Bear Essentials Jan. 21, 2022
Weekly eNews for Parents and BLES Families
Principal's Message
It was another great week of learning at BLES. For a short week, it sure did go by fast! In last Friday's newsletter, we shared a link to a class preference survey that you may fill out for next year. This survey is intended to get your feedback on your child's classroom placement. We love to hear what worked or didn't for your child in previous years, as well as a description of anything you think we need to know to make a good placement. We do not accept requests for specific teachers, so please do not ask for a teacher by name. You can describe the kind of teacher that your child has worked well with in the past, or the kind of teacher you feel your child may need (patient, firm, etc.), and we will do our best to make everyone happy! You may also let us know if there are other students that your child may need to be separated from. You can find the link further down in this newsletter.
I hope you have a great weekend!
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
A Look Ahead...
Monday, January 24
- 3:00pm Chess Club- Media Center
Tuesday, January 25
- Digital Learning Day
- Soccer Club Cancelled due to DLD (make-up date will be April 12th)
Wednesday, January 26
- 12:30pm Play to Learn
- 3:15pm Green Team
Thursday, January 27
- 6:00pm Counselor's Parent Workshop #2: Respect Agreements at Home and School. (more information below)
Friday, January 28
- No events
Class Preference for Next School Year
It's time to work on class lists for next year and we want your input! Please complete this form by January 28th:
Tuesday, January 25th will be a County-Wide Digital Learning Day
AKS at Home for 2nd Semester Begins Next Week!
PTO News
- This week we were able to fund two cultural arts productions. On Monday, our 3rd graders attended the Tattingtales' production of "The Adventures of Hernando de Soto" and on Wednesday our 4th graders attended the "Buttons for General Washington" production. Funding various cultural arts activities is just one of the many things the BLES PTO does to support learning.
- Spirit Wear- we are searching for a volunteer(s) to chair the Spirit Wear this year. We have local vendors we work with but are looking for someone to coordinate and help arrange the sales. If you would be interested in volunteering for this position, please contact us at info@blespto.org
- Yearbook - it’s not too late to order the yearbook. The price is $35.00. Orders must be placed by April 27, 2022. Click here to order one for your child today.
Upcoming Parent Workshop - Respect Agreements, A Tool for a Harmonious Household
Respect Agreements are a simple strategy for discussing how to give and receive respect in your household. Join the Berkeley Lake Counselors for a how-to presentation on creating your own Home Respect Agreement.
During the workshop you will:
Learn why Respect Agreements are impactful
Hear how we have used Respect Agreements at BLES
Receive the tools you need to write a Respect Agreement at home
Learn how to use the Respect Agreement after it is written
Thursday, January 27
6:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom, with Spanish translation
*The Zoom Link will be sent via Class Dojo closer to the presentation date.
I.T. Girls
Ms. Bentley
Unclaimed Items from the Lost and Found Will Be Donated on February 18th
Kids Heart Challenge is Coming!
I can feel the excitement at our school!
We’re about to kick off this year’s Kids Heart Challenge with the American Heart Association, and I’m leading our school’s team.
Our students are ready for fun! They’ll be moving more doing things like dancing, shooting hoops, jumping rope and conquering a warrior obstacle course. And here’s my secret: While they’re having fun, they are learning about gaining physical and emotional strength, while supporting a great cause – a true “win-win!”
You can join the excitement. Visit www.heart.org/KHC to register and get started and spread the word. Let’s raise much-needed funds for the Kids Heart Challenge!
Ms. Birozes, P.E. Teacher
Gwinnett County Schools Night at the Atlanta Hawks Game
Join us for Gwinnett County Schools Night at State Farm Arena as the Atlanta Hawks take on the San Antonio Spurs. Each ticket includes $10 worth of food and beverage credit. A portion from each ticket purchased through this offer will benefit the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation. Tickets can be purchased through the provided link below.
ATL Hawks vs. San Antonio Spurs | Friday, February 11th | 7:30pm
Mathnasium of Berkeley Lake Contest
Excuse Notes for Absences
Communication between home and school is a key component of your child's success in school. We appreciate phone calls, Dojo's and emails letting us know the morning of your child's absence. That helps us not wonder and worry about why your child is not here, and helps us anticipate when they will return to school.
It is also important to send an excuse note with your child following any absence. We have students returning from being out due to illness without excuse notes. This causes their absence to be coded as unexcused. Students with 10 or more unexcused absences are considered truant. If it is more convenient, you can email the excuse note to the teacher and they will print it for you. A Dojo message cannot be printed as an excuse note.
Please contact our school counselors with any questions.
Laura Marantz
Counselor for K, 2, 4
Lyndsay Murphy
Counselor for 1,3,5
Clinic is In Need Of
Our Clinic urgently needs:
- pants (boys-girls-adults) all ages and sizes. (sweatpants, stretch pants, yoga pants, running pants or any pants )
- groceries bags
Please drop them by the clinic if you have any to donate. Thank you.
Think First and Stay Safe
The annual personal safety lessons designed to prevent sexual abuse will begin the week of January 10th and continue until counselors are able to deliver these lessons to all classes K-5. A letter will come home the day your child receives their lesson. The Think First & Stay Safe™ program is a research-based program that teaches specific personal safety education by way of interactive classroom lessons, classroom posters, role playing and corresponding activities. Think First & Stay Safe™ enables students to take an active and necessary role in protecting themselves from abuse and exploitation. A committee of professional school counselors reviewed the program and selected components that were developmentally appropriate for elementary students and developed lessons around those concepts.
Family Engagement Tips
Instructional Resource Review Committee Applications Now Available
Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is inviting parents and community members to apply for the district’s Instructional Resources Review Committee (IRRC), a group charged with evaluating print and digital instructional resources. Feedback from the IRRC and teacher reviews will be considered in the selection of resources to pilot in the district. This year’s IRRC will convene on Feb. 22 at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center (ISC) located at 437 Old Peachtree Road, NW, in Suwanee. Instructional resources will be reviewed for courses in the areas of Health (grades K-9), Mathematics (grades K-5 and select High School courses), Career and Technical Education (select courses in grades 6-12), and Social Studies (select elective courses in grades 9-12). Learn more about the IRRC and complete the application online. The deadline to submit completed applications is January 24.
School Calendar for Next Year Approved and Released
Positive Interventions and Behavior Support (PBIS)
Will Your Child Be Withdrawing as a Student from Our School?
Recreational Spring Soccer Sign Up:
First Ever GCPS Relay for Life Car Show:
Camp Invention Is Coming Summer 2022
Berkeley Lake Elementary is a Georgia After School Program (GASP) School
T-Mobile Offering Cellular Plan for Gwinnett Families
Please note: For questions regarding the program, please contact
LeanStream support at info@leanstreamrp.com or 833-943-4463.
COVID 19 Help
Gwinnett County Substitute Teacher Incentive Plan
In Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), our people are our greatest resource, including our substitute teachers and the tremendous support they provide to our students, staff members, and schools. GCPS substitutes play a critical role in our students’ education, making a difference in the lives of children every day! Click here to learn more about the GCPS substitute teaching program.
Do You Have a Young Child at Home That is Not Yet in School? If so, Get Involved With Play to Learn.
We Collect Box Tops (Online)
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
- The Tutoring Center, Duluth, Ga.
- Barnes & Noble
- Chick-fil-A
- Mathnasium
- Publix at Tree Summit
- Ultra Baby LLC (Ultrasound and Photography)
Contact Us:
Berkeley Lake Elementary
4300 S. Berkeley Lake Rd.
Duluth, Georgia 30096
P: (770)446-0947
F: (770)582-7514