Berkeley Lake ES
"Bear Essentials" Weekly e-Newsletter, October 7, 2020
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
I hope that you have a wonderful Fall Break!
If you have children returning for in-person instruction next Tuesday, please make sure you have turned in transportation forms, clinic cards, and that your child comes with a mask. If your child will be a car rider, please make sure you have filled out this online application, which is also available on our website under the Announcements section.
Enjoy the break!
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
Sign Up for Parent-Teacher Conferences
The link for you to sign up for virtual parent-teacher conferences though Zoom went live on our website this morning. Conferences are for both in-person and digital-learning students. We encourage you to sign up for a conference, so you can be updated on your child's progress during this first two months of school.
Keep in mind that students will be released from school at noon on both Wednesday, October 21st, and Thursday, October 22nd of conference week. Please be thinking ahead about afternoon transportation and after school arrangements for your child on those two days.
If you need help scheduling a conference, please reach out to your child's teacher or our parent liason, Sandra Orci at Sandra.Orci@gcpsk12.org or call her at 678-291-4232.
Instructional Resource Public Review
Robotics Club Application Deadline for 4th and 5th Grade Students
This is a reminder that applications for the Robotics Club must be submitted by next Tuesday, October 13th. This club is for 4th and 5th grade students only.
Click Here for the application
Upcoming Parent Workshop Opportunity
Remember that next Thursday, October 15, from 6:30 - 7:30 PM, our counselors will host a Zoom session for parents on the topic of Parenting During a Pandemic: Helping Children Cope and Thrive.
In this workshop, the counselors will discuss remote learning, wearing masks, discussing COVID-19 with children, and more. Join them for a conversation about the impact these issues have on emotional and behavioral health, and how to help children during this challenging time.
Please note that Spanish interpretation will also be provided for this workshop.
The Zoom link will be sent out privately closer to the date.
Book Check Outs for Digital Learners
This is a reminder that digital student book check-outs will begin next week, October 12th. Book pick-up will be every other week on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm.
Start putting your books on Hold TODAY! Click on the document below this section for directions in English (page 1) and Spanish (page 2).
For video instructions on how to put your books on Hold, please visit the BLES Media eClass page here, using your child's eClass log in.
Thank You and Happy Reading!
Gather for Good Coming Up on October 13th
Please save the date for a fundraiser for the BLES Care Team! The Care Team raises money to directly help BLES families with "hurdle help" for unmet economic needs. Liz Seymour with Noonday will be donating the entire commission to our Care Team for this event. Noonday Collection aims to make a difference in the world by partnering with artisans in some of the world's most vulnerable communities. In purchasing beautiful fair trade jewelry and accessories, you not only provide dignified jobs to those who need them, but in this instance you also support our BLES families.
Stay tuned for information on the Zoom Link for the live trunk show on Tuesday, October 13th at 8:00pm, which will offer chances for a prize drawing. Ready to shop now? Use this link to support our BLES Care Team and spread the word! If you have questions about this fundraiser, please reach out to Ms. Lyndsay Murphy at lyndsay.murphy@gcpsk12.org.
NEW: YMCA Now Offering After-School Care
As students are phasing back to in-person instruction, the YMCA has started afterschool care. The YMCA will pick up students from our school and transport them to the YMCA branch where they will serve them until 6:30 p.m. The cost is $60.00 per week for Y facility members and $80.00 per week for Y program members. We also offer different rates for part-time care and discounts for Gwinnett County educators. The YMCA has financial assistance available for families who may need additional help. Please see the flyer below for more information.
NEW: Free Groceries Available to Those In Need
When: Fridays 3:00 - 4:00 PM and Saturdays 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Where: Friendship Baptist Church
3375 Church Lane, Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 497-8227
email: friendshipduluth@att.net
Pastor: Ronald L. Bowens
First Come, First Served
PTO News and Information:
- Spirit Wear Pick Up Day Oct. 14: Spirit wear items purchased at the September pop up store will be available for pick up on Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. in front of the school. If you have a conflict with that time, contact us at info@blespto.org so we can make other arrangements.
- Fall fundraiser coordinator needed: With the cancellation of the annual Turkey Trot, we really need someone to run a fall fundraiser. We have several virtual ideas that provide a lot of assistance from the fundraising companies. Please let us know if you’re interested: info@blespto.org.
