April 5, 2024
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Last week’s After School prom was the event of the spring season!
Opening Message
Seeing Science, Society, and So Much More in the Solar Eclipse
Anthea Lavergne, Director of Curriculum and the Associate Teacher Program
Post Date: April 5, 2024
Teachers and students are preparing to observe Monday’s forthcoming total solar eclipse. The excitement behind what’s on the horizon will fuel learning and ignite sparks of joy throughout our community. Our school’s approach to teaching and learning about the eclipse culminates with students in grades first through eighth adorning special lenses to experience, through their own eyes and, in real-time, the phenomena of the sun completely covering the moon. The learning opportunities are endless. Students can make connections to content within the field of science and the historical, social, behavioral, cultural, and religious contexts surrounding rare events such as a total solar eclipse. Exploring the evolution of thought and generational practices that survived through time allows students to understand our world and its intricate complexities better.
Dating back to antiquity, the meaning and significance of astronomical and natural occurrences varied across the globe. The solar eclipse is no exception. The Inca of South America thought an eclipse was a sign of anger from their sun god, Inti. Attempts to make amends with Inti and restore his benevolence included acts of sacrifice and fasting. In West Africa, the Ancient Batammaliba people of northern Benin and Togo believed that an eclipse was a fight between the sun and the moon, a direct result of humans warring on Earth. To stop the dispute between the sun and moon, the villagers resolved old quarrels and modeled peace and harmony within the community. Similarly, the Chacoan and Mesa Verde peoples promote reflection and meditation in preparation for significant change brought on by an eclipse. These diverse interpretations highlight the rich tapestry of human culture and the profound ways in which celestial events have shaped societies throughout history.
Today, communities and cultures around the world continue to view the eclipse in different lights. A recent article in USA Today discusses the varied perspectives, customs, traditions, and practices rooted in religion, culture, or education of the individuals and communities represented in the story. From ancient myths and rituals to modern scientific fascination, the eclipse remains a symbol of wonder and awe, bridging the gap between ancient traditions and contemporary understandings of the cosmos. Across the globe, people gather to witness this celestial event, each bringing their unique cultural lens to the experience, enriching the tapestry of human knowledge and appreciation for the natural world.
Upcoming Events
Coming Up This Week
Monthly Calendar
After School Closes Early Next Friday
The After School program will close promptly at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, April 12, as we head into the April vacation week.
Please plan accordingly. Thank you!
Order Your 2024 Yearbook
The yearbook club is excited to announce that ordering is now open for the all-school yearbook. Orders may be placed until Monday, May 6.
The yearbook cost is $10 for students in pre-k to grade 7. All eighth grade students will receive one complimentary copy. Additional copies may be ordered for $10 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 or Charlie Baird. Thank you.
Capstone Week Starts Monday
Get ready to kick off Capstone Week. All presentations are open to the entire community and will run Monday to Friday, April 8-12. 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 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., and 7 p.m. generally have more seats available.
- An informal reception will be held in Coolidge Hall, starting at 6:30 p.m., before the Wednesday and Thursday evening sessions.
Please join us in supporting our hard-working eighth graders as they reach this educational milestone.
– Jennifer Friborg, Capstone coordinator
Capstone Topics & Schedule
2024 Capstone Presentation Schedule
Monday, April 8, 9 to 10:15 a.m.
- How Do Police Dogs Impact Our Community?, Olivia Garrity (Mentor: Emily Crawford)
- Economic System: Defining, Measuring, Comparing, Sam Leviton (Mentor: Jim Walker)
- At the Top of The Arch: Why Keystone Species Are Important, Rhys Kaplan (Mentor: Sana Aslam)
Monday, April 8, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
- Dopamine: What Makes You Happy?, Charis Liu (Mentor: Amy Sprung)
- Ancient Architecture in Ethiopia, Kalkidan Shiferaw (Mentor: Anderson Santos)
- Musical Theater: An Original American Art, Jovana Zivanovic (Mentor: Susan Dempsey)
Monday, April 8, 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.
- The Ancient Olympic Games, Owen Bantham-Livermore (Mentor: Jessica Halton)
- Viruses, Theo Kelman (Mentor: Sandra Trentowsky)
- Color Psychology: Influencing More Than the Eyes, Grace Sullivan (Mentor: Anne Armstrong)
Tuesday, April 9, 9 to 10:15 a.m.
