Vol. 6, Iss. 24

Sept. 15, 2016

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Following is a message from Ann Citrin, at-large director, BFA Board of Directors

Dear Parents,

When is the last time you thought of volunteering or volunteerism? How can it make a difference at our school? Many of you know that Ben Franklin Academy would not exist had it not been for numerous community members donating countless hours of their time.

Upon reflecting where BFA started from and where it is now, we cannot deny the importance of each of our families who have contributed their time to make our school a better place. Whether you are helping BFA students out of their car in carpool, helping them with their lunches, listening while young students learn to read, assisting teachers in preparing a grant application, or organizing a school fundraiser, none of these things would be possible without our volunteers.

Last year, the parent community collectively logged 22,916 volunteer hours for BFA. This is incredible! It is the equivalent of hiring 11 full time employees for the school. However, the benefit is greater than the monetary value the school saved. Having parent volunteers in our school shows our children that we take an interest in and value their education. Moreover, we are teaching by example that it is important to participate in the larger community.

To all of the BFA parents and family members, Thank You! Thank you for taking the time to help. Thank you for sharing your talents. Thank you for taking the time to try something new. Thank you for assisting with something that may be less than glamorous. Thank you for building our community. Thank you for showing you care. We could not be the amazing school that we are without you, and we truly appreciate your efforts.

Sincerely,
Ann Citrin

TIME TO SHOW OUR SCHOOL SPIRIT--AND HAVE SOME FUN!

Thanks agin to our student council who organized this year's Spirit Week. Students and teachers alike dressed up according to each day's theme and demonstrated their school spirit.

The last day of Spirit Week is tomorrow, Sept. 16, and we invite students to dress in the clothes of their favorite decade.

Friday, Sept. 16: Decade Day - Pick your favorite decade and dress to impress.

GOODIES WITH GRANDPARENTS IS TOMORROW

Be sure to invite grandparents to join us for the annual Goodies with Grandparents event, from 7 - 8 a.m., tomorrow, Sept. 16, in the BFA gym. Grandparents and students will enjoy coffee, juice and light treats. We still need a few volunteers, so sign up today to help.

ALL ARE WELCOME AT PTO MEETING TONIGHT - AND THERE'S A DRAWING!

Would you like to know more about BFA's Parent Teacher Organization? Please join us from

6:30-8 p.m. tonight, Sept. 15, in the Sanders Science Lab. In addition to discussing current business, we'll have a drawing for several items. We'd love for you to join us!

CALLING ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Many BFA graduates have come back to tell us how well prepared they were for high school. Now, we'd like to give you the opportunity to hear from them directly. We are hosting several recent BFA graduates who represent various high schools in the area at 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22, in the Middle School Commons. We've invited them back to talk to you about how BFA prepared them for high school and answer questions. Parents and students, please plan on joining us for this fun event!

NOT A ROCKET SCIENTIST? YOU CAN STILL VOLUNTEER AT THE STEM EXPO!

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Expo is next Friday, Sept. 23, in the BFA gym. We need a lot of parent volunteers to make this a successful event. During the Expo, we fill the gym with hands-on activities that teach STEM topics to all of our students. Sign up today to join us for a fun-filled day of learning. There are early morning, mid-morning and afternoon shifts available.

SAY CHEESE - PICTURE RETAKES NEXT WEEK

Students and volunteers in need of a picture retake, please mark your calendar for picture retake day! Studio 5 Portrait Network will be here to take pictures from 8 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, in the library. Please complete this form and send it with your student on picture retake day.

DIRECTORY ON TAP, BFA'S ONLINE DIRECTORY

Now that school is underway, it's time to update and add new families to the BFA directory!

The BFA directory contains names, addresses and phone numbers for BFA families; it is a very helpful resource for parents. You can access it via the BFA website with a password that will be sent later or by using the directory app, Directory on Tap (DOT). The directory will be available the week of Oct. 3. There are some things BFA needs your help with to make the directory a useful tool, so be on the lookout for an email with more information. If you plan to completely or partially opt out of the directory, click here.

