October 6, 2023
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It’s all coming into focus in seventh grade science!
Opening Message
New Faces, Enduring Mission
Brendan Largay, Head of School
Post Date: October 6, 2023
A frequent question from prospective and new families, especially those with students entering sixth grade, is, “When will my child no longer feel like the ‘new kid’ at school?” Remarkably, children can often move through the ‘new’ stage more quickly than adults. If we asked those new sixth graders, they’d likely tell us that the feeling of newness has passed by the end of their orientation or, perhaps, by the time they return from their mid-September class trip to Thompson Island.
By Thanksgiving, new students are so well integrated and have discovered a groove in the classrooms, art studios, and on the playing fields that it is difficult to distinguish those who have been here for three months from those who have been here for three, five, or seven years. For all of us, welcoming new students to this community is a delight, and the sooner we lose track of how recently they started here, the better.
So, what is the experience of adults who are new to the community? This year, along with three new classroom teachers, we welcome two key administrators. David Gordon joined the business office in July as chief financial and operations officer. Dave lives in Framingham, and before joining BDS, he was the director of finance and administration for the Westborough Public Schools. He was also the CFO at the Tenacre School. Spend five minutes with Dave, and you will quickly realize two things: he understands and authentically enjoys the work of financial management, and he was made for a place like Belmont Day. Our meetings typically begin with this question: How is your family doing? Of course, we soon get to the meat and potatoes of it all, but only after checking in as members who share a love for community.
Dave’s name has already appeared in email inboxes attached to tuition invoices, and several Belmont Day parents have had the chance to see him out and about on campus. If you have the time and are so inclined, I encourage you to swing by his office at 37 Day School Lane. You will surely get a warm hello and find another friendly face at BDS.
Anthea Lavergne, our new director of the associate teacher program and director of curriculum, is the second new addition to our Strategic Leadership Team. Formerly the director of innovation and administration for Boston Public Schools, the founder and executive director of The Institute for Real-World Teaching and Learning, and a program supervisor at Lesley University, Anthea’s experiences are as diverse as they are singular in purpose: the advancement of best practices in teaching and learning. No small task before her, Anthea has approached her early days at Belmont Day with diligence and care in equal measure. When she arrived in July, we discussed the critical importance of the associate teaching program. Last year’s auction raised critical funds to support the Associate Teacher Program, in no small part due to the challenges that programs like these are facing nationally and locally. Anthea approaches her work with the associate teachers with a keen vision for the future of education and a warmth and care for each of them as they begin the greatest career there is, in this author’s humble opinion.
Meanwhile, we couldn’t have a better or more clear-eyed steward for developing and navigating our curriculum’s future course than Anthea. A woman who sets a high standard of excellence in her work, who holds her peers accountable to the same standard, and who has eyes on the full breadth of our work as an institution, Anthea has already dived head-first into aligning our scope and sequence to the benchmarks and standards we promised in our Strategic Plan. Also, an ‘open door’ administrator, Anthea, who hails from Houston and speaks with a welcoming southern drawl, is yet another Belmont Day community member who is eager to get to know you all and one who you should get to know.
Like our new students, it already feels like they’ve been here for years. Welcome to our two new strategic leadership team administrators, David Gordon and Anthea Lavergne!
Upcoming Events
Coming Up This Week
Monthly Calendar
Save The Date: Friday Night Lights
Friday, October 27
7 p.m. – Boys’ Varsity Game
8:15 p.m. – Girls’ Varsity Game
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. The boys’ team will match up first followed by the girls’ team. Join students, faculty, parents, alumni, parents of alumni, and friends to fill the stands and show Meadowbrook how much spirit we have!
Braiding Different Strands
The first meeting of Braiding Different Strands will be held next Tuesday, October 10, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Kiva. Please RSVP.
At our first meeting, we will introduce ourselves and engage in community-building activities, as well as brainstorm topics for future gatherings. We welcome and encourage all community members to join us in these conversations. The full schedule of meetings for the year is in the dropdown below.
