Berkeley Lake Elementary
"Bear Essentials" Weekly e-Newsletter, November 1, 2019
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
I am excited to announce that our state College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores have been released, and we made gains in several key areas. We are again one of the top Title I schools in GCPS and #26 out of 84 elementary schools. I will be going over the CCRPI report, along with other school data at our next School Council meeting on November 14th at 4:00-5:30. Anyone who would like to sit in on that meeting is welcome to join in. I will also have this information available at my next Coffee Talk on December 5th at 9:00 AM.
Just a reminder, you have been asked to complete two surveys, one is paper and the other is online. Please complete both, as one is for the state and the other for the district and they are different. The link to the online survey is https://gshs.gadoe.org/parents and this survey can be taken in English or Spanish.
A few mentions related to afternoon routines:
1. The latest time to check out your child at the front desk is 2:15 pm. You will need to show your picture ID. Make sure that if you send another adult to pick the student up, he or she is authorized in our records to do so.
2. If your student is a car rider, please remember that the Car Riders door closes at 3:00 pm. Be sure to arrive prior to that time to pick your student up. Dismissal begins at 2:45, so you should be in the car rider line around that time. Thank you.
Thank you to everyone who attended a parent-teacher conference. We love sharing all that your children are learning and taking the opportunity to partner with you.
Enjoy the weekend. Don't forget Daylight Savings time will change on Nov. 3rd, so remember to set your clocks back an hour.
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
Unity Week Wrap-Up
Thank You to the Following Recent Lunchroom Monitor Parent Volunteers:
- Cathy Valerio
- Mary Rosario
- Jeannie Nguy
- Ninoska Gonzalez
- Dominique Cook
Congratulations to Our 2019 Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition Grade Level Winners:
Kindergarten: Harmony White, Ms. Lim's class
1st Grade: No entries were submitted
2nd Grade: Bryan White, Ms. Walsh's class
3rd Grade: Nick Canel, Ms. Bell's class
4th Grade: Audrey Boakye, Ms. Lee's class
5th Grade: Lorenzo Johnson, Ms. West's class
Our Berkeley Lake Elementary winning entries will be submitted to participate in the district level Young Georgia Authors Writing Contest. The district level winner from each grade will be announced the week of February 11th. Good luck in the district level competition to all our BLES grade level winners!
See our winners below.
Make-Up Picture Day
Saturday Intervention Classes
The Fall Session 2 Saturday Intervention Saturday classes have begun. The dates for the rest of this session's classes are shown below. This is for invited students only. Students should arrive at 8:45 AM and class will begin promptly at 9:00 AM.
- November 2
- November 9
Personal Safety Lessons Counselors Will Be Presenting to the Students
We all share a common goal for our children to be safe and protected from all things harmful. Related to that goal, school counselors are required to present annual personal safety lessons designed to prevent sexual abuse. 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.
The materials were available for preview during parent teacher conferences, but due to the importance of this program, the materials will be available for preview again by appointment with your child’s school counselor.
School counselors will offer the sexual abuse prevention and safety lessons to all students in kindergarten through fifth grade beginning November 4, 2019.
Laura Marantz, Ed. S.
770-582-7522
Counselor for Students in Kindergarten, Second, and Fourth Grades
Sara Penland, M. Ed.
770-582-7523
Counselor for Students in the First, Third, and Fifth Grades
Thanksgiving Grocery Giveaway Will Take Place Saturday, November 23, 11:00-1:00
Many of us are facing economic hardships and may need help during holidays. A local church has a program that is a fun family event and provides help for Thanksgiving.
At the event you will receive a grocery bag of food for your family, a delicious sit-down lunch, and warming items like gloves, hats or blankets for the children! You can also have a family portrait taken by a professional photographer! All Free!!!!!!! The whole family is invited and encouraged to attend, but you must register ahead of time for the event.
To Register:
Please complete the form that came home in last week's Friday folder and return to Laura Marantz or Sara Penland. To register in Spanish, call Sandra Orci at 678-291-4232. Spots are limited. Respond ASAP! Transportation assistance may be possible if request is made by November 8.
