September 12, 2025
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Our middle school athletes are racing into the fall season!
Opening Message
Connecting With the Past, Present, and Future at Belmont Day
Divya Muralidhara, Assistant Head of School
Post Date: September 12, 2025
“The present was an egg laid by the past that had the future inside its shell.” –Zora Neale Hurston
Throughout my first two months at Belmont Day, I have returned to Hurston’s wisdom as I deepen my understanding of the school’s culture and rhythms. Through conversation, observation, and immersion, I am experiencing all aspects of the ‘egg’ that is Belmont Day. I feel fortunate to engage in this process as the assistant head of school.
Tuesday evening, I had the chance to meet with parents and share who I am and what I have begun working on since my arrival in July. I wanted to share a few key aspects here:
- I am the proud daughter of immigrants from India. My parents, both trained as scientists, taught me to join in community and seek knowledge through the lens of curiosity. As I shared with middle school students recently, I greatly enjoy the process of learning about others, a direct reflection of how I was raised.
- Curiosity deepens over time, one of many reasons why I have worked in just three different schools over the past twenty-nine years. Getting to know all students within a family system, whenever possible, is important to me. I see this year as just the beginning of our work together. With my arrival at Belmont Day, I will have worked as an administrator across the pre-kindergarten to grade 12 range and a classroom teacher in grades 6-12.
- My highest priorities this fall are: to be visible and present in classroom spaces and, in the process, to get to know our faculty and students, and to engage with you as part of my ‘listening tour.’ I look forward to learning about the strengths and capacities of our school as well as our growth edges.
- In my role, I supervise the division heads, arts team, student support team, and the associate director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. This role is both faculty and student-facing in that, through my work with these colleagues, I am focused on student and programmatic needs. I cherish my work as a supervisor and see the role as one in which I support colleagues in doing their best, mission-aligned work on behalf of students.
- “Inspire and challenge” are core aspects of the mission that resonate with me. As I consider the idea of “rigor with care,” a central priority and topic of discussion within the community this year, I return to the idea that when we feel cared for, seen, and known, then we can be challenged even more deeply. I am invested in exploring the dynamic relationship between rigor and care as a defining aspect of the program.
- Partnering with Brendan, the faculty, and all of you as parents brings me great joy. As an educator, I believe in collaboration and conversation, and I have seen many times the fruits that come from dialogue and the bridges we build.
I hope that as the year unfolds, you will seek me out to talk further. Please email me to schedule a time to connect. Or catch me at morning drop-off or at school events and activities, such as the upcoming lower and middle school curriculum nights. My office is located right next to Brendan’s in the Schoolhouse. In the meantime, know that I look forward to engaging in our present and our future together with an appreciation for the past that preceded my arrival at BDS.
My best,
Miss Divya (my student-facing name)
Upcoming Events
School Picture Days Are Next Week!
Pictures days for all students will take place on Monday and Tuesday, September 15 and 16.
The schedule for each day is as follows:
- Monday, September 15
Students in pre-kindergarten and grades 2, 4, 5, and 8 - Tuesday, September 16
Students in kindergarten and grades 1, 3, 6, and 7
Photos will be taken outdoors by photographer Porter Gifford, who has worked with Belmont Day for many years.
If you have any questions, please contact Jen James at jjames@belmontday.org.
Curriculum Nights
Please join us for our annual back-to-school curriculum nights.
Middle School Curriculum Night
Thursday, September 18, 6 to 8 p.m.
Lower School Curriculum Night
Thursday, September 25, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Both events will start in the Palandjian Arts Center before moving to classrooms.
New Parent Welcome Coffee
Tuesday, September 16
8:15 to 9:15 a.m.
Outdoor Patio at 37 Day School Lane
Thank you to those who joined us for the first New Parent Coffee this past Wednesday. If you're a new Belmont Day parent and you missed the first coffee, we have another next week!
This event, hosted by Head of School Brendan Largay, is designed specifically for parents and guardians new to BDS, offering a valuable opportunity to begin building connections within the community. You’ll have the chance to meet fellow new families, get to know key members of the board of trustees, parents’ association, and strategic leadership team, and gain helpful insights as you begin your first year at BDS. Hope to see you there!
Please RSVP to let us know if you will attend.
