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,

What an exciting and memorable week at Berkmar Middle School! A huge thank you to all the families who joined us for Literacy Night (Trunk-or-Treat). It was such a joy to see our students and families engaging in literacy activities and showcasing their costumes.

October was full of amazing moments: our Orchestra students wowed audiences at the Spooktacular concert at Berkmar High School, Ms. Silva led our Community Food Drive to support those in need, our 8th graders tackled the PSAT with focus and determination, and our Fall Festival brought laughter, fun, and connection for our students. We also want to thank everyone who attended Chick-fil-A Spirit Night. Your support helps us continue to create meaningful experiences for our students!

We are so grateful for your continued support. When families and staff come together, our students thrive, and our school becomes a place where everyone feels valued, encouraged, and inspired.

Thank you for your continued partnership!

With Patriot Pride,

Felecia C. Jones
Principal

Friday, October 31

• Progress Reports emailed home
• BMS & Atlanta Food Bank Distribution

Tuesday, November 4

• Digital Learning Day
• Election Day

Thursday, November 6

• Berkmar vs. Couch Basketball@ BHS (5:30 pm)

Saturday, November 8

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

Friday, November 14

• School Picture Day

Tuesday, November 18

• ML Family Night

Wednesday, November19

• Winter Band Concert - 6pm

Monday, November 24 - Friday, November 28

• 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

The BMS Literacy Night was one for the record books. Students, parents, and staff came out to show their love of literacy. From book character inspired constumes to dramatically designed "car-scapes", our BMS family really came together for a night of literacy engagement.

Ms. Harris’ 6th Grade math students met in small collaborative groups to practice calculating the percent of a number using a percent carousel. Allowing students to engage with real world problems solidifies the concepts' relevance in everyday life. #patriotsleadthroughthepowerofwe

Last week, our Peer Leaders enjoyed learning about Leadership at the GCPS Peer Leading Conference. Throughout the year, the peer leaders participate in No Place for Hate Committee and help with PBIS activities as well as peer tutoring.

• 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! 💙❤️🤍

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.

From Gwinnett County: Mobile Food Distribution

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. 💙

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.

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: 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

Rank One Link

Is your child planning on playing basketball this year? If so, you need to get them registered with Rank One. Make sure to get this done soon.

The BMS staff continues to stand up and recognize the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness.

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

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.

Follow Us On Social Media

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