DON'T LET THESE SAVINGS PASS YOU BY - COUPON BOOKS STILL AVAILABLE

Have you purchased a Select Rewards coupon book yet? The book contains valuable coupons for Cold Stone, Indulge, Mici's, Farro, Rita's Italian Ice, Anthony's, Dart Warz and more! If you would like to purchase a Select Rewards book and support the eighth grade Washington, D.C. trip please email Tiffanie Vaught. Books also will be available at parent teacher conferences.

MAKE PLANS NOW FOR FALL BREAK

BFA's BASE program is offering care during fall break this year. Child care for the week of Oct. 10 - 14 will be similar to the summer camp program. At least 15 families must sign up for us to offer the program. The cost is $50 for Monday as we'll be taking the kids to a pumpkin patch; and $35 per day Tuesday through Friday of that week. Child care will be available from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. It is going to be a fantastic week with a field trip, movies and lots of other fun activities.

Registration opens on Monday, Sept. 19, and closes on Monday, Oct. 3. All registrations are non-refundable, unless we do not have enough families sign up. If that occurs, we will notify you on Monday, Oct. 3 and refund your payment. Please note, a registration fee of $25 is required for BASE participants. If you have not paid this for 2016-17, we will contact you. Click here for the registration paperwork and parent handbook. To register, click here and select BASE camp. If you have any questions, email Leigh Savoy.

BEN'S BRIGADE MEETING NEXT WEEK

Ben's Brigade will be holding their next meeting from 8 - 9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Highlands Ranch Target Starbucks (1265 Sergeant Jon Stiles Dr). We'd love to see you there!

ENROLLING A SIBLING AT BFA? TAKE ACTION TODAY!

BFA is now accepting enrollment applications for the 2017-18 school year. If you wish to enroll a sibling of a student currently enrolled at BFA (grades K-8), please complete the following steps:

Submit an Enrollment Application form online by clicking here; and
Email Rachelle Patterson, registrar, by Monday, Oct. 31.

Please note, applications received after this deadline may not receive priority enrollment. In fact, there is a chance you may lose your spot all together.

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 a few minutes before the tour is scheduled to begin.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DESTINATION IMAGINATION? HERE IS YOUR CHANCE!

Have you heard about Destination Imagination (DI)? The organization's vision is, 'to teach students the creative process and empower them with the skills needed to succeed in an ever changing world.' If this sounds like something that would interest your student, please attend an informational meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at BFA to learn more about this amazing program. We encourage you to bring your student.

Last year, BFA's DI teams had a record year with three teams making it to the state competition and two of those teams continuing on to the Global Finals. We are looking forward to another great year. If you are interested in joining a team or being a team manager, sign up today.

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.

BFA TO HOST AUTHOR MIKE CURATO

The BFA library, in partnership with Tattered Cover Book Store, will be

hosting author/illustrator Mike Curato at an assembly for grades K-2 on Monday, Sept 19. Curato is the author and illustrator of everyone's favorite polka-dotted elephant, "Little Elliot." Order forms for his books, which are now available in the library, came home in Thursday folders last week. There will be time after the assembly for Curato to autograph your child's copy. If your student would like an opportunity to introduce the author at the assembly, have him/her write an introduction and submit it to their teacher. One lucky winner will be selected.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY

The ARC fundraiser was a huge success. With the help of the wonderful BFA community, we collected 992 bags of donations to benefit the eighth grade Washington, D.C. trip. We truly appreciate the support.

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM, WE ALL SCREAM FOR TEACHERS SCOOPING ICE CREAM!

Save the date for our first Spirit Night of the school year! Come watch the BFA staff scoop ice cream for our wonderful students and their families, and help raise money for BFA. The event will be held from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27, at Cold Stone Creamery in Highlands Ranch Town Center (9338 Dorchester St.).

AFTERNOON CARPOOL PICKUP REMINDER

We have seen an increase in parents picking up their children well after the end of school at 3:30 p.m. This impacts the teachers, volunteers and your student. Please be on school property no later then 3:50 p.m. as this allows your carpool tag to be properly scanned. Keep in mind, if you are not on property by the end of carpool, your student(s) will be sent to BASE and you will need to pay the corresponding fee.

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!

BFA 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-pee 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!

HEY KIDS--ARE YOU READY TO RUN?

