Weekly Newsletter

Dear Parents,

I hope everyone is staying warm on this chilly day today. This morning's commute was quite surprising as the snow came in fast and furious for a while and was much heavier than initially expected. Colorado weather is just crazy sometimes! Thank you all for a smooth and cooperative morning carpool despite the snowy conditions. We truly appreciate everyone's patience, caution, and teamwork in keeping our drop-off safe and efficient.

As a reminder, with our crazy weather, we do go outside if the "feel like" temperature is above 20 degrees (depending on precipitation). We have seen a lot of bare legs entering the building, and when asked, students say they didn't think we'd go outside. Please send students dressed and prepared for the weather, which often changes drastically throughout the day.

Students got new electronics over the holiday break and are excited to have them at school. I wanted to remind everyone of our Mobile Electronic Device Usage Policy. Student phones and smart watches (connected to a network) should be in backpacks or lockers throughout the day. If students have these items out during the day, they will be taken away and returned at the end of the day. When teachers ask students why they have their phones or watch out, they often reply that their parents have texted them. Please do not text your student(s) during the school day. If you need to send a message to your student, please get in touch with the office and we will gladly get the message to them.

We also noticed that some students got new shoes over break. Please remember that school shoes should be closed-toe and closed-heeled. Slip-on Ugg/clog-type shoes with no heel covering are not acceptable shoes to wear to school. You can refer to our Uniform Policy for any additional clarifications. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Diana Simpson

Please visit to get the most updated events or other activities going on.

Important Upcoming Dates

👕 January 10 - BFA Spirit Wear & Crazy Sock Day

🪩 January 10 - Middle School Dance

🏫 January 15 - PTO Meeting

🎂 January 17 - Ben Franklin's Birthday

👕 January 17 - Dress of Choice/BFA Spirit Wear & Crazy Sock Day

☕ January 20 - MLK Day (No School)

🏫 January 21 - Board of Directors Meeting

🐝 January 22 - Grades 4- 8 Spelling Bee Finals

🏫 January 23 - STEM Committee Meeting

🏫 January 23 - Ben's Brigade Meeting

👕 January 24 - BFA Spirit Wear & Crazy Sock Day

🦻 January 29 & 30 - Hearing and Vision Testing

👕 January 31 - Denver Nuggets Spirit/BFA Spirit Wear & Crazy Sock Day

Please visit our Bi-Monthly Newsletter dated January 9 for Grades K - 4.

Please stay tuned next week for our next newsletter.

Please visit our Bi-Monthly Newsletter dated January 9 for our Pre-K 3s and 4s.

We welcome visitors throughout the day, whether you're here for volunteering or meetings. All visitors must check in at the front office to obtain a badge, which should be worn at all times while on campus.

1. Have your ID ready. It can be a state issued license or ID, passport, or military ID. We also accept the MyColorado App ID.
2. Please wear the badge at all times whether it is the BFA printed badge or sticker badge.
3. Even if you are here to watch a performance, Field Day or other outdoor activities, you need to check and get a badge.

Alumni who wish to visit must first obtain permission from a teacher or staff member 24 hours before arriving to school. Please email them directly to request permission. Additionally, visits are only permitted during teacher’s non-class hours, so we kindly ask that you respect their time and schedule.

Thank you for following this process to help ensure that all our alumni can continue to enjoy visiting privileges.

1. Visitors need check in to the Front Office. Visiting hours are between 8:30 a.m and 2:45 p.m., and must be picked up before 3:00 p.m. to allow staff to prepare for afternoon carpool.
2. We ask that visitors arrive with their parent or guardian or email traffic to let us know they are coming. This helps us ensure that visitor(s) have parent/staff permission to be on campus.
3. Visitors should limit their visit to one hour unless they are volunteering.
4. Remember to bring a state issued ID, School ID or have Infinite Campus ready.
5. Remind students that they must be with a staff/teacher at all times. No roaming hallways or entering classrooms while instruction is taking place.
6. Students who become disruptive may be asked to leave.

