We’re looking forward to having your student(s) at Ben Franklin Academy this fall! We will continue to communicate with you throughout the summer, but please read below for important information and action items.
If you need anything from the office, we’ll be open during the summer from 9 a.m. until noon on Wednesdays from May 28 – July 30 (closed on July 2). If you have questions, you can also email info@bfacademy.org.
Below are some key tasks to complete early in the summer:
- Uniforms: It’s a good idea to get an early start on purchasing uniforms for the next school year. We have three uniform vendors—Educational Outfitters, French Toast and Tommy Hilfiger. Go to our uniforms webpage (select uniforms at the top of the page) to learn more and get direct links to all the vendors. Please remember to purchase a Formal Uniform, which is a navy shirt with the red BFA logo and tan pants, shorts, skirt or a skort. (As a reminder, the Formal Uniform is worn on the first day of school, the first Wednesday of every month and, generally, on field trips.)
- Returning Families, Please Keep Carpool Tags: Please keep your carpool tags. We still plan to use the carpool app for afternoon pick-up, but the carpool tags are also an important part of the pick-up process.
- Medical Appointments: Any medication forms or health plans need to be completed prior to the start of school, but forms should be dated after July 1. Be sure they are filled out by the doctor and signed by the parent. We also need vaccination forms for kindies and updated forms for incoming sixth graders to show they’ve received the T-dap vaccine. For more information, see our health webpage.
- Key Dates: Key dates can be found on our School Calendar. This is helpful as we prepare for the upcoming school year.
Summer Office Hours
The office will be open during the summer from 9 a.m. until noon on Wednesdays from May 29 – July 30 (closed on July 2). If you have questions, please email info@bfacademy.org and we’ll respond to you as soon as we can. Keep in mind, our hours are limited in the summer.
How to Reach Us During the Summer
Main Office Phone: 720-383-4519
General questions – info@bfacademy.org
Questions regarding enrollment – Select the ‘Enrollment’ tab from the BFA homepage.
Information for new families – Look under the ‘parents’ tab from our main webpage or see the webpage we created for you.
Complete DCSD Express Check-In (E Check-In): July 23-31
Express Check-In is a required annual process for DCSD. BFA parents/guardians must complete a separate check-in for each K-8 BFA student between July 23-31.
Why Is E Check-In Required?
DCSD and BFA need up-to-date information for the 2025-26 school year. During E Check-In, parents/guardians will:
-
- Review/Update:
- Household address
- Phone Numbers
- Email Addresses
- Student emergency contacts
- Student health conditions
- Complete district- and BFA-specific forms, including the media release information.
- There has been some confusion in the past, so we encourage all parents who wish to limit their students presence on our Media Release & Restriction webpage for more information.
- Pay annual student fees. Note: For the 2025-26 school year, BFA will not charge student fees.
To access the EngagED Parent Portal to complete E Check-In, parents/guardians must have an existing Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal account.
Parents/Guardians who are BRAND NEW DCSD (have never had a K-12 student attend a DCSD school until the 2025-26 school year) can access/create accounts in July.
- If you completed Open Enrollment (OE) for your student(s) to attend BFA, you already created a username and password. In July, your IC Parent Portal account will be automatically generated with the username and password.
- If you were not the person who completed Open Enrollment (OE) for your student(s) to attend BFA, you can expect an email from DCSD’s IT Support Center (ITSC) with set-up instructions in July.
How Do I Start Express Check-In
A parent/guardian is required to complete the check-in process for each enrolled student. Please read through the information below before starting the process.
E Check-In typically takes 10–15 minutes per child, though it may take longer for some. You can save your progress and return at any time if needed.
If you experience delays or the system is running slowly, we recommend trying again at a different time. DCSD has worked hard to ensure that the system is user-friendly and can be completed independently.
Must-Know Information for E Check-In:
- Parents/guardians must complete E Check-In for each BFA K-8 student.
- Deadline to Complete E Check-In: July 31
- Parents/guardians who complete E Check-In by July 31 will be able to access K-5 teacher assignments and Middle School schedules on Aug. 1. Please note: MS Electives will not be on schedules until Aug.11.
