Berkeley Lake ES
"Bear Essentials" Weekly e-Newsletter, December 18th, 2020
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
I hope that you and your family have a safe and festive winter break! Thank you for all your support and patience during this very unusual first semester. Please remember, if your child is returning to in-person instruction in January, that you need to visit the front office to fill out a clinic card and transportation form. If you plan to be a car rider, here is the application to get a tag: Car Rider Application
Again, I hope you have a great break and we will see you in 2021!
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
Important Reminder About Dropping Children Off in the Morning
Specials Rotation Schedule for Digital Learners
Digital Specials Rotation for the Week of January 7th - 10th
All grades please go to the Special of your choice for a special activity. We will get back to normal rotation the following week.
Please remember that the Special Area teachers are taking grades and they do count. You can see your child's progress in your parent portal under the Grades section.
Book Check Outs for Digital Learners
Click on the link below to see more details about Digital Student Book Checkout Procedures.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ay9krj0rByRrDmowyr7tRRTJJpUK2Hv9ZW8279vbeC0/edit?usp=sharing
For video instructions on how to put your books on Hold, please visit the BLES Media eClass page: https://instruction.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/d2l/home/1736615
Thank You and Happy Reading!
Mrs. Norby - BLES Media Specialist
Positive Behavior and Intervention Support Theme for the Week:
BLES Food Pantry
Many of us are facing difficult financial challenges right now. Our BLES community is here to care and support each other. One way we can do this is to share our Care Team pantry. Our PTO and community members have well stocked the pantry and any BLES family can have access to it. Please call a school counselor or our parent liaison for access.
Lyndsay Murphy, School Counselor (K,2,4), 770-582-7523
Laura Marantz, School Counselor (1.3.5), 770-582-7522
Sandra Orci, Parent Liaison (Spanish), 678-291-4232
GCPS District Information:
Imagine Learning - Usage Contest!
You don't need to register! You just need to use Imagine Learning during the break!
A parent resource guide provided by GCPS School social workers
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.
2020-2021 GCPS Promotion Criteria for Elementary Students:
Other Items:
Teach your child how to tie their shoes!
Looking for a project over the winter break? Teach your child how to tie their shoes!
Each child is ready to learn to tie their shoes at different times. There is no universal age, but if your child is interested and has the manual dexterity, here are some articles and videos that can help.
Click on this link to watch how to teach kids to tie their shoes
Link to an instructional video to teach kids to tie their shoes
Gwinnett Stripers Power of Reading Program
Earn a free ticket to a 2021 Gwinnett Stripers Baseball Game!
From now until December 31st this year, any student that reads four books and submits everything online through the link below will be eligible to receive a free ticket to a 2021 Gwinnett Stripers game. These books can be any books that the students are required to read for school or separate from their required reading at school. Once the student has completed the reading they just simply need their parents to fill out the online submission form at this link: https://www.milb.com/gwinnett/community/reading-challenge and then email the titles and authors of the books to the email listed on the page. Once those requirements are met, the student will be eligible to receive the ticket to a 2021 Stripers game. Plus, the Stripers and Georgia Power will be honoring a Power Reader of the Month on our social media platforms that students could be eligible for as well.
A message from State Superintendent of Education Richard Woods - FoodFinder
With the holiday break approaching, we know some students may face food insecurity while away from school buildings. FoodFinder is a mobile and web app created by a graduate of Georgia public schools that allows families to find food distribution sites (including food pantries, drive-through distributions, and school meal providers) based on their location. See the flyer attached and pass along the resource if you think you know someone who could use FoodFinder this holiday season and beyond!
The Empty Stocking Fund Offers Help for the Holidays
Many of us are facing difficult economic times. The Empty Stocking Fund is a resource that may help. This program provides gifts for children under 12 if you are found eligible. The site is in Spanish and English. Please apply soon, as spots fill up.
Humanity First - Free food
The Berean Christian Church Gwinnett COVID Assistance Program
The Berean Christian Church Gwinnett COVID Assistance Program is available to Gwinnett County residents ONLY. Funds may be used to cover past due rent, utilities, and move-in deposits as a result of impending eviction. We also have a food program for those in need of food every 2 weeks.
A Look Ahead...
December 21st - January 7th
Winter Break
Tuesday, January 5th
Staff Development/Planning Day
No School for students
Wednesday, January 6th
Staff Development/Planning Day
No School for students
Thursday, January 7th
Students return
Monday, January 11, 2021
8:30am Fire Drill
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
12:30pm Play 2 Learn
Thursday, January 14, 2021
9:00am Coffee Talk with Dr. Pendleton (English)
10:30am Coffee Talk with Dr. Pendleton (Spanish)
Monday, January 18, 2021
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Summer Camps
Camp Invention - Recharge At-home
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