- Quantum Computers: Small but Mighty, Carter Bradshaw (Mentor: Judy Bright)
- Dementia: The Future of Care and Research, Clive Sutton (Mentor: Josh Sussman)
- Fairy Tales: Are They Really for Kids?, Sal Pattisall (Mentor: Becca MacKillop)
Tuesday, April 9, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
- Airline Deregulation: An Experiment in the Free Market, Quinn Clark (Mentor: Kyle Beatty)
- Activism in Sports, Foster Larabee (Mentor: Sam Staples)
- Who’s Writing Her Music? She Is., Eleanor Stine (Mentor: Lana Holman)
Tuesday, April 9, 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.
- Cybernetic Enhancements: The Recipe for a Cyborg, Ariel Duan (Mentor: Bill Smith)
- Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: Science or Theory, Brynn Franklin (Mentor: Brittany Ryan)
Wednesday, April 10, 8 to 9:30 a.m.
- Mirroring Behavior, Julia Street (Mentor: Elena Jay)
- Where Does Your Salmon Come From?, Louis Cantor (Mentor: Bea Rooney)
- From the Abacus to the Smartphone: The Evolution of Computers, Jaden Park (Mentor: Denali Kikuchi)
- Living with Dyslexia, Olivia Dawson (Mentor: Betty Chu Pryor)
Wednesday, April 10, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
- Performance-Enhancing Habits: What You Can Do to Get to the Top, Andrew Green (Mentor: Liz Gray)
- Nuclear Physics: From Deadly Weapons to Clean Energy, Lucy Yin (Mentor: Heather Smith)
- The Arts and the Ancient Olympics, Yaseen Saeed (Mentor: Bill Hamilton)
Wednesday, April 10, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- Flow and Happiness, William Li (Mentor: Alex Tzelnic)
- Power and Fashion, Clem Cradick (Mentor: Kathy Jo Solomon)
- Sports Agents, Charlie Rossi (Mentor: Patrick Murray)
- Brewing Billions: The Economics of Coffee, Zach Cash (Mentor: Zach d’Arbeloff)
Thursday, April 11, 8 to 9:30 a.m.
- How Weather Forecasts Work, Simon Wright (Mentor: Charlie Baird)
- Muscle Recovery: How to Get Back on the Field, Cassie Greiner (Mentor: Brendan Largay)
- Sustainable Architecture, Luke Brenneman (Mentor: Larissa Rochford ’93)
- Carbon Emissions: Pathways to Reduction, Tadhg O’Sullivan (Mentor: Rachel Starks Chaves)
Thursday, April 11, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
- Anatomy of a Bestseller, Alexander Meredith (Mentor: Ana Maria Restrepo)
- AAPI Discrimination in the US, Past and Present, Madoka Hubbard (Mentor: Angela DeVecchi ’75)
- It’s Been a Long Time Coming: The Phenomenon of Taylor Swift, Veronica Wang (Mentor: Nathalie Pellenq)
Thursday, April 11, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- Brain Development: Mind Blowing!, Roudi Youssef (Mentor: Maggie Small)
- Steroids in Baseball, Kaden Flummerfelt (Mentor: John O’Neill)
- Secession Movements: Creating a Country, August Wilmot (Mentor: Khang Phan)
- Synesthesia: Mixing the Senses, Sophie Jean (Mentor: Connie Yepez)
Friday, April 12, 8 to 10 a.m.
- Organized Athletics and Child Development, Annika Vittal (Mentor: Jade Morris)
- Exploring the Oceans with Submarines, Rami Flummerfelt (Mentor: Kassie Bettinelli)
- The Pros and Cons of Artificial Intelligence, Anna Bibler (Mentor: Leigh Twarog)
- Dancing Around the Truth: Ballet’s Effects on Health, Eva Peregudov (Mentor: Tyler Cotner)
- De-extinction: Reviving the Past to Preserve the Future, Gideon Borisy (Mentor: Nicole Buck)
Check the Lost & Found 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. All unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity before the April vacation week.
