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Ben Franklin Academy NewsletterVol. 5, Iss. 14
April 2015
In This Issue
:: Spirit Day TOMORROW | Art: Featured Special | Parent Survey Results | MS Math Competition
:: Field Day T-Shirt Deadline TOMORROW | Support DI Teams at State | Mother/Son Event | BFA Board Members
:: Box Tops | Dress of Choice Day | No School Reminder | Tdap Immunizations | Restaurant Night Out
:: Golden Volunteers | Vote BFA a COOL SCHOOL | Summer Camp | Car Pool Procedures | No Parking | Calendar
Dear Parents,

We know there are many options for a quality middle school experience.  We believe that Ben Franklin Academy is the best one out there! Here are the top 10 reasons why you should choose BFA for your middle school student:

 

10. Lockers! Middle schoolers have an "authentic" experience learning how to work and organize his/her own locker.

 

9. Sports. Middle school students can participate in after school sports teams, including basketball, volleyball and soccer.

 

8. No block scheduling. Our students go to each of their classes every day. This ensures that students have substantial instructional time with all of their core teachers, every day. Each student also has a study hall and an advisory (COACH) class each day.

 

7. A familiar system and community. Since your child has already been at BFA, you are familiar with our systems, communications and staff. The children know the expectations benefit from a K-8 system of continuity.

 

6. In-depth, rigorous curriculum. BFA continues to follow the Core Knowledge sequence throughout middle school.  Saxon math is used through Course 3, and then Pearson math is used for students in algebra and geometry. Students will be exposed to a variety of classical and modern literature. Our first graduating class reported that they felt very prepared for high school because of our high expectations and rigorous curriculum.

 

5. COACH (Character, Organization, Academics, Community and HEART projects). Each day, students meet with their advisory class to work on organization, build character and community and focus on their academics. 

 

4. Honors classes. The middle school offers honors classes in all core subject areas to help challenge high achieving students. Students are nominated to participate in the honors classes by their fifth grade teachers. 

 

3. Electives. Each student chooses two electives per trimester. We have more than 30 classes each trimester from which to choose. Students are sure to find something they are interested in and enjoy.

 

2. Educational experiences beyond the classroom. BFA middle schoolers participate in many field trips, including aviation museums, physics at Elitch's,  arts and cultural events, as well as overnight trips off campus. Specifically, sixth graders go to Covenant Heights for three days/two nights for outdoor education; seventh graders attend the Keystone Science School to learn more about water ecology and conservation; and eighth graders travel to Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. 

 

AND THE NO. 1 REASON TO CHOOSE BEN FRANKLIN ACADEMY IS...

 

1. Our staff. We have a talented and dedicated teaching staff here at BFA. Teachers are highly qualified in their core subject area. They go above and beyond to help their students be successful.

 

BFA is holding a Middle School Information Night for parents of fifth, sixth and seventh graders at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 22, in the middle school commons.

We look forward to seeing you there!
Megaphone
Spirit Day 

  

Spirit Day is tomorrow, Friday, April 17. Students are allowed to wear a spirit wear T-shirt (includes former Field Day T-shirts or BFA sports jerseys) 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.  
Parent Satisfaction Survey Results 
   
Thank you to for taking the time to complete the Parent Satisfaction Survey! Glenn Roper, acting chair of the School Accountability Committee (SAC), presented the results of the Parent Satisfaction Survey to the BFA Board of Directors at the April Board meeting on Tuesday. Your Board values shareholder feedback and input. Most of the feedback was very positive, but all feedback is being equally considered. BFA is committed to continuous improvement, and we will continue to communicate plans for the future.  To view the presentation, please click here. 
MathCompetition Middle School Math Competition

 

A team of 11 BFA students faced more than 200 sixth, seventh and eighth graders from 17 other area schools at Valor High School's Middle School Math Competition last Saturday. They did an outstanding job in both the individual and team competitions. Congratulations to Henry Shallenberger who placed fifth among all sixth graders! BFA's additional tem members included the following students: Hannah Anhuth, Cherry Doddapaneni, Taylor Eubanks, Janette Hoffman, Andre Knapp, Emma Schmit, Megan Sell, Rachel Swan, Kami Taylor and Aditya Vepa. Congratulations to all competitors! 

