October is here, a great month for looking at the fall foliage, apple picking, and watching sports on our playing fields. October is also National Principal's Month. We honor these dedicated educators, and we thank them for their service to Belmont Public Schools. Below you will find much good news to report, and many events to attend. Have a great Columbus Day weekend.
“The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark.”
― Thomas Paine
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
BHS-SC Update: As you know, Belmont Public Schools is attempting to utilize the high school project to potentially explore remedies to our elementary and middle school enrollment issues. We received a letter from the Massachusetts Building Authority (MSBA) responding to our questions about certain revisions to the high school plan. I presented this information to the School Committee at the September 27 meeting. Summarily, the MSBA communicated to Belmont three approved options moving forward. A high school that has Grades 7-12, Grades 8-12, or Grades 9-12. The Grade 8-12 model would give some enrollment relief to the Chenery School, and the 7-12 model would allow relief at all three levels. The BHS-BC Committee will move forward with the MSBA decision. After that, the BHS-BC will enter into the next steps of having public meetings on the grade configurations, building a design team and putting out bids on the project. This will occur during 2017. Please go here to view my updated presentation to the School Committee. Click here to view the Town website.
District Policy Review: The Human Resources Director and myself presented six district policies and procedures at the September 27 School Committee meeting that may require potential policy changes or new policies, and would need to be modified in our policy manual. These items will be considered by the School Committee Policy Subcommittee to be sure we are complying with changes in some state laws, and that we are servicing our students in the best possible manner. Here is a link to the items discussed.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
-
On September 26, the state released the 2016 state assessment data and the accountability determinations that measure each school and district’s progress toward the goal of proficiency for all students. Belmont Public Schools district and all six schools earned a Level 1, the highest accountability determination, and is one of only six K-12 districts in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with this designation and success. Two of our schools received state commendations (Butler and Burbank) with the additional recognition of Butler named a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School for being an Exemplary High Performing School. This recognition places Butler among 279 public schools and 50 private schools receiving this honor, and is one of three Massachusetts schools. Thank you to all the educators and staff for their dedication toward ensuring the success of every student. Please go to the BPS website to view Assistant Superintendent Janice Darias’ presentation to the School Committee at the September 27 meeting regarding the state accountability determinations, and please see more about this honor on our website.
- This fall we will be offering a three-part workshop series to teachers focusing on SEL and the Achievement Gap.Addressing student achievement gaps and continuing our work on social and emotional learning are the two key focus areas of the 2016-17 BPS Strategic plan. These workshops will help teachers improve their understanding of the achievement gap and how to improve the educational experience of Belmont students.
- Before the October 11 School Committee meeting, there will be a reception and a ceremony for 16 educators who have achieved Professional Status in Belmont. Educators achieve this status after successfully completing three years of employment. The reception will be 6:15 p.m.-6:45 p.m., and the ceremony from 6:45 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Please join me in congratulating the following educators:
Mark Abruzzese - High School - Teacher, Science
Ellen Donahue - Winn Brook - Speech and Language Pathologist
Karen Dube - Chenery - Teacher, Grade 5, Math/Science
Ellen Fink - Wellington - Teacher, Kindergarten
Jason Greenwood - Wellington - Speech and Language Pathologist
Kimberly Hogrefe - Chenery - Nurse
Michela Keough - Winn Brook - Teacher, Grade 1
Vickie Livermore - Butler - Teacher, Music
Emily Macnow - High School - Teacher, Special Education
Nathaniel Markley - High School - Teacher, English
Lois Mason - Chenery - Teacher, Reading
Colleen McBride - Wellington - Teacher, Grade 2
Michelle Moeller - Wellington - Teacher, ESL
Margaret Roler - Wellington - Teacher, Grade 2
Priscilla Stephan - Winn Brook - Teacher, Special Education
Kimberly Thompson - Chenery - Teacher, English, Grade 7
OTHER DISTRICT NEWS
Minuteman Vote: On September 20, citizens voted not to approve funds to build a new Minuteman High School. Belmont will next vote on October 19 at a special Town Meeting to stay or leave the Minuteman district. This vote must happen within 60 days of the September vote. Regardless how the vote goes, per the regional agreement, Belmont residents will continue to access Minuteman as member students for the next three years, and after that can continue as a non-member student per the state law. We are looking into alternatives as well to ensure that Belmont students have access to high quality vocational programming. Please see the Town website for more information.
