Berkeley Lake ES
"Bear Essentials" Weekly e-Newsletter, January 31, 2020
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
It was a great week at Berkeley Lake Elementary! I have been busy working on our staffing plan for next year, and I am happy to report that our staffing allocation will stay about the same for next year. That means that we will have the same number of staff members next year, which is a good thing!
I have been told that the district will begin the process to look at attendance zones next Fall. This likely means that in the 2021-2022 school year, we will get additional students to fill our new space! For now, we are using the art room and Media Center. Next school year, we will locate third and fourth graders in the new building. We will also have some renovation in the front office and "old" Media Center this summer. Then, our two-year renovation project will be complete!
I hope you have a great weekend, enjoying family and friends!
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
Sign Up for Parent-Teacher Conferences
If you will need an interpreter to be present at the conference, please let your child's teacher know using the "Special Notes" section of the online scheduler or by sending an email or handwritten note to your child's teacher.
If you need support in signing up, please reach out to our parent liaison, Sandra Orci, at 678-291-4232 or visit our Parent Center, located across from the check in desk in the lobby.
Thank You
Armando Olvera
Jackson McGehee
Iranidis Zerpa
Literacy Night is Coming
Speaking of books, we are now collecting gently used adult and children's books for Literacy Night. Adult books will be traded for children's books at Books by the Pound in Lawrenceville. A rolling bin has been placed near the front door of the school, so please drop the gently used books there. Thank you for your donations.
Elephants, Tigers, and Books, Oh My!!
It's the most exciting time of the year in the media center - Book Fair Time! The Spring Book Fair will run from February 5 - February 13. Preview days are February 5th and February 6th. Students can shop the fair during Literacy Night on February 6th and during the school day on February 7 - February 13. Want a convenient way to send in book fair money? Go Cash Free! Visit our book fair homepage to sign up for eWallet: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/berkeleylake
Book Fair Volunteers Needed
Calling all Berkeley Lake Parents! It's Book Fair time at BLES. This year's theme is Elephants, Tigers, and Books, Oh My! and all proceeds benefit our school. The students look forward to the book fair all year, and we need your help to make it a success. The Book Fair will run from February 5 - February 13. Please sign-up to assist students with book selection and check out. Thank you for volunteering! Book Fair Volunteer Sign-up
Important Future Dates to Keep in Mind
Parents, please be aware that currently February 14th is set as an inclement weather make-up day on the GCPS calendar. This means if we don't have to miss a day of school due to bad weather prior to that date, students will not have school that day.
In addition, there will be no school for GCPS students on Monday, February 17th, in honor of Presidents' Day.
Please keep these two dates in mind as you make February plans.
Meet Your Teacher Day for 2020-2021 School Year
We also wanted to let you know that Meet Your Teacher Day will take place on Friday, July 31st for next school year. Normally, Meet Your Teacher Day falls on the first Thursday in August, but since school is set to start on August 5th next year, the date was moved up.
PTO News
- Bingo Night is on! Mark your calendars for March 20 at 6:00 p.m. Thank you to the parent and teacher volunteers who have stepped forward to volunteer for all the pre-work an onsite assistance that makes this event so successful each year. We couldn't do this without you. We'll have a PTO membership meeting, too, at 5:15 before the event (with a perk of getting into the event early and a free bingo card for those who attend.) Remember, all parents are automatically PTO members!
- The call for 2020-2021 PTO executive board members is open. All positions are open for nominations. If you or someone you know is ready to represent our parents, manage the budget and the many traditions and events we enjoy here at BLES, please let us know by Friday, March 13. We'll announce the slate of officers at that time in Bear Essentials and on the bulletin board in the front lobby of the school. See our board member descriptions on our site: Get to Know Your PTO – Berkeley Lake Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization. You can also email info@blespto.org for more information, to chat with a current board member or to step forward as a nominee. Watch the BLES calendar for a list of our board meetings, typically the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 a.m. at the school. Members are always welcomed at these meetings. Parent volunteers are critical to keep the PTO going so we can support our school. We hope to talk with you soon.
Positive Behavior Focus for this Week:
GCPS - District News You Can Use
Gwinnett Online Campus (GOC) Registration Information
Digital Learning Days
The Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) 2019-2020 school calendar includes two make-up days to address school days missed due to inclement weather. In addition to these days, GCPS also has the option of making up days missed due to inclement weather using Digital Learning Days.
A Digital Learning Day is considered a school day, so students will be accountable for completing the teacher assignments from home, just as they would do at school. The assignments will be found on the teacher’s eClass course page under the Digital Learning Day icon and will be checked by the teacher and considered in the grading process.
Gwinnett Library February Events
A Look Ahead...
Monday, February 3
Parents can sign up for parent-teacher conferences on website
2:45pm Orchestra Club
3:00pm Chess club - Media Center
Tuesday, February 4
Parents can sign up for parent-teacher conferences on website
7:00am I.T. Girls resumes
9:00am Advanced English Class
3:00pm Green Team
3:15pm Drama Club in room 3.124
Wednesday, February 5
Parents can sign up for parent-teacher conferences on website
Book Fair
7:15am Art Club
9:00am Beginner English Class
3:00pm Soccer Club
Thursday, February 6
Parents can sign up for parent-teacher conferences on website
Book Fair
7:00am Chorus Club Semester 2
3:00pm Good News Club (Media Center)
6:00pm Literacy Night
Friday, February 7
Parents can sign up for parent-teacher conferences on website
Book Fair
7:30am Witzzle Pro Club meets
Spring Milestones Schedule Released - 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students
Do You Have a Parent Portal Account?
If you need to register with the portal, please print and complete this registration form and turn it in to the main office. Along with the completed form, you are required to show a photo I.D. for verification.
We Have a School Store
Berkeley Lake Recycles
Berkeley Lake recycles aluminum cans and old clothes and shoes (in any condition) in the two bins in the upper parking lot. The Green Team receives 10¢ per pound of donations, which helps pay the fee for the weekly paper and cardboard pick-up. The aluminum cans are recycled at Progressive Recycling on Simpson Circle. Please support our Green Team by recycling these items here at Berkeley Lake. Thank you!
Remember to Save Those Box Tops!
One easy way to support your school is through the PTO Box Tops for Education collection. Send in Box Tops from products you purchase. To help with counting, you can download this Box Tops Collection Sheet.
Make sure to put your Box Tops on the sheet or in a bag with your name and teacher on it. Drop it into the wooden box in the main hallway near the water fountain. Doing this automatically enters you into a contest.
Each month, we’ll hold a random drawing of all students who submit Box Tops. Winners will be announced on the morning announcements at the end of each month. The prize? A coupon for a free ice cream or an item from the student store. This fundraiser has helped us earn hundreds of dollars for our school!
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Our Parent Center
The Berkeley Lake Parent Center is open each day from 7:30-3:30. The Parent Center is located across from the front office. For Parent Center support please call Ms. Sandra Orci, Parent Liaison, at 678-291-4232.
Our Mission
To provide learning experiences in a secure and stimulating environment where every child can develop to his/her fullest potential academically, socially, and emotionally.
Our Vision
BLES is a positive safe, nurturing environment that fosters respect among all students, teachers, parents and community members, while forwarding world-class achievement that successfully maximizes each student's individual potential through engaging instruction.
Contact Us:
Berkeley Lake Elementary
4300 S. Berkeley Lake Rd.
Duluth, Georgia 30096
P: (770)446-0947
F: (770)582-7514