May 9, 2025
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We had so much fun welcoming grandparents and special friends to BDS this week!
Opening Message
Eighth Grade Trip Builds Bonds, Creates Memories For A Lifetime
Emily Phan, Grade 8 English Teacher
Post Date: May 9, 2025
During the week we returned from April break, our 48 eighth graders and six adult chaperones set off for a whirlwind class trip to Southwest to visit our National Parks. The students were awed by amazing vistas, climbed to new heights, floated down the Colorado River, and discovered something new about themselves and their classmates. The intrepid chaperone team of Emily Phan, Conor Garrison, Trinity Johns, Khang Phan, Patrick Murray, and William Hart led the students on a trip filled with adventure, joy, challenges, learning, and growth.
The chaperones penned the following letter to the eighth grade students, which showcases the reasons why taking this trip and taking the time together is meaningful and significant.
Dear Class of 2025,
We cannot thank you enough for making this trip such a joyful experience. We all truly loved getting to see all of you take moments of awe to appreciate the world in which we get to live. We loved the way you embraced adventure and new experiences. We loved seeing how you bonded more closely with each other. We loved hearing your singing and excitement and presence.
These qualities–your willingness to try new things, your ability to find gratitude, and your ability to connect with others meaningfully and with care–are the qualities that will make high school (and life beyond it) an incredibly rewarding experience. We hope you hold on to your sense of wonder, care, and joy. The world needs more of each of these, and we are grateful to know that there are at least 48 of you who have them in spades.
For the rest of your life, this group will always have been the people with whom you spent middle school. You will be old like your chaperones, and, looking back with some new friends or family, you’ll say “Well, in eighth grade, we …”. That’s no small thing. We hope you appreciate that you got to spend middle school with so many high-quality humans, and we hope you all find ways to stay in touch, or at least to remember the great friends you made along the way.
We hope, too, that seeing this part of the world gave you some perspective. We met really genuinely good, kind people who care deeply about the world, even though they live in places that are politically different from us in Massachusetts and live lives very differently than the lives we lead (or may lead in the years ahead). We learned from our guide Marie, who loves people so much that she spends almost all of her time meeting new people (and yet still has wonderful close friends). The lesson here is to keep your curiosity and wonder as you move through the world.
This trip was also meant to remind you of how precious and vast our world is. Although so much of it is endangered, please remember that these places have been endangered by people before, and yet, through collective action and through a refusal to give up, activists have made changes. We are lucky to live in a world where we still get to see so much natural beauty and human history–let us do everything we can to preserve that for your kids, too.
So anyway, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for being the people you are. We are incredibly grateful to have gotten this experience, and even more so that we got to have it with all of you. Thank you for making your chaperones smile throughout most of this trip. Your laughter, smiles, and stories (and your willingness to not complain about more turkey sandwiches) made this trip such a success far more than any planning we did.
Upcoming Events
Coming Up This Week
Monthly Calendar
Parent Forum: Welcome to Middle School
Tuesday, May 13, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Coolidge Hall
All current fifth grade (rising sixth grade) parents are invited to attend our Welcome to Grade 6 Parent Forum next week. You will have an opportunity to meet the grade 6 faculty team and hear about the structure and highlights of our grade 6 program. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Gray, middle school head.
Spring Parent Celebration & Annual Corporation Meeting
Thursday, May 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Coolidge Hall
Please join us for a Spring Parent Celebration and the annual open meetings of the Belmont Day School Corporation and Belmont Day School Parents’ Association (PA)—both of which include all current parents of the school.
This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and socialize, and attend to our brief annual Corporation and PA business that will include:
- A vote to elect new trustee nominees to fill vacancies on the board
- Renewal of trustees whose terms are expiring
- A vote on the incoming PA executive team roles
Hope to see you there!
Friday Night Scoops
Friday, May 16
The Meadowbrook School, 10 Farm Rd., Weston
Girls’ game at 5 p.m. | Boys’ game at 6 p.m.
