Don’t miss out on everything you need to know at BMS! Watch our video announcements daily.
May 17, 2012
File may take a few seconds to load.
The daily announcements will be posted to the web site by 3 p.m. daily.
The Belding boys varsity golf team competed in the OK Blue Jamboree at Moss Ridge (Par 36), hosted by Coopersville, on May 14.
Belding Scores
Cody Christensen-37
Conor Wisman-40
Nick Badder-46
Bryce Johnson-46
Grant Hansen-52
Team Total-169
Forest Hills Northern-154
Sparta-165
Comstock Park-155
Coopersville-170
West Catholic-155
Cedar Springs-167
The next event is tomorrow at Candlestone Golf Course versusLowell.
Show your school spirit and shop for Belding gear in our new online spirit store!
Belding Middle School’s newsletter gives you the most up-to-date information on important events and happenings in our building.
Belding High School’s newsletter, Friday Focus, gives you the most up-to-date information on important events and happenings in our building.
Read our most recent Ellis Elementary newsletter to find out about all the great things happening at our school.
The Belding boys varsity golf played in an OK Blue Conference jamboree at Egypt Valley (Par 36), hosted by Forest Hills Northern.
Belding Scores
Cody Christensen-43
Conor Wisman-42
Dillon Riches-50
Bryce Johnson & Tyler Christensen-52
Team total: 187
Forest Hills Northern-174
Sparta-178
Cedar Springs-182
Coopersville-188
West Catholic-161
Comstock Park-158
The next event is the Sparty Cup on May 11 at Cedar Chase hosted by Sparta.
The Belding boys varsity golf team played in the OK Blue Jamboree at The Highlands (par 36) hosted by West Catholic.
Belding Scores
Cody Christensen-39
Conor Wisman-40
Spencer Middling-49
Dillon Riches-53
Team Total: 181
West Catholic-158
Forest Hills Northern-163
Comstock Park-165
Sparta-169
Cedar Springs-171
Cooperville-184
The next event is the OK Blue Jamoree on Wednesday, May 9, at Egypt Valley, hosted by Forest Hills Northern.
Read all about the nutrition grant Belding Area Schools received and learn about the new state nutrition standards.
Chartwell’s Nutrition News for Parent - May 2012
Click here for information on the state nutrition grant and nutrition standards.
Chartwells has teamed up with Belding Area Schools to provide it for you! Visit http://www.eatlearnlive.com for nutritional and other informative information. You can even sign up to receive free e-newsletters to be sent directly to your e-mail address.
Check out our latest edition with nutrition news for kids including a fun recipe idea!
Chartwells has teamed up with Belding Area Schools to provide it for you! Visit http://www.eatlearnlive.com for nutritional and other informative information. You can even sign up to receive free e-newsletters to be sent directly to your e-mail address.
The Belding boys varsity golf team played in the OK Blue Jamboree hosted by Sparta at Cedar Chase Golf Course (Par 36) today.
Belding Scores
Cody Christensen-45
Conor Wisman-49
Dillon Riches-49
Bryce Johnson-52
Team Total: 195
West Catholic-158
Sparta-170
Comstock Park-173
Cedar Springs-180
Forest Hills Northern-183
Coopersville-185
The next event is Wednesday, May 2 and Belding is hosting their OK Blue Jamboree at Candlestone.
Three Belding High School students are featuring their own an art pieces at the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids.
* Matt Madison (self portrait in pencil)
* Katie Groening (impressionist painting of a girl with a hat gazing)
* Lindsey Fortuna (chalk pastel pointillism of Iron Man)
These students will be honored at a ceremony where they will receive a certificate from Representative Justin Amash and have their picture taken with him.
In additional several BHS students entered the Young American Creative Patriotic Contest for the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and the following placed:
* 1st place – Kiera Jakeway
* 2nd place – Matt Madison
* 3rd place – Katie Groening
Kiera Jakeway’s piece will move onto the national level where she has the chance at winning up to $10,000 in scholarship money.
Also, Kate Groening will move onto Nationals for her first place entry into the Ladies Auxiliary category.
The Belding boys varsity golf team won a duo match against Ionia on April 18 at Shadow Ridge in Ionia (Par 35).
