Principal Welcome Back to Families

The 2025-2026 school year is here, and we're eager to welcome everyone back to Beacon Hill Middle School! As your interim principal, I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue serving this incredible community. Some of you may know me from my years as the 8th-grade assistant principal here, and more recently as the district's director of assessment and accountability. Returning to Beacon Hill truly feels like coming home.

At Beacon Hill, we are dedicated to ensuring every student is seen, supported, and successful. We're committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment where strong instruction, caring relationships, and consistent practices empower all students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

To help you get ready for a successful start, this document includes key information about our school and district. Please take the time to read it carefully.

Looking forward to partnering with you to make sure every student at Beacon Hill reaches their fullest potential. Let's make it a great year together.

Sincerely,

Alexis Glenn, Interim Principal

Beacon Hill Middle School

I’m excited to begin the new school year and invite all parents and students to join me for our Principal Meet & Greet events on Thursday, July 17 and July 28, 2025. These gatherings will be a great opportunity for us to connect, for me to share my vision and priorities for the year ahead, and to answer any questions you may have. I look forward to meeting you and starting the year together on a strong, positive note.

The July 17 session will be held in the BHMS Media Center. The July 28 session will be hosted in the Cafeteria directly after the 6th Grade Meet and Greet. We look forward to seeing you there!

We invite ALL CSD STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND STAFF to join us for the second annual CSD Back-to-School Bash on Thursday, July 24, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM in the DHS gymnasium. This community-wide event will include music, food trucks, games, giveaways, and fun activities for all ages.

Special performances will be provided by the DHS band, cheerleaders, and student band Honorary Institute of Phunk (HIP), which features members of the DHS Retro Revue. Attendees will have the chance to sample and provide feedback on new cafeteria menu items, bid on auction items from Decatur FC, and participate in hands-on experiences like a backpack decorating station and a STEM activity table. For full event details, please visit csdecatur.net/families/resources/back-to-school-bash-2025.

Our annual Meet and Greet will be held on Monday, July 28. Times are scheduled by grade level:

7th & 8th Grade from 2:30–4:30 PM

6th Grade from 5:00–6:00 PM.

Teachers will be in their classrooms to welcome students and families, answer questions, and help everyone get comfortable with the building before the first day of school. I strongly encourage parents to join us and walk their student’s schedule—this is a great way to experience the atmosphere of the school firsthand and connect teacher names with faces.

As we begin the school year, the safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. Please take a moment to read our updated Safety & Security Letter, review the Weapons System Overview Flyer, and watch the short video to learn more about the new procedures and how to talk with your child about these important changes. Your partnership is key to ensuring a safe and smooth start for all.

Safety & Security letter

Weapons System Overview Flyer

Safety & Security Video

We send our weekly newsletter, the BHMS Weekly Update, to families every Thursday through Blackboard, utilizing SMORE for its design and distribution. To ensure you receive these important updates, please verify that your email and contact information is accurate in Infinite Campus. In addition, teachers will share newsletters with important grade-level information.

The Beacon Hill website is another valuable resource, regularly updated with news, events, and helpful information for families.

The Beacon Hill Middle School Leadership Team (SLT) is an elected committee consisting of Beacon Hill parents/guardians, staff members, a community member, and a district representative. The purpose of the SLT is to make decisions that support the continuous improvement of the school in accordance with the provisions of the District Charter.

The SLT is focused on school governance, student achievement, and family engagement. Some of the responsibilities of this team are to:

• Participate in personnel interviews and decisions

• Review and give feedback on the school budget

• Approve and monitor the School Improvement Plan

• Review assessment data for school decisions

• Assist with accreditation and improvement reviews

We currently have two SLT members who have served their two-year term and are rolling off the team. This leaves two vacancies on our SLT parent members.

If you’re interested in joining the SLT, please submit a bio/purpose statement to Interim Principal Glenn by Friday, August 1, 2025, at aglenn@csdecatur.net

Based on survey feedback, CSD has made the following adjustments in our grading regulations and parent handbook.

Grades 6–12 changes: We will discontinue the practice of grading by standard. Instead, student grades will be calculated based on individual assignment performance.

