BMS Patriot Press

Berkmar Middle School will provide students with quality, rigorous instruction that will develop critical and creative thinkers who will take ownership of their education in order to be successful lifelong learners.

The mission of Berkmar Middle School is to pursue excellence in academic knowledge, skills, and behavior for each student, resulting in measured improvement against local, national, and world-class standards.

3 R’S Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Ready!

Greetings, Patriot Families,

Welcome back! As we embark on the journey of the 2024-2025 school year, I am filled with immense joy and excitement to reconnect with each of you. Whether you're returning students or joining our school community for the first time, I extend a warm welcome to all.

At Berkmar Middle School, we believe in fostering a sense of belonging and unity among our students and families. Together, we create a supportive environment where every voice is valued and everyone is celebrated for giving their absolute best every day.

Middle school is a pivotal time in a student's life, and I am deeply passionate about guiding and supporting each of our students on their educational journey. Our dedicated teachers and support staff are committed to providing a nurturing and enriching experience that prepares students for success both academically and personally.

As we look ahead to the upcoming school year, I am eager to witness the growth and accomplishments of our students. Let's embrace every opportunity to learn, explore, and make an impact on each and every student.

Please take a moment to read the Patriot Press, our parent newsletter. The Patriot Press will communicate timely information and share documents you will need to complete before the first day of school.

Let's team together to create a successful and exciting new school year!

Warm Regards,

Felecia C. Jones

Mark your calendar:

Open House ~ July 31, 2024

• A-M (1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.)
• N-Z (2:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

First Day of School ~ August 5, 2024, for all students

The district will post orientation forms on July 23, 2024. Please review and sign all documents.

*The Berkmar MS The Plan the Promise

*The Gwinnett County Public School's 2024-2025 Handbook Information for Students and Families

*The Berkmar MS 2024-2025 Parent/Student Handbook

*Add your digital signature indicating you have received and read the documents.

Open House is on July 31st. Families should arrive at the designated times aligned with their last name. Please see the posters below.

Registration is available for new families (this does not include Rising 6th grade students from Hopkins or Minor) Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00p.m. Please note that Registration will not be available during Open House.

Please contact the school at 770-638-2300 if you have any questions.

• Hopkins Elementary

• Minor Elementary

For ALL rising 7th Grade Students who are entering the 7th grade must have a valid Form 3231

Attached is an updated school supply list. You can also find the list on the Berkmar Middle School website.

(L-R): Kimberly Pittman-8th, Ashley Bolton-6th, Felecia Jones-Principal, Dr. Tamar Housen-Connections, Angela Fisher-7th, Carrie Keane -Interventions and Supports

ParentSquare is a communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and encourage greater engagement and connection with your child’s school and Gwinnett County Public Schools.

ParentSquare provides a safe way for district administrators, school principals, teachers, staff, and parents to receive and send information, such as:

Weather-related closings & delays

School and class information

Share pictures and files

See calendar items

Upcoming class activities

Exciting BMS News for 2024-2025 School Year!

We are thrilled to announce the start of the 2024-2025 school year and the activation of our PTSA (Parent-Teacher-Student Association)!

We need your help to make it happen! Your involvement in the PTSA is vital. When students see their parents engaged in school activities, it inspires them and strengthens our school community.

Together, we can support various programs that enhance our students' educational experience and create a positive impact.

For more information, please contact Ms. Silva at 770-638-2317 or via email at pilar.silva@gcps.org.

Let's join forces and make this year amazing!

#BMSIMPACT

Estamos empcionados de anunciar el inicio del año escolar 2024-2025 y la activación de nuestra PTSA (Asociación de Padres, Maestros y Estudiantes).

¡Necesitamos su ayuda para hacerlo realidad! Tu participación en la PTSA es vital. Cuando los estudiantes ven a sus padres involucrados en actividades escolares, se sienten inspirados y se fortalece nuestra comunidad escolar.