Scores:
Cody Christensen-39
Conor Wisman-46
Dillon Riches-48
Bryce Johnson-51
Total: 184
Ionia-187
The next match is the Ionia County Shoot-Out on Saturday, April 28, at Willow Wood Country Club in Portland. This event will be hosted by Lakewood.
The Belding boys varsity golf team played in OK Blue Conference Jamboree at Scott Lake (Par 35), hosted by Comstock Park.
The scores were:
Cody Christensen: 48
Bryce Johnson: 49
Zack Johnston: 52
Tyler Christensen: 58
Team Total: 201
Sparta: 167
Cedar Springs: 169
Comstock Park: 169
West Catholic: 170
Coopersville: 190
Forest Hills Northern: 194
The next match will be on Wedensday, April 18 against Ionia.
Our beautiful 2010 is officially on the market! This is a must-see home that was beautifully built using the highest quality materials available.
Our 2008 home has been taken off the market so we can finish the basement. Information and photos for both homes are available below.
Belding Area Schools Build-A-Home program constructs homes of the highest quality. Name brand products including windows, flooring and cabinetry are used in all of our homes. Because the program teaches students how to become experienced and professional builders, we only allow the highest standards of workmanship. In many cases we go above and beyond standards to make sure students have learned the best possible way to build homes and please homebuyers.
What does this mean for you?
If you purchase a Belding Area Schools Build-A-Home you can expect a home of excellence, character and, most of all, great value.
For more information or to take a tour, please contact Realtor Wes Cummings at 616-690-4137.
Check out the spring 2012 edition of the Belding Banner. It contains exciting updates about our bond projects as well as many other bits of great information!
Belding Middle School will be hosting Jump with Jill on April 25 to promote healthy nutrition and physical activity. The performance is, “I will not be bought” and is an interactive, music-based performance focusing on the influence of advertising on body image, nutrition, substance abuse and peer pressure that so many middle school students have to deal with. The performance is sponsored by Fuel UP To Play 60 as well as SPLASH, both grants that help promote the importance of a well balanced diet and plenty of physical fitness.
Jill Jayne is a “rock star nutritionist” who, along with her band Sunset West, has sold over 10,000 CDs of her original music. She has appeared on national television and toured with many contemporary artists our teens are familiar with and enjoy. Jill has toured across the world, most recently performing in Australia. She was also one of the performers at Ford Field for the Fuel Up To Play 60 kick off. You can watch her videos on YouTube and Facebook.
Jill will use her creative flair and music ability to entertain the students at Belding Middle School. The first half of the show is performed as an interactive slide show and lecture. The remaining time is for a live music performance from Sunset West, a hula-hoop contest and a questions/answer period. Jill will serve as an educated, relevant source for reading between the lines of teen-targeted advertising to help teens make healthier and more informed choices and decisions.
The performance will take place in the middle school gym from 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
The information below reflects the Budget and Salary/Compensation information of Belding Area Schools as required by Transparency Reporting.
Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Board Approved Budget
2011-12 General Fund
2010-11 General Fund
2009-10 General Fund
Athletic Fund
School Lunch Fund
Resolution
Personnel Expenditures
Personal Expenditures
Current Operating Expenditures
Operating Expenditures
Current Bargaining Agreements
Administrator Handbook
BEA Contract
BESPA Contract
Bus Driver Agreement
Employer Sponsored Health Care Plans
Administrator Benefit Plan
Union Support Staff Benefit Plan
Non Union Support Staff and Transportation Benefit Plan
Teachers Benefit Plan
Audited Financial Statements
Financial Audit
2010-11 Financial Audit
Employee Compensation Information
Employee Compensation, 2011-12
Employee Compensation, 2010-11
Employee Compensation, 2009-10
District Paid Association Dues
Association Dues
District Paid Lobbying Costs
Belding Area Schools has no lobbying costs to report.
Health Insurance Bids
Health Insurance Bids
Michigan School Data Portal
Click here to access the MI School Data Portal.
Belding Area Schools has been busy planning and implementing some of the many bond projects that will take place over the next couple of years. Many exciting things are in progress.
