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Ben Franklin Academy NewsletterVol. 3, Iss. 14
April 2013
In This Issue
:: Volunteering/Random Visits | PTO Elections | Food Drive Results
:: BFA DI Team Takes Fifth at State | Class Pictures | Field Day T-shirt Sponsors
:: Library Update | PAC's Got Your Back | Middle School Newsletter | Important Dates
:: EVERYTHING About the BENefit Bash: *NEW* Budget-Friendly Items, Ladies Night Out, Volunteers Needed, Doughnuts, Online Auction and More!
Dear Parents, 

  Closed Sign

Don't forget: There is no school for students tomorrow, Friday, April 19. It is a teacher in-service day.

 
Volunteering/Random Visits

 

This is a reminder to refrain from making random visits to classrooms while in the building volunteering. When unexpected visits are made to the classrooms - no matter the nature or how quick a visit it may
be - it tends to create a disruption to the class. While in the building, please keep your visits to just the location that volunteering was approved.

 

If you need to make an appointment with a teacher, please email your student's teacher to set up a convenient time that will work for both of you.

Second Annual Food Drive Results
 

Thank you Ben Franklin Academy parents and students for donating more than 1,500 items toward the school's annual Food Drive. We weighed in at more than 1,300 pounds, which is equivalent to a large male polar bear. Mrs. Ward's fourth grade class donated the most items -
271 - and wins the pizza party and trophy.
The Douglas Elbert Task Force is so appreciative of our students and their continued dedication to helping Coloradoans in need.   

BFA DI Team Takes Fifth at State 
 
DI TwistORama
The VII Flaming Dragons DI team created this structure.
It weighs
82.6 grams  
(0.182 pounds); it supported
670 pounds of weight.
 
Ben Franklin Academy's VII Flaming Dragons Destination ImagiNation (DI) team had a fantastic day at the DI State Tournament on April 13. Every team member did an excellent job and should feel good about their performance. 

 

"Our fifth place finish against 21 other elementary-level TWIST-O-RAMA teams was quite an accomplishment for a first-year team and team manager," said Dee Duncan, VII Flaming Dragons Team Manager. "We must remember that we were competing against the best teams in Colorado from the 10 regional tournaments. We came from a tough region because South Metro had three teams in the top six places. We also must remember that this could be the third, fourth or fifth year together for some of these teams; whereas, this was the first year for BFA."

 

The VII Flaming Dragons team members include (from left to right): Landon Carr, Max Morris, Travis Smith, Ben Velasco, Paige Fuss, Anika Nair and Jeff Lang (center). Congratulations!    

DI VII Flaming Dragons  

Class Pictures Camera
  
Class pictures will be taken on Wednesday, May 1. Ordering information will come home in Thursday folders this week.
Field Day T-shirt Sponsors Field day

We are currently accepting sponsors for our Field Day, which will be held in May. It is our hope that through the funds raised, we can cover the cost of the T-shirts so every student will receive one for free. This is a great and low-cost way for your business to support the school while receiving recognition on the student T-shirts. Click here for details.  
Library Update LIbrary

The library will close Friday,
May 10
, for inventory and the Summer Reading Scholastic Book Fair. All books will need to be returned by then. Students will receive a notice the following week if they still owe the library a book. Students will get their final report cards when their library account has been cleared by either returning the book or paying the replacement cost.
PAC's Got Your Back
Question mark
   
Q: Does Ben Franklin Academy have a committee that provides meals to families when they are struggling with an illness or death in the family?

A: Yes! The PAC, in conjunction with the PTO's Baking Committee, reaches out to families who are struggling with a personal issue and may need a meal or two. Please contact the PAC if you know of anyone in this situation. The PAC understands the need for privacy, so all information is kept confidential.


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. 
BENefit Bash Proceeds

Wondering where the funds raised from the BENefit Bash are going? We have earmarked some great projects for our school. A few highlights: Expansion of the sound and security system for the entire school (including a new PA system for events in the gym), level and curriculum books for the development of a Professional Resource library for our teachers, books for the library and a rock climbing wall for our gym. Great reasons to support this wonderful event!
 
PTO Elections

Please take a moment to vote for candidates of the upcoming school year's PTO. To vote today, click here.

The Business Network Professionals Chair is still available for next school year. If you are interested in this position, please contact the PTO.
Bash Benefits Gift card

It's not all about vacation homes and fancy jewelry. The Bash has some great budget-friendly items with bids starting as low as $5.

Here are some of the highlights: $25 gift cards to King Soopers, Target, Vitamin Cottage, Lodo's, Dependable Cleaners, The Old Mill Brewery, Alamo Drafthouse, Knockouts Haircuts and Brio Tuscan Grill. We also have many items that are less than $50.

