September 19, 2025
Click Here
Click Here
Click Here
Click Here
Click Here
Click Here
Eighth graders battled by advisory to be called champions last Friday.
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
Coming Up This Week
Monthly Calendar
Plan Ahead for Truck or Treat
Saturday, October 18
4:30-6:00 p.m.
Belmont Day School
Trunk or Treat is an annual event hosted by our auxiliary programs department to bring our after school and summer programs communities on campus for a bit of autumnal celebration! Everyone in the school community is cordially invited to join us for the fun!
There will be trunk-or-treating, scavenger hunts, snacks, drinks, live music with our very own Mr. Staples and his band, 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.
We need volunteers to decorate trunks! If you would like to decorate your vehicle’s trunk, please sign up here. For any additional questions regarding trunk sign-up up please reach out to Denali Kikuchi at dkikuchi@belmontday.org. We hope to see you there!
– Blair Fross, director of school year auxiliary & specialty programs
FALL FEST
Join Us Tomorrow!
Saturday, September 20
1 to 4 p.m.
Claflin Field
Grab your flannel and your friend — Fall Fest kicks off tomorrow, and it’s going to be better than ever!
This year, we’re adding a twist… Get ready to square dance! Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a first-timer, it’s sure to be a hoedown to remember!
But that’s just the beginning. Come enjoy: Creative craft stations, delicious seasonal snacks, relay races, live music and entertainment, bouncy houses for the kids … and a whole lot of fall-themed fun for the entire family!
Please RSVP so we can best plan for this event. Thank you!
Fall Fest Volunteers Still Needed!
It takes a village to make Fall Fest great. Want to be part of the magic? We’re looking for volunteers to help with:
- Event setup and cleanup
- Arts & crafts activities
- Bouncy house supervision
- General event support
Even an hour of your time makes a big difference. Click here to volunteer! Thank you
Lunch & Snack Menu
September 22 to September 26
Monday
Snack: applesauce; Fritos
Lunch: Caprese chicken and linguine; linguine and marinara; Caprese chicken and gluten-free pasta; breadsticks; seasoned broccoli; Mediterranean artichoke salad with olives and citrus vinaigrette
Tuesday
Snack: apples; Goldfish
Lunch: Korean beef rice bowl; Korean tofu rice bowl; garlicky bok choy and carrot coins; spinach with soy vinaigrette, red peppers, and spicy cuke salad
Wednesday
Snack: bananas; Sunchips
Lunch: chicken tenders; vegan meatballs; gluten-free chicken tenders; BDS roasted potatoes; corn on the cob; Romaine, plum tomato, and honey mustard dressing
Thursday
Snack: apple slices; Popcorners
Lunch: grilled cheese sandwiches; vegan grilled cheese sandwiches; gluten-free grilled cheese sandwiches; summer squash, zucchini, and peppers; Caesar salad
Friday
Snack: clementines; blueberry 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
HEALTH NEWS
Guidelines On When to Keep a Child Home from School
Welcome to fall! As the weather turns cooler, we often see an increase in seasonal illnesses. To help keep all of our students healthy and learning, we’d like to share a reminder from our family partnership guidelines about when a child should remain at home for their own well-being and to protect others.
A student should remain at home if they have:
- A cold with significant, uncontained symptoms (especially in the first three days)
- Sore throat and swollen neck glands accompanied by fever
- Undiagnosed rash or skin eruptions
- Drainage from the eyes
- Any communicable disease
- A fever over 100°F in the past 24 hours (students may return once fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications)
- Vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours
- Active, untreated head lice
Continue Reading
If your child develops a communicable illness such as chickenpox, strep throat, scarlet fever, fifth’s disease, influenza, COVID-19, or a condition such as head lice, please notify the school nurse. This helps us monitor your child’s recovery as well as protect others from exposure.
Students should also remain at home for at least one full day following the resolution of an acute illness. If your child is restricted from participating in school activities (athletics, PE, or recess), please provide a physician’s note with details about the restrictions.
We appreciate your partnership in keeping our school community safe and healthy this fall. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
– Maren Coniglione, school nurse
ADMISSIONS NEWS
Parent Volunteers Needed for Admissions Open House
Would you enjoy helping prospective families get to know our school? Belmont Day is having an on-campus Open House on Sunday, October 19, and our admissions team needs your help! We are also looking for help setting up and readying the school the day before, on Saturday, October 18. If you are interested, please fill out this quick survey to tell us your availability.
Tasks during the open house include being a greeter, helping at a registration table, replenishing snacks, mingling with prospective families, etc. It should be an energizing and fun community-building experience! For those who can help, our admissions team will follow up with role assignments and additional information.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide! Please reach out to jbright@belmontday.org with any questions.
