May 19, 2023
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There were so many great projects going on during Community Service Day including building bat and owl boxes in the woodshop.
Opening Message
“Today Is Just That Kind of Day”
Brendan Largay, Head of School
Post Date: May 19, 2023
After a wonderfully full week that has emphasized community, connections, and celebrations at every turn, I’m taking a brief break today from offering my own words, to instead offer in this space, the beautifully constructed words of someone else–the poem, Today, by Billy Collins. For me, this poem perfectly captures the spirit of Belmont Day on this very day–Community Service Day and Friday Night Scoops. The beauty of our campus, bursting with life, energy, and joy, and the drive to go beyond its borders to help make the world a better place for all.
Have a great day, today, and tomorrow, everyone!
(P.S. Hope to see you at Friday Night Scoops. Go Blue & Gold!)
Today
by Billy Collins
If ever there was a spring day so perfect,
so uplifted by a warm intermittent breeze
that it made you want to throw
open all the windows in the house
and unlatch the door to the canary’s cage,
indeed, rip the little door from its jamb,
a day when the cool brick paths
and the garden bursting with peonies
seemed so etched in sunlight
that you felt like taking
a hammer to the glass paperweight
on the living room end table,
releasing the inhabitants
from the snow-covered cottage
so they could walk out,
holding hands and squinting
into this larger dome of blue and white,
well, today is just that kind of day.
Upcoming Events
Coming Up This Week
Monthly Calendar
PARENT FORUM
Welcome to Sixth Grade & Middle School
Monday, May 22 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Coolidge Hall
Parents and caregivers of rising sixth graders are invited to meet our sixth grade faculty who will share information about the sixth grade program and the transition to middle school. Please RSVP below.
ICYMI: Recording of Annual Meeting of Corporation & PA
Last evening was the Annual Meeting of the Corporation and the Parents’ Association. The community heard reports on the milestones of this past school year and projections and goals for the year ahead, as well as paying tribute to departing trustees and PA board members and welcoming new members and leadership. If you were unable to attend, click here to view a recording of the meeting.
TONIGHT! Friday Night Scoops
Friday, May 19
The Meadowbrook School, 10 Farm Rd., Weston
Girls’ game at 5 p.m. | Boys’ game at 6 p.m.
Tonight is the night! Cheer on the Blue & Gold at the second annual Friday Night Scoops at The Meadowbrook School. The entire Belmont Day community is invited and encouraged to attend. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food and ice cream from a food truck. Set out some folding chairs, or a blanket. Get ready for a great evening of athletics and community!
Bonus! Varsity Tennis Match at Meadowbrook
3:30 p.m.
And if you can make it out to Meadowbrook earlier in the afternoon, be sure to catch the varsity tennis match! The courts are just a short walk from the lacrosse fields.
Lunch & Snack Menu
May 22 to May 26
Monday
Snack: applesauce; Smartfood
Lunch: bowtie pasta with beef meatballs and marinara; pasta with vegan meatballs and marinara; gluten-free pasta with gluten-free beef meatballs and marinara; primavera vegetable blend; mixed greens with balsamic; crusty rolls
Tuesday
Snack: bananas; Sunchips
Lunch: pork fried rice; veggie fried rice and teriyaki tofu; seasoned broccoli; Asian greens with red peppers and scallions
Wednesday
Snack: clementines; pretzel twists
Lunch: grilled chicken; smoky grilled tofu; Caesar salad; mixed greens salad; roasted butternut squash
Thursday
Snack: apple slices; graham crackers
Lunch: all beef hot dogs and bun; vegan hot dogs and bun; all beef hot dogs with gluten-free bun; steamed Brussel sprouts; watermelon chunks; coleslaw
Friday
Snack: craisins; granola bars
Faculty Lunch
For a more detailed and updated weekly menu, please click the button below.
BDS News
PARENT SURVEY
Please Provide Your Feedback by May 26
The relationship between parents and the school has, since its founding, been critical in establishing the high standard of excellence to which we aspire. Through this satisfaction-based survey, the school is eager to learn about your family’s experience this year and gauge the health of our community. We see this as an important tool to help us realize opportunities to improve the school experience for our students and families in the future.
We hope that many of you will take the time to participate in the survey by Friday, May 26.
To “sweeten” the deal, we are offering an incentive—every grade that reaches 80% or higher in households completing the survey by Friday, May 26, will receive a surprise dessert party.
Please know that the school administration will review the results during the summer and then provide an overview of and response to the results at the State of the School next fall. Thank you!
FACULTY MILESTONES
During last evening’s Annual Meeting of the Corporation and Parents’ Association, we had the pleasure to celebrate the milestone years of service of two of our colleagues. Please join me in thanking and congratulating Betty Pryor and Elisabeth Klock for all they have shared and accomplished over their years at BDS!