Do you like rock climbing and volunteering? We would love your help. Saturday, January 18, Mrs. Nichols will have the BFA annual "Rock Wall" training. We are looking for 5 - 6 volunteers who can come get trained and volunteer throughout the school year. Training will be 8:30 a.m to around 3:30 p.m

If this sounds like the opportunity you have been waiting for, email Ms. Nichols for more information.

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. Whether you have a few hours a week or just a little time to spare, your support makes a big difference in keeping the library a welcoming and inspiring space for everyone. Join us in fostering a love of learning—become a library volunteer today!

What Do our Volunteers Do?

1. The volunteers only check in and out books. (No shelving, etc)
2. Just come right at the time you signed up. No need to come early.
3. Help students in the library so teacher's can get back to their planning period.
4. Give a quick kiss and hug to your student(s) so you can get back to helping our librarian. No students are allowed behind the desk.
5. Once your library volunteering is over, you can go to the front office to collect your student(s) or volunteer at another opportunity in the building. (Please refrain from going to the classroom from library).

We always are in need of volunteers for recess and lunch volunteers. Volunteering in the lunchroom and at recess is a fantastic way to support our students and staff while getting involved in the BFA community. In the lunchroom, volunteers help ensure a smooth and enjoyable mealtime for all, while outside at recess, they provide extra eyes and encouragement as students play and recharge. With the weather getting colder, recess can be a bit more challenging, but it’s also a time when students truly appreciate the warmth and care of our volunteers. Your time and effort help make these essential parts of the school day run seamlessly, and we’re so grateful for your support!

Plus, there is no need to sign up! Just come around 10:30 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. to help. Even just one hour can make a difference.

You may have wondered how to get your child(ren) to take home after volunteering. Whether you are volunteering in the building, classroom or even on a field trip, it is very easy to get your child(ren).

If you are volunteering in a classroom, etc.with your child, simply tell the teacher you are taking them with you then come to the Front Office to check them out. If you have additional children or volunteering in a different part of the building/field trip, let them know in the Front Office and they will call them. Please refrain from going to classrooms to gather your students to avoid classroom disruptions.

If you are volunteering in the building after 3:00 p.m., a perk is that you can follow the above process and skip carpool!

Parents/Guardians: If you are a parent or guardian, you update your contact information in Infinite Campus. However, we only pull your primary email address for our newsletter. If you wish to have an additional emails added to the newsletter, please email us with this contact information.

Grandparents or additional important adults: We have many families who have grandparents or nannies, etc who are just as involved but do not receive our communications. We now can add additional contacts to our notification system. This includes email addresses and/or mobile phone numbers. If you wish to add any additional important adults to our notifications, please email us with contact information.

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.

🌌🪩 Starry Night 🌌🪩

Middle School (Grade 6 - 8) is having their winter dance on Friday, January 10, 2025. Parents will need to register in MySchoolBucks and print and sign a NEW ticket/dance guidelines. Sign up will close at 4:00 p.m. on Friday the 10th.

Arrive between 6:45 - 7:00 p.m. with printed and signed ticket

Pick Up at 9:00 p.m

To help volunteer with donations or help at the dance, please sign up here.

Please see all the wonderful things our School Committees are doing in this week's Committee Newsletter. This includes, Community Events Committee (CEC), Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), School Accountability Committee (SAC) and STEM Committee.

All BFA girls 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.

Due to some confusion in the morning drop-off, we revised our procedures to make it easier for everyone. Starting January 6, we will be using the following procedure for morning drop-off.

1. Students should not be dropped off before 7:45 a.m. unless they have tutoring, extracurriculars, or appointments. We have seen an increase in students being dropped off too early. Please note that we offer BASE in the morning and parents should sign their students up for BASE if they need to drop students off early. If a student is dropped off early, we will begin to charge a fee of $10 for the first offense per student, $15 for the second offense and so on.
   
