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Ben Franklin Academy Newsletter | Vol. 3, Iss. 33 November 2013 | |
Dear Parents,
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, and I am thankful for many things. First and foremost, I am thankful for being part of such a great school. I am thankful for working with such a professional and dedicated staff and for getting to know more and more parents. I am most thankful and proud of being your child's principal. They are such a great group of kids, and I enjoy seeing and talking to them every day.
I wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Welcome to the 2014 Apple Awards!
We are fortunate to have so many outstanding teachers and staff at Ben Franklin Academy. What makes them so special is the dedication they exhibit every day to provide the best education possible for your child. While we do say thank you quite often, I am frequently asked how can we publicly show our appreciation for everything they do. One of the best ways to show your appreciation for your child's teacher or another staff member is to nominate them for a 2014 Apple Award.
The Apple Awards were created in 2006 to provide the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the excellent and innovative teachers in the Douglas County School District (DCSD) and serve as a fundraiser for district schools, district programs and the Douglas County Educational Foundation's (DCEF) Fill the Gap grants. Over the years, the event has grown to engage the entire Douglas County community and its schools and shine a light on the DCEF's role in the district.
There are now several categories for recognition. Students, parents, staff members and the community are invited to submit nominations for an individual who demonstrates a dedication to students and a commitment to providing a world-class education for all students in Douglas County. All nominations are due by Saturday, Nov. 30.
To nominate one of BFA's fantastic teachers or staff members, please click here and click on the "Submit Nomination" icon. When you see the drop down box for schools, you need to select "Charter Schools," as there is no individual charter school listed. Thank you for taking your time to recognize a teacher or staff member from BFA.
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Students Read Gettysburg Address at DCSD Board Meeting
"Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." - President Abraham Lincoln
President Abraham Lincoln uttered these famous words during the Civil War - this past Tuesday, Nov. 19, was the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. In honor of the anniversary, the Douglas County School District (DCSD) Board of Education asked two BFA students - Rebekah Coleman and Aubrey Gerken - to read the Gettysburg Address at their regular board meeting on Tuesday.
In a letter to BFA, Craig Richardson, director of District A for the DCSD Board of Education, said, "On behalf of the Board of Education, I want to thank Ben Franklin Academy's leadership team, parents, and absolutely remarkable students for helping our District celebrate, with such solemn respect, excellence and honor, the sesquicentennial of President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address at last night's Board meeting. Your two eighth graders reminded us that there is great hope in the next generation. It is clear that, at BFA, your students are deeply learning about the genesis of their freedom and, in Lincoln's words, will 'never forget' all that has been done to secure that freedom by previous generations. It was good for my soul, and I believe that of my fellow directors, to see what we saw last night. Thank you for making that possible for us. We owe you so much."
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Volunteer Appreciation Reception
The PTO is hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Reception at 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 12, to thank volunteers for giving of their time. Please RSVP to the PTO if you will attend.
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Preschool Enrollment
Did you know BFA has a preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds? Enrollment for current BFA families opens Sunday, Dec. 1; enrollment opens to the public on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014.
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Let's Dance
Calling interested middle schools students: All are welcome to join the Dance Committee meeting from 4-5 p.m., Monday, Dec. 2, in the Middle School Commons. Bring old clothes to work in. Mark your calendars - the first middle school Winter Dance is Friday, Jan. 31, 2014. For any questions or more information, please email Angie Kersey.
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Buffalo Wild Wings Fundraiser
Come out for some Monday Night Football and fabulous wings while supporting BFA's middle school!
BFA's next Restaurant Fundraiser is all day, Monday, Dec. 2, at Buffalo Wild Wings (980 Sgt. Jon Stiles Drive in Highlands Ranch). There is no need for a flyer - just mention BFA to show your support and BFA will receive a percentage of all receipts.
