BHMS Weekly Update
Thursday, January 4, 2024
May 9, 2024
Principal's Corner
Dear Beacon Hill Students and Families,
As we approach the final stretch of the school year, I hope this message finds you well and filled with anticipation for the upcoming summer break. With just 8 more school days remaining, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for your continued support and partnership in ensuring our students' success.
At Beacon Hill, we are committed to finishing the school year on a high note, maintaining the positive momentum we've built throughout the year, and carrying that energy into the next school year. As such, it's crucial that we reinforce the expectations and standards that were established on day one and have guided us thus far.
Whether it's completing assignments, participating in class discussions, getting to class on time, hallway behavior or demonstrating respect for one another, these expectations have been instrumental in fostering a productive and supportive learning environment. I kindly ask that you join us in reinforcing these expectations at home with your child during these final days.
By working together, we can ensure that each student finishes the year strong, with a sense of accomplishment and readiness for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Your partnership is invaluable, and I am confident that together, we can make these last 8 days truly impactful for our students.
Thank you for your continued support, and here's to a strong finish to the school year!
Best regards,
Derrick L. Thomas, Principal
Beacon Hill Middle School
“It Only Takes One”
Beacon Hill Middle School proudly presents the second installment of the student-produced web series "Principal of the Matter," hosted by Derrick Thomas. Our second episode showcased an exclusive interview with Rodney Thomas (Director of Activities & Athletics) and David Harbin ( Assistant Director of Activities & Athletics) Stay tuned for upcoming episodes!
đź“° BHMS News You Can Use đź“°
🌟Spotlight on Teachers Appreciation Week 🌟
A big shout out and heartfelt gratitude to each of our BHMS staff members! Their dedication to student growth and hard work shape our students' lives in meaningful ways daily. Throughout this week, we celebrated you with tokens of appreciation, but our gratitude extends far beyond this week. We deeply value the remarkable work you do daily, and we're truly thankful for your commitment to our students' success.
Device Return Schedule and Information
All devices and loaned equipment will be returned between May 16th and May 23rd. A failure to return your device or an intentionally damaged device will result in charges to Students' Infinite Campus accounts in accordance with our student computer loan form: $250 for a CSD Chromebook, $30 for a case, and $30 for a charger. Follow these instructions to prepare for the device return.
For more information about Technology Use Responsibilities and Other Technology Notices visit the 2023-2024 CSD Student & Family Handbook
FAVE and Talley 5th Grade Students Tour BHMS
This past week, we welcomed 5th-grade students from Talley and FAVE schools. Our future Bulldogs were led on tours by our student ambassadors and enjoyed music from chorus, orchestra, and band. Our building buzzed with the excitement of 5th graders transitioning to middle school.
Applications Open for Middle School First Tech Challenge Robotics Team
Interested in robotics? Decatur Robotics is accepting applications for spots on the First Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics team. Application is open to students who will be in 7th and 8th grade in the 2024-25 school year. Applications are due Friday, May 17th. Visit www.decaturrobotics.org for more information. Please use the following link to apply:
BHMS Spring Football Combine
Attention all interested rising 7th-9th graders, if you're interested in playing BHMS football or DHS football next year, then you must attend the Decatur Football Combine on May 10th on the DHS football field immediately after school. Dress appropriately, bring cleats if you have them, and be ready to compete. The results from the combine will be used to create our Decatur Middle School team and High School JV team.
BHMS Cross Country
Is your child interested in trying out for BHMS Cross Country in the Fall, 2004?
If so, please complete the interest form here
Decatur High School Spring Festival
Come out and support the high school at the 2nd annual Decatur High School Spring Festival! Come enjoy exciting carnival games, student musicians, artists, and local food vendors! Entry is free, and tickets to go on all of our fun games are found here! Make sure to stop by and dunk some of our favorite high school teachers in the dunk tank, race your friends in the obstacle course, and enjoy some good student-led fun. All profits go towards the DHS Student Government Association to make this festival happen again next year! We can't wait to see you there!
8th Grade Capstone Information
Click below if you are an 8th grade parent needing information about Capstone.
💛💙 From Our PTA💛💙
It Has Been a Pawtastic Year!
The BHMS PTA offers a big shout out to all the families that made up our inaugural group of Pawtastic sponsors. These families gave their generous support to Beacon Hill and helped our community have one of its most successful years ever. You are all truly Pawtastic!
PBIS Store Runs Through May 17
Donations and volunteers are needed for the final two weeks of this year’s PBIS Store. You are not limited to volunteering during your child’s lunch period. (In fact, your student might prefer you to select another period!)
Get Involved in the New School Year
The BHMS PTA works to build a dynamic and engaged school community that contributes to a safe and equitable educational environment for all students. We show appreciation to our teachers and staff and promote programs, initiatives and school spirit to enrich our students and school. Tell us how you would like to participate by completing our 2024-2025 Volunteer Interest Form.
CSD News and Announcements
Spring Listening Sessions
Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker will host a spring series of listening sessions around the City Schools of Decatur to listen and learn from students, staff, families, and community leaders. Initial sessions were held in the fall as part of the first phase of Dr. Whitaker’s GEM entry plan. The GEM plan will continue, with a focus on gathering information, reviewing the findings to envision a plan forward, and maximizing the results.
