Messages from Dr. Grazel

October 6, 2026
Dear BES Families,
Please see below some important updates/reminders:
 
PTC Meeting Reminder
This evening’s PTC meeting will take place at 7:00PM in the BES library.  As a reminder, all BES families are welcome to attend our PTC meetings! 
 
Message from Our School Nurse, Mrs. Lachowicz, Regarding Footwear
Active play is a huge part of your child’s day at school, and safe footwear plays a big role in preventing trips and injuries. Here is how you can help keep your child safe while playing at school: 

• Ensure a snug fit: Make sure shoes are tied securely each morning so the heel cannot slip out.
• Double-knot laces: This keeps them from untying throughout the busy school day.
• Try alternative options: If your child is still learning to tie, consider Velcro sneakers or no-tie elastic laces.
• Should you also need assistance with resources for shoes for your child, please feel free to reach out to our school counselor, Mrs. Bradley, at nbradley@umasd.org . Please know that all requests are kept confidential.

Arrival/Dismissal Procedures Reminders
Please click on this link to review important reminders for our daily arrival and dismissal procedures.  As a reminder, students must be in their homerooms by 8:50AM in order to be considered on time to school. Additionally, as a reminder for PM carline, please have your child’s name displayed in the windshield area of your car for pick-up in the carline in the afternoon. This enables our carline to go much quicker. If you need another car sign, please email ngallagher@umasd.org.
 
Out of respect for our neighbors and the safety of all students, students are not permitted to be dropped off or picked up along either side of Bush Street if they are a car rider.  We also ask that during car line that all families please remain in their vehicles for their safety and the safety of our students and staff. This also helps to expedite our car line as well. Finally, please know if your child would have a change in dismissal (e.g. your child is normally a bus rider but for one day is a car rider etc.), we ask that you please always call our office at 610-205-3600 ASAP to notify us of the change by 2:00PM. 
 
Community Events and Flyers
Please click on this link to see some community events, as well as informational flyers for which you may be interested for your child/children (please know that this link will continue to be updated throughout the school year).
 
Attendance Reminders
If your child is going to be absent from school, you must send an email to our attendance clerk, Mrs. Diana Venezia, in our main office. You may email dvenezia@umasd.org or Bridgeport-attendance@umasd.org . You may also send in a written note in your child’s homeroom folder.  We must receive an absent email/note within 5 school days in order for the absence to be marked as excused.  State Law indicates that the only reasons that are acceptable for a student's absence from school are personal illness, medical & dental appointments, death in immediate family.  If your family is planning a vacation, please complete this form.  
 
 
Thank you for your time and I hope you have a great evening!
 
 
Dr. Grazel
 

September 22, 2026
Dear BES Families,
Please see below some important updates/reminders:

PTC Meeting Reminder
This evening’s PTC meeting will take place at 7:00PM in the BES library.  As a reminder, all BES families are welcome to attend our PTC meetings!  Also, from our PTC, the Bear Wear store is now open!  
 
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures Reminders
Please click on this link to review important reminders for our daily arrival and dismissal procedures.  As a reminder, students must be in their homerooms by 8:50AM in order to be considered on time to school. Additionally, as a reminder for PM carline, please have your child’s name displayed in the windshield area of your car for pick-up in the carline in the afternoon. This enables our carline to go much quicker. If you need another car sign, please email ngallagher@umasd.org.
 
Out of respect for our neighbors and the safety of all students, students are not permitted to be dropped off or picked up along either side of Bush Street if they are a car rider.  We also ask that during car line that all families please remain in their vehicles for their safety and the safety of our students and staff. This also helps to expedite our car line as well. Finally, please know if your child would have a change in dismissal (e.g. your child is normally a bus rider but for one day is a car rider etc.), we ask that you please always call our office at 610-205-3600 ASAP to notify us of the change. 
 
Community Events and Flyers
Please click on this link to see some community events, as well as informational flyers for which you may be interested for your child/children (please know that this link will continue to be updated throughout the school year).
 
