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An evil (but fun) wizard visited sixth grade social studies this week.
Opening Message
The Value of Getting Outside In All Seasons
Jen James, Chief of Staff and Registrar
Post Date: January 24, 2025
When the predictions of “plowable snow” for this past Sunday night began rolling in, I wondered about the possibility of our first snow day. Then I quickly remembered that Monday was a holiday, so we would already be away from school. While we didn’t get to enjoy the opportunities (or confront the challenges) that an unexpected day off can bring, the possibility of nature changing or stopping our well-worn routines had me thinking about the joy of being outside, regardless of the weather.
For six years, I’ve had the privilege (and responsibility) of walking my dog Ollie twice a day, every day, through sun, rain, snow, heat, and extreme cold. Guided by my personal mantra that there is “no bad weather, just bad gear,” I’ve learned that being outside brings a different sense of calm, reflection, energy, and groundedness that I rarely find inside my office, car, or home.
At Belmont Day, we intentionally get students outside multiple times daily for recess, physical education classes, athletics, and other curriculum-based explorations. While we know that all students need to move their bodies and get some “wiggles” out, there are many additional benefits to being outside and finding time for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world. Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and Vitamin N, writes, “… a growing body of research links our mental, physical, and spiritual health directly to our association with nature—in positive ways. Several of these studies suggest that thoughtful exposure of youngsters to nature can be a powerful therapy for attention-deficit disorders and other maladies. As one scientist puts it, we can now assume that just as children need good nutrition and adequate sleep, they may very well need contact with nature.”
Just as Alex Tzelnic asked us to find moments for silence in the latest edition of The Toolkit, I encourage all of you to find moments to be out in nature. To experience the sounds, sights, smells, and beautiful surprises that greet us when we’re outside. To walk across a frozen field, through a snowy park, or down the street to see a friend. Louv encourages us to consider “ … how the young respond to nature, and how they raise their own children, will shape the configurations and conditions of our cities, homes—our daily lives.”
One of our roles as caregivers, teachers, parents, and community members is to foster a sense of wonder and curiosity in the natural world. Here at BDS, we see that happen from our youngest students as pre-kindergarteners go on their woodland walks in the adjacent conservation land, our third graders exploring a snowy day on snowshoes, having classes in the outdoor classroom, working in and exploring the school garden, and playing on Archery, Claflin, and Far fields during recess and athletics. Being outside is an integral part of the joy we experience every day at Belmont Day. I hope you also enjoy making the time for outside joy—your body and mind will thank you for it.
Upcoming Events
Coming Up This Week
Monthly Calendar

Recycle Your Used Textiles!
Belmont Day School now hosts a textile recycling bin from Bay State Textiles. The bin is located next to the Barn, just off the parking lot. This new recycling option will contribute to our sustainability efforts by reducing our environmental impact and promoting awareness of the impact of textile waste.
According to Bay State Textiles, “the average person throws away 81 pounds of clothing, shoes, and linens per year, which adds up to about 28 billion pounds of unnecessary waste in landfills.” Furthermore, “45% of these textiles can be reused, 30% can be turned into wiping cloths, and 20% recycled into new products.”
The bin can accept clothing, footwear, accessories, linens, stuffed animals, and more. Before placing donations in the bin, they must be placed in a plastic bag. Click here for a detailed list of items that can and cannot be accepted. We appreciate your participation!

