October 23, 2026
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Girls’ JV soccer fought to a tie against Dexter Southfield.
Opening Message
Seven Tips for Great Parent-Teacher Conferences
By Betty Chu Pryor, Lower School Head
Post Date: October 23, 2026
While much has changed and evolved since Belmont Day School opened its doors in 1927, one constant is that the home-school partnership remains an integral part of each child’s educational journey. Our school was founded by parents who were invested and committed to bettering their children’s education, and we continue to value the contributions and insight of our students’ caregivers. Lenesa Leana, former head of school, made a statement in her 2003 Back to School speech that very much still rings true: “Our community rests on our long-lasting partnership with our parents. Our children’s first teachers are their parents. We need to hear from you about your children. We need to work together.”
As we approach our fall parent-teacher conferences next week, and having had the opportunity to experience these meetings both as a parent and as a teacher, I would like to offer seven practical tips to ensure meaningful meetings with your child’s teacher(s).
- Plan ahead. Since our teachers thoughtfully plan the information that they want to discuss, you can prepare by writing down a list of questions or thoughts to share with your child’s teacher beforehand to maximize your time together. Feel free to email these to your child’s teacher in advance so that they can make sure to address these topics. Also, ask your child if there are any issues or wonders that they would like to share with their teachers.
- Keep track of time. Teachers often have back-to-back conferences scheduled, and if one conference goes over, that has a domino effect on subsequent conferences. If you notice that time is almost up but you have not gotten through all of your questions or topics, it is perfectly fine to stop and make a plan to schedule a follow-up conference.
- Give yourself ample time between conferences. Although it might seem convenient to schedule back-to-back conferences if you have multiple children at BDS, it will be less stressful to include some buffer time for traveling between destinations and in case your first meeting runs over.
- Ask questions. Teachers may use educational terms or mention curricula that are second nature to them but may be unfamiliar to you. Please do not hesitate to pause the teacher and ask for clarification or an explanation. It will make it much easier to follow along if you understand exactly what is being discussed.
- Focus on the home-school connection. Explain what you are doing at home to further and supplement your child’s school experience. Similarly, ask your child’s teacher for strategies that you can employ to help your child achieve their goals at home based on the feedback you receive.
- Assume good intentions. This may be an obvious tip, but it is key in every conference—assume that your child’s teachers have the mutual goal of ensuring the success of your child. Most likely, you will hear positive feedback about your child’s progress, as well as learn about areas for growth and improvement. Be prepared by thinking about your child’s strengths and challenges beforehand. Also, remember that what you observe at home can vary from your child’s performance at school because the setting is vastly different—a classroom of 15 students is not the same as the 1:1 experience that your child has at home.
- Debrief and follow up. After the conference is over, process the information you heard with other family members or people who know your child well. In some cases, it may even make sense to discuss with your child what was brought up at the meeting. If there are topics that you would like to further pursue or revisit in the future, or if new questions or thoughts arise after your conference, please contact your child’s teacher and schedule a follow-up meeting.
We hope your parent-teacher conferences next week are fruitful and that they provide the foundation for a positive home-school connection for the school year!
Upcoming Events
Monthly Calendar
Friday Night Lights
TONIGHT! Friday, October 23
6:15 p.m. – Girls’ Varsity Game
7:30 p.m. – Boys’ Varsity Game
Harvard University’s Jordan Field
Tonight! Friday Night Lights, our annual varsity soccer match-up against the Meadowbrook School, returns under the shining lights of Jordan Field at Harvard University. Join students, faculty, parents, alumni, parents of alumni, and friends to fill the stands and show Meadowbrook how much spirit we have! Please read the guidelines and information in the dropdown below to help us ensure that all enjoy a fun, safe, and respectful event.
Guidelines, Parking & Directions
Please remember that this is not a drop-off event. Parents are expected to keep an eye on their children to ensure that proper behavior is exhibited and that trash is thrown away in the trash receptacles. And please remember the following important guidelines for student conduct:
- Students are not to be unsupervised on the grassy areas around the field. These areas are dark and potentially unsafe. A parent must accompany a student to these areas. Volunteers will reinforce this rule, and we ask for your partnership in keeping this event safe for everyone.
