Weekly Update

Students may purchase books in person at our Scholastic Book Fair through 2 pm this Friday, November 14. 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!

BHMS Staff, Students & Families,

After receiving incredible submissions from our talented student body, our admin team has selected the top designs! Now, it's time for YOU to have the final say and determine the symbol that will represent Beacon Hill Middle School for years to come. Each person has one vote. Click here to vote and view the submissions.

Kindly,

Alexis Glenn

Interim Principal

We will be taking our mid year universal screener this year on December 3rd and 8th. 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 3rd: STAR Reading

• December 8th: 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)

Did you know students can manage their workload and for parents to stay informed with the help of Google calendar? Since our school uses Google Workspace, every student has a powerful Google Calendar tool to support them in planning and time management.

Students: Level Up Your Planning!

Use your calendar to block out time for homework and studying (not just for due dates!). Use reminders so you never miss a deadline. Ask your WIN teacher for the tips and tricks shared by Ms. Tibbetts if you want more support with using this tool!

Parents: Stay in the Loop!

• Our school setup allows students to share their calendar events with you. Ask your student to add your email as a "guest" to big project due dates, important tests, or study blocks.
• Google Classroom assignments are auto-populated into students' calendars, but it might be a good idea for them to add their own events like "Study for my math test" and tag you to the event for a reminder!

This simple step creates a seamless connection between school and home!

We're thrilled to announce the successful launch of our new student-led "Morning Show," a fresh rebrand of our beloved "BOW WOW"! The inaugural edition aired a few weeks ago, bringing great energy, announcements, and student voices into our classrooms. The show will air weekly during the school day.

A Fresh Format, Familiar Spirit

The inaugural edition aired last week, bringing great energy, essential announcements, and enthusiastic student voices into our classrooms. The successful launch marks a new chapter in school broadcasting!

• ✅ Student-Led: Entirely run by Beacon Hill students in Mr. Peebles classroom, giving them real-world media experience.

• ✅ Weekly Airings: Tune in every week to stay current on school events, clubs, and sports.

• ✅ Live Broadcast: The show airs weekly during the school day, broadcast directly into your classroom.

A special shoutout goes to Mr. Peebles for his expert leadership and technical guidance. We also recognize the incredible student team! Your dedicated work—from planning and scriptwriting to camera work and editing—made this launch a huge success.

Catch Up on Past Episodes

If you missed the first few broadcasts, you can view the complete episodes on our website, found here

It’s a wrap on Anastasia Youth Edition! Bravo to the cast, crew, teachers, and volunteers!! What an absolutely stunning performance! BHMS has amazing group of talented students!

We want to give a special shoutout to the incredible effort and dedication that brought this spectacular production to life. It takes so many hands and hearts to put on these productions, and in the end, we have inspired students and happy audiences!!

A huge thank you to Ms. Fowler, our exceptional theater teacher, whose tireless guidance and passion are the bedrock of our theater program. And of course, a resounding BRAVO to Mr. Gillham, whose brilliant support steered this show to such an amazing success!

Thank you to everyone involved!!

A huge congratulations to all of our students who are demonstrating excellent behavior and earning BARK Points! Keep up the great work in creating a positive school environment.

Student Leaderboard Winners

The following students pictured below demonstrated outstanding effort, accountability, and respect, leading the charge with the most points earned!

Teacher Leaderboard

We also want to recognize the staff members who have recorded the most BARK Points for students! See below!

In a nail-biter of a final against Sutton Middle School, the match came down to penalty kicks, and our Bulldogs stayed cool, composed, and clutch. With grit, grace, and total team effort, they brought home the victory once again.

Bravo to our players and coaching staff for an incredible season and another title in the books.

