Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Belleville Middle School will encompass sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders in accordance with recommendations from the state.
To alleviate classroom crowding in the township’s elementary schools and to comply with state funding requirements, Belleville schools are moving sixth graders from elementary schools to the middle school starting in September. Belleville Schools Superintendent Helene Feldman said 359 graduating fifth-graders will enroll at the middle school next year. In addition, the school district is looking to hire 12 teachers certified to teach middle school children. Feldman said the move would free up classrooms and resources in the elementary schools without overtaxing the middle school. With the oldest elementary school grade in the middle school, they would be able to split the remaining elementary school children into newly freed up classrooms…
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. …
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Students swabbed school for invisible growths.
Belleville Middle School's eighth grade science classes recently studied where bacteria grows in the environment. The science teachers prepared petri dishes filled with gelatinous agar for each class. Using inoculating swabs, students surveyed different locations in the building and recorded their findings on bacterial growth. Students were able to estimate population sizes by also making sample counts. Observed colonies included pinpoint, large, round, irregular, red, yellow, and raised convex. Belleville Middle School Principal Dora Cavallo's chair displayed little growth of bacteria, which while amusing, was an expected result. Also, the Art Boxes naturally were covered in a plethora of colonies.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
MIddle School students get lesson in mutation.
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Tuesday, February 26
Belleville Middle School Grade 8 Science classes recently completed a unit on genetics by participating in a presentation by Linda Albanese. Mrs. Albanese, a retired Belleville teacher, shared her personal experiences with Rett Syndrome. Albanese's granddaughter, Michelle, has Rett Syndrome, a genetic disorder caused by a mutation most often seen in females. The RETT activist shared the symptoms, causes and effects of Rett as well as current research being done to reverse the disorder. In addition, students learned that genetic engineering is changing the outcome and severity of many genetic disorders. In order to increase awareness of genetic disorders within our community, students plan to organize a 5K race or benefit concert to raise …
Jeff Mattingly
2:17 pm on Friday, June 14, 2013
THERE IS AN ANSWER! Force the town and school board to televise the meetings that every other "law abiding" town around us does. And keep it out of the hands of corrupt, self serving hacks through a public referendum. It take a committee of 5 people to collect signatures of registered Belleville voters to get it on the ballot and can be very specific in how we would wish it to be administrated. … more ›