April 4, 2025
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In fifth grade science, we’re looking into how the eye works!
Opening Message
Get Ready BDS Birders, It’s Time to Fly!
Annie Fuerst, Director of Innovation
Post Date: April 4, 2025
While the weather in New England can be unpredictable this time of year, a sure sign of spring is once again filling the air: chicka-dee-dee-dee! Birdsongs are back, and they’re not the only joyful sounds. Take a walk through campus in the spring. You’ll hear a symphony of the season: students laughing on Big Blue as they soak in the returning sun, eighth graders proudly rehearsing their Capstone presentations, first and second graders excitedly singing from the stage, and classrooms launching into new projects that will carry them to the end of the school year. Spring at Belmont Day is a season of joyful noise.
In celebration of the season, our colorful bird friends will begin migrating back to the Gallery to start our second school-wide birding project. Students throughout the school will help us collect and visualize data representing bird calls detected by our Haikubox stationed in the nearby woods. Our birding project will help us learn more about the nature around us, how nature and technology can interact, and the limitations of technology and artificial intelligence in this context. And, of course, it helps us all to build a good deal of excitement about birding!
If you’d like to join in at home, here are a few tips and resources for getting started:
- Pick an observation spot: Choose one place outside, your backyard, a park bench, a nature path, or even a big window (we love birding through the windows of the Barn Conference Room)!
- Listen First: Many birds are heard before they’re seen. Try closing your eyes and tuning into the sounds, how many different calls can you notice?
- Bring a Notebook: Draw, list, or describe what you see and hear.
- Use a Field Guide (or App): Tools like the Merlin Bird ID app can help identify birds by sight and sound. It’s like having a bird expert in your pocket. Or bring along a guidebook like the Sibley Guide to Birds.
- Participate in Global Big Day: On May 10, be a community scientist, and report your bird observations to eBird! Your observations will help scientists better understand global bird populations–even 5 minutes of birding can help!
- Keep Track of the Birds at BDS: Our Haikubox data is live and can be viewed here if you’d like to follow along at home!
In the words of the Massachusetts Young Birding Club, “If you’re interested in birds and want to go out and look for them, congratulations–you’re a birder!” So have fun out there, BDS Birders!
Upcoming Events
Monthly Calendar
See Ewe Tomorrow at The Baash!
We are looking forward to having ewe and over 250 members of our BDS family gather in the Barn tomorrow night for a very special event.
We promise a great time. Ewe will …
- visit with old BDS friends and make new ones
- enjoy delicious food and drink, including our special signature cocktail
- dance!
And best of all, ewe will be amongst others like ewe who are there to show their support of our school, today, tomorrow, and into the future.
And for those who cannot attend the event, you can still show your support by bidding on items and experiences in our online catalog. THANK EWE!
ICYMI: Grades 1 & 2 “Moosical” Performance Video
This week, our talented first and second graders took to the stage to present “The Barnyard Moosical.” Filled with song, dance, and plenty of jokes, these young actors delighted us with whimsical scenes from the farm.
If you couldn’t make the show or simply want to experience it again, click here for a video recording of the performance.
Parent Education
Ruth Whippman, Author of BoyMom
Thursday, April 10, from 7 to 8 p.m.
Coolidge Hall
Join us for a discussion with Ruth Whippman, author of BoyMom, Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity and America the Anxious, How Our Pursuit of Happiness is Creating a Nation of Nervous Wrecks. Whippman will speak specifically to the challenges of raising boys today.
All parents are invited to attend. Don’t miss this thoughtful event that should spark discussions throughout the BDS community. Hope to see you there!
Cradles to Crayons Clothing Drive
Clean out your closets to help us make an impact! The Cradles to Crayons clothing drive is running now through April 13, culminating in a sorting event at BDS on Sunday, April 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. We’re collecting new and gently used clothing, shoes, and books appropriate for children up to 12 years old. Collection bins are located in front of the Schoolhouse and the Barn.
For more than a decade, Belmont Day has proudly served as the Belmont community’s primary collection site, and through this partnership, BDS has provided clothing and vital supplies to countless children throughout Massachusetts.
