BHMS Weekly Update
Thursday, August 17, 2023
September 28, 2023
Upcoming Events
9/29: 7th Grade Fall Dance 4pm-5:30
9/29: Principal’s Coffee Chat 9:30 am "How do I know how my child is doing in school?"
9/29: PBIS Fundraiser Hat Day
10/3: Side by Side Concert - WIN Band and 8th graders
10/4: International Walk and Roll to School Day
10/10: Picture Retake Day
Principal's Corner
Dear Beacon Hill Students and Families,
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. The topic is “How do I know how my child Is doing in school this year?” Join our BHMS Instructional Coaches and learn how to monitor your child's progress this school year.
Morning Drop Off
Parents, please do NOT enter the back loop as a drop off for your child. The back loop is for buses and staff members only.
Go Bulldogs!!
See you soon!!!
Derrick L. Thomas, Principal
Beacon Hill Middle School
It Only Takes One
đź“° BHMS News You Can Use đź“°
🔦Staff Spotlight🔦
Congratulations to Matthew Heuser for being selected as the "Beacon" Spotlight of the week! Mr. Heuser's dedication to his students and his innovative, risk-taking approach make him a valuable member of the Beacon Hill community. His willingness to take risks and encourage his students to do the same is a testament to his commitment to education. Hosting the Fab Lab, spearheading the Beacon Hill Marketplace, coaching basketball, and teaching 8th-grade math during summer school/intersession are all impressive contributions to our school community. It's clear that Mr. Heuser goes above and beyond to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment in his classroom. The fact that students in his class are constantly stretching themselves and trying new things speaks to his effectiveness as an educator. Beacon Hill is fortunate to have this Wisconsin Badger as a dedicated and passionate teacher. Thank you, Mr. Heuser, for your outstanding contributions to the school and for being a true Beacon Hill Bulldog!
How is My Child Doing?
Students have now completed the first 7 weeks of the school year. Teachers have been working hard to get to know your students as learners.
A common question from families is- How will I know how my child is doing? There are several ways:
Parent Connections- At this point, our goal is that every parent has had the opportunity to hear from (at least) one of your child’s teachers concerning their progress this year by the end of September. During the month of September, teachers are spending a great deal of time with conferences/check-ins to share information with families. Building relationships with your child’s teachers and reading weekly newsletters is the best way to stay informed and connected with what is happening at school.
Student MAP and GMAS Reports printed reports were sent home today. Your child’s 5th period (6th grade) and 7th period (7th and 8th grade) teacher handed out MAP reports and GMAS reports that include information about how your child performed this fall on the Measures of Academic Progress assessment they took in August/September and last spring on GMAS. Teachers will use this information to support planning for differentiated instruction, measure growth throughout the school year, and to support WIN time sessions. If your child has not shared it with you yet- be sure to ask for it and/or check those book bags. Students will take MAP in Winter and Spring to demonstrate how they have grown this school year.
Gradebook in Infinite Campus- CSD uses Infinite Campus for reporting all grades. Students and parents should be able to see at least Summatives and several Formatives in each class via IC as we end the 7th week of school. Progress reports will be issued during the 12th week of school.
Click here to access the CSD Grading Handbook
Click Here to access the CSD Board Community meeting about Grading
Click Here to access the FAQ on Grading
Come to the Principal's Coffee Chat tomorrow at 9:30 am to hear from our BHMS Instructional Coaches more about how you can stay informed about your student’s academic progress this school year!
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.
PBIS Fundraiser Friday!
PBIS fundraiser Friday! Hat Day 9/29! $1 Help us raise money to support PBIS celebrations and fun events for our students!
September is National Suicide Prevention Month.
The BHMS Counseling Department remains committed to helping our school and city become a suicide safer community. Check out our "Did you Know?" information HERE. Students, for more information on how to care for yourself and others, see https://988lifeline.org/help-yourself/youth/ or see your school counselor today!
BSU Host Successful Meet and Greet at Platez!
The Black Student Union enjoyed a meal at Platez before the Fall break as a part of a parent meet and greet with the BSU facilitators. This year 8th grade SS teacher Mr. Ferguson has joined the BSU facilitator team! Welcome, Mr. Ferguson.
