Committee News February 18
Did you know we are updating our Calendar almost everyday?
Important Committee Events
February 18 - Board of Directors Meeting
February 20 - STEM Committee Meeting
February 20 - Ben's Brigade Meeting
February 21 - Desserts with Dad
February 23 - BENefit Bash Last Day to Purchase Tickets
March 4 - SAC Meeting
March 5 - STEM Family Night
March 5 - CEC Meeting
March 8 - BENefit Bash
March 9 - PTO Nominations Begin
March 12 - PTO Meeting
Get Your Tickets to the 2025 BENefit Bash Today! 🎫
Don’t miss out on BFA’s largest fundraiser of the year! Ticket sales for this year’s BENefit Bash will end on Sunday, February, 23. Purchase your tickets here today! The Bash will be held on Saturday, March 8 from 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. at Cielo in Castle Pines.
The PTO's fundraisers help raise money for several different items around the school, ensuring that BFA is always up to date for our teachers and students. This year's fundraising initiatives will go toward updating, replacing, and adding new technology and computers/iPads. In addition, PTO will continue to help fund our annual Lexia Core 5 software licensing, fund several parts of Field Day, and more!
Previous PTO's fundraisers have helped support these areas:
Middle School Field Day
Playground equipment
Playground flooring
Turf field
Library books
Climbing wall (+ a new addition)
Outdoor classroom
Maker space
Electronic sign
Tools and resources for staff, teachers, and admin. (Lexia, teacher funding requests, creation of the yearbook, planners, and more)
Building enhancements
Upgrades to downstairs classrooms
Improving BASE and Preschool parking
Additions to elective programming or Middle School
Technology upgrades
Security cameras
Teacher Appreciation Gifts / Food
We truly appreciate all of your support for our fundraisers and school! BFA has such an exceptional community. If you have any questions, please reach out to Erin Wiley, PTO Fundraising Coordinator.
2025 BENefit Bash – 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 year’s Bash will be “A Night in Tuscany” 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!
Desserts with Dads
Desserts with Dads is THIS WEEK! - Friday, Feb. 21st from 6:30 - 8:00p.m. at BFA. This free event will be a fun evening for ALL students to enjoy with their father, or other special adult. Join us for laser tag, bingo and plenty of desserts. No RSVP needed. Hope to see you there!
THANK YOU to everyone who has volunteered to help make this evening a success. We couldn't do it without you!
PTO Monthly Meeting - March 12
February’s Volunteer of the Month
For the month of February, Karen Ramon has been selected as the Ben Franklin Academy Volunteer of the Month. She was nominated by Principal Simpson and the office staff and is being recognized for the time that she has spent volunteering as the SAC Chair this year. 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 Karen.
Karen works as a Business Officer at the University of Denver. She is married to Abel Ramon, and together they have three awesome kids: Ben (18) and Ryan (16) who attend Mountain Vista High School, and Elliott, who’s in 6th grade at BFA. Elliott started at BFA in first grade. Karen spent two years on the school board from 2020-22 and is currently the SAC Chair, enjoying all the opportunities to get involved.
When asked what she loves about BFA, she said: “We absolutely love BFA because of the amazing staff and administration, as well as all the cool traditions and the tight-knit community.”
Congratulations, again, Karen. 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.
Support BFA While You Shop
If you are a King Soopers shopper, you can help earn money for BFA by signing up for King Soopers Community Rewards. For details on how to sign up for King Soopers Community Rewards visit their webpage or click here for instructions.
Please contact Erin Wiley, PTO Fundraising Coordinator with any questions. Thank you, again, for your support of BFA and the PTO!
Spring Survey is coming soon.
The Spring Survey is coming soon! Unlike the Fall Survey, which focuses on classroom-specific topics like culture and safety, the Spring Survey takes a broader, school-wide approach (i.e. culture, safety, etc). We encourage all families to participate, as your feedback is essential in shaping the future of BFA.
To make it even more exciting, we’re offering some great incentives:
- If 80% of the school participates, students will enjoy a school-wide Dress of Choice day!
- Parents earn 2 volunteer hours just for completing the survey.
- Five lucky families will be entered into a special spirit wear drawing—stay tuned for details!
Keep an eye on our newsletters, electronic sign, and carline signs for more information. Let’s work together to reach our goal!
SAC Monthly Meeting
Please join us on today, Tuesday, March 4 at 4:30 p.m. for our SAC monthly meeting. Join us online. Zoom information is on the top of every agenda. Please visit the SAC webpage for Agendas and Minutes.
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 Virtual Monthly Meeting - February 20
Please join us on Thursday, February 20 at 5:30 p.m. for our STEM monthly meeting. Join us online. Zoom information is on the top of every agenda. Please visit the STEM webpage for Agendas and Minutes.
STEM Family Night
The spring STEM Family Night is Wednesday, March 5.
Get your creative juices flowing and let's engineer some new twist on a beloved game, Ping Pong. Participants will work in teams to design and build homemade launchers. Some light snacks will be provided and prizes will be awarded in multiple categories.
Sign up today to launch into some fun at our free family engineering event on March 5!
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.
Next Board Meeting - February 18
The Ben Franklin Academy (BFA) Board of Directors (Board) generally holds its regular meetings at 5:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month at BFA. Board meetings are open to the public and are conducted in compliance with Colorado Open Meetings Requirements. All are welcome to attend. The time and location of all Board meetings are posted on the school website calendar. If you would like to be proactively notified about all regular and special board meetings, please email BFA’s Board Secretary to be added to our “sunshine” distribution list.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 18 at 5:30 p.m. Agendas are posted below 24 hours prior to a meeting. If you would like to appear before the Board, please email the Board President. We’d love to see you at these meetings.
Visit our Board of Directors page for information on agendas and minutes from the meetings.
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.
A critical element to the success of any charter school is its ability to advocate for its educational philosophy, successfully fulfill legal requirements and carry out its mission and vision. Serving on the BFA Board is an opportunity for you to ensure that BFA is and remains “The Core Knowledge STEAM School of Choice.” Board directors use their backgrounds, experience and skills to focus on oversight and matters of strategic importance which can help improve BFA’s educational programs. In addition to helping teachers, staff and administrators lay a solid foundation in education for future generations and instill a love of learning in BFA students. The Board provides individuals a chance to grow personally and professionally, further develop skills, gain unique experience and make lasting connections with a team of other passionate and motivated individuals.
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.
