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November 2012, Vol. 2, Iss. 30
"Stay Curious" Contest
Enrollment for 2013-14 School Year
Formal Uniform Day
Original Works Deadline Extended
Basketball Season is Here!
Correction About Diabetes
Preschool Newsletter
Holiday Shopping Event
Dine Out Night Update
Donuts with Dads
The BENefit Bash
Box Tops Update
PTO Fall Newsletter Now Available
Volunteer of the Month
Important Dates

Important Dates

No School for Students:

     Nov. 2  

Formal Uniform Day:

     Nov. 3

Donuts with Dads:

     Nov. 7

KidStage Drama Show:

     Nov. 14

Dress of Choice Day:

     Nov. 20

Thanksgiving Break:

     Nov. 21-23

Middle School Elective Concert:

     Nov. 28

BFF Social:

     Nov. 29 

Spirit Day:

     Nov. 30 

 

Upcoming Meetings

School Accountability Committee:

    Nov. 1

Parent Teacher Organization:

     Nov. 1

Marketing Committee:

     Nov. 5

STEM Committee:

     Nov. 7 

Finance Committee:

     Nov. 8

Parent Advisory Committee:

     Nov. 8

Board of Directors:

      Nov. 13 

 

Ben Franklin Academy

Address: 2270 Plaza Drive

Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

Main Office: (720) 383-4519
Main Office Email: [email protected]

Attendance: (720) 432-9239 

Attendance Email:
[email protected]

Fax:  (303) 974-1738

Dear Parents,  

Don't forget: There is no school tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 2.  It is a teacher in-service day, meaning there is no school for students.  Enjoy the long weekend!

"Stay Curious" Contest  

Is your child "curious" about why the sky is blue?  Or "curious" about why bears hibernate in the winter?  Or "curious" about why the sun rises in the east and sets in the west?

 

The "Stay Curious" Contest is open to all students of Ben Franklin Academy.  It is designed to promote what children are curious about learning from the world around them. 

 

Grab your phone or video camera, and record your child being "curious!"  All submissions will be uploaded to the Internet for everyone to see, and five submissions will be chosen to win a prize.  Your child could win one of five iPod shuffles!  Submit your videos at http://bfa.360media.cc.

 

When Does the Contest Start, and How Do I Sign Up?

The contest starts Thursday, Nov. 1, and runs through Friday, Dec. 21Winners will be announced when students return from Winter Break on Monday, Jan. 7.

 

Click here to watch our launch video.  Check back here to view examples of students' future video submissions.

 

Encourage your child to take part now.  You can enter as many times as you like.  "Stay Curious!" 

Enrollment for 2013-14 School Year  

If you are planning on enrolling a sibling of a currently enrolled student, please fill out the Intent to Enroll form on the Ben Franklin Academy website and notify Kari Beers, Registrar, by Friday, Nov. 16.  Following this process ensures sibling priority before the lottery;  however, this does not guarantee 2013-14 placement.  The lottery will take place in early December.  Please contact Kari at (720) 383-4519 x101 with any questions.

Formal Uniform Day

Don't forget: Formal uniform day is Wednesday, Nov. 7.  Students are expected to wear their navy blue polos with the Ben Franklin Academy logo and khaki bottoms.

Original Works Deadline Extended   

The deadline to purchase products from Original Works has been extended to Friday, Nov. 9, meaning all order forms and artwork are due that day.  All orders will be back in time for the holidays, and they make great gifts.  If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Hinkle.

Basketball Season is Here!

Boys' and girls' basketball for 6th and 7th graders will start next week.  Boys will begin practice on Monday, Nov. 5; girls will begin practice on Wednesday, Nov. 7.  All information pertaining to boys'/girls' basketball is available on the Middle School Athletics website, including practice days and times, game schedule and the necessary forms.  All forms need to be turned in on the first day of practice to participate.

