Asa Packer News

Please see below for this week's news.

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

This month, students are encouraged to share Leader in Me - Habit 4: Think Win-Win 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 March 2nd.

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

• 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!

LOLLIPOP GRAM FUNDRASIER- VALENTINE’S DAY!

Time’s running out!! Don’t forget to place your orders. Let the PTA do all the work for your child’s Valentine’s this year! Skip the cards and send a sweet surprise instead. A fun, heart-shaped lollipop and stickers will be delivered to your student, their class, friends, teachers, or staff on February 12th. Each gram is just $1, and all proceeds support our school by funding class trips, assemblies, and classroom supplies.

How to Order:

• Purchase online through Givebacks:
  https://asapackerpta.givebacks.com/shop/items/824369
• Or pay by cash or check (made payable to the Asa Packer PTA) by returning the bottom portion of the flyer to school in an envelope addressed to the PTA.

Show someone a little kindness this Valentine’s Day with a sweet surprise!

Thank you for your continued support of the PTA. We truly couldn’t do it without your generosity and time.

The PTA Board has been having so much fun filling out the lollipop grams! To add to the excitement, we’ve decided to award a special prize to the class with the top sweet treat sales.

There will be two winners — one from the primary grades (K–2) and one from the intermediate grades (3–5).

Good luck, and happy selling!

BOOK BINGO!

Mark your calendars—Book Bingo is back! Join us on Thursday, February 26th from 6:00–7:30 PM for a fun-filled family night.

Thanks to funds raised at the Scholastic Book Fair this fall, we have lots of books for students and their siblings to win as prizes when they call out BINGO!

This free event is open to all ASA families and promises a great night of fun—plus you most likely will go home with a book to read before bed.

The PTA will also have additional fun giveaways for kids, and snacks and drinks will be available for purchase for $1–$2, so please bring cash.

While the event is free to attend and play, we ask that you sign up using the link below so we can plan seating and table space accordingly:

https://forms.gle/CQ6i9XV7Jx4cb8Cf6

GERTRUDE HAWK CHOCOLATE SALE!

The PTA is excited to bring back the Gertrude Hawk Chocolate Sale this year! The sale kicks off February 5 and runs through February 23. It’s the perfect time to start your Easter or spring candy shopping early and fill your family’s table or baskets with a Pennsylvania favorite.

Gertrude Hawk candy is still made in Scranton, PA and remains family-owned by the fourth generation of chocolatiers. If chocolate isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other sweet treats and savory nuts to choose from.

Booklets will be sent home in your child’s folder this week so you can check out all the great items for sale. Orders can also be placed online and shipped directly to your home, making it easy to share with friends and family near and far. Orders shipped to the school will be available for pickup around the last week of March. A specific date will be announced once all orders are placed.

All profits from the sale will help fund the amazing class trips our teachers and staff are beginning to plan. Thank you for your continued support of the PTA and our school — we truly couldn’t do it without you!

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!

Upcoming events include:

• Pastries with a Pal March 5th, 19th & 26th
• Glow Party March 13th
• PTA Nomination Team
• Field Day
• Patio Party May 8th
• Spring Scholastic Book Fair
  …and more!

We welcome all volunteers—whether you have a little time or a lot, your support makes these events possible. Keep an eye out for sign-ups and help us make these events a success!

FOLLOW US

Stay connected, follow us on...

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

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

Spots are available in BASD Childcare at select locations!

If you’re looking for a safe, supportive place for your child before and/or after school, we currently have open slots at some of our childcare sites across the district.

Availability varies by location
Interested?

See flyer and contact us today to learn which sites have openings and how to enroll!

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