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Ben Franklin Academy Newsletter | Vol. 3, Iss. 23 September 2013 | |
Dear Parents, By now you should have received your child's TCAP results with a letter explaining the TCAP test. (The TCAP is administered to BFA students in grades 3-8.) If you have not received this information by the end of the week, please call the main office, and we will get you a copy of your child's results. The Transitional Colorado Assessment Program (TCAP) is Colorado's standards-based assessment designed to provide a picture of student performance to schools, districts, educators, parents and the community. All students are tested in reading, writing and math, as well as science for students in fifth and eighth grades. While the TCAP is only one measure of student achievement, it is an important one. These are the scores that the state uses to judge, if you will, how well a school is performing. The chart below shows the overall scores for Ben Franklin Academy compared to students in Douglas County and the state. All numbers show the percent of students scoring proficient or advanced. |
BFA
2013
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DCSD
2013
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State
2013
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5th Science
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74
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63
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48
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8th Science
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NA
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NA
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NA
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|
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3rd Math
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88
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83
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72
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4th Math
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88
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84
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71
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5th Math
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91
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80
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65
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6th Math
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80
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78
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62
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7th Math
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76
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70
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55
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8th Math
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NA
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NA
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NA
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|
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3rd Writing
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73
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64
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51
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4th Writing
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65
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65
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53
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5th Writing
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75
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72
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57
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6th Writing
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78
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74
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58
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7th Writing
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80
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75
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62
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8th Writing
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NA
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NA
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NA
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3rd Reading
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86
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82
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73
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4th Reading
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74
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79
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69
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5th Reading
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91
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83
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70
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6th Reading
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91
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88
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73
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7th Reading
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81
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80
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68
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8th Reading
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NA
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NA
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NA
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I am pleased to say that students at BFA outperformed the state in 16 of 16 categories and outperformed/tied Douglas County in 15 of 16 categories. So, what do we do with the data? Each teacher receives a detailed report about each student. The administrative team and the teachers look at this data and make instructional decisions based on trends we identify. If your child scored unacceptable or partially proficient, you will be receiving a communication from the teacher or member of the administrative team to let you know how BFA plans to support your child. Students may receive small group instruction with our reading or math specialists or they may be placed in an above grade level ability group. They may simply be given more time to practice/reinforce a particular skill or concept. It is important to understand that we constantly look at student data to make informed decisions on how to best educate your child. Using data is so important that it is a part of BFA's vision statement - "We will be a data driven institution." By itself, data has no value. When data is put into a format that is easily understandable, it becomes information. When information is used to guide the decisions that are made in the best interest of students and families we serve, it becomes knowledge. |
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Parents, we need your help! With BFA's new lunch system in place, please be cognizant of the following:
- Work with your child(ren) to memorize his/her Lunch ID (Student ID) number. This makes the lines shorter, which means more time for the kids to eat.
- Check your child's lunch account on a regular basis. Be aware: If there is money in your child's account, s/he is allowed to buy:
- Double meals for $1.50 extra
- Water or juice for $.50 extra (K-5)
- Large water for $1 extra (6-8)
- Juice, Izze or Switch for $1.25 extra (6-8)
- Additional snacks from time to time for $.75 each (6-8)
If you do not want your child(ren) to buy "doubles" or "extras," email Lisa Scronce, Kitchen Manager. Include your child's name and ID, be specific as to what doubles or extras you will not allow, and she will make note on your child's account. - Milk is included in the price of the meal. If your child has an allergy to milk, you may bring in a doctor's note to the Kitchen Manager, and your child will be allowed to get water or juice. Milk is the option that is included with the meal because it meets dietary guidelines for a balanced meal.
- Your child is allowed to purchase a drink if s/he brings sack lunch but only if s/he has an account with money in it. Go to School Payment Solutions to set up an account. Drink costs are:
- $.50 for milk, water or juice (K-5)
- $.50 for milk; $1 for a large water; or
- $1.25 for a large juice, Izze or Switch (6-8)
- View the lunch tab on the BFA website for more information about lunch.
- Come by and check out what students are having for lunch! There are lots of choices, including fruits and veggies.
- Volunteer and see the lunch process firsthand. We still need volunteers to help make lunch run smoothly and efficiently. Get a workout while helping the kids and getting in your volunteer hours at the same time! To volunteer, please login to Help Counter. Click "Check Calendar for Upcoming Opportunities" and on "Lunch Duty - Lunch Room Helpers" on the day you would like to volunteer.
Note: There are no cell phones or other electronic devices (unless its an emergency) allowed in the lunch room. Also, at this time, parents cannot bring younger siblings in the lunchroom, as we no longer have access to the kitchen or a safe place for them to be.
For additional questions or information, email Pam Betts, BFA Lunch Coordinator, or Lisa Scronce, Kitchen Manager.
