March 11, 2022
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Second graders working on a movement activity in Mr. Cotner’s music class this week.
Opening Message
Making Use of These Past Two Years
Brendan Largay, Head of School
Post Date: March 11, 2022
On the second anniversary of closing school due to the news that the novel coronavirus had made its way to the Boston area.
Two years ago, today, we closed school. We thought we would be doing so for two short weeks, that we would ride out the storm and be back in no time.
Two years later, we stand on the precipice of a significant moment in our pandemic response—the introduction of a mask-optional policy on Monday. Conversations on campus have turned to in-person assemblies and opening nights (break a leg, seventh and eighth graders!) as the warmth of spring and renewed life beckons.
For me, the second anniversary of the pandemic has become a critical reminder of the power of community and innovation. What happened when our school’s foundation, mission, and core values were challenged? We sought ways to stay connected even as the pandemic tested and strained the connective tissue critical to who we are. We responded the way I hoped and expected we would: with resilience, innovation, nimbleness, and care.
And now, as we look towards a future that affords us the chance to keep what we have learned and loved, move past those things that we no longer need, we can imagine, aspire to, and design for that ‘next normal’ we are hearing so much about. But to do that effectively, we must look inward one more time to investigate what we have learned about ourselves. How have we grown? When have we struggled? What do we need now, and how might we find it, get it, or build it?
Midway through the summer of 2021, I considered similar questions. Cases were down, and things were looking promising. During that time, a friend passed along a poem that I have turned to countless times since that helps to provide answers as the current phase of the pandemic wanes. The poem reminds me of all we have done together to see the school through. I hope it inspires you to consider how our community has been of use over these past two years and how we can step boldly into the future, knowing we are ready for whatever comes next.
To be of use
by Marge Piercy
The people I love the best
jump into work head first
without dallying in the shallows
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.
They seem to become natives of that element,
the black sleek heads of seals
bouncing like half-submerged balls.
I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart,
who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience,
who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward,
who do what has to be done, again and again.
I want to be with people who submerge
in the task, who go into the fields to harvest
and work in a row and pass the bags along,
who are not parlor generals and field deserters
but move in a common rhythm
when the food must come in or the fire be put out.
The work of the world is common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real.
Upcoming Events
Coming Up This Week
Monthly Calendar
Parent Social Identity Group Meetings
- The next meeting of the White-Identified Parent Social Identity Discussion Group will be on Tuesday, March 15 from 6:45 to 8 p.m.
- The next meeting of the Asian/Asian American Parent Social Identity Discussion Group will be on Wednesday, March 16 from 6 to 7 p.m. Please RSVP to Minna Ham, lower school head, at mham@belmontday.org. And share with Minna any topics you may have for discussion.
Both meetings will be held via Zoom. Links are available on the Parent Portal.
Reconnecting and Celebrating Our Community
The BDS Love Campaign launching next week will be focused on creating opportunities to reconnect and bring joy to our community as we emerge from many of the restrictions in place due to the pandemic. Click here to review all the details!
Coffee Socials for Parents
Stop by for a cup of coffee and an opportunity to reconnect or meet someone new.
- Lower school parents: Tuesday, March 15, 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. – Barn circle
- Middle school parents: Thursday, March 17, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. – grass area at the front circle
Community Video Screening of It’s A Madhouse!
- Friday, March 18, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Barn gym
Enjoy the seventh and eighth grade production of It’s A Madhouse! on screen.
You can also enjoy the production from the comfort of home—a link to the recording will be shared that evening by email.