Lunch & Snack Menu
September 15 to September 19
Monday
Snack: applesauce; Tiger Bites
Lunch: grilled chicken and Caesar salad; grilled smoky tofu and mixed greens; garlic bread; gluten-free garlic bread; seasoned steamed broccoli
Tuesday
Snack: bananas; granola bars
Lunch: gemelli with creamy pesto sauce; pasta with marinara; gluten-free pasta with creamy pesto sauce; crusty rolls; roasted BDS butternut squash; mixed greens with balsamic and shaved carrots
Wednesday
Snack: apple slices; pretzels
Lunch: beef burgers; vegan burgers; beef burgers with gluten-free buns; potato chips; seasoned green beans; baby spinach with grilled peaches, pepitas, blueberries, feta, and honey balsamic
Thursday
Snack: clementines; Smartfood
Lunch: cheese and pepperoni pizzas; vegan cheese pizza; gluten-free cheese pizza; herb-roasted cauliflower; romaine with tomato, cucumbers, and ranch dressing
Friday
Snack: craisins; chocolate chip muffins
Faculty Lunch
Please click the button below for a more detailed and updated weekly menu.
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. One percent milk and soy milk are also 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
2026-27 Financial Assistance: Deadline for First-Time Applicant Notification
Current Belmont Day families who intend to apply for financial assistance for the first time for the 2026-27 school year must notify Elena Jay, director of financial assistance and associate director of admissions, by Monday, November 3, 2025. This deadline applies only to families who have students currently enrolled at BDS who have not previously applied for or received financial assistance from Belmont Day. Families will only be eligible for consideration if there has been a significant change in their financial circumstances.
This deadline is only for a family's intention to apply and will help our office plan the process and assist interested families. If you have any questions about the financial assistance process, please reach out at any time.
– Elena Jay, director of financial assistance and associate director of admissions
STAFFING NEWS
New Faces at Belmont Day
As we begin the new school year, please join us welcome some new colleagues and friends to the community!
Maren Coniglione, School Nurse
After joyfully serving part-time last school year and throughout the summer as our camp nurse, we're thrilled that Maren will skillfully lead the nurse's office while Nurse Lauren Connors is on extended medical leave.
Maren earned a B.S. in nursing from Regis College. She also earned a master's degree in international relations and African studies from Boston University, and a B.A. from Bennington College.
Maren's nursing experience includes numerous clinical rotations in pediatrics and a preceptorship in pediatric oncology at Boston Children's Hospital. Previously, she served as the executive director of KidsArts, a nonprofit after-school program in Boston, and deputy director of the Rian Immigrant Center, a nonprofit assisting immigrant families in Boston.
A Brooklyn native, Maren and her family live in Newton, where she coached with the Newton Girls Soccer program for six seasons. Maren is excited to continue supporting Belmont Day as a nurse and is dedicated to fostering the health, safety, and well-being of every student. She says, "I look forward to getting to know the students, families, and staff and supporting the Belmont community in every way I can."
Diane Crefeld, lower school Spanish teacher
Diane joined Belmont Day over the summer as our very first lower school Spanish teacher. Diane teaches Spanish to students in pre-kindergarten through grade 4.
Previously, Diane worked for over two decades in the Holliston Public Schools, where she was instrumental in developing and implementing an elementary Spanish language program. Before that, Diane worked in New Mexico as an ELL and a bilingual teacher for Spanish-speaking students in kindergarten through grade 6. Currently, Diane also works part-time as a Spanish/ELL teacher at the Perkins School for the Blind.
Diane earned both a bachelor's degree in sociology with a minor in Italian and master’s in education from Rutgers University, where she specialized in second/foreign language education. ¡Bienvenida a BDS, Diane!
Mia Thompson, assistant director of athletics
We are excited that another familiar face to many in the Belmont Day community is back this fall. Mia has joined the Blue & Gold as the assistant director of athletics.
Mia earned a B.A. in English from Bridgewater State University and has worked with the Belmont Day Summer Camp program, as well as in the After School Program as a teacher. Mia played high school softball, track, and field hockey before concentrating on field hockey at the collegiate level.
Mia is thrilled to help lead the middle school athletics program at BDS, supporting director of athletics Stephen Marks and our coaches and teachers with the development of great student-athletes and leaders. For the fall season, Mia will be the head coach of the field hockey team.