If you have questions, please get in touch with Connie Yepez, director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, or Mike Marroquin-Castillo, assistant director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
NEXT WEEK! PA Pumpkin Patch Sale
The parents’ association’s annual Pumpkin Patch Sale will be held Tuesday to Thursday, October 10-12, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 5 p.m. outside Coolidge Hall.
Field pumpkins, sugar pumpkins, mini pumpkins, mini gourds, and potted mums will be available to 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. Hope to see you there!
Volunteers Still Needed! Please sign up here if interested.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Book Group
The first meeting will be next Wednesday, October 11, at 7 p.m. via Zoom.
All parents/caregivers and faculty are welcome to join this informal, monthly, parent-led group focusing on books written from the perspectives of marginalized communities.
This month we will be discussing Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder.
Please reach out to Danielle England or Christina Cosman for more information. The Zoom link is available on the Book Groups page on the Parent Portal.
Lunch & Snack Menu
October 9 to October 13
Monday
School Closed for Indigenous Peoples Day
Tuesday
Snack: applesauce; granola bars
Lunch: cheese ravioli with marinara; pasta with marinara; gluten-free pasta with marinara; crusty rolls; steamed broccoli; mixed greens with balsamic
Wednesday
Snack: clementines; pretzel twists
Lunch: grilled chicken; smoky grilled tofu; Caesar salad; green salad; garlic bread
Thursday
Snack: bananas; graham crackers
Lunch: tomato soup; warm turkey and cheese subs; warm vegan cheese subs; warm gluten-free turkey and cheese subs; Ruffles chips; cauliflower; spinach salad with sherry vinaigrette, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds
Friday
Snack: craisins; cinnamon oatmeal rounds
Faculty Lunch
For a more detailed and updated weekly menu, please click the button below.
Dining In Coolidge Hall
Along with the main menu, students have access to a hot bar with the “hot veg of the day,” as well as a salad bar with fresh vegetables, fruit, deli meats and cheese, roasted tofu, hummus, organic yogurt, greens and a salad of the day. They also have access to cereal, bread, bagels, cream cheese, Wowbutter, and jellies. 1% milk and soy milk are available.
Each table is set with the entrée of the day. There are plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options for those who follow a specialized diet. We also ask that any children with allergies introduce themselves to the kitchen team so that we can make sure that everyone enjoys a safe meal.
BDS News
COMMUNITY NEWS
Parent Conference Days and Childcare
Fall parent conferences will be held on consecutive Fridays, October 27 and November 3, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. and on Wednesday, November 1, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
The school will be closed except for parent conferences on Wednesday, November 1, and open for the normal school schedule on the two Fridays, October 27 and November 3. Childcare will be available during conference hours on all three days.
Faculty will be in touch directly to offer conference sign-up times.
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 will be food provided
– Liz Gray, middle school head, and Betty Chu Pryor, lower school head
ADMISSIONS OFFICE
Invite a Friend to Our Open House!
Sunday, October 15, 2023, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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 be introduced to the school and what makes BDS special. Student ambassadors will provide tours of campus, and our dedicated faculty will be available to share insights into their curriculum.
Registration is required. Click here for more information and registration.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CLUBS
Model UN Members Discuss and Debate Options for Helping Refugees
On Saturday, September 30, three intrepid middle school students—eighth graders Gideon Borisy and Tadhg O’Sullivan and seventh grader Vatche Balikian—took part in the Greater Boston Model UN Conference sponsored by the United Nations Association of Greater Boston. They participated with 150 other middle school students from around Massachusetts, who came together to discuss the topic of finding durable solutions for refugees, in particular refugee children.
Our students represented El Salvador and Brazil, and they took part in debates over how to craft solutions. What should the priorities be with our global solutions? From housing to education to economics, our students were committed to proposing creative solutions. They thought through the interconnected nature of both the problems and the solutions. Model UN conferences around the globe are dealing with this topic this year, invited by the UN High Commission on Refugees to have a say in solution-oriented plans and policies.
Our students were active and engaged, and they gained a solid foundation for other conferences that will come up later this year. Watch this space for more news from this term’s Model UN club, which includes 17 students.
