Berkeley Lake ES
"Bear Essentials" Weekly e-Newsletter, November 6, 2020
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
A Coffee Talk was scheduled for November 19th, but I am going to move that up to November 12th so that we can meet before the November 15 deadline for choosing to change your child's instructional option for second semester.
I would love your input ahead of time so that I am addressing the things you are most interested in hearing about. Please complete this very brief form as soon as possible if you would like to provide your input. When you open the form, there is a drop down box in the upper right hand corner that will allow you to see the form in Spanish or Korean.
Zoom will allow us to have one meeting for both English and Spanish speaking parents with interpretation by Ms. Orci for those who need it. Therefore, we will have one meeting at 10:30 AM.
The Zoom link will be sent out on November 11th through School Messenger and Class Dojo.
Please remember to make your choice regarding second semester instructional options via the Parent Portal. I am going to ask you to please be patient until January to request a change for your child. Moving students at this late stage makes it very difficult to provide a stable and effective classroom setting for all students. While I understand there are some extreme circumstances that need to be considered, parents were given many opportunities to make a change at the Fall Break, and I ask you to honor that process.
I hope you have a great weekend!
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
In-Person Picture Day Rescheduled
Next Week's Specials Rotation Schedule for Digital Learners
The Specials Rotation for Digital Learners for the Week of November 9 - 13 will be:
- K-2nd: Art and Music
- 3rd-5th: 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.
Making the Choice for Digital or In-Person Learning for Second Semester
Now is your time to make the decision about how your children will learn during second semester. Like this semester, you may select either in-person instruction at the school or digital learning at home. Please note that the decision you make will be for the entire semester.
The Spring Instructional Preference Questionnaire is now available in the Parent Portal only until 11:59 p.m. on November 15.
If you have already made your selection for next semester, use these directions to verify your selection in the web version of the Parent Portal or use these directions to verify your selection in the Parent Vue app.
If you do not have a parent portal account, you need one. Please click here for information or contact our front office to request one.
Online Book Fair Extended
We are going to have an extension to our book fair due to the power outages and days off of school.
Click here for the link to our current online Book Fair. This link will be good until Sunday, November 8.
Use this different link to place an order from November 9th - November 22nd.
Book Check Outs for Digital Learners
Digital Student Book Pick up/Drop off is on Wednesday and Thursday of next week from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm.
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
For video instructions on how to put your books on Hold, please visit the BLES Media eClass page: https://instruction.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/d2l/home/1736615
Thank You and Happy Reading!
Mrs. Norby - BLES Media Specialist
Help Sessions for Parents - AKS at Home
The parent AKS at Home Help meetings for this Nine Weeks have already taken place, but if you would like to view a recording of the meeting, visit this page on the county website:
Gwinnett Stripers Power of Reading Program
Earn a free ticket to a 2021 Gwinnett Stripers Baseball Game!
From now until December 31st this year, any student that reads four books and submits everything online through the link below will be eligible to receive a free ticket to a 2021 Gwinnett Stripers game. These books can be any books that the students are required to read for school or separate from their required reading at school. Once the student has completed the reading they just simply need their parents to fill out the online submission form at this link: https://www.milb.com/gwinnett/community/reading-challenge and then email the titles and authors of the books to the email listed on the page. Once those requirements are met, the student will be eligible to receive the ticket to a 2021 Stripers game. Plus, the Stripers and Georgia Power will be honoring a Power Reader of the Month on our social media platforms that students could be eligible for as well.
The Plan/The Promise
Please go to My Payments Plus and sign off on the acknowledgement of this document. While you are logged into your account make sure that you have signed off on all of the school documents from the beginning of the year.
Parent Portal Now Available on iPhones and Android
If you have a Parent Portal account, a mobile app is now available for use. The app is called "Synergy Parent" mobile app and can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Parents who have a parent portal account will be able to view schedules, grades, see when assignments are due, view graduation requirements, find missing assignments, and view other important student information. Remember, an active parent portal account is required to log in to ParentVUE. Need more information on getting a Parent Portal account? Click here.
PTO News and Information:
The Turkey Trot is Back in Business – Virtually!
Thanks to Michelle Hammond for seeing an opportunity, bringing it to the PTO board and chairing our Turkey Trot this year. So, here’s how it will work:
- Create a team of up to 8 racers for your student, company, tennis team, etc. to see who wins the prizes for raising the most funds and/or be entered for random prize drawings when your team completes the race! Invite neighbors, grandparents, babysitters, remote working team, etc.
- It doesn't matter where a racer lives. We've got racers all over the globe!
- Sign up at https://blespto.racery.com/r/2020-berkeley-lake-turkey-trot/.
- Race begins Saturday, Nov. 21, at 12 a.m. We will be tracking time until Sunday, Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. ET.
