Weekly Update
A Message from Principal Simpson
|
|
|
Dear Parents,
Thank you for your most recent outpouring of support for our teachers and staff! This year has been challenging for all of us in so many different ways. While there is a lot is going on in our community, our focus has not wavered--our teachers and the staff do an excellent job focusing on our students and providing the best educational experience they can. The students who walk through our doors deserve the best, and we strive to provide that for them every day.
There are two other ways to support our school community happening now. One is the Parent Satisfaction Survey. We take the results of this survey very seriously and read through each comment. Of course, as I said a week or so ago, if you have a specific concern, the easiest and quickest way to receive help is to bring it to our attention immediately and not wait for the survey to come out.
The second way to show your support this week and next is to participate in the PTO's annual fundraiser. This year, due to many circumstances, the PTO has moved to a direct giving campaign. What is a direct giving campaign? Direct giving means that all you do is gift using this link, and your donation goes directly to the PTO who will use the funds to support the school. These funds are used for teacher requests and larger school projects (such as playground enhancements and property improvements). Each class with 80 percent participation in the fundraiser will earn an extra Dress of Choice day. Please reach out to family and friends who have donated to our other fundraisers in the past and share the link with them as well. We are excited to see our community rally together to reach the fundraising goal!
Parent-Teacher conferences are next week. Parents of students in grades K-5, should have received a SignUpGenius to sign up for your conference. For grades 6-8, teachers are hosting drop-in conferences in the Thunder gym. For these conferences, please limit your conversations with each teacher to five minutes. Also, the middle school teachers will be taking dinner for a half-hour some time between 5:30-6:30 p.m., as their line for drop-in conferences allows. Please do not plan on getting into line to meet with the middle school teachers during this time.
I look forward to seeing everyone next week! Have a good weekend!
Diana Simpson
|
|
|
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!
|
|
Congratulations Haley Maglieri! |
For the month of February, Haley Maglieri has been selected as the BFA PTO’s Volunteer of the Month. She is being recognized for her service on our Board of Directors as well as all her volunteer work in the lunchroom and around the school. Haley has truly set herself apart, and is an excellent example of outstanding volunteerism! Thank you, Haley!
Haley and her husband, Mike, have two kids at BFA: Nicholas (2nd grade) and Matthew (Kindie). When asked what she likes about BFA, Haley said, “The community. From administration to teachers and staff to students and parents - everyone contributes which creates a unique environment that I am so grateful to be a part of. I can be found volunteering my time anywhere and everywhere - no job is too small; no task is too menial and no contribution is insignificant.”
Congratulations, Haley! We appreciate all you do for BFA.
If you know someone who should be considered for volunteer of the month for outstanding volunteerism, please email Denise Battista, PTO president.
|
|
|
|
|
Thank You Michael and Deborah Easter! |
This month, Michael and Deborah Easter are the winners of our drawing for their volunteer time in January. They earned volunteer hours for making pieces of the "James and the Giant Peach" set. They have won a $10 gift card to Gelato & Co. Congratulations, Michael and Deborah! And, thank you again for all your hard work on the set!
|
|
|
|
|
Please Help Spread Messages of Encouragement |
Parents! We're hoping to enlist your help to spread messages of kindness, encouragement and support for our BFA students. During next week’s parent teacher conferences, you will find bins of paper and markers. Please take a few minutes before, after, or in-between conferences to write an uplifting message for the BFA students and staff. These messages will be displayed on bulletin boards throughout the school in the weeks that follow.
We encourage you to use your creativity, but ask that you keep the messages generic for the benefit of the entire BFA community. Messages might be something like the following: “You got this,” “You can do it,” “You are special,” “Choose kindness,” or “Have a great day!” We cannot wait to see how your positive words help transform our hallways.
We hope these inspirational and powerful messages will have a meaningful and positive effect within BFA. Thank you in advance for your special contribution.
"Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple
with no logical end."
- Scott Adams
|
|
|
|
|
ALL ITEMS in the Lost and Found will be donated on Feb. 17 after conferences. Please either ask your student to look in the Lost and Found, or visit the Lost and Found during conferences next week. Members of National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) will be helping parents find items in the Lost and Found area during conferences. Earlier this week, they tried to return any labeled items; however, many items are not labeled or were not re-labeled when purchased at a consignment sale. (Keep in mind that sharpies bleed and we can’t read the names after a few washes.)
|
|
|
|
|
Valentines Dance this Saturday |
Middle school parents – remember to get your ticket to the Valentine’s Dance, A Night in Paris, by tomorrow via MySchoolBucks! Tickets are only $5, and will not be sold at the door. The dance will be from 5:30 – 8 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 12, at BFA. Pizza, drinks and snacks are included. Please note: the dance is only for BFA middle school students.
