BFA uses multiple communication tools to ensure that parents keep track of all the exciting things happening at BFA. BFA sends most communications to current K-8 parents using School Messenger.

• Current BFA Parents and Douglas County School District (DCSD) Families should have their contact preferences set up within their IC Parent Portal account to receive General, Attendance and Emergency notifications via (1) a phone call, (2) a text message and/or (3) through email.
• We will share instructions this summer with new DCSD families so they can set up their preferences on/after July 1, when their parent portal accounts are set for the 2024-25 school year by the District.

Check out the list below for more details about all the ways to stay connected:

• Principal Simpson’s weekly newsletter is sent out via email every Thursday during the school year. You can find back issues here.
• The BFA website is the central hub for news, calendars, policies, teacher webpages, committee webpages and essential quicklinks for absence/attendance reporting, lunch, payments and volunteer management. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the website!
• BFA has a public Facebook page and posts various announcements and pictures throughout the day.
• Teacher websites, newsletters and blogs ensure you stay abreast of all the happenings inside your student’s classroom.
• The Ben Franklin Academy app offers quick access to all the information you need from your mobile device, and if you enable notifications, you’ll also receive helpful reminders throughout the year. The app is available on IOS and Android devices–download it today!
• Additional communications will be sent routinely to Preschool families.
• And, there are two Facebook pages run by BFA parents that can be helpful. They are not official BFA pages, so if you have a policy or calendar question, you should reach out to someone at BFA; however, they can help you connect with other BFA families in an informal way or even find used uniforms to purchase. There is a Buy and Sell Facebook page and Friends of Ben Facebook page. Additionally, some grade levels have their own Facebook page–-contact your Room Parent or ask other parents in the classroom for more information.

Summer is right around the corner! Each year BFA teachers offer different enrichment camps throughout the summer. 

There are some terrific academic ‘boot camps’ that help our students get ready for the next school year. In addition, there are incredible STEM camps, sports, performing arts, social, and even crocheting and fashion design camps available.

These camps are a great way to kick-start the new school year, make new friends, and/or spend time with current classmates. The incoming kindie and middle school camps are especially valuable for helping our students make new connections.

There are camps for all interests and age groups. Below is a list of current options. Please see the Summer Enrichment Camp Catalog for all the details and to register.

Below are a few important calendar reminders:

• Tomorrow, May 17, is Fun Sock Friday!
• Thursday, May 23, is an Accelerated Reader Dress of Choice Day for students who made their third trimester AR Goal.
• Preschool Graduation is next Wednesday, May 22.
• Eighth Grade Clap Out and their Graduation is next Thursday, May 23.

It's hard to believe, but next Friday, May 24, is the last day of school for our K-7 students. Students may wear Dress of Choice. It's also a half day, so we'll plan to start scanning cars in carpool at 11:30 a.m., and we'll release students at noon. There is NO after school care, so please be sure to be on campus to pick up your students by 12:15 p.m.

Congratulations to all of our third and fifth graders who worked so hard on their science fair projects! There were so many creative and informative projects. We were very impressed with how much science was investigated. From guitars, skittles, and the school water fountains to hamsters, birds, dogs, and everything in between--the students' personalities came through in their projects. The judges were very impressed and everyone should be proud of their work.

Special congratulations to the following students who won a medal or ribbon:

Third Grade: Liam Sabaleta, Isaac Deutsch, Dylan Schlenker, Jaxon Flint, Polly Goddard, Kendall Blevins, Ashley Bullock, Brady Weikart, Nash Mansfield, Elliana Freund, Braden Dimond, Emery Denham, Behr Calahan, Logan Phillips, Cole Busto, Jensen Hakes, Angelica Sabia, Connor Ward

Fifth Grade: Amelia Roper, Campbell Pettersen, Anjali Rangel, Kathleen Madeni, Lilah Sollenberger, Nash Lucero, Alayna Funderburg, Connor James, Reagan McFall

We also received 651 votes for the People's Choice winners! There was a third grade winner (who prefers no media coverage) and fifth grade winner, Brennan Smythe!

Thank you to all the third and fifth grade teachers, as well as all of the amazing volunteers who helped make this possible! 

Lost and Found will be completely cleaned out next Friday, May 24. Please stop by BEFORE next Friday to look for lost items.

Elementary Field Day is Tuesday, May 21, and our theme this year is The Olympics. Mrs. Bauer has a great plan for the day! Your students will learn about the history of specific sports/traditions, then participate in adapted events.  

