Getting Ready for the 2022-23 School Year

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.
 

Key Dates this Summer

  • June 1- Aug. 3: Summer Hours, Wednesdays from 9 a.m. – Noon, (closed July 6).
  • July 20-28: Complete DCSD Express Check-In 
  • Aug. 10 or 11: Attend BFA Annual Family Check-In 
  • Aug. 17: First Day of School

Questions: Contact us at info@bfacademy.org

What do I need to know/do today?

Note Summer Office Hours

The office will be open during the summer from 9 a.m. until noon on Wednesdays from June 1 – Aug. 3 (except on July 6).
 

Purchase 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 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 on field trips.) 
 

Returning Families Keep Carpool Tags

Please keep your carpool tags and bring them with you to BFA Annual Family Check-In. At that time, we’ll give you the annual validation sticker.
 

Make Necessary Medical Appointments

Any medication forms or health care 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 indicating they have received the T-dap vaccine. For more information, see our health webpage.
 

Calendar Key Dates

Please click on this document for key dates you should add to your calendar as we prepare for the upcoming school year.
 

Order Extra Carpool Tags, If Necessary

Returning families will have their current tags, and new families will receive two tags during BFA Annual Family Check-In; but families can also order additional carpool tags through our payments system MySchoolBucks. If you place your order before August 1, the additional tags will be available during BFA Annual Family Check-In. (Families new to DCSD can order additional tags after July 1, when they are able to set up their MySchoolBucks account.)
 

Important Steps to Complete for 2022-23 School Year

Required: Complete Two Step Check-In Process for All K-8 Students

 

STEP #1:   DCSD Express Check-In 

Check-In for BFA opens Wednesday, July 20. The deadline to complete this required annual process for all BFA K-8 students is Thursday, July 28. This Check-In application allows parents to update household information, sign off on district forms, update health conditions and pay student fees (see below). For new families, it also streamlines the check in process for future check-ins. One parent from the primary household should complete DCSD Express Check-In for each K-8 student.
 
Important Reminders and details about Express Check-In for 2022-23:
  • DCSD Express Check-In is normally when families pay student fees, but as Mrs. Simpson announced earlier, our funding from the state came in higher than we had expected. This change allowed us to look over our budget and see what changes we could make that would impact families, students and staff in the most positive way. One of the most significant changes is that we will NOT be charging any student fees again this school year. We are excited to pass these savings along to families while still providing all the necessary school supplies and materials that students and teachers need. **In future years, if there are Parents/Guardians who need financial assistance with the supply fee, they can contact our Business Manager, Halsley Hoff.**
  • DCSD Express Check-In must be completed by logging into the EngagED Parent Portal. Log into the portal using your Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal username and password.  
    • Parents of current BFA K-8 students, as well as DCSD Intra-District Transfers and/or Former DCSD students already have a Parent Portal user name and password. Try to login NOW to the EngagED Parent Portal. If you’re successful, you’ll be able to log in when Express Check-In opens. If you cannot remember your username and password, please contact Colleen Bobbin by July 1. 
    • Parents who have never had a K-12 DCSD student created a Parent Portal username and password when completing Open Enrollment for their child(ren). Try NOW to login to the EngagED Parent Portal. If you’re successful, you’ll be able to login when Express Check-In opens. If you cannot remember your username or password, Colleen Bobbin can help you reset your account after July 1.
  • If Step #1 is not complete, you’ll experience delays when you try to proceed with Step #2, BFA Annual Family Check-In. 

Click here for Express Check-In instructions.

 

STEP #2: BFA Annual Family Check-In 

Parents and K-8 students should come to BFA to complete BFA Annual Family Check-In on their assigned date (see below).
 
Wednesday, August 10
Families with last name beginning A-L
Hours: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (School closed for lunch break from 2-3 p.m.)
 
Thursday, August 11
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.)  
 
 When you come to BFA to check-in, make sure to:
  • Returning families: Bring carpool tag(s) for the annual validation sticker. New families: You’ll receive two carpool tags at BFA Annual Family Check-In.
  • Be ready to SMILE! Student and parent photos will be taken. Link to the online order site from the flier available through DCSD Express Check-In. Students should wear a BFA uniform shirt. Parents’ pictures will be used for their annual volunteer badges.
  • Bring student medications and completed required health forms from DCSD Express Check-In with parent and physician’s signature.
  • Bring copies of any legal documents or updates (custody, parenting plan, guardianship, etc.), if applicable.

View Teacher Assignments

Teacher assignments can be found in the Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal after 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 3. See instructions about how to view teacher assignments here.

 

Action Items for Middle School Students

Choose Electives

The complete Middle School Elective Catalogue will be sent to middle school parents in June. Registration will be through MySchoolBucks, so new families should look at our payments webpage for instructions about how to set up your MySchoolBucks account and, then, add your middle school student(s) after July 1.
 
Below are the dates when the elective registration window will be available by grade level. Registration opens at 9 a.m. on the date listed below, and is first come, first served by grade level seniority. If the elective you wanted isn’t listed, that means it is full and you must choose another class. 
 
  • July 6 –Electives Open for Eighth Grade
  • July 7 – Electives Open for Seventh Grade
  • July 8 – Electives Open for Sixth Grade
  • July 15 – Electives Close for all
 
Students who don’t sign up during their registration window will need to meet with Mrs. Boland to be placed into a vacant elective course. 
If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Boland.
 

Print Schedules

Middle school parents should log into their Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal to view their student’s middle school schedule after 9 a.m. on Wednesday, August 3. Please print the schedule and ask your student to bring it on his/her first day. See instructions on how to print schedules here.
 
 

Welcome to the 2022-23 School Year—What’s Next?

New BFA Parent/Guardian Orientation – Brand new BFA families are welcome to join us for an orientation from 5:30 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, at BFA.

Meet the Teacher/Family Picnic – Save the date! On the evening of Monday, August 15, you’ll have the opportunity to meet your student(s) teacher(s) as well as other BFA families. Elementary and middle school families can come by BFA and meet their teacher between 4 – 5:30 p.m., then stay for an informal school picnic which will be held from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Preschool families should look for an email with details, as they will have a specific time slot for meeting their teachers. Additional details will be provided this summer.

The First Day of School for Grades 1-8  is from 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 17. Students should wear their Formal Uniform, which is a navy polo with the BFA logo and tan pants, shorts, skirt or a skort. 

Kindergarten First Day of School and BooHoo/YaHoo, For the first day of school ONLY, morning and full-day kindergarten begins at 8:30 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. School will start a bit later on the first morning (8:30 a.m.) so parents can park and walk their students into school. Parents should plan on walking their students into school for a story and staying for our traditional BooHoo/YaHoo social event. Additional details to follow.

Back to School Nights – 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. More information will be provided later in the summer.

  • Grades K- 4:  Back to School Night Tuesday, Aug. 30, 6 – 8 p.m.
  • Grades 5-8:  Back to School Night Wednesday, Aug. 31, 6 – 8 p.m.

As we mentioned above, we’ll continue to communicate and remind you of important dates throughout the summer.