Attendance Reminders
If your child is going to be absent from school, you must send an email to our attendance clerk, Mrs. Diana Venezia, in our main office. You may email dvenezia@umasd.org or Bridgeport-attendance@umasd.org . You may also send in a written note in your child’s homeroom folder.  We must receive an absent email/note within 5 school days in order for the absence to be marked as excused.  State Law indicates that the only reasons that are acceptable for a student's absence from school are personal illness, medical & dental appointments, death in immediate family.  If your family is planning a vacation, please complete this form.  
 
 
Thank you for your time and I hope you have a great afternoon!
 
 
Dr. Grazel
 

September 15, 2026
Dear BES Families,
Please see below some important updates/reminders:
 
Picture Day Reminder
This is just a reminder that picture day will take place tomorrow, September 16^th.  Should you have any questions or need any assistance for picture day, please reach out to our administrative assistant, Mrs. Gallagher, at ngallagher@umasd.org .
 
Open House Reminder
This is just a reminder that our BES Open House will take place in the BES Elementary School on Thursday, September 17^th beginning at 6:00PM in our multipurpose room.  As part of our opening presentation, we invite you to also attend our Annual Title 1 Information Meeting, which will again take place in the BES multipurpose room. Also, for the safety of our students and to maximize all family’s access to your children’s classrooms, I’m asking you to please keep your child/children at home as this is an event for parents/guardians only to attend and there will not be supervision for students during Open House.
 
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures Reminders
Please click on this link to review important reminders for our daily arrival and dismissal procedures.  As a reminder, students must be in their homerooms by 8:50AM in order to be considered on time to school. Additionally, as a reminder for PM carline, please have your child’s name displayed in the windshield area of your car for pick-up in the carline in the afternoon. This enables our carline to go much quicker. If you need another car sign, please email ngallagher@umasd.org.
 
Out of respect for our neighbors and the safety of all students, students are not permitted to be dropped off or picked up along either side of Bush Street if they are a car rider.  We also ask that during car line that all families please remain in their vehicles for their safety and the safety of our students and staff. This also helps to expedite our car line as well. Finally, please know if your child would have a change in dismissal (e.g. your child is normally a bus rider but for one day is a car rider etc.), we ask that you please always call our office at 610-205-3600 ASAP to notify us of the change.  Please make any dismissal changes no later than 2:00PM.  
 
Community Events and Flyers
Please click on this link to see some community events, as well as informational flyers for which you may be interested for your child/children (please know that this link will continue to be updated throughout the school year).
 
Attendance Reminders
If your child is going to be absent from school, you must send an email to our attendance clerk, Mrs. Diana Venezia, in our main office. You may email dvenezia@umasd.org or Bridgeport-attendance@umasd.org . You may also send in a written note in your child’s homeroom folder.  We must receive an absent email/note within 5 school days in order for the absence to be marked as excused.  State Law indicates that the only reasons that are acceptable for a student's absence from school are personal illness, medical & dental appointments, death in immediate family.  If your family is planning a vacation, please complete this form.  
 
 
Thank you for your time and I hope you have a great evening!
 
 
Dr. Grazel
 

September 9, 2026
Dear BES Families,
Please see below some important updates/reminders:
 
Family Picnic and Ice Cream Social
Our Family Picnic and Ice Cream Social will take place tomorrow, September 10th from 5:30PM-7:30PM on our playground.  Thank you to our BES PTC for sponsoring this fun family event and we hope to see you there!
 
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures Reminders
Please click on this link to review important reminders for our daily arrival and dismissal procedures.  As a reminder, students must be in their homerooms by 8:50AM in order to be considered on time to school. Additionally, as a reminder for PM carline, please have your child’s name displayed in the windshield area of your car for pick-up in the carline in the afternoon. This enables our carline to go much quicker. If you need another car sign, please email ngallagher@umasd.org .
 
Out of respect for our neighbors and the safety of all students, students are not permitted to be dropped off or picked up along either side of Bush Street if they are a car rider.  We also ask that during car line that all families please remain in their vehicles for their safety and the safety of our students and staff. This also helps to expedite our car line as well. Finally, please know if your child would have a change in dismissal (e.g. your child is normally a bus rider but for one day is a car rider etc.), we ask that you please always call our office at 610-205-3600 ASAP to notify us of the change. 
 
