Asa Packer News

Please see below for this week's news.

Wishing you and your family the very best during this winter season. May it be filled with warmth, joy, and time to rest and recharge.

Pajama Day to support the Children´s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) will be our first day back from winter break, which is Monday, January 5th. We can´t wait to see everyone in their pajamas! Donations are optional and can be made to CHOP through the link below. We will only be collecting donations through the link this year. https://chop.donordrive.com/campaigns/Asa-Packer-Elementary-Pajama-Day-2026

This month, students are encouraged to share Leader in Me - Habit 2: Begin With The End in Mind with their families. Students have learned this means taking responsibility for their choices and actions. Families are encouraged to complete one or more activities from the list together to help students practice being proactive and positive leaders. Many of these activities are likely things your family already does! Our goal is to help connect the leadership language we use at school to the wonderful things that are happening in your homes.

How to Participate:

1. Complete one or more activities as a family before January 5th.

2. Use the link on the flyer to submit your completed activity for recognition in December.

• Please submit only ONE form per student for the month. Do not submit multiple forms for different activities.
• If you have multiple students in your family, please submit one form for EACH student's activities for the month.

3. Celebrate being proactive and making positive choices at home and school!

WINTER FUNDRAISER UPDATE!

The Candy Games fundraiser was a huge success!
Thanks to all the wonderful Asa families who participated, the PTA raised over $600. These funds will help support spring field trips, enriching experiences for our students.

We can’t thank you enough for all you do to help make Asa Packer GREAT! We hope the students and staff enjoyed their sweet treat and winter stickers.

WINTER GIVEBACK!

Asa Packer PTA is excited to host our annual Ice-Skating Event at the Bethlehem Municipal Ice Rink over Winter Break!

Mark your calendars and lace up your skates for a fun afternoon on the ice. More details will be sent home in December.

Date: Monday, December 29th

Time: 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

We hope to see you there!

PTA GENERAL MEETING!

Join Us for the Next PTA General Meeting!

January 6, 2026
6:00 PM
Asa Packer Library

The PTA will share plans for the upcoming spring season and highlight new volunteer opportunities. We’re also pleased to welcome Dr. Silva, who will provide an update on what’s happening across the district and answer any questions you may have about BASD.

We hope to see you there!

SPRING EVENTS AND FUNDRAISER!

The PTA has many exciting events planned for the spring, and we need your help to make them happen!
If you’d like to get more involved in your student’s elementary experience and help the PTA create lasting memories, we’d love to hear from you.

Please reach out to us at asapackerpta@gmail.com or send us a message on Facebook. We have volunteer opportunities for all comfort levels and time constraints.

Volunteering is always a fun experience—and there’s nothing better than seeing the students enjoying special moments at school and beyond!

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

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

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