BOD Committee April 23
From President Haley Maglieri
BFA Board of Directors Meeting Summary - April 2026
In partnership with Principal Simpson, the BFA Board of Directors is proud to work for the students, parents, and patrons in promoting the mission and vision of the school. The following summarizes action taken during our April Board meeting.
BOD Updates:
Board of Directors: Election Results
During last night’s meeting, the results of the Board election and appointment were announced. Thank you again to our eight (8) candidates for their ongoing investment and commitment to BFA. The results are as follows:
Trish Anderson - elected by the BFA community
Erin Wiley - elected by the BFA community
Seth Glaze - appointed by the Board
We look forward to welcoming Trish, Erin and Seth onto the Board in May as we prepare to say goodbye and thank you to Adam Lucero, Melody Matthews and Stephen Bentley.
Board of Directors: Officers for 2026-27 School Year
The Board elected Haley Maglieri as President of the Board for the 2026-27 school year. Joe Dawson was elected to serve as Treasurer. The Board will elect the Vice President and Secretary during the May Board meeting.
SAC Spring Survey Results
Results of the 2026 SAC spring survey were delivered during the meeting by SAC Chair Karen Ramon. Here are some of the highlights:
We received 515 total responses! Up from 470 last year.
Families feel strongly that the school is a safe, welcoming environment with a positive overall culture.
Other notes included that while students are physically safe, some everyday environments like lunch and recess don’t consistently feel well-managed for all kids.
The top three greatest strengths of BFA were ranked as: (1) academic programs; (2) teachers and (3) family involvement; and (4) safety.
The greatest challenges of BFA were ranked as: (1) student to teacher ratio; (2) carpool/PikMyKid; and (3) extracurriculars and (4) communication consistency.
More than 99% of responses indicated that BFA offers a safe environment in the classroom.
95% of respondents appreciate the addition of a full-time School Resource Officer.
91% of our respondents indicated that their middle school students like coming to school.
Respondents indicated that they would like to see differing volunteer opportunities, including options for our upper grades, working parents and those home with siblings.
The survey slide deck will be available on the SAC’s webpage in the coming weeks.
Financial Oversight:
Justin Mayhall and Halsley Hoff presented a detailed financial review. We remain focused on our financial health, including appropriate spending and quality investments. The budget for the 2026-27 school year was reviewed. A draft of the final 2025-26 final revised budget was also reviewed and will be voted on in May. Additionally, March financials were reviewed and unanimously approved. Financial documents are made available on the Financial Transparency page of the BFA website.
Policy Governance:
The Board reviewed the Bylaws and discussed clarifications, changes and additions. A final review and discussion will occur in May.
Board BOLTS:
The Board and Principal Simpson recognize that there are BFA students and staff who go above and beyond and achieve excellence in academics, character, effort, and/or service both at BFA and within our greater Community. We are proud of these individuals and the characteristics they exemplify. We look forward to recognizing these students each month in a very special way! Our April Board BOLTS are:
Davis Spaulding (Preschool)
Emma Foreman (5th)
Owen Mihok (7th)
If you would like to nominate a student or staff member to be considered as one of our Board BOLTS in May, please use this nomination form.
May Board Meeting:
The next BFA Board of Directors meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 12, in the Middle School Commons.
Happy Birthday, BFA — 15 Years Strong! Online Auction CLOSES TONIGHT at 9:00 PM!
Ben Franklin Academy is celebrating 15 Years Strong, and we’re excited to mark this milestone with our entire community today, Thursday, April 23 at 9:00 p.m.
Throughout the day today, students have enjoyed a special anniversary celebration honoring BFA’s foundation of character, academic excellence, and community.
Last chance for auction items! The Silent Auction is closing tonight! Be sure to check it out for some of our most popular items—like reserved parking and front row event seating—or support BFA through our direct donation opportunities. Instead of holding a Fun Run or Benefit Bash fundraiser this year, we are celebrating BFA's 15-year milestone! Donate today for the next 15 years!
Click here or scan the QR code below to visit the auction site.
This year’s theme, 15 Years Strong, celebrates the students, staff, and families who have built BFA into the incredible community it is today—and helps us invest in the next 15 years.
NOTE: Please save the 15 Year Celebration t-shirts to wear on Field Day!