Accessing E Check-In
Step 1: Parents/Guardians need to know their Infinite Campus (IC) username and password. Note: EVERY parent who completed Open Enrollment created a username and password.
Forgot your username or password?
- To look up your username, go here and provide your personal email address.
- To initiate a password reset using your username, go here.
Step 2: If you know your username and password, you can access E Check-In here as of July 23.
- If the page you see is titled EngagED Parent Portal Login Process (Internal/External), read the information and then click “Proceed to Login.”.
- When prompted, enter your single sign-on email address (see below for formatting) and then your IC password.
- Single sign-on email address is your IC username with @p.dcsdk12.org added to the end.
- Example: If your IC username is b_franklin, your single sign-on email address would be b_franklin@p.dcsdk12.org.
Completing E-Check in if Your Student(s) Has Two Addresses: Primary Versus Secondary Households
If BFA has only one address for your student(s), this is the Primary Household. One parent/guardian from the primary household must complete E Check-In.
If BFA has two addresses for your student(s), because the parents/guardians do not live at the same address, there are two households: a Primary and a Secondary. When a student has two households, the parent/guardian of the primary household must complete E Check-In However, the parent/guardian of the secondary household also should complete it.
The information BFA has—email(s), phone number(s), address, and family members—is specific to each household. The parent/guardian of the primary household cannot view the information for the secondary household and visa versa. While the parent/guardian of the primary household must complete E Check-In for it to show as completed,, to ensure that the information BFA has for the secondary household is accurate and up to date, the parent/guardian of the secondary household should also complete E Check-In.
For questions related to primary and secondary households, or if your family situation has changed and your student(s) now have two households, please email Colleen Bobbin, BFAs director of admissions and records – cbobbin@bfacademy.org.
Media Consent Elections – Read Before Starting E Check-In
The Media Consent elections parents/guardians make during E Check-In will be in place for the entire 2025-26 school year (No changes will be made after E Check-In is completed.). In years past, this section from E Check-In has been vague and confusing. The Media Release & Restriction webpage was created to provide clarity and to help parents/guardians decide which elections are best for their student(s). Please review before completing E Check-In.
Having Trouble Accessing E Check-In?
After following the steps above, if you cannot access E Check-In, please contact the DCSD IT Support Center:
Parent Tech Support – English
Parent Tech Support – Spanish
Parent Tech Support – Chinese
IT Support Center at 303.387.0001
Thank you for taking the time to complete this important step by July 31!
Necessary Steps for the 2025-26 School Year
Complete DCSD Express Check-In (E Check-In): July 23-31
Express Check-In is a required annual process for DCSD. BFA parents/guardians must complete a separate check-in for each K-8 BFA student between July 23-31. See the “Express Check-in” Tab for full details.
click here for full details for Express Check-In
School Supplies
We ask our parents/guardians to provide a backpack (or similar), lunchbox (if needed) and a daily water bottle for their own student(s). Any necessary school supplies are included in our annual student fees and BFA orders those supplies for our teachers and students. Please note: There will be no student fees for the 25/26 school year!
Parents/Guardians may be required to purchase supplies for grade/class projects throughout the year. Teachers will notify parents in their weekly newsletters with information when needed.
Attend BFA Annual Lightning Launch – August 5 & 6
Tuesday, August 5
Families with last name beginning A-L
Hours: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (School closed for lunch break from 2:30-3:00 p.m.)
Wednesday, August 6
Families with last name beginning M-Z
Hours: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. (School closed for lunch break from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.)
Before coming to BFA Lightning Launch, you must have completed E Check-In for each BFA K-8 student, completing all required forms and paying student fees (no fees for 2025-2026 Academic Year).
Preparing for Lighting Launch
-
- Student Photos – Preschool through 8th Grade
Kindergarten through 8th Grade Students need to wear a BFA uniform shirt. Preschoolers can wear regular school clothes.
Order Info: MJ Thomas Flyer – see information on how to order
Picture Make Up day is scheduled for October 9.
We no longer take parent photos during this time. Visit our Front Office once school begins to inquire about a Volunteer Badge.
- Carpool Sessions
New K-8 Families: During these sessions, parents/guardians will receive their family’s carpool tags and will learn about the drop-off-pick-up process and PikMyKid app.