Lunch & Snack Menu
April 8 to April 12
Monday
Snack: craisins: Smartfood
Lunch: creamy pesto tortellini; penne and marinara; gluten-free creamy pesto tortellini; garlic breadsticks; steamed broccoli; mixed greens with grape tomatoes and balsamic
Tuesday
Snack: bananas; Oreos
Lunch: (Red Sox Home Opener!) beef hot dogs; vegan hot dogs; beef hot dogs with gluten-free buns; chips; roasted corn; Greek salad with cucumber, tomato, olives, red onion, feta, and romaine
Wednesday
Snack: clementines; Goldfish
Lunch: grilled chicken and Caesar salad; grilled marinated tofu; garlic bread; gluten-free garlic bread; Mediterranean roasted vegetables (zucchini, summer squash, peppers, eggplant, and red onion); Caesar salad
Thursday
Snack: apple slices; Fritos
Lunch: cheese pizza; pepperoni pizza; vegan cheese pizza; gluten-free cheese and pepperoni pizzas; honey carrot coins; garden salad with tomatoes and honey mustard dressing
Friday
Snack: apples; banana chocolate oatmeal rounds
Faculty Lunch
Please click the button below for a more detailed and updated weekly menu.
BDS News
COMMUNITY NEWS
Tech and Ornithology Take Flight This Spring
Happy spring migration season! Over the next several weeks, we will work as a school community to track the patterns of birds visiting and taking up residence in our area with the assistance of a Haikubox. The Haikubox enables us to detect bird songs and calls throughout the day and view them through an app. The device collects bird calls and compares them against Cornell Ornithology Lab’s bird song database to indicate which birds are visiting and presents this data in a very user-friendly app.
Each week, a different group will complete data collection sheets to track what birds have visited and add stickers to our bulletin board to represent the bird’s detection. The number inside the sticker indicates how many times that bird’s call was heard by the device. Visit the bulletin board in the Gallery to see which birds are visiting the BDS campus. You can also click here to see some of the data.
This is just one of the many ways we are learning about our avian friends. This work aims to increase awareness of the birds around campus and promote conservation and care for our environment. In the coming weeks, we’ll highlight several other egg-sighting ways our im-peck-able fledgling community scientists are raven about birds.
Too much of o-strich at the end there?
– The Innovation Team: Brit Conroy, Annie Fuerst, and Amy Sprung
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 Friday, April 19, 2024. For those who use AutoPay, payments will be processed on Friday, April 19, 2024. Please plan accordingly.
If you have questions about trip charges, please contact Jen James, assistant to the head of school. If you have questions about payment processing, please contact the business office.
THEATER NEWS
ICYMI: Grades 1 & 2 Play Recording Available
This week, our talented first and second graders took to the stage to present “Squirm.” Filled with song, these young actors delighted us while they taught us the wonders and importance of the bugs, bats, bees, and worms all around us. If you couldn’t make the show or simply want to experience it again, click here for a video recording of the performance.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
BDS Garden Workday
Saturday, April 27, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Parents, students, and faculty are invited to wake up the garden for the new growing season. Middle school students may participate without an adult. We will be mulching, raking, clearing, enriching the soil, planting, and having fun. Bring gloves and a shovel if you have one (we have them, too), and enjoy being outdoors and working together to maintain our outdoor classroom and community garden.
Questions and RSVP to Kathy Jo Solomon at ksolomon@belmontday.org
ADMISSIONS NEWS
Be a ‘Buddy’ to a Newly Enrolled BDS Family
What is a buddy family?: A buddy family is a current family paired with a newly enrolled family–typically in the same grade as your student(s). With direction and support from the admissions team, volunteers will reach out with congratulations, schedule a meet-up over the summer (in-person or virtually), and be a point of contact for the first few months of school. Buddy families help new families feel welcome and keep the excitement going throughout the summer until school begins.
It’s easy: Admissions emails you outreach reminders with talking points.
It’s not too much work: You do your outreach over the summer through early fall only.
It’s fun: You and/or your student(s) might make new friends at BDS.
Please complete this survey as soon as possible if you are interested. Pairings will be made in mid-May.
If you have any questions, please contact Judy Bright, admissions and outreach program manager.
CLUBS NEWS
Model UN Excels at Local Conference
On Saturday, March 30, sixteen middle school students participated in the Model UN conference at Concord Academy, organized by the CA Model UN club. More than 200 students participated in discussions and activities related to several world issues and some historical scenarios. Topics included the Mexico-US border, AI safety, and forced labor. Our Model UN students held their own admirably in this conference, whose participants were mainly high school students. After an opening speech by Mr. Richard Nasereddin, who worked at the United Nations as head of global facilities management, students participated in discussions and crafting of resolutions. Seeing them grow into this experience and take part productively was inspiring. The BDS Model UN participants were eighth graders Tadhg O’Sullivan, Sam Leviton, Madoka Hubbard, Simon Wright, Ariel Duan, and Gideon Borisy; seventh graders Vatche Balikian and Adam Ahmed; and sixth graders Pippa Elner, Henry Ward, Harvey Borisy, Henry Mallet, Christine Deng, Ashley Fleming, Eden O’Sullivan, and Reema Wulfsberg. Tadhg and Ariel received special recognition in their respective discussion groups.