If you have questions, please contact event co-chairs Carolyn Atinizian and Adrienne Mugar. Thank you!
Lunch & Snack Menu
April 7 to April 11
Monday
Snack: fruit cups; Tostitos
Lunch: shells and cheese; shells and marinara; gluten-free pasta and cheese; pulled BBQ chicken; seasoned broccoli; romaine lettuce, Roma tomatoes, and honey mustard dressing
Tuesday
Snack: bananas; Cheez-Its
Lunch: beef hot dogs and buns; vegan hot dogs and buns; beef hot dogs and gluten-free buns; corn and peas; creamy coleslaw; greens with shredded carrots and balsamic dressing
Wednesday
Snack: clementines; Popcorners
Lunch: grilled chicken and Caesar salad; grilled smoky tofu; garlic bread; honey carrot coins; Caesar salad
Thursday
Snack: apple slices; Tiget Bites
Lunch: chef’s choice soup; cheddar bagel monster melts; vegan cheddar bagel monster melts; gluten-free cheddar bagel monster melts; kale salad with roasted corn, tomatoes, cranberries, and citrus vinaigrette
Friday
Snack: apples; banana oatmeal rounds
Faculty Lunch
Please click the button below for a more detailed and updated weekly menu.
Orchestra Concert
Thursday, April 10 from 6 to 6:45 p.m.
Palandjian Arts Center
The orchestra concert that was postponed due to a snowstorm in February has been rescheduled. Join the BDS Orchestra, led by teacher and conductor Meghan Carye ’91, for an evening of beautiful music and community.
All families are invited to attend and celebrate our students’ passions for learning and performing music!
BDS News
STAFFING UPDATES
Departures
Emma Nairn, fifth grade teacher
After six years at Belmont Day, we will be bidding farewell to Emma Nairn in June. Emma has cherished her time at BDS, but has decided to pursue part-time work closer to home and family.
Since joining BDS in 2019, Emma has crafted and revised many aspects of the fifth grade math and science curriculum. In her first year, Emma guided the adoption of Singapore Math, creating a year’s worth of additional materials to support and stretch this curriculum. In science, Emma devised a comprehensive human body curriculum and this year, pioneered the use of Mystery Science to add more interactive activities and experiments. Emma also created DEIB-focused lessons to accompany the reading of New Kid.
When she returned from maternity leave last year, Emma joined the middle school for a year to teach one section of seventh grade math. She had the pleasure of teaching some students for a second time, deepening relationships and enhancing their math learning. Emma also served as a mentor to associate teachers, a new faculty mentor, and a Capstone mentor.
A valuable member of the Labyrinth team, Emma will be missed. We wish her the best in her future endeavors.
Julia Walsh, associate director of athletics
We bid farewell to Julia Walsh who recently accepted a full-time position with the Dream Big organization in Needham. In her short time at Belmont Day this school year, Julia led the girls’ varsity soccer team to their first undefeated season in program history and was a valued member of the physical education and athletics team. We wish Julia the best of luck in her new endeavor.
COMMUNITY EVENT
Capstone Week Starts Monday, April 14
Get ready to kick off Capstone Week 2025! All presentations are open to the entire community and will run Monday to Friday, April 14-18. Check out the full schedule in the dropdown below, and plan to join us in the Palandjian Arts Center.
- Early morning sessions tend to fill the PAC, especially with students from various grades attending.
- Sessions starting at 11:35 a.m., 2:45 p.m., and 7 p.m. generally have more seats available.
Please join us in supporting our hard-working eighth graders as they reach this educational milestone.
– Jennifer Friborg, Capstone coordinator
Capstone Topics & Schedule
2025 Capstone Presentation Schedule
- Presentations will be 15-20 minutes each, with some variation.
- All visitors are encouraged to stay for the whole session of three or four presenters.
- Eighth grade students will attend all presentations.
- Official presentation titles will be coming soon.
Monday, April 14, 9 to 10:40 a.m.