(NEXT) FRIDAY FUN!
Lunar New Year Assembly
Friday, January 31
8:45 to 9:30 a.m.
Barn Gym
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a special assembly featuring a professional lion dance performance and a pre-kindergarten presentation. The lion dance is a traditional Chinese art form that symbolizes good fortune and prosperity. It uses acrobatic movements, rhythmic drumming, and vibrant costumes to chase away evil spirits. Students will have the opportunity to ask the lion dancers questions about the cultural significance and techniques behind the dance.
We look forward to celebrating this festive occasion together!
Casual Coffee Before Assembly
Friday, January 31
7:45 to 8:30 a.m.
Barn Lobby
Join the parents’ association and connect with fellow parents before enjoying the assembly.
Friday Night Hoops
Friday, January 31
5:30 p.m. – Boys’ Game Start
7 p.m. – Girls’ Game Start
The Barn
Get excited for our winter classic basketball matchup against our friendly rivals, The Meadowbrook School. Wear your BDS gear and come cheer on the varsity basketball teams as they play the tenth edition of Friday Night Hoops. Our athletes invite the entire Belmont Day community to attend. Let’s GO Blue & Gold!
Lunch & Snack Menu
January 27 to January 31
Monday
Snack: applesauce; granola bars
Lunch: (Lunar New Year) chicken dumplings; vegan dumplings; gluten-free dumplings; veggie fried rice; vegetable stir fry; bok choy and spinach with soy ginger vinaigrette, pumpkin seeds, and peppers
Tuesday
Snack: bananas; Goldfish
Lunch: beef tacos; vegan quinoa, squash, and bean tacos; corn tacos and flour tortillas; salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and cheese; fiesta roasted corn blend; taco salad with Romaine lettuce, tomato, corn, and chipotle ranch dressing
Wednesday
Snack: clementines; pretzels
Lunch: crispy cheesy chicken; crispy vegan nuggets; herb roasted chicken; roasted potatoes; seasoned green beans with roasted shallots; chef’s choice salad
Thursday
Snack: apple slices; Fritos
Lunch: BDS tomato soup; “monster” cheddar bagel melts; vegan “monster” cheddar melts; gluten-free “monster” cheddar bagel melts; chef’s choice vegetable; Caesar salad
Friday
Snack: apples; chocolate chip muffins
Faculty Lunch
Please click the button below for a more detailed and updated weekly menu.
BDS News


BUSINESS OFFICE NEWS
2025-2026 Re-enrollment Is Coming Soon
With February fast approaching, we are about to launch our re-enrollment process for the 2025-2026 school year using Veracross. We hope you will find it easy to access and use.
Please watch your inbox at the end of January for an email to start the process. When you receive the email, you’ll be asked to:
- Review and sign the contract for your child(ren).
- Review and approve school policies relating to your child’s enrollment.
- Choose a payment plan for the year:
- Single payment option
- Two-payment option
- 10-payment plan
- Pay this year’s deposit.
- Update your family’s contact and demographic information.
- If your family will receive financial assistance in 2025-2026, your award letter will be included with your contract.
Information about using VC Pay’s AutoPay function to schedule online payments for tuition, incidentals, and more will be included with your contract. VC Pay provides parents with an easy, secure online payment experience using your existing Veracross login. Parents must re-register for VC Pay each year.
Your signed contract and deposit must be received by Friday, February 14, at 5 p.m. Please note that all parents/guardians must sign the contract.
If you have any questions, please contact Jen James at jjames@belmontday.org.
– Jen James, chief of staff and registrar

COMMUNITY NEWS
Upcoming Grade-Level Curriculum Showcases
Starting in February, families will be invited to campus to observe and engage directly in their child’s learning. Our students and faculty teams are eager to showcase and share a curricular highlight of their year in an authentic learning experience in each grade level. We are excited to continue this model of sharing the teaching and learning at Belmont Day.
Each grade-level team has planned an interactive curricular share, which exhibits a key moment in students’ learning during this school year and which students are proud to present. Below are the dates and times for each grade-level event.
As the date for your child’s grade-level event approaches, the teachers at that level will share specific details, such as the location and format.
If you have any questions, please reach out to lower school head, Betty Chu Pryor, or middle school head, Liz Gray. Thank you!
Schedule for Curriculum Showcases
- Pre-kindergarten: Portfolio Celebration – Thursday, May 29, 8:30 to 9:15 a.m.
- Kindergarten: Games – Tuesday, May 6, 9 to 10 a.m.
- Grade 1: Poetry and Stop-Motion Showcase – Wednesday, March 26, 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.
- Grade 2: Student Showcase – Thursday, June 5, 8:45 to 9:30 a.m.
- Grade 3: State Fair -Wednesday, May 21, 8:45 to 10 a.m.
- Grade 4: Greek Storytelling Festival – Thursday, May 22, 10 a.m. to 12: p.m.
- Grade 5: Movement of People through the Ages – Thursday, April 10, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
- Grades 6 and 7: STEAM Expo – Thursday, February 27, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
- Grade 8: Capstone Week – April 14-18 (a detailed schedule will be made available later this winter)