– Jen Friborg, French teacher and middle school club advisor
COMMUNITY EVENT
Students to Exhibit Their Work at Zine Fest
Saturday, October 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Teen Room, Watertown Library, 123 Main Street
Our school is proud to be part of Zine Fest, a fun and creative event for artists, makers, and enthusiasts of all ages to come together and showcase their self-published works known as “zines.” These small, handmade publications express various viewpoints, interests, and ideas through words, drawings, and collages. They are a powerful medium that gives individuals the freedom to share their voices in creative and unconventional ways.
A number of our middle school students have worked to craft their own collection of zines and will have their work displayed at the festival. These zines are a testament to the creativity and unique perspectives of our BDS students (and faculty!), and we can’t wait to share them with you.
In addition to exploring the zines made by BDS community members, attendees will have the chance to discover the remarkable works of other local makers covering a wide range of topics and themes. You might find zines about art, music, literature, current events, and many other intriguing subjects.
At Zine Fest, everyone will be encouraged to unleash their creator with supplies to make their own zine. Let your imagination run wild as you express yourself through words, drawings, or any other medium that speaks to you. We believe that everyone has a unique story to tell, and this is the perfect opportunity to share yours.
We hope you will join us for an inspiring day filled with creativity, self-expression, and an appreciation for the many incredible zines that will be showcased.
– Brittany Conroy, innovation coach
COMMUNITY EVENT
Trunk-or-Treat
Saturday, October 21, from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Our auxiliary programs department hosts this event and will bring our summer camp community back to campus to enjoy an afternoon of fall fun alongside our After School Program students. Everyone in the school community is invited to join us!
There will be trunk-or-treating, scavenger hunts, snacks, drinks, music, and other fun activities. There is no need to RSVP, and you do not have to decorate a trunk to attend. We hope you can join us in your favorite costume or outfit to gather with the auxiliary programs community to share in some fall joy.
SIGN UP to decorate your trunk! If you would like to decorate your trunk and reserve a parking space, please sign up here, as space is limited. Please reach out to Denali Kikuchi with questions.
Learning Updates
Down to the Cellular Level in Seventh Grade Science
Cells are considered the basic units of life which is where seventh grade begins their year of science. For the first significant science lab of the year, students are learning how to use microscopes while also taking a closer look at animal cells and plant cells. Students will swab their own cheeks and examine them under the microscope for animal cells. For plant cells, students will use onion cells. Students will practice creating their own slides, get more experience using the microscope, and compare and contrast animal and plant cells.
– Maggie Small, seventh grade science teacher
First Grade Explore Identity Through Self-Portraits
First graders recently completed their self-portraits to mark our identity work. First graders discussed what a self-portrait is and what they need to include: their face, neck and shoulders, hair, details of their face such as nose, eyes, ears, glasses, freckles, and skin color. They used mirrors to examine the details of their faces more closely. After thoughtfully sketching their heads and shoulders, students added their eyes, noses, mouths, and ears. They then experimented with skin color paints to mix and best match their own skin color. They learned that skin color is determined by three factors: melanin, the sun, and where our ancestors lived. First graders discussed how we are all different shades of brown and how our skin color is something that makes us special and unique.
After mixing and adding skin color to their portraits, as well as hair color, eyebrows, and eye color, first graders engaged in naming their skin color. Some examples were bronze, chocolate, peanut butter, peach, terra cotta, honey peach, and crispy cookie. Along their journey, students discussed how each part of their self-portrait makes them special and unique!
– Geoffrey Fox and Cicely Gibson, first grade teachers
Athletics Update: Volleyball Making Noise in Inaugural Season
If you listen closely you can hear the chatter in the middle school volleyball community about the new team from Belmont Day. In their first interscholastic season, Belmont Day opened their campaign with a pair of wins against BB&N and Shady Hill, and took a talented Southfield team to three sets this week, eventually losing 15-13 in the final frame. As a result of the early season success, Coach Brittany Ryan has turned up the dial in practice and players have responded. One such response came from sixth grader Annika Cash who learned to play libero in one week. She had a handful of amazing digs against Southfield and “lived on the floor” as most liberos do. Joining Annika in the standout column this week was Penelope Bern and William Li. Penelope had great success from the service line and back row, while William had several strong winners and communicated well on the court. The team will look to build on their 2-1 record next Thursday at home against Beaver.
