Dear Parents,  

I am very excited to announce that car pool is going great! Morning drop-off has become so efficient there is little to no waiting.  The afternoon car pool has been setting record times for the number of cars we have going through the line. In fact, many times we are waiting for cars to arrive.  Please be sure to arrive before 4 p.m.

 

Now the caveat - all bets are off for inclement weather.  We know bad weather will arrive, and it will add to car pool times.  The good news is I do not expect the times to increase significantly.  The procedures we have will not change, but the speed in which we move cars and students will slow down for safety reasons.

Looking for a unique activity to be involved in?  Then, Destination ImagiNation (DI) is for you.  DI is an international after-school program sponsored by the Douglas County School District's Gifted and Talented budget but is available to all interested students.   

 

DI teaches creative problem solving, teamwork, time management and a multitude of skills students can use in all areas of their lives.  There will be an informational meeting at 6 p.m., today, Thursday, Sept. 20, in the BFA library.  The Douglas County DI representative will be at the meeting to answer questions and provide information on this amazing program.

Don't forget: The last day to order lunch for October is tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 21.  Please note: We are unable to process late orders this year for pizza and beverages.  

Reminder: Back-to-School Night for grades 4-7 is from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 27.  The purpose of Back-to-School Night is to help parents become better acquainted with the school, staff and information specific to their child's grade level.  Please click here for a note from Principal Barber, and click here for an agenda.

Ben Franklin Academy's STEM Committee is excited to host another amazing STEM Expo on Friday, Sept. 28, to get students excited about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  StarLab will be back with a selection of engaging, hands-on stations for students to acquire new, exciting knowledge.   

 

Teachers will escort students to the gymnasium where they will visit the Expo for one hour.  At the end of the hour, we are excited to incorporate a unique activity into the Expo:  Teachers will guide students outside to plant either a red or white tulip bulb.  The tulips will be arranged into the design of the Ben Franklin Academy logo, so we will anxiously await the spring growing season.  The planting of the tulip bulbs will eventually become part of our schoolwide anti-bullying message.

 

Parents are more than welcome to attend the STEM Expo with their student(s) from 3:45-5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28.  We also welcome the help of volunteers so we may make this event as successful as possible.  Shifts are available on HelpCounter.

StarLab is back as an after-school activity.  It is a very popular event and filled up quickly.  We apologize for all those who didn't get a chance to sign up, but don't worry - every child will have some time on Sept. 28 at the STEM Expo to experience StarLab.  The STEM Committee also will bring StarLab back for after-school sessions this spring. 

The PAC would like to announce its first community outreach event for the 2012-13 school year - the Fly'n B Park Cleanup.  Join other families, and help us clean up the apple orchard at Fly'n B Park to get the trees ready for next year's harvest from noon - 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 30. 

Ben Franklin Academy will be partnering with the Highlands Ranch Metro District (HRMD) to provide periodic cleanup, apple picking, tree planting, nature learning and all-around enjoyment of this park just west of our campus.  Throughout the school year and summer months, HRMD will help Ben Franklin Academy students learn the value and ways to take care of our local nature preserves, walkways and trails, as well as the importance of helping to protect these areas.  

 

Participation space is limited (15 families are needed), so click on SignUpGenius to include your family.  Cider and snacks will be provided.  Please email the PAC with any questions.  Fly'n B Park is located at 2910 W. Plaza Drive,. Highlands Ranch, Colo., 80129.

The Baking Committee is putting together a cookbook of their favorite recipes, and it will be available for purchase in November.  If you would like to submit a recipe, go to G&R Publishing.  Log in with username BFA.recipe and password bake2012.  The deadline to submit recipes is Monday, Oct. 1.  Contact Kelli Stratton, Baking Committee, with any questions.  

The Boy Scouts are coming to Ben Franklin Academy!   

• Join Night is at 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 1, in the Middle School Commons Room for all interested students and parents.   
• Parent Information Night (this is a parent-only meeting) is at 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 8.   
• The first den meeting is at 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 15.   

The Boy Scouts also will be available for questions at Back-to-School Night.  If you are interested in being a leader or assistant leader, please email us.  For more information, click here.   

The PAC would like to extend a warm welcome to all new families at Ben Franklin Academy.  By now, you should have been contacted by your mentor family.  If you have not been contacted or if you have not signed up to participate in our mentoring program, please email BFA Mentor to sign up.

We also are looking for families willing to offer their mentoring services to new families.  If you are interested in being a mentor to a new Ben Franklin Academy family, please email us.  We are doing our best to connect families with children in similar grades. 

Sports at BFA have officially started.  We have a girls' volleyball team, boys' soccer team and boys'/girls' cross-country.  Both the soccer team and volleyball team have had their first games against another school.  While Ben Franklin Academy came out on the short end, the students represented the school well with great sportsmanship and had a great time.

Sincerely,  

 

Bob Barber 

Principal

Ben Franklin Academy