Weekly Update

We have outstanding news to celebrate the incredible work of our Math Department! The Georgia Department of Education has officially recognized Beacon Hill Middle School as a Math Leader School for 2024–2025!

This achievement is a testament to the dedication, expertise, and relentless commitment of our math teachers. BHMS earned distinction in key areas:

• 6th Grade Growth

• 8th Grade Gateway Growth

• High School Achievement

This recognition reflects the hard work happening every day, affirming our belief that all students can achieve at high levels in mathematics. Our students' growth is the story, and our Math Team are the authors of this success.

Please join us in congratulating our Math Team for modeling what it means for students to be Seen, Supported, and Successful through high-quality math instruction.

Optimal Solution = Confidence + Inspiration - Confusion $\div$ Challenges.

We will be taking our mid year universal screener this year on December 3 and 8. Students will take the Renaissance STAR Assessment as our universal screener in both ELA and Math.

The Renaissance Star Assessment is a nationally recognized, computer-adaptive tool used from Pre-K through 12th grade to measure student progress in reading and math. These assessments help educators identify learning gaps, monitor student growth, and tailor instruction to meet individual student needs. At BHMS, STAR supports our mission to ensure student success by helping teachers recognize strengths and provide targeted academic support where needed.

Please note: The STAR screener is not graded. It is used solely to inform instruction and ensure each student receives the appropriate support.

BHMS STAR Universal Screener Testing Dates:

• December 3: STAR Reading

• December 8: STAR Math

We kindly ask that all students:

• Get a good night’s rest before each testing day

• Arrive to school on time by 8:45 AM, ready to begin

• Eat a healthy breakfast either at home or at school (breakfast starts at 8:20 AM)

Our sixth graders recently completed Aqua Vita, an impactful two-day interdisciplinary learning experience. Focused on the critical global issue of clean water access, students went beyond the classroom through hands-on activities.

• They listened to guest speakers and participated in an Empathy Walk to truly understand the challenges faced by communities worldwide.

• Working collaboratively, they designed and built water transport systems, applying their knowledge of different countries' economic contexts.

• The event culminated in an exciting Water Relay Race where groups represented countries covered in the I&S standards. In a brilliant connection to the curriculum, their sponge sizes were based on the country's GDP, and their bucket fill lines were based on its population, powerfully illustrating global resource disparity.

This experience successfully fostered a deeper understanding of global issues and encouraged vital problem-solving skills. Thank you to all the parents who contributed materials and time to make Aqua Vita a success!

A huge round of applause goes out to every Beacon Hill student who competed and represented our school with such dedication and skill at the recent Speech & Debate Tournament hosted at Decatur High School on November 15, 2025!

A huge round of applause goes out to every Beacon Hill student who competed and represented our school with such dedication and skill. Please congratulate the following amazing debaters: 🌟 Anora Muneer 🌟 Drew Nichols 🌟 Rachel Villavasso 🌟 Olivia Wilke 🌟 Grant Mann 🌟 Zeren Irier🌟 Devon Chandra 🌟Lucas Edgerton

Anora Muneer was 10th place JV Speaker, and Devon Chandra was 15th place JV Speaker. In the Varsity division, Grant Mann was 4th place Speaker, and Drew Nichols was 5th place Speaker. The Varsity team of Grant Mann and Zeren Irier placed 2nd overall!

Thank you to Susan Carroll, Vivian Dawson, Beth McMahon, and Susie Weetman for guiding these teams, and thank you to all 82 judges and volunteers who made the event possible.

Beacon Hill International Perspectives students explore foodways around the world. Please consider taking this journey with us by purchasing items made by students in our class using this link. Orders and payment are due Tuesday, December 2nd. Email Ms. Krysta Johnson with any questions.

This holiday season, our Decatur Bulldogs are teaming up to support Toys for Tots, and we need your help to make our First Annual Toy Toss a huge success!

Join us at the Basketball Game on December 5 and bring a new plush toy to donate. Every CSD Elementary student who brings a toy will receive FREE admission with a paying adult!

Then get ready for the highlight of the night: In between games, fans will toss their donated toys onto the court, where our players and cheerleaders will collect them and prepare them for delivery to Toys for Tots. It’s a fun, festive way to give back and show what Bulldog spirit is all about!

Let’s pack the stands, support our teams, and spread holiday cheer across our community. Go Bulldogs!

Does your student love to write? The Young Georgia Authors (YGA) writing competition is a wonderful way for students in grades K-12 to celebrate their creativity and develop their skills!

