May 5, 2023
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The inaugural STEAM Expo was a wonderful learning experience for the whole community this week.
Opening Message
Beyond the Limits of Our Imagination: Some Things We Learned in the Southwest
Liz Gray, Lower School Head
Post Date: May 5, 2023
Hailing from Missouri, I am no stranger to the wide sweep of sky that greets travelers from Boston as they exit an airplane and look out across the Midwestern plains. Having just returned with our eighth graders and faculty chaperones from our Southwest trip to Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon National Parks, I’ve been reflecting on the power of wide open spaces and how they open our eyes and minds to limitless possibilities.
Appreciating the Expanse of Time and History
Some of the most striking features of the Southwest landscape that we saw are the stone columns, called hoodoos, that stand tall in Bryce Canyon. As we hiked down the trail from the top of the canyon at about 8,000 feet elevation and in just above freezing temperatures, our guide shared that the hoodoos we were looking at were roughly 60 million years old. We spent an hour descending into the Canyon and were thankfully greeted by warmer air at lower elevations.
As we descended, we passed through eons of time. We walked past forests of rock, and millions of years of earth formations, measured in the thin layers of sedimentary rock all around us. While we spend our time during a typical school day caught in day-to-day concerns, these hoodoos persist beyond generations and even humans’ time on earth. There is not much more humbling, awesome, or inspiring than being dwarfed by ancient monoliths. In their presence, our group couldn’t help but think of all that has come before us and what adventures our exciting futures have in store for us.
Learning About Different Ways of Life
Landing in the Southwest also provided us with ample opportunities to see ways of life we don’t typically get to experience in Belmont or even in other parts of New England. We all knew that there was a “Cowboy Cookout” scheduled on our itinerary one night, but most of us had little or no firsthand experience we could use to conjure up an image of what that might be like.
Pulling up onto the dusty dirt road for our Cowboy Cookout, the bus slowed as we got caught behind our host, Cowboy John, on his motorcycle, rounding up the longhorn cattle he cares for every day. Clashing horns in conflict and playing on the grassy banks lining the road, a few of the rogue cattle had to be directed to get back to the herd. All the way down the road to the ranch, Cowboy John monitored the cattle, finally reestablishing order to form a single-file line of cattle trotting back to their pastures.
During our time on the ranch, we learned that, in addition to rounding up unruly cows on his motorcycle, Cowboy John also helps deliver newborn calves and wears leather chaps and a real cowboy hat for protection against the animals and the elements. Being a cowboy is his family’s trade, and he has kept it alive while working many other jobs—including acting as an extra and stunt double in Hollywood movies filmed at a scenic ranch in Kanab, Utah, and playing Santa on the local Polar Express in the winter season.
Later during the cookout, a friend of Cowboy John from elementary school, along with his granddaughter, shared with us some songs and stories from his Southern Paiute tribe. And as night fell, stargazing at constellations and listening to ghost stories under the night sky, the possibilities of what we can become and how we might pursue what we love appeared endless.
Part of the purpose of our middle school trips is to take us outside of our daily lives and give us the opportunity to gain a broader perspective. Our Southwest Trip broke the boundaries of our imaginations and opened up to all of us the bigger vista of what may lie ahead—a fitting glimpse for our eighth graders to catch sight of as they begin to look forward to their last weeks at Belmont Day School and their next adventures.
Upcoming Events
Coming Up This Week
Monthly Calendar
Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Celebrations
Our annual Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Celebrations are coming up! Your child’s grandparents and special friends are cordially invited for a morning visit and classroom experiences at BDS.
Invitations have been mailed to grandparents. Please have your respective family members RSVP, or you are welcome to do so on their behalf by May 14. If you have any questions, please contact Kyle Beatty, assistant director of development.
Below are the dates for each grade.
- Monday, May 22, grades 3 and 8
- Tuesday, May 23, kindergarten, grades 2 and 7
- Wednesday, May 24, pre-kindergarten, grades 1 and 6
- Thursday, May 25, grades 4 and 5
Ensembles Program: Spring Concert
Thursday, May 25 at 5:45 p.m.
