Weekly Newsletter - October29

There is always something exciting happening at BFA! From school events and parent meetings to Fine Arts performances and athletic games, there are so many wonderful opportunities to get involved and support our students. Be sure to check the BFA App or school website calendar regularly for a complete list of upcoming events and activities! 💙🤍❤️

To subscribe to the calendar, simply go to our calendar link below>Right Bottom of Page>Subscribe Button>choose the calendar you prefer.

Our Veterans Day celebration will be here before you know it. This meaningful event to honor the courage, service and sacrifice of our nation's heroes, and most importantly our very own BFA community of veterans, is fast approaching. As we prepare for this event there are a few ways you can help us make it successful. Space is limited, so sign up today.

Do you have a veteran or several who would like to attend this event in person, make sure they are RSVP'd to attend (link below). DEADLINE for Veteran(s) Guests Attendees : Sunday, November 1st.

*MORE Information regarding the specifics of the Veterans Day assemblies will be communicated as the event approaches.

Our Fall Family Survey takes 15 minutes or less and gives our staff an early snapshot of students’ educational experiences, helping us identify areas where adjustments may be needed throughout the school year. The Board of Directors and Administration also use the results to help evaluate and improve our school.

We are at 22% Family Participation. Don't Delay because your participation makes a difference, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts!

Here’s a little extra incentive!

• Earn 2 volunteer hours for completing the survey.

• Help us reach 70% family participation and every class will earn a Dress of Choice Day!

Please note: Only one survey per family household will be accepted.

Thank you for being an important part of the BFA community and helping us continue to grow!

BFA follows Douglas County School District (DCSD) regarding school closures/delays due to weather, so if DCSD decides to close school for the day or have a late start, then BFA will as well.

All school closures can be seen on most of the local TV channels in the morning. You may also call the DCSD weather line at 303-387-SNOW (7669) for the latest updates on school closures or delayed starts. We will also send out an announcement regarding closures or delays.

• If a Snow day is announced, all activities scheduled for that day will also be canceled, including BASE, athletics, and extracurricular activities.
• If a Late Start is announced, BFA will start 90 minutes later than normal, BASE will open at 8:15 a.m., and all morning activities are canceled, but afterschool activities will proceed as normal.

This is a good time to make sure you are signed up for emergency notifications.

The PTO’s online spirit wear store (in partnership with locally owned and operated Denver Athletic) will open Next Thursday, November 5 and stay open through November 15. No orders will be accepted after the store closes. You can place your order and pay online through the Denver Athletic website. Orders will be delivered before Winter Break.

Not only do we have classroom-approved sweatshirts, fleeces, and spirit day shirts (remember, every Friday is a spirit wear day!), there are additional tops, shorts, hats, and more! Show off your school spirit and support the PTO by placing an order today.

A few things to note when ordering:

• classroom and spirit day approved items are noted as such
• make sure you’re ordering the correct size (youth or adult)
• everything is custom made to order - no refunds or exchanges
• hoodies are approved for middle school only

If you have any questions, please email Anna Larson, PTO spirit wear committee manager.

It’s time to plan for the 2027–28 school year! As a current BFA Family, please read through the guidelines below to determine whether you need to take action for your children.

1. All Incoming Kindergarteners (including current BFA Preschoolers):
   Mandatory: Complete Open Enrollment during the First Round (Nov. 2 – Dec. 1).
   ⚠️Priority status is assigned only if Open Enrollment completed during First Round.
   
   

2. New Students (BFA siblings not already attending BFA) Entering Grades 1–8:
   Mandatory: Complete Open Enrollment during the First Round (Nov. 2 – Dec. 1.
   ⚠️Priority status is assigned only if Open Enrollment completed during First Round.
   
   

3. Current BFA 8th Graders Heading to High School:
   Students whose primary address is in Douglas County will automatically be enrolled in the address-assigned DCSD neighborhood high school. (If your address has changed, please contact Colleen Bobbin ASAP so your child is enrolled in the correct high school). If your child wants to attend a DCSD high school other than the assigned neighborhood school, complete Open Enrollment, ideally during the First Round (Nov. 2 – Dec. 1).
   
   

4. Students whose primary address is outside of Douglas County will not be enrolled at a DCSD high school. If your child wants to attend a DCSD high school, complete Open Enrollment, ideally during the First Round (Nov. 2 – Dec. 1).
   
   

5. Current BFA Students (Grades K–7):
   
   

• Staying at BFA: No action required. Your student will automatically roll into the next grade level at BFA for the 2027-28 school year.
  
  
• Leaving BFA
• Returning to DCSD Neighborhood School: If you have decided to have your child return to your DCSD address-assigned neighborhood school for the 2027–28 school year, you must file an Intent to Return form by January 5, 2027. Those who miss the deadline must complete Open Enrollment. An Open Enrollment offer is not guaranteed.
• Attending Another School Outside of DCSD: Email Colleen Bobbin. Provide the name of the school your child will be attending.

👉 For a general overview of the Open Enrollment process, visit the BFA NEW K-8 Admissions page.

👉 For more detailed information about Open Enrollment the DCSD Open Enrollment page.

Questions: Email Colleen Bobbin, Director of Admissions and Records/Registrar, at cbobbin@bfacademy.org.

You’re invited to support BFA at the upcoming winter spirit nights at Lazy Dog Restaurant (43 Centennial Blvd. Highlands Ranch) on November 9 and 10. Show the flyer to your server and 15% of your total bill will be donated back to BFA! Ordering online? Use code: 01HLNDSRNCH so that BFA gets credit for your order.

CEC is hosting a blood drive on Thursday, November 12, and we invite our families and community members to participate in this meaningful opportunity to help save lives!

Donating blood is a simple yet powerful way to make a difference. Blood donations are essential for patients undergoing surgery, receiving cancer treatments, recovering from serious injuries, and facing other medical emergencies. Your donation could make a life-changing difference for someone in need.

🩸 Ready to make a difference? Consider signing up to donate and encourage friends and family members to participate, too! Every donation counts, and together, we can make a positive impact in our community.

Are your kids ready for the cold weather? Stock up on cold-weather uniforms at the Used Uniform Sale on Saturday, November 14 from 9-11 a.m. in the BFA Lightning Gym.

Have gently used uniforms to donate? Feel free to bring those to the sale on 11/14 too! Please wash and fold the clothing before donating. Also note that we cannot accept items with holes, stains, or broken zippers; minor rips along seams and missing buttons are okay.

Contact the PTO Used Uniform Committee with any questions.

📚 A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR BOOK FAIR VOLUNTEERS! ⚡

A huge thank-you to all the amazing volunteers who generously gave their time and energy to make this year’s Book Fair a success! We are so grateful for your hard work and dedication.

The funds raised will still allow us to add approximately 250 new books to our school’s collection! Thank you for helping us continue to spark a love of reading and bring new adventures to our BFA students, one book at a time! ❤️📖

Last Friday, our Preschool through 2nd-grade students enjoyed a special author visit from Mischelle Weaver, who read her Halloween book, The Witch on Livermore Street! Thank you to Mischelle for sharing her story with our young readers and helping spark their imaginations. 🎃📖

Want to read it at home? The Witch on Livermore Street is available for purchase! It's a fun way to keep the Halloween spirit alive while encouraging a love of reading.

The Foundation for Douglas County Schools (FDCS) works to enrich student experience and promote innovation. The Foundation is an independent charitable organization that develops private resources to support our students and schools.

Please read their latest newsletter here.

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.