Weekly Update

We've wrapped up our third week of school, and I'm so proud of how quickly students are settling into routines and supporting one another. Thank you, parents, for your continued partnership—it's clear we're off to a strong start!

Students are invited to apply for Superintendent Dr. Whitaker's Student Advisory Council, a great chance to share their perspectives directly with district leadership. The Secondary (6–12) Council will include two students from each grade, with alternates and one DVA student also selected. Applications are due Friday, August 22, at 5 p.m., and selected students will be notified by Friday, August 29, 2025.

Apply for the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council here

Also, don't forget—our first Principal's Coffee Chat is coming up on Friday, August 29, at 9:00 a.m. in the Media Center. The theme is "Launching the Year," and I look forward to connecting with you then.

I'm also excited to see many of you at Curriculum Night tonight!

Alexis Glenn, Interim Principal

Beacon Hill Middle School

The first of many Principal's Coffee Chats is around the corner! Join us August 29 at 9am in the media center.

“Launching the Year”

• Welcome, vision, and school goals for the year

• Review of key policies and procedures (attendance, lockers, weapons detection system)

• STAR testing overview and purpose

• How parents can help with a smooth start to school routines

• Q&A on any start-of-year challenges

We're excited to announce the results of our School Leadership Team (SLT) election!

Please join us in congratulating Ellen Narain and Kate Shropshire Swett, who have been elected as the newest members of our SLT. We are grateful to all the candidates who ran and to everyone in our community who took the time to vote.

6th Grade families: Join us from 4:30 PM to 5:45 PM. Please arrive knowing your child's schedule and report to their 1st-period class.

7th Grade families: We'll see you from 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM. Please arrive knowing your child's schedule and report to their 1st-period class.

8th Grade families: We'll see you from 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM. Please arrive knowing your child's schedule and report to their 3rd-period class.

You'll visit five core classes for 10 minutes each and watch videos about connections courses. Come learn what's happening in class and experience moving to each class period just like your child does! We can't wait to see you there!

We've officially launched our new website! We're thrilled to provide all students, families, and staff with an enhanced and more user-friendly online experience. As with any big move, some content may have been inadvertently misplaced, or a few links might be temporarily down during the migration. Your patience is appreciated as we work through the final adjustments.

If you encounter any issues or have feedback on the new BHMS site, please contact Robyn Tibbetts.

Please note: The old website is no longer being updated. To ensure you're viewing the correct version, please clear your browser's cache and update any bookmarks you have saved.

The ELA department at BHMS has officially launched the new Georgia ELA Standards and is actively using the new HMH Into Literature curriculum. These new standards are based on the science of reading, a research-backed approach to literacy development. While often associated with younger students, building a strong foundation in literacy is just as critical for our middle schoolers.

Through this new curriculum, students will gain a deeper understanding of how language works by interpreting complex texts and expanding their vocabulary. They are learning to deconstruct words based on their core meanings and are developing the skills to construct well-organized, evidence-based arguments and analyses.

The combination of the new ELA standards and the HMH Into Literature program will provide our students with the necessary skills to be successful in high school and beyond. We are excited about the positive impact this will have on their learning journey.

We are thrilled to announce that eighth-grader Lane Davidson has had original artwork selected for the 2025-2026 Budget Book cover. The Budget Book details the district's history, past and projected fiscal priorities and expenditures, and organizational structure.

In CSD, we take pride in nurturing student talent and interest in the arts, while also supporting school programs and teachers who offer a variety of creative, artistic learning experiences. A heartfelt thank you to Lane for contributing this beautiful artwork, which will serve as a reminder of the students represented behind the numbers.

The 2025-2026 Budget Book is available on the CSD Budget webpage.

Several members of the BHMS and DHS CTAE department visited the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Stone Mountain to explore how to best plan future student field trips. While Amazon is widely recognized as a logistics company, it is equally known for its advanced use of technology. Throughout the facility, computer science plays a key role — from the use of robotic pods to the "receiving-order-shipping" process. These operations directly connect to the concepts students are learning in computer science at both the middle and high school levels.

Pictured from left to right: Voshonda Bolton, Danielle Jones and Deirdre Pierce

We’re excited to let you know that Legacy Studios, our official school photographer, will be on campus August 26 for Picture Day!

Here’s what you need to know:

• Fill out the form or you can also pre-order online at schoolphotos.shop to receive significant savings.

• After Picture Day, prices will go up, so don’t miss your chance to save!

• You can order online with credit card or return the pre-order form with cash or check.

📸Picture Day is scheduled for: Tuesday August 26 📸

If you have any questions, visit LegacyStudios.com for more information or contact Ms. Boswell kboswell@csdecatur.net

Thank you!

We’re thrilled to announce that our first football game of the season is happening this SATURDAY! Our student-athletes have been working incredibly hard all summer, and they’re ready to hit the field and represent our school with pride.

