Tomorrow, Jan. 12, is a regular Dress of Choice (DOC) Day, for students who have not received two uniform violations since the last DOC day.

There will be no school on Monday, Jan. 15, as we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Click here to see the events happening around Denver to celebrate his remarkable legacy. His life and writings still provide wisdom and inspiration. We hope you'll find time to visit one of the many websites that tell his story and/or share his meaningful quotes with your student(s).

"We must walk on in the days ahead with an audacious faith in the future."

"Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education."

"Be a bush if you can't be a tree. If you can't be a highway, just be a trail. If you can't be a sun, be a star. For it isn't by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are."

― Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Thanks to the fourth grade Girl Scout Troop 6456 who gave back to BFA by using their Troop money to buy new chair covers for the Sanders Science Lab where they have their meetings. The girls even installed the new covers!

Thanks to the following Girl Scouts:

• Irie Allen
• Kadence Bellinger
• Koko Bretch
• McKenna Chik
• Hadley Crawley
• Penny Crowe
• Kendall Duncan
• Waverly Felux
• Audrey Loving
• Brooklynn Nichols 
• Amelia Withee
• Alexandria Wuchter 

Do you know any families interested in BFA's preschool? If so, please encourage them to complete the Intent to Enroll form on our website. For additional information or to schedule a tour, they can contact Preschool Director, Lori Hafner.

Hearing and vision impact learning, so it’s essential to conduct screenings. On Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, we will be screening all students in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7, any students new to BFA, plus any referrals.

Vision: If your student wears prescription glasses or contacts, it is necessary that he/she wear them during the screening. You will receive a letter with instructions ONLY if your student does not pass the vision screening.

Hearing: If your student does not pass the hearing screening, they will be re-screened later in the spring. We do not send letters during the initial screening, but you will receive a letter with instructions if your student does not pass the hearing re-screening. All our hearing re-screening is done by the DCSD Audiology Department.

Re-screenings/Opt Outs:

Any student who did not pass the initial hearing screening will do a re-screening in March/April. We only do re-screenings for vision at parent/guardian request. If you want your student(s) to opt out of one or both of the screenings, please email us at health@bfacademy.org by Jan. 20.

Volunteers & Donations Needed:

We need lots of help to make our Hearing and Vision Testing go smoothly. Please sign up to help in-person or donate some food items. Click here for more information about how you can help. 

Benjamin Franklin’s birthday is Jan. 17, 1706, which means he’ll be 318 years old next week! The PTO is hosting Ben’s Birthday celebration next Wednesday, Jan. 17, with cookies from The Sugar Cookie Store. Student(s) identified by our Health Room with ANY food allergies will receive allergy-friendly cookies from Wave the Grain. Please contact Kelley Marie Paulson in the Health Office if you have questions.

This is a great time to honor Benjamin Franklin for all of the wonderful legacies he left behind, including the 13 virtues that we practice here at Ben Franklin Academy. Happy Birthday, Ben!

All BFA girls and their father or special adult are invited to attend this year’s Sweetheart Ball, Mardi Gras Masquerade, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, at BFA. Suggested dress for the event is semi-formal attire and a masquerade mask! (There will be masquerade masks available at the dance.) Dessert and drinks will be served.

Tickets are on sale NOW through Tuesday, Jan. 23, and can be purchased online through MySchoolBucks. Tickets are $35 per couple, and $15 for each additional student. Get yours today, as tickets will not be sold at the dance! New this year, PRESCHOOLERS ALSO ARE INVITED TO ATTEND!



Volunteers Needed:

The PTO needs your help to make this event a success. If you are interested in volunteering to help at the event (decorating, crafts, games, etc.), you can sign up here, and if you’d like to donate desserts for the ball, please sign up here.

If you have any questions, please contact Katie Graham, Sweetheart Ball committee manager.

The PTO’s January Spirit Night will be from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at Chipotle in Highlands Ranch (9579 S. University Blvd Lot 3A). Chipotle will donate 33 percent on orders to the BFA PTO.

Orders can be placed in store (tell the cashier that you are there for the Ben Franklin fundraiser and/or show them our digital flier) or online for pickup (use code 8WPRNHB on the Chipotle app or website; no third party platforms).

Please spread the word, and invite your friends and family. We hope to see you there!

The Library volunteer sign up for winter and spring is NOW AVAILABLE! Please carefully read all the instructions before you sign up. Remember that others also want to volunteer so please only sign up for a few slots, then let others have a chance to volunteer. You can always go back to the link and sign up for additional slots. If you can’t make your volunteer time, please cancel your slot in the sign up, AND email Ms. Williams.

We have partnered with the Colorado Rapids to reward and incentivize school attendance by giving students who have missed no more than two days of school, from Jan. 9 – March 1, a complimentary ticket to a Colorado Rapids match (with purchase of additional discounted tickets). 



The Rapids boast one of the most family-friendly and fun gameday experiences in town. From celebrating the goals together, to the roar of the stadium crowd, to the hot dogs at halftime, Colorado Rapids games are where memories can be made. Students who qualify will receive a ticket link voucher to redeem their complimentary ticket with purchase of additional discounted tickets. Vouchers will be redeemable for select Spring dates, to be determined. 

We know our parents are busy, and sometimes it's difficult to remember if you registered your student(s) for BASE since we ask that students are registered in advance. However, please remember that you can easily double check your BASE registration in MySchoolBucks! (Note: Using a desktop computer to view your sign-ups is more reliable than the MySchoolBucks app.)

And, as we announced in December, we need parents to register by the Friday deadline for BASE to ensure we have proper staffing. Families who do not register in advance will be charged a late registration fee. 

For questions, please email Leigh Savoy, BASE director, or contact Jen Jones, office manager.

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 directly benefit the BFA PTO!

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.