- No food or drink is allowed on the turf field.
Address and Parking Information: There may be a charge for parking at the stadium, so please come prepared with cash just in case. The game will be played on the turf field behind Harvard Stadium (from North Harvard Street, enter and go past the Stadium towards Soldier’s Field Road). The stadium complex is at 65 North Harvard Street, Boston, MA 02163. Please see the map of the complex and driving directions. We will be playing on the field marked Jordan Field.
Parent Conference Days and Childcare
We look forward to seeing you at parent conferences next Thursday, October 29, and Friday, October 30, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
School will be closed except for parent conferences. Childcare will be available during conference hours.
Childcare Information:
- Sign-up is not required
- Join us in the Barn Gym
- Coverage is only available during the time of conferences—please do not drop off earlier or pick up later than the end of your conference
- All children of school age are welcome (even if they are not BDS students)
- Children should bring a book or activity; some activities will be provided
- Children should not bring electronics, including iPads, phones, or other devices
- No food will be provided
Join Us: Open Middle School Meetings
Friday, November 13
11:50 a.m. to 12:25 p.m.
Palandjian Arts Center
All middle school parents are invited to join us in the Palandjian Arts Center for our “Open Middle School Meetings”. These are opportunities for you to be a part of our regular weekly middle school meeting time and to get a glimpse of life in the middle school!
Mark your calendar for the first open meeting, and stay tuned for more dates in the months ahead.
Lunch & Snack Menu
October 26 to October 30
Monday
Snack: applesauce; baked tortilla chips
Lunch: all-natural turkey burgers; vegan burgers; turkey or vegan burgers on gluten-free bun; crispy corn rounds; roasted cauliflower with charred green onion and cumin
Tuesday
Snack: bananas; whole grain cheese snack
Lunch: chicken marsala; Beyond vegan sausage; rice pilaf; green beans with garlic and roasted tomatoes; arugula with crispy ham, tomatoes, and roasted onions with balsamic
Wednesday
Snack: clementines; Bug Bites Grahams
Lunch: Breakfast for Lunch: pancakes, turkey sausage links, scrambled eggs, Impossible Sausage (vegan), gluten-free waffles; roasted butternut squash with honey and cinnamon; greens with fresh berries and chevre apple cider vinegar
Thursday
School Closed for Parent Conferences
Faculty Lunch
Friday
School Closed for Parent Conferences
Faculty Lunch
Please click the button below for a more detailed, up-to-date weekly menu.
BDS News
COMMUNITY NEWS
School Photos Now Available to Order
The 2026-27 student and class photos are now available to order! To sign in to see and/or order photos, please go to Porter Gifford Photography. You will need to enter your email address and the password that was shared by email with all families earlier today.
Porter is offering a complimentary 5×7 class photo to families that place an order of at least $30. The coupon code is classphoto and can be entered at checkout. Since changes to orders cannot be made after the fact, it is important to use this code prior to finalizing your order.
Please note:
- Photos are organized by grade. Scroll down to just beneath the all-school collage for the menu bar where you can select your child’s grade. Students are not identified by name.
- Click on a photo’s shopping basket to see the sizes available and their prices.
- You may purchase just one or an assortment of your child’s/children’s photos. Digital versions are also available.
- Purchased photos will be mailed directly to the address you provide during ordering.
- If you have any questions, email porter@portergifford.com.
CAMPUS SAFETY
Ensuring Drop-off and Dismissal Traffic Safety
We would like to remind parents and guardians of the importance of our shared responsibility to ensure community safety during our daily drop-off and pick-up times. These are high-traffic periods for vehicles and pedestrians, and the risk of injury to students, faculty, and families is potentially high.
Since the start of the school year, faculty members who assist at drop-off and dismissal have witnessed and tried to stop various driver behaviors that could put others at risk. Please review the following safety reminders compiled below.
– Anderson Santos, director of facilities
Traffic Safety Reminders
Distracted Driving: Frequently, drivers are texting, reading, and talking on their cell phones while driving through campus. Please do not engage in these activities while driving on campus.
