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PTA Meeting and Guest Speaker Tonight

We are so excited to have guest speaker, Kenny Haney, with us tonight, March 9th, 2023 at 6:45pm in the Beacon Hill Middle School. The title for this speaker series is, "Know The Risks: E-Cigarettes and Young People", is one that all parents can learn from. Please come early as we'll also host a PTA General Session at 6:00pm right before the speaker series.

Please see the following link for more information: https://www.decaturparents.net/events/speaker-series/where-is-your-family-going

Street Closing on Kings Highway

We wanted to make you aware of filming on Kings Highway this coming Thursday 3/9. Kings Highway will be closed between Ansley Street and W. Davis from around 10AM - 6PM just south of Beacon Hill.

Please plan accordingly.

Spring Forward

Please remember that daylight savings time begins Sunday, March 12th at 2AM. Don’t forget to set your clocks.

Principal’s Coffee Chat

Please save the date. Our next Principal’s Coffee Chat will be held Friday, March 31st at 9AM. The focus will be on test anxiety as we begin to enter the Spring testing season.

Derrick L. Thomas, Principal,

Beacon Hill Middle School

This week's teacher spotlight is on the CTAE department! This team of teachers consistently engages students in the IB design cycle providing numerous experiences for students outside of the classroom. These teachers ensure students practice and develop the IB learner profile attributes of caring and open minded. Some examples of their devotion and work with students are:

• Morning BOW WOW

• G.E.N.T.S. chair

• Coaching basketball

• FAB LAB club

• School garden

• School recycling

• Lessons that authentically connect learning to real world

• Facilitating PL to future and current educators

• Service Learning

We are so excited to have guest speaker, Kenny Haney, with us tonight after the PTA meeting at 6:45pm at Beacon Hill Middle School. The title for this speaker series is, "Know The Risks: E-Cigarettes and Young People", is one that all parents can learn from. Please come early as we'll also host a PTA General Session at 6:00pm right before the speaker series.

The 6th Grade PTA sponsored spring dance is around the corner !Get your Tickets today!

Date: Fri, Mar 10th

Time: 4-5:30pm in cafeteria

Please sign up to volunteer and make a snack donation.

BHMS 6th Grade Spring Dance Party, 4:00pm - 5:30pm on March 10, 2023

8th Grade Service Learning Project is partnering with Funds2Orgs for a shoe donation drive. From March 6-March 17, 2023, 8th grade students will be collecting your new or gently worn used shoes (or you may drop off at the school in the designated team box). Funds2Orgs will collect the donations from us and send them to other countries in hopes to spur entrepreneurship and support. In turn, Funds2Orgs will provide us with funds for the shoes we donate. Each 8th grade team will then decide where they want to donate the funds within our own community. Please support us if you can!

Please reach out to Shani Vickery (svickery@csdecatur.net) with any questions.

Last Thursday we had our second Parent Meeting concerning the shifts in Math Pathways. Information from that meeting can be found on our website here.

Our rising 8th graders have to decide which 8th grade math course will be best for them next year. This week, our 7th grade math teachers have been sharing the pathways and a student decision document in their classrooms. Your rising 8th grader should come home to share with you what they think they should take and why. As a family, use the attached documents to guide your decision.

Please complete the Google form sent via Blackboard to your email by 4:00 pm- Friday, March 17, 2023.

Helpful Documents to Guide your Decision:

Math Pathways One Page Information Document

Decision Making Guide for Families

Decision Making Guide for Students

Be sure to check your email today for the Google Form to indicate your decision

Rising 8th graders who have already completed 8th Grade Math will take Algebra 1 next school year.

The annual Beacon Hill Stacey Daniel Poetry Slam is open to all Beacon Hill students (6th, 7th, & 8th grades) and will take place on April 26th at 6 PM. All students who would like to take part will have the opportunity to be coached by professional teaching artists/Slam Poets. To sign up, students should contact their ELA teacher OR email Holly Lanford (hlanford@csdecatur.net).

