November 9, 2023
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Fourth graders teamed up for some cairn-building during an outdoor adventure in Mr. Tzelnic’s PE class this week.
Opening Message
State of the School 2023
Brendan Largay, Head of School
Post Date: November 9, 2023
Those of you who joined us last evening for the State of the School have already heard my remarks on the power of wonder and curiosity in a child’s educational experience. For those of you who were unable to join us, however, I invite you to visit the Parent Portal’s Event Recordings Page, where you can find the presentation.
Those in attendance encountered a room filled with balloons and a playful challenge to keep them off the floor! We soon moved on to examine how wonder and curiosity, hallmarks of Fred Rogers’s work, help frame a look at Belmont Day’s curricular approach. The program’s second half was highly interactive, with breakout groups led by our Programmatic Leadership Team.
Our curricular approach—rooted in a responsive, whole child-centered, supportive, and rigorous methodology—has evidence everywhere at Belmont Day, from the cross-country trails to the seventh grade math classroom where students explore ChatGPT to the pre-kindergarten maze design inspired by Sam and Dave Dig a Hole to Modern Band’s Spirit Day performance and beyond. It is an approach that relies on the excellence of a world-class faculty, and it is one that always centers students at the heart of our work.
Have a great long weekend, everyone. Thank you to our community’s veterans—parents, faculty, parents of alumni, grandparents, alumni, and past faculty. We are deeply grateful for your service.
Upcoming Events
Coming Up This Week
Monthly Calendar
Admissions: Virtual Open House
Saturday, November 18
9 to 10:30 a.m.
The Virtual Open House is coming up soon. Please tell your friends, neighbors, and family members who may be interested in learning about independent school education.
Our knowledgeable and expert faculty will share their unique approaches to engaging students. They will provide a glimpse into how they guide each student on their educational journey—from overall skill development, research, public speaking, and more—that ultimately culminates in each eighth grader’s Capstone project and presentation. Attendees will also hear from our head of school and administrators. Pre-registration is required.
Trimester 2 After School & Enrichment Registration Is Now Open
Enrollment for auxiliary programs in trimester two is open until Friday, November 25. Our winter trimester begins on Monday, November 27 when we return from break. There are still spaces available in the Young Philanthropists, Comic Journalism, and Wire Working & Jewelry Making enrichments. Enrichment class details and the trimester dates and pricing for the After School Program are available on the Parent Portal. For any questions, please reach out to Blair Fross or Denali Kikuchi.
Middle School Event: BDS Music Showcase
Monday, November 13, at 7 p.m.
Palandjian Arts Center
Middle school families, thank you for the tremendous support we’ve already received for this new event. We’re thrilled by the number of RSVPs and can’t wait to see you Monday evening for the first BDS Music Showcase. Our incredible students have organized the event, will run sound, and will be performing a variety of great songs. Middle school families, please check your email inbox for additional information and an RSVP form sent from Mrs. Bettinelli.
Lunch & Snack Menu
November 14 to November 18
Monday
Snack: craisins; Popcorners
Lunch: cheese tortellini, meatball, and marinara; pasta, vegan meatballs, and marinara; gluten-free pasta, meatballs, and marinara; garlic bread sticks; vegetable blend; kale salad with roasted corn, tomato, and citrus vinaigrette
Tuesday
Snack: bananas; whole-grain chocolate chip muffins
Lunch: beef tacos; vegan tacos; gluten-free beef tacos; cheese; guacamole; sour cream; salsa; taco salad with corn, cheese, tomato, and chipotle ranch
Wednesday
Snack: clementines; Fritos
Lunch: Friendsgiving Lunch: carved turkey; vegan Italian sausage; mashed potatoes; gravy; cranberry sauce; garden salad with Roma tomatoes, and honey mustard dressing
Thursday
Snack: apple slices; whole-grain Cheez-Its
Lunch: cheese pizza; pepperoni pizza; vegan cheese pizza; gluten-free cheese pizza; steamed broccoli; Caesar salad
Friday
Snack: apples; banana oatmeal rounds
Faculty Lunch
For a more detailed and updated weekly menu, please click the button below.
BDS News
COMMUNITY EVENTS
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 the start of Thanksgiving Break.
The assembly will include reflections and sharing on the meaning of gratitude for our community and our families and for the indigenous people who were the original stewards of the land our school calls home.
AUXILIARY PROGRAMS
After School Writes Letters to Honor Veterans
Students in the After School Program have been exploring the theme of gratitude this month, and they have been writing letters to veterans to honor their service. We wrote to four veterans representing each military branch. One of the veterans, Mr. Alfred Armstrong, is Mr. Dale’s grandfather. Mr. Armstrong is ninety-seven years old and served in the army in World War II, first in Europe and then later in the Philippines. Students wrote and created over sixty notes and drawings, which will be mailed or delivered in person to veterans this month. We are so excited to connect with and honor these veterans and thank all those who have served.
– Blair Fross, director of school year auxiliary & specialty programs
COMMUNITY NEWS
Lost and Found Is Filling Up!
Lost and found is reaching capacity with items galore that we’d love to reunite with their owners. Please check the lost and found soon! It 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.
