October 3, 2025
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A fun and informative Lower School Sharing Assembly this morning!
Opening Message
Collaboration Is Key To Impactful Professional Development
Annie Fuerst, Director of Innovation
Post Date: October 3, 2025
At Belmont Day, learning rarely happens alone. Whether it’s students working through a challenge together, a class discussion that grows from one idea to the next, or the quiet influence of a peer’s example, collaboration shapes how learning unfolds. We teach our students that collaboration is not just about dividing tasks, but about listening, learning from others, and creating something stronger together.
The same is true for our faculty. One of the things that makes Belmont Day such a rich place to learn and work is the way collaboration is built into our professional lives. It happens in the daily rhythms, in quick check-ins between classes or shared planning time. And it also happens through more intentional structures. We send groups of teachers to learn together at conferences, we create space for summer projects through Lenesa Leana Grants and Inspire Stipends, and we celebrate the energy that emerges when people learn in partnership.
Teachers consistently tell us that what stays with them from professional development is not only the new strategies, but also the conversations that follow. Those discussions deepen the ideas, adapt them to our own context, and make the learning last. As one faculty member reflected, “Participating in off-campus PD with colleagues is a great way to get to know each other better, bond as a team, and have time to discuss things in depth.”
Our summer grants tell a similar story. This past year, colleagues created a BDS writers’ group. Others designed a system for math kits that could be checked out from the library. Another team reimagined gross motor opportunities in pre-kindergarten. These projects might look different on the surface, but they share something in common: they grew out of the shared energy and ideas that come when colleagues bring their perspectives together. As one teacher put it, “I think any opportunity to learn and be creative is worthwhile for every faculty member here at BDS. The bonus is being in a diverse group of colleagues, sharing a common learning experience.”
Again and again, what rises to the surface is that collaboration itself is often the most impactful part of professional growth. Yes, we bring back strategies and resources, but what stays longest is the time to think deeply with one another. Ideas gain traction and meaning when they are tested, adapted, and expanded in partnership with others. That insight echoes what we hope our students discover: the process of working together is not just preparation for the “real work.” It is the real work.
This culture of collaboration models our core values in action. Respect for one another’s ideas. Responsibility in contributing fully. Joy in the sparks that come from creative exchange. And ultimately, it is our students who benefit. They learn in classrooms infused with new ideas, taught by teachers who return energized and inspired, and they see every day what it looks like to be lifelong learners working in community.
Upcoming Events
Coming Up This Week
Monthly Calendar
PA Pumpkin Patch
Monday-Wednesday, October 6-8
7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Outside Coolidge Hall
Getting excited for the crisp, colorful days of fall? Looking for some pumpkins and mums to decorate with? The parents’ association is pleased to announce that the annual Pumpkin Patch Sale will take place from Monday, October 6, to Wednesday, October 8. Field pumpkins, sugar pumpkins, mini pumpkins, mini gourds, and potted mums will be available for purchase. Families may also choose to donate mini pumpkins for faculty and potted mums for classrooms to show their appreciation. All students are encouraged to enter our fun, fall-themed contests!
BDS Connections Walk
Thursday, October 9
8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Meet Outside Coolidge Hall
Grab a friend and join us for the next BDS Connections Walk. The walk will be led by Ingrid Goldberg, Brian Kinzler, and John Presti. After morning drop-off, walkers will gather outside Coolidge Hall and take a casual stroll through the woods, sharing laughs and good company with fellow parents and school administrators. It’s the perfect chance to connect with friends, new and old, and enjoy some fresh air. Don’t miss out—hope to see you there!
Friday Night Lights
Friday, October 24
Girls’ Varsity Game at 6:00 p.m.
Boys’ Varsity Game at 7:30 p.m.
Jordan Field, Harvard University
Friday Night Lights returns to Jordan Field at Harvard University. Our boys’ and girls’ varsity soccer teams will face off against our friendly rival, The Meadowbrook School. Join students, faculty, parents, alumni, parents of alumni, and friends to fill the stands and show Meadowbrook how much spirit we have!
