|
Ben Franklin Academy Newsletter | Vol. 4, Iss. 1 January 2014 | |
Dear Parents, Happy New Year, and welcome back! I hope everyone had a great break.
Did You Know... Ben Franklin Academy will offer three overnight field trips in each grade level starting in sixth grade? In sixth grade, students will attend Outdoor Education at Covenant Heights for four days and three nights. Students will participate in team building activities and learn about the outdoors. On their last full day at camp, they explore Estes Park on a day hike. We are pursuing a trip to Keystone Science Center in late April for our seventh graders this year for a three-day, two-night adventure exploring science in the outdoors. More information will be available soon to our seventh grade families about this opportunity. Lastly, in eighth grade, we have our Washington, D.C./Philadelphia trip. Students will depart Colorado for a full week visiting some of the most significant landmarks in our country. This trip will help reinforce a variety of the Core Knowledge units from our students' K-8 experience at BFA. |
|
No School
Don't forget! Friday, Jan. 17, is a teacher work day, so there is no school for students. BFA is closed on Monday, Jan. 20, in observance of Martin Luther King Day.
|
Sign Up for Winter/Spring Choir
The Winter/Spring session of choir started 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.
|
The BENefit Bash Wants You!
The Silent Auction team's next meeting is at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 13, in the BFA Library.
Display Team
The BENefit Bash Display Team is looking for baskets, boxes, trunks, cellophane and basket filler.
If you received any ornate boxes or other interesting wrapping for Christmas, please donate it to the Silent Auction Display Team. We also are looking for unwanted 20 gallon tubs. 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!
|
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 January, we have chosen Don Lewis. Don is a grandparent of one of our students. He has done handy work around the school, such as fixing shelves, cubbies, hanging boards, moving and building furniture. He is frequently seen helping at lunch and is always available at a moment's notice.
When asked what he likes most about BFA, Don responded, "I really enjoy working with the staff and faculty at Ben Franklin because they are genuinely nice people. It is really fun to see all the kids in school and how excited they are to be there."
Thank you, Don, for all that you do! For more information about volunteering, please click here.
|
King Soopers, Safeway and Target Cards, Oh My!
By shopping at King Soopers, Safeway and/or Target, you can earn money for BFA.
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 and 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 KingSoopers and/or Safeway card(s), email Amy Sunahara, Target/King Soopers/Safeway Coordinator.
|
Street Smarts at Southglenn
When you sign up for the Street Smarts email, BFA receives 1,000 points!
Visit shoppingpartnership.com/southglenn, 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 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.
|
|
Online Directory Now Available
BFA's school directory is now available on the BFA website by clicking here. Your child's teacher will send you the password.
|
Father/Daughter Dance
The BFA Annual Father/Daughter Dance will be held from 5:30-9:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Crystal Rose (8351 Southpark Lane, Littleton, 80120). Tickets include drinks, snacks and a photo. Cost is $40 (one dad and one daughter); cost is $55 maximum (dad and multiple daughters). Tickets are now available through the online store. Click here for tickets. Please note: All tickets must be purchased in advance - NO tickets will be available at the door. Come join in the fun!
|
Middle School Updates
Dance The Middle School dance will be from 7-10 p.m., Friday, Jan. 31.
Bake Sale Watch for information regarding the upcoming bake sale!
|
Five Guys Burger & Fries Fundraiser
BFA's next Restaurant Fundraiser is from lunch through dinner, Thursday, Jan. 23, at Five Guys Burger & Fries in Highlands Ranch (University and Highlands Ranch Parkway). The fundraiser is for the eighth grade Washington, D.C., trip.
|
Pancake Breakfast
Save the date! BFA is pleased to announce its Ben Franklin Birthday Celebration Pancake Breakfast. All funds raised this year will help support the eighth grade students who are going on an exciting trip to Washington, D.C., in May.
The Pancake Breakfast is an open house format from 9-11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 25, in BFA's Gym. � la carte pricing is as follows:
- Breakfast: $10 per adult, $8 per child
- Family Pack (four or more): $35
Tickets are available through the online store. Click here for tickets.
|
MVHS Freshman Registration
For ninth grade families entering high school in the 2014-15 school year, please note that Mountain Vista High School's (MVHS) Eighth Grade Parent Night previously scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 15, has been canceled.