Slam Poetry is a unique style of spoken-word poetry that combines the elements of writing, performance, competition, and audience participation. It is spoken-word ‘riffing’ on contemporary issues - and in the hands of Beacon Hill students, it is an opportunity for our community to see the depth of passion and insight that these kids have to offer. Preparation for this event kicks off each year with a week-long Poetry Residency for all 7th graders in their ELA classes. Then all students from all grade levels are invited to participate in twice weekly coaching sessions starting Wednesday, March 22nd from 3:50-4:50 in Ms. Wicks room. Coaching sessions will continue Tuesdays and Wednesdays until the actual Slam. If you are a parent that would like to volunteer to help with the Poetry Slam, please email Holly Lanford (hlanford@csdecatur.net), the faculty sponsor.

The Beacon Hill PTA generously supplies funds for the residency and for several coaching sessions to help students who have elected to participate in the Poetry Slam. This year Beacon Hill has again partnered with Paint Love, a local arts organization that provides the teaching artists for the residency and the coaching sessions.

Congratulations to 7th graders Calla Lockwood, Charlotte Kemper, and M Eastman on being awarded the Gold Medal (90th+ percentile), and 7th grader, Ivy Arnold, and 8th grader, Ellie Green, the Silver Medal (80th+ percentile) as special recognition on the Level II National German Exam Honor Roll for their outstanding performance on the 2023 National German Exam for High School Students. Over 12,300 students participated in the exam this year, from all regions of the US. This is a huge accomplishment for our students and speaks to the amazing work of their teacher, Mrs. Jennifer McNulty. Way to go, Bulldogs!

The 2023 BHMS Black History Door Decorating Contest is over and the doors are amazing! The BHMS BSU judged and scored the doors Monday morning morning. Shout out to Ms. Shields and Ms. High for helping facilitate the judging of doors. Winners and honorable mentions received BHMS coasters designed and created by Mr. Heuser and the FAB Lab. Thanks to all that contributed to this year's Black History Month Door Decorating Contest. Check out the video tour below and see the winners!

Congratulations to all of the 7th and 8th graders who performed a SUPERIOR concert and sight reading session yesterday at our annual Evaluation concert. All four judges Awarded a Superior rating for this performance, the highest rating possible! The judges listened for tone quality, Intonation, Technique, Rhythmic accuracy, Balance and Musicality. Our Band was recognized for playing at the top level in all of these areas by every judge.

It took the hard work from everyone in 7th and 8th grade band class to prepare for the evaluation and we are proud of all of the Beacon Hill Band students for all of their very hard work.

As part of 8th grade students unit on Journalism students are exploring the inquiry statement "We use storytelling not just to entertain, but to inform and build culture". ELA hosted CNN journalist Keith Allen who is a National News editor. Mr. Allen spoke with students about his career, journalism and storytelling to inform.

Greetings ~

This month's FAB LAB MAKERSPACE workshop has been announced! Join us on March 29th any time from after school until 8 pm where all participants young and old can learn how to do laser engraving and cutting! All participants will get to design, make, and take home their very own set of laser engraved cup coasters! Space for this workshop is limited and please see the attached registration form for more information!

See you in the lab,

Mr. Heuser

Every Thursday, each grade level will publish its newsletter. Please check them out after you read the school Eblast. Here are the links:

6th Grade Website

7th Grade Website

8th Grade Website

On March 18, Boosters is hosting our annual Bulldog Bash at Legacy Park from 7-11 p.m. to support Decatur Athletics. The adult-only event features a food truck, bar, live music (by The Dammages and The Thrillbillies), an online silent auction (featuring art, sport tickets, braces, experiences, restaurant gift cards, etc.), 50/50 raffle, Coaches’ Wish List Funds, Coach of the Year Award and more. All proceeds go to support our coaches and athletes at DHS and BHMS. Come out and support your Bulldogs! (You can still contribute and bid on items even if you can’t make it to the event.)

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. Join us at our next meeting in the DHS Performing Arts Center (PAC) hospitality suite at 6:30 p.m.

