Berkeley Lake Elementary
August 20, 2021
Principal's Message
It's been a great week of learning at Berkeley Lake Elementary! I hope our K-2 parents enjoyed Curriculum Night. As a reminder, if you have not already done so, please complete the final step of registration for all new and returning students as soon as possible, by visiting the MyPaymentsPlus site to read and accept several documents. You can also sign a paper copy in the handbook and return it to your child’s teacher
I need to bring your attention to two important matters: morning arrival and mask wearing. Unless you live within walking distance of the school, your child should arrive to school one of two ways: the car rider line or the bus. It is not our process, and is not fair to other parents, to park and walk your child in before the tardy bell rings. Due to the large number of parents who are choosing to drive their children to school, the car rider line is long. You are welcome to use this option, but if the line is too long or moves too slowly for you, your child should ride the bus. Any student entering the building after 8:15 is marked tardy; we only make concessions for days when there is inclement weather or other things outside of our control that would make many students late.
All adults and children in the school building must wear a mask. Further guidance states that masks should fully cover the nose and mouth and secure under the chin and fit securely against both sides of the face. Masks that have an exhalation valve or vent and masks made from mesh fabrics are not recommended by the CDC, as they allow virus particles to escape and spread. As a result, these types of masks do not meet GCPS’ mask requirement.
Finally, a reminder that the deadline to change students from in-person to digital instruction was August 2nd and, at this time, the district is adhering to that deadline. Our case rate at BLES is relatively low, and we need your continued help in keeping our students and staff safe. Please make sure your child has a properly-fitting mask each day and keep them home form school if they display symptoms. I am very hopeful that we will be able to continue in-person learning, but we need everyone's help to make that possible.
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
A Look Ahead...
Monday, August 23
- 3:00pm Chess Club- Media Center
Tuesday, August 24
- PTO Spirit Night with Papa Johns Pizza
- 6:30pm Cub Scouts Sign Up Night
Wednesday, August 25
- No events
Thursday, August 26
- 5:30pm Zoom Curriculum Night 3rd Grade
- 6:15pm Zoom Curriculum Night 4th Grade
- 7:00pm Zoom Curriculum Night 5th Grade
Friday, August 27
- No events
PTO News:
Papa John's Spirit Night!
It’s Time to Approve this Year’s Budget:
We Collect Box Tops (Online)
PTO Membership and Donations:
If you have a student enrolled at BLES, you’re a voting member of our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). In lieu of a formal membership enrollment, we’d like for everyone who can to donate to the PTO so we can continue to provide financial support to our school. We’ve added two options for PTO donations on MyPaymentsPlus – the place where you already go to sign annual paperwork and pay for meals. Give to our general PTO fund to help pay for activities like STEM Night, cultural arts for each grade level and teacher supply reimbursements. We’ve also added a Helping Hands donation. Those donations go directly to buy essential items for our BLES food pantry. The suggested donation is $15 per family, however, we appreciate any amount you can contribute. Look for PTO in the “Other Payments” section.
Email info@blespto.org if you have any questions.
School News:
Save the Date - Fall Picture Day Announced
Curriculum Night Will be Thursday for Parents of Students in Grades 3, 4, and 5
Links will be sent out by teachers through Class Dojo closer to the event:
Thursday, August 26
- Zoom Curriculum Night 3rd Grade 5:30pm
- Zoom Curriculum Night 4th Grade 6:15pm
- Zoom Curriculum Night 5th Grade 7:00pm
If You Need to Borrow Technology Equipment
The device will remain at school so the student can use it in the classroom until we have our first county-wide digital learning day on September 14th. Students will bring the devices home on September 13th and bring them back to school on September 15th.
AKS at Home Family Engagement Support
AKS at Home is a Gwinnett County Public Schools’ family engagement initiative that empowers parents with tools to support the learning of their children at home. This initiative highlights foundational skills and activities taught in the areas of Math and Language Arts for grades K-5.
YOU ARE INVITED! We invite all our families of students in K-5 grades to sign up for our AKS at Home virtual sessions shown in the image below.
Where: Virtual meeting via Zoom, please visit the website provided to access the zoom link: https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/26993
If you are unable to attend the meeting, a parent tip sheet and a recording of the meeting will be available on the county website following the completion of each Unit: https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/26993
*Language Interpretation services will be provided in Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese.
FIRST LEGO League Robotics Club Competition Team Information
Will your child be in 4th or 5th grade this year?
Does your child love to build with Legos?
Is your child good at math and science?
Is your child interested in computer programming?
Does your child love a challenge?
Does your child get along well with your peers?
Does your child love to research and create?
If you answered yes to the above questions, then our Robotics Club sounds like a club for your child! If he/she is interested in applying to be on this competition team, please complete the application sent through School Messenger by Dr. Pendleton. Applications must be submitted by August 27th at 3:00 to be considered for this team. Please note that this team has less than 10 members.
Ice Cream is Now for Sale in the Cafeteria at Lunch Time
Berkeley Lake Elementary is a Georgia After School Program (GASP) School
Positive Interventions and Behavior Support (PBIS)
Do You Have a Young Child at Home That is Not Yet in School? If so, Get Involved With Play to Learn.
From Our Counselors
Many of us face economic hardships at various times in our lives. Due to these hardships, we may need additional help with basic needs like food. At this time, Berkeley Lake Elementary can help by providing a small amount of groceries for your family each week. They will be sent home in your child’s backpack on Fridays. The food is provided by donation. Your name and your child’s name will not be revealed to the donor. The Berkeley Lake Staff will get the food to your child in a discrete manner.
To participate, please email one of us, call either school counselor, or Mrs. Orci (Spanish speaker) to request participation.
Please call us with any questions or concerns.
Lyndsay Murphy
School Counselor
School Counselor
770-582-7523
Laura Marantz
School Counselor
770-582-7522
Sandra Orci (Spanish)
Parent Liaison
678-291-4232
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.
Do You Have a MyPaymentsPlus Account?
Did You Know BLES is on Various Social Media Apps?
Opportunity for Discounted Portable WiFi Hotspot for Families
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!
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