Welcome New Associate Teachers
Join us in welcoming this year's Associate Teacher Program (ATP) cohort. Our five new associates are hard at work across the campus, working with mentor teachers in their classrooms and guiding students during lunch, recess, and everywhere in between. Throughout the year, associates will work closely with Divya Muralidhara, assistant head of school, and Larissa Rochford ’93, third grade teacher and past Belmont Day associate, while earning a master’s in education degree and teaching license through our school’s partnership with Lesley University. We’re thrilled they’re here, and they look forward to their work with our students.
The associate teachers, their placements, and mentor teachers for the fall are (from left to right in the photo, with Larissa Rochford ’93 third from left):
Ethan Rao-Cramer (grade 8 with Emily Phan)
Ethan grew up nearby in Lexington and attended Dickinson College, where he earned a B.A. in archaeology and anthropology. Previously, Ethan coached competitive rock climbing and directed the non-competitive youth programming at Central Rock Gym in Watertown. He enjoys rock climbing, biking, and playing guitar.
Genevive Bondaryk (grade 7 with Maggie Small)
Genevive grew up in Brookline and attended Brandeis University, where she earned a B.S. in chemistry. She also works at the East End House in East Cambridge, where she teaches STEM workshops to elementary school-age children. A dancer for 20-plus years across many genres (tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, modern, Genevive also enjoys baking and painting watercolors.
Samantha Sanpietro (pre-kindergarten with Nicole Siverls)
A native of Long Island, New York, Samantha earned a bachelor's degree in health science and a master's degree in public health from Boston University. Before teaching, she was a content writer and helped manage a farmer’s market. A volunteer at Community Cooks, Samantha loves to cook and bake, going to concerts, and exploring places with her dog, Theo.
Emma Baldinger (grade 5 with Vaniecia Skinner)
Emma grew up in sunny West Palm Beach, Florida, and studied journalism and political communications at George Washington University. Previously, she taught fourth grade in Florida, as well as English as a second language to middle school students. Outside of work, Emma enjoys painting, hiking, reading, yoga, and spending time with friends and family.
Elana Litsky (grade 1 with Julia Fox)
Elana grew up in Westchester, New York, and earned a B.A. in psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has previously worked in numerous pre-schools, and outside of work, she loves to run, hike, ski, spend time with friends and family, and be outdoors .
COMMUNITY EVENT
Fall Fest Is Just a Week Away!
Saturday, September 20, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Claflin Field
Join us for an afternoon of autumn fun featuring festive treats, hands-on arts and crafts, live music, relay races, and more. It’s the perfect way to enjoy family and friends while connecting with our amazing community.
Please RSVP so we can best plan for this event. Thank you!
Volunteer at Fall Fest!
We’re looking for volunteers to support a variety of roles—from setting up and breaking down, to helping with crafts, games, and bouncy house supervision.
Volunteering is a great way to meet others and feel connected, especially for new families. Whether you have 30 minutes or a few hours to give, your time and energy truly make a difference in creating a safe, joyful event for all.
Sign up to volunteer and be part of the magic. Email development@belmontday.org to volunteer. Thank you.
HEALTH NEWS
Mental Health Team Ready for A Great New Year!
It has been wonderful welcoming our students to school this fall, and we look forward to a wonderful year. We wanted to take this opportunity to provide some additional information about the mental health team at Belmont Day.
The team is comprised of Dr. Arlene Silva, school psychologist, and Josh Sussman, school counselor. The team’s role is to support student mental health and well-being and serve as a resource to the BDS community. Our team works directly with students, collaborating with faculty and consulting with caregivers and outside providers.
The mental health team is part of the school’s student support team, facilitated by Divya Muralidhara, assistant head of school. The student support team also includes the learning support faculty: Heather Smith, pre-kindergarten to grade two reading specialist, Erin Buechner, learning specialist for grades three to five, Kaleen Moriarty, lower school math specialist, Angela Devecchi ’75, classroom support teacher for grades three to five, and Devan Reddington, middle school learning specialist, as well as Sarah Merrill, director of high school placement.
