BHMS Weekly Update
Thursday,November 3, 2022
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Principal's Corner
Dear BHMS Families,
We will host a PTA general meeting today, November 10, 2022 at 6pm in the Beacon Hill Media Center. Please come out and hear all of the great things our PTA has to offer for your students and the staff of Beacon Hill Middle School.
We want to invite all of our parents to our upcoming Principal’s Coffee Chat on Friday, November 11, 2022 at 9am in the Beacon Hill Media Center. This chat will be co-presented by one of our awesome students along with Principal Thomas on the concerns of vaping from a student perspective as well as the adult perspective.
We want to give a huge shout-out and thank you to our parent volunteers for your support of our Rock Eagle Field Trip. Having parents as part of this trip has given Beacon Hill the opportunity to provide such an awesome experience for our students.
Derrick L. Thomas, Principal,
Beacon Hill Middle School
From Our PTA
Mark Your Calendars!
Have you heard about our BHMS PTA Fundraiser Donate-a-thon? Our goal is to raise the roof and hit $25,000 to support our amazing students and staff.
Don't forget to check out our new website https://www.bhmspta.org to signup for your PTA membership, updates, events and more!
Give here https://givebutter.com/bhms2022fundraiser or click on the button below!
BHMS News You Can Use
Term One Report Cards in the Parent Portal!
Tonight you will be able to log in to the Infinite Campus portal to view your child’s report card. Information about how to do this can be found here. This report card reflects your child’s progress in the first 12 weeks of school. While you can always access your child’s grades in Infinite Campus- the report card offers a holistic picture of how your child is doing at each 12 weeks.
Saturday School Opportunity!
The next BHMS Saturday school session is set for November 12th from 9am -noon! See details below.
Rock Eagle Trips Are Underway!
7th and 8th grade students are enjoying a team building/science adventure this week at Rock Eagle! A great time is being had by students and staff so thank you to everyone who volunteered to make these trips happen and for your flexibility with transportation plans this week.
Yoga Students Create a Wellness "Take What You Need" Campaign for BHMS!
As part of a yoga unit on social wellness during term one 7th & 8th grade students designed motivational signs around the school so students and staff can "take what you need" for motivation and encouragement. What a great way to be the beacon for others!
Bridges Resource Classes Incorporate Service Learning!
Students from the gifted/exploratory resource classes have been learning the value of giving in their community through various service-learning projects during term one. Eighth graders lent a hand at the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Seventh graders helped beautify one of Decatur's Woodlands Garden, and Sixth graders proudly showed impressive resourcefulness by raising over $1,600 to purchase books for the Friends of Refugees Family Literacy Program! Through these experiences, students develop a greater sense of social responsibility and leadership through real-world activities.
Self Care- Sponsored by BHMS Counseling Department
A shout out to our counseling department for hosting a staff self care session on the morning of the teacher work day!
Yearbook Update
- Don't forget to order your Yearbook Online at Jostens [https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1040201/Beacon-Hill-Middle-School/2023-Yearbook/2022062316150344086/CATALOG_SHOP/]
- Dedications for 7th and 6th Grade are now open to parents at Jostens [https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/ybAdDesigner/1040201/-/2022062316150870386/CATALOG_SHOP/]
- Order your Yearbook portraits at Legacy Studios. [https://legacystudios.com/underclass-shop/]
- Tomorrow, Friday, November 11th is the last day to pay cash or check for your $40 Yearbook order. Prices will go up to $45 Saturday.
BHMS Club Updates
Join YLOE in Making Our City a Better and More Accessible Community.
When: Nov 1st-Nov 11th
Items Needed:
Soup of any kind, pasta (1lb boxes), rice, bundle tea, powdered laundry detergent or pods, corn muffin mix, jelly, breakfast cereal, toiletries, diapers, resealable bags, canned beans, canned goods, breakfast bars, juice boxes.
Donation Drop Off:
Bins are located in the front lobby of the school.
Email Ms. Glenn (aglenn@csdecatur.net) for questions or more information.
FAB LAB Workshop and Holiday Catalog!
- FAB LAB Workshop - This month's FAB LAB Makerspace workshop will be November 29th from 5-8 pm at the BHMS FAB LAB in room 1201. This month we will be making Kitchen Calculator cutting boards! All participants are welcomed to bring their own board to place the calculator onto. Participants can also purchase a cutting board at the workshop if they choose to. Please see the registration form for more information!