– Brendan Largay, Head of School
Betty Pryor, 15 years
It seems there may be no better way to honor Betty Pryor for fifteen years of excellence at Belmont Day than by simply witnessing the comfort, confidence, and competence with which she has occupied her latest role, that of lower school head. In her fifteen years of service to Belmont Day, Betty has served multiple roles: kindergarten teacher, interim admissions director, board member, Braiding Different Strands coordinator, and now, lower school head. But from a greater distance, one can see that what Betty has done, truly, is meet the needs of the school, whatever they may be, with grace, caring, and joy.
Dynamic, dedicated, multidimensional, and consummately professional, Betty Pryor has been consistently elevating the standard of excellence at Belmont Day for the past fifteen years. Betty Pryor lives the BDS core values in all that she does as an educator and community member, and in living them, she shares them with her students, their parents, and her colleagues alike. Tireless in her dedication to her work, Betty has truly put a bit of sunshine into all of us who are fortunate enough to work with her.
Elisabeth Klock, 10 years
With a deep commitment to her students, to health and wellness, and to a middle school English curriculum that is covered in her fingerprints, Elisabeth Klock is recognized for ten years of service to Belmont Day. In ten years, Elisabeth has introduced the poetry slam, has refined and renamed middle school health and wellness as Growth, Development, and Belonging, and has served as an advisor and as the chair of the English department. Elisabeth has been at BDS for the ‘teenage years’ of our middle school program. From 2013-2023, Belmont Day’s seventh and eighth grade programs grew from nine to nineteen years old. No better person to help the program navigate those years than a woman whose passion for growth, development, belonging, writing, reading, and expressing one’s self is as strong as Elisabeth’s. Congratulations on ten years of service to Belmont Day.
AUCTION NEWS
Thank You for Coming Together for the BDS Auction!
Thank you for Coming Together on May 6 for an amazing evening of camaraderie, community, and celebration of BDS! Your contributions of time, talent, and treasure leading up to–and the evening of–are appreciated more than you could know!
We are thrilled to share that our community raised close to $275,000, with over $85,000 of that contributed during the ‘paddle up’ in support of the associate teacher program. We cannot thank you enough for this incredible support!
If you have yet to collect your items from the silent auction, please reach out to Jess Halton, director of development, at your earliest convenience at jhalton@belmontday.org.
Thank you, all!
COMMUNITY EVENT
Ensembles Program: Spring Concert
Thursday, May 25 at 5:45 p.m.
Ensembles students have been working hard to prepare and are excited to share their music. An RSVP email with detailed information about the logistics and program has been sent to families with a student enrolled in an ensemble—if you did not receive this RSVP email, please reach out to Tyler Cotner or Kassie Bettinelli. Other members of the BDS community who would like to attend this concert should reach out to Tyler or Kassie.
EIB COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Braiding Different Strands
Final gathering of the school year!
Thanks to all the parents and faculty who attended our fantastic discussion about socioeconomic status earlier this week! We encourage others to join us for our next conversation about ABILITY.
The mission of Braiding Different Strands is to provide space for adult members in the BDS community to share perspectives and stories, and build connections around various EIB topics. We encourage you all, as members of the BDS community, to join us in these conversations!
Please join us on Tuesday, May 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Coolidge Hall. Please help us to plan and set up for the event by completing the RSVP.
Cross-Community Gathering for Parents/Guardians of Color
Belmont Day partners with the Atrium School, Chestnut Hill School, and Shady Hill School to provide a space for parents/guardians who identify as people of color to come together and build community.
The gatherings include food, good conversation, and an opportunity to meet other parents/guardians of color from peer schools.
Due to scheduling conflicts, we are rescheduling our final gathering for this year to Wednesday, May 31 at BDS. Please RSVP.
Please reach out to Connie Yepez, director of equity, inclusion, and belonging, with questions.
Learning Updates
Athletics Update: Varsity Tennis Upends Pike
A strong week of practice for varsity tennis translated to an inspiring win at home on Thursday against a quality Pike team. Leading the 5-3 victory was co-captain Alex Kadnar playing in her first singles match of the season. Playing determined tennis, Kadnar limited her mistakes with consistent groundstrokes, especially on the backhand, and improved serving. Kadnar won the mental battle on the court taking the match 6-5. Co-captain Marco Frazzoli-Cassi, in his first doubles match of his entire BDS tennis career, was paired with Sam Rodriguez. The pair played smart and fun tennis, finding open spots all over the court to take a 6-3 win. After a slow start, Brendan Bandar and Rhys Kaplan, raced through a solid match, also notching a 6-3 win, highlighted by the pairing’s good communication and controlled serving. Bodhi Demers and Kavi Kumar-Warikoo built on each other’s focus to win going away 6-2. The final W came from doubles pair, Kesariya NallariJhala and Penelope Bern, who took their match 6-3, on their quality serving and net play. Coaches Walker and Ruland are excited to build on these winning ways as the varsity squad takes on Meadowbrook this afternoon in a prequel to Friday Night Scoops which the players have dubbed “Friday Night Swings.”
