February 22nd: 5th Grade Healthy Habits - Kellyn Foundation

February 23rd: Family Bingo (see below)

February 28th: Pawsitive Leaders Assembly

February 29th: 3rd Grade Dental Hygiene program

March - Celebrate Literacy

March 5th: Principal in Pajamas (bedtime story Zoom)

March 6th: Kindergarten Open House / Literacy Night; PTA Meeting

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION for 2024-2025!

Getting Ready for Kindergarten Literacy Nights (formerly Teach Me to Read at Home)

• February 7th - Literacy Night (part I) 4:30pm - 6:00pm
• March 6th - Literacy Night (part II) from 4:30pm - 5:30pm
• These sessions are designed to engage in literacy activities that students will be using when they start kindergarten and to connect with our kindergarten families.
• Registration required. Go to https://forms.gle/Z4h1Krka8SV7aJ3CA to register for your school's literacy nights.

• March 6th from 5:30pm - 6:30pm

Welcoming Day

• May 6th
• Once registration is complete, Mrs. Batdorf will schedule individual appointments.

Opening of School Letters

• Mailed the week of August 12th
• Please check the school website for recommended supplies

Back to School / Meet the Teacher

• August 22nd from 5:30pm-7:30pm

*Check out the BASD Website for more information. Click on the "families" tab then "kindergarten"

One of the district's Wildly Important Goals (WIGs) for the next three years is to decrease the rate of chronic absence by at least half.

• If your child is absent from school, you will receive an automated phone call.
• The parent/guardian must submit a written note within 3 days of the student returning from his/her absence. Please make sure to include the date of absence in the note.
• If we do not receive the absence note within 3 days, your child's absence is considered unlawful.
  
• Parents can send an excuse through the school's attendance email: BuchananAttendance@basdschools.org
• The school website has a link "Attendance Excusal Submission"

• Doors open by 8:50am. If a student arrives AFTER 9am, he/she is considered LATE and must enter through the front entrance. Students will receive a late pass. Parents MUST sign the student in.

• In compliance with the Compulsory Attendance law, we will be issuing 3, 7, and 10 day attendance letters.

Member Hub: https://jamesbuchananpta.memberhub.store/

Twitter: @BuchananPta

Facebook: James Buchanan PTA

Upcoming volunteer events:

• Family Bingo - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4CAFAA29A4F49-46453893-family
• Book Fair
• Springaling
• Field Trips

CALLING ALL FIELD TRIP CHAPERONES!

Please complete this form (https://forms.gle/SucQjYKaoyqnrVLA9) if you are interested in chaperoning your child's end of year field trip. Chaperone spots are limited. We will honor requests in the order of submissions. Priority will be given to PTA members. Chaperones must ride the bus with the students.

Kindergarten - Imagi-Nation - May 9th

Grade 1 - Crayola Factory - May 16th

Grade 2 - DaVinci Center - March 19th

Grade 3 - Crystal Cave - May 3rd

Grade 4 - Franklin Institute - May 23rd

Grade 5 - Adventure Summit Blue Mountain - June 4th

Volunteer Policy:

• See the district requirements for volunteering - https://www.basdschools.org/volunteering
• Every person interested in volunteering must obtain clearances every 5 years
• All adults entering the building must provide photo ID when signing into the main office.
• To volunteer for school activities and field trips, parents/guardians must be a member of the PTA.

Recess:

As the weather changes, please make sure students are dressed appropriately to go outside for recess. We will take students outside in real feel temperatures above 32 degrees. Winter coats, gloves, and hats are recommended.

Lost and Found:

Our lost and found bin is overflowing. If your child is missing a jacket or sweatshirt, you are welcome to stop in after school and look through our lost and found bin.

Breakfast/Lunch:

Please visit the “dining services” page under “families” on the district website for more information about our payment system - schoolcafe.com. You may also see if you are eligible for free & reduced-price meals by applying. Breakfast will be provided to students for free this year.

Technology:

Please visit BASD's Empower website at https://www.basdschools.org/empower for updated program information such as Frequently Asked Questions, Chromebook Insurance, Screen Time statement, and more helpful documents.

Transportation:

If you have any questions, please call the transportation office at 610-861-0360

https://www.basdschools.org/transportation

Title I funding provides for parent and family engagement in regular, two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities.

JBES has allotted funding toward the following:

• Bulldog Bark Newsletter
• Getting Ready for Kindergarten Literacy Nights
• 4th grade's Character Counts Workshop by Cohesion
• Positive Parenting Workshop by Cohesion

We welcome suggestions on family engagement activities. Title I updates are provided at the PTA meeting.