All of our games are hosted at our Home Decatur Stadium again this year! Coach Muse, Coach Harkwick and the boys all hope to see you there at 10 am.

From the Principal’s Advisory Committee and Art Club to Jr. Beta Club, YLOE & GENTS, and Yearbook, BHMS offers a wide variety of clubs that meet before or after school. These groups provide meaningful ways for students to connect with peers, explore their passions, and try something new.

Club offerings may change each school year based on teacher sponsorship and student interest.
👉 Check out the full list of current clubs and opportunities by clicking here.

GOTR helps girls in grades 3-8 develop social, emotional, and physical skills through physical activity and dynamic discussions. The culminating 5K event will be on December 7th. Note: You do NOT need to be a runner to participate in this club. Join today!

Students we need your help! Join the PBIS Committee and help us make our school an even better place. As a member, you'll get to share your ideas and plan fun events for students. Interested? Email Ms. Godfrey at egodfrey@csdecatur.net

The Swim Team Interest Meeting will take place in the Beacon Hill cafeteria on Tuesday, September 2 at 6pm. All athletes and families who are interested in joining the middle or high school team should plan to attend. If you have any questions, please reach out to Coach Molly (mrandall@csdecatur.net)

Calling all aspiring tennis players! The tennis team is exploring the possibility of starting a middle school tennis team for the next school year. If your student is interested in joining, please fill out this quick survey to help us gauge interest.

Don't miss early sales, picture day, or distribution day!

Read It, Then Reflect It
Ever ask your child what they just read… and get a blank stare? You’re not alone. So many middle schoolers can read the words but struggle to make meaning from them, and that’s where journaling can quietly work magic.

In this blog post, I’ll show you how just 2 minutes of reflection after reading can help your child remember more, think deeper, and actually connect with what they’re reading. Inside, you’ll discover:

• Why many students forget what they read—even if they finished the assignment
  

• A simple mindset shift to help them process instead of just “get through it”
  

• Easy reflection questions you can ask at home (no teaching background needed!)
  

• How journaling builds metacognition—aka the learning superpower
  

• A free printable Read & Reflect Journal Page™ to try this week
  
  

Your child doesn’t need more pressure, they need more pause. And that pause? It might be the secret to unlocking better reading and more confident thinking.

👉 [Read the full article →]

This article was written in collaboration with the Decatur PREP Project (Parent Reading Engagement Program) and made available through our partnership with the Decatur Education Foundation and the Beacon Hill Middle School PTA.

Many hands make for lighter work. Interested in joining a committee or helping with a single event? Tell us how you would like to participate in the new school year by completing our 2025-2026 Volunteer Interest Form.The PTA is particularly in need of people for our Fundraising and Diversity committees, as well as one more PBIS co-chair and Sixth Grade Dance co-chairs. Questions? Email president@bhmspta.org.

Many thanks to all who signed up for our Staff Appreciation activities! All slots have been filled through the beginning of December. Another sign-up form will be sent later this year for the second half of the school year.

Joining the PTA has lots of perks. Get event notifications, make connections with other parents, support your child and their school environment, share your voice. Renew your membership or become a new member of the BHMS PTA today! (Log in with your existing credentials, or register if you’re joining for the first time.)

Choose Your Donation Level

We rely on the generosity of our community and families to support students and staff. Donations of any amount…especially if we all contribute together…can have a significant effect. Double the impact with our Company Matching program. All donations are tax deductible.

Perhaps you are a BHMS family or local business owner looking to bump up your support? (Do you know a business that would like to help?) Then consider becoming a BHMS sponsor. Learn more about sponsorship levels here. Questions? Reach out to our fundraising chair at fundraising@bhmspta.org.

You also can help the BHMS PTA earn while you shop by participating in our Passive Fundraising partnerships. Find opportunities here!

We rely on the generosity of our community and families to support students and staff. Donations of any amount…especially if we all contribute together…can have a significant effect. All donations are tax deductible.

Perhaps you are a BHMS family or local business owner looking to bump up your support? (Do you know a business that would like to help?) Then consider becoming a BHMS sponsor. Learn more about sponsorship levels here. Questions? Reach out to our fundraising chair at fundraising@bhmspta.org.

Read the August 21, 2025, issue of the district-wide newsletter, CSD Weekly here.

• BHMS Website
• Personal Electronics Protocol
• Bell Schedule or Bell Schedule by Grade
• Bus Routes
• Free and Reduced Lunch Application
• BHMS Weekly Updates
• Attendance Routines and Procedures
• Key Contacts

• BHMS Facebook page
• BHMSPTA Facebook page
• BHMSInstagram page
• Grading Quick Facts 6-12
• CSD Grading Handbook
• Grade Level News