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Ben Franklin Academy Newsletter | Vol. 3, Iss. 31 November 2013 | |
Dear Parents,Last Friday, while the students were recovering from Halloween, the teachers attended an in-service about how movement impacts learning and memory. Our staff had a great time while learning some strategies that will be implemented into each classroom in the school. Your students might have already come home talking about how much fun they are having at school this week. Our presenter, Kim Bevell, founder of an organization called Gray Matters, gave the teachers ideas for games and exercises to do as quick "brain breaks" to break up instruction so more learning can take place. The teachers tossed balls, threw Frisbees, tossed bean bags, stood on one foot, played dodge ball and even did push-ups. Some of the research that was presented included a study about movement and the effect it has on behavior in the classroom. In a study in 2006 at the National Brain Research Center, researchers found that students who took a 10-minute movement break during a long learning session (an hour or longer) experienced increased concentration, academic performance and decreased fidgeting and school related stress. The most important thing learned on Friday was that the best learning comes in small chunks. For little kids, on average, every 10 minutes or so, they need to get up and move. For the older kids, it's between 15 to 20 minutes. The brain research tells us that when we get up and move, our heart rate goes up and chemicals in our brain are released that increase our concentration and memory. This goes for homework, as well as work done at school. Having kids sit for extended periods of time to do homework is not as effective as letting them do small chunks of homework, then getting up and moving and coming back to do the next chunk. You might be surprised by how quickly homework gets finished when small break are encouraged.
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Veterans Day Celebration Monday
BFA's Veterans Day Celebration is next Monday, Nov. 11!
Veterans Wall of Honor Thank you to all of the families who sent in their flyers last week. Make sure you check them out lining the front hallway of the school. Honor Flight: One Last Mission Join us right before car pool from 3-3:25 p.m., today, Thursday, Nov. 7, for the last day to help raise funds for Honor Flight. MCO volunteers will be walking the car pool lines to collect your donations. For every $1 raised, a flag will be placed along the BFA car pool lanes to guide our special veteran guests to the assembly programs on Nov. 11. 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. For more information about this program, email the MCO. To read about Honor Flight, click here. Assembly Programs and Veterans Reception
Veterans and parents are welcome to join us at 9 a.m. (K-3 grades) and/or 1:30 p.m. (4-8 grades), on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11. A special reception will be held for veterans in the BASE room 30 minutes before each program.
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BFA Fun Run
Congratulations to the K-5 students at BFA who ran a combined total of 947 miles during the Fun Run for Type 1 Diabetes on Oct. 25! Almost all of the students ran at least one mile and many more than that. The following classes ran the most laps in their grade: - Kindergarten: Walton - 201 laps/22.3 miles
- First: Saleh - 309 laps/34.3 miles
- Second: Harms - 490 laps/54.4 miles
- Third: Stolk - 372 laps/41.3 miles
- Fourth: Tenney - 365 laps/40.6 miles
- Fifth: Murphy - 385 laps/42.8 miles
In addition, congratulations to Mrs. Harms' second grade class, which ran the most laps out of the whole school! BFA raised more than $2,000 for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), which goes towards research. JDRF will give $200 back to BFA. If your child raised money, but has not yet turned it in, please have him/her bring it in by no later than Tuesday, Nov. 12. |
Late Order for Original Works
Mrs. Hinkle will be sending in a late order of Original Works art projects to the company on Monday, Nov. 11. These projects are not guaranteed to be back by the Winter Break, though the company will do their best. If you still wish to make an order, simply pay online by clicking here and select the Original Artworks button. Return the artwork and order form to Mrs. Hinkle no later than Monday, Nov. 11.
You may submit other artwork if you wish as long as the paper measures 8.5-by-11 inches and is free of glue and glitter.
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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.
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Board Meetings Now Being "Broadcast"
The BFA Board of Directors holds its regular meetings at 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at BFA. Specific dates are listed on the BFA calendar. All are welcome to attend.
Because we recognize that many BFA community members may be unable to attend the Board meetings, we will begin "broadcasting" our Board meetings on a trial basis by listen-only teleconference beginning with the Tuesday, Nov. 12, Board meeting. To attend the meeting by phone, please use the following information:
The Board will continue to provide an open comments time on the meeting agenda.
Those who appear in person can continue to use that time to address the Board. For those who attend by phone, open comments can be submitted through the website form until noon on the day of the Board meeting. Open Comment Forms received by the deadline will be read out loud during the open comment period of the meeting. Any Open Comment Forms received after noon on the day of the meeting will be read at the next regular meeting of the Board. We look forward to being able to reach more of you during our meetings.
