BHMS Weekly Update

Good afternoon, Beacon Hill Families,

We are looking forward to seeing many of you tomorrow morning for our latest Coffee Chat. This session is a vital part of our commitment to student well-being and campus safety, and we would love for you to be part of the conversation.

• When: Friday, February 27 | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

• Where: The Media Center

Alongside our School Counseling Department, we’ll be diving into two key initiatives:

• The BESS Assessment: Learn how this proactive screening tool helps us identify and support student emotional needs early.

• Sandy Hook Promise: An overview of our Anonymous Reporting System and how it empowers students to "Say Something" to keep our campus safe.

These chats are the perfect space to ask questions and partner with us in your child’s holistic development. We’ll have the coffee ready—see you there!

As our 2026 Teacher of the Year, Ms. Chalberg is being celebrated for her incredible ability to turn the outdoors into a classroom. She is being recognized for her visionary approach to experiential education and her unwavering commitment to expanding physical education into outdoor learning experiences. She has created a classroom where curiosity knows no bounds.

Why Ms. Chalberg is our TOTY:

• Innovation: She designed a unique curriculum that connects real-world skills with academic excellence.

• Expertise: With certifications in everything from Outward Bound to Cycling, she brings elite professional knowledge to our students every day.

• Community: Whether she’s coaching on the soccer field or hosting s’mores by the fire, she builds the bridges that make BHMS feel like home.

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Chalberg for her dedication, her vision, and her heart! 🏆🍎

"Ms. Chalberg exemplifies the very best of teaching through her commitment to equity, innovation, and the belief that every student deserves a chance to explore the world around them."

To ensure our schools remain safe, we are launching the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (ARS), a program by the nonprofit Sandy Hook Promise.

What is Say Something ARS?

This initiative trains students and staff to recognize warning signs of potential threats—on social media or in person—and empowers them to "say something" to a trusted adult or via our anonymous platform.

Key Features

• Recognize & Act: Learn to identify at-risk behaviors and take immediate action.

• 24/7 Reporting: Students can report concerns anytime via the mobile app, website, or hotline.

• Proven Safety: This program is used nationwide to prevent violence, suicide, and bullying.

Empowering Our Students

Students are often the first to see when a peer is struggling. By providing these tools, we empower them to protect one another and foster a safer, more supportive community.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools safe.

Please click the link for more information

I want to take a moment to shine a bright spotlight on the heart of our school’s support system: our incredible School Counselors.

Every day, these dedicated professionals go above and beyond to ensure our students feel seen, heard, and supported. Whether they are navigating complex social-emotional needs, guiding students through academic hurdles, or providing a steady hand during a crisis, their impact on our school culture is immeasurable.

Mrs. Hudson, Ms. Minor, Mr. Muse, Mrs. Passin, and Mrs. Q thank you! Thank you for your empathy, your patience, and your unwavering commitment to our students' well-being. We are a stronger, kinder school because of the work you do.

We are proud to announce an update to our science department for the 2026-2027 school year. To provide our students with a competitive edge and a head start on their graduation requirements, we will begin offering High School Physical Science to all 8th graders.

Choosing the Right Curriculum

To ensure our students are supported in this accelerated coursework, our science faculty has spent the last few months vetting high-quality instructional resources. After evaluation, the team has recommended the adoption of Savvas: Concepts in High School Physical Science. This resource was selected for its:

• Alignment with state standards

• Labs that support conceptual understanding of challenging scientific concepts

• Strong focus on foundational chemistry and physics concepts.

We Value Your Input

Community partnership is a cornerstone of our curriculum adoption process. We invite parents, guardians, and community members to visit the school to preview the materials and share their perspectives.

• Dates: February 23 – March 6

• Location: School Media Center

• Process: Please check in at the front office to receive a visitor badge; staff will then direct you to the review station in the media center.

Your feedback ensures that we select tools that best serve our students and families. We look forward to seeing you there!