The ensembles program will present its final event of the year on May 25. 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.
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.
Join us for the second annual Friday Night Scoops event at The Meadowbrook School, featuring a doubleheader between the two schools’ varsity lacrosse teams. The entire Belmont Day community is invited and encouraged to attend. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food from the food truck, some folding chairs, or a blanket. See you there!
Lunch & Snack Menu
May 8 to May 12
Monday
Snack: applesauce; graham crackers
Lunch: penne and marinara; gluten-free pasta and marinara; spring vegetable medley (broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots); kale, roasted corn, and tomato; crusty rolls
Tuesday
Snack: bananas; granola bars
Lunch: coconut-crusted fish; vegan nuggets; citrus roasted fish (gluten free); broccoli; Asian greens with soy dressing, scallions, and peppers;
Wednesday
Snack: apple slices; chocolate chip muffins
Lunch: grilled chicken; smoky grilled tofu; Caesar salad; green beans; creamy coleslaw; garden salad with tomatoes and ranch dressing; garlic bread
Thursday
Snack: clementines; pretzel twists
Lunch: cheese pizza; pepperoni pizza; vegan cheese pizza; gluten-free grilled cheese sandwiches; sweet corn; Caesar salad
Friday
Snack: apples; Cheez-Its
Faculty Lunch
For a more detailed and updated weekly menu, please click the button below.
BDS News
AUCTION NEWS
One Day to Go! Let the Bidding Begin!
The Barn is looking festive, the playlist has been selected, and the food will soon be prepared. All we need now is YOU. We can’t wait to COME TOGETHER for the Auction!
To kick off the fun, the silent auction is now LIVE! Bidding is open to all members of the BDS community and will close on Saturday at 8 p.m.
Thanks to the generosity of our families and the greater community, our silent auction catalog includes over 150 incredible offerings featuring a range of unique goods, services, and one-of-a-kind experiences. There’s sure to be something for everyone.
To participate, please visit the Auction Website Bidding Page, click the Start Bidding button, and finish creating your account. You are then ready to browse and bid.
Some tips:
- You can Bid the next increment or Bid More than the next increment. If you choose Bid More, you can set your max bid. If your max bid is the highest, the system will automatically bid in your favor until you are outbid or until the auction closes.
- To “watch” a package, select the star icon on the package.
- You’ll be notified if you’re outbid at any point before the auction closes, and you will see an Outbid notice at the top of your screen.
- To get back to the main screen, click the house icon.
- To view the packages you are bidding on, click the menu button and select Bids.
We can’t wait to see many of you on Saturday night.
And please connect with us at auction@belmontday.org if you have questions.
Belmont Day gratefully acknowledges our Auction sponsors—thank you for your support of Belmont Day!
BUS TRANSPORTATION
Please Complete the Bus Interest Form for 2023-24
For the 2023-24 school year, we will offer a Boston and a Cambridge bus line to and from campus each day that we’re in session.
If you are interested in possibly enrolling for either the Boston or Cambridge bus service for your child, please fill out the survey by Friday, May 12. The survey is available on the Parent Portal under the “Logistics” tab. If you will not use bus transportation, no action is needed.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Anderson Santos, director of operations, at asantos@belmontday.org.
FACULTY NEWS
Departures
Michelle Weisman, development associate
After three years, Michelle will be leaving Belmont Day on May 19 for a new and exciting opportunity in development. Michelle will be bringing the myriad talents as a development officer that she honed in the interim between Pati Fernández’s departure and Jess Halton’s arrival to Groton Hill Music Center, where she will serve as their annual giving specialist. We are grateful to Michelle for the many ways she has contributed to the school and for supporting BDS through the auction before her departure.
Updates for the 2023-24 School Year
Patrick Murray will continue teaching in fifth grade for the next school year. We are all grateful for the work Patrick has done during Emma Nairn’s parental leave and are delighted that he will remain part of our community next year.
Sarah Pikcilingis, on medical advice, will teach seventh grade math in a part-time capacity; Emma Nairn will return in a part-time capacity to teach seventh grade math and support middle school math more broadly next year.
