February 18, 2022
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The PEAK (Physical Exercise, Adventures, and Knowledge) team engaged in some epic battles on the frozen tundra this week.
Opening Message
The Dimmer Switch
Brendan Largay, Head of School
Post Date: February 18, 2022
The primary analogy we have been working with throughout the pandemic is the dimmer switch. From the earliest days of navigating the pandemic, we realized that approaching this community safety effort through the binary frame of absolute statements of ‘on’ or ‘off’ was not going to work. Be it in school or out. All programs or no programs. All PPE or none. As we have experienced over the past two years, a singular ‘this’ or ‘that’ approach to pandemic management to make onsite education possible would not have been successful.
Instead, our approach has been cautiously calibrated–thoughtfully turning our controls while making room for two critical components—responsiveness and nimbleness. Some weeks, we experience the brightness of everyone on campus, masks are optional outdoors, and grades play together at recess and during athletics. Other weeks have needed to be darker with more precautions: instruction goes remote or we’re in school and masks are worn at all times, physical distance is maintained, and students learn only in their cohorts.
The virus’s behavior has been too dynamic for a simple on-off switch. We have needed to level set at nearly every moment, and the responsiveness of the dimmer has been invaluable. A responsive model that aims to keep up with and make distinctions among the ever-changing directives from federal, state, and local governments has been critical. Responsiveness also allows the school to have latitude in deciding when more restrictions need to be in place, even as we move toward a return to ‘normal.’ That’s the thing about dimmer switches—we can use them to provide the optimal amount of illumination for any given moment.
The dimmer switch notion highlights another dimension of our response—nimbleness. The nimbleness of the COVID Response Team, and subsequently, of the faculty, student, and parent body, has been inspiring. I know you already know this, dear reader, but with every decision made outside of our walls, there has been a swift response to adjust, accommodate, and alter our plans to keep students safe, healthy, and learning. The team has met more times than I care to count with patience, energy, and always with our school’s mission at the core of their decision-making process, and with the knowledge that tomorrow may bring a new challenge.
So, as we head into the break, we are grateful for the chance to catch our breath on the decision-making front, but mindful, always, that this pandemic may throw something new at us. We know, too, that the folks with their hands on the dimmer switch will be ready to make the necessary adjustments. Hopefully, brighter days lie ahead.
Have a healthy and joyful February break!
Upcoming Events
Coming Up This Week
Monthly Calendar
ICYMI: Recent Community Forums Recorded
Three community forums were held earlier his week and if you were unable to attend, recordings of both are now available:
Introduction to High School Placement
Wednesday, March 2 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Seventh grade parents are invited to join Director of High School Placement Sarah Merrill, Middle School Head Liz Gray, and Head of School Brendan Largay for an introduction to the high school placement process.
This event will be held on campus in Palandjian Arts Center. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Merrill at smerrill@belmontday.org
Summer Camp Priority Registration Ends Today
Belmont Day families are eligible to enroll in our otherwise full camp programs through priority registration, a courtesy that we offer our school year families. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please email our camp leadership, Zach d’Arbeloff, and Denali Kikuchi, at summer@belmontday.org. We will continue holding spots through the end of the day today, Friday, February 18. After today, our normal enrollment process applies, which this year involves waitlists for most age groups.
Lunch & Snack Menu
February 28 to March 4
Monday
Snack: applesauce; Cheez-Its
Lunch: Asian chicken dumplings; Asian vegetarian dumplings; broccoli; soy sauce; Sunbutter and jelly sandwiches; diced pineapple cup; milk and water
Tuesday
Snack: bananas; Nutri-Grain bars
Lunch: Breakfast for Lunch: pancakes; scrambled eggs; bacon; syrup; Sunbutter and jelly sandwiches; fortune cookies; fresh fruit cups; milk and water
Wednesday
Snack: apples; tortilla chips
Lunch: beef tacos; veggie tacos; cheese; flour tortillas; sour cream; guacamole; salsa; chef’s choice vegetable; Sunbutter and jelly sandwiches; apple slices; milk and water
Thursday
Snack: clementines; potato chips
Lunch: cheese pizza; carrots; ranch dressing; Sunbutter and jelly sandwiches; applesauce; milk and water
Friday
Snack: craisins; pretzel twists
Faculty Lunch
BDS News
COVID UPDATES
Rapid Testing for Return After Break
All students were sent home last week with two boxes of rapid tests; each box included 2 tests for a total of 4 tests. One of those tests was used this past Monday, February 14. The remaining three tests are to be used at home for returning to campus after February break.