Go Bulldogs! 🐾⚽🏆

Award-winning journalists Laura J. Downey and Katja Ridderbusch spoke with Ms. Gary's journalism classes last week about the critical role of editing and attention to detail, the power of field reporting, and the art of the interview. Ms. Downey is Executive editor of WebMD’s point-of-care print products, and Ms. Ridderbusch is a multimedia freelance journalist focusing on healthcare, social issues, and policing. Students showcased their growing skills at asking interview questions and their knowledge of the SPJ Code of Ethics.

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.

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 holidays approach, schedules fill up, but small, shared reading moments can strengthen both skills and connection. Middle schoolers may act “too old” for read-alouds, but they still benefit deeply from hearing fluent expression and rich conversation.

Start a Simple Family Reading Tradition

• Pick a short story, essay, or article that everyone can relate to (try holiday memories, kindness, or perseverance).

• Take turns reading a few lines aloud and discussing one question: “What message or truth from this story fits our family?”

Make It Your Own

• Keep a “Family Reading Journal” for favorite quotes and inside jokes from stories.

• End each session by predicting what the author might want readers to remember most.
  
  

This small ritual, 15 minutes once a week, can become the calm in the holiday chaos. You’re modeling that reading doesn’t end in school; it continues in community.

Traditions like these don’t just build literacy, they build legacy.

👉 Want short story recommendations or printable discussion questions for family reading nights? 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 13, 2025, issue of CSD Weekly, the district-wide newsletter.

This year's CCRPI results reveal that every tested grade 3-12 in CSD achieved a perfect score of 100 in the Closing Gaps category, marking the highest attainable score for student progress toward performance targets. This accomplishment signifies an improvement of nearly 30 points compared to the past two years.

In 2023, DHS recorded a score of 48.2% in the Closing Gaps category, which increased to 93.2% in 2024 before reaching a perfect 100% this year. The middle school improved its score by almost five points from 2024 to 2025, while upper elementary schools maintained their score of 100 from the previous year.

Additionally, CSD's Content Mastery score has consistently increased over the last two years for all grades, demonstrating steady progress across all grade levels, with a nearly five-point rise at the high school level. Learn more here.

During the Board of Education meeting held on November 11, 2025, the board decided to reassess and revise the K-2 School Consolidation and Redistricting Process. The process has been renamed the K-2 Utilization Process, and the timeline will be modified to allow for more public feedback.

BOE consultant Education Planners will host a public forum on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Beacon Hill Middle School. The community is invited to provide input and offer considerations to Education Planners regarding the K-2 School Utilization Process. The meeting will replace the previously advertised second public hearing on the K-2 School Consolidation and Redistricting Process.

The meeting format will be as follows:

• General Information Session: Information Presented

• Committee Work Sessions: Public Input

Education Planners recommended the creation of four committees to guide the next phase of planning. The proposed committees are:

• Facilities & Finance Committee: enrollment, costs, and capital planning

• Student Experience Committee: instructional programs, transitions, and early-learning access

• Safety & Operations Committee: traffic, walkability, and daily operations

• Culture & Communication Committee: transparency and ongoing engagement

Community members are invited to sign up for one of the committees here. More information about the K-2 School Utilization Process is available on the CSD website.

This is an eighth-grade only dance party. Students, come dressed in your favorite tropical/bright color vibes. Parents, buy your student a ticket and maybe even one for a friend. Admission is $5.

Snacks will be sold for $1 each. Please send small bills.

If you would like to volunteer to help at the dance or purchase snacks/decor, click HERE.

The BHMS PTA is sponsoring a holiday party to celebrate and thank the teachers and staff for all they do. Volunteers are needed to set up and decorate as well as clean up at the end of the event. Sign up here!

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.

• BHMS Website
• Personal Electronics Protocol
• Bell Schedule or Bell Schedule by Grade
• Bus Routes
• Free and Reduced Lunch Application
• BHMS Weekly Updates
• Attendance Routines and Procedures
• Key Contacts

• BHMS Facebook page
• BHMSPTA Facebook page
• BHMSInstagram page
• Grading Quick Facts 6-12
• CSD Grading Handbook
• Grade Level News