Team Berkmar!
I hope you all had a relaxing Spring Break and have recharged for the last stretch of the school year! There is much to do in so little time, but you all are on it! Remember to focus on essentials and help our students take advantage of the remaining time left and make the most of the ABCs (Attendance, Behavior, and Course Performance)! I have copied reminders below with the term "(REPEAT)" so you all know what has already been shared. I look forward to continuing to learn more about each of you and helping make Berkmar get better each and every day to be a great place to LEARN and WORK!
-Gabe
Announcements
Please keep submissions 3-4 Sentences and send both English and Spanish versions the day before to 125 Announcements. Remember we will transition to Morning Announcements starting April 21st!
Name Badges
Per our GCPS safety and security plan, all staff should wear their name badges that clearly identifies them as an employee of GCPS. Name badges can be ordered with our AA, Sandra Martinez. Beginning next year, our handbook will have clear procedures for replacing name badges.
ELPP Data Entry Deadline
Please submit your comments and feedback for the ELPPs document by May 1st .
Staff Birthday Shoutouts
Starting next year we will shoutout birthdays on a monthly basis in the Weekly Patriot! If you would like to OPT OUT, please email 125 Berkmar ITI Coaches. We will only share the birth month and date, not the year.
Principal Corner for Families
Our upcoming principal corner has been updated for April 22nd at 6pm online due to the Board of Education Meeting. This will only be one session conducted in a bilingual format. Please encourage your students' families to attend to share their feedback directly with the principal!
Staff Meeting (REPEAT)
We will not have a staff meeting for the month of April. Our next staff meeting will be Monday, May 5th, 2025 in the auditorium at 2:20pm.
One on One Sessions (Optional) (REPEAT)
Sign up on the link below to schedule a 15-minute session to sit with me one on one AFTER SPRING BREAK! Also, fill out the form to provide your feedback whether you would like to meet in person, or just share your insight! Your feedback is so important as I continue to learn more about Berkmar and our next steps as a school!
Bell to Bell Instruction Gentle Reminder (REPEAT)
As we enter the last stretch of the school year, it is important to remember to maximize each minute. Bell to Bell instruction for the entire day is expected each school day. Please ensure that students are actively engaged through the end of the day for each block.
Daily Broadcast News Starting Soon (REPEAT)
We will start daily broadcast news for morning announcements April 21, 2025 using our IPTV function on all staff laptops. Our students will run and facilitate the show with a principal and assistant principal message daily! We hope to reengage all students with a visual presence!
Staff Work Hours Reminder (REPEAT)
Here is a list to remind all staff of work hours. It is critical all staff members are on time daily for safety and security of our students, each other, and school.
Teachers, Administrators, Counselors, Clerks, & Support: 6:40AM-2:40PM
Cafeteria: *Flexible Based on plan from Cafeteria Manager
Custodial: *Flexible Based on plan from Head Custodian
TST-Adrian Taylor: Flex Schedule
Leave Procedures – GCPS Critical Days (REPEAT)
To be in alignment with GCPS Procedures, all GCPS Critical Days on the GCPS calendar will require doctor’s notes as Personal Leave is Not Allowed. After Spring Break, we will need to have copies of doctor’s notes (just the general note, no personal information included) for personnel files to accompany all Sick Leave Requests moving forward. Personal leave is not permitted on GCPS critical dates and will not be able to be approved.
Leave Approvers Update (REPEAT)
Starting after Spring Break, all staff should select their designated administrator to request leave. All administrators will be listed on the drop down menu. This will help support consistency of leave procedures and ensure your administrator is able to support your departments more quickly.
Duty Assignments Reminder (REPEAT)
For Safety & Security, please remember to be at your arrival, lunch, and/or dismissal duty on time. We are setting the standard and expectation to our students. Also, between class changes, please be at your door. Our Administrative team will also be monitoring all zones throughout the day and provide additional support. The more visibility we have, the more support we can provide students by being proactive.
Duty Hours (REPEAT)
- Arrival: 6:40am - 7:00am
- Lunch: Assigned Lunch Block
- Dismissal: 2:05pm - 2:25pm
- *Assistant Principal Curt Shelton will send a reminder of everyone’s duty locations
Daily Period Attendance Reminder (REPEAT)
Remember to take accurate attendance daily within the first ten minutes of each period. This will provide us with clean data so we can continue addressing student attendance and engagement in the school. We must demonstrate to our students our commitment to fulfilling our duties and provide accountability measures.
Dress Code Reminder (REPEAT)
Remember that Fridays are our Spirit Wear and Jeans Days! If you have stickers purchased through Relay for Life or other incentives, please be sure to use them before the end of the year! Let's wear our business casual/job role appropriate attire daily and demonstrate professionalism to our students!
