Berkeley Lake Elementary
September 3, 2021
Principal's Message
It's been another great week of learning at Berkeley Lake! I know many of you have plans for the Labor Day holiday and I hope that you have fun and stay safe. Please remember that students are required to quarantine after any international travel. If you have questions about that, or anything COVID-related, please call the school and ask to speak to one of our Health Response Team members.
Progress reports were emailed to you today so that you can see your child's grades as well as any missing assignments. You can expect a progress report every two weeks and you can always see your child's grades, and other important information, on the Parent Portal.
Mark your calendars for my first Coffee Talk of the year on September 16th! We will continue holding Coffee Talk via Zoom with a Spanish-language interpreter. This is an informal time to update you on what is happening around the school and answer any questions you may have. We will send out the link via Dojo the morning of the 16th. I hope to see you then!
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
A Look Ahead...
Student/Teacher Holiday
Tuesday, September 7
Patrol on the Job Training
3:15pm Patrol Training after school
Wednesday, September 8
Iowa Makeups (for 2nd grade students only)
12:30pm Play to Learn
Thursday, September 9
Patrol on the Job Training
Iowa Makeups (for 2nd grade students only)
Friday, September 10
Patrol on the Job Training
PTO News:
Grandparents Day is Sept. 12. Let’s Celebrate - Digitally!
(We typically sell these at our Grandparent’s Day luncheon as for $5. If you’d like to provide a donation, please see MyPayments Plus, PTO section, and type in the amount you’d like to give.)
This Year’s Budget is Approved!
Yearbook Information
Thank You for Participating in the Papa John's Pizza Spirit Night
Thank You for Offering to Get Involved
PTO Membership and Donations:
Fall Charleston Wrap Fundraiser is Coming Soon
Field Day has Been Scheduled for Early October
School News:
Fine Arts Night at Duluth High School - Would Your 4th or 5th Grader Like to Participate
The annual Fine Arts Night will be at Duluth High School on Friday, September 17. Berkeley Lake Elementary will participate by having any interested 4th and 5th grade students join in singing the American National Anthem with the Duluth cluster schools bands, orchestras, and chorus members.
Participation requires the following conditions:
- Student must wear a purple or black colored shirt (best if it's a Berkeley Lake shirt or other Duluth cluster type shirt)
- Student is able to attend the event, with his/her own transportation, on Friday, September 17 from 5:30 pm until 7:15 pm
- Student needs to attend one or two rehearsals at the very beginning of the school day (7:45 am) on Thursday, Sept. 9, and/or Thurs Sept 16 to practice.
If your 4th or 5th grade child enjoys singing and you would like to see him/her participate in this wonderful event, please fill out the following form and Mr. Green, the BLES music teacher, will be in touch with you shortly with more details. Deadline for sign up through this form in Wednesday, September 8. Click here to complete the required form.
Attention 5th Grade Parents
If your child was selected for Safety Patrol, they have a required meeting on Tuesday, September 7th from dismissal to 4:15pm. We will meet you in the bus lane by the main school doors at 4:15 for pick-up. Siblings cannot stay after school for this training.
Regular duties will start on Wednesday, September 8th. For morning patrols, they need to arrive in the bus lane at the main school doors between 7:25 and 7:29. Siblings can come with their patrols. For afternoon patrols, you will pick them up in the bus lane by the main doors at 3:15 (unless they are doing GASP - GASP students will be escorted to the cafeteria following duty.) Siblings can stay after school and be picked up with patrols. Please send in a note to each teacher saying their afternoon transportation has changed.
School Store and Peer Mediator Trainings do not start until later in September. Reminders to follow.
K-Kids Club for 5th Graders
- Jazmine C.
- Nick C.
- Jacob C.M.
- Nicole C.
- AJ W.
- Isabella F.
- Jaydyn L.
- Odeke F.
The K-Kids organization at our school focuses on the following objectives:
- Provide opportunities for working together in service to school and community
- To develop leadership potential
- To foster the development of strong moral character
- To encourage loyalty to school, community, and nation
The club is sponsored by staff member, Trina Ashadele, and supported by our local Duluth Kiwanis Club. Club members will meet once a month in the mornings with Ms. Ashadele. The next meeting will take place on September 17 from 7:45-8:15.
Mobile Vaccine Clinic
New to Gwinnett County Public Schools and the United States?
Reminder: 1st Digital Learning Day for All Students Coming Up on Tuesday, September 14th
AKS at Home Family Engagement Support
If you are unable to attend the AKS at home meetings for each grade level last week, a parent tip sheet and a recording of the meetings will be available on the county website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/26993
Family Engagement Tips
Positive Interventions and Behavior Support (PBIS)
For 4th - 9th Grade Girls
Berkeley Lake Elementary is a Georgia After School Program (GASP) School
Do You Have a Young Child at Home That is Not Yet in School? If so, Get Involved With Play to Learn.
From Our Counselors
Many of us face economic hardships at various times in our lives. Due to these hardships, we may need additional help with basic needs like food. At this time, Berkeley Lake Elementary can help by providing a small amount of groceries for your family each week. They will be sent home in your child’s backpack on Fridays. The food is provided by donation. Your name and your child’s name will not be revealed to the donor. The Berkeley Lake Staff will get the food to your child in a discrete manner.
To participate, please email one of us, call either school counselor, or Mrs. Orci (Spanish speaker) to request participation.
Please call us with any questions or concerns.
Lyndsay Murphy
School Counselor
School Counselor
770-582-7523
Laura Marantz
School Counselor
770-582-7522
Sandra Orci (Spanish)
Parent Liaison
678-291-4232
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
Contact Us:
Berkeley Lake Elementary
4300 S. Berkeley Lake Rd.
Duluth, Georgia 30096
P: (770)446-0947
F: (770)582-7514