11 14 BFA Elementary Newsletter

Our first Level UP! challenge was on attendance. As an Assistant Principal, I focus on attendance a lot because of how important it is for our students to be at school. Chronic absenteeism—defined as missing 10% or more of school days in a year—often leads to lower academic performance, making it challenging for students to keep up with their peers.

A study of public school students found that experiencing chronic absenteeism, even for a single school year, can have significant, lasting effects on a student’s educational journey. The study highlighted that these gaps in attendance can set off a cycle of disengagement, as students who fall behind may find it harder to reconnect with their studies, potentially affecting their motivation and overall success in future school years. Addressing chronic absenteeism early on is crucial to ensuring that students remain on track academically and can build a strong foundation for their future education.

In the next weeks, I will be sending out letters to parents whose students have missed 5 or more days thus far this year. Whether excused or unexcused, time away from the structured educational environment makes it more difficult to provide your child with the best possible learning experience. Included with my letter are some ideas to support and provide assistance in improving your student's attendance at school.

We believe sending these letters at the end of each trimester gives our parents and students a snapshot of their student's attendance which can help us create an attendance plan if needed.

Michael Peterson
Assistant Principal K - 4

Mrs. Loehr loves teaching third grade at Ben Franklin Academy. This is her 19th year in education and fourth year at BFA. She loves teaching here and has enjoyed building close relationships with her students, parents, and colleagues. It is truly a great community.

Mrs. Loehr grew up outside Houston in Cypress, TX with her mom, stepdad, and younger sister. She attended the University of Texas San Antonio where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. After receiving her Bachelor's Degree, she attended Concordia University and graduated with a Master's in Educational Administration.

She moved to Colorado with her husband in the summer of 2021 and brought along their dog, Denver and two cats, Luke and Kitten Boots. Even though she is 100% Texan, they love the outdoors and the seasons here in Colorado! On May 23, 2023, they welcomed their son Carter Loehr into the world. Carter has been their biggest blessing and she loves being a mom. It is truly the greatest gift and has opened her eyes to a whole new world. Mrs. Loehr's family means everything to her.

Besides spending time with her family, Mrs. Loehr loves traveling, trips back to Texas, watching and playing sports, and being adventurous. However, her favorite is playing with her son and watching him learn and grow.

Click here to see her favorites.

Ms. Ladner was born in New Orleans, LA but raised in South Mississippi. She loved living by the beach and always having amazing food to eat. As a family, they made trips back to New Orleans and enjoyed the culture and uniqueness that was there. She still has family in New Orleans and Mississippi but sadly has not been back since she moved to Colorado in 2006. Hopefully one day that will happen!

She is the second oldest of 5 siblings. Her mom and younger brother are also here in CO and they love it here. Ms. Ladner is a mom to an amazing son who is in 5th grade this year. They enjoy finding fun things to do together on the weekends and finding new adventures to go on! On her time off, she loves being with her son, spending time with amazing friends, shopping (online or at Target), and watching movies!

Click here to see her favorites.

Students in grades 1 through 5 had the opportunity to earn a special "Accelerated Reading Dress of Choice" day by meeting their reading goals in the Accelerated Reader program. This reward celebrated their hard work and dedication to reading, encouraging students to explore books and improve their literacy skills. By reaching their reading targets, they not only enhanced their comprehension and vocabulary but also got to enjoy a fun, out-of-uniform day as a well-earned treat. This event motivates students to keep pushing forward in their reading journeys and highlights the importance of consistent effort and a love for reading.

If your student will not participate in AR Dress of Choice, they can dress in regular uniform or spirit wear.

As part of a fun Thanksgiving project, our kindergarteners took on the creative challenge of disguising a turkey to help it avoid becoming Thanksgiving dinner! Each student received a paper turkey cutout and used their imaginations to craft clever disguises, transforming their turkeys into everything from superheroes to ballerinas and even police officers. This activity allowed the children to practice their fine motor skills, express their creativity, and learn about Thanksgiving traditions in a playful way. By the end, the disguised turkeys were nearly unrecognizable, safely blending in as anything but dinner!

Our 1st graders were excited to participate in a Thanksgiving gratitude project by decorating a big paper feather with images and drawings of what they’re thankful for. Each student used their creativity to fill the feather with pictures, magazine cutouts, and hand-drawn illustrations that represented the people, places, and things they cherish most. From family and friends to favorite toys and pets, the collages provided a colorful display of each child’s unique perspective on gratitude. This activity helped our students reflect on what brings them joy and allowed them to express their appreciation in a fun, meaningful way.

Then each feather is added together to make a big Thankful Turkey!

Our first graders are diving into an exciting science unit on the sun, moon, and stars, sparking their curiosity about the sky above! To help them understand the concepts of sunrise and sunset, the students had fun acting out these daily events. Through interactive activities, they learned about the Earth’s rotation and how it causes the sun to appear to rise and set. This hands-on approach brought the concepts to life, helping them better understand the movement of the sun in a memorable and engaging way.

