BHMS Weekly Update
One Week Remaining To Take Pre-K Access Survey
Empowering Student Voices: Introducing the 2026–2027 Principal Advisory Council!
At Beacon Hill Middle School, student voice is at the heart of everything we do. We are thrilled to officially announce our Principal Advisory Council (PAC) representatives for the 2026–2027 school year! We received an overwhelming number of thoughtful, creative, and passionate applications from students across every grade level. After a thorough review of each candidate’s leadership experience, commitment to peer representation, and vision for our school community, 12 outstanding student leaders were selected to serve on this year's council:
6th Grade: 🐾Colin Bacher 🐾Ashwin Palley 🐾Mila Salazar 🐾Akshara Venkata
7th Grade: 🐾Dargan Gordon 🐾Zoe Greene 🐾Oliver Mendel 🐾Ayra Zafrullah
8th Grade: 🐾Aubri Austin 🐾Adam (AJ) Dbouk 🐾Anna Jones 🐾Camilo Pasquel-Moncayp
Leading the Way at BHMS Throughout the school year, these 12 representatives will meet directly with Ms. Glenn to share peer feedback, advocate for student needs, and collaborate on key initiatives that make Beacon Hill an even better place to learn, grow, and lead. Their insights ensure our campus remains a vibrant community where every single student feels seen, supported, and successful.
Please join us in celebrating these incredible student leaders when you see them in the hallways and classrooms!
Please join me in giving a warm welcome to our new Instructional Coach of Math, Science, and Connections, Ms. Kenya Nelson!
Ms. Nelson brings over 20 years of experience as a teacher, instructional leader, and program director. She has a strong background in leading data-driven coaching cycles, supporting PLCs, and using differentiated instruction to drive student achievement. Additionally, her unique background in Human Resources strengthens her communication and organizational skills, making her a great partner for our team.
Her collaborative approach and passion for student success make her a wonderful addition to the BHMS family. Please drop by to say hello and give her a warm welcome!
Our first school Spirit Day on September 28 was an absolute blast, filled with vibrant Bulldog pride, creative costumes, and community spirit across every hallway. Hosted by our PBIS team, the day showcased the joyful energy that makes Beacon Hill Middle School a place where every student is seen, supported, and successful. A huge thank you to our PBIS team for organizing such a memorable event, and to all of our staff and students for bringing their enthusiasm to campus. Keep shining bright, Bulldogs!
🍋And the Winner Is... Competition was tight across all grade levels, but 6th Grade Blue brought the ultimate energy and earned the top spot as our Spirit Day champions!🍋A Sweet Celebration: To honor their victory, 6th Grade Blue was treated to an extra-special lemonade party during their brain break this week.
🍋Shout out to Ms. Glenn, Ms. Godfrey, and Ms. Rashid-Austin for serving up the lemonade to the winners!
This year, our school is helping students learn about mental health and how to seek help for themselves or a friend through the nationally recognized SOS Signs of Suicide program. Used in thousands of schools for over 20 years, SOS has been shown to reduce students' self-reported suicide attempts while teaching them how to recognize the signs of depression and suicide risk.
Through SOS, students will learn:
Depression is treatable. It’s important to reach out for help.
How to recognize signs of depression or suicide risk in oneself or a friend.
The ACT strategy: Acknowledge the signs of concern, show that you Care, and Tell a trusted adult.
Students will view short, age-appropriate videos and take part in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and how to get help. They will also complete a brief depression screening (not a diagnosis) and an exit slip indicating if they would like to speak with an adult. Any student who requests a follow-up conversation will meet briefly with school staff.
We encourage you to visit www.mindwise.org/parents for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn.
For more information about SOS, please access this parent/caregiver handout at http://tinyurl.com/vbwt9t47. You may also visit the CSD Decatur Student Center website at https://www.csdecatur.net/decaturstudentcenter to access local resources.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s participation in this program please contact your child’s school counselor.
If you would like to opt your child out of this class discussion, please complete and submit this opt out form.
