Asa Packer News

Please see below for this week's news.

Calling All Families! We need your help! We are asking all parents/guardians of current Asa Packer students to complete this 10-minute survey about your student's experiences at Asa Packer.

Our menu options for Tuesday, May 26th, are below and will replace the scheduled menu for the day. Students may either buy or pack their lunch as they would for a normal school day. Students will have the opportunity to eat outside. Please see below for the items that will be available for purchase.

Asa Packer Elementary School’s annual “Patio Party” once again brought the Bethlehem community together for an evening filled with fun, laughter, and family connection, and Patient First was proud to be part of the celebration.

As one of many Lehigh Valley schools supported through our longstanding school partnership program, Asa Packer Elementary continues to be an exceptional community partner. We always look forward to returning for events like this that create opportunities for students, parents, faculty, staff, and families to come together outside the classroom.

After weather challenges affected previous years, Mother Nature provided beautiful spring weather for us this year, helping draw one of the largest crowds yet. The school grounds were packed throughout the evening with inflatables, games, food trucks, popcorn, cotton candy, and activities for families of all ages.'

School leadership and PTA representatives shared their appreciation for Patient First’s continued involvement and support, and we were grateful to once again be included as part of the school community celebration.

The event also provided a wonderful opportunity for us to connect with families and hear firsthand how many in the community rely on Patient First for their healthcare needs.

Events like Asa Packer Elementary’s Patio Party highlight the importance of schools creating welcoming, family-focused experiences that strengthen community connections. Patient First is proud to support those efforts and looks forward to continuing our partnership with Asa Packer Elementary School and other area schools in the years ahead.

PATIO PARTY UPDATE:

What an incredible night we had at the Patio Party at Asa Packer! From start to finish, the energy was nonstop as families, friends, students, and community members came together for one of the most successful Patio Parties in years.

The weather could not have been more perfect. During setup, it was touch-and-go with the rain and clouds, but as guests arrived, the sun came out, the temperatures warmed up, and blue skies created the perfect backdrop for an evening packed with excitement and fun. The playground was filled with the biggest crowds we’ve seen in years, and the atmosphere was absolutely electric.

Children spent hours enjoying the inflatables and games, laughing and competing with friends while families explored everything the event had to offer. The balloon artist amazed guests with creative creations, while the face painters transformed smiling faces into colorful works of art. Everywhere you looked, families were making memories together.

The food trucks — Geekers Tacos, Hen & Haw Hot Chicken, Panchitas Kitchen, and RYPE — kept everyone fueled with delicious favorites throughout the evening. Mon & Mel’s Sweet Scoops was a huge hit for those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth after dinner, while Kim’s Cotton Candy and Sno Cones kept the kids happily sugared up and smiling all night long.

A huge shoutout goes to Steel City’s Best for setting up the Gaga Ball Pit for the kids to enjoy while also sharing information about all the great programs they offer. Patient First also returned this year, offering blood pressure screenings and discussing the services available at their Hanover Township location. Schoolhouse Orthodontics was on site as well, talking with families about how they can help make every child’s smile even brighter.

One of the highlights of the evening was the raffle baskets and prize giveaways. Families eagerly gathered to check out the incredible assortment of baskets and prizes, and excitement filled the air as winners were announced at the end of the event. From themed gift baskets to special surprises donated by local businesses and supporters, the raffle added even more energy to an already unforgettable night.

A huge THANK YOU goes out to all of our amazing sponsors whose support helped make this event such a tremendous success. Their generosity and community spirit played a major role in creating such a fun and welcoming experience for everyone who attended. Their donations covered the costs of the inflatables, balloon artist, face painters, and many of the supplies that helped make the event so spectacular. Because of their support, all profits from Patio Party ticket sales and basket raffles went directly back to supporting our school community.

