Tuesday, May 7, 2013
State school committee tells school board that the Middle Schools "gaps" in test scores are improving, while school officials await budget cuts.
The Belleville Board of Education heard Monday night from state officials that Belleville Middle School academics are improving, while the Township Council is charged with reducing spending on the defeated 2013-14 school budget. The Belleville Township Council on April 29 discussed how much funding to cut from the defeated $63.5 million 2013-14 school budget, with one council member suggesting the budget should be cut so the average $277 tax hike is reduced to a zero increase. School officials declined to comment on the budget Monday night, instead focusing on the middle school's improving situation. School board members Joseph Longo and Peter Zangari, Jr. both said that the presentation should put residents' concerns about the school …
Students received copies of James Patterson’s book "Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life."
April 23rd marked the annual celebration of World Book Night, a non-profit organization whose aim is to spread the love of reading by giving books to individuals all over the United States. Ms. Toni Ann Ferraiolo, teacher at Belleville Middle School, was awarded twenty copies of James Patterson’s novel, Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life by the organization, which she then distributed to students in her Language Arts classes. “My students were really excited about this gift,” Ferraiolo remarked, “And they’re anxious to write letters to World Book Night with their feedback on this novel.”
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Students analyzed water quality and grew appreciation for water quality.
This month, students in Belleville Middle School Grade 8 science classes completed a study on the Passaic River. Watershed Ambassadors Bhavin Mistry and James Preisendanz taught students about macroinvertebrates as biological indicators with water samples were taken from the Passaic River. After tallying and using the BIBI Biological Index formula, students found out that the Passaic River samples show a rating of Fair. Students grew to appreciate how important it is to maintain high standards for our water quality. Belleville Middle School students have been invited to participate in a stream clean up organized by the Watershed Ambassadors.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Students learn that trash can be treasure in environmental themed presentation.
Belleville Middle School eighth grade science class students recently created paper using recycled materials. Dave Alexander from the Essex County Environmental Center visited the school to show how some materials disposed of as trash can get a second life. Alexander explained how certain things students might throw out or litter can take thousands of years to decay. For example, an aluminum can might take 100 years to decompose. Alexander stressed the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling. He also demonstrated and defined upcycling, which is finding a new use for something previously considered trash. Science teacher Mrs. Sarah O'Farrell showed her personal example of upcycling: her purse made from 32 plastic water bottles. …
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Students collected over 1,800 cans of food for the local food pantry at St. Peter’s Church.
The Belleville Town Council recently recognized Belleville Middle School students for placing second in their District in a statewide canned food drive. Students collected over 1,800 cans of food for the local food pantry at St. Peter’s Church. The can drive was organized by the Builder’s Club of Belleville Middle School and sponsored by the local chapter of Kiwanis. The students began collecting cans in September for “Students Change Hunger.” The drive continued until December when the cans were taken to St. Peters. The cans were donated by the faculty and students of the Middle School with Mrs. Dawn Buccino’s and Mrs. Joan Protomastro’s students accounting for almost half of the total. The Builder’s Club members and advisors, Mrs. Maria …
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Middle-schoolers donate to charity
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Tuesday, February 12
The Belleville Middle School Computer Application classes recently learned a lesson on philanthropy. Following the lesson, they participated in an activity where they collected food and their own spare change -- for nine holiday dinners and $125 – which were contributed to a food bank in Belleville.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Speaker, confined to a wheelchair, gives presentation
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Thursday, December 13, 2012
Belleville Middle School recently saw a presentation of a program called Think First. The program is dedicated to the reduction of brain injuries in children and teens. The goal is to prevent a brain or spinal cord injury by teaching young people to "think first" and protect their bodies from dangerous injuries. Kevin Green, the guest speaker, addressed both 7th and 8th grade students. Green, a paraplegic, spoke about his experiences that landed him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. After the presentation, there was a drawing for bike helmets. Several students won prizes. They also were told about a poster contest they can enter that will take place in the spring. The following students won bike helmets in a drawing…
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Chorus, band/orchestra offering separate shows
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Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Musicians at Belleville Middle School, 279 Washington Ave., are offering two holiday concerts in December. Admission to both is free. Seventh- and eighth-graders chorus concert is Wednesday, Dec 5 at 7 pm at the school's audiotium. Songs to be performed include “Where are you Christmas?” from the movie "The Grinch", as well as "Holly, Jolly Christmas." The Band and Orchestra concert is on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 7 pm. Selections to be played are Jingle Bells and Ode to Joy.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Band includes two Belleville Middle School musicians
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Monday, October 22, 2012
The Belleville High School Marching Band is having a busy season: with a Beatlemania- themed repertoire that includes arrangements of “Get Back,” “Paperback Writer” and other Fab Four faves, the band has competed this month at MetLife Stadium and Rutgers Stadium, as well as competitions and events the next few weeks at East Brunswick (Oct. 27), at the township’s Veterans Day parade Nov. 12 and at the dedication of new bronze lion statues at the Belleville Public Library Nov. 1. Belleville High’s marching band also includes top students from the middle school in their ranks. This year there are two 8th grade BMS students on the field. Kevin Alfaro(left in the photo) and Marco Angamarco are in the 2012-13 Belleville High School Marching …
Friday, October 19, 2012
Microscopy lesson at middle school
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Friday, October 19, 2012
Eighth graders at Belleville Middle School recently had the chance to enjoy some close-up looks of the natural world via microscope, examining specimens including a slide of human brain cells. Using the document camera, teacher Tammy Retkwa was able to project the image of the onion cell onto the Smartboard. Teachers Sarah O'Farrell and Kaitlin Bellina were able to project images of actual pond water using this technology, too.
Jeff Mattingly
5:51 pm on Wednesday, May 8, 2013
If the Middle School is doing so well then why is the state here in the first place and comparing us to Camden? Where is the data to show years past vs. seemingly sudden and recent declines? Why were the very effective domicile investigators fired and how many children are now in the system? If there are substantially more children in the schools, that has been fairly consistent over the years, … more ›