Berkeley Lake ES
"Bear Essentials" Weekly e-Newsletter, January 22nd, 2021
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
Students who are in-person will return to the building next week. I want to remind you that Tuesday, January 26, was already a planned digital learning day and it will remain digital. For that reason, if your student checked out a device, please plan to return it on Wednesday. You may keep hotspots at home for now.
Devices do need to be returned to school and cannot be kept at home on normal school days or weekends. However, if your student has a device checked out now, they may use it at home on the four scheduled digital learning days.
The four digital learning days that are built into the calendar are:
January 26
March 2
March 16
April 20
We also have student holidays coming up on February 12th and 15th. There will be no school on those days, per the GCPS student calendar.
I hope you have a great weekend!
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
A Look Ahead...
Monday, January 25
no events
Tuesday, January 26
Digital Learning Day for ALL Students
9:00am BLES School Council Meeting
Wednesday, January 27
12:30pm Play 2 Learn
Thursday, January 28
6:30pm Parent Workshop - Strategies for your 2021 Toolbox
Friday, January 29
no events
Specials Rotation Schedule for ALL Students for Week of January 25 - 29
- K-2nd: Have Art and Music
- 3rd-5th: Have Science and P.E.
Please remember that the Special Area teachers are taking grades and they do count. You can see your child's progress in your parent portal under the Grades section.
Parent Workshop, Thursday, January 28th:
PTO Items:
- Use AmazonSmile when you shop and give to BLES. Sign up with AmazonSmile so you can donate a portion of your purchase to BLES PTO every time you shop, at no cost to you, with the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com. On your first visit to AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), you need to select BLES PTO (NOT BLES PTA!) as your charitable organization to receive donations before you begin shopping. Amazon will remember your selection, and every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation. Click here to learn more. Again, make sure to select BLES PTO as your charity of choice.
- Let’s get the playground ready for spring! The PTO is partnering with the school for a few post-construction playground enhancements. We supported Mrs. Bentley and her community volunteers to help get the pollinator garden back up and running. We’re in the process of purchasing some ball racks. Now, we’d love to find an artist to repaint the concrete near the back of the school with games and scenes to help the students have fun – and still learn – while enjoying the great outdoors. If you know someone who’d be interested or a contact we can reach out to, email info@blespto.org.
- Don’t forget to give when you can. Remember, with fundraising activities being hampered this year, we’ve been paying out and not bringing in money to replenish our funds. Please continue to donate at MyPaymentsPlus when you can. We’ve been continuing to give to the BLES Food Pantry with your donations to Helping Hands – which is also a PTO donation option. Any amount you can share will go to support the school and our families.
- You can also support us by volunteering to host a virtual fundraiser - or come up with other ideas to help us build community and foster pride in our school. Get in touch with us today! Planning is underway for the coming school year. info@blespto.org.
3rd Nine Weeks AKS at Home Virtual Meetings for Parents
Parents, we encourage you to sign up for a virtual session to learn more about how you can help your child with the required skills for the 3rd Nine Weeks. Please click on the links below to register for your child’s grade level and subject area. Please note that if you are unable to attend a live session, you will be able to watch a recorded session at a later time. Click here for more information.
Kindergarten
- English/Language Arts, Mon. Jan. 25, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
- Math, Tues., Feb. 2, 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
1st Grade
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade
The Next Book Check Out for Digital Learners Will Be
Wednesday, January 27th or Thursday, January 28th from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm.
We would like to open next week's book check out to ALL students who are able to come pick up their books. Students should put their books on hold by Monday, January 25th. Please review the Digital Student Check Out Procedures for more information.
Click on the link below to see more details about Digital Student Book Checkout Procedures.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ay9krj0rByRrDmowyr7tRRTJJpUK2Hv9ZW8279vbeC0/edit?usp=sharing
BLES Food Pantry and Care Team
All BLES families have access to our Care Team Food Pantry. If you find yourself in need of pantry food items, please let us know. A counselor will gather food items for pick-up at a time that is convenient for you. If you find you have other basic economic living needs our BLES Care Team may be able to help. Our school counselors will help connect you to other resources. Please reach-out to your child's school counselor to learn more.