- FAB LAB Holiday Catalog - Please take a look at the FAB LAB Club Holiday Catalog for all sorts of fantastic decorations, gift ideas and more! The Club can make and customize any of the items you see in this year's catalog. All items are made to order and all proceeds help benefit the BHMS FAB LAB Club to help grow our makerspace for the BHMS Community! Please see the Catalog for options and more info.
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:
News from the Decatur Bulldog Booster Club
Celebrate Our Bulldogs with $25 Flags
Flags are available online and at this Friday’s game in the lower concession. Get them while they last!
Bulldog Swag Makes the Perfect Gift
PJs, hoodies, hats, tees and more – check out all our spirit wear (including Beacon Hill items) online.
Concession Help Needed
Not only is concessions a key fundraising initiative for DBB, selling food and drinks at games helps to enhance the fan experience. Please help us out (opportunities will be available in the spring too): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D4BA5AD2FAA8-20222023
Next DBB Meeting: Nov. 14
Decatur Bulldog Boosters is made up of parents and guardians who plan fun events, build Bulldog spirit and raise money to support 750 student athletes on 25 teams representing 17 sports at DHS and BHMS. We’re always looking to expand our team. Join us at our next meeting in the DHS Performing Arts Center (PAC) hospitality suite at 6:30 p.m.
Register TODAY for Run With the Dogs (RWTD) 2023!
Join us on Saturday, January 28, 2023 for Run With the Dogs, a Decatur tradition now in its 19th year.
We’re back at Beacon Hill Middle School for the 5K and Pup Trot, and we are pleased to announce that this year’s race is an official qualifying event for the Peachtree Road Race!
The nomination period for the Face of the Race has closed, and the race committee will narrow down the adorable candidates to four finalists. Make sure to check our website (rwtd5K.com) beginning on November 11 to cast your vote for this year's winner. One vote per email address will be accepted during the voting window, which ends at 11:59 pm on November 16. The 2023 Face of the Race winner will be announced on the race website and social media on November 18.
Run With the Dogs is an annual fundraiser of the Decatur Bulldog Boosters and supports the athletic programs at Decatur High School and Beacon Hill Middle School. All race participants will receive the coveted long-sleeved T-shirt designed by local artist Adam Pinsley.
Click here to register. For more information, visit rwtd5K.com.
CSD Athletic News and Updates
Congratulations to our BHMS Soccer team!
The Boys’ team finished their season undefeated and Champions of the Atlanta Metro Middle School Soccer League.
Click the link HERE for more details about the game.
Congratulations to our Beacon Hill Swim Team!
In their 2nd meet against Wesleyan and Holy Innocents on Tuesday, the Bulldogs got lots of personal best times, and the coaches loved seeing them cheer on their teammates. Our team scored 1st place overall! Special shout out to 8th grader Will Sauer, who broke the 100 backstroke school record.
Our next meet is against Woodward on November 16. Go Bulldogs!
Beacon Hill Basketball First Home Game & Season Schedule
The first home game for our BHMS Girls and Boys Basketball teams is this Saturday vs. Druid Hills Middle School. COME OUT AND SUPPORT! HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON! The girls play first followed by the boys.
Decatur Cross Country CLEAN SWEEP in 5A Championships!
On Saturday, Nov. 5, our Decatur Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country teams swept the 5A GHSA State Championship! The Boys’ team won the state title for the third time in four years, and the Girls’ team now has their first Cross Country state championship!
The Boys’ race was very close, and Decatur ended up beating Clarke Central by only 5 points. Decatur put three boys in the top 10: Jake Westing took second place in the race, Billy Carlton came in 4th, and Zak Abdulahi was 7th. Sam Corso ran an incredible race and came in 19th, while Noah Ellis rounded out the scoring with 65th place.
While the Boys’ race was a nail-biter with the final decision down to the 5th runner, the Grils’ race was a forgone conclusion by the end of the first mile. The top six DHS girls all finished in the top 16 places in the race, and the girls ended with the best score of any team in any division (29 points)! Gabby Malerba is the individual champion for 5A. Also in the top 10 were Anna Blacih (4th), Maya Mikrut (5ht place), and Sophie D’Elena (10th). Maggie Welp came in 13th to round out Decatur’s top 5.
Congratulations to all of our Cross Country student-athletes for this tremendous accomplishment. Thank you to Head Coach Mary Souther and her terrific staff for helping our students achieve these accomplishments and being positive representatives of Decatur High School!
