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.

Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Ready (The 3 Rs)

Greetings, Patriot Families,

I hope you had an amazing week. As we reach the 100th day of school, it’s a meaningful time to pause and reflect on the progress our students have made and the strong partnerships that support their success.

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the families who joined us to support our 6th grade combined Fine Arts Concert. Your presence, encouragement, and continued partnership mean so much to our students and staff. The pride on our students’ faces was a powerful reminder of the impact family involvement has on confidence, creativity, and growth.

As we move forward, we look forward to continuing our work together to support student learning and celebrate their talents. Thank you for being such an important part of our BMS family and for helping make our school community so strong.

With Patriot Pride,

Felecia Jones

Principal

Monday, January 19

• MLK Student/Teacher Holiday

• Rising 9th Grade Family Night @ Berkmar High School

• Wednesday Tutoring
• Meet Ms. Silva at the Library @ Lilburn Branch

• BMS Spirit Night @ Chick-fi-la

• School Picture Make-up Day
• Club Pictures
• Email Progress Reports

Please take a moment to review the school year calendar included here. We kindly encourage you to schedule doctor’s appointments and family vacations during student holidays whenever possible, so your child can fully benefit from their learning experience. Thank you for your thoughtful planning and support—it truly makes a difference!

The Gwinnett County Public Schools Student & Family Handbook includes important policies and expectations for students, including behavior guidelines, technology use, attendance, and more.

🔗 Click here to read the 2025–26 GCPS Handbook

Thank you to all the families who joined us for our iReady Workshop last night! A special shout-out to Ms. Oliver, Ms. Maupins, and Ms. Silva for sharing vital information and their expertise on this evaluation, along with practical strategies that empower parents to support their children at home. Together, we are building strong partnerships to help students succeed in iReady and close educational gaps.

Berkmar High School will host a parent night on January 20th at 6:00 p.m. in the theater for rising 9th grade parents. Please come and learn about Berkmar High School, meet staff, and get important information to help your student have a successful transition to 9th grade.

Updated information about the GA Dual Enrollment Program is now available. Click this link or the image below to learn more about Dual Enrollment Programs for Georgia High School Students.

• Do you have access to Parent Square?
• Do you have access to the ParentVue?
• Do you have a MyPaymentsPlus account?
• Have you applied for Free or Reduced Lunch?
• 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 Ms. Pilar Silva, our Parent Instructional Coordinator, in the BMS Family Center

You can also reach her by email: pilar.silva@gcpsk12.org or by phone 770-638-2317.

The Plan / The Purpose is now available for you to view anytime on our BMS Website under the For Parents Tab → Title I → Promise/Plans
This document is an important part of how we partner with families to support our students’ academic success and ensure that we are working together as a school community.

✨ The Plan / The Purpose explains:

• How Berkmar Middle School will use Title I funds to support student achievement.
• How families, students, and staff can work together to strengthen learning.
• Opportunities for parents to be involved and provide feedback throughout the year.

If you would like a hard copy, please stop by the BMS Family Center or contact Ms. Silva:
📞 770-638-2317
📧 pilar.silva@gcpsk12.org

We encourage every family to review this resource so you can stay informed and engaged in your child’s education.
Together, we are Ready, Respectful, and Responsible: Patriot Pride! 💙❤️🤍

The Newcomer Academy guides newcomer families through the ins and outs of Gwinnett County Public Schools. The academy is made up of a series of informative sessions on the topics of School Culture and Navigating the School System, GCPS Family Resources, Community Resources, and Rights and Responsibilities. The goal of the Newcomer Academy is for families to develop a greater understanding of the processes associated with GCPS resources. This workshop is taught in Chinese for Chinese families.

What: Newcomer Academy for Chinese Families

When: January 16 & 22, February 11 & 18 @ 10:00 AM

Where: International Newcomer Center, 495 Maltbie Street, Lawrenceville

The Newcomer Academy guides newcomer families through the ins and outs of Gwinnett County Public Schools. The academy is made up of a series of informative sessions on the topics of School Culture and Navigating the School System, GCPS Family Resources, Community Resources, and Rights and Responsibilities. The goal of the Newcomer Academy is for families to develop a greater understanding of the processes associated with GCPS resources. This workshop is taught in Korean for Korean families.

What: Newcomer Academy for Korean Families

When: January 26, February 2, 9 & 23 @ 10:00 AM

Where: International Newcomer Center, 495 Maltbie Street, Lawrenceville

The Newcomer Academy guides newcomer families through the ins and outs of Gwinnett County Public Schools. The academy is made up of a series of informative sessions on the topics of School Culture and Navigating the School System, GCPS Family Resources, Community Resources, and Rights and Responsibilities. The goal of the Newcomer Academy is for families to develop a greater understanding of the processes associated with GCPS resources.

This workshop is taught in Vietnamese for Vietnamese families.