Thanks to our sponsor the Davis Bozeman Johnson Law Firm for our meal! Students were able to socialize and parents were able to build stronger community with one another.
Stay tuned for upcoming BSU activities!
Chief Information Officer Eston Melton Visits Ms. Bolton's Digital Design Classes!
Chief Information Officer Eston Melton visited Ms. Bolton's digital design classes before the break to lead a lesson on how the CSD Information Service Department works to support all students at CSD, and to share information to help them understand how our network works to protect their privacy while supporting learning. He also provided insight into a career in technology! We look forward to collaborating more as the students had a great time!
New Club Opportunity!
Exciting News for Parents: Introducing the SLAY Couture Modeling and Acting Club!
We are thrilled to introduce a brand-new opportunity, the SLAY Couture Modeling and Acting Club 🎬🌟 is designed to empower our girls by fostering self-confidence, creativity, and valuable life skills.
With a dynamic curriculum and experienced instructors, our club will provide a supportive environment for personal growth and expression.
Dual-Sponsored by the dynamic mother-daughter team Mrs. Melonie Bradley and Mrs.Tamara Braxton; from national pageant titleholders to social media brand deals these two have over 30 years of pageantry, modeling, and industry experience.
Our upcoming interest meeting will be held on Monday, October 9, 2023, at 3:55 pm. This is where interested talent can learn more about this exciting opportunity.
We look forward to embarking on this empowering journey together!
Stay connected for more details and if you have any questions please forward them directly to Mrs. Braxton via email at tbraxton@csdecatur.net
8th Grade German German Club Cooking Fun!
Beacon Hill 8th grade German German Club officers treated members to freshly baked Brezeln and a game, while the 6th graders treated them to Apfelschorle. 7th graders joined in the fun to celebrate Oktoberfest and the upcoming Day of German Unity by making paper pretzels with questions to hide around the school. Find a pretzel? Know the fact? Bring it to a German teacher for some gummy bears!
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.
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
đź“šFrom our Media Centerđź“š
Digital Citizenship, Banned Books Week, and Your Local Library’s Upcoming Events
Next week begins Digital Citizenship Week at BHMS media center. These lessons will be given in the media center through next month and cover myriad Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy topics about maintaining a mindful and safe digital footprint now and in the future!
Next week, October 1-7 the media center celebrates Banned Books Week! Celebrate your freedom to read by checking out some of the often challenged titles available at BHMS - from Maus to Looking for Alaska, some of the most challenged titles in the US are available free to read at BHMS. If you’d like to know more, check out the numbers! When I’ve come across concerns about this, I’ve always reminded patrons that no one is made to read any particular library book and they are always free not to read it - but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be of interest to another reader.
Also, remember, the downtown Decatur library has a ton of free programming available to all family members, so be sure to check out this calendar!
If you’ve any questions, contact the media specialist, Mr. Lynch.
Sphero Data Incident
City School of Decatur (CSD) was notified this week that Sphero, an online STEM learning tool, had a data breach by an unauthorized third party this month that affected school districts nationwide. CSD Information Services are investigating. Sphero has been used with students on our school campus, and in the interest of transparency we are notifying families.
What we know so far is that students who have used Sphero had their Sphero username disclosed in this breach. Sphero usernames usually include elements of a student’s first and/or last name. Additionally, up to 49 students district-wide had their full first and/or last name, email address, date of birth, avatar picture, self-provided “bio,” location, Twitter information, and guardian email address disclosed. First and last names, email addresses, and birth dates have sometimes been provided by CSD when students access Sphero. The other fields are not part of how CSD provides information to Sphero, but it is possible for students to add such information on their own. Families of those 49 students will receive notification and additional information separately via a letter home.
Sphero believes they have fixed the issue that allowed the unauthorized access, and they have hired a security firm to validate the effectiveness of their efforts. Additionally, CSD has blocked student access to Sphero until the security firm attests to the efficacy of the fix. Sphero’s compliance with CSD Student Data Privacy Requirements will also be evaluated.
