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Ben Franklin Academy NewsletterVol. 3, Iss. 21
August 2013
In This Issue
:: Lexia Core5 Info | Board of Directors Open Seat | Picture Makeup Day | Highlands Ranch Bus Update
:: Instrument Petting Zoo | Boo-Hoo/Yahoo Success | Movie Night | Room Parents Wanted
:: Class Photographers Needed | Harvest Festival | LandSharks Fall Cross Country | Stay Connected
:: Community Night | Chess Class | Middle School Social | KidStage Classes | Earn $$$ for BFA | Important Dates
Dear Parents, 

 

Welcome to the 2013-14 school year! It's going to be a great one.

Our Back to School Nights are scheduled for next week:
  • 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28, grades K-4
  • 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 29, grades 5-8    

Car Pool  

Thank you for your patience during car pool. While it was a bit slow the first day, it will get quicker as students get more familiar with the car pool routine. Morning drop-off was completed by 8:15 a.m. on Thursday, so that is already going well.   

 

The following are a few reminders to make car pool go even smoother: 

  • Have your child(ren) ready to exit his/her vehicle before reaching the drop-off area, but be sure his/her seat belt remains fastened until your vehicle is stopped.
  • Please remain in your vehicle. If your child needs assistance exiting the vehicle, please have your car pool tag hanging on your mirror to signal the volunteers that you need help.
  • If your child needs to access the trunk of the vehicle, please activate your hazard lights to signal the vehicle behind you.
  • For safety reasons, only allow your child(ren) to exit the vehicle within the designated drop-off zones.
  • For families with younger students - especially kindergarten and first grade - we recommend using Zone B (use the right lane on the west driveway). Zone B is closest to the kindergarten and first grade classrooms for both drop-off and pick-up.
  • Use the west (second entrance) for all pick-up/drop-off (including half-day kindergarten).
  • The new carpool tags are blue. If you did not pick yours up during Registration Days/Meet and Greets, they will be sent home with your child today. The green tags from last year will not be accepted after Monday, Aug. 26.
  • You MUST have a car pool tag for all children you are picking up (e.g., if you carpool with other BFA families and pick up children in addition to your own, you must have that family's car pool tag as well as yours). If you don't have a valid tag, you will be required to park and go to Door 6 (southeast door) with picture ID to pick up.

Please refer any questions to [email protected].

Lexia Core5 Information
 

The transition to Lexia Core5 is completed for K-3 students. If you would like your child(ren) in fourth grade and up to participate in Lexia, please email Sarah Harrell, and she will get you updated into the system. 

Lexia will look new and is touted to be more interactive, as well as align to the common core standards. It is now web-based (no longer a download on your computer), so all you need to do for desktops and laptops is click here. For iPads, there is an app available in the App Store to download. Once downloaded, you will be asked on startup to enter a teacher email address. Click on "Student" and enter "[email protected]." 

Picture Makeup Day           Camera

For those who were unable to attend Registration Days/Meet and Greets, picture makeup day is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. - noon, Thursday, Sept. 5, at BFA.  

 

Dress for pictures is uniform of choice. Parents also can attend picture makeup day to obtain the photo necessary for their volunteer badge. Picture order forms are available on Infinite Campus/Parent Portal. Remember to bring your order form with money to school that day or you can order directly online by clicking here.

 

Please note: Picture makeup day is only for those who could not attend Registration Days/Meet and Greets. Picture retakes (e.g., for those who don't like their school pictures and would prefer to retake them) will be scheduled at a later date.  

Instrument Petting Zoo
insturment

Interested in learning an instrument? Come to the Instrument Petting Zoo at
6:30 p.m., Wednesday,
Sept. 4, in the M
iddle School Commons Area. Students can try out all of the instruments, rent one and take it home that night! BFA will be offering band, orchestra, guitar, percussion and more after school. Ms. Johnson and My Music Skool will be there to explain costs and answer questions. For more information, email Ms. Johnson. Hope to see you there!
Family Movie Night

Please join us at 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 6, at BFA for a night of family fun while watching Disney's Swiss Family Robinson under the stars.

 

Families are invited to arrive early and bring a picnic to enjoy on the west lawn prior to the movie. The movie will begin at 8 p.m., and concessions will be available for purchase.
Class Photographers Needed
for Yearbook          Yearbook


The Yearbook Committee needs classroom photographers! If you enjoy taking pictures and capturing "moments and memories," we would love for you to volunteer for your child's class. Class photographers are responsible for taking pictures of your assigned class throughout the year to be used for the 2013-14 yearbook.

This is a great way to earn your volunteer hours. Also, during the course of the year, you will have multiple opportunities to sign up and volunteer as a photographer for a variety of school events.

If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, email Katie Devlin, Yearbook Chair, and provide your name, contact information and classroom teacher. 
LandSharks Fall Cross Country Series           Landsharks
The Landsharks Running Club is a non-competitive youth program that introduces running to young athletes in a safe and fun environment. The focus is on having fun, competing against oneself to improve skill, being an encouraging teammate and making new friends.

The Fall Cross Country Series is a six-week school program led by a coach and is open to BFA K-6 students. 
  • Practices are from 4-4:45 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays, from Aug. 28 through Sept. 30.   
  • Meets are on Mondays (takes place of Monday practices), approximately from
    6-7 p.m., Sept. 16, Sept. 23 and Sept. 30
    .
  • An Orientation Meeting will be held after the first practice at 4:45 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28 in front of BFA. A packet with details about schedules, races, clothing, etc. will be distributed. (This is the correct date; the date on fliers was incorrect.) 
  • To register online, go to Landsharks Run Club.