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Join Cub Scouts
Cub Scouts are gearing up for another fun year at BFA! If your son is interested in joining Cub Scouts (grades 1-5), please contact Cubmaster Jason Sunahara. If you would like to be a den leader/assistant leader, also contact Jason. For additional information, please click here. The first den meeting of the year is at 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 9, in the Middle School Commons Area.
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Board of Directors Open Seat
The Ben Franklin Academy Board of Directors open seat nominations will be posted today online by 5 p.m. The Board will appoint the seat 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. As this is a Board-appointed position, nominations are for consideration by the Board, and the Board reserves all rights to fill the vacancy.
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Middle School Fundraising Events
Restaurant Night
Check out the Middle School Restaurant Fundraiser from lunch to close, on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Pei Wei in Highlands Ranch. You can take-out or dine-in; just be sure to mention you are supporting BFA when you place your order. Proceeds will go toward the middle school trip to Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.
Entertainment Books
Another way to support the middle school trip and obtain great savings around town is to purchase an Entertainment Book by clicking here.
Books are only $30 as opposed to $35 in stores and available now rather than in November. You also will have access to other cities' entertainment deals by using the phone app available on iTunes and the Android Marketplace.
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Middle School Social
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.
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Friday Family Movie Night
Please join us at 8 p.m., tomorrow, 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 before the movie. The movie will begin at 8 p.m., and concessions will be available for purchase.
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BFF Social
Do you want to get to know other BFA parents? The Marketing and Community Outreach Committee (MCO) will be hosting a Ben
Franklin Friends (BFF) Social after drop off until 10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 16, at the Super Target Starbucks caf� (Lucent and Highlands Ranch Parkway).
The BFF Social is intended for parents to meet one another, ask policy questions and voice feedback about their experiences at BFA. Kids who are home with you are welcome. Hope you can join us! Email the MCO at with any questions.
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Harvest Festival
The Harvest Festival is 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 info will be in this week's Thursday folders.)
We need many volunteers to make the event a fun evening for all. To volunteer, click here.
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Health Room Updates
Flu Shots and Allergy Coupons
Shoo the Flu!
BFA is pleased to offer vaccinations for all staff, students and families from 2-3 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 24, through Front Range Flu Shots. To participate, you MUST sign up in the health room/front office.
For faster treatment, download the Consent for Treatment form here. People (including students) under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at treatment.
Prices are as follows:
- Flu Shot: $26
- FluMist Nasal Spray (ages 4-49): $35
- High Dose Flu Shot (age 65 or older): $56
Cash and checks accepted; sorry, no credit cards.
Note: Your insurance card must be presented at time of service. Co-payments may apply, so check with your insurance provider. Additional details are available in the front office.
EpiPen and Auvi-Q Coupons
Do you carry and Epi-Pen or Auvi-Q for an allergy?
EpiPen brand of epinephrine and Auvi-Q brand of epinephrine are offering coupons to cover co-pays up to $100. The offer is good through Tuesday, Dec. 31. To download you coupon, please click on EpiPen or Auvi-Q.
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Safeway Cards Now Available
If you are a Safeway shopper, you now can earn money for BFA - simply by purchasing your regular groceries or using Safeway Fuel Centers! BFA is pleased to announce it has added the Safeway Gift Card fundraising program to its current King Soopers and Target REDcard programs.
Safeway donates 5 percent of your purchases back to the school - all you have to do is load your Safeway gift card at customer service or the register before you scan your first item. To purchase a BFA Safeway gift card (already loaded with $5), please contact Amy Sunahara, Target/King Soopers/Safeway Coordinator.
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Volunteer of the Month
The PTO highlights one volunteer each month who has gone above and beyond in his/her contributions to the school. This volunteer receives recognition in this newsletter and on the school website. S/he also has the privilege to park in one of our reserved parking spaces.
For September, we have chosen the Greenberg family. Chad Greenberg is the PTO Middle School Fundraising Coordinator. He and his wife, Dana, have run the concession stands for middle school sports, volunteer night at Pirates Cove and other events. They also volunteer in the classroom, as well as other areas.
When asked what they like most about BFA, the Greenbergs responded, "We are very proud to have been a part of BFA since the beginning of the school. Beyond the top-notch education it provides for our children, the school's leadership and commitment to excellence is teaching our kids the discipline and lessons they will need to excel in life."
Thank you, Chad and Dana, for all that you do! For more information about volunteering, please click here.
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Upcoming Meetings
- Finance Committee: 5 p.m., Monday, Sept. 9, 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
- Grant Committee: 9 p.m., Monday, Sept. 16, Conference Call
Middle School Athletics
- Girls' Volleyball:
- 4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 5, at BFA vs. North Star Academy
- 4 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 10, at BFA vs. Sky View Academy
- 4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 12, at Aspen Academy
- Boys' Soccer:
- 4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 5, at BFA vs. North Star Academy
- 4 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 10, at SkyVew Academy
- 4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 12, at SkyView Academy vs. Aspen Academy
Ben Franklin Academy Calendars
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Sincerely,
Bob Barber Principal Ben Franklin Academy |
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Contact Us!
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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.
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