November 17, 2023
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Things are definitely measuring up for eighth graders in Ms. Trentowsky’s science classes.
Opening Message
Reflections of Gratitude
Jess Halton, Director of Development
Post Date: November 17, 2023
November is always a roller coaster of a month for me. Deep down, I do appreciate the variety of New England’s four seasons. Still, my mind has a hard time adjusting to the abrupt changes this month brings: the extended darkness, the fading warmth, the down-turned heads and hands in pockets, the never-ending carpet of brown leaves, whose color and radiance captivated me just a few short weeks prior.
Change is hard.
When I find myself feeling dysregulated, I try to pause and find moments of light. Is there a lesson here? Is there something to be grateful for?
I watch my children (and yours) bound out into the crisp morning air, often sans jacket, definitely in shorts if permitted, completely unaffected by what feels like the middle of the Arctic tundra to me. “Aren’t you cold?!” I exclaim. “No, mom/Ms. Halton! I’m fine!” they reply with a beaming and priceless smile. Suddenly, I’m flooded with warmth. They are fine. And I am, too. I’m grateful to my young friends for this reminder.
This Wednesday, I was taken aback when I realized it had been a year to the day since I interviewed for my role at BDS. I recalled how energized and inspired I was by every individual I met. Oddly, I particularly remember how delicious the Friendsgiving Lunch was that day and how shocked I was to learn that the kitchen offers gluten-free options daily. In most places, my food allergy is an inconvenience. Here, I felt seen and cared for. I was beyond grateful.
Imagine my surprise when the same Friendsgiving Lunch awaited me when I entered the cafeteria this Wednesday. It was just as delicious as last November’s (Thank you, Chef Lightbody and team!). Delicious food aside, joining this community has been far sweeter and more nourishing than I could have imagined. I am deeply grateful to be here.
So, while I often begin November feeling particularly out of sorts, it is around this time that I begin to accept the changes around me and pause to reflect with gratitude on the lessons and moments that bring me joy.
If you see me welcoming your students for the day at the Barn circle and I’m dressed for the tundra, know that as long as your children are bounding around with enthusiasm, I am warm, and my heart is smiling.
I hope you will join us at next Tuesday’s Gratitude Assembly before we depart for Thanksgiving Break (11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.). It will be a special opportunity for our school to gather and reflect on all we have to be grateful for.
Upcoming Events
Coming Up This Week
Monthly Calendar
Lost & Found: Items Will Be Donated After Thanksgiving Break
Please check the Lost & Found for your students’ missing items as soon as possible. We will be donating all unclaimed items to a local charity after Thanksgiving break. If you plan to attend the Gratitude Assembly this coming Tuesday, all found items will be displayed in the Barn lobby at that time.
The Lost & Found is located in the hallway between Liz Parfit’s office at the front of the Schoolhouse and the sixth grade classrooms. Check in at the front desk, and you will be directed right to it.
Save The Date: Winter Concert!
Friday, December 15 at 10 a.m. – note the time change
Downing Gym
The biggest concert of the school year–the Winter Concert–is just a few weeks away! Students in general music classes and ensembles have been working hard to prepare for this send-off to winter break.
Please note that the time has changed and the concert begins at 10 a.m. Thank you for your patience and flexibility; we look forward to seeing you there for a wonderful celebration of music and community!
Pajama Day
Monday, November 20
We will close out our penultimate day of learning before the Thanksgiving Break joyfully! Students in all grades are invited to wear their coziest, comfiest, school-appropriate pajamas. Slippers are fine, but please send in a pair of sneakers and essential outdoor gear (coats, hats, gloves, etc.) with students for recess.
Gratitude Assembly & Early Dismissal
Tuesday, November 21
Assembly from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
School Closes at 12:30 p.m. | No After School Program
Join us in the Barn gym as we gather before Thanksgiving Break.
The assembly will include reflections and sharing on the meaning of gratitude for our community, our families, and the indigenous people who were the original stewards of the land our school calls home.
Dismissal Plan
After the assembly, we ask that all parents stay seated in the Barn while we dismiss students and teachers back to their classrooms. Once this happens, parents are welcome to pick up their child from the classroom, making sure they check out with the teacher and then head directly to their vehicles.
