Beaver Ridge ES Family Newsletter

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Student 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.

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

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we approach the end of the year, I want to take a moment to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished together. December is a time for celebration, gratitude, and community, and I am deeply thankful for the partnership we share in supporting our students’ growth and learning.

This month is full of exciting events and opportunities to celebrate our students’ achievements. On December 12, we will hold our annual STEM Fair, where students will showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills. Following that, from January 7 and 8 (new dates), we’ll celebrate our learners’ hard work during the Fall Semester Award Ceremonies. These events are wonderful opportunities to recognize the dedication and growth of our students.

Please remember that Winter Break will begin on December 22 and continue through January 2. School will resume on January 5, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for an exciting new semester.

As we head into the holiday season, I encourage everyone to take time to rest, reconnect, and enjoy special moments with family and friends. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in making our school such a caring and vibrant community.

Warm and merry wishes,

Martina Luna-Liranzo

Gwinnett County Public Schools is committed to providing a safe, welcoming place for every student, every day. We know our schools serve families from many backgrounds, languages, and immigration experiences. Our responsibility is to ensure that all students feel protected, cared for, and ready to learn, grow, and thrive.

We understand that news about immigration actions, both locally and nationally, can create fear or uncertainty for some students, families, and staff. Please continue to focus on our students and respond with empathy, kindness, and professionalism. If a student or family member expresses worry about safety at school, remind them that our focus is on learning, belonging, and student well-being.

A reminder about procedures if law enforcement or immigration officials (including ICE) come to a district campus:

• Our district does not ask for or document information about the immigration status of any student or family. It is important to understand that, by law, a child's immigration status (or that of their parents) does not affect their right to receive a public education.
• Direct all ICE or other federal immigration officials to the principal or designee, if the principal is off-site, who will immediately contact the district’s Chief of Staff for guidance. Treat officials as you would any visitor, but do not give access beyond the main office or vestibule, and do not share information.
• ICE officials must have a judicial warrant to enter school property beyond the normal visitor area.
• Do not share student, family, or staff information, including where a student is or personal details. FERPA protects student records. No student record may be released without proper legal documentation and approval from the district office.
• If a judicial warrant is presented, and when possible, the school will make an effort to notify parents or guardians if there is a request to interview their child.
• Continue normal school routines unless directed otherwise by the principal.

Our students depend on us to create stable, caring learning environments. We know that even talking about immigration enforcement can be frightening for students. Please:

• Respond with empathy and calm.
• Avoid making predictions or political comments.
• Connect students who show distress with a counselor, social worker, or trusted adult in the building.

Thank you for continuing to show compassion, professionalism, and support for every student entrusted to our care. Your commitment helps keep our schools safe, welcoming places where all students can focus on learning.

Committed to excellence, together,
Dr. Al Taylor
Interim Superintendent
Gwinnett County Public Schools

The district released the 2026-2027 School Year Calendar. Please take a moment to review the calendar.

• Approved 2026-27 Calendar
  • English
  • 中文
  • 한국어
  • Español
  • Tiếng Việt

• Approved 2027-28 Calendar
  • English
  • 中文
  • 한국어
  • Español
  • Tiếng Việt

• For long-term transportation changes, download and complete the form below, bring it to the school. A driver's license will be required along with the form.

• In the event of an emergency, and you need to make a transportation change, please send a written note with your student's name, grade-level, and teacher detailing the date for the transportation change.
• IF A WRITTEN CHANGE OF TRANSPORTATION IS NOT RECEIVED, STUDENTS WILL LEAVE SCHOOL ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION ON THEIR TRANSPORTATION TAGS.
• Changes in the transportation of any kind will NOT be accepted via email, FAX, or phone. Please do not email the teacher any time-sensitive information. This is for the safety of your child.

Keep Warm this Winter

We want to see your students here at school! As the winter months approach, please let us know if you need any coats, hats or gloves to help keep your children warm and healthy. If there are other resources in the community we can help connect you with, please let us know!

Classroom Lessons

This month, our K-3 students will be working on empathy and fair ways to play. When students understand other people's feelings, they can respond in caring ways, like offering a kind word, listening, or helping. These skills are important as the engage in group work and learn to resolve conflicts. In the fourth and fifth grade, students will be exploring activities to improve self-concept. Healthy self-esteem in children is strongly linked to academic achievement, peer acceptance, and positive future relationships.

Teaching tip: Encourage independence and responsibility by allowing your child to make age-appropriate choices and supporting them in solving problems on their own. This can help build their problem solving skills and feelings of confidence. They will make mistakes! Part of the process is to help children reflect on what they think they did well and what they will do differently next time.
Praise vs. Encouragement: While praise from adults may feel good, we want our students to be able to identify for themselves what they do well. Providing encouragement, when we recognize the effort rather than the end result, can help children become more resilient and build their self-esteem.

