The Weekly Update #4

We are busy getting ready to welcome our students on the First Day of School, August 14. We have many wonderful events in the next 2 weeks we hope you will join us.

We are excited to announce our 24-25 school year theme, "Level Up," which is all about encouraging our students to reach new heights in both their academic achievements and personal growth. Just like in a video game where players advance to higher levels through skill and perseverance, we believe that every student has the potential to elevate their abilities and character. We have so many fun things planned for the year and you will see our theme showing up in various ways throughout the school year.

Are you ready to "Level Up" for the new year?

Elementary Teacher assignments can be found in the Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal after 9 a.m. on Friday, August 2.

Middle school parents should log into their Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal to view their student’s middle school schedule after 9 a.m. on Aug. 2. Please print the schedule and ask your student to bring it on his/her first day.

Note: the Infinite Campus Parent Portal is different from the EngagED Portal where you completed Express Check-In. For the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, your credentials are your username (WITHOUT the ‘@p.dcsdk12.org’ ) and password.

Instructions for Pulling Up Teachers/Schedules in IC

Here’s how to view BFA teacher assignments and/or middle school schedules in IC:

• Login to your Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal
• From the left-hand menu bar, select: Schedule
  • If that does not work for you, click Documents, then 0135 BfA 24-25
• Elementary students will see their homeroom teacher, and middle school students can print their schedule
  
  

If you have multiple BFA students, you will need to view their schedules separately.

Tuesday, August 6

Families with last name beginning A-L
Hours: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (School closed for lunch break from 2-3 p.m.)

Wednesday, August 7

Families with last name beginning M-Z
Hours: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. (School closed for lunch break from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.)

Complete Online Express Check-In, pay student fees (no fees for 2024-2025 Academic Year) and complete all required forms before coming to BFA Annual Family Check-In.

This year, parents and students will enter through our Athletic Entrance, which is the Thunder Gym. This is the double doors next to our playfield/playground. Look for signs and balloons to help navigate there. Once you enter the Thunder Gym, volunteers and staff will be there to assist you on where to go.

• Be ready to SMILE! Student photos will be taken. Check out MJ Thomas Flyer for picture ordering information. Students should wear a BFA uniform shirt. (No parent pictures as this is now done at the Front Office.) Students who miss will have a Picture Make Up day.

• Current families DO NOT need to bring in their carpool tag this year–but please keep it to use during the upcoming school year as it’s a helpful part of the carpool process, along with the PikMyKid app.
• We have a dedicated room for New/Current Parents for our Carpool Procedures. New families will receive a tag, and should allow extra time to learn about BFA’s drop-off/pick-up processes.

• Bring student medications and completed required health forms with parent and physician’s signature.
• Bring copies of any legal documents or updates (custody, parenting plan, guardianship, etc.), if applicable

Our Parent Teacher Organization will be there!

• Purchase BFA logo apparel
• Buy Used Uniforms and Spirit Wear!

CEC will be available to learn about volunteer opportunities.

If you are looking to volunteer for our Annual CEC Kindergarten BooWoo/Yahoo Event, we could use your help.

Our SAC will be available to learn about how to get involved!

Brand new BFA families are welcome to join us for an orientation from 5:30 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8, at BFA.

• Come learn more about BFA and how you can get more involved in our Community.
• Hear from our staff and teachers
• Learn about what your students will be doing this upcoming year.
• No RSVP is needed
• Children can accompany parents but it may be worthwhile to have something to keep their attention during the presentation
• A tour will follow the orientation presentation, for those who did not attend one previously.

Students and Parents come to meet their teachers from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

• K-8: Meet your Teacher from 3 – 5 p.m.
  • Students with Medication needed during school hours can drop off medication and forms during this time.
  • Middle School students will get locker information and can bring locker items.
    
• Pre-K: Meet and Greets are based on Classroom. Please see our PreK Event for more information.

Back-to-School Picnic – August 12

Community Events Committee’s informal Back-to-School picnic brings our community together just before school starts. Join CEC and BFA families for our annual Back-to-School Picnic at 3:30–6:30 p.m.

BYO picnic and blanket. Bring your chairs and blankets, and join us for games, music, food trucks and fun with your fellow BFA community.

The First Day of School for Grades 1-8 is from 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14. All students (except our preschoolers) should wear their Formal Uniform, which is a navy polo with the BFA logo and tan pants, shorts, skirt or a skort.

Kindergarteners: Please see Boohoo/Yahoo Event information below as our Community Events Committee celebrates with Parents as our Kindergartners on their first day of school.

Note: Preschool Tuesday/Thursday students will begin on Aug. 15.

Middle School Fall Sport Try-Outs will be soon. A separate email will go out next week with more information for each sport.

Visit our Athletics Page for more information about our Athletics Programs at BFA.

Our delicious lunch is provided by DCSD. Check out the menu for the first weeks of school.

BFA does not provide breakfast at this time.

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.