January 30, 2026
Click Here
Click Here
Click Here
Click Here
Click Here
Click Here
Pre-kindergartners are having a ‘wheel-y’ good time learning to ride bikes in PE.
Opening Message
Learning To Listen
By Divya Muralidhara, Assistant Head of School
Post Date: January 30, 2026
Last week, I completed the 55th session and officially reached the mid-point of my “listening tour” with faculty at Belmont Day. Brendan and I first discussed the idea for this tour back in June when he visited me in my now former office at Waynflete School in Portland, Maine. I wondered then, surrounded by boxes and at the threshold of a new adventure in my career and life, how it would feel to reach this point of my listening tour. And now, here I am.
I set up my new office at Belmont Day with the listening tour in mind, and in my first days, I welcomed my first four colleagues to sit with me and share. One by one, they joined me at a small round table. Outside, we could see and hear the pool full of summer campers, splashing in the summer heat. The questions (or prompts, as I called them) that guided these conversations beckoned from a carved wooden bowl, inviting stories and reflections.
- What motivates you as a person and an educator?
- What aspects of BDS are sacred, elemental, and/or central?
- What does BDS do best?
- What are the storm clouds?
- What would you change?
- What do our students need?
About fifteen sessions in, I could see how the tour was a profound way to learn how to listen. For much of my life, I have prided myself on being curious, asking follow-up questions, and leaning in. And yet, I have never kept such a detailed log of conversations, thousands of minutes in total, and noting with intention the trust and connection that builds over the course of each one. I have received notes of thanks, hallway follow-up conversations, and many continuations of our sessions, a largely unseen ‘success’ of this kind of endeavor.
In his recent book, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen, David Brooks writes about how the questions we ask invite the conversations we have and the insights we gain from them. How we see one another is as central to the interaction as the conversation itself. Brooks writes, “Perhaps to really know another person, you have to have a glimmer of how they experience the world. To really know someone, you have to know how they know you.” In the case of the tour, the “you” is as much the individual before me as it is the Belmont Day community.
What have I learned thus far, beyond how to listen with care to each individual sitting across from me?
- Universally, the strength of the Belmont Day community has come through in our sessions. Our values of caring and joy have enriched people’s lives and careers here.
- Our faculty takes such pride in the PreK-8 model and the unique identity and vantage point contained within a school that includes ten crucial years of development.
- ‘Rigor with Care,’ which our faculty has discussed as an organizing principle, is a resonant focus for our school.
- Teaching faculty expressed a strong desire to continue to build and develop curriculum together in ways that deepen connections.
- Program leaders will continue thinking through faculty evaluation and professional growth in new ways, which is reflected in our AISNE recommendations as well.
I plan to create a few parent focus groups to talk through these questions together; stay tuned for a more specific invitation in the weeks to come. And, I will share the themes more specifically once I conclude the tour. For now, I appreciate the gift of this community’s great willingness to engage and share, and in doing so, helping me learn how to listen–and see–so deeply. Thank you!
Upcoming Events
Monthly Calendar
Reports & Grades Available Now
Lunar New Year Celebration
Join us on Tuesday, February 10, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Coolidge Hall for our Lunar New Year Festival, hosted by BDS families. Step into a vibrant evening of games, hands-on crafts, engaging learning, and delicious food as we welcome the Year of the Horse. Everyone is invited to come together, celebrate, and enjoy this joyful community festival—you won’t want to miss it.
If you plan to attend, please complete the RSVP form linked here so we can plan accordingly. You can also use the form to let us know if you or your family celebrate Lunar New Year and would like to help with planning and preparation—we would be thrilled to have you join in.
– Trinity Johns, associate director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
Winter Morning In the Erskine Library
TOMORROW! Saturday, January 31
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Erskine Library, Belmont Day School
The parents’ association is hosting a special weekend morning event with Amy Sprung, school librarian, in the Erskine Library. Families are invited to browse, read, and warm up with hot cocoa and good company. Stop by for fun, community, and great books.
See You at Friday Night Hoops!
TONIGHT! Friday, January 30
5:45 p.m. – Girls’ Game Start
7 p.m. – Boys’ Game Start
Belmont Day School, Barn Gyms
We hope to see you tonight to cheer on the Blue and Gold during our winter classic basketball matchup against our friendly rivals, The Meadowbrook School. Our athletes invite the entire Belmont Day community to attend.
Lunch & Snack Menu
February 2 to February 6
Monday
Snack: applesauce; Fritos
Lunch: spaghetti with meat sauce; pasta with marinara; gluten-free pasta with meat sauce; crusty rolls; steamed broccoli; Caesar salad
Tuesday
Snack: bananas; Sunchips
Lunch: citrus herb roasted salmon; vegan meatballs; rice pilaf; honey carrot coins; spinach and mixed greens with sherry vinaigrette, cranberries, and pepitas
Wednesday
Snack: apple slices; Popcorners
Lunch: chicken tenders; sweet chili crusted tofu; gluten-free chicken tenders; herb roasted red bliss potatoes; green beans; romaine with Roma tomatoes and ranch dressing
Thursday:
Snack: clementines; pretzels
Lunch: cheese and pepperoni pizza; vegan cheese pizza; gluten-free cheese pizza; peas and corn; greens with grated carrot and balsamic
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
2026-27 Re-enrollment Is Open Today
Please check your email today for a letter from Brendan Largay, Head of School, Jessica Turco, Board Chair, and Matt Kishlansky, Board Treasurer, announcing the opening of re-enrollment and tuition rates for the 2026-2027 school year.
