BHMS Weekly Update
Thursday, January 4, 2024
January 18, 2024
1/19-1/25: Window In IC opens for current students to request Math, ELA, and Connections courses
1/20: District Wide Spelling Bee 10am @Talley
1/23: Pizza with the Principals 5:00 pm @ BHMS (Media Center)
1/26-1/28: BHMS Musical: Mary Poppins
Principal's Corner
Dear Beacon Hill Students and Families,
It was great seeing community members last night at the BOE community listening session. We have many more opportunities this school year to engage with the BOE on various topics and we hope you attend.
Additionally, please mark your calendars for our upcoming Pizza with the Principals on January, 23rd at 5:00pm and our next Principals Coffee Chat on Friday, January 26, 2024 at 9:30am.
See you soon!!!
Derrick L. Thomas, Principal
Beacon Hill Middle School
“It Only Takes One”
📰 BHMS News You Can Use 📰
Upcoming: Student Led Conferences 6th and 7th Grade
During the week of February 5th-9th, you will have the opportunity to participate in a conference led by your child. These student-led conferences will be conducted throughout the school day. Please use the Signup Genius below to sign up to participate and to read details about the process. The conference should take approximately 15-20 minutes. Students have begun to prepare for their conference in a series of lessons led by their teachers. We are looking forward to providing students and parents an opportunity to share growth and goals!
Parents click Below to select your time slot!
BHMS Course Request Timeline and Information
Information about course request is now available for current 6th and 7th graders. We need your support in facilitating requests students will be providing for the upcoming school year. Use the information provided to support your child in this process to enable and empower them in making informed requests in Infinite Campus for ELA, Math, and Connections courses for the 24-25 school year.
Here at BHMS, we are supporting scholars' decision-making. ELA and Math teachers are facilitating a reflection process where they complete student decision guides. The completed student guide will be coming home sometime over the next week. Please review your scholars' decision guide with them at home. In the coming week, counselors, APs’ and coaches will be pushing into Science classrooms to guide and support requests being made for connections courses and completing the requests in Infinite Campus.
Selections are being made in Infinite Campus, guardians will be able to view their child's selections, and a final copy will be sent home with a time frame for corrections.
If you have any questions about honors courses and enhanced math for 8th grade, please reach out to your child's ELA/Math teacher, counselor, or instructional coaches.
For course descriptions for connections, please visit the connections website and read the course descriptions. Students will be able to request two of the four connections courses for the next school year.
Please provide questions using this form.
Helpful resources:
🌟 Spotlight on Corrie Bounds the Math Maestro🌟
Meet Corrie Bounds, the extraordinary intervention math teacher who wears multiple hats within our school community. Ms. Bounds isn't your average math teacher! Her innovative teaching methods make her classes a favorite among students, creating an atmosphere where learning becomes not just a task but an engaging fun opportunity. She knows how to help students grapple with math and embraces the idea of continual growth. Her collaboration with math teachers in the classroom is a example to others and helps students develop confidence to keep learning and growing. Corrie's influence extends to the entire mathematics department because she serves as our school Math Cultural Lead and Department Chair. She is not just about numbers and formulas; she is also the shining light on the Sunshine committee, spreading positivity and fostering a supportive environment to our staff! Ms. Bounds is also a coach for Girls on the Run, imparting valuable life skills and a sense of confidence and resilience in the girls she mentors.
A Week In the Life of a BHMS Bulldog
Congratulations BHMS Orchestra!
Over the weekend we had 17 BHMS orchestra students participate in the 2nd round of all state orchestra auditions. This group of students already passed a rigorous first round audition back in October and they represent some of the best musicians in our district! We had 5 BHMS orchestra students pass the 2nd round of auditions this past weekend, which means they will represent our school as some of the best musicians in our state!
BHMS& DHS Start ELA/Math Focused Tutoring Program!
This new program provides DHS students as volunteers to work with BHMS students. Maybe your teacher’s tutoring times don’t work for you, or maybe working with a peer tutor can help you understand the content in a different way.
Take advantage of this awesome opportunity for some extra help with your homework and study skills!
How it works: just show up on one of the morning/afternoon times that work for you. You will sign in and be paired with a tutor who is available to help.
When: M-F 8:00am-8:30am / W & Th 3:50pm-4:50pm
Where: BHMS Media Center
Who: Anyone who wants support!
Mary Poppins Jr. Opens in Three Weeks!