Thank you to our CEC Vendors!
CEC would like to give a big thank-you to our generous vendors who donated raffle prizes and helped keep everyone fueled with food and refreshments at our Daybreak with Dad event. Your kindness and support truly made the morning extra special—thank you so much!
Gelato & Co.
Old Chicago
Krispy Kreme Donuts
Qdoba
Destiny Dance Studio
Main Event
Scissors & Scotch
Lansdowne Arms
Torchy's Tacos
Starbucks
Join CEC!
We will have several open positions for the 2026–27 school year, and we would love to welcome new members to our team. The following roles are currently available and carry a two-year commitment.
- Secretary
Treasurer
Community Events Officer
Veterans Day Lead
If you are interested in nominating yourself or someone else for one of these positions, please feel free to email CEC. If you would like more information or a detailed description of any of these roles, we are happy to provide that as well—just reach out!
Daybreak With Dads
Our Daybreak for Dads event turned out to be such a fun and memorable morning—and we couldn’t have done it without our amazing volunteers!
A huge shoutout to all of our wonderful moms who jumped in to help things run smoothly, and to NJHS for stepping up to serve food and drinks while helping us celebrate each student’s special guest. You all kept things moving (and smiling)!
Finance Committee Meeting
The Finance Committee will meet on May 7.
Please check out our Finance Committee webpage for agendas, minutes and other documents.
Last PTO Meeting of the Year – Monday, May 11
Please join the members of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) for their end-of-year meeting! The meeting will be held at Ben Franklin Academy in the Middle School Commons on Monday, May 11th, from 6 to 8:00 p.m.
The PTO will be providing dinner. Please RSVP and indicate on your sign-up if you have gluten-free and/or vegetarian dietary needs. We will do our best to accommodate. Hope to see you there!
Want to learn more about the BFA PTO? Please visit the PTO webpage.
April’s Volunteer of the Month
For the month of April, Amanda Raddatz has been selected as the Ben Franklin Academy Volunteer of the Month. She was nominated by Principal Simpson and the front office staff because 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 Amanda.
Amanda has been part of the Ben Franklin School community for the past three years and is a proud parent of a 6th grader, Ben, and a high school student, Mary.
She has served as the recorder for the School Accountability Committee (SAC) for the past two years, a role that has provided valuable behind-the-scenes insight into how the school operates and functions. Her involvement with the SAC allows her to stay engaged with the school and make a meaningful impact beyond normal school hours while balancing her professional responsibilities. Amanda particularly enjoys analyzing survey results, as they highlight what is most important to the school community and help ensure those priorities are accurately represented to the Board. In her free time, Amanda loves watching her 6th grader play all of his favorite sports and her daughter's theater activities.
When asked what she likes about BFA, Amanda said that she: “appreciates the Ben Franklin Academy educational structure and is confident in choosing this path for her children’s middle school experience.”
Congratulations, again, Amanda. 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 Christiana Sparks, PTO President.
Executive Team
⭐ Vice President
⭐ Fundraising Coordinator
⭐ Secretary*
⭐ Social Coordinator(s)*
Committee Chairs
⭐ Birthday*
⭐ Teacher Appreciation*
⭐ Used Uniforms*
⭐ Virtues Awareness*
⭐ Yearbook*
⭐ Spirit Nights
🎉 Want to Be a Room Parent Next Year?
The BFA PTO is looking for Room Parents for preschool through 8th grade for the 2026–2027 school year! 🍎
🤝 Being a Room Parent is a wonderful way to earn your volunteer hours, build a meaningful relationship with your child’s teacher and other classroom parents, and stay connected to the heart of our school community.
📣 We’re also excited to share that our Middle School Room Parent Program has been officially approved for next year! This will primarily be a communication-focused role — a great fit for middle school families looking for a low-key but impactful way to stay involved.
📋 If you’re interested in being added to the list, please fill out THIS form. A description of Room Parent responsibilities is linked within the form. Priority will be given to those showing interest first.
📧 Questions? Reach out to Room Parent Coordinator Alyssa Gale Freund with any questions!