There will be parents queued up in their vehicles waiting to pick up their children as well, so if you are on foot, please go directly to your car and exit campus, circumventing the pick-up line. There will be no After School or enrichment classes on Tuesday and participants will be dismissed from their assigned default dismissal door. Please check with the front desk before Tuesday if you do not know which default door your child is assigned to.
Lunch & Snack Menu
November 21 to November 25
Monday
Snack: applesauce: Smartfood
Breakfast for Lunch: buttermilk pancakes; vegan waffles; gluten-free waffles; bacon; scrambled eggs; spring vegetable medley (broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower); arugula with feta, roasted tomato and sherry vinaigrette
Tuesday
Snack: bananas; whole-grain granola bars
No Lunch: Early Dismissal for Thanksgiving Break
Wednesday
School Closed for Thanksgiving Break
Thursday
School Closed for Thanksgiving Break
Friday
School Closed for Thanksgiving Break
For a more detailed and updated weekly menu, please click the button below.
Updates from After School & Enrichment
Enrollment for auxiliary programs in trimester two is open until Friday, November 25. There are still spaces available in the Young Philanthropists, Ballet, Comic Journalism, and Wire Working & Jewelry Making enrichment classes. Class descriptions, dates, and pricing are available on the Parent Portal.
Enrichment classes and After School will run per usual on Monday, November 20. School closes at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21, so there will be no after school programming that day. Our winter trimester begins on Monday, November 27.
For any questions, please reach out to Blair Fross or Denali Kikuchi.
BDS News
FACULTY NEWS
New Hire
Katie Hogan, first grade teacher, parental leave
We are thrilled to announce that Kate (Katie) Hogan has been hired as a first grade co-teacher to take over while Cicely Gibson goes on parental leave in January. Katie will join us on Monday, November 27. This will provide three weeks of overlap with Cicely and to plan with the first grade team before Winter Break.
Katie comes to us with experience teaching and subbing in first, second, and third grades in the Lexington Public Schools. Most recently, she taught third grade in the Lawrence Public Schools. Prior to her teaching career, Katie worked as an associate scientist, so she is eager to bring this background into the classroom. Katie received a master of arts in teaching degree from Tufts University with a focus on elementary S.T.E.M. and an undergraduate degree from UMass Amherst, where she pursued a major in biology and minored in anthropology.
While she brings numerous qualifications and skills to this role, the hiring team was particularly impressed with the rapport that Katie built in a short time with students during her finalist visit and demo lesson. She connected and engaged each student with her hands-on approach to learning and her approachable nature.
We hope you will join us in welcoming Katie to our community!
BUSINESS OFFICE
New Invoices Issued for After School and Enrichment Classes
The business office has issued invoices to parents of students who participated in the After School Program and enrichment classes during the first trimester. Payments are due by Friday, December 15, 2023. For those using AutoPay, payments will be processed on December 15, so please plan accordingly. For those that used emergency After School care during the first trimester, invoices will be included in the second semester billing.
Invoices can be accessed, and payments can be made through the Parent Portal. Please log in and click the blue “Invoices & Payments” button on the right side of the screen to review your account and initiate payment. Payments may also be submitted by mailing a check to the attention of the business office.
For questions about After School Program and enrichment classes charges, please contact Blair Fross, director of school year auxiliary & specialty programs.
Please contact the business office with questions about invoices and payment processing.
ARTS NEWS
First BDS Music Showcase Was a Huge Success
Last spring, a few students approached the music teaching team about the possibility of organizing a talent show. Knowing this would be an excellent opportunity to spotlight students as musicians and leaders, we designed two middle school arts electives to help bring this idea to life.
On Monday, thirty-five middle school students collaborated to present the first-ever BDS Music Showcase (check out the event recording here) to a packed audience in the Palandjian Arts Center. Mrs. Bettinelli’s BDS Music Showcase students demonstrated what they learned throughout the trimester about planning and hosting a musical event. Students chose the venue, promoted the event, prepped the acts, communicated about rehearsals, created the set list and run of show, designed programs, wrote the script, set up the lights, staged the chairs and stage, hosted, monitored stage transitions, and worked backstage! Students from Teacher Cotner’s Audio Tech class exemplified the importance of careful planning and trusted, focused teamwork as they set up microphones, cables, monitors, and speakers and ran the sound board for our performers and hosts.