Regular attendance is essential for your child’s academic success. Student truancy, which means frequent or unexcused absences from school, can negatively impact both your child’s learning progress and our school’s state report card.

Student Hours:
📅 Monday – Friday
🕒 7:45 AM – 2:45 PM

• Students should arrive between 7:45 AM and 8:10 AM.

• Students are considered tardy after 8:10 AM.

• Early check-outs end at 2:00 PM.

• When a student is not in school for more than 4 hours, it counts as a full-day absence.

Please note that students who arrive after 8:10 AM miss breakfast, which is an important part of starting the day. A healthy breakfast helps students focus, learn better, and have more energy throughout the morning.

Thank you for ensuring your child arrives on time and attends school every day. Together, we can support their success!

If your lease or rental agreement is set to expire this month, it is required that you schedule an appointment to update your residency information. To prevent unenrollment, please ensure that all documentation verifying your residency is submitted promptly.

• Reach out to Ms. Vanessa Esparza Cortes at vanessa.esparzacortes@gcpsk12.org via email if your lease is nearing expiration.
• Please reach out to Ms. Nicole Montero at nicole.montero@gcpsk12.org via email if you need assistance with updating your proof of residency.

Column A: Present one of the following (must include address):

• Non-contingent sales contract
• Current lease/rental agreement
• Current residential property tax statement or bill
• Current warranty or quit claim deed
• Current home purchase agreement
• Current homeowner’s insurance policy

AND

Column B: One of the following:

• Current water bill
• Current electric bill

• Documents presented for residency verification must include the same address as the accompanying utility bill.
• The bill must have the name and address of the enrolling parent/guardian. If the bill does not have the enrolling guardian’s name, one piece of business mail in the parent/legal guardian’s name with the address of the home or apartment in which the student is residing is permitted.
• A telephone bill is not acceptable.
• A contingency sales contract is not acceptable.
• Exception: A deed without an address is acceptable if accompanied by two utility bills (excluding telephone bills) with same address in attendance zone.

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.

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

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

Students are considered tardy after 8:10.

Early check-outs end at 2:00 pm.

This month’s focus is Empathy. One way to think about Empathy is “understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings.” Empathy is a practice that can help us grow strong relationships. Empathy is 1 of 3 traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Kind. Across grade levels, students will be developing skills like perspective-taking, conflict resolution, and leadership.

1. You are giving your child an incredible gift.

Bilingualism is truly a lifelong gift. Speaking another language will enrich your child’s life!

2. Your child will reap so many benefits!

The research is clear: bilingualism has incredible benefits for our bodies, brains, and lives.

3. Your child is making progress.

Sometimes it seems slower than we might like, but with consistent target language input and a need to use the language, your child is going to keep improving.

4. Keep exposing them to both languages in fun ways.

Keep it simple, make it fun!

5. Sharing your culture connects your child to others.

Language and culture are undoubtedly tied together, and passing on a family language connects your child to your roots, history, and culture. I hope it instills pride in your child for their cultural identity and a sense of belonging with family near and far.

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). Also, to familiarize our students with PBIS Expectations at the beginning of each school year, there will be no parental lunch visitation until after Labor Day.

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.

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.

Local School Councils meet four times per year in each learning community. The primary goals of local school councils are: to strengthen partnerships between the school and community, to improve academic achievement, to provide support for teachers and administrators, and to bring parents into the decision-making process. We are looking for parents that would like to join our School Council to provide advice and recommendations.

Local School Council meetings will be held at 4:30 pm, prior to PTA or school events, to make it easier for parents to attend. The following are the dates for the meetings:

• 09/30/2025 (UPDATED)
• 10/14/2025
• 01/13/2026
• 03/17/2026

If you are interested in joining, please complete the following survey:

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 2025-2026 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!

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 know that families want easy access and one go-to location for need-to-know information about their student’s education—from records to resources. The ParentVUE app gives parents access to grades, assignments, and more.

Student information is only as helpful as it is current. That’s why parents can count on always seeing up-to-the-minute information.

• Everything in One Place - Access student information in a single location, including student information, grade book data, discipline, report cards, transcripts, calendars, and more.
• Class Schedule - Check your student’s schedule for course titles, teacher names, and room assignments.
• Grades and Assignment Scores - Check performance immediately to learn about missing assignments and whether your student is on track academically or needs extra help.
• Course History - View final grades for all grade levels and use easy-to-read graphics to track progress toward graduation for high school students.
• Customizable Grade Alerts - Opt-in to get mobile notifications about student grades and overall class averages.
• Fees - Find fees that are owed and what textbook/library books are checked out by your student.

Please log into the ParentVUE website before trying to use the mobile app for the first time.

The ParentVUE mobile app is available in the Google Play store for Android Devices and the App Store for Apple (iOS) devices.

Find help with using the ParentVUE app on the GCPS website.