– Jen Friborg, French teacher and Model UN club advisor
LIBRARY NEWS
Author Sophie Blackall to Visit
Deadline for Book Orders is Monday
On Thursday, April 25, Caldecott Award-winning illustrator and author Sophie Blackall will meet with students in pre-kindergarten to grade 2 to talk about her new book, Ahoy!, do a drawing demonstration, and answer student questions.
Her visit is made possible by Porter Square Books, who will handle book sales of Blackall’s books for families who would like to purchase any of her books to be signed. Please use the button below to order a book to be signed. All orders must be placed by Monday, April 8. Please include your student’s/teacher’s name and any personalization you would like for the book(s) in the order notes. If you would like to order any additional books by Blackall other than the ones linked, make sure to include in the comments that the whole order is for the event with Sophie Blackall at Belmont Day School.
If you have any questions, please contact librarian Amy Sprung. We’ll have several of Sophie Blackall’s books available for students to read in classrooms and borrow from the Erksine Library.
Learning Updates
Athletics Update: Track & Field Opens With Strong Showing
The track & field team traveled off campus this week for a tri-meet against Shady Hill & BB&N. The Blue & Gold jumped out to a fast start with notable performances in the field events. Eighth grade classmates Alexander Meredith (26’2”), Quinn Clark (24’3”), and Clive Sutton (21’3”) swept the shot put, while sixth grader Violet Hancock recorded an impressive 11’5” in the long jump. On the track, Belmont Day swept the 1600m with Sam Leviton (5:29), Quinn Clark (5:34), and Alexander Meredith (5:54) all coming in with sub 6:00 times. Other strong showings included second place finishes for Pippa Ellner (1:18) and Clive Sutton (1:10) in the 400m, a third place finish from Aidan Tan (30.39) in the 200m, and another first place finish from Sam Leviton (2:39) in the 800m. The team will look to continue their success next week on the road against Fessenden.
– John O’Neill, director of athletics
Athletics News
- Sixth graders Evan Bae and Graham Chisholm have earned starting spots on the boys’ lacrosse team and will be counted on for big minutes in the team’s season opener next week.
- Maraki Shiferaw will be between the pipes for the girls’ varsity lacrosse team this spring, earning the position in part from her strong performance last year on junior varsity.
- Anna Bantham-Livermore, Nihka Linhart, and Eileen Luo have shown steady improvement over the first three weeks of girls’ junior varsity lacrosse.
- Siblings Alexander and Henry Kiraly will be a dangerous 1-2 punch for the varsity tennis team this spring and may even be paired together as a doubles team.
- Anna Bibler joins a strong group of veteran eighth grade classmates on the junior varsity tennis team this spring.
- Mackenzie Ekechukwu and Sohan Shah will look to provide some consistent leadership on the intramural tennis team this spring. The seventh grade duo is off to a solid start.
- Eighth graders Carter Bradshaw, Tadhg O’Sullivan, and August Wilmot are all newcomers to the varsity ultimate team but will be counted on to make plays this spring.
- Joshua Harriette and Harvey Borisy have brought a steady approach to the junior varsity ultimate team this spring and have been working hard to improve their skills.
- Altay Jomazer and Clark Rutherford have been ripping up the trails for mountain biking. The sixth grade teammates pushe the pace every day and are eager to get after it.
Arts Update: Fifth Graders Ready to Stage New Play
The fifth grade theater class is about to blow you away with their electrifying performance in Bots! This new musical is about a high-stakes robotics competition where the excitement is palpable. In this week’s rehearsals, they mastered every move, perfected every note, and brought the opening number, “Gearing Up For Glory,” to life with infectious energy. But that’s just the beginning. Not only have the students memorized their lines and songs, but they’ve also delved into character development. From the amazing MCs to the brilliant tech whizzes and quirky robot enthusiasts, each student brings their unique flair to the stage. Whether singing, dancing, or reciting lines, their passion for performing shines through every moment of the day. So, get ready to be dazzled as the robotic teams and their bots gear up for glory! This is one performance you won’t want to miss.
