February 2023
Dear Belmont Public Schools Families,
Since our last update, the district has completed many important tasks towards the reconfiguration.
What We Have Accomplished
- The district provided multiple in person and virtual opportunities to review the Phase 2 plan with families and educators. Thank you to those who attended and offered excellent ideas and asked questions that help inform our work.
- A new schedule for the 7-12 building has been built and ratified by the Belmont Educators Association. We are grateful to the educator volunteers who were able to build a functional schedule that can service the academic and social emotional needs of students at both the middle and high school levels. It will be in place for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years. There will be an educator committee formed to evaluate the effectiveness and/or any areas they may need to be adjusted based on living with this schedule during the first year of its use. Student and family input will be an important part of this work as we begin a new chapter in the 7-12 BMHS. The schedule for the 2023-2024 school year will be reviewed with families at an upcoming School Committee meeting.
- A revised schedule that retains the current model at the Chenery Upper Elementary School (CUE) was generated by a team of educators. This schedule retains the same start and end times as the current schedule and will be in effect only for the 2023-2024 school year. A new schedule will be created for the 2024-2025 school year as part of the work to open the 4-6 school (see below).
- Staffing for both the Belmont Middle School and Chenery Upper Elementary is completed. Current educators at Chenery are now aware of where their position building assignment will be - either the Chenery Upper Elementary or the Belmont Middle School.
- Preparations for the new middle school operations and culture that align with our core values are in the process of being formulated with the support of school leadership and the BMS Advisory Team. The group of educators representing core, encore, counseling, and special education meet once a month to work on the opening of our 7th school.
- Karla Koza and John Phelan have met regularly with middle school and elementary schools staff and families and will continue to do so.
Coming Next
- The next phase of work for BMHS will include formulating logistics on moving half the staff, supplies and materials from the Chenery to the new middle school site.
- The middle school wing building project is coming to fruition. We hope to be able to provide some opportunities for students and staff to tour the school before the last day of school. Families will be able to see the school closer to the start of the 2023-2024 school year.
CUE Parent and Educator Advisory Teams
Advisory teams to support the exciting development of the Chenery Upper Elementary will begin to meet by March 2023. Both teams will
- Review and offer input on the learning model. This will include research of similar schools and best practices for social, emotional, and academic needs of children in grades 5-6.
- Offer input on a new CUE schedule which will aim to best meet the needs of upper elementary learners.
- Exchange ideas on new school culture, traditions and celebrations.
- Provide ideas on potential building and grounds adjustment to make the current Chenery school better reflect upper elementary learners.
The CUE Parent Advisory Team Information
This team will be comprised of 12 parents with children currently in grades PreK-4 and must include the following representation:
- Parents with students who will be at Chenery Upper Elementary during the 2024-2025 school year and beyond.
- Parent(s) who represent special education (have a child on a special education plan).
- Parent(s) of English language learners (EL).
- Parent(s) who represent diversity.
- Parent(s) who represent our Boston students.
If more than 12 parents request to participate, we will draw names and post a video of that drawing.
- Volunteers MUST be able to attend all meetings in person. They will run from March 2023-June 2024.
- The first CUE Family Advisory Team meeting will be on March 1. Other meeting dates for this year include: April 5, May 3, June 7. They will resume in September of 2023.
If you are interested in serving on the Chenery Upper Elementary Parent Advisory Team, please fill out THIS FORM. We will be in contact for our first meeting. Form closes Friday, February 10th at 4:00PM.
How Can I Get More Information?
A reminder that you may ask questions, express concerns or offer ideas directly on the Family Input Form on the web site.
- Questions are answered on a rolling basis on the FAQ document that can be found HERE.
- Many of the questions and corresponding answers to questions you may have can be found on the FAQ document.
- You may also contact me at any time with questions as well.
We expect to provide another round of family forums starting in late Spring when we will have more concrete answers to some of the lingering questions.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at any time.
Warm Regards,
Karla B. Koza, Director of District Reconfiguration Transition
Resources
Reconfiguration Web Site
January Reconfiguration Update Slides from Winn Brook PTA Meeting
January Reconfiguration Update Slides from Chenery PTO Meeting