BHMS Weekly Update
Thursday, January 4, 2024
February 29, 2024
3/1: Principal's Coffee Chat: IB MYP Program
3/6: Walk & Roll FROM School Day
3/8: 6th Grade Dance 4pm
3/16: Saturday School
3/19: SLT mtg 4:30pm Media Center
Coffee Chat!
6th Grade Dance!
Principal's Corner
Dear Beacon Hill Students and Families,
I would like to invite all parents to our upcoming Principal’s Coffee Chat where we’ll share some vital information from our Instructional Coaches. The coffee chat will be tomorrow at 9:30 in the BHMS Media Center.
See you soon!!!
Derrick L. Thomas, Principal
Beacon Hill Middle School
“It Only Takes One”
Did you miss the January Principal's Chat on Attendance?
📰 BHMS News You Can Use 📰
🌟Spotlight on 6th Grade Math 🌟
6th Grade math is getting the IB learner shout out for Inquiry! They have been mixing in learning with real world exploration and Black History Month. The 6th grade math department invited African-American professionals with a career in math/STEM to speak with our sixth grade math classes to discuss their career, how math ties into it, and the importance of math (even on the middle school level). Students met a Financial Planner, Architect, Director of Data Science & Engineering, Director of Marketing & Consumer Analytics, and Epidemiologist speaking to our classes.
In addition this team has been collaborating and working together to ensure the current unit focused on Geometry concepts includes opportunities for inquiry and real world application. Thanks for all you do 6th Grade Math Team!
BHMS Music Department Shout Out by School Board
Beacon Hill continues to stand out as a leading example at the state level for musical performances. Ensembles from both the band and chorus have been chosen four times to showcase their exceptional music talents at the state in-service conference for the Georgia Music Educators Association.
In just three years of in-person learning, the BHMS Orchestra has expanded to 126 students, with the original 50 students now part of the high school orchestra program.
The dedication, creativity, and engagement of our music students shine through in their learning and performances. Recognizing this outstanding achievement, the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation has honored the City of Decatur as one of the nation's top communities for music education.
6th Grade Science Explores Moon Phases and Relevant Current Events
Check out some incredible 6th grade student artwork demonstrating understanding relating to Tides, Space Race, Moon Mining, and Artemis from 6th grade moon exploration that is part of their Unit of Inquiry on Astronomy. Students had agency in demonstrating their understanding from their moon exploration, and just wow! The outcomes speak for themselves.
National Jr. Beta Club Induction Ceremony
BHMS' National Jr. Beta Club recently held an Induction Ceremony for forty-six new 6th, 7th, and 8th grade inductees! The National Jr. Beta Club provides opportunities for students to actively engage in shaping the school and community culture by sharing their viewpoints with decision-makers. We are proud of our 2024 inductees and their dedication to grow in the National Beta four pillars: achievement, character, leadership, and service.
Orchestra Concert Performances!
BHMS Orchestra has been busy over the last two weeks with concerts for families and visiting Westchester to perform. Thank you Dr. Mccranie for your hard work in making these performances happen!
Congratulations to our Reading Bowl Team Members!
After a long year of practice, our students competed for the first time since 2019 face to face at the Reading Bowl! This was the first time since the pandemic began that the Reading Bowl Team traveled to Clayton State to compete against the best teams in the state! While they didn’t place like they did last year, they still did well!
Pictured from Left to Right: Levi Howell, Ishani Khullar, Cecelia King, Katelyn Frank, Coach T Willis, Ellis Caplan, Harriet Devereaux, Declan Llewellyn, Bodhi Snyder
17th Annual Beacon Hill Poetry Slam - Sign up now!
Mark your calendars now for the 17th Annual BHMS Poetry Slam on Wednesday, March 20th at 6:30pm at the DHS PAC - a special night of spoken word artistry by BHMS students. The Poetry Slam is open to all BHMS students and it's not too late to sign up! Any students not yet signed up should contact their ELA teacher, Ms. Holly Lanford (hlanford@csdecatur.net) or Dr. Dawn Bolton (dbolton@csdecatur.net). Interested students are strongly encouraged to attend the weekly coaching sessions on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:50 - 4:50 in Ms. Wicks' classroom, where they have the opportunity to work with a professional slam poet. to craft their poems and hone their spoken word performance. The BHMS Poetry Slam is funded by a generous grant from the BHMS PTA.
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.
WALK & ROLL DAY - WEDNESDAY MARCH 6, 2024!
It is the 15th Annual Georgia Walk & Roll Day, and we are switching it up!
BHMS already has such an amazing walking culture, so to celebrate it and allow more students to participate, we are having a Walk & Roll FROM School Day!
- Please encourage your students to try walking home or to their after school activities, if they normally get picked up or ride the bus.
- Have them coordinate with a few friends. What a fun way to decompress after a long day of learning!
- Remind them to thank our crossing guards and follow their guidance. They are there to keep everyone safe.
- Make sure they remind their WIN Time teachers to snap a photo so they can be entered into a school-wide raffle!
Laura Spriggs & Patricia Liscio
BHMS SRTS Champions
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💛💙
It’s Sixth Grade DANCE PARTY TIME!
The BHMS PTA proudly presents the 2024 Spring Sixth Grade Dance Party. Mark your calendars and buy your student a ticket…and maybe even one for a friend. (All attendees must be in sixth grade.)
Date: Friday, March 8
Time: 4 pm to 5:30 pm
Location: BHMS Cafeteria
Admission: $5 per ticket. BUY TICKETS HERE
Snacks will be sold for $1 each. (Please send small bills.)
