DISTRICT

WILLIAM PENN CLOSED MONDAY: William Penn ES was closed this past Monday due to an exterior stairway wall collapse. Thomas Jefferson ES is built the same way. Thomas Jefferson Principal Elizabeth Ramsey said, “Out of an abundance of caution we will not be using our exterior stairways until the BASD structural engineer can inspect them.”

MAY SCHOOL CLOSED DAYS: Election Day is Tuesday, May 16. All BASD schools will be closed. All BASD schools will also be closed on Memorial Day, May 29.

B.E.S.T. AWARDS: The Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District B.E.S.T. Awards: The Foundation is accepting nominations until April 30. You can nominate your favorite teacher by visiting https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdF34lCOVc4Y857W6ahr1IoiOoTWyPFwZDMAzmjQlfwbE3nig/viewform

PSSA WEEK: Most BASD students in grade 3 and above have PSSA testing this week. Some of our schools offered unique celebrations last week to encourage their fellow students. Broughgal MS eighth grade teachers dressed in sports uniforms and cheered for their students. Fountain Hill ES kindergarten through second grade students and teachers cheered their third to fifth grade students with a clapping parade. Remember to be sure your child gets plenty of sleep, and know their teachers have been working hard to prepare them for the testing.

SOCCER CAMP 2023: The Liberty HS Soccer Club will host camps for students who will enter grades 1-7 in the fall. Camps will be held at Nitschmann MS. There will be morning camps June 19-22. Evening Camp will be July 17- 20. For more costs and information visit basdschools.org, or email LHSC@ptd.net

SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Special education students from around the BASD and surrounding areas will compete in the Special Olympics Track and Field competitions Thursday, April 27. Concessions will be available.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

SERVICE PROJECT: For his community service project, BAVTS student Peter Tourounidis repointed and repaired the Lehigh Little League Monument outside of Majors Field.

LIBERTY BINGO: Liberty HS Foootball will host a Cash/Giftcard/Basket Bingo for age 21 and over at the Se-Wy-Co Banquet Hall Friday, May 5, from 6 to 10 p.m. For cost and more information, contact ErincookLHSfootballbooster@gmail.com

FREEDOM CONCERT: Freedom HS will hold its band concert April 27. The art show will be at 5:30 p.m. May 5, followed by the choir concert at 7 p.m. The orchestra concert is May 10.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT COLLECTION: Lucas Aburto and Shane Colemann, students at Northeast MS, are collecting gently used musical instruments for use in BASD music programs. Donations can be made at any school office during the month of April.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION: On the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon, Northeast MS. 1170 Fernwood St., hosts a drive thru food distribution open to families of BASD students.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

PATIO PARTY SPONSORS NEEDED: The Asa Packer ES PTA is looking for sponsors and donations for its annual patio party. Four levels of sponsorships are available. Business sponsors may have a display table at the event and will receive plenty of publicity. For more information, visit the Asa Packer ES PTA page on Facebook.

COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: All are welcome at the Marvine Community Festival Thursday, May 11 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The festival includes games, food, music and raffles.

TEAM TRIVIA NIGHT: Heights ES PTO is hosting a trivia night in the school gym Friday, April 28 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Suggested team size is 4-6 people. Hot food and popcorn and drlnks will be in the cafeteria, and runners can take your order and deliver your food. To order tickets please contact mhfamilyfun@gmail.com.

THOMAS JEFFERSON ES PTO BINGO: Thomas Jefferson ES’s PTO is holding a cash Bingo at Northeast MS Sunday, April 30. Doors will open at noon. There will be a 50/50, a tricky tray, and extra bingo boards for sale. Contact ThomasJpto@gmail.com for costs and more information.

SPRING GARDEN ES CARNIVAL: The eighth annual Spring Garden ES Carnival May 12 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. offers carnival games, concessions and a basket raffle. Contact Springgardenpto@gmail.com for more information.

YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS PERFORMANCE: Touchstone Theatre will present the Young Playwrights Lab Performance Friday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Zoellner Arts Center. Last month, 136 BASD students from 11 BASD schools participated in the Young Playwrights Lab. Students wrote plays under the tutelage of Touchstone’s teaching artists and graduate students and local working theater artists. One student participant said, “Nobody thought I could write a play, including me. And then I did!”

“Now all I want to do is write, and write, and write, and write,” said another. “YPL was fun and taught me that I actually am creative,” added a third. Five of the plays were selected to be performed. Many participants will be performing. Tickets can be purchased at www.Touchstone.org

FUN WALK: Join the Donatelli family for the sixth annual Donatelli Fund Walk Saturday, June 3 at Governor Wolf ES. Register now and purchase a T-shirt. Visit https://basdwpweb.beth.k12.pa.us/thefoundation/2023donatelli/