Click here to find all the details on our various bond projects.
Belding Youth Ball league (BYBL) is now taking sign up’s for the 2012 Youth Baseball and Softball season. Sign up form are available at all of the schools, or they can download a form from the belding youth ball league website by clicking here.
.
Belding Youth Ball league (BYBL) is now taking sign up’s for the 2012 Youth Baseball and Softball season. Sign up form are available at all of the schools, or they can download a form from the belding youth ball league website by clicking here.
The Belding Robotics Team has entered two tournaments this past month. They have received the following awards:
Tournament Champions
(Overall Tournament Champion)
Judges Award
(Best all around effort for the day/problem solving, scoring, overall champion)
Robot Skills Challenge
(Most points scored during driver control)
Design Award
(Interview with Engineer to explain design process)
The team is attended a competition on Saturday, February 25 at Michigan State University where they were one of 40 teams to compete. The team has also obtained board approval to attend the Vex Robotics National Tournament in Omaha Nebraska, March 14-16. Eighty teams have earned the right to attend. Both Belding Teams have qualified to compete.
The team is coached by Mr. Tom Daller.
We are reviewing our lunch service that is provided to our students and want your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out the survey linked below to help our food service department. All parents and guardians of BAS students are encouraged to complete the survey.
Thank you for your help!
Instructions for reading and signing the Student Code of Conduct Agreement
Watch the video linked here to learn about the new Michigan cut scores. The Michigan State Board of Education has recently changed cut scores for the MEAP and MME tests. This change has brought about several questions from both parents and the community. We want to keep you informed about these changes and how they will affect your students.
Click here to watch the video: Understanding the New Michigan Cut Scores.
What are cut scores?
Each year students in grades 3-9 are required to take the MEAP and eleventh graders are required to take the MME. MEAP and MME cut scores separate test takers into various categories such as advanced, proficient, partially proficient and not proficient. This scoring can be difficult to describe, but the results are clear: with the change in cut scores, fewer students will be considered “proficient” on state assessments.
How were cut scores changed?
Michigan’s previous cut scores for MEAP and MME were set at a very basic level. They have been raised. New cut scores represent a much higher standard for student achievement and are meant to better reflect a student’s progress toward college and career readiness. Now, instead of a passing score being in some cases as low as 29 percent, it will be more difficult for students to pass these tests and harder for schools to meet the definition of Adequate Yearly Progress. Under the new scoring system, students will have to correctly answer a much higher percentage of questions.
Why were the cut scores raised?
Raising the cut scores will give Michigan parents and students a much better sense of whether they are adequately prepared for the next step in their education and a future career. The new cut scores are also more in line with what is found in the Common Core State Standards that Michigan adopted in June. These new curriculum standards are based on College and Career Readiness Standards and they increase the rigor of what is taught in schools. Michigan will now be among those states, such as New York and Tennessee, which have these very difficult levels of testing.
What does this mean for students at Belding Area Schools?
BAS uses a variety of ways to measure student learning and academic progress. MEAP and MME are only two tools used to guide program changes and are not necessarily used for instructional decisions. Our teachers and administrators use classroom or school-based measures to provide more detailed information about student ability and achievement.
Like school districts across the state, our MEAP and MME proficiency results are expected to decline when publicly released next spring. While we anticipate an initial drop in the number of students reported as “proficient,” we are confident this change will be temporary due to ongoing school improvement efforts and student support.
If a student is reported as “not proficient,” it does not mean that he or she is not gaining academic skills or knowledge expected for his or her grade level. It means that on the day of the test, this student was not yet proficient on the material being tested. Many students may require additional help and/or time to master these skills. Actually, by the time parents and the school receive the MEAP/MME results from the state, many students identified as “not proficient” will have closed the gap.
For more information, contact your building principal or visit our district web site at http://www.bas-k12.org for periodic updates. We will continue to keep our parents informed through our district web site as well as written communications such as this.
Thirteen BHS students competed at the Regional Business Professionals of America competition at Davenport University. Nine of these students placed high enough in their competitions to qualify them to compete at the State Leadership Conference in March. Congratulations to our students on a job well done!
