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,

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We had a productive week at BMS, including a successful Digital Learning Day that allowed our teachers to engage in professional learning focused on social-emotional learning and collaborative planning. We also enjoyed the excitement of our first home basketball game of the season and appreciate the families who came out to cheer on our Patriots.

Our teachers are hard at work collaborating on Essential Safety Nets to provide targeted interventions, ensuring every student finishes the semester strong. Please continue engaging in conversations with your child about their progress. We are here to support their success every step of the way!

As always, we appreciate your support. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher, counselor, or administrator.

Thank you for your continued partnership!

With Patriot Pride,

Felecia C. Jones
Principal

BMS Welcomes our newest Patriot, Mr. Brian Sinyard, as a member of our BMS Leadership Team. Mr. Sinyard has 23 years of experience in Gwinnett County Public Schools. He recently served as a Math Instructional Specialist with the district office. Please join us in welcoming him to the Patriot Family.

Saturday, November 8

• Berkmar vs. Moore Basketball@ Central Gwinnett (9:30 am

Tuesday, November 11

• Veterans Day
• Rising 9th Grade Family Night

Friday, November 14

• School Picture Day

Tuesday, November 18

• ML Family Night 5:30-7:00

• Library Tour - Lilburn Branch 10:30AM
• BMS Spirit Night @ Chick-Fil-A 5:00 pm - 7:00PM
• Winter Band Concert - 6pm

• Thanksgiving Break

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

Attention Parents of Rising 9th graders!

There will be an Information Night for you and your student at Berkmar High School on November 11th from 6:00–8:00 PM in the Theater. We look forward to seeing you.

Families who speak a language other than English are invited to join us for an important informational evening on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 starting at 5:30PM in Berkmar Middle School Café

Become familiar with:

✅ What it means to be an ESOL/Multilingual Learner in GCPS

✅ How students are supported through the ML Program

✅ Understanding ACCESS for ELLs testing and reclassification

✅ Ways parents can track progress through the GCPS Parent Portal

✅ How to communicate with your child’s teachers and the multilingual team

✨Spanish interpretation will be available. If you need another language, please contact Ms. Pilar Silva at pilar.silva@gcpsk12.org by Friday, November 13.

It's never too early to learn how to write code. Mr. Jackson helps his computer science students dive into the mechanics and skill of writing and interpreting HTML. BMS is shaping the path of our future software developers, programmers, and coders.

• 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.

This month is all about celebrating the partnership between home and school — and the amazing ways families can learn, grow, and connect together! 💙

Check out our Family Engagement Calendars for both Elementary and Middle/High School families. Each day includes fun, simple, and meaningful activities that bring families closer, from reading together 📚 and enjoying game nights 🎲 to showing kindness 💕 and having family conversations that strengthen connection and confidence.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Whether it’s helping your child explore new goals, sharing family traditions, or volunteering together, every moment counts.

🌟Let’s make November a month to strengthen our bonds and celebrate the power of family engagement! 🌟

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! 💙❤️🤍

I hope you can find time to visit our local public library- Lilburn Branch!
There’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out this month’s program filled with exciting activities, workshops, and family events happening throughout November.

✨ Don’t miss out on all the fun, read, create, and connect with your community!

Join us for a magical afternoon of literary fun and learning at El Gusanito Book Festival & Mercado Navideño!

📍 Plazas Las Américas 733 Pleasant Hill Road, Lilburn, GA
🗓️ Sunday, November 9, 2025 starting at 12:00 p.m.

Meet Author Nury Castillo Crawford, along with educators and community leaders who are passionate about inspiring literacy and learning! Enjoy read-alouds, workshops for aspiring writers, and family-friendly activities that celebrate books, culture, and community.

🎁 There will be giveaways, raffle prizes, and plenty of holiday cheer! Don’t miss this special event that promotes literacy, creativity, and connection in our community.

📩 For more information: thelittlebookspotga@gmail.com

Families are invited to join us for a special visit to the Gwinnett Public Library – Lilburn Branch!
Come and learn all about the free resources, programs, and services available for all your family! 💙

🗓️ Wednesday, November 19th
⏰ 10:30–11:30 a.m.

📍 4817 Church Street, Lilburn, GA 30047

If you don’t know how to get there, please meet Ms. Silva at Berkmar Middle School by 10:15 a.m. so you can follow her to the library. 🚗📖

Don’t miss this great opportunity to connect, explore, and discover everything your local library has to offer!

Join Mrs. Jones & Ms. Silva for a fun evening at Chick-fil-A Spirit Night and help support Berkmar Middle School! Stop by to say hello! Ms. Silva will be there to help you with ParentVUE, ParentSquare, MyPaymentPlus, or just to chit-chat with you and Principal Mrs. Jones while enjoying a delicious meal! 🍗🥤

Last month we had over 50 orders placed for Berkmar Middle School ! I know we can beat that record!