– John O’Neill, director of athletics
Athletics News
- A program-record ten runners PR’ed during the cross country team’s commanding win over Pike, keeping their record perfect at 3-0. Vatche Balikan, Jonathan Laipson, and Eva Peregudov all dropped nearly a minute off of their previous bests.
- The field hockey team trekked to Shore this week and came out on the wrong side of a tough matchup. Siri Paulsson and Olivia Garrity provided the offense, while Liv Dawson and Cordie Goldstyn held down the defensive unit.
- The JV football team received a pair of touchdowns from Evan Bae during their season-opening loss at Fessenden. Team captains Wyatt Baker and Jack Ward leaned on their experience to keep the team settled during game one.
- Yaseen Saeed caught the game-winning touchdown with six seconds remaining to lift varsity football over Fenn, 51-48. Jun Murakami and Rami Flummerfelt each tallied a pair of scores in a game where the defense was nowhere to be found.
- The girls’ JV soccer team received strong defensive performances from Genevieve von Rekowsky, Maraki Shiferaw, and Pippa Ellner during their season-opening loss to Shady Hill. Reema Wulfsberg provided a spark offensively.
- Graham Chisholm buried a pair of second-half goals to lift boys’ JV soccer over Cambridge Friends School, 2-1. The team received strong goaltending from Clark Rutherford and spirited offensive play from James Shields and Aman Singleton.
- The varsity soccer teams were swept by Pike this week in a pair of frustrating performances. Adam Ahmed and Louis Cantor were active in net for the boys’ team, while Julia Popa, Isadora Eiref, and Eleanor Stine all popped for the girls’ squad.
Arts Update: Third Graders Create Scenery for Upcoming Play
Third graders have been very busy preparing for Tweet!, their upcoming play. While learning their lines, rehearsing in the PAC, and practicing their songs, students have also been busy in the Coolidge Art Studio, creating scenery for the first play of the school year. Last week in art class, students learned about the director’s vision for the stage production, and “visually brainstormed,” or sketched their ideas for scenery. In art class, students are now turning those ideas into the scenery and set pieces for Tweet! We are all looking forward to Friday, October 20 to share all of the students’ work showcased on stage in the PAC.
– Anne Armstrong, visual arts teacher and arts coordinator
PE Update: Seating ‘Hot Spots’ Are All the Rage
As physical education teachers, we have noticed that people carry certain associations with our teaching space. When they enter, it is set up for action, and it is no surprise that energy levels spike when students arrive at class. After a warm-up activity, it is often necessary to have students sit and listen for a couple of minutes so they know what all those action items are going to be used for. This can lend itself to a degree of “squirreliness” (the technical term).
For that reason, this week, kindergartners piloted a new seating option in PE. When they arrived, they sat on wobbly balance boards that made sitting and listening an active endeavor that engaged their cores (and their executive functioning as well). The next day, when they arrived and the hot spots were not present, many curious voices wondered where they were, a sign that this seating option was a welcome choice. As we sometimes say to our students, you can’t achieve inner balance without achieving outer balance, and we look forward to rolling out this balancing act in other grades to help channel more “squirreliness” into productive wobbling.
– Alex Tzelnic and Abbey Nyland, physical education teachers
Parents’ Association News
PA Meeting Next Friday
Please join us next Friday, October 13, at 8:30 a.m. in Coolidge Hall for the October parents’ association meeting. All parents and guardians of BDS students are invited. We will be joined by Brendan Largay, head of school, and John O’Neill, director of athletics.
Coffee and light refreshments will be served. If you would like to donate nut-free candy to Trunk-or-Treat, you are welcome to drop it off with us then. We hope to see you there!