These are one-year placements, and our expectation is that both Emma and Sarah will return to their full-time roles in the 2024-25 school year.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Community Service Day 2023 – Friday, May 19
This special day is dedicated to our whole community of faculty and students engaging together in projects and outreach to benefit others. We are looking forward to a productive morning of service that will engage our students in our school values of joy, caring, responsibility, respect, and excellence.
The lineup is nearly complete!
Lower school projects include farm work at Gaining Ground, making Welcome Baby cards for Family Nurturing Center, and making fleece tie blankets for Room to Grow, and more.
A few of the middle school projects: furniture painting for Furnishing Hope, food preparation at Community Servings, building bat and owl houses, and several outdoor conservation and cleanup projects in Belmont and beyond.
Please Support our Donation Drives
We are hosting two drives—one for small toys for The Jared Box Project and one for items to fill care packages for Rosie’s Place.
With your donations, third graders will assemble Jared Boxes—a plastic shoe-sized storage box filled with small gifts, toys, games, crayons, coloring books, and fun activities. The boxes are given to children in the hospital to provide a special, fun diversion.
Fourth graders will put together care packages for Rosie’s Place to distribute to women in need. The care packages will be tucked into canvas tote bags that students will hand-decorate. Please consider a donation of any of the following items:
- Toothpaste, toothbrush, floss
- Deodorant, soap, body wash
- Lip balm, face cream, hand lotion
- Shampoo, conditioner—especially products for textured hair like Pantene Gold Series, Shea Moisture, and Carol’s Daughter
- Hand sanitizer, wipes
- $25 Gift Cards to Target, Old Navy, Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens
All items should be full-size, new, unopened, and unexpired.
Drop-off boxes are located at the Barn and Schoolhouse entrances, and donations will be accepted until the morning of May 19. Thank you!
GREENING NEWS
BDS Garden Workday: Thank you!
This past Saturday, a great crew combined endurance, strength, and focused energy to wake up the school garden. Some of the jobs were clearing leaves around the fence and garden area, adding compost to beds, pruning perennials, and planting peas and greens. All our produce is used in school lunches during the school year, and the summer harvests are donated to our community partner Arlington FoodLink.
No Mow May!
Participate in No Mow May! and refrain from cutting grass, watering, and fertilizing during the month of May. Dandelions, clover, and the common blue violet are all flowers that you may see on your lawn that will nourish bees and other pollinators with nectar and pollen.
– Kathy Jo Solomon, visual arts teacher and sustainability coordinator
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Blair Fross Named Faculty Representative
It is our pleasure to announce that Blair Fross will join the Belmont Day School Board of Trustees as a faculty representative for a two-year term. Fross, now in her twelfth year at BDS, is the director of school year auxiliary and specialty programs and will join kindergarten teacher Missy Hartvigsen as the two faculty representatives on the board.
Fross has served in a number of previous roles at Belmont Day, including as a summer camp counselor and administrator, After School and enrichment teacher, coordinator, and associate director. Fross has also played an integral part in developing the school’s health and wellness curriculum, piloting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and affinity groups, as well as advocating for and facilitating gender and sexuality programs for students and faculty.
“I have done a great deal of advocacy during my time at Belmont Day. My entrepreneurial role straddles program and teaching and business and finance, ” Fross said. “I look forward to collaborating with the board and engaging in meaningful advocacy at a new level.”
Fross will replace middle school Latin teacher Nicole Buck, who will step down at the end of her two-year term on the board. Buck, now in her fifth year teaching at BDS, has most recently worked with the programmatic leadership team to develop the school’s curriculum scope and sequence. She also serves as an advisor, Capstone mentor, middle school club advisor, enrichment teacher, and athletics coach.
“My time on the board has been pivotal for my tenure at BDS. I deepened my understanding of the Belmont Day experience, and as a representative during the implementation of the strategic plan, I appreciated the opportunity to think about the future of BDS, ” Buck said. “My work on the board extended into my work with the faculty as I brought a strategic lens to support faculty in their work of curriculum iteration and scope and sequence documentation. It has been an honor to represent the BDS faculty through my time on the board, and I look forward to passing the baton to Blair!”
