All Week Long: K-Kids Week
This week was K-Kids week. Click here to learn more about our K-Kids program at BLES.
All Week Long: Sign up for Parent Teacher Conferences (Feb. 27 - March 3)
The button to sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences is now live on the BLES website and you can sign up for parent-teacher conferences through Feb, 22. Conferences will take place the week of Feb. 27, with early release days being March 1st and 2nd.
Conferences will be required for parents of those students performing below grade level or upon parent request. Interpreters will be provided, if needed, and conferences will be through Zoom unless requested to be in-person by the parent.
Parent Mentors Present, "Enjoy an Engaging Summer Break"
It’s hard to believe, but it is already time to begin thinking about the summer break. What will your child do over the summer months? Planning for a fun and fulfilling summer takes thought, time, and preparation. Now is the time to begin making and solidifying those summer plans, as many options require registration in the Spring. In this session, we will discuss options such as summer camp, volunteerism, public library programs, family field trips and more.
If your child is receiving Special Education services from GCPS, then you are invited to this Parent Mentors session. This session is highly recommended for parents of students at all levels (elementary, middle, and high school).
Two sessions will be offered on Feb. 14th and Spanish interpretation services will be available:
See the flyer below for more information.
1. Spirit Night at Latin Fresh on S. Old Peachtree Rd.
Join us for Spirit Night at Latin Fresh, 4941 S. Old Peachtree Rd, on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 from 4-8. Choose from a selection of Latin options including bowls, wraps, empanadas, desserts and refreshing Latin American beverages, featuring the best and freshest ingredients. Kids meals are also available.
2. BINGO Night will take place on Thursday night, March 16th and will be done in 2 sessions based on last name:
- Session 1- 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. if your last name begins with A-L
- Session 2-6:30-7:30 p.m. if your last name begins with M-Z.
Food will be sold at this event.
Bingo is made possible with great prizes that are donated by businesses in our community! Please let us know if you are interested in donating a prize for this event. All prizes need to be sent in or picked up by Friday, March 3rd. Please feel free to contact Amy LiCausi-cell # 678-662-6786 or email-amylicausi@yahoo.com or Maricruz Sosa-cell#678-358-2156 or email-maricruz.sosa@gcpsk12.org
Dr. Seuss' birthday is recognized annually on March 2nd, and Mr. Green and the 2nd Graders will have a performance to celebrate it. All 2nd graders are invited to sing in the concert. The concert will last about 20 minutes and will begin at 6:30 pm in the BLES school cafeteria. Students may arrive between 6:00 - 6:15 and may dress in a Seussical costume. If a costume is not selected, they may dress nicely. If you have any questions about this event, please email Mr. Green.
We need you! Please join the Instructional Resources Review Committee!
GCPS is inviting parents and community members to apply for the district’s Instructional Resources Review Committee (IRRC), a group charged with evaluating print and digital instructional resources. The deadline for applications is Monday, February 17. Please click here to learn more and apply.
We are starting our Educational Gymnastics Unit with all grade levels.
Please be sure to encourage your children to wear/abide by the following for their safety on their class's PE days:
- Easy slip-on sneakers with little or no laces as our shoes will come off when we go on the brand new mats. It will be easier for the children to take off and put on their sneakers.
- Appropriate clothing: leggings, athletic sweat pants and shirts that can tuck in please! (Not short t-shirt lengths)
- No necklaces or jewelry please.
- If possible, wear clean socks
- For long hair-please tie in a low ponytail. Long bangs, please pull back with clips. No high buns or bobbles in hair if possible because we will be tumbling.
Thank you for this consideration and support with keeping our children safe and having fun!!
Ms. Birozes
BLES P.E. Teacher
A key improvement strategy calls on organizations to study the user experience. Therefore, it makes sense to include our students and parents in the work we are doing to improve our schools. The Educational Effectiveness Survey (EES) measures what students in grades 4-12 and their parents/guardians think about their school experience. Our 4th and 5th grade students are taking the survey during their tech special time.
The family survey that we are asking parents/legal guardians to take will run from February 28-March 10, so be on the lookout for it the last week in February.
Additional information about the surveys can be found here.
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.
Each week, the GCPS Department of Family Engagement, sends out eTips for parents in both English and Spanish. The English tips are towards the front of the document and the Spanish on pages following the English.
Check out All eTips by week here.
These tips can also be found on our website under the Quicklinks area > Family Engagement.
Per the Student Handbook: Parents may provide snacks only, no drinks, favors, balloons, or flowers for the child’s birthday. Whole cakes that need to be sliced by staff are not permitted. All students should be included. Nutritious snacks are encouraged. Birthday treats should be handed out and eaten in the cafeteria during the last ten minutes of the lunch period. Please make sure that students mainstreamed in your classroom are included in the count for treats. Buying ice cream at school for each class member is encouraged. Students may not pass out invitations to parties at school unless all members of the class are invited.
The Care Team at BLES has many ways to support our families. We have a food pantry at school that you can come shop at, and we can also assist with helping provide school supplies, deodorant, and feminine hygiene products for your child. If you would like to access these resources please contact:
Lyndsay Murphy (K-2-4)
770-582-7523
Laura Marantz (1-3-5)
770-582-7522
Sandra Orci (Spanish)
678-291-4232
Afternoon Transportation Changes:
Parents, please remember that afternoon transportation changes must be made by 1:30 and there are only two ways for you to make an change for your child:
1. Use the PikMyKid app
2. Send in a signed note.
Dojos, emails, or phone calls to change afternoon transportation will not be accepted.
Thank you for helping us enforce this rule and keep our kids safe!
We Can Help
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
Local School Plan for Improvement
Did You Know BLES is on Various Social Media Apps?
Do You Have a MyPaymentsPlus Account?
Gwinnett Public Schools uses MyPaymentsPlus as a site for school-related payments and documentation sign off. If you do not yet have an account with this site, you will need to set one up. Click here to learn more.
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!
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.
We Collect Box Tops (Online)
Georgia After School Program (GASP)
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
We Thank Our Business Partners
- The Tutoring Center, Duluth, Ga.
- Mathnasium
- Ultra Baby LLC (Ultrasound and Photography)
- Atlanta Urgent Care - 5246 Peachtree Pkwy
