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Ben Franklin Academy NewsletterVol. 3, Iss. 35
December 2013
In This Issue
:: Essay Contest Winner | Board Corner | Lost and Found | Used Uniform Sale | Story Time at The Tattered Cover
:: Restaurant WEEK Out | Holiday Outreach Project Update | Box Tops Update | Drop and Shop | Girls Basketball
:: Sign Up for Choir | Student Art Contest | BENefit Bash | Father/Daughter Dance
:: BFA Bricks are Back | King Soopers/Safeway Cards | Volunteer of the Month | Important Dates
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Dear Parents,

 

The Value of Homework

I think most people would agree that homework is a valuable component of every child's education. Where many people disagree, however, is in how much homework is appropriate vs. how much homework is too much. Per the BFA homework policy, homework builds responsibility, self-discipline and lifelong learning habits. It is the intention of the staff of BFA to assign relevant, challenging and meaningful homework assignments that reinforce classroom learning objectives. The policy also establishes a guideline that homework should be 10 minutes per grade level. For example, this means a third grader, on average, should have 30 minutes of homework per night. This does not include the required nightly reading that is above and beyond the regular homework.

 

Homework is so valuable for the educational growth of all students. Teachers plan to teach and reinforce homework skills each year. The "homework habit" begins in kindergarten with activities that develop self-discipline and independence, but students need continued guidance in developing the skills associated with homework, including good study habits, self-discipline and time management.

 

Homework is the bridge between school and home. When parents, teachers and students work together, homework is valuable, relevant and an exciting part of the student's instructional program.

  

Homework provides opportunities for students to:

  • Reinforce skills learned in the classroom
  • Accept responsibility
  • Learn time management in planning and meeting deadlines
  • Develop good study habits and self-discipline
  • Learn to use resources outside of school
  • Share information with parents about what has been learned 

Homework provides opportunities for teachers to:

  • Provide students with extra time to practice skills
  • Expand classroom projects
  • Include parents in their child's learning
  • Motivate students to make decisions about their own learning
  • Provide assignments tailored to individual skill levels
  • Use assignments as a diagnostic tool
  • Teacher cause and effect; completed homework results in a sense of accomplishment 

Homework provides opportunities for parents to:

  • Spend meaningful time with children
  • Assist in the learning process
  • Establish a common ground for communication with teachers
  • Become more aware of children's learning styles/difficulties
  • Become aware of the grade level curriculum 

There are essentially four types of homework assignments:

  1. Practice homework. This is the most common and simplest type of assignment. It is intended to help students master specific skills. This is especially true when it comes to learning math, word definitions and spelling.
  2. Preparation homework. This is a way to introduce kids to new topics. For instance, middle school students might read a book about animals before studying animal families. Preparation assignments give students a groundwork that will enable them to gain maximum benefit from the subsequent lesson.
  3. Extension homework. Extension assignments require students to transfer a skill or concept to a different situation. Children need to be able to connect separate topics. For example, they might be asked to compare and contrast two historic events.
  4. Creative homework. Creative assignments require students to integrate many skills and concepts in the process of producing a response. They normally take more time to complete than the other type of assignments. Book reports and research projects are examples of this type of assignment.
Middle School Essay Contest Winner   Congratulations   
Congratulations to seventh grader Hannah Baldwin who won the middle school essay contest.  A small portion of her essay follows: 

 

Why is community outreach and service to others important to them and their community?
"Community outreach is not only important to the person who receives the action, but the people around them. By doing just the simplest of acts, you can ignite a revolution of hope, and before you know it, the streets of your community could be overflowing with goodness. Community outreach not only drives us to see and do the good in our communities, but also allows us to shed the greatness of kindness across the globe."
 

Thank you, Hannah, for your insightful words!

Lost and Found
 
Please check the Lost and Found frequently. There are a lot of lonely coats that would appreciate their owners keeping them company. All remaining items will be donated to a local charity before Winter Break, so be sure to check for any missing items by noon, Friday, Dec. 20. 
Grinch-Mas Holiday Story Time
At The Tattered Cover in Highlands Ranch 

You are invited to celebrate "Grinch-Mas" and the spirit of doing good deeds with a reading of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and a visit by the Grinch himself at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, at The Tattered Cover - Highlands Ranch. Bring your cameras to get a photo with the Grinch.
Box Tops Update Box Tops Logo

The next Box Tops collection date is Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Drop and Shop
 

The middle school is hosting a babysitting night on Saturday, Dec. 21, so parents can finish last-minute shopping. Look for information in Thursday folders.

Basketball 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 begins Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. 
The BENefit Bash Wants You!
BENefit Bash
 
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! 
Gift card 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. 
Board Corner math-teacher-student.jpg  
Classroom Observation

The following article is from Ward Cerny, at-large member, on behalf of BFA's Board of Directors:


Hello from the BFA Board! As part of our annual oversight, all Board members recently observed a mix of elementary, middle school and specials classes. We are happy to report that BFA's mission and vision are still being implemented with fidelity throughout the school. I particularly enjoyed seeing the joy of physical activity in action when observing PE (Physical Education) and watching young scientists conduct detailed experiments through their microscopes, but I am just one of seven voices. Other thoughts and observations from Board members included being impressed at both the level of technological resources we have available and their implementation in the classroom. As a parent and Board member, I want you to know I have liked what I have seen, believing that we continue to improve. Onward and upward! 
 