Our School's Website Will Be Changing
Parents, We REALLY Need Your Help
A paper copy of an RBES survey was sent home with your child recently. This is a Gwinnett County Public Schools survey, and we hope every family will complete the survey and return it to school if you have not already.
The other survey you have been asked to take is the Georgia School Health Survey. This state survey can be taken anywhere online but so far only 48 of our parents have taken the survey. This survey is anonymous and can be taken in English or Spanish. Here is the link to the state survey: https://gshs.gadoe.org/parents
K-Kids Club
The next K-Kids Meeting will take place on Monday morning, November 4th, in the BLES Media Center. Students should arrive no earlier than 7:45. We will be making signs for the BLES Turkey Trot and Pancake Breakfast.
PTO News
Thank You For Your Food Donations
Spirit Night
Our November spirit night event will be held at Zaxby’s on Peachtree Industrial Blvd on Tuesday, November 19, from 5-9 p.m.
Our December Spirit Night will be held at Chipotle on December 9th.
Turkey Trot & K-Kids Pancake Breakfast - Saturday, November 9th
There is still time to register for the 4-mile run at 7:30 a.m. or the 1.5-mile fun run at 8:15 a.m. The pancake breakfast immediately follows the races.. Registration forms are at the school and or register at active.com under BLES Turkey Trot.
Charleston Wrap Orders Are On the Way
Raise Money for BLES While Doing Your Holiday Shopping on Amazon
Positive Behavior Focus for this Week:
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.
As our teachers begin to prepare for the possibility of Digital Learning Days this year, it is important for them to know about devices and internet available to your student at home. A letter will be sent home in Friday folders in the next week or two to gather more information on whether or not internet & devices are available to your student at home. Please complete the questions at the bottom of the letters and return to your child's teacher so we can begin to plan for the possibility of Digital Learning Days in the future.
Spring Milestones Schedule Released - 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students
Home Run Derby Event Tomorrow
On behalf of The Salvation Army of Gwinnett County, we would like to invite all local families to our FREE inaugural Home Run Derby event on Saturday, November 2 at the Gwinnett Stripers Coolray Field. This event will feature former Atlanta Braves Mark DeRosa, Nick Green, Mark Wohlers, and Gwinnett County High School talent.
There will be giveaways to the first 2,500 people, bouncy houses, live music, selfies with Santa, face painting, and other amazing entertainment including local sports mascots. There will also be a silent auction with Atlanta Braves players’ signed memorabilia, game used equipment, and sports equipment. Join us for a fun day!
Gates Open: 12:30pm
Event Begins: 2:00pm
Event Website: www.SalvationArmyHomeRunDerby.com
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/393160368020385/
Thank you so much!
The Salvation Army of Gwinnett County
A Look Ahead...
Saturday, November 2
9:00am Saturday Intervention class (students should arrive at 8:45)
Note: Sometime during this week our school will join all Gwinnett County schools in a state-wide severe weather drill.
Monday, November 4
7:45am K-Kids Mtg (Media Center)
2:45pm Orchestra Club
3:00pm Chess club - Media Center
3:15pm Student Council Meeting - Houser's Room
Tuesday, November 5
High Touch High Tech - Kindergarten
7:00am IT Girls
9:00am Advanced English Class
10:00am Fire Truck Visit for PreK
3:00pm Green Team
3:15pm Drama Club in room 3.124
6:30pm Girl Scouts Sign up- Cafeteria
Wednesday, November 6
High Touch High Tech -Kindergarten
7:15am Art Club
9:00am Beginner English Class
Thursday, November 7
7:00am Chorus Club Semester 1
3:00pm Good News Club (Media Center)
3:00pm Robotics Club
5:30pm Counselors Advisory Council Meeting-Conference Room
Friday, November 8
Make-up Picture Day PL Room
8:45am Spelling Bee
9:30am 2nd Grade to Stone Mountain
Saturday, November 9
7:00am Turkey Trot and Pancake Breakfast - the 4-mile run will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the 1.5-mile fun run will begin at 8:15 a.m. Pancake breakfast to follow immediately after the races.
9:00am Saturday Intervention Program-Arrive 8:45
Monday, November 11
2:45pm Orchestra Club
3:00pm Chess club - Media Center
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