Asa Packer News

Please see below for this week's news.

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.

Please see below. Many families have not yet completed this task.

The Synergy Back to School Portal is now available for parents to review and submit.

The portal:

• includes questions requiring a parent/guardian response,
• includes forms for parents to download,
• allows parents to update any outdated phone numbers or addresses.

Please Note:

• Parents/guardians will only be able to update their own information.
• Parents/guardians must have Educational Rights and Custody checked in the system to complete the Back to School Portal.
• The first parent/guardian to start the Back to School Portal will be the only one able to submit.
• All students in the family must have a "Completed" status for the parent/guardian to submit.

Parents and guardians can access the Back to School Portal by going to this webpage: https://www.basdschools.org/for-families/parent-portals-and-apps. If you have any questions, please contact our school.

Join us on September 24th for a Fundraiser Night benefiting the Sunshine Club!
Napoli Pizza will be giving back 10% of all dine-in orders from 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM. Extra seating will be available.. just be sure to mention you’re with ASA Packer Elementary!

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

ROOM PARENTS/PARTY HELPERS
Interested in volunteering in your child’s classroom this year? Sign up to be a Room Parent or Party Helper by 9/26!

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

If you’ve already signed up, mark your calendars! Our Room Parent and Party Helper informational meeting will be held via Zoom on 10/6 at 6:30pm. Please note, this meeting will NOT be held at our first General Meeting on 10/14, as it has in past years.

STUFFIE SLEEPOVER- SEPTEMBER 29TH

Your child’s stuffie is invited to school for a night of fun, friends, and adventure! We’ll share updates on our Facebook and Instagram through the sleepover, and all stuffies will be safely back the next day. Register is open until 9/24!

https://tinyurl.com/2025StuffieSleepover

STUDENT DIRECTORY

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 9/26.

https://tinyurl.com/AsaDirectory25-26

CALENDAR OF EVENTS/FIRST QUARTER VOLUNTEERS

Whether you have an hour a week or just want to help at special events, your presence matters. Plus, it's a great way to stay connected to the Asa community! Check out our Calendar of Events and let us know how you can help make memories happen at Asa Packer.

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

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