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 below.
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 using the link below.
Please reach out to Connie Yepez, director of equity, inclusion, and belonging, with questions.
Learning Updates
PE Update: Flinging Frisbees
During the Frisbee unit in physical education, our students get to fling it all: foam Frisbees, beamos, plastic discs, and even giant Frisbees that we launch onto Claflin Field from the top of the hill behind the Osborne Tennis Courts in order to set distance records. And in the midst of all that flinging and fun, we also practice proper form, keeping our thumb on top, toes pointed to the side, bringing our arm across our body, stepping forward, and ensuring that our follow-through points in the direction we want our frisbee to go. Frisbees, after all, can be a frustrating implement, as they are subject to crosswinds and strange rotational whims, but when we learn to control them, they become like flying saucers that we’ve sent on important missions to the far reaches of the gym or the field.
While our pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first graders worked on skills through station work and games, our third graders built up to an ultimate frisbee scrimmage, incorporating offensive and defensive principles that we’ve been practicing all year in a variety of sports. They let it fly, and it is only a matter of time before they are rocking the blue and gold and using these skills as members of our middle school ultimate team.
– Alex Tzelnic, physical education teacher and mindfulness director
First Graders Develop Green Thumbs
This spring, first graders have been heading out to the BDS garden to plant a “Three Sisters Garden.” Students learned that local Indigenous communities, such as the Wampanoag, planted gardens that consisted of corn, beans, and squash. These plants and crops are hugely important to local Native American agriculture, traditions, and culture. When planted together, the “sisters” work together to help each other thrive and survive. First graders also planted a “fourth sister” – sunflowers. They started sunflowers from seed in the classroom and will transplant them to the garden later this spring. First graders will see their hard work come full circle when next year, as second graders, they will harvest crops that have been growing all summer from the Three Sisters Garden. Happy planting!
– The First Grade Team
Arts Update: Sixth Graders Travel to Mass MOCA
It’s May, which means the arts classrooms at BDS are abuzz with student artists using their minds, bodies, and voices to create and connect with one another in thoughtful and inspiring ways. On April 28, we stepped away from our classrooms and boarded a bus with sixth grade students to visit MASS MoCA in North Adams. Throughout the day, we were surrounded by ever-changing light in James Turrell’s exhibits; we worked together to carefully move a glass and metal instrument around and around to see if it would fit through the buildings’ pillars; we saw Mrs. Armstrong ride a roller coaster; improvised melodies and rhythms on handmade instruments; and were captivated by the intricate and massive drawings and paintings covering the walls. We enjoyed experiencing contemporary art as individuals and as a collective group, and our day was filled with many moments of joy and awe. Many thanks to the generous Lenesa Leana Endowment for Innovative and Collaborative Education grant that helped fund this trip and the many members of our community that made this experience possible.
– Kassie Bettinelli, music teacher
Athletics Update: Boys’ Lacrosse Out Plays DCD (7-2)
After a few weeks away, the boys’ varsity lacrosse team shook off the rust and squared off against DCD in a competitive match-up on Thursday afternoon. Playing without team captain and leading scorer, Liam Brodeur, the boys’ team entered their game with a challenge to create more offensive chances. Andrew Green answered the bell and kicked things off with a win on the opening face-off that he took directly to the cage for the first goal of the game and the team never looked back. Green paced the Belmont Day offense with 4 goals and 2 assists, getting help from Oliver Gottesman, Quinn McCaffrey, and Ezra Wolfson who all chipped in with timely scores. The defense was equally as impressive, with team captain Ellis Anderson limiting DCD to a pair of goals and cementing a second-half shutout for a 7-2 win. In an afternoon full of standout performances, none was better perhaps, than the play of second-year goalie William Li. Li was dynamic in net, recording 13 saves on 15 shots, and frustrated the DCD attack all day. Boys’ lacrosse now sits at 2-1 after the win.
– John O’Neill, director of athletics
Athletics News
- The JV ultimate squad was rained out this week, but Hugue Marsan, Wyatt Baker, Christian Atem, and Jordan Levine had a great week of practice, continuing to improve their skills.