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Timbuk Toys FUNdrasier
The BFA/Timbuk Toys FUNdraiser will take place Friday, Nov. 8, through Sunday, Nov. 17. Anyone who wants to participate in the fundraiser can shop at any of the Timbuk Toys locations or purchase products online. When making your purchase in a store, remember to mention BFA; when placing an order online, please type "Ben Franklin Academy FUNdraiser" in the comment box. The more people shopping that mention our school, the more funds we will raise. Get your holiday shopping done early, and support BFA!
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Middle School Fundraising
We All Scream for Ice Cream
BFA's middle school is hosting a Coldstone fundraising night from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the Highlands Ranch Town Center for the eighth grade Washington, D.C., trip. At the same time, the PTO is hosting the Timbuk Toys FUNdraiser (from Nov. 8-17), so you can attend two fundraising events at the same time! BFA receives up to 35 percent of the sales from Coldstone. No flyer is needed, just mention you are from BFA.
Westerra Credit Union
Westerra Credit Union has offered to donate to the BFA Washington, D.C., trip to help raise funds in a way that supports the school while giving students, families and friends incentives to save money by using our local school district credit union.
Westerra will donate $52.80 toward each student's D.C. trip fund for each savings account that is opened on your family's behalf. Plus, you can get $52.80 for each checking and Visa� account opened - and the school gets $52.80 for each account, too
(once certain qualifications are met). With a checking account, there are no fees and you get a free debit card for the account. An additional perk: The customary $5 membership fee per account is waived for this fundraiser, so the minimum deposit for new accounts is only $5 (normally $10 including the fee). You can stop by any branch - the nearest location to BFA is in Littleton near Kipling and Chatfield.
Any family and friends can participate on your child's behalf as long as the mention "BFA Washington, D.C." Please click here (insert link for pdf attached) for the full flyer and additional information. In addition, please bring this flyer along with you for any and all accounts you open so fundraising credit is given to BFA Washington, D.C. Questions may be directed to Shelli Mater via email. Open more accounts to earn more for the your child's eighth grade trip and BFA!
The internal deadline to open accounts is Saturday, Feb. 1, for the credit to apply toward the D.C. trip. Important: Once accounts are opened (and funded in the case of accounts such as Visa cards and checking), you must submit a copy of the new account receipt to the office in an envelope marked "Shelli Mater/Westerra Credit Union" so tracking of the funds is credited to your child for any accounts opened on your behalf.
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The BENefit Bash Wants You!
Do you have an uncanny knack for obtaining something for nothing? Were you blessed with the gift of gab? Do you think outside the box? Are you lacking in volunteer hours and want a fun way to earn them? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then we want you!
The BENefit Bash procurement team is looking for volunteers to help with soliciting items for the silent auction. We need people who can pound the pavement, work the phones and tap the keyboard. Please contact Tiffani Titus if you are interested, and we will get this party started!
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Green Schools Summit 2013
BFA Students to Present at Upcoming Conference
Academic Director Jason Cochrane, a group of BFA middle school Student Council members and the BFA Green Team will speak from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 8, at the Green Schools Summit, located at the University of Denver. Their presentation, entitled 4 Steps to Successfully Implementing Sustainability Initiatives, will discuss how campus administrators and students journey through a four-phase process to successfully integrate resource efficient initiatives on campus and achieve goals for creating a better environment. BFA will be the only presentation with students.
Full-time employees of BFA and the Douglas County School District may attend the summit for free. For more information and to register for the summit, click here. Additionally, there are four spots available for parents who would like to attend. Email Tiffany Beffel, BFA Green Team, if you are interested.
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Robotics Team in Tournament
BFA's robotics team is competing in a First Lego League qualifier tournament this Saturday, Nov. 9, at Monarch High School in Louisville! The team of eight middle school students has been hard at work designing, building and programming a robot to complete as many challenges as possible in the two-and-a-half minute time limit. The team is coached by Ms. Konesky, technology teacher, and mentored by Mrs. Hagerman, a Lockheed Martin engineer.
The BFA Lightning Bolts team members include Jack Lang (team captain), Donovan Graham, Tyler Greenberg, Eric Hinds, Ellis Holdren, Mohini Iyer, Hunter Thompson and Zach Woodward. Good luck!
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Want to Break a World Record?
