12 5 BFA Elementary Newsletter

Reading to your children over the break is a wonderful way to create cherished memories while continuing to build their literacy skills without the dreaded "Break Slip". Consider diving into a classic like A Christmas Carol to explore timeless themes or introducing them to a modern favorite like Let's Celebrate!: Special Days Around the World (World of Celebrations) to spark curiosity about global traditions. Sharing stories together not only helps children learn more complex words but also creates sweet, bonding moments—perhaps by the fireplace with hot cocoa in hand. After building a snowman, you could read Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost, using the snowy scene to bring the poem to life. These "Book to Life" experiences help children connect with stories in meaningful ways and encourage them to become active participants in their own reading journey.

We hope every student comes back with a story about how they read a book that mirrored their Winter Break experience. I know I will be reading many Pete the Cat books to my children over the break. They love the engaging stories, vibrant illustrations, and positive messages.

Have a wonderful and literary break,

Michael Peterson
Assistant Principal K-4

Ms. McElroy is an open-minded, hardworking, and creative individual. Born and raised in Ireland, she takes great pride in her Irish heritage. In 2023, Ms. McElroy moved to Colorado from Milan, Italy, with her partner, Alex, who is a financial advisor at Maia Wealth and a professor at UCCS. With a global perspective on education, Ms. McElroy has taught in various countries, including Ireland, Fiji, Germany, Italy, and now the United States.

Throughout her career, Ms. McElroy has taken on multiple roles as an educator, including classroom teacher, bilingual teacher, special educational needs intervention teacher, art and design teacher, and whole-school ECO coordinator. She has also guest-lectured in Ireland about the importance of fostering creativity in the classroom.

Ms. McElroy is a classically trained painter and has worked as an artist alongside teaching for most of her career, though her true passion lies in educating young children. She firmly believes that creativity and learning another language are two of the most important skills anyone can acquire. Her lessons are child-led, designed to inspire students to take ownership and responsibility for their learning while fostering a love for exploration and self-expression.

Ms. McElroy holds a first-class honors bachelor’s degree in Primary Education from St. Mary’s University College, Belfast, with a double degree specialization in Art & Design and Special Educational Needs. Graduating at the top of her cohort, she has written two pieces of educational research in Northern Ireland. As an educator with expertise in Art and Design and Special Educational Needs, Ms. McElroy believes it is crucial to provide children with opportunities to express themselves freely, create, explore, invent, and discover.

Now entering her seventh year of teaching elementary education, Ms. McElroy is excited to continue exploring, playing, and helping each child embrace their unique talents. Her classroom is energetic, curious, and happy. In her free time, Ms. McElroy enjoys spending time in nature or at home painting. She is also an avid skier and hiker and can often be found in the mountains on weekends.

Click here to see her favorites.

Ms. Jaime Johnson has served as the K-8 Music Director at Ben Franklin Academy since 2012. In her role, she oversees student performances, directs after-school programs, and teaches elementary general music as well as middle school music and theater electives.

A native of Littleton, Ms. Johnson graduated from Littleton High School, where she was actively involved in soccer, the swim team, marching band, and theater.

Ms. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Redlands and a Master’s in Music Education from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She also holds a vocal coaching certification from New York Vocal Coaching and is certified in Orff Schulwerk.

In April, Ms. Johnson married her husband, Isaiah, and the couple resides in Highlands Ranch. They enjoy attending theater performances, hiking, and taking dance classes together. Living close to her father, brother, and grandmother, Ms. Johnson cherishes spending time with her family.

Click here to see her favorites.

ThunderRidge High School students brought joy and creativity to our kindergarten class during their recent visit! The high schoolers spent time reading engaging stories to the little ones, fostering a love for books and storytelling. Afterward, they teamed up with the kindergartners to create fun crafts, allowing the students to express their creativity and build meaningful connections with their older peers. This special interaction not only delighted the kindergartners but also served as a wonderful example of mentorship and community engagement. Everyone left with smiles, cherished memories, and colorful creations!

Each year, 1st grade celebrates the Thanksgiving holiday with a unique and educational tradition: learning the ABCs of Thanksgiving. Through an entertaining musical program, each classroom presents a letter of the alphabet with fun facts about Thanksgiving and its meaning. Families, including grandparents, parents, and siblings, join in the celebration to support the students and enjoy the festivities. The program concludes on a sweet note, with everyone indulging in delicious pumpkin or apple pie together.

In 2nd grade, students dive into the fascinating world of Greek mythology by exploring gods, goddesses, heroes, or animals from the Greek era. Each student is assigned a character and creates a detailed poster filled with fun facts, biographies, and written descriptions about their figure. To bring their character to life, students design masks that reflect their character's traits and have the option to include props to enhance their presentations. This engaging project allows students to creatively showcase their knowledge and bring ancient Greek legends to the classroom.

Third grade celebrated a major achievement by leveling up and meeting all their iReady challenges! Through hard work and determination, the students reached their academic goals, earning a well-deserved reward. To celebrate their success, the entire grade enjoyed a fun and delicious ice cream party, a sweet treat for their dedication and effort. It was a fantastic way to acknowledge their progress and motivate them to keep striving for excellence!

The 4th-grade Medieval Festival was an immersive experience where students traveled through four engaging stations to explore life in medieval times. They learned traditional medieval games, participated in a feast, and interacted with a volunteer dressed in authentic medieval attire who explained the parts of a knight's armor. Students also delved into the medieval landscape, gaining insights into the environment and its significance during that era. As part of the celebration, each student completed a project focusing on a specific aspect of medieval life, showcasing their creativity and understanding of this fascinating period in history.

Original Works are starting to arrive. Once we have them sorted, we will send them home with your students.

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 - NEW SITE COMING SOON!

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

December's Virtue is...

Temperance – Control is the key to improvement. Keep your words, actions, and temper in control.

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.