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Ben Franklin Academy NewsletterVol. 3, Iss. 29
October 2013
In This Issue
:: Restaurant Night Out | Silent Auction Meeting | Spirit Day | Fun Run
:: National Junior Honor Society | Spooky Streets at SouthGlenn | Veterans Day | No School | Stay Curious
:: Middle School News Broadcast | Discovery Program | Sibling Enrollment
:: Pinterest Night | Ben's Brigade | Volunteer Appreciation | Important Dates
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Dear Parents,  

 

Common Core vs. Core Knowledge 

 

Recently, we have received many questions such as: "What is Common Core?" "Is that different than Core Knowledge?" "Will we be implementing Common Core at BFA?" Hopefully, this article will clear up some confusion.

 

Common Core was born out of the most recent education reform movement and is closely linked to the American Diploma Project. In 2009, with financial support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others, the National Governors Association commissioned the �creation of a national math and literacy curriculum. They came up with the Common Core State Standards, a shorter list of standards that emphasizes deeper instruction of key �concepts.

 

Common Core is a set of learning standards that were developed to create a cohesive, comprehensive set of standards nationwide. Previously, each state created its own learning standards and assessments. There was no overarching national set of standards. Common Core was developed to be that national set of standards. It was developed using existing state standards, input from teachers and educational leaders. Forty-five states, including Colorado, have adopted the Common Core.

 

Core Knowledge is a list of topics that every student should know. It is built on the principle that knowledge builds on knowledge. The sequence outlines what should be taught in each grade. Each year, the students build on what they learned previously. This spiraling helps develop a strong knowledge base for each student. We use the Core Knowledge sequence to guide our instruction, especially in the areas of science, social studies and literature.

 

The words "standards" and "curriculum" are sometimes, incorrectly, used as synonyms. They are, however, two different things. A standard is what a student should learn in a general statement. For example, a Common Core third grade reading standard states: Students will be able to recount stories, including fables, folktales and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text. Curriculum would be what is used to teach that standard to the student.  For the preceding example, the Core Knowledge sequence outlines, Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and other stories as requirements for third grade.

As BFA is a public school, we are required to implement the Common Core; however, we can teach those standards using our existing curriculum. The Core Knowledge Scope and Sequence, along with the curriculum implemented at BFA, meets or exceeds the content of the Common Core Standards.
Chick-fil-A Restaurant Night  chick fil a
 
BFA's next Restaurant Night is from 5-8 p.m., TODAY, Thursday, Oct. 24, at Chick-fil-A (3700 E. Highlands Ranch Parkway). Chick-fil-A will donate 20 percent of all receipts back to BFA. Be sure to mention BFA when ordering!  

Silent Auction Meeting 

BENefit Bash

There will be a silent auction meeting at 6:30 p.m., TODAY, Thursday, Oct. 24, in the BFA Library. To volunteer, please print and fill out the attached form. For any questions, please email the Silent Auction committee.

National Junior Honor Society
     
Congratulations to the 33 members of the new BFA chapter of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS)!

NJHS recognizes its new members:
Hannah Anhuth, Jacqueline Baker, Ryan Beals, Masson Bruening, Sophie Carlin, Hadley Kate Christensen, Anna Clay, Rebekah Coleman, Chrystal Delius Cordova, Inge Delius Cordova, Henry Dunkleberger, Brenden Geiselhardt, Aubrey Gerken, Luke Guglielmo, Steven "JR" Hodge, Mohini Iyer, Mark Keplinger, Katie MacKinnon, Harrison Marchant, Samar Masood, John McCoy, Matthew McCoy, Cameron Pinney, Sean Pinney, Zander Robinett, Holden Romero, Luke Schnurr, Chase Sieradski, Walker Sparling, Kaitlin Smith, Natalie Smith, Tim Vaught and Josie Wiss
 
Seventh and eighth grade students are notified in the fall if they are academically eligible (cumulative GPA of 3.33 or higher over the previous school year), and if they are interested, submit an application detailing their leadership, character and community service experience. Acceptance is both an honor and a commitment, as members must continue to uphold their academics, as well as perform 10 hours of community service each year. Five hours of service is completed on their own time, and five hours are completed via group projects organized by Ms. Konesky, NJHS chapter adviser and technology teacher.
  
NJHS recently provided a special breakfast at the House of Hope homeless shelter for women and children. NJHS members contributed food, new tablecloths and fresh flowers while nine students cooked and served the pancake breakfast. Upcoming projects include serving dinner at the Denver Rescue Mission and helping at the holiday celebration at the Highlands Ranch Mansion on Saturday, Dec 7.