Administrative Support Team – 2nd place
Theresa Albert
Emily Kunkle
Arianna Leppink
Small Business Management Team – 2nd place
Chance Bylsma
Cody VanBuren
Tyler Jones
Legal Office Procedures – 4th place
Victoria Clark
PC Servicing and Troubleshooting – 4th place
Clinton Hewartson
Human Resource Management – 4th place
Emily Kunkle
Prepared Speech – 3rd place
Arianna Leppink
Economic Research Project, Individual – 4th place
Cody VanBuren
Financial Math and Analysis – 4th place
Fundamental Accounting – 4th place
Liz Wittenbach
Congratulations to Peg Berg who was named Teacher of the Week by the Ionia Sentinel Standard!
Peg Berg
Belding High School
Langusage Arts Teacher
What made you want to become a teacher?: My paternal grandmother was a teacher and so was my only aunt, Eleanor. I have always admired both of them.
What is your favorite thing about teaching?: I really love the kids, of course. I also love that no two days are the same in teaching. The kids have taught me to expect the unexpected and to maintain a sense of humor !
What is a lesser known fact about you?: I’m left handed and have ten wonderful grandkids. (I may have bragged about that one just a little.)
Favorite Band/Musician: I really enjoy Mozart and Diane Birch, not at the same time though.
Favorite Movie: “The War” and “Fried Green Tomatoes”
Favorite Book: “Boy’s Life” by Robert McCammon and “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
Favorite TV Show: I don’t watch telelvision regularly.
Favorite Place to Shop: Locally!
As Seen in the Ionia Sentinel Standard
Through a partnership with the city, alternative education students at Belding High School have worked together in order to help beautify the Belding Community Garden.
The students worked for three months to build and assemble three benches and three picnic tables thanks to a service learning grant which teacher Tim Sebald applied for in September.
He said after supplies were purchased at Self Serve Lumber in Belding and Menards in Ionia, the students began the construction.
“The kids definitely took leadership in the project,” said Sebald, adding he was proud of their accomplishments.
Now, the tables and benches have been stained and are ready to be stored through the winter season to be ready when the temperatures rise.
The students who helped make the items said they all enjoyed the work and experience. They added it makes them happy to assist in beautifying the community and providing a place for people to fully enjoy the gardens.
Andrea Belding, one of the coordinators for the Belding Community Gardens, said she is very pleased and thankful for the students’ hard work.
“We’re very excited. It definitely helps us out,” said Belding.
She said come spring time, the tables will be placed in select spots around the garden for maximum use, while the benches will be located at the north end of the property.
The goal of the gardens group is to live up to the word “community,” she said, and the school teachers are helping them live up to it.
“We’re so very grateful the community garden was thought to be a worthy project,” Belding added.
As Seen in The Ionia Sentinel Standard
By Karin Armbruster
December 13. 2011
Belding Middle School students are again gathering toys for Toys for Tots. Last year they raised 913 toys and are hoping to raiser even more this year! Their efforts were featured on WZZM 13.
Click here to see the video featuring BMS students on WZZM 13.
BAS Administrators voluntarily open contract and the district will save approximately $129,000 as a result.
Belding Area Schools (BAS) administrators voluntarily opened their employee contracts for renegotiation. The result of the new contracts will save the district approximately $129,000 over a two year period.
The new contract agreements will save about $45,000 during the 2011-12 school year and $84,000 the following school year. The agreements also make them subject to the new health care laws under Senate Bill 7; requiring schools to pay no more than a $15,000 family coverage hard cap, or enforce an 80/20 split with employees for healthcare costs. BAS administrators are on a healthcare plan that keeps them below the hard cap thus avoiding employee contributions.
“I appreciate the willingness of the administrative team to voluntarily come to the table during a time when school funding is so bleak in the State of Michigan,” said Superintendent Leslie Mount. “The administrators are already in year three of a pay freeze and last year moved to a new healthcare plan to save district funds. Their latest actions cut salaries, benefits and conference funds.”
Superintendent Mount’s contact was locked in for a total of three years when she began her position in 2010. A one year extension was added last year. No increases have, or will, occur during the contract. For the 2011-12 school year alone, her total compensation is $40,000 less than the previous superintendent who would have been contracted through the end of this year. In addition, Mount also went to the new health care plan.
