More PLTW Success

At the end of every Project Lead the Way course, students take an exam scored out of 9 stanine points. In order to receive credit from St. Cloud State University, students must score 4 or higher on the end-of-course test. That score must be a 7 or higher to receive credit from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. In the first year that Computer Science was offered at Belleville High School, Mr. Farrar's students averaged 7.5 on the test, and every student in the class earned a score of 4 or higher and will receive college credit. Five students earned the top score of 9 on this test. Congratulations to Mr. Farrar and his students for reaching such a high rate of achievement!

Belleville Team Places 2nd in State!

The Belleville High School team of Dylan Gratz, Nate Mabis, and Jared Schulting placed 2nd in the state of Wisconsin at a May 30th Engineering Design Competition banquet on the campus of the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Gratz, Mabis, and Schulting created a multi-sport target prototype as part of Mr. Neumann's Engineering Design and Development course. They submitted their work through Project Lead the Way's Innovation Portal.

Only five teams statewide were invited to the Engineering Design Competition banquet after projects were judged by a panel of experts. The Belleville team topped entries from Saint Thomas More (student population of 523) and Hartland Arrowhead (student population of 2,217). Medford (student population of 668) took the top prize.

Dylan, Nate, and Jared will share a $2,000 scholarship from Project Lead the Way to a college or university of their choice. This all comes in the first year that BHS has offered the Engineering Design and Development course. 

Trades Construction Site Visits

Mr. Neumann's Advanced Trades and Introduction to Trades classes toured the Findorff construction site at the new and remodeled elementary school on May 21 and May 30. Students learned about careers in the trades as well as design and construction applications while on site.  Thank you to Ben and Marlo from Findorff for hosting our Belleville High School students!

Voter Registration

On Wednesday, May 23, the Advanced Placement United States Government class, in cooperation with the non-profit organization Inspire USA, registered students to vote during the high school lunch period. Students who will be 18 years of age on or before August 14, 2018 (the Wisconsin fall primary election) were eligible to register. If students who meet this requirement were unable to register, they can still see Mr. Hodgson to register in advance of voting.

Quilts of Valor

On Thursday, May 24, Belleville Middle School presented three community members with Quilts of Valor. This was the culmination of a cross-curricular unit in 8th grade English Language Arts and Social Studies with Mrs. Schultz and Mr. Gentilli. This was a tremendous example of student-led learning, as the students completed the research, created the quilts, and led the entire presentation in the auditorium.

Honored at today's ceremony were Frederick Carson (Army), Glenn Morrick (Marines), and Randall Lettman (Navy). They represent an uncle and two grandfathers of our current 8th grade students.

Thank you to Patches & Petals for partnering with Belleville Middle School on the project. Thanks as well to Vicki Sasso from the Quilts of Valor Foundation for providing the background to the audience for this tremendous civilian award.

Fine Arts Night in the Park

For the past three years, the Belleville Band and Choir programs have put on "Jazz in the Park." New for 2018 was the incorporation of Forensics performances to open the night, as well as art work displays from our students.

It was a beautiful night in the Library Park for the Arts!

Managing Fun!

Vitense Golfland owner and PGA Professional Joel Weitz told Exploring Hospitality Management students during a field trip Friday (5/18) that his grandfather, George Vitense, started the business in 1955 with a mini-golf course and driving range. From those humble beginnings, his family expanded the business to include multiple recreation activities, meeting rooms, an arcade, indoor mini-golf, catering, and in-house food services that draw around 3,000 customers a day during peak times throughout the year. Mr. Weitz is also an accountant, which has helped him with the management aspects of operating a profitable business. [Submitted Mrs. Gartley]

 Students attending included (l to r) Win Erskine, Christian Baxter, Spencer Grindle, Jordan Caputo, Owner Joel Weitz, Danny Enloe, Kristin Lowery, and Nick Fahey.

Middle School Homeroom Community-building

On Friday, May 18, Ms. Whitmore organized a community building activity called "Alligator Attack" for homeroom. Students held a "boat" as a team. They were given two commands. "Go" allowed teams to advance forward, holding their boat, at any speed, as long as all members were holding on. "Attack" forced teams to put their boat on the ground and get aboard. If one team member fell off the boat, the team was finished and had to sit down. The goal was to make it to the end of the parking lot first.

It was a great May day to get outside in mixed 7th and 8th grade groups!

Performer of the Year

Congratulations to Dalton Fahey. On Thursday, he was named the Capitol Conference South Division Boys Performer of the Year in Track & Field. Way to go Raiders!

Spring High School Concert

On Wednesday night, May 16, the Belleville High School Band and Choir performed in front of a full house. The high school's enrollment currently stands at 270 students. Of that total, there are 53 students who participate in Band and another 98 students who participate in Choir.

