February 3, 2023
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Swinging into some parkour fun during after school!
Opening Message
Fueling Winter’s Warmth Inside Belmont Day
Liz Gray, Middle School Head
Post Date: February 3, 2023
If you ask a local, “What’s your favorite month of the year in New England?” the answer “February, of course!” is highly unlikely. While this winter has grossly underdelivered when it comes to snow, the early darkness, gray skies, frozen ground, sleepy gardens, and bare tree branches stark against the horizon have remained steadfast pieces of our traditional winter landscape. On this frigid Friday, we seem frozen in the midst of the doldrums of winter.
However, there’s something beautiful and dramatic this time of year when things are so quiet and cold outside—in the woods and the school garden surrounding BDS—while inside our walls, things are heating up. One-hundred thirty-eight middle school bodies and minds are on fire with energy and ideas, and as sometimes happens in middle school, they become absorbed in themselves, their friends, and their passions.
Early each morning this winter inside the Palandjian Arts Center, the cast of the seventh and eighth-grade musical Suessical Jr. are reciting their lines, staging scenes, and dancing to new choreography. The piano is vibrantly playing to the tune of The Biggest Blame Fool, while soloists belt out the lyrics. The student stage directors are busy making sure everything’s in order, while the tech crew is diligently following the script to sync all of the lighting and sound perfectly with each scene.
Later in the day, upstairs in the Kiva, Capstone projects are taking shape. Eighth graders receive emails from professionals in their field of interest with an enthusiastic “yes!” to their interview requests. A new session of middle school clubs is underway at moving at full speed. Ballet Club has students stretching and pointing their toes on the barre, while our Echo literary and arts magazine editors are soliciting creative works from peers, and Chess Club competitors are studiously facing off in the Erskine Library strategizing about their next key move.
The cold outside certainly can’t dampen our students’ warmth of caring. This week, a kindergartner who I happened upon in the hallway outside Coolidge Hall at lunchtime was standing stock still, shyly waving her small hand at someone seated amidst a big and boisterous crew of middle school students. Finally, her sixth grade cross-graded buddy spotted her and, pausing her conversation, got up, waved back, and then walked over to give her a great big hug. At that moment, that sixth grader set her ego aside, and the circle of friends widened.
It may be cold outside, but inside BDS, we stay warm together.
Upcoming Events
Coming Up This Week
Monthly Calendar
Dismissal Procedure Reminder: Please Display Name Placard
To make dismissal move along as quickly as possible and ensure everyone’s safety, please remember to put your name placard on the passenger side of your vehicle’s dashboard and leave it there until your child is in your vehicle.
If you no longer have your placard, please email bcarey@belmontday.org to receive a new one. It is important that everyone have a placard visible on their vehicle’s dashboard.
Thank you so much for your help with this, especially as we head into a stretch of colder weather.
EIB Parent Engagement Event
Tuesday, February 7, 6 to 8 p.m.
We look forward to hosting parents/guardians for an evening discussion about religious identity and how we can create community while honoring differences. Light dinner will be provided. Please RSVP here.
Admissions: Parent Volunteers Needed
Friday Night Hoops
Friday, February 10
5:30 p.m. – Boys’ Game Start
7 p.m. – Girls’ Game Start
Belmont Day School, the Barn
ONE week from tonight! Get ready for our winter classic basketball matchup against our friendly rivals, The Meadowbrook School. Wear your BDS gear and come cheer on the Blue & Gold as the boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams play the ninth edition of Friday Night Hoops. Our athletes invite the entire Belmont Day community to attend. See you there.
Please note that this is not a drop-off event and children must be supervised by parents at all times.
Collection for Pine Street Inn Extended Through Friday Night Hoops
BDS delivered four more bags of collected hats, gloves, hand warmers, and more to the Pine Street Inn on Thursday, just in time before this weekend’s big freeze. Thank you!
Our collection drive is going into overtime, lasting one more week and culminating at Friday Night Hoops. We’ll have collection bins available during the games.
