Belleville Binnacle
Volume 1
Welcome to the Belleville Binnacle
I am excited to present to our community the first edition of the Belleville Binnacle! This is a new publication in the Belleville Public Schools District that has been established by our Board and central office administrative team to highlight the curriculum news and happenings around our district schools during the school year. We have chosen to name this important publication the Binnacle in keeping with our Buccaneer traditions and as a way to symbolize our working together as a school community to meet our vision of transforming learners into leaders. As a binnacle is the part of a ship that houses its navigation center, we present to you the contents of this and future editions of the Belleville Binnacle as a means to advance both the moral compass that surrounds our mission and the guiding purpose that our faculty, administration, and staff have put forth to our students when working with them each and every day. From inside of our classrooms to all of our extracurricular activities and program endeavors, the commitment from everyone in our district to ensure the successful futures of our students is remarkable. I am proud to share our accomplishments with you and the rest of our community.
Dr. Tomko, Ph.D., M.J.
Superintendent of Schools
1:1 Initiative Makes a Difference in Distance Learning
There is no doubt the Belleville School District IT Department has been hard at work given the Covid-19 pandemic and the need for virtual learning to take place. Throughout the last three years, the district has completed its 1:1 initiative, providing each student with a chrome book. Not only has this made the ability for students and teachers to embrace distance learning, but it also gives the IT department the ability to troubleshoot, make updates, and ensure all the devices are being used appropriately.
Each chrome book has programs like Microsoft, OnCourse, Envision, Pearson Realize, McGraw-Hill and G-Suite available on them. According to Jeff Perrapato, Director of Technology, the transition to using chrome books was not as difficult as it may have seemed. A lot of the training took place through videos and screenshots, and each school now has a technology advisor who helps troubleshoot any problems that may arise onsite.
“Also, whenever there is an update that needs to take place, it's very simple,” said Perrapato. “We just 'push it out' and within five minutes all the chrome books have been updated.”
Additionally, to prepare teachers and staff for distance learning, Stephen Puglia, Supervisor of Educational Technology provided the necessary training and support that was needed. While Google Classroom has been always available to staff, it was not mandatory for them to use. During the first four weeks of distance learning, there was professional development training made available explaining the basics of Google Classroom and now the teachers are soaring! “Things have slowed down significantly, which means we have done our job,” said Puglia. “Now the technology advisors are helping as needed because teachers are wanting to learn more about utilizing Flipgrid, Kahoot!, and other online education programs.”
“Teachers and parents alike are thrilled with the 1:1 initiative and find it very helpful in educating the students, especially when distance learning is taking place,” said Perrapato.
Moving in the Right Direction: Belleville School District Data Trends
Since 2017, Belleville has seen a steady movement upward toward academic growth. When reviewing English Language Arts (ELA) and Math trends from 2017-2019, more students are shifting to “meeting expectations” and “exceeding expectations” throughout the district.
“These numbers provide the district with an indicator that we are diving deep into the curriculum and meeting the needs of our students by establishing strong programs, providing our teachers with appropriate professional development, as well as the materials to reach success within the classroom,” said Jennifer Vernieri, Director of Planning, Research & Evaluation/District Test Coordinator. “Previously, many of the scores were 'not meeting expectations' or 'approaching expectations.'”
Of note:
School wide, English Language Learners “met expectations” and “exceeded expectations” in consideration of the target rates for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school year
Math saw a seven-point increase between 2017 and 2019
ELA is nearing the state expectation level
With testing such as NJSLA, there has been a 5 average point increase between 2017 and 2019
“It is wonderful to see how the initiatives we are implementing, and the conversations we are having make such a difference in our district numbers,” said Vernieri. “Our teachers are an integral part in all of this by implementing the curriculum, the way they are presenting it in the classroom, as well as differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all our learners.”
Guiding Students to Become Exceptional Readers & Writers
During the 2019-2020 school year, the Belleville Literacy Team continued to work on improving literacy skills through reading and writing across all grade levels and disciplines. Wanting to ensure students are well prepared for the future, the team continued to utilize research-based practices and district data to address state standards and student’s individual needs.
As a balanced-literacy district, Belleville provides various modes of instruction in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to ensure students become well-rounded individuals.
Specifically, within the elementary schools, students are utilizing the Wonders and WonderWorks programs for ELA instruction. Within these programs, students are exposed to multiple genres through "read-alouds," shared reading, guided reading, and more.
To support these programs and promote independent reading, the district recently purchased additional books for each classroom, knowing well that the best way to improve literacy is through practice. Consisting of fiction and non-fiction, the classroom books are diverse in nature and address multiple content areas. The texts are leveled to meet the needs of each individual learner as they develop and master foundational and comprehension skills and strategies they are learning in class.
