Belmont Public Schools News

Fall 2020 Return to Learning Plan 1.0 Document and Presentation to the School Committee

Thank you for participation in the School Committee meetings this week. Hundreds of you attended both School Committee virtual meetings on August 4 and 6. More than 600 questions were submitted in the Google document in preparation for the community forum on August 6 in addition to many of you asking your questions during the meeting.

2020-21 School Opening Options and Survey and Questions

We presented the hybrid and remote learning options for fall 2020 school opening at the August 4 School Committee meeting. You can view the meeting at the Belmont Media Center website if you were unable to attend. The presentation presented at the School Committee meeting can be viewed here.

FBE Apple Run Registration is Open!

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 at racedirector@fbe-belmont.org to receive training details via your email. Alternatively, beginning August 7, 8 weeks out from race week, a beginner and moderate training program and article will be posted weekly to the FBE Facebook page and Instagram.

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.

A Message from the Superintendent - DESE Remote Learning Guidance for Fall 2020

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has released the final Remote Learning Guidance for Fall 2020. We also received Additional Staff Training Days (changes to 180 day requirement) outlining the agreement the Commissioner made with the state teachers’ unions to allow for additional staff training days at the start of the 2020-21 school year. This will be discussed and voted by the School Committee at their meetings next week.

Save-the-Date FBE Fall Events 2020!

FBE FALL EVENTS 2020. Mark your calendars for the FBE VIRTUAL Apple Run, October 2-12, AND the FBE VIRTUAL Spelling Bee, November 7, 2020!

Student Device Distribution Update

We are writing to provide you with additional information about the distribution of devices to all Belmont students. As outlined in the presentation of preliminary draft plans for 2020-2021 (see slide 12), we need to provide synchronous, scheduled, live instruction and to do that we need to ensure that every student has their own device. Even though the plans for 2020-21 are not yet finalized; we are distributing the devices in order to be prepared for any contingency. Devices issued by the district are the same models as those used in the classrooms, are secured and filtered, and will be fully supported by the Belmont Public Schools Technology department. 

School Opening Fall 2020 - Superintendent's Bulletin #2

At the School Committee meeting held on July 16, Assistant Superintendent Janice Darias gave a presentation called Update on School Opening 2020-2021. As you know, DESE requested a feasibility study looking at a 3-foot physically distanced full-opening, which is due by July 31. This was originally reported to you in the Superintendent’s Summer Update, sent on July 9. We are also preparing plans for hybrid and remote options, due to DESE by August 10.

Fall 2020 Student Device Information

The Belmont Public Schools is issuing a device to all students Prek-12, in support of our anticipated continuation of remote learning in some form (in person, hybrid, or remote) this fall. Device distribution begins on Monday, July 20 and runs through August 27.

A Message from the Superintendent - 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.

Summer Reading Lists 2020

The Summer Reading Lists are a joint project of the Belmont Public Schools and the Belmont Public Library. They are designed to encourage students in Belmont to make reading a habit, raising both their interest in and level of reading. These books and works from authors are available to view in print and as e-books and e-audio books that can be borrowed free of charge from the Belmont Public Library’s collections in Libby and in Hoopla. The theme this year is Imagine Your Story!

Creating Change for Racial Justice - Discussion with Community Leaders

Creating Change for Racial Justice - Live Call-in Discussion with Belmont Community Leaders on Tuesday, June 23 at 7 PM. Belmont Against Racism and the Belmont Media Center are sponsoring a panel discussion. Two high school graduates are moderators.

FBE Thank You with STAR Awards

The FBE would like to send a heartfelt thank you to all the Belmont Public School teachers, staff, and administrators for an amazing year, and of course, a particularly incredible last three months! We wish you, and the Belmont community, a restful summer, and look forward to seeing everyone, hopefully in person, in September!

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.

FBE Announces Grant Awards Totaling $29,547

Congratulations! The Foundation for Belmont Education (FBE) is pleased to announce and summarize the awards that were recently approved for the 2019-2020 academic year. Attached is a summary of twelve Learning Excellence Grants, awarded to Belmont Public Schools on May 29, 2020, totaling $29,547.

Twenty Ninth Annual Staff Recognition Day

Staff Recognition Day was held on May 20 to celebrate 55 members of Belmont Public Schools for their years of service ranging from 10 to 35. Although the reception was a bit different this year, virtual instead of everyone gathering, the sentiment is the same in that we thank everyone for all of their years of service to Belmont Public Schools and the students of Belmont. A recording of the virtual event is available on YouTube.

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!

FBE Update & Thank You!

The FBE sends a hearty THANK YOU to each and every teacher, administrator, and school staff member for helping Belmont’s students during this unsettling time. We greatly appreciate the amount of planning, teaching, and communicating that is happening during Phase II of the District’s distance learning plan. The FBE would also like to send our very BEST WISHES to the BHS class of 2020.

Belmont Helps - Resources for Families

Helpful resources for Belmont families in one place created by the Belmont Helps group. Belmont Helps is an all volunteer grass roots effort formed to help connect neighbors during this difficult time. They accept all volunteers who can help run errands, deliver food and supplies for porch drop-off. If you need help, ask.

FBE Casino Royale Candy Giveaway!

Starting April 30th, the Foundation for Belmont Education will kick off a fun candy campaign via our FBE social media posts. Due to the canceled Casino Royale Annual Spring Fundraiser, we found ourselves left with large amounts of candy. Some of the candy was donated to the wonderful healthcare workers at Mt. Auburn Hospital, but we also have enough to share with our local community! Every Thursday, we will be post a jar of candy on Instagram and Facebook, and invite our followers to guess the numbers of pieces in the jar.