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Ben Franklin Academy NewsletterVol. 4, Iss. 9
March 2014
In This Issue
:: Additional Formal Uniform Day | Board of Directors Elections | Specials Teacher Feature | Staff Appreciation
:: Jump Rope For Heart | Dodgeball for Dollars | Committee Nominations | Service Day Update | BENefit Bash
:: John Adams HS Info Meeting | BFF Evening Social | Bash Bronze Sponsor | Yearbooks | PTO Gives Back
:: Where's Ben? | MCO Knows | BFA Summer Camp | Red Cross Babysitter Course | Calendar
Report Card
Dear Parents,

BFA is going green - with report cards! For first through eighth grades, report cards will now be posted in Gradelink instead of paper report cards being sent home with students. All report cards (for grades 1-8) are currently available in Gradelink.

 

The benefits of online report cards are many, including:   

  • They're GREEN! BFA saves paper, ink (and money!).
  • They don't get lost or crumpled in backpacks.
  • A digital report card is easier for parents to save.
  • You can download and print as many copies as you want at home.
  • Report cards are viewable until the end of the next trimester.

To view your child(ren)'s report card, login to your student's Gradelink account and find a PDF near the top of the screen on the "Grades" tab, which is labeled "Download Report Card" (see image below).

Gradelink  

To print the report card, change these two print settings:  
  • Check "2-Sided Printing"
  • Under "Layout," select "Short-Edge Binding"
Additional Formal Uniform Day in March

Class picture day (usually scheduled on a formal uniform day) had to be rescheduled this year, so the additional formal uniform day is Tuesday, March 18. Mark your calendars!

Specials Teacher Feature  
 
Your kids come home talking about our amazing specials teachers, and now is your chance to learn more about each of them! Every other week, a new teacher will be featured on the BFA website. Check out BFA's music teacher - Jaime Johnson - this week by clicking here and selecting Class Info and then Contact Me/About Me. 
Student AppreciationStaff Appreciation Week

Staff Appreciation Week is
March 10-14. The Parent Teacher
Organization (PTO) uses this week to recognize our office staff, teacher aides and special education staff for all of their hard work to support our children's education. The Baking Committee will provide daily treats and classrooms will collect donations to purchase small gifts for our staff. Donations will be collected next week, Monday, March 10, through Thursday, March 13.
Jump Rope for Heart Success  
Jump Rope For Heart   
Thank you to all of the students, teachers and parent volunteers who contributed to the success of our 2014 Jump Rope for Heart event lead by Mrs. Bauer. BFA raised $11,451 for the American Heart Association this year! Stop by the BFA duck pond near the entrance of the gym to see all of our wonderful contributors.
Dodgeball for Dollars Dodgeball
 

Dodgeball For Dollars was a huge success! The middle school raised $700 for the American Heart Association. Seven teams participated in the event, and it was a ton of fun. Congratulations to the winning team of Bryce Mater, Ryan Barber, Dennon Harkey, Garrett Declue, Henry Dunkleberger, Austin Salazar, Nic Capucci, Luke Schnurr, Chase Sieradski and Jack Suson!

Service Day
Art at work: BFA students decorate  bags for Earth Day.
BFA Families Serve on Service Day

Thank you to our amazing BFA families for your huge support at our first annual BFA Service Day!

Even as the snow was falling outside, more than 40 families served BFA and its surrounding
Mr. Fix-Its: Ben's Brigade worked on projects at BFA that needed some TLC.
community. BFA was able to donate more than 300 sandwiches to the Denver Rescue Mission and decorate more than 100 bags for local grocery stores to hand out on Earth Day. An especially large thank you goes to Ben's Brigade for their dedication and hard work in insulating the storage room, tightening the playground equipment (in the snow!) and freshening up many of the walls within the school. 
John Adams HS Parent Meeting
 
The next parent information meeting for the proposed John Adams High School is at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 12, in the Platte River Academy library (4085 Lark Sparrow St., Highlands Ranch, 80126). For more information, click here.  
Old Blinking Light BFF Evening Social
 
Please join us for an evening of food, fun and conversation with other BFA parents from 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, at Old Blinking Light in the Highlands Ranch Town Center (9344 Dorchester St., Highlands Ranch, 80129). Light appetizers will be provided, and additional food and beverage will be available for purchase.

The BFF Social is intended for parents to meet one another, ask policy questions, and voice feedback about their experiences at Ben Franklin Academy.  

Click here to RSVP by Friday, March 14, so we can reserve a table and order food accordingly. For more information or questions, contact the MCO. Hope to see you there!
Yearbook
Got Yearbook?