Returning BFA Families Keep your carpool tags and we will run through a quick refresher for the carpool process.
- Student Medications: Bring student medications and completed required health forms with parent and physician’s signatures. Access all forms here.
- Legal Documents: Submit copies of legal documents, including updates, regarding custody, parenting plan, guardianship, etc., if applicable.
- Visit our Volunteer Opportunity Tables
PTO (Parent Teacher Organization): Purchase BFA Logo Apparel, Used Uniforms and Spirit Wear
CEC (Community Events Committee): Learn about volunteer opportunities.
SAC (Student Accountability Committee): Learn about volunteer opportunities.
New BFA Parent/Guardian Orientation – August 7
Brand new BFA families are welcome to join us for an orientation from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, at BFA.
- Come learn more about BFA and how you can get more involved in our Community.
- Hear from our staff and teachers
- Learn about what your students will be doing this upcoming year.
- No RSVP is needed
- Children can accompany parents but it may be worthwhile to have something to keep their attention during the presentation
- A tour will follow the orientation presentation, for those who did not attend one previously.
Teacher Meet and Greet Open House*- August 11
K – 8 students (and parents) come to meet their teachers for an open house meet and greet from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Preschool Meet and Greet is through a sign up.
- Preschool parents will receive an email to sign up for a time to meet with the teacher. Please arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled time to ensure your student (and parents) gets their special one on one time with their new room and teacher.
- Elementary students will meet their homeroom teacher and get a chance to visit at their room.
- Middle School students will receive their locker information from their homeroom teacher and can begin to organize their lockers. Our Middle School teachers will be there to greet the students.
*As this is a day for our students to meet their new teachers, we ask you to refrain from visiting previous teachers’ rooms on this day.
CEC Back to School Bash- August 11
Join CEC and our BFA Community as we kick start the year! From 3:30 – 6:30 p.m., we will have Food Trucks, games and more.
First Day of School – August 13
- First Day of School for Grades 1-8 is from 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13. We expect our students to be in their seats and ready to learn at 8:15 a.m. so we ask you to be on campus by 8:05 a.m. with carpool ending at 8:10 a.m.
- All K – 8 students will wear their Formal Uniform, which is a navy polo with the BFA logo and tan pants, shorts, skirt or a skort.
- Kindergarteners: Parents are invited to walk their students into their first day of Kindergarten. To view more information regarding the first day, please click on the “Grade K-5” tab above.
- Preschool: Morning and All-Day starts at 8:15 a.m. We expect our students to be in their seats and ready to learn at 8:15 a.m. so we ask you to be on campus by 8:05 a.m. with carpool ending at 8:10 a.m.
Afternoon preschool starts at 12:15 p.m. Afternoon and All-Day preschool ends at 3:15 p.m.
Note: Preschool Tuesday/Thursday students will begin on Aug. 14.
K – 8 Back to School Nights & State of BFA – August 26 & 27
Every year, parents are invited to a Back to School Night to help them become better acquainted with the school, staff and information specific to their child’s grade level.
There will be 2 identical sessions for each classroom/grade level as well as the State of BFA, presented by our principal, Diana Simpson. Information will be updated in our weekly newsletters.
- Grades K-4: Back to School Night from 6 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26.
- Grades 5-8: Back to School Night from 6 – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
Middle School Electives
Middle School Electives will now be July 30 to August 6. Please see our Fall Electives webpage for dates for each grade level to register as well as the catalog Students who do not register will be slotted in open electives.
Please note, due to the Elective Registration delay, electives WILL NOT appear on the student’s schedule until Aug. 11.
Middle School Schedules available August 1
Parents/Guardians who complete Express Check-In by July 31 for EACH K-8 student, can access Middle School Schedules through their Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal.
Returning students class schedules will be able to see their schedules by visiting Infinite Campus Parent Portal by 5:00 p.m. If your student is new to BFA this year, their schedules will be available after the Math Placement testing.
Please note, due to the Elective Registration delay, electives WILL NOT appear on the student’s schedule until Aug. 11.
Middle school parents please print the schedule and ask your student to bring it on his/her first day.