The meetings will be held virtually and in-person. Please see the link for the remaining session below:
All in Awards
All In Awards
The CSD Office of Equity invites students, staff, families, and community members to the All In Awards. Tonight, Thursday, May 9, 2024, at the Decatur High School Performing Arts Center, we will honor student and staff recipients of the Coretta Scott King and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards and the Good Equity Troublemaker Awards. Heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served at 5 PM by DHS culinary arts students, and the program will begin at 6 PM in the theater.
Recipients and attendees should RSVP here.
CSD Board of Education Meeting Times
The City Schools of Decatur Board of Education has announced the board meeting schedule for Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
Meeting times will adjust each month according to the length of the agenda and published monthly in compliance with the Georgia Open Meetings Act.
The May 14, 2024, CSD Board of Education meeting schedule is as follows:
Executive Session: 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Pre-work Session: 2:50 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Work Session: 3:30 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.
Board Meeting: 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Public Comment: 6:30 p.m. – 6:50 p.m.
Except for the executive session, all meetings will continue to be live-streamed and open to the public.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
As a CSD stakeholder, your input and feedback is a critical component to ensuring academic achievement and overall success for all students. Please use the links below to access important feedback forms.
CSD Extra Mile Award
Students: Do you know a teacher or CSD employee who has gone "the extra mile" this year? Nominate them for the CSD Extra Mile Award! The Extra Mile Award is an annual award that allows students to show appreciation for the teachers or staff they feel go above and beyond what is expected of them.
Students (not parents) at any grade level can write an essay describing how their teacher (or staff member) goes the extra mile (parents can help younger children write the essay). The essays should be detailed and describe how the employee goes above and beyond.
Click here to submit a nomination. Students can also find the form any time via LaunchPad (it’s the purple icon labeled “Extra Mile Award nomination”).
The deadline is May 31, 2024.
These awards will be presented at the CSD Opening Day Celebration in July.
Questions? Contact cburnett@csdecatur.net or 404-371-3601
Siblings Enrollment Reminder
If your currently enrolled student has a sibling who will be new to City Schools of Decatur for the 2024-2025 school year, you must register the new sibling via the parent portal (https://www.csdecatur.net/domain/135). In the parent portal, select "More" from the menu, then "Annual Data Update", then "2024-2025 New Student Registration." As part of the enrollment process, you must also email Patrice Moore (pmoore@csdecatur.net) the residency documentation, as the parent portal will not allow you to change or upload this field.
Proof of Residency Required Documents include:
One of the following: Mortgage statement or payment/coupon book, lease, deed, property tax, or settlement statement
If you have a lease, all names (parent/guardian and students) must be listed on the lease, name and contact information of the landlord or rental company must be on the lease, and you must sign and submit a lease verification form.
One current utility bill (within 30 days)
Acceptable utilities are gas, water, or electric bills.
The bill must list the residence as the service address.
Please reach out to Patrice Moore, district enrollment specialist, for support at pmoore@csdecatur.net or 404-371-3601 x1063.
Be SMART for Kids
Our school community is aware of the incidents of gun violence in the metropolitan area and across the nation. Providing our students and staff in City Schools of Decatur with safe, educational environments remains our top priority. As we enter the final days of the school year and prepare for the summer break, CSD is partnering with Be Smart for Kids, a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to reducing all forms of school violence nationwide, with a key focus on addressing students' unauthorized access to guns in their homes.
This week, all schools will receive materials for posting along with flyers to send home to raise awareness about the risks unsecured guns in homes pose to students, staff, and families in our schools and beyond. Research indicates that practicing secure firearm storage can reduce unintentional firearm injuries among children and teens by up to 85 percent. Securely storing firearms not only protects children in the home but also benefits students throughout the school district and community.
For more information, please visit: besmartforkids.org
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
CSD Community Partners
Decatur Education Foundation
Teachers and staff LOVE receiving Step Up tributes, and they also LOVE being able to write grants for classroom equipment, books, experiences, and technology! Participating in DEF's Step Up for Teachers campaign checks both boxes - these funds support the Teacher Innovation Grants that DEF awards each fall!
For the rest of the school year, visit www.StepUpForTeachers.com, make a donation, and leave a short note of gratitude for a teacher, administrator, or school support member. Tributes will be posted on the website, and notifications will be sent to the individuals being honored.
DEF volunteers will deliver your "We Step Up" sign to your home for you! Have a graduating senior? Choose the "Congratulations!" sign instead!
Let's cover Decatur in signs of support for our CSD teachers, staff, and graduates!
* If you would like to make a tribute but donation is a barrier, please email Drew@DecaturEducationFoundation.org
City of Decatur Parks and Recreation
City of Decatur Parks and Recreation commits to providing exceptional experiences that foster healthy living and meaningful connections within our communities. Please visit their website, a one-stop-shop for information about after-school programs, school holiday programs, and summer camps. To stay up to date on all things Decatur Parks and Recreation, follow them on Facebook and Instagram or sign up for their monthly newsletter here!