Community Events and Flyers
Please click on this link to see some community events, as well as informational flyers for which you may be interested for your child/children (please know that this link will continue to be updated throughout the school year).
 
Attendance Reminders
If your child is going to be absent from school, you must send an email to our attendance clerk, Mrs. Diana Venezia, in our main office. You may email dvenezia@umasd.org or Bridgeport-attendance@umasd.org . You may also send in a written note in your child’s homeroom folder.  We must receive an absent email/note within 5 school days in order for the absence to be marked as excused.  State Law indicates that the only reasons that are acceptable for a student's absence from school are personal illness, medical & dental appointments, death in immediate family.  If your family is planning a vacation, please complete this form.  
 
Thank you for your time and I hope you have a great afternoon!
 
 
Dr. Grazel

September 3, 2026
Dear BES Families,
Thank you for your support in partnering with us in making this an amazing first week of school for our students!  Be sure to check out our X(Twitter) @Bpt_BEARs to see some great pictures/videos from our opening day!
 
Please see below some important updates/reminders:
 
Schedule Reminder
This is just a reminder that there will be no school on September 4^th and 7^th.  Classes will resume again on Tuesday, September 8^th.
 
Gold and Blue Assembly
Today, we had a Gold and Blue Assembly for all students and staff where we kicked off our School-Wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Framework (SWPBIS) or as we refer to at BES, showing your BEAR PRIDE, which is to Be caring, Earn trust, Act responsibly, and Respect ALL!  This past week, students have been learning how to show their Bear Pride in all unstructured areas of BES (e.g. such as the hallway, cafeteria, etc.), and next week students may begin earning Bear Bucks for showing their Bear Pride at BES.  When students earn a Bear Buck, it will go into “Dr. Grazel’s Principal’s 100 Club” chart, in which students could have the opportunity to win a prize if their Bear Buck is randomly selected from the chart. This is just one fun way we reinforce and teach positive behaviors to our students at BES!
 
Community Events and Flyers
Please click on this link to see some community events, as well as informational flyers for which you may be interested for your child/children (please know that this link will continue to be updated throughout the school year).
 
Attendance Reminders
If your child is going to be absent from school, you must send an email to our attendance clerk, Mrs. Diana Venezia, in our main office. You may email dvenezia@umasd.org or Bridgeport-attendance@umasd.org . You may also send in a written note in your child’s homeroom folder.  We must receive an absent email/note within 3 school days in order for the absence to be marked as excused.  State Law indicates that the only reasons that are acceptable for a student's absence from school are personal illness, medical & dental appointments, death in immediate family.  If your family is planning a vacation, please complete this form.  
 
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
Please click on this link to review important reminders for our daily arrival and dismissal procedures. Please have your child’s name displayed in the windshield area of your car for pick-up in the carline in the afternoon. This enables our carline to go much quicker. 
 
 
Thank you very much for your time and have a great Labor Day weekend!
 
Dr. Grazel

September 1, 2026
Dear BES Families,
It has been an awesome first two days of school! Please see below some important updates/reminders:
 
Schedule Reminder
This is just a reminder that there will be no school on September 4^th and 7^th.  Classes will resume again on Tuesday, September 8^th.
 
Community Events and Flyers
Please click on this link to see some community events, as well as informational flyers for which you may be interested for your child/children (please know that this link will continue to be updated throughout the school year).
 
Attendance Reminders
If your child is going to be absent from school, you must send an email to our attendance clerk, Mrs. Diana Venezia, in our main office. You may email dvenezia@umasd.org or Bridgeport-attendance@umasd.org . You may also send in a written note in your child’s homeroom folder.  We must receive an absent email/note within 3 school days in order for the absence to be marked as excused.  State Law indicates that the only reasons that are acceptable for a student's absence from school are personal illness, medical & dental appointments, death in immediate family.  If your family is planning a vacation, please complete this form.  
 
