Asa Packer News

We are thrilled to kick off another exciting year at Asa Packer and can’t wait to welcome your students back! We look forward to partnering with you to make this school year a successful and memorable one filled with Puma Pride.

Please take a moment to review the important reminders below:

• Chromebooks: Students should bring their fully charged Chromebook on the first day of school.

• Returning Materials: If your student still has any textbooks, novels, or library books from last year, please have them return these items to their classroom teacher on Monday.

• Arrival Time: School doors open at 8:55 AM and close at 9:03 AM. Please make sure your student enters the building during this window. If arriving after 9:05, a parent or guardian must accompany them to the main office.

• Entrance Doors: Please note that entrance doors have changed.
• Grades K–2 will enter through the Primary Wing.
• Grades 3–5 will enter through the Intermediate Wing.
• See below for a diagram.

We can’t wait to see everyone on Monday, August 25th, and we wish all of our students and families a wonderful school year ahead!

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.

Ace has been having so much fun with everyone this summer!

Our display board is underway, and we’d love for you to send in a picture! Even if you didn’t get a photo with Ace, you’re welcome to share a summer adventure photo, and we’ll be sure to include it on our main display board.

Send in your Adventures with Ace.

Ace has been enjoying lots of books this summer, have you? Make sure you’ve logged any books you read for the summer reading challenge!

Use the link here!

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 plan to pick your student up on the first day, or if they are assigned to a bus but will not be riding the bus this school year, you are required to send a note to authorize this change. Otherwise all students assigned to a bus, will only be dismissed to their bus.

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.

Open House for Grades 1-5 is scheduled for Thursday, August 28th, starting at 5:00pm. More information about this event will be sent next week.

Supply lists are located on our main website.

Consider becoming a member of the Asa Packer PTA! Membership is a wonderful way to stay connected, support your child’s education, and enrich their Asa Packer experience.

Thanks to our PTA, students enjoy programs and initiatives like:

• Field Trip Transportation

• Author Day & Book Fairs

• Puma Parties & the Patio Party

• Alternative seating & classroom sensory items

• Seasonal Fun and more!

Your membership helps make all of this possible. Thank you for supporting our school community!
Membership Link: https://tinyurl.com/AsaPackerPTAMembership

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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