From March 2-27, 2026, CSD will administer the Social, Emotional and Behavioral Screening (BASC-3 BESS), a brief screening tool for students in grades 3-12 that helps to identify social, emotional, and behavioral strengths and needs so schools can provide timely support. Screener results help schools strengthen classroom practices, offer small-group or individual support, and partner with families to connect students with resources. Together, we can ensure every child feels safe, seen and supported. Find out more in the Social, Emotional and Behavioral Screening (BASC-3 BESS) FAQ.

Families wishing to opt out must complete the opt-out form by Feb 28. If you have already opted out, you do not need to fill out the form again. If you previously opted out, and would like to opt back in, please email Sarah Coleman at scoleman@csdecatur.net. Thank you.

Just before Winter Break, BHMS and DHS mentorship groups—Y.L.O.E. and G.E.N.T.S.—hosted a powerhouse 5th Annual Career Symposium. The event kicked off with inspiring greetings from U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock and DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. Students then engaged in deep-dive sessions with over 40 African American professionals, exploring diverse career paths from healthcare to media. The day culminated in a powerful charge from the Honorable Judge Kimberly A. Alexander, who challenged our students to lead with vision and follow their dreams.

Coach Philippi and Coach Smith are fostering the development of the whole child this term by integrating high-octane athletics with critical health education. Our 6th-grade Bulldogs are currently engaging in an inquiry-based Track & Field Unit, where they apply thinking and transfer skills to events ranging from relay racing to jumping and throwing. Beyond physical technique, students are embodying the IB Learner Profile by demonstrating sportsmanship, perseverance, and principled leadership.

In the classroom, health and wellness takes priority with Impairment simulation goggles. By completing tasks under simulated impairment, students take agency over their wellness, gaining a firsthand understanding of how alcohol compromises reaction time and coordination. This activity is designed to build awareness about the dangers of impaired driving and risky decision-making — helping students understand how alcohol impacts the brain and body in real-life situations.

To wrap up Unit 3, “Cuando era niño,” Ms. Indacochea's Spanish students transformed their childhood memories into original children’s books. The project culminated in a heartwarming field trip to Winnona Park Elementary, where students shared their stories with 2nd graders in Señora Rodes’s class. For many of our Bulldogs, it was a full-circle moment—returning to their former elementary classrooms to inspire the next generation of Spanish learners.

BHMS Recycling Team will be collecting Plastic Film from

Thursday, March 19th to Thursday, April 16th

What is Plastic Film?: Any type of stretchy plastic that should not be thrown in your recycling bin

• Plastic Grocery bags

• Produce Bags

• Bread Bags

• Plastic overwrap (wrap around napkins, paper towels, toilet paper)

• Bubble Wrap

• Shrink Wrap

Help us win this CHARM contest and save our environment by bringing your stretchy plastic to school!

Read the February 26, 2026, issue of CSD Weekly, the district-wide newsletter.

Throughout February, BHMS has made a special effort to engage students on the significance of Black history through a variety of activities. The PTA would like to celebrate the winners of the door decorating contest and trivia contests by awarding gift cards, and also honor the teachers and staff who have spent time outside of their working hours to make such an impact on our students. We have created a specific fundraising link for this purpose. Click here to donate!

PTA sponsorships help us fund all aspects of our school outreach efforts, including teacher grants, student dances, school improvement projects and teacher appreciation events. We are so grateful for all who have shared their generosity this school year.

Are you a local business owner interested in supporting our school community? (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.

“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.

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.

As the school year winds down, the Decatur Bulldog Boosters will be saying “thank you” to several board members whose service concludes as their student-athletes graduate in May. We are so grateful for the time, energy and heart they have poured into our program.

This also means new opportunities are available to jump in and make a real difference.

We currently have openings in:

• Communications

• Fundraising

• Membership

• Concessions

These roles are meaningful and manageable, and they directly affect our student-athletes and programs. If you’re curious about any of these positions and would like to learn more, then please email shawnamikes1@gmail.com. We’d love to have you on the team!

ALSO: Decatur Bulldog Boosters is partnering with Decatur Education Foundation to organize a Bulldog Jog, which allows runners to include their dogs in the 1-Mile Fun Run as part of Tour deCatur on March 14. Learn more here.

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