Beaver Ridge ES Parent Newsletter

Students Arrival- 7:45 AM
Student Dismissal- 2:45 PM (early check-outs end at 2:00 pm)
Office Hours- 7:30 AM- 4:00 PM

• Mission
  

  The mission of Beaver Ridge Elementary School is to develop life long learners achieving academic and personal excellence.

• Vision
  

  The vision of Beaver Ridge Elementary is to be a community of empowered and productive lifelong learners.

Administrative Team

• Martina Luna-Liranzo, Principal
• Jenny Abreu, Assistant Principal (1st grade, Special Education)
• Nicole Browne, Assistant Principal (2nd and 3rd grade)
• Magaly Gonzalez, Assistant Principal (Kindergarten, Special Education)
• Reginald Watkins, Assistant Principal, (4th and 5th grade)

Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/beaverridgees
Location: 1978 Beaver Ruin Rd Norcross, GA 30071
Phone: (770) 447-6307
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeaverRidgeES

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beaver_ridge_es/?hl=en

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Dear parents and families,

The delightful month of October has finally arrived!

We hope this message finds you in good spirits as we embrace the lovely autumn season. Can you believe we're already in October? It's hard to imagine that we are nearing the end of Q1. Despite this, Beaver Ridge ES is off to a fantastic start with a wealth of academic activities, extracurricular programs, and social-emotional learning (SEL). Fall is such a magical time of year—a season to appreciate the changing landscape, soak up the sun’s warmth, and enjoy the crispness in the air. It's a time to admire the vibrant foliage and prepare our homes, families, and ourselves for the year's conclusion.

As we approach the parent-teacher conference days in October, I encourage you to connect with your child's teacher, whether virtually or in person, to discuss their academic and behavioral progress this school year. These conferences play a crucial role in fostering collaboration between home and school, ensuring we maximize your child’s potential. Engagement from parents and guardians is vital, and by offering both in-person and online options for conferences, we aim to make it more convenient for you to join in this essential process. Your partnership helps us deliver a robust academic experience for your students.

During Parent-Teacher Conference week, we will also be hosting our Scholastic Book Fair. Students of all ages are welcome to enhance their home libraries and deepen their love for reading. Our Book Fair features a cash-free payment option called eWallet, a convenient digital account your child can use for purchases. Friends, grandparents, and others can contribute as well! If you are unable to attend the Fair in person, you can also shop online at our school’s Virtual Book Fair.

We are excited about the incredible October ahead and eagerly anticipate all the wonderful achievements our students will make. Should you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you for your continued support and participation in our school.

Best wishes,

Martina Luna-Liranzo

Principal

Parents now have the option to be notified in the ParentVUE mobile app if their student’s grade fall below a preset threshold. Within the app, a parent can choose to enable the notification and will select the grade threshold of when to be notified. Thresholds can be set on the student’s class average or on assignment grades. The notifications are processed each afternoon starting at 5:30. Specific directions on enabling Grade Notifications can be found here. Other ParentVUE resources are available on the ParentVUE site.

In our ongoing effort to ensure safer schools, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is considering implementing a clear backpack policy for all students in grades K-12.

We understand that a clear backpack policy alone does not ensure complete security. This proactive measure is just one of several updates that GCPS is considering to enhance student and campus safety.

Before you take the survey, here are a few things we are looking to include in a clear backpack policy:

• To support families, GCPS would provide each student with one durable clear backpack at no cost for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year.
• Parents may also purchase their students’ clear backpacks that meet the district’s policy.
• Students would be allowed to carry a small, non-clear pouch in their backpack to hold personal items such as cell phones, money, and hygiene products. The maximum size of non-transparent bags allowed would be 6" x 9".
• Students who participate in extracurricular activities can carry non-transparent bags to store items for particular activities (i.e., band, athletics, theatre arts, etc.).
• All bags, including lunch bags or boxes, gym bags, and/or electronic device carriers, may be subject to search in accordance with applicable laws.
• Staff and visitors would not be required to use clear backpacks in school or district buildings in the 2024-25 school year.

Again, we understand a clear backpack policy alone does not ensure complete security. This proactive measure is just one of several updates GCPS is considering to enhance student and campus safety. You can read more about the current and ongoing safety measures we already have in place on the district website.

If we implement a new policy, it will not begin until later this school year. If we continue the policy beyond this school year, families will need to purchase clear backpacks for their students.

Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts by completing this short, three-question survey by Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

Here are some examples of clear backpack policies in other districts:

• Clayton County Public Schools
• Rockdale County Public Schools
• Prince George’s County Public Schools
• Richmond Public Schools
• Dallas ISD
• Cypress Fairbanks ISD

This month we are talking about Responsibility. One way to define Responsibility is “taking action and understanding the impact of our choices.” Taking action can mean doing the right thing or completing the tasks you have been assigned.