Evacuation and Lock Down: We had our annual meeting with Belmont Fire Chief David Frizzell and Belmont Police Chief Richard McLaughlin to review our evacuation and lock down plans and staff training plans. My thanks to the chiefs for their continued support and cooperation to the Belmont Public Schools. Keeping Belmont students safe during an emergency is a priority for all of us.
Chenery Modulars: Delivery of the seven modular units at the Chenery Middle School are complete. All deliveries occurred on two weekends, during non-school days. There will be some infrastructure work done over the next few weeks with the hope that students will move in prior to the Thanksgiving break. Take a look at the before and after pictures so far.
ATHLETICS
- Three student athletes were recognized for their athletic performance during the week of September 11:
Field Hockey: Freshman Katie Guden - MAX Field Hockey Northeast Player of the Week
Girls Soccer: Junior Carey Allard, Eastern Mass. Girls' Soccer Association Player of the Week
Football: Senior Ben Jones, Boston Globe and Boston Herald Division II Player of the Week
- Here is the Athletic Schedule for the Week for Belmont High School and Chenery Middle School:
Wednesday, October 05
3:30 PM Boys Varsity Cross Country Woburn High School Away
3:30 PM Boys Varsity Golf Reading High School Away
3:30 PM Girls Varsity Cross Country Woburn High School Away
3:30 PM Girls Varsity Field Hockey Burlington High School Away
3:45 PM Boys Varsity Soccer Burlington High School Away
3:45 PM Boys Junior Varsity Soccer Burlington High School Away
3:45 PM Boys Freshman Soccer Burlington High School Away
3:45 PM Girls Varsity Soccer Burlington High School Home
3:45 PM Girls Freshman Soccer Cancelled- Burlington High School Home
3:45 PM Girls Junior Varsity Soccer Burlington High School Home
4:00 PM Girls Varsity Volleyball Burlington High School Away
4:00 PM Girls Freshman Soccer Concord Carlisle School Home
4:00 PM Girls Freshman Field Hockey Concord Carlisle School Home
4:45 PM Girls Junior Varsity Field Hockey Burlington High School Away
5:30 PM Girls Junior Varsity Volleyball Burlington High School Away
5:30 PM Girls Freshman Volleyball Burlington High School Away
Thursday, October 06
3:30 PM Boys Varsity Golf Wilmington High School Home
3:30 PM Boys Freshman Football Reading High School Home
3:30 PM Coed Chenery Middle Cross Country Waltham Kennedy MS Home
3:45 PM Boys Freshman Soccer Wakefield High School Home
3:45 PM Girls Freshman Soccer Wakefield High School Away
4:00 PM Girls Freshman Field Hockey Melrose High School Away
4:30 PM Girls Junior Varsity Field Hockey Wakefield High School Home
6:00 PM Girls Varsity Field Hockey Wakefield High School Home
Friday, October 07
3:45 PM Boys Varsity Soccer Wakefield High School Home
3:45 PM Girls Varsity Soccer Wakefield High School Away
3:45 PM Girls Junior Varsity Soccer Wakefield High School Away
3:45PM Boys Junior Varsity Soccer Wakefield High School Home
4:00 PM Girls Varsity Swimming Wakefield High School Home
4:00 PM Girls Varsity Volleyball Wakefield High School Home
5:30PM Girls Junior Varsity Volleyball Wakefield High School Home
5:30PM Girls Freshman Volleyball Wakefield High School Home
7:00 PM Boys Varsity Football Reading High School Away
7:00 PM Coed Varsity Cheerleading Reading High School Away
Saturday, October 08
9:30 AM Boys Junior Varsity Football Reading High School Home
GOOD NEWS
*Butler installed a "Little Free Library" in honor of a Butler Professional Aide, Deborah Belshaw, who passed away last year, and who helped many children learn to read. Thanks to the BPS custodial staff who installed it. A wonderful and fitting tribute.
