Beaver Ridge ES Family Newsletter

• Mission
  

  The mission of Beaver Ridge Elementary School is to develop life long learners achieving academic and personal excellence.

• Vision
  

  The vision of Beaver Ridge Elementary is to be a community of empowered and productive lifelong learners.

Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/beaverridgees
Location: 1978 Beaver Ruin Rd Norcross, GA 30071
Phone: (770) 447-6307
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeaverRidgeES

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beaver_ridge_es/?hl=en

Look for the accessibility icon to choose font size, light or dark mode or your preferred language! Just click on TRANSLATE on the top of this newsletter.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to the second month of school! September 4 marks one full month of learning, growth, and fun, and we are so proud of our students’ progress so far. Thank you for partnering with us to make this a successful start to the year.

We also want to thank everyone who participated in Curriculum Night. Your involvement truly supports your child’s learning.

Here are some important upcoming events:

• Falcon Friday: September 5: Students should wear red or Falcons attire.
• Annual Title I Parent Meeting: September 18, 10:00-11:00
• Digital Learning Day: September 19: Students will learn asynchronously at home.
• Local School Council Meeting: September 30, 4:30–5:00 PM, right before Literacy Night. Parents interested in joining the council are encouraged to attend. See information below for details.
• Literacy Night: September 30

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you at these events and sharing another wonderful month of learning together!

With gratitude and enthusiasm,

Martina Luna-Liranzo

Sept 01 Labor Day (Systemwide Holiday)

Sept 05 Falcon Friday!

Sept 10 Scouts Visit Classrooms

Sept 18 Annual Title I Parent Meeting

Sept 19 Digital Learning Day #1

Sept 30 Family Literacy Night

Oct 9-13 Fall Break (School Holidays)

Oct 07 Picture Day

Oct 22-23 Early Release

We are so excited for this new school school year and look forward to serving your child/children this school year. Ms. Jessica Dugan is the counselor for PK, KK, 4th, and 5th grades. Ms. Nisy Narayana Jaya is the counselor for PK (Special Ed), 1st, 2nd, 3rd grades, MOID, and ASD II.

One way School Counselors work with students at BRES is by providing 1x a month classroom lessons on various topics such as how to make friends, personal safety, how to resolve conflicts, how to identify feelings, and how to have a calm body.

The elementary school years are the foundation of a student’s educational life. Consider these years as the building blocks that will create a solid foundation for middle school and high school. This school year we are looking for our students to have a total of 10 or less absences. Please help make this a successful year for your child/children by making sure they are at school on time everyday. Ways that you can encourage your child/children to be prepared for the school day the night before by laying out their clothes and by getting a good night’s sleep.

We want to take a moment to address the importance of regular school attendance. Our school experienced high chronic absenteeism in 2024-2025, which can significantly impact student learning and academic success. Ensuring your child attends school consistently is essential for their growth, both academically and socially.

To help clarify attendance expectations, please note the following:

Chronically Absent: A student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of school days during the school year, whether the absences are excused or unexcused. This calculation is based on the total days a student has been enrolled, excluding the first day of enrollment.

Truancy: Truancy occurs when a student has more than five unexcused absences in a school year.

Unexcused Absences: These occur when a student misses school without an approved reason, whether or not the parent/guardian is aware.

Excused Absences: Absences may be excused under the following circumstances (documentation is required within five days of returning to school):

Excused absences include:

• Personal illness or health issues affecting the student or others
• Serious illness or death in the immediate family
• Court orders or required government appointments
• Religious observances
• Out-of-school suspensions
• Visiting a parent or legal guardian prior to/during deployment in the military

We encourage all families to prioritize school attendance and communicate promptly with the school if your child must be absent for an excused reason. Every day counts toward your child’s success, and together, we can reduce chronic absenteeism and ensure a stronger, more engaged learning environment.

We will notify the parent/guardian when each student has reached 5, 10, and 15 absences.

Thank you for your partnership in supporting your child’s education.

DLD Reminders

• DLD assignments for a Digital Learning Day will be posted via Google Classroom by 8:00 am.
• No new material will be presented on digital learning days.
• Teachers, have verified that all students know how and whereto access their class assignments.

Student Chromebook

• When a device has been assigned to a student and taken home or a technology resource has been checked out to a student, it is the family’s responsibility to monitor its use to ensure the student is following the Student Conduct Behavior Code and to ensure that the device or resource is returned in the condition it was received.
• Additional information related to family responsibilities pertaining to 1:1, as well as the updated fee structure for lost and damaged devices can be found on our district website.
• Upon returning to school, students must being back the Chromebook and any additional device accessories.

Meal Delivery

• Friday, September 19, is a Digital Learning Day (DLD), and we will be distributing meals via bus (lunch only).
• Projected bus schedule for lunch distribution- delivery will arrive at 1st stop 10:45-11:00.

If your lease or rental agreement is set to expire this month, it is required that you schedule an appointment to update your residency information. To prevent unenrollment, please ensure that all documentation verifying your residency is submitted promptly.