To volunteer or for more information, contact Mary Hansen, coach, at (303) 683-0292 or (720) 333-4364

DCSD Community Night           Colorado Rapids

Come watch the Colorado Rapids take on FC Dallas at
7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. To order tickets, go  online.
Middle School Social           haride

BFA Middle School students are invited to attend the Corn Maze Social from 7-10 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4, at the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield. Tickets are $8 per person for the corn maze and hayride combo. The haunted maze portion (opens on Oct. 4) will be an additional cost. More information will follow as the time draws nearer. Denver Botanic Gardents at Chatfiled is located at 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Rd., Littleton, Colo., 80128.

Board of Directors Open Seat

The Ben Franklin Academy Board of Directors has an open seat. The individual will be appointed by the Board at the Tuesday, Sept. 10,  Board meeting. The individual will serve as an At-Large Director, and the term will end in May of 2014.        
The nomination form is available on the BFA website.To nominate someone (including yourself) for consideration by the Board for this seat, please click here for the nomination form.  

Nominations will be accepted through
midnight, Tuesday, Sept. 3. Only nominations submitted online will be considered. BFA will post the nominees and their nomination forms on the BFA website by 5 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 5. As this is a Board-appointed position, nominations are for consideration by the Board, and the Board reserves all rights to fill the vacancy.

For more information or if you have questions, please contact Staci Ferguson, Board Secretary.
Highlands Ranch Bus Update
bus
 

Highlands Ranch Bus Route 55/Paint Brush Park/Eagle: There are now two schools picking up (and dropping off) at this location. In regard to pick-up, be aware that American Academy picks up at 7:30 a.m., and BFA picks up at 7:45 a.m. Please make sure your child boards the correct bus.

Boo-Hoo/Yahoo Success 

Thank you to all of the amazing parents who participated Wednesday morning and afternoon at the Boo-Hoo/Yahoo events. It was wonderful to share your excitement and sadness as the children started their kindergarten year. Each kindie family should have received a First Day of Kindergarten goody bag with commemorative BFA cup. Parents who were unable to attend will receive their goodies in their child's backpack at the end of the week.
Room Parents: We Want You!           Uncle Sam
 

The Room Parent Committee has a few more classrooms that need Room Parents. This is a fun and rewarding way to earn your hours!  

 

If your child is in any of the following classes, and you're looking for a great way to be involved in your child's classroom this year, email the Room Parent Chairs

  • Ms. B. Klee: All-day kindie
  • Ms. Walton: All-day kindie
  • Ms. S. Klee: All-day kindie
  • Ms. Noonan: PM kindie
  • Ms. Poleschook: 3rd grade
  • Ms. Harrison: 5th grade
Harvest Festival          

The Harvest Festival will be from 5-8:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, at BFA. Tickets are $5 per person or $20 per family if you order online in advance. More information will be in next week's Thursday folders. If you would like to volunteer, email the PTO
Stay Connected

Did you know that Ben Franklin Academy is on Facebook AND Twitter? 

and
  • Follow Ben Franklin Academy at @BF_Academy
Chess Class           Chess pieces

BFA's chess class is back! The class meets twice a month from 4-5 p.m. on Tuesdays. The first class is Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Class dates are Sept. 3, Sept. 24, Oct. 8, Oct. 29, Nov. 12, Dec. 3 and Dec. 17. Cost is $130 per student. For more information, contact Todd Bardwick, Colorado Master Chess, at (303) 770-6696.

KidStage Theatre and Acting Classes

KidStage
KidStage is an after-school drama program that involves acting classes, theatre activities and performance opportunities for kids of all ages. The curriculum includes concentration, teamwork, improvisation, movement, voice, theatre terminology, and much more.

Beauty and the Beast Class 1: Meets every Monday, 4-5:30 p.m., Sept. 16 through Nov. 11 (no class Oct. 14)

Beauty and the Beast Class 2
: Meets every Tuesday, 4-5:30 p.m., Sept. 10 through Nov. 12 (no class Oct. 8 or Oct. 15)

Cost is $140 per student. To register, go to KidStage. For more information, email Denver KidStage.  
Did You Know?           Gift card

By shopping at King Soopers and/or Target, you can earn money for BFA.

The King Soopers program donates 5 percent of your purchases back to the school; Target's REDcard donates 1 percent. King Soopers cards will be available at Back To School Nights next week or email Amy Sunahara, Target/King Soopers Coordinator, to purchase one. You can obtain a Target REDcard debit or credit card at any Target location or online by clicking here. Our Target school ID is 152402.
Important Dates
Calendar Clip Art
  • Back to School Night (grades K-4): 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28, BFA
  • Back to School Night (grades 5-8): 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 29, BFA
  • Spirit Day: Friday, Aug. 30
  • No School (Labor Day Holiday): Monday, Sept. 2   
  • Nominations Due for Board of Directors Open Seat: Midnight, Tuesday, Sept. 3 
  • Formal Uniform Day: Wednesday, Sept. 4
  • Instrument Petting Zoo: 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 4, Middle School Commons Area 
  • Picture Makeup Day: Thursday, Sept. 5
  • Family Movie Night: 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 6, BFA Lawn
  • DCSD Community Night: FC Dallas vs. Colorado Rapids, 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, Dick's Sporting Goods Park
  • Harvest Festival: 5-8:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, BFA
  • Middle School Corn Maze Social: 7-10 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4, Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield
Upcoming Meetings  
  • Grant Committee: 9 p.m., Monday, Sept. 2, Conference Call
  • Marketing and Community Outreach (MCO) Committee:
    6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 3, Library
  • Board of Directors: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 10, Library
  • Green Team Committee: 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 11
  • School Accountability Committee (SAC): 4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 12, Conference Room
  • Parent Teacher Organization (PTO): 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 12, Middle School Commons Area  
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.