Following February break, all students and faculty will use a rapid test at home before arriving at school on the mornings of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, February 28, March 1, and 2.
Weekly PCR testing will resume on Wednesday, March 2.
Weekly COVID Testing Results
We are pleased to report that this week’s PCR testing on Wednesday, February 16 identified zero positive cases of COVID-19. Two individuals reported positive cases identified through at-home rapid testing on Monday, February 14.
FACULTY NEWS
Departures
Jonathan Drummey, grade 7 English teacher and advisor
This June, we will bid a fond farewell to Jonathan Drummey. Jonathan dedicated himself to designing an innovative curriculum that offers multiple perspectives through which students can view themselves, each other, and the world around them, encouraging them to discover and relish the power of reading and writing. During his four years at Belmont Day, Jonathan has created an inclusive, rigorous, and inspiring classroom for students, where students have been excited to delve into reading, analyzing literature, and honing their writing skills.
Eager to extend himself beyond the classroom and grow professionally, Jonathan also served as English department chair, one of our two faculty representatives on the BDS Board of Trustees, and mentor teacher to several associate teachers from Lesley University. In these roles, he thrived on exchanging expertise and ideas with a wide range of colleagues. While at Belmont Day, Jonathan also began pursuing his master’s degree in school leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University. We will all miss Jonathan’s signature quick wit, careful teaching, dedicated advising, good humor, and vibrant presence in the classrooms and hallways.
Julia Juster, grade 6 English teacher
At the end of this academic year, Julia Juster will step away from Belmont Day to further pursue her interest in writing and teaching outside elementary and middle school classrooms. Since joining BDS in 2017, Julia committed herself to these interests as a teaching fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a writing workshop participant at Grubstreet in Boston. She will continue to cultivate her writing practice and seek teaching opportunities with students at all age levels. During her five years at Belmont Day, she served as grade 5 English, humanities, and homeroom teacher, and later transitioned into the role of grade 6 English teacher and advisor. In every one of her roles, Julia has brought great expertise, joy, creativity, playfulness, and inspiration to the students in her classroom and the families with whom she has partnered.
Julia has imbued her work at BDS with a bright spirit and endless enthusiasm. She always encouraged students to explore, whether in creative writing assignments, on projects focused on identity and social justice in history and literature, or in learning for the very first time how to discuss, actively listen, and formally analyze literature. She has a deep appreciation for each child and warmly welcomes everyone into her classroom with a signature sense of humor, inspiring students and colleagues alike. Eager to grow professionally and stretch beyond her classroom, Julia also served as a mentor teacher to several associate teachers, and as coordinator for the sixth grade faculty team. We will all miss Julia’s energetic presence and steadfast thoughtfulness in the community.
AUXILIARY PROGRAMS
Registration Open for Trimester 3 After School & Enrichment Classes
We are thrilled to announce that a full after school program and enrichment classes are back! Our typical cross-graded program experience for all students will resume, along with an exciting lineup of enrichment classes. There is a fee for each enrichment class and enrollment is limited. Classes are offered Monday through Thursday, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
You can find dates, pricing, and class descriptions on the After School, Enrichments, and Vacation Camps page on the Parent Portal. To enroll please click the blue “After School & Enrichment Enrollment” button in the right column of that page.
The registration period for trimester 3 is Friday, February 18 to Friday, March 11. When enrolling please be aware the system is limited in tracking overlaps in classes. For example, if you are signing up for an enrichment class on a Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., you do not need to enroll in after school on Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Also, you will need to enroll each child individually.
For any registration or enrollment questions please contact Denali Kikuchi. For program questions please contact Blair Fross.
After School Trimester 2 Invoices Available
Invoices are now available for all families who have a child enrolled in the second trimester of the after school program. Parents can view invoices and make electronic payments by logging into the Parent Portal and clicking on the “Invoices and Payments” button. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Barrow.
COMMUNITY SERVICE NEWS
Donation Drive for Pine Street Inn Was Great Success
Kicked off at the Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly four weeks ago, our donation drive for Pine Street Inn helped warm and brighten the coldest and darkest days of winter. Thank you to everyone in the Belmont Day community for your great generosity in support of Pine Street’s mission to end homelessness in our area.
We made the first delivery of donated goods before the big snowstorm a few weeks back. And now we’re ready to make another! In total, we collected:
- 172 pairs of gloves
- 1,071 hand warmers
- 106 $5 Dunkin gift cards
- and 6 wonderful winter hats
Thank you again to the MLK assembly committee, the buildings and grounds crew, and to everyone who supported this community service effort!