The mission of NJHS coincides with that of BFA's, instilling a dedication to community service and civic engagement. More info on BFA's new NJHS chapter can be found here.
Veterans Day american-flag-wavy.jpg   
 

There are only two-and-a-half weeks until BFA's Nov. 11 Veterans Day Celebration!

 

BFA has many ways for you to participate in this year's Veterans Day celebration.

 

Veterans Wall of Honor 

Help us display all of your loved ones who are veterans with our Veterans Wall of Honor. Deadline for submission has been extended to Thursday, Oct. 31. Click here to download the flyer.

Pictures from the flyers also will be scanned for inclusion in a video presentation displayed at the Veterans Day assemblies.

 

Assembly Programs and Veterans Reception

Veterans and parents are welcome to join us at
9 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11
, for two assembly programs. A special reception will be held for Veterans in the BASE room 30 minutes before each program.

 

Honor Flight: One Last Mission

Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America's veterans for all of their sacrifices. They transport our heroes to Washington, D.C., to visit and reflect at their memorials. It costs $850 to send one veteran on this trip. As a community, we would like to do our part to make this happen for one of our nation's veterans. In the next couple of weeks, volunteers will be in car pool to collect any donation you would like to make to this program. Dates and times will be announced.  For each dollar raised, a flag will be placed along the BFA carpool lanes to guide our special veteran guests to the assembly programs on Nov. 11.  For more information about this program, email the MCO. To read about Honor Flight, click here.

 

Volunteers

With any large event, we are in need of volunteers.  If you are available, please sign up here. Adult, student and family opportunities are available.

Middle School News Broadcast
       

A news studio is a wonderful opportunity to spotlight and challenge students to gain independence in planning, writing, producing, supervising, using technology and performing in television productions. Opportunities for diversified public speaking and production experiences are provided through the daily morning announcement routine. In the BFA news show, the Lightning Fast news team prepares announcements, world news, jokes, facts, student/class events, thoughts/quotes of the day, the 13 virtues review, sports, the pledge of allegiance, weather using the Weather Bug Station and more! This is a new elective offered to middle school students at BFA. Students will be taking our school morning announcements to a whole new level that will help inform and build school community. Check it out here.

Pinterest Night
 
Do you love pinning things on Pinterest, but never have the time to actually do any of the fun projects? You're not alone! Join us for BFA's Pinterest Night from 6:30-8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, in the Middle School Commons Area, where you can enjoy pizza and refreshments while working on your holiday crafts! If you would like to attend, please email the PTO with your RSVP. 
Volunteer Appreciation PTO Logo
 
Thanks for "popping in," volunteers! Look for a treat in Thursday folders from the BFA PTO.  
Spirit Day  Megaphone
 
Spirit Day is tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 25. Students are allowed to wear a spirit wear T-shirt (includes former Field Day T-shirts) along with their uniform bottoms of choice. If your child chooses not to wear a spirit wear T-shirt, s/he must be in full uniform.  
Fun Run      

BFA's Fun Run to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the leading charitable supporter of type 1 diabetes, is tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 25, during students' specials time. Students were educated about what type 1 and type 2 diabetes is and how to prevent type 2 diabetes in PE the week before Fall Break. Hopefully, your child can share what they learned with you.

Students can raise money in two different ways for the Fun Run:
  1. Use the donation envelope to ask people students know personally to donate money to JDRF. When someone donates money, students should have the donor write their name on a paper shoe (provided in the envelope) and bring it back to school to be displayed in the gym. Students are to turn the money (and shoes) they have collected in the envelope and return it to school on Oct. 25.
  2. Raise money online. Instructions on how to do so are in the envelope or you can click here to sign up on the JDRF BFA website.
The Fun Run provides a great way to educate BFA students about type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as ensure they understand how to prevent type 2 diabetes. Also, students love the Fun Run! It is a fun way for them to exercise while hanging out with their friends. Each student will participate in the Fun Run even if your family chooses not to participate in the fundraiser.

  

Last year, we were able to donate more than $5,000 to JDRF, and JDRF gives 10 percent of our donation back to BFA. Let's try to raise even more money this year! 
Spooky Streets at SouthGlenn


Check out the Spooky Streets from 4:30-7:30 p.m., tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 25, at the Streets at SouthGlenn, and join us for an evening of safe trick-or-treating.