COMMUNITY NEWS
Lost & Found Is Growing Again
With the bitter cold weather and the extra layers on our students, the Lost & Found is growing again at a steady pace. If your student is missing an item, please check the Lost & Found as soon as possible.
The Lost & Found is located in the hallway between Liz Parfit’s office at the front of the Schoolhouse and the sixth grade classrooms. Check in at the front desk, and you will be directed right to it.
Check out the photo gallery of found items. If you see an item and are not able to make it to school to retrieve it, or if you have any questions, please contact Becca Doyle at becca@macdoyle.com or 617-416-6390. Thank you, Becca!

HEALTH NEWS
Preventing the Spread of Norovirus
This winter, the norovirus is spreading quickly in the Northeast and is now the leading cause of vomiting, diarrhea, and foodborne illness in the United States. We should all make efforts to keep everyone safe and healthy. Below are some facts and tips from the CDC regarding the virus and what we can all do to slow its spread.
- People of all ages can get infected and sick with norovirus, which spreads very easily and quickly.
- Hand sanitizer does NOT prevent the spread of norovirus. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after changing diapers, using the bathroom, touching common surfaces, shaking hands, caring for the sick, and before eating, preparing, or handling food or medicine.
- It is important to continue washing your hands often, even after you feel better. Norovirus can be found in your vomit or feces, even before you start feeling sick, and can stay in your feces for two weeks or more after you feel better.
- Do not prepare food for others or provide healthcare while sick and for at least two days (48 hours) after symptoms stop.
- Most household disinfecting cleaners do not mitigate norovirus. Check your products to ensure they can be used effectively for norovirus. Always clean well after someone vomits or has diarrhea, and disinfect the entire area immediately. Click here for information on proper cleaning.
As a reminder, students should be free from vomiting and/or diarrhea for a full 24 hours without medication before returning to school. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me at lconnors@belmontday.org. Thank you for your continued support in keeping our community healthy.
– Lauren Connors, school nurse
Learning Updates

Fifth Graders Dig Into Studying Worms
In science class, fifth graders have been studying ecosystems and food webs. Students spent time observing an important decomposer–an earthworm! We watched to see where a worm would go when given a choice between light and dark as well as dry and wet. Most worms preferred dark, damp spaces. This makes sense because the soil, where they live, is also dark and damp. Students were asking the question, “Do worms help gardens?” Students discussed designing a controlled experiment that could answer this question. Then students came up with ideas for their own controlled experiments that they could do with worms. Some students might carry out their experiments this spring!
– Emma Nairn, fifth grade teacher

Fourth Grade Welcomes Author Back for Writing Workshop
Author Luisana Duarte Armendariz returned to Belmont Day to visit fourth grade for the third year in a row. Students and teachers were equally excited for her visit and well prepared after reading her mystery novel, Julieta and the Diamond Enigma, in December. While reading, the students became detectives, gathering clues, looking for connections, and debating over suspects. Part of the novel takes place at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, where the class visited last semester and could see some of the artifacts Luisana worked into her novel. During Luisana’s visit, she shared about herself as a writer. She led the students through writing activities about developing characters, thinking through the plot structure, and how to include red herrings. Students were also encouraged to incorporate artifacts they found at the MFA into their mysteries. The morning session ended with the opportunity to ask questions, and the students were happy to learn that Luisana will publish a second Julieta book. We can’t wait!
– Lana Holman, fourth grade teacher

Arts Update: Teaching and Learning with Teachers
Last week, the associate teachers wrapped up their slate of ARTS Workshops in the Coolidge Art Studio by working on the pottery wheels. Throughout the fall and extending into January, the associates have spent Friday mornings working with different art teachers in their studio spaces. Beginning in 2019, ARTS Workshop sessions have focused on providing hands-on experiences in each arts discipline so that our teachers-in-training get a taste of what and how students are learning outside of their academic classroom settings. We unpack the “how” and “why” for the associates. Specifically, our Friday sessions in woodworking, music, theater, innovation arts, and visual art introduce how arts specialists’ classes and units of study are presented to a wide variety of students in grades pre-k to 8, how collaborative work is intertwined with individualized experiences, and why each discipline’s curriculum is structured on key threads.
– Anne Armstrong, visual arts teacher and arts coordinator