Follow Traffic Flow Directions: Please follow all instructions from those directing traffic. Our goal is to move vehicles through the line as quickly and as safely as possible. At the busiest times, we work to avoid traffic backing up onto Concord Avenue, which can raise concerns from our neighbors and the Town of Belmont, so please pull up as directed.
Stay in Designated Pick-up Areas: Please do not circumvent the pick-up line by pulling to the side and “standing” in the Coolidge parking lot and having your child meet you there. Students crossing through the parking lots with so many moving cars creates a potentially dangerous situation. Cars waiting in the Coolidge lot also impede the flow of traffic.
Observe the 10 MPH Speed Limit: After the morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal, parents have been observed speeding through campus when there are no lines. Drivers should observe a 10 m.p.h. speed limit at all times.
Please stay in your car during dismissal: In order to ensure we execute a timely, safe and timely dismissal process we ask adults to stay in cars during the dismissal process. If you need to seat belt your child into their car seat please park and pick up your child on foot.
Hi, Then Bye!: We love to say hi and catch up, but please avoid starting conversations with faculty or fellow parents in the drop-off and pick-up areas at peak times. Even a quick chat in line can have a ripple effect.
Safety is every community member’s responsibility. We ask for your cooperation by driving slowly, following directions, and avoiding distractions during pick-up and drop-off. Thank you for your partnership in ensuring we are adhering to all our school safety guidelines.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Share Your Expertise! Capstone Students Seek Interviewees
Would you like to be involved in the Capstone Program? Take a moment to check out our eighth graders’ research topics in the dropdown below. You’ll be amazed by the variety! Do you or someone you know have expertise or experience in one of these areas? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
Eighth grade students are hard at work on their Capstone research and writing. The research and resulting papers represent the first part of the “triathlon” that is the Capstone experience. After concluding the research they began last spring, eighth graders have begun outlining their papers. They are showing lots of determination and pride as they refine their research into thoughtful papers.
Starting after Thanksgiving break, students will embark on the second leg of the triathlon. They will design a project that grows out of the knowledge they have gained during the research and writing phase, as well as what they still want to learn. In this phase, students take charge of their own active learning. One aspect of the project phase is an interview, and this is where YOU come in! If you have contacts who could prove useful to students during the project phase, please be in touch with me, Jennifer Friborg, Capstone coordinator. The eighth graders thank you in advance for your interest and support. Hope to see you at the students’ presentations in April.
– Jennifer Friborg, Capstone coordinator
Capstone Research Topics
- Processed foods in America
- Evolution of language
- Policing in schools
- Board games of the ancient world
- Sustainability and AI
- Fingerprinting
- Dolphin communication
- Irish step dance controversies
- The Radium Girls
- Mexican migration in the US
- Rise of Fascism in the 1930s
- The Night Witches
- What basketball can teach America
- Effects of nuclear disasters
- Military origins of everyday items
- Economic inequality and healthcare
- The physics of tennis, baseball, and yo-yo
- Foundations of longevity
- Impact of the Marathon bombing on Boston
- Sports psychology
- The Scopes Trial
- mRNA vaccines
- Influence of Shostakovich
- Financialization of healthcare
- Life and employment after incarceration
- Women of the French Revolution
- World’s dependence on oil
- Evolution of women’s fashion in the West
- Impact of advertising on youth
- Space exploration
- Negative interest rates
- The East India Companies
- Formula 1 constructors
- Sustainable affordable housing
- Nuclear power plants around the world
- Reintroduction of wolves to the Northwest
- The science of habits
- Coco Chanel as a Nazi spy
- Caffeine addiction
- Prediction markets
- Pediatric cochlear implants
- Declining birthrates
- Effects of pressure on athletes
- Electoral systems
- RBG dismantling legal gender inequality
- How the Enigma Code was cracked
BDS CENTENNIAL
Flex Those Muscles for a Special Centennial Photo Montage
As we prepare to celebrate Belmont Day’s Centennial, the PE/Athletics team needs your help. We are putting together a montage of people ages 0-100 wearing BDS swag and showing off their athleticism by flexing (see accompanying epic photo). We need your help to make this dream a reality!
