Berkeley Lake ES
"Bear Essentials" Weekly e-Newsletter, December 11th, 2020
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
It was another great week at BLES! As we approach the end of the semester, I would like to encourage you to look at your child's grades in the parent portal. If you see the letters NTI, instead of a numerical or letter grade, this means that the assignment has not been turned in. The teachers have been working mightily, especially with digital students, to get these NTI's cleared but we need your help. Please reach out to your child's teacher with questions.
The Duluth Cluster Schools are hosting a food drive next week, and Berkeley Lake has been assigned FRUIT! If you have some spare cans of fruit that you can donate, please send them in with your child or drop them in the box located outside the front doors of the school. We will be accepting donations next Monday-Friday. Other non-perishable items are also welcome.
I hope you have a great weekend!
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
Important Reminder About Dropping Children Off in the Morning
End of first Semester
Next Week's Specials Rotation Schedule for Digital Learners
Digital Specials Rotation for the Week of Dec. 14th - 18th.
*All Specials classes are giving students the opportunity to take this last week of the semester to be able to catch up on any Specials assignments that are missing. There will be no new assignments for this week. Please check each one of your Specials classes and make sure that you have all the work turned in before the end of the week and before the report cards get printed. Thank you! Have a great Holiday!
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
Digital Students, don't forget to check out books to read over the Winter Break!
The LAST digital student book check outs and check ins before the Winter Break will be December 16th and December 17th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
If you still have books to return, please bring them to school during the digital student book check outs and check ins.
Thank You and Happy Reading!
Mrs. Norby - BLES Media Specialist
Fall retake picture day for digital learners
Attention digital learners if you want to retake your fall picture please open this link and follow the steps:
STEP 1- SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT
Please review the available appointment times below. Click on the Sign Up button to choose a slot. Click Submit and Sign Up at the bottom of the page.
STEP 2- ORDER YOUR PICTURES
Click on the following link to order the picture package and custom options you want
After placing your order, please print your order confirmation and bring it with you to your scheduled appointment!
Strawbridge Studios Inc. has a contactless COVID-19 picture day process. For more information, please visit our website at www.strawbridge.net
Join us to celebrate this season
We can't wait to have some fun!
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
PTO News and Information:
Today is the last chance for our fall/winter Spirit Wear pop-up store!
- This pop-up store closes today. If you have been longing for our long sleeve t-shirts and cozy sweatshirts, now is the time to get them. Ordering is super easy. You can go to the website and place your order there. The website is https://stores.inksoft.com/bearshop.
- Or, if your child is an in-person learner you have the option to send your order via the order form that will be sent home with your child in their backpack folders. If paying with the paper form, simply fill out the form and send both the form and payment to school with your child. Get yours today! Click here to print the order, fill it out and send it back to your child's teacher along with your payment.
It’s the season for giving and we’ve got valuable information for you!
- Give to our school just by shopping! Here are two ways: If you shop at Kroger, simply visit http://www.kroger.com. Once logged into your Kroger account, search for Berkeley Lake ES PTO, Inc. and click “Enroll”. New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card. Also, don’t forget AmazonSmile! Support BLES every time you shop with Amazon.com. On your first visit to AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), you need to select Berkeley Lake PTO as your charitable organization to receive donations before you begin shopping. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation.
The PTO helps you out each year by gathering the gift-giving preferences of our teachers and staff. Visit our site to find your teacher’s favorites!
GCPS District Information:
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.
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.
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.
The Salvation Army
Samaritan's Heart Foundation
A Look Ahead...
Saturday, December 12
9:00 AM Saturday School
Monday, December 14
Wear something that jingles
Tuesday, December 15
Wear something with a snowflake
Wednesday, December 16
Ugly Sweater day
12:30pm Play 2 Learn
03:15pm Picture Make-up Day- Digital learners
Thursday, December 17
Wear as much plaid as you can
8:30 Picture Make-up Day - In-Person learners
6:00 PTO executive board meeting
Friday, December 18
Pajama Day (school and weather appropriate)
End of first semester
Winter Break for Students begins December 21. Students return January 7th.
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