BHS New Courses for 2024-25

Bellevue High School is excited to offer four new courses starting this fall. To learn more about these additions, continue reading. For detailed course descriptions, please see the BHS Course Handbook, which was emailed to all students.

Science

Incoming freshmen will have the opportunity to take Honors Biology this fall. Students in this course will explore concepts such as cell structure, biochemistry, energy cycles, genetics, and ecosystems. In terms of differences from regular biology, the main content will still be the same, but students will be able to take a deeper dive into each topic. This includes students being able to complete more lab activities, writing assignments and scientific research. The course was created to offer an alternative to traditional biology for those who are up for a challenge. These course is for students with an interest in science and those who would want to take more of the upper level science electives. Mrs. Stieber and Ms. Claiborne are looking forward to being able to expand upon the life science topics that are already taught in biology and bringing in more of their science backgrounds, as both teachers have animal science degrees.

Math

The math department has added two new courses for students in grades 11 and 12 who have completed geometry.

The first course is Discrete Math/Computer Science. This class will be very hands-on and focus heavily on the problem-solving skills needed for STEM career fields. The topics covered will include Computational Thinking, Computer Logic, Game Theory, Counting/Combinatorics, Probability, Connectivity, Iteration and Recursion, and Cryptography. Mr. Hurst shared, “I am super excited for so many topics in the course, but I am most excited to explore problem-solving with coding, and even programming our own games!” Anyone considering a career in the rapidly-expanding fields of computer science and technology should take the course, but experience with programming and computational problem-solving can be beneficial for students entering any field.

The second course is Quantitative Reasoning. This class will explore various mathematical concepts through project based learning. Students will use reasoning, problem-solving, and modeling skills through the organized units. Students will be working hands-on to discover mathematical topics. Advanced Quantitative Reasoning will be the same rigor as Algebra 2, but will be more focused on problem solving and reasoning rather than rigor with numbers. Mr. Vogel shared some of the projects will include measuring Oreos to see if Double Stuff is actually double stuffed and seeing if it is worth driving further to get cheaper gas, and designing carnival games and mini-golf courses. Mr. Vogel said, “Most of the projects are thought based and require lots of problem solving and reasoning to uncover an answer.”

Business

For students in grades 11-12, previously the course Personal Finance was offered. This course will now be Financial Literacy. This course will meet the 1/2 credit of financial literacy graduation requirement and will help students make truly informed and healthy financial decisions after graduating. Mr. Marett shared that he enjoys teaching students about the financial processes and wants them to understand how it works. He said, “in today’s economy, it is important for our students to know how to be money wise. They need to know the best ways to handle their money so they have a better future.” Topics covered in this course include the following: financial responsibility and decision-making, planning and money management, informed consumer, investing, credit and debt, risk management and insurance.

Students are encouraged to consider these new options as they select next year’s courses. If they have any questions, they should see their counselor or ask a teacher within one of these departments. Registration for the 24-25 school year will be here shortly!

2024-2025 Program of Studies

BHS Pathways

#gored #redpride #academics #newcourses

Community Connection Spotlight: BSA

The Bellevue Society for the Arts (BSA) has been providing a showcase for local talent since 1994; it is run by President Marty Siegel, who the BHS Blog was lucky enough to stage an interview with. They accept volunteers for acting, painting, and behind-the-scenes work. They have been a spotlight in the community of Bellevue and this year marks their 28th season making productions.

The BSA bases all of its shows on the talent of the students and community members who volunteer for their shows. The BSA aims to showcase local talent, and they fund all of their plays from donations from other foundations or generous community members. Recently they received a donation of a brand new soundboard and it will be used in their most recent plays.

President of the BSA, Marty Siegel, says that it was her personal goal as president to share talent amongst community theaters and schools. To give back to the community the BSA provides quality entertainment, at a reasonable price. They also give back by hosting the Big Spooky Affair on the last weekend of October where people in the community can gather for games, fortune-telling, and scary stories. Ms. Siegel said, “We appreciate all of the support we get from the community from adults, teens, and children.” The BSA casting director has also taken to double-casting youth plays to ensure every child gets a fair opportunity to be on stage or help with the show.

The BSA has two plays coming up, Hands on a Hardbody, and Finding Nemo Jr. The first show, Hands on a Hardbody, directed by Floyd Collins, will have its opening night on January 26th, 2024. It will be shown the last weekend of January and the first weekend of February. This show will feature a real red truck up on stage. Finding Nemo Jr. had 80 children audition on January 7th and its opening night will be March 15, 2024. This play, directed by Juliet Russet, will be an adaptation of Disney’s original Movie, Finding Nemo. Each and every one of these children will get a chance to be in the show as no child will be turned away, and that, as Siegel said, “is truly giving back to the community.”

If you are interested in donating to support the BSA: Contact any board of trustees or send it to P.O. box 493 at 205 Maple Street

If you are interested in volunteering: Contact Britney Goodsite or watch the BSA’s official Facebook @Bellevue Society for the Arts

For contact information go to: https://bellevuesocietyforthearts.wordpress.com/contact/

By: Olivia Baun

#gored #redpride #performingarts #BSA #theater

Staff Spotlight: Mr. Reis

It takes a lot to run a safe school and keep it looking nice, but do students and even staff ever really think about who keeps a school clean? The BHS custodial staff put in lots of hard work to keep the school pristine. Us students and other staff members truly owe it to them for their dedication to our school. The janitorial staff all take part to maintain the school, not just by cleaning, but also keeping up on minor repairs and maintenance, as well as overseeing that safety hazards are contained and repaired throughout the year. With such a workload Mr. Reis cannot handle it all alone so he has a team of three other custodial staff, Mr. Selvey, Mr. Curry and Mr. Reineck.

BHS’s head custodian is Mr. Reis, who has been working in the district since 1996, for a total of 28 years. He said he has been true to the school since he was 37 years old. But the funny thing is, when asked what he would change about his job, he replied, “Nothing honestly, other starting here sooner.”

Mr. Reis shared the one thing he thought students and staff could do to help out the custodial staff work more efficiently is things like picking up trash or debris off the floors and desks. Another issue he said that is helpful is when students and staff report maintenance issues, especially in places like the bathrooms and locker rooms as soon as they notice the problem. Mr. Reis said the one thing he wishes for all who attend BHS to know is that he is so grateful to be accepted into the community formed by staff and students and he encourages everyone to keep up a happy and healthy school environment.

In all places of employment, the custodial staff hold major significance, even when overlooked by the majority of people. It is important that we appreciate the work that is done behind the scenes to keep our school as safe and clean as possible. So we send a sincere thank you to Mr. Reis, Mr. Selvey, Mr. Curry, and Mr. Reineck for all that they do for us!

By: Kelsey Nimrichter

#gored #redpride