October 25, 2019
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First grade went on an illustration exploration!
Message from Head of School
Women Dominating Their Fields, But Not Always the News
Brendan Largay, Head of School
Post Date: October 25, 2019
Are you following any of these names in the news or on your social networks: Simone Biles, Coco Gauff, Jessica Meir, Christina Koch, Katie Bouman, and Brigid Kosgei?
If you aren’t familiar with Simone Biles, I encourage you to tune into the 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo this summer. Simone Biles is the single most decorated female gymnast in history, and at the 2019 FIG World Championships had not one, but two separate athletic feats named after her. One of them, a double-twisting double backflip, has changed gymnastic floor routines, although she is the only one who can perform it consistently. Simone Biles is a young woman who is changing the sport before our eyes.
Coco Gauff, a fifteen-year-old tennis phenom, won her first WTA event less than a month ago, but the hype around her began well before that. Coco captured national attention in both Wimbledon and US Open competition. In the latter, she lost to Naomi Osaka, who, during the post-match interview, ceded her time to Gauff so that the young competitor could speak to the journey she had taken to arrive at that moment. A month later, Gauff would become the youngest tennis champion since 2004.
Jessica Meir and Christina Koch made history by “just doing our job.” The pair completed the first all-female spacewalk outside of the International Space Station on October 18. These remarkable scientists trained, along with fellow NASA astronaut Drew Morgan, for six years to be ready for this mission.
Katie Bouman—and a shout out to my Capstone mentee, Maya G—is the 29-year-old woman who played a prominent role on the team that built an algorithm that made visualizing a black hole through a telescope possible. Maya is studying black holes for her Capstone this year, and her research has piqued my interest in space and gravity. A photo of Ms. Bouman watching the image of the black hole materialize on her computer screen went viral.
Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge became the first man to break the 2-hour marathon time in Vienna this month, clocking 1:59:41. Although this staggering feat was not accomplished on a record-eligible course, it was met with worldwide accolades. Fellow Kenyan Brigid Kosgei achieved something equally remarkable that same weekend in Chicago by shattered the women’s world marathon record. Her time of 2:14:4 surpassed the previous record holder’s time by 81 seconds on a record-eligible course. Brigid’s performance beat the longest standing record in men’s or women’s running history.
At Belmont Day, we strive to provide models of excellence and success for our students across a spectrum of different identifiers. It is important to highlight women’s achievements that should be dominating headlines but often receive a noticeably quieter and shorter showcase. Although we might be tempted to ask our children, “Aren’t these women impressive?” instead, we might ask, “Do you think the world would have responded differently to men who had achieved these heights?” And, when the answer is yes, then the question could be, “Why?”
Have a great weekend everyone,
Brendan
Fourth grade students worked in pairs on a Novel Engineering-based project.
This Coming Week at BDS
October 19 to November 2
All School
Saturday, October 26
4:30–6 p.m., Trunk or Treat, Belmont Day School parking lot
Tuesday, October 29
SSAT Administered for Grade 8
3:30 p.m., Girls’ JV Soccer vs Carroll; JV Flag Football vs Tenacre
6–7:30 p.m., Parent Learning Forum
Wednesday, October 30
3:30 p.m., Boys’ Soccer at Solomon Schechter; Cross Country vs Acera; Field Hockey vs NCDS; Girls’ JV Soccer at NCDS; Girls’ Varsity Soccer vs Solomon Schechter; JV Flag Football vs Fessenden; Varsity Flag Football at Park
Thursday, October 31
8:50–9:35 a.m., Halloween Parade, Claflin Field
Friday, November 1
12:30–4 p.m., Parent Conferences – School in Session
Saturday, November 2
AISNE Middle School Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Conference at BDS
Summer Camp to Host Trunk-or-Treat
The summer camp team is hosting a special Trunk-or-Treat event TOMORROW, Saturday, October 26 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Camp and school families are invited to sport a costume a few days before Halloween for a fun trick-or-treating event right here on campus. The event is free and open to all!
If you have any questions, please contact Bea Rooney, director of summer programs at summer@belmontday.org Thank you!
