Belmont Public Schools News

Belmont Food Service Updates

While the start of the school year looks a little different for everyone, I wanted to share with you some good news that schools nationwide recently received. The USDA extended a waiver that allows schools to serve free breakfast and lunch to ALL students, as late as December 31, 2020 or as long as funding is available. We are thrilled with this news as it means that we will be able to provide all Belmont students with nutritious and nourishing food for free that will support them, both in school and at home. Here are the multiple methods in which meals will be available.  

Becca's Feat on Feet Virtual Book Launch

Join us for the Virtual launch of Becca Pizzi's new book, Becca's Feat on Feet! She'll be in conversation with Joanna Tzouvelis. Sign-up required. Event date: Wednesday, September 23, 2020 - 6:30pm

Register for the FBE Virtual Apple Run - it’s Starts in Just 2 Weeks Time!

COME RUN and be part of a Belmont Fall Favorite event whilst supporting the Foundation for Belmont Education and the Belmont Public Schools! Register Now! 5K and 2K Races | Friday, October 2nd through Monday, October 12th. Run with DJ Paul Madden! Our excellent FBE Apple Run DJ has put together a Spotify playlist especially for our runners!

Remote and Hybrid Pros and Cons Presentation to the School Committee

School Opening Fall 2020 Superintendent's Bulletin #14 - Remote and Hybrid Pros and Cons Presentation to the School Committee. For those who missed last night’s School Committee meeting, please see the presentation given on Hybrid and Remote Pros and Cons.

Welcome Back and Note on Hybrid/Remote Responses

School Opening Fall 2020 Superintendent's Bulletin #13 - Welcome Back and Note on Hybrid/Remote Responses. We want to welcome you back to school year 2020-2021. As you know, school begins on September 16 with is a remote start to the school year with our Phased Plan approach toward our in-person hybrid model. Phase 1 children, those with high needs and complex students per DESE guidelines, will be the first to start in-person learning. 

Start of School Information and Updates, SC Meeting September 8, 2020

Superintendent's Bulletin #12 - Start of School Information and Updates, SC Meeting September 8, 2020. As we approach the opening of school on Wednesday, September 16, I want to take this moment to provide you with information and updates.

Hybrid Model and Revised Phased Presentations, Kindergarten Fee Announcement

Principals from the elementary, middle, and high school presented the hybrid learning plans and schedules at the September 2, 2020 School Committee meeting. This meeting can be viewed on Belmont Media Center’s website. The schedules show the priorities of families and the district; increased contact with teachers, remote days involving “pen and paper” learning as well as live with a teacher, and the hope to keep cohorts intact from the remote start to school to the hybrid transition.

Sneak Peak at FBE Virtual Apple Run Giveaways!

REGISTER NOW! Some of our Apple Run Swagbag Goodies that come with registration! 5K & 2K –  A hi-tec short sleeve ‘quik-dri’ running shirt will be offered to the first 400 registered runners. Apple Run branded neck gaiters – a COVID-19 running essential – will be offered to the first 200 race registrants (N.B. As of 8/31/20 we already have over 110 registrants!) Hand Sanitizer from our Platinum Sponsors Cityside Subaru. All participants in the 2020 Virtual Apple Run will receive a unique discount code for $10 off registration for the 2021 in-person event.

Form to submit questions/concerns after September 2 School Committee Meeting

Thank you to all who participated in the September 2 School Committee meeting. If you have questions or concerns, please click on this Google Form to share it with us. Your feedback will be used to inform the continuing work of the School Department and the School Committee. If you were not able to watch the meeting, you can view the recording at the Belmont Media Center website.

School Committee Presentations on Remote Schedules and Revised Phased Plan

Dear Belmont Community, Please see the remote schedules presented at the August 25 School Committee meeting for elementary, middle, and high school students on the COVID-19 School Opening Fall 2020 page as well as the School Committee documents page. These remote models and schedules were presented by BHS Principal Isaac Taylor, Chenery Principal Karla Koza, and Butler Principal Danielle Betancourt for the elementary schools with principals in attendance at the meeting. These remote schedules give you an idea of an academic day for the student. We are fortunate to have been able to collaborate with our teachers regarding these schedules, and we thank all of our principals and educators for their planning and work throughout the summer. If you wish to view the August 25 meeting, please go to the Belmont Media website.