Writing independently is an equally important skill for students to master. Therefore, teachers are using the workshop model to increase both reading and writing skills. In conjunction with teacher mini-lessons and student conferences, the Readers and Writers Workshop models focus on the importance of independent student reading and writing. “Since implementing these programs, we have seen a dramatic increase in reading fluency, comprehension, and writing skills,” said Nicole Shanklin, Director of Elementary Education. “It’s amazing to see how much students have grown from one year to the next.”
Leveled Readers
Students Reading for Stamina
Peers working together!
Biliteracy on the Rise Among Belleville Students
Congratulations to Belleville’s 50 seniors, who received the The New Jersey Department of Education State Seal of Biliteracy. In order to receive the Seal of Biliteracy, graduating high school students must demonstrate proficiency in English as well as one or more world languages. Students are tested on their ability to listen, read, write, and speak the various languages. During the 2018-2019 school year, 20 Belleville students were recognized with the Seal.
Talented & Gifted Program: Taking it to the Next Level
The Belleville Talented & Gifted program provides students with a differentiated educational experience that meets their individual needs and differences through higher order thinking, multidisciplinary, and creative approaches. Each school has several Talented & Gifted teachers that meet with students throughout the week during lunch periods and work through different STEAM based and Higher Order Thinking activities while preparing for tournaments and competitions they will enter throughout the school year.
Prior to distance learning having to take place, students were able to compete in several competitions and all had great results. Congratulations to all who participated - the district is very proud of you, and we can’t wait to see what you accomplish this coming school year!
Students working together
Our competition teams are fierce
Students working during T and G
Belleville Students Selected for STEAM Tank 2020 Competition
This year, the STEAM Club from Schools #9 and #10, as well as the STEM Club from School #3, were given a task to develop an idea to have submitted to the STEAM Tank 2020 Competition. Created and sponsored by NJSBA and the U.S. Army, the competition asks that district teams invent something new, modify an existing product, or identify a situation or real-world problem that needs resolution. Teams are provided specific criteria, and a panel of experts judge team designs and/or solutions.
Needless to say, this was not an easy task. However, students did not let this intimidate them as they got right to work and got very creative. After several months of hard work, the following projects were submitted and accepted to the North Jersey Regional STEAM Tank 2020 Competition:
The Bag-Be-Gone: Created by Leonel Figueroa Noah Qualls, Joel Velasco, Jonalis Vargas, Brianna Vicuna-Chavez, Maria Jose Ortiz-Chavez, School #9
The Bag-Be-Gone is an eco-friendly, easy, efficient, recycling machine used for plastic bag recycling. It looks much like a coin counting or arcade ticket machine. It is unique because no other stores have this machine.
Bright Light Blocks: Created by Lilliam Perado, Kaylee Tejano, Kayleen Mota, Jocelyn Busanic, School #10
Bright Light Blocks serve the purpose to entertain students while also providing lamps for the dark. Bright Light Blocks are to be made of recycled cardboard by using foil and string lights to illuminate the blocks. These blocks light up and you can build with them. You can make towers, castles, or anything you want to build. It may also help with kids who are scared of the dark. The main target audience for Bright Light Blocks are young school children for building purposes and illumination capacities.
Safe Binder: Created by Justin Albarran, Damir Giddens, Stefan Valcuha, Jayden Vila, School #3
The Safe Binder is a bullet proof binder that was designed due to the increase of school shootings. While teachers have the tools necessary to protect themselves and the students, students now can take a proactive approach to protecting themselves as well. By inserting Kevlar to the pockets of the binder, it is capable of stopping bullets. It is lightweight and holds more paper than the average binder. It is also environmentally friendly, as both the binder and Kevlar are recyclable. But most importantly, Safe Binder has the ability to save lives.
Although this year’s competition had to be canceled due to Covid-19, students have been invited to participate in the 2021 Steam Tank Competition with their projects. Belleville is extremely proud of all these students, and we look forward to seeing them at the 2021 competition!
Raising Breast Cancer Awareness One Student, Teacher and Administrator at a Time
Like all of the schools in the Belleville Public Schools District, October is dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness. Unfortunately, breast cancer has affected many people in different ways. However, School #4 feels it hits very close to home.
“Currently, of our 70 staff members, several staff, as well as their family members, are currently battling breast cancer,” said Dora Cavallo, principal School #4. “We are such a close family here at our school that we all feel like we are part of their battle. We take what the district has planned for October a step further with various activities throughout the month that all our 455 students participate in.”