MathCompetition2  

Destination ImagiNation Support BFA at Upcoming DI State Competition

Congratulations to the three BFA teams who are competing at the Destination ImagiNation (DI) State Competition! Join the teams and  show your support on Saturday, April 25, at the Auraria Higher Education Center Campus (located at 777 Lawrence St., Denver, 80204). For the map with specific DI Challenge locations, please click here. The teams' competition times are listed below.  

  

Presentation Time: 7:33 a.m.

Team Name: Gold Fluffy Mocking Jays  

Challenge: Creature Feature, Elementary Level

Team Members: Alex Feifarek, Terry Hanson, Seamus McNally, Tuhin Sur and Suraj Swamynathan 

Team Managers: Sarika Syamala and Christy McNally

  

Presentation Time: 1:51 p.m. 
Team Name: The Redhead, Blonde, Brunette and Sasha
Challenge:
Improv Games, Middle Level 
Team Members:Taylor Eubanks, Linnea Plumb, Sasha Salvi and Madison Smith 
Team Manager: Michelle Smith

Presentation Time: 2:45 p.m.

Team Name: Fudger Nutter Coconutters  

Challenge: Brand-Aid, Elementary Level

Team Members: Sophia Bettis, Kaitlyn Blum, Mary Kodenkandath, Sahithi Mathukumilli, Sreehitha Sajja and Emma Thiessen

Team Manager: Sarah Bettis   

Box Tops Logo
Box Tops Update

 

Thanks to everyone who sent in Box Tops! Be sure to turn them in every month, as they do expire. The next collection date for Box Tops, Campbell's labels, Kellogg's Family Rewards and My Coke Rewards caps is Wednesday, April 22

Announcement
Dress of Choice Day 
   

Reminder: The next dress of choice day is Thursday, April 23 

No School
No School Reminder 
  

Don't forget: There is no school for students on Friday, April 24, as it is a teacher work day. 

Nicolos
Spirit Night Out

 

Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your neighbors - go to Nicolo's on Monday, April 27! A portion of every purchase that day will be donated to BFA. No need to bring a flyer or mention BFA because the restaurant is giving BfA 15 percent of TOTAL sales. It applies to dine in, pick-up and delivery. Purchases must be made between 4:30-8:30 p.m. We hope to see you there! (Nicolo's is located at 9463 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch.)  

Timbuk Toys
 

Last school year, BFA won Macaroni Kid's "COOL SCHOOL!" contest and received a $500 gift certificate from Timbuk Toys to use for school supplies. Macaroni Kids and Timbuk Toys are holding the contest again, so get out there and vote BFA as the COOL SCHOOL!  

 

You may vote for BFA once daily from now through Sunday, April 26. The school with the most votes will receive the $500 Timbuk Toys gift certificate to use for anything in the store. To vote for BFA, click here.

 

Contest rules: One vote per day per email address throughout the contest period ending April 26, 2015; ballots with votes for more than one school will not be counted. You must be a Macaroni Kid Highlands Ranch-Parker-Castle Rock-Lone Tree subscriber to vote. 
Car Pool
Car Pool Procedures/
Safety Reminder 

 

Parents: Please remember the following in regard to car pool procedures:
  • If your child(ren) is going home with another family, you must send an email to [email protected] with specific instructions as to whom is picking up your child(ren). Emails only to teachers are not sufficient; the front office must also receive an email with this information.
  • Be on school property no later then 3:45 p.m. to pick up your child(ren) in car pool. Please respect the time of our volunteers and staff by getting to school on time for afternoon car pool.
no parking
No Parking Zones    
 
This is a gentle reminder that there is no parking at any time in front of the school. It has been identified by the red curb, as well as the newly purchased "no parking signs." This area is designated for car pool only. Vehicles should never be left unattended in this area even for short time frames.
Art
Art: Featured BFA Special of the Week  
 
Each week in this newsletter, we highlight one of BFA's Specials and what each grade in the school is learning in that particular Special. This week, we are focusing on Art.