The email will include links to complete the re-enrollment process for the 2026-2027 school year using Veracross. We hope you will find it easy to access and use. 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 2026-27, 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 13, 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
HEALTH OFFICE NEWS
Cold Weather Outdoor Activity Policies
With this winter proving to be both very snowy and cold, we wanted to take a moment to remind all families of our weather policies and expectations relating to student outdoor activity.
All students, from pre-kindergarten through grade eight, participate in outdoor recess/physical education (PE) daily, except when severe or unsafe weather conditions are present. Decisions regarding outdoor recess, PE, and dismissal are based on the “feels like” temperature as reported by the Weather Channel, which accounts for environmental factors such as wind chill and heat index that affect student safety and comfort.
Outdoor recess, PE, and dismissal will be modified or moved indoors when the wind chill, or “feels like” temperature (combined air temperature and wind) is 15°F or below, consistent with guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). A wind chill at or below 15°F poses a significant health risk, including frostnip and frostbite.
Winter Clothing Expectations
To ensure students are safe and comfortable during colder months, families are expected to send students to school prepared for outdoor play with:
- A warm winter coat (sweatshirts, fleece, or vests are not sufficient below 40°F)
- A hat or hood
- Gloves or mittens
- Boots and snow pants when snow or wet conditions are present
- An extra set of clothing, especially socks
If any family has questions or needs regarding proper cold-weather clothing, please contact the school health office at nurse@belmontday.org.
– Maren Coniglione and Lauren Connors, school nurses
AUXILIARY PROGRAMS
Important Schedule & Registration Updates
All families with students currently enrolled in the After School Program should please note that we will close promptly at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, February 13, to start the February vacation week.
Also, the three-week registration period for trimester three will open on Monday, February 23, at 7 a.m. Enrichment class descriptions and schedules will be available on the Parent Portal. The current trimester ends on Friday, March 13, and trimester three begins on Monday, March 16.
Fun New February & April Vacation Week Camp Options
We’re offering two new and exciting options for students during the February and April school vacation weeks. These two new programs–Center Stage and Artastic!–are geared to students currently in grades 3-5 and are offered in addition to the existing themed camps we’ve run for many years. Take a look at the dropdowns below for descriptions and dates of these two new camp offerings. To learn more and to register, visit the auxiliary programs page of the parent portal.
If you have questions about any of the camps, please reach out to me at bfross@belmontday.org.
– Blair Fross, director of school year auxiliary and specialty programs
February Vacation Camp - Center Stage
Center Stage
Dates: Tuesday-Friday, February 17 to 20
For students in Grades 3-5
This high-energy theater adventure invites young performers to dive into acting, improvisation, mime, movement, and more. Designed for budding stars, each day will feature ensemble-building games, creative workshops, and rehearsal fun—all culminating in a final performance of original short vignettes. Whether your camper is new to theater or ready to grow their stage skills, they’ll build confidence, creativity, and friendships that take center stage.
April Vacation Camp - Artastic!
Artastic!
Dates: Tuesday-Friday, April 21 to 24
For students in Grades 3-5
Young creators will explore traditional art forms—drawing, painting, fiber arts, sculpting, and printmaking—and then playfully experiment with these materials in exciting new ways. Projects will be inspired by pop culture, music, anime, and gaming, giving a modern twist to traditional techniques.
COMMUNITY EVENT
Save The Date: Fourth Annual STEAM Expo
Thursday, February 26, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Join us in the Barn for an exciting evening of hands-on learning and discovery at our STEAM Expo. Bring your family and explore the world of science, technology, engineering, art, and math in a fun and interactive way. Our sixth and seventh grade students will showcase projects and demonstrate how BDS approaches teaching and learning science through experimentation, exploration, and an iterative process.
Interactive activities and exhibits will highlight how this style of learning lives beyond the science classrooms and is woven into the BDS experience.
There will be activities geared toward all grade levels, and this event is open to all families and students. Participate in the learning process with our BDS scientists—we hope to see you there!
Learning Updates
Middle School Students Take on Math Competition
Earlier today, 57 middle school students participated in the American Mathematics Competition’s AMC8, an international math competition on an eighth grade level. Students from around the world took part in the online, 25-question, 40-minute-long competition. The organization encourages students to develop and enhance their problem-solving skills, and the competition challenges both mathematical reasoning and problem-solving efficiency.
We are especially grateful for the flexibility and positive spirit of our students, who took the rescheduling pivot in stride after the snowstorm initially put our participation in question. Well done, mathematicians! We are proud of your perseverance and focus!
