Berkeley Lake Elementary School

We returned from a long weekend rested for a short but busy week. Tuesday morning was the final enrollment count where teacher allotment is adjusted by the number of students attending the school. As I mentioned previously, our projected enrollment forecast was for 1102 students and currently we have 1058. We are a little under target, therefore, the county will most likely adjust our teacher allocation. I will continue to keep you posted to any updates.

Peer Mediators completed their training last week with our wonderful counselors, Ms. Marantz and Ms. Maida. Peer Mediators work as ambassadors for peace throughout the school. With supervision from the counselors, they assist students with resolving minor conflicts. They must also maintain confidentiality. This is an excellent opportunity for students to help other students solve problems at school and learn valuable mediation skills. The peer mediators attended four one-and-a-half hour training sessions, plus one full day Saturday training session. They now are responsible to execute their mediation duties throughout the year and must maintain satisfactory grades and demonstrate exemplary conduct. We are so appreciative to our counselors for providing this leader problem-solving team for our students. Congratulations to the following fifth graders for serving as Peer Mediators: Emily Mansfield, Kyle Gutu, Cydney Merrick, Piper Lawson, Addie Donahue, David Olorunfemi, Ariana Malik, Caroline Cox, Becca Baird, Sonia Jain, Lola Kirstein, Kara Swaby, Brianna Ham, and Layla Yusupov.

Thank you to the parents who attended the Annual Title I Parent Meeting this week. This informational meeting presented an overview of Title I, the requirements of the school-wide program, our funding, and how we implement the program at Berkeley Lake. We look forward to seeing you at future Title I schoolwide events and parent workshops. The District Title I Parent meeting will be held on Sept. 22 at 9:00 at Central Gwinnett High School and again that evening at 6:00 at Radloff Middle School. During the meeting, parents will be provided with information about the Title I program in Gwinnett County Public Schools. There will be a Title I Parent Workshop Sept. 17 at 6:00pm. Please join us as Ms. Marantz presents, “How to help your child with homework”, and Ms. Hill provides technology resources to support learning.

Today was a celebration day for our Berkeley Lake Grandparents with the week ending inviting grandparents to join their grandchildren for lunch. What a joy it was to see the proud grandparents dine with the children on this special occasion.

Cafeteria monitors are needed daily especially 11:30 to 12:30 and 12:30 to 1:30. If you can help for one hour in the cafeteria, please check with Cathy Mettille at the front desk or your child’s teacher. We extend a HUGE appreciation to those who have recently volunteered in the cafeteria. Hats off to our latest volunteer, Aydin Agan!

PTA Room Rep training will be Sept. 22 at 6:30 in the Media Center. An email with information about the meeting will be sent. You can contact PTA Committee Chairs Emily Shih and Jenny Llewellyn at blesroomrep@gmail.com. Thank you to those that signed up to help. All Room Reps should be PTA members. Hope to see you at the meeting. Next Tues., Sept. 15, will be PTA Spirit Night at Zaxby’s. Please come out to support this fund raiser and enjoy time with neighbors and friends. Speaking of the PTA sponsored events! If you have not joined, please do for only $7. PTA membership can be sent to the homeroom teacher with your child’s name included or forms are available in the school lobby. Invite your child to be part of PTA Reflections Program sharing their inner Artist! This year’s theme is “Let Your Imagination Fly…” No experience is required to participate in Reflections. Entries from all grades and all abilities are welcome. Students are encouraged to create and submit works of art. Look for information flyers in this week’s Friday folder. Also Reflection entry forms and guidelines are online blespta.org/reflections.

We will have our district wide CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) Sept. 16, 17 & 18 for grades 1, 2 and 5. Please remember to have your child get plenty of rest, eat a hearty breakfast and arrive on time each day. Also please do not check out students during morning testing. Each day testing should be done by 12:00.

In looking ahead, we will be participating in the Duluth Cluster Fine Arts Night Fri., Sept. 25, at the Duluth High School football game pre show. Our 5th grade students under the direction of Mr. Green will join the other elementary schools in the cluster in singing the National Anthem prior to the start of the game. Student singers must complete parent permission slips and be accompanied by an adult in order to participate in the performance.

Parent Teacher Early Release Day Conferences will be Sept. 23 and 24. We will once again be using an online system to schedule parent/teacher conferences this year. You will be able to sign up for a conference electronically beginning Mon., Sept. 14 by visiting the Berkeley Lake website homepage at berkeleylakebears.org A parent letter with directions on how to sign up will be sent home with your child today in the Friday folders. Please contact Ms. Orci at 678-291-4232 if you need help scheduling a conference.

Are you registered to vote? BLES front office offers voter registration. E-SPLOST is on the Nov. 3 ballot! Gwinnet County voters will be asked to extend the special purpose local option sales tax for education (E-SPLOST) on Nov. 3. Over the years E-SPLOST has funded education capital projects that have benefited all students in Gwinnett County. It is important for Gwinnett citizens to be aware of the E-SPLOST and the district’s plan for meeting the classroom and technology needs of Gwinnett’s growing student enrollment. For more information please go to the GCPS website gwinnett.k12.ga.us.

9/14—9:30 Title I Annual Parent Mtg

9/14—3-4:00 Chess Club

9/15—9:00am Local School Council-DMS

9/15—3-4:00 Green Team

9/15—5-9:00pm PTA Spirit Night-Zaxby’s

9/16—7:15am Art Club

9/16—8:30-11:30 CogAT Gr 1, 2, 5

9/16—2:45-4:45 Strings Club

9/17—8:30-11:30 CogAT Gr 1,2 , 5

9/17—6pm Title I Parent Workshop—Counselors and technology

9/18—Spirit Wear Day!

9/18—7:45 K-Kids Mtg

9/18—8:30-11:30 CogAT Gr 1, 2, 5

9/21—3-4:00 Chess Club

9/22—3-4:00 Green Team

9/22—6:30pm PTA Room Rep Mtg

9/23—Early Release 12:00 noon

9/23—Parent Conferences

9/24—Early Release 12:00 noon

9/24—Parent Conferences

9/24—Personal Safety Parent Preview available during conferences

9/25—Spirit Wear Day!

9/25—6-7:00 Duluth Cluster Fine Arts Night @ Duluth HS football game

9/26—Duluth Fall Festival Parade

The Berkeley Lake Parent Center is open each day from 7:30-3:30. The Parent Center is located in room 1.122 in the Media Center. Ms. Angela Schoenknecht will be available Mon. from 11:30-3:30, and Tues., from 9:30-3:30 and Wed., from 7:30-11:30, and Fri. from 9:30-3:30..

Please call 678-291-4233 for Parent Center support or Ms. Sandra Orci at 678-291-4232.

Our Vision : Berkeley Lake Elementary School 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.

Email: berkeley_lake_elementary@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Website: http://www.berkeleylakebears.org
Location: 4300 S Berkeley Lake Rd NW, Berkeley Lake, GA, United States
Phone: 770-446-0947