Please consider volunteering time or snacks! We can't do this without you!
Interested in volunteering or donating snacks? SIGN UP HERE
Thank you to all of our sponsors who help support these events: Quest Orthodontics and the Isani Family/Imtyaz and Shamsha Isani, Chick-fil-A Decatur and Green Orthodontics, Keller Knapp Realty and Jim Ellis Automotive Group.
BHMS Spirit Wear Available for Purchase
We are excited to see our BHMS family sharing our Bulldog pride through youth apparel, adult apparel and other spirit items. Thank you to BHMS parent Anja Duering for creating these amazing designs! Log on to the BHMS Spirit Wear Store here.
CSD News and Announcements
Georgia Health Surveys
The window for the 2023-24 Georgia Student Health Survey and Parent Survey closes Friday, March 1. Student and parent survey participation is critical because the data will be used to calculate School Climate Star Ratings for the 2024-25 school year. Parents can access the survey here, and students in grade 3-12 can access it via the Georgia Health Survey icon in LaunchPad (or directly here for 3-5, here for 6-8, and here for 9-12).
Winter Listening Sessions with Dr. Whitaker
Superintendent Dr. Whitaker will host a winter series of listening sessions in every quadrant of the City to listen and learn from students, staff, families, and community leaders. The listening sessions will be held virtually and in person. Please see the remaining session below.
Friday, March 1 - Virtual at 11:30 a.m. https://csdecatur.zoom.us/j/91210511997
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Student Restorative Practices and Code of Conduct Handbook (SRPCCH)
It’s time for the yearly review of the Student Restorative Practices and Code of Conduct Handbook (SRPCCH), and we value your feedback and contributions. Please use the provided link or QR code to access the Stakeholder Review Feedback Form. The deadline to submit feedback and input is March 31, 2024.
FY25 Budget
The City Schools of Decatur is in the process of establishing the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. We are interested in input from the community on any suggestions, concerns, or questions. Please click here to provide your feedback.
To access the entire FY25 Preliminary Budget 5-Year Financial Review presentation, click here.
New Student Enrollment
Enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year for K-12 students NEW to City Schools of Decatur will go live on Monday, March 4. This includes students entering Kindergarten. Enrollment can be completed entirely online. Families should access the enrollment page of the CSD website at https://www.csdecatur.net/enrollment for details on required documentation and links to register beginning March 4.
If families need assistance with the enrollment process, in-person support will be provided at the Wilson Center. Families will be seen between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis during the week of March 4-8. Beginning March 11, families can receive in-person enrollment support at the Wilson Center on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Families can also be seen on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment. Appointments can be made online.
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
In March, City Schools of Decatur will participate in Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month ("DDAM") with the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities. The theme for 2024 is "A World of Opportunities".
Upcoming College & FASFA Night
We are excited to announce our annual College & FASFA Night. Join us for this in person meeting to hear everything you need to know about admissions and the FAFSA from experts. We will have representatives from colleges and the Georgia Student Finance Commission to help you complete the FAFSA. There will be time for Q&A at the end.
CSD Community Partners
Join the Fun at Decatur’s Premier 5K Event: Register Now for the 22nd Annual Tour deCatur!
The Decatur Education Foundation invites you to reserve your spot for the 22nd Annual Tour deCatur 5K and One-Mile Fun Run. Join us on Saturday, March 16, 2024, for a day of family-friendly fun surrounded by your Decatur community. Register today for the 5K, the one-mile Fun Run, and the Tot Trot:
https://bit.ly/Tour-deCatur-2024
As DEF's largest fundraiser, the Tour deCatur plays a crucial role in supporting programs that address issues such as racial and economic inequity, food insecurity, behavioral health, and learning differences. Please email Kamela@decatureducationfoundation.org if you’re interested in volunteering and supporting the event. See you at the starting line!
It’s the Latest DEF Student Design Challenge: What Keeps YOU Moving?
As DEF gears up for our biggest event of the year, Tour deCatur, we want to know: What keeps YOU moving? Are you motivated by friends and family? Personal health and fitness goals? A competitive spirit? We want to hear about what keeps Decatur students putting one foot in front of the other as we look forward to our community run on Saturday, March 16.
Share your story in a 1-minute video for the chance to win exciting prizes including gift cards and goodies from Fleet Feet! The most creative and inspiring submissions will also be featured on our social media platforms.
Keep it concise (1 minute maximum).
Please film your video vertically.
Submit in MP4 format to kamela@decatureducationfoundation.org.
Open to all City Schools of Decatur students, regardless of age.
The deadline for submissions is March 4, 2024. Unleash your creativity and showcase what keeps you moving! Let's make this year's Tour deCatur unforgettable together!
Get Your Tickets for Bulldog Bash
On March 9, 2024, Boosters will host our annual Bulldog Bash at Legacy Park to support athletics at DHS and BHMS. The adult-only fundraising event features food trucks, bands and a silent auction – all to raise money for Decatur Athletics.
There are four easy ways to support this event:
Buy your ticket here.
Bid on silent auction items once they’re live (it's all online!)
Buy a 50/50 raffle ticket (winner gets 50% of proceeds and Boosters get 50%).
Donate to the Coaches Wish List.
Share with your friends and family and follow us on Instagram (@DecaturBulldogBash) for all the latest party details and auction updates.
Call for Donations
We are looking for donations for the Bulldog Bash silent auction. Donated items are tax-deductible and can include anything from gift cards and art to products, services, trips and experiences. This is a great way to market your business while supporting Decatur Boosters. Donations can be made here.