BHMS Weekly Update
Thursday, August 17, 2023
September 14, 2023
Upcoming Events
9/14: Basketball Interest Meeting @4pm
9/16: BHMS Football Game 10am @DHS
9/18-9/22: No School (CSD Fall Break)
9/29: Principal's Coffee Chat (Grading) 9:30am
Principal's Corner
Dear Beacon Hill Students and Families,
Again, we would like to congratulate our newest members of the Beacon Hill School Leadership Team, Odufa Aburime, Courtney Sollie, and Meagan Swingle. We are looking forward to working with these individuals as we continue our pursuit of excellence.
Fall Break
Fall break will be September 18-22, 2023. All CSD schools will be closed during this time.
Principal’s Coffee Chat
Our next Principal’s Coffee Chat will be Friday, September 29, 2023 at 9:30 in the BHMS Media Center. Please note the time change.
Go Bulldogs!!
See you soon!!!
Derrick L. Thomas, Principal
Beacon Hill Middle School
It Only Takes One
📰 BHMS News You Can Use 📰
Staff Spotlight
Doug Whitehead has been selected by his peers as our "Beacon" Spotlight of the week! Mr. Whitehead holds the role of BHMS media clerk, but his contributions extend far beyond his title. He embodies the IB learner profile attributes of caring and knowledgeable by immediately inquiring how he can be of assistance when anyone enters the media center. Whether you are a student or a member of our staff, Mr. Whitehead is readily available to offer his assistance.
Mr. Whitehead works to create a welcoming environment, and his profound love of reading allows him to provide insightful book recommendations to both students and staff. Mr. Whitehead demonstrates a genuine concern for the maintenance and organization of the media center and copy room, ensuring that individuals have access to all the necessary resources when they enter these spaces. He is also always there to help students with any Chromebook issues that may arise during the school day.
We are truly grateful for Mr. Whitehead’s dedication and commitment to our media center. Thank you, Mr. Whitehead, for your invaluable contributions and the positive impact you bring to our community.
Young Georgia Authors Competition
We’re looking for poems, short stories, narratives, informational writing pieces, or any other original student writing that highlights your amazing skills as a writer.
Here are a few guidelines to help you through the process:
Only entries that meet the guidelines will be considered.
The writing piece can be no longer than 1,900 words.
The writing needs to be original student work, created without the help or support of others, including adults.
The writing piece can be handwritten on 8 ½ x 11 paper or typed. Handwritten and typed pieces must be on only one side of the paper.
Submit only the writing - no staples, binding, cover, or lamination is allowed. Use a paperclip for multiple sheets, do NOT staple your writing.
ALL ENTRIES DUE BY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023 AT 9:30 A.M.
To submit:
Give your submission to your English teacher OR Email to your building contest coordinator Mrs. Prophet: aprophet@csdecatur.net
Gifted Program Review Window Open Through Oct. 4th
Important Information about Gifted Review:
Each fall semester the gifted review team looks at existing student data to discuss students’ needs and determine if further evaluation for gifted identification is needed. If you are interested in having the team discuss your child’s needs, you may complete a Recommendation for Review Form and turn it in to the Gifted & Talented Specialist at your child’s school before October 4th. No additional information is needed. The Gifted & Talented Specialists for BHMS are Laura Gary, Jessica Nicks, and Robyn Tibbetts.
For more detailed information about the review process and to obtain a copy of the Recommendation for Review Form, please contact the Gifted & Talented Specialists at BHMS or visit this website. Submissions of form can be sent via email to one of the gifted specialists or turned into the front office.
Saturday School
Does your child need tutoring, or time to complete make-up work? Sign up for Saturday School today! CSD teachers will provide academic support to students in grades 6-12. This program is free to CSD families. The time is from 9a - 12p at Beacon Hill Middle School. Click the button below to register.
Media Center Updates
Circulation, Morning Passes, Board Games, and Digital Health
The media center is open to students in the morning with a pass. They can request one any time from media center staff or any teacher! They can play chess, color, read, or socialize.
We also have a board game collection available for checkout, including such classics as Ticket to Ride and Once Upon a Time. If you’re interested, contact the media specialist at blynch@csdecatur.net. Board games can also develop and promote literacy as well as skills in negotiation, collaboration, and understanding different points of view!
Last year, our circulation for the month of August hit 1,868 print books.. This month, the media center circulated 2,297 print books, a notable increase. Our Sora collection circulated 1,446 items last August vs 1,731 this year. These are some of the best numbers in the state and provide evidence of a strong culture of reading at the school.
Digital Citizenship Family Tips
If you, like many parents, struggle with balancing your student’s digital life, consider checking out this tip sheet, “Helping Kids Balance their Media Lives.”
Fab Lab September Event
Greetings!