It's time for the 5th Annual Mountain Vista Elementary Cross Country race! Kids in grades 3 - 6, come race against the other elementary runners in our area. The race is at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the Mountain Vista High School (MVHS) Cross Country (XC) course. Warm up with the MVHS four-time cross-country 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, Sept. 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.

ATTENTION PARENTS! NEED AN EVENING OUT?

Mark your calendars for three opportunities for Parent's Night Out child care to benefit the eighth grade Washington, D.C. trip. Child care will run from 6:30-9 p.m. Volunteers will watch your children while you grab a bite to eat or do some shopping. A Signup Genius to register BFA students (including BFA preschoolers) will be available starting in October. We must sign up 30 children to host the event - sign up early to help ensure the event is not cancelled. Please feed your children dinner before they come. We will show a movie and provide popcorn and water. Look for more information soon.

Oct. 21
Nov. 18
Dec. 16

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.

BE A HERO FOR THE DAY--BUY A BIRTHDAY BAG

Celebrating birthdays at BFA is fun! For $10, your child will receive the following:

A bag full of goodies, such as erasers, pencils, bouncy balls, etc. (no food or candy will be in the bags) delivered to their classroom by eighth graders
A personalized note from you (if requested)
Eighth graders singing happy birthday to your child in his/her classroom while delivering the bag

Did your student already celebrate his/her birthday? Is his/her birthday in the summer? We also will deliver "unbirthday bags" for students who have already celebrated their birthday or "half-birthday bags" for summer birthdays.

Thank you for supporting the eighth graders' trip to Washington, D.C.!

To order your birthday bags, click here. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Simpson.

Today, Sept. 15

SAC MEETING

The School Accountability Committee (SAC) is meeting from 4:10 - 5:10 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15, in the BFA Conference Room.

PTO MEETING

The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is meeting 6:30 - 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15, in the Sanders Science Lab. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Friday, Sept. 16

SPIRIT WEEK

Each day has been filled with fun and school spirit! Students are encouraged to participate and arrive at school dressed according to the theme assigned to each day of the week; however, if a student chooses not to participate, s/he must come dressed in his/her school uniform. Following is the schedule for the remainder of the week:

Friday, Sept. 16: Our favorite, Decade Day - Pick your favorite decade and dress to impress.

GOODIES WITH GRANDPARENTS

Grandparents and students will enjoy coffee, juice and light treats from 7 - 8 a.m., Friday, Sept. 16, in the BFA gym.

Sept. 16 - 18

COLORADO ROCKIES BACK TO SCHOOL WEEKEND

You can choose from THREE games, with a portion of proceeds of each ticket supporting Douglas County schools.

Friday, Sept. 16 vs. San Diego Padres at 6:40 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 17 vs. San Diego Padres at 6:10 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 18 vs. San Diego Padres at 2:10 p.m.

Tickets starting at $10! Check out the flier, or click here to purchase tickets.

Saturday, Sept. 17

COLORADO RAPIDS COMMUNITY NIGHT

Douglas County Educational Foundation is sponsoring a Community Night with the Colorado Rapids. The Rapids are playing the San Jose Earthquakes at 7 p.m. next Saturday, Sept. 17, at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Tickets are $26 each and a portion of your tickets will benefit the school of your choice. Tickets available online. For more information, check out this flier or email Amanda Dennis.

Wednesday, Sept. 21

ARTS COMMITTEE MEETING

The new Arts Committee will meet at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, in the Art Room. Meetings will be held the third Wednesday of the month.

Thursday, Sept. 22

PICTURE RETAKES

Picture retakes for volunteers and students will take place from 8 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, at BFA.

BEN'S BRIGADE MEETING

Ben's Brigade will be holding their next meeting from 8 - 9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Highlands Ranch Target Starbucks (1265 Sergeant Jon Stiles Dr).

Friday Sept. 23

SPIRIT WEAR DAY

Students can wear spirit day shirts or t-shirts from a previous field day for Spirit Day. The next Spirit Day is Oct. 21.

STEM Expo

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Expo will be held in the gym all day. Please sign up to volunteer or simply join us for this fun event.

Sept. 26 - 28

SEVENTH GRADE OUTDOOR EDUCATION

The seventh graders are headed to Keystone Science School Sept. 26 - 28. They leave around 9 a.m. on Sept. 26 and return at approximately 2 p.m. on Sept. 28.

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.