Have you bought your yearbook yet? BFA yearbooks are available for purchase at $25 each until Tuesday, April 1. If ordering three or more yearbooks, the price is $23 each. To purchase yearbooks, click here.

April 1 is the absolute last day to purchase a yearbook - NO EXCEPTIONS. 
Where's Ben?
The winner has been chosen - is it you? The winner will be announced in next week's newsletter.
BFA Summer Camp BFA Summer Camp
 

It's time to start thinking summer! BFA is happy to announce we are offering our summer day camp again. As of now, we are formalizing the schedule, and we will announce that registration is open soon.

 

There will be weekly themes that include field trips, activities and learning experiences, so let us become your source for summer childcare. We are excited to get moving on the registration process; we will post information soon on the BFA website and in this newsletter. Although there will be more information in our forthcoming announcement, if you have questions or need to contact the BFA Summer Camp, please contact us via email

Thank You, Thank You, Volunteers! 
thankyou_paper_hdr.jpg Parent volunteers: It is that time of year again! The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) has started handing out thank you gifts for hours completed. Over the next three to four weeks, your child will bring home a gift for hours completed through Feb. 10. We will do this a few more times throughout the remainder of the year.   
  • 15 hours: BFA reusable bag
  • 30 hours: BFA car magnet

  • 50 hours: BFA bucks that can be redeemed for spirit wear at a PTO table 

  • 100 hours: BFA tumbler 

Board of Directors Elections  Vote Button
 

The BFA Board of Directors (Board) nominations window is closed, and there are 10 candidates to consider. There are six candidates running for the three three-year term seats (this includes three current Board directors members who are seeking re-election/appointment), and four for the single one-year term seat. You can view their nomination forms here.  

 

The Board election takes place at the end of March, and the following are upcoming and important dates in regard to the election:

  • 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 11, Library, Board Candidate Forum/Q&A: Before the monthly Board meeting, each candidate will have two minutes to explain why s/he is a good choice for the BFA Board. After every candidate is finished, there will be a question-and-answer period. The  Board encourages you to attend so you can see and hear from each candidate to make an informed decision.
  • March 31 - April 7, Board Elections: By March 31, the parent voting group will receive an email from Staci Ferguson, Board Secretary, providing the procedures on how to vote. Parents will have until noon, Monday, April 7, to cast their vote. 
  • 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 8, Library, Election Results Announced: The Board election results will be announced at the monthly Board meeting, which will include the two elected seats, and the Board will fill the two Board-appointed seats.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Staci.  

BFA Committees Looking for Interested Candidates voting_people.jpg
 

PTO Nominations

Are you or someone you know interested in holding a position with the BFA Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)? Information about the BFA PTO nomination/election process and job descriptions can be found by clicking here. To nominate yourself or someone you know for a PTO position for the 2014-15 school year, please click here.

 

Nominations must be submitted by Monday, March 24. After the nomination process, elections will be completed online from Monday, April 14, to Friday, May 2, for all open officer and committee chair positions. The offices of vice president, secretary and social coordinator are up for vote by the school community. Each of the preceding positions are two-year terms and run from 2014-16 (school years). All committee chair positions are up for election, and all coordinator positions are up for appointment.  

   

MCO Positions 

The Marketing and Community Outreach Committee (MCO) is looking for parents who want to be play a part in the school's marketing, community outreach and community service events for the upcoming 2014-15 school year. If your passion is in these areas, please consider joining the MCO team. The committee offers positions for parents working both inside and outside of the home. This year's open positions include policy officer, marketing officer and parent representatives. If you are interested or for more information, contact the MCO
BENefit Bash Updates    
BENefit Bash 2014    
Tickets Now On Sale  
The BENefit Bash (BFA's premier fundraising and social event) is at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, April 26, at the Inverness Hotel and Conference Center (200 Inverness Drive, Engelewood).

Tickets to the BENefit Bash silent auction are $45 each and currently on sale! The first 25 individuals or couples who purchase tickets (non-staff, as they get free tickets) will be entered in a drawing for a prize. If a teacher purchases a ticket for his/her spouse/guest, s/he will be entered in the drawing. To purchase tickets, click here.

Wine Wall
Donations (valued $10 or more) need to be brought to the front office and labeled for the auction with donor name and value.
 
Art Contest
A big thank you for all of the art submissions for the BENefit Bash catalog. They are currently being voted on, and the cover page winner will be announced shortly. ALL art submitted for the contest will be printed in the catalog.

Display Team Needs You

The Display Team needs volunteers to help with constructing and organizing baskets/items, as well as setting up the day of the BENefit Bash. If you are creative, organized and want to spend some fun time in April, join the Display Team by contacting Kimberly Kent.  