– Brittany Ryan, sixth grade math teacher
Third Graders Knock Down This Science Lesson
Third graders have been learning about forces and motion in their science classes. As a culminating project, they built an “apple annihilator” wrecking ball with specific requirements and constraints while keeping in mind what they’ve learned about patterns of motion and the effects of friction upon an object. Through the design process steps of Ask-Imagine-Plan-Create-Test-I
– Leigh Twarog, third grade teacher
Athletics Update: Fencing Is On Point VS BB&N
After two snow days to start the week, our teams quickly got back into rhythm once competition resumed.
On Wednesday, the fencing team traveled to the Boston Fencing Club to take on BB&N and came away with an impressive overall victory, winning 14 of 27 bouts. The foil squad led the way with a strong performance, winning 6 of 9 bouts. Kabir Sonawane won both of his bouts, while Simon Bays, Zade Wulfsberg, Vivie Inzana, and Jacob Jarbeau each earned a win. Jacob’s victory was especially notable as he recently made the switch from epee to foil this season.
Sabre faced a tough matchup, winning 3 of 9 bouts, with Fred Mak sweeping all three of his bouts. Epee also delivered a strong showing, winning 5 of 9 bouts, with victories from Yiwen Bilien, Maitreyee Bonthapally, Michael Geng, Kayla Li, and Cora Stack. Despite the shortened week and limited practice time, the team showed great focus, adaptability, and resilience.
The boys’ varsity basketball team hosted Solomon Schechter and earned a 39–22 victory. After a competitive first half, the Blue and Gold turned up the defensive pressure, using a suffocating defense to force multiple turnovers that led directly to fast-break points. Evan Bae led the charge with an outstanding all-around performance, finishing with 18 points and 7 steals. Clark Rutherford was a steady presence on both ends of the floor, while Deniz Kas added a highlight moment by knocking down a big three-pointer. It was a strong team effort from start to finish.
Overall, it was a productive return to competition, and our teams continue to show growth, effort, and energy despite the challenges of winter scheduling.
We hope to see everyone tonight at Friday Night Hoops as both the girls’ and boys’ varsity basketball teams take on Meadowbrook. It promises to be a great atmosphere and a fun night of basketball in support of our student-athletes and celebrating our community. GO BDS!
– Stephen Marks, director of athletics
Eighth Graders Draw Meaning, Connections from MLK Jr.’s Writing
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, eighth grade social studies devoted a class period to unpacking Dr. King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” drawing meaningful parallels to themes in our current unit on the rise of Nazi Germany. Students engaged in dialectical journaling, a creative strategy that invites them to analyze King’s letter alongside other primary sources by putting them in conversation with one another. The journal is organized into five columns with distinct prompts, beginning with a close analysis of a key passage in which King argues that immoral laws, such as those enforced in Nazi Germany, must be resisted, even when disobedience is considered illegal. The final column requires peer collaboration, as students pass their journals to neighbors who read their responses and comment on how others’ thinking deepened or complicated their understanding of this text, the greater Civil Rights movement, and/or our unit on Nazi Germany.
– Emma Alexander, grade 8 social studies teacher
Parents’ Association News
Family Movie Event
Join us for an afternoon of fun, friendship, and popcorn on Saturday, February 7, from 4 to 6 p.m. The parents’ association is hosting a private screening of Lilo & Stitch (2025 film) at the historic Capitol Theater in Arlington. Bring the whole family along for this special event.
Parent Book Group
Our next gathering will be on Tuesday, February 10, at 7:15 p.m. at Menotomy Grill and Tavern in Arlington. We will discuss My Friends by Fredrik Backman. 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.
BDS Connections Walk
Our next BDS Connections Walk will take place on Thursday, February 12, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Join fellow parents and school administrators for a fun, casual walk through the woods surrounding campus after morning drop-off. We’ll meet at the exterior entrance to Coolidge Hall to start the walk. We’d love to see you there!
PA Contacts
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 – Manish Patel
- Clerk – Jeff Wang
Beyond BDS
SCHOLASTIC AWARD
Eighth Grader Honored for Writing
Congratulations to eighth grader Nihka Linhart, who was recently honored in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Nihka was recognized with an honorable mention in the writing category for the research paper she wrote for her Capstone project on animal welfare. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards were founded in 1923 and, for more than a century, have inspired bold ideas in creative teens throughout the country.
THEATER ARTS
New Online Theater Arts Learning Program Available
Belmont Day theater arts teacher Christopher Parsons has developed and will be running a new online theater arts supplemental learning opportunity for students who want to build confidence, strengthen skills, and stay creatively engaged beyond school productions.
Youth Stage Arts Academy (YSAA) is designed for young performers who want more than rehearsals alone can offer. This program supports students year-round with guided lessons, practical tools, and a positive community that encourages growth, curiosity, and confidence on and off the stage. It is meant to complement school theater experiences, not replace them.
Inside the Academy, students can:
• Strengthen acting and musical theater fundamentals
• Build confidence through intentional practice
• Receive direction and feedback from an experienced theater educator
• Connect with other young performers in a supportive environment
Whether a student is already involved in theater or just beginning to explore performing, this opportunity helps young artists grow with purpose and confidence. Click here for more information.
Return to the Parent Portal
You can share a link to the entire newsletter here—or share individual articles using the icons to the right of each article.