Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Belleville Students Receive 1st Place in Problem-solving Competition

Prior to the school closure, Mrs. Killerlain’s P.R.I.D.E. block of Belleville Middle School 7th and 8th graders had been researching, collaborating, problem-solving, and creating plans to implement a garden and to educate younger students on healthy eating habits. The students submitted a plan to the Wisconsin Future Problem Solving (FPS) organization. On Monday, April 27, the team won 1st place in the Community Problem Solving competition. FPS is a team or individual event in which students identify real problems in their school or community and develop potential solutions by thinking critically and creatively, while utilizing a six-step problem-solving process. You can find more information about this program and see a list of all the winning teams at https://www.wisfps.org/.

The following students participated in the Community Problem Solving competition: Isaac Erb, Lily Hanna, Kariya Harris, Kylie Humke, Ben Johnson, Blake Johnson, Brennan Keyes, Carson Loshaw, Savannah Meland, Niles Monroe, Brady Mousseau, Reid Nolden, Zella Palmer, Ethan Rolfe, Nolan Saeger, Dane Schwersenska, Alora Spiegel, Megan Stone, Ryker Swenson, Evan Thomas, and Mallory Thompson.

Check the announcement 8:10 into this Facebook Live event.

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Yahara River Writers' Competition

On Friday, March 6, Mrs. Schultz announced the winners from her 8th grade ELA Yahara River Writers contest entries. She shared the results as part of the middle school Student-of-the-Month recognition. Those students listed below were invited to an awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, originally scheduled at the Memorial Union in Madison, but instead held virtually. The results can be viewed at this link. Congratulations to these outstanding Wildcat artists and writers who were recognized for their cartoons, editorials, and short stories!

[Note: The time next to each student's name corresponds to the video time where their award is announced.]

Ben Johnson - "School Curriculum" [11:10]
Dawson Schlueter - "The Force That Pulls" (2nd place) [11:30]
Kariya Harris - "Friends Come in All Shapes and Sizes" [13:05]
Emily Gomez - "Social Media Leads to Isolation" [23:30]
Charlotte Fox - "Eighteen" [43:40]
Alora Spiegel - "Seabirds" (1st place) [45:40]
Lexy Cardoso Reyes - "Corazón Roto" (1st place) [50:15]


Friday, April 24, 2020

Friday Announcements for 4-24-20

We have some new twists for this week's announcements.Thanks to our staff for their creativity and for the feedback that we receive from students and parents on this video format for the announcements. We want them to be both informative and entertaining in this online learning environment. Enjoy!

Friday, April 17, 2020

Friday Announcments for 4-17-20

With the announcement yesterday that students will not be returning to school buildings this year, we will do all that we can to maintain some routine and some humor in our lives by continuing traditions like our Friday announcements.

(Virtual) Students-of-the-Month for March

Selecting and celebrating Students-of-the-Month for both Belleville Middle and High Schools has shifted now that students are at home learning online with the school closure. Students and their parents will receive a personalized video message from their nominating teacher and gift certificates will be mailed home. It is not as much fun to celebrate without the students and their classmates, but we are trying to make the best of a tough situation. Congratulations to these Wildcats who have successfully made the transition to online learning!

Monday, April 13, 2020

BHS Receives Seven Jerry Award Nominations!

Despite barely being able to perform all four shows before Governor Evers's Safer at Home order, Belleville High School's March 12-14 production of "My Fair Lady" was recently nominated for seven Jerry Awards! This was the first time that BHS had submitted a production to be reviewed.

The Jerry Awards recognize excellence in the state's high school musical productions. The Jerry Awards began as the Tommy Awards during the 2009-10 school year but were renamed three years ago after philanthropist Jerome Frautschi. Productions at over 85 high schools in 30 counties throughout Wisconsin are reviewed and provided with feedback. The goal of The Jerrys is to elevate musical theater in Wisconsin high schools.

Belleville High School's Jerry Award nominations included:
  • Outstanding Lead Performance: Jacob Kean (Henry Higgins)
  • Outstanding Lead Performance: Hunter Lindstrom (Alfred P. Doolittle)
  • Outstanding Supporting Performance: Jenna Blask
  • Outstanding Supporting Performance: Josh Kean
  • Outstanding Stage Management: Zachary Thole
  • Outstanding Scenic Design: Emma and Michael Vogel
  • Outstanding Lighting Design: Ben Smith
Jordyn Thomas received the Spirit Award from her own cast.

In addition to the nominations, the directors received feedback on the ensemble, choreography, technical elements, music, and overall theater program, as well as on individual performances.

Under normal circumstances, The Jerry Awards Show is held at the Overture Center and broadcast on Wisconsin Public Television.

For more information on the Jerry Awards visit this website.

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Belleville Car Parade

Next year's Belleville Elementary School Principal, Kelsey Schmit, along with Transportation Director, Jannan Kosak, organized a car parade through the Belleville School District on Saturday, April 11. Educators were able to see their students while still observing social distancing. The turnout from staff and the community was stunning. All I can say is, “Wow!” I feel lucky and blessed to be a part of this community. It is a special place to be! After 2 1/2 hours, I think we traveled down nearly every street in the district.

Thursday, April 9, 2020

End-of-the-Week Announcments

At Belleville Middle and High Schools, we try to end each week with our PBIS drawing with a student from each grade who showed the Wildcat Way. This includes student-selected music and student and staff shout-outs. Even though we are not in the building physically today, we still wanted to continue our end-of the-week announcements. There is a little surprise at the end...maybe a start to a new tradition during the school closure?

Youth Apprenticeship Senior Banner

Although our seniors have lost opportunities for potential life-long memories with the school closure, some are continuing with their Youth Apprenticeship and will work (where allowed) through the summer. The new banner arrived today spotlighting our youth apprentices and their employers.

Belleville High School has 13 seniors in six different career pathways who will finish the program, earning Department of Workforce Development Occupational Proficiency Certification for their units of study. Several seniors have taken advanced coursework and earned additional industry certifications and high school credit.

Friday, April 3, 2020

Reminder; Online Learning Starts on Monday, April 6

Online learning for students at Belleville Middle and High Schools starts on Monday. Students should be checking their school GMail and Google Classrooms beginning on April 6. Please contact Mr. Perry or Mrs. Schmitz if you have questions or concerns, as we launch into this new platform. It will be an adventure for all of us, but one that I am confident will produce long-term benefits.