Berkeley Lake ES
"Bear Essentials" Weekly e-Newsletter, November 22, 2019
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
Our school's website changed this morning. You may need to refresh your view several times when viewing the new site, but we are excited to announce its launch. Check it out at https://www.gcpsk12.org/berkeleylakees
I am also pleased to tell you new lettering with our school's name was placed on the front entrance of the building this week, so be sure to take a look as you enter our school the next time you visit.
I'd like to invite you to my December Coffee Talk, which will be held on Thursday, December 5th at 9:00 AM. During this informal sit-down session, we can discuss any questions you may have and talk about all the great things that are happening at BLES!
As you may know, BLES has partnered with Corner's Outreach for many years now; they provide a free homework club for our students, as well as other supports. I urge you to support them and invite you to learn more about Corner's Outreach.
ANY AMOUNT YOU GIVE GOES A LONG WAY. HOW LONG, YOU ASK?
$15 goes toward purchasing a compass book that teaches our students character skills based on our social-emotional learning.
$25 goes toward toys we will purchase for our toddlers to play with at our mommy and me program.
$50 goes toward curriculum items used at our Corners Academy locations, like math and word games, that make learning more fun.
$100 goes toward purchasing snacks we give our students when they arrive at Corners Academy. Everyone is more willing to learn once they’ve quieted their growling stomach.
$250 goes toward purchasing special activities we can do with our kids to keep them from being bored of learning. We have themes on different days like pirate day to keep our students laughing while learning.
New Way to Donate! Purchase a Corners Shirt
I wanted to make sure you've seen our new Corners Outreach shirts. We're super excited about these shirts and hope you find one you absolutely love. 50% of your purchase is donated to Corners, and we'll count that toward our $25,000 Giving Tuesday Campaign goal if you buy anytime between now and December 3. We have tons of options! Browse our shirts now: www.bonfire.com/store/corners-outreach-store/
Also, watch this inspiring video: Jordyne Krumroy from Welcoming America talks about the impact Corners Outreach is making in the community.
I hope your family has a happy Thanksgiving break. We will see the students back here on Monday, December 2nd!
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
A Special Thank You
Thanksgiving Grocery Giveaway Will Take Place this Saturday, November 23, 11:00-1:00
Thank you to everyone who registered for the Thanksgiving Grocery Giveaway. Please remember to attend the event this Saturday. You must have registered for the event to attend.
Corners Church of Christ
3700 Medlock Bridge Road
Norcross GA, 30092
Please contact the church directly for help or questions 770-416-1550
Smencil Sale for PE Department Fundraiser
Smencil sales are back at BLES. The PE Department will be selling the scented pencils for $1.00 each to raise money to purchase new P.E. equipment and to add some pieces to our new playground space!
WHEN?
Tuesday, December 3rd: 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades
Wednesday, December 4th: Kindergarten,1st, and 2nd grades
Thursday, December 5th: 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades
Friday, December 6th: K,1st, and 2nd grades
WHERE? BLES Bear in the front lobby
District Assessments
Candlelight Lunches
See the lunch schedule below by class:
Save the Dates - December Music Performances
Our Berkeley Lake Elementary Chorus will perform the National Anthem and five Christmas/Holiday-themed songs at the 7:35 PM December 13th Atlanta Gladiator's Hockey game against South Carolina. Tickets are discounted for this event. See the flyer below for more details on purchasing tickets.
In addition, our chorus will be performing a small set of holiday tunes at the Barnes and Noble at the Forum on Monday, December 9th, around 7:15 or 7:30.
Lastly, our Winter Concert Series will be held on Thursday, December 19. Our Strings Club will perform at 4:30, followed by a chorus performance at 5:15. At 6:00 PM, our 4th graders will perform.
Please come out and support Mr. Green, our music teacher, and our BLES students for any or all of these events if you can.
Science/STEM Fair
Earth Day Artwork Contest
Thank You to the Following Recent Lunchroom Monitor Parent Volunteers:
Ninoska Gonzalez
Pauly Gomez
We Still Need Help With the Online Parent Survey from the State
Parents, please take the Georgia School Health Survey if you have not done so already. This state survey can be taken anywhere online but so far only 63 of our parents have taken the survey. This survey is anonymous and can be taken in English or Spanish. Here is the link to the state survey: https://gshs.gadoe.org/parents.
PTO News
Charleston Wrap orders are here!
Photographers Needed
The PTO offers customized photos at the Candlelight luncheon for $5 as a fundraiser for the school. We are in need of photographers with their own cameras (like Minolta, Canon, but not cellphones) to work the lunches each day.
We also need people to sit at the table and take the orders.
Thank you!
Remember to Buy Your Yearbooks
Yearbooks are purchased and customized by you online.
Purchase by November 30th to get 5% off.
Go to www.treering.com/validate
Enter our school code 1015217531682993
Stock the Fridge
Raise Money for BLES While Doing Your Holiday Shopping on Amazon
Positive Behavior Focus for this Week:
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.
As our teachers begin to prepare for the possibility of Digital Learning Days this year, it is important for them to know about devices and internet available to your student at home. A letter will be sent home in Friday folders in the next week or two to gather more information on whether or not internet & devices are available to your student at home. Please complete the questions at the bottom of the letters and return to your child's teacher so we can begin to plan for the possibility of Digital Learning Days in the future.
Gwinnett Parks and Recreation Events
A Look Ahead...
Monday, November 25 - Friday, November 29
Thanksgiving Break
Monday, December 2
Mid Year District Assessments begin for students in grades 1st - 5th
2:45pm Orchestra Club
3:00pm Chess club - Media Center
Tuesday, December 3
Mid Year District Assessments for students in grades 1st - 5th
3rd Gr Cultural Arts-DeSoto Adventures
7:00am IT Girls
9:00am Advanced English Class
3:00pm Green Team
3:15pm Drama Club in room 3.124
Wednesday, December 4
Mid Year District Assessments for students in grades 1st - 5th
7:15am Art Club
9:00am Beginner English Class
Thursday, December 5
Mid Year District Assessments for students in grades 1st - 5th
7:00am Chorus Club Semester 1
8:30am School Tour
9:00am Coffee with Dr. Pendleton
3:00pm Good News Club (Media Center)
3:00pm Robotics Club
Friday, December 6
Mid Year District Assessments for students in grades 1st - 5th
7:30am Witzzle Pro Club meets
Saturday, December 7
8:30am Peer Leader Conference
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!
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