Berkeley Lake ES
"Bear Essentials" Weekly e-Newsletter, May 14, 2021
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
Summer break is in the air! These last few days of school are always full of excitement and anticipation...perhaps this year more than any other!
We've had a great response to our Summer Enrichment and Acceleration program! Right now, all classes are full, but we are maintaining a waiting list in case students drop out or we have no-shows on June 14th. All students will have access to a digital SEA, which we will monitor from BLES, and that includes students who attend SEA in person.
We have several visitor parking places right as you enter the front parking lot, as well as spaces in the upper and lower lots. If you are running late or stopping in to drop off or pick up your child, please do not park in the handicap spaces. Not only is this illegal, it is inconsiderate of those who may have a legitimate need for that space. Likewise, parking is not allowed in the bus lanes.
Did you pre-order a yearbook from Treering? If so, please reach out to our PTO at info@blespto.org to arrange a refund. We do have yearbooks available for purchase from Strawbridge and that information was sent out by Dojo this week. There are about 100 left, so hurry if you want a copy!
One last reminder: while CDC guidelines have changed, Gwinnett County Schools still requires all staff, students, and visitors to the building to wear a mask. If you arrive without a mask, you will be asked to put one on before coming in. We do have a supply of masks for children and adults for emergencies but ask that you send your child with a mask each day if possible.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
A Look Ahead...
***Specials Rotation Schedule for Digital Learning Students for Week of May 17th - 21st:
- K-2nd: Have Science and P.E.
- 3rd-5th: Have Art and Music
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Monday, May 17
PTO Tupperware sale
8:30am 5th Gr. Math 1 & 2 Milestones
Tuesday, May 18
PTO Tupperware sale
10:30am Patton' class - 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony
6:00pm Rising Kindergarten Parent Night - via Zoom. Check website on Tuesday for link
Wednesday, May 19
PTO Tupperware sale
10:30am Morris's class - 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony
12:30pm Last Play 2 Learn class for the year
Thursday, May 20
PTO Tupperware sale
8:30am 5th Grade Science 1 & 2 Milestones
Friday, May 21
PTO Tupperware sale
10:30am West's class - 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony
Monday, May 24
10:30am Chang's class - 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony
Tuesday, May 25
10:30am Redner's/Schilling's classes - 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony
Wednesday, May 26
Last Day of School
3:00pm Duluth HS graduation
PTO Items:
Thank you President Wagner!
Tupperware Fundraiser:
Clean out those kitchen pantries and get ready to replenish your Tupperware. Check out our online Tupperware sale, where a percentage of the proceeds will go to BLES. The fundraiser will be open until May 21, 2021. Click here to place an order.
It’s Time to Start Planning for Next Year Already!
Thank You to Walmart
TreeRing Yearbook Refunds
School News:
Rising Kindergarterners
There will be an informational Zoom meeting about kindergarten on Tuesday, May 18th at 6:00 PM. Look under the Announcements section of our website for the live Zoom link the day of the meeting.
Grades for Music, Art, P.E., and Science Enrichment
The week of May 17 - 21 special areas teachers are asking that students and families look at their grades in all special areas and make up any missing work that has been given over the second semester. No new graded assignments will be given during that week because All assignments MUST be completed by Friday, May 21.
*You may check your child's grades through the online parent portal. Thank you!
Congratulations to Our BLES Talent Show Finalists - from Mr. Green
There were 12 finalists from over 40 entries for our first Berkeley Lake Digital Talent Show. I saw many students working very hard to show off some really great talents, and I am proud of every single effort to make this a fun process. Thank you to all who attempted a video entry for your efforts.
I will work on making a final video of those selected and it will be posted for some end of the year fun.
The following is the list of the finalists:
Ms. Speese - Quarters
Mr. Carter - Playing the Organ/keyboard
Nina S - Playing Piano
Erin Y. - Playing Piano
Siena A. - Dancing
Alana A. - Painting
Mason W. - Trampoline backflips
Cassidy S. - Magic Tricks
Nick C. - Singing with family
Ms. Patton - Playing the violin
Lauryn W. - Dancing
Kolton B. - Playing the recorder
Transportation for Next School Year
Please note: The form will not be fillable if you downloaded it on your cell phone. It must be downloaded on a computer.
