Committee News November 12
Did you know we are updating our Calendar almost everyday?
Important Committee Events
November 13 - PTO Meeting - Virtual
November 17 - Raise Right Program Ends
November 19 - BFA Board Meeting
November 21 - STEM Family Engineering Night
November 22 - Krispy Creme Digital Dozen Fundraiser Ends
December 6 - Thank An Aide Day (New Date)
Starbucks
Our local Highlands Ranch Starbucks, made a wonderful contribution to our event by donating freshly brewed coffee and a variety of delicious muffins. Not only did they provide these refreshments, but Starbucks staff also took the time to personally serve the coffee, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for our guests. Their commitment went beyond the donation itself, as their presence and friendly service added a special touch to the event.
A Huge Thank you to Chick-Fil-A
The Highlands Ranch Town Center Chick-fil-A generously discounted sandwiches, chips, and cookies for our Veterans Lunch, allowing us to provide a delicious meal to our honored guests. After our assemblies, we served over 80 veterans and their family members, creating a warm and memorable gathering in their honor. This generous contribution helped us express our gratitude to those who served.
Our Parent Teacher Organization looks forward to an amazing year full of events, fundraisers and sponsorships.
Our next PTO meeting is November 13. The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. over Zoom. Please join us online. You can access the agenda on our webpage.
Novemberβs Volunteer of the Month
For the month of November, Devon Preeo has been selected as the Ben Franklin Academy Volunteer of the Month. She was nominated by the CEC team, Principal Simpson, and the office staff and is being recognized for the time she has spent volunteering with the Community Events Committee. She serves as their communications officer. Not only does she attend meetings, events, etc., she works tirelessly behind the scenes on their weekly newsletters, weekly committee emails, and signups. She has been an integral part of the committee for the past 3 years. She has set herself apart and set an excellent example of outstanding volunteerism! For all of her efforts, we'd like to say thank you and recognize Devon.
The Preeos have been a part of BFA for twelve years. They currently have two children at BFA, Hudson (8th) and Stella (7th). Their oldest, Davis, graduated from BFA and is currently a junior in high school.
When asked what she loves most about BFA, she said: βThe smaller, more personal school size, the sense of community and getting to know teachers and staff over the years."
Congratulations, again, Devon. And, thank you for all you do for BFA!
If you know someone who should be considered for volunteer of the month for outstanding volunteerism, please email Janelle Nichols, PTO President.
2025 BENefit Bash β Auction Items Needed!
The BENefit Bash is the PTO's primary fundraiser this school year. It's a BFA tradition parents look forward to, so we hope you'll save the date! This yearβs Bash will be βA Night in Tuscanyβ held on Saturday, March 8, at Cielo at Castle Pines.
It takes a lot of support to host the Bash--so whether you're new to auctions/events or a veteran Bash volunteer--we could sure use your help!
In addition, we are in need of silent and live auction items! We are looking for a variety of things:
- Physical merchandise or gift certificates for products and/or services
- Tickets for sporting events
- Timeshares / Vacation Rentals
- Special experiences / tours
- Wine / Liquor
- Monetary Donations
Or, if you are connected to any business or person that may be a potential donor, an introduction to them would be amazing as well! Your generosity can make a significant impact on the lives of our students, as the funds raised from these auctions are used directly for improvements at BFA.
If you have something you would like to donate, know of a potential donor, or to volunteer, please reach out to the PTO Fundraising Coordinator, Erin Wiley. Thank you in advance for your support!
ππ Holiday Staff Gifting with RaiseRight Ends Sunday! ππ
If youβre participating in RaiseRight gifting, you have until this Sunday, November 17 to place your orders for holiday staff and teacher gifts!
To place your RaiseRight order and pay with credit card, visit MySchoolBucks. Staff are grouped by grade or category. Select the appropriate grade or category to open the group window. Use the dropdown menu to select the staff member youβre gifting and enter your gift amount in the βAmount to Payβ box. You may designate how much you would like to give to each teacher/staff member in whole-dollar increments. (You may also elect to have your student's name only, not gift amount, shared with the recipient when you place your order.) Repeat as many times as needed until all of your staff gift orders have been placed. And, donβt forget to check out when youβre all done!
Due to the time needed to calculate all gift amounts, and place and coordinate all gift orders, we cannot accept orders after November 17. Gift cards will be distributed during the last week we are in school before the holidays, and will be in lieu of any other class gift/collection.
Participation in the RaiseRight program is completely voluntary. You are welcome to participate with any amount, or alternatively gift the teachers and staff on your own.
Questions? Visit the PTO webpage or contact Jacqui Condon, RaiseRight Committee Manager.
Krispy Kreme Digital Dozens "Spirit Night" Fundraiser now through November 22
This month, you have a great reason to indulge in a dozen (or two) Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Now through November 22, over 50% of your order price will be donated back to BFA when you purchase via our fundraising sales page! Simply buy online, visit your local store & redeem using your code. Treat yourself, or even gift them to friends and family.
We can share this link with anyone, and the offer can be redeemed at any location in the country (except Connecticut). So, feel free to share this with friends and family all over America!
