BES Newsletter
September 16, 2025
Message from Mr. Baughman
Important Dates
Thursday, September 18: PTO Meeting 6:30 - 7:30
Friday, September 19: PTO Fall Movie Night 6:00
Friday, October 10: Picture Day
Friday, October 31: Costume parade and classroom parties
Student/Parent/Guardian Handbook
The updated 2025-26 Student/Parent/Guardian Handbook can be found by clicking below:
Message from Mr. Mussett
Dear Families,
Hello! My name is Mr. Mussett, and I am excited to introduce myself as the Math Specialist at Bellefonte Elementary. In this role, I will be working primarily with students in grades 3, 4, and 5, providing support in math and math intervention.
Prior to this position, I spent the past 25 years teaching at Benner Elementary. I look forward to bringing that experience to Bellefonte, where I will be working closely with your child’s classroom teacher to support what students are currently learning in the classroom.
Working with students may look a little different depending on their needs. At times, I may review the classroom lesson, provide extra practice, help complete guided practice work, or even extend learning through enrichment activities. My goal is to meet students where they are and help them grow in confidence and understanding.
I am thrilled to join the Bellefonte Elementary team and am eager to work with a whole new group of students this year.
Sincerely,
Mike Mussett
Math Specialist
Bellefonte Elementary
News from the Nurse
Back-to-School Backpack Safety: Lighten the Load and Protect Your Back!
September means new classes, new friends, and for many students, a new backpack! While a backpack is an essential school item, an overloaded or improperly worn one can lead to real health issues. This month, let's focus on backpack safety to ensure our students stay healthy and pain-free throughout the school year.
Why Backpack Safety Matters
Carrying a backpack that's too heavy or not worn correctly can cause:
Muscle Strain and Pain: Soreness in the neck, shoulders, and back is common.
Poor Posture: To compensate for the weight, students might lean forward, which can affect their posture over time.
Reduced Balance: An unwieldy backpack can make falls more likely.
Potential Long-Term Issues: Chronic back pain can develop if bad habits continue.
Tips for Parents: Helping Your Child Carry Their Load Safely
The "10-15% Rule": A general guideline is that a backpack should not weigh more than 10-15% of your child's body weight. If your child weighs 90 pounds, their backpack should be no more than 9-13.5 pounds.
Regular Weight Checks: Encourage your child to weigh their backpack weekly. You can use a bathroom scale!
Choose Wisely: Look for backpacks with:
Wide, padded shoulder straps: These distribute weight better and reduce pressure.
A padded back: Provides comfort and prevents items from poking your child.
Multiple compartments: Helps organize and distribute weight.
A waist strap (optional but helpful): Can take some weight off the shoulders.
Locker Encouragement: Remind your child to use their locker throughout the day to store heavy books and avoid carrying everything at once.
Talk About It: Open a conversation with your child about how their backpack feels. Do they experience any pain?
Tips for Students: How to Wear Your Backpack Like a Pro!
Two Straps, Always! This is the golden rule! Always wear both shoulder straps to distribute the weight evenly across your back and shoulders. Wearing it on one shoulder can lead to muscle strain and imbalance.
High and Tight! Adjust the straps so your backpack sits high on your back, about two inches above your waist. It shouldn't sag down towards your backside.
Heavy at the Back: Pack the heaviest items (like textbooks) closest to your back. This helps with balance and reduces strain.
Use All Pockets: Distribute smaller items into different compartments to avoid all the weight being in one spot.
Clean It Out Regularly: Get rid of anything you don't need daily! Old assignments, empty water bottles, or unnecessary gadgets add extra weight. A quick clean-out once a week can make a big difference.
Health Screening
The school nurses will be conducting state-mandated health screenings at Bellefonte Elementary School on October 6-8, 2025.. The mandated screening includes height, weight, and vision for all grades. In addition, hearing screening will be conducted for students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Students who wear glasses should bring them to screenings. Please contact Rachel Griel at rgriel@basd.net with any questions. Thanks.
Physical and Dental Exams
Please continue to turn in the required physical and dental forms to the school.
Please continue to turn in the required physical and dental forms to the school.
All Kindergartners are required to have a record of a physical exam, and all Kindergartners and 3rd graders are required to have a record of a dental exam on file at the school.
A physical or dental exam performed by your child's personal health care provider, completed 12 months before the start of school or any time during this school year, will meet the requirement. The physicals can be performed at your family doctor's office or any walk-in clinic.
If you need either of these forms, click here, or your provider can print a copy from their system. You don’t need our form. If you need any of these forms sent home with your student, call the nurse's office at 814-355-5519 ext 2104 or email me at rgriel@basd.net.