The administrators, staff, and students go "all out." From wearing pink or purple on dress down days, to painting pumpkins with the breast cancer symbol, to moments of silence and blowing bubbles into the sky, everyone participates and everyone is affected - for the better - by these activities and acknowledging the fight so many unfortunately are involved with.
Additionally, as part of the ELA curriculum, students were learning about poetry, and each teacher designed an assignment for students to write a poem that focused on strength, power, and encouragement, or someone they admired. Throughout the month, students would be chosen to read their poems over the intercom to the entire school.
Students were encouraged to participate in the Wall of Hope, which included pictures of themselves and their family members. For many, the word “cancer” can be frightening because no one really knows what is going to happen. But it is School #4’s mission, through their activities, to send a message of hope and that if you have cancer, you can beat it.
Identifying the Core Values of School #5
Under the leadership of Principal Mary Ann Gilligan, School #5 has been focused on finding ways to let the student’s voices be heard. As a result, this year the school began piloting a program, School Climate Through Students Eyes, from the Center for Learning that would implement a positive school climate through school voice.
“When I was approached to run this program, I thought why not. I love getting students involved and having them be more active,” said Gilligan. "I also tapped into our school psychologist, Stacey Zettler, as she had already been working with students on something similar."
The student leadership team, which is comprised of 13 students from third to sixth grade, began meeting monthly during their “RISE” period to discuss ways to make the school a more positive environment for all the students, giving them a true "voice" within the school.
“We had the student group take an anonymous survey answering various questions – what did they like about the school, what could be improved, etc.,” said Gilligan. “We then went on to discuss leadership and what that really meant. But most importantly, we began developing and identifying five core values for the school that all students and staff would follow.”
The first two core values, which Gilligan said were non-negotiable, wereTruth and Service. Students then suggested Respect, Excellence and Empathy. Once school returns in the Fall, students will then vote on the remaining three core values. "We really want to define a set of core values that if students do something well it could be tied to. But also, if there was a disciplinary infraction we wanted it to tie to one of the core values as well,” added Gilligan.
Milo: Changing the Ways Students with Autism Learn
As the school which facilitates the ABA Programs for the district, School #7 is always looking for ways to help build autism awareness through special events within the school or larger fundraisers within the community. There is no doubt that the students, teachers, and administrators of School #7 are dedicated to this cause.
In 2019, School #7 hosted a Color Run with the help of the district’s Special Services Department. The run was a 5K, untimed event, where at each kilometer runners were doused from head to toe in a different colored powder. Participants wore white at the starting line and finished the race plastered in color!
“It was a great event for the entire district and Belleville community,” said Brian Belton, Principal School #7. “With the money we raised, we were able to help fund Milo, a robot that is very effective due to its interactions with students with autism.”
Milo, who was created by Dallas based Robokind, stands less than two feet tall and is designed to help students with their communication and social skills. Milo uses consistent, simplified language, tone of voice, and speech that is slightly slower for better comprehension. It can also deliver the same lesson over and over again, remembering each student’s individual needs.
Additionally, money that was raised through the Color Run was put towards professional development for the teachers to learn how to properly use Milo to its full capabilities.
“It is amazing how education is moving forward with the technology available to meet the needs of all students,” said Belton. “Milo has been a great investment that we are already seeing tremendous results from.”
It’s Family Night!
Since becoming principal at School #8, Robert Silvera and his faculty have created Family Math Night and Family Reading Night for students and their families. Each night consists of an activity that is planned and run by the teachers of School #8, and groups are broken down by grade level – K/1, 2/3, and 4/5/6.
“School #8 had been through several principals in a very short amount of time, and I wanted to find a way to make it a neighborhood school and get the parents and guardians involved,” said Silvera, principal of the school. “Family Nights seemed the best way to do that.”
This past fall was Family Reading Night with all ELA based activities. The students had the opportunity to choose two different activities/book readings to attend. Approximately a 2.5 hour event, students were given their schedule for the evening. During each session, the group would read a book together, either out loud or using the Smart TV, and families would then complete a craft activity related to the book. When it was time, they would then move onto the second session where they would repeat the process.
“With the support from the school’s staff, the attendance at Family Nights continues to increase,” added Silvera. “This past Family Reading Night had over 140 participants.”
Additionally, the Belleville Education Association (BEA), our local affiliate of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), participates by providing snacks for the children. But one of the best things about this night is that all siblings can participate as well!
