Vol. 6, Iss. 22

Sept. 1, 2016

Dear Parents,

Below are important updates regarding Dress of Choice Day and Carpool.

Dress of Choice Day

Tomorrow is our first Dress of Choice (DOC) day of the year. We would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the uniform guidelines for Dress of Choice day. The policy reads:

SECTION 4. DRESS OF CHOICE (DOC)

Dress of Choice Days shall be scheduled periodically as a reward for those students who have not received two (2) Uniform Policy Violations between the previous DOC day and the upcoming DOC day. Clothes worn by all the students during the Dress of Choice days shall be modest, in good condition, and neat in appearance. Students are not allowed to wear pajama items or clothing that contains wording or images that could be interpreted as racial, vulgar, or offensive in any way. Revealing clothes are not acceptable (i.e. tank tops, midriffs, sleeveless, etc.).

We also would like to point out that skirts, shorts, and dresses must meet the regular uniform requirement of not being shorter than 4 inches above the knee for Dress of Choice. This has been an increasing problem on regular uniform days as well. Please be aware that skirts, shorts and dresses not meeting the Uniform requirements will receive a uniform violation.

Students who do not meet the requirements for Dress of Choice day will be given a Uniform violation, and may be asked to change their clothes.

Thank you for helping us minimize distractions and maximize learning!!

Carpool

More Concrete Trucks

Thank you for your understanding earlier this week as the concrete trucks made their deliveries. The impact on carpool was extremely minimal and carpool ended right on time.

There will be another, smaller concrete pour tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 2, that should be complete before carpool begins. In case the pour goes long, we will have the same procedures in place as we did on Tuesday.

The final foundation pour will occur next Tuesday or Wednesday and will be similar to the Tuesday pour. It will begin before carpool and probably will extend into carpool time just a bit. Again, we will work through it with as little impact on carpool as possible.

Once the foundation pours are complete you will begin to see the building take shape with the walls going in!

Introducing the BFA School Safety Patrol

Recently, we introduced the BFA School Safety Patrol, a program where middle school kids can volunteer to help direct children during morning and afternoon carpool. Students provide assistance to other kids as they get into/out of their vehicles and will help escort younger kids to classrooms as necessary. This is an opportunity for middle school kids to gain safety awareness while enhancing their leadership, teamwork and peer-to-peer communications skills. To find out more, click here or email Mr. Emmons. If your middle school student would like to join the Safety Patrol Program, apply today!

Reminders

Student safety is our number one concern at Ben Franklin Academy. All staff are trained to keep students safe at all times and work hard at doing so. I need your help to bring our carpool safety to the next level. As the school year goes by, there is a tendency to get complacent with our expectations and, as drivers, to forget some very important procedures we have in place.

Lately, we have seen quite a few cars driving way too fast while on school property. It does not matter whether you are driving during morning or afternoon carpool or in the middle of the day, we need you to keep your speed down while on the property. We have visitors in the lot all day long and driving too fast reduces your reaction time and could cause a potentially serious situation. Our request is simple, for the safety of all our students and adults, please slow down!

We have also seen quite a few people on their cell phones or other electronic devices while in carpool. Again, for safety reasons, we are asking you to stay off any device that will take your attention away from safe driving and making sure you are paying full attention to the task at hand. It takes only a split second to divert your attention from the carpool lanes and have a student dart in front of you.

Thank you so much for making carpool safety a priority.

Etiquette

Please be kind and considerate to all BFA carpool volunteers and staff. They are giving their time in order to keep all BFA students safe. I have received reports of a couple parents yelling at staff and volunteers. While I do understand that carpool can be frustrating, it is never appropriate to yell or belittle them. If there is a concern you would like addressed, please contact the school.

Sincerely,

Bob Barber

JOIN THE NEW BFA ARTS COMMITTEE

The BFA Board recently created an Arts Committee as part of our commitment to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math). This committee will work closely with the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) committee to further integrate visual and performing arts into our curriculum and after school activities.

Our hope is to build students' ability to creatively innovate while also fostering an appreciation of a wide variety of arts. We will meet at 5 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month in the Art Room. Our next meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 21. Please join us or send an email to learn more about how you can help support the Arts at BFA!

