Berkeley Lake ES
"Bear Essentials" Weekly e-Newsletter, October 23, 2020
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
It was a great week at BLES, and we appreciated the opportunity to hold conferences with many of you. If you did not attend a conference and wish to, please let your child's teachers know right away. We are always willing to find time to discuss your concerns.
I want to take a moment to thank our Parent Outreach Liaison, Ms. Sandra Orci, for her invaluable help in arranging translators for conferences. Ms. Orci was also very involved in a new program you can read about below, called AKS at Home. I urge you to take advantage of this opportunity to support your child with mastering the AKS. There is a phrase, "It takes a village," and we definitely need the support of our entire village to ensure that every child at BLES is learning at high levels.
I hope you have a great weekend!
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
Help Sessions for Parents - AKS at Home
As a new initiative this year, GCPS is offering help sessions to parents in nine week increments. These sessions are broken down by grade level and will cover things you can do at home to help your child better learn the required AKS for each nine week period. The sessions currently focus on Language Arts and Math, but in the future will also include Science and Social Studies. The meetings will be virtual and recorded. Please see the information and schedule below:
Where: Virtual meeting via Zoom, please visit the website provided to access
the zoom link: http://publish.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps/home/public/parents/content/general-info/aks-at-home/aks-at-home
Who: All Families of students in K - 5
Why: To learn an activity to help support your child at home in math and language arts
If you are unable to attend the meeting, you can find the parent tip sheet and a recording of the meeting on the county website:
The Plan/The Promise
Please go to My Payments Plus and sign off on the acknowledgement of this document. While you are logged into your account make sure that you have signed off on all of the school documents from the beginning of the year.
Specials Rotation Schedule for Digital Learners
1. In this newsletter- it will be updated each week
2. On the BLES website under the Announcements section
3. In eClass under My Courses > BLES Landing page
4. On each teacher's eClass course page under the round purple button labeled "Specials Rotation"
The Specials Rotation for Digital Learners for the Week of Oct. 26th- 30th will be:
- K-2nd: Art and Music
- 3rd-5th: Science and P.E.
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.
Parent Portal View Now Available on iPhones and Android
If you have a Parent Portal account, a mobile app is now available for use. The app is called "Synergy Parent" mobile app and can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Parents who have a parent portal account will be able to view schedules, grades, see when assignments are due, view graduation requirements, find missing assignments, and view other important student information. Remember, an active parent portal account is required to log in to ParentVUE. Need more information on getting a Parent Portal account? Click here.
Need more information on getting a Parent Portal account? Click here.
Picture Day is Coming
Mark your Calendars!
October 28th, 3:30-7:30 PM: Picture Day for Digital Learners. This will be by appointment only. Click here to sign up for a time slot. This sign up is for digital students only.
October 29th: Picture Day for Students attending in person
See the flyer below and visit https://strawbridge.fotomerchanthv.com/clients/berkeley-lake-elementary-school/fall-pictures-10-28-2020-20/optIn. This link will allow you to sign up to receive updates via email regarding your child's school portraits. These updates include promotions, additional deals, and the ability to order more pictures at a later time. When entering student information, parents should be sure to enter the student's name as it is on file at the school.
Making the Choice for Digital or In-Person Learning for Second Semester
Beginning October 28, Gwinnett parents and guardians will make a decision about how their children will learn during second semester. Like this semester, families may select either in-person instruction at their child’s school or digital learning at home. As students and families are more familiar with these two options and what they entail, the decisions families make will be for the entire semester.
The Spring Instructional Preference Questionnaire will be available in your Parent Portal account October 28 through 11:59 p.m. on November 15.
If you do not have a parent portal account, please go to the school district website for information or contact your local school to request one.
We will remind you on October 28 that the window for making your family’s decision regarding second semester is open.
The Book Fair is Coming
Our school's Scholastic Book Fair will be ONLINE this semester!
The dates for our school's book fair are October 26 - November 8. You will have two full weeks to shop from our Scholastic Book Fair online!
The link for our school's book fair is:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/berkeleylake
All in-person students should have received a Scholastic Book Fair Flyer to take a look at some of the books to purchase from the Book Fair online!
Digital students can pick up a Scholastic Book Fair Flyer during Digital Student Book Checkout days. Our next Digital Student Book Checkout is the week of October 26th on Wednesday and Thursday from 11 am - 2 pm.