The BAS Board of Education approved the contracts at the board meeting on Monday, November 21.
Belding Area Schools supports the Dolly Parton Imagination (DPIL) Library of Ionia County. The Ionia County Intermediate School District in collaboration with the Belding Areas Schools, other area schools and generous community partners establishment the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ionia County. This is a free literacy program for children birth to age five. It is a gift from the community back to its young children. For just $27 per year, a child will receive a high quality, hard-cover book once a month delivered right to their home for an entire year. All children who live within the Ionia County Intermediate School District who have not turned five years of age are eligible.
Click here to visit the DPIL site for more information and to register your child.
The Belding Area Schools Ski and Snowboarding Club (middle school and high school) will be racing down the hills very soon. We offer discount lift tickets to Cannonsburg Ski Area. In addition to going to Cannonsburg, the ski club will also travel to Caberfae near Cadillac. This annual trip usually takes place over President’s Day weekend in February. Last year we had over 50 people go to Caberfae.
There is no school transportation for any ski club events. It is the responsibility of the parents and guardians to transport their child to the skiing areas.
Cannonsburg is in their second season of new ownership. Last year’s snowboarding and ski passes were a big hit. You must buy your pass through the school, in order to get the school discount. All money for season passes at Cannonsburg is due to Mr. Carlson by November 18. Please make checks payable to Cannonsburg Ski Area. Mr. Carlson will pick up and hand out the passes before Thanksgiving Break. Last year Cannonsburg opened over Thanksgiving break.
One of the biggest hits of last season was the “Parent Card,” which is good for six trips and cost $110. Another new option this year is the opportunity to buy a second card once you have used all of your punches. See below for more information.
If you have any further questions, please contact Mr. Carlson:
School - 794.4476
email:
CANNONSBURG STUDENT SKI AND SNOWBOARD PROGRAM OPTIONS 2011-2012 SEASON
LIFT TICKET CARDS
11 & older students:
Option I - 10 lift tickets, $150.00
Option II - 8 lift tickets, $125.00
Option III - 6 lift tickets, $105.00
Parents:
Parent card, 6 lift tickets, $110.00
Rental equipment will be the same for everyone based on our newly posted rates. You must have your ski club card with you in order to get the discounted rental rate.
Ski Rental Equipment:
Monday – Friday $12
Weekends and Holidays $17
Snowboard Rental Equipment:
Monday – Friday $15
Weekends and Holidays $20
All money is due to Mr. Carlson by Friday, November 18
Make checks payable to Canonsburg Ski Area
BMS Student Council is sponsoring the 2nd Annual WION Canned/Boxed Food Drive! We will be collecting food from November 9-22. Students can bring in canned or boxed food items (anything that can be stored on a pantry shelf) to their homeroom (AR) teacher and each canned/boxed item counts as one point for the homeroom class. The winning homeroom at each grade level will receive a game day in the game room during AR time!
The Grand Prize Winning Homeroom (First Place out of all 3 grade levels) will win a pizza party!
Last year we collected over 2,000 pounds of food! Let’s try and break our record! All food collected will be given to families in Ionia County.
Congratulations to our high school marching band members! They will compete at the state finals Saturday November 5 at Ford Field at 9:45 p.m. They are currently ranked 5th in the state.
MI School Data is your window to a wealth of data on Michigan’s public school education system. The link below provides views of Michigan education data to help make informed educational decisions, to help improve instruction and to enable school systems to prepare a higher percentage of students to succeed in rigorous high school courses, college and challenging careers. Over time, MI School Data will be expanded to provide you with more data, more reports and more ways to access the information important to you.
Belding Middle School’s Mrs. Melanie May was named Teacher of the Week by the Ionia Sentinel Standard. Congratulations Mrs. May!
Mrs. May’s Teacher of the Week Bio
School: Belding Middle School
Grade/Subject You Teach: Special Education for grades 6 through 8
What made you want to become a teacher?: My grandmother was a teacher and she really inspired me to pursue a career in teaching. It is what I have always wanted to do, and it is the best job in the world!