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
Please click on this link to review important reminders for our daily arrival and dismissal procedures. Please have your child’s name displayed in the windshield area of your car for pick-up in the carline in the afternoon. This enables our carline to go much quicker. Family car signs will be sent home from our office by the end of this week.
 
Thank you very much for your time and have a great evening!
 
Dr. Grazel

August 21, 2026
Dear BES Families,
First, we’re very excited to welcome your children back to BES (Bridgeport Elementary School) for the first day of school, which is on Monday, August 31^st!  Should you wish to join us, we will start the day together as a school community at 8:35AM on the BES playground!
 
Please also see below some important back-to-school information as we transition closer to the first day of school. I will be sending some additional important information/reminders late next week as well.
 
Student Dismissal Form (Please complete for each child!)
Please complete this Google Form in order to indicate how your child/children will normally be dismissed from Bridgeport Elementary each school day (if you have more than one child attending BES, please complete this form for each child).  Please know if your child would have a change in dismissal from your original selection in this form (e.g. your child is normally a bus rider but for one day is a car rider etc.), we ask that you please always call our office at 610-205-3600 ASAP to notify us of the change. 
 
Backpacks for Bears, School Give-Back Drive!
Please click on this link to receive more information on the Backpacks for Bears, School Give-Back Drive, which offers free haircuts, free school supplies, and free kids activities!  The events will take place this Saturday and Sunday.
 
 
Thank you very much for your time and I hope that you have a wonderful weekend!
  
Dr. Grazel
 

June 4, 2026
Dear BES Families,
Please see below some general updates/reminders:
 
End of the School Year Schedule Reminder
June 10^th- 12:00PM Dismissal
June 11^th- 12:00PM Dismissal
June 12^th- 12:00PM Dismissal and Last Student Day
 
End of the Year Family Picnic!
For tomorrow, June 5^th, we will host the BES End of Year Family Picnic! Feel free to bring a blanket and dinner and enjoy some music with all of our BES families in our playground area as we celebrate the end of the school year. Please know that I have moved the start time for this event from 6:30 to 5:30, in which the picnic will now begin at 5:30PM and conclude at 7:00PM. 
 
Attendance Reminders
If your child is going to be absent from school, you must send an email to our attendance clerk, Mrs. Diana Venezia, in our main office. You may email dvenezia@umasd.org or Bridgeport-attendance@umasd.org . You may also send in a written note in your child’s homeroom folder.  We must receive an absent email/note within 3 school days in order for the absence to be marked as excused.  State Law indicates that the only reasons that are acceptable for a student's absence from school are personal illness, medical & dental appointments, death in immediate family.  If your family is planning a vacation, please complete this form.  
 
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures Update/Reminder
Please click on this link to review important reminders for our daily arrival and dismissal procedures.  As a reminder, students must be in their homerooms by 8:50AM in order to be considered on time to school. Additionally, as a reminder for PM carline, please have your child’s name displayed in the windshield area of your car for pick-up in the carline in the afternoon. This enables our carline to go much quicker. If you need another car sign, please email azomorrodian@umasd.org . Out of respect for our neighbors and the safety of all students, students are not permitted to be dropped off or picked up along either side of Bush Street if they are a car rider.  We also ask that during car line that all families please remain in their vehicles for their safety and the safety of our students and staff. Finally, please know if your child would have a change in dismissal (e.g. your child is normally a bus rider but for one day is a car rider etc.), we ask that you please always call our office at 610-205-3600 ASAP to notify us of the change. 
 
Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard
If your family is in need of food, the  Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard can help!  
 
Community Events and Flyers
Please click on this link to see some community events, as well as informational flyers for which you may be interested for your child/children (please know that this link will continue to be updated throughout the school year).
 
Thank you very much for your time and have a great evening!


Dr. Grazel

May 22, 2026
Dear BES Families,
Please see below some important updates/reminders:

Schedule Reminder
This is just a reminder that there will be no school on Monday, May 25^th.  Classes will resume again on Tuesday, May 26^th.
 