Correction About Diabetes

The previous newsletter had an article about the JDRF Kids Walk to Cure Diabetes that had an inaccurate statement.  It mentioned that students are learning ways to prevent type 1 diabetes.  In fact, type 1 diabetes can't be prevented.  Doctors can't tell who will get it and who won't.  No one knows for sure what causes type 1 diabetes, but scientists think it has something to do with genes.  Type 1 diabetes isn't contagious, so kids and teens can't catch it from another person or pass it along to friends or family members.  Eating too much sugar doesn't cause type 1 diabetes either.

Preschool Newsletter

If you are a parent of a Ben Franklin Academy student in preschool, you can get more in-depth information by clicking on the link or icon below.       

 

Preschool Newsletter Image
Click here for the Preschool Newsletter

Holiday Shopping Event

The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) will be hosting a shopping event at Timbuk Toys in the Highlands Ranch Town Center from Friday, Nov. 2, through Monday, Nov. 12.  Get an early jump on your holiday shopping while supporting Ben Franklin Academy and a fantastic local business as well!  The school will earn 20 percent on all toys sold during the event.  Click here for details.  Flyers will come home next week.

Dine Out Night Update 

The PTO is hosting its second Dine Out Night from 5-8 p.m., Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the Chick-Fil-A in Highlands Ranch.  No flyer is needed - just mention you are there for Ben Franklin Academy.  Don't forget to bring your friends and family!   

 

Also, thank you to everyone who participated in our Dine Out Night at Lil Ricci's.  The school earned $302!  This is an awesome amount, and even the managers were impressed with our school.  Way to go!

Donuts with Dads  

The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) invite you to join us Wednesday, Nov. 7, for breakfast with your child(ren).  Ben Franklin Academy's Donuts with Dads is a special morning for your student to enjoy breakfast with dad or a special guest.  Come enjoy this time with your student, have a cup of coffee or juice and some breakfast.  Don't forget to let your child give you a tour around the school.  Doors open at 7 a.m. 

The BENefit Bash

Mark your calenders!  The BENefit Bash (Ben Franklin Academy's annual dinner and silent auction) will be held Saturday, April 27, at the Marriott DTC.  It takes great volunteers to make this wonderful event successful.  Our first meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 19, at the Super Target Starbucks in the Highlands Ranch Town Center.  Please consider joining this fun team of volunteers.  

Box Tops Update

We collected $1,070 in Box Tops in October, which is slightly more than last year.  Great job!  The winning classroom was Mrs. Donhowe's fourth grade - they brought in 1,224 Box Tops!  Look for information about the Sweetest School competition next week.

PTO Fall Newsletter Now Available

The PTO has put together a newsletter highlighting upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and community news.  The fall edition is available here and also will be sent home in Thursday folders. 

Volunteer of the Month

The PTO will highlight one volunteer each month who has gone above and beyond in their contributions to the school.  This volunteer receives recognition in this newsletter and has the privilege to park in one of our reserved parking spaces.      

For November, the PTO has chosen Shelly DanaShelly began volunteering the summer of 2010 - before the school was even built.  She put her heart and countless hours into the first silent auction in May 2011, and she is currently serving her second year as the PTO president.  There are so many details to coordinate with the PTO, and with a smile on her face, she has made it look easy creating a very successful organization.  She serves out of love for the school rather than recognition.  Congratulations Shelly!  To read more, click here.   

Important Dates

  • PTO and SAC meetings: Thursday, Nov. 1
  • Teacher work day (no school for students): Friday, Nov. 2
  • Volleyball tournament: Saturday, Nov. 3
  • Marketing Committee meeting: Monday, Nov. 5
  • Formal uniform day: Wednesday, Nov. 7
  • Donuts with Dads: Wednesday, Nov. 7
  • STEM Committee meeting: Wednesday, Nov. 7
Sincerely,  

 

Bob Barber 

Principal

Ben Franklin Academy