   
2. Morning drop-off begins once the doors are "propped" AND staff members are in the crosswalk. You can begin to pull around in Zone A or let your students out of the car in Zone B when you see the doors propped open AND a staff member in the crosswalks. DO NOT let your student out of the car or pull around until you see both. Our goal is 7:45 a.m. but weather, traffic and meetings can alter this time. This process will ensure all our students get out of the cars with no cars moving.
   
   
3. This change is now for all Preschool to Grade 8 students and A & B Zones and Preschool. When the doors are closed, your student(s) is late and must be signed in by a parent or guardian. If your student(s) is late, please park and walk into the Main Entrance and sign them in with our Front Office staff. Any student who comes in late without a parent to sign them in will receive an unexcused tardy.

We understand that weather and traffic can cause delays in our morning carpool, which is why we believe the doors "propped and not propped" are an easy visual for our community.

We offer many before and after school Fine Arts clubs throughout the year. We update our webpage frequently, so look often.

Arts

Music

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 our first home game on January 21st at 4:15 p.m.

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.

Just a great reminder that the weather can change fast in Colorado.

Appropriate outerwear should ALWAYS be sent with students. As outlined in our Parent Handbook, outdoor recess will be held every day unless it is raining or snowing heavily, or below 20 degrees. We use Ambient Weather Network to determine our weather temperatures.

Students should come prepared with layers, gloves, snowboots and coats for the variable Colorado weather. If students wear snow boots to school, they need to bring shoes that conform to the dress code to wear in the classroom.

Don't forget to label items, which helps us get these items back to our students. It can be 19 degrees at 10 a.m. and 55 degrees at 2 p.m. and items can be left on the playground.

BFA follows the direction of the Douglas County School District (DCSD) regarding school closures/delays due to weather so if DCSD decides to close school for the day, then BFA will be closed as well. The Douglas County School District has been divided into three areas: Highlands Ranch, Parker and Castle Rock. It is possible for the district to close or delay school in only one of the areas. This is rare, but it is possible.

Please remember to give yourself extra time to get here. Unless there is a delayed start, we expect our students to be in their seats and ready to learn at 8:15 a.m.

If a Snow day is announced by DCSD, Ben Franklin Academy will be closed. All activities scheduled for that day will also be canceled, including BASE, athletics and extracurricular activities.

Sometimes, the weather is not severe enough for a closure, but may be significant enough to have a delayed school start. If the district calls for a delayed start, school at BFA will start 90 minutes later than normal.

If it’s been announced that BFA is on a 90-Minute Delayed Start, the following is the schedule:

• BASE: Before school care opens at 8:15 a.m. Please do not drop off your child earlier than 8:15 a.m. for before care, as no one will be at BFA to supervise your child.
• Before School Activities: All activities are canceled.
• Carpool: Carpool on a delayed start day begins at 9:15 a.m.
• School: School starts at 9:45 a.m. Students are expected to be in their seat and ready to learn by 9:45 a.m.
• Half-Day Kindergarten: Morning kindergarten starts at 9:45 a.m. and ends at the normal time. Afternoon kindergarten times do not change – normal start/end times apply.
• Preschool: BFA preschool will open at 9:40 a.m. and dismiss at the normal time. Afternoon times do not change – normal start/end times apply.

DCSD & BFA will always post notifications via email, text, website and Social Media. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram and make sure your information is updated in Infinite Campus.

All school closures can be seen on most of the local TV channels in the morning. You also may call the DCSD weather line at 303-387-SNOW (7669) to hear the latest updates on school closures or delayed starts.

If you see on the TV or hear on the weather line that Douglas County is listed as closed or delayed start that means all of the schools are closed or delayed. If you see or hear that the Parker area is closed or delayed that means that Highlands Ranch and Castle Rock are open.

You always have the option of keeping your child home if you feel that the roads are unsafe even if the school is open. This will be listed as an excused absence.

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.

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.