- Surviving Antarctica: Shackleton’s Expedition, Julia Popa (Mentor: Ana Maria Restrepo)
- Mental Health and Social Media, Samantha Cuming (Mentor: Leigh Twarog)
- Deindustrialization in the Midwest: The Transformation of a Region, Jonathan Laipson (Mentor: Katie Wallace)
- Democracy Divided: The Rise of Partisanship, Mylo Rosenfeld (Mentor: Joshua Sussman)
Monday, April 14, 11:35 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
- ACL Tear: Road to Recovery, Laurice Bandar (Mentor: Abbey Nyland)
- Rocketry, Ben Fleming (Mentor: Tyler Cotner)
- The Basics of Gemology, Lucy Walther (Mentor: Kathy Jo Solomon)
Monday, April 14, 2:45 to 4:30 p.m.
- Creating an Online Business, Copeland Maier (Mentor: Nancy Fell)
- Rookies, Relics, and Riches: Exploring the Sports Card Boom, Sam Rodriguez (Mentor: Conor Garrison)
- Social Media and Its Effects on Adolescents, Henry Kiraly (Mentor: Lana Holman)
- Shocking! Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Defibrillation, Kiernan Patel (Mentor: Brendan Largay)
Tuesday, April 15, 9 to 10:40 a.m.
- CTE: The Hidden Cost of Football, Melisa Adhikari (Mentor: Emily Crawford)
- Threads of Change: Fashion and Women in the 20th Century, Christian Samuel (Mentor: Rebecca MacKillop)
- Striving for the Impossible: Perfectionism, Kali Owens-Schwartz (Mentor: Betty Pryor)
- Juneteenth, Ziah-Lina Marsan (Mentor: Emma Nairn)
Tuesday, April 15, 11:35 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
- Space Junk, Ethan Zipkin (Mentor: Denali Kikuchi)
- A Night at the Museum: Could the Mafia Have a Rembrandt?, Josie Stevenson (Mentor: Judy Bright)
- Art Therapy, Penny Gottesman (Mentor: Sandra Trentowsky)
Tuesday, April 15, 2:45 to 4:30 p.m.
- Early Cancer Detection: The Race Against Time, Vicente Aguerreverre (Mentor: Alex Tzelnic)
- Battle of Adwa, Leeul Miteku (Mentor: Angela DeVecchi)
- Oil: The Resource That Drives the Earth, Jun Murikami (Mentor: Emily Phan)
- Setting Europe Ablaze: Female Spies in WWII, Claire Huang (Mentor: Heather Smith)
Wednesday, April 16, 8 to 9:40 a.m.
- The Ins and Outs of Social Media Marketing, Isla Smith (Mentor: Ellen Brandt)
- AI and Global Health, Vatche Balikian (Mentor: Bea Rooney)
- The Currency That Constantly Moves, Jordan Levine (Mentor: Sam Staples)
- The Rising Tides in Our Future, Julia Casey (Mentor: Susan Vitale)
Wednesday, April 16, 11:35 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
- AI Images: How They Work and Their Impact, Sohan Shah (Mentor: Liz Gray)
- The Evolution of Navigation, Christian Atem (Mentor: Elena Jay)
- Women in Sports Media, Lila Green (Mentor: Katie O’Brien)
Wednesday, April 16, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- Parkinson’s Disease, Sara Colangelo (Mentor: Blair Fross)
- The Colosseum and Ancient Rome, Hughy Marsan (Mentor: Zach D’Arbeloff)
- Fighting Aircraft’s Evolution and Design, Edwin Voiland (Mentor: Jim Walker)
- Technology in Comedy, Zeke Fine (Mentor: Nicole Buck)
Thursday, April 17, 8 to 9:40 a.m.
