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Ben Franklin Academy NewsletterVol. 4, Iss. 24
September 2014
In This Issue
:: No School | STEM Expo Needs Volunteers | Bus Pick-Up and Drop-Off | Open Enrollment | Picture Re-Takes
:: Board of Directors Open Seat | Doughnuts with Dads | Restaurant Night | Boys' Basketball | Fall Book Fair
:: Fall Break BASE Camp | Flu Vaccine Clinic | Lunch Update | Where's Ben? Contest Winner | Fire Safety | Calendar
Car Pool
Dear Parents,

 

Change! What emotion is evoked when you hear the word change? Fear, excitement, wonder, anger and happy are all words that people may think of when "change" is mentioned. For me, the word is improvement. Any time BFA considers a change, we always do it with the intent to improve or make something better. That is exactly what we are going to do next week during morning car pool - we are going to make a change. Be advised that this change is being implemented in hopes of improving the morning drop-off efficiency. We are going to implement this new drop-off procedure for a week and then evaluate the results. If we see a positive change, we will continue with the new procedures; if we do not, we will go back to the original morning drop-off procedures. As you know, we have made changes to the afternoon car pool procedures in the past few years, and all of those changes have had an improvement on the overall process.  

In an effort to improve the morning car pool efficiency, we are making a slight modification to the drop-off procedures starting Monday, Sept. 29. We have noticed a bottleneck in drop-off after 8:05 a.m. Car pool will begin at 7:45 a.m. as usual. To help reduce the morning bottleneck, we will start the modification around 8 a.m. by turning A Zone into a two-lane drop-off.

 

Thank you for your patience as we transition to this new process to assist getting all BFA students in the building in a timely manner. We anticipate this modification will reduce the time it takes to complete morning car pool. Student safety is paramount with everything we do. When we begin using two lanes for drop-off, you must put your car in park and follow the directions of the car pool monitors.   

I also need to address car pool safety. Ben Franklin Academy is committed to managing traffic and parking in a safe and effective manner for the benefit of its students and the community. As a matter of school policy, no electronic devices of any kind - including cell phones, Bluetooth or other hands-free devices - may be used by drivers in the areas designated in BFA's Traffic and Parking Management Plan and Procedures. Further, to ensure the safety of all, a vehicle may not exceed 10 miles per hour on school property at any time for any reason. It only takes a split second to be distracted and for an accident to occur. Please be respectful when asked to hang up or put down an electronic device. We are trying to keep all students safe, including yours. 100 percent is the only acceptable number when it comes to accident-free incidents with our students.

 

As always, we welcome you to come out and volunteer for car pool. The more, the better!

schoolkids_green.jpg No School for Students Tomorrow      

 

Don't forget: There is no school for students tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 26, as it is a teacher work day. Have a great long weekend!

School Bus Bus Pick-Up and Drop-Off     

 

We have received reports of students throwing rocks at the bus stops as a form of play. This is a gentle reminder to stay with your child(ren) when possible until your child(ren) has loaded the bus. Having an adult present will reduce the likelihood of play that would result in injury to themselves, others or property.  

Camera Picture Re-Takes      

 

Picture re-takes for students and parent volunteers are as follows:

  • K-8 and Parent Volunteers: 10:45 a.m. - 1 p.m., Monday, Sept. 29, in the library. Dress for students is uniform of choice.
  • Preschool: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2, in the BFA preschool.

Order forms will be available at school; you also can access them through this flyer or online. (Select "Click Here to Get Started," "Order 2014-15 Fall Prints" and enter the password "BFA14FALL.")   

Board of Directors
Open Seat 


As announced on Aug. 29, your BFA Board of Directors (Board) has an open seat.  Our goal is to appoint an individual to the seat at the regularly scheduled Tuesday, Nov. 11Board meeting.  

 

Matt Matherly previously served as the Seat 3, Class B Director and his term would have ended in May of 2016. Consistent with our Bylaws, the BFA Board will appoint a new individual to this seat for the remainder of the term, which ends in May 2016.     

 

The nomination form is available on the BFA website. To nominate someone (including yourself) for consideration by the Board for this seat, please click here

 

Nominations will be accepted through noon on Friday, Oct. 3. Only nominations submitted online will be considered. BFA will post the names of the nominees who have accepted the nomination for Board consideration and their nomination forms on the BFA website by Monday, Oct. 13.  

 

As this is a Board-appointed position, nominations are for consideration by the Board and the Board reserves all rights to fill the vacancy.

 

Qualifications to Serve on BFA's Board

The BFA Board consists of seven members: four are regularly elected by the Voting Parent Group, and three are appointed by the Board.BFA believes that its Board should embody diversity.