You may return the form to the school nurse via email (rgriel@basd.net), fax 814-353-5338 or drop it off at the office. If you have an exam scheduled, please let me know the date of the physical or dental exam so I can be on the lookout for the form.
Message from Mrs. Leitzell
Dear Bellefonte Elementary Families,
Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! My name is Rebecca Leitzell, and I am excited to be back at BES this year as your child’s Technology Teacher. I look forward to helping students build their skills in digital citizenship and digital literacy as we explore how to use technology in safe, responsible, and creative ways.
Throughout the year, students will have opportunities to practice problem-solving, communication, and collaboration through engaging technology lessons and projects. My goal is to empower students to become confident, respectful, and capable digital learners.
If you ever have questions or would like to learn more about what we are doing in technology class, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I look forward to a wonderful year of learning and discovery with your children!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Leitzell
Technology Teacher
Cartwheel Mental Health Services
Please click on the files below to learn more about Cartwheel. We partner with Cartwheel to provide mental health services to students and families.
School Lunches
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 August and September is posted below.
Attendance and Educational Trips
- Remember to turn in a written excuse anytime 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.
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 now 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
Nurse and Medications
For the safety and well-being of all students, the Bellefonte Area School District nurses will administer medication during school hours only when absolutely necessary. We appreciate your cooperation in adhering to the following guidelines:
Orders for Medication: Parent permission and an order from a health care provider (DDS, DMD, MD, DO, PA-C, or CRNP) must be provided to the school nurse for medications that need to be given at school. The form can be found on the BASD website under nursing services, then health forms, or by clicking here.
Delivery of Medication: All medications must be brought to the school nurse by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult. Please do not send medication to school with your child.
Original Packaging Required: Medications must be in their original, properly labeled pharmaceutical container. This includes the pharmacy label or original manufacturer packaging.
Required Information: For any medication to be administered at school, the container must display:
The student's name
The physician's name
The date of prescription
The pharmacy's name and phone number
The medication's name, dosage, route, and frequency of administration
Student Possession of Medication: For safety reasons, students are not permitted to carry medications with them at school. The only exceptions are epinephrine pens and bronchodilator inhalers, as specifically allowed by School Board policy.
Medication Pick-Up: All medications brought to school must be picked up by a parent or guardian on or before the last day of school. Any medications not claimed will be disposed at the end of the last day of school.
Your understanding and cooperation with these policies help us ensure a safe and healthy environment for all students. If you have any questions, please contact your school nurse, Rachel Griel at rgriel@basd.net. District Policy 210 can also be referenced for more information about medications.
PTO News
THIS FRIDAY IS OUR FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT!
Held on the grass by the playground or in the gym if it rains. Movie Starts between 7:30-8:00. Concessions will be available for $1 per most items. Leftover Spirit Wear will be out for sale. Cash or Omella payment accepted.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOTE FOR WHAT WE WATCH, VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE TO CAST YOUR VOTE.
Please bring your own chairs and blankets. We will draw a name from those who have joined the PTO by placing membership to win our Premier Movie Package! Front spot reserved with a blanket and each immediate family member gets 1 free popcorn and 1 free drink! We will contact you a few days before via the email you provided when you joined. Please respond ASAP. If you'd like to help with concessions please sign up here!
or
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BA4AF29A64-58696043-movie
KRISPY KREME ORDERS ARE DUE OCTOBER 1st! Please be sure to include your students name and a contact phone number that we can reach you at if need be!
PTO MEETING THIS THURSDAY 9/18 at 6:30 in the conference room. If you are wondering how to get involved in your child's school, this is it! We try to keep it pretty light hearted and aim to be done in less than an hour! Come join us for a few laughs and even a snack sometimes! Kids are welcome to play in the hallway right outside of the conference room if you need to bring them! Please tell them they can not run all over the school.
PTO and VIG MEMBERSHIPS ARE DUE OCTOBER 10th! Help your child's classroom win an ice cream party by joining! The classroom in EACH grade with the most members will win an in school ice cream party! If you need to reprint your form or your VIG form for grandparents, please visit our website:
PTO Website Membership Forms
or
https://bellefontepto.wixsite.com/index/membership
Volunteers
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:
Volunteer Form
Statement of Confidentiality
Residency Affidavit & Arrest/Conviction Report
PA Child Abuse History Certification
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.
Follow us on Facebook!
Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook for more updates and information on all of the great things happening here at BES!
Contact Us
100 W. Linn Street
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Website: https://www.basd.net/Domain/388
Phone: 814-355-5519
Fax: 814-353-5338
Attendance Email: beatt@basd.net