Lunch & Snack Menu
October 6 to October 10
Monday
Snack: applesauce; tortilla chips
Lunch: gemelli with creamy tomato sauce; gemelli with marinara; gluten-free pasta with creamy tomato sauce; seasoned broccoli; Italian salad with artichokes and olives
Tuesday
Snack: bananas; Pita Chips
Lunch: ginger soy sesame chicken; teriyaki tofu; basmati rice; sauteed bok choy with roasted peppers; Asian spinach salad with red peppers and scallions
Wednesday
Snack: apple slices; Goldfish
Lunch: beef burgers with buns; vegan burgers with buns; beef burgers with gluten-free buns; potato chips; seasoned green beans; romaine with tomatoes, cucumbers, and ranch dressing
Thursday
Snack: clementines; Popcorners
Lunch: cheese and pepperoni pizzas; vegan cheese pizza; gluten-free cheese pizza; garlic and herb-roasted BDS garden squash; Caesar salad
Friday
Snack: craisins; chocolate chip muffins
Faculty Lunch
Please click the button below for a more detailed and updated weekly menu.
BDS News
COMMUNITY NEWS
Parent Conference Days and Childcare
Fall parent conferences will be held on Thursday, October 30, and Friday, October 31, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.
The school will be closed on both days except for parent conferences. Childcare will be available during conference hours.
Faculty will email conference sign-ups to families on Friday, October 10, at 8:00 a.m.
– Liz Gray, middle school head, and Betty Chu Pryor, lower school head
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
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
- Incarcerated Youth
- Women Fighting Climate Change
- History of Baking
- Stem Cell Therapy
- How Dogs Can Detect Cancer
- Food Allergies
- Adelie Penguins
- The Use of Music Therapy in the Clinical World
- Ethics of Cloning
- Subversive Crafts
- The Path to Presidency: Political Strategy
- Motivation in School
- The New York Five Families
- Popularity of Podcasts
- Fast Fashion
- Disney World: Is the Magic Worth the Price?
- How Smartphones and Cell Phones Work
- The Fast Food Industry
- The Twin Mars Rovers
- Positive and Negative Effects of Video Games
- Whistleblowing
- Illicit Use of Medical Drugs
- Elephant Cognition
- Consciousness from the View of an Animal Lover
- Decision Making in Adolescence
- Biomechanics
- Identifying and Treating Diseases in Aging Animals
- DNA Typing and Its Relation to True Crime
- The History and Significance of the Olympic Games
- Basketball Coaches’ Influence and Mentorship
- Music, the Brain, and Emotion
- Comparing Safety in Football and Rugby
- The Rogue Shark Theory
- Panama Canal
- Rowing: Mental, Emotional, and Physical Strength
- Food Waste
- Psychological and Physical Effects of Method Acting
- Presidential Campaigns with Female Candidates
- The Evolution of Lute Family Instruments
- Unique Frogs
- Train Robberies, Then and Now
- Oral Health and Overall Health
- Warships: Hull and Power Innovations
INNOVATION NEWS
Belmont Day Celebrates Drawtober!
If you attended the lower school assembly this morning, you learned all about Drawtober, and we hope you join us in spreading the word! Drawtober is a community art challenge where artists sketch on a small paper the short prompt of the day (e.g., guacamole, rock, time travel, kindness). Rather than creating the best possible artwork, the goal is to provide many opportunities for creative practice in a limited amount of time.
Sixth graders are hosting and curating the challenge during their IMPACT class: developing the prompts for each day, collecting submissions, and curating and hanging the exhibit. Students in the lower school learned about Drawtober earlier this week and had a chance to try out a practice prompt.
READ MORE
Now that it’s October, we begin in earnest. Please consider drawing today’s prompt and the weekend prompts below at home on a small piece of paper. Remember: try not to spend more than 5 minutes drawing and leave your drawing unsigned. Submission boxes can be found outside the IMPACT lab and in the Erskine Library.
- Friday, October 3: ice cream
- Saturday, October 4: potions
- Sunday, October 5: buildings
Have fun drawing! And happy Drawtober!