If you are coming to watch field day, you must check in at the office before going out to field day. If you’re planning on taking your student home after field day, you must check your child out with their classroom teacher. Other siblings will need to be checked out through the front office. Fourth and fifth grade parents, please park in the upper lot (north side) so it’s easier for you to exit at the end of the day. 

Students will have lunch outside and will be treated to Kona Ice. Kids should wear their field day/fun run t-shirt, appropriate shorts, and athletic shoes. Please send your student to school with sunscreen already applied and a water bottle.

The Field Day Schedule is as follows:

• Kindie and First Grade: 8:20 – 10:25 a.m.
• Second and Third Grade: 10:55-1 p.m.
• Fourth and Fifth Grade: 1:05-3:15 p.m.

Middle school field day is Wednesday, May 22, at Redstone Park. Registration and the completion of a waiver is required to attend; registration is open in MySchoolBucks. Don't wait--complete registration and the waiver today so we can ensure everyone is set for a fun field day!

Please see the field day agenda for details.

A couple of important items to note...

1. Bring lots of water and sunscreen.

2. Bring a sack lunch (lunch will not be provided).

3. No electronics (phones, airpods etc.); Mr. Macias will provide music.

4. Please wear the field day shirt provided and appropriate athletic shorts.

5. Students and parents need to sign the Ninja Nation waiver to participate in the course. The waiver is in MySchoolBucks.

6. Students and parents need to register in MySchoolBucks to participate in field day.

7. Bring a positive attitude.

Thank you so much to all of the families who have volunteered this year! Volunteers are a big part of what makes our school great. We literally could not do it without you! So far this school year, BFA volunteers have logged more than 12,000 total hours into Help Counter. We can't thank you enough for making this another great year of volunteerism at BFA! 

There are only seven more days of the school year for most of us! We hope that your students and family have shared in learning and exemplifying the 13 BFA Virtues throughout the year. This month, our final virtue is Resolution. 

BFA’s interpretation of Resolution is: Keep your word. When you have a task, get it done. Turn in your homework on time and be prepared.

As we come to the close of the school year, let us remember to be good role models and help our students set attainable and stretch goals, as well as develop an action plan on how to accomplish those goals.

Happy summer, BFA!

Eighth grade families, the Annual Eighth Grade Dinner coming up from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, in the Middle School Commons. Please RSVP for the dinner today!

This will be a catered dinner for eighth graders only, brought to you by the PTO. Please sign up if you are interested in helping during the dinner. Questions? Contact PTO Social Coordinator, Ewelina Chrzanowski, at ptosocial@bfacademy.org.

Ben’s Brigade’s end of year picnic will be held from noon - 2:30 p.m. this Sunday, May 19, at Redstone Park, and they would love to see you there! Ben’s Brigade will be providing food and drinks. If you plan on attending, please RSVP for the picnic, so they know how many to expect.

Ben's Brigade is a PTO group open to all BFA dads that provides a place for dads to get to know each other, as well as opportunities for unique ways to give back to the school and earn volunteer hours. Ben’s Brigade handles work projects around the school, provides volunteers for school functions, and hosts a number of social events throughout the year - some just for dads and some with kids as well.

Contact Ben’s Brigade Committee Manager, Justin Mayhall, at BFABensBrigade@gmail.com to learn more.

If you signed for your student to take home any remaining medication, we will send it home with them (or a sibling) on the last day of school. However, if you did not sign a medication release form, only a parent/guardian or a designated adult can pick up the medicine. Parents can begin picking up medication now, or wait until the last day of school and stop by between 9 - 11:30 a.m. to pick it up.

BASE MEDICATION: If applicable, you also will need to pick up any medication stored in BASE, as we will not transfer medications for summer camp. 

Any medication left at school after the school year ends will be disposed of per the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) rules and regulations governing schools.

Did you know that one of BFA's traditions is a private summer event at Pirates Cove for families who complete their recommended volunteer hours? That's right! Your entire immediate family can attend a private BFA night at Pirates Cove on the PTO! Not only that, if you earn 50, 75 or 100 volunteer hours, you will be awarded special BFA logo'd items (distributed at Pirates Cove check-in) to show our appreciation for going above and beyond! So, mark your calendars for this year's Pirate's Cove BFA Night which will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. Be sure to log those volunteer hours! You don't want to miss it!!