Understanding the impact of our choices means that our actions matter. Positive and responsible

actions can help people and irresponsible actions can hurt others.

Responsibility is 1 of 3 traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Strong. Across grade levels students will be developing skills like focusing, organizing, and goal-setting.

Responsibility is taking action and understanding the impact of our choices. Choose 1 household chore (or more!) that requires multiple steps. Then have each member of the family select 1 step to complete to help get the job done! Maybe it’s washing the dishes, doing laundry, cleaning the living room, or unloading the groceries – whatever it is, see who can be the quickest or most effective at their task!

● Can you share or show what it means to be Responsible?

● How can we help each other practice being more Responsible?

Confidential School Safety Tip Line: Call or text 770-822-6513.

GCPS will continue to follow strict guidelines as it relates to safety & security by visitors producing identification when inside the vestibule to check out students (as well as during visiting lunch hours).

We have an emergency-response button in all school. This button connect to the county 9-1-1 center and our school police headquarters, providing video feeds of schools in case of emergency. The county also funded a visitor management system for all elementary and middle schools. The buzzer systems restrict access to our schools.

e-SPLOST funding has provided for the installation of new video camera systems to enhance security in the common areas of all schools. All BRES security cameras have been upgraded/replaced.

The safety of your child and all children at Beaver Ridge ES, as well as the safety of the school staff and support personnel is very important to us. In order to maintain a safe environment for our school community to teach and learn, it is necessary that we practice our Safe Schools Plan. Our Safe Schools Plan was developed with district guidance. Part of the plan involves conducting training for staff to familiarize them with the school emergency plans.

Annually, the school resource officer and I review and complete a Safe School Plan for our school. Each year, the School Safety Plans for Gwinnett County Public Schools are approved by Gwinnett County Emergency Management Agency and are on file at each local school. These plans are shared with local police and fire jurisdictions.

As part of our Safe Schools Plans, we will be conducting various drills throughout the school year. This letter is to help you understand the importance of this as well as to understand each type of drill.

The students and staff of your school will be practicing 3 primary emergency drills each year. They are “FIRE DRILLS”; “LOCKDOWN DRILLS”; and “SEVERE WEATHER DRILLS.” Each type of drill is explained below.

FIRE DRILLS

The school will conduct a “fire drill” each month that school is in session. This is a state requirement per Life Safety Code 11-7-1. These drills are recorded on the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s website. We want each student to understand and be aware of the importance of this drill and not be afraid when the fire alarm is sounded. By practicing they will know what to do and how to do it.

LOCKDOWN DRILLS

The school will conduct two “Lockdown Drills” each school year. This type of drill will secure the school building and safely shelter all students, staff and visitors inside the building. The purpose of this drill is to keep the students safe from any danger outside or inside the building. During a “lockdown drill” all of the perimeter doors to the school building will be locked and will remain locked until the danger or issue outside or inside the building is removed. To enable everyone to remain safe, no one will be allowed to enter the building or leave the building until the drill is completed.

SEVERE WEATHER DRILLS

The “Shelter-in-Place” drill will be conducted each school year. The purpose of this drill is to be prepared to move to a safe location within the building in case of severe weather or tornados.

Bus Evacuation Drill

Classes receiving the instruction will be composed of those who ride the bus to and from school and others who may ride infrequently or who ride only on field trips. This instruction is for everyone. Students not currently riding the bus to and from school may ride the bus in future years or at future schools attended. Additionally, all students will be a bus rider when on field trips where the Danger Zone training, safe riding practices and emergency evacuation training is highly relevant. The school bus safety training provided to students is developmentally appropriate and is an integral part of the Health and Safety Curriculum.

Please remember that these safety practice drills are done to help maintain our schools as a safe place to learn and work.

If you have any questions regarding any of these Safety Drills or other safety concerns, please feel free to reach out to me.

Oct. 2 School Custodial Workers Day

Oct. 2 Girls Scout Meeting

Oct. 3 PTA Skate Night

Oct. 7 Fall Picture Day

Oct. 10 – 14 Fall Break

Oct. 22 3rd Grade Vision Screening

Oct. 29 International Night

Oct. 30 Girl Scout Meeting

Oct 31 Book Character Dress-up Day

Nov. 5 DLD

Nov. 7 Fall Festival

Nov. 12 – 14 Thanksgiving Luncheon

Every year, we ask parents and guardians to complete and send back dozens of important forms and permission slips. We are pleased to share that your back-to-school forms that were previously in MyPaymentsPlus are now in ParentSquare!

Please review the information below before you complete the form.

​

Free/Reduced Application: The free/reduced application must be completed each school year if assistance with meals, AP exam registration and/or college applications is needed.

