Weekly Update

We’re thrilled to invite you to our upcoming Principal’s Coffee Chat on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 9:00 AM. This session will focus on school safety and will feature Mr. James Brown, CSD Director of Safety and Security, as our guest speaker. Everyone is welcome to join us for coffee and meaningful conversation!

Best regards,

Derrick L. Thomas

Principal, Beacon Hill Middle School

BHMS is excited to announce the implementation of a block schedule for the 2025-2026 school year! This transition follows the successful implementation of WIN time, honors courses, and the development of new and enhanced connections courses designed to meet the diverse needs of our students. We are incredibly grateful to our teachers, families, and support staff for their valuable feedback and support as we have worked together to adjust learning environments and course offerings. While we initially planned to implement block scheduling this year, we prioritized the successful launch of WIN time and the expansion of honors course offerings this year. We are confident that block scheduling for the 25-26 school year will further enhance the learning experience for all students at BHMS. The administrative team with the support of Wilson Center has been working hard with experts to create a schedule that meets the needs of both our students and staff. We explored many options and believe we've created a final draft that is ready for our students and families to preview.

You can view the draft schedule here. We encourage you to take some time to look it over. In the coming months, we'll be working with our teachers to help them prepare for teaching in a block schedule environment and answering your questions as they come up. Key facts to consider when reviewing:

• The start and end times to the school day remain the same.

• Our schedule is closely aligned and intended to mirror a similar schedule to DHS.

• WIN time will continue to focus on Reading and Math interventions and enrichment opportunities. These courses will be taught by your child's team content teachers.

• Advisement has been added prior to WIN to prioritize SEL. These courses can be taught by all teaching staff at BHMS.

• WIN and Advisement may include a hall transition.

• Friday will be a 7 period day where students attend all courses, and blocks will occur M/W, and T/TH.

We're thrilled about this change and the positive impact we believe it will have on our school. If you have any questions about the new schedule, please complete this form. We will gather the questions and create a FAQ that supports understanding of a final schedule with answers to your questions.

Thank you for your continued support!

-BHMS Admin Team

City Schools of Decatur recognizes the challenges this week's virtual learning days have caused to families and the disruption to education. However, the safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. Essential personnel were on-site today to warm up buses, inspect routes, clear ice and snow, and evaluate all facilities. These actions are part of our standard operating procedures for recovery after a winter storm.

DeKalb County has lifted the state of emergency. CSD looks forward to welcoming students and staff back tomorrow, Friday, January 24, 2025, as we will resume normal operations. However, bus riders please be patient, as some buses will experience delays due to icy conditions at Hillcrest Dr., Mt. Vernon at Glendale, Missionary at Inman, North Decatur Rd. going East, and Clairemont at Maediris. These bus routes will be adjusted to ensure they can safely transport students. Families should use the Stopfinder app for updated pick-up and drop-off times and information. Late bus riders will have the chance to eat school breakfast.

Walkers should be cautious on sidewalks and dress warmly. Car riders are encouraged to drive slowly. Athletics and after-school activities will resume as scheduled.

As a reminder, elementary students should return to school with the Chromebooks and chargers that schools provided last Friday.

Be safe and stay warm, CSD!

CSD will host five hearings in January for the public to learn more about the district's plans to exercise the one-time option for local governments to opt out of Georgia House Bill 581, which establishes a statewide floating homestead exemption and cap on property taxes.

The schedule for the remaining public hearings is:

Thursday, January 30, 10 a.m. (virtual only, access the meeting here)

Thursday, January 30, 6:45 p.m. (virtual only, access the meeting here)

Passed during the 2024 Legislative Session, HB 581 impacts property taxes for cities, counties and school districts by capping the annual increase in property values for tax purposes, effective January 1, 2025. The bill aims to provide property tax relief for local residents, using the Consumer Price Index as an inflationary index. Since school districts rely heavily on property taxes for funding, this cap could impact the availability of CSD schools' resources and programs.

The Board of Education will follow the legal procedures to opt out of the exemption, including holding the three virtual public hearings. Following the hearings, the board will vote to adopt an opt-out resolution at the February Board of Education meeting and file the resolution with the Secretary of State by March 1, 2025.

The course selection deadline for 6th and 7th-grade students has been extended to Monday, January 27th. 6th-grade students will receive in-class support from their science teachers to assist with their course selections. 7th-grade students have already received course selection support.