End of the Second Semester
Thank you for all the support you have given your child this school year. The school year ends on Wednesday, May 26. It is very important that assignments in ALL classes, including special areas are submitted to the teachers by Friday, May 21. Please check your Parent Portal under the Grades section for your child’s current grades and assignments. Your child can also check the My eCLASS Student Portal for this information. Please contact your child’s teacher as soon as possible if you have any questions.
If Your Child Borrowed a Laptop or Hotspot from the School This Year
- Monday, May 24th - devices will be collected from in-person students in KG and 1st
- Tuesday, May 25th - devices will be collected from in-person students in 2nd and 3rd
- Wednesday, May 26th - devices will be collected from in-person students in 4th and 5th
- Friday, May 28th - digital student devices should be returned to the school at the designated time sent by an email from Jessica Hill (Craig). You may also reach out to the teacher if you do not receive an email telling you what your drop time will be.
Media Center Book Returns
Students should be returning books they have checked out from the BLES Media Center now that the school year is ending.
If your child has a lost or overdue Media Center book, please have him/her search for these books at home and in the classrooms at school. Digital students and families of BLES students are welcome to return BLES Media Center books to the Drop Off Bin at the front of the school building.
Students who are issued a fine for their lost Media Center books are welcome to bring in money to school to pay for their library fines. We accept payment in the form of cash or check. Families can also pay for these fines via MyPaymentsPlus.
Fines for Media Center Books:
Paperback Books - $5.00
Hard Cover Books - $15.00
Please note that we cannot accept replacement books. Our Media Center books are purchased from county-approved book vendors.
Thank you,
Niki Norby (Vanden Hoek)
Media Specialist
Berkeley Lake Elementary School
Another Opportunity for You to Purchase a Yearbook for Your Child
Summer Reading Challenge
Please click the link below to learn about Gwinnett County Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge! We would like to encourage all BLES students to participate!
Summer Reading 2021 Presentation (in English)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1w5LlFEKrZ51XkfuQhWVgtH2H4mCD7Ek8RbStp4_Z_zA/edit?usp=sharing
Summer Reading 2021 Presentation (in Spanish)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1DDIF_PlnrAAJkuOdDnCritXg1COVNtFoMvYhWvA_3lU/edit?usp=sharing
5th Grade Information Page on Our Website
Parents of 5th graders, remember to frequently check the 5th Grade Information page on our website for up-to-date information.
Parent Involvement Survey for Parents of Special Needs Students
AKS at Home
Summer Enrichment and Acceleration
This summer’s K-8 learning experience—set for June 14 to July 2—has been redesigned with the goal of helping all students, while specifically addressing learning losses that have occurred over the past year-and-a-half during the pandemic. The focus on enrichment and acceleration is intended to help students get a head start on next year’s learning.
SEA activities will focus on accelerating and expanding on student learning for the current grade and previewing what students will learn at the next grade level. In addition to the acceleration, students also will participate in enrichment opportunities outside the core subject areas, taking part in engaging activities and learning typically offered in Specials and Connections courses.
Georgia After School Program (GASP) Will Return Next Fall
For Parents of Kids Ages 3 - 8: "Playground Detectives" is Coming to Pickneyville Park on May 25th
i9 Sports Summer Camp:
Camp Invention
Camp Invention will now be offered in-person and online! See the flyer image or PDF below for details. In order for proper Covid guidelines to be followed, space will be limited, so don't delay registering your child.
We thank The Tutoring Center in Duluth for Being a Business Partner of Our School
Food Finder
Visit the FoodFinder website or download the app to find places nearby where you can get free food and meal assistance.
2020-2021 GCPS Promotion Criteria for Elementary Students:
Did You Know BLES is Now on Instagram?
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.
We Thank Our Business Partners
Contact Us:
Berkeley Lake Elementary
4300 S. Berkeley Lake Rd.
Duluth, Georgia 30096
P: (770)446-0947
F: (770)582-7514