Weekly Update

We are happy to announce that four Beacon Hill parents have stepped up to run for our one open spot on the Beacon Hill School Leadership Team (SLT). Please read the bios of the four SLT candidates for BHMS in alphabetical order by last name.

• Elections will be conducted via Google Form. Polls will open on September 9, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. and close at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, September 12, 2024.

• 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 vote per BHMS student. The candidate with the highest number of votes will be the parent representative on the SLT.

Best regards,

Derrick Thomas, Principal

CSD Weekly to Distribute the BHMS Weekly Update, Beginning September 5

Beginning next week, Thursday, September 5, 2024, the BHMS Weekly Update will be distributed via CSD Weekly from the City Schools of Decatur email. Parents and subscribers who have not opted out of CSD news will automatically receive CSD Weekly. However, parents and subscribers who have opted out of CSD news and community members will only receive future school newsletters by subscribing here and selecting to receive news from “City Schools of Decatur.”

CSD Weekly includes links to all school newsletters and provides the latest district news, enabling families with students at multiple schools to conveniently access updates using one source. Additionally, CSD Weekly aims to improve consistency in messaging about district and community news by communicating it in a centralized location.

The STAR Diagnostic report provides valuable information about your child's reading and math skills. This data helps us tailor instruction to meet their specific needs and support their academic growth. This data also helps you understand how your child is growing and doing in school. Today your child is coming home with a Math and Reading report.

Key components of the report:

• Scaled Score: Measures overall performance and tracks progress over time.

• Percentile Rank: Compares your child to peers nationwide.

• Instructional Reading Level (IRL): Indicates appropriate reading level with support.

• Core Progress Reading Domains: Highlights strengths and areas for improvement in foundational skills, literature, informational text, and language.

• Quantile Measure: Represents current mathematical ability level.

• Quantile Range: Indicates the level of math concepts the student is ready to tackle.

• Projected Achievement Level: Indicates potential performance on the Georgia Milestone Assessment.

By understanding these components, you can better support your child's learning at home and work collaboratively with the teachers. Click here for a detailed letter on how to interpret the STAR diagnostic reports that are coming home today with your child.

For more information on STAR join the Teaching and Learning Department for an informational webinar on Tuesday, September 17, at 6 p.m. Join the webinar here.

Additional resources:

• Learn more about STAR
• Frequently asked questions about STAR
• STAR vs. MAP: research study on score correlations

Did you miss our August coffee chat? We've got you covered! Check out the August video recap to learn about our amazing counseling and admin staff and discover how they can support your child's success. Join us on September 13th for another Principal's coffee chat where our instructional coaches help you stay in the loop about your child's academic journey.

Important Information about Gifted Review

Each fall semester, the Gifted Review Team looks at existing student data to discuss students’ needs and determine if further evaluation for gifted identification is needed. If you are interested in having the team discuss your child’s needs, you may complete a Recommendation for Review Form and turn it in to one of our Gifted & Talented Specialist before Wednesday, October 2. No additional information is needed.

The Gifted & Talented Specialists for BHMS are Laura Gary, Jessica Nicks, and Robyn Tibbetts. For more detailed information about the review process and to obtain a copy of the Recommendation for Review Form, please contact the Gifted & Talented Specialist for your school or visit the Gifted and Talented Service webpage.

Our fall dance party for sixth graders will be held this Friday (September 6) from 4-5:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per student. Snacks will be sold for $1 each. (Please send small bills. Credit cards and mobile payment also accepted.) Purchase tickets here.

As with so many PTA events, we need your help. Please look at the sign up from and help as you are able. If you can’t volunteer in person, please consider donating some of the drinks and snacks on the list for concessions.

PLEASE NOTE: The event date was changed from September 13 to avoid conflicts with DHS Homecoming festivities. Families needing a refund for tickets already purchased for students who cannot attend on September 6 should send an email to president@bhmspta.org. Our apologies for the inconvenience!

Support BHMS students by donating supplies and your time for the PBIS Store, where students can redeem their BARK points on Fridays at lunchtime. Sign up at https://bit.ly/PBIS-Store. Please drop off donations at the front office and label “PBIS Store.” We appreciate all levels of support!