– The Innovation Team (Brit Conroy, innovation coach, Amy Sprung, school librarian, and Annie Fuerst, director of innovation)
Zinefest Returns!
Saturday, October 18, 2025
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Watertown Public Library
Belmont Day Makers are heading back to the Watertown Public Library for the third consecutive year to take part in Zinefest, an annual celebration of creativity, collaboration, and DIY publishing. Right now, students across campus are busy designing their own zines and planning our Belmont Day Maker display.
Earlier this week, faculty gathered for their weekly writing workshop led by fourth grade teacher Lana Holman. Lana invited Brit Conroy, innovation coach, to introduce zine-making to the group. Faculty had the chance to experiment with layout, collage, and storytelling as they transformed their writing into their own mini-publications.
READ MORE
In addition, Brit partnered with Trinity Johns, assistant director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, to help guide sixth graders through a project exploring identity through zine-making.
At Zinefest, you’ll find the Belmont Day Maker table in the Teen Room, where local artists, educators, and students come together to share, trade, and create zines; small, self-published booklets that capture personal stories, artwork, and ideas.
Belmont Day students are invited to come distribute their original zines, create new ones, and trade work with other creators from the community. This ongoing project continues our beloved tradition of amplifying student voice and celebrating creative expression beyond the Belmont Day School Campus.
From design and layout to storytelling and sharing, Zinefest truly embodies the spirit of innovation and community at the heart of Belmont Day. We can’t wait to see you there!
ADMISSIONS NEWS
Invite a Friend to Our Open House!
Sunday, October 19, 2025, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Do you have a friend, relative, or neighbor who may be interested in learning about Belmont Day School and the benefits of an independent school education for their child? We will be welcoming families to campus for our open house in a little over a week. It’s a great way to introduce them to the school and what makes BDS special. Student ambassadors will provide campus tours, and our dedicated faculty will be available to share insights into their curriculum.
Click here for more information and registration.
Learning Updates
Athletics Update: A Great Week of Growth and Spirit
It has been a busy and exciting stretch for BDS Athletics, starting with varsity volleyball last Thursday and culminating in a full slate of competition on Tuesday, September 30, when all 10 of our teams were in action!
Last Thursday, the varsity volleyball team battled hard in a close match against Shady Hill, falling 2-1 despite a thrilling third-set comeback. Eileen Luo impressed with dominant serving and strong leadership, showcasing her deep knowledge of the game.
On Tuesday, the girls’ varsity soccer team tied Beaver 2-2 at home. Lucy Rodriguez scored both goals, while standout performances came from Soleil Flanagan on defense, Etta Perkins, and Bea Stevenson applying pressure up front, and Colby Schneider with a stellar effort in goal.
Boys’ JV soccer dropped a hard-fought 3-2 decision at Carroll. Keeper Ewan Wheeler anchored the defense, with goals coming from Zade Wulfsberg and Kabir Sonawane.
Varsity flag football earned a 37-20 victory at Beaver. Evan Bae was unstoppable on both sides of the ball, including a full-field pick-six, while Gus Barrett was a defensive standout with multiple key stops.
READ MORE
Varsity volleyball was back at it, facing Beaver in another three-set thriller (22-25, 25-21, 8-15). The team continues to grow, highlighted by Gwen Wagner’s consistent serving and Wren Kass’s sharp setting.
Cross country ran against a strong (and fast) Pike squad, falling 18-39, but saw an incredible 13 runners set new personal records! Top finishers included Zoe Bantham-Livermore, Simon Bays, Alana Brown, Reema Wulfsberg, and Kevin Zhou.
The boys’ varsity soccer squad rolled to a 7-1 win over Beaver. Woody Evans contributed on the wing, Ben Street shut down Beaver’s attack, and Gael Cruz Marcos netted 2 goals. Murillo Santos added a goal and 3 assists in a dominant effort.
Field hockey traveled to Shore Country Day, where Josie Goldstyn scored in the second half after Shore jumped out early. Sixth grader Anna Turco impressed in her debut in goal, making many outstanding saves.
It was a week full of competition, growth, and highlights across the board. Congratulations to all of our athletes on representing our community with pride and spirit. And as always … GO BDS!
