BHMS Weekly Update
GMAS Begins Monday!
As we look ahead to Monday, we are entering an important season of reflection and growth. The Georgia Milestones (GMAS) and our End-of-Year Universal Screeners are not just tests; they are opportunities for our students to showcase the incredible hard work they have put in all year. Our goal is to ensure every Bulldog feels Seen, Supported, and Successful throughout this window.
To help our students perform their best, we’ve compiled a few essential tips for a smooth and confident testing week.
1. Tech Readiness: The "Charge & Refresh" Routine Your student’s Chromebook is an important tool this week. Please help them with the following each night:
Plug It In: Ensure the device is charged to 100% overnight.
The "Fresh Start": Have your student clear their browser cache and cookies. This prevents technical glitches during the login process.
2. Rest & Fuel A focused mind starts with a rested body. Encourage a consistent bedtime this weekend and throughout the week. A nutritious breakfast will also provide the sustained energy needed for long periods of concentration.
3. Timely Arrivals Punctuality is key to reducing testing anxiety. Please ensure students arrive at school by 8:30 AM. This allows them to participate in morning entry procedures calmly and settle into their testing environment without feeling rushed.
We know our students are ready. We encourage them to take a deep breath, read each question carefully, and simply do their best. We are already so proud of their progress!
We are so proud of our students for their outstanding performance at the Atlanta Urban Debate League (AUDL) Middle School Championship, held at Hopewell Middle School!
Throughout the season, our debaters partnered with Emory University and engaged in thoughtful, high-level discussions on this year’s topic: Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), specifically exploring the benefits and challenges of implementing this technology in the Arctic Circle.
Students debated both sides of this complex issue, sharpening their critical thinking, research, and public speaking skills all season long, and their hard work truly paid off!
Individual Speaker Awards (Varsity):
• Lucas Edgerton- 13th place
• Devon Chandra - 12th place
• Kat Kolesnikova - 9th place
• Drew Nichols- 7th place
• Zeren Irier- 6th place
Individual Speaker (JV):
• Anora Muneer - 27th place
Team Awards (Varsity):
• Devon Chandra & Lucas Edgerton - 10th place
• Kat Kolesnikova & Drew Nichols- 3rd place
Congratulations to all of our debaters for representing our school with excellence, dedication, and integrity. We are incredibly proud of you!
We also want to recognize and celebrate all of our team members who competed this season: Lucas Edgerton, Zeren Irier, Kat Kolesnikova, Grant Mann, Anora Irier, Benjamin Murdoch, Drew Nichols, Rachel Villavasso, Olivia Wilke, Devon Chandra, River Lynch, and Priya Idhayaoli. Your hard work, preparation, and commitment made this success possible!
Many thanks to the debate team sponsors Susan Carroll and Vivian Dawson! We appreciate them for leading this crew this year
We are thrilled to celebrate Mason Sanders, eighth-grade captain of the BHMS Boys' Basketball team, has been selected by Team USA to represent the United States at the 2026 Paris World Games this June. Mason a power forward, was chosen for this international youth tournament not only for his exceptional talent on the court but for the high level of character he displays as a student-leader. His selection is a testament to the hard work and dedication we strive to foster in all our Bulldogs.Please join us in congratulating Mason on this incredible honor as he prepares to take his game to the global stage. We are so proud to have him representing Beacon Hill and the local community! Bonne chance, Mason! 🏀✈️🇫🇷
The 17th Annual BHMS Stacey "Mama" Daniel Poetry Slam will take place next Thursday, April 23, at 6:30pm in the DHS Performing Arts Center. Thanks to a generous grant from Decatur Education Foundation, BHMS students have been working with renowned Atlanta poet and teaching artist, Theresa Davis, to hone their original writings for the Poetry Slam competition. Please come and support these very talented writers from BHMS. A Poetry Slam is always better with a loud and boisterous audience lending support to the performers in stage!
Color Guard open to current 7th- 11th Grade
Any current 7th through 11th graders who are interested in learning about and auditioning for the 2026 Decatur Color Guard should please rsvp on the attached form. Auditions will be the week of April 27th here in the BHMS gym, from 4:15-6:30 each day.
No experience is necessary! All are welcome!
Email lstevenson@csdecatur.net if you have any questions.
🎟 Get your tickets now at DecaturPerforms.org and don’t miss the chaos!
Headline: When Everything Goes Wrong… It’s Perfect! 🎭 Don’t miss Decatur High Acting’s production of The Play That Goes Wrong! Experience the hilarious chaos of a murder mystery unravelling in real-time. From collapsing sets to missed cues, it’s a high-energy riot you won’t want to miss.
When: April 16 – 19
Where: DHS Performing Arts Center
Tickets: Click Here to Purchase
Supporting Our Students: A Guide to Body Image & Wellbeing
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!
HONOR OUR WORLD-CLASS STAFF
The PTA is preparing to celebrate National Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week (May 4 through May 8) and is seeking donations to provide every BHMS staff member a gift card in the amount of $100. With 150 amazing staff at BHMS, that means raising $15,000—a big goal for a big show of gratitude! We recognize that the current financial climate is challenging for many of our families, so we ask that you consider donating any amount that fits your budget. All donations help us reach our goal and to celebrate the amazing teachers and staff who make BHMS such a special place. Thank you for your continued generosity and support. We couldn’t do this without you!
We also need volunteers to make the week a success. Please select a volunteer slot through our sign-up form.
PTA CAR MAGNETS
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 BARK STORE NEEDS YOU!
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.