  • Only one person per family may serve on the Board at any one time. 
  • The Board shall not contract with Directors or family members of Directors.  
  • Neither Directors nor family members of Directors may be employees or independent contractors of BFA. 
  • On average, Directors put in 20+ hours per month.
  • Directors are required to attend all Board meetings, strategy sessions and conferences as determined by the Board. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • Board meetings are held once per month and a work session once per month (as deemed necessary) throughout the calendar year.
    • The Colorado League of Charter Schools' annual board training is held in May each year. This conference provides training in board policy and effective governance. Attendance is mandatory for all new Directors.
    • An annual strategic planning session is held each summer. This meeting enables the Directors to develop the school's strategic plan for the upcoming school year.
    • An annual BFA staff appreciation breakfast in December. This meeting provides Board members an opportunity to get acquainted with staff.
    • Directors new to the Board are expected to review the following required materials within 30 days of being elected or appointed:
      • Cultural Literacy by E.D. Hirsch, Jr.
      • Boards That Make A Difference by John Carver
      • Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Staci Ferguson, Board Secretary, via email. 

flu
Shoo the Flu!  

  

BFA is offering a flu vaccine clinic, which is available for students, parents and staff from 2-3 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22, in the BFA conference room.  

 

To participate in the vaccine clinic, please sign up in the office. Students cannot be vaccinated without a parent present. Consent forms are available in the office with the sign-up or you may click here for the form. Please have the form filled out before your appointment.   

 

Type of Flu Vaccine, Cost and Front Range Flue Shots Age Policies:
  • Flu Shot: $26, 4 years or older
  • FluMist Nasal Spray: $35, healthy individuals ages 4 to 49 years who are not pregnant. Upon availability. Must sign up in advance.  
  • Fluzone High Dose Shot: $58, must be 65 years or older. Upon availability. Must sign up in advance.

Accepted Insurance Plans: 

(Insurance card must be presented at time of service. Co-payments may apply.)
  • Aetna (check eligibility with nurse)
  • CNIC
  • Cofinity
  • Douglas County School District Cigna
  • Humana (not HMOx)
  • Rocky Mountain Health Plans/CNIC (when primary insurance plan) 
  • Medicare Part B or Railroad Medicare Part B (when primary insurance plan)
  • Medicare Advantage PPO
    • Medicare Advantage HMO (please contact your insurance company to confirm coverage)
Where'sBen
Where's Ben? Contest Winner     
We are proud to announce the winner of this summer's Where's Ben? competition.  Congratulations to the Haufschild family! Your picture received the most likes on the BFA Facebook page.

Thank you to all of the wonderful families that submitted their Ben pictures. It looks like the BFA community had a great summer. Remember, curiosity can be inspired anywhere, so make sure you Stay Curious!
Volunteers Needed for STEM Expo! Science Fair    

 

The STEM Expo is next Thursday, October 2. We still need many volunteers to make this event a success! There are two shifts (9:15-11:30 a.m. and noon to 3:30 p.m.) and descriptions of the experiments will be provided. Please sign-up here for a day of fun! If you would like to volunteer or visit while your child is visiting the Expo, the schedule is below. If you have questions, please email Kristi Morris
  • 9:30-10:30 a.m., morning/all-day kindies and 1st grade
  • 10:30-11:30 a.m., 2nd and 4th grades
  • 12:15-1:15 p.m., afternoon kindies and 5th grade
  • 1:15-2:15 p.m., 3rd and 8th grades
  • 2:15-3:15 p.m., 6th and 7th grades
Open Enrollment  

  

BFA is now accepting open enrollment applications for the 2015-16 school year. If you are planning on enrolling a sibling of a currently enrolled student, please fill out the Intent to Enroll form by clicking here AND notify Kari Beers, registrar, via email by Friday, Nov. 7. If you notify the registrar after Nov. 7, you will be placed after the lottery is held and may not receive a spot. For more information about BFA's open enrollment or the lottery in general, please click here.  


 

BFA will host prospective parent information meetings/tours on the following dates:

  • 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 23
  • 6:30 p.m, Tuesday, Oct. 28
  • 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 20
Doughnuts with Dads       

    

Please join us from 7-8 a.m., Friday, Oct. 3, for BFA's annual Doughnuts with Dad! This is a special morning for your child(ren) to have breakfast with dad, granddad or a special guest. Enjoy a doughnut and a cup of coffee/juice. Don't forget to let your child give you a tour around the school. Doors open at 7 a.m. 

pei wei Restaurant Night    


The next restaurant spirit day will be from open to close, Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Pei Wei (located at 9352 S. Colorado Blvd. in Highlands Ranch). Bring in the restaurant night flyer (in Thursday folders) for dine in or carry out.  

Basketball Middle School Boys' Basketball


BFA Middle School Boys' Basketball will begin the week of Oct. 6
.  Online registration is currently open to all boys in grades 6-8; registration closes at midnight on Friday, Oct. 3.

 

To register, go to the BFA athletic website here.

Please use this website to obtain information about middle school athletics in general, as well and clicking on the "Boys' Basketball" tab to get specific information about the program. On this tab, you can get information about the coaches, use the link to register online and view the calendar for the season.  To practice on the first day, students will need to be registered online and have both additional forms (medical and vehicle) filled out and handed into the coaches. If your child(ren) participated in a fall sport and s/he has a current medical form on file, you do not need to fill out another medical form. You must fill out the vehicle form again because it is sport specific.  

 

For any questions, please email the basketball coaches or Mrs. Bauer.  

