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Weekly Update
A Message from Principal Simpson
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Dear Parents,
What a great couple of weeks we've had! Last week's Spirit Week was so fun--a big shout-out to the Student Council for all their work. The middle school parade is a terrific new tradition to continue so that we can highlight all the activities our sixth-eighth graders are involved in.
Halloween is always an exciting day--the kids were well-behaved during Trunk or Treat, and the parties capped off the day with more treats, games and fun. Thank you to the many volunteers who made our Halloween events possible, as well as to those of you who donated candy!
If you missed pictures from Spirit Week or Halloween, they're on our public Facebook page.
Have you noticed our new brilliant video sign? A big thanks to the PTO for helping us purchase the sign. Also, we need to thank Carrie Keen, Beth Konesky and Monte Brook for getting the sign installed and working. It was quite the project, and they all worked so hard to make sure we got it right. I love it!
In October, we made some updates to the Middle School Behavior Framework. The updated framework can be found HERE. If you have any questions or concerns about the updates, please contact Mr. Zaccaria or me.
Next Tuesday, Nov. 7, is election day. Please don't forget to vote. Typically, there is less participation in a non-presidential voting year, but it's important to make sure your voice is heard.
There is no school tomorrow, so that the teachers can get additional training and work time in their classrooms. I hope everyone enjoys the three-day weekend--the weather promises to be better than last weekend!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Simpson
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We're Grateful to these GOLD BFA PTO Sponsors! | |
This week, we’re highlighting the second group of our sponsors in the GOLD category; we’re very thankful for their exceptional support and hope you’ll take a few minutes out of your day to learn about these businesses.
HINDS FINANCIAL GROUP, Jon Kelley
Jon is a Partner of Hinds Financial Group and heads the investment strategy practice. He has years of experience and knowledge in investment and financial planning including portfolio construction, portfolio tax-management, and sub-advisor due diligence in addition to working with clients and their long-term planning.
PURITY SKIN STUDIO, Amanda Sakach
Purity Skin Studio is South Denver's Premiere Med Spa. They are among the most highly educated and experienced providers in all of Denver, specializing in laser treatments, micro-needling with RF and PRP, injectables, facials and permanent make-up. They offer complimentary consultations and want to help you LOVE what you see when you look in the mirror!! BFA families are invited to their annual Black Friday Event with the BIGGEST SALES of the year from 8 a.m.-noon on Friday, Nov. 24.
WEST & MAIN HOMES, Kaitlin Kinney
No matter how many times you've bought and sold a home, you should never go at it alone--and, Kaitlin at West & Main Homes can help. The market is constantly shifting and you'll want a local expert at your side. When you start thinking about making a move, make sure your first call is to Kaitlin. And, if you're perfectly happy where you're at and have no plans to move, you can always call for home tips and service provider recommendations.
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Tomorrow, Nov. 3:
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No School for Students - This is a Professional Day for teachers so there is no school for our students.
Sunday, Nov. 5:
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Fall Back to Standard Time - Remember to set your clocks back.
Tuesday, Nov. 7:
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Election Day - Don't forget to turn in your ballot! As you know, funding for the school district is on the ballot--5A, the Mill Levy Override, and 5B, the Bond. You can find information about these initiatives on the DCSD website at www.dcsdk12.org/funding.
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Many Ways to Participate in the Veterans Day Celebration | |
Our Veterans Day celebration is next week! This event is always popular at BFA and we are proud to honor our Veterans and current service members.
LAST CALL Veteran Guests
DEADLINE EXTENDED: RSVP by Nov. 3
If you have a special Veteran or service member you would like to invite to the celebration, please read the invitation for more information and RSVP TODAY!
Veterans Day Donations - NEXT WEEK, Nov. 6-10
The CEC will be supporting our veterans by collecting items for the VA hospital again this year. They will be collecting kitchen items for homeless veterans moving into their new apartments; for example, please donate can openers, kitchen towels, cooking utensils, sponges, mops, dish soap, dish rack, coffee makers, etc. as well as hygiene items such as shampoo, body wash, tooth brushes, tooth paste, lotion, socks, winter gloves/hats. Donations will be collected next week, Nov. 6-10. Please tell your student to drop their donation(s) in the designated bins in the main school entrance.
Veterans Day Celebration - Friday, Nov. 10
Parents, we would love to have you participate in this celebration with us. Please help us show our students how important it is to honor our veterans and service members by attending one of the assemblies. This year the CEC will host two ceremonies:
- 10:20 - 11:30 a.m. - traditional ceremony including grades 4-8
- 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. - smaller ceremony including grades K-3
Veterans Day Setup/Decoration/Event - Sign Up TODAY!
Calling all volunteers! Looking for a way to get involved in a community event? Need volunteer hours? Are you only available on the weekends? We have a variety of options! We need all hands on deck to decorate, photograph, set up, take down, and host the Veterans for this celebration. Please see the sign-up for available opportunities.
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Apple Awards - Nominate Your Favorite Teachers and Staff Today! | |
The Foundation for Douglas County Schools is proud to honor exceptional educators and staff who are inspiring a love of learning in students and are trailblazing extraordinary innovation in our schools through their Apple Awards Program. It is truly an honor for our staff to be nominated.
Please consider nominating a teacher or staff member before Nov. 12!
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It's Back--Pie Appreciation Event | |
The Community Events Committee (CEC) is holding the 2nd Annual Pie Appreciation Event this November. This is a wonderful opportunity to thank our BFA teachers, administrators and staff for their kindness, care and commitment to our students. We had great success with our pie appreciation event last year, we hope you will join us by contributing a pie for their Thanksgiving tables again this year.