Note: the Infinite Campus Parent Portal is different from the EngagED Portal where you completed Express Check-In. For the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, your credentials are your username (WITHOUT the ‘@p.dcsdk12.org’ ) and password.
Instructions for Pulling Up Teachers/Schedules in IC
Here’s how to view BFA teacher assignments and/or middle school schedules in IC:
- Login to your Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal
- From the left-hand menu bar, select: Schedule
- If that does not work for you, click Documents, then 0135 BFA 25-26
- Elementary students will see their homeroom teacher, and middle school students can print their schedule
If you have multiple BFA students, you will need to view their schedules separately.
Middle School Math Placement Testing for Brand New BFA Students – August 8
On Friday, Aug. 8, middle school students new to BFA will complete math placement testing for the 2024-25 school year. Details including how to sign up, will be emailed to parents closer to August.
Teacher Meet and Greet & Locker Move-In – August 11
Students and Parents come to visit their teachers from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Middle School students will get locker information from their homeroom teacher and can begin to organize their lockers. Our Middle School teachers will be there to greet the students.
As this is a day for our students to meet their new teachers, we ask you to refrain from visiting previous teachers’ rooms on this day.
Students with Medication needed during school hours can drop off medication and forms during this time.
Elementary School Teacher Assignments – August 1
Parents/Guardians who complete Express Check-In by July 31 for EACH K-8 student, can access K-5 Homeroom Teachers through their Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal.This information will be posted by 5:00 p.m.
Note: the Infinite Campus Parent Portal is different from the EngagED Portal where you completed Express Check-In. For the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, your credentials are your username (WITHOUT the ‘@p.dcsdk12.org’ ) and password.
Instructions for Pulling Up Teachers/Schedules in IC
Here’s how to view BFA homeroom teacher assignments in IC:
- Login to your Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal
- From the left-hand menu bar, select: Schedule
- If that does not work for you, click Documents, then 0135 BFA 25-26
- Elementary students will see their homeroom teacher only.
If you have multiple BFA students, you will need to view their schedules separately.
Homeroom Teacher Meet and Greet Open House – August 11
Students and Parents will meet their homeroom teachers between 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Drop in during these times to see classrooms, have a brief chat with their teacher. As this is a day for our students to meet their new teachers, we ask you to refrain from visiting previous teachers’ rooms on this day.
Students with Medication needed during school hours can drop off medication and forms during this time.
Kindergarten First Day of School and BooHoo/Yahoo – August 13
- Kindergarten students also begin on Wednesday, Aug. 13, but for the first day of school ONLY, morning and full-day kindergarten begins at 9:00 a.m; afternoon kindergarten starts at the regular time (12:30 p.m.).
- Students should wear their Formal Uniform, which is a navy polo with the BFA logo and tan pants, shorts, skirt or a skort.
- Parents should plan on walking their students into school for a story and stay for our traditional CEC BooHoo/YaHoo social event. (The BooHoo/Yahoo event also will be held around 12:45 p.m. for our afternoon parents.)
- Parents who plan on walking their student in, must get a visitor badge from the front office. Parents can come during Lightning Launch or Teacher Meet and Greet to get pre-scanned or come between 8:30 a.m. to 8:55 a.m. (or 12:00 p.m. to 12:25 p.m.) on August 13.
- Please note: This event is intended for parents/guardians only and is not open to additional adults or siblings.
Homeroom Teacher Meet and Greet – August 11
Parents will receive an email to sign up for a time to meet with the teacher. Please arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled time to ensure your student (and parents) gets their special one on one time with their new room and teacher.
As this is a day for our students to meet their new teachers, we ask you to refrain from visiting previous teachers on this day.
Students with Medication needed during school hours can drop off medication and forms during this time.
First Day of School – August 13 & 14
Preschool: Morning and All-Day starts at 8:15 a.m. We expect our students to be in their seats and ready to learn at 8:15 a.m. so we ask you to be on campus by 8:05 a.m. with carpool ending at 8:10 a.m.
Afternoon preschool starts at 12:15 p.m. Afternoon and All-Day preschool ends at 3:15 p.m.
Monday/Wednesday/Friday students will begin on Aug. 13.
Tuesday/Thursday students will begin on Aug. 14.
