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Ben Franklin Academy NewsletterVol. 3, Iss. 7
February 2013
In This Issue
:: Office Reminder | Lunch Update | Lost and Found | PTO Elections | Volunteer Appreciation
:: Spirit Day | BFF Social | PAC Open Positions | Used Uniform Sale | Box Tops and Sweetest School Contest
:: Dine Out Night | PAC Survey | BENefit Bash | PAC's Got Your Back
:: Yearbooks | Middle School Social | Mother/Son Event | BFA Summer Camp
:: Middle School and Preschool Newsletters | Important Dates
Dear Parents, 

  

Today, a seven-member team from the Charter School Support Initiative (CSSI) concluded an intensive three-day evaluation of Ben Franklin Academy. The CSSI is an evaluation service for self-improvement provided by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Schools of Choice Unit. The service is voluntary and independent of other evaluations such as those required for charter renewal and accreditation. Participating schools receive a comprehensive review of the school's strengths and weaknesses based on the Standards and Indicators for School Improvement.

 

We eagerly await the final report that will be issued. The governing board and administration will review this report and recommendations the team suggests. Our bottom line is the continuous improvement of the education that we provide to our students.

Office Reminder  
Closed Sign
 
We have noticed that there has been an increase in the number of pickups after the office has closed for car pool. We understand that plans sometimes change, but please be mindful that it takes away from being able to ensure all students make it to the right location in a timely manner. Once again, please make arrangements to pick up your child before 3 p.m. or kindly wait until "all call" when it is less chaotic.
Lost and Found  
Lost and Found

 

Check the Lost and Found for missing items. Among typical items, eye glasses and jewelry also have been turned in. Please see the front office for those items.

Volunteer Appreciation

Parents: Look for a volunteer appreciation treat from the PTO in your child's Thursday folder.

Spirit Day Megaphone

Spirit Day is tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 22. Students are allowed to wear a spirit wear T-shirt along with their uniform bottoms of choice.   

BFF Social

Want to get to know other Ben Franklin Academy parents? The PAC will be hosting a Ben Franklin Friends (BFF) Social after drop off until 10 a.m., tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 22, at the Corner Bakery Cafe Town Center. The PAC's BFF Social is intended for parents to meet one another, ask policy questions and voice feedback about their experiences at Ben Franklin Academy. Hope you can join us, and children are welcome! Please email the PAC with any questions.

Used Uniform Sale

Get ready for spring weather with our uniform sale that will be held starting at 9 a.m., this Saturday, Feb. 23, in the Middle School Commons Area.Shop early to get the best deals!
Sweetest School Contest Box Tops Logo

We are currently in a contest to win $25,000 for the Box Tops Sweetest School Contest. If you have any Box Tops laying around (pantry, freezer, refrigerator, bathroom, etc.), please get them clipped and sent in by the end of school next Tuesday, Feb. 26. Leave them at the front desk for us to collect.

We collected almost $600 in Box Tops this month! Ms. Kessler's first graders won February's competition with 727 Box Tops collected. Congratulations!
Dine Out Night
 
The PTO is hosting a Dine Out Night fundraiser from 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Garbanzo's Mediterranean Grill, located at 1100 Sgt. John Stiles in the Highlands Ranch Town Center. Families are encouraged to visit the restaurant for dinner or an after school snack. You can present a flyer - which will be sent home in this week's Thursday folder and/or can be accessed on the BFA Facebook page - or just mention you are with BFA for the PTO to receive 25 percent of sales for the night. 

If you have any questions, please contact Laurie Kerman at (303) 335-0555 via email. Thanks so much for supporting our school, and we look forward to seeing you on the 27th!   
The BENefit Bash
BENefit Bash
The BENefit Bash Silent Auction and Dinner will be held from 5:30-11 p.m.,  Saturday, April 27, at the Denver Marriott Tech Center. This fun and important event cannot happen without the contributions of our parent community.

Sponsorship packages and catalog advertising options are available for the BENefit Bash. Be sure to ask your company if it would like to contribute. Click here for details on sponsorship; click here
for information on catalog advertising. If you have an item or service you can contribute to the event, please contact Julia Porterfield, donation team lead. 