The course selection deadline for 8th-grade students requesting DHS courses remains Friday, January 24th at 3:00 PM.

Please click the links below for additional information and support resources.

Please take our school’s climate survey and make your opinion count! This survey expires March 31, 2025. Survey participation is critical because the data will be used to calculate School Climate Star Ratings for the 2025-26 school year. City Schools of Decatur appreciates the contributions of parents, students, and staff! Click to complete

Check out "The Must Watch List" on the Prep Project's new website!

Register to Run While Supporting Decatur Athletics! The Beacon Hill Bulldog will be making an appearance at Run with the Dogs on Saturday, so anyone from Beacon Hill planning to run should stop by for a photo!

Did you know that Run With the Dogs 5K is one of Decatur Bulldog Booster's biggest fundraisers? In addition to being a Peachtree Road Race qualifier and a great community event, all proceeds go to support team play needs for 1,100+ athletes on 57 teams, representing 19 sports at DHS and BHMS. Register today and get an amazing t-shirt designed by Decatur's Adam Pinsley! Mark your calendar for Saturday, January 25 – you won't want to miss it!

​​​​​​​2025 Run With the Dogs Sponsors:

Event Sponsors

Decatur FC

Green Orthodontics

Presenting Sponsors

Amy Widener, Realtor

Body 20 Decatur

Associate Sponsors

Fleet Feet Decatur

Gracie Jiu Jitsu Decatur

M. Cary and Daughters Plumbing

The Law Office of Ken Lanier

Plans are underway for another amazing event to raise money for Decatur Athletics – The Bulldog Bash! Save the date for this year's event on Saturday, March 22, at Independent Distilling Company. The event will feature a live online auction that includes everything from artwork and experiences to trips, restaurant gift cards, sporting event tickets, self-care, and more.

Do you have a connection, talent, vacation home or something unique that can help us raise money for our student-athletes? If so, please fill out this form! More information to come!

The Decatur Prevention Initiative (DPI) seeks the community's help in learning more about community perceptions and concerns regarding underage drinking and substance misuse among Decatur's youth. Please take this anonymous survey to help DPI plan, implement, evaluate and sustain programming.

Aspen Grove Counseling and Wellness in Decatur is offering a six-week middle school parent support group on the challenges of raising adolescents, covering social issues, mental health and academic pressure, with a focus on improving parent and child connections and prioritizing parent self-care. They have offered a few discounted spots, and some scholarships are available through the PTA. If cost is a barrier, please reach out to president@bhmspta.org. Participation is capped at eight people, but if there is enough interest, additional groups will be offered in the future.

When: Tuesdays from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, starting February 25

Duration: Six weeks

Cost: $25 per session (with a six-session commitment)

For more information and to register, reach out to Keri Challen at keri@decaturgacounseling.com or (770) 430-0919.

The BHMS PBIS Store will run every Friday until the February break. We need volunteers for 50-minute time slots during each grade’s lunch period. Can’t be on site to volunteer? Please consider donating treats to stock the store. We need full-size candy bars and candy in general. Sign up at https://bit.ly/PBIS-Store.

The annual Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade will be held Saturday, March 1. If you’re interested in being part of a BHMS parade krewe, then please email president@bhmspta.org. This could involve as little as reminding students the date and location to line up or as much as creating a float and costumes. Proceeds from this event support the Decatur Education Foundation’s music grants in all CSD schools. Laissez les bons temps rouler! Let the good times roll!

As the new year and second semester kick off, please consider getting involved with the PTA. Maybe fall was too busy for you and you have more time for spring events? We appreciate any help you can provide…whether for an individual event or as part of a recurring committee. Express your interest here: Volunteer Interest Form.

You can find more information on the following:

Read recent issues of the weekly update below. Older issues of CSD Weekly may be found on CSD's district newsletter webpage or on our BHMS website

• BHMS Weekly Update - December 12, 2024

• BHMS Weekly Update-December 5, 2024

• BHMS Weekly Update - November 21, 2024

Social Media pages:

• CSDBeaconhllmiddleschool Facebook page
• BeaconhillPTA Facebook page
• CSDbeaconhill Instagram page
• Beaconhllmiddleart Instagram page

Other:

• Whom to contact if list
• Counseling Website
• School Website