Do you know anyone within that age range? Great! You are qualified to help. You can use the form linked below to submit a photo of someone decked out in as much BDS swag and blue and gold as possible. The directions for the photo are in the form. As with any athletic endeavor, it will require a total team effort to get pictures of 100 years of flexers.
If you need to borrow BDS swag for the photo, we will have a lending library just outside the PE/Athletics office in the Barn. Come by, take home a jersey, scarf, or hat, take a picture, and please return it for others to use.
As the project continues, we’ll reach out with specific ages that we are still missing. The deadline to submit is November 15, 2026. Be a part of BDS athletics history!
– Alex Tzelnic, director of physical education and mindfulness
Learning Updates
Sixth Graders Explore Their ‘Mathographies’
Everyone has experienced math in their lives, but you don’t always get the chance to stop and reflect on what your math journey has been like. This year’s sixth graders created the beginning of their mathographies (a portmanteau of “math” and “autobiography”) to share their earliest memories of math, their relationships with math now, their goals with math in the future, and important math teachers who have had an impact on them. While math can be a challenging and sometimes intimidating subject, knowing who has had an impact on you and setting goals for the future can help remind you that your journey with math is just beginning–and help your teachers understand and teach you better. Be sure to take a look at all the creativity the students put on display in the sixth grade hallway! And ask them about it as we add to our mathographies throughout the year!
– Josh Felizardo, sixth grade math teacher
Seventh Grade Latin Turns Story of Squabbling Siblings Into Skits
In seventh-grade Latin this week, the students put on skits! The project started with reading a story in Latin about two teenagers doing a possibly bad job mediating a conflict between squabbling younger siblings. As they read, each group summarized the story in English, and then they transformed their summary into a script for a skit. They also made props like masks, posters, and backgrounds to bring their performances to life.
– Emily Damiano, Middle School Latin teacher
Pre-K Butterfly Lesson Takes Flight
During the first six weeks of school, pre-kindergarteners have been raising monarch caterpillars! This unit of study has offered all kinds of learning opportunities for Belmont Day’s youngest students, including imaginative play, scientific observation, and data collection. Most importantly, it has helped to cement a culture of care into our pre-k community. In total, we raised and released 21 butterflies, all of whom are well on their way to Mexico for the winter. The next phase of our project involves planting a pollinator garden on campus that will support future generations of monarchs. With lots of help from Ms. Solomon, BDS’ sustainability and garden coordinator, we have weeded and amended the site and will plant several species of native milkweed as well as many other native perennial wildflowers. We are thrilled to support and learn from this amazing migrating species!
– Kim Edwards and Nicole Siverls, pre-kindergarten teachers
Learning About Crystals Takes Shape in Sixth Grade Science
This week in sixth grade science class, students became crystal scientists! The class conducted an exciting hands-on lab growing beautiful borax crystals, which helped them understand how rocks and minerals form deep within the Earth. This introductory activity kicked off their unit on plate tectonics and the geosphere, bringing big geological concepts to life through a fun, colorful experiment. Students observed firsthand how crystals grow and take shape, much like the amazing processes that create the rocks and minerals we find all around us. It was a great reminder that science happens everywhere, even in a simple solution!
– Dan Munroe, sixth grade science teacher
Athletics Update: Teamwork, Leadership Take Teams to New Heights
The excitement continues to build around Belmont Day athletics as our teams put together another terrific week of competition, highlighted by impressive victories, hard-fought games, and outstanding individual performances. With the fall season moving quickly, our student-athletes continue to demonstrate growth, teamwork, and determination each time they compete. And perhaps most exciting of all, the week concludes with one of our favorite Belmont Day traditions: Friday Night Lights!
The week began Tuesday with JV football putting together a dominant performance against Thayer, earning an impressive 40–0 victory. Beyond the final score, what made the afternoon particularly special was that three different players scored the first touchdowns of their careers! Those are the moments that make middle school athletics so meaningful, as students experience personal milestones, build confidence, and celebrate one another’s successes. It was a terrific team effort and a memorable afternoon for the Blue and Gold.
