Berkeley Lake ES
"Bear Essentials" Weekly e-Newsletter, January 24, 2020
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
Thank you to those families who came out for this week's Spirit Night at Farm Burger. I am sorry I missed it, but I was at the GCPS Board meeting, accepting recognition on behalf of our school for being named a Greatest Gains school by the Governor's Office of Student Achievement. I am so proud of the accomplishments of our students and amazing teaching staff!
I encourage you to attend next week's parent workshop on Thursday about Building Resilient and Confident Kids in Today's World, which will be led by our two counselors, Laura Marantz and Sara Penland. These workshops are the best kept secret! Everyone who has attended in the past raved about all the great information that was shared. See the paragraphs below for more information.
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
Sign Up for Parent-Teacher Conferences
If you will need an interpreter to be present at the conference, please let your child's teacher know using the "Special Notes" section of the online scheduler or by sending an email or handwritten note to your child's teacher.
If you need support in signing up, please reach out to our parent liaison, Sandra Orci, at 678-291-4232 or visit our Parent Center, located across from the check in desk in the lobby.
Title 1 Workshop for Parents - Thursday, January 30th
- How you can help your child manage stress
- How to help your child have a positive growth mindset
- How to help your child manage peer relationships
Recognizing Students at BLES
BLES Counselors are proud announce two important recognition programs that were recently shared with students. We congratulate all students recognized. They have received a certificate and their names are on display in the front lobby of the school.
The Counselors’ On A Roll is a student recognition program for students who have worked diligently to improve their academic grades from mid-term to the January report card. This is a program sponsored by the counselors that recognizes students who have worked very hard to improve in school. This is a chance to acknowledge effort and improvement that may or may not have resulted in A or B averages.
It is not just about an improved grade. The Counselors’ On A Roll is acknowledgement of something special - a change in attitude, a change in behavior, a change in effort, a change in work habits, increased personal responsibility - something that was obvious to the teacher.
The Counselors’ Berkeley’s Best award highlights students with outstanding character and citizenship. Teachers had the opportunity to nominate up to two students who consistently exemplified the following traits:
- Character – demonstrates honorable traits regardless of the situation, witnesses, or challenge
- Citizenship – is a contributing, positive member of the classroom; helps others; generates ideas; fosters community
- Effort – is willing to try new tasks, even those that may be difficult; works hard, especially in the face of dilemmas, difficulties, or struggles
- Resiliency – bounces back from problems or setbacks; refuses to be defined by negatives, but focuses on positives; keeps on trying and working and growing
- Attitude – excited to learn; happy to be at school
Thank You
Erny Linardi
Armando Olvera
Quyen Bui
Ross Shoemaker
Reminder:
Please remind your child to wear his/her tennis shoes on the days the class has P.E.. Boots provide warmth from these cold temperatures, but students need to wear tennis shoes, not boots, during their P.E. time. Please encourage your children to pack their tennis shoes in their book bags.
We have started state-mandated fitness testing for 4th and 5th grade students, so it is essential that they wear or bring their tennis shoes to school for their own safety!
Thank you for your support of your children to perform at their best!!
Ms. Birozes
P.E. Teacher
4th and 5th Grade Parents
Literacy Night is Coming
Speaking of books, we are also now collecting gently used adult and children's books for Literacy Night. Adult books will be traded for children's books at Books by the Pound in Lawrenceville. A rolling bin has been placed near the front door of the school, so please drop the gently used books there. Thank you for your donations.
Elephants, Tigers, and Books, Oh My!!
It's the most exciting time of the year in the media center - Book Fair Time! The Spring Book Fair will run from February 5 - February 13. Preview days are February 5th and February 6th. Students can shop the fair during Literacy Night on February 6th and during the school day on February 7 - February 13. Want a convenient way to send in book fair money? Go Cash Free! Visit our book fair homepage to sign up for eWallet: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/berkeleylake
Book Fair Volunteers Needed
Calling all Berkeley Lake Parents! It's Book Fair time at BLES. This year's theme is Elephants, Tigers, and Books, Oh My! and all proceeds benefit our school. The students look forward to the book fair all year, and we need your help to make it a success. The Book Fair will run from February 5 - February 13. Please sign-up to assist students with book selection and check out. Thank you for volunteering! Book Fair Volunteer Sign-up
Important Future Dates to Keep in Mind
Parents, please be aware that currently February 14th is set as an inclement weather make-up day on the GCPS calendar. This means if we don't have to miss a day of school due to bad weather prior to that date, students will not have school that day.
In addition, there will be no school for GCPS students on Monday, February 17th, in honor of Presidents' Day.
Please keep these two dates in mind as you make February plans.
Meet Your Teacher Day for 2020-2021 School Year
We also wanted to let you know that Meet Your Teacher Day will take place on Friday, July 31st for next school year. Normally, Meet Your Teacher Day falls on the first Thursday in August, but since school is set to start on August 5th next year, the date was moved up.
PTO News
Positive Behavior Focus for this Week:
GCPS - District News You Can Use
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.
A Look Ahead...
Monday, January 27
9:00am Button for parents to sign up for conferences will go live on website
2:45pm Orchestra Club
3:00pm Chess club - Media Center
Tuesday, January 28
7:00am No I.T. Girls
9:00am Advanced English Class
3:00pm Green Team
3:15pm Drama Club in room 3.124
Wednesday, January 29
7:15am Art Club
9:00am Beginner English Class
3:00pm Soccer Club
Thursday, January 30
3:00pm Good News Club (Media Center)
6:00pm Title 1 Parent Workshop: Building Resilient and Confident Kids in Today’s World
Friday, January 31
7:30am Witzzle Pro Club meets
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