Weekly Update

As we wrap up our second whole week of school, I couldn't be prouder of our students and the way they’ve embraced the new year! From day one, they have shown resilience, responsibility, and readiness to learn. This week, they successfully completed their STAR testing, giving us a great start on understanding how best to support them academically. Their growing independence is shining through. They’re becoming true pros at working their lockers, organizing their materials, and managing their time between classes.

I also want to commend our students for doing such an outstanding job with our morning entry process. Each day, they arrive prepared to move through our weapons detection system with ease, helping us keep our school safe and welcoming for everyone. Thank you, families, for reinforcing these routines at home. It truly makes a difference. The positive energy in our hallways is contagious, and I’m excited to see all that we will accomplish together in the weeks ahead!

We can't wait to see you at our Curriculum Night event next Thursday, August 21! This is a wonderful opportunity to meet your child's teachers and learn about the exciting topics and skills they'll be exploring in their classes this year. Please continue reading for all the details.

Alexis Glenn, Interim Principal

Beacon Hill Middle School

The first of many Principal's Coffee Chats is around the corner! Join us August 29 at 9am in the media center.

“Launching the Year”

• Welcome, vision, and school goals for the year

• Review of key policies and procedures (attendance, lockers, weapons detection system, school counselor)
• How parents can help with a smooth start to school routines

• Q&A on any start-of-year challenges

The Beacon Hill Middle School Leadership Team (SLT) is an elected committee consisting of parents/guardians, BHMS staff members, community members and other personnel. BHMS has two parent 2-year term seats open.

There is ONE vote per STUDENT at BHMS. If there are multiple adults in a household, please coordinate your vote so that there is only one per BHMS student. The candidates with the highest number of votes will be the parent representatives on the SLT.

Superintendent Dr. Whitaker invites student leaders and interested students to apply for the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council. Councils are divided into age groups and invite student members to share their perspectives and experiences with the Superintendent on a variety of issues, offering a two-way system of communication between students and the Office of the Superintendent.

Students are asked to attend six meetings throughout the year at the Wilson Center after school in the Superintendent's Office. The deadline to apply is Friday, August 22, at 5 p.m. Selected students will be notified by Friday, August 29, 2025. See details, meeting dates, and apply for the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council here: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdal8Zk1cO5K2.../viewform

Supe Whitaker

Families are invited to join a webinar on Wednesday, August 20 at 6 p.m. to discuss ELA standards, curriculum, and the CSD Balanced Assessment System, hosted by CSD's Teaching and Learning department.

We will share examples of how the standards have changed, information on cursive writing, and the new curriculum. We will also review how our Balanced Assessment System works, featuring interim assessments, STAR, and student reports. This is a great opportunity to learn more about what your child will be learning this year and how you can support them at home. Join webinar here.

6th Grade families: Join us from 4:30 PM to 5:45 PM. Please arrive knowing your child's schedule and report to their 1st-period class.

7th Grade families: We'll see you from 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM. Please arrive knowing your child's schedule and report to their 1st-period class.

8th Grade families: We'll see you from 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM. Please arrive knowing your child's schedule and report to their 3rd-period class.

You'll visit five core classes for 10 minutes each and watch videos about connections courses. Come learn what's happening in class and experience moving to each class period just like your child does! We can't wait to see you there!

We’re excited to let you know that Legacy Studios, our official school photographer, will be on campus August 26 for Picture Day!

Here’s what you need to know:

• Fill out the form or you can also pre-order online at schoolphotos.shop to receive significant savings.

• After Picture Day, prices will go up, so don’t miss your chance to save!

• You can order online with credit card or return the pre-order form with cash or check.

📸Picture Day is scheduled for: Tuesday August 26 📸

If you have any questions, visit LegacyStudios.com for more information or contact Ms. Boswell kboswell@csdecatur.net

Thank you!

This year at Beacon Hill Middle School (BHMS), students have the exciting opportunity to explore their interests through two brand-new, 18-week connections courses: Journalism and STEM. Both classes are off to a fantastic start, with students already tackling hands-on projects and real-world concepts.

In the STEM classroom, led by teacher Jessica Nicks, students are embracing the engineering design cycle. After kicking things off with some mini-building challenges, they're now putting their skills to the test by designing their own Marble Maze Labyrinths. Students are busy calculating dimensions, creating scaled blueprints, and using the digital tool TinkerCad before they get to build their final products with excellent craftsmanship next week.

Meanwhile, in Laura Gary's Journalism course, students are becoming ethical and responsible reporters. They're diving deep into the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, analyzing real-world examples of violations. Collaboration is on full display as they seek to understand the tools and laws that guide ethical reporting. The class is looking forward to brainstorming newsworthy story ideas to share with the BHMS community.