Tickets on sale now! BHMS performers are excited to show off all their hard work! Buy your tickets now!
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💛💙
We Love Our Supporters!
Thank you to all who contributed to our 2023 Donate-a-Thon. We offer extra thanks to Imtyaz and Shamsha Isani for their incredible matching donation.
There is still time to have a BIG IMPACT and support BHMS. Please consider donating $6 for your sixth grader, $7 for your seventh grader or $8 for your eighth grader. Every dollar counts! Which class can give the most? Donate today at https://tinyurl.com/DonateBHMS.
We also offer gratitude to our 2023-2024 PTA sponsors for their generosity in supporting various activities throughout the school year: 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.
Show Your Bulldog Pride
BHMS spirit wear (youth and adult) and other spirit items (water bottles, stickers and notebooks) are still available for purchase. Items are print-to-order. Thank you to BHMS parent Anja Duering for creating these amazing designs! Log on to the BHMS Spirit Wear Store here.
Support PBIS at Beacon Hill
Volunteers are needed to help operate the PBIS Store (setting up the rewards cart and distributing pre-purchased items) during Friday lunchtimes during the second half of the school year. To help move students through the line faster, we are seeking four volunteers for a full 50-minute shift during each lunch period on Fridays. Can’t make it to school? Please consider dropping off donations of the most popular items selected by students (Gatorade, chips and assorted candy). Sign up to volunteer or donate at https://bit.ly/PBISvolunteers. Thank you!
CSD News and Announcements
2024-25 Pre-K Registration
Registration for “New Families” to College Heights begins February 1, 2024. Child must be four (4) years of age on September 1, 2024 to be eligible. Children five years of age prior to September 1, 2024 must register for kindergarten.
Early Release Day Reminder
City Schools of Decatur's upcoming Early Release Day is Wednesday, January 31.
Pre-K - 12:15 PM
Lower Elementary - 12:50 PM
Upper Elementary - 12:15 PM
Middle School - 1:45 PM
High School - 1:35 PM
College Heights' infant through preschool program will remain on its normal schedule.
The remaining schedule of Early Release Days includes the following dates:
Wednesday, January 31
Wednesday, February 28
Wednesday, March 27
Wednesday, April 24
Schools will communicate more specific details related to the schedule for the day, dismissal, and extracurricular activities.
6-12 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.
CSD Community Partners
Get Involved with Decatur Education Foundation’s Community Impact Teams — Meet & Greet Next Week!
Calling all members of CSD’s PTAs, PTOs, PTSAs, SLTs, superstar parents & interested community members:
The Decatur Education Foundation is kicking off a new initiative next week — Community Impact Teams. Our Community Impact Teams are similar to advisory committees for our Programs, Governance, Equity & Inclusion, and External Relations. We'd love for you to be involved!
We're hosting two "meet-and-greet" sessions if you'd like to learn more:
Informational Meet-and-Greet — Tuesday, January 23, from 6:00-7:00 PM at the DEF Offices at Legacy Park in Decatur
Virtual Information Session — Wednesday, January 24, from 12:00-1:00 PM via Zoom
To reserve your spot or for more information, please email Ricky Hyde (Executive Director) at Ricky@DecaturEducationFoundation.org. Thanks!
Run With the Dogs 5K (RWTD5K)
Sign Up Now for Run With the Dogs 5K and One-Mile Pup Trot
RWTD5K is a Peachtree Road Race qualifier and a fundraiser for Decatur Bulldog Boosters. All proceeds go to support athletics at DHS and BHMS. Be sure to grab your friends and join us for this great community event on January 27. Find out all the details about the 5K and free, one-mile Pup Trot HERE and register soon to secure your coveted t-shirt!
Special thanks to our event sponsors:
Ava's Grilled Flatbread Crisps (Primary Sponsor)
Amy Widener (Presenting Sponsor)
Bad Daddy's Burger Bar (Associate Sponsor)
Chad and Christina Carter Real Estate (Associate Sponsor)
Chick-fil-A North Decatur (Associate Sponsor)
Dynamo Swim Club (Associate Sponsor)
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Decatur (Associate Sponsor)
Call For BASH Donations
On March 9, 2024, Decatur Bulldog Boosters (DBB) 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.
Please save the date and look for more information to come. In the meantime, we are looking for donations for the 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.
Click HERE to make a donation and follow us on Instagram