Weekly Update
A message from Principal Simpson...
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Dear Parents,
I can't believe it is almost November! We are excited about the Trunk or Treat event tomorrow. As a reminder, students may wear their costumes all day (please no blood, weapons, or gore). A HUGE thank you to the community for all of the candy donations. Last week, I mentioned that to have an event where 950 students all get to Trick or Treat would mean we'd need a massive amount of candy, and you all came through! I'd also like to recognize the PTO for all their work to make this event a success. A special shout out to Mollie Anderson, Denise Battista, and their team for coming in last Sunday to organize all the goodies!
We had another outstanding group volunteer at the school over the weekend. Some awesome Ben's Brigade members (and their sons) built nine garden boxes on the foundation up on the hill. Each grade level will be in charge of one box, and I can't wait to see what they plant next spring! We keep running into roadblocks with our greenhouse plan, but these garden boxes will help the students get some cultivation experience this year. Thank you to Curtis Anderson, Derek Bruzgo, Nicolas Fischer, Dave Fischer, Jon Kelley, Todd McPherson, Josh Pierce, Donovan Schenk, Andrew Tenhundfeld, Alex Tenhundfeld and Greg Todd for coming out on a Saturday to build these beautiful planters.
Last week, I promised a calendar survey. We have two proposed calendars for the 2021-22 school year; both calendars follow Douglas County for breaks. Calendar A aligns with what we've done in prior years--starting school in mid-August and finishing before Memorial Day. Calendar B has the same breaks, but with a later start date and an early June finish. Please take a look at both calendars and use this LINK to vote for your favorite option. Results of both the staff and parent surveys will be shared with the Board at their November meeting. They will vote on a calendar at that time. This survey will close on November 9.
I also made an error in my COVID update Wednesday. We have two staff members in quarantine due to this latest positive case, not one. I'm sorry about that error.
I hope everyone has a spooky and safe Halloween. Don't forget to turn your clocks back on Sunday!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Simpson
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Next week is a busy one! Please remember virtual parent teacher conferences are Monday, Nov. 2, and Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Wednesday, Nov. 4, also is a remote learning day for all students. And, Friday, Nov. 6 is a comp day for teachers so there is no school.
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Trunk or Treat Halloween Fun Tomorrow! |
In case you haven’t heard, the PTO is hosting TRUNK OR TREAT tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 30!
Students can wear their costumes to school all day--but remember, costumes should be appropriate for school (no revealing/offensive clothing, full face masks/face paint, costumes with pretend blood/gore, or pretend weapons). Throughout the day, classes will be invited to step outside by cohort group and participate in Trunk or Treat where volunteers will be distributing candy, popcorn and/or fruit snacks from the trunk of their own vehicle parked in a designated spot. The PTO is providing collection bags for all in-person learners.
Of course, all volunteers and students are expected to follow strict safety precautions. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we ask that only volunteers attend the Trunk or Treat event. Unfortunately, we cannot have crowds of individuals gathered watching the event. Please refrain from coming if you are not volunteering.
Remote learners are invited to trunk or treat from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the upper parking lot and should bring their own bag to collect goodies. One adult may accompany each remote learning family. It's suggested that you park in the ‘B’ carpool lane so that we don't mix moving vehicles and children. Additionally, we ask that, while waiting for your student to complete Trunk or Treating, you be mindful of social distancing and avoid crowding together. Finally, we have some exciting news for remote learners--the Ghostbusters mobile and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man are planning to make an appearance!
We hope everyone has a great time and a Happy Halloween!
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Unique Family Collectibles and Gifts! |
Are you looking for a personalized holiday gift this year for yourself or another family member? Let Original Works help! It's so easy, just download an image of a favorite photograph or artwork created by your student, then select the product you’d like to purchase. (Images must be saved as .jpg and be less than 5mb) This year, products include traditional items such as quilt blocks and memo pads as well as new items like:
- Masks
- Decal stickers
- Ornaments
- Dog Tags
- Lens cleaning cloths
- Kitchen towels
- Planners
If you use our school code (BEFR) and purchase by Nov. 2, then BFA’s art program will get credit for your purchase. So start shopping today!
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School Tours for Prospective Parents |
Do you know any families interested in sending their K-8 student(s) to BFA? If so, we'd love to show them our amazing facility! As we are currently limited by COVID-19 mitigation guidelines, we are limiting the number of tour participants and request that families sign up in advance.
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2021-22 Prospective Student Enrollment Begins Monday |
Will you have a K-8 student you’d like to attend BFA for the 2021-22 school year? Do you have a relative, neighbor or friend who will?
DCSD's online Open Enrollment starts November 2 so it’s about time to take action!
Parents of ALL prospective K-8 students, including siblings of current BFA K-8 students and BFA preschool students, must complete Open Enrollment during First Round to earn a priority status.