- You can actually run the distance as portrayed on our customized BLES Turkey Trot route, run another route of your choosing or choose from a variety of activities to do anywhere you want (including cleaning house and playing on the playground!). Then log the activity each day of the week and see your team's avatar move across the route according to the miles associated with that activity. Catch a Google Street View of the new virtual locale, then cheer your real fellow racers by clicking "likes" and posting pics and comments!
Even though we can’t meet at the school for the run/walk and eat pancakes, we hope you’ll join us virtually to support the teachers and students of Berkeley Lake Elementary School. The Turkey Trot has always been a great way to foster a sense of community for our school and neighbors! This year, it’ll be a great way to celebrate the week of Thanksgiving together with friends and loved ones – no matter where you are!
We won't have t-shirts available this year but share your race bib on social media! Brag about your streaks or longest mileage! Take a pic with it on at the real life location you've "run" to! Let's see who "runs" but lives the furthest away! It's great way for loved ones who live far away to feel a part of your student's world.
If you have any questions, contact us at info@blespto.org.
Use Charleston Wrap® for Your Holiday Shopping!
Share our BLES account with all your family and friends to get everyone shopping – just in time for the holidays!
Here’s how to get started:
4. Click here to register today! Use organization ID number 11515.
5. We have an email invitation tool ready as soon as you register. Send 10 unique and valid shopping email invites to your friends and family.
6. Let the shopping begin! With over 2,500 gift ideas, you can check off your holiday gift list and support BLES, too.
PRO TIP: The more email invites you send, the more supporters we’ll get! So, break out your email contact list, share on social media and help spread the word! If you have any questions or issues, customer support is available at 1-866-395-2926.
Thank you to those who joined us at Satisfeed last Saturday.
The organizers were very impressed with the number of volunteers representing BLES! Don’t forget, we’re distributing food again Nov. 14 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. We still need volunteers. Click here to sign up. Location: Life Church International- 4830 River Green Parkway, Duluth GA. There is a need for 4-5 Spanish speakers as well.
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.
The Empty Stocking Fund Offers Help for the Holidays
Many of us are facing difficult economic times. The Empty Stocking Fund is a resource that may help. This program provides gifts for children under 12 if you are found eligible. The site is in Spanish and English. Please apply soon, as spots fill up.
Free Groceries Available to Those In Need
When: Fridays 3:00 - 4:00 PM and Saturdays 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Where: Friendship Baptist Church
3375 Church Lane, Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 497-8227
email: friendshipduluth@att.net
Pastor: Ronald L. Bowens
First Come, First Served
Positive Behavior and Intervention Support Theme for the Week:
PBIS Team:
Hello Parents,
We wanted to make sure you knew who made up our PBIS Team. Here is our team and their roles. Please know that we will be doing all we can to ensure there is a positive behavior climate at Berkeley Lake.
Good Samaritans Clinic of Gwinnett
Mathnasium of Berkeley Lake
NEW: YMCA Now Offering After-School Care
As students are phasing back to in-person instruction, the YMCA has started afterschool care. The YMCA will pick up students from our school and transport them to the YMCA branch where they will serve them until 6:30 p.m. The cost is $60.00 per week for Y facility members and $80.00 per week for Y program members. We also offer different rates for part-time care and discounts for Gwinnett County educators. The YMCA has financial assistance available for families who may need additional help. Please see the flyer below for more information.
Websites and Apps that Our Teachers and Students Use
Need Tech Help During Digital Learning?
- Check the BLES website for troubleshooting guides.
- If you are not able to resolve your problem with the help guides, reach out to your child's teacher.
- If the teacher is unable to help you resolve the issue, complete the form in the Technology Help section of the website and someone in Tech Support will get back to you.
GCPS' Return to Learning Hub
Click here for information, resources, how-to’s, and more related to Gwinnett County Public Schools’ plans for Fall 2020. No matter if you are learning digitally or plan to transition to in-person... this is your go-to source.
A Look Ahead...
Saturday, November 7
Charleston Wrap PTO Fundraiser continues
Book Fair continues
Sunday, November 8
Charleston Wrap PTO Fundraiser continues
Book Fair continues
Monday, November 9
Charleston Wrap PTO Fundraiser continues
Book Fair continues
Tuesday, November 10
Charleston Wrap PTO Fundraiser continues
In-person picture day (rescheduled from 10/29)
Book Fair continues
Wednesday, November 11
Charleston Wrap PTO Fundraiser continues
Veterans Day
Book Fair continues
Thursday, November 12
Charleston Wrap PTO Fundraiser continues
10:30 - 11:15 "Coffee Talk" with Dr. Pendleton (in English Spanish)
Book Fair continues
Friday, November 13
Charleston Wrap PTO Fundraiser continues
Book Fair continues
Saturday, November 14
Satisfeed volunteer date 8:00 AM - noon
Book Fair continues
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