Book Fair Fall Book Fair      

  

BFA's Fall Scholastic Book Fair will be held Monday, Oct. 6, through Thursday, Oct. 9, in conjunction with Parent-Teacher conferences:  
  • 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday, Oct. 6, and Wednesday, Oct. 8
  • 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7, and Thursday, Oct. 9

Please click here for a preview of all the exciting selections that will be offered this year. Visit the fair and enter your child's name in the raffle drawing to be held on Thursday, Oct. 9. We will be giving away books and miscellaneous items. We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Fall Break BASE Camp  BASE logo    
For the week of Fall Break, Oct. 13-17, the BFA BASE program will host a trial run for Fall Break care at school. It will be similar to summer camp, minus the field trips. We hope to have at least 12 to 15 families sign up for the program. BASE will be open from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., and the cost will be $35 per day per child. If the turnout is an overwhelming success, BASE could possibly open up a Spring Break camp as well.

To register online, click here and choose BASE Camp. Families who have not paid the 2014-15 BASE registration fee of $25 will be contacted to do so. To obtain the registration paperwork and parent handbook please click here. If you have questions, please email Leigh Savoy.  
Hot Lunch Lunch Update       

 

Lunch has been going great so far this year! The following are a couple of reminders:  
  • Parents: Please do your best to make sure your student knows their student ID number if they are getting hot lunch and/or a drink. It helps the lines go so much faster, which gives the kids more time to eat! Grades K-3 have lanyards with their Student ID cards (and their ID numbers printed on the cards) to help them remember.
  • The BFA kitchen is now serving cookies on Mondays for $.50 to grades K-5. Students will be allowed to purchase one cookie and only after lunch is served. They may pay with cash or on account. If on account, they must have money in their account to get a cookie (or doubles). If you do not want your child to purchase cookies, doubles or any other extra items, you can email Kelcy Porizky, BFA kitchen manager, and she'd be happy to make a note on his/her account.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email Kelcy or Pam Betts, PTO Lunch Coordinator.
Fire Safety    Fire&LifeSafety
   


The Fire & Life Safety Educators of Colorado encourage all Coloradans to make a home escape plan and to practice the plan during Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 5-11). Family resources are available here or see the  attached document for more details.

Important Dates / Calendar of EventsCalendar Clip Art
  • No School for Students (Teacher In-Service Day): Friday, Sept. 26
  • DCSD Night at Air Force Football: 5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, Falcon Stadium
  • K-8 and Volunteer Picture Re-Takes: 10:45 a.m. - 1 p.m., Monday, Sept. 29, Library
  • 7th Grade Science Camp: Sept. 29-Oct. 1
  • Formal Uniform Day: Wednesday, Oct. 1
  • Preschool Picture Re-Takes: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2, Preschool
  • STEM Expo: Thursday, Oct. 2
  • Doughnuts with Dads: 7-8 a.m., Friday, Oct. 3
  • BFA Board of Directors Open Seat Nominations Deadline: Noon, Friday, Oct. 3
  • Middle School Boys' Basketball Registration Deadline: Midnight, Friday, Oct. 3
  • Fire Prevention Week: Oct. 5-11
  • Fall Book Fair: Oct. 6-9
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences: Tuesday, Oct. 7, and Thursday, Oct. 9
  • Restaurant Night: Open to Close, Tuesday, Oct. 7, Pei Wei (located at 9352 S. Colorado Blvd. in Highlands Ranch)
  • No School: Friday, Oct. 10
  • Fall Break: Oct. 13-17
  • Fall Break BASE Camp: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., Oct. 13-17, BFA
  • Flu Vaccine Clinic: 2-3 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22, Conference Room
  • BFA Fun Run: Thursday, Oct. 30
  • BFA Open Enrollment Deadline for Siblings of Currently Enrolled Students: Friday, Nov. 7

Upcoming Meetings

  • Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Committee: 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 1, Sanders Science Lab (room 145)
  • School Accountability Committee (SAC): 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2, Conference Room
  • Grant Committee: 9 p.m., Monday, Oct. 6, Teleconference
  • Marketing and Community Outreach (MCO) Committee: 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7, Library
  • Finance Committee: 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 20, Library
  • Parent Teacher Organization (PTO): 6:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 20, Library
  • Board of Directors: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 21, Library
    • Find the latest BFA Board of Directors minutes by clicking here.
  Middle School Sports
  • Girls' Volleyball:
    • 4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25, at Sky View Academy
    • 4 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 30, at BFA vs. Aspen Academy
    • 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2, at Platte River Academy
    • 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 4, Tournament at Sky View Academy (A Teams Only)
  • Boys' Soccer:
    • 4 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 30, Tournament (opponent and field TBD)
    • 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2, Tournament Finals at Sky View Academy
  • Cross Country:
    • Dakota Ridge Invite, Wednesday, Oct. 1, at Chatfield Botanical Gardens
    • Windjammer Invite, Saturday, Oct. 4, at Englewood High School
    • State Meet, Saturday, Oct. 18, Summit Ridge Middle School

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.