BHMS Weekly Update

Greeting BHMS Families,

As the flowers begin to bloom and the days grow longer, we have finally reached a well-deserved milestone in our school year: Spring Break!

We want to wish all of our students and their families a wonderful, relaxing, and safe break. Whether you are traveling or enjoying a "staycation" at home, we hope this week provides our students with the perfect opportunity to rest, recharge, and enjoy quality time with friends and loved ones.

After the break, we will enter an important stretch of the academic year. When students return, we will begin preparing for the Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS) testing. We know our students have worked incredibly hard, and having this time to unplug now will help them return with the focus and energy needed for this final "last push" toward the end of the school year.

Please take this time to step away from the books and screens to enjoy the fresh spring air. We look forward to seeing everyone back on campus, refreshed and ready to finish the year strong!

Warmly,

Alexis Glenn

Principal

Beacon Hill Middle School

Congratulations to Christie Chalberg for being named the 2027 Teacher of the Year at CSD! With eleven years of dedicated teaching at Beacon Hill and a total of thirty years in education, Chalberg has made a significant impact. She has pioneered and developed the Adventure Quest course, offering students meaningful alternatives to traditional physical education while creatively integrating other academic subjects into the outdoor classroom.

In addition to her innovative teaching methods, Chalberg holds certifications in archery instruction, cycling education, wilderness first aid, and outdoor leadership. These qualifications enrich her students' educational opportunities and enhance experiential learning.

As we approach the spring, we want to ensure our families are prepared for our upcoming state and local assessments. These evaluations help us measure student growth and ensure every Bulldog is Seen, Supported, and Successful.

Please mark your calendars for the following key dates:

📍 Georgia Milestones (GMAS) | Grades 6–8

End of Grade (EOG) Testing: April 20 – May 1

End of Course (EOC) Testing: May 5

📍 Universal Screeners (EOY) | Grades 6–8

Students will complete their final STAR Reading and Math assessments during their scheduled WIN Time to monitor year-long progress.

• 5/6: STAR Reading

• 5/11: STAR Math

We are thrilled to announce that two of our very own have been honored with the John Lewis Good Troublemaker Award! Named in honor of the late civil rights icon, this award recognizes individuals who see something that isn’t right and have the courage to speak up, speak out, and get in "good trouble" to make our school a more equitable and inclusive place. Their commitment to social justice and student advocacy reminds us all that positive change starts with the bravery to challenge the status quo. We are incredibly lucky to have them on our team! Please join us in congratulating:

Dr. Julie McFaddin: Dr. McFaddin has been a relentless advocate for academic excellence and equity. Through her leadership in our IB program and her dedication to coaching, she ensures that every student, regardless of background, has the support and access they need to thrive in our classrooms.

Mr. Jesse McNulty: Mr. McNulty’s impact reaches far beyond the classroom. Whether he is advocating for the specialized needs of his students or fostering a safe, affirming space for our LGBTQ+ youth through the GSA club, he embodies the spirit of standing up for those who need it most.

Last week the Beacon Hill Middle School Media Center was buzzing with pride as we officially welcomed our newest scholars into the Junior Beta Club. Led by President Lowe Mann, the ceremony was a powerful tribute to the pillars of achievement and character. From the ceremonial pledge to the presentation of pins and certificates, the energy was electric as our students committed to a future of leadership and service. A huge congratulations to our inductees, their families, and our sponsors, Laura Gary and Eric Fessler, for sponsoring this club. Way to go, Bulldogs! 🐾🏆

Our 7th graders swapped their screens for scenery last week during an overnight excursion to the Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, GA. From the moment they stepped onto the grounds, the energy was high and the learning was hands-on.

It wasn't just a trip; it was a masterclass in collaboration and discovery. Highlights included:

• Canoeing: Navigating the lake waters and learning the true meaning of "rowing in the same direction."

• Herpetology 101: Getting up close and personal with local reptiles and amphibians in Rock Eagle’s famous nature labs.

• Team Building: Engaging in high-energy games across the campus that challenged students to think critically and support one another.

