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,

This week was filled with celebration and gratitude across our BMS community. We celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week and enjoyed a wonderful 6th Grade Awards Night and a fantastic spring band concert. These moments remind us how special our students, staff, and families truly are.

Thank you for your continued support in helping make these events meaningful and memorable.

As we enter the final eight days of school, our focus remains on teaching, learning, and helping our Patriots finish strong. Please continue encouraging your student to:

• Bring a fully charged Chromebook each day for district final exams
• Be present and on time
• Stay engaged and give their best effort each day

Our staff remains committed to providing high-quality instruction and maintaining a strong focus on our three key initiatives to ensure consistency and excellence in every classroom.

Thank you for being an important part of the BMS family. Take time this weekend to talk with your student about their goals, celebrate their accomplishments, and encourage them to finish the school year strong. Together, we can make these final days count!

Together, let’s make these last days of the school year positive, purposeful, and strong for every BMS Patriot!

Thank you for your continued support of Berkmar Middle School!

Warm regards,

Felecia Jones

Principal

Monday, May 11

• Library and Chromebook Fines are due
• 8th Grade Awards Night (by invitation only)

Final Exam Dates:

• Connections A: Tuesday, May 12
• Connections B: Wednesday, May 13
• iReady Spring Assessment Reading (6th/7th only): Tuesday, May 12
• iReady Spring Assessment Math (6th/7th only): Wednesday, May 13

It is awards season and time to celebrate our awesome BMS students. Please see the awards schedule below. Attendance to this event is by invitation only.

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!

Has your student located their library books? Look around the house. Check their backpacks.

All library books are due to the library by Friday, May 15.

Help your student prepare for device collection day and avoid possible fines.

Collection Dates:

Friday, May 15 - 8th Grade

Tuesday, May 19 - 7th Grade

Wednesday, May 20 - 6th Grade

Last Friday was our final Food Distribution of SY25-26!! It was beautiful to see everyone working together whether it was unloading the truck, organizing the items, bagging them, or handing out the food. Their willingness to serve spoke volumes about the heart of our school, which is what makes Berkmar Middle School so special.

Working with Atlanta Food Bank has shown me that this initiative goes beyond providing food; it brings people together and strengthens the sense of unity and belonging within our community. It reminds me that when one of us needs support, we all show up and today our staff really showed up when I needed support, so THANK YOU to all that helped make the food distribution a success! I truly believe that when families, schools, and the community work together, everyone benefits. ❤️

Friday’s Impact:

The food distributed included mixed produce, frozen chicken breasts, chicken hot dogs, canned green beans, fruit juices, apple sauce cups, peanut butter, canned chicken chili, and canned vegetable soup.

• 260 families served

• 1,133 individuals

• 118 senior citizens

• 542 children under the age of 18 years

• 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.

Keep your child’s mind active all summer long through reading! Summer literacy activities help students strengthen vocabulary, comprehension, creativity, and critical thinking skills while preparing them for a successful new school year. Encourage your child to read books they enjoy, listen to audiobooks, create a cozy reading space at home, and connect reading to fun summer activities. Even just 20 minutes of reading a day can make a big difference!

Let’s keep our Patriots reading, learning, and growing all summer long! ❤️💙🤍

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.

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.

T-Mobile’s Project 10Million is an initiative designed to help bridge the digital gap by providing eligible K-12 students with free internet access and a mobile hotspot device.

Program Highlights:

• Free mobile hotspot device (while supplies last)
• Free high-speed data (up to a set annual limit)
• No cost to families (for qualifying households)
• Supports students with reliable internet access for schoolwork and virtual learning

Eligibility: Parents will need to provide proof of eligibility for ONE of the following programs listed below :

• National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or EBT
• Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
• Medicaid
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

How to Apply:
Families can apply directly online using the link below and to learn more about the program.
https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/project-10-million

This is a great opportunity to support student engagement and ensure consistent access to learning, particularly for students experiencing housing instability or limited internet connectivity.

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/

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 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

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! 💙❤️

By following us, you’ll stay up to date, see the great things our students and staff are doing, and remain informed about all things BMS. Thank you for being an engaged and supportive part of our school community, we’re better when we stay connected!

💙❤️🤍

#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.

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 Instagram @BerkmarMS127. Follow us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/BerkmarMS.

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