CSD takes our students’ privacy very seriously, and we regret that this incident has occurred. The school newsletter will provide additional information as it becomes available. Anyone who has questions about this incident can contact CSD Information Services at privacy@csdecatur.net.
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💙💛
LAST CALL FOR SEVENTH GRADE DANCE TICKETS
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. In the interest of student safety, students should not plan on leaving the event before 5:30 p.m. All attendees must be BHMS seventh graders. 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.
NOTE: The first 50 students to arrive at the dance will receive a Beacon Hill spirit towel, brought to you by Quest Orthodontics! Thank you to our 2023-2024 PTA sponsors for their generosity in helping to make events like this happen: Quest Orthodontics and the Isani Family/Imtyaz and Shamsha Isani, Chick-fil-A Decatur, Green Orthodontics, Keller Knapp Realty and Jim Ellis Automotive Group.
Be Pawtastic!
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 .
Click here to make your Pawtastic donation.
The following families are our first Pawtastic sponsors of the school 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!
CSD News and Announcements
City Schools of Decatur embarks on Year 2 of universal screening for social, emotional, and behavioral challenges
In our continuing efforts to support the well-being of all students, City Schools of Decatur (CSD) will administer a universal screener of social, emotional & behavioral health. CSD adopted the BASC-3 BESS as the universal screener for behavior and administered the screener to grades 3, 6, and 9 as a test pilot during the spring of 2023. Students in the same grades will take the student self-report of the screener at their school during the fall and spring administration dates. The Fall administration of the BASC-3 BESS opens on October 9th and will remain open through October 27th.
Parents of students in grades 3, 6, and 9 who do NOT wish for their students to participate in the screener should complete and submit the Opt-Out form by Sunday, October 8, 2023. To learn more, access the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). School counselors are available via email to respond to additional questions.
Planning is underway to progressively add grade levels each year into the annual administration plan until all students in grades 3-12 have an opportunity to take the BASC-3 BESS. It is our hope that this proactive approach toward student well-being helps to ensure that early screening and intentional support aligned to the needs of our students will make a difference in their overall academic, emotional, social, and life success.
Community Partner Announcements and Updates
Decatur Recreation Hosts Game Night!
Come out to Cosmic Game Night this Friday from 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm at the Ebster Recreation Center for 6th-8th graders.
Questions? Email Dezirae Cooper @Dezirae.Cooper@decaturga.com
Decatur Education Foundation
Our Decatur teachers and students are AMAZING! After Fall Break, we’re launching over 50 innovative projects in every school in the City Schools of Decatur as part of our Teacher Innovation Grants and — for the first time ever — Student Innovation Grants programs.
Our CSD teachers and staff members are building inclusive playgrounds, establishing Ornithology and Gardening Clubs, and supporting literacy for all of our students. Our students are creating a school supply closet at Decatur High School, starting cultural identity clubs, exploring the future of education with AI, 3D printing, and building a better world through LEGO Robotics. Wow!
DEF’s programs are possible because of the continued support of our community (THANK YOU!) To support initiatives that ensure every Decatur student has what they need to learn and thrive, please visit DecaturEducationFoundation.org.
MAD AVE DERBY: FINAL DAYS TO REGISTER!
Register to race as a driver or save the date to cheer on your favorite cars during a day of family-friendly fun at the 12th Annual Madison Avenue Derby on Saturday, October 21st, 2023! This year’s event benefits Urban Recipe, an organization that addresses food insecurity in metro Atlanta. Driver registration open thru 10/5 or until spots sell out. T-shirts available by pre-order thru 10/4 - all proceeds benefit Urban Recipe! www.madavederby.org
A Season of Giving
A Season of Giving is a neighbor led organization which helps purchase gifts directly for local children and seniors!
To apply for assistance, please complete an online application at https://aseasonofgiving.org/child-application/ by November 4th.
**NEW** Applications may be submitted for any child ages infant through 12th grade!
If you are not in need of assistance, please consider supporting our efforts. To become a donor for A Season of Giving, complete the form at https://aseasonofgiving.org/sponsor/. To volunteer, email us to learn more at aseasonofgivingdecatur@gmail.com.