Tickets are now available for purchase online. If we sell 200 tickets by Friday, March 1, Principal Barber will buy doughnuts for the entire school!

  • We are still in need of volunteers to help organize this great event. For a list of available volunteer positions, click here or email us. Our next planning meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 11, at the Target Starbucks in Town Center.   
  • Yearbooks Yearbook
     

    There are only a few weeks left to order your yearbook. Orders must be received by Friday, March 1. No late orders or extra yearbooks will be ordered. They are available for purchase through the online store. Yearbooks will be distributed in May.   

     

    Middle School Pictures

    The Yearbook Committee is in need of pictures to represent the middle school in the yearbook. If you have photos, please email them to Liesel Donaldson. High resolution pictures are best.     

    Mother/Son Event
     
    The PTO is hosting a Mother/Son Event starting at 6 p.m., Saturday, March 9, at Fun City in Littleton. Tickets are $10 per person at the door and include a laser maze challenge, grand prix raceway, laser jam, foam factory, mini golf, inflatables and climbing rock wall. Dessert and drinks will be provided.  Look for a flyer in Thursday folders next week!
    Newsletters
    Middle School and Preschool

    If you are a parent of a Ben Franklin Academy student in middle school or preschool, you can get more in-depth information by clicking on the links or icons below.
    BFA web banner
    Click here for the Middle School Newsletter
    Preschool Newsletter Image
    Click here for the Preschool Newsletter

    Lunch Update   
    Lunch bag

    Reminder and Survey

     

    Reminder

    Please remember to pack a snack and lunch for your child that will sustain him/her for the entire school day. We are seeing an increase in the amount of students who are either eating a large portion of their lunch for snack or who do not have enough food for lunch. We also ask that you refrain from sending food for your child that needs heated or hot water added. If our staff is in the kitchen filling containers with hot water, their attention is not on the students in the lunch room. 

       

    Survey

    The school would love your feedback on its hot lunch program. Click here to fill out a brief parent survey.  

    PTO Elections

    Want to get more involved in school? Join the PTO - make new friends and give back to your school community. The nomination process for the 2013-14 school year has begun and will end on Thursday, Feb. 28. Click here to nominate yourself or someone else. No prior experience is necessary. The positions of president, fundraising coordinator, school lunch coordinator and treasurer are up for election on the Executive Officer Board. For a list of available positions, please click here.  
    PAC Open Positions Vote Button

    The PAC is looking for responsible, dedicated parents to help serve Ben Franklin Academy parents and students during the 2013-14 school year.   
    The PAC was created by, and reports to, the Ben Franklin Academy Board of Directors. PAC representatives are responsible for ensuring all parents understand the policies created by the Board for the school. Additionally, the PAC helps create a sense of community among Ben Franklin Academy parents by organizing social events that connect parents with each other and the administration. The PAC also helps students support the local community by developing and coordinating various community outreach programs.  
     
    If you would like to be considered for a position on the PAC, please review the job descriptions here.

    If you are interested in a leadership position within the PAC, the Board is looking for organized parents with good management skills who work well with others to fill the Chair and Vice Chair positions. These positions will be selected by the Board in March. If you are interested in one of these roles, please send a statement of interest to the PAC by Thursday, Feb. 28.

    Additionally, Ben Franklin Academy's PAC is looking for friendly, energetic parents to fill the following committee positions for the 2013-14 school year:
     
    • Social Officer
    • Communications Officer
    • Parent Representative, Socials
    • Parent Representative, Community Service
    If you are interested in serving the school community as an Officer or Parent Representative, please contact the PAC by Friday, March 1, and you will be sent a short interest questionnaire to complete. If you have questions about any of the open positions, please contact the PAC
    PAC Survey
    Survey

    The PAC wants your feedback on the social events we host, such as summer socials, monthly BFF socials, policy Q&As, and Donuts with Dads/ Muffins with Moms. Please take a few minutes to complete our brief five-question survey. Even if you haven't attended any of these events, we'd like to hear from you. We would appreciate your feedback on how we're doing and your ideas for building the Ben Franklin Academy parent community. Thank you for taking the time to share your opinions. To take the survey, please click here.  