What is your favorite thing about teaching?: My favorite thing about teaching is my amazing students. They are so fun and make me laugh every day. I love watching them learn and grow!
What is a lesser known fact about you?: I love to create scrapbooks for my children of our family memories.
Favorite Band/Musician: The Verve Pipe and Brian VanderArk
Favorite Movie: “The Notebook”
Favorite Book: The “Twilight” series
Favorite TV Show: “Castle” and “The Mentalist”
Favorite Place to Shop: Old Navy
As Seen in the Ionia Sentinel Standard
October 26, 2011
Click here to access the article on the Ionia Sentinel Standard’s web site.
The Belding High School Drama Club will be hosting Romeo and Juliet on November 17, 18, and 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets $6 for the side section seats and $8 for the center section seats. Tickets may be purchased at the door, or they may be purchased at Millie’s starting on November 10. We hope everyone comes out to support the BHS Drama Club!
Congratulations to all of the students who have made it into West Side Story!
Cast List for West Side Story
*Tony, Nathan Huyck
*Maria, Theresa Albert
*Bernardo, Antonio Yanez
*Anita, Emily Sluiter
*Riff, Bret Priest
*Rosalia, Marissa Montero
*Chino, Wangpol Polnawee
*Anybodys, Ashley Salik
*Diesel, Thom Walters
*Graziella, Katie Groening
*Velma, Gabi Hayes
*Shrank, Katie Datema
Krupke, Kenny VanTimmeran
*Doc, Izzi Rytlewski
Glad Hand, Trevor Davenport
SHARK MEN
David Michalek (Pepe)
Brandon Hoople (Anxious)
Trishtin LaBelle (Luis)
Joey Dillingham (Moose)
Johnny Adame (Toro)
Connor Middlebrook (Nibbles)
Grant Steele (Indio)
SHARK WOMEN
Natasha Depue
Nicole Underwood (Teresita)
Nicolina Larsson
*Christy Gasper (Consuela)
Emily Kunkle (Margarita)
Sara Srupienko
Allie Granzo (Estella)
*Meghan Loser (Francisca)
Papishaya Thamsuaydee
Peach Kamphor
JETS MEN
Nathan Mason (Big Deal)
Michael Rackham (Tiger)
Ryan Hill (Mouthpiece)
*Andrew Swider (A-Rab)
Connor Tovey (Snowboy)
*Tyler Petrokovich (Action)
*Hunter Rackham (Baby John)
Mitch Jenks (Gee-Tar)
JETS WOMEN
Kate Ward
Alex VanLoo
Kenzie Shattuck
Natalja Girod (Minnie)
Mallory Miller
Emily Swider (Pauline)
Liz Wittenbach (Clarice)
Beth Mikek
Alyssa Ward
Katy VanTimmeran
CHORUS
Jazmyn Grant
Haley Davis
Briana Loree
Bradie Cooper
Tayler Reeves
Chelsea Price
Rachael Warner
Beth Anne Finley
Morgan Schumaker
Hannah Mikek
Laura Thaxton
Natty Auemanarom
Belding Middle school completed their first year of Fuel Up To Play with some beautiful new additions to their school. Thanks to the grant monies provided by the FUTP organization and the generosity of MC Sporting Goods, Belding Middle School was able to provide their school and students with a new game room.
The funds are used to promote activity within the school and movement of students. FUTP advisors at Belding Middle School felt that the integration of a game room would be interactive and fun for all students and engage kids in movement and activity at various levels and abilities.
MC Sporting Goods provided Belding Middle School with a tremendous amount of brand new equipment at a very low cost. Belding Middle School was able to get an air hockey table, fooseball table, shuffle board table, ping pong table and pool table for the students to enjoy. These tables and game room are used for student rewards and at events such as activity nights. The students have enjoyed playing on these tables and it has been a very nice addition to the school.