The Symphonic Band played three selections, including "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." The Women's Choir then sang five more songs, including "Landslide." The night concluded with the full Choir performing five additional songs, such as "Dixieland Delight."

Once again it was a tearful night, as Mrs. Krueger and Mrs. Meir said goodbye to the 36 seniors in one or both programs. Don't forget that there will be a final concert next Wednesday, May 23, with Jazz in the Park at Library Park at 6pm!

2018 Wisconsin PLTW Engineering Design Competition

Dylan Gratz, Nate Mabis, and Jared Schulting have been selected as one of 5 finalists in the state of Wisconsin for their Multi-sport Target project. They submitted their project to the Wisconsin PLTW Engineering Design Competition. According to Elizabeth McLean, Associate Director of STEM at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, "It was a very competitive year, and you and your team should be proud of your efforts."

The students have been invited to an awards banquet at MSOE on May 30, at which time the winners will be announced. A first place showing would allow each team member to apply for a MSOE Presidential Scholarship, along with $4,000 and funding for a New Product Development Assessment.

Congratulations to this Belleville High School team! This is the first time that Mr. Neumann has had a team qualify for this award!

U.S. News & World Report Honor for Belleville High School

Belleville High School (BHS) was recently named a Silver Medal Winner by U.S. News & World Report in its ranking of high schools, both in the state and nationally.  BHS was ranked as the 37th best high school in the state out the 494 total in Wisconsin. Three of the schools ranked above Belleville High School are considered alternative or charter schools in the Milwaukee area.

Other high schools in the area ranked ahead of Belleville include Verona, Waunakee, Middleton, and Sun Prairie. Congratulations as well to New Glarus High School which placed just above Belleville at #35 in the state.

It is a great time to be a Wildcat! Thank you to all of the efforts of our staff and students for this prestigious recognition!

Wisconsin State Rankings
Belleville High School Profile

Capitol Conference Academic Honors Banquet

On Monday night, May 14, the Capitol Conference celebrated its Top 10 academic students from each school. The event was held at the Sheraton Inn in Madison. Lake Mills High School Principal Cale Vogel, the incoming Capitol Conference president, served as the Master of Ceremonies. John Leadholm, the retiring boys' basketball coach and Dean of Students at Cambridge High School, was the guest speaker at dinner.

Congratulations to these ten Wildcats! This event was the culmination of their hard work and dedication over the past four years.

Front Row:  Riley Medenwald, Otto Anson, Brock Kelly, and Noah Fahey
Back Row: Ellianna Peterson, Cheyenne Koeppel, Skylar Butenhoff, Kalin O'Rourke, Aimee Sies, and Eve Palmer

High School Students-of-the-Month

For the final time for the 2017-18 school year, Belleville High School teachers recognized Students-of-the-Month- this time from April. Students were treated to a Tano's Pizza lunch on Friday, May 11. Students also received an individualized certificate from their nominating teacher and movies passes donated by Marcus Theaters. Staff noted that this month's nominees were role models to others and showed enthusiasm in class. Congratulations to these students who show the Wildcat Way!

From Left to Right: Ariana McDermott, Brandon Graves, Max Gerner, Cassidy Heller, Connor Theis, Hunter Carr, Jenna Banfield, Jenna Shrader, and Maya Severson

Sixth-Eighth Grade Spring Band and Choir Concert

On Thursday night, May 10, Mrs. Krueger and Mrs. Meir held their annual Spring Band and Choir Concert. For the first time this year, the 6th grade joined the 7th and 8th grade for the concert. The Middle School Band, made up of more than 50 7th and 8th graders, played four pieces, including "Funkytown."  The nearly 70-member Middle School Choir played another four pieces, including "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Can't Stop the Feeling." The concert provided even more evidence of how strong of a 6-12 music program Belleville continues to assemble!

Thanks to Mr. Gentilli for videos and photos!

7th Grade Math Integration

Mr. Holm's 7th Grade Pre-Algebra class has been using geometry concepts in the design of golf courses. Today (5-10), he brought his class down to the new STEM lab to collectively create a model for one of these courses. Students were able use some of the equipment to build their course. This was a great transitional activity, as these 7th graders will have Mr. Neumann next year in the STEM lab for Project Lead the Way in 8th grade.

In Plain Sight Wake Up Call for Parents

On Wednesday night, May 9, the Belleville Area Cares Coalition, along with the School District of Belleville, hosted a "Wake Up Call" for parents. The Your Choice Prevention Education presenters set up a teen bedroom on stage with hidden signs of drug and alcohol use, as well as those "in plain sight." An audience of over 30 was present for a discussion on signs and symptoms and parenting strategies. Those in attendance received a Parent Handbook with facts on alcohol and different drugs and what to look for as indicators of use or abuse.