Say Thanks - Celebrate Staff Appreciation with RaiseRight
BFA will use RaiseRight for end of year staff gifting again this year. This convenient, online program replaces room parent collections and facilitates convenient group gifting. Each family makes one payment through MySchoolBucks for all of their teacher and staff gifts. At the end of collections, each staff member will receive an email with the total collected on their behalf and is able to select gift cards they would like to receive.
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. Families will be able to place RaiseRight orders via MySchoolBucks and pay by credit card. You may designate how much you would like to give to each teacher/staff member in one-dollar increments. Collections will take place April 30 – May 8 with gift cards being distributed during the last week of school.
THE 8TH GRADE FINAL FIESTA - *8th Grade Students Only!*
All 8th graders are invited to one final fiesta to celebrate your time at BFA. The PTO is throwing a taco party on Tuesday, May 19 from 6-7:30 p.m. for the students to gather together, reminisce, eat tacos and just get extra time to hang out with their friends. No cost to you - this event is totally covered by the BFA PTO. We would love to see all of the 8th graders there! Please RSVP here.
We will need some parents to help make this event a success. Any parent (you don’t have to have an 8 th grader to volunteer) who is interested in serving the students dinner, decorating or helping with clean up, please sign up here! We appreciate it!
Pirates Cove Summer Fun Event for Families Who Complete Recommended Volunteer Hours
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 60 or more volunteer hours, you will be awarded a special BFA logo item 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 Saturday, June 20 from 6-8 p.m. Be sure to log those volunteer hours! You don't want to miss it!!
Please note: No additional tickets will be sold. This is 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 HelpCounter by Sunday, May 24 ONLY. 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!
Calling all Dads: You’re Invited to the Ben's Brigade Meeting Tonight
You’re invited to attend the Ben’s Brigade meeting tonight, Thursday, April 23, 8 p.m. at Max Taps Highlands Ranch (2680 E. County Line Road). They would love to have more dads get involved!
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 Curtis Anderson and Brady Golinski, Ben’s Brigade Co-Committee Managers, to learn more.
Last Chance to Order a 2025-26 Yearbook – Order by This Weekend
There is a limited quantity of yearbooks still available for purchase. Sales close this weekend, so don’t wait — order now! Yearbooks cost $50 per book while supplies last.
Questions? Contact the Yearbook Committee.
BEC’S 1 STOP SHOP (Mayka Family)
Hi!! I’m Becky, owner of Bec’s 1 Stop Shop. I am dedicated to promoting healthy, affordable beauty for women. Let's embrace self-care without breaking the bank, and discover how simple, budget-friendly routines can enhance our natural beauty. I’m talking about non damaging press on nails
, nourishing make up and skin care, plus tanning, lashes and more!!
Phone: 720-299-7814
Email: b.mayka@gmail.com
EVERYTHING FOR OFFICES (Moore Family)
Everything For Offices, a women-owned business with 36 years of experience, is your premier destination for top-quality office furniture solutions. Whether you're outfitting a sleek corporate headquarters or a cozy home office, we offer an extensive range of desks, chairs, storage solutions, and ergonomic accessories to meet every workspace need. Our commitment to superior craftsmanship and contemporary design ensures that each piece not only enhances productivity but also reflects your unique style and professionalism. With Everything For Offices, creating a productive and stylish workspace has never been easier.
**special offer for BFA families 10% off your purchase of used office furniture (excludes Aeron chairs)
Phone: 303-489-3174
Email: kristylanemoore@gmail.com
VENTURE MARTIAL ARTS
Venture Martial Arts is not just about learning Taekwondo at a high level; it’s about going on a journey that builds you into a strong individual, prepared to excel in every aspect of life. Our program stands out in martial arts with its unique character development program, which is seamlessly integrated into the martial arts training we provide our students. We understand that effectively learning martial arts is not achieved through physical skill alone but through the combination of physical skills and character development. We invite you to join the Venture Martial Arts family and experience the difference for yourself. With Venture Martial Arts, you’ll find more than just a martial arts studio, you will find a home where you can grow, thrive, and become the best version of yourself. Our community will be around to support you for the rest of your life.
Sean Miller
s.miller@venturemartialarts.com
https://www.facebook.com/p/Venture-Martial-Arts-Highlands-Ranch-61574642524502/?_rdr https://www.instagram.com/venture_highlandsranch/
**We offer 2 weeks free and a free uniform for all new students from BFA and their families to test out our program and see if this is their new home!