- Great Barrier Reef, Genevieve von Rekowsky (Mentor: Kyle Beatty)
- The Future and Physics of Drones, Wyatt Baker (Mentor: Rachel Starks Chaves)
- Type 1 Diabetes, Penelope Bern (Mentor: Brittany Ryan)
- Finding Their Way: Animal Navigation, Siri Paulsson (Mentor: Arlene Silva)
Thursday, April 17, 11:35 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
- Neural Networks: Mathematical Brains Aidan Tan (Mentor: Larissa Rochford)
- Medieval Fashion with a Modern Twist, Maraki Shiferaw (Mentor: Anne Armstrong)
- Metal vs Classical Music Jack Ward (Mentor: Sarah Pikcilingis)
Thursday, April 17, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- The Evolution of Architecture in the Middle East, Adam Ahmed (Mentor: Charlie Baird)
- Engines: The Role They Play in Modern Society, Alexander Kiraly (Mentor: John O’Neill)
- Fishing, Emmett Mack (Mentor: Amy Sprung)
- The Hip-Hop Chronicles, Makenzie Ekechukwu (Mentor: Kassie Bettinelli)
Friday, April 18, 8 to 9:30 a.m.
- Deadly Victorian Beauty Standards, Cordelia Goldstyn (Mentor: Susan Dempsey)
- The Life, Death, and Rebirth of Cosmic Titans, Calum Dunbar (Mentor: Maggie Smith)
- Bacteriophages: A Remnant of the Past and a Window to the Future, Isadora Eiref (Mentor: Khang Phan)
- Movie Music, Griffin Targum (Mentor: Bill Hamilton)
2025 YEARBOOKS
Order Your Yearbook Before April 30
The yearbook club is excited to announce that ordering is now open for the all-school yearbook. Orders may be placed until Wednesday, April 30.
The yearbook cost is $15 for students in pre-k to grade 7. All eighth grade students will receive one complimentary copy. Additional copies may be ordered for $15 each using the order link.
Please use the link below to complete your yearbook purchase online using your Veracross Account or with a credit card.
Questions? Please reach out to yearbook faculty advisors Sandra Trentowsky. Thank you.
AUXILIARY PROGRAMS
After School Closes Early Friday, April 18
The After School program will close promptly at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, April 18, as we head into the April vacation week.
Please plan accordingly. Thank you!
Spaces Available In April Vacation Camp
Due to cancellations, we have a few spaces available in the April Vacation Camp. The camp is held at Belmont Day and will run from Tuesday to Friday, April 22 to April 25. The camp is geared to children in pre-kindergarten to grade 3. Click here for details on the theme, price, and hours.
If you have any questions, please contact Blair Fross, director of school-year auxiliary and specialty programs.
LIBRARY NEWS
Visiting Author: Birds, Animal Habitats, and Writing
Acclaimed non-fiction author Melissa Stewart will visit Belmont Day in April. She’ll meet with pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students in sessions on Tuesday, April 29. The second through fifth grade sessions will focus on birds and their adaptations in time for migratory bird season and our school bird data collection project. Pre-kindergarten will learn about animals and habitats, and kindergarten and first grade will learn about how an idea turns into a book, focusing on examples of animal nonfiction.
A selection of her books is available from Belmont Books. If you want to order a book to be signed and personalized, please order from this link no later than April 23. Include the name for personalization in the order comments. Titles include her newest release, Meet the Mini-Mammals: A Night at the Natural History Museum, and Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-floor Ecosystem. The school will pick up the orders from Belmont Books. After being signed by the author, books will be delivered to the student’s cubby after the visit. Please consider supporting this local author and finding your next great non-fiction read! We will also have a selection of her books available in the Erskine Library and classrooms for students to read.
– Amy Sprung, school librarian
Talking About A Revolution & Writing
On Wednesday, middle school students met two-time National Book Award nominee Laurie Halse Anderson, who discussed her just-released historical fiction novel Rebellion 1776. In her talk, Ms. Anderson shared how she conducted research and consulted numerous primary sources to craft a compelling story of a working-class girl in Boston as the smallpox epidemic and the American Revolution raged on. The session ended with several insightful questions from our middle school students about the book and authorship. Many thanks to Ms. Anderson and Belmont Books for making this thought-provoking event happen.