In an effort to streamline the process, each staff member will select a pie of their choice and the CEC will purchase the pies; however, we can't do it without YOUR help. The CEC is requesting $15 donations to cover the cost of each pie. You can purchase (donate) a pie via MySchoolBucks. We thank you in advance for your generosity!
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The BFA STEM Committee is excited to announce our upcoming series of family friendly competition nights for the 2023-24 academic year!
Last year, the BFA STEM committee hosted their first ever Family Fun Night Engineering Night. This year, they'll be hosting not one, but two STEM-themed family events!
The first will be an Engineering Night - Paper Airplane Competition and will be held from 5 - 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at BFA. This event will be FREE and will include an informational presentation on aerodynamics, time for families and students to work together in teams to construct the most aerodynamic paper planes, and flight tests! Light snacks will be provided and prizes will be awarded in multiple categories.
Don’t miss out! Sign up to participate in this free, fun, STEM-tastic evening of friendly competition at BFA. Bring your thinking caps, teamwork, and a little ingenuity for this fun and brain-tingling night. The next event will be held in March, 2024.
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Spirit Night at Zell's Panini and Crepes | |
Save the date for the next BFA PTO Spirit Night on Thursday, Nov. 16, at Zell's Panini and Crepes – BOTH locations! Zell's will donate 20 percent on orders placed back to the BFA PTO.
The Spirit Night event will run ALL day at BOTH locations:
- 2229 Wildcat Reserve Pkwy Suite A 4, Highlands Ranch (hours are 8 a.m.-7 p.m.); and
- 7521 S University Blvd, Centennial (hours are 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.).
You must mention that you are there for the BFA fundraiser. Online orders may be placed through www.zellscrepes.com (no 3rd party platforms); note on your order that it is for the BFA fundraiser.
Please spread the word. We hope to see you there!
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The School Accountability Committee (SAC) is meeting from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. this afternoon, Nov. 2, in the BFA Conference Room and via Zoom.
All are welcome to attend--the agenda with Zoom details can be accessed here.
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The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is holding their monthly meeting from 6:30 - 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, via Zoom ONLY.
All are welcome to attend--the Zoom details are on the BFA website calendar.
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Each month, a volunteer will be randomly chosen by the PTO through a drawing to win a fun, surprise gift. All you have to do to be eligible to win, is log at least ONE hour of volunteer service in the month prior to the drawing.
This month, Erin Bailey is the winner of our drawing for her volunteer time in September, and has won a gift card to Starbucks. Congratulations, Erin! And, thank you again for helping out around school!
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Little Doctor School at BFA | |
Little Medical School (LMS) is offering Little Doctor School at BFA. LMS offers STEM, activity–based classes striving to inspire the next generation of healthcare heroes. They are offering a class for K-5 students to teach the key responsibilities of being a doctor through role-playing activities. Kids will explore anatomy and use real medical instruments. Classes will be held from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays at BFA from Nov. 9 until Dec. 21.
The BFA STEM Committee will cover 50 percent of the costs—see the flier for more information and to register. Space is limited!
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Parent Survey: Support for BFA's Tech Resources | |
We'd appreciate parents and community members filling out a very short survey regarding the technology tools we use at BFA, and any support we may be able to provide to make these tools more user-friendly. Click here to get started.
If you have any questions, please contact Kyle Nolting, BFA's STEM coordinator.
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Get Your Yearbook and Dedication Now | |
The 2023-24 yearbooks are on sale now! Be sure to order yours early for the best pricing! Right now, yearbooks cost $40 per book. (The price will go up to $50 after Winter Break.)
You may also order a yearbook dedication (parent tribute ad) for your student. Dedications are $35 for 1/8 of page if you order by November 13. After that, the price for dedications will go up to $38 (if ordered by 12/31) and then to $40 (from 1/1 until the last day to order, 1/31). These ads are a fun way to help commemorate a great school year!
This year, we will be using a new company, Jostens, for our yearbooks. You can order and pay for your 2023-24 yearbook here, and your dedication now!
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Important Changes to User Name for EngagED Parent Portal | |
We have been notified by the school district that the login process for parents to access the EngagED Parent portal has changed. The EngagED Parent Portal is the tool BFA families use to access Express Check-In each summer. NOTE FOR EIGHTH GRADE FAMILIES: You'll need this new login to Open Enroll to a DCSD high school other than your child's address-assigned "feeder."
Beginning now, parents will need to add “@p.dcsdk12.org” to their current user names when logging into EngagED. For example, when you log into EngagED, if your current user name is absmith, that will be changed to absmith@p.dcsdk12.org. Your password will remain the same.
You should practice logging in NOW with the new user name. If you need to change your password or manage your account, you can do so on the DCSD website here. If you run into difficulty logging in to EngagED after the login process changes, don’t hesitate to reach out to the DCSD IT by clicking here, or calling 303-387-0001.
We realize this adds another step to the login process, but it's important to continuously enhance security. DCSD IT thanks you for your patience and understanding.
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Something to Celebrate? Rent the Rock! | |
The Spirit Rock is an opportunity to share exciting events with our school community by painting your own message. Parents, students, and staff may rent the Rock to recognize a student’s birthday, show school spirit, wish a team good luck, thank a teacher, announce an event, etc. It is a great way to spread positive messages and increase excitement! The rate to rent the Rock is $20 per day. All proceeds directly benefit Ben Franklin Academy!
Want to rent the Rock? Here’s how:
Have questions? Contact Lindsay Bullock, spirit rock committee manager.
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Mission:
Our mission is to create 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, the arts, 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 social emotional development, character, sports, and nature.
13 Virtues:
Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Purity and Humility.
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