Thank you to Belleville Cares for sponsoring this event and to all those who attended who are now more informed!

Belleville Students Win Writing Awards

Ten Belleville students were Top Ten winners in this year’s Yahara River Writers Contest. Sponsored by the Greater Dane County Advanced Learner Network, the annual Yahara River Writers Contest encourages Dane County students in grades 5-8 to create poems, editorials, short stories, and cartoons. Top Ten winners were invited to the Yahara Writers Workshop and Awards Ceremony at the UW-Madison Union South on Tuesday, May 8th, 2018. At the ceremony, each student received an award and a copy of the 2017 Yahara River Writers Anthology, which includes all the Top Ten winning entries.

Middle School winners include Josh Kean (poem titled “The Sounds of the Game”), Catherine Booth (cartoon title “The “United” States of America”), Alyssa Caskey (cartoon titled “America”), Matthew Loshaw (editorial titled Web Filters in Schools), and Gavin Boyum (editorial titled Protesting During the National Anthem). Catherine  Booth’s cartoon placed 1st in the 8th-grade cartoon category.  

Intermediate School winners include Lillian Hanna (cartoon titled “An Animal’s Death is Up to You!”), Aidan Cook (cartoon titled “Roasted”), Alora Spiegel (poem titled “The Season of Snow”), Lexy Cardoso Reyes (poem in Spanish titled “Por favor amigo”), and Ariana Morales (poem in Spanish titled “Naturaleza”). [Submitted by Krissy Killerlain]

Belleville Students Place at Firestone Challenge!

Students enrolled in Belleville's Auto Technologies I course were encouraged to create a team and compete in Madison College's annual Firestone Challenge on Friday, May 4. These students attend class every Wednesday night during the school year with their instructor, Mr. Lease.

Belleville's team included seniors Trevor Enloe, Brandon Jimenez, Christian Rolfe, and Jaden Mathers (Albany). More than 300 students from 10 different schools attended this event. Belleville's team placed third overall, with partners Brandon Jimenez and Trevor Enloe placing fifth of all the partnerships competing. In addition to the team trophy, Brandon and Trevor won 170-piece tool sets, and Christian and Jaden won 53 piece tool sets. Congratulations!​​​ [Submitted by Mrs. Gartley]

Youth Apprenticeship Banquet

Mrs. Gartley, Belleville's School-to-Career Coordinator, and nine seniors attended the 24th Annual Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship Recognition Program at Monona Grove High School on Monday, May 7. These students participated in Agriculture, Construction, Health Services, Information Technology, and Transportation fields. Students received credit and an early release from school for their paid employment. Thank you to the employers and parents for supporting BHS students in this endeavor, as they explored potential careers while still in high school!

Congratulations to: 

Devin Brown - Doug Brown Farms

Jordan Caputo - Zimbrick Inc.

John Dohm - School District of Belleville

Nick Fahey - Prairieland Dairy, LLC

Max Gerner - Priority Builders, Inc.

Brandon Jimenez - NRG Automotive Repair

Kyle Judd - T&L Electric

Isabelle Pier - SSM Health Monroe Clinic

Jordan Roelke - Voegeli Farms, Inc.

Advanced Placement Excellence!

The Wisconsin Advanced Placement Advisory Council (WAPAC) recognized Belleville High School as a Level I AP Pacesetter School.  Level I is WAPAC’s highest honor.  To achieve this level, a high school must have 30% or more of its graduating seniors take at least one Advanced Placement exam and have 70% or more of its students earn scores of 3 or above (out of 5) on the exams.  Last year, BHS had a 31.5% participation rate, and 73.6% of Wildcats scored 3 or higher on their exams.  Belleville High School is one of only 17 schools in the entire state to earn this award!  No other Capitol Conference school reached these heights.  Only Sun Prairie and Waunakee in our area joined Belleville on the list at Level 1.

Prom 2018: Under the Sea

On Saturday, May 5, Belleville High School students celebrated the junior Prom in the gymnasium from 8pm to 12am. At 9pm, every junior in attendance participated in the Grand March. Matt Hackman and Rachel Markhardt were named King and Queen for 2018. We had over 205 students here in attendance, with another 27 guests from 12 different high schools.

A BIG thank you goes out to Mrs. Smith for serving as the Prom Coordinator this year. Thank you to all the parents who helped to decorate on Friday night (and who will help take down on Sunday morning). Thanks as well to the junior parents (especially Pam Kelly!) for planning, organizing, and supervising Post Prom at the bowling alley and providing a safe place for our students!