GCPS 2024-2025 Student Conduct Behavior Code

GCPS 2024-2025 Handbook Information for Students and Families

Attendance Protocol: GCPS 2024-2025 Handbook Information for Students & Families

Extracurricular Activities: GCPS 2024-2025 Handbook Information for Students & Families

Media Release Opt-Out: GCPS 2024-2025 Handbook Information for Students & Families

Parent AKS Overview: Overview of Academic Knowledge and Skills for your student.

The Plan/The Promise: A written agreement that outlines how the school, the students, and families will work together to ensure your child’s academic success.

If you need assistance with ParentSquare or signing off on your form, please contact your local school or visit our website for helpful tips and answers to frequently asked questions or visit our Parent Center where Ms. Lorena Rojas will gladly help.

1. Free or reduced meal prices for a healthy, nutritious student meal.

2. Increased funding to support education.

3. This year, once again, we were able to provide all school supplies for each and every student. We are greatly appreciative that we are able to do so thanks to Title I funding which is closely tied to our Free and Reduced Meal Applications. If you haven't completed your lunch application, please do so. We appreciate your support!

Hello parents,

To avoid your student experiencing unenrollment, please contact Ms. Vanessa Esparza Cortes at vanessa.esparzacortes@gcpsk12.org if your lease is approaching its expiration date. Additionally, make sure to provide an updated lease to ensure their continued enrollment.

Ms. Vanessa Esparza Cortes

Student Data Management Clerk (SDMC)

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4 PM

• All visitors must sign in at the welcome desk and please be prepared to provide some form of identification upon request.
• Early check-outs end at 2:00 pm.

Student Hours: Monday - Friday 7:45 AM - 2:45 PM

• Students should arrive between 7:45 AM- 8:10 AM

Who: Parents/Guardians of students receiving Special Education services

What: Parent Mentors Present: “Families Engaging in Education” – 4 Session Workshop

When: October 1, October 31, and November 14, 10:00 – 11:30 AM or 6:00-7:30PM

Where: In-Person registration link for 10:00 AM session on September 10

Zoom registration link for 6pm session on September 10

Staff will be on the sidewalk to supervise students exiting their cars, beginning at 7:45. Please do not allow your child to exit the car until a member of the staff is present.

• It is very important to be courteous to other drivers. Also, please drive carefully and put your phone away to ensure the safety of our students and staff. We ask that you remain in your car and not exit. By doing so, you help us to efficiently and safely complete the arrival process with minimal delays.

• Staff will wave you forward and will let you know when it is safe for your student to exit the car.

• Car rider staff will only assist your child in exiting the car if needed.

• Please make sure your child is able to unbuckle their seatbelt and open the car door independently.

• At 8:10, staff will proceed to walk back to their classrooms. If you miss the window, you must park in a Visitor Parking space in the front of the school, and come inside to check your child in.

• On rainy days, you can anticipate a longer car rider line.

• Car Riders must be picked up no later than 3:10 pm. We will walk “late” students to the front office and reach out to a parent/guardian. You will need to pick up your child from the front office and sign a “late” form.

• Please hang your 2024-2025 car rider tag in your rearview mirror.

• Please be patient with us as we are trying to locate and load car riders every afternoon. Also, please practice reciting car rider numbers with your child so that we can load them as quickly and safely as possible!

Thank you for your help and cooperation!

The Beaver Ridge PTA board is looking forward to another wonderful school year, and hopeful we can continue to support our students, teachers and faculty, and community.

We have created a QR code to create efficiency with sign up (see below).

If the QR code doesn't work for you, you may join by clicking on the direct sign-up link: https://jointotem.com/ga/norcross/beaver-ridge-es-pta

Gwinnett County Public Schools finds that the quickest and most effective way to resolve a concern regarding your child is by addressing it at the most direct level.Addressing Concerns at School graphic

In our school district, we care about each and every student. We also believe that open and honest communication between parents and teachers is a key to student success. Thank you for partnering with your child’s teacher and school to address any concerns.

1. Teacher - First, talk to your child’s teacher or a counselor at school for assistance. Most concerns are resolved at the classroom level.

2. Assistant Principal - If the concern is not resolved at the classroom level, please contact your child’s assistant principal.

3. Principal - If working with the AP does not adequately address the issue, please contact the school principal.

We are excited to announce that our school district has adopted a new form of school-to-home communication called ParentSquare. This unified 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

Beginning July 18, 2023, district and school information will now be sent to your computer or phone via email and/or text via ParentSquare. For even more convenience, download the ParentSquare app (available for free for iOS and Android devices).

Please frequently check our website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/BeaverRidgeES, follow us on https://www.facebook.com/BeaverRidgeES and https://www.instagram.com/beaver_ridge_es, and read all emails from Beaver Ridge Elementary School to stay up to date on all current and upcoming events, important updates, and invaluable information.