Green Bay Packers' Foundation Grant

In late October, Student Services Director Rebecca Johnson was informed that the School District of Belleville had been awarded a Green Bay Packers' Foundation Grant for $5,000 toward staff and student mental health and wellness.

No public release of this information could occur until recipients attended a luncheon today (December 8th) at Lambeau Field. It was a privilege to join 242 other recipients in the atrium where the Packers' Foundation distributed $1.25 million.

Three other Dane County organizations were seated together, along with Marcia Anderson, a member of the Packers' Executive Committee.

I have always been a huge fan of the Green & Gold. As Packer fans, we devote so much time, energy, and emotion to the team, cheering them on throughout the season. Witnessing the team give back to groups across the state made me proud to be a Cheesehead and a Packer fan!

The school district will put these funds to good use, continuing to offer Family Nights for the Belleville community- bringing people together in order to lift us all up.

Operating Referendum Results

THANK YOU to those who voted in yesterday’s election. The School District of Belleville is pleased to announce that unofficial returns show that the operational referendum question passed by a margin of 1897 “Yes” votes (60.5%) to 1240 “No” votes (39.5%).

On behalf of the Belleville Board of Education and school district staff, I want to express our gratitude for your support. We appreciate the trust you have placed in the district and the investment you are making in our students and the future of the community.

The successful referendum will allow the school district to (1) fairly compensate staff, (2) invest in high-quality curriculum and training to produce increased student achievement, and (3) update and maintain our facilities. We pledge to be faithful financial stewards for the district.

The community has once again demonstrated its support for our schools. This is so valued and appreciated! It truly is a great day to be a Wildcat!

 

Suggestion Box Ideas Comes to Fruition

Dan Schoonhoven joined the Belleville custodial crew in the spring of 2021. He was originally hired to help spray down desks and tabletops with Vital Oxide at the end of each school day during the pandemic.

As his colleagues learned more about Dan, they found out that he was a retired firefighter and EMT, with years of experience in First Aid/CPR and seatbelt safety. Dan quickly joined the school district's Safety Committee and assisted with the Mock Crash in May.

When the district considered installing an additional door security system, Dan analyzed the system and suggested a "homemade" version that would have the same effect for a fraction of the cost. Dan did his own research, put together several options, presented those to the Safety Committee, and then priced out the final version.

Dan started installing the new system on doors in middle school classrooms today. As an A.L.I.C.E. (Alert-Lockdown-Inform-Counter-Evacuate) school district, Dan's system could provide teachers and students additional, critical time in the event of an emergency. AND his system saved the school district over $9,000 in parts and installation fees.

Thanks to Dan for his ingenuity and his desire to keep our Wildcats safe!

2022 School District of Belleville Retirees

It was a sensational setting to honor the School District of Belleville's four retirees for 2022. A large crowd gathered at Bailey's Run on a warm, sunshine-filled late afternoon to thank Ian Campbell, Gary Hageman, Bruce Hotchkin, and Cheri O'Connor for their service to the district.

Between the four of them, they have dedicated more than 80 years to the district. Consistency and dependability help to make a school district successful, and these four individuals have been a constant over the last few decades in Belleville.

We will miss you!

Movie Night at the Pool

On Thursday, August 18th, the Belleville Aquatic Center hosted a Movie Night at the Pool, featuring the water-themed movie "Luca." Over 100 kids, parents, and community members joined on the hillside outside of the pool to watch the movie on a beautiful August night.

Pool Director Jean Tretow and Brian Stracke (from Commercial Recreation Specialists) spoke beforehand about the plans for fall construction of the splash pad opening next May. You can still donate for shade and seating structures at this site.

A big thanks goes to Dave Edge for setting up the system to allow movie's images and sound to come through so clearly last night!

The pool closes today after a very successful season, with big changes coming for next year!

Before

During

Back-to-School Dance

On Wednesday, August 17th, the Belleville Area Cares Coalition hosted a Back-to-School Dance in coordination with the school district. One of the goals of Belleville Cares is to put on family-friendly events and provide options for students that are fun and entertaining- without the alcohol, drugs, and tobacco.

At its peak last night, over 200 participants were on-site. The district, thanks to Mr. Gentilli and DJ Aidan Cook, provided music. Belleville Cares donated approximately $1,000 in free Udder Brothers ice cream and JonnyO's pizza to the families and students that came.

Belleville Cares and the School District of Belleville were also proud to work with Hometown Pharmacy and Badger Talks. The pharmacy had a informational table with Sean Casey at the helm. Belleville's Jackie Gehin, along with two other speakers, also spoke to the crowd about healthy eating habits.

We have already taken notes to improve the event for next year and are looking forward to having our students back in the buildings in two weeks!

School District of Belleville Welcomes New Staff

Entering a school year in which so many area school districts are struggling to find staff, it was a pleasure to spend time with the newest Belleville Wildcat staff members in the last two days. Our district is fortunate to be able to post positions early and draw quality candidates. It is a tribute to the district's principals and hiring committees that they were able to bring in such outstanding educators.