Open Enrollment submissions during the FIRST ROUND ONLY will have priority based on the following:
- Children in the household of Founding Families;
- Siblings of current BFA students. Siblings that share the same birth date (ie. twins or triplets) shall receive automatic enrollment; and
- Children of full-time teachers;
- BFA preschool students, as detailed in the Enrollment Policy.
IMPORTANT: Parents with students who have the above priorities who miss First Round of Open Enrollment and complete it during Second Round will NOT receive priority enrollment. To leverage priority status, please complete Open Enrollment during First Round.
Visit the DCSD Open Enrollment webpage before November for the most up-to-date information, step by step instructions, as well as answers to commonly-asked questions. After reviewing this information, if you have questions about enrollment, please email our registrar, Colleen Bobbin.
Current K-7 BFA Students
No action is needed for current 2020-21 BFA K-7 students intending to return to BFA for the 2021-22 school year. If your student will not return to BFA next year, please let the registrar know via email.
2021-22 Preschool Students
Preschool Enrollment for the three-year-old and four-year-old classes will take place via the preschool webpage on the BFA website. Preschool enrollment for current BFA families will begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2. Preschool enrollment for the general public will begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13.
If you are interested in the Ben Franklin Academy Preschool program, please click here for more information.
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Veterans Day Celebration - Take Action NOW! |
It's time to celebrate the veterans and active duty service members in our families! There are many ways you can participate, so please read below and help us celebrate our veterans this year.
Attention Veterans and Service Members - RSVP by Oct. 30
We invite all BFA family members who are active duty service members or veteran's to be honored guests at our Veteran's Day Car Parade. If your family member is planning to join us, please RSVP to cec@bfacademy.org no later than 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, so the CEC committee can plan accordingly. We hope you will join us!
Veterans Wall of Honor - Deadline Nov. 2
As many of you know, each November in preparation for our annual Veterans Day celebration, BFA's halls reflect the respect and admiration our community has for its veterans through our decorations, flags and Wall of Honor Forms. If you would like to contribute to the Wall of Honor, please make a COPY of your favorite pictures from the veterans and/or current service members in your family and complete the Wall of Honor form. Let's FILL the school's halls with the faces of our loved ones who have bravely served our country. Please return the form(s) to school no later than 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.
Car Decoration Event - Happening Nov. 11
Come decorate your car for the Veterans Day Parade! The CEC will hold a car decorating event from 12-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at BFA in the upper parking lot. The CEC will provide decorations but please feel free to bring your own decorations to use or share with other BFA families. This event will require masks and adherence to social distancing guidelines.
Veterans Day Celebration - Happening Nov. 12
BFA will hold a Veterans Day Car Parade from 7:45 - 8:15 a.m. during our regularly scheduled carpool on Thursday, Nov. 12. We invite families to decorate their cars with balloons, streamers, and flags to honor the veterans of our BFA families and larger community.
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Ben’s Brigade is hosting a guys night out on Thursday, Nov. 5, at Wyze Axe Throwing (4011 S. Broadway, Englewood). This event is free and is open to all BFA dads, grandpas, etc. Food will be provided. BFA has rented the whole facility for this event, but we are limited to 46 attendees, so RSVP soon to secure your spot!
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Requesting Donations for Veterans |
The CEC will be collecting donations for the Veterans Hospital from Monday, Nov. 2 through Friday, Nov. 13. The VA is in dire need of single fleece blankets, hand/foot warmers, gloves/mittens and socks. (Please, do not send in hats this year.) Donation boxes will be located at each entrance so students can easily drop items on their way into school each morning. Thank you in advance for assisting veterans in our community who are in need of extra support.
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Order the 2020-21 Yearbook |
Yearbook sales have officially launched! Similar to last year, the only way to purchase a yearbook is through the vendor, Walsworth. Right now, yearbooks cost $26 per book, but don't wait, as the price will go up on November 14! See the flier for additional details.
You may also order a dedication (or ad) for your student through Walsworth’s website. What a fun way to help commemorate a remarkable school year!
Order and pay for your 2020-21 yearbook and dedication today.
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Attn: Eighth Grade Families Needing Transcripts |
As you prepare for your eighth grader's high school enrollment, you may need to request transcripts and/or other records. If that's the case, please email our registrar, Mrs. Bobbin, and let her know exactly what the high school requires. (They should specify which records are needed, and understanding their exact requirements will eliminate delays in processing.) Please note: If the high school requires a first trimester grade report, but your preference is to submit your records to the high school earlier, then you can print the report card and send it to the school when the grade report becomes available.
It takes some time to gather all the necessary documents, so please allow three business days (72 hours) to complete the request. Once the student's packet has been completed, the registrar will email the requesting parent and leave the packet at the front desk for pick up.
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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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