AP Courses & Exams See Changes Due to Distance Learning
With Covid-19 changing so much of how students are learning and being tested, the Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams were no different. The College Board made adjustments to the AP exams, which began on May 11th. With the help of Belleville’s administrative team, all the necessary digital adjustments were made, and the required equipment was provided to ensure all registered AP students were able to take their exams at home.
The tests, which had always been a combination of multiple choice and essays, lasted upwards of three hours and was short answer and essay only this year. “College Board felt there was no way to monitor if students had other browsers open and were using other resources to get their answers,” said Maria Calhoun, Supervisor of Secondary Education. Students were also given only 45 minutes to complete the exam.
The other major change for the AP exams was that they only covered the first half of the school year. Rather than have students learn new material once distance learning began, the exams focused on the material they had already been taught to really hone those skills.
AP students met with their teachers virtually, as they did for their other classes, and also reviewed the course information that the College Board had made available to students on YouTube. “I don’t believe the distance learning was a terrible thing to happen to the AP students,” said Calhoun. “They had to do a lot of the work on their own, so there’s a lot more time management involved.”
With 17 AP courses offered to Belleville High School students, it is the district's goal to continue to expand the program. “I am so proud of how far the program has come and the direction it is going,” added Calhoun.
The Next Chapter After High School
Ensuring students are on the right path for their future, Belleville High School currently has eight school guidance counselors, each with a very specific role throughout a student’s high school career. When students enter as 9th graders, it can be a very overwhelming transition. Therefore, two guidance counselors work closely with the entire grade. They meet with students in a classroom setting to ensure they are doing well and have the fundamental skills they need to be successful.
Following 9th grade, students are assigned to one of the other six guidance counselors. It is in 10th grade that students will begin exploring various careers and what they might be interested in pursuing. These conversations help to better inform what classes they may want to take throughout their remaining high school years.
Come 11th grade, what happens after high school is beginning to become more of a reality. Students, along with their guidance counselor, are beginning to discuss what colleges and universities look for in students. This is done in an effort to guide them in choosing a school that would be best suited for them.
Then comes 12th grade…one of the biggest years for all the students! As Seniors, students and their guidance counselors have narrowed down what school(s) they would like to apply to. They work closely together to ensure they have everything they need to complete the application process, including letters of recommendation, transcripts, financial aid forms, etc.
Additionally, students have the opportunity to participate in the Belleville High School Internship Program which allows them to explore a possible career path through real-world experiences. According to Suzy Marotta, Program Coordinator, this is a way for the community and the schools to partner together and give students "the experience they need to proceed onto the next level of their education and career."
However, many Seniors still may not know what it is they want to do after high school. Therefore, the guidance department conducts senior interviews. “This is when we sit with students and review all of their information from high school – GPAs, SAT scores, completed classes,” said Isabelle Ramirez, Supervisor of Pupil Personnel Services. “We try our best to help them narrow down schools that could potentially be a good match for them.”
Ramirez added, “we also push students out of their comfort zone when applying to schools. I always say to them, 'you won’t know what you can touch if you don’t reach.'”
And reaching is what Belleville students have certainly been doing, attending schools such as MIT, the United States Naval Academy, University of Rhode Island, Delaware University, Montclair State University, Rutgers University, William Paterson University... and the list goes on!
“Regardless of what schools our students attend, it is an accomplishment,” said Ramirez.
Over the past several years, 86% of Belleville students went onto a two or four year college/university or trade school, while14% of students went directly into the workforce or joined the military.
Congratulations Belleville High School Class of 2020. While it is not the ending we had all hoped for you, we can’t wait to see what amazing things you do in the future!
Winning Attitude Pays Off for Belleville Buccaneers
Over the past few years, Belleville has seen a great growth in its athletic program. With over 35 strong and dedicated coaches and a change in climate to cultivate our athletes into growing a winning mentality, Belleville had very successful 2019-2020 sports seasons, although Spring was cut short due to Covid-19.
“Being on a team is about knowing your role, becoming a good teammate, and learning how to work with others for a common goal,” said Marcellino Marra, Assistant Principal and Director of Athletics. “It’s actually a lot of the tools you need to be successful in life!”
Well done Buccaneers! Fingers crossed we will be watching you all play during the 2020-2021 school year.
Media Centers Take on a Different Look
When Belleville students return to school, they will notice some changes to the Media Centers. Taking on more of a Makerspace atmosphere, each elementary Media Center will now have a 3D printer, green screen production kits, Osmo Genius and Coding Kits, Oculus Rifts, Lego walls, and more multimedia components available to students.
