BHMS Weekly Update

Beacon Hill Middle School recently took center stage as Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker and I hosted the prestigious Leadership DeKalb class of 2026 for an immersive day of learning and local flavor.

What is Leadership DeKalb?

Leadership DeKalb is a premier professional development program designed to connect regional leaders with the inner workings of our community. By visiting schools across the country, including City Schools of Decatur, participants gain a firsthand look at the innovations and challenges shaping the next generation.

A Day in Motion

The cohort’s visit wasn't just a meeting; it was a tour of excellence. After visiting several schools throughout DeKalb, the group arrived at BHMS for a showcase of student talent and leadership:

• Culinary Excellence: Guests enjoyed a gourmet lunch catered by the DHS Culinary Arts students under the expert guidance of Chef Blair. The meal served as a delicious testament to the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.

• Atmosphere & Artistry: The air was filled with the vibrant sounds of a steel drum performance. Our talented BHMS orchestra students, led by Mr. Crosby, provided a high-energy backdrop that left the cohort truly impressed.

• Student Ambassadorship: The heart of the event featured Student Leaders from various BHMS clubs and organizations. They sat side by side with the cohort, engaging in candid, insightful conversations about student life and what makes BHMS a unique place to learn. The group also had the opportunity to hear from our student board member Nia Batra, who is a senior at DHS.

Words of Wisdom

The afternoon included a spirited welcome from Ms. Glenn, who reinforced the school's core belief that every student is seen, supported, and successful. Our student board Member, Nia Batra, spoke about how impactful it has been to have student voice and representation on the school board. Dr. Whitaker delivered a powerful keynote. The Superintendent shared her vision for the district’s future, offering "insight and wisdom" on the importance of collaborative leadership in our schools and putting students first.

It was a day that proved that when school leaders, students, and the community come together, the results are nothing short of harmonious.

We are excited to invite you to our Student-Led Conferences (SLCs) on Wednesday, March 25th (Early Release Day).

At Beacon Hill Middle School, we believe in empowering our Bulldogs to take ownership of their learning. These conferences offer a wonderful opportunity for your child to lead the discussion about their academic progress, celebrate their strengths, identify growth areas, and set meaningful goals for the rest of the year.

What to Expect

During these sessions, your child will take the lead. Over the course of 15–20 minutes, they will guide you through their educational journey. You will have the opportunity to:

• See and hear your child’s personal reflections on selected summative work and projects.

• Review mid-year assessment data (including STAR growth) as your child explains what the numbers mean for their progress.

• Support their vision by discussing the academic and personal goals they have set for the coming months.

• Provide written feedback and encouragement for your child at the conclusion of the conference.

Logistics & Scheduling

• Where: Most conferences will be held in your child’s 5th-period classroom following early release on March 25th. Your 5th period teacher will be communicating with you to sign up for a time slot.

• When: Primary sessions are held on March 25th, though some teachers may offer alternative slots between March 16th–20th.

• Action Required: Please ensure you schedule a specific time slot with your child’s 5th-period teacher.

Note: Teachers will be sending out sign-up links by March 12th. If you have not heard from your child's 5th-period teacher by that date, please feel free to reach out to them directly to secure your time.

We look forward to seeing our Bulldogs shine as they share their achievements with you!

Our Chromebooks are looking like they’ve had a busy semester—complete with candy wrapper "decorations" and snack-crumb stowaways! We are asking all families to help students perform a 5-minute Device Detail this weekend.

• The Physical Clean:

  • A Microfiber Cloth: (or a clean t-shirt) to wipe the screen. You can use isopropyl alcohol on the screen.

  • A Can of Compressed Air: To evict the crumbs living under the keys

  • Disinfecting Wipes: Only on the plastic/keys, please! (No "Old School" soap and water—electronics are famously allergic to drowning).

• The Digital Clean: Clear "Cache & Cookies" and perform a full Restart (not just closing the lid!) to fix bugs and boost speed.

Support is available! If you need resources, students can visit our Tech TLC Station in the Media Center for cleaning supplies and guidance. Let’s take pride in our tools and keep them running strong! 💻🔥

How to "Refresh" Your Device (A Quick Guide)

1. Clear Cache: Open Chrome → Click the three dots (⋮) top right → More Tools → Clear Browsing Data → Select "All Time" and click Clear Data.

The Hard Restart: Don’t just close the lid! Click the time in the bottom right corner and select Sign Out, then click Shut Down. Wait 10 seconds and turn it back on.

From March 2-27, 2026, CSD will administer the Social, Emotional and Behavioral Screening (BASC-3 BESS), a brief screening tool for students in grades 3-12 that helps to identify social, emotional, and behavioral strengths and needs so schools can provide timely support. Screener results help schools strengthen classroom practices, offer small-group or individual support, and partner with families to connect students with resources. Together, we can ensure every child feels safe, seen and supported. Find out more in the Social, Emotional and Behavioral Screening (BASC-3 BESS) FAQ.

Families wishing to opt out must complete the opt-out form by Feb 28. If you have already opted out, you do not need to fill out the form again. If you previously opted out, and would like to opt back in, please email Sarah Coleman at scoleman@csdecatur.net. Thank you.

Congratulations to our exceptional student leaders at Beacon Hill Middle School! Earlier this month, they were celebrated at our City Schools of Decatur (CSD) award ceremony as the recipients of the 2025-2026 CSD MLK/CSK Awards for BHMS. These honors recognize students in grades 3-12 who embody the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King through their commitment to the values of freedom, justice, democracy, and service.