A Heartfelt Thank You

An adventure of this scale truly takes a village. We want to extend a massive thank you to our incredible parent chaperones and the BHMS staff who braved the overnight shift to ensure our students had a safe and meaningful experience.

A special Bulldog Shout-out goes to Ms. Fields and Mr. Gusta. Their tireless work in coordinating, organizing, and managing the logistics of the Rock Eagle trip made this "learning beyond the classroom" possible.

Beacon Hill Middle School's garden is officially coming to life! This month, students are experimenting with three different starting strategies to ensure a healthy harvest: traditional cells, soil blockers, and seed snails. By testing these varied methods, our young gardeners are learning about root health and sustainable growth. Once our school beds are full, we plan to offer any "extra" seedlings to our community in exchange for donations. Stay tuned to help support our garden program!

In response to direct feedback from our community, the Decatur Parents Network and Decatur Education Foundation are hosting a vital conversation on Monday, April 27th. Navigating the pressures of social media and body image is a modern challenge for our kids; this session offers a supportive space for parents to learn what's normal, what's concerning, and how to help. We’ll be joined by experienced therapists Mosammat Alam and Kendra Marcus to dive into the "why" behind disordered eating and how we can best show up for our adolescents.

Join us at the Beacon Hill Middle School Media Center:

• When: Monday, April 27, 2026, from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

• Who: This event is designed for adults only.

• Where: BHMS Media Center

Ready to join the conversation? Register here to save your spot or scan the QR code on the flyer. We hope to see you there!

Check out all the club and extracurricular activities here and on our website!

Read the April 2, 2026, issue of CSD Weekly, the district-wide newsletter.

As we approach Earth Day, the BHMS Recycling Club is leading a full-school participation in a contest to collect recyclable plastic film. The school that collects the most material will be recognized at the CHaRM Kids’ Day on Saturday, April 25, at CHaRM DeKalb. From now through April 16, a collection bin is set up in the front lobby for dropping off the following types of recyclable "stretchy" plastic: plastic grocery bags, plastic produce bags, bread bags, plastic overwrap (wrap around napkins, paper towels, toilet paper), bubble wrap and shrink wrap. These types of plastics are not accepted in the city recycling program, so join this effort to keep them out of the landfill!

Take a night off from cooking and support BHMS by dining at The Marley House (426 W Ponce de Leon Avenue) on Wednesday, April 29. Fifteen percent of all sales will be donated to our school. Please mention BHMS when ordering. Thank you!

The BHMS PTA Staff Appreciation Committee has planned lots of ways to show our staff how much we appreciate them during Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week (May 4 through May 8). Volunteers are needed to make this week a success. Please select a volunteer slot through our sign-up form.

The BHMS PTA works to build a dynamic and engaged school community that contributes to a safe and equitable educational environment for all of our students. We show appreciation to our teachers and staff and promote programs, initiatives, and school spirit to enrich our students and school.

Please indicate how you are interested in becoming more involved with our school, and if you are interested in taking a leadership position.

The Beacon Hill PTA is gearing up for the next school year, and we would love for you to get involved. Please check out this link to learn more about opportunities to serve.

Beacon Hill Middle School car magnets are a great way to show school spirit and support the PTA! They are available for $5 each through this payment link. (Please include your student’s name in the comment section.) Magnets can be picked up at the front office for pickup by you or your child.

The PBIS B.A.R.K. Store celebrates students who demonstrate Best Effort, Accountability, Respectfulness and Kindness. The students who receive these points need your help. Donations are needed for the store, and volunteers are needed on Fridays during student lunch periods (which run from 11 am to 2 pm) to help distribute items.

Do you have an hour to spare? Sign up here to volunteer.

Are you able to donate store supplies? See our wishlist here.

“Be a Beacon” donations directly support our teachers, staff and students during the 2025–2026 school year. Supporter names are displayed proudly in the school lobby in appreciation of your generosity. Thank you to all who have donated so far this year. Together, we can make a difference. Make a donation here.

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