Reminder of items most in need below:
- warm socks and gloves
- hand and foot warmers
- underwear and T-shirts
- individually packed snacks (sweet and salty)
- travel-size deodorant
- $5 gift cards for McDonald’s or Dunkin’
Lunch & Snack Menu
February 6 to February 10
Monday
Snack: mixed fruit cups; graham crackers
Lunch: pasta with marinara; gluten-free pasta with marinara; steamed cauliflower; greens with balsamic; garlic bread
Tuesday
Snack: bananas; Cheez-Its
Lunch: citrus roasted salmon; vegan nuggets; mashed potato; green beans; kale salad with roasted corn and citrus
Wednesday
Snack: clementines; kettle chips
Lunch: soy braised chicken; soy braised tofu; basmati rice; steamed broccoli; Asian greens with ginger soy dressing and peppers; fortune cookies
Thursday
Snack: apples; tortilla chips
Lunch: BDS tomato soup; grilled cheese on whole grain bread; grilled dairy-free cheese on whole grain; gluten-free grilled cheese on whole grain bread; roasted root vegetables; Lay’s potato chips; Caesar salad
Friday
Snack: apple slices; chocolate chip muffins
Faculty Lunch
For a more detailed and updated weekly menu, please click the button below.
BDS News
FACULTY NEWS
Departures
Tara Lightbody, food program director
After thirteen years of feeding our bodies, minds, and hearts as director of food services and seven years before that as caterer and consultant to Belmont Day’s kitchen, Tara Lightbody will pursue a new career next year. The excellence Tara has delivered—through her program and on each individual plate—has long been a hallmark of what makes Belmont Day so special. Her ability to pivot during the pandemic and ensure that our students still had tasty and nutritious meals, her partnership with Kathy Jo Solomon to bring the garden into our lunchroom, and her vision to create a long-lasting and sustainable food services program for Belmont Day are only some of the magic she has created throughout her time here as a colleague, parent, and school leader. Congratulations, Tara.
Heather Woodcock, director of the associate teacher program
After six years as director of the associate teaching program, Heather Woodcock has decided to take some time to attend to her mother’s health and step away from Belmont Day at the end of this school year. Over the course of her time, Heather has led associate teachers and their mentors thoughtfully as teachers and learners and has successfully mentored and stewarded close to thirty aspiring educators through the Lesley University program in affiliation with Belmont Day. Heather is an expert listener, perspective taker, and leader who has advanced Belmont Day’s ATP program in countless ways, including four consecutive June Fox Award-winning associates. We certainly wish Heather’s mother improved health, and we are deeply indebted to Heather for six years of excellence as the director of the associate teaching program.
Elisabeth Klock, middle school English teacher and middle school health and wellness coordinator
After ten years of teaching middle school English and leading our new Growth, Development, and Belonging curriculum in middle school, Elisabeth Klock has decided to leave Belmont Day in search of her next great adventure. During her time at BDS, Elisabeth has helped to reshape the English curriculum as the department chair, has successfully made the array of content more representative and diverse, and has invested herself fully in the health and wellness of her students. Elisabeth has been a key voice in the next school placement process as an English department recommendation writer and has cared deeply for each of the middle school advisees and English students in her charge. We wish her well in her future endeavors.
BUSINESS OFFICE NEWS
Re-enrollment Contracts Due Next Friday
The 2023-2024 re-enrollment process will close next Friday, February 10.
You can access your contracts via the Parent Portal. Please follow the step below to complete your re-enrollment.
- Review and respond to certain school policies.
- Update certain information in your family profile.
- Review and sign the contract for your child(ren).
- Choose a payment plan for the year:
- Single payment option
- Two-payment option
- 10-payment plan
- Pay this year’s deposit.
If your family will receive financial assistance in 2023-2024, your financial assistance award letter will be included with your contract.
Families may pay the deposit online through the secure Veracross feature VC Pay. Those who have used VC Pay this year must re-register for VC Pay for 2023-2024. If you prefer, you can pay your deposit by delivering or mailing a check payable to “Belmont Day School” to the business office. Checks must be received by Friday, February 10. Re-enrollment is not complete until the contract is signed and the deposit payment has been received. You will receive a confirmation email when you have completed the enrollment process.
Please note that each of your household’s parents/guardians must sign the contract.
