Berkeley Lake ES
"Bear Essentials" Weekly e-Newsletter, April 23, 2021
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
It was a great week at BLES! On Wednesday, we had a visit from the GCPS Bookmobile and 548 students got to pick out a free book! Check out our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages for pictures of this fun event and see the photos below.
I am still getting information from the district on our Summer Enrichment Experience (SEA), rising Kindergarten Academy, digital learning for next year, and guidelines on promotion/retention. We will have one more Coffee Talk in early May to discuss these topics and answer any other questions you have, via Zoom. I hope you will attend and encourage other parents to log in as well.
Just a reminder that Kindergarten Registration is open! If you have a child who will be 5 by September 1st, they are eligible to attend kindergarten in the 2021-2022 school year. Please visit our website registration page and call the school at 770-446-0947 to set up an appointment to have your child screened for kindergarten readiness.
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
A Look Ahead...
***Specials Rotation Schedule for Digital Learning Students for Week of April 26 - 30:
- K-2nd: Have Art and Music
- 3rd-5th: Have Science and P.E.
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Monday, April 26
3rd Gr. ELA Milestones Makeups
Tuesday, April 27
8:15am 3rd Gr. Math 1 & 2 Milestones
6:00pm Parent Workshop "How to Parent a Rising 6th Grader"
Wednesday, April 28
3rd Gr. Milestones Makeups
12:30pm Play 2 Learn
Thursday, April 29
3rd Gr. Milestones Makeups
5:30-7:30pm. Districtwide Federal Programs Family-School Partnership Advisory Council Meeting, All Families Invited to Attend. Register in Zoom
Friday, April 30
3rd Gr. Milestones Makeups
Saturday, May 1
9:00am Saturday School
PTO Items:
Teacher Appreciation Week is First Week in May
Show our teachers we LOVE them! Get ready for these Teacher Appreciation Week activities!
More details can be found in our flyer: English | Spanish.
- Monday, May 3: Card and artwork day
- Tuesday, May 4: Teacher and Staff Appreciation luncheon. Each year, PTO usually hosts a potluck luncheon for teachers and staff with delicious treats provided by our families. Due to the pandemic, we cannot do that. So, we held a fundraiser in March to pay for a fully catered meal. Thanks to you, we raised $1,311.76 to pamper our teachers. We are getting the best price from a great caterer and will use leftover funds for more gifts. You guys really stepped up. Thank you!
- Wednesday, May 5: School and cleaning supply day
- Thursday, May 6: Gifts for teachers and staff from favorites list
- Friday, May 7: Something special for Specials teachers
Stay tuned! Here’s what’s up next from your PTO:
- May 12: Plan for pizza night with Papa John’s! A portion of proceeds from your order that evening will come to BLES. Stay tuned to Bear Essentials for more details.
- May 3 - 7: Our next Spirit Wear Pop Up Store will be featuring t-Shirts – even one for the incoming kindergarten class.
- May 3 - 21: Clean out those kitchen pantries and get ready to replenish your Tupperware! We’ll have a special, online Tupperware sale and a percentage of the proceeds will go to BLES.
- It’s time to start planning for next year already! We’ll have our school supply kits available for purchase soon. A percentage of the proceeds from the school kits sales goes to the school – and you don’t have to go shopping! Your child’s kit is delivered directly to the school, with the specified supplies your teacher asks for and is waiting in your classroom when you arrive next year. More to come!
Vote for Your 2021-2022 Executive Board by Friday, April 30th
View proposed board members on our site. For open board positions, you can write in a nomination or nominate yourself! Email us at info@blespto.org if you have any questions about serving your school. We appreciate your support!
Yearbook
If you’ve not seen the advertisement, we will have a yearbook! A big thanks to Mrs. Ashadele for creating a special Strawbridge book this year. She’s posting information and calls for pictures in ClassDojo so log on today!
The yearbook will be soft-bound and will cost $20.00. Click here to order one for your child today.
If you have pictures to send of your child, please submit them by clicking here. When submitting a photo for the class page, the photo must have a solid background or we will not be able to use it.
If you pre-purchased a book through the PTO TreeRing sales last year, contact communication@blespto.org so that we can work with you to get your refund.
School News:
Title I Document Review Period
Parent Input is Needed
Milestones Testing (for Parents of 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders)
The Georgia Milestones End of Grade Test (GMAS) has begun for our 3rd grade students and will continue for our 4th and 5th graders through much of May. Click here to view a calendar of test dates, read testing tips, view some helpful links, visit a practice site, and see the Milestones Question of the Day.
Save the Date (for Parents of 5th Graders)
Amazon Food Mobile Distribution Coming Up on April 27th:
Parents, You Are Invited to the Federal Programs Family-School Partnership Advisory Council Meeting
Our districtwide Federal Programs Family-School Partnership Advisory Council Meeting will be held on Thursday evening, April 29th.
Thursday, April 29, 2021
5:30-7:30 PM
All Families Invited to Attend
To provide a secure online environment for attendees, registration is required using the Zoom meeting link. Spanish interpreters will be providing simultaneous interpretation during the online meeting.
Last Day to Submit Entries for the BLES Virtual Talent Show
Summer Enrichment and Acceleration Opportunity for Students
If you were not able to tune in for the live session, click here to watch it now.
Camp Invention Update
Camp Invention will now be offered in-person and online! See the flyer image or PDF below for details. In order for proper Covid guidelines to be followed, space will be limited, so don't delay registering your child.
The GCPS Media Services Department Needs Your Help
Please help us put books in kids’ hands by ordering the 2021 GCPS Book Mobile T-shirt.
Adult sizes are $26, and youth sizes are $22. These shirts are the softest shirts EVER! The more shirts we sell, the more funds we have to purchase books and continue our summer program.
Since the Book Mobile 5K was canceled this year, you can get your t-shirt without breaking a sweat! Support this AMAZING cause. Removing barriers to literacy will help avoid the summer slide. Share this with your friends and family!
Orders can be placed April 12- April 30
T-shirts are $26 for adult sizes and $22 for youth sizes (plus shipping)
T-shirts will be shipped the week of May 10
Buy them here: bonfire.com/bookmobile
For Parents of Kids Ages 3 - 8: Building Babies' Brains "Playground Detectives"
5th Grade Information Page on Our Website
Parents of 5th graders, remember to frequently check the 5th Grade Information page on our website for up-to-date information.
AKS at Home for the Last Two Months of School
Food Finder
Visit the FoodFinder website or download the app to find places nearby where you can get free food and meal assistance.
Tutor.com
Play to Learn
2020-2021 GCPS Promotion Criteria for Elementary 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.
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