– John O’Neill, director of athletics
Athletics News
- This week, the MTB squad took the annual ride to the abandoned MSH building and took laps on “Big Rock”. Also of note, was the riding of Jonathan Laipson who crushed the “Water Tower” climb and brought a solid attitude to the trails.
- The JV ultimate team dropped a close contest (9-6) to Fayerweather this week but received strong contributions from Charlie Rossi, Copeland Maier, and Tadhg O’Sullivan. Ben Fleming had a game-high 4 points (3 scores and 1 assist).
- The boys’ lacrosse team split their week with a 6-3 loss to Austin Prep and a 4-1 win over Fenn. Petros Samuel played excellent defense from his midfield position in both games and William Li was a wall in net. Meadowbrook is up next tonight!
- Varsity ultimate had a big week with a pair of wins over Carroll (15-7) and Needham (15-3). Giddy Borisy led the team in D’s including multiple stops near the end zone line. Theo Kelman, Zach Cash, and Elise Goodman all stepped up as handlers.
- Lila Green, Kamila Ruiz, and Maddie Cutie all tallied their first goals of the season during girls’ lacrosse’s lopsided victory over Austin Prep this week. Avery Schneider led all scorers with 3 goals and a pair of assists. Meadowbrook is up next tonight!
- The girls’ JV lacrosse team lost a heartbreaker (9-8) to Fay this week. Jovana Zivanovic tallied a pair of goals, Genevieve von Rekowsky played solid attack, Lucy Walther made strong cuts through the midfield, and Melisa Adhikari was great on D.
- The JV tennis team beat Nashoba (7-1) this week. Isla Smith won the lone singles match of the afternoon (6-3). Sophie Jean and Madoka Hubbard paired up for the closest victory (6-5). Jack Ward and Clem Cradick combined for the biggest W (6-2).
- Zach Kromah topped the 40’ mark in the shot put and was a great addition to the 4x200m relay during track & field’s strong performance against Fenn + Nashoba Brooks this week. Sam Leviton continued his dominance in the 1600m.
Arts Update: Grades One & Two to Present ‘Humpty Dumpty – Was She Pushed or Did She Fall?’
Get ready for a musical extravaganza like no other as the talented students of first and second grades take the stage to present their highly anticipated production of “Humpty Dumpty – Was She Pushed or Did She Fall?” This thrilling courtroom drama will captivate audiences on Thursday, June 8 at 8:30 a.m. in Palandjian Arts Center.
“Humpty Dumpty – Was She Pushed or Did She Fall?” offers a fresh and enjoyable twist on the classic nursery rhyme. In this imaginative retelling, Humpty Dumpty and Bumpty Frumpty take center stage as they embark on a judicial journey to uncover the truth behind Ms. Dumpty’s infamous fall from the wall. Set in a whimsical courtroom, the proceedings promise to be both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Audiences will delight in seeing their favorite nursery rhyme characters brought to life on stage. From Little Bo Peep and her lost sheep to Jack and Jill, a host of familiar faces will make appearances throughout the play, adding an extra layer of charm and nostalgia to the performance.
As the trial progresses, evidence is presented, witnesses testify, and arguments are made, all leading to a dramatic climax where the question of whether Humpty Dumpty was pushed or simply fell will finally be answered. The suspense and intrigue build as the proceedings draw to a close, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.
This musical extravaganza showcases the exceptional talent and creativity of our first and second grade students. Through their hard work, dedication, and love for the performing arts, they will bring this imaginative courtroom drama to life, offering a unique and memorable experience for all who attend.
So mark your calendars for Friday, June 8 for an enchanting morning filled with laughter, suspense, and an unforgettable performance by our young stars.
– Christopher Parsons, theater teacher
Second Grade Maps Where Our Fresh Produce Comes From
In second grade, students have been exploring various world maps to identify, locate, and plot the sources of food in our local grocery stores. For the past few months, students and teachers have been collecting food labels from the fresh produce we eat at home. We are now mapping those labels to better understand where produce comes from, the environmental and nutritional impact of transporting food, and equitable access to fresh food. This work in social studies connects to the research project we did on environmental changemakers in the fall and to our upcoming unit on food deserts, led by associate teacher, Ms. Williams. This project also provides us a chance to practice our mapping skills, identifying continents and creating our own map key in order to prepare us for a big mapping project next year in third grade!