Please consider using either of these two great options for labeling items. Twenty percent of each order (before shipping and tax) goes back to the school.
Mabel’s Labels: On the home page, select “Support a Fundraiser” and choose BDS.
Sticky Monkey: During checkout, enter coupon code “BelmontDay.” Your order will be discounted by $.01 to confirm that the code works.
Learning Updates
PE Update: Fourth Grade Has a ‘Cairn Do’ Attitude
Our fourth graders hit the trails this week during the outdoor adventure unit, braving the cool weather and learning how to navigate the woods with curiosity and courage. On Tuesday they attempted the annual “Cairn Building Challenge.” Before attempting to build balanced rock towers we talked about why cairns are used on trails. Above treeline in the alpine zone it is often the most convenient way to mark the trail. With limited time but unlimited creativity they worked to achieve outer balance, while perhaps unknowingly achieving inner balance as well. The results speak for themselves.
– Alex Tzelnic, physical education teacher and mindfulness director
Arts Update: Second Grade Creates New Friends
In second grade, it is now an annual tradition to build an Oliver K. Woodperson. An overarching theme for second grade is that each student is an individual, and together, they make up the unique second grade class. This theme is relevant in the building of the Oliver K. Woodpeople as each student designs, cuts, carves, and paints a part for the Oliver K. Woodpeople. When those pieces are combined, the whole person is created. The newest Oliver K. Woodpeople will live in the second grade hallway for the year; then they will move to Coolidge Hall and join many woodpeople from past years. Make sure to check them out!
– Bill Smith, woodworking teacher
Seventh Grade Explores Ancient African Kingdoms in Social Studies
In Ancient African Civilizations, students completed their Kingdom of Mali end-of-unit project. We introduced a new civilization this week, the Kingdom of Zimbabwe. Specifically, we are exploring the capital city of Great Zimbabwe. This center of successful trade and architectural marvels is one of my favorite civilizations to explore with students. The amount of awe that students demonstrate when discussing the Great Enclosure, a structure that has over one million carefully placed bricks without mortar, inspires us all to appreciate the intelligence and sophistication of ancient civilizations. As we dive deeper into our new Kingdom, we will begin to compare and contrast both ancient civilizations in discussions and reflections.
– Mike Marroquin-Castillo, seventh grade social studies teacher
Athletics Update: Varsity Football Puts Finishing Touch on Undefeated Season
The varsity football team put their undefeated season on the line when they squared off against DCD on the road this week and responded with a 49-26 win. Once again, the Blue & Gold relied on their suffocating defense to frustrate their opponents, recording five interceptions and three sacks. Offensively, Belmont Day spread the ball around, receiving touchdowns from Calum Dunbar, Rami Flummerfelt, Andrew Green, Kiernan Patel, and Jun Murakami. With the win, varsity football finished with a perfect 8-0 record this year, the first undefeated season in program history.
– John O’Neill, director of athletics
Athletics News
- The field hockey team finished their season with a dramatic 1-0 win at home vs LCA. Sixth grader Ella Kamenski buried the game-winner with 3:00 left off a great feed from Oliva Garrity.
- The cross country team capped off an undefeated season with a commanding win over LCA. Sam Leviton finished his career as one of the most accomplished runners in program history.
- The volleyball program headed off campus last weekend to take in the Harvard vs Yale game, celebrating the first-ever interscholastic season for Belmont Day.
- The girls’ JV soccer team welcomed Soleil Flanagan back to action this week in their game against Park. Captains Abigail Chang and Penny Gottesman finished strong.
- The boys’ JV soccer team finished their campaign with a winning record thanks to improved play throughout the season from all players including Henry Ward and Sam Springer.
- Colin Parry had a great game for the JV football team this week, stepping up as the team’s rusher and leading flag puller. Deniz Kas played well under center for the Blue & Gold.
- The varsity soccer teams finished off their seasons with strong performances against LCA. Mylo Rosenfeld played well for the boys and Josie Stevenson shined for the girls.
Parents’ Association News
Online Book Fair Starts Tomorrow
Tomorrow through next Friday, November 17, a portion of all purchases made at Belmont Books 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.
On Friday, November 17, from 1 to 6 p.m., we hope you will join us in person at Belmont Books for a special in-store shopping event! A portion of sales store-wide will support us, so please spread the word to family and friends.
PA Meeting
Our final PA meeting of 2023 will be held on Thursday, November 16, at 8:30 a.m. in Coolidge Hall. Please note this occurs on a Thursday, not the usual Friday for PA meetings.
In addition to committee updates and a run-down of upcoming events, we will hear from new school psychologist Arlene Silva and school counselor Josh Sussman about their roles, how they support our children, and when a parent might reach out to them. Alex Tzelnic, physical education teacher and mindfulness director, will join Josh for a primer on their Mindfulness Toolkit that helps students and parents alike. A more lengthy Mindfulness Toolkit session will be offered at a future date. Coffee and Light refreshments will be provided. We hope to see you there.
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 next Friday, November 17. 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.
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 THEATER
BDS Students to Perform in “Beauty and the Beast”
Belmont Day 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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