Spiritwear is on sale for $15! Visit our SuccessFund spiritwear store to see all designs and to place an order.

Order your yearbook today for $35.

Dear Parents and Families,

As we come to the end of the year, the Family Center would like to thank you for your continued involvement and support in your child’s education. Your partnership plays an important role in their success, and we truly appreciate everything you do.

We wish you and your family a warm, joyful, and restful winter break. We look forward to supporting you in the new year!

Sincerely,

The Family Center

Thank you to all the families who were able to join us for this special event. We are grateful for this wonderful community and look forward to sharing many more moments like this together!

Have a ton of rhyming fun

Rhyming games can help children increase their vocabularies and general knowledge. And they are easy to play anywhere! If your child is trying to learn the names of the states, for example, say, "I'm thinking of a state that rhymes with plane. What is it?" (Maine). Take turns asking the questions. Or, try making rhymes for words on your child's vocabulary list. Having fun with words develops your child's love of language.

https://tpitip.com/?15kW18608

Imagine Learning at home for your student

An interactive, personalized way to support their growth in language, literacy, and math. With engaging content that adapts to their pace, it’s the perfect tool for extra practice and boosting confidence outside the classroom.

Plan
The Plan outlines how the school will work with families to support student success. It includes ways parents and teachers can partner together to help students improve academically, making sure everyone knows how to get involved.

Promise
The Promise is a simple agreement created by parents, students, and teachers. It’s a commitment to work together to help students meet their learning goals.

You can find The Plan…The Promise on our website, at the Parent Center, or in your ParentSquare account.

The Plan...The Promise on the Beaver Ridge website

Are you looking for ways to partner with us? We are looking for volunteers to assist with Friday folders, bulletin board preparation, assisting in the media center, or volunteering in the Family Center? Please call 770-326-8093 or email Giselle Gomez at giselle.gomez@gcpsk12.org or Nicole Montero at nicole.montero@gcpsk12.org to sign up and/or acquire more information.

Every Wednesday 9:30 - 11:00 am

For more information please contact Giselle Gomez at

770-326-8093

Join us for “Unlocking the Future: The Power of Mathematics for Your Child's Success,” a virtual event where you'll learn effective strategies to support your child's growth as a mathematician and problem solver. Discover valuable tips that can help your child excel in mathematics and explore how real-world applications can enhance their learning and unlock their full potential.

This engaging event is designed for families of students from K-12

Elementary Session-

• Number Ninjas: Building Mathematical Confidence in Pre-K to 1st Grade Learners

• Math Marvels: Strengthening Problem-Solving Skills for 2nd and 3rd Graders

• Mathematical Masterminds: Advanced Thinking Strategies for 4th and 5th Graders

Interpretation will be provided in Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, and French.

Click here to RSVP or Direct Registration Link:

https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b958f110-69d7-477e-9d03-127fe89329c2@7de65cf9-3f2e-4e67-a469-965b0d085fbb

We’re here to support you and your students in any way we can. Whether you need help, have questions, or just want to stay connected, we’re only a phone call away!

📞 Ms. Gomez: 770-326-8093
📞 Ms. Montero: 770-447-2680

Take a look below to see all the fun and important things happening in November!

A photographer from Strawbridge Studios will be at our school on 1/15/2026 to photograph our Fall Retake pictures.

In-Person Tutoring
Location: 2500 Beaver Ruin Rd., Norcross, GA 30071
Monday - Friday

• Kinder - 5th Grade: 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM

• 6th - 10th Grade: 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Virtual Tutoring
Join via Google Meets
Monday - Friday

• Kinder - 12th Grade: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Transportation
Transportation to SmarterMe® is available from:

• Summerour Middle

• Beaver Ridge Elementary

• Norcross Elementary

• Baldwin Elementary

Tuition

• $40 per student

• $10 for each additional sibling

• FREE for Summerour students ONLY

Contact Information

• (K-5) Contact Ms. Jessica at (678) 367-4329

• (6-8) Contact Ms. Izabel at (404) 552-3573

STAY AT YOUR SCHOOL!

• Stay at your school - no day care van ride needed
• Affordable tuition: $75 per week, billed monthly
• Homework help
• Quick, easy pick-up with our Kiddo-To-Go program
• Organized outdoor play: volleyball, basketball, soccer, and more
• Healthy snacks
• STEM, arts and crafts, karaoke
• We accept CAPS

GASP!-TASTIC GUARANTEE! Love us your first 2 weeks or it's free

For Español, Tiếng Việt, or 한국어, visit www.GASP-ga.com

$75 per week

Open until 6:30 pm

"It's the cool way to end your school day!"

Limited space. Register now!

www.GASP-ga.com

English: 770-318-7848

Español: 404-358-6772

Please frequently check our website, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and read all emails from Beaver Ridge Elementary School and ParentSquare to stay up-to-date on all current and upcoming events, important updates, and invaluable information.