– Amy Sprung, school librarian
PARENT EVENT
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Book Group
Join us for an informal, parent-led DEIB book group focusing on books written from the perspectives of marginalized communities. All BDS parents/caregivers and faculty are welcome!
The next meeting will be Thursday, April 10, at 8:15 a.m. We will meet just outside Coolidge Hall. We will be discussing Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson.
Please reach out to Christina Cosman for more information.
CLUBS NEWS
Model UN Delegates Impress at Local Conference
On Saturday, March 29, fourteen Belmont Day middle school students participated in a Model UN Conference at Northeastern University. These students were delegates from Brazil, Bulgaria, Colombia, and India. During middle school club meetings, they researched their countries and the issues they prepared to discuss. With 300 fellow middle school students from schools around New England, they discussed important world issues and worked to pass resolutions to solve global problems. Our students grappled with the issues of preserving and restoring cultural artifacts and promoting green jobs in developing countries.
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Before they launched into their committee work sessions, the delegates heard a representative from the Mexican Consulate in Boston. The diplomat is active in immigration issues and climate issues and brought the perspective of history to his comments, tying together climate, culture, and immigration.
Preparing for a Model UN conference involves extra work outside of school, a commitment to effective collaboration, and a desire to make a difference in the world. Be sure to ask one of our BDS delegates about their experiences as international diplomats!
Our Model UN participants were eighth graders Vatche Balikian, Ethan Zipkin, Kiernan Patel, Sohan Shah, and Jonathan Laipson; seventh graders Pippa Ellner, Eileen Luo, Eden O’Sullivan; sixth graders Dalia DiCrescenzo, Olivia Hu, Elena Lin, Jaya Patel, Bella Tan, Reema Wulfsberg, and Rubin Xiao.
– Jennifer Friborg, French teacher, Capstone coordinator, and Model UN Club advisor
LOST & Found
Check for Items Before April Vacation
Please visit the lost and found soon to check for your children’s missing items. The racks are packed with found items—jackets, sweatshirts, shirts, gloves, mittens, hats, boots, and sneakers.
The lost and found is in the Schoolhouse just past Liz Parfit’s office near the sixth grade hallway. A photo gallery of found items (updated in late March) is located on the Parent Portal. Click the button below to view current items.
All unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity during the April vacation week.
BUSINESS OFFICE NEWS
Invoices Available for Eighth Grade Families
The Southwest Trip invoices are now available on the Parent Portal.
To review your account and initiate a payment, please log in and use the “Invoices & Payments” button on the right side of the screen. Payments may also be submitted by mailing a check to the attention business office.
All payments are due by Tuesday, April 15, 2024. For those who use AutoPay, payments will be processed on Tuesday, April 15, 2024. Please plan accordingly.
If you have questions about trip charges, please contact Jen James. If you have questions about payment processing, please contact the business office.
Learning Updates
Athletics Update: Rain Spoils Season Openers
Five varsity teams were scheduled to begin interscholastic competition yesterday. Unfortunately, heavy rain made fields and courts unplayable and forced athletes inside for another day of practice. Despite the disappointment, teams made the most of the extra practice time. The boys’ lacrosse team brought new goalie Hughy Marsan up to speed while returning players Sam Doyle and James Shields benefited from additional reps.
The girls’ lacrosse team cranked some tunes and developed their stickwork in the gym. The team will lean on Cordie Goldstyn, Siri Paulsson, and Sara Colangelo to turn up the dial on the field this spring.
On the tennis court, returning players Deniz Kas and Suryavir Nallari-Jhala have been swinging the racquet well for the varsity team, which now has a pair of matches next week.
The track & field team will also run twice next week and will count on significant contributions from sixth grade rookies Piper Connors, Bella Tan, Silas O’Brien, and Kabir Sonawane.
Finally, the varsity ultimate squad will now have the first pull of the season on Monday at home against Shady Hill. First year varsity players Christian Atem, Wyatt Baker, and Jordan Levine have all been strong contributors in practice so far and are eager for their first varsity run.