CEC CALENDAR COMING HOME TODAY

Be sure to watch for the Community Events Committee (CEC) calendar of events that will come home today in your youngest/only student's Thursday folder. Save the date for these important community-building events! We look forward to seeing you there.

COMING TO SCHOOL FOR A LUNCH DATE?

Parents are always welcome to have lunch with their student(s). Middle school kids eat lunch in the middle school commons and full day Kindergarten through grade 5 eat lunch in the BFA gym. If you have both K-5 and middle school students, you may need to schedule lunch with them on separate days, as the kids will need to adhere to their lunch schedule and stay in their assigned lunch area.

PROSPECTIVE FAMILY TOURS

Parents interested in joining the BFA family are welcome to tour the school Wednesdays in September. Tours begin at 9 a.m. each Wednesday and will be lead by a member of BFA's administrative team. New families--please remember to bring your driver's license and check in at the office a few minutes before the tour is scheduled to begin.

GET THE NEW BFA APP

This school year there is a new way for you to stay connected to BFA from your mobile device--the Ben Franklin Academy app! Download the new BFA app for instant access to BFA contacts, the latest news, calendars, menus and more! If you enable push notifications, you'll receive important announcements immediately after publication. You can also use the app for attendance reporting and connecting with Infinite Campus. This free app is available on IOS and Android devices--get it NOW on the App Store or Google Play.

FIRST STEM COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR!

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Committee is a fun group of parents (and one grandparent!) who helps to organize events including the STEM Expo, Fruit Toss Club (previously Pumpkin Chunkin), Science Fairs, Week of Code, Math Enrichment, Green Team and Destination Imagination. If you have experience in science, technology, engineering, and/or math, (or even if you don't!) and you are looking for new ways to volunteer at BFA, you are invited to join us from 5:30 - 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 7, in the Sanders Science Lab for our first meeting of the school year. Hope to see you there!

VOLUNTEER TO HELP WITH THE MILE RUN

Mrs. Bauer is looking for volunteers to help with the mile run in PE for grades 4 and 5. It is super fun! Volunteers hang out along the course and cheer the runners on while making sure they stay safe along the way. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up now!

GOODIES WITH GRANDPARENTS

Be sure to invite grandparents to join us for the annual Goodies with Grandparents event! Grandparents and students will enjoy coffee, juice and light treats from 7 - 8 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 16, in the BFA gym.

EVERY KID IN A PARK

Beginning today, the National Parks launched its Every Kid in a Park program, which provides an opportunity for each and every fourth grade student (and their families) across the United States to experience their public lands and waters in person throughout the 2016-2017 school year for free. To obtain your pass, click here.

Be sure to bring your printed out pass to the National Park you visit; electronic copies are not accepted.

COLORADO SKI COUNTRY USA PASSPORT PROGRAM

Colorado Ski Country USA's (CSCUSA) 5th Grade Passport Program provides every fifth grader in the state of Colorado the opportunity to ski and snowboard for three FREE days at each of CSCUSA's 20 member resorts. Ski all 60 days or just a few; the 5th Grade Passport opens up the best of Colorado to your child.

The 6th Grade Passport Program provides four days of skiing/snowboarding at each of the same 20 participating Colorado resorts for only $105 (if you register before Nov. 30).

BATTLE OF THE BOOKS

It's almost that time of the year again! We are going to start putting together our Battle of the Books teams for the 2016-2017 school year. Please email Mrs. Poleschook if you have a student in grades 3 or 4 who is interested in trying out for a team, or email Mrs. Murphy if you have a student in grades 5 or 6 interested in trying out. Book titles for this year's competition will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 6, and you'll want to make sure you have plenty of time to meet the deadline.

CUB SCOUTS SIGN UP TONIGHT AND DETAILS OF FIRST MEETING

Parents of boys in grades 1-4 interested in joining the BFA Cub Scouts (Pack 785), please join us for an informational meeting from 6 - 7 p.m., tonight, Sept. 1, in the middle school commons. Free rockets will be given to all boys who sign up and district leaders will be present to answer questions and take applications.

