Weekly Update
A Back to School Newsletter Template 25-26
Dear BHMS Parents and Students,
We are proud to share that after completing their first full four weeks of school, our students are showing incredible engagement in the classroom and are rising to meet our BARK expectations—being their Best Effort, Accountable, Respectful, and Kind. We are excited about the momentum we are building together as a school community and look forward to seeing continued growth throughout the semester.
Also, a reminder that students received an email last week with a Google Form link to apply for the Principal Advisory Council (PAC). The PAC is a space where students can share their voices and collaborate with school leadership. The last day to submit the form is Thursday, August 29.
As a quick reminder, there will be no school on Monday, September 1st in observance of Labor Day. We hope you and your family enjoy a restful long weekend. Thank you for your continued partnership in helping every student feel Seen, Supported, and Successful.
Alexis Glenn, Interim Principal
Beacon Hill Middle School
Principal's Coffee Chat is tomorrow!
Come grab a cup of coffee and connect with Principal Smith this Friday, August 29, at 9 a.m. in the Beacon Hill Middle School media center.
This first coffee chat of the school year is a great way to kick things off. We'll be talking about:
☕️Welcome, vision, and goals for the year
🔒Key policies and procedures, including the new weapons detection system
⭐️An overview of STAR testing
📕How parents can help their students have a smooth start to the year
🗣️Q&A session to address any challenges
We can't wait to see you there!
Student Leadership Opportunity: Principal Advisory Council (PAC)
This past Friday, your student received an invitation to apply for the Principal Advisory Council (PAC). The PAC is a fantastic opportunity for students to work directly with Ms. Glenn and school leadership to share ideas and perspectives on what makes our school a great place to learn.
This year, we will select four students from each grade (6th, 7th, and 8th) to serve on the council. All students are welcome to apply, including those who have been on the council before.
Applications are open until Friday, August 29, and the new members will be announced on Tuesday, September 2. Please encourage your student to apply and have their voice heard!
Spotlight on Science Learning
We're excited to share a peek into the amazing science learning happening at our school! Our 6th-8th graders were buzzing with energy and curiosity in their science classrooms these last few weeks. Students were diving into rich discussions on the characteristics of life, practicing important lab safety protocols, and preparing for the always-popular Oreo labs. On top of that, they were fully immersed in exciting, hands-on activities with High Touch High Tech. The energy, curiosity, and collaboration in the room were outstanding.
👏 The level of engagement and teamwork was truly impressive. A big thank you to our incredible Science Department for making learning so fun and meaningful for our students!
Pictured Below: 7th grade practicing the principles of science in a yeast fermentation.
8th Grade Visits the Decatur Public Library!
Last week, the 8th-grade ELA students embarked on their first field trip of the year to the Decatur Public Library! The library staff processed over 400 new library card applications, renewals, and replacements to ensure that every 8th-grader has access to the extensive resources the library offers. We hope students will use these cards throughout the year for both in-person checkouts and for online platforms such as Hoopla and Libby to encourage positive, independent reading habits.
BHMS Student's Artwork Featured on CSD Budget Book
Congratulations once again to Lane Davidson, a BHMS eighth-grader, whose original artwork was chosen for the 2025-2026 CSD Budget Book cover. We are incredibly proud to celebrate Lane's talent and creativity, which beautifully represents the students behind the numbers. A big thank you to Lane for this wonderful contribution and to the dedicated art teachers who nurture artistic talent in our schools. The 2025-2026 Budget Book is available on the CSD Budget webpage.
Pictured left to right: BHMS art teacher Sarah Nathaniel and Lane Davidson
WORD UP FOR The BEACON HILL MS DEBATE TEAM
The Beacon Hill MS Debate Team is starting its 2025-26 tournament season. An informational meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, from 3:50-4:30 p.m. for the students new to debate. The location is Room 1617.
In addition, there will be an introductory workshop on competing in debate on Saturday, September 6th at Decatur High School.Doors will open at 8:00 a.m. and the workshop will start at 9:00 a.m.
Contact information for Debate Coaches:
Vivian Dawson - vivianlanier@yahoo.com
Susan Carroll - scarroll@csdecatur.net
Girls Basketball Interest Meeting!
True Crime Club!
Boys Basketball Interest Meeting!
Join Girls on the Run/Heart & Sole
GOTR helps girls in grades 3-8 develop social, emotional, and physical skills through physical activity and dynamic discussions. The culminating 5K event will be on December 7th. Note: You do NOT need to be a runner to participate in this club. Join today!
The Swim Team Interest Meeting
The Swim Team Interest Meeting will take place in the Beacon Hill cafeteria on Tuesday, September 2 at 6pm. All athletes and families who are interested in joining the middle or high school team should plan to attend. If you have any questions, please reach out to Coach Molly (mrandall@csdecatur.net)
Now That the School Year Is Underway…
The first few weeks of school set the tone for everything that follows, and one factor consistently makes the difference between students simply “getting by” and truly thriving: parent involvement.
In this impactful conversation with Dr. Tameka Allen, we explored why parent engagement is more than just showing up to conferences, it’s about building bridges that strengthen both academic success and emotional well-being.
➡️ Read the full interview here to discover practical ways families and schools can partner together for student success this year.
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 and the Beacon Hill Middle School PTA.
On Sale Now! Sixth Grade Dance Tickets
Sixth Graders, are you ready for Cosmic Glow?! Join us for dancing and other fun activities on Friday, September 12 from 4 pm to 5:30 pm in the BHMS Cafe. Tickets are $5 per student. Snacks and drinks will be offered for purchase. Bring small bills or Apple Pay/Square-friendly payment options. Contact president@bhmspta.org with questions or if financial support is needed. Purchase tickets here.
Complete Our Interest Form!
Many hands make for lighter work. Interested in joining a committee or helping with a single event? Tell us how you would like to participate in the new school year by completing our 2025-2026 Volunteer Interest Form. The PTA is particularly in need of people for our Fundraising and Diversity committees, as well as one more PBIS co-chair and Sixth Grade Dance co-chairs. Questions? Email president@bhmspta.org.
Many thanks to all who signed up for our Staff Appreciation activities! All slots have been filled through the beginning of December. Another sign-up form will be sent later this year for the second half of the school year.
Become a PTA Member
Joining the PTA has lots of perks. Get event notifications, make connections with other parents, support your child and their school environment, share your voice. Renew your membership or become a new member of the BHMS PTA today! (Log in with your existing credentials, or register if you’re joining for the first time.)