What: Newcomer Academy for Vietnamese Families

When: January 26, February 2, 9 & 23 @ 10:00 AM

Where: International Newcomer Center, 495 Maltbie Street, Lawrenceville

We are excited to share an amazing opportunity in partnership with McConnell Middle School! Families are invited to attend an informational meeting about a New York City Trip being planned for students. 🗽✈️

This virtual meeting will cover:

• What students will experience on this once-in-a-lifetime trip

• Trip dates: May 27–29, 2026

• Registration details and payment options

• Tools and resources available to help families plan and budget

📅 Meeting Date & Time: January 14, 2026 at 6:15 PM
💻 Location: Via Microsoft Teams

🎧 Interpretation & Accessibility:

• Spanish interpretation will be available with Ms. Silva.

• If you need an ASL interpreter or interpretation in a language other than English or Spanish, please contact Mr. Lester at Ronnie.Lester@gcpsk12.org so he can make arrangements.

📌 Families can also register in advance at worldstrides.com/register using Trip ID #224012.

We encourage all interested families to attend and learn more about this incredible educational experience!

At Berkmar Middle School, we care deeply about the health, wellness, and stability of our families. We want to make sure you have access to helpful community resources designed to support you in every season of life. From food assistance programs and medical services to mental health support, financial resources, and community events, there are many options available for you and your family.

We encourage you to explore these resources and reach out if you ever need guidance or support. Our BMS Family’s health is important to us — and we’re here to help.

Please take a moment to review the information and share it with anyone who may benefit.
Together, we continue building a stronger, healthier, and more connected Patriot community. 💙🤍❤️

Disclaimer:
GCPS does not endorse or recommend any of the above agencies, as this list is for informational use only. Any fees incurred are the responsibility of the parent and/or student. This is not a complete list of medical providers and/or resources in Gwinnett and the Metro Atlanta area.

Many families in our community are facing hunger. Food insecurity affects attendance, focus, and overall well-being. In Georgia, one in seven children experiences food insecurity, which can make it hard to thrive at school or work.

If you are struggling, you are not alone. Asking for help does not make you a bad parent or a bad person. Even families who seem well-off can face challenges. Reaching out for support shows strength and care for your family. Our community is here to help

If you or someone you know is going through a tough time, please know that you’re not alone. There are places in our community offering free food for families in need, and the Food Finder link can help you find them easily. 🥫🍎

👉 Visit: https://foodfinder.us/

Please share this resource with your friends, neighbors, church members, or anyone who might benefit.
Sometimes, a simple act of sharing can make a huge difference in someone’s life. 💕

Let’s continue to take care of one another — with kindness, compassion, and love.
That’s what community is all about. 💙

Atlanta Food Bank has two upcoming food distribution sites. The distribution starts at 3:00PM and will continue while supplies last. Identification is NOT required. Families can also find food pantries by usting the Atlanta Community Food Bank's interactive Food Pantry Map by using this link: https://www.acfb.org/get-help/food-map/

December 16th at Shorty Howell Park

2750 Pleasant Hill Rd,

Duluth, GA 30096

December 23rd Rhodes Jordan Park

100 E Crogan St,

Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Mercy Seed Ministry

4000 Five Forks Trickum Rd, Lilburn

Saturday 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Lilburn Co-Op

5329 Five Forks Trickum Rd SW, Lilburn

https://lilburnco-op.org/

Lawrenceville Co-Op

52 Gwinnett Dr Suite C, Lawrenceville

https://lawrencevilleco-op.org/

The Quinn House

555 Hurricane Shoals Rd NW, Lawrenceville

https://thequinnhouse.com/

SatisFeed at North Metro Baptist Church

1026 Old Peachtree Rd NE, Lawrenceville

https://www.satisfeed.org/get-food

There are times when families may need a little extra help putting food on the table and that’s okay.
Gwinnett County Community Services offers a wonderful resource that connects families with local food pantries, meal programs, and community organizations providing support across the county. 🌽🍞 Please share the link below with your friends, neighbors, and anyone in your community who could benefit. 🤝 Together, we can make sure no one has to face hunger alone. 💙

https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/departments/communityservices/foodsecurityresources

Want to keep up with all the exciting things happening at BMS? From school events and celebrations to important announcements, we’ve got you covered!

👉 Follow us on social media and be part of our Patriot community:

• Instagram: @berkmarms127

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BerkmarMS

Let’s celebrate our students, families, and staff together because at BMS, Patriots LEAD the way to excellence! 💙❤️

#BMSPatriots #WeAreBerkmar #PatriotsLEAD

Each BMS student will receive a GCPS assigned chromebook for use in class and at home to support their instructional needs. It is the family’s responsibility to monitor the use of the device to ensure that the device is returned in the condition in which it was received.

GCPS has created a 1:1 Parent Support Site to provide further information on chromebook use as well as parent and student responsibilities.

GCPS will assess fines for lost and/or damaged chromebooks and chargers. Please note that incidents of damage or loss do not reset each school year. See the district fine chart below.

Resources:

Student 1:1 Support Site

Parent 1:1 Support Site

Parent and student rights and responsibilities

Please note that incidents of damage or loss do not reset each school year.
Fees are effective July 1, 2024.

Check out this handy schedule to help you stay informed of upcoming soccer games. Go Patriots!

One of the integral parts of creating a harmonious and distraction-free learning space is our "Power Down" electronic device (cell phones, airpods, headphones, etc.) 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.

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