During these times of high prices, there is a unique opportunity to have your grocery dollars do double duty. We invite you to “Shop With The Kids” for the Decatur High School Football Team Fundraiser by visiting www.ButchersChoice.Com for premium quality (Certified Angus Beef, top 8%) Steaks, Pork, Chicken and Seafood. The prices are competitive with the store and over 40% of the purchase price goes directly to the team thanks to the Butchers Choice Steak Fundraiser!!! Your purchase may also qualify for a handsome tax write off, as the team/booster club are registered 501C3 nonprofit. With the great value, superior quality and massive benefit for the children, it just makes good sense to Shop With The Kids and help our players thrive.

Be sure to indicate the school, sport and student when prompted and know that you are shopping with a 28 year A+ Rated BBB company. Orders will be delivered to the school on a date set by the team. Questions? Call “the Butcher” 770-356-4009.

Thanks so much on the behalf of Coach Felton, our DHS Football staff, and players. Happy Grilling!!!

Baseball at BHMS is in full swing! Check out the schedule below and come on out to cheer on the Bulldogs!

Enrollment for new students for the 2023-24 school year has begun! All current students do not need to reenroll to move to the next grade band. However, current students entering K, 3rd, 6th, and 9th grades should be prepared to provide (at their school) updated residency information when school starts. Please go to https://www.csdecatur.net/enrollment to review the enrollment process and required documentation.

CSD, in partnership with The Dekalb County Coalition and The Decatur Education Foundation, is excited to host our inaugural Spring Resource Fair! The Community Resource Fair will take place on March 16 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at 105 Electric Avenue (in the green space across the Wilson Center and Ebster Gym). We have 20+ vendors and organizations planning to come out to connect with families. The vendors and organizations will be offering mental health resources, physical health resources, food resources, and housing resources. We will also have fun activities on-site for families. For any questions, please contact Madison Bobbitt at mbobbit@csdecatur.net or 470-421-2279.

The ESOL & Federal Programs Department is hosting a Title III Parent Meeting March 9 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the Wilson Center, 125 Electric Avenue. You don’t want to miss this event!

The Tour deCatur is THIS Saturday! You can still register at www.tourdecatur.com to run the 5K (a Peachtree Road Race qualifier), the one-mile Fun Run and the Tot Trot. As DEF’s biggest fundraiser, you can support Decatur’s kids with your participation! Presenting Sponsor Mathnasium of Decatur and Platinum Sponsors Realtor Amy Widener and Truth & Lending will be there at the race with giveaways!

Our friends at NaanStop are hosting a Holi celebration this Saturday from 12-3pm Holi is a festival celebrated each year in spring by throwing colorful powders at your friends and family. Check out their Facebook page to reserve your spot. NaanStop is also hosting a dine-out for DEF next Thursday, March 16th! Just click here to place your order in advance: https://naanstop-decatur.square.site/. Order by 8:00 pm on Wednesday, March 15th and pick up between 5:00 pm and 5:45 pm on Thursday at Avery/Bucher in Winnona Park. 20% of proceeds will be donated to DEF, thanks to Naan Stop and Greg Kodesh Realty.

You can help eliminate food insecurity in Decatur by donating to our Lighten the Load BHMS snack pantry and weekend backpack programs to help food-insecure families in Decatur. Click on the following links to help:

Beacon Hill Middle Snack Program: /a.co/d0HJHTr

Weekend Backpack Program: https://a.co/6Etc74W

Amplify Decatur is hosting their Spring Concert in the Square on Saturday, April 29th and DEF is so pleased to be one of the beneficiaries. The line-up is chock full of some amazing musicians – check them out and purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/amplify-decatur-music-festival-tickets-527859721637. Your evening of live music will support DEF, Decatur Cooperative Ministry and Giving Kitchen.

Wednesday, March 15, will be Decatur Farm to School’s Dine Out event! Order from or eat at participating restaurants and a portion of your order total will go to DF2S! Proceeds from the Dine out will support our DF2S programs. Give yourself a break, eat a delicious meal, and support a wonderful cause! Click here for more information and a list of participating restaurants.

Teen Experience Programs at the YMCA