We hope all of our in-person students, digital students and staff will be able to participate in our Online Book Fair! Please share our school's book fair link with your friends and family!
Niki Norby (Vanden Hoek)
Media Specialist
Book Check Outs for Digital Learners
The next week of Digital Student Book Check outs will be the Week of October 26th, 2020. Pick up will be every other week on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 am - 12:30 pm.
Start putting your books on Hold TODAY! 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
PTO News and Information:
- Join the PTO Board and BLES Counselors and Staff at Satisfeed: We’re volunteering October 31 and November 14 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. We are asking our PTO members to join us to help Duluth Cluster families get fresh food that many need so desperately during the pandemic. We still need 15 more people for both days. Click here to sign up. Location: Life Church International- 4830 River Green Parkway, Duluth GA. There is a need for 4-5 Spanish speakers each day. If you’d like to donate, visit www.satisfeed.org/donate.
- Charleston Wrap Fundraiser is back! Family, Friends, and Supporters of Berkeley Lake Elem School PTO, Now more than ever, YOU can make a difference! We are officially kicking off our fundraiser with Charleston Wrap® – and we need YOUR help! To reach our goals and make this fundraiser a success, we need everyone to do their part. Luckily, it’s super easy! We appreciate all of your support and encourage you to spread the word to your friends & family, near and far! The more people who shop, the more money we can raise for our organization! Together, we can ensure our organization reaches its goal – and even surpasses it! The fundraiser will run from October 20, 2020 - November 20, 2020. Thank you for your help! Berkeley Lake Elem School PTO.
Here’s how to help:
1. Please click here to register today! Use organization id number 11515 to register.
2. Send 10 unique and valid shopping email invites to your friends & family using our invite tool at registration.
3. Shop! With over 2,500 gift ideas, you can check-off your holiday gift-list and support our important cause, too.
PRO TIP: The more email invites you send, the more supporters we’ll get! So, break out your email contact list, share on social media, and help spread the word!
Will you take a few minutes and register now?
Questions about registration? Call CW Customer Support at 1-866-395-2926
A button to place an order can also be found on the BLES website.
Federal Programs Family-School Partnership Advisory Council
Promotion Requirements for This School Year:
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.
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.
Instructional Resource Public Review
Free Groceries Available to Those In Need
When: Fridays 3:00 - 4:00 PM and Saturdays 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Where: Friendship Baptist Church
3375 Church Lane, Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 497-8227
email: friendshipduluth@att.net
Pastor: Ronald L. Bowens
First Come, First Served
Positive Behavior and Intervention Support Theme for the Week:
PBIS Team:
Hello Parents,
We wanted to make sure you knew who made up our PBIS Team. Here is our team and their roles. Please know that we will be doing all we can to ensure there is a positive behavior climate at Berkeley Lake.
Mathnasium of Berkeley Lake
NEW: YMCA Now Offering After-School Care
As students are phasing back to in-person instruction, the YMCA has started afterschool care. The YMCA will pick up students from our school and transport them to the YMCA branch where they will serve them until 6:30 p.m. The cost is $60.00 per week for Y facility members and $80.00 per week for Y program members. We also offer different rates for part-time care and discounts for Gwinnett County educators. The YMCA has financial assistance available for families who may need additional help. Please see the flyer below for more information.
Help for the Holidays
Websites and Apps that Our Teachers and Students Use
Need Tech Help During Digital Learning?
- Check the BLES website for troubleshooting guides.
- If you are not able to resolve your problem with the help guides, reach out to your child's teacher.
- If the teacher is unable to help you resolve the issue, complete the form in the Technology Help section of the website and someone in Tech Support will get back to you.
GCPS' Return to Learning Hub
Click here for information, resources, how-to’s, and more related to Gwinnett County Public Schools’ plans for Fall 2020. No matter if you are learning digitally or plan to transition to in-person... this is your go-to source.
A Look Ahead...
Monday, October 26
Book Fair
Tuesday, October 27
Book Fair
Wednesday, October 28
Book Fair
12:30pm Play 2 Learn
3:30pm Digital Learners Picture Day- by Appt.
Thursday, October 29
Book Fair
Picture Day-In Person Students- Gym
Friday, October 30
Book Fair
Monday, November 2
Book Fair
Tuesday, November 3
No school, Election Day
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