Kindergarten: With all of the beautiful spring trees around, we have been inspired to paint trees this week.

Using a variety of new techniques and media, these works of art will be beautiful when they are finished.

 

First Grade: Our still life pictures are almost finished, so we will begin our unit on ancient Egyptian art. We will find out about hieroglyphics and drawing figures "Egyptian style." We will look at the beautiful crowns of the pharaohs and meanings behind each of them.

 
Second Grade:Students have started a painting called "Cold Hands and Warm Hearts." By mixing colors, we are learning how to paint with a broader palette to create more interesting pictures.

Third Grade: Students' Matisse masterpieces are almost finished and have been well worth the time and effort they have put in to them. So many elements have been used to understand basic design elements, including contrast of colors, rhythm of shapes, balance of negative space and more. 

 

Fourth Grade: Students have been making medieval tiles out of clay. The middle of the tile is an illuminated letter, typical of that time in history. They will be painted and glazed soon.

  

Fifth Grade: Students have begun a painting of aspen trees. The background shows the trees far off in the distance, and students are learning how to use color, size and overlapping to show perspective. 

Electives: In Sculpture, students have created armatures to build animals and wrapped them in plaster. They have painted them in a folk art style typical of the Oaxacan region in Mexico. In Mixed Media, students have been using foil, Sharpie markers and black ink to create some amazing metal pieces. It is always exciting to see everyone's different style develop as they create projects through this informal kind of art.
Field day
Field Day T-shirts Deadline Extended Through FRIDAY 

  

***If you want your child to receive a Field Day T-Shirt, order NOW! Orders will NOT be accepted after tomorrow, Friday, April 17.***
 
To order your child's shirt, please go to the BFA School Store/Academy Spirit Wear by clicking here. Scroll until you see the selection of Field Day T-shirts, which will have the name "Field Day 2015" in it and select your student's grade. Click on the link, choose your child's size, add to cart and fill out any additional pertinent information. Field Day T-shirts will be delivered to your child's classroom in May before Field Day.

BFA Teachers/Staff: Please order your Field Day T-shirts through the same link listed above. Click on "Field Day 2015-Teachers Staff." (You also can do so directly by clicking here.) Choose your size, click add to cart and fill out any additional pertinent information.  
Amazing Race Mother/Son Amazing Race 

  

We are looking so forward to the Mother/Son Amazing Race! It looks like the weather will be good. Thank you for signing up - it is going to be a lot of fun!  
    
***Please take a look at the packet of information that will be sent home TODAY in Thursday folders.***
 
As a reminder:
  • Race Start: 4:30 p.m., Saturday, April 18, at Civic Green Park Amphitheater (9370 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch)
  • Post Race Party: 6 p.m., Lil' Ricci's (located at 44 W. Centennial, Highlands Ranch).  Lil' Ricci's will have gluten free pizza available.
 
In order to make this event a huge success, we need a few more volunteers to sign up for event day. To sign up, click here.  
Welcome, BFA Board Members!

  

Please join the BFA Board of Directors in welcoming its newest parent-elected director Bill Castor and returning Board-appointed director Kent Barwind to the BFA Board!  

At the April Board meeting on Tuesday, the Board formally accepted the results of the parent voting group election for Seat 1, Class A, with Bill winning the vote. He will start serving his three-year term at the May Board meeting. The Board also unanimously appointed Kent to serve in Seat 2, Class A. He also will serve a three-year term.  

 

Amy Taylor, who currently serves as the Seat 3, Class B director, will be moving at the end of the school year. Her term would have ended in May 2016. Since the Board just accepted nominations for the two Class A director seats, the Board felt that opening nominations again would not be productive. Consistent with our bylaws, the BFA Board will appoint a new individual to this seat at the regularly scheduled Board meeting on Tuesday, May 12. The individual will serve a one-year term ending in May 2016. If you are interested in filling this seat, please speak to a current Board member.

 

The Board looks forward to integrating Bill into the team and continuing to work with Kent. Together, we are honored to serve you and uphold BFA's mission and vision.  