Parent Learning Forum
Supporting Your Student Through Anxious Moments
Tuesday, October 29, 6–7:30 p.m., Coolidge Hall
As part of our ongoing partnership with McLean Hospital, we will welcome Julia Martin Burch, Ph.D., to continue the conversation about how to build resilience and use anxious moments as learning/growth opportunities. Dr. Burch is a clinical psychologist at McLean Anxiety Mastery Program (MAMP.)
Lunch & Snack Menu
October 28 to November 1
Monday
Snack: Pretzels; fruit cups
Lunch: spaghetti and beef meatballs; primavera blend vegetables; garlic bread; Caesar salad
Tuesday
Snack: saltines; bananas
Lunch: fish and chips; citrus roasted fish; sweet and sour, ketchup, tartar sauce; green beans; krinkle-cut fries; Romaine lettuce with honey mustard and tomatoes
Wednesday
Snack: granola bars; craisins
Lunch: turkey chili; vegetable chili; shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream, and guacamole: corn chips; taco salad
Thursday
Snack: Baked BBQ Lay’s Chips; clementines
Lunch: witches cauldron pumpkin soup; bagel monsters!; cider; Bianca’s Head-for-a-Day special snack; greens with cranberry, pumpkin seeds, and sherry vinaigrette
Friday
Snack: apples
Faculty Lunch
Looking Ahead
STATE OF THE SCHOOL
Thursday, November 7, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Coolidge Hall
Please join us for remarks from Brendan Largay, head of school, about what lies ahead for this community of inspiring, bold, and remarkable learners and leaders.
Complimentary childcare will be provided for Belmont Day students from 5:50 to 7:30 p.m. Children MUST be pre-registered for childcare as space is limited. Contact Catherine David to register your child(ren). We will serve pizza and beverages, and show a movie. Please bring an alternative (nut-free) meal for your child if they do not eat pizza.
Can’t make it in person? Join us on Facebook for a live video of the event.
BDS News
ATHLETICS
Seymour’s Electric Touchdown Seals Win
Ahead by just one score late in the second half, eighth grade speedster Evan Seymour turned a short reception into the game-sealing touchdown by outrunning the entire Rashi defense. It was Seymour’s second touchdown of the game and provided an electric finish to an exciting 26-12 win for the home team. Eighth grade classmates Owen Finnerty (touchdown) and Theo Wallach (two interceptions) also joined in on the action, while newcomer Jake Walsh provided some solid defensive plays for the Blue & Gold.
More Athletics News
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Sixth graders Calder Wilmot (18:40) and Jayden Lotin (20:54) knocked a combined three minutes off of their PR’s during cross country’s commanding 21-34 home win over Carroll this week.
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The field hockey team finally broke through with a 4-0 win over Charles River this week. Maya Gregor scored twice, while Eliza Kuechle and Elizabeth Amaratunga both chipped in with goals.
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Zephy Borisy’s strong free kick and inspired play from Matthieu Small wasn’t enough for boys’ soccer to overcome a talented Fenn team. Henry Monroe played great at left mid in defeat.
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Camille DeStefano did all she could to keep girls’ varsity soccer within striking distance during the team’s 2-0 loss to Nashoba this week. Margot Klug shined for the Blue & Gold.
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Nora O’Brien’s goal and solid offensive pressure coupled with Lila Abruzzi’s strong defense and sound decisions were the highlights of girls’ JV soccer’s loss to Cambridge Friends.
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The JV flag football team ended up on the wrong side of the score against DCD this week. Ben Rowe, Noah Brauner, and Emma Kass provided the offense for the visitors.
ARTS NEWS
Character, Concept Shine in Costume Design
In the seventh and eighth grade arts elective, Costume Design, students were asked: How do designers communicate a concept, idea, or perspective to the audience using the elements of design?
To answer this question, students worked in teams to design costumes for a fairy tale. They discussed the fairy tale in terms of mood, tone, and theme. The teams then developed a director’s concept and explained and justified their ideas in a formal pitch to the class. After analyzing the characters, each member of the team came up with three elements of design that they could use to communicate character and concept to the audience.