There is only one week left to sign up for the Speed Stacking Contest on Thursday, Nov. 14, during BASE. We will be taking part in attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the "Most People Sport Stacking at Multiple Locations in One Day" - World's Largest Sport Stacking Event. We will start speed stacking at 4:30 p.m. and end at 5 p.m. We are looking for 28 students who would like to participate, and there are still spots available. If your child is interested, please e-mail Leigh Savoy. First come, first served.
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Redeem Your Ben Bucks
The first redemption date for Ben Bucks will be Friday, Nov. 15, during lunch time.
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Candy Collection
If you have candy you would like to donate to the troops overseas, please drop it off at the front desk. Thank you for your support!
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Doughnuts with Dads
Please join us Tuesday, Nov. 19, for our annual Doughnuts with Dads breakfast with your child(ren). This is a special morning for your student to enjoy breakfast with dad, grandad or a special guest. Come enjoy this time with your student, have a cup of coffee or juice and some breakfast. Don't forget to let your child give you a tour around the school. Doors open at 7 a.m.
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Used Uniform Sale
Stock up for winter while participating in BFA's Used Uniform Sale from 9-11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, in the Middle School Commons.
Consignors need to bring clothing and their Item Sheet to the office by Friday, Dec. 6. Unsold items can be picked up at noon the day of the sale (Saturday, Dec. 14). Any items not picked up at this time will be sent home with students the following week. Proceeds will be mailed to consignors via check the following week.
- For Uniform Sale instructions, click here.
- For the Item Sheet, click here.
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Ben's Brigade is a Win-Win-Win
Calling all BFA dads, granddads, uncles and male role models, join
Ben's Brigade for the Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers game!
Kickoff is at 2:25 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 10, at Bar Louie at Streets of SouthGlenn (6911 S Vine St., Centennial).
Win for you: 13 big screen TVs, drink specials and most appetizers are half price.
Win for your family: You will be meeting other BFA dads and people who influence your child's life. Also, your cheering won't be waking anyone during nap time.
Win for BFA: BFA will receive double points through the Street Smarts program for all receipts from Bar Louie.
To sign up and re serve your spot, click here.
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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 from6:30-8 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.
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King Soopers, Safeway and Target Cards, Oh My!
By shopping at King Soopers, Safeway and/or Target, you can earn money for BFA. And with holiday meals and celebrations right around the corner, now is the perfect time to get and use these cards.
The King Soopers and Safeway fundraising programs donate 5 percent of your purchases back to the school. All you have to do is load your King Soopers and/or Safeway gift card at customer service or the register before you scan your first item. You can use the gift cards for groceries and at King Soopers/Safeway Fuel Centers!
Target's REDcard donates 1 percent of your purchases to BFA. 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.
If you would like to purchase a $5 BFA King Soopers and/or Safeway card(s), email Amy Sunahara, Target/King Soopers/Safeway Coordinator.
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Important Dates
- Valor Open House: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7, Athletic Building
- BFA Presentation at Green Schools Summit: 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8, University of Denver
- Timbuk Toys FUNdraiser: Nov. 8-17
- Veterans Day Celebration: 9 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 11
- Late Order for Original Works: Monday, Nov. 11
- Coldstone Middle School Fundraiser: 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12, Highlands Ranch Town Center
- Joust! (Fourth Grade Musical): 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13, Gym
- Prospective Parent Information Meeting/Tour: 9 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 14, Gym
- Most People Sport Stacking at Multiple Locations in One Day: 4:30-5 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14, BASE
- Deadline for BFA Sibling Enrollment: Friday, Nov. 15
- Student Appreciation: Friday, Nov. 15
- Spirit Day: Friday, Nov. 15
- Doughnut with Dads: Tuesday, Nov. 19
- BFA Thanksgiving Feast: Student lunch periods, Wednesday, Nov. 20
- Pinterest Night: 6:30-8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, Middle School Commons Area
- ThunderRidge High School Showcase: 6-8 p.m., Monday, Dec. 9, TRHS Main Gym
- Used Uniform Sale Clothing and Item Sheet Due: Friday, Dec. 6
- Used Uniform Sale: 9-11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, Middle School Commons Area
Upcoming Meetings
- 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, Bar Louie (Streets at SouthGlenn)
- 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,. Thursday, Nov. 7, at BFA vs. SkyView Academy
- 4 p.m., Monday, Nov. 11, at Southeast Christian
- 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14, at BFA vs. Platte River 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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