Weekly Newsletter
January 23, 2025
BFA Board of Director Meeting Summary - January 2025
In partnership with Principal Simpson, the BFA Board of Directors is proud to work for the students, parents, and patrons of BFA in promoting the mission and vision of the school. The following summarizes action taken during our January Board meeting.
BOD Updates:
SAC Fall Survey
Participation with regard to this survey increased for every grade level this year - a 29% increase! 8th grade had the most significant participation increase out of all grade levels - way to go 8th grade parents! Thank you to everyone who participated. A summary of the results for elementary and middle school are as follows:
K-5 results: Teachers were praised for their warmth, their patience, and creating positive environments. Clear and timely communication with parents was highly appreciated. Parents really liked the creative, hands-on teaching methods being used to keep students engaged. 94% felt that their students were being challenged at their level. Learning challenges included students requiring help with math and reading comprehension, confidence and self-advocacy being common struggles for shy students, and balancing assignments and tests with extracurriculars can be challenging. Common requests for improvements included, simplifying homework and workloads, providing support for those students who needed it while also offering more challenging work for advanced students, and finally timely feedback and return of graded work.
6-8 results: Teachers were praised for dynamic and engaging teaching styles, supportive environments, clear and consistent communication with parents, and an emphasis on independence and critical thinking. Finally, strengths also included our staff’s strong, positive relationships with students. With regard to homework, math stands out as the subject requiring a bit more time with homework each night. Opportunities for improvement included simplifying homework and workload, checking in with quieter students, curriculum alignment across grade levels, improving timeliness of feedback, and coordinating assignments, where possible.
Overall, parents appreciate our teachers who are seen as deeply caring and focused on student success. A big thank you to the SAC, including chair Karen Ramon, Lara Chatterton, Amanda Raddatz, and Ethan Waples. The presentation will be available on the SAC page of the BFA website in the coming weeks.
SAC Spring Survey
Information regarding the SAC Spring survey will be released soon. Given feedback from parents related to rewards for participation, the SAC intends to incentivize participation by allowing an extra dress of choice if we are able to achieve school-wide participation of 80% or more.
Board Succession
Board elections will take place in April 2025. Two seats will be open, including the seats currently held by Sarah Nisbet and Keri Street: one seat will be elected and one seat will be appointed by the Board. Additional information will be included in future newsletters and emails. If you are interested in learning more about what the Board does or have questions, please feel free to reach out to any current Board members.
Financial Oversight:
We unfortunately anticipate a cut to PPR funding next year due to the change in funding formulas related to state distributions. It is anticipated that could greatly impact Douglas County School District, and BFA, due to the State revenue deficit. Our budget is healthy and we continue to prepare for the potential impacts.
We remain focused on our financial health, including appropriate spending and quality investments. Treasurer Sarah Nisbet provided the financial focus during the meeting. December financials were reviewed and recommended for approval by our Finance Committee. Financial documents are made available on the Financial Transparency page of the BFA website.
Policy Governance:
The Board did not review any policies during the January meeting.
Board BOLTS:
The Board and Principal Simpson recognize that there are BFA students and staff who go above and beyond and achieve excellence in academics, character, effort, and/or service both at BFA and within our greater Community. We are proud of these students and the characteristics they exemplify:
June Gonda (Kindergarten)
Daniel Hernandez (Kindergarten)
Vaughn Ryan (Kindergarten)
Ellie Burgess (4th)
Elin Borstad (5th)
Tyler Hudson (7th)
Lauren Flint (Elementary Science teacher)
Christine McMahon (3rd grade teacher)
Lisa Dychus (8th grade math teacher)
Mike Hurd (Instructional Aide)
If you would like to nominate a student to be considered as one of our Board BOLTS in February, please use this nomination form.
February Board Meeting:
The next BFA Board of Directors meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 18, in the Middle School Commons.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Haley Maglieri
Bookmark Our Events Calendar Now!
Please visit to get the most updated events or other activities going on.
Important Upcoming Dates
🏫 January 23 - STEM Committee Meeting
🏫 January 23 - Ben's Brigade Meeting
👕 January 24 - BFA Spirit Wear & Crazy Sock Day
🏫 January 26 through February 1 - National School Choice Week
👕 January 29 - EXTRA BFA Spirit Wear Day
🍕 January 29 - PTO Spirit Night at High Society Pizza!
🦻 January 29 & 30 - Hearing and Vision Testing
👕 January 31 - Denver Nuggets Spirit/BFA Spirit Wear & Crazy Sock Day
🪩 February 1 - Sweetheart Dance
💯 February 3 - 100 Days of School
🐶 February 4 - 101 Days of School
👕February 5 - Formal Uniform Day
SAVE THE DATE
February 21 - Desserts with Dad
March 5 - STEM Family Night
March 8 - BENefit Bash
We feel incredibly fortunate to have families who have chosen to be part of BFA. National School Choice Week (NSCW), January 26-February 1, 2025, provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate this special community with our students, staff, and families.
Monday: Our students will help us decorate a banner to be put up in the hallway for the rest of the week.
Tuesday: The Front Office and IAs will hand out bottle stickers to our students.