The teams came up with a time period for their fairy tale and began the research phase of the project. From their research, they then created inspiration boards (a collage of pictures from the time period along with colors, textures, shapes, lines, patterns they will use for the designs.)
Referring to the inspiration board, students created their costume designs. The teams put together a presentation of their work and shared this with the rest of the class.
Applying what they learned, the class will embark on their final design project: designing for a show of their choice or the grades seven and eight musical, Seussical Jr.
DIVERSITY NEWS
Parent Volunteers Sought for Conference
Parents are invited to play crucial supporting roles at the AISNE Middle School Diversity Conference to be held at BDS on Saturday, November 2.
We’ll have about 300 students from more than 20 schools on campus from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. gaining enrichment and enjoyment from stimulating workshops and two fabulous keynote speakers.
To make the conference a complete success, we need a team of adults on hand to help with activities from greeting to registration to ushering to serving lunch.
If you are interested and available to help out on Saturday, November 2, please review the list and descriptions of roles here, and contact Carlos Hoyt to indicate what roles you’d be willing to play.
PREPARING FOR HALLOWEEN
Halloween Parade
Thursday, October 31 at 8:50 a.m., Claflin Field
Please consider the following as you prepare for your child’s participation in Halloween activities at school.
- Not all of our students celebrate Halloween; alternate activities will be available for those who do not in the Erskine Library.
- Parents are invited to join us on Claflin Field (in costume or not!) for the Halloween Parade — the parents’ association will have coffee and treats to enjoy. In the event of rain, the parade will be in the gym.
- Students may wear their costumes to school. Please make sure your child has regular clothes to change into following the parade. Students will parade with their cross-graded partners.
- The no candy policy at school does not change — sweet stuff is to be consumed at home.
- Sixth grade continues to coordinate the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF program. We encourage family participation to support this essential organization that works to promote the rights and improve the lives of every child, in every situation.
Costume Guidelines & Parking
Costume Guidelines:
The Halloween Parade is a pre-k to eighth grade event. We have seen some of the most creative and inventive costumes here at school. While certain costumes are perfectly appropriate for family celebrations and/or trick-or-treating, we have set some guidelines to ensure that all students and families feel safe and respected. For that reason, please note the following guidelines:
- No masks as these can be frightening to young children
- No scary, sexy, or provocative costumes
- No weapons
- Simple makeup is acceptable if it can be completely removed after the parade
- In these heated political times, presidential costumes will not be part of our parade
- Be mindful and do not plan costumes that perpetuate stereotypes related to aspects of personal identity, including race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, and socio-economic status.
Parking:
The Halloween Parade is an extremely popular event and we’re excited to welcome everyone. However, parking will be very tight that morning, and we wouldn’t want anyone to miss the fun. We strongly encourage parents and families who are coming for the parade to please leave yourself plenty of time to get to campus early, carpool if you can, or seek off-campus parking.
COMMUNITY SERVICE NEWS
Trick or Treat for UNICEF
Again this year, the sixth grade is organizing the Trick or Treat for UNICEF (United Nations International Emergency Children’s Fund) fundraiser. UNICEF is dedicated to helping children in need. Imagine if you had barely had any food for weeks and then UNICEF comes and gives you the food you need to live!
UNICEF supplies our school with orange collection boxes so students can ask people if they have a donation for UNICEF while they’re out trick-or-treating. The more money we collect the better. It may seem like you can’t make much of a difference, but you can. Just $1 helps a child in need with clean water for more than two months. And just $3 can provide seven packets of food for a child. With even a small donation you could change someone’s life.
Not only can students help by trick or treating, but adults can also keep a box of change by the candy you are handing out, so if someone asks you for a donation to UNICEF you have money at the ready!
Sixth grade students will be distributing the boxes in classes soon and after Halloween will return to each classroom to collect them. You can also donate to the UNICEF website. Thank you for your support. Have a happy Halloween!
– by Shireen Griffith-Ebrahimi and Asher Sutton, on behalf of UNICEF and grade six
COMMUNITY NEWS
Show Your BDS Spirit at Friday Night Lights!