Don't forget: The BENefit Bash is the only place you can bid on Teacher Experiences or Classroom Baskets! 
Ladies Night Out

The PTO is hosting a Ladies Night Out from 7-9 p.m., today, Thursday, April 18, at Charming Charlie in the Streets of Southglenn. Moms will get a preview of some of the hot auction items while eating cupcakes and shopping for bling for the big event! Charming Charlie will donate 10 percent of all purchases back to Ben Franklin Academy. Come join us for this fun night with fellow moms while supporting the school.   

 

For some additional FUN, we will be making a "Harlem Shake" video at this event. Bring some fun stuff for the dance - crazy hats, sunglasses, etc. (No inappropriate items or costumes, please.) Click here for more information.      

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.

Only one week left until this fun and important event for our school community.


Take a look through the BENefit Bash catalog online here. With more than $98,000 worth of donations, you are sure to find something! Click here for details on the event. For Frequently Asked Questions about the event, click here. 
Tickets to the BENefit Bash

BENefit Bash tickets remain on sale until Tuesday, April 23. They can be purchased here.
Please note: There will be NO tickets available at the door.
BENefit Bash Volunteers





For a list of available BENefit Bash volunteer positions, click here or sign up directly here. Specifically, the Silent Auction committee needs volunteers for the Event Breakdown team; click here to sign up. Please email the committee with any questions.

Our next planning meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 23, at Shelly Dana's house. 
Mmm...Doughnuts

Thanks to all of your generous support, we hit our goal of selling 200 tickets to the BENefit Bash last week. As promised, Principal Barber will be buying the school doughnuts on Friday, April 26. (There also will be a gluten free option for students with allergies.)   
Can't Make the BENefit Bash?  

You still can contribute by participating in our online auction from now through Saturday, May 18. Anyone can participate in the online auction - it operates similar to eBay - including family and friends from out of town. Items will be mailed to the winning bidder. Click here to view our catalog of online items. 
Need a Babysitter for the Bash?

The PTO has arranged a Parents Night Out from 5:30-10:30 p.m., Saturday, April 27, at Peak Athletics. Kids will play games and eat pizza with their friends.

You may register and pay over the phone by calling Peak Athletics directly at (303) 797-8082. Parents will need to sign a waiver when they drop off their child(ren). You may print out the waiver here and bring it in with you.

The fee for one student is $25; each additional sibling is $5 off ($45 for two siblings, $60 for three siblings, etc.). If you are unable to pay over the phone before the BENefit Bash, you may pay by cash or check at the door. No credit or debit cards will be accepted at the door.  
Middle School Newsletter
  
If you are a parent of a Ben Franklin Academy student in middle school, you can get more in-depth information by clicking on the link or icon below.
BFA web banner
Click here for the Middle School Newsletter
Important Dates
Calendar Clip Art
  • Ladies Night Out: 7-9 p.m., today, Thursday, April 18, Charming Charlie, Streets of Southglenn   
  • No School for Students (Teacher Work Day): Tomorrow, Friday, April 19
  • PTO Elections: Now through tomorrow, Friday, April 19
  • BENefit Bash Tickets On Sale: Now through Tuesday, April 23 
  • Spirit Day: Friday, April 26 
  • Principal Barber Buys Doughnuts for BFA: Friday, April 26 
  • BENefit Bash Silent Auction and Dinner: 5:30-11 p.m., Saturday, April 27, Denver Marriott Tech Center  
  • Board of Directors Elections: April 29 - May 3
  • Formal Uniform Day: Wednesday, May 1
  • Class Pictures: Wednesday, May 1 
  • BFF Social: 8:30-10 a.m., Thursday, May 2, Redstone Park
  • Library Closes for Inventory/Book Fair: Friday, May 10
  • Board of Directors Elections Results Announced: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 14  
  • BENefit Bash Online Auction: Now through Saturday, May 18 

Upcoming Meetings 

  • Grant Committee: 9 p.m., Monday, April 22, Teleconference
  • BENefit Bash Volunteers: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 23, Shelly Dana's house  
  • STEM Committee: 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 1, Library 
  • PTO: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 2, Library

  • SAC: 7 p.m., Thursday, May 2, Conference Room 

  • Marketing Committee: 6 p.m., Monday, May 6, Conference Room

  • Grant Committee: 9 p.m, Monday, May 6, Teleconference 
  • Finance Committee: 5 p.m., Thursday, May 9, Conference Room

  • PAC: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 9, Middle School Commons Area      
  • Board of Directors: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 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.