PTC Fundraiser Joe Corbi Pick-Up Reminder
This is just a reminder from our PTC that Joe Corbi fundraiser orders can be picked up on Tuesday, May 26th from 5:30pm-6:30pm at the front door by the BES office.  
 
Attendance Reminders
If your child is going to be absent from school, you must send an email to our attendance clerk, Mrs. Diana Venezia, in our main office. You may email dvenezia@umasd.org or Bridgeport-attendance@umasd.org . You may also send in a written note in your child’s homeroom folder.  We must receive an absent email/note within 3 school days in order for the absence to be marked as excused.  State Law indicates that the only reasons that are acceptable for a student's absence from school are personal illness, medical & dental appointments, death in immediate family.  If your family is planning a vacation, please complete this form.  
 
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures Update/Reminder
Please click on this link to review important reminders for our daily arrival and dismissal procedures.  As a reminder, students must be in their homerooms by 8:50AM in order to be considered on time to school. Additionally, as a reminder for PM carline, please have your child’s name displayed in the windshield area of your car for pick-up in the carline in the afternoon. This enables our carline to go much quicker. If you need another car sign, please email azomorrodian@umasd.org . Out of respect for our neighbors and the safety of all students, students are not permitted to be dropped off or picked up along either side of Bush Street if they are a car rider.  We also ask that during car line that all families please remain in their vehicles for their safety and the safety of our students and staff. Finally, please know if your child would have a change in dismissal (e.g. your child is normally a bus rider but for one day is a car rider etc.), we ask that you please always call our office at 610-205-3600 ASAP to notify us of the change. 
 
Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard
If your family is in need of food, the  Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard can help!  
 
Community Events and Flyers
Please click on this link to see some community events, as well as informational flyers for which you may be interested for your child/children (please know that this link will continue to be updated throughout the school year).
 
Thank you very much for your time and have a great weekend!
 
Dr. Grazel 
 

May 11, 2026
Dear BES Families,
Please see below some important updates/reminders:
 
PTC Spring Fling Reminder
This is just a reminder that our PTC Spring Fling will take place this Friday, at 6:30PM on the BES playground. Please lick on this flyer to view more information regarding the event and we hope to see you there!
 
UMASD Arts Fest!
UMASD Arts Fest will take place this Wednesday, May 13th, from 6:00PM-8:00PM, at the Upper Merion Area Middle School (450 Keebler Rd, King of Prussia). All families and students are invited to attend and all Bridgeport Students will have artwork in the show! Please click on this link to see the flyer.

Attendance Reminders
If your child is going to be absent from school, you must send an email to our attendance clerk, Mrs. Diana Venezia, in our main office. You may email dvenezia@umasd.org or Bridgeport-attendance@umasd.org . You may also send in a written note in your child’s homeroom folder.  We must receive an absent email/note within 3 school days in order for the absence to be marked as excused.  State Law indicates that the only reasons that are acceptable for a student's absence from school are personal illness, medical & dental appointments, death in immediate family.  If your family is planning a vacation, please complete this form.  
 
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures Update/Reminder
Please click on this link to review important reminders for our daily arrival and dismissal procedures.  As a reminder, students must be in their homerooms by 8:50AM in order to be considered on time to school. Additionally, as a reminder for PM carline, please have your child’s name displayed in the windshield area of your car for pick-up in the carline in the afternoon. This enables our carline to go much quicker. If you need another car sign, please email azomorrodian@umasd.org . Out of respect for our neighbors and the safety of all students, students are not permitted to be dropped off or picked up along either side of Bush Street if they are a car rider.  We also ask that during car line that all families please remain in their vehicles for their safety and the safety of our students and staff.  Finally, please know if your child would have a change in dismissal (e.g. your child is normally a bus rider but for one day is a car rider etc.), we ask that you please always call our office at 610-205-3600 ASAP to notify us of the change. 
 
Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard
If your family is in need of food, the  Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard can help!  
 
Community Events and Flyers
Please click on this link to see some community events, as well as informational flyers for which you may be interested for your child/children (please know that this link will continue to be updated throughout the school year).
 
Thank you very much for your time and have a great afternoon!
 
Dr. Grazel