The Buzz

September 23rd-27th is Attendance Matters Spirit Week at TJ. See details below!

September 26th- Early Dismissal: Gr 5 (11:50), Gr K, 3, 4 (11:55), Gr 1, 2 (12:00)

October 2nd- Picture Day

October 3rd- School Closed- Rosh Hashanah

October 4th- Gr 4 Field Trip: Tales of the Towpath

"Noah has consistently demonstrated being a role model in and outside of the classroom. He works extremely hard and is always the first one offering to help out. We are lucky to have you as part of our classroom, Noah. Keep up the great work!"

-Miss. Estojak

Way to go Noah! Keep up the good work!

Community School Coordinators work collaboratively with the school principal and other school staff to develop and implement important programs such as family and student support services, enrichment activities (during school, after school, and summer ), family and community engagement activities, and other services, events and activities with community partners.

This week we celebrate Ms. Larkin. THANK YOU for all you do for the TJ family!

Our "Meet the Teachers" series continues this week with TJ specialists. This week we are introducing our school counselor, learning support teachers, and some of our specialists.

School Counselor - Miss Hockemeier

Learning Support Teachers - Mrs. Lamon & Ms. Bisco

Reading Specialists - Ms. Raymond & Mrs. Heller

Brenda Lamarca, Gifted Support and Joan Docherty, OT Specialist

We would like to give a huge thank you to Federal Judge Frank Leeson, Pennsylvania Bar President Nancy Conrad, Northampton Bar President Jeremy Clark and all of the other lawyers for volunteering their time to speak with the students at TJ about Constitution Day. Our volunteers read two books, (Noodlephant & Turning Pages) afterwards students had the opportunity to ask questions, followed by a signing of a replica Constitution document, and all students received a pocket-sized Constitution.

Thursday, 9/29 TJ hosted 30 volunteers from our two Community Partners, Moravian University and Air Products. Our volunteers worked in the classrooms, in the cafeteria, and on the playground.

Heritage Day is a Moravian University tradition that allows students to visit sites across our community and participate in a day of service projects. We were fortunate to have most of the Women's Lacrosse Team here with us. Playground time with the team was a big hit, but their help in the classroom was priceless!

Day of Caring is a United Way initiative that "loans" employees as volunteers to the community in non-profit and public organizations. Nine Air Products volunteers joined TJ students for the afternoon. They were able to offer a hand with math on IXL, as well as listen to some stories, and toss a ball or two on the playground. Air Products also provided snack bags to our Community School pantry, which in turn will be distributed througout the school to stay ahead of hunger.

The Air Products volunteer in Mrs. Hozza's 4th grade classroom is a former TJ Mom. Her daughter, our TJ Alum, is now an elementary school teacher near Pittsburgh! That's the Way to Bee!

This week kicks off after school programs for the 2024-25 school year. Fit For Life, held on Wednesday's, is a program focused on healthy living and fitness for students grades 4 & 5. Each week coaches talk about the importance of fitness and nutrition. Students take turns in leading warm ups and also get the opportunity to learn/ play a new sport.

Please join us, Monday-Friday, September 23rd-27th in recognizing Attendance Awareness.

Together we can reduce absenteeism!

Monday - 9/23 -Wear Neon/Bright Colors

Attendance leads to Bright futures.

Tuesday - 9/24 - Wear Tie Dye

Attendance is Tied to success.

Wednesday - 9/25 - Wear Colorful or mismatch socks

Sock it to tardiness!

Thursday - 9/26 - Wear a hat or crazy hair

Head for success by arriving to school on time.

Friday - 9/27 - Dress like a superhero

Here Everyday Ready On-Time!

How can you be a Hero with your attendance? When you are here every day, ready, and on time; you are a Hero! When you are a Hero your class can win the September attendance reward. The homeroom with the best percentage of attendance will win their choice between a pizza party or an extra recess. Look for more fun surprises this month and throughout the year!

This summer BASD transitioned from Home Access Center to Synergy ParentVUE. Through ParentVUE, parents/guardians can update family and emergency contact information, and access important school information. All BASD families received a letter in the mail with account activation information. It is important that parents/guardians activate their account as soon as possible. If you need another copy of the letter that was sent home or need assistance, please contact the school office.

Sample Of The Letter That Was Sent Out In August

We have a small, emergency food bank including cans of vegetables, fruit, and soup. As well as pasta, macaroni and cheese, and breakfast items. If you are in need, please reach out, we are here to help.

For a more detailed list of Food Pantries and Kitchens available in our area, please click here.

If you would like assistance with the SNAP application, we can help. Vanessa Morel from 2nd Harvest has been attending our Farmers Market and is able to meet with new applicants to help you.

Read below about some of the local resources and programs available in our community.

September is library card month. It's a good time to visit the Bethlehem Public Library to sign up for a card, or renew your library card. https://www.bapl.org/

Ms. Martha Larkin - Community School Coordinator: 12113, mlarkin@basdschools.org

Ms. Potenza - Nurse: 12889

Ms. Hockemeier - Guidance Counselor: 12912

Ms. De La Cruz - Main Office: 12901

Email: eramsey@basdschools.org
Website: https://basdwpweb.beth.k12.pa.us/thomasjefferson/
Location: 404 E North St, Bethlehem, PA 18018, USA
Phone: 610-691-1776

Instagram: @tjbasd

Twitter: @TJeffersonBASD

This newsletter is funded through Title I, a federally funded program designed as a supplemental program to ensure that all children have equitable access to quality educational opportunities. The financial assistance provided through Title I enables school districts to better meet the academic needs of children in schools with high poverty levels. Through Title I programs, students receive supplemental instruction in reading, language arts, and mathematics with the goal of reaching proficiency in academic achievement standards and state assessments.