This prestigious annual competition, running since 1991, recognizes student achievement in arts and academics and is sponsored by the Georgia Language Arts Supervisors (GLAS), the Georgia RESA Network, and the Georgia Department of Education. It's an excellent chance to encourage young writers and give their hard work the recognition it deserves.

BHMS Submission Details

The BHMS competition will be held from October 13 - November 21, 2025. Students must submit their completed entries directly to their ELA teachers.

Ready to inspire your student's writing? Encourage them to get started on their submission today!

As the holiday season begins, school days get shorter, routines get disrupted, and many middle schoolers lose momentum in their reading stamina. Reading stamina is the ability to stay focused, engaged, and thinking while reading, and it’s one of the biggest predictors of success across ALL subjects.

Try This at Home

1. The “Two-Chunk” Method
Have your child read for two short blocks instead of one long stretch, for example, 7 minutes, a 2-minute break, then 7 more minutes. Short, focused bursts help older readers stay engaged without overwhelm.

2. Topic Rotation
If your child gets bored easily, encourage switching genres:

• one day fiction,

• one day an article,

• one day a how-to or informational piece.
  Variety builds stamina without boredom.

3. Post-Read Check-In
Ask just ONE question afterward:

“What stayed with you from what you read today?”
This reinforces thinking without feeling like homework.

Stamina grows like a muscle, slowly, steadily, and with consistent practice. Even 10 meaningful minutes a day can move a student from “I can’t focus” to “I finished a whole chapter without noticing the time.”

👉 Need leveled text suggestions that won’t overwhelm your child? Reach out to Mrs. Braxton | Reading Specialist at BHMS at tbraxton@csdecatur.net for guidance and additional resources.

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 the Beacon Hill Middle School PTA and the BradAlTon Foundation for Family Elevation.

Read the November 20, 2025, issue of CSD Weekly, the district-wide newsletter.

Following two public meetings and community feedback regarding the timeline and public engagement, the Board of Education has decided to reassess and amend the K-2 School Consolidation and Redistricting Process. This revision was discussed during the work session of the board meeting on November 11, leading to a new name: the K-2 School Utilization Process.

During a board retreat on Tuesday, November 18, the board agreed to proceed with the administration's recommendation that any decisions regarding the K-2 School Utilization Process will not impact the 2026-2027 school year. At the community's request, the board emphasized that the central need is to balance K-2 schools by evaluating total enrollment figures, building usage, and staffing resources, all while ensuring fiscal responsibility and honoring the unique culture of Decatur's small, neighborhood schools. Furthermore, the board emphasized that there is no connection between the K-2 Utilization Process and the new Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC).

Starting in January, four previously proposed community-led committees will convene to explore the next phase and collaboratively create thoughtful, community-centered solutions for our K–2 schools. During their meeting on December 9, the board will continue discussions regarding the scope of work, criteria, and parameters that will guide the committees’ efforts. This clarity will enable all committees and working groups to embark on the next phase with a unified foundation.

All board meeting recordings are available on the CSD website. Community members can view these recordings at their convenience and may focus specifically on sections related to K-2 School Utilization to hear the complete board discussion.

Thank you again for your partnership, commitment, and engagement as we strive to support every child and strengthen every school within City Schools of Decatur. We look forward to continuing this collaborative effort to co-create solutions that are student-centered, fiscally responsible, and aligned with our community's values.

Thank you to all who donated so generously to support our school crossing guards, who work so hard to keep our children safe every day. We received enough funds to give each crossing guard a $50 gift card. All of the guards truly appreciated the gifts, gift cards and notes received, as well as the brunch that was prepared and served to them by seniors from the DHS Culinary Arts class. We also offer a special shout-out to Crossing Guard of the Year Larry McCrary, who starts his day at Talley and New streets to assist Talley students and then moves to West College Avenue at Kings Highway to serve BHMS and DHS students.

Online purchases may be made through Sunday, November 23 by using THIS LINK. Please note that 25% of every purchase supports our school. Spread Bookjoy now!

Sign up for our passive fundraising opportunities, as every little bit helps. Gearing up for the holiday season? Take advantage of this special opportunity with Minted.

The PBIS Store is officially open! Please volunteer to help run the BARK store. It is an easy process, and experienced parents will be there to guide you if you have not volunteered before. We also are always looking for donations to stock our store. Volunteer needs and a link to our wishlist can be found in the links below. Thanks!

Sign up for our passive fundraising opportunities, as every little bit helps. Gearing up for the holiday season? Take advantage of this special opportunity with Minted.

Are you a BHMS family or 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.

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