Lyndsay Murphy (Ms. Hutt, Ms. Cmiel, Grades K,2,4)
lyndsay.murphy@gcpsk12.org, 770-582-7523
Laura Marantz (Ms. Mack, Grades 1,3,5)
laura.marantz@gcpsk12.org, 770-582-7522
Sandra Orci ( Spanish)
sandra.orci@gcpsk12.org, 678-291-4232
P.E. for the Whole Family!
From Ms. Birozes,
BLES P.E. Teacher
1st Semester Report Cards
Semester 1 report cards were mailed out to parents this week. Parents/Guardians may also view the report card via the parent portal under the documents area.
"Think First and Stay Safe" Sexual Abuse Prevention Program
We all share a common goal for our children to be safe and protected from all things harmful. Related to that goal, school counselors are required to present annual personal safety lessons designed to prevent sexual abuse. The Think First & Stay Safe™ program is a research-based program that teaches specific personal safety education.
Due to the importance of this topic, you may preview the materials used for these lessons. Please contact your child's counselor, Lyndsay Murphy (K, 2, 4) at 770-582-7523 or Laura Marantz (1, 3, 5) at 770-582-7522 to schedule a preview in January, or if you have any questions or concerns.
During the months of February and March, our school counselors will offer the sexual abuse prevention and safety lessons to all K-5 students.
Please click below for a letter from Dr. Pendleton with more information about the program, how to preview the materials, virtual learning considerations, and if needed, how to opt your child out of these lessons.
Spanish Think First & Stay Safe sexual abuse prevention information letter.
Vietnamese Think First & Stay Safe Thư thông tin phòng chống lạm dụng tình dục
Chinese Think First & Stay Safe 預防性虐待通知書
Positive Behavior and Intervention Support Theme for the Week:
Making Summer Plans Already? Sign Up for Camp Invention: Recharge At-home
6/21/2021 - 6/24/2021 from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Your Program: The all-new 2021 program lineup is the best one yet! Featuring take-apart microphones, robotic crickets, duck-launching devices and morphing vehicles, this summer is packed with super fun, confidence-boosting STEM activities!
- Camp At Home: This year, your local camp will be an at-home program, so activity kits will be delivered directly to you and optional virtual sessions will be led by a certified local educator — your child will have everything they need for an amazing week of STEM fun.
- Your Child’s Registration:
- As promised, we held last year’s price and Saved Your Spot by preregistering your child for the program. Your credit on file has been applied to your registration!
- To complete your registration, please follow the link below. If you have more than one child attending, be sure to update all camper information before completing your registration.
Biggest discount ever! When you complete your registration, be sure to use promo code ALUMNI40 to SAVE $40!
Discount ends 3/31/2021. Redeem online. Cannot be combined with other discounts. All 2020 Save Your Spot credits will expire on 9/1/2021. All funds resulting from unused credits will be allocated toward program
GCPS District Information:
Sign Up Today to Receive School System News Online
GCPS Virtual Substitute Job Fairs
Gwinnett County Public Schools is hiring individuals with two or more years of college to work as part of our substitute team! This involves going out to local schools and providing instruction through an in-person, digital, or hybrid format – you get to choose the assignments that you accept and determine your own schedule! Daily rates range from $98/day to $120/day.
2020-2021 GCPS Promotion Criteria for Elementary 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.
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!
We Collect Box Tops (Online)
Our Parent Center
The Berkeley Lake Parent Center is located across from the front office and it's providing services by appointment. For Parent Center support please call Ms. Sandra Orci, Parent Liaison, at 678-291-4232 or email her at Sandra.Orci@gcpsk12.org
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