Thursday, April 30, 2015

Drive 4 UR School

Please join us at the high school next Saturday to raise money for FBLA, the Athletic Department, and the Music Boosters. Each no-pressure test drive results in a $20 donation from Ford. We hope to see you all there!

BHS Musicians to hold “Jazz in the Park” Concert (Submitted by Mrs. Meir)

The Belleville High School Jazz Ensemble and Vocal Jazz groups would like to invite the townspeople of Belleville and surrounding communities to attend our first annual “Jazz in the Park” concert. This concert will be held on Wednesday, May 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Library Park in downtown Belleville. Both groups will be performing contemporary jazz selections featuring such artists as: The Beatles, Bruno Mars, Jamiroquai, the Blues Brothers, Michael Buble, and Sting. This concert is free and features over 50 of our outstanding high school musicians who have been rehearsing together since October.

Not only will you be able to enjoy a night of excellent music, but the Music Boosters will also be selling concessions (starting at 5:00 p.m.) at this event to raise money for the Belleville Music program. The Music Boosters will be selling brats, hot dogs, baked potatoes, and other treats. So bring a lawn chair or blanket and come enjoy a relaxing evening with us!

In case of rain, the event will be held the same night and time in the Belleville High School auditorium. We are hoping for great weather and a great turn out!

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Production Line Simulation (Submitted by Mrs. Gartley)

Students in Mrs. Gartley’s Culinary Arts II course recently set up the classroom to simulate work stations and played the role of workers in a production line making Pfefferkuchen (German cookies). Students filled the roles of line supervisor, dough roller, dough cutter/shaper, cookie trayer, sugar sprinkler, baker, storing/packaging, and dishes/workspace sanitizing. Breaking a big task into its individual parts was an eye-opening experience for most students. Besides eating the cookies, the best part was that they all got done within the time limit!
In production
The final product

Monday, April 27, 2015

State Solo & Ensemble

The state State Solo & Ensemble competition was held Saturday, April 25, at UW-Platteville. As usual, Belleville students scored well. The video below shows the Vocal Jazz group performing and scoring a "1" - the highest possible score! Congratulations to our music department and our students!

Junior Prom

Prom will take place this Saturday, May 2nd, from 8pm until midnight in the high school gym. The Grand March will start at 9pm. The dance this year has an "Alice in Wonderland" theme. A Post-Prom will be held at Schwoegler's Lanes immediately after the dance and running until 3:30am. Contact Wendy Fahey, the Prom adviser, with any questions.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Coach Wichser...TV Star!

Please check out Boys' Varsity Basketball Coach Jarod Wichser getting his program some well-deserved publicity!

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Culinary Artists at Work (Submitted by Mrs. Gartley)

Students in Mrs. Gartley’s Culinary Arts II course spent a class period last week learning the basics of cake decorating from Angela Neff, owner of The New Glarus Bakery. This session was followed up by additional skills, practice time, and testing today (4-22). The student cupcake design projects tested 14 different skills taught and learned during the lesson.
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Junior Taylor Kenkel pipes leaves on her rose.
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Juniors Spencer Doyle and Syd Doeseckle are always enthusiastic, creative, and demonstrate a solid work ethic in the lab setting.

Monday, April 20, 2015

State Forensics Meet

UPDATE: The Belleville High School Forensics Team earned an Excellence in Speech Award. BHS is one of only 18 (of the 344 competing schools) to earn this award. This places the Belleville team in the top 5% of competitors. Congratulations once again!

At the State Forensics Meet at UW-Madison over the weekend, 10 Belleville High School students earned perfect (25/25) scores for a gold medal. These students include seniors Jacob Hackman, Madelline Knox, and Mica Julian, juniors Sadie Pattinson and Brian Weasner, sophomores Jered Barclay, Grace Patrow, and Patrick Schwoegler, and freshmen Noah Fahey and Taylor Vesperman (pictured with their coach below). The team had another 13 silver medalists and an additional 7 bronze medalists. It this the best showing in Belleville High School history! Congratulations to Mrs. Alsteens and her very talented team!

March Students of the Month

On Monday, April 20, we celebrated our March Students-of-the-Month with a pizza lunch. Mrs, Schween brought Rice Crispy treats for the students. Each student also received a certificate from the nominating teacher and Marcus Theater movie coupons (donated). Congratulations to this great group of students! Watch for this picture in the next Post Messenger Recorder.
From Left to Right: Hannah Donlin, Sean Hagen, Taylor Halvensleben, Spencer Doyle, Mitchell Mussehl, Isabelle Pier, Ben Cann, Bridget Olig, Samantha Christen, Samantha Craft, Reese Denure, Sean Campbell, Matteo, Latorre
Missing: Andrew DeLorme and Amanda Lettman

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Lessons in Geometry (Submitted by Mrs. Spellman)

Geometry students in Mrs. Spellman's class took advantage of the beautiful Spring weather, using a clinometer (and trigonometry) to find the height of the stadium press box. They used a similar process to find the height of the lights on the track.