Example of previous practice: A high school English Language Arts assignment might be graded separately across multiple standards. For example:

• ELAGSE11-12RI1 (Cite strong and thorough textual evidence): 80%

  
  

• ELAGSE11-12W2 (Write informative/explanatory texts to examine complex ideas): 72%

  
  

• ELAGSE11-12L1 (Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage): 90%

Grading calculation: Each standard was previously recorded individually in the gradebook, and an average of those individual standard scores was calculated across assignments. That average was then used to determine the final course grade using the 80% summative / 20% grading formula.

Example of new process:
Under the new approach, the teacher evaluates the same assessment holistically, considering how the student applied all standards throughout the task. The student receives a single overall score, such as 83%, for the full assessment.

This 83% is entered once as the assignment grade and directly used in calculating the final course grade with the 80% summative / 20% grading formula, eliminating the need to average individual standard scores first.

Retake Policy (Grades 6–12): Retakes will be available to all students, regardless of their current overall percentage grade in a course. This shift reflects our continued commitment to ensuring that grades represent true mastery of the standards, rather than serving solely as a numerical target.

Example: A student who scores an 80% on a test covering multiple standards—such as MGSE9-12.A.CED.1 (Create equations that describe numbers or relationships) and MGSE9-12.A.REI.3 (Solve linear equations and inequalities)—may retake the assessment to improve understanding and demonstrate mastery, even if their score is already high.

Beginning in the fall of the 2025–2026 school year, the City Schools of Decatur will launch the Wayfinder curriculum as the foundation for implementing Future Readiness Skills for students in grades 6–12. Wayfinder is a research-based curriculum, originally developed at Stanford University, that focuses on six Future-Ready Core Skills: Self-Awareness, Adaptability, Empathy, Collaboration, Agency, and Purpose. These essential competencies help connect classroom experiences to real-world applications and support students in developing the mindsets needed for long-term academic, social, and career success.

Families and students can now view preliminary schedules through the Infinite Campus student and parent portal. You can find your teacher's name and team name (if applicable) directly on these schedules.

Click here for Infinite Campus information/assistance.

While these schedules are preliminary, please understand that minor adjustments may be necessary each year due to errors, enrollment changes, or balancing class and team sizes. Schedules will be finalized and shared in Infinite Campus on July 25th, along with a form to submit errors. Please be aware that some schedules may show a gap from 8:45-10:20. This block of time is reserved for WIN and Advisement and those classes will be scheduled before the first day of classes. No action is needed for this gap on the correction form.

Please Note: Class schedules will not be adjusted for friend pairings, team assignments, or specific teacher requests. Such requests will not be considered.

Students will receive a finalized paper copy of their schedule in their first-period class on the first day of school, Thursday, July 31st .

As we approach the new school year, we want to bring your attention to our exciting new bell schedule, which shifts us to a block scheduling model. This will be an adjustment for our returning 7th and 8th-grade students, so please take some time to review it carefully!

Key Takeaways:

• Monday - Thursday: Your school days will now feature four longer block classes. This structure allows for deeper learning and more focused instruction in each subject.

• Fridays are Different! On Fridays, we will transition to a seven-period day. This means you will attend all seven of your classes for shorter durations.

• Advisement and WIN are separate classes: You'll notice that Advisement and WIN (What I Need) are now dedicated, separate periods in your schedule, primarily on Monday and Wednesday.

• Lunch Times Vary: Please pay close attention to your lunch schedule, as lunch times will vary depending on the day and your specific grade and lunch group. Lunch periods also include a 10-minute recess/brain break.

• You can view the complete 2025-2026 Bell Schedule on our website. We encourage you to familiarize yourselves with these changes to ensure a smooth start to the academic year!

We are excited to introduce a new and important addition to our students' school year: Advisement! Each student will have a dedicated Advisement class that meets for 30 minutes on Monday and Wednesday. This year-long course is designed to provide a consistent space for students to connect with a teacher and peers, while also focusing on developing crucial "Future Ready Skills." Our teachers are equipped with professional learning and a comprehensive curriculum for this course, utilizing the WAYFINDER program. We believe Advisement will play a vital role in supporting our students' social-emotional growth and preparing them for success both in and out of the classroom.