On September 27, six students from BMS participated in the Fuel Up to Play 60 - School Year Kick-Off Conference at Ford Field. This day educated students and school staff about the importance of eating healthy and exercising everyday. Participants also received tips they can take back to their schools in order to get more students involved. Students sampled a variety of healthy food items such as egg wraps, yogurt parfaits, smoothies and much more. In addition to eating healthy, students participated in daily exercise, such as a flash mob dance with rock star nutritionist Jill Jayne and football drills directed by the Detroit Lion’s coaches and a few of the current Lion players: Cliff Avril, Nate Burleson and retired player Luther Ellis.
Click here to see the news story about BMS and Fuel Up to Play 60
The Belding girls varsity golf team played at Western Greens par 36 course on September 19. The match was hosted by Coopersville. Belding individual scores and team scores are listed below.
Belding
Arianna Leppink-50
MaryRose Jakeway-50
Alyviah Mason-59
Theresa Albert-59
Team Total: 218
West Catholic-195
Forest Hills Nothern-216
Cedar Springs-221
Coopersville-189
Calvin Christian-199
Comstock Park-207
The next event is a dual match with Portland at Ridgeview Golf Club in Belding on Tuesday, September 20 at 3:30 p.m.
Belding High School Senior Elizabeth Wittenbach was selected as a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. She was one of 16,000 students selected across the nation and the only one in Ionia or Montcalm counties.
Wittenbach and the pool of semifinalists represent less than one percent of high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring entrants of the 2010 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. About 1.5 million high school juniors entered the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking this test, which serves as the initial screening for program entrants.
To become a finalist, Wittenbach must fulfill several requirements including an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm her earlier performance on the qualifying test. About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and more than half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship and earn the Merit Scholar title.
“This is definitely a point of pride for our school and community,” said Brett Zuver, Belding High School principal. “All of the staff at Belding High School and throughout the district are so proud of her and her achievements so far.”
Wittenbach has lived in Belding all her life. Her parents, Mike and Marnie Wittenbach, are Belding natives as well. Her father owns and operates Wittenbach Orchards and her mother is a physical therapist. She is the oldest of three children. Her brother Tye is a sophomore at Belding High School and her sister Victoria is in the sixth grade at Belding Middle School. Outside of academics, she is very active in the Belding High School marching band and drama club. She enjoys playing the piano and is active in her church.
“We’re rooting for Elizabeth to go all the way,” said Superintendent Leslie Mount. “We know she has the potential to become a Merit Scholar. It’s wonderful to see such a kind and hardworking student receive this elite recognition.”
The Belding girls varsity golf team played an OK Blue jamboree at Ridgeview Golf Club in Belding. The course is a par 37. Belding finished 6th with 5th score playoff. Calvin Christian won 2nd place with 5th score playoff.
Belding
Kenzie Dahl - 48
Arianna Leppink - 51
MaryRose Jakeway - 60
Tayler Reeves - 60
Meghan Loser - 64
Team Total: 219
Calvin Christian
Hannah Staal - 47
Olivia VanDyken - 46
Alyssa Canute - 49
Jolissa Holsem - 49
Rachel Kuipers - 50
Team Total: 191
West Catholic
Libby Schichtel - 42
Kendall Walendzik - 48
Emma Arsubwicz - 47
Katie Kraus - 53
Team Total:190
Coopersville
Alexis Lampe - 45
Sarah Veldman - 46
Jenna Grimm - 50
Taylor Zerfas - 50
Team Total: 191
Cedar Springs
Nicole Shevuck - 47
Breanna White - 59
Conner White - 51
Jessica Ingerson - 54
Team Total: 211
Forest Hills Northern
Melissa Cox - 48
Kenzie Wright - 42
Christina McKnight - 51
Lexie Lynn - 52
Team Total: 193
Comstock Park
Alexis Datema - 51
Alexis Baker - 61
Hannah Borgeld - 55
Heidi Alt - 52
Kathleen Gray - 66
Team Total: 219
The next match is Thursday, September 8, at Iron Wood hosted by Calvin Christian.
The Belding girls varsity golf team began their season playing the OK Blue Jamboree hosted by West Catholic at the Highlands. The course is a par 36. Individual and team scores are below.
