Berkeley Lake ES
"Bear Essentials" Weekly e-Newsletter, August 28, 2020
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
It was so exciting to welcome students back into the building! Thank you so much to those of you who sent your child with a name tag or card indicating which classroom they belonged to. The "first day of school" for in-person students went very smoothly thanks to all the many staff members who came up to help get students to their classrooms from the bus or car riders.
It is very important that you screen your child each morning for signs of illness. Possible COVID-19 symptoms include:
□ Fever (100.4° or higher) or chills
□ Headache
□ Cough
□ New loss of taste or smell
□ Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
□ Sore throat
□ Fatigue
□ Congestion or runny nose
□ Muscle or body aches
□ Nausea or vomiting
If your child has been exposed to anyone who is showing COVID symptoms, is waiting for COVID test results, or has tested positive for COVID, please do not send him/her to school. Please call the school and ask to speak to Ms. Charlie Langley.
If in doubt, please call the school and a member of our Health Response Team can help you determine if your child should come to school.
Again, it was wonderful to see your children this week and I hope you and your family have a great weekend!
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
If You Borrowed a Chromebook from School for Digital Learning
Food Resources Survey
In order to support families in the BLES community, please respond to the survey below to help us understand how families used food resources in our area this past spring and summer. Additionally, please review the information about the free/reduced lunch program on the BLES website. For families that qualify, signing up could provide additional resources, like assistance with home internet.
Tutor.com
Click here to learn how to use Tutor.com
School Supplies & Food Pantry
Please contact your child's school counselor if you should need assistance with school supplies or would like to access our food pantry.
Lyndsay Murphy, M.A.
Grades K, 2, 4
Pre K for Ms. Hutt's & Ms. Cmiel's class
770-582-7523
Laura Marantz, Ed.S.
Grades 1, 3, 5
2nd/3rd Kates & Pre K for Mack's class
770-582-7522
Play to Learn
We are asking all parents to complete the following electronic tasks if you have not done so already:
1. If your child is returning to school and will be a car rider, please fill out this survey so we can assign you a car rider number and give your child a car rider tag. Please note: Staff will be assigned to ensure a safe and efficient car rider process, but your child will need to open and close his own car door during arrival and dismissal.
2. Go to www.mypaymentsplus.com and
- Set up an account if you do not already have one. You will need your child's student ID number to do so.
- All parents should read and sign off on the required GCPS documents including the student parent handbook, attendance protocol form, extracurricular activities, and the parent AKS brochure. If you do not know how to sign off on documents in MyPaymentsPlus, click here to watch a short video explanation.
- All parents should complete the GCPS Transportation Authorization Form while in MyPaymentsPlus, so that we have accurate information on what your child's school transportation will be. We need one for every child.
- Add money to your child’s meal account if needed
3. Update or Create a Parent Portal Account:
- The Parent Portal has been updated with new features and tools that will assist parents with timely updates on student progress. If you do not already have a Parent Portal account, call the front office at 770-446-0947 to set up a time to come in with your I.D.
- If you already have a Parent Portal account, make sure your contact information in the Parent Portal is up-to-date, so we have correct phone numbers, emergency contact information, and current health information. If your address is incorrect you will need to contact the front office.
4. If you would like to apply for a Free and Reduced Priced Meal Application for your child, a new form must be filled out each school year. Click here to access the form for this year if you are interested and have not already completed the form.
Curriculum Night
A lot of important information was shared during our Curriculum Night Zoom presentations. If you were not able to tune into your teacher's Zoom on the designated day, please visit the BLES website to watch the start of the presentation and then also visit your child's homeroom teacher's eClass course page to watch her/his video, as well.
PTO News
- PTO Membership and Donations: If you have a student enrolled at BLES, you’re a voting member of our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). In lieu of a formal membership enrollment, we’d like for everyone who can to donate to the PTO so we can continue to provide financial support to our school. We’ve added two options for PTO donations on MyPaymentsPlus – the place where you already go to sign annual paperwork and pay for meals. Give to our general PTO fund to help pay for activities like STEM Night, cultural arts for each grade level and teacher supply reimbursements. We’ve also added a Helping Hands donation. Those donations go directly to buy essential items for our BLES food pantry. The suggested donation is $15 per family. However, we thank you for any amount you can contribute. Look for PTO in the “other payments” section. Email info@blespto.org if you have any questions.
- It’s Time to Approve this Year’s Budget: We’re asking for your vote to approve our 2020-2021 operating budget. You can vote at this link. For reference, on our website, you’ll find a copy of our budget proposal and a video overview from our first membership meeting (held during Curriculum Night). Voting will remain open until Aug. 31. Thank you for participating so we can get rolling for the year! Again, if you have a student enrolled at BLES, you’re a voting member of our PTO.
- New Spirit Wear is Here! Our new PTO online spirit wear store is ready for you to do your shopping!! Our pop-up shop is only open from now through Sept. 9 with three new designs and styles. These t-shirts will only be available until the store closes Sept. 9! To save you shipping fees, we’ll set up times/dates for contactless pick up at the school. Shop now: https://pswear.com/BerkeleyLake. Remember, to prepare for the change of seasons, we’ll have another pop-up store in October with other new designs for sweatshirts and long-sleeved t-shirts. Special thanks to our spirit wear committee chairs, Amy Rodriguez and Kim Sheehan.
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.
Meals Available for Students During Digital Learning
On Wednesday, August 13th, we began our curbside meal pick up to provide our students meals during digital learning. If you are interested in picking up a meal for your child, there will be a table outside in the front of the school. You will pull into the front drive and walk up to the table outside to pick up the meals. Meals will only be available for pick up between 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, Monday-Thursday. Thursday’s pick-up will include meals for both Thursday and Friday. Students will be offered the choice of both a breakfast and a lunch each day. Students will need to present their Student ID cards. This allows us to process and properly account for the meal. We will give those out the first day you come for a meal. The student does not need to be present to receive a meal. A Parent/Guardian may pick up a meal for their child, but he/she must have the Student ID card in order to validate their child’s enrollment and eligibility. Students will be charged for their meals based on their current eligibility of Free, Reduced, or Full Pay. In order to limit direct contact, we strongly encourage parents to add money to their child’s account via MyPaymentsPlus.
If you need to complete the Free and Reduced Priced Meal Application please click here. The application must be filled out each school year. Please complete as soon as possible.
A Look Ahead...
Wednesday, September 2
2nd and 3rd Grade students return to school for those whose parents chose in-person on the digital survey
Monday, September 7
Student/Teacher Labor Day Holiday- No School
Wednesday, September 9
4th and 5th Grade students return to school for those whose parents chose in-person on the digital survey
Thursday, September 10
7:00 PM Title 1 Planning Meeting Virtual. More information to come later
Thursday, September 17
9:00 AM Coffee Talk with Dr. Pendleton
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