Middle school parent volunteers are still needed so please consider signing up TODAY!
And, thanks to Charlie Murphy for the terrific poster!
|
|
|
|
|
EASY Volunteer Opportunity |
The PTO Baking Committee could use your help next week! They are responsible for supporting staff and various school events, but one of their biggest contributions is dinner for the teachers during Parent Teacher conferences.
To help with next week's parent teacher conference dinner, you don't need to be an expert chef--you just have to put potatoes in the oven to bake! Please review the SignUpGenius for ways you can help.
|
|
|
|
|
Battle of the Books Updates |
Last night's battle of the books competitions were adrenaline-filled, nail-biting events!
Our fifth/sixth grade team had a narrow lead until the very last question of the night, which Roxborough stole for a 3-point victory. The final inter-school battle is on Valentine's Day. That battle will determine our placement in the elimination rounds, which starts after the long weekend.
Our third/fourth grade team lost in a heartbreaking overtime tie breaker to Roxborough, another undefeated team. The team is looking forward to battling again next week against Heritage.
We're incredibly proud of how well prepared our students are and their grace under pressure!
Pictured here are Coach Dunn's fifth/sixth grade team: Blake Dehner, Aislynn Chatterton, Milo Hamburger, Aaradhya Verma, Kavya Alakappan and Ann Fernando.
|
|
|
|
|
Make Plans to See 'James and the Giant Peach' |
The middle school drama and tech students are preparing for the musical "James and the Giant Peach." They will perform at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25, and Saturday, Feb. 26, on the BFA stage. All are welcome and tickets are FREE!
In the captivating musical, James is sent to live with his two terrible aunts, Spiker and Sponge. One day he meets a strange man, and they create a concoction that produces magical crocodile tongues. James soon finds himself in the center of a giant peach among human-sized insects with oversized personalities. The group faces hunger, disagreements and even sharks. As James travels in the peach, his new friends help him feel part of a family again.
Will James’ quick thinking save them all? Can they find their way home? “James and the Giant Peach” will take you on a great adventure with a bit of silliness, laughter and even sweetness. Don’t miss this captivating musical!
|
|
|
|
|
You're Invited to the Upcoming DI Tournament |
Come cheer on your BFA Destination Imagination (DI) team at the South Metro tournament on Saturday, Feb. 26, at American Academy (Lincoln Meadows Campus; 10260 Twenty Mile Road, Parker, 80134).
BFA’s middle school team – Calm and Collected Mother of a Cat Bottle – will be competing and demonstrating their problem solving skills in the Improv Challenge: Festival Frenzy.
In the Improv Challenge, teams must research festivals from around the world. They must then create and present a two-act improvisational skit about a goal a character is trying to achieve at a randomly selected festival. Act One of the skit shows why the character is trying to achieve the goal at the festival. At the end of Act One, there will be a “fork in the road” where the team is given two options. The team has a quick intermission between the acts to pick one of the options. In Act Two, the team’s skit will show how the option they picked is used to achieve the goal. In addition, the team can use up to 10 boxes of any size to enhance their skit.
BFA’s DI team would enjoy your support and to see BFA faces in the audience rooting them to victory! Everyone is welcome.
|
|
|
|
|
PTO Fundraiser and Online Auction |
The PTO listened, and is changing up their fundraising strategy this school year! This week they kicked off their first ever direct giving campaign. This campaign is their primary fundraiser for this school year with 100 percent of the donations going directly to the BFA PTO.
You can make you donation today via their online auction website. Once there, simply select Donate to Ben Franklin Academy at the top of the screen. The suggested donation is $100 per student or $250 per family, but any amount is appreciated!
In addition to the direct-giving campaign, the PTO is hosting an online auction through the same website, where you can bid on five reserved parking spaces (4 annual and 1 monthly), front row seats to all of the grade-level musicals, and six front and center seats to eighth grade graduation! You can also purchase Pathway to Learning commemorative bricks. These commemorative bricks are a great way to leave a lasting memory of your time at BFA. They will be placed in front of the school alongside the existing bricks.
Their goal is to raise $50,000 to fund enhanced playground equipment, new virtue banners, and an updated BFA school sign. You can make donations, buy commemorative bricks, and place your auction bids online today through Friday, Feb. 18.
Please contact Sage Felux, PTO fundraising coordinator with questions or for more information. Thank you for supporting BFA and making our school The Core Knowledge STEAM School of Choice!
|
|
|
Take Time this Weekend to Submit a Nomination |
Do you know someone who would have a positive and lasting impact on the future of BFA? If so, it’s time to nominate that person (especially if it’s you!) to serve on the BFA Board of Directors. Board members are important to the continued success of BFA; they set policies and have oversight over financial matters of the school while focusing on the long-term strategic direction.