The September FAB LAB Makerspace Workshop has been announced! Please see the registration form for more information, but each participant this month will get to make and take home their very own wooden Jack O' Lantern with tealight! There are multiple designs to pick from and there are bundles as well if interested in more than one. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out or come see me!
See you in the lab,
Mr. Heuser
Order Your Yearbook!
- Yearbook PreOrder - $40 through September 15th
- 8th Grade Dedications (Ads) - Purchase is November 6, 2023
Weekly Grade Level Newsletters
Every Thursday, each grade level will publish its newsletter. Please check them out after you read the school Eblast. Here are the links:
💙💛From Our PTA💙💛
And That’s How We Do It!
Many thanks to our Sixth Grade families for supporting last week’s Sixth Grade Dance Party. The kids had a blast, and the adults even had some fun. We also raised at least $2,500 to support our teachers and students.
Attention Seventh Graders….You’re up next!
The Seventh Grade Dance Party, organized by the BHMS PTA, will begin after school on Friday, September 29 in the BHMS Cafeteria and run until 5:30 p.m. All attendees must be BHMS seventh graders at BHMS.
Admission is $5. Tickets must be purchased in advance of the dance at https://givebutter.com/bhms7thgrade. Snacks will be sold for $1 each. (Please send small bills.)
We also need volunteers to make the event a success. Please sign up at https://bit.ly/7th_Grade_Dance_Volunteers.
Thank you to our 2023-2024 PTA sponsors for their generosity in helping to make these events happen: Quest Orthodontics and the Isani Family/Imtyaz and Shamsha Isani, Chick-fil-A Decatur, Keller Knapp Realty and Jim Ellis Automotive Group.
Be Pawtastic!
The BHMS PTA is pleased to offer a new level of sponsorship suited to individual families and family-owned businesses. Donate a minimum of $200, and you can be a Pawtastic sponsor!
Benefits include:
Your name displayed on the PTA website and the digital community board in the Beacon Hill front lobby.
A Paw with your family’s name on the Paw Wall in the Beacon Hill lobby near the digital community board.
A “thank you” in the PTA eBlast at the end of each semester .
These following families are our first Pawtastic sponsors of the year. The PTA greatly appreciates their support!
The Clarke Family
The Cromwell Family
The Nobles Family
The Orkin Family
The Williams Family
Whether or not you become a Pawtastic sponsor, thank you for being part of our very supportive Beacon Hill community. Have a Pawtastic day!
One of our CSD crossing guards, Mr. Jeffery Smith, was injured in a hit and run on Monday morning while crossing a DHS student at South Candler Street and College Avenue. While Mr. Smith is expected to fully recover, as a community we wish to show him our appreciation and offer support during his recovery.
The BHMS PTA and Safe Routes to School Committee are joining Talley’s donation collection efforts. All collected funds will be converted to a grocery gift card and passed along to Mr. Smith on Friday afternoon.
We realize it is last minute, but PLEASE send any donations by FRIDAY MORNING!
Venmo @mallory-donaldson
PayPal @mallorygdonaldson
If this does not work for you but you still wish to contribute, OR want to provide a get well soon card, please drop cards, gift cards or cash at the BHMS front office and we will ensure they are given to Mr. Smith after the fall break.
Thank you for your support!
CSD News and Announcements
As COVID-19 remains a global concern, the City Schools of Decatur (CSD) wants to remind all students, staff, and families to please take precautions and remember to follow these critical measures to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus:
· Stay home when sick
· Cover coughs and sneezes with elbow/tissue and immediately throw it away
· Do not cover your mouth with bare hands
· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
· Clean touched surfaces and objects frequently
CSD no longer has the funding, authority, or monitoring systems to track and trace cases beyond self-reporting. Therefore, we will not send exposure notifications as we risk violating HIPAA and FERPA confidentiality guidelines. We will continue to emphasize and monitor cleanliness and hygiene in all facilities. Masks are permitted but not required. Together, we can ensure the safety and well-being of all students, staff, and families.
Here’s a link to the CSD mitigation strategy: https://www.csdecatur.net/covidstrategy
Community Partner Announcements and Updates
The Wylde Center Decatur Farm to School Mini Grants Now Available
Do you have plans for a new garden or class project? Fantastic ideas on how to incorporate farm-to-school principles into a teaching unit? Or maybe you need funds for a "green" field trip?
The Wylde Center Decatur Farm to School Committee invites you to apply for a grant for 2023-24. Teachers, administrators, PTA members, and parent volunteers can apply on behalf of their CSD school. Please get your applications in before September 22, 2023. (Link here and on the Wylde Center website > Education > Farm to School)
https://forms.gle/A4vkNfhVzyAu28wE9
https://forms.gle/A4vkNfhVzyAu28wE9
Contacts: Caitlin Hochuli at caithochuli@gmail.com or Vera Giordano at vera.giordano@yahoo.com