Special Edition Bear Essentials
All the best to you as we work together to put kids first!
Parent Request Form
3/18/20 Update
Hello!
Thank you so much for your patience as we adjust to our new reality! Here are some updates and reminders:
As you know, we have limited staff in the building and it is closed to the public. We will continue to give out lunches between 11:00-1:00 this week and next week at the front of the school and at bus stops.
Work packets are still available for pick up at the front of the school. Just look for your child's grade level and get a packet out of the box. We will leave these outside from 8:00-3:00 each day. Please reach out to your child's teacher or use the Parent Request Form if you cannot get up here during those hours; we will do our best to accommodate you. I encourage each of you to use the resources on your child's eCLASS page and to get your children to read, read, read throughout the day!
Don't forget that we have an amazing resource that your children can use at home: Imagine Learning. 20-30 minutes per day on this program is our recommendation (but more is fine).
As a reminder, if you have not been in contact with your child's teacher yet this week, please try to get in touch via eCLASS, email, phone, text, or Dojo. We want to make sure you can access the Digital Learning Day content, and if you can't, we want to know so we can assist you.
Some important things for you to know:
- Free lunches are available to anyone aged 18 or younger at BLES from 11:00-1:00 or at any middle school bus stop from 11:00-12:00 through next week.
- Please use the Parent Support Form to request help from the office or Parent Center staff. We will only have English-speaking staff in the building and answering the phone so this may be an important tool for you. Use this form to ask any question or request assistance.
Calls from Ms. Orci in the Parent Center
Please consider answering your phone even if you do not recognize the number. Ms. Orci has been trying to contact some of you but, because she cannot call from the school, people are not answering their phones.
Internet Resources
The following offers by providers are not affiliated with GCPS. Contact each provider for more information.
Spectrum
Be a household with a student enrolled in a K-12 school or college
Call 844-488-8395; installation fees will be waived for eligible households
Comcast
Be an eligible "qualified low-income household"
Go to http://InternetEssentials.com or call 855-846-8376 for English or call 855-765-6995 for Spanish
All new customers will receive "a free self-install kit" with no shipping fee.
Read eBooks and Magazines from the Gwinnett County Public Library
GCPL offers many ebooks, digital magazines, and other online resources. All GCPS students have access to these resources for free using Branch Out library accounts. Students who have opted in to the Branch Out program may access by using their student ID number for the username and 4-digit birth month and date for the password (ex. February 8th birthday --> 0208). If you have NOT opted in to the Branch Out program and do not have a public library card, you may opt in through the Parent Portal on the GCPS website.
How do I access digital materials? Visit https://gwinnett.overdrive.com/ OR download the Libby app to begin browsing ebooks. Login using your library or Branch Out account. Use the search bar or Collections tab on the left to narrow your search results. You also may view all digital resources available to children, teens, and adults by visiting here: https://www.gwinnettpl.org/digital-resources/.
Contacting Your School Counselor During School Closure
Berkeley Lake Virtual School Counseling Instructions:
- Our counseling department is committed to providing school counseling services and support during our digital learning days.
- Please contact your counselor for any social/emotional or behavior needs for your child.
- Parents and students can make direct contact with their counselor using the contact information below.
- Counselors can help with connecting you with community resources.
How to Contact Your Counselor:
- Email your counselor at the email address listed below.
- In your email, include your full name, teacher name, and your concern/question.
- If you would like to make contact via phone, please call the numbers listed below.
- If you would like to schedule a phone conversation, please email your counselor.
Mrs. Marantz
Kindergarten, 2nd, and 4th grades
Office Phone – 770-582-7522
Mrs. Penland
1st, 3rd, and 5th grades
Office Phone – 770-582-7523
Digital learning hours for counselors are Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Email and voice messages will be checked hourly. Messages and emails sent after these hours may be returned the following school day.
If the counselors are not in the school building, due to building closure, and you would
like to talk by phone or online audio conversation, your counselor can send you a link to a
Google Meet session or a phone and pin number to talk by phone through Google Meet.
Outside Food Resources (updated)
March 2020
Dear BLES Families,
As you all prepare to spend more time at home due to school and business closures, we want you to be aware of food resources in our area. Below is a list of food pantries and resources in our community. Please contact a school counselor at the information listed below if your family had an economic need.
Sara Penland Laura Marantz
770-582-7523 770-582-7522
sara.penland@gcpsk12.org laura.marantz@gcpsk12.org
Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Pantry
24 hours/day Sunday through Saturday
Free non-perishable food and toiletries, baby diapers and wipes
3700 Pleasant Hill Road
Duluth ,GA 30096
770-497-0233
Limited outdoor pantry, replenished as often as possible
Duluth Co-Op
10am- 2pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Food, Personal Care Items, Baby Items & Clothing
3395 Fox Street ,Building 101
Duluth ,GA 30096
770-623-9563
www.duluthco-op.org
serving 30096 and 30097 zip codes
Norcross Co-Op
M/W/F 10am-2pm, Tue 6-8pm, Sat 10am-12pm
Food & Clothing, School Supplies, Financial Assistance
500 Pinnacle Ct.
Norcross, GA 30071
770-263-0013 (Contact person – Shirley Cabe)
shirley@norcrossco-op.org
www.norcrossco-op.org
serving Norcross and Peachtree Corners zip codes
*Address has been updated from the first time information was sent out. Please use this address.
Cross Pointe the Church at the Gwinnett Center
10am - 12 noon; 6pm - 8pm, Wednesday and Saturday
Food, Personal Care Items, Clothing
1800 Satellite Blvd.
Duluth ,GA 30097
678-812-4500 (Contact person – Linda Mann)
Please visit foodfinder.us for more locations