Lunch & Snack Menu
March 14 to March 18
Monday
Snack: apples; Smartfood
Lunch: macaroni and cheese; pasta with marinara on the side; peas; Sunbutter and jelly sandwiches; crusty rolls; Romano cheese; butter; diced fruit cups; milk and water
Tuesday
Snack: bananas; Nutri-grain bars
Lunch: chicken tenders; veggie nuggets; green beans; chips; Sunbutter and jelly sandwiches; ketchup; sweet and sour sauce; fresh fruit cups; milk and water
Wednesday
Snack: craisins; Popcorners
Lunch: Asian beef; Asian style tofu; Basmati rice; broccoli; Sunbutter and jelly sandwiches; soy sauce; apple slices; milk and water
Thursday
Snack: clementines; Lay’s potato chips
Lunch: cheese pizza; Sunbutter and jelly sandwiches; carrots; ranch dressing; applesauce; milk, chocolate milk, and water
Friday
Snack: apple slices; tortilla rounds
Faculty Lunch
BDS News
COVID UPDATES
Weekly COVID Testing Results
We had one positive COVID-19 case reported to us this week. Our weekly Wednesday PCR testing, taken on March 9, returned negative results for all pools.
Supporting Children As Mask Mandates Are Lifted
As schools, including Belmont Day, and other venues lift their mask mandates, we anticipate that people will have a wide range of feelings about this situation. Some families are eagerly awaiting this change and can’t wait to enthusiastically embrace children attending school without masks. Other families will make the individual choice to have their children continue to wear masks for the time being. Use the link for some helpful strategies to support your child during this transition.
As a reminder, masks will be optional for students and faculty at BDS starting on Monday, March 14.
FACULTY NEWS
Departures
Leal Carter, middle school science teacher
At the end of this academic year, Leal Carter will be departing Belmont Day School to pursue the dual degree of masters in social work and educational leadership at Boston University. Since joining BDS in 2019 as a middle school science teacher and advisor, Leal has also coordinated the science curriculum review, collaborated with colleagues to develop a cross-graded partner program focused on social-emotional development, diversity, equity, and inclusion, served as an eighth grade trip planner, and taught seventh grade health and wellness. Leal has brought expertise to every one of her roles and a passion for teaching science and social and environmental justice.
In her classroom, Leal’s passion has opened students’ eyes to the critical scientific practice of making detailed observations, formulating specific questions, making hypotheses, experimenting, and analyzing data. She has inspired a wide range of budding scientists to innovate, question, and investigate the world around them with excitement and joy. Her inherent curiosity and enthusiasm for all things science, combined with the belief that all students can achieve wonders, welcomed everyone into her classroom. Leal’s steady, inquisitive, and cooperative spirit in her work with colleagues has been invaluable and her devoted partnership with students and families will be greatly missed.
We wish Leal all the very best as she embarks on her next adventure.
Sally Harriss, middle school learning specialist
While March 18 will be Sally Harriss’ last day at BDS before she departs for her parental leave time, Sally has also made the decision not to return to Belmont Day School in the fall in order to stay home with her new baby next year. While we will all be sad to see her go, we are very excited for the time she will be able to spend with her family. Since joining BDS in 2019 as a middle school learning specialist, Sally has revamped our Focus curriculum, managed and evaluated student learning profiles, collaborated alongside core academic faculty to support the critical learning needs of our students, coordinated and analyzed our ERB and iReady student assessments, regularly partnered with our learning support team and served as an eighth grade trip planner. Sally has brought excellence to each of her roles and a passion for teaching executive functioning skills and guiding students to shore up key academic skills and concepts.
In her classroom, Sally has modeled what an inclusive and supportive class looks and feels like by providing students with the necessary skills and confidence to advocate for themselves, celebrate their strengths, and apply individualized strategies to complete their work successfully. Countless middle school students and faculty have benefitted from Sally’s skillful mentorship on effective teaching and learning strategies. In addition, Sally’s partnership with families in helping their children meet their goals was steadfast and will be greatly missed next year.
We wish Sally all the very best with the arrival of her new baby and the next chapter!
DEIB NEWS
Parent Feedback Sought for BDS Climate Assessment
Next week, Belmont Day welcomes Dr. Keith Hinderlie to conduct a week-long climate assessment as we continue to advance and evaluate our work as an institution committed to equity, inclusion, and belonging. Dr. Hinderlie, of Hinderlie & Associates, is one of the leading consultants in diversity, equity, and inclusion work in the country, and he has been supporting the work of Belmont Day’s DEI faculty committees this winter.