DHS Cross Country Coaches: Mary Souther, Paul Johnson, Tramell Smith, Jack Amick, Charles Hunter, Casey Tood, and Diana Kashdan.
Decatur Football Playoff Game
Our Decatur Bulldogs will take on Harris County in Round 1 of the GHSA State Playoffs. Come out to the Decatur High School stadium on Saturday at 6 pm to support your Bulldogs!
CSD News and Announcements
Report Cards in the Parent Portal
K-8 report cards will be posted to the Infinite Campus Portal Thursday evening. You’ll be able to find them under the Documents section. Information on accessing the portal is available at https://www.csdecatur.net/portal, and information on CSD’s broader work around grading is available at https://grading.csdecatur.net.
From the Desk of the Nutrition Department
The Nutrition Department is in the process of reaching out to parents about student negative meal balances. These efforts to send the low-balance communications will continue weekly through the automated infinite campus messenger or a personal phone call. Some accounts may have had outstanding balances prior to being approved for free or reduced meal benefits. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Nekee Mathis at nmathis@csdecatur.net. or (470) 237- 0368 ext 7607.
Note: A free and reduced lunch application can be completed anytime during the school year. Currently, the district policy allows students to receive meals, not extra items, for example, i.e. bag of chips. However, a child's negative meal balance will continue to incur debt as they receive meals. Click on the links below if you need help adding a reminder to your school email account, adding a low balance alert on your nutrition meal account, and/or adding funds to your school nutrition account.
Special Education Meetings
Special Education Parent Meetings
Golden Steps ABA
CSD welcomes Amanda Bissonnette of Golden Steps ABA to share an overview of services and support they provide to families.
Here's more about Golden Steps ABA:
Golden Steps implements Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to assist children in overcoming behaviors that challenge their ability to navigate and flourish in social, educational and home settings. We track their progress, encourage their growth, and applaud them when they inevitably succeed.
Date: November 10, 2022
Time: 6-7 pm
Location: This is a virtual meeting.
Target Audience: Pre-K to 6th grades
RSVP here
How It Works - Assistive Technology Meeting
Yael Cohen, Assistive Tech. Specialist & Frank DeFilippo, Special Education Coordinator, will be sharing a variety of apps and Google extensions that students can access to support their learning in class.
For example if your student is experiencing:
Poor handwriting
Poor grammar
Difficulty spelling
Difficulty with Organizing writing assignments
Date: November 17, 2022
Time: 6-7pm
Location: This is a virtual meeting.
RSVP here
For questions please contact Cheryl Grant at cgrant@csdecatur.net.
Community Partner Announcements and Updates
Decatur Education Foundation
Are you great at math, science or languages? Your skills could help a Decatur student in just one hour per week as a Virtual Pal Tutor! We pair 2nd-8th grade students with upper high school or adult tutors to help with homework, organization and motivation. It’s an easy way to give back to your community in a meaningful way (and for high school students to earn volunteer hours). Click here to apply: https://forms.gle/VJuyncb7qce6R7Jq5
Can’t volunteer but want to help out? You can donate to our Lighten the Load program which keeps the snack pantry stocked at Beacon Hill Middle School. For those families in our community experiencing food insecurity, we also have a weekend backpack program. Both have unique Amazon wish lists that are updated monthly. You can donate directly to them using these links:
Beacon Hill Middle Snack Program: /a.co/d0HJHTr
Weekend Backpack Program: https://a.co/6Etc74W
The Decatur Parents Network
The Decatur Parents Network is collaborating with DHS staff and the Student Center to offer an evening for parents and caregivers on November 17 @ 6:30 at the Student Center. For more information and to register, go to https://bit.ly/DecaturParentsNetworkNov17.
GaDOE Posts New ELA Standards for Public Comment
Based on the recommendation of State School Superintendent Richard Woods, the Georgia Department of Education has posted new K-12 English Language Arts (ELA) standards for a 30-day public comment period. If approved, the standards will be implemented in the 2024-2025 school year, following teacher training.
Click here to review the draft standards and provide feedback.
The draft standards leverage the insight and expertise of thousands of Georgians to support ELA instruction that is Georgia-developed, age and developmentally appropriate, and provides a strong foundation beginning in the early grades. Drafted by Georgia ELA teachers with input from educational leaders, parents, students, business and industry leaders, and community members, the standards are designed to be clear, understandable, and present a balanced amount of content to cover in each year – so that students can truly master concepts rather than simply being quickly exposed to them.
The survey will close at 5:00 PM EDT on 12/5/2022