Berkeley Lake ES
"Bear Essentials" Weekly e-Newsletter, April 30, 2021
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
Third grade GMAS testing is complete! Fourth graders will begin testing on Monday, so make sure they get a good night's sleep and come to school on time.
I just want to remind everyone that unless you opted out, your child is automatically enrolled as an in-person student for next school year. If you intend for your child to be a digital learner, and you are not sure if you opted out, please call the school office.
Big things are coming this summer! Thanks to generous federal funding, we are able to offer a Summer Enrichment and Acceleration program from June 14 - July 2 for students in all grades, including our rising kindergarteners. If your child is recommended for this program, we will be sending more information to you in the next week. Please be on the lookout in your child's bookbag and your email. Space is limited, but we will include as many students as we possibly can.
If you or someone you know has a child who will be five by September 1, please register them for kindergarten and call the school to set up an appointment for kindergarten readiness screening. You can also let us know then if you wish for your child to attend the summer program.
Finally, we will have one final Coffee Talk on next Thursday, May 6th at 10:30. Look for the link through Dojo on Monday morning. I will answer any questions you have about our summer program and what's happening next school year.
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
Did You Know BLES is Now on Instagram?
A Look Ahead...
***Specials Rotation Schedule for Digital Learning Students for Week of May 3rd - 7th:
- K-2nd: Have Science and P.E.
- 3rd-5th: Have Art and Music
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Saturday, May 1
9:00am Saturday School
Monday, May 3
PTO Tupperware sale all week
PTO Spirit Wear Pop Up Store Open
Teacher Appreciation Week - card and artwork day
8:15am 4th Gr. Math 1 & 2 Milestones
Tuesday, May 4
PTO Tupperware sale all week
PTO Spirit Wear Pop Up Store Open
Teacher Appreciation Week - PTO providing lunch from Zoe's.
3rd & 4th Gr. Milestones Makeups
Wednesday, May 5
PTO Tupperware sale
PTO Spirit Wear Pop Up Store Open
3rd & 4th Gr. Milestones Makeups
Teacher Appreciation Week - School and Cleaning Supplies from families
Cinco de Mayo
12:30pm Play 2 Learn
Thursday, May 6
PTO Tupperware sale
PTO Spirit Wear Pop Up Store Open
Teacher Appreciation Week - gifts for teachers and staff from "Favorites" list
8:15am 4th Gr. ELA 1 Milestones
10:30am Last Coffee Talk with Dr. P. (link will be sent out via Dojo closer to date)
Friday, May 7
PTO Tupperware sale
PTO Spirit Wear Pop Up Store Open
Progress reports sent home
Teacher Appreciation Week - something special for the Specials teachers
8:15am 4th Gr. ELA 2 & 3 Milestones
Saturday, May 8
PTO Tupperware sale
Sunday, May 9
PTO Tupperware sale
Mother's Day
Monday, May 10
PTO Tupperware sale
3rd & 4th Gr. Milestones Makeups
Today is the Last Day to Submit Entries for the BLES Virtual Talent Show
Last Opportunity You Will Have to Order a Yearbook for Your Child
Tomorrow, Saturday, May 1st will be the absolute last chance for you to order a yearbook. Please note that we will not have any additional yearbook sales this year, so this is your only opportunity to purchase one. The yearbook will be soft-bound and will cost $20.00. Click here to order one for your child today.
*** If you pre-purchased a book through the PTO TreeRing sales last year, contact communication@blespto.org so that they can work with you to get your refund.
PTO Items:
Vote for Your 2021-2022 Executive Board by end of day today, Friday, April 30th
View proposed board members on our site. For open board positions, you can write in a nomination or nominate yourself!
Email us at info@blespto.org if you have any questions about serving your school. We appreciate your support!
Teacher Appreciation Week is Next Week!
Show our teachers we LOVE them! Get ready for these Teacher Appreciation Week activities!
- Monday, May 3: Card and artwork day
- Tuesday, May 4: Teacher and Staff Appreciation luncheon
- Wednesday, May 5: School and cleaning supply day
- Thursday, May 6: Gifts for teachers and staff from Favorites list
- Friday, May 7: Something special for the Specials teachers
Stay tuned! Here’s what’s up next from your PTO:
- May 3 - 7: Our next Spirit Wear Pop Up Store will be featuring t-Shirts – even one for the incoming kindergarten class. We will send out the link to the store next week.
- May 3 - 21: Clean out those kitchen pantries and get ready to replenish your Tupperware! We’ll have a special, online Tupperware sale and a percentage of the proceeds will go to BLES.
- It’s time to start planning for next year already! We’ll have our school supply kits available for purchase soon. A percentage of the proceeds from the school kits sales goes to the school and you don’t have to go shopping! Your child’s kit will be delivered directly to the school, with the specified supplies your teacher asks for, and will be waiting in the classroom hen your child arrives next year. More to come!
- May 12: Plan for pizza night with Papa John’s! A portion of proceeds from your order that evening will come to BLES. Use the promocode: Berkeley20 and the PTO program for BLES will receive 20% of your order total.
School News:
Media Center Book Returns
Starting May 3rd, Media Center books will no longer be sent home with students, since the school year is coming to a close. Students should return books they have checked out from the BLES Media Center before the end of the school year.
If students have overdue or lost Media Center books, please have your students search for these books at home and in their classrooms at school. Digital students and families of BLES students are welcome to return BLES Media Center books to the Drop Off Bin at the front of the school building.
Students who are issued a fine for their lost Media Center books are welcome to bring in money to school to pay for their library fines. We accept payment in the form of cash or check. Families can also pay for these fines via MyPaymentsPlus.
Fines for Media Center Books:
Paperback Books - $5.00
Hard Cover Books - $15.00
***We do not accept replacement books. Our Media Center books are purchased from county-approved book vendors.
Thank you,
Niki Norby (Vanden Hoek)
Media Specialist
Berkeley Lake Elementary School
5th Grade Information Page on Our Website
Parents of 5th graders, remember to frequently check the 5th Grade Information page on our website for up-to-date information.
Georgia After School Program (GASP) Will Return Next Fall
New Business Partner for Our School
Milestones Testing (for Parents of 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders)
The Georgia Milestones End of Grade Test (GMAS) will continue for our 4th and 5th grade students in May. Click here to view a calendar of test dates, read testing tips, view some helpful links, visit a practice site, and see the Milestones Question of the Day.
Summer Enrichment and Acceleration Opportunity for Students
If you were not able to tune in for the live session, click here to watch it now.
Camp Invention Update
Camp Invention will now be offered in-person and online! See the flyer image or PDF below for details. In order for proper Covid guidelines to be followed, space will be limited, so don't delay registering your child.
For Parents of Kids Ages 3 - 8: Building Babies' Brains "Playground Detectives"
AKS at Home for May
Food Finder
Visit the FoodFinder website or download the app to find places nearby where you can get free food and meal assistance.
Tutor.com
Play to Learn
2020-2021 GCPS Promotion Criteria for Elementary Students:
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.
We Thank Our Business Partners
Contact Us:
Berkeley Lake Elementary
4300 S. Berkeley Lake Rd.
Duluth, Georgia 30096
P: (770)446-0947
F: (770)582-7514