If you have any questions, please contact Jen James, assistant to the head of school and registrar.
SUMMER CAMP NEWS
For Seventh & Eighth Graders: Join BDS Future Leaders
Seventh and eighth graders interested in getting experience working with younger children while spending time with your peers in a leadership setting are encouraged to consider applying for Future Leaders at Belmont Day Summer Camp. Many past and present BDS students have joined us for the Future Leaders program, and some go on to become counselors in future summers.
The Future Leaders program is a leadership training program that teaches current seventh and eighth graders (rising eighth and ninth graders by the summer) more about leadership, working with children, and insights on entering the professional world. Each day is a mix of time with an assigned camp group working with campers, a Future Leaders meeting where we will cover topics ranging from child development to resumé writing to mock interviews, and some time for the Future Leaders to take a break and enjoy the pool. The program also includes two day-long field trips—destinations have included Canobie Lake, the Museum of Science, and Kimball Farms.
Future Leaders runs from July 10 to August 4, with optional fifth and sixth weeks from August 8 to 19. The program costs $1,400; there is no additional cost for the additional two weeks.
To apply or get more information, you are invited to join us for one of our two online info sessions for interested families:
- Future Leader Info Session 1 will be held on Tuesday, February 7, from 5 to 6 p.m. To register and receive the Zoom link, please email summer@belmontday.org.
- Future Leader Info Session 2 will be held on Thursday, February 16 from 5 to 6 p.m. To register and receive the Zoom link, please email summer@belmontday.org.
Please let us know if you cannot make either session and are still interested in the program. We will record the sessions and can send you a link to view them. Participating in or watching a recording of a session is a mandatory part of the program. If you attended one of these sessions last year, it is not required again, but you are free to join us.
Questions? Reach out to BDS Summer Programs at summer@belmontday.org!
– Zach d’Arbeloff, director of summer programs
ALUMNI NEWS
College Student Returns to BDS for Practicum in Education
Isabel Moore ’16 has not been a stranger to Belmont Day. Since graduation, Izzy has returned regularly to campus as a caring and energetic counselor in our summer programs, guiding our youngest campers to make new friends and develop a love for camp.
We were delighted when Izzy reached out about returning to BDS again this winter. Rather than supervising free swimming, she joined fourth grade teacher Lana Holman for a monthlong practicum as part of her studies at Colby College. This pre-teaching experience is the first step in observing teaching and learning in action, from designing inclusive lesson plans and organizing curriculum to classroom management.
Her experiences at BDS informed Izzy’s decision to choose BDS for her practicum. She especially recalls the special sense of community and her teachers who created an individualized project-based learning experience that built foundational skills important to her success in high school and college.
“I vividly remember the projects and the opportunities to present or showcase our work to faculty or parents. We were practicing skills and learning all along, and only later realizing—we weren’t just making ancient Egyptian trading cards for fun—we were learning important research and organizational skills.”
We wish Izzy all the best as she wraps up her junior year at Colby and hope that she continues on the path to becoming an educator.
KITCHEN NEWS
Hearty Recipe Perfect for Cold Days Ahead
The timing couldn’t have been better. Just as temps started to dip and winter reminded us of its chilly powers, the kitchen team served up a very warming response—delicious beef stew. Now it’s your turn to make it at home! Check out the recipe shared by assistant chef Vlad Hucko.
Recipe for BDS Beef Stew
Recipe by Paula Antoniou adjusted and adapted by Vladimir Hucko
“The longer this simmers, the better! Vary the herbs to your taste.”
Ingredients
- 2-2.5 lb stew meat cut 1 in PC
- ½ cup Canola/olive oil blend
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 TBSP smoked paprika or Hungarian paprika
- 2 cups water (can substitute red wine or Guinness beer)
- 4 cups beef base (1tbsp base mixed with 4 cups of water) or 1-quart beef stock
- Pinch of fresh rosemary, chopped
- Pinch of fresh parsley, chopped
- 6 medium size potatoes about 1-1.5 lb cut 1 in PC
- 2 cups carrot cut in 1 in PC
- 2 celery cut in 1 in PC
- 3 medium onions chopped
- 4-5 cloves garlic chopped
- ½ cup cornstarch mixed with ½ cup of water
- ½ cup of salsa
- ½ cup of tomato sauce
Directions
- Heat ½ oil and sear meat, followed by salt and pepper.