“The idea with these additions is to have the Media Specialist expose the students to STEM and supplement the current curriculum using these various new tools,” said Stephen Puglia, Supervisor of Educational Technology. “It is very important, especially in the younger years, that students have the opportunity to learn coding, robotics, VR (virtual reality), and other STEM activities. It is the hope that by having this early exposure, students may be more likely to pursue coursework such as engineering, architecture, and/or other STEM-related courses."
As with any new initiative within the district, professional development will be made available to all Media Specialists. “It is very important for us to ensure everyone is trained appropriately,” said Puglia.
When possible, professional development will be conducted by the Rutgers Center for Mathematics, Science, and Computer Education. It is through this training that our Media Specialists will also gain a better understanding of how to incorporate these tools, not only into the day-to-day activities of the media center, but also into the curriculum.
In addition, School #3, School #7, School #10, and the high school will be the first schools to have a total Media Center “makeover.” From flexible seating to new wall colors and flooring, students can expect a different experience from what they once had. “It is our goal to make all the Media Centers a place where everyone is comfortable and wants to spend time,” said Puglia. “These four schools are the first to see all these changes as part of the district wide roll-out.”
Keeping the District Secure
Staff, students, and visitors can feel more confident and secure when they are within the Belleville School District, as an upgraded security system has been implemented in all buildings, parking lots, and fields. Over the past two years, close to 400 security cameras have been installed. According to Jeff Perrapato, Director of Technology, Verkada cameras allow for a larger coverage area, as well as better nighttime vision. “Where there was once four cameras, we now only require two because of how sophisticated the products and technology are,” added Perrapato. “It is also cloud-based which allows for easier monitoring and access to footage.”
Getting Students Back Home to Belleville
According to Ryan Kline, Director of Special Services, five years ago the Belleville Public Schools District had 130 special needs students attending out of district schools because the resources they needed were not available to them via district programming. However, with a department that is now made up of 30 child study team members and related service providers, Belleville has been able to reduce the number of out of district students to about 60. Over the years, Belleville has added the necessary programs beginning at the preschool level all the way through high school to ensure students were able to remain within the Belleville School District. “Our goal was to reduce the number of out of district placements and we have done that,” said Kline. “We were finding that as students aged up, we didn’t have the programs they needed to remain in the district,” added Kline. “We needed to find a way to add new programs so their education remained connected and continued to meet their needs.”
Come September, there will be a new autism program in the middle school and an autism life skills program in the high school. According to Kline, there have been so many great stories and growth of students who were brought back home to Belleville schools that it has made the effort and investment all worthwhile.
Peers Helping Peers
One of the reasons Belleville School District is so successful is because of the teachers. The district ensures all teachers are supported anyway possible, whether it’s their first day or 30th year of teaching.
As such, there is a group of seven individuals whose primary role is to be a Teacher Coach. Each Teacher Coach comes from a different educational background, with various certifications. This role is in an effort to ensure that regardless of a teacher's need(s), there is always someone who can help.
Regardless of who meets with the teacher coaches, it is confidential. They are peers - helping peers. There are no consequences for utilizing them and it is not part of the evaluation process. Administrators don’t ever ask who they are working with, and the teacher coaches engage with faculty in a support role.
Additionally, teacher coaches are always there for professional development and teacher cycle engagement. The process has evolved over the last few years, and teachers will reach out to the coaches directly asking for help or guidance. “When going through the process of hiring teachers, there is a committee that is formed,” said Thomas D'Elia, Director of Operations & Chief Talent Officer. “We are looking for someone who can be a part of our family, where the students come first. We don’t expect them to know everything or be self-sufficient, that is just unrealistic and is the reason why we have Teacher Coaches to assist them."
Teacher Coaches are constantly re-examining and evaluating the teacher induction process to assure a streamlined transition into the district. They ask for feedback, particularly from first year teachers to determine what they wish they knew earlier on when they first started. “When we talk to candidates, many ask what kind of support does the district provide to them,” said D’Elia. “Teacher Coaches are very unique, and it’s not something that other districts offer. Attrition rates in Belleville are very low. We have teachers who have gotten other offers, but they decide to stay here. When you ask them why, they say 'it is because of the support they have been provided while teaching in Belleville.'”
Upcoming Board of Education Meetings
When: Monday, August 17, 7pm
When: Monday, September 21, 7pm
Belleville Board of Education Members
- Christine Lamparello, Board President
- Gabrielle V. Bennett-Meany, Board Vice President
- Nelson Barrera, Trustee
- Erika Jacho, Trustee
- Luis Muniz, Trustee
- Michael Sheldon, Trustee
- Ralph Tunis, Trustee
** As a reminder, please visit the Belleville Public Schools TaskForce Portal for updates regarding the districts Reopening Plan.**