Girls’ varsity soccer also faced a challenging Austin Prep team on Tuesday, falling 4–0 despite a determined effort. Alexis Franklin was a bright spot for the Blue and Gold, demonstrating tremendous composure and competitiveness throughout the game. She did an excellent job tracking opposing attackers, stepping in to challenge the ball when needed, and working tirelessly to disrupt Austin Prep’s offensive opportunities.
On Wednesday, boys’ varsity soccer earned an impressive 4–1 victory over Austin Prep. The Blue and Gold put together a strong team performance, with Gael Cruz Marcos leading the offensive attack with two goals, including a beautifully executed free kick. It was another excellent showing from a team that continues to play with confidence and develop its chemistry as the season progresses.
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Girls’ soccer also took on Dexter Southfield on Wednesday and battled to an exciting 2–2 tie. The Blue and Gold showed tremendous resilience after falling behind early, refusing to let the deficit affect their energy or determination. Bella Tan and Rosie Smith anchored an outstanding defensive effort, while the team’s continued pressure led to a corner kick that produced its first goal. Cathy Jin delivered a terrific cross that the Dexter Southfield goalkeeper deflected into the net. With momentum on their side, BDS began creating more opportunities on the counterattack. Sydney Reynolds, Ella Antipov, and Elise Katz worked beautifully together to intercept passes and transition into the attack, with Elise scoring the team’s second goal. It was a tremendous collective effort and a great example of a team growing in confidence as the game progressed.
Both volleyball teams also hosted Meadowbrook on Wednesday, and both came away with exciting three-set victories! Varsity volleyball earned a 2–1 win in a match that featured plenty of momentum swings. After taking the opening set, BDS saw Meadowbrook respond with some difficult serving to win the second. The deciding set was a battle, with the Blue and Gold jumping out to an early lead and holding strong as Meadowbrook attempted a comeback. Kaia Wentzell delivered the final point from the service line to seal the victory! Celine Li was outstanding throughout the match, covering the floor and keeping difficult balls in play as the team worked hard to handle Meadowbrook’s unpredictable serves.
JV volleyball also earned a thrilling 2–1 victory over Meadowbrook, with several players delivering memorable performances. Ahna Chakra, Yiwen Bilien, and Maitri Bonthapally combined for an incredible diving play that resulted in a point, while Cora Stack was dominant from the service line, scoring an impressive 11 points on her serves. Lily Bandar added three service aces, and Ben Fucci contributed two excellent kills during rallies. It was a terrific all-around team effort and another exciting afternoon for the BDS Volleyball program.
Cross country traveled to Pike on Wednesday for a challenging meet against an exceptionally strong opponent. Pike earned the victory, 15–48, with its top runner, Elliott Strandberg, setting a new course record. Despite the result, the Blue and Gold had plenty to celebrate, with an incredible 12 BDS runners recording personal records! Alana Brown led the team with a sixth-place finish, followed by Raphael Hsia in seventh, Kevin Zhou in eighth, Ben Bradshaw in 12th, and Amelia Chang in 15th. Boya Yun (18:38) and Emma Katz (18:54) both broke the 20-minute barrier for the first time, while Emelia Jin, Jeremy Pan, Raphael Hsia, Emma Katz, and Boya Yun all improved their previous personal bests by more than a minute. Jeremy’s improvement was particularly impressive, dropping more than two minutes! It was another outstanding example of the progress our runners continue to make, regardless of the final team score.
Thursday brought more excitement as varsity football earned a convincing 26–0 victory over Solomon Schechter. Gus Barrett was outstanding on both sides of the ball, hauling in two touchdown receptions while also making several important flag pulls at linebacker. Woody Evans was a force defensively at safety and also delivered one of the highlights of the afternoon, connecting with Gus on a beautiful deep pass during a trick play to open the scoring. Frederick Mak added another memorable moment with an impressive zigzagging touchdown run late in the game. It was a terrific all-around performance for the Blue and Gold.