As part of Dr. Hinderlie’s visit, he will be hosting parent drop-in events to solicit your feedback. Your participation in this process will be critical in Dr. Hinderlie’s ability to best understand the school and all of its community members.
We hope you will join him in a conversation at one of these times on Tuesday, March 15:
- 9 to 10 a.m. This meeting will be held on on-campus. Please click here to RSVP.
- 6 to 7 p.m. This meeting will be held via Zoom. Link and passcode are available on the Parent Portal.
LIBRARY NEWS
More Authors, Illustrators Visiting BDS
We’ve been fortunate to have several more author visits in the lower school so far in 2022 including two authors of new non-fiction books. Sarah Levine, who talked about her picture books A Peek at Beaks: Tools Birds Use and Bone by Bone, even shared various animal skeletons while we guessed the animal. Elizabeth Shreeve answered many student questions about animal adaptations while discussing Out of the Blue: How Animals Evolved from Prehistoric Seas. Emily Jenkins talked about her newest novel, Harry Versus the First 100 Days of School, and shared many fun ways to count to 100 in anticipation of our 100th day of school at BDS.
This past Tuesday, local author Jacqueline Davies visited with kindergarten and first graders over Zoom to talk about the latest book in the Sydney and Taylor series, Sydney and Taylor and the Great Friend Expedition, on the day of its book birthday! Students contributed creative ideas about how someone might go about making a friend. We’re excited to read the book to see if Sydney and Taylor use the strategies we came up with or have different ones.
Next week, Joanna Ho, author of Eyes that Kiss at the Corner, which is currently a favorite of many lower school students, will be sharing her new companion picture book Eyes that Speak to the Stars. Coming up later in March, students in pre-kindergarten through second grade will have an opportunity to meet Mac Barnett (Extra Yarn, Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, Mac B: Kid Spy) who will discuss his new book John’s Turn, about a child sharing his talent for dancing with his school. Second through fourth grade students will also have an opportunity in March to meet author Christine McDonnell and illustrator Victoria Tentler-Krylov to learn about Kip Tiernan with the biography Sanctuary: Kip Tiernan and Rosie’s Place, the Nation’s First Shelter for Women.
The Erskine Library has copies of books by all of these authors and illustrators and we’ve been adding many to classroom libraries as well. If you would like to own your own copies of any of these titles, please consider purchasing from the links below, as these author visits are made possible by Belmont Books.
A Peek at Beaks by Sarah Levine
Out of the Blue: How Animals Evolved from Prehistoric Seas by Elizabeth Shreeve
Harry Versus the First 100 Days of School by Emily Jenkins
Sydney and Taylor and the Great Friend Expedition by Jacqueline Davies
Eyes that Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho
John’s Turn by Mac Barnett
Sanctuary: Kip Tiernan and Rosie’s Place, the Nation’s First Shelter for Women by Christine McDonnell and illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov
– Amy Sprung, school librarian
AUXILIARY PROGRAMS
Last Call: Registration Closes Tonight for Trimester 3 After School & Enrichment Classes
Registration for the after school program and enrichment classes close tonight, Friday, March 11. Please be sure that you have registered your student(s) for the third trimester, as registrations from trimester two do not carry over. You can view your current registrations by clicking the blue “After School & Enrichment Enrollment” button in the right column of the After School, Enrichments, and Vacation Camps page on the Parent Portal.
For any registration or enrollment questions please contact Denali Kikuchi. For program questions please contact Blair Fross.
ASSOCIATE PROGRAM
Visiting Our Peer Schools
In a typical year, our associate teachers visit an array of schools (public, charter, and independent) to observe classrooms, meet with administrators and experience different school cultures beyond BDS. It’s been a few years, but in early March our associate cohort spent the morning at The Atrium School in Watertown where we were welcomed by head of school, Marshall Carter, and his inspiring faculty and students. We sat in on their pre-kindergarten to eighth grade classrooms, talked with teachers and students about what they were teaching and learning, and came back to BDS with renewed perspectives, strategies, and ideas. As our associate teachers continue to think about what kinds of school environments will help them to thrive as educators, visits like these expand and redefine their thinking. We greatly appreciate the hospitality of the team at The Atrium School and look forward to visits to other area schools.