– Judy Bright, admissions and outreach program manager
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
COMMUNITY NEWS
Updates to Note in the Family Partnership Guide
Belmont Day’s Family Partnership Guide is a useful resource published on the Parent Portal. Recent updates have been made to these topics:
We hope that each family will review and familiarize themselves with these updates. If you have questions about these topics or any others covered in the Family Partnership Guide, please get in touch with your division head.
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.”
SUSTAINABILITY NEWS
Garden’s Abundance Making Its Way to Our Plates
From the BDS garden, we have harvested over 200 pounds of butternut, acorn, and delicata squash! And now, those beautiful, delicious, and healthy squash are making their way onto our lunch menus!
It all started last school year with the pre-kindergarten class, which started 48 squash plants from seed in their classroom. The plants were transplanted to the BDS garden in the spring. Those plants have practically taken over the garden, producing an amazing amount of delicious squashes. In the last two weeks alone, our second graders have harvested almost 30 squashes!
On Tuesday, the kitchen team peeled, deseeded, and cubed about 15 of the harvested squash. The squash was then roasted with olive oil, parsley, salt, and pepper, and served as the hot vegetable of the day. We couldn’t believe how many students shared in tasting the bounty of the harvest. On Thursday, when we served pizza, we continued highlighting the butternut squash by serving a special garlicy butternut squash, goat cheese, thyme, and lemon pizza. It was a delicious hit with students and faculty.
– Kathy Jo Solomon, visual arts teacher and sustainability coordinator & Tara Lightbody, food program director
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.
Learning Updates
Athletics Update: Fall Squads Jump Into Competition
After a pre-season that highlighted the hard work, determination, and plenty of BDS school spirit, the fall competitions officially got underway this week with both the boys’ and girls’ varsity soccer teams and varsity volleyball all facing BB&N on Tuesday.
Girls’ varsity soccer traveled to Cambridge and delivered a dominant 5-0 victory. In her middle school debut, Lucy Rodriguez netted a hat trick (3 goals), while fellow sixth grader Serena Rosenfald added a goal and an assist. Seventh grader Piper Connors rounded out the scoring in an impressive team performance.
The varsity volleyball squad battled hard in a tough match. Annika Cash, stepping into a leadership role of setter this season, impressed with her strong communication and energy, keeping the team’s spirit high throughout.
Boys’ varsity soccer also faced a skilled BB&N side and dropped the contest here on Far Field. Silas O’Brien tallied the lone BDS goal and was a dynamic presence on the wing, while David Bazile turned in an outstanding game in goal, making several key saves to keep the team within reach.
Congratulations to all middle school athletes on a fantastic start to the season. We look forward to sharing more athletic highlights in the weeks ahead. GO BDS!
– Stephen Marks, director of athletics
First Grade Visits the Belmont Farmer’s Market
On Thursday, first graders, their teachers, and a few awesome extra chaperones made a fun and educational visit to the Belmont Farmers’ Market. The field trip was planned to enhance what the students learned in their summer reading book, Fresh-Picked Poetry: A Day at the Farmers’ Market by Michelle Schaub. At the farmer’s market, the students first enjoyed a tour of the market and its many vendors. After getting acquainted with the market’s layout, we explored various market stalls and saw all of the wonderful produce for sale. The exploration and learning continued with a scavenger hunt that took students to different stalls to ask interview questions of the farmers and friends working at them. Be sure to ask a first grader about what they learned at the farmer’s market!
– Geoffrey Fox, first grade teacher
Kindergartners Study the Science of The Squash
Kindergarten students and faculty embarked on a scientific journey inspired by our summer reading book, Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller. After sharing the story aloud as a group, students engaged in a hands-on investigation of several varieties of squash brought in from a local farmer’s market. Students deepened their understanding by identifying the squash’s shapes, colors, and textures, drawing on both direct observation as well as prior knowledge. The class explored the life cycle of a squash–from seed, to sprouting plant to mature vegetable–discussing the essential elements that support healthy growth. Using magnifying glasses, students carefully observed and documented changes, including the natural process of decomposition, through detailed drawings in their science journals. Chef Lightbody also brought in some cooked squash that last year’s kindergarten class grew, giving students a chance to connect the growing process to food they can taste. This integrated approach fosters essential skills in inquiry and scientific documentation.
– Lisa Wilson, kindergarten teacher
Parents’ Association News
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 in your children’s grades. All Fall Socials will be held on campus. Stay tuned for more details from your grade parents. Meanwhile, the schedule is as follows:
- Tuesday, September 30 – 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Pre-K & Grade 7
- Wednesday, October 1 – 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
Casual Coffee
We invite the parent community for some casual mingling over coffee in Coolidge Hall before the Lower School Sharing Assembly on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m.
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 Volunteers Needed
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!
We are seeking volunteers to help during the morning (7:30 to 8:30 a.m.) and afternoon (3:30 to 5:00 p.m.) shifts each day of the Pumpkin Patch, October 6-8. Feel free to involve your children as well! If interested, click here to sign up. Thank you!
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!
Return to the Parent Portal
