Berkeley Lake Elementary
"Bear Essentials" Weekly e-Newsletter, August 30, 2019
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
It's hard to believe that we are coming up on one month of school in the books! The students are doing such a nice job of following our PBIS expectations and settling into classroom routines.
I am happy to report that we met the enrollment projection set by the County and we currently have 827 students enrolled. After Labor Day, we anticipate earning some additional personnel points, which will be used to hire two instructional clerks to support our Kindergarten teachers and Media Center. If you or someone you know is interested in one of these positions, please let me know. The hours will be 8:30-12:30 each day.
We are also looking for a cafeteria monitor. These hours are 10:15-1:15 each day and the pay is $10.00 per hour.
I hope your calendars are marked for our Grandparents' Day Luncheon next Friday! Grandparents are encouraged to eat lunch during their student's normal lunch time and to allow extra time to park and check in the school. Grade level lunch times are listed below.
Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend and remember that there is no school on Monday!
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
Important Testing Dates Coming Up
Chorus Club Applications Now Due for 4th & 5th Graders
Parent Technology Workshop
Do you want to know how to navigate thru the parent portal?
Do you want to make payments to the school but don’t have time to go to BLES?
Do you want to help your kids navigate into my eClass?
Do you need to create an email but you don’t know how to use it?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then you will want to attend the workshop shown in the image below! This workshop has been designed specifically for our parents and it will be a hands on experience, so you can feel comfortable when using all these tools.
Please see the flyer image below to have more information:
Field Days
We will need adult volunteers to help out, so please mark the dates below on your personal calendars and let our PE teacher, Renee Birozes, know if she can't count on your help.
Wednesday, October 2nd: Kindergarten and 1st grades
Thursday, October 3rd: 2nd and 3rd grades
Friday, October 4th: 4th and 5th Grades
Also, field day t-shirts will be for sale this year. Be on the lookout in Friday folders for the cute design logo and order information. You can also see the design logo below.
Exact field day times will be shared soon.
Art Club (4th and 5th Grade Students Only)
Art Club is available for any 4th or 5th grade students, and is limited to 25 students. Art Club applications will come home today, August 30th, in Friday folders. Students will return applications to a folder on the Art room door no later than Friday, Sept 6th. The club roster will be posted on Friday, Sept. 13th and the first meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 18th.
If Your Child Attends an After School Club
Please remember all after school club students should be picked up at the from entrance of the school. Parents do not need to enter the building but can just meet students at the door at the agreed time. Thank you.
Saturday Intervention Class
There will be no Saturday Intervention Class this weekend, due to the Labor Day Holiday. The next class will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7th. Students should arrive at 8:45 and class will begin promptly at 9:00. If you have any questions about it, please contact Sophia Barton.
Thank You to the Following Parents for Volunteering in the Lunchroom this Week:
- Jin Kim
- Erika Rico
- Anita Liu
- Lauren Walker
- Jennifer Powell Diallo
- Elizabeth Cisneros
K-Kids Still Accepting Applications from 5th Graders
Positive Behavior Focus for this Week:
PTO News:
Our budget is now posted on our blespto.org website. We look forward to seeing all of you at this semester’s upcoming events:
- Charleston Wrap – Watch for information coming home in your student’s backpack.
- Grandparent Day Photos – See our information table at the luncheon on Friday, Sept. 6
- Spirit Nights – There will be at least one per month.
- Field Day – New! Field Days are in October.
- Turkey Trot – Nov. 9
- Candlelight Luncheons – Look for more information soon. Plan for Dec. 11, 12 and 13
If you’d like information about yearbooks, spirit wear, donations and more, visit BLES pto.org or see us at most school events.
PTO Spirit Night:
Our next spirit night is Monday, Sept. 16, at the California Pizza Kitchen at the Forum. Let’s show up in our proudest BLES purple and have a “purple out” at CPK!
Yearbook reminder:
Yearbooks are discounted through the end of September! See treering.com for ordering instructions.
Gwinnett Public Library News
Linked below you will find the activity calendars for the month of September from the Gwinnett Public Library. This public service provides our communities with a wealth of resources for all ages. Please, encourage your families to take advantage of these free opportunities.
Examples of library sponsored activities:
- Homework Help
- STEAM Squad
- Family Storytime
- Hispanic Heritage Storytime Event
- SAT Prep
- Chess Club
- Adulting 101
- Fortnite Friday
- Mobile Career Bus
- English in your Language
- Social Security Pre-Retirement Program
- Computer Basics
Click here to view September kid programs
A Look Ahead...
Saturday, August 30
No Saturday Intervention class due to holiday weekend
Monday, September 2
No school. Labor Day Holiday
Tuesday, September 3
9:00am Advanced English Class
3:00pm Green Team
3:15pm Drama Club in Media Center-1st Class Semester 1
6:00pm Girl Scout Information Meeting
Wednesday, September 4
9:00am Beginning English Class
3:00pm Soccer Club
Thursday, September 5
7:00am Chorus Club Semester 1
3:00pm Robotics Club
3:15pm Club Invention
Friday, September 6
PTO Charleston Wrap Fall Fundraiser kicks off
Grandparents Day Luncheon
Saturday, September 7
PTO Charleston Wrap Fall Fundraiser
9:00am Saturday Intervention - students should arrive at 8:45
Sunday, September 8
PTO Charleston Wrap Fall Fundraiser
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
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.