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Ben Franklin Academy NewsletterVol. 4, Iss. 10
March 2014
In This Issue
:: Spirit Day | MS Science Fair Results | Class Pictures/Formal Uniform Day | DI Tourney | BFF Evening Social
:: NJHS at DU | Committee Nominations | BENefit Bash | Board Elections | Bash Gold Sponsor
:: Who is the MCO? | Bought Your Yearbook? | Student Appreciation | Mother/Son Update
:: Where's Ben? Contest Winner | MCO Knows | Important Dates
Dear Parents,

I wanted to highlight this month's virtue: Tranquility. At BFA, tranquility is defined as, "Keep yourself from reacting poorly to others. People are not perfect, and the world is not fair. Learn to deal with both despite imperfections. Be patient."

The following message is from Paige Brock, BFA Board President:  

BFA's motto, "Stay Curious," is intended to encourage learning throughout the school community. Thus, at BFA, it is not only students that go to class. BFA's teachers and staff participate in regular on-site training, as well as off-site conferences throughout the year. BFA's administrators and Board of Directors also are committed to continuous learning. Recently, five of BFA's directors were joined by Principal Bob Barber, Academic Directors Diana Simpson and Jason Cochrane and Business Manager Brenda Sepan at the Colorado Charter Schools Conference. This group was proud to represent BFA at workshops and sessions related to board governance and practices, financing, human resources, marketing, technology, assessments, educational tools, differentiation and much more. These are just a few examples of BFA's commitment to learning as a lifelong experience.
Megaphone
Spirit Day  
 
Spirit Day is tomorrow, Friday, March 14. Students are allowed to wear a spirit wear T-shirt (includes former Field Day T-shirts) along with their uniform bottoms of choice. If your child chooses not to wear a spirit wear T-shirt, s/he must be in full uniform. 
Additional Formal Uniform Day/
Class Pictures 
 
Class picture day (usually scheduled on a formal uniform day) had to be rescheduled this year, so the additional formal uniform day is next Tuesday, March 18. Order forms will come home today in Thursday folders. 
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 tomorrow, 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!
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.  

 
SAC Nominations

Are you looking for a way to become more involved with BFA? Do you like to review and interpret data to propose solutions to improve our school?  If so, the School Accountability Committee (SAC) is for you!   

 

BFA's SAC has two open voting positions that will be elected by the BFA parent community May 1-5. Each position has a two-year term. We are accepting nominations for the ballot now through Tuesday, April 15. Please email the SAC to nominate yourself or someone you know.

 

SAC is an advisory committee that evaluates and provides advice to BFA's principal and Board of Directors to ensure that BFA is providing its students with a challenging, appropriate curriculum that emphasizes math, science and literacy, as well as promotes the arts, sports, nature and character.   

 

SAC is a state-mandated committee that is responsible for providing input for the Unified Improvement Plan (UIP) and recommending spending priorities to the principal. In addition, the SAC is responsible for the parent and student satisfaction surveys and providing annual reviews of BFA policies.

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 elections.

  • 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.    

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. 
Student Appreciation
Student Appreciation
 

The final student appreciation redemption of Ben Bucks will be Friday, April 11, in the main hallway.

mothersonBBQ Mother/Son Update 
   

The mother/son hoedown was a huge success - our best turnout yet! We have some bull riding talent in this school. Special thanks to Alexandra Amiscaray and Mikael Lindvall for volunteering
all night
!

MCO Knows
Question mark
  
Q: Can my daughter wear leggings under her uniform?   
A: Yes, leggings are acceptable when they are worn as tights, full length to the ankle. They are approved in the following colors: red, navy blue and white.  Leggings should not have any patterns or designs. If you would like more information on uniform standards pertaining to girls only, 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.  
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. For questions or to contact the BFA Summer Camp, please contact us via email

Middle School Science Fair Results Science Fair
 
Last week, an elite group of BFA middle school students participated in the Denver Metro Regional Science and Engineering Fair.

Two students took third place in their respective categories:
  • Samuel Pierson - Junior Physics and Astronomy
  • Beau Yaccino - Junior Energy and Transportation
Samuel also won a special award from the U.S. Army.

