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Ben Franklin Academy NewsletterVol. 4, Iss. 4
January 2014
In This Issue
:: Broncos/BFA Spirit Day | STEM Coalition at BFA | Student Art Contest | Middle School Dance | PTO Gives Back
:: Yearbooks on Sale | Ben's Brigade | Free Dental Care | BENefit Bash Wants Unique Experiences/Items
:: Free Movie Day | Restaurant Nights | MCO Chair Nominations | MCO Knows | Calendar
Parent Teacher Conferences
Dear Parents,

Parent-Teacher Conferences

 

February is right around the corner, and with it comes our second session of Parent-Teacher conferences. These 15-minute meetings give you a chance to meet with your child's teacher and discuss the progress that has been made so far this year. Conferences this year will be from 4-8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 11, and Thursday, Feb. 13.

 

Your child's teacher will provide you with assessment data from the most recent assessments. They will share work samples and information about classroom behavior and attitude. It also is a time for you ask questions or share information about your student that the teacher may need to know (outside activities, family changes, illnesses, etc.). And it is a great time to share, from your perspective, how the year has gone so far.

 

These conferences are limited to 15 minutes and, for most grade levels, will be with homeroom teachers. If you need more time or would like to meet with a different teacher (specialists or ability group teachers), however, please contact that teacher and s/he will be happy to set up an alternative time. Specials teachers will be available on conference nights for drop-in conferences. Middle school conferences are structured a little differently, and middle school parents will receive a separate communication about those conference procedures.

 

Since there is a short time frame to meet, please come to your conference prepared. For first through eighth grades, please check Gradelink to look at your student's grades. It is often helpful to go over the grades with your student before conferences so there are no surprises. Also, if you have any questions, writing them down will help guide your meeting.  

Broncos
Broncos/BFA Spirit Day

Spirit Day is tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 31!

Because the Broncos are Super Bowl bound, students are allowed to wear a Denver Broncos top (e.g., Broncos shirts, hoodies, jerseys or orange and blue tops) with their uniform bottoms of choice. Students are also allowed to wear a BFA spirit wear T-shirt (includes former Field Day T-shirts) along with uniform bottoms. If your child chooses not to wear Broncos or BFA spirit wear, s/he must be in full uniform.    
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 tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 31.
Middle School Dance Middle School Dance  

BFA's first Middle School dance - Neon Bash - is from 7-10 p.m.,
tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 31. Cost is $5 per person (middle school students only). Prizes will be awarded for the best neon costumes, and additional trinkets will be available for purchase at the dance.  
Yearbook Yearbooks on Sale!
Cost Increases Feb. 2

Yearbook Sales
U
ntil this Saturday, Feb. 1, BFA yearbooks are available for purchase at $20 each. If you are ordering three or more yearbooks, the price is $18 each.

The yearbook price INCREASES to $25 each beginning Sunday, Feb. 2, until Tuesday, April 1. If ordering three or more yearbooks, the price is $23 each.

April 1 is the absolute last day to purchase a yearbook - NO EXCEPTIONS.

Yearbook Dedications
You also may purchase yearbook dedications until Saturday, March 1

Dedications Info:
  • Kindergarten through Seventh Grade: $10 each, 150 character limit, no pictures
  • Eighth Grade: $15 each, 150 character limit, picture can be included
To purchase yearbooks and dedications, click here. Email dedications and pictures (if applicable) here. Please indicate your child(ren)'s grade level when submitting the dedication/picture.
Wanted: Unique BENefit Bash Experiences/Items and Advertisers     
BENefit Bash 2014    
Are you looking for ways to help with the BENefit Bash but aren't sure how?

The Silent Auction team is looking for unique experiences and items to be auctioned off at the BENefit Bash. Please contact Tiffani Titus if you:
  • Know a pro athlete, civic leader and/or politician who would be willing to provide a meet-and-greet and/or lunch; donate one hour of instruction and/or behind-the scenes look at his/her profession; provide a private tour to sport venues, breweries or other interesting locales; or any other unique experience.
  • Personally are interested in hosting an experience (e.g. golf day for dads, BFA family barbecue, etc.).
In addition, the Silent Auction team is looking for advertisers for the BENefit Bash catalog. Advertising in the catalog is a great way to market to our parent community and show your support to BFA. For more information, contact Tiffani Titus
   
The next Silent Auction Committee meeting is at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 17
MCO Chair Nominations
Now Being Accepted  Help Wanted

Do you believe passionately in community connection at BFA? Are you dedicated and organized? Then the Marketing and Community Outreach (MCO) Committee needs YOU!

 

If you, or someone you know, is interested in becoming Chair of BFA's MCO Committee, please click here to fill out the nomination form. Feel free to nominate yourself or someone else. For more information, click here to view the MCO Chair job description. The nomination window closes at midnight, Saturday, March 1.  

 

The MCO Chair position is fulfilled through unanimous vote by the BFA Board of Directors. The current MCO Chair's term is served throughout the remainder of this school year; the new MCO Chair begins his/her term on July 1, 2014. The Chair position is a three-year term and is a great way to get involved in a committee that focuses on community building. To learn more about what the MCO does, click here.