Athletics Update: Boys’ JV Basketball Wins at Home
The boys’ JV basketball team took the W versus Rashi in a close and tough home game 32-29. Leading the way was a balanced offensive attack from Graham Chisholm, Ronan Patel, Leeul Miteku, James Shields, and Deniz Kas. Chisholm led the team in rebounds, getting lots of points in the paint, and sparking fast breaks. BDS was often chasing in the first half as Rashi’s best player was a beast, scoring every basket for their team and Rashi took the lead 23-20 at halftime. Coach D’Arbeloff and Coach Grimes adjusted accordingly and the second half started with BDS’s defense playing much better. Ethan Antipov stepped up creating several turnovers with his hustle and spacing the floor to help generate easy points.
Down the stretch of the game, BDS was winning 28-27 with about three minutes left. One of Rashi’s players put in a key layup to take the lead 29-28. On the other end, Kas answered with a clutch shot to give BDS the edge 30-29. With some big defensive stops and about a minute left, Kas drained another clutch mid-range shot to give the Blue & Gold a three-point lead, 32-29. Rashi called their final timeout with three seconds remaining, but with some tight defense, Rashi’s inbound was stopped. BDS got the ball back and sealed the victory!
With the win, the JV squad improves to 2-2 and is riding a two-game winning streak. It’s on to Dedham Country Day next week!
– Suryavir Nallari-Jhala, seventh grader and basketball correspondent
Athletics News
- The varsity boys’ basketball team notched a tough 41-37 win over LCA. It was a nail-biter for the home crowd, with great contributions from Calum Dunbar and Copeland Maier.
- Wrestling showed great heart, team spirit, and sportsmanship in a loss to a talented squad from Fenn this week. Highlights were wins from Wyatt Baker and Sam Doyle.
- On the fencing strip, Belmont Day remains undefeated, winning 17 of 27 bouts against BB&N. Foil dominated, winning eight of nine bouts. Edwin Voiland stepped in to compete in epee and won all his bouts.
- Girls’ JV basketball rolled at Rashi, winning 23-17, and are undefeated. Anna Bantham-Livermore and Reema Wulfsberg scored their first points of the season and Anna Bantham-Livermore and Christian Samuel provided strong defense.
- Sara Colangelo, Lila Green, and Julia Casey were leaders on the court for the girls’ varsity basketball team in their 40-22 at LCA. Up next week are two big games–Solomon Schechter (Wednesday) and Meadowbrook (Friday Night Hoops!).
Parents’ Association News

PA Meeting
The next parents’ association meeting will be held on Friday, February 7, at 8:30 a.m. in Coolidge Hall. Our guest speaker will be Annie Fuerst, director of technology and innovation (rescheduled from the January meeting). All parents are invited, and coffee and light refreshments will be served.
BDS Connections Walk
Grab your cold-weather gear and a friend, and join us for the next BDS Connections Walk led by Ingrid Goldberg and Brian Kinzler on Thursday, February 6 at 8:30 a.m. 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. Don’t miss out—we’d love to see you there!
Friday Night Hoops
The parents’ association hopes to see you in the Barn for Friday Night Hoops on Friday, January 31. The first game starts at 5:30 p.m. We encourage you to wear your BDS gear and come cheer for the Blue & Gold as the varsity basketball teams take on Meadowbrook. The entire Belmont Day community is invited to attend.
Parent Book Group
Our next gathering will be on Tuesday, February 25, at 7:15 p.m. at Menotomy Grill and Tavern in Arlington. We will discuss The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. We hope you will join us. If you have any questions or would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact Karla Bays.
Beyond BDS

FEBRUARY VACATION
Nature Camps and Activities Available at Habitat in Belmont
MassAubudon’s Habitat Education Center in Belmont offers school vacation week programs for children ages 5-10 who are in kindergarten through grade 5. Programs include outdoor winter fun and exploration. Campers search for tracks and signs of Habitat’s many creatures, learn how animals survive the winter, play games in the snow, explore different habitats and much more.
Click here for registration and more information.