Our next Chit Chat at Chick-Fil-A will be Wednesday, November 19, 2025 from 5:00–7:00 PM at 4801 Lawrenceville Hwy NW, Lilburn, GA 30047

💬 Don’t forget to mention “Berkmar Middle School” when placing your order.
📱 Ordering on the app? Use code BMS25 and 10% goes back to our school!

See you There!

Kroger offers a Community Rewards program that will allow BMS to benefit from a portion of your purchases. See the flier below and consider adding Berkmar Middle School as your Kroger Community Rewards recipient.

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

Families can receive free fruits, vegetables, and shelf-stable foods — no ID required.

🕒 Begins at 3:00 PM
✅ Free, contactless, drive-thru style
📦 While supplies last – first come, first served

📍 Upcoming Locations & Dates:

• Best Friend Park (Norcross) – October 28

• Rhodes Jordan Park (Lawrenceville) – October 14

• Bryson Park (Lilburn) – August 26, November 18

• Rock Springs Park (Lawrenceville) – December 9

• Lenora Park (Snellville) – November 4

🔗 More food resources here
🔗 Another resource recently shared with us

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. 💙

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

The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office has once again partnered with Volunteer Gwinnett to host the 5th Annual Thanksgiving Food Giveaway! 🍞🥔🥕

📅 Thursday, November 6
🕚 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville

Families will receive free food items to prepare a Thanksgiving meal (while supplies last)!

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to bring your loved ones and take part in a day of community, gratitude, and giving! 💙 Please share with families you know that are in need.

Friday was a beautiful day, not too cold, not too hot, just perfect for serving our community. We had about 25 BMS parents come out to volunteer their time and energy. Their willingness to serve truly reflects the spirit of community that makes Berkmar Middle School so special. 💫

We served 287 families representing 1,213 individuals, including 622 children and 22 senior citizens.

If you’d like to support the Atlanta Community Food Bank and help families in need this holiday season, please visit the link below to make a donation:

🔗 Donate to Atlanta Community Food Bank

Together, we’re making a difference, one family at a time. Our Next Food Drive will be on December 19, 2025! 💙❤️

Donate canned goods or volunteer at a pantry. Share these resources with families or friends. When families have access to food, children and adults can attend, learn, and succeed.

Every meal matters. Everyday matters. Every person matters.

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.

Is your child planning on playing volleyball, basketball, or soccer or become a Cheerleader this year? If so, you need to get them registered with Rank One.

Make sure to get this done soon! If you need help accessing Rankone or uploading your documents, please reach out to Ms. Silva pilar.silva@gcpsk12.org so she can assist.

We’re excited to invite all interested students to join our Berkmar Middle School Soccer Tryouts!

🗓️ Boys: December 1–5
🗓️ Girls: December 8–12

✅ To try out, students must:

• Be passing 5 out of 6 classes (Math & Language Arts must be passing).

• Have their physical, health insurance, and all paperwork uploaded to RankOne.com before tryouts.

⚠️ No paperwork = No tryouts!

📞 Questions or need help?
Contact Mrs. Silva at pilar.silva@gcpsk12.org or 770-638-2317

Let’s go Patriots! 💙❤️

BMS Families: We are getting ready for our Lady Patriots Soccer Season! 💙❤️

🏃‍♀️ Speed & Agility Days: November 12 & 19 | 4:30–6 PM

⚽️ Tryouts: December 8 & 10 | 4:30–6 PM

📋 Important:

All physicals MUST be uploaded to RANKONE.com before participating in Speed & Agility Days and before soccer tryouts. Students will not be allowed to participate without a valid physical on file.

Once the girls have been selected for the team, team dues of $110 will be required.

✅ Conditions to Try Out:

1. Must be passing 5 out of 6 classes (Must be passing both Math & Language Arts )
2. Must have a physical uploaded to RankOne.com before participating
3. No more than 5 unexcused absences
4. Bring cleats, shin guards, and goalie gloves (if needed)

📧 Coaches:

Coach Calderon — anahi.calderon@gcpsk12.org

Coach Guzman — victoria.de-gusmao@gcpsk12.org

💬 Need help uploading documents onto RankOne?

Contact Ms. Pilar Silva at pilar.silva@gcpsk12.org

Let’s cheer on our girls as they show their Patriot Pride on and off the field! 💪⚽️

The Fall Festival celebrated the end of the first nine weeks of the school year, offering students a chance to engage in sports, socializing, and enjoy the fresh air in a fun and festive atmosphere.

Be a part of bringing the Berkmar community together by participating in the Patriot 5K hosted by the BHS Soccer Program.

Kudos to our Student Patriots who have consistently demonstrated the Three R's throughout the academic quarter. Being Ready, Being Respectful, and Being Responsible is being noticed and acknowledged. We see your hardwork and great attitudes. Keep climbing 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