Zaccaria January 16

We have recently observed a noticeable increase in student cell phone usage during school hours. We kindly ask that you review our school's mobile technology policy, which outlines the appropriate use of electronic devices on campus.

It's important to reiterate that if a student is feeling unwell, the proper procedure is to report to the health room first. From there, if necessary, they will be allowed to make a phone call home.

For any changes in appointments, urgent messages, or other important information that needs to reach your student, please contact the front office directly. This will ensure efficient and timely communication.

To maintain a focused learning environment, all personal electronic devices, including cell phones, smartwatches, and similar technologies, should be powered off and must be stored securely in students' lockers throughout the entire school day.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a productive and distraction-free learning environment for all students.

Rick Zaccaria

Mr. Russell joined BFA in 2022 as our 7th-grade Language Arts teacher. In his classroom, he focuses on helping students build and refine essential literacy skills. He guides students in developing their writing abilities, from crafting well-organized essays to expressing their thoughts creatively. Mr. Russell also fosters communication skills by encouraging class discussions and presentations, helping students articulate their ideas confidently, equipping students with tools for academic success and a lifelong appreciation for language and literature.

Mr. Russell grew up in Texas but attended high school in Colorado. After completing college in Texas, he spent nine years living and teaching in Indonesia, where he gained extensive experience teaching students from 1st grade through 12th grade, including International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. In 2019, Mr. Russell returned to Colorado with his family to continue his teaching career in the United States.

He is a devoted husband and proud father to an amazing little girl. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Russell enjoys powerlifting, exploring the outdoors, and embracing his love for all things Star Wars.

Click here to view his favorites.

Mrs. Pierce grew up in the northern suburbs outside of Chicago and fondly remembers visiting Colorado with her family during her childhood. After college, she and her husband, Josh, decided to make Colorado their home. She continued her education by earning a Master’s Degree in Instruction and Curriculum from the University of Colorado Boulder. Mrs. Pierce began her teaching career in a second-grade classroom over twenty years ago, believing she had found her ideal grade level. However, after a few unexpected turns, she discovered her true passion in a surprising place: middle school.

Now in her 8th year of teaching at Ben Franklin, Mrs. Pierce is dedicated to helping every student recognize their worth, discover their potential, and feel supported and valued. She treasures the opportunity to guide students through sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, as they navigate the transformative journey from childhood to young adulthood. Encouraging mindfulness and fostering personal growth during this pivotal time is a role she considers a true privilege.

Mrs. Pierce and her husband have two daughters who attended Ben Franklin from preschool through eighth grade and are now thriving as a senior and a freshman at Mountain Vista High School. As a family, Tracy, Josh, Ellie, and Lainey love exploring the world together—whether by plane, boat, RV, or any other means—and visiting family across the country. In her free time, Mrs. Pierce enjoys cheering on her favorite Chicago sports teams, indulging in her many crafting hobbies, staying connected with former students, and planning her next concert, trip, or adventure.

Click here to view her favorites.

Charity week is March 10 - 14. We will have fun activities throughout the week. Our week will end with our longstanding tradition, Dodgeball For Dollars on Friday, March 14.

More information will come soon.

Our first dance was a smashing success! The gym was filled with smiles, laughter, and some truly amazing dance moves. Students enjoyed socializing with their friends, and by the end of the night, everyone left happy and thoroughly exhausted from all the fun.

Enjoy some pictures below.

5th graders learn to solve fraction equations by creating equivalent fractions. Finding a common denominator allows them to rewrite fractions as equivalents. By multiplying both the numerator and denominator of each fraction by the same number, they create fractions with the same denominator. This simplifies addition and subtraction, making the equations easier to solve and building a crucial foundation for future math. With Envision Math, our 5th grade workbook follows along with the teacher to help the students master this skill.

In 6th grade, students dive into the Hero's Journey, a universal storytelling framework that helps them understand the structure behind many classic narratives. The Hero's Journey follows a protagonist as they embark on an adventure, face obstacles, and return transformed. Through studying this narrative structure, students recognize common patterns in literature, film, and mythology. They analyze key stages of the journey through a film study, exploring how these elements shape the story. Now at the end of this unit, our 6th graders are able to identify these stages in different narratives and apply them in their own creative writing and analysis. This unit lays the groundwork for deeper discussions on storytelling, critical thinking, and personal growth as students reflect on how individuals evolve through challenges.

This activity will seamlessly connect to their next area of study, Wanderings of Odysseus, where students will further expand their knowledge and enhance their skills.

Our 7th graders are diving into the study of a trial from the 1920s, conducting their own research to recreate a mock trial. Throughout this process, they gain insight into the legal profession and explore what it takes to be a lawyer. The 7th-grade Honors Class will take this experience a step further by participating in a mock trial, putting their research and newfound knowledge into practice.

Eighth-grade students participated in a creative and educational activity by transforming popular holiday songs into math-themed versions. They worked together to rewrite lyrics, incorporating mathematical concepts like fractions, equations, and geometry into the festive tunes. The activity combined music and academics, fostering teamwork, creativity, and a deeper understanding of math in a fun and engaging way.

There was a lot of laughter and fun while filming these videos! Great job 8th Graders.

Our school enjoyed a fun Spirit Week right before break and we saw so many wonderful outfits. We even had a CheerMeister contest for the most creative and fun Holiday outfit and Door Decorating Contest which our students decorated the hallways with joyful images.

Winner - Mr. Astler's 8th Grade Advisory

-a fun Buddy the Elf meets Rudolph themed door.

Honorable Mention - Ms. Harm's 6th Grade Advisory

-best take on Christmas Vacation

Each year, our Middle School proudly presents a musical, and this year’s production will be Mary Poppins! Two electives—acting and design—work together to bring the show to life. The acting elective focuses on rehearsing songs, perfecting choreography, and developing stage presence, while the design elective handles the technical aspects, including set construction, lighting, and costume design. This collaborative effort allows students to showcase their talents both on stage and behind the scenes, making the production a truly magical experience.

This is free for all our families. There will be 2 shows on February 28 and March 1.

Did you know that all our sports games are on our Event Calendar? Check it out and Come Support our Teams! SKO Bolts ⚡

Girls Basketball Game Schedule is available.

Hope to see you at our first home game on January 21st at 4:15 p.m.

Parents-when you are attending functions after school, as a courtesy, please do not park in the 6 clearly marked parking spots for the BASE parents during the hours of 4pm-6pm.

January's Virtues are...

Moderation – Keep yourself in balance. Focus both on accomplishing things in which you excel and those you do not. Try new things.

Order – All things have their place. Keep your work area in order; keep your day in order.