As announced earlier this month, there will be (2) open director seats on the BFA Board that will be filled this spring. Filling these positions with qualified leaders, who are dedicated to our mission and vision is critical to the future of our school and the education of our students. We hope you will consider the broad range of skills needed for the position as outlined in previous communications and consider nominating yourself or someone else with the requisite experience.
Click here to complete the nomination form. Nominations must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. MST on February 18, 2022.
If you have any questions, please visit the Board webpage, see the Board Election webpage, or email any of the Board members (see below).
BFA Board Members
|
|
|
|
|
Parent Satisfaction Survey |
The School Accountability Committee (SAC) would like your feedback about this school year. Please complete the Parent Satisfaction Survey (one response per family) expressing your thoughts and opinions before end-of-day on Friday, March 11. We genuinely value your feedback and hope to hear from every BFA family. The survey should take less than 15 minutes, so please make time to complete it today!
|
|
|
|
|
Hope to See You at Muffins with Moms |
The CEC is excited to host students and their moms (or other special adult) from 7 – 8 a.m. on Friday, March 4, in the BFA Lightning (small) gym.
Moms and their kids can make memories while enjoying muffins, fruit, juice and coffee. A small craft also will be available to create together. After you are done with your craft and your food, photo opportunities and games will be available in the Thunder (big) gym.
This is a popular event, so please arrive early and park in the upper lot so carpool is not disrupted. Moms should remain with their children until 7:45 a.m., after which students can head to their classroom. Please note, students should be in class by 8:10 a.m. A gluten free option will be available upon request.
Volunteers Needed!
The CEC needs volunteers to make this a great event. This is the perfect opportunity for dads to get some volunteer hours so our BFA moms can attend with their kiddos. Please see the SignUpGenius to help.
|
|
|
|
|
NJHS Offers FREE Babysitting During Conferences |
National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) will offer FREE babysitting during conferences on Feb. 15 and 17. Babysitting will be in the Maker Space room (go to the library; head west, then north down the first hallway to find the entrance to the Maker Space). Parents will need to sign their children in and leave a contact number in case of emergency. If a child needs a diaper change or is struggling in the babysitting room, NJHS members will call the parent and ask them come pick up their child.
Please note that children may not be dropped off in the Dana Library and left alone while parents are at conferences.
|
|
|
|
|
We’re excited to offer our Spring Book Fair during conference week! We hope you’ll shop the Book Fair, as your purchases help us earn funds for new library books.
Book Fair Dates: February 14 - 17
-
Monday and Wednesday – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
-
Tuesday and Thursday – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., fair closed from 3 – 4 p.m. for carpool
If you want to load e-Wallet so your student can purchase books at school, watch the video to learn additional details.
Children may not be dropped off at Book Fair while parents attend their Parent Teacher conference, rather feel free to drop off your child with our wonderful NJHS students who will be providing child care.
As always, we will need volunteers so please sign up today!
|
|
|
|
|
A Second February Spirit Night at Modern Plate |
Starting today, you have two weeks to try Modern Plate dinner delivery service while benefitting BFA. If you didn’t get to know them last fall, Modern Plate is a locally owned and operated, family-run company that makes meals and delivers them to your doorstep. They deliver fully cooked, heat and serve, family-style (serves 4) meals within the metro area. If you order by 10 a.m. on weekdays, you can get your meal delivered the same day! It's the perfect dinner solution for busy days. Meals range from $19.99 to $37.99. Sides, soups, appetizers, and desserts are available as well.
Purchase your meals between Feb. 10 - 24 by visiting www.modernplate.com. Use the code 'BFA' at checkout in the coupon code box at the top of the screen. Modern Plate will track our orders and donate 10 percent back to Ben Franklin Academy. Spread the word amongst your colleagues, neighbors, family and friends for our fundraiser to have a greater impact!
|
|
|
|
|
Mountain Vista Speed Camp |
Seventh and eighth grade middle school students are invited to attend the Mountain Vista Football and Landow Performance ALL IN Speed and Strength Camp. The camp will be held from 3:45-4:45 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from March 1 – April 28. The cost is $275 - that’s ONLY $11 per session! Register today as they need at least 25 participants to run the camp.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Ben Franklin Academy
2270 Plaza Drive
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
www.bfacademy.org
|
|
Main Office Phone: 720-383-4519
Email: info@bfacademy.org
Attendance Phone: 720-432-9239
Email: attendance@bfacademy.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