• Reach out to Ms. Vanessa Esparza Cortes at vanessa.esparzacortes@gcpsk12.org via email if your lease is nearing expiration.
• Please reach out to Ms. Nicole Montero at nicole.montero@gcpsk12.org via email if you need assistance with updating your proof of residency.

Column A: Present one of the following (must include address):

• Non-contingent sales contract
• Current lease/rental agreement
• Current residential property tax statement or bill
• Current warranty or quit claim deed
• Current home purchase agreement
• Current homeowner’s insurance policy

AND

Column B: One of the following:

• Current water bill
• Current electric bill

• Documents presented for residency verification must include the same address as the accompanying utility bill.
• The bill must have the name and address of the enrolling parent/guardian. If the bill does not have the enrolling guardian’s name, one piece of business mail in the parent/legal guardian’s name with the address of the home or apartment in which the student is residing is permitted.
• A telephone bill is not acceptable.
• A contingency sales contract is not acceptable.
• Exception: A deed without an address is acceptable if accompanied by two utility bills (excluding telephone bills) with same address in attendance zone.

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4 PM

• All visitors must sign in at the welcome desk and please be prepared to provide some form of identification upon request.

Student Hours: Monday - Friday 7:45 AM - 2:45 PM

• Students should arrive between 7:45 AM- 8:10 AM

This month’s focus is Respect.

One way to think about Respect is “seeing value in all people and things & treating them with

care.” Many people feel Respected in different ways and we hope this month inspires discussions with your family about what Respect means to you and how you can practice it together!

Respect is 1 of 3 traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Kind.

Throughout the school, students will be developing skills like perspective-taking, conflict resolution, and leadership.

1. Meet your child's teacher.

2. Get to know who's who at your child's school.

3. Attend parent-teacher conferences and keep in touch with your child's teacher.

4. Find out how your child is doing.

5. Apply for special services if you think your child may need it.

6. Make sure that your child gets homework done.

7. Find homework help for your child if needed.

8. Help your child prepare for tests.

9. Learn what the school offers.

10. Volunteer at your child's school and/or join your school's PTA.

11. Ask questions.

12. Learn about your rights.

13. Let the school know your concerns.

14. Demonstrate a positive attitude about education to your children.

15. Monitor your child's television, video game, and Internet use.

16. Encourage your child to read.

17. Talk with your child.

18. Encourage your child to use the library.

19. Encourage your child to be responsible and work independently.

20. Encourage active learning.

GCPS will continue to follow strict guidelines as it relates to safety & security by visitors producing identification when inside the vestibule to check out students (as well as during visiting lunch hours). Also, to familiarize our students with PBIS Expectations at the beginning of each school year, there will be no parental lunch visitation until after Labor Day.

The safety of your child and all children at Beaver Ridge ES, as well as the safety of the school staff and support personnel is very important to us. In order to maintain a safe environment for our school community to teach and learn, it is necessary that we practice our Safe Schools Plan. Our Safe Schools Plan was developed with district guidance. Part of the plan involves conducting training for staff to familiarize them with the school emergency plans.

Annually, the school resource officer and I review and complete a Safe School Plan for our school. Each year, the School Safety Plans for Gwinnett County Public Schools are approved by Gwinnett County Emergency Management Agency and are on file at each local school. These plans are shared with local police and fire jurisdictions.

As part of our Safe Schools Plans, we will be conducting various drills throughout the school year. This letter is to help you understand the importance of this as well as to understand each type of drill.

The students and staff of your school will be practicing 3 primary emergency drills each year. They are “FIRE DRILLS”; “LOCKDOWN DRILLS”; and “SEVERE WEATHER DRILLS.” Each type of drill is explained below.

FIRE DRILLS

The school will conduct a “fire drill” each month that school is in session. This is a state requirement per Life Safety Code 11-7-1. These drills are recorded on the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s website. We want each student to understand and be aware of the importance of this drill and not be afraid when the fire alarm is sounded. By practicing they will know what to do and how to do it.

LOCKDOWN DRILLS

The school will conduct two “Lockdown Drills” each school year. This type of drill will secure the school building and safely shelter all students, staff and visitors inside the building. The purpose of this drill is to keep the students safe from any danger outside or inside the building. During a “lockdown drill” all of the perimeter doors to the school building will be locked and will remain locked until the danger or issue outside or inside the building is removed. To enable everyone to remain safe, no one will be allowed to enter the building or leave the building until the drill is completed.

SEVERE WEATHER DRILLS

The “Shelter-in-Place” drill will be conducted each school year. The purpose of this drill is to be prepared to move to a safe location within the building in case of severe weather or tornados.

Please remember that these safety practice drills are done to help maintain our schools as a safe place to learn and work.

If you have any questions regarding any of these Safety Drills or other safety concerns, please feel free to reach out to me.

Local School Councils meet four times per year in each learning community. The primary goals of local school councils are: to strengthen partnerships between the school and community, to improve academic achievement, to provide support for teachers and administrators, and to bring parents into the decision-making process. We are looking for parents that would like to join our School Council to provide advice and recommendations.

