Berkeley Lake Elementary
August 13, 2021
Principal's Message
What a whirlwind week this has been! Having 781 students in the building takes some getting used to! We have been diligently adjusting processes with breakfast, lunch, and dismissal, as well as holding our first fire drill of the year.
Transportation is on everyone's mind, including mine. Unfortunately, a combination of a bus driver shortage and a large increase in the number of car riders this year is causing our dismissal to take longer than usual. All the schools in the Duluth cluster are experiencing similar issues, but it gets better every day. We also experienced fender benders in the car rider line as well as unsafe weather during dismissal, which further complicated matters. By the end of next week, we should have earlier and more consistent dismissal times. Thank you for your patience in the meantime.
One thing that continues to slow down our car rider line is when cars switch lanes. Parents, when you are placed in the inside lane or the outside lane by a staff member, it is critical that you stay in that lane all the way around the car rider loop. All parents should be displaying a PINK car rider hang tag by now. If you do not have yours, please check your child's bookbag or contact the school.
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
A Look Ahead...
Monday, August 16
- No events
Tuesday, August 17
- No events
Wednesday, August 18
- No events
Thursday, August 19
- 5:30pm Zoom Curriculum Night Pre-K and KG
- 6:15pm Zoom Curriculum Night 1st Grade
- 7:00pm Zoom Curriculum Night 2nd Grade
Friday, August 20
- 7:45am K-Kids Meeting
PTO News:
Papa John's Spirit Night!
We Collect Box Tops (Online)
PTO Membership and Donations:
Emailinfo@blespto.org if you have any questions.
More Spirit Wear is Coming Soon!
School News:
Curriculum Night Will be Thursday for Parents of Students in Grades 3, 4, and 5
Links will be sent out by teachers through Class Dojo closer to the event:
Thursday, August 26
- Zoom Curriculum Night 3rd Grade 5:30pm
- Zoom Curriculum Night 4th Grade 6:15pm
- Zoom Curriculum Night 5th Grade 7:00pm
Ice Cream Sales Started Today in the Cafeteria at Lunch Time
If You Need to Borrow Technology Equipment
The device will remain at school so the student can use it in the classroom until we have our first county-wide digital learning day on September 14th. Students will bring the devices home on September 13th and bring them back to school on September 15th.
AKS at Home Family Engagement Support
As part of GCPS family engagement initiative, we seek to empower parents with the tools to allow you to help your child a home. Our AKS at Home project provides math and language arts resources to support families of children in grades K-5. We invite you to click on this link and watch the 4-minute video that goes over AKS at Home and where to access it.
It's Time for K-Kids
Calling all 5th graders who may be interested in being a part of a service club. We help do things around the school to show our support of kids and teachers at school. We will meet one Friday a month in Mrs. Ashadele's room because she is the Faculty advisor. If you are interested, please pick up an application from your homeroom teacher or outside of the Mrs. Ashadele's room on her wall. All applications are due August 15, 2021. Our first meeting will be August 20, 2021. You will receive a letter on August 17 if you are chosen to be a K-Kid! We thank the Duluth Kiwanis Club for being our sponsor!
5th Grade Leadership
It is time to apply for 5th Grade Leadership positions! This week the counselors visited each 5th grade homeroom to talk about leadership and the opportunities we offer to 5th graders. Fifth grade students can apply to be Safety Patrols, Peer Mediators, and/or School Store workers. Each student was given a detailed packet and application that can help you make a decision about what might be a good fit for them and what commitment you can make as a family. The English packet can be found here and the Spanish packet can be found here. These positions are not guaranteed and positions will be given out to students who meet the criteria as space allows. Applications are due on Friday, August 20th. No late applications will be accepted.
FIRST LEGO League Robotics Club Competition Team Information
Will your child be in 4th or 5th grade this year?
Does your child love to build with Legos?
Is your child good at math and science?
Is your child interested in computer programming?
Does your child love a challenge?
Does your child get along well with your peers?
Does your child love to research and create?
If you answered yes to the above questions, then our Robotics Club sounds like a club for your child! If he/she is interested in applying to be on this competition team, please complete the application sent through School Messenger by Dr. Pendleton. Applications must be submitted by August 27th at 3:00 to be considered for this team. Please note that this team has less than 10 members.
Berkeley Lake Elementary is a Georgia After School Program (GASP) School
Positive Interventions and Behavior Support (PBIS)
Do You Have a Young Child at Home That is Not Yet in School? If so, Get Involved With Play to Learn.
From Our Counselors
Many of us face economic hardships at various times in our lives. Due to these hardships, we may need additional help with basic needs like food. At this time, Berkeley Lake Elementary can help by providing a small amount of groceries for your family each week. They will be sent home in your child’s backpack on Fridays. The food is provided by donation. Your name and your child’s name will not be revealed to the donor. The Berkeley Lake Staff will get the food to your child in a discrete manner.
To participate, please email one of us, call either school counselor, or Mrs. Orci (Spanish speaker) to request participation.
Please call us with any questions or concerns.
Lyndsay Murphy
School Counselor
School Counselor
770-582-7523
Laura Marantz
School Counselor
770-582-7522
Sandra Orci (Spanish)
Parent Liaison
678-291-4232
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
Contact Us:
Berkeley Lake Elementary
4300 S. Berkeley Lake Rd.
Duluth, Georgia 30096
P: (770)446-0947
F: (770)582-7514