy back committee chair. Clothes will need to be sorted and organized prior to the sale, which can be done at home.

Who: BFA 6th-8th graders (only)

Date: Saturday, Feb. 11

Time: 6 - 8 p.m.

Cost: None 

Details: Students must be registered through MySchoolBucks to attend. If a student does not register, he/she can purchase a ticket at the door for $10 (cash) and there will be 20 tickets available (first come, first serve). All students must follow the Dance Rules to attend and remain at dance. 

Volunteer: Please sign up to help with food, drinks, decorating and being a chaperone.

DCSD is hosting a Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival (JRMF) for students in grades K-6 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, at Castle Rock Elementary. A math festival is a one-time event where children gather and explore math through puzzles. It’s the biggest math party around! Play-based math allows students to tackle activities with their creativity and perseverance — not memorized formulas or procedures. JRMF activities are both playful and educational. Play-based learning strengthens physical, cognitive, social and emotional health. Self-directed exploration increases a student’s creativity and problem-solving skills.

For more information, please contact: semeyer@dcsdk12.org and REGISTER today!

The Spirit Rock is an opportunity to share exciting events with our school community by painting your own message. Parents, students, and staff may “Rent the Rock” to recognize a student’s birthday, show school spirit, wish a team good luck, thank a teacher, announce an event, etc. It is a great way to spread positive messages and increase excitement! The rate to rent the Rock is $20 per day. All proceeds benefit Ben Franklin Academy!

Want to rent the Rock? Here’s how:

First, reserve the date you want by visiting the ‘Rent the Rock’ sign-up. Then, pay for your reservation through MySchoolBucks.

Have questions? Contact Lindsay Bullock, spirit rock committee manager.

Blue Sky Pediatric Dentistry provides specialized dentistry for children and adolescents in a warm, caring and child-friendly environment. As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Jennifer Thompson had two years of additional training after dental school to prepare her for the unique dental needs of each child they serve. They focus on preventive care to help each child grow a healthy smile that will last a lifetime. Their office serves infants, children and teens, as well as children with special health care needs in Highlands Ranch and the surrounding South Denver communities.

Dr. Jenn is a native of Colorado. She grew up in Colorado Springs and received her BS in biology and DDS degrees from The Ohio State University. After attending a one-year General Practice Residency at the VA Hospital in Denver and two years of general practice focused on pediatrics, Dr. Jenn began her formal training in pediatric dentistry. Dr. Jenn received her Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Temple University Hospital.

CONNECTION TO BFA: Multiple BFA parents work with the wonderful Dr. Jenn; and Blue Sky Pediatric Dentistry is also closely connected to the Tooth Fairy who makes an appearance in preschool.

blueskypediatricdentistry.com/

facebook.com/BlueSkyPediatricDentistry/

At Groove Auto, our philosophy of doing business is to find a way to satisfy each and every customer. If it means pricing our vehicles based on market analysis and third-party tools…done. Even if it means bringing back a car you don’t absolutely love…we’ll take it, no questions asked. We believe the whole experience should be completely transparent, positive and yes, even fun!

The Clear Way™

At Groove, we believe purchasing a vehicle should be straightforward and simple. Our innovative Clear Way Menu tells you everything you need to know upfront: monthly payments, taxes, even your trade-in value.

CONNECTION TO BFA: Multiple families work at Groove

groveauto.com

instagram.com/grooveautodenver

facebook.com/GrooveAuto

Based in the Rocky Mountain region, Moody Insurance has served the businesses and communities of Colorado for 50 years. Our team of experienced professionals provide specialized risk management solutions, insurance, bonding, employee benefits, and personal lines, so you have the coverage and support you need.

CONNECTION TO BFA: Their kids attended BFA

moodyins.com

facebook.com/MoodyInsurance

linkedin.com/company/moody-insurance-agency