THEATER NEWS
Grades 7 & 8 Play: ‘It’s A Madhouse!’
Performances on March 11 and 13
Get ready for a tale of money, mystery, and mayhem brought to you on the Palandjian Arts Center stage by our seventh and eighth grade actors and crew members.
Bestselling mystery author Byron Pembroke is dead, and one stormy evening, his highly dysfunctional family gathers for the reading of the will. Each member of the family assumes that they deserve the bulk of the estate, so imagine their shock when they discover that Byron converted his entire fortune into a single mysterious item which he’s hidden somewhere in the mansion—with a four-line verse their only clue! Before they can find the treasure, however, the mansion is overrun by a horde of strangers seeking refuge from the storm, and these strangers soon join in the hunt. Who will find the treasure first? Byron’s spoiled, self-serving family members? The bickering trio of ghost hunters? The nosy news team? The busload of obnoxious tourists? Or one of the dozens of other crazy intruders literally tearing the house apart in their excitement and greed? With its fast-paced action and humor, this madcap mystery is sure to make you go mad with laughter.
Live performances for a small audience will take place on Friday, March 11 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 13 at 4 p.m. Everyone in the community will be invited to see the professional video of the play. More information about a specific date and time for watching the video will be forthcoming after February break.
CLUBS NEWS
Model UN Tackles Climate Change in the Arctic
Last Saturday, February 12, five sixth graders, Quinn Clark, Duncan Bierne, Tadhg O’Sullivan, Sam Leviton, and Gideon Borisy, took part in a virtual Model UN conference. They were given roles and took part in a simulated Arctic Summit, discussing climate change from many various perspectives and proposing progressive action. Our students took the roles of Greta Thunberg, President Biden, and other world luminaries. They were courageous in taking an active part in the conversations. Their involvement in Model UN reflects a deep interest in world issues and a desire to work towards solutions.
– Jennifer Friborg, middle school French teacher and club advisor
COMMUNITY NEWS
Student’s Award-Winning Artwork Displayed on Public Transportation
Scoop readers may remember the news back in September 2020 of now eighth grader Juliana Li being honored in the Cool Science art contest sponsored by the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. Juliana’s winning piece entitled “Naturally Cool” shows elephants trying to keep cool in extreme heat and the impact of human use of electronic means to stay cool. Winning pieces are now being displayed on public transportation in various parts of the country. The accompanying photo is Juliana’s art on a bus in Tokepa, Kansas! A little closer to home, her art will also be displayed on buses operated by the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Technology & Innovation Program Featured in Magazine
Belmont Day School’s technology and innovation program continues to make headlines! This month, there is a wonderful three-page feature written by technology teacher Kurt Robison published in the latest issue of the British publication, D&T Practice: The design and technology publication for professionals. The focus of the article is the evolution of the grades 7 & 8 arts elective, Global Goals, and the students’ success in the do your: bit challenge over the past couple of years. The article can be accessed here as a PDF but is behind a paywall. Mr. Robinson has a copy if you’d like to take a look at the printed edition!
Learning Updates
Athletics Update: Volleyball Shines in the Finale
In front of a full crowd in the Downing gym, the Belmont Day volleyball team put on quite a performance on their final day of competition. All three squads got into the action, but it was the Blue team that stole the show with three consecutive wins, including back-to-back victories against Gold. With solid contributions up and down their lines, Blue received consistent play from Alice Guo, Natalie Jean, and McKenna Daley. On the other side of the net, Aria Goodpaster and Lucy Targum put the finishing touches on remarkable seasons for Gold and received some timely support from Elise Goodman on the backline. With fans on the sidelines and positive energy in the gym, the athletes rose to the occasion and demonstrated strong play all afternoon. Congratulations to the volleyball team on a successful season!
– John O’Neill, director of athletics
More Athletics News
- With two more wins this week, the fencing team finished their season with a 5-1 record. Tadhg O’Sullivan came up big with his first interscholastic win against BB&N while Giddy Borisy and Bodhi Demers helped pace the epee squad.
- Liam Brodeur and Braiden Dargon provided a physical presence down low for boys’ varsity during Friday Night Hoops, but sixth grade standout Andrew Green stole the show with a gutsy performance in front of a huge crowd.
- Veterans Emma Kass, Ruby Kokonis, and Eliza Kuechle left it all the court during girls’ varsity’s crushing last-second loss to Meadowbrook on Friday night. The trio led the team to one of the best records in program history.
