Faculty & Staff Appreciation Luncheon

We need your help! The Faculty Appreciation Luncheon is quickly approaching next Friday, May 6. There are still many slots open especially for main dishes and side dishes. Please note that if you don’t have time to cook, you are welcome to purchase a main dish, side dish, or salad that serves 12 people.

And please keep in mind that BDS is a nut-free campus when planning your contributions. Please bring your donations to morning drop-off on Friday, May 6. There will be a table in front of the PAC.

Click here to sign up today!

For questions, please reach out to the Faculty Appreciation Luncheon co-chairs, Jamie Meredith ([email protected]), Danielle England ([email protected]), and Priya Vaidya ([email protected]).

Grade Parent Nominations

The PA appreciates the volunteers who have already reached out to serve as grade parents for the next school year. We are still looking to fill slots at every grade level. New parents and those with past experience are welcome!

If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the nomination form. And if you have questions about the role of a grade parent and wish to learn more, please contact any member of the PA executive team or send an email to [email protected]

Executive Team Nominations

The Belmont Day School Parents’ Association nominating committee is pleased to present its final slate of nominees for the positions of vice president and clerk for 2022-23 and looks forward to your vote.

Elections will be held at the annual meeting of the corporation on Thursday, May 19.

Karla Bays, PA Vice-President 2022-2023

Karla is the parent of Simon ’27, Malcolm ’29, and Cecilia ’32. She and her husband, Jonathan, joined BDS five years ago when Simon enrolled in pre-kindergarten, and they treasure the community they have found here. Before having children and moving to the Boston area, Karla taught high school English in the New York City public school system, and she hopes to return to teaching in some capacity now that her children will all be in school together. At BDS, Karla has chaired the library committee, the book fair committee, and the parent book group; she has supported admissions and has been a grade parent twice. She is also involved in Children’s Ministries at Trinity Church, Boston. In her free time, Karla enjoys reading, theatergoing, traveling, quilting, and shuttling her children to their various extracurricular activities.

Gigi Saltonstall, PA Clerk 2022-2023

Gigi lives in Belmont with her husband JF Goldstyn and daughters Cordie ’25 and Josie ’27, one dog, two bunnies, and three fish. When not caring for said pets or spending time with family and friends, Gigi is a practicing landscape architect at G2 Collaborative, where she is co-founder and principal. The design firm focuses on institutional, master planning, and urban work while maintaining a small portfolio of residential projects. Gigi has been a part of the BDS community since 2015 when Cordie started in pre-kindergarten, and has been a grade parent three times. She has consulted on various design explorations within the school, including the Raise Your Voice campaign donor recognition wall in The Barn, and has volunteered at admissions events. Gigi loves to cook and bake with her family and keeps moving—most of the time by walking with the dog, running, hiking, skiing, and practicing yoga. When not moving, she can be found knitting, sewing, or needlepointing. She will happily lose herself in a book, puzzle, or sudoku when the opportunity arises.

LITERARY PROGRAM

Dancing in the Mosque: An Afghan Mother’s Letter to Her Son (A Bilingual Event)

Thursday, May 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Lecture Hall

Join the Cambridge Public Library for a bilingual reading and Q&A with Dr. Homeira Qaderi and Aria Aber! This event will include live translation from Persian to English, and questions can be asked in both languages.

Qaderi’s Dancing in the Mosque is a mother’s searing letter to a son she was forced to leave behind. Qaderi describes the unimaginable choices she’s made as a mother in the face of oppression. This event is recommended for adults. Click here for more information and registration.