STEM Coalition at BFA STEM
  
On Thursday, Feb. 6, the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce STEM Education Coalition will visit BFA. The event helps to better connect those in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) industry and at-large community with schools that have STEM as a primary focus in their curriculum - specifically, it is for chamber members to see first-hand how STEM principles are being applied at primary education levels.

Attendees of the event will meet and hear presentations from Bob Barber, BFA principal; Toby Foss, BFA STEM Committee; and a representative from the BFA Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). In addition, Jason Cochrane, Academic Director, will take members on a tour of BFA highlighting how the school integrates science, technology, engineering and math in every day classes (e.g., via Saxon Math, Probware technology, use of iPads and computers at BFA, mobile robotics and an eyeball dissection in the science lab).

We look forward to having these special guests at school next week! 
PTO Gives Back PTO Logo
Library Books

One of the goals of BFA's Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is to provide funding for extra projects at school that enhance the learning experience of
students.
 
The PTO has been able to purchase hundreds of books to add to the library. These books range to cover every grade level and Accelerated Reading (AR) level. The PTO recently contributed $7,000 for new books.

We are sure your children will come home excited about all of the new choices that have recently been added to the library. Your generous donations to the BENefit Bash
and ongoing programs have made this possible. Thank you for your support!
Ben's Brigade Uncle Sam
  

The next planning meeting for Ben's Brigade is at 8 p.m., Monday, Feb. 3, at Lansdowne Arms in Highlands Ranch. Hope you can join us!

Free Dental Care 
On Give Kids a Smile Day
  
Give Kids a Smile Day is a national program that provides kids with free dental treatment and education. This is an event to help children without access to dental care.

Children without dental insurance from families who cannot afford dental care are invited to attend Give Kids a Smile Day, Friday, Feb. 7, at the University of Colorado (CU) School of Dental Medicine (13065 E. 17th Ave., Aurora, 80045). For additional information, click here.
Free Movie Day 
movie-ticket.jpg
      

To show our appreciation for the parent community, BFA's Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is hosting a FREE movie at 10 a.m., Valentine's Day, Friday, Feb. 14, at the Elvis Theatre in Littleton (6014 S. Kipling Pkwy., 80127).

 

The family movie (either G or PG) will be announced on Wednesday, Feb. 12. To RSVP for tickets, click here and include the number of attendees.  

 

Please note: The movie is for BFA families only. Tickets are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.  

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Lil' Ricci's Restaurant Nights
  
BFA's next Restaurant Nights are from Thursday, Feb. 20, through Saturday, Feb. 22. Lil' Ricci's will donate a percentage of all receipts back to BFA, so mark your calendars!
MCO Knows Question mark
  

Q: What type of shoes are appropriate for my child to wear to school?

 

A: Loafers, dress shoes, deck shoes, dress boots and athletic shoes. Shoes should not have the following: neon colors (although small neon accents are allowed), lights, rollers, cleats, wheels or decorations. Detailed information on Uniform Standards is available via the BFA website.

 

Each week, the Marketing and Community Outreach (MCO) Committee will have a Q&A in this newsletter regarding policies or procedures at BFA. If you have questions you need answered related to BFA policies or procedures, please email the MCO. Your question will be answered via email and possibly used in a future Q&A.
Important Dates / Calendar of EventsCalendar Clip Art
  • (Broncos) Spirit Day: Friday, Jan. 31
  • 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)    
  • Yearbook Sale Prices INCREASE: Sunday, Feb. 2  
  • Formal Uniform Day: Wednesday, Feb. 5
  • Gleefulous Food (Second Grade Musical): 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 5, Gym    
  • South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce STEM Education Coalition at BFA: Thursday, Feb. 6  
  • Give Kids a Smile Day: Friday, Feb. 7, CU School of Dental Medicine (13065 E. 17th Ave., Aurora, 80045)  
  • Parent/Teacher Conferences: 4-8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 11, and Thursday, Feb. 13
  • Scholastic Book Fair: Feb. 11-13
  • Valentine's Day Parties: Thursday, Feb. 13
  • Teacher Work Day (No School for Students): Friday, Feb. 14
  • Free Movie Day: 10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 14, Elvis Theater (6014 S. Kipling Pkwy., Littleton)
  • Presidents' Day Holiday (No School): Monday, Feb. 17
  • Jump Rope for Heart: Wednesday, Feb. 19, and Thursday, Feb. 20  
  • Lil' Ricci's Restaurant Nights: Thursday, Feb. 20, through Saturday, Feb. 22 
  • Deadline for MCO Committee Chair Nominations: Midnight, Saturday, March 1      
Upcoming Meetings        
  • Ben's Brigade: 8 p.m., Monday, Feb. 3, Landsdowne Arms
  • Grant Committee: 9 p.m., Monday, Feb. 3, Teleconference
  • Marketing and Community Outreach (MCO) Committee: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4, Library
  • Science, 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
  • Parent Teacher Organization (PTO): 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6, Library 
  • Finance Committee: 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 10, Library  
  • Board of Directors: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 11, Library
    • Find the latest BFA Board of Directors minutes by clicking here.    
  • Green Team Committee: 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 12  

Middle School Athletics     

  • Girls' Basketball:  
    • 4 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4, at BFA vs. Platte River Academy
    • 4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6, at Legacy   
    • 4 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 12, 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.