More from Arlene and Josh
The primary difference between the roles of school psychologist and school counselor centers on the support required for each student’s unique needs. The school counselor assumes primary responsibility for providing universal classroom-based support and monitoring schoolwide social and emotional needs. This includes running lunch groups for all students at key points in their BDS experience, as well as supporting classroom teachers with social-emotional learning activities and lessons.
The school psychologist assumes primary responsibility for more intensive levels of support, typically with a smaller number of students who are either at-risk of or already encountering barriers to fully engaging with the BDS curriculum and/or experience. The psychologist also collaborates with learning specialists to develop academic learning plans when neuropsychological evaluations from outside providers are received, and helps develop systemic processes and policies related to her areas of expertise.
Both of us support students in processing local, national, or global events that impact their identities and sense of safety, and we also support student safety by consulting with the administration on community mental health and learning needs. We are excited to have the opportunity to support the school community in these ways and are grateful for your partnership throughout your child’s journey at BDS. Please don’t hesitate to email us at any point during the school year.
– Arlene Silva, school psychologist, and Josh Sussman, school counselor
ADMISSIONS NEWS
School Tour Guides Needed!
Do you enjoy meeting new people and sharing what makes Belmont Day so special? The admissions office is looking for parent volunteers to help welcome prospective families by leading weekly campus tours.
We request a commitment of at least one 45–60 minute tour per week from October through the December break (excluding Fridays, holidays, and school breaks). New to BDS? We’d love to have you join the team—no experience needed!
Tour guides receive comprehensive training, and the admissions team will work with your schedule to arrange for substitutes in the event of conflicts. It’s a fun, rewarding way to connect with families and represent our community.
Please fill out this survey today if you are interested in learning more. Thank you!
– Judy Bright, admissions and outreach program manager
ERSKINE LIBRARY
Adds New Interactive Catalog Kiosk
Amy Sprung, Librarian
The Erskine Library welcomed a new interactive catalog station. Students and visitors will find the flat-panel Chromebase station just inside the doors to the library. A sleek, white metal kiosk housing the touchscreen stands at eye-level, with a step stool nearby for our youngest library patrons.
On the touch panel, students can access Follett Destiny, which is Belmont Day's online library catalog. In addition to traditional typed searches based on a keyword, author, title, or series, this new system offers search by voice recognition.
Students can also access a special program called Destiny Quest. This interactive feature enables students to see the top-10 most frequently checked-out books in the library in a given week, as well as books that have been recently added to the library collection, and class and grade-level reading lists. The new system also generates recommendations based on interest in certain titles.
We welcome you to visit and try out our new catalog kiosk and check out a book from the library today! Parents and children alike are always welcome to borrow from the library.
The catalog kiosk was made possible by a generous gift from the Francis family—Catherine ’75 and Dennis Francis, and their daughters Jen ’05, Christine '08, and Katie ’11.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Help Us Reunite Your Student with Their Lost Items
With the excitement of a new school year, inevitably, students will misplace an item or two. The best way to make sure those beloved water bottles, sweatshirts, jackets, and hats get back to their owner is to label them. Check out these two great options that return 20% of each order (before shipping and tax) back to the school.
Mabel’s Labels: On the home page, select “Support a Fundraiser” and choose BDS.
Sticky Monkey: During checkout, enter coupon code “BelmontDay.” Your order will be discounted by $.01, just to confirm that the code works.
And if your student is missing an item, check the lost and found, which is located in the hallway between Liz Parfit’s office at the front of the Schoolhouse and the sixth grade classrooms. Check-in at the front desk, and you will be directed right to it.
ATHLETICS
Largay Strikes First … Again
John O'Neill, Director of Athletics
More Athletics News
Athletics News
- The girls’ varsity soccer team opened its season with commanding 4-1 win over DCD. Sixth grader Milly Noble had a pair of goals in her first game in a BDS uniform.
- Noah Brauner and Ben Rowe’s fourth quarter touchdowns helped lead a dramatic comeback that came up just short, as junior varsity football fell to Tenacre 45-44 this week.
- Classmates Henry Buckley-Jones (15:19) and Alexander Colangelo (15:53) finished second and third en route to cross country’s win over DCD on the home course.
- Newcomer Amani Yusef shined in net during field hockey’s well-played loss to DCD this week. The sixth grader recorded 13 saves in her very first game between the pipes.