We are incredibly proud to highlight two of our own Bulldogs who were honored for their thoughtful and inspiring submissions:

• Erykah Bryant (8th Grade): Awarded for her powerful Poetry Submission titled "Subject of Matter." Erykah’s work addresses the critical need for racial equality, reflecting on how the Kings’ efforts remain vital today as we continue the work toward equal rights for all.

• Matthias Ratcliff (7th Grade): Honored for his written essay submission titled "Better Together: MLK and Coretta Scott King." In his essay, Matthias explores the vision of the "Beloved Community," a world where injustice is replaced by compassion—and provides a roadmap for how we can build that world together.

Please join us in celebrating these students for their creativity, their voice, and their dedication to building a more just and loving community!

Our 8th-grade Enhanced ELA students spent the last six weeks applying Language Arts standards to an exciting mock trial unit. This hands-on experience was a powerful demonstration of how ELA skills, from textual analysis and close reading of case law to the mastery of rhetorical devices, are the foundation of the American judicial system. Students honed the art of persuasive speaking, research, and argumentation, translating abstract classroom concepts into practical, high-stakes communication essential for success both in the courtroom and beyond.

To further enrich their educational experience, we were pleased to welcome practicing attorney Nicole Holtzapple. Ms. Holtzapple provided valuable, real-world insights for the students, focusing on essential skills such as structuring compelling opening and closing statements, mastering effective cross-examinations, and correctly raising objections during the mock trial.

Students embraced their roles as prosecuting and defense attorneys, witnesses, and jury members. The level of preparation and dedication has been impressive, with teams diligently researching case law and preparing their arguments.

This mock trial unit is more than just a classroom exercise; it's a critical thinking boot camp that develops strong communication and collaborative skills that will benefit the students for years to come.

During a performance from Giwayen Mata our 7th graders had the opportunity to feel the pulse! Our 7th-grade students recently had an in-house field trip to experience a vibrant, immersive African drumming performance. This hands-on workshop went beyond just music—it was an exploration of cultural heritage, synchronization, and the power of collective rhythm. Students practiced intricate polyrhythms, learned the historical significance of the instruments, and discovered how individual beats come together to create a unified, powerful ensemble. The energy in the room was electric as our Bulldogs showcased their teamwork and artistic flair! 🥁🔥

Please join us in giving a massive round of applause to our incredible BHMS Basketball teams! Both our boys and girls squads delivered tremendous seasons, fueled by hard work, heart, and the leadership of Coach Hood (Girls) and Coach Muse (Boys)!

Our Lady Bulldogs charged all the way to the Championship Finals, while our Boys' team fought through a fierce post-season, reaching the second round of the playoffs before being knocked out by the eventual state champions.

The excellence doesn't stop there! Based on their stellar performances this year, four of our athletes were voted onto the DeKalb County All-County Team by coaches across our region.

Let’s celebrate our All-County Stars:

• 🌟 Girls: Lydia Robillard & Stella Rucker

• 🌟 Boys: Charles Hunt & Isaiah Welsh

  
  

Join the Celebration! We would love to see a sea of Bulldog pride in the stands this weekend to support these stellar athletes! 🐾

• When: Saturday, March 7th

• Where: Southwest DeKalb High School

• 10:00 AM: Celebration Ceremony

• 12:15 PM: All-Star Game and 3-Point Contest

Be sure to congratulate these student-athletes when you see them in the halls! Go Bulldogs! 🏀🔥

BHMS Recycling Team will be collecting Plastic Film from

Thursday, March 19th to Thursday, April 16th

What is Plastic Film?: Any type of stretchy plastic that should not be thrown in your recycling bin

• Plastic Grocery bags

• Produce Bags

• Bread Bags

• Plastic overwrap (wrap around napkins, paper towels, toilet paper)

• Bubble Wrap

• Shrink Wrap

Help us win this CHARM contest and save our environment by bringing your stretchy plastic to school!

Read the March 5, 2026, issue of CSD Weekly, the district-wide newsletter.

Throughout February, BHMS has made a special effort to engage students on the significance of Black history through a variety of activities. The PTA would like to celebrate the winners of the door decorating contest and trivia contests by awarding gift cards, and also honor the teachers and staff who have spent time outside of their working hours to make such an impact on our students. We have created a specific fundraising link for this purpose. Click here to donate!

The PBIS B.A.R.K. Store celebrates students who demonstrate Best Effort, Accountability, Respectfulness and Kindness. The students who receive these points need your help. Donations are needed for the store, and volunteers are needed on Fridays during student lunch periods (which run from 11 am to 2 pm) to help distribute items.

Do you have an hour to spare? Sign up here to volunteer.

Are you able to donate store supplies? See our wishlist here.

As the school year winds down, the Decatur Bulldog Boosters will be saying “thank you” to several board members whose service concludes as their student-athletes graduate in May. We are so grateful for the time, energy and heart they have poured into our program.

This also means new opportunities are available to jump in and make a real difference.

We currently have openings in:

• Communications

• Fundraising

• Membership

• Concessions

These roles are meaningful and manageable, and they directly affect our student-athletes and programs. If you’re curious about any of these positions and would like to learn more, then please email shawnamikes1@gmail.com. We’d love to have you on the team!

ALSO: Decatur Bulldog Boosters is partnering with Decatur Education Foundation to organize a Bulldog Jog, which allows runners to include their dogs in the 1-Mile Fun Run as part of Tour deCatur on March 14. Learn more here.

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