Please note: No additional tickets will be sold. This is ONLY an event for those for families who have completed and recorded their family’s recommended volunteer hours (30 hours per family or 15 hours per single-parent household) in Help Counter by midnight, Wednesday, May 31. No exceptions will be made.

Thank you to all the families who have volunteered this year. We sincerely appreciate all that you do for BFA! 

Flock to the Library for the Douglas County Libraries (DCL) Summer Reading program!

This summer tradition will be starting soon and pre-registration is NOW OPEN! We'd love for everyone to sign up--in fact, the entire family can participate! The school with the most participants wins a $500 prize, which we could really use for new library books.

Get pre-registered today!

The PTO is looking for elementary (K-5) Room Parents for next school year! Being a Room Parent is a fun way to get your volunteer hours in, develop a great relationship with your child's teacher and get involved in the school. If you are interested, please send an email to the PTO Room Parent Coordinator, Amy Marks, at roomparents@bfacademy.org.

Our summer music camps are a great way to introduce or keep up with music lessons over the summer and everyone is welcome! We mean it, all levels and all ages! These camps are a great way to get some lessons with your busy summer schedules in mind. All camp options will be M-Th for one hour for a max of five students and slots will be given first come first serve. Camps are scheduled so that students can bundle with other instruments/classes that might mesh well together. There will be a $5 discount applied to classes bundled during the same week and an additional $5 discount/course for multiple week sign ups (max $20 in discounts given). You can sign up for the same class more than once, they will be tailored to the students who are enrolled and designed to promote forward progression for each student. 

Camps take place at Ben Franklin Academy and Sydney Harper’s home in Highlands Ranch.

Harper Arts will also be back next school year offering private piano, guitar, ukulele and voice lessons during school hours for your convenience! All students are welcome to register for lessons during DEAR time, advisory, recess and other non-academic times. We’re so happy to be back for our seventh year at BFA and would love to welcome you into our studio! Register to get on the waiting list for fall today and sign up for some quick and easy summer camps to get started! 

Summer Camp Options:

For any student:

Piano for beginners (ages 5-8) 

Piano for beginners (ages 9-12)

Ukulele Camp (ages 5-8)

Ukulele Camp (ages 9-12)

Singing (ages 6-9)

Singing (ages 10-14)

Guitar Level 1 Camp

Lead Sheet/Composition Camp (guitar and ukulele)

For students currently studying:

Primer Piano Camp 

Level 1 Piano Camp

Level 2A/2B Piano Camp

PreK Fundamentals Camp (Guitar and Keyboards)

Guitar Level 2 Camp

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TODAY! 

Buy a $5 Skate City Summer Membership Card now through May 15 and the PTO will earn $2 back on each card sold! Summer Membership Cards allow you to skate at any Skate City location all summer long for $1 admission (skate rentals are $5). 

See the Skate City Summer flier for additional details. 

You can purchase your membership cards now; be sure to enter ‘Ben Franklin Academy’ as the full school name.

This year’s yearbooks are in and have been distributed! If you haven't ordered one yet, there will be some extras available for purchase in Ms. Svensen's classroom this week for $60, cash only.

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.

It's CRAZY how quickly this program adds up and how much our school can earn. From July - Oct. of 2023, BFA earned $5,341 back from this program!

Please contact Andreya Flanigan, PTO fundraising coordinator, with any questions. Thank you, again, for your support of BFA and the PTO!

School uniforms are an important aspect of BFA culture. They create a level playing field among students and reduce peer pressure and bullying. They also help students focus on their studies, not their clothes. Uniforms enhance school pride, unity and community spirit and decrease discipline issues. For more information about school uniforms, parents can refer to the Uniform Policy and the Uniform Standards for All Students.

We have three uniform vendor options so families can choose the best fit, comfort and price point. BFA parents have the opportunity to purchase uniform items from three approved vendors—Educational Outfitters, French Toast and Tommy Hilfiger.

Links to the vendor sites can be found on the uniforms webpage. To get to the uniform page, please click here (and select uniforms at the top of the page) or visit the BFA website, then select parents, policies/uniforms/forms, and finally uniforms at the top of this page. 

We recommend that parents purchase uniforms early, as sometimes there is a delay in receiving items. Also, please be sure to purchase a Formal Uniform for your student as students are required to wear their Formal Uniform on the first day of school, the first Wednesday of each month, and on field trips. A Formal Uniform is a navy polo shirt with the BFA logo and tan pants, shorts, skirt or a skort.

The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) normally hosts used uniform sales throughout the school year.