The annual Beacon Hill Stacey Daniel Poetry Slam is open to all Beacon Hill students (6th, 7th, & 8th grades) and will take place on April 26th at 6 PM. All students who would like to take part will have the opportunity to be coached by professional teaching artists/Slam Poets. To sign up, students should contact their ELA teacher OR email Holly Lanford (hlanford@csdecatur.net).

Slam Poetry is a unique style of spoken-word poetry that combines the elements of writing, performance, competition, and audience participation. It is spoken-word ‘riffing’ on contemporary issues - and in the hands of Beacon Hill students, it is an opportunity for our community to see the depth of passion and insight that these kids have to offer. Preparation for this event kicks off each year with a week-long Poetry Residency for all 7th graders in their ELA classes. Then all students from all grade levels are invited to participate in twice weekly coaching sessions starting Wednesday, March 22nd from 3:50-4:50 in Ms. Wicks room. Coaching sessions will continue Tuesdays and Wednesdays until the actual Slam. If you are a parent that would like to volunteer to help with the Poetry Slam, please email Holly Lanford (hlanford@csdecatur.net), the faculty sponsor.

The Beacon Hill PTA generously supplies funds for the residency and for several coaching sessions to help students who have elected to participate in the Poetry Slam. This year Beacon Hill has again partnered with Paint Love, a local arts organization that provides the teaching artists for the residency and the coaching sessions.