– Stephen Marks, director of athletics
Third Graders Learn Their Way Around the Library
Third graders have been busy learning how to navigate the library with growing independence. They have been visiting the library once a week to develop skills in finding fiction and non-fiction books, using the catalog, learning how to use Sora to access e-books and audiobooks, and placing holds on library books that are currently checked out. Some of their challenges have been to create a title and cover for a fiction book they might write someday, and “shelving” this book, creating a non-fiction book finder challenge for students in the other cohort, and determining call numbers by searching the catalog. Students had a chance to contribute to our library catalog curation by recommending favorite books to be featured alongside teacher recommendations. Even more exciting, they are now able to check out books independently using the library self-checkout station! Check in with a third grader if you need some tips on navigating the many aspects of the Erskine Library.
– Amy Sprung and Julie Saidenburg, school librarians, and Larissa Rochford, third-grade teacher
Parents’ Association News
Pumpkin Patch: Volunteers Still Needed!
We are still seeking a few volunteers to help with next week’s Pumpkin Patch fundraiser, including set-up this Sunday afternoon from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and shifts on Tuesday morning, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., and Wednesday afternoon, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. If interested, please sign up here. Thank you!
Fall Socials
Mark your calendars and book your babysitters for the BDS Fall Socials. A cherished tradition in our community, the socials are a wonderful opportunity to connect with parents and guardians of children in your grade. All Fall Socials will be held on campus. Stay tuned for more details from your grade parents. Meanwhile, the schedule is as follows:
- Wednesday, October 15 – 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Grade 6
- Tuesday, October 7 – 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Grade 2 & Grade 3
- Thursday, October 9 – 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Kindergarten & Grade 5
- Wednesday, October 29 – 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Grade 1 & Grade 4
Parents’ Independent School Network (PIN) Meeting
The Parents’ Independent School Network (PIN)—all Belmont Day School parents and guardians are members–hosts informational meetings throughout the school year. The next meeting will be held over Zoom on Wednesday, October 8, at 12:00 p.m. The topic for this meeting will be “Help Your Kids Find Their Authentic Confidence,” featuring speaker Jennifer Gershberg. Click here for more information and required pre-registration to receive the Zoom link.
Next PA Meeting
It was wonderful to see so many parents at this year’s first parents’ association meeting. Thank you for attending! For anyone who missed it, a video recording has been uploaded to the parent portal. Our next PA meeting will be held on Friday, October 10, at 8:30 a.m. in Coolidge Hall. Our guest speakers include Tara Lightbody (Food Program Director) and Anderson Santos (Director of Operations). All parents are invited, and coffee and light refreshments will be served.
Parent Book Club
Our first Parent Book Club gathering will be on Tuesday, October 21, at 7:15 p.m. at Menotomy Grill and Tavern in Arlington. We will discuss Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson. 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.
Beyond BDS
BOOK EVENT
Equal Justice Book Group to Meet in October
Join the Equal Justice Book Group, presented by Belmont Against Racism (BAR) and Belmont Public Library, which will next meet on Monday, October 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the All Saints Episcopal Church’s parish hall, 17 Clark St, Belmont. The group will be discussing Colored Television by Danzy Senn. The book is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that challenges our understanding of race, identity, and media.
Click here if you plan to attend. We encourage you to read Colored Television before the meeting, but everyone is welcome to join the conversation, whether or not you’ve finished the book. Copies of the book are available at the library’s Circulation Desk at the Beech Street Center.
COMMUNITY THEATER
Registration for Youth Production Now Open
Registration is now open for Broadway Kids Company Arlington/Belmont’s second-ever production, The Sound of Music Youth Edition. This beloved musical tells the inspiring story of Maria and the von Trapp family, filled with unforgettable songs and timeless charm.
Belmont Day theater arts teacher Chris Parsons serves as the Artistic Director for the Arlington/Belmont location, bringing his experience and passion for theater to the company’s growing program.
Spaces are limited to two casts, and registration is expected to fill quickly—so be sure to register early! Click here for more information and registration forms.
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