–The Second Grade Team
Sixth Graders Experience An Excellent First Year of Spanish
Sixth-grade students ended their Spanish units on a high note–their first year in middle school Spanish was fun, and they built a learning community with joy and respect. The year started with a preliminary unit, followed by studies on Mexico and Puerto Rico. They built confidence in public speaking and using the language in the classroom and had so much fun learning how to dance Salsa. At the end of the Puerto Rico unit, students completed a project where writing, speaking, and partnership shared what they had learned during the year. They did an oral presentation without flashcards or guided words; they used images on posters as a visual aid to describe a family and their activities in detail. At the end of the presentations, students cheered each other and gave compliments. The group is eager to continue building relationships and growing skills next year. Click here to enjoy videos of their oral presentations. The students have grown so much and learned with confidence, and are ready for their second year of Spanish at BDS!
– Ana Maria Restrepo, middle school Spanish teacher
Eighth Graders’ Passion For Science Burns Bright
As the end of the school year draws near, eighth grade science is wrapping up its curriculum by learning about chemical reactions. To start this unit, students learned about the structure of a chemical reaction as well as how to balance a chemical equation. Next, students did an experiment to learn how to identify the three major gases made in chemical reactions, oxygen gas, hydrogen gas, and carbon dioxide gas. Students were excited to hear the distinctive pop of hydrogen gas and see a glowing splint relight when placed in oxygen gas. Finally, students were able to learn a new way to test for carbon dioxide gas by using the limewater test. As we move forward next week, students will learn about the five major categories of chemical reactions and use what they learned this week as they try to determine what products are being made in a variety of chemical reactions in their next experiment.
–Sandra Trentowsky, grades 7 & 8 science teacher
Sixth Graders Jump Into a Book of Their Choice
As they wrap up their first year of middle school English, sixth graders are practicing their oral reading and independent discussion skills in small groups. Each class of sixteen comprises four groups of four students; each group is reading a different book.
How did we select the books? Ahead of the April break, students provided Mr. Muskat with a list of five to ten books they would be interested in reading. Their teacher then pared the list down to the four books that received the most votes. Students ranked their choices among those four, and Mr. Muskat made groups accordingly. Our four books include Tumble, by Celia Pérez; Hoot, by Carl Hiaasen; Danny, the Champion of the World, by Roald Dahl; and Ghost, by Jason Reynolds.
At the conclusion of the unit, students will again have a choice of what final project they wish to complete to show their understanding and interpretation of their novel. Among the choices: a picture-book version of the novel, a podcast discussing the novel, a rewritten ending, an epilogue, and more!
– Galen Muskat, sixth grade English teacher
Parents’ Association News
Casual Coffee
The last casual coffee of the year will be held next Friday, May 26, from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. Come join us!
Parent Book Club
The parent book club will have its final meeting on Tuesday, June 6, at 7:30 p.m. at a to-be-determined member’s home. This month’s book is It. Goes. So. Fast. by Mary Louise Kelly. We hope you will join us. Please contact Karla Bays for more information or to join our mailing list.
Looking Ahead
Committee Chairs
A great way to contribute to the vibrant Belmont Day parent community is to chair a committee and help coordinate specific events. Here are some of the PA committees:
- Baby Welcoming
- BDS Store
- Book Group
- Book Fair
- Coolidge Flowers
- Cradles to Crayons
- Enrichment Assemblies
- Faculty and Staff Appreciation Luncheon
- Family Fun Events
- Friday Night Lights/Hoops/Scoops
- Friendraiser
- Library
- Lost and Found
- Music Ensembles
- Pumpkin Patch
If you are interested in helping chair a committee or learning more about them, please contact any of the PA executive team or email bdspa@belmontday.org.
Beyond BDS
NATURE PROGRAM
Learn About the Birds of Machias Seal Island, Maine
Virtual: Thursday, June 1 from 7 to 8:00 p.m.
Bill Gette, founding director of Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport, has taken participants to Machias Seal Island and eastern Maine for over 25 years. Machias Seal Island, located 10 miles off the Maine coast, is claimed and administered by the Canadian government. This barren island is the most important seabird nesting colony along the Maine coast. During this virtual event, Bill will show his photos of Machias Seal Island and the many interesting places he and his groups have explored in eastern Maine.
Click here to register for this event. Registrants will receive the Zoom link in the confirmation and reminder emails. This virtual event is presented by Lexington’s Cary Memorial Library. Contact caryprograms@minlib.net with any questions.
THEATER PRODUCTION
BDS Students to Perform in Willy Wonka
Catch the talents of four BDS actors—third grader Anahita Stuti-Bala and a trio of seventh graders, Clem Cradick, Brynn Franklin, and Grace Sullivan—when they take the stage in early June in Menotomy Musical Theater’s production of “Willy Wonka JR.” Tickets are now on sale for the three performances, Friday, June 2, at 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, June 3 and 4, at 4 p.m. All performances will be at the Marsha Caron Theater, Medford High School, 489 Medford Street. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
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