– Heather Woodcock, director of the associate teacher program
TECHNOLOGY NEWS
Deciding on Effective Learning Apps for Your Child
From Common Sense Media:
Ever wonder if that app you downloaded for your child really helps them learn? How do you know the app your child is asking for is built for education or just for entertainment? Not everything for children in the app store is as educational as it says it is. Based on research, here are some important things to consider:
- Age 0-2: Babies and toddlers are likely to be attracted to screens, but there isn’t much evidence that apps or websites will benefit their learning.
- Age 3-8: Young children benefit from content that supports problem-solving and school-readiness skills like reading, writing, and math. The best apps will be easy to navigate, with simple and interactive features.
- Age 9-12: Preteens have strong digital skills, which can help when it comes to schoolwork. They may want to play games designed for teens or adults, so always check that it’s age-appropriate. Look for content that helps with academic subjects and other skills they can practice outside the classroom.
- Age 13+: Teens usually know a lot about tech, so you’ll need to decide how much you want to be involved. Valuable lessons can come from anywhere. Encourage diverse media experiences, and emphasize responsible behavior online.
Check out the full article from Common Sense Media, How to Tell If an App or a Website is Good for Learning
– Dolly Ryan, director of technology
ENSEMBLES PROGRAM
Young Musicians Debut Booming New Arrangements
The boomwhacker ensemble wrapped up the semester by playing through student arrangements of popular music. The young musicians in this percussion ensemble spent weeks writing and editing their own arrangements of their favorite songs, then shared those arrangements with the class. They all took a social risk by sharing music that is near and dear to them and their classmates put in the effort to make their arrangements sound professional. This was a mixed ensemble that included people who have never played music as well as students who have been playing in a school ensemble like orchestra for years.
– Tyler Cotner, music teacher and ensembles instructor
Learning Updates
Kindergarten: 100 Days Smarter!
All year long, students in both kindergarten homerooms have been tracking how many days we have been in school using ten frames and numerals. This past Tuesday, kindergarten celebrated an exciting achievement–their 100th day of school, and students and teachers who were interested in doing so came to school dressed up as if they were 100 years old or centenarians, as we learned that they are called.
All week long, the students also chose from a wide selection of dynamic activities and centers that highlighted the number 100. For instance, they might have decorated glasses in the shape of 100, performed 100 exercises, filled in blank hundred charts, gone on scavenger hunts, estimated which jar had 100 beans, wrote 100 words, or made creations out of 100 LEGOs. We even read a poem with exactly 100 words. Finally, we listened to some picture books specifically about the number 100 or the 100th day of school such as Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the 100th Day of Kindergarten, Centipede’s 100 Shoes, and 100th Day Worries.
Since today officially marked the 103rd school day, that means we only have 66 more days of school remaining in the school year. You may wonder, but who’s really counting? In this case, kindergarten certainly is!
– Betty Chu Pryor & Missy Hartvigsen, kindergarten teachers
Sixth Grade Science Looks at Our Closest Star
Sixth graders have been learning about stars this week and had a chance to look at our nearest star, the sun, through the school’s telescope. This required a special filter, of course, but allowed us to see some of the features on the sun’s surface and get a better understanding of what a star really is. We also worked together to create an example of the “Hertzsprung Russell” diagram, which shows the relationship between the temperature of a star and its brightness. This diagram has helped scientists, and our sixth graders, better understand the life cycle of stars.
– Kaleen Moriarty, sixth grade science teacher
PE Update: Mud Week in Fifth Grade
It’s mud week in athletics, and that means an opportunity for fitness and fun. Mud week is the time between each middle school athletics season when our athletes gear down from one season and gear up for the next, engaging in reflections, fitness boot camps, and the mile run or the beep test. The fifth graders have been engaged in their own mud week to continue mirroring the middle school athletics program. They’ve crushed fitness stations, played pillo polo and handball, worked on cooperative challenges, and returned outdoors for sustained runs. It is the ideal way to prepare for spring athletics, and for this soggy stretch, mud week certainly feels like an appropriate name.
