Weekly Update
A Message from Principal Simpson
|
|
|
Dear Parents,
I hope everyone had a relaxing fall break. It was so nice to see the students come in refreshed and ready to learn. We have so many fun things happening this week. Our fifth graders are getting prepared to head to AmeriTowne and had their job interviews this week. I interviewed some of them and was so proud of how poised and prepared they were! The sixth grade has been enjoying outdoor ed, and from the pictures, they will have lots of stories to share about their adventures when they return tomorrow. Our middle school boys basketball season began this week, and they were supported at home by our terrific cheer squad. Finally, everyone is excited about the Halloween activities planned for tomorrow--special thanks to the PTO for all of their work with Trunk or Treat and the elementary parties!
As you may remember, last year we began investigating new math programs for the school. Our current curriculum, Saxon, is out of date, and while we discussed purchasing the new version, concerns about Saxon arose. Saxon has many positive aspects but it does not align well to our state standards, and therefore our students weren't performing as well as they could on state assessments. This has led to a gap in achievement scores over the past several years. Also, many teachers had concerns that some of the math concepts that are tested on the CMAS tests aren't taught in time for testing in March/April.
Several years ago, our middle school math classes started transitioning to Pearson math (now Envision). We started in eighth grade with algebra and have slowly phased in all middle school with sixth grade using Envision this year. We have seen success with this program with the middle school students.
As part of the process to investigate new math programs, we created a committee to research options. Our committee started their research last year and continued this year by doing classroom observations at other schools earlier this month. The committee had a long list of curriculums to start, and has narrowed them down to two options. Now, we’d like to include parents in this process. If you are interested in participating on the math curriculum review committee, please email me.
Thank you for your input on the academic calendar for next year. The Board voted on Tuesday night and approved this calendar.
I hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween weekend!
Mrs. Simpson
|
|
|
|
|
Creating A Community of Difference Makers |
BFA has started our first Service-Learning project of the year. In alignment with "Make a Difference Day," which was on October 23, we are hoping to recognize the little acts of service that are happening in classrooms and around our building daily for the entire week.
Starting this past Monday, students from Kindergarten through eighth grade began to recognize and acknowledge the things that others do throughout our building to serve each other. Teachers had conversations with their students about what service looks like, as well as how they feel when they do an act of service and when someone does an act of service for them. When students recognize that another student did an act of service for them (even the simplest act like picking up their pencil or holding the door) they fill out a helping hand. On this hand is the person's name who did the act (at the top) and the act they did (at the bottom). Not surprisingly, these helping hands are popping up down every hallway and around all of the classroom doors.
Our goal is to help students recognize the positive impact they're already having on others and the difference their acts of service make within our building; then we hope they'll carry that momentum outside of our building, and spread the power and truth of this year's school motto throughout our community, We are better together!
|
|
|
|
|
There is no school Monday, Nov. 1, as it is a professional development day. We hope you have a fun, not-so-spooky Halloween weekend!
|
|
|
|
|
In lieu of the costume parade, the PTO is hosting TRUNK OR TREAT tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 29! It's going to be a FUN day for ALL preschool through eighth grade BFA students! Students can wear their costumes to school all day--but remember, costumes should be appropriate for school (no revealing/offensive clothing, costumes with pretend blood/gore or pretend weapons). Also, please no masks or face paint since students will be in costume all day; however, students can bring a mask to wear while participating in Trunk or Treat.
Throughout the day, classes will be invited to step outside with their class and participate in Trunk or Treat where volunteers will be distributing trinkets, candy, popcorn and/or fruit snacks from the trunk of their own vehicle parked in an assigned spot. This year ALL parents are invited to come and watch your children at Trunk or Treat! You can park in the upper lot; Trunk or Treat will take place on the main lot. To find your child’s Trunk or Treat time, click here.
