Dear Families,
It has been another great week and Berkeley Lake Elementary! This week, I met with our School Council on Tuesday and families during our Coffee and Conversation time on Thursday. Both meetings allowed me learn more about our school community and how to continue to support our students. One suggestion that was shared was to offer another Coffee and Conversation over Zoom to include families that may not have been able to attend in person. I love that idea! I will be working on a day and time in the near future to offer another chance to connect. Be on the lookout for more details.
Another exciting event that happened this week was our BINGO night! I need to give a shout-out to our staff and PTO for coming together to create a fun night for all of our families. I loved seeing our students and meeting so many of you. Thank you for sharing your evening with us and congratulations to all of our winners. I also want to recognize Ms. Sosa, one of our first grade teachers, for coordinating the event. Thank you, Ms. Sosa!
Next week, our students will have an opportunity to choose a brand new book from the GCPS Book Mobile. It will be here during the day on Monday for students in third through fifth grade and back on Tuesday for students in pre-k, kindergarten, first, and second. There is always a variety of books to choose from and something for every student. I know our students are looking forward to it!
As always, I appreciate your continued support. My door is always open for feedback. Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Ashley Coughlin
1. GCPS Book Mobile Visit
Thanks to our successful Spring Book Fair, the GCPS Book Mobile will come visit our students at Berkeley Lake Elementary School next week! Every Berkeley Lake ES student who is present on the day of the event will get to take home one book from the Book Mobile!
March 20th: 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade students
Students must be present on that day to receive one free book during the event.
The Book Mobile will be parked in front of BLES in the bus lane during the event, so the bus lane will be closed to the public during this time.
We're excited to get books into the hands of our BLES students!
-Mrs. Norby and Mrs. Bingham
3. Title I Parent Workshop - Learn About Our English Learners Program
Please join us for a Title I English Learners workshop via Zoom at 5:00 PM. This workshop will help you better understand the English Learners (EL) program, ACCESS testing, as well as the level of support your child receives at school. Click here for the Zoom link.
This same workshop will be repeated in-person Wednesday, March 29th, at 10:00 AM in our Parent Center.
4. GCPS virtual spring Family-School Partnership Advisory Council (PAC)
GCPS families, you are invited to attend the PAC meeting on March 23 from 5:30 - 6:30PM.
Topics to be covered include:
- GCPS consolidated improvement plan
- Schoolwide programs (Title I, Part A)
- Supporting Effective Instruction (Title II, Part A)
- GCPS Family and Community Engagement Plan
- Esser III (American Rescue Plan ARR)
Please click here to view the flyers for this virtual meeting in different languages
and
5. 4-H Family Science Night:
The UGA Extension office in Gwinnett is having a 4-H Family Science Night on March 23, 2023 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at Rhodes Jordan Park Community Recreation Center in Lawrenceville for ages 5-12. Registration and payment per child is required for this event, adults are free.
Thank you for supporting 4-H and UGA Extension! Click here to see the flyer for this event.
PTO Update:
Cultural Arts Events: Thanks to your donations, the PTO was able
to fund these amazing cultural arts activities for our students this month.
- 3rd grade: Tattling Tales production, The Adventures of Hernando DeSoto (on March 23)
- 4th grade: Tattling Tales production, Buttons for General Washington: A Revolutionary War Story (on March 24)
- 5th grade: Georgia Ensemble Theatre - “And They Came For Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank” (on March 13)
- 2nd grade: Author and storyteller Carmen Agra Deedy. See a picture from her visit below.
Thank You For a Positivi-TEE Wonderful SEL Day
Last week our students and staff celebrated SEL Day on Friday by wearing t-shirts with positive messages. Click here to check out some of the photos from the day.
SEL in Action at BLES's Parent Center
The SEL Committee is promoting adult SEL skills and competencies with both Ms. Morgan and Mrs. Orci. Parents who attended English-Speaking classes were able to part take in professional learning and support to implement evidence based SEL practices and programs at home. Take a look at the photos below from our PD titled "SEL 101".
Swim Team Invitation
Looking for a fun summer activity for your kids? Come join the Berkeley Hills Barracudas Swim team. Registration is now open. Get a spot before they fill up. Contact Danielle Rankin at (404) 452-2134 or derankin73@gmail.com for more information or use the link here to visit the website.
March 28th (Tuesday), If Your Child Will be a 6th Grader Next Year
March 29th (Wednesday) - Repeat of Title I Parent Workshop About our English Learners Program
Berkeley Lake Parents,
Please join us for an in-person Title I English Leaners workshop on Wednesday, March 29th. This workshop will be a repeat of the Title I workshop held through Zoom on March 23rd. The purpose of this meeting is to help you better understand the English Learners (EL) program, ACCESS testing, as well as the level of support your child receives at school.
March 31 (Friday), Deadline to Register for the Gifted Parent Workshop
We are hosting a Gifted Parent Workshop for all parents that are curious about the identification process, talent development opportunities, and social emotional tips! The workshop is designed to help empower parents to effectively advocate for their children! Please click the link here to RSVP by March 31.
April 12th (Wednesday) if You Will You Have a Child in Kindergarten Next Year
Kindergarten registration for next school year will take place on April 12th. Click here or on the image below to see a PDF of documentation that needs to be brought to registration.
April 24th - May 12th, GMAS for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students
The end of year Georgia Milestones Assessment (GMAS) will take place the following dates and attendance on these dates will be important. Please do not schedule appointments or schedule out-of-town trips during this period if at all possible.
Click here for general information about the Georgia Milestones Assessment.
Through May 31: Survey Parents of Students Receiving Special Education Services
If your child is receiving special education services from GCPS, then the state is asking you to participate in a parent survey to measure parent/family perceptions of the success of parents engagement between home and local schools. The survey is now available and will run through May 31st. Click here to access the survey.
