Messages from 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 

May 5, 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! 
 
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 
 

April 20, 2026
Dear BES Families,
Please see below some important updates/reminders:
 
PSSA Testing Reminder
This is just a reminder that PSSA testing will begin for all third and fourth grade students tomorrow morning. ELA testing will take place 4/21-4/23 and math testing will take place 4/28 & 4/29.
 
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!

Dear BES Families,
Please see below some important updates/reminders:
 
PTC Meeting Reminder
This is just a reminder that our PTC meeting will take place next week on Tuesday, April 14^th at 7:00PM in the BES library.  During this meeting, our superintendent, Dr. Smith, and I will be dedicating time to speak with our Bridgeport families. We want to ensure you have a space to ask questions, share your thoughts, and have an open conversation with us regarding class size at Bridgeport Elementary School.  As a reminder, all BES families are welcome to attend our PTC meetings.   
 
Free Adult ESL and GED Classes
The Literacy Council of Norristown is offering free adult English as a second language classes, as well as free GED classes in English and Spanish at Bridgeport Elementary School. Additionally, during the class time, there will be help available for homework for children.  Should you wish to receive more information with reference to this, 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. Anthony Grazel
Principal
Bridgeport Elementary School
agrazel@umasd.org

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

Schedule Reminder
This is just a reminder that there will be no school from March 30^th-April 6^th for spring break.  Classes will resume again on Tuesday, April 7^th.
 
Golden Spoon Award!
As part of continuing to support our School-Wide Positive Behavior Intervention Support framework (SWPBIS), otherwise known as our Bear Pride (Be Caring, Earn Trust, Acting Responsibly, and Respecting All), at the beginning of March, we have implemented the Golden Spoon Award in our cafeteria!  This award is meant to continue to promote our Bear Pride expectations in our cafeteria, in which each week, one class per grade level will earn the Golden Spoon award to display outside of their classrooms. Please watch this video that we showed to our students at the beginning of March to learn more about the Golden Spoon Award!
 
Upper Merion Area High School Boys Tennis Team Fundraiser
Please click on this link should you wish to learn more about a Pickleball Fundraising Clinic open to our BES students, which is a fundraiser that benefits our UMASD HS Boys Tennis team.
 
Free Adult ESL and GED Classes
The Literacy Council of Norristown is offering free adult English as a second language classes, as well as free GED classes in English and Spanish at Bridgeport Elementary School. Additionally, during the class time, there will be help available for homework for children.  Should you wish to receive more information with reference to this, 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 wonderful spring break!
 
 
Dr. Grazel

Dear BES Families,
Please see below some important updates/reminders:
 
Schedule Reminder
This is just a reminder that there will be no school for tomorrow, March 20^th.  Classes will resume again on Monday, March 23^rd.
 
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
 

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! 
 
Schedule Reminder
This is just a reminder that there will be no school on Friday, March 20^th.  Classes will resume again on Monday, March 23^rd.
 
Spring Pictures
Spring pictures will take place tomorrow, March 18^th.  Should you wish to purchase spring pictures, please follow the directions on the flyer that was previously sent home.  Should you have any questions regarding spring pictures, please feel free to reach out to our administrative assistant, Mrs. Zomorrodian at azomorrodian@umasd.org .
 
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 day!
 
 
Dr. Grazel
 

February 25, 2026
Dear BES Families,
Please see below some important updates/reminders:
 
Spring Conferences
For the 2025-2026 school year, we will be utilizing My Conference Time online scheduling system to arrange for parent/teacher conferences with students’ homeroom (classroom) teachers.  Spring conferences will be held on March 5^th and March 10^th.  Please go to this link https://www.umasd.org/mct in order to register for conferences and families must register for conferences by March 2nd at 8:00PM. For conferences this school year, March 5^th will be in-person conferences only and March 10^th will be virtual conferences only via Google Meet.
 
With regard to the procedures for conferences, we ask that parents/guardians be only in attendance unless you have arranged with your child’s teacher that your child be present for conferences.  Additionally, we ask that you please be respectful of the time for your conference in order that all parents/guardians are able to receive the conference time, which was allotted to them. 
 
Scholastic Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair (please click the link for more information) will take place from March 3^rd to March 11^th.  Students will be making a wish list during library that they will bring home and buying days will be on the noon dismissal mornings of conferences (March 5^th and 10^th).
 
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 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