If you plan to enroll your non-Mountain Ridge Middle School (MRMS) student at MVHS for the 2014-15 school year, please email Susan Delgado, MVHS registrar ASAP. Please provide your name, address and contact information, as well as your student's name and the school s/he is currently attending. Enrollment packages will be mailed to you.
In addition, please note that MVHS will hold its Registration Night at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 29. At this time, MVHS will process your paperwork, and counselors will help you select classes. Parents and students should attend. Presentations will begin promptly at 6 p.m.
|
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. For cost information or to order, click here.
|
Discounted Avalanche Tickets
Discounted Avalanche tickets are available for the Douglas County School District. Games and ticket prices available are as follows:
Colorado Avalanche vs. NY Islanders 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 10, Pepsi Center Discounted Ticket Pricing:
- Upper level corner: $25 each (usually $41)
- Upper level center: $35 each (usually $59)
- Lower level/Club level end: $50 each (usually $95+)
- Lower level/Club level corner: $55 each (usually $103)
- Lower level center: $70 each (usually $123)
Colorado Avalanche vs. New Jersey Devils 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 16, Pepsi Center Discounted Ticket Pricing:
- Upper level corner: $32 each (usually $41)
- Upper level center: $45 each (usually $59)
- Lower level/Club level end: $75 each (usually $95+)
- Lower level/Club level corner: $75 each (usually $103)
- Lower level center: $100 each (usually $123)
To order tickets for either or both games, please click here. For questions or tickets to other games, contact Kristy Howell.
|
|
|
Important Dates / Calendar of Events
- Box Top Collection: Wednesday, Jan. 15
- Spelling Bee (grades 4-8): 1:30-3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 15, Gym
- Go Fish! (First Grade Musical): 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 15, Gym
- Dress of Choice Day: Thursday, Jan. 16
- Ben Franklin's Birthday Celebration: Thursday, Jan. 16
- Teacher Work Day (No School for Students): Friday, Jan. 17
- MLK Holiday (School Closed): Monday, Jan. 20
- DCSD Discounted Avalanche Games: 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 10, Pepsi Center, Avalanche vs. Islanders and/or 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 16, Pepsi Center, Avalache vs. Devils
- Middle School Science Fair: Jan. 21-24
- BFF Social: Wednesday, Jan. 22
- Ben Franklin Birthday Celebration Pancake Breakfast: 9-11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 25, Gym
- Denver Nuggets Community Night: Doors open at 6 p.m. (game starts at 7 p.m.), Saturday, Jan. 25, Pepsi Center, Nuggets vs. Pacers
- Five Guys Burger & Fries Restaurant Fundraiser: Lunch through dinner, Thursday, Jan. 23, Highlands Ranch location
- Mountain Vista High School Registration Night: 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 29, MVHS
- Silent Auction Student Art Contest Artwork Due: Friday, Jan. 31
- Middle School Winter Dance: 7-10 p.m., Friday, Jan. 31
- Father/Daughter Dance: Saturday, Feb. 1, Crystal Rose (8351 Southpark Lane, Littleton)
Upcoming Meetings
- Silent Auction Team: 6:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 13, Library
- Ben's Brigade: 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 13, Landsdowne Arms (Highlands Ranch Town Center)
- Board of Directors: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 14, Library
- Find the latest BFA Board of Directors minutes by clicking here.
- Grant Committee: 9 p.m., Monday, Jan. 20, Teleconference
- Marketing and Community Outreach (MCO) Committee: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4, Library
- Science, Technology Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Committee: Wednesday, Feb. 5, Sanders Science Lab (room 145)
- School Accountability Committee (SAC): 4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6, Conference Room
- Finance Committee: 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 10, Library
- Green Team Committee: 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 12
- Parent Teacher Organization (PTO): 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 13, Library
Middle School Athletics
- Girls' Basketball:
- 4 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21, at BFA
- 4 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 23, at North Star Academy
Ben Franklin Academy Calendars
|
|
Sincerely,
Bob Barber Principal Ben Franklin Academy |
|
Contact Us!
|
|
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.
|
|
|