All of this incredible work made for a truly memorable event. As audience members entered the PAC, they immediately noticed colorful lighting, a BDS Showcase sign made by Teacher Conroy’s Innovation Lab class, candles scattered on the stage steps, and a flipped orientation of chairs and stage. They could see students bustling about finishing soundchecks, straightening chairs, and prepping for the performance. As the student musicians took the stage, it was clear that they were prepared and thrilled to stand in front of a packed house and share their diverse and incredible talent and work. The showcase was entirely student-led, highlighting these middle school students’ learning processes and talents. Thank you to all who supported this event and our students.
We’ll be having another BDS Showcase in June. We hope to see you there!
– Kassie Bettinelli, music teacher and Modern Band director
COMMUNITY NEWS
GSA Announcement at Middle School Meeting
At the Middle School Meeting today, members of Belmont Day’s GSA (Gender-Sexuality Alliance) made this announcement:
This week, you may have noticed that many people wore rainbow colors or the colors of the transgender flag. This is because it is Transgender Awareness Week.
What is Trans Awareness Week?
- Transgender Awareness Week is a celebration of the trans community.
- It leads up to Transgender Day of Remembrance, which honors the lives of victims of transphobic violence. This year, the day of remembrance is on Monday, November 20.
- We celebrate Transgender Awareness Week to educate our community about trans/gender non-conforming people and the challenges they face just being themselves.
The importance of supporting trans and gender non-conforming peers
- According to the Gay Lesbian Straight Educator’s Network (GLSEN), trans and gender non-conforming young people face much more hate than an average middle schooler. This includes being deadnamed or misgendered by school staff and schools not standing up for trans students.
- Trans and gender non-conforming people are also more at risk for self-harm and suicide, so it is important to show your friends that you are there for them.
How To Be An Ally
- Being an ally means actively standing up for your trans friends, not just being not transphobic.
- Respect people’s privacy and boundaries by not asking about their bodies.
- Do not share a deadname or ask about a deadname.
- Respect the pronouns, names, and terminology you are asked to use.
- Overall, be patient and compassionate, and let trans friends inform you.
- Call out transphobic behavior that you see; don’t be a bystander; be an upstander.
- Ask questions. If you don’t know something, don’t be afraid to ask. This especially applies to pronouns, as misgendering can really hurt.
- We encourage you to show support on Monday by wearing a trans flag sticker, which can be found outside Ms. Yepez’s office.
We acknowledge that people have their own opinions and different knowledge about queer issues. It is OK to share opinions so long as they don’t violate the BDS core values of caring and respect. Use empathy and consider how you would feel if someone made negative comments about an important part of your identity. This is a time to celebrate and honor. If you want to educate yourself, please find one of us at recess or do your own research.
We also invite you to come to GSA. It is an ally space, and it is open to everyone. Check the bulletin board in the sixth grade hallway for dates and times!
Thank you!
– Belmont Day GSA
Learning Updates
Athletics Update: Team Captains Wrap Up the Fall Season at Sharing Assembly
Twenty-five team captains shared highlights from their teams’ fall season with the community at this morning’s Sharing Assembly. In addition to the impressive combined record of 41 wins, 22 losses, and five ties, team captains highlighted the growth that occurred, the team chemistry that was created, the challenges, the successes, and the memories that will last a lifetime. At the end of the day, it’s not about the records but about the relationships these athletes have formed with teammates and coaches. Part of the beauty of school athletics is that these athletes will get a chance to start all over again in a few weeks when we turn the page to the winter season and begin new journeys together as a program. Congratulations to all of our athletes and coaches on a successful fall season.
– John O’Neill, director of athletics
Second Grade’s New Mural Is a Feast for the Eyes
For our summer reading book this year, second graders read Tomatoes for Neela, written by Padma Lakshmi and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal. It is a story about a young girl named Neela who loves to cook tomato sauce with her mother, Amma. Every year, Neela and her mom go to the market to get fresh tomatoes, make the sauce, and can the sauce to use later in the year. Making this special family recipe with her mom helps Neela to feel closer to her grandmother, who lives far away.