The deadline for Opt Out is Tuesday, September 8, 2026
BHMS planned delivery dates are:
Wednesday, September 9 - 7th grade
Monday, September 14 - 6th grade
Wednesday, September 16 - 8th grade
Important Information about Gifted Review
Each fall semester, the gifted review team reviews existing student data to discuss students’ needs and to determine whether further evaluation for gifted identification is needed. If you are interested in having the team discuss your child’s needs, please complete a Recommendation for Review Form by Wednesday, September 30. No additional information is needed. For more detailed information about the review process, please contact the Gifted & Talented Specialist at BHMS:
Casey Boersma: cboersma@csdecatur.net
Jessica Nicks: jnicks@csdecatur.net
Robyn Tibbetts: rtibbetts@csdecatur.net
or visit our website’s FAQ page.
Will the first 6th and 7th grade coach Derrick Burgess lead the way or fall to reality?
Elijah Jackson states his opinion about coach Burgess and if they could go all the way this year.
Author: Grant Gyuricza
Published: 1:28 PM EDT August 28, 2026
Decatur - The BHMS 6th and 7th grade soccer team hosted its first tryout coached by Varsity High School coach Derrick Burgess. 81 kids tried out for 22 spots, on August 21, and 24th.
The first day of tryouts happened on Friday August 21,then on August 24th,and 25th at Ebster fields. Last year the team put together another great team, winning the seventh year in a row.
Elijah Jackson tried out and here are his thoughts about our team's chances,“I think this is gonna be a really good year for both of the boys soccer teams and I think they will both win the championship.”
Elijah, truly believed in coach Burgess about the first 6th and 7th grade team. Elijah said coach Burgess will lead the way because he’s played a role in the all of the winning of the boys soccer team. He also stated that “I believe he will be a good coach especially since there are some young players.”
Elijah Jackson stated this about 6th and 7th grade coach Burgess.
“Knows a lot about the game
Wants to focus on how to improve the players and the team
Overall a good guy.”
Newsletter for boys soccer tryouts says “The BHMS Boy’s Soccer program is committed to developing great people, great students, and great soccer players.”
Coach Burgess clearly has great experience and a great plan laid out, the question is will the younger boys succeed?
Do you have a passion for sustainability and a cleaner Earth? Join the BHMS Recycling Team! We will meet on Tuesday Mornings at 8:00am and Thursday afternoons 3:45-4:30 to do the paper recycling for the school. You are welcome to come to just the morning OR afternoon session or do both. There will also be other student-selected sustainability projects throughout the year. Fill out the interest form attached if you are interested in joining. We will have our first meeting on Thursday, September 24th after school.
🚀👽 PTA presents the 7th Grade OUT OF THIS WORLD Dance
**sponsored by Green Orthodontics**
October 2nd 4:00-5:30! Students will report to the cafeteria directly from their Advisements. Please send cash (small bills) or tap to pay if your student would like to purchase concessions.
Tickets on SALE now!
Volunteer HERE !
**No Student Admittance after initial 4:00 check-in commences - even if in the building for other activities
🐾🎉Spirit Rally - October 23rd 3:45-5:00
🐾👕 **ALL NEW** BHMS Swag 🐾👕
Get it HERE
🕯️🪔Celebrate Decatur Diwali!
Shine a light on BHMS by becoming a Family Sponsor!
Your donation directly supports our teachers, staff, and students during the 2026–2027 school year.
As a thank you, your family name will be proudly displayed in the school lobby to show your support for our community.
Together, we can make a difference—Be A Beacon today!
Click to sponsor: Be A Beacon PTA Family Sponsor Link
☕️🍪Staff Appreciation - Ongoing! Sign up to support our staff in various ways!
PBIS Donations Needed
Bark Store Donations Needed! Donate here. Our PBIS BARK Store is open every Friday and allows students to use the rewards they have earned to purchase rewards.
We appreciate donations each month to help keep the store stocked throughout the school year.
Please sign up for any items you would like to donate.
Donations can be sent to school front office any time during the month.
