Bear Essentials, Jan. 7, 2022
Weekly eNews for Parents and BLES Families
Principal's Message
We were excited to welcome students back to school this week. I hope that everyone had a great winter break! Like everyone else, we are concerned about the Omicron variant and the possible spread of COVID in the community. It is critical that children wear masks that are well-fitting and keep their noses covered. Please help us by reminding your children of mask protocols and by reporting any COVID symptoms your child or others in the home may have.
If you have requested a Chromebook or hotspot for your child, we have sent these items home or asked you to come pick them up. Children who have a Chromebook checked out should take them home and return them each day, until further notice. We are doing this as a precaution in case the district makes a decision to switch to digital instruction. If that happens, you will receive communication from the district.
I have a Coffee Talk coming up next week on Thursday, January 13th, at 10:30. If you would like information on a particular topic, feel free to complete this form. I hope to see you soon!
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
Current Mask Guidance for 2nd Semester
The latest Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) report on community transmission indicates "High" transmission of COVID-19 in Gwinnett County. As a result, masks are required in all GCPS facilities as we return from Winter Break. Masks also are required on buses in compliance with federal mandates.
For the rest of the semester, families and staff will be notified via School Messenger each Monday afternoon about mask guidance for the rest of the week. Under the district’s current COVID-19 protocols, community transmission levels must be maintained at the "Moderate" or "Low" level for two consecutive weeks before district mask guidance transitions to “Strongly Recommended.” Click here for more on GCPS’ mask guidance.
In addition to masks, Gwinnett schools will continue to use a layered mitigation strategy (promoting vaccination for those who are eligible, continuing use of enhanced ventilation practices, promoting proper respiratory etiquette and encouraging regular handwashing, emphasizing the need for individuals to stay home if they are sick, continuing our Health Response Teams process, and continuing with cleaning and disinfecting practices in schools and on buses). These practices will help to promote healthy and safe practices for our students, staff, and visitors.
A Look Ahead...
Monday, January 10
- 3:00pm Chess Club- Media Center
Tuesday, January 11
- 10:00am BLES School Council meets
- 3:15pm Student Council in Ms. Sobh's room
Wednesday, January 12
- 12:30pm Play to Learn
- 3:15pm Green Team
Thursday, January 13
- 10:30am Coffee Talk with Dr. Pendleton
Friday, January 14
- No events
Monday, January 17
- Student/Teacher Holiday for Martin Luther King Jr.
Next Coffee Talk Session with Dr. Pendleton:
Next Student Council Meeting
School Calendar for Next Year Approved and Released
Report Cards for Semester 1
PTO News
- Spirit Wear- we are searching for a volunteer(s) to chair the Spirit Wear this year. We have local vendors we work with but are looking for someone to coordinate and help arrange the sales. If you would be interested in volunteering for this position, please contact us at info@blespto.org
- Yearbook - it’s not too late to order the yearbook, but the discounted price of $30 is now over. The price has gone up to $35.00. Orders must be placed by April 27, 2022. Click here to order one for your child today.
Think First and Stay Safe
The annual personal safety lessons designed to prevent sexual abuse will begin the week of January 10th and continue until counselors are able to deliver these lessons to all classes K-5. A letter will come home the day your child receives their lesson. The Think First & Stay Safe™ program is a research-based program that teaches specific personal safety education by way of interactive classroom lessons, classroom posters, role playing and corresponding activities. Think First & Stay Safe™ enables students to take an active and necessary role in protecting themselves from abuse and exploitation. A committee of professional school counselors reviewed the program and selected components that were developmentally appropriate for elementary students and developed lessons around those concepts.
K Kids:
The next meeting will be January 21, 2022 in Mrs. Ashadele's room. No need to arrive early, since we will start when the bell rings.
AKS at Home for 2nd Semester Begins January 25th!
As part of Gwinnett County Public Schools’ family engagement initiative, the school district seeks to empower parents with tools that allow them to help their children at home. Our AKS at Home project provides math and language arts resources to support families of children in grades K-5 so that they truly are partners in their children’s learning. This support is available for families to access in the format that suits them and their schedule best. They can attend live virtual meetings, view recorded information at a time that best fits their schedule, and gain tips and suggestions on how to best help their children through tip sheets on a wide variety of topics.
We invite our families to sign up for a virtual session to learn more about how they can support their children.
Tip Sheets and Recordings can be accessed by selecting the appropriate grade level. Recordings will be available at the end of each unit series.
- Language Arts: Tuesday, Feb. 1, 1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Register
- Math: Tuesday, Jan. 25, 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Register
- Language Arts: Tuesday, Feb. 1, 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Register
- Math: Tuesday, Jan. 25, 1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Register
- Language Arts: Thursday, Feb. 3, 1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Register
- Math: Thursday, Jan. 27, 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Register
- Language Arts: Thursday, Feb. 3, 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Register
- Math: Thursday, Jan. 27, 1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Register
- Language Arts: Wednesday, Feb. 2, 1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Register
- Math: Wednesday, Jan. 26, 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Register
Will Your Child Be Withdrawing as a Student from Our School?
Positive Interventions and Behavior Support (PBIS)
2022 Virtual Spring Enrichment Programs for Gifted and High Ability Students
First Ever GCPS Relay for Life Car Show:
Camp Invention Is Coming Summer 2022
Berkeley Lake Elementary is a Georgia After School Program (GASP) School
Family Engagement Tips
T-Mobile Offering Cellular Plan for Gwinnett Families
Please note: For questions regarding the program, please contact
LeanStream support at info@leanstreamrp.com or 833-943-4463.
COVID 19 Help
Gwinnett County Substitute Teacher Incentive Plan
In Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), our people are our greatest resource, including our substitute teachers and the tremendous support they provide to our students, staff members, and schools. GCPS substitutes play a critical role in our students’ education, making a difference in the lives of children every day! Click here to learn more about the GCPS substitute teaching program.
Do You Have a Young Child at Home That is Not Yet in School? If so, Get Involved With Play to Learn.
We Collect Box Tops (Online)
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.
Do You Have a MyPaymentsPlus Account?
Did You Know BLES is on Various Social Media Apps?
Opportunity for Discounted Portable WiFi Hotspot for Families
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!
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.
We Thank Our Business Partners
- The Tutoring Center, Duluth, Ga.
- Barnes & Noble
- Chick-fil-A
- Mathnasium
- Publix at Tree Summit
- Ultra Baby LLC (Ultrasound and Photography)
Contact Us:
Berkeley Lake Elementary
4300 S. Berkeley Lake Rd.
Duluth, Georgia 30096
P: (770)446-0947
F: (770)582-7514