Local School Council meetings will be held at 4:30 pm, prior to PTA or school events, to make it easier for parents to attend. The following are the dates for the meetings:

• 09/30/2025 (UPDATED)
• 10/14/2025
• 01/13/2026
• 03/17/2026

If you are interested in joining, please complete the following survey:

Staff will be on the sidewalk to supervise students exiting their cars, beginning at 7:45. Please do not allow your child to exit the car until a member of the staff is present.

• It is very important to be courteous to other drivers. Also, please drive carefully and put your phone away to ensure the safety of our students and staff. We ask that you remain in your car and not exit. By doing so, you help us to efficiently and safely complete the arrival process with minimal delays.

• Staff will wave you forward and will let you know when it is safe for your student to exit the car.

• Car rider staff will only assist your child in exiting the car if needed.

• Please make sure your child is able to unbuckle their seatbelt and open the car door independently.

• At 8:10, staff will proceed to walk back to their classrooms. If you miss the window, you must park in a Visitor Parking space in the front of the school, and come inside to check your child in.

• On rainy days, you can anticipate a longer car rider line.

• Car Riders must be picked up no later than 3:10 pm. We will walk “late” students to the front office and reach out to a parent/guardian. You will need to pick up your child from the front office and sign a “late” form.

• Please hang your 2025-2026 car rider tag in your rearview mirror.

• Please be patient with us as we are trying to locate and load car riders every afternoon. Also, please practice reciting car rider numbers with your child so that we can load them as quickly and safely as possible!

Thank you for your help and cooperation!

Gwinnett County Public Schools finds that the quickest and most effective way to resolve a concern regarding your child is by addressing it at the most direct level.Addressing Concerns at School graphic

In our school district, we care about each and every student. We also believe that open and honest communication between parents and teachers is a key to student success. Thank you for partnering with your child’s teacher and school to address any 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 contact your child’s assistant principal.

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

We know that families want easy access and one go-to location for need-to-know information about their student’s education—from records to resources. The ParentVUE app gives parents access to grades, assignments, and more.

Student information is only as helpful as it is current. That’s why parents can count on always seeing up-to-the-minute information.

• Everything in One Place - Access student information in a single location, including student information, grade book data, discipline, report cards, transcripts, calendars, and more.
• Class Schedule - Check your student’s schedule for course titles, teacher names, and room assignments.
• Grades and Assignment Scores - Check performance immediately to learn about missing assignments and whether your student is on track academically or needs extra help.
• Course History - View final grades for all grade levels and use easy-to-read graphics to track progress toward graduation for high school students.
• Customizable Grade Alerts - Opt-in to get mobile notifications about student grades and overall class averages.
• Fees - Find fees that are owed and what textbook/library books are checked out by your student.

The Family Center offers parents help and resources you can use to support your child at home. Research shows that involving families and communities in their local schools improves children's academic and social success.

What can the Family Center do for you?

• Build parent capacity
• Volunteer opportunities…We need you!
• Check out books, games, and more to help your child at home
• Workshops, English and technology classes
• Help with school-related paperwork, website activities, ParentSquare, ParenVue MyPaymentsPlus, Free and Reduced lunch.
• Teach me what my child is learning
• Help me communicate with teachers
• Community resources
• Build community involvement

Are you looking for ways to partner with us? We are looking for volunteers to assist with Friday folders, bulletin board preparation, assisting in the media center, or volunteering in the Family Center? Please call 770—326-8093 or email giselle.gomez@gcpsk12.org or nicole.montero@gcpsk12.org to sign up and/or acquire more information.

Set expectations that motivate success

Children care how their families view them, and they usually live up to expectations. So set expectations that will motivate your child's best efforts. As you prepare for the coming school year, make a list of high (but realistic) expectations for your child, such as working hard, turning in schoolwork on time, etc. Discuss it together. Once school starts, be consistent. Help your child take pride in progress and express your belief that your child will be successful in school.

Please join us as we learn to play with Play 2 Learn. Classes are held every Wednesday, from 9:30 - 11:00 am. Please get in touch with giselle.gomez@gcpsk12.org or call 770-326-8093. P2L focuses on building the capacity of parents to be their child's first teacher as well as providing an opportunity for students to be in a group setting.

We're here to support you!
If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out:

📞 Ms. Gomez — 770-326-8093 | ✉️ giselle.gomez@gcpsk12.org
📞 Ms. Morales — 770-447-2680 | ✉️ nicole.morales@gcpsk12.org

We’re happy to help!

An evening full of fun, learning, and family activities!

Tuesday, September 30, 2025
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Come celebrate the joy of reading and discover fun way to support literacy at home!

Enjoy:

• Read-alouds & storytelling
• Fun literacy games & crafts
• Book giveaways
• Activities for the whole family

Please contact Ms. Montero for more information at 770-447-8070 or nicole.montero@gcpsk12.org

Please frequently check our website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/BeaverRidgeES, follow us on https://www.facebook.com/BeaverRidgeES and https://www.instagram.com/beaver_ridge_es, and read all emails from Beaver Ridge Elementary School to stay up to date on all current and upcoming events, important updates, and invaluable information.