 

The fun begins by picking up your trick-or-treat bag and map of spooky events from Guest Services. Be sure to sign in at Guest Services to earn 1,000 points per person attending for BFA.

Then, see the Munsters at the Munster Mash, stop by Commons Park to visit with the witch and her cat, and watch for dancing ghouls.  

 

In addition, sign up for the Street Smarts email, and BFA will receive 1,000 points! Visit shoppingpartnership.com, click on Shopping Centers and select The Streets at SouthGlenn. It will ask for your email address and name. After you submit your information, you will be sent an email. Please open and click on the link to confirm; once you do so, BFA gets 1,000 points!  

 

BFA is one of 20 schools in the metro area that gets to participate in the Street Smarts for SouthGlenn program. If BFA ends up being the school with the most points, we can earn $2,500 for the school! 

  
Don't have time to turn in your receipts from shopping or dining? If you don't need your receipts returned, we now have a box in the office where you can turn in your SouthGlenn receipts. The box is located by the volunteer name badges. 
Red School Calendar
No School Nov. 1

 

There is no school Friday, Nov. 1, for students. It is a teacher work day.  

How did YOU stay Curious?
 

Welcome back! It is time to upload those great pictures from Fall Break of your excursions with Ben. You may upload via the BFA website here

 

All contest entries must be received by Friday, Nov. 1. All pictures will be posted on the BFA Facebook page and website. Contest winner(s) will get a gift certificate to AMC Theatres and some great BFA gear. 


Remember, curiosity can be inspired at any location, far or near, so show us how you Stay Curious!
 
Gifted and Talented Discovery Program
 
The Douglas County School District (DCSD) has designed programming for gifted elementary school students whose needs require intensity of instruction and acceleration beyond what can reasonably be expected from the regular school program. For more information about DCSD's Discovery Program and Parent Information Nights, please click here.   
Sibling Enrollment at BFA        
If you are planning on enrolling a sibling of a currently enrolled BFA student, please fill out the Intent to Enroll form on the BFA website and notify Kari Beers, registrar, by Friday, Nov. 15. Following this process ensures sibling priority before the lottery; however, this does not guarantee 2014-15 placement. The lottery takes place in early December. Please contact Kari at (720) 383-4519 x101 with any questions. 
Ben's Brigade and the Broncos       
BensBrigade  
The Brigade is in formation!

BFA dads, granddads, uncles and male role models - Ben's Brigade and the Broncos on the big screen want you!   

 

Broncos vs. Chargers:
2:25 p.m. kickoff, Sunday, Nov. 10

 

Will you be there? Location to follow.   

Important Dates Calendar Clip Art
  • Restaurant Night Out: 5-8 p.m., Thursday, October 24, Chick-fil-A (3700 E. Highlands Ranch Parkway)
  • Spirit Day: Friday, Oct. 25   
  • Fun Run: Friday, Oct. 25    
  • Spooky Streets at SouthGlenn: Friday, Oct. 25  
  • DCSD Gifted and Talented Discovery Program Parent Information Nights: Oct. 29, Nov. 6 and Nov. 7 
  • Deadline for Veterans Day Posters: Thursday, Oct. 31
  • Classroom Halloween Parties: Thursday, Oct. 31
  • No School For Students (Teacher Work Day): Friday, Nov. 1   
  • Stay Curious Photo Contest Deadline: Friday, Nov. 1 
  • Veterans Day Celebration: 9 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 11 
  • Deadline for BFA Sibling Enrollment: Friday, Nov. 15  
  • Pinterest Night: 6:30-8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, Middle School Commons Area 
Upcoming Meetings     
  • Silent Auction Committee: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24, Library  
  • Marketing Community Outreach (MCO): 6:30 p.m, Tuesday, Nov. 5, Library
  • Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Committee: Wednesday, Nov. 6, Sanders Science Lab
  • School Accountability Committee (SAC): 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7, Conference Room
  • Finance Committee: 5 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7, Library
  • Ben's Brigade: 2:25 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 10, Broncos vs. Chargers (location TBA) 
  • Board of Directors: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12, Sanders Science Lab
    • Find the latest BFA Board of Directors minutes by clicking here.
  • Green Team Committee: 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13
  • Parent Teacher Organization (PTO): 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14, Library

Middle School Athletics    

  • Boys' Basketball:
    • 4 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 29, at Legacy Academy
    • 4 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 5, at BFA vs. North Star Academy  
    • 4 p.m,. Thursday, Nov. 7, at BFA vs. SkyView Academy 
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.