Join us for the third annual Friday Night Scoops event at The Meadowbrook School, featuring games between the two schools’ varsity lacrosse teams. The entire Belmont Day community is invited and encouraged to attend. Bring a picnic dinner, some folding chairs, or a blanket.
Bonus cheering opportunity! Get to Meadowbrook at 3:30 p.m. and root for varsity tennis as the team gets the triple-header of great athletics started! See you there!
Lunch & Snack Menu
May 12 to May 16
Monday
Snack: fruit cups; pretzels
Lunch: macaroni and cheese; macaroni and marinara; gluten-free pasta and cheese; pulled BBQ chicken; seasoned broccoli; Romaine lettuce, Roma tomato, and honey mustard dressing
Tuesday
Snack: bananas; Cheez-Its
Lunch: coconut-crusted redfish; crispy breaded tofu; Mediterranean baked fish; French fries; honey carrot coins; kale salad with roasted corn, tomatoes, cranberries, and citrus vinaigrette
Wednesday
Snack: clementines; Tostitos
Lunch: soy sesame braised chicken; soy sesame sliced tofu; stir fry vegetable blend; basmati rice; boky choy and spinach with scallions, red peppers, and soy dressing
Thursday
Snack: apple slices; Tiger Bites
Lunch: chef’s choice soup; all beef hot dog with bun; vegan hot dog with bun; all beef hot dog with gluten-free bun; potato chips; steamed peas; creamy coleslaw; 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
STAFFING NEWS
New Hires
I am thrilled to announce that after a thorough and robust search process this spring, we have hired two new kindergarten teachers to start the 2025-26 school year. We will welcome Kristen Faubert and Lisa Wilson, two experienced early childhood teachers who will be joining our Belmont Day School faculty in August.
– Betty Chu Pryor, lower school head
Kristen Faubert comes to us from The Learning Project in Boston where she has served as the lead kindergarten teacher for eleven years. Before her current role, she was an associate kindergarten teacher at Prospect Hill Academy Charter School and a preschool teacher at the Transportation Children’s Center. Kristen holds a master of education in curriculum and teaching from Boston University and a bachelor of science in early childhood education with a concentration in human development and family studies/psychology from the University of Vermont.
Originally from New Zealand, Lisa Wilson has almost two decades of experience in early childhood education. For the past three years, Lisa has co-taught a mixed kindergarten/grade one class at Acera School in Winchester. Before her time at Acera, she was a preschool teacher for four years at Plowshares Preschool, a lab preschool housed at Newton North High School, and taught at Cambridge-Ellis School for nine years. Lisa worked in the admissions departments at various local independent schools before beginning her teaching career. She earned her master of education in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in special education from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor of arts degree in behavioral science from Lesley University.
ASSOCIATE TEACHER PROGRAM
Lesley University Honors Giuliana Blanca With June Fox Scholarship Award
We are delighted to announce that Giuliana Blanca, associate teacher, has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the June Fox Scholarship Award, presented by Lesley University and the June Fox Lecture Series Committee.
This distinguished, merit-based scholarship honors the legacy of Dean June Fox, a pioneer in teacher education and founder of Lesley’s Collaborative Internship Programs. Giuliana was recognized for her exceptional work with students, her unwavering commitment to equity, and her promise as a future leader in education. The committee was deeply impressed by the nominations submitted on her behalf, as well as the powerful descriptions of her classroom impact and dedication to inclusive teaching practices.
Giuliana worked with Nancy Fell in second grade for the first half of the year and is now placed with Emma Nairn in fifth grade.
Giuliana will be formally recognized during a special event in the fall. Please join us in celebrating this well-earned honor and in congratulating Giuliana for her ongoing contributions to the field of education.
GARDEN NEWS
Volunteers Get Growing Season Started
This past Sunday, we had a great crew of parents, students, and faculty working in our school garden. Combining endurance, strength, and focused energy, a group of BDS garden enthusiasts helped wake up the school garden. Some jobs included clearing leaves and weeding around the fence and garden area, adding compost to beds, pruning perennials, and planting greens. All our produce is used in school lunches during the school year and the summer harvests are donated to our community partner Food Link. Thank you to our dedicated volunteers!