After you purchase via the fundraising sales page you will immediately get an email confirmation with a link to access the redemption code. Once you click: "Redeem (of Gift) your Dozens" in this email, you will be able to see all your Digital Dozens associated with your order. From here, you can choose to redeem or gift each dozen individually. You do not have to redeem your digital dozens at the same time. Each has a unique code so you can redeem anytime.
These Digital Dozens are for a glazed dozen only.
These are perfect for stocking stuffers, holiday parties, gifts, or enjoying at home. Our goal is 75 dozen sold which would mean $637 for the PTO! The link is live NOW for you to enjoy some donuts!
Order Your Yearbook and Dedication Today for the Best Pricing!
The 2024-2025 yearbooks are on sale now! Be sure to order yours early for the best pricing. Right now, yearbooks cost $45 per book. Donβt wait, as prices will go up to $50 after November 15!
You may also order a yearbook dedication (parent tribute ad) for your student. Dedications are $40 for 1/8 of page if you order by December 31. After that, the price for dedications will go up to $45 from 1/1 until the last day to order, 1/26. These ads are a fun way to help commemorate a great school year!
This year, we will again be using Jostens for our yearbooks. You can order and pay for your 2024 -
PTO Spirit Wear Store Closes Sunday - Order Your Items Today!
The PTOβs online spirit wear store (in partnership with locally owned and operated Denver Athletic) is open now through Sunday, November 17. No orders will be accepted after the store closes. You can place your order and pay online through the Denver Athletic website. All orders will be delivered before Winter Break, and there is an option to mark that your purchase is a gift so that it will be delivered to the front office for pickup and not to your student. Any items not picked up from the office before Winter Break will be delivered to the classroom.
If you have any questions, please email Gen Townsend, PTO spirit wear committee manager.
Trunk or Treat- Thank You Volunteers!
Trunk or Treat was another huge success! The kids had a great time, and it was fun to see them along with our amazing staff all dressed up in costume.
Thank you again for all who donated your time to make Trunk or Treat another huge success this year! We are so grateful to all of the families who volunteered their time making such fun and festive trunks and running candy to cars. Thank you to all of you who donated money and treats for the event. We only had a small amount leftover and it was donated to Treats for Troops in Castle Rock so that they can make care packages for the troops.
Another special huge shoutout of thanks to Starbucks off Town Center and Santa Fe for donating coffee for all of the volunteers! It was a great way to keep our energy up and our fingers warm!!!
BLUE SKY PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Blue Sky Pediatric Dentistry provides specialized dentistry for children and adolescents in a warm, caring and child-friendly environment. As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Jennifer Thompson had 2 years of additional training after dental school to prepare her for the unique dental needs of each child they serve. They focus on preventive care to help each child grow a healthy smile that will last a lifetime. Their office serves infants, children, teens and children with special health care needs in Highlands Ranch, and the surrounding South Denver communities.
MARKOWITZ GIVING FOUNDATION (BFA Family)
The Markowitz Giving Foundation believes in powering the education of the next generations. If they are not going to do it, who will? Sounds silly, but really where do our children get their education if not from school or parents? Technology. They feel that Ben Franklin and other, similar STEAM schools are going to be the most successful in preparing students for the future of our nation and the world.
PURITY SKIN STUDIO
Purity Skin Studio is the premier local MedSpa of Highlands Ranch specializing in skincare treatments ranging from facials to chemical peels, laser treatments, Botox and filler and more! Their mission is to empower their clients to LOVE their face and put themselves and the health of their skin as a top priority!
Monthly Meeting on December 3, 2024
Please join us on December 3 at 4:30 p.m. for our SAC monthly meeting. Join in person or online. Zoom information is on the top of every agenda. You can find the agenda and minutes on their webpage.
Join SAC!
We are still looking for parents to join our SAC committee. It is a great way to help and leave a footprint at BFA. Email our SAC Chair, Karen Ramon if you are interested.
STEM Family Night- FREE Event
Our first STEM Family Night of the Year
is November 21, 2024.
Get ready to put your engineering skills to the test at our Balloon-Powered Car Competition! ππποΈ for our upcoming Family Friendly Engineering Night hosted by the BFA STEM Committee!
For the fall 2024 event, we will be building balloon powered cars, with teamsβ cars competing against one another! This event will be held on Thursday, November 21st from 5pm - 7pm. This is a FREE event welcome to all BFA students and families! For the event, competitors will design their own balloon powered cars using household materials. Each team will construct one race car and compete to see whose car can travel the fastest and furthest. Ribbons will be awarded to teams for speed, distance, and creativity. The event will include an informational presentation and a preview of competition rules along with some light snacks will be provided during the event.
To help supply the materials for this event, we are requesting a donation of recyclable bottles! Please drop off anytime before the event. There is a bin by the main entrance doors to the school!
Sign up to participate in this free, fun, STEM-tastic evening of friendly competition at BFA!
Join the STEM Committee
Excited about creating fun experiments? Love tinkering with technology? Join the BFA Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Committee! We generally meet via Zoom on evenings of the 3rd Thursday of the month. Earn volunteer hours by participating from your phone or computer! Inspire the innovator in you and your child!
Check out the flyer or the STEM webpage for more information.