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!

Welcome Back, Patriot Families!

Thank you to all the families who joined us for Open House. It was a joy to welcome you back and feel the energy and excitement for the new school year! Our theme, "LEAD Through the Power of We," was in full effect as students and families connected with teachers and staff, learned about academic programs, and explored ways to get involved through PTSA and extracurricular activities such as fine arts and athletics.

As we gear up for the first day of school on Monday, August 4, please take a moment to review the important information in this newsletter. Be sure to complete all required Orientation Agreements on ParentVue prior to the first day. Students will receive Chromebooks once forms are completed.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership! We can’t wait to launch a powerful year of learning, leading, and growing together. Let’s make it our best yet.

We are Patriots. And together, we LEAD!

Warm Regards,

Felecia C. Jones

Principal

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!

(L-R): Ms. Lineica Maupins-Connections, Ms. Ashley Bolton-6th, Ms. Felecia Jones-Principal, Ms. Kimberly Pittman, Ms. Carrie Keane -7th Grade

The 2025-26 GCPS Back-to-School Guide, went live on July 16th on the district website and you received a direct link to the guide via ParentSquare. It included the following topics: School Registration & Enrollment, Academic and Instructional Resources, Academic Calendar & Important Dates, Handbook Information for Students and Families, Transportation & Bus Routes, School Meals & Nutrition, ParentSquare & Digital Resources for Parents, Special Education & Support Services, Communication & Parent Engagement, Community Resources & Assistance, and Student and School Safety.

The district and local school Back to School Forms will go live in ParentSquare on July 21st. Sign off is REQUIRED before Open House. Orientation Agreements are GCPS and local school standard documents that parents can view and sign electronically via ParentSquare. This will be available Monday, July 21st and should be completed by Thursday, July 30th.

1. Please review and sign all orientation documents on ParentSquare.

*The Berkmar MS The Plan the Promise

*The Gwinnett County Public School's 2025-2026 Handbook Information for Students and Families

*The Berkmar MS 2025-2026 Parent/Student Handbook

2. BUILDING HOURS / EARLY ARRIVALS

School hours for students is from 8:50 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Students should not be dropped off at school before 8:50 a.m., unless attending Wednesday Help Day or other designated activities facilitated by BMS staff members. In order to come early, students must have a pass signed in their Agenda by the sponsoring teacher stating they have permission to be in the building. If a student fails to comply, a counselor and/or administrator will contact their parent, and consequences may apply. Students may only stay after school if they are participating in an event supervised by BMS staff members. All students should be picked up prior to the end of the day at 4:20 p.m.

3. Berkmar Middle is a Power Down Facility-No Electronic Devices

Berkmar Middle School is a Power Down facility. Before or upon entry into our building, we ask that electronic devices be powered off and placed in a bookbag. Students who use devices without permission are subject to consequences. The school does not assume any responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged devices. Devices, including cell phones, AirPods, headphones, earbuds, Smart watches, etc. should NOT be visible in the hallways during arrival, lunch, restrooms, dismissal, or transitions between classes. All devices should be powered off and stored in book bags when entering the building. Should there be an emergency or an urgent concern to communicate with your child, please reach out to the school's main office.

4. Water Bottles

Please ensure students only bring clear water bottles to school if needed.

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.

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

If you need help downloading Parent Square to your mobile device, please contact Ms. Pilar Silva at 770-638-2311 or email her pilar.silva@gcpsk12.org

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

We are thrilled to announce the start of the 2025-2026 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@gcpsk12.org

Let's work together to make this year an amazing year at Berkmar!

#PatriotsLead

¡Noticias Importantes de BMS para el Año Escolar 2025-2026!

Estamos empcionados de anunciar el inicio del año escolar 2025-2026 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@gcpsk12.org

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

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

If you need help downloading My Payment Plus to your mobile device, please contact Ms. Pilar Silva at 770-638-2311 or email her pilar.silva@gcpsk12.org

Ms. Silva will be available every day from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

We are pleased to announce that the Free and Reduced Lunch Application for the 2025-2026 school year is now available for BMS families to complete. This application needs to be completed every school year. 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, completing the application, please email pilar.silva@gcpsk12.org or call her at 770-638-2317. Ms. Silva will be available every day from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

Atención Familias de Berkmar: Solicitud de Almuerzo Gratuito o Reducido para el Año Escolar 2025-2026

Nos complace anunciar que la Solicitud de Almuerzo Gratuito o a Precio Reducido para el año escolar 2025-2026 ya está disponible para que las familias Berkmar Middle la completen. Esta aplicación se tiene que completar cada año escolar. 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 completando la solicitud mandale un email a pilar.silva@gcpsk12.org o llama al 770-638-2317. Ms. Silva estará disponible todos los días de 9:30 AM a 3:30 PM.

Parents can use their smartphones to access ParentVUE to find grades, schedules, and more!

Please click here for more information on downloading ParentVue.

If you need assistance downloading ParentVue, please email pilar.silva@gcpsk12.org or call her at 770-638-2317. Ms. Silva will be available every day from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

• 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" 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.

All student passwords will be reset the evening of Sunday, July 14th.

Grades 6-12 – Student Passwords will be reset to the student’s birthday using the numerical format of MMDDYYYY. Middle School and High School students must reset their passwords and activate their accounts using the activate process.

GCPS encourages families to follow these steps to resolve 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 visit with your child’s assistant principal.

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

4. Cluster Superintendent - If the issue persists, please call 678-301-6000, and ask to speak to the cluster superintendent who is assigned to the school your child attends.

5. Chief of Schools - If, after following steps one through four, your concern has not been resolved to your satisfaction, please contact the Chief of Schools for School Improvement and Operations.

Other Resources
If you are experiencing an emergency, dial 9-1-1. The GCPS Hotline for anonymous reporting of potential violence is 770-822-6513. If you have a non-emergency criminal concern, please contact local law enforcement.

Please select one of the files below for a downloadable view of this information:

• English
• Español
• Tiếng Việt

We are pleased to provide you with information about Student Accident Insurance available through K&K Insurance. This affordable insurance plan can help cover costs associated with accidental injuries to your student.

This insurance plan is not intended to replace your child’s health insurance coverage. Rather, this insurance can supplement any existing insurance policies, providing a specified amount of coverage if your student should be injured at school. (For greater protection, you may select the “full time” plan, offering 24-hour accident coverage.)

To enroll, file a claim, or for more information about the plans, visit K & K Insurance at www.studentinsurance-kk.com.

If you have any other questions, please contact Zach Palmer, K&K Insurance, at 855-742-3135.

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