– Kathy Jo Solomon, visual arts teacher and sustainability coordinator
AUXILIARY PROGRAMS
After School Enjoys A Very Sweet Learning Opportunity
A very special program feature in the winter and spring is our tree-tapping program led by Ms. Kikuchi, auxiliary programs coordinator. Students in after school spend a Friday afternoon learning about how to extract sap from the sugar maples in our outdoor classroom. The after school team continues to extract the sap throughout the shift from winter to spring. Students get to sample store-bought sap at the beginning of the unit with waffles for snack. At the end of the season, they get to taste test and compare some of our very own homemade or schoolmade after school syrup as the final product.
– Blair Fross, director of school year and specialty programs
SUMMER AT BDS
Think Summer—Join the Swim & Tennis Association
Summer is almost here! Consider a membership to our summer Swim & Tennis Association (STA). STA membership grants use to the pools, tennis courts, fields, and the Big Blue play structure on weekdays after camp (4 to 8 p.m.) and weekends (10 to 11 a.m. lap swim, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. open swim for families). During the last week of summer (before Labor Day), the pool is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. STA membership is a fun and convenient summer option for families and individuals in the Belmont area.
Click the dropdowns below to learn more about the STA summer amenities and membership options:
Pool
We have two pools:
- A large 50-foot-long pool with a depth of 3 feet to 9 feet
- A wading pool that is 2 feet deep. Please note that the wading pool is only for children who are not yet tall enough to stand in the shallow end of the main pool.
We emphasize a calm, relaxing vibe focused on family fun and a safe pool experience. The pool is guarded by our staff lifeguards, who receive extensive training in addition to their certification classes during summer camp. Because the pools are not open to the general public without a membership, they are generally not crowded like the town pools in Belmont, Arlington, and Watertown.
Tennis/Basketball Courts
Our two tennis courts, which also have basketball courts on them) are available on a first-come, first-served basis. They are hard courts (cement) and in great condition. We keep a squeegee roller on the courts that members can use following rainstorms when there may be puddles. Members are responsible for bringing their own balls and racquets.
Big Blue
Our amazing playground structure is available for STA members. During the week, the camp extended day program, which runs through 5:30 p.m., may also be using Big Blue.
Athletic Fields
All fields on our campus—Claflin Field, Far Field, and Archery Field—are open to STA members for evening/weekend casual use. If you would like to rent a field space for organized team use, please email Anderson Santos. The camp extended day program may use Claflin Field through 5:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Membership Options
Family Membership – $800 for 4 people, $150 per extra member
The family membership is based on a family of four with the ability to add more people. Family membership includes a guest pass which allows you to bring up to two individual guests per visit. Caretakers who will not be swimming can bring children to the pool without being added to the membership.
Individual Membership: $260 per member
Individual membership includes access to the adult lap swim on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 to 11 a.m. before the pool opens to families.
Short-Term Memberships: $180 for 2 weeks, $220 for August 18-September 1
This year we are offering short-term memberships to families looking to use the pool. These are two weeks long and go from Monday of the first week through Sunday of the second week (giving access to two full weekends). At this time this membership can only be added by contacting us in the camp office at summer@belmontday.org.
Need more information? Check out the STA page on our website, or email us at summer@belmontday.org.
To register, visit the CampInTouch registration page. Registering for STA is just like registering for our summer camp–you create a profile for either yourself or your child and register for the program. Please note: if you are already enrolled in camp sessions, you’ll need to create a separate profile for STA.
BUSINESS OFFICE NEWS
Invoices Issued for After School & Enrichment Classes
The business office has issued invoices to parents of students participating in the After School program and enrichment classes during trimester three. Payments are due by Thursday, May 15, 2025.
Invoices can be accessed and payments can be made through the Parent Portal.
- Click on the blue “Invoices & Payments” button on the right side of the homepage to review your account and make your payment.