The successful launch of these courses highlights the school's commitment to providing diverse and engaging learning experiences for all students. We can't wait to see what these young journalists and engineers create!

Congratulations to our Beacon Hill Flag Football team. On Saturday, August 9, our team took the field against South Paulding for the first-ever Beacon Hill Middle School Flag Football competition. While the Bulldogs came up short on the scoreboard, the team improved in just two games, and there were smiles throughout the field. We are looking forward to this passion and growth as the season continues.

Great job to Coach Vickery and Coach Paul for all of their efforts building our Flag Football program and expanding opportunities to our middle school students.

Come out this Saturday to support the Bulldogs at their first and only home game of the season!!

From the Principal’s Advisory Committee and Art Club to Jr. Beta Club, YLOE & GENTS, and Yearbook, BHMS offers a wide variety of clubs that meet before or after school. These groups provide meaningful ways for students to connect with peers, explore their passions, and try something new.

Club offerings may change each school year based on teacher sponsorship and student interest.
👉 Check out the full list of current clubs and opportunities by clicking here.

Students we need your help! Join the PBIS Committee and help us make our school an even better place. As a member, you'll get to share your ideas and plan fun events for students. Interested? Email Ms. Godfrey at egodfrey@csdecatur.net

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)

Calling all aspiring tennis players! The tennis team is exploring the possibility of starting a middle school tennis team for the next school year. If your student is interested in joining, please fill out this quick survey to help us gauge interest.

Applications due: TODAY

What is FLL? First Lego League (FLL) is a STEM-based program where teams research a real-world problem, design and program LEGO robots, develop innovative solutions, and compete in exciting challenges.

Who should apply? If you enjoy problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity, then the BHMS FLL Robotics Team is for you! No prior experience with robotics is needed, but active interest and participation is expected.

• Grades: Open to 6th through 8th graders at BHMS

• Meetings: Tuesdays, 4:00-5:30 PM, August-February

• Competitions: 1-3 competitions in the Greater Atlanta area between October and February

• Fee: $125 per team member for supplies and registration (need-based scholarships available)

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How to Apply: Complete the application by August 14th (Spots are limited: Don’t wait! Apply early!)

BHMS FIRST LEGO League 2025-26 Application Form

Questions? Use this form and a parent volunteer will respond: BHMS First Lego League Questions

Don't miss early sales, picture day, or distribution day!

All boys interested in trying out for the soccer team this fall are invited to attend tryouts from August 18-20. Tryouts will be held at Ebster Field from 4:20 to 5:45.

Students should complete the Interest Form linked below to register.

Boys' Soccer Interest Form

Please have an updated DragonFly medical profile prior to tryouts.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Coach Derrick Burgess (dburgess@csdecatur.net)

If your child is smart but scattered, constantly rushing, or struggling to stay focused, it might not be laziness. It could be an executive function lag. And believe it or not, a simple reading routine might be the quiet fix that changes everything.

In this blog post, I’ll show you how to create a doable, repeatable rhythm that helps your child stay focused, build follow-through, and feel more confident during independent reading. Inside, you’ll find:

• The connection between reading habits and executive functioning
  
  

• A 3-step ritual that teaches your child how to start, stay with, and complete a task
  
  

• Why routines reduce stress and increase confidence
  
  

• A simple way to turn reading time into a brain-building moment
  
  

• A free printable Reading Ritual Builder™ to help your child design their own reading routine
  
  

Your child doesn’t need more pressure—they need a rhythm that works. Let’s build one together.
👉 [Read the full article →]

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.

The BHMS PTA-Staff Appreciation Committee is seeking volunteers to support our initiatives aimed at engaging teachers and staff throughout the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year. On a monthly basis, our hospitality committee acts as a liaison with the staff. This involves providing refreshments for staff meetings and hosting a rolling snack cart that delivers treats to staff members across the school. We also will host the Staff Holiday Party on December 12, so be on the lookout for a separate sign up specifically for that major event.

Interested in volunteering? Please take a moment to review available slots on our sign-up form.

Our first general PTA meeting of the school year will be Tuesday, August 19 at 5:30 pm in the school Media Center. We will be presenting our plans for the year, reviewing volunteer opportunities and voting on the annual budget. All BHMS families are invited to attend. Can’t be there in person? Join us via Google Meet.

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.)

We rely on the generosity of our community and families to support students and staff. Donations of any amount…especially if we all contribute together…can have a significant effect. All donations are tax deductible.

Perhaps you are a BHMS family or local business owner looking to bump up your support? (Do you know a business that would like to help?) Then consider becoming a BHMS sponsor. Learn more about sponsorship levels here. Questions? Reach out to our fundraising chair at fundraising@bhmspta.org.

Read the August 14, 2025, issue of the district-wide newsletter, CSD Weekly here.

• Personal Electronics Protocol
• BHMS
• 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