- Take out meat and sear celery and carrot for 5 minutes.
- Take out vegetables, add the rest of the oil, add onion, and saute until golden.
- Add paprika and immediately mix it with onion, garlic, and meat.
- Cover it and cook it on medium to low heat for 10-15 until the meat has released its juice.
- Add 2 cups of ½ quarter of beef broth or beef base, cover it, and cook it for 70 minutes.
- When meat is almost cooked add carrot and celery, potato, and salsa.
- Cook it for another 30 minutes until everything is soft.
- Thicken with cornstarch by mixing ½ cup of cornstarch, with ½ cup of water.
- At the end add chopped rosemary and parsley.
Cooking time is close to 2 hours.
Serve with biscuits or sourdough bread or rolls.
VACATION CAMP
Spaces Available for Ski/Snowboard Program
Ski, snowboard, and tube down the slopes at Wachusett Mountain during February school vacation week! A mountain instructor will lead daily group lessons, and participants will be accompanied by BDS staff on trails ranging in difficulty. Tuesday to Friday, February 21 to 24, for children in grades 3 to 8. Enrollment is limited so enroll today!
GREENING NEWS
No Idling Magnets Heading Out to Families
Be on the lookout—each student will soon be bringing home a No Idling magnet that we hope you will proudly slap on your vehicle to help us spread this important environmental message. Car idling adds to air pollution, impairs health, and wastes fuel. The great designs by third grader Frances Meredith and eighth grader Kamila Ruiz remind us to not idle our vehicles on campus—or anywhere—for longer than five minutes, or while the line is moving during pick up at school. We can’t wait to see these new magnets around campus and beyond!
– Kathy Jo Solomon, visual arts teacher and sustainability coordinator
ENSEMBLES PROGRAM
Celebrating Our Student Musicians
We invite all students and families to join us on Thursday, February 16 at 6:30 p.m. for an evening of celebration, song, and community. Come warm up with a reception in Coolidge Hall featuring a light dinner, warm beverages, and some delightful background music provided by some of our student musicians from the guitar and world drumming ensembles. This will be followed by a short program in the Palandjian Arts Center by the orchestra, chorus, wind ensemble, and the eighth graders of modern band! We hope you will join us for this joyous celebration of the young musicians in the ensembles program.
– Tyler Cotner, music teacher and ensembles coordinator
Learning Updates
Athletics Update: Girls’ JV Hoops Wins Twice, Remains Unbeaten
With a pair of wins against Nashoba Brooks and Carroll this week, the girls’ JV basketball team improved to 6-0 on the season. As if an unbeaten record wasn’t enough, the Blue & Gold has never trailed in a game and is beating opponents by an average margin of 15 points per game. Head coach Maggie Small has her squad popping at both ends of the court with aggressive team defense and a balanced offensive attack. Players rotate in and out of the lineup on a consistent basis and share the success on the floor. In the first game of the week against Nashoba Brooks, guards Laurice Bandar (10 points) and Jovana Zivanovic (3 steals) led the way for the visitors. Yesterday against Carroll, it was the forwards’ turn as Yara Ibrahim (4 steals), Clem Cradick (8 rebounds), and Liv Dawson (6 points) stole the show for the home team. The girls’ will look to keep things rolling downhill next week in an away game at Solomon Schechter.
– John O’Neill, director of athletics
Athletics News
- The fencing team lost to Shady Hill (19-8) this week. Despite the defeat, second-year fencers Duncan Beirne, Brynn Franklin, and Simon Wright all looked strong on the strip. Team veteran Bodhi Demers won both of his bouts.
- Eidan Kulman-Tamanaha returned to the starting lineup for boys’ varsity basketball and made an immediate impact on the defense. The squad split their games this week with a loss to Fenn and a win against DCD.
- PEAK traveled to the Weston Ski Track for some cross country skiing this week. The sun was out and the conditions were great, but the team had some challenges on the trails and is looking forward to another attempt on the snow next week.