The Book Fair is Coming
Our school's Scholastic Book Fair will be ONLINE this semester!
The dates for our school's book fair will be Monday, October 26th - Sunday, November 8th
There will be more information to come!
We hope all of our in-person students, digital students and staff will be able to participate in this Online Book Fair!
Special Areas Are Taking Grades and They Count
The Special Areas teachers for Art, Music, P.E., and Science would like to remind you that we provide digital lessons on our eClass pages for students learning from home. We all work very hard to help your child learn the Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) for Gwinnett County students in each of these specials. The expectation is that the students will complete those assignments and submit them through eClass to the Special Areas teachers. Students will receive grades (E, S, N, U) on their report cards for these classes. Assignments that are not turned in/submitted will receive an "NTI" (Not Turned In) in our gradebook. The "NTI" will become a zero in the gradebook and will drop the overall grade. Please help us support your child's learning by encouraging them to complete the digital assignments if they are learning from home.
Websites and Apps that Our Teachers and Students Use
Weekend Food Program
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 Thursdays, or if you child is a digital learner; you can pick the food up at school during school lunch pick-up. 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, or you can pick-up the food between 10:30-12:30 each Thursday.
To participate, please email or call one of the counselors below or Mrs. Orci (Spanish speaker) to request participation.
If you would like to participate, and your child is a digital learner, but you cannot pick-up the food from school between 10:30-12:30, please let us know. We will see what other ways we can help.
Please call us with any questions or concerns.
Lyndsay Murphy
lyndsay.murphy@gcpsk12.org
School Counselor
770-582-7523
Laura Marantz
laura.marantz@gcpsk12.org
School Counselor
770-582-7522
Sandra Orci (Spanish)
sandra.orci@gcpsk12.org
Parent Liaison
678-291-4232
Positive Behavior and Intervention Support Theme for the Week:
PBIS Team:
Hello Parents,
We wanted to make sure you knew who made up our PBIS Team. Here is our Team and their roles. Please know that we will be doing all we can to ensure there is a Positive Behavior Climate at Berkeley Lake.
GCPS Virtual Substitute Job Fairs
Gwinnett County Public Schools is hiring individuals with two or more years of college to work as part of our substitute team! This involves going out to local schools and providing instruction through an in-person, digital, or hybrid format – you get to choose the assignments that you accept and determine your own schedule! Daily rates range from $98/day to $120/day.
Help for the Holidays
Need Tech Help During Digital Learning?
- Check the BLES website for troubleshooting guides.
- If you are not able to resolve your problem with the help guides, reach out to your child's teacher.
- If the teacher is unable to help you resolve the issue, complete the form in the Technology Help section of the website and someone in Tech Support will get back to you.
GCPS' Return to Learning Hub
Click here for information, resources, how-to’s, and more related to Gwinnett County Public Schools’ plans for Fall 2020. No matter if you are learning digitally or plan to transition to in-person... this is your go-to source.
Georgia Covid19 Emotional Support Resources:
A Look Ahead...
Thursday, October 8
Parents can sign up for parent-teacher conferences using the link on the BLES website
Fall Break Student/Teacher Holiday
Friday, October 9
Parents can sign up for parent-teacher conferences using the link on the BLES website
Fall Break Student/Teacher Holiday
Monday, October 12
Parents can sign up for parent-teacher conferences using the link on the BLES website
Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day
Tuesday, October 13
Second Nine Weeks Begins
Robotics Club application deadline
Deadline to sign up for parent teacher conferences using link on website
Wednesday, October 14
12:30pm Play 2 Learn
Thursday, October 15
6:30pm Parent Workshop- Parenting During a Pandemic: Helping Children Cope and Thrive
Monday, October 19
Unity Anti-Bullying Week
Parent Teach Conference Week
Wednesday, October 21
Early Release for students at 12:00
Unity Day (Wear Orange)
12:30pm Play 2 Learn
1:00pm Parent Preview- Child Lures-Abuse Prevention
Thursday, October 22
Early Release for students 12:00
1:00pm Parent Preview- Child Lures-Abuse Prevention
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