K-5 Halloween Classroom Parties will take place from 2-3 p.m. tomorrow, Oct. 29, To limit exposure, party volunteers will be limited to a max of three to four adults per classroom. These volunteers have already been identified so please do not show up if you are not a designated party volunteer. All volunteers should have their Driver’s License for check-in and should not bring younger siblings. Volunteers will be allowed into the classroom at 1:45 p.m. to begin party set up. Also, volunteers should bring their own supplies rather than borrow them from the staff break room. Please keep in mind carpool scanning begins promptly at 3 p.m. each day, so do not block carpool lanes if you are volunteering.
If you have any questions about the elementary party coordination, please reach out to Erin Crowe, PTO room parent
coordinator.
|
|
|
Veterans Day Celebrations |
As we prepare to celebrate the veterans and active duty service members in our families, we need YOUR help! Please see below for many opportunities to get involved in this decade-long BFA Tradition!
Veterans Wall of Honor Forms - Deadline: Friday, Oct. 29
Time is running out! TOMORROW is the last day to submit the Wall of Honor Form for loved ones who are veterans or active duty service members. Forms can be downloaded and printed here. It is a BFA tradition to have Wall of Honor Forms line our hallways so we hope you will consider contributing to this important BFA tradition. Please return all Wall of Honor Forms to the front office TOMORROW.
Veterans Day Event Setup/Decoration - Sign Up TODAY!
Do you need to earn your volunteer hours? Do you work full-time and can only volunteer on weekends? Or, are you only able to volunteer when the children are in school? If so, we have the right opportunity for YOU! We need all hands on deck to video, photograph, decorate, set up and take down for our Veterans Day Celebration. Please see the SignUpGenius for dates, times and roles.
Veterans Day Donations - November 8-12
Each year we support our veterans by collecting items for the VA Hospital and this year is no different! We will be collecting gloves/mittens, scarves, fleece blankets and hand/toe warmers. Donations will begin the week of Veterans Day (Nov 8 - Nov 12). Stay tuned for more information!
Attention Veterans and Service Members - RSVP by Tuesday, Nov. 2
We invite all BFA family members who are active duty service members or veterans to be honored guests at our Veteran's Day Celebration. If your family member is planning to join us, please RSVP to cec@bfacademy.org no later than 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2, so the CEC committee can plan accordingly.
Veterans Day Celebration - Thursday, Nov. 11
BFA will hold a Veterans Day Celebration on Thursday, November 11. There will be slight modifications to this year's event so please keep your eye on the Principal Newsletter in upcoming weeks to learn more!
|
|
|
|
|
Sign Up for Blood Drive at BFA |
Did you know, "every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood"? Given the need, we hope you will consider donating blood in honor of Veterans in our community. The blood drive is currently slated to be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 8, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday Nov. 11, at BFA.
If you are interested in participating in the blood drive, it is as easy as 1-2-3! Please visit donors.vitalant.org, select the radio button "Blood Drive Code" (below the field to enter your zip code), enter BFA’s code 10485 and select "Find Location". Please select the date/time you are interested in donating blood at BFA, and follow the prompts to secure your appointment. We need to register at least 20 people ASAP to keep both blood drive days available so please register TODAY!
Please note masks must be worn and an appointment is required to donate blood. Unfortunately, walk-ins can NOT be accepted. Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions please contact Amy Marks.
|
|
|
|
|
DCSD Video Series on Anxiety |
Douglas County School District Counselors have teamed with Dr. Scott Cypers to create a video series to help parents understand how to help their children with anxiety. This series will be ongoing throughout the remainder of the school year and a new video will be released every few weeks. These 20-30 minute videos are designed to provide parents with an understanding of anxiety and provide some actionable tools to help their children. Dr. Cypers is a nationally recognized expert on child and adolescent anxiety and is the director of stress and anxiety at Johnson Depression Center.
At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2, Dr. Cypers will host a live Zoom session for any parent that would like additional information after watching the video. Please log in to get your questions answered in real time and speak with Dr. Cypers.
|
|
|
|
|
Battle of the Books in Person this Year! |
We are so happy to report that Battle of the Books will be back in person this year! If your child (grades 3-6) is interested in participating in Battle of the Books this year, please fill out the Battle of the Books Interest Form to let us know.