- The varsity tennis team made the most of a rainy week behind strong play from Alex Kadnar and Kavi Kumar-Warikoo who focused on finding their rhythms and finishing at the net.
- The girls’ lacrosse team outscored DCD (4-2) in the second half, but came up short 10-7. Team captains Avery Schneider, Quincy Treisman, and Aria Goodpaster led the comeback.
- The track & field team edged out Fenn/Nashoba 73-64 on a muddy track on Thursday. Zach Kromah earned 13 points with a 1st Place finish in long jump and shot put.
- Julia Street attempted some big jumps, rolled over obstacles, and crushed some challenging terrain, during the mountain biking team’s rides this week. The group rode some bridges and obstacle courses.
- The varsity ultimate team lost to Wellesley 15-8 this week with eight different players scoring points. Jaden Park and Luke Brenneman both had impressive scores for the home team.
Pre-kindergartners Grow Squash Plants for the Garden
At the end of March, Ms. Solomon visited pre-kindergarten to plant acorn, butternut, and delicata squash seeds. We learned that there is an embryo within the seed that has everything that the seed needs to germinate. We knew our seeds were growing deep inside the planting trays, even if we could not tell by looking at them. Our planting trays were warmed by a heating pad and growing lights in our classroom. We saw the first visible signs of growth on Day 5. We even talked to our plants to encourage them to grow. We kept track of which plant was growing the fastest and sketched observational drawings. After several weeks of growing in container trays, this week, our squash plants were ready to be transplanted into larger pots. We will continue to take care of them in our classrooms until the seedlings are ready to be planted in the BDS garden. As a bonus, each student had the opportunity to take one of our squash plants to grow at home!
– Maria Choi and Nicole Siverls, pre-kindergarten teachers
Parents’ Association News
Parent Book Group
The parent book group will meet on Tuesday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m. at Menotomy Bar & Grill. This month we are reading Hello, Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. We hope you will join us. For more information or to join our mailing list, please contact Karla Bays.
Casual Coffee and Sharing Assembly
Join us next Friday, May 12. Coffee will be served outside the Barn beginning at 7:45 a.m. Hope to see you there!
Friendraiser Walks
Warm weather means friendraiser walks have started up again. Meet on Monday mornings at 8:15 a.m. at the Palandjian Arts Center entrance and walk together through the woods behind the school. It’s another great, low-key way to connect with other parents. Dogs are welcome, too. Contact Elise Bayard Franklin with any questions.
PA Meeting
The next PA Meeting will be held on Friday, May 19, at 8:30 a.m. in Coolidge Hall.
If you have any suggestions or questions about parents’ association-related activities, please contact us anytime at bdspa@belmontday.org.
Beyond BDS
CLASSICAL MUSIC
BDS Eighth Grader to Perform with NEC’s Preparatory School
Belmont Day School eighth grader and violinist Eidan Kulman-Tamanaha will perform in the New England Conservatory-Preparatory School’s Spring Concert on Saturday, May 13 at 3:00 p.m. at NEC’s Jordan Hall in Boston. Tickets are free but must be reserved online. The concert will also be live streamed. For more information, directions to Jordan Hall, live streaming link and password, and ticket reservation, click here.
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.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Donate Your Gently Used Shoes This Spring
Soles4Souls disrupts the cycle of poverty by creating sustainable jobs and providing relief through the distribution of shoes and clothing around the world. Since 2006, Soles4Souls has distributed more than 35 million pairs of shoes in 127 countries and generated over $250 million in economic impact. The average person in North America throws away 70 pounds of textiles every year. That’s 21 billion pounds of extra waste dumped in our landfills every year! Since 2006, Soles4Souls supporters have diverted 59 million pounds of shoes and clothing from landfills.
Your family can help by cleaning out your closets and donating your used shoes to Soles4Soles. All you need to do is:
- Grab some trash bags and go to your closet
- Put the shoes in a trash bag (it can be 1, 5, or 100 pairs)
- Contact: 615.391.5723 or 866.521.7463 to schedule pick-up, or click here to find a drop-off location
- Every 20 pairs collected = 1 hour of community service
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