*Congratulations to Winn Brook Music Teacher Karyn Alzayer was chosen as one of 60 artists to decorate 60 pianos placed around public spaces in Boston and Cambridge. The art installation called, “Play Me, I’m Yours”, conceived by British artist Luke Jerram, has been touring internationally since 2008. Jerram came up with the idea to bring community together by having the pianos available for people to look at and play. The pianos are available for viewing and playing September 23 to October 10. A great way to spend the weekend. Please see more about this on our website.
*Wellington held their fall "Welcome Back Picnic" for families and staff for an al fresco dinner in Underwood Park on Tuesday, September 27. People could bring their own picnic dinner or purchase their dinner from participating vendors. The PTA sponsored event was well attended, and thankfully the weather held up for them.
*Despite the rain, the 4th Annual Dan Scharfmann Memorial Run on Sunday, October 2 had its best turn-out yet. More than 850 runners from across New England ran in the race, and the net-proceeds exceeded $25,000. Our thanks to the Foundation for Belmont Education (FBE) for their continued support of Belmont schools,and congratulations to all who ran. Please read more about it here.
*The Annual Boosters Golf Tournament saw 100 golfers at the Oakley Country club, and nettted over $20,000 which benefits the athletes of Belmont High School. Thank you Boosters.
SAVE THE DATE
- October 7 and 8 is Broadway Night at the BHS Little Theater. Broadway Night is the Performing Arts Company's Musical Theater Cabaret. Students perform classic show tunes and contemporary work from new musical theater composers in an evening of song, dance and storytelling. Tickets can be bought at Champions in Belmont Center and online from the Performing Arts Company website, bhs-pac.org, Adults $12; Students $5.
- Belmont Boosters Club will be holding its annual Fall Fundraising "B" Drive on Sunday, October 23 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the BHS Field House. Over the years the Boosters have donated thousands of dollars to help the BHS athletic programs. To find out more about the fundraiser, please email belmontMAboosters@gmail.com or go to their website at www.belmont.k12.ma.us/bhs/boosters
CALENDAR
Below are some of the numerous events going on into the end of October. Please check school websites and communications for more events and any additional information or changes in dates, times, and venues.
DATE/TIME - PLACE/EVENT
October 5 - 7:00 p.m. - BHS Field house - College Fair
October 5 - International Walk to School Day
October 5 - 7:00 p.m. - BHS Main Office Conference Room - Parents of Music Students (POMS) Meeting
October 6 - 7:00 p.m. - Chenery PTO Meeting
October 6 - 7:00 p.m. - Chenery PTO Meeting
October 6 - 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Butler Curriculum Night
October 6 - 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Wellington Curriculum Night
October 6 - 6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Winn Brook Curriculum Night (see Winn Brook newsletter for grade level times)
October 6 - Picture Day at Burbank
October 7 - Sports Day Spirit Day at Chenery
October 7 & 8 - 7:00 p.m. - BHS Little Theater - Broadway Night
October 10 - Columbus Day - All Schools Closed
October 11 - 7:00 p.m. - BHS Second Floor Conference Room - Patrons (Theater Boosters) Meeting
October 11 - 7:00 p.m. - CMS Community Room - School Committee Meeting
October 11 - Chenery Picture Day
October 11 - CMS Community Room - 6:00 p.m. Reception for Professional Status Teachers, 6:30 p.m. Recognition for Professional Status Teachers, 7:00 p.m. School Committee Meeting
October 14 - Picture Day at Butler
October 15 - BHS - PSAT Testing
October 19 - Unity Day at Chenery - Wear an Orange Shirt
October 19 - BHS Picture Retake Day (During Frees)
October 19 - 6:30 p.m. - BHS Parent/Teacher Conferences
October 20 - 10:30 a.m. - Delayed Opening - High School Only
October 20 - Chenery - 6:00 p.m. - PTO Fifth Grade Pasta Dinner
October 21 - School Hours - Butler Fun Run (rain date 10/28)
October 21 - Movie Night at Butler
October 22 - ACT Testing - Not at BHS
October 23 - 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p..m. - BHS Field House - Belmont Booster Club Fall Fundraising "B" Drive
October 26 - Early Release for Elementary and Chenery Schools
October 26 - 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. - Butler PTA Meeting
October 26 - 5:00 p.m.- BHS Haunted House
October 26 - 7:00 p.m. - BHS Masquerade Concert
October 27 - 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. - CMS Community Room - Chenery "Coffee with the Principal"