Congratulations! 
Destination ImagiNation
DI Tourney Saturday
 
The Destination ImagiNation (DI) South Metro tournament is this Saturday, March 15, at ThunderRidge High School in Highlands Ranch. BFA has 10 teams competing throughout the day. The teams would enjoy your support, and anyone is welcome - plus, it's free! The schedule is available by clicking here. BFA has teams in Challenges A, B, D, E and Rising Stars. 
BFA NJHS at DU 
 

BFA's National Junior High School (NJHS) students continued their volunteer efforts by helping with recycling at a University of Denver (DU) hockey game last Saturday. DU's goal is to divert 75 percent of waste from this season's hockey games away from landfills to compost and recycling. BFA students were briefed on what items could be recycled and collected for compost then directed hockey fans to deposit their trash in the correct bins.

NJHS2
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! Lynette, a grandmother of a BFA preschooler is our first drawing winner. We will have more drawings as individuals purchase tickets (non-staff, as they get free tickets). 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. Look for the winner in the auction catalog that will be distributed in April.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.  

Gold Level Sponsor
Sound Relief Hearing Center

The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) sends a big thank you to Sound Relief Hearing Center for being our Gold 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.  
Who is the MCO?     
texture-graphic-community.jpg

 

Have you every wondered who puts together BFA's community service day? Muffins with Mom and Donuts with Dad? The Veterans Day Celebration? It's the MCO!

 

On behalf of the BFA community, the Marketing and Community Outreach (MCO) Committee works hard to integrate Benjamin Franklin's 13 virtues in each of its programs, such as the following: 

  • Halloween candy delivery to Operation Shoebox.
  • Collection of Veterans Day donations in the amount of $867.23 for Honor Flight, thus sending a local veteran to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
  • Holiday outreach donations of more than 1,600 arts and crafts supplies to Children's Hospital. This project also landed BFA's name in the Highlands Ranch Herald.
  • Community Service Day generated more than 300 sandwiches for the Denver Rescue Mission.
  • Ben's Brigade offers the dads or male role models of the community an opportunity to volunteer at BFA, as well as aid in the upkeep of maintenance projects.
  • BFF socials, where parents can get to know each other and ask policy questions.
  • MCO Knowsreviews school policies.
  • The Where is Ben? contest, Stay Curious video and Boohoo-Yahoo are also created and run by the MCO.

The MCO programs truly demonstrate BFA's 13 virtues in a tangible way. If you are interested in contributing to the MCO and its projects, email us here or fill out the MCO web form here.

Where's Ben?

Congratulations to the Dana Family for winning the Where's Ben? Stay Curious contest with their picture next to Ben Franklin!

More information to come on how we want to see you Staying Curious during Spring Break in the next newsletter! 
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 

Important Dates / Calendar of EventsCalendar Clip Art
  • TCAP Writing and Math (Third Grade): Through Friday, March 14   
  • TCAP Reading, Writing and Math (Fourth through Eighth Grades): Through Friday, March 14  
  • Staff Appreciation: Through Friday, March 14
  • Spirit Wear Day: Friday, March 14
  • BFF Evening Social RSVP Deadline: Friday, March 14
  • Destination ImagiNation South Metro Tournament: Saturday, March 15 
  • 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
  • Baby Beluga Musical (Kindergarten Musical - Full Day Kindies Only): 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 19, Gym   
  • 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    
  • Student Appreciation (Redemption of Ben Bucks): Friday, April 11, Main Hallway 
  • PTO Elections: April 14 - May 2SAC Nominations: Due Tuesday, April 15 
  • BENefit Bash Silent Auction: 5:30 p.m., Saturday, April 26, Inverness Hotel and Conference Center (200 Inverness Drive, Englewood)  
  • SAC Elections: May 1-5   
Upcoming Meetings        
  • 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 
  • Finance Committee: 5 p.m., Monday, April 7, Library
  • Board of Directors: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 8, Library
    • Find the latest BFA Board of Directors minutes by clicking here.  
  • Green Team Committee: 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, April 9   
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.