- IMBB team captains Kiernan Patel and Zeke Fine set the tone for their respective teams during a hard-fought 2-point game this week. Charlie Rossi led all scorers with 6 points, while Ben Fleming controlled the boards.
- Wrestling squared off against Belmont Hill and Milton in a tri-meet this week. Highlights included a pair of close wins by Jun Murakami, an impressive pin by Caleb Frehywot, and a dramatic overtime win by Quinn Clark.
- The volleyball program is humming with four more games this week. Highlights included William Li establishing himself as a reliable setter, Lucy Yin scoring multiple points for her team, and Elise Goodman being a positive presence on the court.
- The girls’ varsity basketball team got a solid win (31-23) over Nashoba and had a tough loss (21-20) against DCD this week. Quincy Treisman battled hard in both games and Sara Colangelo came on strong offensively.
- The boys’ JV basketball team ran into a couple of buzzsaws this week with lopsided losses to Fenn and Carroll. The team fought hard until the final buzzer in both games and never gave up. Shout out to Rhys Kaplan for great play all around.
Growth, Development, and Belonging Class Learns about Wellness and Mental Health
Our seventh grade Growth, Development, and Belonging (GDB) class is currently in the midst of a deep dive on mental health. Over the next few weeks, students are moving through three lesson modules: mental health and its connections with identity, technology, and mindfulness. In the identity module, students learned about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which includes self-esteem, belonging, and friendship. Students made connections between mental health and our other previous conversations about identity and the way we perceive ourselves and others.
In the technology module, students learned about the ways technology use can both help and hurt our mental health. Technology can help us socially, developmentally, and intellectually, but there are also some disadvantages. Students had an excellent discussion about situations when technology may help some adolescents, but harm others. We also discussed building agency in communicating with adults about technology use, as teens and parents do not always see eye to eye.
In our mindfulness module, students learned about the nervous system, and how breathing can help regulate our bodies in high-stress moments. We also did a focusing practice to compare our mind states when we’re engaged and calm versus when we are caught in a negative cycle, and students shared ways they have learned to stay grounded. When students have covered all three modules, they will have the opportunity to research a little bit more on a subtopic of their choosing.
– Elisabeth Klock, middle school English studies teacher
Parents’ Association News
The next PA meeting will be on Friday, February 10 at 8:30 a.m., in Coolidge Hall. Jen Friborg will join us to speak about the eighth grade Capstone presentations.
PA Dues Contest
Thank you to everyone who paid PA dues this week! There are two more weeks until February break and the contest continues. Right now, pre-kindergarten is in the lead with 85% of families participating. They are followed by kindergarten with 65% and first and fourth grades close behind with 61% each.
As a reminder, these dues help the PA hold fun social events for parents, teacher appreciation events, special enrichment assemblies, and more. The suggested amount is $50 per family, but any amount is appreciated. Please consider paying your family PA dues quickly and easily via the Parent Portal. Thank you so much for contributing to our great community!
Book Group
Our next parent book group will be on Wednesday, February 15, at 7:30 p.m. at Menotomy Grill & Tavern. This month we are reading Small World by Laura Zigman, which is hot off the press. We hope you will join us. Please contact Karla Bays for more information or to join our mailing list.
New! Casual Coffees in Coolidge Hall
Do you have questions about next year? Queries for fellow parents? Or would you just like to connect with more parents? Join us for a casual chat over a cup of coffee once a month on Friday in Coolidge Hall anytime between 7:45 and 8:30 a.m. The first coffee will be held on Friday, February 17.
If you have any suggestions or questions about parents’ association-related activities, please contact us anytime at bdspa@belmontday.org.
Beyond BDS
AUTHOR TALK
Erica Armstrong Dunbar to Speak About Harriet Tubman’s Boston Connections
Wednesday, February 22 at 7 p.m.
The Belmont Public Library, Belmont Against Racism, and the Belmont Human Rights Commission invite you to a presentation by Erica Armstrong Dunbar, historian, lecturer, and author of She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman and Never Caught. Dunbar will speak about Harriet Tubman and her connections to Boston. The talk will be held online and is free and open to all. Registration is required. Click here for more information and registration.
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