- Theo Wallach excelled on both sides of the ball during varsity football’s loss to SSDS this week. The Blue & Gold kept their composure and competed with class in a tough environment.
- The girls’ junior varsity soccer team opened its season with a well-played loss against Brimmer. Emi Biotti and Stella Balter peppered the net, but couldn’t punch one through for the Blue & Gold.
Learning Updates
Arts Update: Sixth Graders Get Into Shape, Many Shapes
In our first theater class of the term, eight enthusiastic sixth grade students began exploring the fundamentals of ensemble work. Through the activity Big, Tiny, Twisted, they were challenged to create shapes with their bodies—starting individually, then collaborating in small groups, and eventually working as a whole class. As they became more familiar with embodying these shapes, they experimented with using high, medium, and low levels to add visual interest to their formations. In the final group shape, the students discovered imaginative and unique ways to blend big, tiny, and twisted elements together. Throughout the process, they engaged in silent communication, creative problem-solving, and collaborative risk-taking—laying a strong foundation for ensemble-based theater work.
– Susan Dempsey, theater arts teacher
Pre-k Gets Out in the Garden to Start School Year
Pre-kindergarten students are taking part in a very special learning tradition at Belmont Day–the Great Potato Harvest. Each fall, our youngest learners visit the garden to explore the many kinds of food growing there. This year, we noticed marigolds, tomatoes, and lots and lots of potato vines. Children helped to clear the vines away, which is the first step in the harvest. Then, they dug into the soil and found lots of potatoes. Chef Lightbody will store the potatoes for a few days, and then we will get to taste them once they are all cooked up. A delicious, healthy, and fun lesson from our first few visits to the garden. There will be many more throughout this school year.
– Kim Edwards, pre-kindergarten teacher
Parents' Association News
First PA Meeting
Our first PA meeting will be held on Friday, September 19, at 8:30 a.m. in Coolidge Hall. Our featured guest speakers will be Brendan Largay, head of school, Divya Muralidhara, assistant head of school, and the school's mental health team of Dr. Arlene Silva, school psychologist, and Josh Sussman, school counselor. We hope you will join us to learn about upcoming PA events and initiatives. All parents are invited, and coffee and light refreshments will be served.
Seeking Coolidge Flower Volunteers
One of the highlights of the day for our children is having lunch in Coolidge Hall. Beyond the amazing food prepared by the talented and dedicated dining staff, the dining experience is enhanced by small plants placed as centerpieces on the lunchroom tables.
We are seeking volunteers to donate 12 small potted plants at the beginning of a month of their choosing (these plants will be displayed for that entire month). The plants should be no taller than 11” with a maximum pot diameter of 4.5”. Please sign up here to donate plants, and feel free to reach out to Karla Bays with any questions. Thank you!
Pumpkin Patch
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 be back on Monday-Wednesday, October 6 to 8. Field pumpkins, sugar pumpkins, mini pumpkins, mini gourds, and potted mums will be available to purchase and take home. 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!
Connecting With PA Leadership
As parents and guardians of BDS students, you are all members of the parents’ association (PA). The PA is a vibrant, parent-led volunteer group that helps foster community within our school and support our outstanding faculty. We are excited to work together with you to nurture our community.
Guiding the PA this year is a team of four parents’ association ambassadors. We are here to support you, offer a platform for your ideas, address any questions you may have, and enhance the overall parent experience at BDS. We will communicate information about upcoming events through the Scoop, and we also encourage you to join your grade-level WhatsApp chat group. At any time, feel free to reach out directly to any member of the PA Ambassador team or to email us at bdspa@belmontday.org
- President – Shanying Zhang
- Vice President – Megan Akkina
- Treasurer – Manish Patel
- Clerk – Jeff Wang
Beyond BDS
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Help Needed to Stop Invasives on Lone Tree Hill
The Belmont Conservation Volunteers are looking for a few more helpful hands as they address the spread of invasive plants along Lone Tree Hill. The Lone Tree Hill conservation area, located near the Belmont Day School campus, is a valuable natural resource for both residents and visitors. In recent years, volunteers have helped keep garlic mustard and other invasive plants at bay. A more recent bloom of the invasive Akebia quinata has prompted the organization to seek additional assistance.
Please email belmontconservationvolunteers@gmail.com if you are interested in learning more about this important volunteer opportunity. Thank you!
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