Belmont Public Schools News

Superintendent's Letter - Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 - Saturday, October 24, 2020

Dear Members of the Belmont Public Schools Community, I write to inform you about a case of confirmed COVID-19 in our school community.  We received confirmation from the Belmont Department of Health on Friday, 10/23/2020 regarding this case. This is what we know for certain at this time: The Department of Health received confirmation that they received a laboratory testing report indicating that a school community member (i.e., student or staff) at Chenery Middle School has been diagnosed with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Belmont COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program

This program helps Belmont renters who lost income and are having trouble paying rent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants are eligible for up to three months residential rental assistance. NEW Deadline: November 10.

Superintendent's Letter - Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 - Tuesday, October 20, 2020

I write to inform you about two new cases of confirmed COVID-19 in our school community.  We received confirmation from the Belmont Department of Health on 10/19/2020, regarding both of these cases.  Please note that these cases were identified as close contacts of the confirmed case previously reported on 10/14/2020.  Since 10/14/2020 that classroom has been closed and all students and staff have been working and learning  remotely. This is what we know for certain at this time: The Department of Health received confirmation that they received two laboratory testing reports indicating that school community members (i.e., student or staff) at Chenery Middle School school have been diagnosed with a confirmed case of COVID-19

Superintendent's Letter - Confirmed Case of COVID-19 - Thursday, October 15, 2020

I write to inform you about two cases of confirmed COVID-19 in our school community.  We received confirmation from the Belmont Department of Health today, 10/15/2020 regarding both of these cases.  Please note today’s first positive case was identified as a close contact of the confirmed case reported yesterday, 10/14/2020.  The second positive case from today was independent of the cases named above. This is what we know for certain at this time: The Department of Health received confirmation that they received a laboratory testing report indicating that two school community members (i.e., student or staff) at the Chenery Middle School have been diagnosed with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Superintendent's Letter - Confirmed Case of COVID-19 - Wednesday, October 14, 2020

I write to inform you about a case of confirmed COVID-19 in our school community. We received confirmation from the Belmont Department of Health today, 10/14/2020 at 11:45am regarding this case. This is what we know for certain at this time: The Department of Health received confirmation that they received a laboratory testing report indicating that a school community member (i.e., student or staff) at Chenery Middle School has been diagnosed with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Superintendent's Letter - Confirmed Case of COVID-19 - Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Dear Members of the Belmont Public Schools Community, I write to inform you about a case of confirmed COVID-19 in our school community.  We received confirmation from the Belmont Department of Health Friday, 10/9/2020 regarding this case. This is what we know for certain at this time: The Department of Health received confirmation that they received a laboratory testing report indicating that a school community member (i.e., student or staff) at Belmont High School has been diagnosed with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

A Message from the Superintendent Regarding COVID-19 Case

I write to inform you about a case of confirmed COVID-19 in our school community.  We received confirmation from the Belmont Department of Health Monday, 9/28/2020 regarding this case. The Department of Health received confirmation that a school community member (i.e., student or staff) at the Winn Brook Elementary school has been diagnosed with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

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.

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.