- For those enrolled in AutoPay, payments will be processed on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Please plan accordingly.
- Payments may also be submitted by mailing a check to the business office.
- Please check your VCPay account in the Parent Portal for any outstanding or overdue incidental invoices and include payment for those items by May 15, 2025.
For questions about After School and enrichment classes charges, contact Blair Fross.
Please contact the business office with any questions about payment processing.
– Hilary Berkman, chief financial officer
Learning Updates
Athletics Update: Boys’ Lacrosse Shuts Out Park
The boys’ lacrosse team improved to 2-1 on the season following a commanding 12-0 win over Park on Thursday afternoon. Ten different players scored for the Blue & Gold, including first-ever goals from Ben Bradshaw, Leeul Miteku, Zeke Fine, and James Shields. Sam Rodriguez led the way with three goals of his own, all coming in the first half. The win comes on the heels of a disappointing 6-2 loss to Austin Prep on Wednesday. Jun Murakami netted both goals in defeat and first-year goaltender Hughy Marsan shined between the pipes with 14 saves. The team now heads into their biggest week of the season with a home game against Pike on Tuesday before heading to Meadowbrook for Friday Night Scoops on Friday, May 16.
– John O’Neill, director of athletics
Athletics News
- Eighth grade veterans Laurice Bandar, Lila Green, and Claire Huang were instrumental in girls’ varsity lacrosse’s 17-8 win over Park this week. The team has three games next week.
- Penny Gottesman buried the game winner in girls’ JV lacrosse’s comeback win (5-4) over Shady Hill this week. Rowan McCoy and Ashley Fleming had excellent games for Belmont Day.
- Vatche Balikan secured 2 of varsity tennis’ 3 wins against BB&N this week. Balikan paired up with Jack Ward (W 6-1) at #4 Doubles and Max Kishlansky (W 4-0) at #5 Doubles.
- Copeland Maier returned from injury to help lead varsity ultimate to a big 15-9 win over Carlisle this week. Jonathan Laipson and Christain Atem chipped in with great scores.
- The track & field team improved to 2-1 on the season after a hard-fought win on the road against Park. Simon Bays took home a pair of 1st Place finishes in the 800m and 1600m.
Spring Has Sprung In Second Grade!
This week, our second grade scientists completed their fourth and final observations of our special tree, a pin cherry. This spring, as in each of the other seasons, the second graders followed these important steps to guide the recording of their observations:
- Ask a question: What does a pin cherry tree look like in the spring?
- Make a hypothesis: The tree will be full of leaves, blossoms, and pin cherries.
- Observe our tree, using both our eyes and magnifying glasses to observe important details.
- Record our observations, capturing exactly what we saw.
~ The Second Grade Team
Parents’ Association News
Cradles to Crayons Thank You!
We are pleased to report that the Belmont Day School community collected 72 13-gallon bags of donations during our Cradles to Crayons drive! These donations will help over 200 children living in homeless or low-income situations in Massachusetts. A huge thank you to co-chairs Carolyn Atinizian and Adrienne Mugar, who organized the drive and sorting event, to those who rolled up their sleeves and got to work on Sorting Sunday, and to all who contributed their donations. Thank you!
Faculty Appreciation Luncheon
It’s time to show our amazing faculty how much we appreciate them with our long-standing tradition, the Faculty Appreciation Luncheon! On Friday, May 30, the PA will host a special buffet-style luncheon for faculty. This annual luncheon is hosted by our parents, who provide homemade or purchased food contributions.
The PA is seeking donations of main dishes, side dishes, salads, desserts, and beverages. Belmont Day is a nut-free campus, so please keep that in mind when planning your contributions. Please bring your donations labeled with your name and ingredients to the morning drop-off on Friday, May 30. There will be a table in front of the PAC. We are also seeking assistance with setup and cleanup. Please click here to sign up (note that the form contains two pages).
For questions, please reach out to the Faculty Appreciation Luncheon co-chairs Danielle England and Doni McKeever. Thank you!
