Belmont Public Schools News

Belmont COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program

In response to the loss of income to Belmont households due to COVID-19, the Belmont Housing Trust has created an Emergency Rental Assistance Program using Community Preservation Act funds. The program is temporary in nature, and funding is limited. Applications are being accepted beginning Monday, July 26th.

DESE Initial Fall School Reopening Guidance

I write to you today with an update on the School Opening for fall 2020. As you may be aware, for the past several months the School Department has been working on options for opening school in September given the evolving  challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This work has included meetings with our educators, Leadership Council, PTO Presidents, Belmont Health Department and other Town Leaders. In addition we have held two School Committee meetings dedicated to this subject.

Feedback on Draft Plans for 2020-21 School Reopening

Dear Belmont Parents and Guardians, We presented initial draft plans for the “opening of school” for September 2020 to the School Committee on June 9th and now we would like your feedback on those plans.

Parenting in the Time of Coronavirus – Pre-Recorded Webinars

As part of a partnership with Belmont Public Schools, the McLean Hospital School Consultation team has recorded two webinars that focus on helping parents navigate challenging COVID-19 circumstances. One video is geared toward parents of elementary school-aged children and the other video is geared toward parents of middle and high school-aged teens. The videos have some overlapping content, although the examples provided are age-specific. Please see below for a more detailed description. Each video is followed by a pre-recorded Q and A that includes answers to the questions Belmont parents submitted. We hope that you find them helpful!

Notice to Parents Regarding School Committee Vote on Potential Fee Refunds during COVID-19

Dear Parents/Guardians, At its meeting on April 28, 2020, the Belmont School Committee voted to refund the portion of fees paid for certain programs corresponding to days when the school buildings were closed due to COVID-19.

A Message from the Superintendent Regarding Extension of School Building Closures

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff: This afternoon Governor Baker announced school buildings will be closed for the remainder of the school year in Massachusetts, and remote learning will continue for the remainder of the academic calendar.

Superintendent's Update: Monday, March 30, 2020

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, and Staff – I write to communicate the next steps for the Belmont Public Schools “Phase 2” Remote Learning Plan. I understand that there is unrest toward the School Department’s response to the COVID-19 extended school closure.

Letter to Families from the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Dear Parents and Guardians: First and most importantly, I hope you and your family are healthy and safe. As the commissioner of K-12 public education in the state and a parent of two public school kids, I know that these are unprecedented times, and many of you are being asked to step into unfamiliar roles. I understand the extraordinary pressure you are facing as you balance caring for children, helping them learn, and, in many cases, continuing your own work. I want to assure you that we are working hard to provide your school leaders with the necessary guidance to support students and families during these difficult times. We are all in this together, working on behalf of our children.

Superintendent's Update Friday, March 27, 2020

As you know, we have now entered into the next phase of our school closure. Given Governor Baker’s new re-opening date of May 4, 2020, the Belmont Public Schools will be shifting the ways we support our students during this longer period of time. We have been working internally with our educators, the Belmont Educators Association, and externally with our neighboring school districts in an attempt to approach the new learning environment in which we find ourselves.  We will also take guidance from the most recent update from the Commissioner of Education that was released yesterday. 

Superintendent's Update Extension of School Closures: March 25, 2020

Dear Families and Staff: I hope this email finds you and your family in good health. This afternoon Governor Baker has extended the school closure until May 4. Please see that information here: Boston Globe: Coronavirus Latest Updates.

Belmont Public Schools Update - Wednesday, March 18, 2020

We are on day #4 of our school closure. I am writing to provide you an update. It is with great emphasis that I state to our community the importance of physical distancing.  The goal of reducing the spread of COVID-19 within our community and our country rests in our hands.  However during this physical distancing we encourage to appropriately socialize via phone or text.  Please check in on a family member or neighbor who may be fragile or lonely. This is a time when strong neighborhood relationships make strong communities;  which in- turn, can positively influence the culture of kindness in our society.

Superintendents Update - Monday, March 16, 2020

Today, Monday March 16, 2020 is day #2 of our school closure. For some reason in my home it feels like a longer period of time given the weekend days we all spent together. I am sure to a certain extent each of our homes feel different right now as our “new normal” will shift for a period of time here locally in Belmont and across our country.

Superintendent Operational Update: Friday, March 13, 2020

Update on what we are discussing and planning as an operational plan moving forward for our school department. Please be aware, we have learned that what we plan for today could be changed by shifting circumstances that we face as soon as tomorrow. Our goal is to keep you updated and informed as we take on this challenge as a community.

Belmont Update on School Closure

After much consideration and discussion we will be closing  all Belmont Public School buildings starting tomorrow, Friday, March 13, 2020. There is no school tomorrow. This decision was made in consultation with the Town of Belmont’s Department of Health.  Belmont is one of several neighboring districts taking this step together. These districts have issued a joint press release to their communities. As stated in the press release, all schools will be closed from Friday, March 13, 2020 to Friday, March 27, 2020.

Joint Press Release: Schools to Close through at Least March 27

Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Burlington, Lexington and Winchester Schools to Close Starting Tomorrow, Friday, March 13. Schools to Close through at Least March 27.

A Message from the Superintendent Regarding COVID-19; Update #7

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has informed the Belmont Health Department of its first presumptive positive COVID-19 case in a Belmont resident. This resident attended the Biogen conference in Boston held at the end of February. This resident is the parent of Belmont Public School students who attend the Chenery Middle School and Belmont High School.

A Message from the Superintendent Regarding COVID-19; Update #6

After considerable discussions with the Belmont Board of Health, and to be consistent with Governor Baker’s recommendations in his declaration of a State of Emergency on Tuesday, March 10, we are canceling all large-group events in our schools beginning Thursday, March 12. These events would be school field trips, concerts, plays, performances, large-group events such as speakers and night events at schools, parent and guardian visits to classrooms and school conferences.

A Message from the Superintendent Regarding COVID-19; Update #5

As you know, news of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is constantly changing and emerging, which is worrisome to our all communities including our own. The Belmont School Department recently emailed you to inform you of plans to disinfect and sanitize high-touch surfaces in all of our schools with hospital-grade equipment.  This is done in an abundance of caution as an extension of our deep cleaning efforts and flu season disinfection plan to help reduce the spread of a number of problematic pathogens in hard to reach places.

A Message from the Superintendent Regarding COVID-19; Update #4

I am writing to provide you with information regarding the self-quarantine status of a member of the high school staff who had travelled to Italy over February break. As you may know, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) issued updated guidance on March 4, asking people to self-quarantine if they have travelled to China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea (people who have travelled to Japan are also asked to limit contact with others and self-monitor symptoms). Previously, the CDC had only asked that people who had travelled to China self-quarantine

A Message from the Superintendent Regarding COVID-19; Update #3

We understand that many staff, students and families have questions regarding the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and how it may impact the BPS Community. Massachusetts-specific information about Coronavirus can be found on the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website.