Welcome to Ben Franklin Academy! We’re so glad that you are a part of our wonderful community. As with any new adventure, there is a lot to learn as you embark on this journey. This page contains helpful links as well as specific information that is communicated to new parents throughout the spring and summer. It’s designed to let you refer back to it for helpful information, or if you enrolled at BFA later in the process, catch up on any information you may have missed.

Student Arrival and Dismissal

Click here for our school hours as well as detailed information regarding drop-off and pick-up.
 

Student Health and Wellness

New families should pay special attention to the health and wellness information and requirements. Please see our Health and Wellness webpage for information about taking medicine at school, health plans and immunization requirements.
 

Communication at BFA

BFA uses multiple communication tools to ensure that parents keep track of all the exciting things happening at BFA. 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!
  • Be sure to follow our Instagram account, BFAmazing, to see what is happening every day. You never know who might pop up on the ‘gram!
  • Additional communications will be sent routinely to Middle School and 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.

School Uniforms

School uniforms are an important aspect of BFA culture. Uniforms enhance school pride, unity and community spirit and decrease discipline issues. For more information about school uniforms, parents can refer to the Uniform Policies. 
 
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.
 
 
Important: We recommend that parents purchase uniforms early, as sometimes there is a delay in receiving items. Be sure to purchase a Formal Uniform, which is a navy polo with the red BFA logo and tan pants, shorts, skirt or a skort. Formal Uniform must be worn on the first day of school, the first Wednesday of every month, and on field trips.
 

Absence Reporting

Click here to view the webpage with instructions on how to report an absence.

Student Fees, School Supplies & Payments

Families new to the Douglas County School District (DCSD) should set up a MySchoolBucks (MSB) account after July 1. Annually, all families should verify their students information is correct in (MSB). Families with existing accounts may need to add their students (new enrollment or incoming Kindergarten). Parents will use their MSB account to pay for lunch, field trips and spirit wear throughout the year. Visit the Payments page for instructions on how to set up your account and/or add a new student.

Annual Student Fee amounts will be specified in Back-to-School communications. 

Again, parents DO NOT need to purchase individual school supplies each August.

**If there are Parents/Guardians who need financial assistance with the supply fee, they can contact our Business Manager, Halsley Hoff.**

Lunch

Douglas County Nutrition Services (DCNS) provides lunch at our school. See our lunch webpage for more information. You also can visit the Nurtrislice website and choose Ben Franklin Academy to view the lunch menu.

If you would like to apply for free or reduced lunches, please click here.

In the 2022-23 school year, the prices for lunch at BFA are as follows:

  • Meal: $3.75
  • Double: $2.50
  • Milk: $1.25 

Calendar

You can access the event calendar and the academic calendar from the primary navigation bar on the main BFA webpage. In addition, you can print off a PDF version of the academic calendar if you go to the forms webpage (click on forms at the top of the page).

Volunteering

Volunteerism is a fantastic opportunity to connect with other parents, teachers and support your student; as such, it’s an important component of our success at BFA. See our volunteer webpage for additional information about opportunities and how to log your hours.

BASE and Summer Camp

BFA’s Lightning Bolt Before/After School Enrichment (BASE) program serves BFA children and parents by providing a safe, enriching, convenient, and affordable school-age childcare program. Our on-site program features indoor and outdoor activities that keep your child engaged and safe while giving them plenty of time to work on their homework. A perfect fit for working parents or parents who need additional time before or after school, BFA’s Lightning Bolt BASE program provides safe alternative for school-aged childcare.

The Summer Camp program is sure to keep your kids safe and entertained; and the best part is that our Summer Camp program is staffed by people you know and trust! Summer Camp is open to any currently enrolled BFA student 5-years-old and above. Summer Camp is generally available most of the summer, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., with a week-long break around Fourth of July.
 
For more information, see our webpage. (Updates and registration details for summer 2023 will be available in late spring.)

 

Parent Portal Password

There are two important steps parents need to complete before the start of every school year for K-8 BFA student(s):

  • Mid-summer you will go online to complete Douglas County School District (DCSD) Express Check-In; and
  • Before school starts, your family will complete BFA Annual Family Check-In, in-person at BFA.

Additional details about these processes will be in future communications, but there is an important step you can take TODAY to make sure Check-In goes smoothly.

DCSD Intra-District Transfers and/or Former DCSD Families:

Parents who have had students at other DCSD schools should have a Parent Portal username and password already. (You used them to complete Open Enrollment.) Please take the opportunity NOW to make sure you remember it by logging into the EngagED Parent Portal. If you’re successful, you’ll be able to login when Express Check-In opens. If you can’t login, please email BFA’s registrar, Colleen Bobbin.

New DCSD Parents:

Parents who have never had a K-12 student in a DCSD school created a Parent Portal username and password when completing Open Enrollment for their child(ren). On or after July 1, you can make sure you remember it by logging into the EngagED Parent Portal. If you’re successful, you’ll be able to login when Express Check-In opens. If you cannot, Colleen Bobbin can help you reset your account after July 1.