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Register for Girls Basketball
Registration is now open for middle school girls basketball. For general information about Middle School Athletics and link to the girls basketball online registration, click here. You also will need to go to the Forms tab from the Middle School Athletics page to fill out two additional forms that are required for practice. If you turned in a medical form for the 2013-14 school year for a different sport, we still have it on file. You do not need to fill it out again. You must turn in a new vehicle authorization form, however, as the form is specific to each sport. Practice begin Monday, Jan. 6, 2014.
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Mmmm...Doughnuts!
The MCO thanks all of the dads, granddads and male role models for joining us and helping make Donuts with Dads such a success. We loved seeing so many happy faces!
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Breakfast with Santa
BFA is pleased to announce its First Annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa. All funds raised this year will help support the eigth grade students who are going on an exciting trip to Washington, D.C., in May.
The Annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa is an open house format from 8:30-11:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, at the North Pole (BFA's Gym). The event is to kick-off the holidays with a wonderful, magical family experience brought to you by BFA eighth graders. Enjoy a hot pancake breakfast served by Santa's elves, listen to holiday music, make decorations and don't forget your list! Santa will arrive during each seating to have the children tell him all their wishes. � la carte pricing is as follows:
- Breakfast and crafts only: $10 per adult, $8 per child
- Photos with Santa: $5 each
- Family Pack (four or more): $35
Tickets will be available soon through the PTO website or at the door the day of the event.
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The BENefit Bash Wants You!
Display Team The BENefit Bash Display Team is looking for baskets, boxes, trunks, cellophane and basket filler. If you have these items in your basement or happen to receive any for the holidays, please donate them to the BENefit Bash today! We are currently starting our collection of these items and appreciate any assistance you can provide. For any questions or to say, "Hey, I have stuff I want to donate," please email Kimberly Kent.
Procurement Team 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 email Tiffani Titus if you are interested, and we will get this party started!
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Denver Nuggets Community Night
The Douglas County Educational Foundation is sponsoring a Douglas County School District (DCSD) Denver Nuggets Community Night for the Nuggets vs. Indiana Pacers game at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.), Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at the Pepsi Center. Discounted ticket prices are $19 each, and as a special incentive, $4 of every ticket sold benefits the DCSD school of your choice. To purchase tickets, click here.
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Happy Birthday!
Today, Thursday, Nov. 21, is Mr. Barber's birthday. We thought of the perfect way to show our appreciation - a balloon from each student! More than 800 balloons occupied Mr. Barber's office upon his arrival this morning. As he swam through the sea of balloons to find his desk chair, he found a desk overflowing with other gifts of appreciation. The PTO, Board of Directors, staff and students showered him with gifts, including Boston Red Sox paraphernalia, celebration songs, gift cards and greeting cards.
Thank you to everyone for helping to make this an awesome birthday for our fearless leader. He was quite surprised.
Mr. Barber, we are so grateful for your leadership and your tireless effort to make BFA the best school around. We are well on our way to reaching that goal. Here's to a fantastic year ahead!
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Reminders
Remember, tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 22, is dress of choice day. Also, BFA is on Thanksgiving Break from Nov. 25-29, and the school will be closed during that time.
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Lost and Found
Please check the Lost and Found. Remaining items will be donated before Winter Break. Thank you!
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Holiday Outreach Project
Children's Hospital South Campus
This year, BFA will be performing its annual Holiday Outreach Project for our newest community member - Children's Hospital South Campus. During the week of Dec. 2-6, the MCO will be collecting new arts and craft supplies for use by hospital patients. This includes crayons, markers, paint, brushes, stickers, etc. All items will be presented to the hospital at their Community Open House, which will be held Saturday, Dec. 7. Each classroom will participate in collection contests. The MCO will begin placing boxes outside each classroom for the elementary grades and middle school homeroom classes on Monday, Dec. 2.
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Street Smarts at Southglenn
You can earn 1,000 points for BFA by attending the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m., tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 22, at the Streets at SouthGlenn. Join Mayor Cathy Noon and Santa help light the tree for The Street's 5th Annual Tree Lighting! Sign in at Guest Services to earn 1,000 points per person. Visit shopsouthglenn.com for more details
You can earn 2,000 bonus points for BFA when you buy a Streets at SouthGlenn Gift Card in November and December. Available at Guest Services. Terms and conditions apply to gift cards.