Wednesday: Extra BFA Spirit Wear Day! Wear your favorite BFA Spirit Wear and uniform bottoms to show school spirit. Parents can join in also!
Thursday: Our students will write a testimonial about why they like Ben Franklin Academy. We will showcase the letters in the school hallways and highlight a few at our February Board of Directors Meeting.
Friday: Our students will be featured in a "What Makes Ben Franklin Amazing" video. Videos will be posted on our BFA Bolt YouTube Channel and social media.
Extra BFA Spirit Wear Day!
In honor of National School Choice Week, we will have an EXTRA BFA Spirit Wear Day!!! And we want parents to join in on January 29.
Any Ben Franklin-approved top that has been approved. All of our Field Day, Fun Run and Charity shirts are included. Some PTO spirit wear store items are also approved. Students MUST wear approved Uniform bottoms. Please refer to our Uniform Standards for more information.
Tomorrow is last day to purchase tickets!
This Year’s Sweetheart Ball – Hollywood Red Carpet
All BFA girls (Pre-K to Grade 8) and their fathers or special adult are invited to attend this year's Sweetheart Ball, Hollywood Red Carpet, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Saturday February 1, at BFA. Suggested dress for the event is formal attire, and be ready to strike a pose for the photographers on the red carpet! Dessert and drinks will be served.
Tickets are on sale now through January 24, and can be purchased online through MySchoolBucks. Tickets are $35 per couple, and $15 for each additional student.
Get yours today, as tickets will not be sold at the dance!
The PTO needs your help to make this event a success. If you are interested in volunteering to help at the event (decorating, crafts, games, etc.), you can sign up here. If you’d like to donate desserts for the ball, sign up here.
If you have any questions, please contact Katie Graham, Sweetheart Ball committee manager.
Ms. Harrell
Ms. Harrell has transitioned into a new role at this year, ESL Coordinator, in addition to being the Moderate Needs Teacher for Grades K - 3. This new position will allow her to dedicate her expertise and passion to supporting our English Language Learners and fostering an inclusive learning environment. Ms. Harrell has been instrumental in developing and implementing effective ESL program, providing resources and support to both students and teachers, and working closely with families to ensure student success. Ms. Harrell, along with Ellen Cain, started the "Lexia in the Morning" program that has shown huge successes with our readers.
She is also been helping get our grade level webpages accessible to our ESL families, which seamlessly translates into 16 languages. With Ms. Harrell's guidance, our First Grade webpage will go live next week, ensuring accessibility to all BFA.
Click here to view her favorites.
Library Summer Camp Registration Begins February 3 📚📖
Visiting the library or attending a library camp during the summer months provides a fun and engaging way to combat summer learning loss and foster a love of reading. Libraries offer a wide variety of books, programs, and activities that cater to different interests and age groups, encouraging children and teens to explore new genres and authors. The relaxed and welcoming atmosphere of a library, combined with the guidance of knowledgeable librarians, helps create positive reading experiences that can spark a lifelong passion for books.
Join Douglas County Libraries over the summer at one of their fun summer camp.
Do You Love Baking?🥘🥖🧁
The Baking Committee can use your help!
If you like to bake treats 🧁, you can help out the Sweetheart Dance on February 1. Sweetheart Ball baked goods on 2/1
You can help provide dinner 🥖🥣🍜 for our staff on February 13. Spring Conference dinner on 2/13
LIBRARY
We are half way through our school year and it is time sign up to volunteer for library. We are requesting that ONLY families who have NOT met their 15/30 hours sign up.
The library is one of the best places to volunteer at BFA! It’s a vibrant hub where students discover new worlds through books and develop a lifelong love of reading. Volunteers can help with shelving books, organizing displays, assisting with library events, or even reading with students. Join us in fostering a love of learning—become a library volunteer today!
Hearing and Vision
Volunteers & Donations Needed:
We need lots of help to make our Hearing and Vision Testing go smoothly. Please sign up to help in-person or donate some food items. Click here for more information about how you can help.
BFA Spelling Bee 🐝
We are thrilled to announce the winner of our Spelling Bee! Congratulations to Ronan McMahon (Grade 6), who clinched the top prize by correctly spelling the word "zucchini".
This year's competition was particularly fierce, with ten talented finalists vying for the championship. The audience was on the edge of their seats as each speller showcased their impressive vocabulary and spelling prowess, making for a truly exciting and memorable event. Congratulations to Ronan and to all our finalists.
🦻 K-8 Hearing and Vision Testing 👓
Hearing and vision impact learning, so it’s essential to conduct screenings. On Jan. 29 and 30, we will be screening all students in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7, any students new to BFA, plus any referrals. Please visit our website for more information.
If you child wears glasses, please send them on both days.
Colorado Rapids Attendance Celebration! ⚽
We have partnered with the Colorado Rapids to reward and incentivize attendance here at Ben Franklin Academy by giving students who have not missed more than 2 days, from January 20 - February 21, a complimentary ticket to a Colorado Rapids match with the purchase of an adult ticket.
Students who qualify will receive a ticket link voucher via email to redeem their complimentary ticket with purchase of additional discounted tickets. Vouchers will be redeemable for qualifying Spring 2025 games.
Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
2nd Grade Universal Screen
As part of this process, ALL students in 2nd grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) the weeks of February 3 and February 10. This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age. If your child is in K or 1st grade and you believe he/she needs evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.
Read more about this testing in Mr. Peterson's Newsletter.
Get Your Tickets to the 2025 BENefit Bash Today!
The BENefit Bash, on March 8, is the PTO’s primary fundraiser this year. It’s a BFA tradition parents look forward to, so we hope you’ll PURCHASE your tickets TODAY! The Bash will be held from 5 – 10 p.m. at Cielo in Castle Pines. Early bird pricing is available through January 31.
We are still in need of silent and live auction items! We are looking for a variety of things: sports items, timeshares, lodging, gift basket items etc. Please consider how you can help!
If you have something you would like to donate, or if you’d like to volunteer, please reach out to Erin Wiley, PTO Fundraising Coordinator.
January Spirit Day/Night at High Society Pizza!
Our January PTO Spirit Day/Night fundraiser is January 29 at High Society Pizza (2229 W. Wildcat Reserve Pkwy Unit A1, Highlands Ranch). From 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., High Society will donate 15% back on orders placed to the BFA PTO!
Please tell the cashier that you are there for the BFA fundraiser in order for the PTO to receive credit for your order. Please spread the word and hope to see you there!
Save the Date for Desserts with Dad
Mark your calendars and save the date. The CEC will host Desserts with Dad (or your special person) on Friday, February 21. The event will be held in the evening this year from 6:30 - 8:00p.m. Get ready for an evening of sweet treats and fun! Stay tuned for further details.
Two Seats Open on the BFA Board of Directors in Spring 2025
The Ben Franklin Academy (BFA) community is seeking leaders who are passionate about and committed to BFA’s mission and vision to serve on the BFA Board of Directors (Board). In the spring of 2025, the BFA community will elect (or re-elect) one (1) director and the BFA Board will appoint one (1) director in accordance with the Board of Directors Election Policy to serve on the volunteer, seven-director BFA Board. We hope to receive a record number of nominations with a desire of having a diverse, talented and dedicated pool of candidates to draw from for BFA’s Board.
The Board encourages all individuals with a passion to serve the BFA community to get involved in the nomination and election process this spring. More details on the election/appointment process, director qualifications and Board needs will be communicated in early 2025.
If you have any questions please reach out to Adam Lucero or Justin Mayhall.
Save the Date for Mary Poppins
February 28 and March 1 at 7:00 p.m. will be our middle school musical, Mary Poppins. Free for everyone, we hope to see everyone there.
Mary Poppins is a delightful stage adaptation of the classic tale, bringing all the charm and magic of the original story to a younger audience. This beloved musical follows the enchanting Mary Poppins as she transforms the lives of the Banks family with her wit, wisdom, and a touch of magic. Featuring memorable songs like "A Spoonful of Sugar" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," this production captures the imagination with its lively choreography, colorful costumes, and heartwarming messages about family, kindness, and believing in the impossible. It's a timeless story brought to life in a way that will leave audiences of all ages singing and smiling.
Winter Sports are gearing up. Our game schedules will be posted in our Monthly Calendar for all our upcoming sports. Visit our Athletics Page for more information about our Athletics Programs at BFA.
Girls Basketball Game Schedule is available. Hope to see you at the games!
Home Games Parking: Please remember to park in Athletic spots ONLY. When attending after school athletic games, as a courtesy, please do not park in the 6 clearly marked parking spots for the BASE parents during the hours of 4pm-6pm.
After School Activities and Sports - PikMyKid Delegation
Setting Up dismissal for an After School Activities or Sports is a simple process. We have created this Parent Tutorial to help guide you through the process.
To change delegation, click on arrow next to your student's name.
1. Select the date you wish to change their pickup status. Then click “Change Pickup” or Click on the 3 dots on the bottom right.
2. Under “Select Date”, choose date for a one-time occurrence or even set up recurring dates.
3. Next, Select How>Select Pick Up Mode>AfterSchool>Sports/Activities.
4. You will see a Summary of your changes. Click “Confirm Change” and you are all set.
Do this for each student and you are all set.
Our 2025 Apple Award Nominees Are...
We are thrilled to announce that two of our exceptional educators, Ms. Jenna Lukasiewicz and Ms. Nikki Schmitt, have been selected as nominees for DCSD's prestigious 2025 Apple Award. This nomination recognizes their outstanding contributions to our school community and their unwavering commitment to student success. Their dedication, innovation, and passion for teaching make them truly deserving of this honor.
Created in 2006, the Apple Awards is the Douglas County School District's (DCSD) premier awards ceremony, providing an opportunity to recognize and celebrate excellent teachers and the outstanding contribution of Douglas County School District staff. The event is organized by the Foundation for Douglas County Schools.
Our delicious lunch is provided by DCSD. Check out the menu and select the current month.
If a student has a specific dietary restriction or allergy, parents must contact DCSD Nutrition Services to arrange an allergy/restriction lunch section.
BFA does not provide breakfast at this time.