Thank you to Ames Team-Weichert Realtors, Lehigh Valley Attorney George Nassif, The Knitter’s Edge, JoAnne Turcotte, Infinite Ceramic and Stone, Ceren Delivery, Ovata Tree Services, Embassy Bank, Patient First, and Schoolhouse Orthodontics. A special thank you as well to Valley Wide Signs for donating all of the signs and posters. Asa families, when looking for services, please consider supporting the businesses and individuals who continue to give back to our Asa Packer school community.

Most importantly, thanks to the overwhelming support of our community, this year’s Patio Party raised more money than we have in years. As of now, we have raised $8,216.45, and we are still waiting for the final givebacks from the food trucks. We will share an updated total once everything is finalized. The success of this event will directly benefit our students and school community, making the celebration even more meaningful.

Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, sponsored, donated, and helped make the Patio Party at Asa Packer such an unforgettable event. We are already looking forward to next year!

SCHOLASTIC BOGO BOOK FAIR IS COMING:

Get ready, Asa Packer families! We’re excited to announce a Buy One, Get One FREE Scholastic Book Fair coming to our school from May 20th through May 22nd.

This is a wonderful opportunity to stock up on books for summer reading, discover new favorites, and inspire a love of reading in our students—all while getting more for your money.

Be sure to check the flyer for the days and times your child’s class will visit the book fair. We’re also looking for volunteers to help students choose books and keep everything running smoothly. Your support makes a big difference in making this event a success!

Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit the link below to load your e-wallet, donate funds to Share the Fair, or sign up to be a volunteer!

www.Scholastic.com/bf/asapackerelementaryschool

Thank you in advance—we can’t wait to see everyone there!

SEND OFF SIGNS:

Celebrate the end of the school year and send our students off in a meaningful way with our “Send Off” Sign Fundraiser at Asa Packer Elementary!

These special signs are a wonderful way to show your student just how proud you are of all their hard work and to wish them a fun, happy summer. It’s a simple gesture that makes a big impact—students love seeing personalized messages of encouragement displayed just for them.

This is an especially memorable time for our 5th graders as they prepare to say goodbye to Asa Packer and move on to the next chapter. Let’s make their final days at our school extra special by surrounding them with supportive messages and celebration.

At the same time, we don’t want to forget our Pumas in Kindergarten through 4th grade! They should be celebrated as well for a year filled with hard work, growth, learning, and fun. Every student at Asa Packer has so much to be proud of, and we look forward to finishing the school year strong together.

Signs can be purchased at Givebacks:

https://www.givebacks.com/causes/asapackerpta/shop/items/1028186

Each sign is just $10, making it an easy and meaningful way to participate. Thank you for helping us celebrate our students and create lasting end-of-year memories!

Signs can also be purchased or picked up after school on the playground on May 18th and May 21st. A PTA member will be available with signs from 3:45 PM–5:00 PM. Payment may be made with cash or a check payable to ASA PACKER PTA.

Let’s make this a SEND-OFF our students will always remember!!

Kindergarten Registration for the upcoming year (2026-2027) is now open. Registration is done online through Registration Gateway - New Student Portal.

Below is the link to the Kindergarten Registration Page.

https://www.basdschools.org/for-families/kindergarten

Who: Students in Grades K-7

When: June 15-17

Details: Our annual camp is back! Please note that we are hosting only one week of camp this year, and spots are expected to fill quickly.

Registration: Parents can scan the QR code on the attached flyer or use this Google Form Registration Link.

Cost: Pricing details are available via the registration link. Reduced cost is available for families who qualify for free/reduced lunch.

Looking for a summer filled with STEM, splash zones, and field trips? We have a few spots remaining for our BASD Summer 2026 Child Care Happenings!

How to Register: Check out the attached flyer for the full schedule! For more information or to secure your spot, please contact Judy Becker at jbecker@basdschools.org or call 610-868-8501. You can also reach out to the child care office at your child’s school.

We can’t wait to see your children there!

Students participating in before-school activities should arrive no earlier than five minutes prior to the start of their activity. Students will not be let into the building if arriving before that time.

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

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.

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