Students interested in participating in Battle of the Books are asked to read all 10 books for their grade level, achieve at least 80 percent on the AR test for each book, and commit to being an expert on two books for the BOTB season. The deadline to complete the AR tests is Friday, Nov. 19.
Mrs. Bond will be the grade 3/4 team coach; and Mrs. Dunn will be the 5/6 team coach. Battles will take place at the Highlands Ranch Library and begin the week of January 24. The District Battle will take place on Wednesday, March 9. Battles can take place on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evenings, from 3:30 until 8 p.m. We will let you know the battle schedule once we receive it.
Practices will be held on Tuesday/Thursday mornings from 7:30-8 a.m. beginning Nov. 30.
If you would like to read the books and submit practice questions, we would LOVE it! Here are the links to submit questions:
|
|
|
|
|
If you would like to be involved in reviewing policies that impact our school and your kiddo(s), please consider joining the SAC for their monthly meeting from 4:30-5:30 p.m. today, Oct 28, via Zoom. The Zoom meeting details are available on the BFA calendar. They will be reviewing the following policies: Financial Accounting and Reporting, Continuing Disclosure, and Parent Communication. If you have any questions, please email Woody Haynes.
|
|
|
|
|
Thank You Book Fair Volunteers and Shoppers! |
Thank you to our entire community and our terrific volunteers for an extremely successful book fair! Even with the shortened schedule and the limited items we received from Scholastic due to supplier issues, we still sold $13,732.91 worth of books and other items at the Fair. This gives us $3,600 to go towards new books for the library. The students loved the Book Fair and are still talking about it this week. We had 25 drawings for the students and they all received either books, posters, pens, erasers or bookmarks from the Fair.
Ms. Williams and all our avid readers appreciate your support!
|
|
|
|
|
Time to Get the 2021-22 Yearbook |
Yearbook sales have officially launched! Right now, yearbooks cost $30 per book, but don't wait, as the price will go up to $36 after Winter Break. For details on pricing and how to order, check out the attached flier.
You may also order a yearbook dedication (ad) for your student. What a fun way to help commemorate a great school year!
|
|
|
Open Enrollment Begins Monday |
Will you have a K-8 student you’re hoping will attend BFA for the 2022-23 school year? Do you have a relative, neighbor or friend who will?
DCSD's online Open Enrollment starts Monday, Nov. 1, 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 who will be eligible for kindergarten for the 2022-23 school year, must complete Open Enrollment during First Round (Nov. 1 - Dec. 1, 2021) 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;
- Children of full-time teachers; and
- 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. 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 2021-22 BFA K-7 students intending to return to BFA for the 2022-23 school year. If your student will not return to BFA next year, please let the registrar know via email.
2022-23 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 Monday, Dec. 6. Preschool enrollment for the general public will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 10.
If you are interested in the Ben Franklin Academy Preschool program, please click here for more information.
|
|
|
|
|
Support BFA While You Shop! |
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:
-
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.
-
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.
To sign up for Amazon Smile:
-
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.
-
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.
To find out more information about the AmazonSmile program, including how to link your Amazon account to BFA, click here.
This adds up quickly! From July to September 2021, BFA earned $2,386.07 from the King Soopers Rewards program. And, our last-quarter earnings from Amazon Smile were $269.82. Thank you again for your support of BFA and the PTO!
Please email Sage Felix, PTO fundraising coordinator, with any questions.
|
|
|
|
|
Know Someone Who Needs Free Braces? |
We were recently made aware of a unique opportunity that we want to share with parents.
TOgether Project, LLC sponsors a project called TO Smiles, whereby Total Orthodontics gives away ten sets of free braces to deserving children every year. TO Smiles is seeking applicants for our free braces. To learn more, see the flier and watch this video.
The general criteria for being considered and the application may be found here.
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