WIN time will continue to provide time for What Students Need on Monday and Wed for 60 minutes. By providing this extra learning time, we're committed to helping every BHMS student shine!

What is WIN Time? WIN Time stands for "What I Need" time. It's a special learning block built into our Monday and Wednesday mornings to help every student reach their full potential. During this time, teachers will group students based on their academic needs to provide targeted support.

Why WIN Time? We believe that all students deserve personalized learning. WIN Time gives us the chance to offer extra help, challenge students, or reteach concepts, ensuring that everyone has the chance to succeed.

How Does WIN Time Work? Focus on Skills: For the first six weeks, we'll concentrate on building essential skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and time management. These skills will help students in all their classes.

• Data-Driven Groups: After the first six weeks, teachers will use student data to create flexible groups focused on specific subjects or skills. This means students will get extra support or enrichment where they need it most.

• Teacher Teams: Our amazing teachers will work together to plan and lead WIN Time activities.

As the new school year approaches, we know school supplies can be on your mind. No need to stress! To start, the basics will be just fine for all students. Your child's teams will share specific supply lists after the Meet and Greet on July 28th. So for now, keep it simple!

• Pencils and Pens
• Paper in a notebook or folder
• School book of choice to read
• Team/Grade-Specific Materials

We will be supplying students with a Chromebook, charger, and case once the school year starts

◽Schedules ◽ Grades ◽ Lunch Money ◽ Contact Information◽ Test Scores ◽ And More!

Families use the Parent Portal to stay current and provide important information to support their students. At the beginning of every school year, it is critical for families to use the Parent Portal for back-to-school readiness. Find Portal help, visit this webpage, or contact your school’s front office.

• Complete the annual data update before each school year starts, providing current contact, medical, and other information. From the Portal home screen, select More ⇒ Annual Data Update. Find more information about the annual data update here.

• Register for 2025-2026 bus transportation for your student who is remaining at the same school they attended last year, or who is attending a new school this year (entering grades K, 3, 6, or 9, or new to the district). Email routefinder@csdecatur.net for questions.

  • Bus registration: same school
  • Bus registration: new school transition
• Apply for free/reduced-price meal benefits: We encourage all families to apply. Families that previously received benefits must reapply every year. Select More ⇒ Meal Benefits.
• Add money to meal accounts, and set up balance alerts and auto-payments. In the Portal, select Food Service.
  • E-Check payments have a $0.35 fee per transaction.
  • Visa or MasterCard payments have a 3.5% card transaction fee.
• Look up teacher contact information. Select More ⇒ Contact List.
• Request an update to a student's name and/or gender marker. Families requesting an update to a student's name and/or gender marker may now use Infinite Campus for this process. Updates in Infinite Campus enable our district to manage student information more effectively and ensure alignment with state reporting expectations.
• Review CSD's student handbook and Code of Conduct. Additional information is available on the website.
  
• Submit updated health forms found on the health forms webpage if your student has medical needs that the school nurse needs to be aware of.

Excused Absences:

If your student misses a day or more because of an illness, the death/illness of a family member, a religious holiday, or another excused reason, please fill out this form. If you would like us to consider a non-standard reason to excuse an absence, please reach out directly to Ms. Jackson at least three weeks in advance of a planned absence.

Check-outs:

If you need to check out your student, it must be done by 3:15. It is not necessary to contact the main office ahead of check-out time. Please ring the buzzer for assistance and be prepared to show a photo ID to our front office staff.

Timely Arrival to School:

To be considered on time, a student must be in class by 8:45 am. Students who do not meet this criterion must check in at the front office. If a student is going to have a planned excused tardy, do not call ahead or email. The student/family member will turn in the excuse once they arrive and the absence will be updated. A folder is located by the kiosk in the front office that is checked to update attendance. Students who are late two or more times in a week without an excuse will be assigned after-school detention on either Wednesday or Thursday (student's choice) of the following week.

The First class of the day begins at 8:45 AM. Doors open to students eating breakfast at 8:20. Doors open at 8:30 for all students.

Dismissal begins at 3:45 PM. Students must vacate the building by 4:00, unless they participate in a teacher-led after-school activity.

• BHMS
• 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