    PAC's Got Your Back
    Question mark

     

    Q: Where can I find information on weather closures or delays?

    A: Ben Franklin Academy follows the Douglas County School District (DCSD) in regard to weather delays and closures. This information can be found on the DSCD website, by calling the weather hotline at 303-387-SNOW (7669) or by watching local news stations. In addition, Principal Barber monitors weather situations and will send an email to families once a weather delay/closure is announced by DCSD. Each family is asked to use their discretion regarding late starts to ensure the safety of their family. As always, if it is not an official snow day, you need to contact the school if your student(s) will not be at school.


    Each week, the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) will have a Q&A in this newsletter regarding policies or procedures at Ben Franklin Academy. If you have questions you need answered, please feel free to contact the PAC, and we will answer your question via email.
    Middle School Social  Jump Street

    The middle school will be having a social from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Friday, March 1, at JumpStreet. Click here for details.
    BFA Summer Camp
    Summer Camp
    Ben Franklin Academy will be offering a Summer Camp program. Do you need full-time day care for the summer? Or perhaps you are just looking to get a break from your children a few days during the summer? Maybe your kids would like to connect with other Ben Franklin Academy kids and enjoy fun, summer social time? Whatever your situation, our Summer Camp program is sure to keep your kids safe and entertained.

     

    Program Details

    • Dates: June 3 - Aug. 20
      (closed the week of July 1)  
    • Hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
    • Days: Monday through Friday
    • Age Requirement: BFA Summer Camp is open to any child 5 years and older.
    • Cost:
      • Registration: One-time $35 per child registration fee (all registered campers will receive a camp T-shirt and day pack)
      • Daily Tuition: $35 per day per child for non-field trip days and $45 per day per child for field trip days 
  • Each week will have a unique theme with field trips and weekly activities related to that theme. The full summer schedule will be released soon. Until then, be sure to register your child(ren) now, as space is limited. To register, click here.
  • Important Dates
    Calendar Clip Art
    • Spirit Day: Friday, Feb. 22
    • BFF Social: 8:30-10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 22, Corner Bakery Cafe Town Center   
    • Blanket Drive: Now through Friday, Feb. 22
    • Uniform Sale: 9 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 23  
    • Box Tops Collection: Tuesday, Feb. 26
    • Dine Out Night at Garbanzo's: 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 27
    • Middle School Concert: 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 27, Gym  
    • PTO Nominations: Now through Thursday, Feb. 28
    • Regional Science Fair: Feb. 27-28
    • Yearbook/Dedications FINAL Deadline: Friday, March 1
    • PAC Nominations: Now through Friday, March 1 
    • Middle School Social: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Friday, March 1, JumpStreet
    • Second Grade Musical: 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 5, Gym
    • Formal Uniform Day: Wednesday, March 6
    • PAC Policy Q&A Forum: 9 a.m., Friday, March 8, Library 
    • Mother/Son Event: 6 p.m., Saturday, March 9, Fun City 
    • Volunteer Meeting for BENefit Bash: 6:30 p.m., Monday,
      March 11, Target Starbucks Town Center 
        

    Upcoming Meetings 

    • Grant Committee: 9 p.m., Monday, Feb. 25, Teleconference  
    • Marketing Committee: 6 p.m., Monday, March 4, Conference Room 
    • STEM: 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 6, Library
    • SAC: 7 p.m., Thursday, March 7, Rm. 144
    • PTO: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 7, Middle School Commons Area
    • Finance Committee: 5 p.m., Monday, March 11, Library
    • Board of Directors: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 12, Library
    • PAC: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 14, Library
    Ben Franklin Academy Calendars
    Sincerely,
     

    Bob Barber
    Principal
    Ben Franklin Academy
    Contact Us!
    Ben Franklin Academy

    2270 Plaza Drive, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

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

    Attendance: (720) 432-9239 or [email protected]

    Web: http://www.bfacademy.org/

    Fax:  (303) 974-1738  

    Mission: Our mission is to develop 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, 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 the arts, sports, nature, and character.


    13 Virtues:
    Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Purity and Humility.