Ms. McElroy's class reached an incredible milestone - 1,500 dojo points as a team! As a reward, they welcomed a new class pet: Mochi, an adorable axolotl! She’s a leucistic axolotl, which means she’s pink with black eyes. Mochi loves swimming around her tank, hiding in her temple, and snacking on live worms. The kids are thrilled and so proud of how responsible they’ve become.

Our 3rd graders enjoy dynamic afternoon centers that engage them in math, i-Ready, social studies, and "leveling up" activities. In the math center, students tackle hands-on problems that strengthen their understanding of key concepts. The i-Ready center offers personalized learning, allowing each student to progress at their own pace and focus on areas they need to improve. During social studies, students explore engaging topics, bringing history and geography to life in an interactive setting. The "leveling up" center encourages students to push their skills even further, providing extra challenges that keep them motivated and excited about learning. These centers create a well-rounded, interactive environment that supports academic growth and keeps students energized throughout the afternoon.

Our 3rd graders are enthusiastically diving into their study of ancient Roman civilization! Each year, they spend an entire day experiencing what life might have been like in Roman times by fully immersing themselves in character. They are preparing for this big day by researching what Romans did, from food to how they ruled.

Our 4th graders took an exciting field trip to the ice rink, where they had the unique opportunity to learn about science in action! During their visit, students explored concepts like friction, momentum, and the states of matter, observing how ice changes and behaves in response to different forces. They also learned about the science behind skating, understanding how skates glide on the ice and the role of balance and center of gravity. The hands-on experience of being on the ice helped make these scientific principles come to life, sparking curiosity and enhancing their understanding. This engaging field trip combined learning with fun, leaving students with both memorable experiences and a deeper appreciation for science.

In our kindergarten and first-grade, the excitement was palpable as students dove into the world of robotics! Working in pairs, they explored how to make their robots come to life through hands-on activities and engaging challenges. With colorful building blocks and simple coding tools, the kids collaborated to construct their robots, learning about movement and programming along the way. Laughter filled the room as they tested their creations, troubleshooting together when things didn’t go as planned. This fun, interactive experience not only sparked their interest in technology but also encouraged teamwork and problem-solving skills, making learning feel like an exciting adventure!

In our 2nd to 5th grades, students embarked on an exciting journey into the world of coding! Through fun, interactive activities, they learned the basics of programming by creating their own games and animations. Collaborative group activities encouraged teamwork as they shared ideas and problem-solved together. The thrill of watching their code come to life sparked a sense of accomplishment and curiosity, making coding not just a skill but an adventure in innovation and imagination. This foundational experience inspired many to think critically and approach challenges with a new, tech-savvy mindset!

Our 3rd graders enjoyed a lively library session with a special carnival game focused on identifying genres! The game challenged students to recognize and categorize different book genres, from fantasy and science fiction to biography and historical fiction. Set up like a mini carnival, the activity featured stations where students could spin wheels, toss bean bags, or match book covers with their corresponding genres. This hands-on, interactive approach made learning about genres exciting and memorable. The students enthusiastically participated, working together and cheering each other on as they sharpened their literary skills in a fun, supportive environment.

Selected by their teachers for their leadership potential, a group of our 4th and 5th graders attended a special leadership retreat at Heritage High School. This inspiring event brought young leaders together, where they engaged in activities focused on teamwork, communication, and personal growth. Through workshops and interactive sessions, the students learned valuable skills to bring back to their classrooms, empowering them to make a positive impact in their school community. The retreat also offered them a chance to connect with other young leaders, broadening their perspectives and building confidence in their abilities. The experience left them energized and ready to apply their new skills as role models for their peers.

We have several musicals coming to our school.

2nd Grade is December 4

5th Grade is December 5

After School Musical is December 11

Our Kindergarten to 5th grade students created amazing artwork. The Original Works is a wonderful opportunity for parents to support their child’s school while celebrating their creativity! Through this program, students' unique artwork is transformed into a variety of high-quality keepsakes, from mugs and magnets to tote bags and t-shirts. Not only do these items make for personal, meaningful gifts, but a portion of every purchase goes directly back to the school, supporting essential programs and resources that benefit all students. By participating, parents can proudly showcase their child’s talents and help enhance their educational experience. It’s a win-win way to cherish memories and contribute to the school community!

Order now through November 14, 2024 to ensure delivery for the Holidays. You can still order later for home delivery.

Ben Franklin Academy Access Code is on the cover page of each artwork. However, you can look up your student's artwork here.

Our Art room is always in need of volunteers. If you are interested, just come on by the school and check in with the Front Office. No need to sign up or even let us know as Mrs. Hinkle can use your help everyday!

Our Elementary Website can be found here.

It has wonderful information for parents and students. Each grade level has their own webpages also. You can find lots of information on homework, what your student is doing in class, what the upcoming week looks like and so much more.

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

November's Virtue is...

Sincerity – Be kind. Say kind words and treat others as you want to be treated. Encourage each other to succeed.

Tranquility – Keep yourself from reacting poorly to others. People are not perfect and the world is not fair. Learn to deal with both despite imperfections. Be patient.

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.