Form to submit questions/concerns after August 25 School Committee Meeting

Thank you to all who participated in the August 25 School Committee meeting. If you have questions or concerns, please click on this Google Form to share it with us. Your feedback will be used to inform the continuing work of the School Department and the School Committee. If you were not able to watch the meeting, you can view the recording at the Belmont Media Center website.

5th annual Becca Pizzi Sunday, August 30th (VIRTUAL!)

A virtual race is fun and easy, as you get to be race director for a day! Run either a 5k or the kids 1 mile anywhere you would like - on your neighborhood streets, around the high school track, along a favorite trail, or even on a treadmill, make a team with family and/or friends, and submit the results to me! Run your race Sunday, August 30th,  (or another day if you can't make the date). 

How The FBE Virtual Apple Run Will Work!

FBE Virtual Apple Run Details. With 2020 being a virtual event, the 5K and 2K races will be run during a window that opens on Friday, October 2nd and closes at the end of the day on Monday, October 12th. To run AND be eligible for a PRIZE: Participants must run the Apple Run 5K or 2K routes during that window. Participants submit a GPS file or link from Garmin, Strava or other fitness trackers for verification, or there will be an option to sign up to be timed by a volunteer during the run window. Free Run Tracking apps

School Opening Fall 2020 - SC Meetings, Flu Shot and COVID Testing Mobile Units

Dear Belmont Community, We have School Committee meetings coming up that are of interest to our families. Please go to the Notices and Agenda section of the School Committee page on the BPS website the day before the meeting for access to the agenda.  To view the meetings live or On Demand later, please go to the Belmont Media Center page.

DESE and MIAA Guidance on Modified Sports

We received joint sports guidance for the 2020-2021 school year from the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education (DESE), the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA). This guidance has identified some sports as safe to play and some sports as “practice only.”

Student Device Distribution Update

As we prepare for remote learning this Fall, we need to ensure every student has their own device. For families who have not as yet signed up to receive a district-issued device, we’ve added additional pickup dates beginning on August 31. Pickup dates are no longer assigned by grade; and as such, you can pick up for multiple students on the same day and time, regardless of grade level. If you are picking up for more than one student, please ensure you make a reservation for each student.

Fall 2020 Return to Learning Plan 2.0

In an effort to provide continuous updates we would like to share with you the Fall 2020 Return to Learning Plan 2.0 which includes several updates.  The additions to the document include an updated community letter along with the newly voted  2020-2021 School Calendar/Professional Development Days section representing the Department of Elementary and Secondary of Education delayed start for students.

Register Now for the FBE Virtual Apple Run 2020!

2020 COUCH-2-5K TRAINING PROGRAM - START TODAY! This year we are inviting you all to join in the Couch-2-5k training program at no additional cost. Please email our race co-director, ultra marathoner, finisher of over 180 events, and Couch-2-5K coach Scot DeDeo to receive training details via your email. Weekly emails include beginner and moderate training programs and articles, and they will also be posted weekly to the FBE Facebook page.

Update on Opening Plans for Special Education Students

As many of you know already, the school district will be taking a phased approach to instruction this Fall.  For many of our special education families, this has prompted a lot of questions about the delivery of IEP supports and services during the various phases.  In an effort to provide some clarification for our families, please find some informational bullet points below.

Vote on Return to Learning Plan

Last night, August 12, the School Committee voted for a phased approach toward reopening our schools with full remote learning beginning Phase 1 when we return to learning in September. We have had tremendous feedback from the community through the survey submitted, numerous emails, and questions presented to the School Administration and the School Committee. The information from the survey is valuable to inform a hybrid model that incorporates families’ schedules of what works best (day/week/split day). Please see the Return to Learning presentation given to the School Committee on August 12.