Since our current leaders have Cub Scouts who are advancing to Boy Scouts this year, we are looking for adults to help with leadership roles in Pack 785. If you have questions but can't attend the meeting, you can email Arapahoe District Executive, Rachel Joslyn, with the Boy Scouts of America.

The first Pack 785 meeting of the Fall school year will be at 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 12, in the middle school commons. Fun activities will be provided for the boys, and parents should attend to discuss the future of Pack 785. This is important, so please plan to attend (both parents if possible)! Siblings are welcome and the meeting will run an hour.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT--GET YOUR COUPON BOOK TODAY

Are you interested in purchasing a Select Rewards coupon book to support the Middle School students' Washington, D.C. trip? Please email Tiffanie Vaught, PTO Middle School Fundraising Chair, and she will coordinate getting you a book. The book includes valuable coupons for Indulge, Mici's Handcrafted Italian, Coldstone, Monster Golf, Dart Warz, Pirates Cove, and more! The books are $35; students will accept cash and checks (made out to BFA PTO). Sales will end Tuesday, Sept. 6.

GOT STUFF?

Do you have too much stuff, or is your house feeling over-stuffed? The BFA middle school has your solution! This month, 8th graders will be hosting a fundraiser for their Washington, D.C. trip, and will collect Target-sized bags full of items for donation to ARC. They will receive $1 for each bag donated. Please consider donating items during one of these donation dates:

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 4:30 - 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 6
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 7
8:30 a.m. - noon, Thursday, Sept. 8

Click here for a flier with additional details. For more information or to schedule pick-up of items, email Tiffanie Vaught, PTO Middle School Fundraising Chair.

CODING CLUB

Does your son or daughter love playing video games? If so, we have the perfect after school activity--join the Coding Club today! Students will learn to code with javascript and will use a variety of coding tools to make animations, stories and maybe even a giant, virtual robot! The after school club is open to students in grades 2-8, and the coding will be tailored to each student's ability and interests. It will be lead by Ms. Konesky from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at BFA. Click here for more details. There are only a few slots left so sign up today!

STEM FRUIT TOSS CLUB

It's not every day that you get to launch fruit from a trebuchet--that is, unless you join the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Fruit Toss Club! This new after school club will meet from 4:15 - 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday in September at BFA. It is open to students in grades 4 - 8 and the cost is only $15 for a 4-week session. Participants will get hands-on experience building a modern-day trebuchet and will learn about arc, angles, force and torque while chucking fruit! Click here for more details. Sign up today or email Matt Keillor with questions or to volunteer.

MOVE OVER STEVEN SPIELBERG!

Is your student constantly exceeding the storage capacity on your electronics with their home movies? Then we have the club for you! Sign your 4 - 6 grade student up for Mini Movie Makers, a new after school club sponsored by Ms. Goldin. The club will meet for 10 weeks on Thursdays from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. beginning Thursday, Sept. 8, at BFA. Click here for more details. Register today or email Ms. Goldin for additional information.

CLEAN OUT THE PIGGY BANK--MIDDLE SCHOOL BAKE SALE

Students from the middle school party planning elective are hosting a bake sale from 7:30 - 8:10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 9, in the main hallway. The Party Planning Elective plans parties for the entire middle school student body and this is their only fundraising opportunity for the year. Please support their efforts next Friday!

SIGN UP FOR CHOIR AND BAND TODAY, OR YOU'LL BE SINGING THE BLUES

Ms. Johnson is offering a wide array of music programs again this year. Junior Choir (grades 1- 2), Choir (grades 3-8), as well as Beginning and Intermediate Band (grades 4-8) will begin the week of Sept. 19. Sign up today! If you have questions, email Ms. Johnson or click here for a flier with more details.

HEY 3-6 GRADE KIDS--ARE YOU READY TO RUN?

