BES Newsletter

PTO Meeting - Thursday, November 12 (6:15)

Thanksgiving Break - Wednesday, November 25 through Monday, November 30

Parent/Guardian Conferences :

• Tuesday, November 10 from 2:45 - 4:00 pm
• Friday, November 13 from 8:00 am - 3:15 pm

Communication

When actual or forecasted weather conditions impact our school day, our Superintendent, Dr. Rakszawski, will send out a call, email and text message to alert members of our school community of any schedule changes or cancellation of activities. This information will also be posted on the district website, BASD Facebook page and local news outlets. In some cases, such as when a delay is initially called, please make sure to monitor the status of this decision as it may change depending on the status of the weather or local roads. If you are not receiving communication from the Superintendent, please contact Mr. Baughman or Mr. Park.

Weather Delays

If the weather is creating an unsafe travel situation for the morning, a delayed opening may be called. We have a 2-hour delay and a 3-hour delay schedule. If there is a 2-hour delay, our day at BES will begin at 10:00 am as opposed to 8:00 am. If there is a 3-hour delay, our day at BES will begin at 11:00 am. Sometimes delays can turn into a school closing if the weather or roads do not improve as forecasted, so make sure to monitor the status of our schools if a delay is called. Please note that when we run on a two hour delay, breakfast is still served when our students arrive. If we run on a three hour delay, breakfast is not served.

Early Dismissals

If the weather creates a situation when it may be dangerous to travel later in the afternoon/evening, there may be an early dismissal from school. In most situations, we will serve lunch prior to the dismissal. Also, in most cases, secondary students are dismissed prior to elementary students. When school is dismissed early, pay close attention to the status of after school events as well, as they will most likely be cancelled.

Snow Days/School Cancellation

At times, we will still have a traditional "Snow Day." On these days, the students will not be responsible for completing any work online. Schools will be closed and activities will most likely be cancelled. If this is the case, it will be announced as a "Snow Day." Snow days need to be made up, and will be added onto the end of the school year or will take place during a scheduled "Snow Makeup Day." Get out and enjoy the snow!

Flexible Instruction Day (FID)

The purpose of a Flexible Instruction Day (FID) is to allow students to work from home due to a school building closure (which will most likely be due to weather). Our District is permitted to use up to 5 Flexible Instruction Days per school year. Using the Flexible Instruction Days prevents us from using snow make-up days and/or helps to prevent adding additional snow make-up days to the end of the school year as they do not need to be made up. Teachers will be available via email to help answer any questions from 8:00 am - 3:15 pm. These days will be announced as "Flexible Instruction Days." Please make sure to pay attention to how these days are announced.

Students will complete work in their FID packets that have been given to them by their teachers. All work for FID's are paper/pencil, there is no online work at the elementary level.

Students are required to turn in their FID work the next day when they return to school. This is a change from previous years when students had 2 days to turn in work. Completion and turning in of that work will also count as the students' attendance for that FID, so it is important for your student to complete any assigned work from a FID so that their attendance is counted for that day. If they struggle with it at home, make sure to reach out to their teacher so they can offer help in school to get the work completed.

For additional support regarding resources and technology, please click this link:

BASD Resource Page for Technology

As we move toward what would have been the end of the first quarter, we wanted to remind you that all elementary schools in the district are moving to trimesters instead of quarters for grading. This means that instead of four report cards, you will receive three comprehensive report cards during the school year. The trimester dates for this year are:

Please remember to bring your photo I.D. with you anytime you come to the school. You will need it anytime you enter the school or pick your child up.

Please see below for frequently asked questions regarding use of the playground now that it is fully installed and functional:

Can students use the playground after school hours?

Yes, students can use the playground after school.

Should students be supervised when using the playground after school?

Yes, any students who are using the playground are required to be supervised by an adult.

Is there a limit on when it can be used?

The playground is open for use from dawn until dusk. Bellefonte Borough Police Department will police this area as part of their regular patrol.

Who can use the playground?

The playground is designed to be used by students 5-12. Older students or adults should not be using the playground in order to help avoid damage to the equipment and/or personal injury.

Is use of the playground monitored by video?

Yes, outdoor cameras at the school are recording the playground area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can also send a check in with your student made out to Bellefonte Area School District. Please send these checks in an envelope clearly marked for the cafeteria.

Free and reduced lunch applications will be accepted throughout the school year. Even if you have completed this form in the past, you will need to complete it at the beginning of each school year. You only need to fill out one form per family. You can find it by going to the BASD website: Menu > Parents > Food Services > Free and Reduced meals.

The school lunch menu for November is posted below.

The updated 2026-27 Student/Parent/Guardian Handbook can be found by clicking below:

Elementary School Handbook

• Remember to turn in a written excuse any time your student is absent. Sending an email to our Attendance Clerk at beatt@basd.net is usually the easiest way. Even if you call in, we still need a written note for our records.
• Always get a note from your doctor when your child is absent for an appointment. Most offices will fax excuses directly to the school. If they do this, give us a call the next day to make sure we received it.
• Students are marked late/tardy if they arrive between 8:10 and 8:45 am. After 8:45, students will be marked absent for either a whole day or half day am. If students are tardy 15 times in a school year, truancy proceedings may be initiated with the District Magistrate.
• If a student is absent and no excuse is turned in, or the reason for an absence is not one of the valid reasons we can excuse, the absence will be marked as illegal. If a student accumulates 3 illegal absences, a meeting will be called to allow us to work together and avoid any further illegal absences. If a student accumulates 6 illegal absences, truancy proceedings may be initiated with the District Magistrate.
• If your child will have any sort of extended absence, it is helpful to email their teachers to make them aware.

Ultimately, our goal is to make sure that our students are in school and that we are working with you to make that happen and also help you to make sure that their absences are recorded correctly. Please reach out to us with questions and allow us to help you if needed.

Educational Trips:

We see the value in traveling as a family and taking your children to see and experience different places and events. Below is information on how to make sure these absences are accounted for.

• Students can take up to 10 days of Educational Trips each school year.
• An Educational Trip Form must be submitted at least seven calendar days prior to the trip. You can send that form to our Attendance Clerk at beatt@basd.net.
• This form can be found on the District Website, I will also include the link our back to school newsletter.
  

• BASD Website > Menu> Attendance > Educational Trip Request Form

• Field Trip chaperones

• School dance chaperones

• Classroom/building helpers

• Volunteering at classroom parties

• Field Day volunteers

• Holiday Shop volunteers

• PTO/Parent Group events in the buildings during school hours

Registered volunteers will be approved by the Bellefonte Area School District Board of Directors after they have submitted the following documents:

1. Volunteer Form

2. Statement of Confidentiality

3. Residency Affidavit & Arrest/Conviction Report

4. PA Child Abuse History Certification

5. PA Criminal History clearance

All registered volunteers will need to update their clearances every five years.

If you plan on volunteering at all during the school year, it is best to get this process completed early. Please contact the main office or our volunteer coordinator, Liz Stone (lstone@basd.net) if you have any questions.

Click Here for the Volunteer Program section on the BASD website.

Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook for more updates and information on all of the great things happening here at BES!

https://www.facebook.com/bellefonteelem

108 Governors Park Road

Bellefonte, PA 16823

Website: https://www.basd.net/Domain/388

Phone: 814-355-5519

Fax: 814-353-5338

Attendance Email: beatt@basd.net