In art with Ms. Solomon this fall, we worked together to create a mural based on this book. We decided to represent the special foods that are important to us and our families, whether because of our culture, history, or taste buds. We looked at images of foods from around the world. Then, we sketched the food we had chosen with a pencil and outlined it with a black pen. Next, we used watercolors to paint our foods to make them more realistic. We hope you enjoy our delicious second grade “buffet” now on display outside Ms. Fell’s classroom.
– The Second Grade Team
Eighth Graders Weigh In on Physical Science
In eighth grade science, students are looking forward to beginning their study of physical science for the remainder of the school year. This will include a look at matter and its properties, an introduction to the structure of the periodic table, the structure of the atom, the historical development of our understanding of the structure of the atom, how atoms bond to make compounds, and how atoms combine in chemical reactions. In order to prepare for this part of the eighth grade science curriculum, students are currently completing a short unit in which they are learning how to name scientific lab equipment and how to use these tools to make measurements of matter properly. In addition, students are learning about the metric system, how to complete conversions between various metric units, and reviewing scientific notation. After students return from the Thanksgiving Break, they will also work on understanding how to make measurements and complete calculations to the correct number of significant digits. It is great to see them incorporating their math skills into their science work in this unit!
– Sandra Trentowsky, eighth grade science teacher
Third Grade Studies Different Community Constructs
Third graders are embarking on their study of communities, local government, citizenship, and economics. They kicked off the unit by working with Teacher Conroy and Ms. Rochford to learn about rural, suburban, and urban communities. Students explored images of these different types of communities and made inferences and connections to define them. Later, students were led in a See, Think, Wonder exercise using Google Earth, many for the first time, to explore the three different types of communities from a bird’s eye view. Next, they learned about why having a local government is important and its role in citizens’ lives. After learning more about citizenship and economics, third graders will design their own communities while learning about construction engineering techniques. Keep an eye out as you may also see some third grade detectives in Belmont Center in the coming weeks doing some exploring of what makes a community!
– Larissa Rochford ’93, third grade teacher, and Brittany Conroy, innovation coach
Sixth Grade Social Studies Explores World Religions
In sixth grade social studies, students are now in the middle of studying world religions while transitioning into longer analytical writing. A goal is to explore each religion with curiosity and an open mind. We have studied two of the three major monotheistic religions: Judaism and Christianity. This week, we began our study of Islam while keeping in mind what we’ve learned about other religions so that we can approach our writing with an analysis that is based on specific evidence.
Toward the end of the week, we aimed to discover as much as we could about Islam and the empire that was built around it. After Thanksgiving Break, we will transition into studying Hinduism and Buddhism and the empires built around each, respectively.
– Khang Phan, sixth grade social studies teacher
A Week Filled with Food and Learning In Pre-k
Pre-kindergarten students have been busy helping Chef Lightbody with important meal prep tasks. Last Wednesday, we harvested and washed the remaining potatoes in the school garden for a hearty stew for Belmont Day students and staff. We even visited Coolidge Hall during lunch for a thank you from seventh and eighth graders, and then we tasted some stew for ourselves. This past Monday and Tuesday, students learned all about the holiday Diwali. To celebrate, Chef Lightbody prepared some cookie dough, and we helped grind some cardamom seeds, mix them with sugar, and roll the cookie dough in the mixture. The lemon cardamom cookies were thoroughly enjoyed by pre-k and first grade students.
– Kim Edwards, pre-kindergarten teacher
Parents’ Association News
Book Fair: Today Is the Last Day!
Until midnight tonight, a portion of all purchases made at www.belmontbooks.com with coupon code BELMONTDAY23 will go to support the PA’s Faculty Appreciation Fund. Should you wish to take this opportunity to donate books to classroom libraries or the BDS Erskine library, you can also access our faculty and library wish lists here.
From 1 to 6 p.m. TODAY, we hope you will join us in person at Belmont Books for a special in-store shopping event! A portion of all sales store-wide (not just by BDS families) will support us, so please spread the word to your family and friends.