It's time for the 5th Annual Mountain Vista Elementary Cross Country race! Come race against the other elementary runners in our area. The race is at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 4, at the Mountain Vista High School (MVHS) Cross Country (XC) course. Warm up with the MVHS FOUR-TIME XC STATE CHAMPIONS! All racers will receive a Vista Nation XC t-shirt and a finishers medal. We have ribbons for the top 10 boys and girls in each race. Start training now! Registrations and fees ($10) are due on Wednesday, September 28, to Mrs. Bauer. Late and walk-up registrations are $15. Click here for more information or email Mrs. Bauer. You are also welcome to email Vista Team Parent, Kimberly Romine, with questions.

Our students have done really well in this race in the past! You do not have to be in Mountain Vista's direct feeder area to run with us. It is always fun to see so many BFA students out there running! Go BFA Runners! Click here for the registration form and return it to Mrs. Bauer.

GROCERY CARDS EARN MONEY FOR BFA

Did you know you can earn money for BFA each time you shop at King Soopers and Safeway? And did you know you can order your King Soopers and Safeway cards online via the BFA Store? To obtain a grocery gift card, click here or go to the BFA Store, click on Grocery Cards and order your King Soopers and/or Safeway card. The cards are pre-loaded with $5. When ordering, be sure to include your FIRST/LAST NAME and FULL MAILING ADDRESS. Your King Soopers/ Safeway card(s) will be mailed directly to the address you provide. Once the order is received, please allow five business days for processing.

The King Soopers and Safeway fundraising programs donate 5 percent of your purchases back to the school. All you have to do is re-load your King Soopers or Safeway gift card at customer service OR the register before you scan your first item. Buy your groceries, gasoline at fuel centers, lottery tickets and postage stamps while helping BFA at the same time! (Safeway gift cards also can be used at Albertson's locations.) BFA raised more than $5,500 last year!

For more information or questions, email Amy Sunahara, Grocery Card Coordinator.

BOX TOPS--START COLLECTING TODAY

Clipping Box Tops is an easy way to help earn cash for our school. Each one is worth 10� for our school! Just look for the pink Box Top on hundreds of products, neatly clip them and send them to school in a baggie with your child's name and classroom. (To avoid waste, we are not distributing individual bags or collection sheets this year.) There will be small prizes throughout the year, so keep clipping! Click here for a flier with more information. The first collection date is Wednesday, Sept. 14.

Last school year, we earned $3,187.50 for our school from Box Tops! Since BFA opened its doors, we have earned $17,296.10! That's amazing when you think that each little Box Top is worth ten cents! This school year, our goal is to earn $4,000. Let's get it done!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR PARENTS' NIGHT OUT

Attention Parents! Mark your calendars for three opportunities for Parent's Night Out childcare:

Oct. 21
Nov. 18
Dec. 16

Details to follow shortly.

TOMORROW, Sept. 2

DRESS OF CHOICE DAY FOR ALL STUDENTS

Tomorrow, Sept. 2, is Dress of Choice Day for all students without uniform violations. The next Dress of Choice Day is Oct. 6.

Monday, Sept. 5

LABOR DAY - NO SCHOOL

The school will be closed in observance of Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 5.

Wednesday, Sept. 7

FORMAL UNIFORM DAY

The first Wednesday of every month is Formal Uniform Day. The next Formal Uniform Day is Wednesday, Oct. 5.

Wednesday, Sept. 7

STEM COMMITTEE MEETING

The Science,Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Committee is meeting from 5:30-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 7, in the Sanders Science Lab.

Wednesday, Sept. 9

BAKE SALE TO SUPPORT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PARTY PLANNING ELECTIVE

Students will be selling goodies from 7:30 - 8:10 a.m. in the main hallway.

Additional Upcoming Events: BFA Calendar
Middle School: Blog | Athletics

CONTACT US:

Ben Franklin Academy
2270 Plaza Drive
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

Main Office: (720) 383-4519 info@bfacademy.org

Attendance: (720) 432-9239 attendance@bfacademy.org

Web: http://www.bfacademy.org/

Fax: (303) 974-1738

Our mission is to create young adults with character like America's founding Renaissance man, Benjamin Franklin: well-read, scientifically curious, and civically engaged.

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.

Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Purity and Humility.