Asa Packer News

Please see below for this week's news.

Reminder: School is closed next Thursday, 10/2, for Yom Kippur.

Below is information on classroom visitations for American Education Week. Please either scan the QR Code or visit this link to register. If there are multiple students in your family, you must register for each student. If there are guests for each day, two forms should be completed. We look forward to seeing our visitors during these two days.

Each classroom has a morning and an afternoon session during the week. A parent may attend either session if they have a conflict in their schedule on either given day.

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15–October 15. To continue the celebration, BASD will host our annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Thursday, October 16, at Northeast Middle School from 6:00–8:00 p.m. This district-wide, family-friendly event will feature activities, music, and opportunities to celebrate and learn about Hispanic culture. All BASD students, families, and staff are invited.

FALL STAFF APPRECIATION

Each quarter, we come together to show our appreciation for the amazing teachers and staff at Asa Packer....the people who care for and educate our children every day.

We’re kicking off our Fall Staff Appreciation celebration soon, and we could use your help! Whether it's a small donation, a snack item, or helping spread the word, every bit counts and is truly appreciated.
Donations are completely voluntary—your support in any form means a lot!

Link to Donate

ROOM PARENTS/PARTY HELPERS- LAST CHANCE TO SIGN-UP
We’re still looking for Room Parents in 1st Grade (Burnell), 4th Grade (Luisser), and 5th Grade (Wagner). Interested in volunteering in your child’s classroom this year? Today is the final day to sign up!

https://tinyurl.com/25-26AsaRoomParentSignup

Already signed up? Save the date! Our Room Parent & Party Helper Info Meeting will be via Zoom on 10/6 at 6:30pm. Please note: this meeting will not take place at the General Meeting on 10/14 as it has in the past.

STUDENT DIRECTORY- CUTOFF DATE IS TODAY!

Sharing contact information is a great way for students and families to get together outside of school, help each other with assignments, and communicate Room Parent information. Please participate in our Student Directory by completing the Google Form below by the end of day.

https://tinyurl.com/AsaDirectory25-26

STUFFIE SLEEPOVER- MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH

Please send your child’s stuffie to school on Monday for their exciting sleepover adventure!. Teachers have tags for those participating and will attached them to the stuffies. Don’t forget to follow us on socials to see what the stuffies are up to!

FALL BOOK FAIR
Our favorite time of year is almost here! From Oct. 7th-10th, fall into a good book during the Fall Book Fair.
Load e-wallet: scholastic.com/bf/asapackerelementaryschool
Volunteer: https://tinyurl.com/AsaBookFairSignup2025

WALK-A-THON
Our annual Walk-a-Thon is Monday October 13th! All students will join this fun school-day event to support Asa. Goal: $10,000 for programs, supplies & resources.

No fundraising required to participate, but those who do can earn prizes...the more raised, the more chances to win! Register below
https://tinyurl.com/2025ASAWALKATHON

Volunteers needed to help secure prizes & donations. Please email Jackie at jackie@bicycemotorworks.com if you can help.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS/FIRST QUARTER VOLUNTEERS

Check out our new quarterly calendar! Big or small, every bit of time helps make Asa memories. Volunteer link below.

https://tinyurl.com/20251stQVolunteerSignup

FOLLOW US

Stay connected, follow us on...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asapacker.pta

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asapackerpta

Questions? Feel free to reach out via email- asapackerpta@gmail.com

We are continuing our efforts this school year to support families in need of assistance with food, clothing, and other essential items. This may include Thanksgiving turkeys, holiday gifts around Christmas, and gift cards to local supermarkets.

If your family could benefit from this support, please scan the QR code below to complete a short, confidential Google Form. All information shared will be kept private and used only to provide appropriate assistance.

We’re here for you.. please don’t hesitate to reach out if we can help in any way!

https://forms.gle/f7SN4Xnd53BXyiRt8

Please see below for the updated Personal Electronic Device Policy and Procedures that will be in effect for the upcoming school year.

The goal with this updated policy is to cultivate a learning environment where students can fully engage with their teachers and peers, absorb information more effectively, and develop essential focus skills.

The updated policy and procedures for cell phone use is as follows:

• Cell phones must be silenced and not on-person (e.g., in backpacks, lockers, or designated classroom areas) from the start of the school day until the final dismissal.
• Students will not be permitted to use their cell phones during instructional periods, breakfast, lunch, recess, or transition times.
• We understand the need for communication. In case of an emergency or if you need to reach your child, please contact the school office, and we will ensure your message is delivered promptly.

We understand that adapting to new policies can take time, and we appreciate your partnership in reinforcing these expectations with your children. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work together to create the most effective learning environment.

Attached are the attendance procedures. Please review these documents.

In the event of an absence, a parent or Dr. note is required. Absence notes may be emailed directly to the office at asapackerattendance@basdschools.org. If you are sending the teacher a Dojo message, an email message to this address should also be completed.

If you forget to send a note about a change of pickup or an early pickup, please call the office. This way we can be sure the teacher gets notified. Do not send a Dojo message or email the teacher during the day as the message may not be seen until a later time.

If you moved over the summer, please submit updated contact information to the Main Office. This will allow mailings to be sent to the correct address. Verification of residency will be needed to update an address in the district system.

Any questions pertaining to transportation should be directed to that particular office. Information regarding district transportation for the 2024-2025 school year will be mailed to your home directly from the Transportation Office in mid-August. The Transportation Department can be reached at 610-861-0360.

Please Review and Follow the Procedures Below to Ensure Student Safety at All Times

To help maintain a safe and efficient arrival and dismissal process, we kindly ask all families to follow these important guidelines:

Drop-Off & Pick-Up Reminders:

• You may either:

  • Park in the lot and walk your child across the bus lane using the crosswalk, or

  • Use the student drop-off lane, allowing your child to exit the car and walk along the sidewalk to the building.

• If you need to get out of your car to assist your child, please park in a designated parking spot. Do not stop or leave your vehicle in the drop-off lane.

Safety Guidelines:

• Always use crosswalks—both students and adults.

• Cars are not permitted in the bus lane at any time.

• Only park in designated parking spaces—do not park or idle along curbs.

• When picking up your child early or at dismissal, please walk to the building to meet them.

• Do not leave children unattended outside the building before or after school hours.

• Follow all posted signs—these procedures are enforced for everyone’s safety.

• No pets are allowed on school property at any time.

• Please do not block access to the handicap parking spaces during drop-off. We have families who rely on those spaces, and at times, they are unable to pull in due to vehicles obstructing the area.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation in keeping our students safe!

• Grade K , Grade 1 and Grade 2 students will enter/dismiss through the Primary doors.
• Grade 3, Grade 4, and Grade 5 students will enter/dismiss through the Intermediate doors.
• Bus students will enter through the appropriate Primary and Intermediate doors. They will be dismissed one bus at a time after the walkers have entered the building.
• If you are escorting your child to the door, please park in the lot. Please use your good judgement and keep safety the highest priority.

• Teachers will communicate to guardians about their “Quiet hours” procedures.
  
• Teachers will respond to emails/messages within 24 hours during the work week.
• Weekend/holiday messages will be responded to by the end of the next school day.

Email: jchorvath@basdschools.org
Website: https://basdwpweb.beth.k12.pa.us/asapacker/
Location: 1650 Kenwood Drive, Bethlehem, PA, USA
Phone: 610-865-0660
Twitter: @AsaPackerBASD