 

The Display Team still needs decorative baskets, boxes, cellophane paper, basket filler and ribbon. Please look around your home or use Michaels/ JoAnn's coupons and donate. These items may be dropped off in the front office.  

 

Upcoming BENefit Bash Meeting 

The next BENefit Bash meeting is at 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 10, in the library.

Bronze Level Sponsor
Moody Insurance 

The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) sends a big thank you to Moody Insurance for being our Bronze sponsor for the BENefit Bash. Sponsorships help cover the cost of the event so more money can go back to BFA. Thank you!

For more information on how your business can sponsor the BENefit Bash, click here.
 
PTO Gives Back PTO Logo
 
Have you noticed any additions to the building over the summer? The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) covered the cost of the tech room addition in the library and the storage shed for the lunch tables. We were able to do this with the funds raised at the BENefit Bash.  
 
Buy your tickets today by clicking here.
MCO KnowsQuestion mark
  

Q: I am a working parent and would love to volunteer for the school. How can I get involved?

 
A: BFA has a dedicated group of passionate volunteers. The following committees are run by volunteers and are a great way to get involved:
  • Finance Committee
  • Grant Writing Committee
  • Marketing and Community Outreach Committee (MCO)
  • Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
  • School Accountability Committee (SAC) 
  • Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Committee (STEM)
For information on each committee to determine which is right for you, click here. For a calendar of when these committees meet, scroll to the bottom of this newsletter or click here.    
 
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.  
American Red Cross Babysitter Course
  

The American Red Cross Babysitter's Training Course is fun and fast-paced with hands-on activities, exciting video, role-plays and lively discussions. Youth ages 11 to 15 learn child care, first aid, leadership and communication skills.

 

The class participant fee of $60 includes a Babysitter's Training Handbook, Emergency Reference Guide and CD-ROM for babysitters to use in the class and on the job.

 

The following one-day course is from 9:30 a.m. -
4 p.m., Monday, March 24, at the Roxborough Library  in the Lockheed Martin Meeting Room
(8357 N. Rampart Range Rd., Suite 200, Littleton, 80125).  

 

For more information and to register for the class, contact Peggy Brown, RN, at (303) 471-9846 or via email. Peggy also is available to teach a private course with five or more students (e.g., church group, Girl/Boy Scouts, etc.).

Important Dates / Calendar of EventsCalendar Clip Art
  • TCAP Writing and Math (Third Grade): Now through Friday, March 14   
  • TCAP Reading, Writing and Math (Fourth through Eighth Grades): Now through Friday, March 14  
  • Mother/Son Event: 5:30-9:30 p.m., Saturday, March 8, Gym
  • Staff Appreciation: March 10-14
  • Board of Directors Candidate Forum/Q&A: 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 11, Library 
  • Proposed John Adams High School Parent Information Meeting:
    6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 12, Platte River Academy library (4085 Lark Sparrow St., Highlands Ranch, 80126)
  • Spirit Wear Day: Friday, March 14
  • BFF Evening Social RSVP Deadline: Friday, March 14
  • Formal Uniform Day/Class Picture Day: Tuesday, March 18  
  • TCAP Make-Up Tests: March 17-21  
  • Seventh Grade Class Trip Parent Meeting: 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, Middle School Commons
  • BFF Evening Social: 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, at Old Blinking Light in the Highlands Ranch Town Center (9344 Dorchester St., Highlands Ranch, 80129)
  • Box Tops Collection: Wednesday, March 19
  • Dress of Choice Day: Friday, March 21 
  • PTO Nominations Due: Monday, March 24
  • Spring Break: March 24-28  
  • Board of Directors Elections: March 31 - April 7 
  • Yearbook Sales Deadline: Tuesday, April 1
  • Board of Directors Election Results: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 8, Library    
  • PTO Elections: April 14 - May 2  
  • BENefit Bash Silent Auction: 5:30 p.m., Saturday, April 26, Inverness Hotel and Conference Center (200 Inverness Drive, Englewood)  
Upcoming Meetings        
  • Finance Committee: 5 p.m., Monday, March 10, Library
  • BENefit Bash: 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 10, Library
  • Board of Directors: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 11, Library
    • Find the latest BFA Board of Directors minutes by clicking here.  
  • Green Team Committee: 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, March 12  
  • Parent Teacher Organization (PTO): 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 13, Library  
  • Grant Committee: 9 p.m., Monday, March 17, Teleconference 
  • Marketing and Community Outreach (MCO) Committee: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 1, Library
  • Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Committee: Wednesday, April 2, Sanders Science Lab (room 145)

  • School Accountability Committee (SAC): 4 p.m., Thursday, April 3, Conference Room 

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.