10 31 BFA Elementary Newsletter

Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues are a timeless guide to personal development, offering values and principles that help build strong character and integrity. Each virtue, from Temperance (practicing self-control) to Humility (thinking modestly of oneself), provides a pathway to living with intention and purpose. By striving to follow these virtues, individuals develop qualities like discipline, kindness, and perseverance that positively impact their lives and the lives of those around them.

Each month, we highlight one or two of the virtues. Our teachers talk about them in the classroom and our Student Support utilize the virtues to encourage good behavior in our students.

Franklin's 13 Virtues encourages self-reflection and growth, helping people contribute positively to society and cultivate meaningful relationships. These virtues remind us that by working on our character, we can lead happier, more successful, and more harmonious lives.

To learn more about our 13 Virtues and what they stand for, visit our webpage.

October's Virtue is...

Humility – Be mindful of others before yourself. Treat them as you want to be treated. Think about how you can help others before being asked. Let others speak when it is their turn.

Ms. Swanson grew up in a military family and has lived in ten different states. She moved to Colorado in 2012 with her husband, Erek. She graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. She worked as an adult cardiac nurse for five years before taking a break to be a stay at home mom.

Ms. Swanson fell in love with teaching her own two children, Parker (grade 4) and Noelle (grade 3). She enjoys reading, walking her Bernese Mountain Dog (Zeus), and any fun family activity. Her favorite parts about working at BFA are getting to know each individual student, nurturing their love for learning, and the close partnership developed with families.

She is currently in a long term substitute position in a 2nd grade classroom and is loving every minute of it!

Ms. A, as the kids call her, is a Colorado native and have lived in Highlands Ranch for nearly 15 years. She loves spending time on the water kayaking with her husband and two daughters. She also enjoys cheering on her oldest at volleyball games and playing Roblox with her youngest.

She has been an aide at BFA since 2020. Ms. A loves being an aide at BFA and enjoy helping staff and students. Watching the students grow from elementary to middle school is such an exciting part of her job.

Click here to see her favorites.

Our kindergarteners had an unforgettable adventure visiting the Littleton Historic Museum! The Littleton Museum living history farms offer a peek into life on the Front Range of Colorado in the 19th century. The 1860s & 1890s farms contain five historical buildings and a variety of heritage fruits, vegetables, and livestock that are raised and cared for by our historic site interpreters.

Our 1st will go on a field trip. See teachers’ emails for details and visit MySchoolBucks to register.

The trip will open in MSB on 10/7/24 and will close 11/7/24. There will be no cost for each student, but parents must register as this is the parent permission for the field trip.

Please remember students must wear their Formal Uniforms for Field Trips.

In our first-grade classrooms, we turned learning "red words" into a magical glow party! The lights were dimmed, and the room sparkled with colorful glow sticks and neon decorations. As students glowed, they eagerly gathered to play fun games that incorporated their sight words. With each flicker of neon, they practiced reading and writing while moving around in a lively dance of learning. The excitement in the air was contagious as they cheered each other on, transforming a simple lesson into an unforgettable, glowing experience that made mastering sight words feel like a celebration!

Our 2nd graders recently enjoyed an exciting visit to the children’s museum, where they dove into a world of hands-on learning and exploration. The museum offered a variety of interactive exhibits designed to engage young minds and spark curiosity. From experimenting with building materials to creating art, each station encouraged students to think creatively and problem-solve in a fun, supportive environment. They had the chance to explore science, art, and even local history through activities that let them learn by doing. This field trip provided a memorable day of discovery, helping students make connections to what they’ve been learning in class and inspiring a lifelong love for learning!

Our 2nd graders kicked off their exploration of Greek myths with a lively Olympic opening day ceremony that set the stage for their adventure into the world of gods, goddesses, and heroes! Making their own flags to carry and laurel wreath crowns, the students paraded around the gym, cheering for their favorite mythological figures as they chanted names like Zeus and Athena. The excitement in the air was palpable as they learned about the legendary feats and stories behind these ancient characters. Through engaging activities, they delved into tales of bravery and adventure, drawing connections to themes of friendship, courage, and perseverance. This energetic start ignited their imaginations, making the study of Greek mythology a thrilling journey filled with wonder and discovery!

Our 3rd graders are actively "Leveling UP!" this trimester, working hard to achieve personal and academic growth. They are making impressive strides in their math skills, mastering and speeding up their recall of math facts. In writing, they're expanding their skills by focusing on structure, detail, and creativity, which is boosting both their confidence and abilities. Many students are also doubling their Accelerated Reader (AR) goals, diving into new books with excitement and showing real progress in reading comprehension. These accomplishments reflect their dedication and enthusiasm for learning, setting a strong foundation for future success and a love for learning!

As a reward, Ms. Wilson's class got to visit Mrs. Simpson's room and dive into the Level UP! reward basket.

Our 3rd graders are diving into the fascinating world of the skeletal system, learning all about the bones that give structure and support to the human body. Through hands-on activities, they’re discovering the names and functions of major bones, from the skull to the femur, and exploring how these bones work together to allow movement and protect vital organs. To bring this lesson to life, students are creating their own skeleton artwork, crafting unique designs that reflect what they’ve learned about human anatomy. This combination of science and art helps solidify their understanding of the skeletal system in a fun, creative way and inspires a deeper appreciation for the amazing structure of the human body.

Our 4th will go on their first field trip of the year. See teachers’ emails for details and visit MySchoolBucks to register.

The trip will open in MySchoolBucks on 10/04/24 and will close 11/04/24. There will be no cost for each student, but parents must register as this is the parent permission for the field trip.

Please remember students must wear their Formal Uniforms for Field Trips.

In 4th grade, students participate in a beloved tradition called *Nifty News*, a weekly writing activity that has been a cornerstone of the curriculum for years. Each week, students become budding journalists, writing about a variety of topics, from school events to classroom happenings and personal experiences.

Through *Nifty News*, they practice important writing skills, such as organizing their thoughts, using descriptive language, and developing their unique voices. This tradition not only strengthens their writing abilities but also builds confidence and encourages them to take pride in their work. For many students, *Nifty News* becomes a treasured part of their 4th-grade year, creating lasting memories and a collection of work they can look back on with pride.

Our 2nd graders were diving headfirst into a hands-on science project with pumpkins, and it was a delightful mess! With laughter echoing in the classroom, they explored the insides of their pumpkins, scooping out seeds and stringy guts while eagerly discussing the textures and smells. Their tiny hands were covered in orange pulp, and the excitement was palpable as they measured, weighed, and compared their findings. This messy, joyful experience not only sparked their curiosity about biology but also fostered teamwork and creativity, making science a thrilling adventure.

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.

Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers that helped with the Book Fair. There is absolutely no way we could have a successful fair without all of you. I had parents/grandparents that stopped in everyday just to make sure we had plenty of coverage. I appreciate all the ice tea that you guys brought me to keep me going until the end of each day.

We had great feedback on the No Cash Book Fair, everyone really liked not having to worry about their students losing money and being able to have a little better control on what and how much their kiddos were buying.

As I mentioned, the Fair was very successful. We sold over 2,800 books (our community ROCKS!) which will allow us to bring in another $6,200.00 worth of books into our library. ~ Ms. Williams

Library is one of the best places to volunteer your time. Please read all instructions before signing up and limit to signing up for a couple of spots at first so everyone has a chance. If there are still open spots in a couple of weeks, please go back and fill up those spots.

Check your student(s)' teacher's pages to find out what day their class comes.

Sign up on Sign Up Genius and check back often. Thanks for all your help.

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 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

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.