August 8, 2024 Weekly Newsletter
August 8, 2024
Dear Parents-
Welcome back for another amazing year at BFA! It has been so nice to see so many of you in the building the past few days. The teachers, administration, and staff are eager to start this year next week.
As I shared last week, our theme this year is Level Up! One way we are leveling up is by making sure that everyone understands and follows the school's policies. We hold our students to the higher standard of a uniform code. The Uniform Policy is linked here and the Uniform Chart is linked here. Please review them, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out.
Formal uniform days are typically the first Wednesday of the month, and other special days, such as the first day of school. The formal uniform consists of the Blue Polo Top with a Red Logo and khaki bottoms (if bottoms have belt loops, then belt).
Each year, the PTO sells Spirit Wear that allows the students to get a break from their regular uniform tops on selected days. We are excited to announce - we will have Spirit Days every Friday this year! Each Friday, students will be able to wear their choice of BFA spirit top with their uniform bottoms. We want to see Lightning Bolt Spirit each week. The PTO Spirit Store is open now through August 12. It will reopen on August 27 and periodically throughout the year. As you place orders, please pay attention to the notes in red regarding what is classroom approved (Monday - Thursday) and what is Spirit Day approved as certain items may be excluded.
Students will still enjoy Dress of Choice days every month, as long as they haven't had more than one uniform violation. Please remember that any length requirements for skirts, shorts, and skorts also apply on dress-of-choice days.
Formal Dress, Dress of Choice, and Spirit Wear days can be found on our Events Calendar on our website.
As we prepare for back to school, I also want to highlight our Mobile Electronic Use Policy. Students (PreK-8) should not be using phones or wearing smartwatches here at school. Both phones and smart watches may be kept in student's backpacks. If a student is seen with a phone or a smartwatch, they will be asked to put it away. They may access them at carpool. Please refrain from texting your students during the school day. If you need to get a message to them, please call the office or email their teacher, and we will get the message to them.
I hope to see everyone for Meet and Greets and the CEC Back-to-School Picnic on Monday! Have a wonderful weekend!
Principal Simpson
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.
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.
New Family Orientation
Brand new BFA families are welcome to join us for an orientation from 5:30 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8, at BFA.
Please come through the Athletics Entrance by the Playfield. This was the same entrance as the BFA Family Check In.
- Come learn more about BFA and how you can get more involved in our Community.
- 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.
Teacher Meet And Greet - August 12
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.
CEC Annual Back-To-School Picnic
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.
Medications & Immunizations can still be dropped off
- Bring student medications and completed required health forms with parent and physician’s signature to the Front Office during school hours once school starts.
- Any updated vaccination records or exemptions can be emailed to our Health Office.
Our Parent Teacher Organization looks forward to an amazing year full of events, fundraisers and sponsorships. Check back in next week's newsletter for our upcoming fun events.
Did you read above that EVERY FRIDAY is Spirit Wear??? We are excited to offer many options of Spirit Wear for your student. Our Online Spirit Wear Store is open until August 12 and reopens August 27.
SAVE THE DATE: August 4 Family Movie Night
CEC meets the first Wednesday of each Month.
Our upcoming events are:
August 12 - Back to School Picnic ( We can use your help. Sign up to volunteer here)
August 14 - Boohoo/Yahoo
September 6 - Goodies with Grandparents
October 25 - Vitalant Blood Drive
November 21 - Veteran's Day Event
Boohoo/Yahoo Kindergarten Event
If you are looking to volunteer for our Annual CEC Kindergarten BooWoo/Yahoo Event, we could use your help.
Our SAC will be having its first meeting tonight, August 8, at 4:00 p.m. in the First Floor Conference Room. More meetings will be posted soon on our BFA Event Calendar.
Middle School Fall Sport Tryouts start next week. We offer Girls Volleyball, Boys Soccer and Co-Ed Cross Country. See our Fall Sports Flyer for more information.
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.