Berkeley Lake ES
"Bear Essentials" Weekly e-Newsletter, August 21, 2020
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
We are excited to welcome some students back to school on August 26, if you have opted to return to in person instruction. If your student is in one of the following classrooms, we are expecting your child on Wednesday:
- Ms. Cmiel
- Ms. Hutt
- Ms. Mack
- Ms. Gray (Cantrell)
- Ms. Stepp (Deedy)
- Mr. Blalock
- Ms. Velez
- Ms. Walsh
- Ms. Algard
- Ms. Kates
- Ms. Schilling
If your child is in another class, and you are choosing in person instruction, please call the front office or email your child's teacher as soon as possible. More information about returning to school will be sent in separate email.
The information below is a repeat of some important information sent to you earlier this week:
We are asking all parents to complete the following electronic tasks before Monday:
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.
As always we are here to assist you as needed. I hope you have a great weekend with your family!
Your Principal and Partner,
Dr. Pendleton
School Kits for Every Student
Curriculum Night
If you are a parent of a PreK to 2nd grade student, we hope that you were able to attend the Zoom Curriculum Night on Thursday to hear from your child's teacher about what this school year will look like.
Next week, our 3rd - 5th grade teachers will be doing the same thing, so look for a Zoom link to be sent from your child's teacher for the event. Mark it on your calendar to be available for the meeting so you can hear all the teacher has to tell you about his/her expectations and curriculum.
Thursday, August 27
5:30pm Zoom Curriculum Night 3rd Grade
6:15pm Zoom Curriculum Night 4th Grade
7:00pm Zoom Curriculum Night 5th Grade
We Are Here to Help
Our Care Team and the BLES Counselors are here to help families with non-perishable food items and school supplies. If you would like to access our food pantry or need supplies at home to support on-line learning (paper, pencils, etc.), please contract your child's school counselor.
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
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.
GCPS - The Front Line Against COVID-19
Produced July 2020
A Look Ahead...
Thursday, August 27
5:30pm Zoom Curriculum Night 3rd Grade
6:15pm Zoom Curriculum Night 4th Grade
7:00pm Zoom Curriculum Night 5th Grade
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