– Alex Tzelnic, physical education teacher
Seventh Grade Latin Studies Roman Britain
Upon return from February break, seventh grade students began their next unit of study. They turned their focus from the destruction of Pompeii in Italy and towards Britain as it was under Roman control. Looking at the new characters introduced in the Cambridge Latin curriculum, students are examining the tone and bias in which these characters are portrayed and are thinking critically about the Romans and Britons’ perspectives and experiences. This week students focused on comprehending positions of power in a Romano-British household and how that affects the daily experiences of each character. With descriptions of skills, abilities, and occupations, students are using Latin to learn about society and structure in ancient Britain.
– Nicole Buck, Latin teacher
Athletics Update: Captains Shine During Winter Assembly
The winter athletics season officially came to a close this morning at the Athletics Sharing Assembly. Twenty-one team captains representing eight teams shared highlights from their seasons and fielded questions from lower school students. It was a celebration of excellence, as captains detailed the commitment to teamwork and sportsmanship while framing success in terms of improvement instead of results. Speaking of results, interscholastic teams finished the season with a combined record of 24 wins and 17 losses. Notable performances were turned in from the fencing (5-1), wrestling (4-1), and girls’ varsity basketball (6-2) teams, who all finished at the top of their respective “leagues.” Congratulations to all of our middle school athletes on a successful winter season! Here comes spring …
– John O’Neill, director of athletics
Parents’ Association News
Parent Book Group
The parent book group will next meet via Zoom at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 28 (link on available on the Parent Portal). This month we will discuss Honor by Thrity Umrigar. As always, we would love to welcome new faces, so please don’t hesitate to join us—whether you’ve just picked up the book or read it until the end. You can reach out to Karla Bays with any questions, or to be added to our email list. We hope you will join us!
Friendraiser Walks
Tuesdays at 8:15 a.m.
Next Walks: March 29, April 5, 12 & 26
There will be no Friendraiser walks the next two weeks, Tuesday, March 15 and 22. Please join us instead for the lower school parent coffee as part of the BDS Love Campaign. Walks will resume Tuesday, March 29. The weather is warming and the ice has melted, but you may still want boots as the trails during are pretty muddy. Meet at the front circle of the Schoolhouse at 8:15 a.m. and then journey through the woodland trails. Duration: about 40 minutes.
Virtual Family Fun Event
Join us for a fun get-together with BDS-inspired trivia questions, bingo, and prizes! The second virtual Family Fun event is next weekend, Saturday, March 19 from 4 to 5 pm. Use the registration form to RSVP by Wednesday, March 16 and you’ll receive a bag of goodies and game boards. Anyone who registers after Wednesday will receive instructions for printing materials at home. All ages can play, so gather around the computer together, or split up for some extra family competition!
Beyond BDS
COMMUNITY EVENT
Panel Discussion: Trans Day of Visibility
Thursday, March 31, 7 to 8 p.m.
Join the Belmont Public Library for an online panel discussion with:
- Krysta Petrie (she/her) is an engineer, singer, maker, crafter, tinkerer, woodworker, and all-around nerd. She lives in Greater Boston with her wife Katie, their pet dog and cat, and two sugar gliders. She holds several identities: transgender, queer, sapphic, and feminist, among others.
- Noah Stang-Osborne (they/he), a speaker, activist, member of LexPride’s board of directors, and art therapy student at Lesley University. Noah holds several identities: Black, Crow, disabled, trans, nonbinary, and queer.
- Parker Morii-Sciolla (they/them), a speaker, cosplay aficionado, and architecture student at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Parker holds several identities: Japanese-American, Italian-American, and trans (nonbinary, agender).
The panelists will share their stories and answer questions about their favorite depictions of trans people in books and film, what else the community should know about trans people, and what allyship looks like.
In addition to the library, this event is sponsored by Belmont LGBTQ+ Alliance, Belmont Human Rights Commission, LexPride, and Network for Social Justice.
Registration is required for this event. Click here for more information and registration.
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