 

For any questions, please email Staci Ferguson, Board secretary. 

DCSD Logo
Tdap Immunizations for Incoming Sixth Graders
    

Students entering sixth grade must show proof they received the Tdap immunization before beginning the 2015-16 school year. Students who do not have proof of this immunization will not be allowed to start school. For questions or additional information, please email the BFA Health Room. 

BFA's Volunteers are Golden    
 
Congratulations to all of the families who have achieved GOLD status by contributing 75 or more volunteer hours this year! You have made a significant impact within the BFA community, and we sincerely appreciate your commitment to our school. Last Thursday, we began distributing a small BFA logo notebook to these families as a token of our appreciation. During the next month, we'll continue to send home gifts to those families who reached the 30-, 50- and 75-hour thresholds as of early April. In May, we'll run another report, so be sure to log your hours in Help Counter. Thanks to all of our volunteers!
BFA Summer Camp
Lightning Bolts Summer Camp
    

Do you need full-time day care for the summer? Perhaps you are looking to get a break from your children a few days during the summer? Maybe your kids would like to connect with other BFA kids and enjoy fun, summer social time? Whatever your situation, BFA's Lightning Bolts Summer Camp program is sure to keep your kids safe and entertained. The camp is staffed by people you know and trust.

 

***NEW: Daily registrations for the month of June are NOW open. Remaining registrations for July and August will be added soon.***  


Program details are as follows:
  • Hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Days: Monday through Friday
  • Dates: June 1 through Aug. 14
  • Additional Requirements: BFA Summer Camp is open to any BFA student 5 years old and above.  
  • Registration Fee: $35 per child one-time registration fee (all registered campers receive a camp T-shirt and day pack)
  • Daily Tuition (Non-Field Trip Days): $35 per child per day
  • Daily Tuition (Field Trip Days): $50 per child per day

We will communicate when the detailed daily Summer Camp activity schedule is finalized. There is no sibling discount. 

Important Dates / Calendar of EventsCalendar Clip Art
  • Spirit Day: Friday, April 17
  • Deadline to Order Field Day T-Shirts: Friday, April 17
  • Mother/Son Event:
    • Race Start: 4:30 p.m., Saturday, April 18, at Civic Green Park Amphitheater (9370 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch)
    • Post Race Party:  6 p.m., Lil' Ricci's (located at 44 W. Centennial, Highlands Ranch)
  • Earth Day Celebration: Wednesday, April 22
  • Box Tops et al Collection: Wednesday, April 22
  • Middle School Info Night: 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 22, Commons
  • Dress of Choice Day: Thursday, April 23
  • No School for Students (Teacher Work Day): Friday, April 24
  • Destination ImagiNation State Competition: All Day, Saturday, April 25, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Auraria Campus
  • Vote BFA a COOL SCHOOL! Contest: Once daily through Sunday, April 26
  • Restaurant Spirit Night Out: 4:30-8:40 p.m., Monday, April 27, Nicolo's (9463 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch)
  • LandSharks Meet: 6 p.m., Monday, April 27, Mountain Vista High School (10585 Mountain Vista Ridge, Highlands Ranch)
  • BFF Social: 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 28, Old Blinking Light (Town Center)
  • At the Bandstand (Fifth Grade Musical): 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 29, Gym
  • Lightning Bolts Summer Camp: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, June 1 - Aug. 14

Upcoming Meetings

  • Parent Teacher Organization (PTO): 6:30 p.m., Monday, April 20, Library
  • Grant Committee: 9 p.m., Monday, April 20, Teleconference
  • Marketing and Community Outreach (MCO) Committee: 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, Library
  • Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Committee: 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 6, Sanders Science Lab (room 145)
  • School Accountability Committee (SAC): 4 p.m., Thursday, May 7, Conference Room
  • Finance Committee: 5 p.m., Monday, May 11, Library
  • Board of Directors: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 12, Library
    • Find the latest BFA Board of Directors minutes by clicking here.

Middle School Sports

  • Girls' Soccer:
    • Thursday, April 16 - CANCELED
    • 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 21, at North Star Academy
    • 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 28, at 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.