Call for Grade Parents and Committee Volunteers for 2025-26
Thank you to parents for expressing interest in volunteering for the 2025-26 school year. We greatly value your support and partnership! We are still looking for a few more Grade Parents and volunteers for the following committees:
- Book Fair
- Faculty and Staff Appreciation Luncheon
- Family Fun Event
- Friday Night Lights/Hoops/Scoops
- Music and Ensembles
A full listing of committees and volunteer opportunities can be found on the parents’ association page on the Parent Portal. If you’re interested in getting involved, please complete the volunteer sign-up form.
Spring Parent Celebration & Annual Corporation Meeting
Please join us on Thursday, May 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to celebrate our community and vote in the new slates for the PA Executive Team and Board of Trustees. There will be drinks, light hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment from a faculty band featuring Brendan Largay. You won’t want to miss this!
PA Meeting
The final parents’ association meeting of the school year will be held on Friday, May 23 at 8:30 a.m. in Coolidge Hall. The meeting will feature a discussion of remaining PA initiatives for the year and an update from Brendan Largay, head of school. Light refreshments will be served.
Parent Book Club
Our last book group meeting of the school year will be Tuesday, June 3, at 7:15 p.m. at Menotomy Grill & Tavern in Arlington. We will discuss The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller. 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.
Volunteer Appreciation & Year-End All-School Coffee
Before the school year races to the finish line, we’d like to say thank you! Join us on Wednesday, June 4 from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. in Coolidge Hall for a festive morning of coffee, treats, and heartfelt appreciation as we celebrate the incredible volunteers who have given their time, talent, and energy to make this year unforgettable. From classroom help to events, committees, and everything in between—you’ve made a difference, and we’re so grateful.
This is also a great chance to gather as a community, connect with fellow families and faculty, and toast the year that was (and the summer that’s almost here!). We can’t wait to see you there—and celebrate all we’ve accomplished together!
Contact the PA
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 – Andy Stevenson
- Clerk – Jeff Wang
Beyond BDS
MUSICAL MILESTONE
Students Shine In Music Program
Last month third grader Ruyi Xiao and fourth graders Amelia Chang and Adam Cong participated in ASTA CAP (American String Teachers Association Certificate Advancement Program) a national string curriculum that provides definite goals for students across the country, from beginner to advanced levels, through regional examinations. Exams were held at the Dana Hall School of Music. Congratulations to these young musicians!
CREATIVE AWARD
Seventh Grader Recognized For Script Writing
Congratulations to seventh grader Christine Deng who recently received a Silver Key in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for her dramatic script “I Hope This Play Doesn’t Bug You.”
COMMUNITY EVENT
Youth Pride March & Celebration Set for May 17
Massachusetts Youth Pride is the oldest youth-led, adult-supported LGBTQ Youth Pride celebration in the country. The annual Pride celebration will be held on Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring a march, festival, community partner resource fair, and a live stage show produced by LGBTQ+ youth.
Registration is now available for the march–you can sign up to march by yourself or with friends and family or choose a group registration to march with a school group. Just interested in attending the festival? Skip registration and meet at City Hall Plaza festival starting at 11 a.m. Click here for more information and registration.
ARTS EDUCATION
New Theater Arts Opportunity for Young Performers
Christopher Parsons, BDS theater arts teacher, is launching a new initiative outside of school—A Broadway Kids Company (ABC)—for young performers ages 6–13 in the Arlington/Belmont community. ABC is a multi-award-winning program dedicated to nurturing creativity, building confidence, and celebrating each child’s unique voice through the magic of musical theater. The first production, Willy Wonka Kids, will debut in Fall 2025 and promises a joyful experience for all participants. With over 20 years of professional and educational theater experience, including leadership by managing director Anita Lieberman, ABC offers a supportive, inclusive environment where every child has the chance to shine.
To learn more about the program, dates, and location, visit abroadwaykidscompany.com, or go directly to the Arlington/Belmont Players registration page.
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