- Wrestling took down Fay 11-7 and finished the season with a 4-1 record. Wisdom Badgett and Calder Wilmot continued to show growth on the mat, while Peter Kurtz and Alex Foley each recorded big wins in their matches.
Third Graders Are as Happy as Clams About Similes
Recently in third grade, students dove into an exploration of similes. We read My Dog is as Smelly as Dirty Socks by Hanoch Piven to illustrate how similes can be used as powerful description tools. Students then wrote a poem describing someone they are grateful for and created a collage of that person representing those similes. Third graders also recently created “synonym rolls,” listing as many synonyms of a chosen “banned” word (sad, happy, said, etc.) and put this knowledge to use as they created their simile poems.
– Carlyn Simons, associate teacher in third grade
Second Graders Present Their Changemakers Research
On Wednesday, the second graders presented their changemaker research to a captive audience of their peers in the Erskine Library. The presentations were the culmination of a collaborative project combining research skills, the exploration of exciting and vibrant nonfiction texts from the Erskine Library, and artistic expression. During the project, students learned about people who have overcome challenges, persevering towards a goal of finding solutions to problems facing themselves and others. The connection to our social competency curriculum also allows students to see themselves reflected in the work of their changemakers. In the spring, the second graders will be participating in their own service-learning project, empowering them to “be the change they wish to see in the world.”
– Katie O’Brien and Nancy Fell, second grade teachers
Arts Update: The ‘Hole’ Story in Woodworking
– Bill Smith, woodworking teacher
Parents’ Association News
PA Meeting
The next PA meeting will be held on Monday, March 7 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. The link for the meeting is available on the Parent Portal.
Baby Welcoming
We are excited to welcome the next faculty baby this spring! Please help us welcome middle school learning specialist and focus teacher, Sally Harriss’ baby with a donation of a favorite children’s book. Books may be dropped off from Monday, February 28 through March 11 during drop-off or pick-up in the collection bin in the vestibule of the Schoolhouse. The PA’s baby welcoming committee will assemble the books into a basket for delivery. Thank you!
Parent DEI Book Group
Join us each month for an informal, parent-led DEI book group. All BDS parents/caregivers and faculty are welcome. We will read books written from the perspective of BIPOC and/or marginalized communities and meet for discussion on Zoom on the first Wednesday of each month.
The next meeting will be on March 2, 2022, at 7 p.m.
The next books we will be reading and discussing are How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith (for the March and April meetings) and Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong (for the May meeting).
The Zoom link for meetings is available on the DEI Resources page on the Parent Portal. Please contact Danielle England or Christina Cosman if you have any questions.
Beyond BDS
FACULTY ACHIEVEMENT
Renewed Love of Hiking Inspires Essay
Congratulations to fourth grade teacher Lana Holman for not only rekindling her love of hiking but using it as inspiration for writing a personal essay on the importance of that outdoor activity in her life. Lana entered her piece “Lost and Found” in the Share Your Story Outdoor Adventure Writing Contest and was chosen as a runner-up in January. The contest is sponsored by Recreation.gov. to encourage and inspire the use of National Park and Recreation lands.
Lana credits the feedback and encouragement she received from her colleagues and fellow writers, Dean Spencer, Julia Juster, Adele Clements, and, of course, her hiking partner, Larissa Rochford ’93.
And Ms. Holman wants all students in fourth grade and their families who may be looking for some outdoor adventures to check out Every Kid Outdoors! The program offers FREE passes to natural and historic sites across the United States, exclusively to fourth graders!
COMMUNITY EVENT
Racial Equity Discussion with Sybrina Fulton
On Thursday, February 24, at 7 p.m., the Belmont Public Library, Belmont Human Rights Commission, Beech Street Center, Town of Belmont, Belmont Against Racism, Ashland Public Library, Lincoln Public Library, Morrill Memorial Library, and Wayland Free Public Library are honored to co-sponsor a racial equity conversation with Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin’s mother.
Ms. Fulton is dedicating her life to transforming family tragedy into social change. Since the death of her 17-year-old son, Trayvon Martin, during a violent confrontation in 2012, Fulton has become an inspiring spokesperson for parents and concerned citizens across the country. Her book co-authored with Tracy Martin, Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin, shares the intimate story of a tragically foreshortened life and the rise of a movement that awoke a nation’s conscience.
Registration is required for this event. Please fill out this form or call 617-993-2977 to register. Zoom access details will be sent in a reminder email prior to the program.
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