Friday, May 29, 2015

End-of-Year MS Dance

A good showing of 7th and 8th graders showed up for Friday's (May 29th's) middle school dance. Many wore the tie-dyed shirts that they made this week with Mr. Gentilli for this 60's-themed dance. Our student DJs even played Chubby Checker and the Righteous Brothers. Although the dance was moved inside instead of in the high school commons' courtyard because of the weather, the students (and staff) still had a good time!

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Jazz in the Park

On Wednesday night, May 27, the Vocal Jazz Choir and Jazz Band played their first annual (let's hope!) concert in Library Park. A tremendous crowd brought their lawn chairs and blankets and were treated to a concert that lasted for about an hour and a half. Thank you to Mrs. Krueger, Mrs. Meir, and our very talented and dedicated Belleville High School students for putting on a wonderful community performance!
The combined Jazz Band and Choir perform "Save the Last Dance"
The Jazz Band performs Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely"

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Spring High School Music Concert

On Wednesday, May 20, both the high school band and choir performed in the auditorium to an overflow crowd for their Spring concert. During the intermission, Mrs. Krueger and Mrs. Meir took the time to recognize all of the accomplishments of their outgoing seniors in a mutually emotional ceremony. As usual, both the band and choir impressed with their selections. Be sure to join them next Wednesday (5-27) night for their Jazz in the Park Concert beginning at 6:30pm in the Library Park!
The band plays "Raging Machines" by Brian Balmages.

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The choir sings "Disney on Stage," arranged by Ed Lojeski.

Monday, May 18, 2015

April Students-of-the-Month

Congratulations to our Students-of-the-Month for April. They were treated to a pizza lunch today (Monday, May 18th), along with Mrs. Schween's brownies. Each student also received a certificate from their nominating teacher as well as movie passes donated by Marcus Theaters. Staff members noted that many of these students were certainly deserving of being nominated much earlier in the year!
Left to Right: Lukas Freidig, Lukas Diaz, John Gorski, Toni Gerner, Tyler Rufenacht, Joshua Bowers, Abigail Winterburn, Mya Enerson, Zoey Whitehouse, and Madelline Knox
Not Pictured: Connor DeLorme, Elizabeth Erb, and Matthew Mussehl

Thursday, May 14, 2015

NHS Book Drive

For the month of April, the National Honor Society sponsored a book drive at the high school. Books for children ages 2-12 were collected in bins in the office. Over 300 books were collected! They will be donated to the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and the Ronald McDonald House of Madison. The photo below shows NHS members Nicole Sanders and Brian Weasner sorting and packing the books that were collected.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Capitol Conference Honors Banquet

All 12 Capitol Conference schools sent their Top 10 academic seniors to an honors banquet on Monday night, May 11, at the Sheraton Hotel in Madison. Beth Botsford, a two-time Olympic gold medalist now living in New Glarus, spoke to the students and their guests about setting high goals and about learning from failure. Students received a plaque and a certificate from Congressman Mark Pocan. Each student was allowed two guests at the dinner, and the families appreciated celebrating this tremendous accomplishment together.
Seated from left to right: Claire Johnsrud, Micaela Julian, and Celia Carr
Standing from left to right: Madelline Knox, Jacob Hackman, Chantel Roberts, Mitchell Young, Amber Alme, Alex O'Connor, and Elizabeth Erb

Monday, May 11, 2015

Youth Apprenticeship Recognition Program (Submitted by Mrs. Gartley)

Dane County School-to-Career Coordinators, Youth Apprenticeship students and their families, work-place mentors, and Career Pathway teachers came together last month at McFarland High School to recognize the contributions each had made through the Youth Apprenticeship program in advancing students' readiness to enter college and/or join the workforce.

