Weekly Update
A Back to School Newsletter Template 25-26
Bark Store Closed This Week
The Bark Store will be closed this Friday November 7. Operations will resume next week.
8th Grade Science/Trees Atlanta/Legacy Park
8th Grade students and parents stepped outside for a meaningful service learning project with Trees Atlanta! About 30 amazing participants joined an educational walk to learn all about the Legacy Park ecosystem. We connected our classroom learning on stream chemistry directly to real-world issues like local water quality and the preservation of native habitats. 💧🌿
After our enriching walk, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work! Students and parents worked together to remove invasive species from the forest, clearing the way for future native tree plantings. This is a powerful step towards a healthier environment!
A huge thank you to Mr. Bauer for organizing, to Ms. Glenn for supporting this important effort, and to Trees Atlanta for the partnership. It was a wonderful way to spend the morning connecting learning to service.
Ballots & Beyond: A 6th Grade Civic Activity
Digital Learning was a balance of non-digital and digital activities! It was a civic engagement kind of day for Digital Learning Day for Ms. Coyles' I&S classes! As part of BHMS Digital Day, Mrs. Coyle’s students were encouraged to visit the poles with their parents and snap a selfie to celebrate civic engagement in action!
A big thank you to our parents and families for supporting this initiative and helping build future voters.
Gratitude Reading; Changing the Tone
November is a natural time to slow down, reflect, and express gratitude, and yes, reading can play a part in that. For students who feel disconnected from reading, gratitude journaling through literature can shift mindset from “I have to” to “I get to.”
Try This 10-Minute Gratitude Reading Routine
Have your child pick a short article, poem, or story.
After reading, ask: “What idea or quote are you thankful you read today?”
Write that line on a sticky note and post it where they’ll see it daily.
Extend It
Over the month, collect their “gratitude notes” in a jar or on a wall. Revisit them before Thanksgiving to reflect on what they’ve learned or how their thinking has grown.
This simple act reframes reading as reflection, not a requirement, and helps students see how words can shape perspective.
When gratitude meets literacy, comprehension deepens. They begin reading not just to get through it, but to get something from it.
Need printable templates for reflection notes or conversation prompts? Contact Mrs. Braxton | Reading Specialist at BHMS at tbraxton@csdecatur.net.
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.
BOOK FAIR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The BHMS Scholastic Book Fair will be held November 11 through 14 during the school day in the Media Center. Volunteers are needed the day before (November 10) to set up. (Be prepared to lift and open boxes!) Then we need volunteers to help each sale day to assist students in shopping and completing purchases. Sign up here!
EIGHTH GRADE TROPICAL LUAU Nov 14th
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.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR STAFF PARTY!
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!
“BE A BEACON” FAMILY SPONSORSHIP
PTA CAR MAGNETS!
Beacon Hill Middle School car magnets are a great way to show school spirit and support the PTA! They are available for $5 each through this payment link. (Please include your student’s name in the comment section.) Magnets will be available for pick up each Friday from the front office for pickup by your child (or you).
SUPPORT THE PBIS BARK STORE
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!