– Susan Dempsey, theater teacher
Parents’ Association News
Casual Coffee & Enrichment Assembly
The PA enrichment committee welcomes Belmont Day parent Frank O’Sullivan as our speaker on Friday, April 12. He will help expand our understanding of renewable energy through an interactive lower school presentation in the Barn Gym as we celebrate Earth Day 2024. All parents are welcome to join us in the Barn at 8:45 a.m., following the casual coffee outside the Barn. The committee welcomes all speaker suggestions as we start to plan for next year’s programming. Please email Wendy Liszt at wfulenwider@gmail.com.
PA Meeting – Rescheduled
Please join us in Coolidge Hall on Thursday, April 25, at 8:30 a.m. for our April parents’ association meeting featuring representatives from the school’s Incident Management Team. They will update us on the school’s safety policies and procedures. Coffee and light refreshments will be served.
Parent Book Group
Our next book group meeting will be Tuesday, May 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Menotomy Grill & Tavern in Arlington to discuss North Woods: A Novel by Daniel Mason. We hope you will join us.
Cradles to Crayons Clothing Drive
The Cradles to Crayons clothing drive will run from April 8 to April 26, culminating in a sorting event at BDS on Sunday, April 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. We’ll be collecting new and gently used clothing, shoes, and books appropriate for children up to 12 years old. Keep an eye out for a purple collection bin that will be placed near the Barn.
For over 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. As the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to addressing children’s clothing insecurity, Cradles To Crayons equips children, from newborns to 12-year-olds, with the essential items they need to thrive. Your participation and donations can make a significant difference in the lives of many!
If you have questions, please contact event co-chairs Carolyn Atinizian and Adrienne Mugar. The flyer on the Parent Portal has more information and a QR code to sign up to volunteer for the sorting event.
Spring Fest Volunteers
Help us support the development team with Spring Fest on Saturday, May 4! If you would like to share an aspect of your cultural background, help run an activity, or lend a helping hand with set-up or clean-up, please contact events and community relations coordinator Tania Chamlian.
Seeking Grade Parents for 2024-25
We would love to have you as a grade parent next year. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please reach out to us at bdspa@belmontday.org or contact an executive team member directly. Thank you.
- President – Karla Bays karla.bays@gmail.com
- Vice President – Courtney Queen cqueen.rosenfeld@gmail.com
- Treasurer – Andy Stevenson als@sfilp.com
- Clerk – Gigi Saltonstall gigisalt@gmail.com
Beyond BDS
COMMUNITY EVENT
Boston Comics In Color Festival
The Boston Comics in Color Festival (BCICF) is a free, family-friendly event for all ages focusing on creators of color and stories by and about people of color. This event will take place on Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center on the campus of Roxbury Community College. BCICF includes an event headliner, special guest speakers, panel discussions with working artists and writers, workshops, and live art demos, as well as an artist alley for comic creators to share and sell their books, materials, and artwork.
“The festival is a super fun event where you can talk to authors and listen to panels. There’s also a cosplay contest you can participate in and win prizes. Last year, it was a lot of fun seeing people’s costumes and exploring the different booths. I got a bunch of awesome art, books, and stickers! If you are interested in writing or drawing you should attend.” – Belmont Day eighth grader Sophie Jean
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Save The Date: Lone Tree Hill Volunteer Day
The Belmont Citizens Forum, in conjunction with Judy Record Conservation Fund, will hold its 10th Annual Volunteer Day on April 27, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Lone Tree Hill, Belmont.
The volunteer day activities will include planting white pine saplings along the Meadow Edge Trail, picking up trash, and removing invasives at the South Pleasant Street/Coal Road and Mill Street areas. In a few years, this year’s tree planting will provide a green screen for the houses on Summit Road.
Click here for more information and meeting locations.
CHARITY EVENT
Belmont PMC Kids Ride
Sunday, May 5, at Belmont Hill School
Get ready for the 9th annual Belmont Pan Mass Kids Ride. Two fun options are starting at the Belmont Hill School location:
- Tot Lot: Riders ride on campus in a contained area. This is perfect for those with training wheels or needing direct supervision.
- Challenge Route: This is a 1-mile loop off campus off of Marsh St. Riders can ride this loop as many times as they would like.
Participation in the ride raises money for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Click here for more information on time, location, and registration.
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