BHMS Weekly Update

As we prepare to close out the first semester, I want to take a moment to share how proud we are of our students. Over the past few months, we have watched them grow academically, socially, and emotionally, leaning into new challenges, building stronger relationships, and contributing to a positive school community. Their curiosity, resilience, and spirit continue to inspire all of us at Beacon Hill Middle School.

As we head into the holiday break, I hope your family is able to rest, recharge, and enjoy meaningful time together. We look forward to welcoming our students back, ready for a strong start to the new year, on Monday, January 6th.

Please also remember that this Friday is an early release day. Students will be dismissed at 1:45 p.m. Thank you for your partnership and support throughout the first half of the school year. We are grateful for our BHMS families, and we wish you a safe, joyful holiday season.

Alexis Glenn

Interim Principal

We are incredibly proud to announce the newest inductees into the REACH Georgia Scholarship program. On November 20, four of our outstanding Beacon Hill scholars participated in a formal Signing Ceremony, marking a profound commitment to their academic futures and the journey toward higher education.

What is REACH Georgia?

REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) is Georgia’s first public-private scholarship program. It provides academically promising students with the consistent mentorship, social support, and financial resources necessary to graduate from high school and thrive in college.

Meet Our 2025 REACH Scholars

Please join us in celebrating the dedication and hard work of:

• Tsion Amede

• Erykah Bryant

• Ari Cohen

• Madison Jackson

A Community of Support

The ceremony was a beautiful testament to the support system surrounding our students. We were honored to have Dr. Gyimah Whitaker, Superintendent of City Schools of Decatur, lead the induction and presentation of checks. Special thanks to Meagan Berardi, Executive Director of the Decatur Education Foundation, for her inspiring remarks and for the Foundation’s continued partnership in funding these life-changing opportunities. As these scholars sign their commitment forms, we likewise commit to supporting them every step of the way. Congratulations to our winners and their families!

Join us for the next Principal's Coffee Chat, your essential guide to the upcoming BHMS Course Request Process. This is a key opportunity to understand and prepare for your student's course selections for the next academic year.

Event Details:

• Date: December 19th

• Time: 9:00 AM

• Location: BHMS Media Center

IMPORTANT NOTE: This session will focus exclusively on BHMS course information. It will not include Decatur High School (DHS) transition or 9th-grade course details.

Join the Webinar: Course Offerings 2026-2027: Whether you are a rising 6th grader or preparing for the transition to 8th grade, this session will clarify the pathways available.

• Date: December 18

• Time: 6:30 PM

• Location: Virtual via Zoom

• Link: Click here to launch Zoom Meeting (Meeting ID: 916 2671 6701)

IMPORTANT NOTE: This session will focus exclusively on BHMS course information. It will not include Decatur High School (DHS) transition or 9th-grade course details.

Dear rising 9th-graders and their parents/guardians,

On either January 12th or January 14th (depending on their team), the Class of 2030 will come over to DHS to tour the building and to learn about course offerings for the 26-27 school year. Students will have until the end of the day on Friday, January 23rd to complete their course requests. To support students in making the best decisions for next year and beyond, we will host a virtual session for parents and guardians at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, January 7th. We will record and publish this session for those who cannot attend or would prefer to watch later. We'll send the link out to 8th-grade families after the New Year.

If you haven't already, please take a look at this information about Health and Personal Fitness and start thinking about whether you'd like to pursue alternate paths for these courses.

Thank you,

Wes Hatfield

Assistant Principal

Decatur High School

We are excited to announce the launch of the Bulldog Bulletin, our school's student-run newspaper.

This exciting initiative provides students with an authentic platform to showcase their development of essential journalistic skills, including writing, research, interviewing, editing, photography, and collaboration. The Bulldog Bulletin is the product of 7th and 8th graders in Ms. Gary's Journalism course. Students worked diligently to report on school and local news, student activities and traditions, and other topics of interest within the Beacon Hill community.

Please read the first edition and join us in celebrating the hard work and creativity of our budding reporters. Go Bulldogs!

6th-grade science mini weather unit got off to a "stormy" start last week with an in-house field experience from High Touch High Tech. During the "Meteorology Mayhem" workshop, students engaged in hands-on exploration of air pressure and convection currents. This interactive kickoff helped students connect the dots between atmospheric physics and the global weather patterns we see every day.

Participating Students

Fossilians: Vincent Cooper, Tai Davis, Emmett Harris, Clare Liang, Crystal Liang, Sonia Montagnes, Basil Rollin, and Knoble Smith

Raiders of the Lost Brick: Kenan Avci, Anvie Junghare, Calan McGinnis, Liam Newman, Samuel Potvien, Robert Sahlstrom, Cole Woolley, and Ayra Zafrullah

Team Brickmark: Thomas Briddock, Eamon Lynch, Oliver Mendel, Nora Morrison, Evan Riedl, Lucas Sanchez, Bradley Spears, and Logan Tsai.

You asked, and we listened! Advisement lessons are "going pro," transitioning from foundational concepts to advanced application. We’re helping students take the driver’s seat of their own learning by diving deep into four essential pillars:

• ✅ Organization: Mastering the art of planning and prioritizing tasks.

• ✅ Awareness: Improving self-monitoring and emotional regulation.

• ✅ Mindset: Cultivating flexible thinking and a resilient growth mindset.

• ✅ Logic: Strengthening the muscles of responsible decision-making.

We are committed to building these lifelong habits together.

The BHMS girls' soccer season is just around the corner. All girls interested in participating in tryouts are encouraged to complete the interest form below. Coach Herriot and Coach Collins will share relevant information about tryouts using the contact info collected.

BHMS Girls' Soccer Interest Form 2026

As semester break begins, invite your child to pause and reflect on stories that inspired hope, courage, or kindness this year. Encourage them to choose one story, fiction or nonfiction, that taught them something meaningful about character or resilience.

Make It Meaningful

Ask: “What’s one lesson or truth from this story you want to carry into the new year?”
Create a simple “Story That Shined” bookmark by writing down a favorite quote or theme. You might also revisit a family favorite together, reading aloud for a few quiet minutes.

Stories linger because they shape how we think, feel, and move forward. Ending the year with reflection allows their light to continue into what comes next.

For more creative holiday reading ideas, reach out to Mrs. Braxton | Reading Specialist at BHMS at tbraxton@csdecatur.net for guidance and additional resources

Read the December 18, 2025, issue of CSD Weekly, the district-wide newsletter.

Please take a moment this week to make your voice heard and participate in the Georgia Department of Education climate survey for your school! Your participation and feedback are greatly appreciated. The data collected will help determine the School Climate Star Ratings for the 2026-27 school year, which will enable schools to improve or build upon their successes.

Beacon Hill Middle School Family Survey

SUPPORT BHMS WHILE YOU SHOP

Sign up for our passive fundraising opportunities, as every little bit helps. Take advantage of this special opportunity with Minted for your holiday greetings and gifts.

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