Bulldog Bark
April 15th-19th
Title I Survey
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As the parent/guardian of a child attending a Title I school, you are an important part of the Title I team. Your input is vital in the planning and implementation of the parental involvement program and activities in our school. Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey using the link below. We appreciate your feedback and thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Surveys should be completed no later than Friday, May 24th.
Parent link - https://www.leaderinme.com/s/james-buchanan-elem-pa/families
☔April at a Glance 💐
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR April 8th-17th
April 16th: HALF DAY / Parent-teacher Conferences
April 17th: HALF DAY / Parent-teacher conferences; Pawsitive Leaders Assembly
April 18th: Student Lighthouse Mtg; 3rd grade Dental Hygiene Presentation
April 23rd: NO SCHOOL - Primary Election Day
April 24th: PSSA testing - ELA
April 25th: PSSA testing - ELA
April 26th: PSSA testing - ELA
April 29th: PSSA testing - Math; Pawsitive Leaders Assembly
April 30th: PSSA testing - Math; JBES Scholarship (high school senior) due
May 1st: PSSA testing - Science; 4th grade Character Counts Program
INCOMING KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION & UPCOMING EVENTS
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION for 2024-2025!
It's that time of year already! Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 school year will be officially opening JANUARY 8, 2024. Parents can access Registration Gateway by navigating to www.basdschools.org and following the tabs For Families -> Kindergarten -> 2024-25 Kindergarten Registration (this tab is still labeled with 2023-24, but will be updated by Monday). Family's instructions for Registration Gateway in both English and Spanish are attached to this email.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"
ATTENDANCE Reminders:
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.
Follow & Join the PTA
Member Hub: https://jamesbuchananpta.memberhub.store/
Twitter: @BuchananPta
Facebook: James Buchanan PTA
Upcoming volunteer events:
- Spring has Sprung (Volunteers need)
- Beautiful JB ~ Earth Day
- Last PTA Meeting this year (PotLuck)
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 9:45-11:45
Keep in mind it is a half a day for the students. Please use the link below to sign up and volunteer. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4CAFAA29A4F49-48925372-spring
Sunday April 21, 2024 1-3 pm
We will be beautifying our school in honor of Earth Day. We will pick up trash, paint new hopscotch squares, clean up the butterfly garden, etc.
Wednesday May 1, 2024 6-7:30 pm
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4CAFAA29A4F49-49085525-ptapotluck
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.
Important Reminders
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