Belleville’s Youth Apprenticeship program participation has grown from three students this year to seven starting this summer and into the fall. Interested students may still contact Mrs. Gartley, School-to-Career Coordinator, for more information about Youth Apprenticeship and Work Experience options for next school year.
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Left to Right: Kyleah’s workplace mentor, Angela Neff (owner of The New Glarus Bakery), Kristin’s workplace mentor, Connie Vacho (Taher Foodservice Supervisor), Kristin, O’Connor, Elizabeth Erb, Kyleah McKnight, Belleville High School Career Pathway instructors Erik Farrar (Business Education) and Meredith Smith (Science)
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2014-15 Youth Apprenticeship students Kristin O’Connor- Hospitality and Tourism ( Event Planning), Elizabeth Erb- STEM (Biotechnology), and Kyleah McKnight- Hospitality & Tourism (Pastry Arts)

Youth Apprenticeship Information Technology Round Table Interviews

Junior Brian Weasner and sophomore Aiden Pottratz recently participated  in the Youth Apprenticeship Information Technology Round Table Interviews. The purpose was to build interview skills, get immediate feedback from local business professionals, and create a list of contacts for potential job placement. The Dane County School Consortium, in conjunction with Herzing University, held this event for the second time. Students from Belleville, DeForest, Oregon, and Sun Prairie participated.

For many of these students, this was their first “professional” face-to-face interview, challenging them to make a good first impression and relate their information technology “skill sets” to employers. Representatives from five local businesses (Dell Software, ENVISION iT, American Family Insurance, Adecco, and UW-Madison Biochemistry) provided interviewers from their Human Resources and Information Technology departments. Every student received feedback with tips on how to strengthen their interview skills.
For more information go to www.dcsc.org.

3rd Term Honor Roll and Perfect Attendance Awards

For the last two terms, Mrs. Alsteens has organized the distribution of honor roll and perfect attendance medals for students in classroom ceremonies. Students are announced in front of their peers and recognized in a smaller setting. The photo below shows Mrs Alsteens with juniors Reese Denure, Nick Richter, and Scott Schwoegler in Mr. DeLorme's Advanced Math class. All three earned a "Perfect Attendance" award for the 3rd Term.

Cops N' Bobbers

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Drive 4 UR School Event

On Saturday, May 9, over 50 community members and school staff stopped by to test drive a vehicle from Francois Ford. These vehicles ranged from a Mustang, to a Expedition, and a Raptor truck. Each test drive earned the school (and its sponsoring organizations) $20 from the Ford Motor Company. Jim Malpede, the General Manager of Francois Ford, provided tents, give-aways, and food catered by JL Richards. Thank you to Jim and Troy Handel for all of their help with this event- partnering the school district and local businesses!
Mr. Farrar ensures that Mrs. Vesperman returns safely from her Ford Mustang test drive.

Friday, May 8, 2015

Trades II Projects

Students in Mr. Kurtz's Trades II class are finishing up small group construction projects. Check out this table that sophomores Dan Meier and Tyler Varney recently completed! Mr. Kurtz noted, "The guys worked hard on it, and I think it looks great."

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Prom 2015

Approximately 200 Belleville High School students and their guests attended this year's Prom on Saturday, May 2nd. The dance was based on an Alice in Wonderland theme. During the Grand March at 9pm, the king, Andrew DeLorme, and queen, Sammy Craft, were announced. Students snacked on tea party foods and had the opportunity to have their pictures taken in the photo booth. Congratulations to the Junior class and their adviser, Mrs. Fahey, on putting on an enjoyable and safe evening!
Before...

Friday, May 1, 2015

Construction Pathway Career Fair (Submitted by Mrs. Gartley)

JP Cullen, a commercial contractor from Janesville, hosted the first annual Construction Career Fair for high school students interested in skilled trades. "Amazing" sums up the quality of this event and the benefit to students in attendance. Display booths included BIM & Technology, Ironworkers, Carpenters & Millwrights, Concrete Finishers, Masons, Operating Engineers, Safety, and General Construction Laborers. Students were guided through each station, listening to a brief presentation and able to try out a skill needed for the trade.

The opportunities in this career pathway are abundant. In most of the trades, apprenticeships are available- blending classroom training over four years with mentored, paid work experience (once students turn 18). Tradesmen stressed the importance of math, especially algebra, good reading and writing skills, the ability to communicate clearly, an understanding and use of technology tools, and a strong work ethic as important qualities to have entering the skilled trades.