Used Uniform Sale clothing-boutique-sale.jpg
 

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.  

Wahoo's Restaurant WEEK Out
 

BFA's Restaurant Fundraiser Event continues to take place through Sunday, Dec. 15, at Wahoo's Fish Taco in the Highlands Ranch Town Center. Wahoo's will donate 25 percent of incremental sales back to BFA. The more friends and family who come, the more BFA will get back!   

Holiday Outreach Project Update   

Thank you for your amazing and generous donations to the BFA 2014 Holiday Outreach Project to help our newest neighbor, Children's Hospital Colorado South Campus! Everyone who participated made our Holiday Outreach Project a huge success. On Saturday, we were able to donate more than 1,600 art supplies to Children's Hospital. 

 

Congratulations to Mrs. Hildebrand's second grade class for collecting 93 items for our Holiday Outreach Project and winning the classroom contest. Mrs. Tenney's fourth grade class collected 86 items and took second place; Mrs. Klee's kindergarten class came in third place with 84 items donated.

Sign Up for Winter/Spring Choir Music Notes

The Winter/Spring session of choir starts Wednesday, Jan. 8. Choir is open to all students in grades 3-8. Rehearsals are every Wednesday from 3:30-4:15 p.m. This year, the choir will go to their first festival at Elitch Gardens and sing for judges. We also will have a spring concert at BFA. To sign up, return the attached form to the music room with a check made out to BFA.
Student Art Contest
 
Do you have an artist at home? Students may participate in an art contest where winners' creations will be placed in BFA's silent auction catalog. For more information and contest rules, click here. Artwork is due Friday, Jan. 31.
Father/Daughter Dance    
The Father/Daughter Dance will now be held on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014.
BFA Brick
BFA Bricks Are Back!

We all love BFA, so why not show your dedication to our amazing school by 
donating and creating a piece of history in return? Parents, teachers and supporters of BFA have the opportunity to create a custom-engraved brick and become a part of this lasting commitment to greater education. The bricks will be added to the "Pathway to Learning" in the front of the school where everyone can see them. Your generous donation will help our school raise funds for important programs.
Volunteer of the Month  

 

Andy Beggins
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 December, we have chosen Andy Beggins. Andy has stepped up and helped with the financials at BFA.   
When asked what he likes most about BFA, Andy responded, "From the staff, to the teachers, to the parents, to the students, it feels like everyone is happy and grateful to be here. As such, I feel like we all have a vested interest and a deep caring for the well-being of the school. When I walk into the school and see all the wonderful kids in their uniforms with smiles on their faces, when I am greeted with familiarity by our dedicated staff, when I see the caring parents standing in the bitter cold at car pool line, when I directly see the outcome of our teachers' work with the children, I feel thankful that we found BFA!"

Thank you, Andy, for all that you do!  For more information about volunteering, please click here.
  Important Dates Calendar Clip Art
  • Spirit Day: Friday, Dec. 13  
  • National Geography Bee: 1:15 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13, Gym 
  • Used Uniform Sale: 9-11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, Middle School Commons
  • "Grinch-Mas" Holiday Story Time: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, The Tattered Cover - Highlands Ranch 
  • Restaurant Week Out: Now through Dec. 15, Wahoo's Fish Taco, Highlands Ranch Town Center  
  • Box Tops Collection: Wednesday, Dec. 18    
  • Dress of Choice Day: Friday, Dec. 20  
  • Classroom Holiday Parties: Friday, Dec. 20 
  • Lost and Found Items Donated to Local Charity: Noon, Friday, Dec. 20
  • Drop and Shop: Saturday, Dec. 21 
  • Winter Break: Dec. 23-Jan. 3   
  • Denver Nuggets Community Night: Doors open at 6 p.m. (game starts at 7 p.m.), Saturday, Jan. 25, Pepsi Center, Nuggets vs. Pacers   
  • Silent Auction Student Art Contest Artwork Due: Friday, Jan. 31 
  • Middle School Winter Dance: Friday, Jan. 31 
  • Father/Daughter Dance: Saturday, Feb. 1   
Upcoming Meetings        
  • Parent Teacher Organization (PTO): 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 12, Library
  • Grant Committee: 9 p.m., Monday, Jan. 6, Teleconference  
  • Marketing and Community Outreach (MCO) Committee: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 7
  • Green Team Committee: 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8 
  • Finance Committee: 5 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 9, Conference Room
  • Board of Directors: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 14, Library  
    • Find the latest BFA Board of Directors minutes by clicking here.

Middle School Athletics    

  • Boys' Basketball:     
    • 9 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, Tournament, 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.