McKenzie Dahl - 50
Arianna Leppink - 56
Mary Rose Jakeway - 60
Tayler Reeves - 61
Theresa Albert - 68
Team Total-227
Coopersville - 213
Comstock Park - 223
Cedar Springs - 233
Forest Hills Northern - 209
West Catholic - 207
Calvin Christian - 208
The next event is the OK Blue Jamboree which will be held on Wednesday, August 31 at Ridgeview Golf Club at 1 p.m. Belding is the host.
The Belding High School cross country team would like to invite you to join us on Friday, August 26 at 7:45 a.m. for the 6th Annual Rivalry Run between Greenville and Belding. This is a non-competitive workout for the high school athletes that helps to kick off the day for the rivalry between Belding and Greenville. This year the run starts at Black Field in Greenville and ends at Rudness Field in Belding. The distance is about 9 miles. Several people from the community have joined us in the past for the run. You do not have to run the entire route. You can “hitch a hide” up the road from one of the support vehicles.
The cross country team would also like to invite you for our scrimmage with Comstock Park this Tuesday, August 30 at 9:00 a.m. at Lightning Bend Park on the east side of Belding. The Redskins look to find out what kind of racing shape they are in after logging over 5000 miles this summer. Andrew Wucher and Austin Giles have led the way for the boys’ team with over 350 miles each this summer, and Joesi Krieger and Monica Baylis have paced the girls’ team with over 300 miles each this summer. Eric Rasch was last week’s leader with 59.5 miles.
The Annual Education Report (AER) provides key information on the 2010-2011 educational progress for Belding High School. Please click on the link below for full details and information.
Belding High School Annual Education Report
The Annual Education Report (AER) provides key information on the 2010-2011 educational progress for Woodview Elementary. Please click on the link below for full details and information.
The Annual Education Report (AER) provides key information on the 2010-2011 educational progress for Belding Middle School. Please click on the link below for full details and information.
The Annual Education Report (AER) provides key information on the 2010-2011 educational progress for Ellis Elementary. Please click on the link below for full details and information.
Belding Area Schools supports the Dolly Parton Imagination (DPIL) Library of Ionia County. The Ionia County Intermediate School District in collaboration with the Belding Areas Schools, other area schools and generous community partners establishment the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ionia County. This is a free literacy program for children birth to age five. It is a gift from the community back to its young children. For just $27 per year, a child will receive a high quality, hard-cover book once a month delivered right to their home for an entire year. All children who live within the Ionia County Intermediate School District who have not turned five years of age are eligible.
Click here to visit the DPIL site for more information and to register your child.
While most passers-by see all of the upgrades happening outdoors at Belding Area Schools (BAS), there are many upgrades happening inside the classroom as well. The technology department at BAS has been busy all summer installing and upgrading equipment that will make classrooms more interactive than ever.
As part of the technology improvements, multimedia tools will be added to each classroom in the district. These classrooms will contain much more than the standard overhead projector of the past. “Our new multimedia classrooms will allow teachers to project a document onto an eight foot projection screen, then electronically manipulate it as the students watch,” said Mike Burde, director of instruction and technology at BAS. “Ultimately, our students will benefit from our multimedia tools as our teachers use them to reinforce skills and competencies demanded by the globally-competitive workplace.”
In addition, all K-5 classrooms in the district are now equipped with four student Netbooks that allow students to have technology at their fingertips. “In just one summer we have been able to add four student Netbooks to every kindergarten through fifth grade classroom in the district,” said Ryan Kelley, network engineer at BAS. “By the summer of 2012, each of our students in grades six through 12 will have their own Netbook that will be their digital textbook. Imagine the educational power in our district with this one-to-one technology.”
The multimedia classrooms include teacher and student wireless microphone, new ceiling mount projectors, 8’ screens, wireless Smart slate, and wireless routers to allow student Netbook internet access, and a four-speaker sound system. Teachers began the school year training with their new classroom technology and how to best utilize it for the success and achievement of their students. Sixth through 12th grade staff began initial training on the upcoming one-to-one initiative.
“It’s an exciting time at BAS,” added Burde. “Students will have technology at their fingertips and our teachers will have interactive tools to assist them, keeping our students at the highest level of learning.”
The Annual Education Report (AER) provides key information on the 2010-2011 educational progress for the district of Belding Area Schools. Please click on the link below for full details and information.