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 the receipts returned, you can turn them into a box in the front office (near the name badges/window). Copies of receipts are not accepted by the program.
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Box Tops Update
Earn e-Box Tops While Shopping for the Holidays
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are almost here! Did you know you can earn e-Box Tops for BFA by clicking on the Box Tops Marketplace first and THEN choosing to go to your favorite website to shop? More than 400 stores participate in the Box Tops Marketplace, including Home Depot, Kohl's, ToysRUs and Target (use your BFA-registered REDcard here, too, and earn money for the school in two ways!). There is a wide variety of stores from flowers, clothing, shoes, home improvement, toys and office supplies - as well as sites to purchase plane tickets and hotel accommodations. You are still able to use any special discounts you normally get at these websites. Often, there are special offers or bonus Box Tops offered, so remember to go to/check the Box Tops Marketplace before shopping online.
Box Tops Collection In October, we collected $648 in Box Tops! Thanks to all who sent in Box Tops. The winning classroom was Mrs. Pitrone's third grade. New collection sheets went home this week, and the next Box Tops collection date is Wednesday, Dec. 18.
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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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Fundraising with 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 they mention "BFA Washington, D.C." Please click here 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 emailed to Shelli Mater. Open more accounts to earn more for the your child's eighth grade trip and BFA!
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Important Dates
- BFF Social/Pinterest Night: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, Middle School Commons
- Dress of Choice Day: Friday, Nov. 22
- Streets at SouthGlenn Tree Lighting: 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 22, Streets at SouthGlenn
- Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 25-29
- Preschool Enrollment: Opens to current BFA Families on Sunday, Dec. 1; opens to general public on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014
- Lottery for 2014-14 Enrollment: Monday, Dec. 2
- Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurant Fundraiser: All day, Monday, Dec. 2, Buffalo Wild Wings (980 Sgt. Jon Stiles Drive in Highlands Ranch)
- Donations for Holiday Outreach Project: Dec. 2-6
- Formal Uniform Day: Wednesday, Dec. 4
- Used Uniform Sale Clothing and Item Sheet Due: Friday, Dec. 6
- Children's Hospital South Campus Community Open House: Saturday, Dec. 7
- ThunderRidge High School Showcase: 6-8 p.m., Monday, Dec. 9, TRHS Main Gym
- Volunteer Appreciation Reception: 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 12
- Pancake Breakfast with Santa: 8:30-11:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, Gym
- Used Uniform Sale: 9-11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, Middle School Commons
- Box Tops Collection: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Denver Nuggets Community Night: Doors open at 6 p.m. (game starts at 7 p.m.), Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, Pepsi Center, Nuggets vs. Pacers
- Middle School Winter Dance: Friday, Jan. 31, 2014
Upcoming Meetings
- Grant Committee: 9 p.m., Monday, Nov. 25, Teleconference
- Middle School Dance Committee: 4-5 p.m., Monday, Dec. 2, Middle School Commons
- Marketing and Community Outreach (MCO) Committee: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3, Library
- Science, Technology Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Committee: Wednesday, Dec. 4, Sanders Science Lab (room 145)
- School Accountability Committee (SAC): 4 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 5, Conference Room
- Finance Committee: 5 p.m., Monday, Dec. 9, Library
- Board of Directors: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10, Sanders Science Lab (room 145)
- Find the latest BFA Board of Directors minutes by clicking here.
- Green Team Committee: 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11
- Parent Teacher Organization (PTO): 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 12, Library
Middle School Athletics
- Boys' Basketball:
- 4 p.m., Monday, Dec. 2, at North Star Academy
- 4 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3, at SkyView Academy
- 4 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 5, at BFA vs. Aspen Academy
- 4 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10, at BFA vs. Platte River Academy
- 4 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11, at BFA vs. Southeast Christian
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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