Fall Socials
Fall parent Socials are underway and not to be missed. They are a wonderful opportunity to meet and spend time with the parents in your grade and to build our BDS community. The socials run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and are adults-only. This year, catered food (heavy appetizers) and desserts will be served, along with alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.
We welcome your attendance, even if you cannot stay the whole time. Grade parents are hard at work planning these lovely events, so please contact them with any questions. The remaining dates are:
- Thursday, October 12 – grade 1, grade 3, grade 8
- Thursday, October 19 – grade 4, grade 6
- Thursday, November 2 – pre-k, kindergarten, grade 7
Fall Flower Fundraiser
The flower bulb sale is back, with only one week remaining! Bulbs purchased during the Fall Flower Fundraiser will be shipped directly to your home in time to plan this fall and enjoy beautiful flowers come spring! 50% of the profits support the PA and its Faculty and Staff Appreciation Fund. And this just in—a limited quantity of the Deluxe Daffodils and Mixed Triumph Tulips have been added, but stock is limited so order ASAP if you are interested in those varieties. Click here to place your orders.
Parent Book Group
This week’s gathering was so fun! Our next meeting will be Tuesday, November 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Menotomy Grill & Tavern. We have chosen to read Stay True: A Memoir by Hua Hsu. After Demon Copperhead, this book is short—the paperback is a quick 208 pages, and the audiobook is only 5 hours and 28 minutes. 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.
Woodland Walk with BDS Connections
The parents’ association BDS Connections committee will host a woodland walk on Tuesday, October 24 at 8:15 a.m. Connect with old friends and make some new ones while enjoying the fall color and exploring the trails in the nearby Lone Tree Hill conservation land. The walk will take approximately 45 minutes. Please gather outside the Coolidge/PAC entrance. Dogs are welcome. (The rain date is Wednesday, November 8.)
Coffee Before Sharing Assemblies
We hope you will join us for a cup of coffee before all Sharing Assemblies this year in the Barn lobby. Check the BDS calendar for dates.
PA Contacts
At any time and for any reason, please feel free to email the parents’ association executive team at bdspa@belmontday.org:
- President – Karla Bays
- Vice President – Courtney Queen
- Treasurer – Andy Stevenson
- Clerk – Gigi Saltonstall
Beyond BDS
ROCK CONCERT
Kenna Schneider ’21 to Play The Burren With Band
Saturday, October 21 at 3:00 p.m.
The Burren, 247 Elm Street, Somerville
Catch alumna Kenna Schneider ’21 as she hits the stage with her band, Crash Course. Crash Course features Schneider on guitar and vocals along with six bandmates, all fellow students at The Winsor School, where Schneider is a junior. Playing both originals and covers, the band incorporates genres from pop to rock to jazz. With an all-new set featuring new originals, this will be their fourth Burren show. This is an all-ages show. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
PARENT EDUCATION
Bestselling Author To Speak On Child Development, Mental Health
Tuesday, October 17, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Dana Hall School
Dr. Damour is a psychologist, teacher, speaker, consultant, and author of three New York Times bestsellers: Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers. She co-hosts the Ask Lisa podcast, collaborates with UNICEF, and is recognized as a thought leader by the American Psychological Association. Dr. Damour maintains a clinical practice and speaks to schools, professional organizations, and corporate groups worldwide on the topics of child and adolescent development, family mental health, and adult well-being. The presentation is free and open to the public. Click here for more information and to register for the event.
COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE
Help Create ‘Tiny Forest’ at Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester
Saturday, October 7, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Help Grow Local for the Planet and the Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester to start the creation of a “Miyawaki” or Fast Forest. This involves transforming a part of a low habitat-value wetland at the farm into a high-value mature forest in 30 years when it would normally take up to 150.
Volunteers will help with removing the root systems of goldenrod and other non-woody species to make way for the native trees that will be planted in the spring. This workday is for ages 11 and up (17 and under must be accompanied by an adult). Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, work boots, and bring a water bottle and a pair of gloves if you have them. Stay for all or part of the time; the farm will take whatever help you can offer.
Click here for more information and to register for this volunteer opportunity.
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