Friday, November 8, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Jordan Field, Harvard University
We hope to see you at Harvard for this annual classic featuring our interscholastic soccer teams taking on Meadowbrook! The girls’ game will kick off at 5:30 p.m., followed by the boys’ game at 6:45 p.m. Join students, faculty, parents, alumni, and friends to fill the stands and show Meadowbrook how much spirit we have. There will be pizza, snacks, and drinks provided by the parents’ association and the alumni relations office. And don’t forget to stop by the Roots and Shoots table for some delicious baked goods! If you have any food restrictions or would like to request a gluten-free or dairy-free pizza option, please contact Andy Rentschler.
Guidelines, Directions & Parking
Please remember that this is not a drop-off event. Parents are expected to keep an eye on their child(ren) 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 be posted to reinforce this rule, and we ask for your partnership in keeping this event safe for everyone.
- Parent volunteers will be clearly identified by wearing yellow vests with VOLUNTEER written across the back. Please support the efforts of these volunteers during the evening by monitoring your children.
- No food or drink is allowed on the turf field.
Address and Parking Information: There may be a $10 per car 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.
LIBRARY NEWS
Audio and eBooks Available
Belmont Day is once again offering audiobooks and eBooks to check out through our online platform OverDrive via the Sora app and website. This service is available through the Commonwealth eBooks Collection.
The password is changing for students in pre-k to grade 3 for logging in to Sora, so please take note! Students in grades 4 to 8 can access Sora using their BDS Google accounts.
Check out these instructions and start borrowing books today! If you have any questions or need a separate parent login, please email Amy Sprung.
EXTERNAL PROGRAMS NEWS
Conference Day Fun!
On Wednesday, while parents were in conferences, students had the opportunity to go to XtremeCraze in Woburn. We had a blast playing laser tag, jumping in the bouncy house, eating pizza, and gaming at the arcade. One child even won 1,000 tickets! Participants in laser tag each received their own scorecard to track their progress. The day began gloomy and wet but managed to brighten and dry up on our way back to campus. We topped off our fun-filled day with ice cream sandwiches and fun on Big Blue. Special thanks to Mr. Jean-Mary, Ms. Fross, Mr. Corey, Mr. Balkovetz, Ms. Vitale, Mr. Ridore, Mr. Alford, and Mr. Brewer for providing an awesome experience for the students. Stay tuned for more fun and adventure on our next conference day.
Parents’ Association News
Mabel’s Labels
Tired of your child(ren)’s or even your own belongings going missing, and seldom seeing them return?
If this is your regular reality, there is an easy solution, one that benefits the PA! It’s Mabel’s Labels. Through a simple online ordering platform, they provide customized labels that you can put onto clothing, water bottles, lunch bags, ski gear, gloves, hats, etc. Mabel’s Labels offers a variety of iron-on, stick-on, and stamp label options. And for each order you place, the PA earns 20% of the sale total. Click here to visit the Mabel’s Labels’ site and enter “Belmont Day School” before ordering.
Upcoming Events
Parent Book Club
Wednesday, November 13 at 8:15 a.m., Location TBD
Join us to discuss Fleischman Is In Trouble by Taffy Beodesser-Akner. If you have questions, please contact Nareeluck Stephenson at nareeluck@gmail.com.
Beyond BDS
BELMONT AGAINST RACISM
Annual LBGTQ Fall Potluck Planned
The Belmont LBGTQ Alliance will host its annual fall potluck on Sunday, November 3 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the home of Fran Yuan and Rich Vogel, 182 Orchard Street in Belmont. This community gathering is open to all. Please RSVP to Fran at fthyuan@gmail.com and indicate if you’d like to bring a dish for the potluck.
INTERNET SAFETY
Tips & Tactics for Raising Digital Natives
On Thursday, November 7 at 6:30 p.m., Dedham Country Day School will host internet safety expert Katie Greer as part of the Connects Speaker Series. The event is open to the public and free. For more information, please click here.
OrigaMIT Convention 2019
Saturday, November 9
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
If you love origami or just want to learn more about this wonderful creative activity, then you have to check out this year’s OrigaMIT Convention 2019. It will be a day filled with classes, guest speakers, vendors, and exhibits. For more information and to pre-register, visit the convention website.
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