Bethlehem Area School District

Covid-19 COVID-19 Notification Process

The notification of students being identified as positive or a close contact may occur through the parent or district health services. The following processes will assist the district’s efficiency and accuracy in providing direction to parents.

Parent Notification Process of Positive or Close Contact: Parents should notify the district of their child being identified as positive or an outside close contact at home/community through an automated communication process via the BASD Parent COVID Reporting Form. Please call or email the school (office, nurse or teacher). ‘Thank you for contacting the school informing us that your child(ren) have tested positive or are considered a close contact. Our priority is for the safety and welfare of our students and staff. In order to provide you with the most efficient and current information, complete the “BASD Parent COVID Reporting Form” by visiting https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjB5TB1MyXaNMrfc6QalHK16GTLbISvBb-BD-_iqmj1qHxPw/viewform. If a parent does not have internet access readily available, call Ms. Lorisamar Rivera at 610-297-2035 to assist with completion of the form between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Data from “BASD Parent Covid Reporting Form ‘’ will populate the information into a spreadsheet and provide a calculated return to school date with directions to the parent via an automated email.

A phone call may be made by the COVID Response Team at their discretion upon review of information.

State of the Schools report March 15

Student Opportunity and Diversity in BASD with Dr. Joseph Roy, BASD superintendent. 7:30 to 9 a.m., Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University. RSVP: brittney@lehighvalleychamber.org.

U.S. Postal Service

USPS introduces Pen Pal Project

The U.S. Postal Service is working with WeAreTeachers to introduce The USPS Pen Pal Project, a free educational program for students in grades three to five, this 2021-22 school year.

The USPS Pen Pal Project will provide 25,000 classrooms across the country the opportunity to partner with matched classes to write 1 million letters, with the goal of building friendships and understanding diverse perspectives.

Each participating classroom will receive a USPS Pen Pal Project kit with a teaching poster, cards and envelopes. By participating in the program, students will improve their writing, communication and collaboration skills.

WeAreTeachers offers daily articles, videos and giveaways for educators.

U.S. public, charter and private school teachers are invited to join The USPS Pen Pal Project. More information, including official rules and instructions for teachers to sign their classes up for the project, is available at WeAreTeachers.com.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Capital Blue Cross

Valley schools awarded grants

Capital Blue Cross recently awarded five Lehigh Valley school districts and schools $9,000 in Live Healthy School Grants.

For the past three years, the health insurer has supported schools looking to implement health and wellness initiatives that help students stay physically active, improve their nutrition, or provide nutrition education. In its latest round of grants, Capital Blue Cross awarded $60,000 to 33 districts or schools.

The Lehigh Valley schools and/or districts receiving the grants:

• Allentown School District $1,000

• Bethlehem Area School District $2,000

• Career Institute of Technology $2,000

• Colonial Intermediate Unit $2,000

• Wilson Area School District $2,000