– John O’Neill, director of athletics
Athletics News
- The girls’ JV lacrosse team has benefited greatly from the additions of Maren Whitman, Ella Kamenski, and Frankie Dowers who all switched from different sports last spring.
- Returning eighth graders Zazoue Marsan and Josie Stevenson have provided leadership and stability for Coach Phan and the extremely talented junior varsity tennis team.
- The intramural tennis team is working hard on the courts. Clara Min had a great week of practice refining her serve and Rosie Smith demonstrated strong instincts on the court during rallies.
- Sixth grade classmates Jacob Jarbeau and Max Kishlansky earned spots on the highly competitive varsity tennis team. The duo will be battling for ladder position this week.
- First year riders Jaya Patel and Boya Yun are slowly getting up to speed on the mountain biking trails. The duo has shown increased confidence in the saddle as of late.
Fifth Graders Look Into How Eyes Work
Fifth graders continued their study of the human body this week by building models of an eye. Using paper, a lens, and an index card, students learned about how the cornea, retina, pupil, and iris work as a system to create a clear image. We manipulated the distance between our “corneas” and our “retinas” to understand the reason why some people have blurry vision and even studied how some animals can see better at night by adjusting the size of our model’s pupil. Students were able to explore some different causes of blindness, the reason glasses work, and why our eyes look a bit different than those of an owl. This week’s lessons launched us into some discussions about disabilities and served as a wonderful segue into our future project of designing assistive devices.
– Giuliana Blanca, associate teacher
Parents’ Association News
PA Meeting
The parent education series on youth anxiety and technology will conclude with a parent panel discussion and Q&A at the April parents’ association meeting. This meeting will be held on Friday, April 11, at 8:30 a.m. in Coolidge Hall.
Our panelists will include:
- Ara Balikian, parent of fifth and eighth graders
- Celeste Peterson, parent of fifth and eighth graders
- Adrienne Principe, parent of four children and founder of Turning Life On
- Courtney Queen, parent of fifth and eighth graders
- Hannah Stevenson, parent of seventh and eighth graders
All parents are invited, and coffee and light refreshments will be served.
BDS Connections Walk
Spring has finally arrived! Grab a friend and join us for the next BDS Connections Walk on Monday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Parents Ingrid Goldberg and Brian Kinzler will lead the walk. After morning drop-off, we’ll gather outside Coolidge Hall and take a casual stroll through the woods, sharing laughs and good company with fellow parents and school administrators. It’s the perfect chance to connect with friends, new and old, and enjoy some fresh air. We’d love to see you there!
Volunteer Opportunities for 2025-26
Thank you to all the parents who expressed interest in volunteering for the 2025-26 school year. We greatly value your support and partnership! Specific roles we are still looking to fill include organizing the Pumpkin Patch fundraiser and grade parents for grades 3, 4, 5, and 8.
A full listing of committees and volunteer opportunities can be found on the parents’ association page on the Parent Portal. Click here to view the list. If you’re interested in getting involved, please complete the volunteer sign-up form.
Contact the PA
At any time and for any reason, please feel free to email us at bdspa@belmontday.org:
- President – Shanying Zhang
- Vice President – Megan Akkina
- Treasurer – Andy Stevenson
- Clerk – Jeff Wang
Beyond BDS
COMMUNITY EVENT
Fundraising Run & Walk To Honor Legacy of BDS Alum
The Belmont Day community is invited to participate in the inaugural Dana Chang Foundation 5K for Heart Anomalies—an event dedicated to raising awareness about congenital heart conditions. The race honors Dana Chang ’21 who loved running and competing as a member of the BDS cross country and track and field teams.
In partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital, this race will take place on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., starting and finishing at Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick. There will be both a 5K race and a 1K walk. Click here for more information and registration.
This isn’t just a race—it’s a community coming together to make a difference. Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, your participation will help fund life-saving early detection programs and spread awareness about a condition that often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.
The Dana Chang Foundation was created in loving memory of Dana, an exceptionally gifted young artist and musician who passed away suddenly in April 2024 from an undiagnosed heart condition.
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