High School Fine Arts Night/Spring Jazz Concert

On Wednesday (4-15) night, students, staff, parents, and community members came together for the high school's Fine Arts Night and Spring Jazz Concert. Tables displayed student-created art pieces. Students also performed Forensics and Improv acts.  The night featured performances by the Vocal Jazz Choir and Jazz Band as well. It was a tremendous display of student talent!
The work of senior Jade Kolste on display

Belleville Summer Swim

Attention Belleville Summer Swim Team Members and Parents:

Simply Swimming will be hosting a suit and apparel fitting on Wednesday, May 13 from 5:00-7:00pm in the Middle School Commons. You will be able to try on and purchase suits and apparel to prepare for summer! 

Please email schmitk@belleville.k12.wi.us with any questions!

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Herff-Jones Class Ring Presentation and Graduation Promise

On Tuesday (4-14), Brett Lundtsen, a representative from Herff-Jones, presented to 9th grade students during RtI time. Along with the opportunity to purchase class rings, Brett discussed a "Believe in U" theme for the freshmen class as a graduation pledge. He encouraged students to help in encouraging their classmates toward this common goal. Students signed the banner in the photo below. It will be hung in the hallways as a reminder of their promise to graduate during their four years at Belleville High School.

Monday, April 13, 2015

Middle School Building Project

The Middle School Building Project wrapped up with judging and presentations on Monday, 4-13, in the Middle School Commons and the High School Auditorium. Students spent the last week working in combined 7th and 8th grade groups, integrating their core classes to design their own school. On Thursday, April 9, Middle School students also went on a field trip to the Engineering Expo on the UW-Platteville campus.  The presentation of the seven projects that made it to the final round were streamed live as well. One parent noted, "My daughter has been having a lot of fun with this."

Spanish Students Reading to 4K classes (Submitted by Mrs. Vesperman)

As part of the Spanish 3 curriculum, students choose a children’s book in Spanish to study and present to the Spanish 3 class. Students learn new vocabulary and grammatical phrases through the books, and they are able to share this knowledge with their classmates.

This year, as a part of the children’s book unit, Spanish 3 students (most students are in 11th grade) have gone to the elementary building to share their stories with the afternoon 4k students.

Four-year-old kindergarten students have enjoyed hearing familiar stories in Spanish! They have been able to pick up some of the basic vocabulary to understand the stories. Spanish 3 students have enjoyed working with the younger children. They have gained insight into how to explain their stories so that the students understand.

Spanish 3 students hope that they can continue this exchange in the future!
Lauren Severson reads a book in Spanish to a 4K class.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Community Forum on Diversity and Acceptance

On Wednesday night (4-8), Santo Carfora and Kerry Hawkins presented to and led a discussion with over 30 community members and students in the high school auditorium on the issues of diversity, acceptance, and race. The session ran from 6;00-7:30pm, with some participants staying to talk to the presenters until after 8:00pm. Santo and Kerry had also presented to Belleville School District staff after school for an hour on Wednesday. Thank you to the PTO for helping sponsor this event!
Diversity Presenters Kerry Hawkins and Santo Carfora

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Capitol Conference Large Group Band Festival

The Capitol Conference held its Large Group Band Festival in Belleville on Wednesday (4-8). Six middle and high school bands from Belleville, Waterloo, Wisconsin Heights, and Marshall participated by performing pieces before a panel of judges. This is the first in a string on Capitol Conference Fine Arts events including the Large Group Choir Festival (at Waterloo on 4-22) and the Art Exhibit (at the Pyle Center on 4-23). Check out the Belleville High School Band performing John Philip Sousa's march "The Washington Post" at today's competition.

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

New Orleans Band and Choir Trip (Submitted by Mrs. Smith)

While Band and Choir students spent part of their Spring Break in New Orleans, the group assisted families in the area as part of the trip's service component. The Belleville contingent was divided into four groups, each working on a different home. One group put up insulation and drywall and scraped and primed a house. The photo below shows Mrs. Smith, Dalton Fahey, and Ben Cann assisting in a home hit by Hurricane Katrina. They found mold, rotten floors, and termite damage. The man who owned the home was in his seventies and had lost his wife four years ago. He had hoped to stay in the home where he and his wife had lived most of their lives and raised their family. Our students and staff proudly assisted him in this effort!