SAC Spring Survey Results
Our 2026 SAC Spring Survey results are available for download by visiting their webpage. Please take a moment to read the survey.
If you filled out the survey, don't forget to log in your 2 hours volunteer time incentive! Go to HelpCounter and select "SAC Survey" under Activities.
Join SAC for the 26/27 School Year
SAC plays an important role in supporting our school by providing feedback from satisfaction surveys, reviewing standardized assessment data, and reviewing the Unified Improvement Plan. It’s a great way to stay informed, share your voice, and make a meaningful impact on our school community.
We would love to have you involved!
Positions of Interest
- SAC Chair - Voting Member (Hosts the monthly meetings and leads communication)
- Vice Chair - Voting Member (Supports Chair when unavailable)
- DAC Liason - Voting Member (Attends DAC meetings and reports updates)
- Additional Voting Member (Supports in decision making)
- Survey Communication Lead (Leads the coordination with BFA office staff communication of survey and gives status updates)
- Survey Analytics Lead ( Leads the summaries of the data for the administration and for the Board)
- Parent at Large/Committee Member (Is a parent that can provide feedback and support Survey build, testing and analytics)
STEM Monthly Meeting -Tonight
Please join us for our monthly meeting on April 23 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Please visit the STEM webpage for Agendas, Minutes, and meeting location.
STEAM EXPO Coming in May!
We are so excited to announce our upcoming 2026 STEAM Expo on Friday, May 1st from 9:15 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
We will be hosting STEAM-related booths and exhibits from local businesses, organizations, and students! As part of this BFA tradition, all of our students will have an hour to explore the Expo during the school day. Through hands-on activities and demonstrations, students will learn about the wonderful STEAM opportunities at our school and in the local community.
If you have any questions about the event or are interested in stopping by please contact the STEAM Coordinator, Kyle Nolting at knolting@bfacademy.org. The event is provided for our students, but if parents are interested, we are always in need of parent volunteers!
This is also a great chance to get those final volunteer hours of the year in! Please visit the STEAM Expo SignUpGenius and pitch in to help make the STEAM Expo a success.
Get ready for a STEAM-filled day!
Upcoming Important Committee/Board Events
Events
April 23 to 30- PTO Elections
April 23 - PTO 15 Year Celebration & Online Auction
April 25 - PTO Spring Mother/Son Social
April 30 to May 8 - PTO Raise Right Gift Staff Appreciation Gift Program
May 17 - Ben's Brigade End of Year Picnic
Meetings
April 23 - STEM Committee Meeting
April 23 - Ben's Brigade Meeting
May 5 - SAC Meeting
May 7 - Finance Committee Meeting
May 11 - PTO Meeting
May 12 -Board of Directors Meeting
Did you know we are updating our Calendar almost everyday? Bookmark Our Calendar Now!
13 Virtues
Spring is here! The change in season often brings a feeling of wanting to clean up our houses, yards and personal spaces making this month’s two virtues, Cleanliness and Frugality, perfect for us to lean into now. This is a great time to teach our students the importance of keeping their spaces clean and to encourage them to be conscious of how to best use the resources that they are given.
BFA interprets these virtues as:
Cleanliness-Keep yourself and your work area clean. Keep your uniform clean. Keep your school clean. Keep your words clean.
Frugality-Be frugal. Do not waste the schools’ resources. Do not waste what you have been given. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
The last two months of school at BFA are activity packed. There are many opportunities to demonstrate Cleanliness and Frugality and to finish those last volunteer hours! No doubt our BFA founders would want to remind our community at this stage of the game to stay engaged and in good cheer. As we round-out the year let us all enjoy and embrace the organized chaos the next two months will bring while keeping our eyes focused on finishing strong.
Weather Protocols
BFA follows the direction of the Douglas County School District (DCSD) regarding school closures/delays due to weather so if DCSD decides to close/delay school for the day, then BFA will be closed/delayed as well.
Click here to get familiar with our protocols.
Newsletter Archives
Take a moment to read past newsletters.
Monthly Calendar
Please visit our Monthly Calendar to get the most updated events or other activities going on.
Lunch Menu
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.
Communication Pathways
Check out information on how to get the most updated information sent directly to you.