TONIGHT: Parent Gathering During Middle School Dance
All parents of middle schoolers are invited to visit Trinktisch in Belmont Center from 6:30-8:30 p.m. after drop-off and before pick-up for the middle school dance tonight. The parents’ association has reserved the Lounge Area (adjacent to the Lower Hall), where parents are welcome to gather, connect, and socialize. Attendees are welcome to order food and drinks individually using the QR code located on menus throughout the space.
Baby Book Collection
We are excited for the next faculty baby—please help us welcome first grade teacher Cicely Gibson’s baby with a donation of a favorite children’s book. Books may be dropped off from Monday, November 20 through December 14, in the collection bin in the vestibule of the Schoolhouse. The baby welcoming committee will assemble the books into a basket for delivery. Thank you!
Pumpkin Patch Contest Winners
Thanks to all who stopped by the Pumpkin Patch last month to hang out in the beautiful fall weather and support the PA by purchasing pumpkins and mums for themselves and for our outstanding faculty. We had a fantastic turnout of budding mathematicians who flexed their estimation skills and their biceps (lifting a big pumpkin) by participating in our contests and submitting almost 200 guesses. An honorable mention goes to the fourth grade, which had the highest level of participation overall.
- For the candy corn count contest, congratulations to our winners across three grade groupings, including a four-way tie: pre-k students William Zhang, Teddy Van Wesep, and Oliver Wang, Leila Smith (grade 2), Erin Meredith (grade 5), and Alexander Meredith (grade 8).
- For the pumpkin weight contest, congratulations to our winners in three grade groupings: Charlie Pothier (kindergarten), Kaia Wentzell (grade 5), and August Wilmot (grade 8).
Prizes were distributed to winners’ cubbies this week.
See you again at the Patch next year!
Thank You, Parent Volunteers!
The parents’ association would like to thank the Pumpkin Patch committee for running a fun and successful fundraiser and those who donated mini pumpkins and mums to the faculty. We would also like to thank the Friday Night Lights committee and all parents who helped to put on a fun evening to support our BDS athletes and build community. We truly appreciate the support of all parent volunteers.
PA Meeting Recording
Thank you to the wellness team, school psychologist Arlene Silva, school counselor Josh Sussman, and physical education and mindfulness director Alex Tzelnic for presenting at our PA meeting yesterday morning. For those who were unable to attend, please watch the recording on the Parent Portal to learn more about the wellness team, their individual roles, how they support our children, and when a parent might reach out to them.
Parent Book Group
The parent book group will meet on Tuesday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Menotomy Grill & Tavern to discuss Unreliable Narrator: Me, Myself, and Imposter Syndrome, a collection of essays by comedian Aparna Nancherla. We hope you will join us. Please contact Karla Bays if you have any questions or would like to be added to our mailing list.
PA Contacts
At any time and for any reason, please feel free to email the parents’ association executive team at bdspa@belmontday.org.
Beyond BDS
MUSICAL MILESTONE
Eighth Grader Wins Piano Competiton
Congratulations to Lucy Yin, who was named the winner in the Massachusetts MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) 2023 Competition “Piano Junior Performance” category on November 11. As the sole state winner, she will advance to the division competition, with the opportunity to compete at the National Finals. Great job, Lucy, and good luck in the competition!
BIG SCREEN DEBUT
Seventh Grader Has Supporting Role In New Film
If you’re going to the movies this weekend, you might catch a glimpse of Zeke Fine up on the screen. Zeke makes his film debut as an extra in “The Holdovers” starring Paul Giamatti. Centered on a New England boarding school over its winter break, Zeke can be seen in a very early scene in the movie when all the students are seated in the school’s chapel (Zeke is in the second row to the left of the center aisle). That scene and others were filmed at St. Mark’s School in Southborough. We’ll see you on the big screen, Zeke!
MUSICAL THEATER
BDS Students to Perform in “Beauty and the Beast”
Eighth graders Grace Sullivan and Brynn Franklin and fourth graders Anahita Stuti-Bala and Jack Hargrove will take the stage next month in Menotomy Musical Theater’s production of “Beauty and the Beast.” Tickets are now on sale for the three performances, Friday, December 8, at 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10, at 4 p.m. All performances will be at the Belmont Town Hall Auditorium, 455 Concord Ave. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
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