JV football returned to action Thursday against Shady Hill and battled hard before falling 31–14. The game was much closer than the final score indicated, with BDS remaining competitive throughout most of the afternoon before Shady Hill pulled away in the final four minutes. Harrison Mak and Ethan Parry provided the offensive highlights, each scoring an exceptional touchdown. Despite the result, it was another opportunity for the team to learn, compete, and continue developing its confidence on both sides of the ball.
Field hockey also competed Thursday, traveling to Park and falling just short in a hard-fought 2–1 game. The team played with tremendous energy throughout all four quarters, showing strong ball movement and teamwork on Park’s turf field. Ursula Douglas scored the BDS goal by positioning herself perfectly in front of the net and tapping the ball past the goalkeeper. Josie Goldstyn, Clara Min, Leah Zhang, and Ela Adhikari all contributed excellent passing and support in the attack. Anna Turco was back in goal and delivered one of the defensive highlights of the afternoon, kicking away a dangerous shot following a Park breakaway. Despite the narrow loss, it was another strong effort from a team that continues to improve each week.
After a week filled with exciting competition, we are ready for one of the biggest days on the Belmont Day calendar! Today is Spirit Day, followed by Friday Night Lights this evening at Harvard’s Jordan Field!
We hope to see a tremendous turnout of Blue and Gold supporters as we bring the energy of Spirit Day into the evening. Wear your school colors, bring your loudest cheers, and help create an unforgettable atmosphere for our student-athletes!
Let’s pack the stands, celebrate our community, and make Friday Night Lights a night to remember!
Go BDS!
– Stephen Marks, director of athletics
Parents’ Association News
Pumpkin Patch Shoutout!
A heartfelt thank you to Jonathan Rodgers and all the parent volunteers who made this year’s pumpkin patch such a success! We’re grateful for the time, energy, and care you all put into bringing this much-loved event to life for our school community.
Next PA Meeting
Our next meeting will be held on Friday, November 13, at 8:15 a.m. in Coolidge Hall. Stay tuned for details of an exciting agenda that you won’t want to miss.
BDS Connections Walk
Join our next BDS Connections Walk on Thursday, November 5. Meet up right after drop-off at 8:15 a.m. outside Coolidge Hall.
This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know other parents while exploring the beautiful woods around our school.
Parent Book Group
The next parent book group meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 27, at 7:15 p.m. at Menotomy Grill & Tavern in Arlington. This month’s book is Good People by Patmeena Sabit. For the full meeting schedule, please visit the Parent Portal. If you have questions or would like to join the book club email list, please reach out to Karla Bays.
Contacting PA Leadership
At any time and for any reason, please feel free to email us at bdspa@belmontday.org:
- President: Megan Akkina
- Vice President: VJ Patel
- Treasurer: Manish Patel
- Clerk: Prue Clifford
- Community Engagement: CuiCui Chen
Beyond BDS
YOUTH THEATER
Be a Part of Aladdin JR. Production This Winter!
Calling all dreamers, adventurers, and future Broadway stars! Ever imagined discovering a magic lamp, befriending a larger-than-life Genie, or soaring over Agrabah on a magic carpet? Well, here’s your chance to step inside the magic!
Young Actors Society (YAS) is bringing Disney’s Aladdin JR. to life this spring, and we’re inviting students in grades 1–9 to join the adventure!
Packed with unforgettable music, colorful characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and a little Disney magic, this exciting production offers young performers the opportunity to build confidence, make new friends, and discover just how much fun theater can be. Whether they’re seasoned performers or taking their very first steps onto the stage, there’s a whole new world waiting for them!
Under the artistic direction of Belmont Day theater teacher Christopher T. Parsons, Young Actors Society is an independent youth theater organization. While YAS is not affiliated with Belmont Day School, the organization rents the school’s Palandjian Arts Center (PAC) for rehearsals and performances.
Rehearsals begin in January, with performances April 9–11, 2027. With two casts, there are even more opportunities for young performers to shine!
Registration is now open! Learn more and register at Young Actors Society.
Return to the Parent Portal
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