Juntos, podemos apoyar varios programas que mejoran la experiencia educativa de nuestros estudiantes y crear un impacto positivo.

Para más información, por favor contacta a la Sra. Silva al 770-638-2317 o por correo electrónico a pilar.silva@gcps.org.

¡Unamos nuestras fuerzas y hagamos de este año algo increíble!

#IMPACTOBMS

We are so excited to begin preparations for the 2024-25 school year. Berkmar Middle School will continue to use MyPaymentsPlus (MPP) for you to electronically review and digitally sign required Gwinnett County Public Schools orientation forms. We encourage all families to create a MPP account. No purchase is necessary to have a MPP account. It is a great way for you to manage and keep track of all of your student payments and forms in one place throughout the school year.

MyPaymentsPlus is linked directly to your school’s student information system (SIS), enabling us to show real-time balances and invoices, and eliminating the need to call or visit your school in search of information.

Whether you’re viewing what your 2nd grader ate for lunch, renting a locker for your middle schooler, or purchasing a parking permit for that new driver in your family, MyPaymentsPlus ensures you never miss a beat, from Pre-K to graduation day.

Simply create a free MyPaymentsPlus account to get started today.

https://www.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome

We are pleased to announce that the Free and Reduced Lunch Application for the 2024-2025 school year is now available for BMS families to complete. It is important for students to have a nutritious meal throughout the day to support their learning and overall well-being.

Please use the following link to complete your application:

https://www.nlappscloud.com/District.aspx#loaded

If you need assistance, Ms. Silva will be available every day starting Thursday, July 25, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

SPANISH:

Atención Familias de Berkmar: Solicitud de Almuerzo Gratuito o Reducido para el Año Escolar 2024-2025

Nos complace anunciar que la Solicitud de Almuerzo Gratuito o a Precio Reducido para el año escolar 2024-2025 ya está disponible para que las familias Berkmar Middle la completen. Es importante que los estudiantes tengan una comida nutritiva durante el día para apoyar su aprendizaje y su bienestar general.

Utilice el siguiente enlace para completar su solicitud:

https://www.nlappscloud.com/District.aspx#loaded

Si necesita ayuda, la Sra. Silva estará disponible todos los días a partir del jueves 25 de julio de 2024, de 10:00 a. m. a 3:00 p. m.

Parents can use their smartphones to access ParentVUE to find grades, schedules, and more! Please click here for more information on downloading ParentVue.

https://www.gcpsk12.org/families/parent-vue

• Do you have access to the ParentVue?
• Do you have a MyPaymentsPlus account?
• Have you applied for Free and/or Reduced Lunch, if applicable?
• Do you know when and where your child can go to get additional instructional support?
• Do you know where you can check out materials/resources to use at home with your student?
• Do you know how to become a volunteer in our school?

If you answered no to any of these questions, please make an Appointment with Pilar Silva, our Parent Instructional Coordinator, in the BMS Parent Center

One of the integral parts of creating a harmonious and distraction-free learning space is our "Power Down" cell phone policy. We understand the importance of technology and staying connected in our modern world. However, during school hours, the focus should be on learning, collaborating, and being present.

Should there be an emergency or an urgent concern to communicate with your child, please reach out to the school's main office. We will ensure your child receives the message promptly. At BMS, we strive to protect students from the potential pitfalls of unsupervised internet access during school hours.

To help students and families prepare for the 2024-25 school year, please review GCPS’ 2024-25 Virtual Back-to-School Backpack for Families below. This toolkit includes links to important information and district resources for families as we partner to support student success. Join us as we count down to the first day of school!

All information below will be up to date by July 22, 2024.

https://www.gcpsk12.org/families/back-to-school

Want to stay connected with BMS? Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BerkmarMS127. Follow us on Facebook Berkmar Middle. Updated communication and parent newsletters may be found on these platforms. Additionally, our school website is another great resource for learning more about our school.

Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=2086
Location: 4355 Lawrenceville Highway, Lilburn, GA, USA
Phone: 770-638-2300