Berkeley Lake ES
"Bear Essentials" Weekly e-Newsletter, February 7, 2020
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
What an amazing night we had on Thursday evening during Literacy Night! For the first time in some years, we made this a stand-alone event in order to highlight the importance of reading and writing in our school. We have amazing teachers and programs such as Reading Recovery, Imagine Learning, and our Early Intervention Program to support students in learning to read and write. Parents are also a critical piece in children learning to read so I encourage you, and thank you, for every minute that you spend reading to and with your children.
Equally important to teaching children to read is teaching children to love reading. This is definitely an area where you, as parents, can make a huge difference. Some of my earliest memories are of watching my grandmother devour books, newspapers and magazines. I wanted more than anything to do that cool thing that she was doing and, eventually, I also became an avid reader. Nothing has enriched my life more that the love of books. Whether you love to read or not, I encourage you to look for ways to instill a love in reading in your home. Trips to the library, reading together, and carving our quiet time in your child's day to enjoy a book are some of the greatest gifts you can give to your child and it is never too late to start! If you need ideas or encouragement in this area, please reach out to our Parent Outreach Liaison, Ms. Sandra Orci or me. We are happy to help.
I hope you have a great weekend, enjoying family and friends!
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
This Weekend Will Be Your Last Chance to Sign Up Online for Parent Teacher Conferences
If you will need an interpreter to be present at the conference, please let your child's teacher know using the "Special Notes" section of the online scheduler or by sending an email or handwritten note to your child's teacher.
If you need support in signing up, please reach out to our parent liaison, Sandra Orci, at 678-291-4232 or visit our Parent Center, located across from the check in desk in the lobby.
Thank You
Erica Rico
Chad Armstrong
Armando Olvera
National School Counseling Week
Please know that our counselors are available to you. Here are some times when you may need to reach out to them:
When your student is having difficulty achieving academically.
When family changes interfere with academic progress.
When you want to become more involved in your student’s educational and career choices.
When you need help to interpret tests and school records and track school progress.
When you want to discover available community resources and agencies for your student or your family.
Grades 1, 3, 5 Counselor
Mrs. Sara Penland
770-582-7523
Grades K, 2, 4 Counselor
Mrs. Laura Marantz
770 582-7522
The Book Fair is Here!
It's the most exciting time of the year in the media center - Book Fair Time! The Spring Book Fair is here until noon on February 13. Students can shop the fair during the school day from February 7th until noon on February 13. Want a convenient way to send in book fair money? Go Cash Free! Visit our book fair homepage to sign up for eWallet: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/berkeleylake
Parents and community members, we need some volunteer help for the Book Fair. Please sign-up to assist students with book selection and check out. Thank you for volunteering! Book Fair Volunteer Sign-up
K-Kids Club News
Attendance Matters:
Positive Behavior Focus:
Good Behavior Winners in our Cafeteria:
PTO News
- Please remember if you are shopping online at Amazon, to sign up or shop on Amazon Smile instead. It is the same site, but our school gets a percentage of the profit.
- We need your photos for the yearbook! Make our yearbook a memorable one with your favorite pictures from school events throughout this year. Here are the instructions to upload pictures you've taken: http://www.blespto.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/YearbookPhotoUpLoadInstructions.pdf (Spanish) http://www.blespto.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Photos-spanish.pdf.
- Our next Spirit Night will be Tuesday, February 18th, from 5:30 - 7:30 at Chick-Fil-A (the Peachtree Industrial & Pleasant Hill location)
GCPS - District News You Can Use
Join the Substitute Teaching Team
Gwinnett Online Campus (GOC) Registration Information
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.
Spring Milestones Schedule Released - 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students
Gwinnett Library February Events
A Look Ahead...
Monday, February 10
7:45am K-Kids Meeting in Mrs. Ashadele's room (change from usual location)
9:00 - 2:00 Book Fair
2:45pm Orchestra Club
3:00pm Chess club - Media Center
3:15pm Student Council Meeting - Mrs. Houser's Room
Tuesday, February 11
7:00am I.T. Girls
7:30am PTO Board Meeting
9:00 - 2:00 Book Fair
9:00am Advanced English Class
3:00pm Green Team
3:15pm Drama Club in room 3.124
Wednesday, February 12
7:15am Art Club
9:00am Beginner English Class
9:00 - 2:00 Book Fair
3:00pm Soccer Club
Thursday, February 13
7:00am Chorus Club Semester 2
9:00 - 12:00 Book Fair (will close at noon)
3:00pm Good News Club (Media Center)
Friday, February 14
Student/Teacher Holiday
Monday, February 17
President's Day - Student Holiday/Teacher Workday
Save the Date! Open House/Meet Your Teacher Day for the 2020-2021 School Year
Meet Your Teacher Day for the 2020-2021 school year will take place on Friday, July 31st. Normally, Meet Your Teacher Day falls on the first Thursday in August, but since school is set to start on August 5th next year, the date was moved up.
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!
We Are On Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
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