As part of the district's mentor program, the new staff met their veteran mentors today. Our mentors are experienced teachers from the district in similar roles as the new hires. The mentors receive training to help staff feel comfortable, improve their instructional practices, and hopefully increase their longevity with the district.

The mentors and new staff shared why they chose to teach in Belleville, along with "getting to know you" activities. This included creating a playlist of songs that will greet all staff back next Tuesday to our opening district inservice.

Welcome to our newest Wildcats!

From left to right: Amanda Schewe, Katie Worple, Erin Treder, Corinna Anderson, Amara Tang, Katelyn Schade, James Pickett, and Nicholas Kositske

2022 Wildcat Wall of Fame Ceremony

It was a great day for Belleville! The Wildcat Wall of Fame inducted Jack Adams, Charlie Campbell, and Steve Meier into the fold. It was great to have 10 current inductees or their families on stage at one time. That may never happen again. Belleville is lucky to have had all of these individuals give back in such a tremendous (Wildcat) way.

Check the livestream of the ceremony on the district's YouTube channel!

Graduation Walk

The tradition continues! The Belleville High School Class of 2022 walked through the elementary school this morning before their awards ceremony. It was a great time to see their former teachers and for future Wildcat graduates to see what awaits them. I cannot wait for the commencement ceremony on Sunday!

Graduation Season: A Time for Thanks!

The 1996-97 school year was my first in teaching. That makes me feel old but also reflective. When you do something for more than a quarter century, you wonder what you have contributed and what difference you have made.

Last week, I received this note. It took me by surprise and made my day. I shared it with Mr. Cryderman, and I am sure that he had a similar reaction.

These are the notes you save in your desk drawer for your entire career and bring them out to read again during particularly rough times. They are the best medicine for self-doubt.

As another school year ends, I encourage students and parents to reach out to those teachers and staff members that have had an influence on them. They may not know the impact that they have had...and you will not know the impact this act of kindness has on educators for years to come.

School Board Re-organization

On Monday night, May 9th, the Belleville Board of Education re-organized after the spring elections last month. The board officers will remain static, with Trevor Johann as President, Mike Treder as Vice President, Bill Monroe as Treasurer, and Marian Viney as Clerk.

New board member Tony Schmit will serve on the Communications, Facility Planning, and Wellness Committees. Tony will also serve as the WASB (Wisconsin Association of School Boards) Delegate. Other new committee assignments include Jill Remy moving to the Compensation/Negotiations and Policy Committees, and Mike Treder moving to the Communications Committee.

I am excited to continue my work with the board, serving as conduit between the board and administrative team and staff. Coming out of the pandemic, I believe the district is poised for tremendous progress in the next year!

2022 Wildcat Wall of Fame Inductees

At the Belleville Board of Education meeting on Monday night, the school board approved the induction of Jack Adams, Charlie Campbell, and Steve Meier into the Wildcat Wall of Fame for 2022. Congratulations to these three distinguished Wildcats and their families! All three had received multiple nominations over several years.

The Wildcat Wall of Fame Committee consists of 12 members. Nine of those members have been consistent since 2017.  The committee is made up of three community members (Bart Morrick, Jerry Remy, and Gary Ziegler), three school board members (Ryan Kubly, Jill Remy, and Marian Viney), and three school staff (Chad Hodgson, Nate Perry, and Betty Wolff).  The Belleville High School Young Samaritans Club also contributes three members each year; this year those students include Risandi Bartle, Skyler Beyer, and Melanie Humke.

Since its inception, the Wildcat Wall of Fame Committee has received 101 nominations. Eighteen of these were new from 2021. To date, the Wildcat Wall of Fame has inducted 13 members.

The induction ceremony in 2021 went so well that the committee will keep the same format and host it outside in the stadium on Saturday, June 4th (weather permitting). Mark your calendars to join the celebration!

As always, it is a great day to be a Wildcat!

Student Trades/Art Fusion Project

In the fall, Technology Education Teacher Ed Neumann voiced the need for an additional podium in the building so that one did not have to be moved back and forth between the library and auditorium where a podium is frequently used. The primary podium at the high school was donated by LeRoy and JoAnn Freitag. Mr. Neumann envisioned a crest on the new podium to match the updated logo for the school district.

Looking for project for his Introduction to Trades and Art Fusion students, Mr. Neumann assigned this project to senior Jacob Engstad. After the district secured another podium this winter, Jacob took over from there. He communicated with me, asking for input and showing me his progress along the way.

Jacob created a 2" thick medallion in light oak that he laser-engraved into the new academic crest with the Belleville "B." He added a light seal to make it "pop" against the darker wood of the podium and attached it through interior of the podium.

He is proud of his work, and his grandfather, an amazing woodworker in his own right, would be proud too. The district will use the new podium at important events, including the Wildcat Wall of Fame and graduation ceremonies.