Belmont Public Schools News

Superintendent Update - Friday, February 19, 2021

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff, I hope you had a restful time over the February break with family. I write to provide you an update on several important issues from the School Committee and school department.

FBE Rapid Response Grant Awards and New Grant Applications

The Foundation for Belmont Education (FBE) is pleased to announce two new Rapid Response Grants awarded to Belmont Public Schools on February 5, 2021 totaling $2,608.  To date, the FBE has awarded seven Rapid Response Grants totaling $12,217, and we continue to encourage and accept applications for projects that address needs that arise from Covid-19 pandemic impacts in our schools. 

Return to In-Person Learning Working Group

Understanding the urgency of students needing more time in person, and the challenges we have in Belmont with space and enrollment, we are starting a Return to In-Person Learning working group to identify these challenges and provide guidance to move the work forward. This working group will provide information for review by the Superintendent and the public on a rolling basis, looking at the remainder of this school year and towards September.

Update on Testing, Vaccines, and Return to In-Person Learning Working Group

As the year progresses, and in an effort to look forward, we are providing you an update today as it relates to testing and vaccinations. In addition, we are also providing you with update on the Return to In-Person Learning Working Group, which will provide community feedback and input on the challenges and opportunities that face all districts at this time. We understand our students need more direct instruction and in-person learning. We are optimistic that with health initiatives combined with this working group in place, we will be prepared for acting on any shifts in guidance and health metrics so we may look to enjoy more live instruction and/or in-person learning.

Belmont Public Schools Update

Since Monday, 1/11/2021 we have been engaging in negotiations with the Belmont Education Association (BEA) to consider two important documents that will impact both the elementary and middle school hybrid schedules:

Belmont Public Schools Online Registration for School Year 2021-2022 opens January 29, 2021

We are pleased to announce BPS offers free tuition for kindergarten. Important registration information for current BPS families: You do not need to register a grade 1-12 existing Belmont Public Schools student again. You do need to register your incoming kindergartner even if you are a current Belmont Public Schools family. To ensure placement of your incoming kindergartner at the same elementary school as your grade 1-4 child, please submit all required documents to complete registration for your incoming kindergartner by April 9.

Town and School Budget Updates and Presentations

The budgeting process for the Town of Belmont has been underway for several months, including numerous public meetings of the School Committee, Select Board, and Financial Task Force II, as well as public forums sponsored by the Warrant Committee. I want to share with you an update on this process and invite you to participate in the continuing discussions.

Update on COVID Testing - School Opening 2020-2021

As you know, last Friday Governor Baker announced pool testing will be available for all schools and districts in the state by February. Director of BPS Nursing Beth Rumley and I attended the state-provided webinar today regarding this initiative.

Belmont Food Service: Update #4

Meal pick up will still be open at BHS during our hybrid models from 7:30AM to 9:30AM every school day. It is the SAFEST and most efficient way to get meals to our student body. Please note we will continue through the upcoming models until guidance is released to safely feed students in an unrestricted setting in our cafeterias.

New DESE Requirements

Last week the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) asked districts across the State to review their remote and hybrid education models to meet two new proposed regulations.

Superintendent's Message Regarding Inclement Weather and Upcoming Snowstorm

Each year we send you our snow communication delivery process. Decisions on cancelling school or delays are reviewed and assessed in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and our other Town leaders, keeping in mind community safety and the ability to clear roadways and school areas. This year will be no different.

FBE Happy News!

Make someone’s day and thank that someone special for their service to our community during COVID-19 with a “You’re A Star’ Community Award. Honor exemplary educators or staff who have made a difference in your child’s education by sending them a STAR Award! Everyone LOVES getting these Awards - go ahead and make someone feel appreciated this holiday season.

Important Information on Procedures, Hybrid and Remote Learning, and Snow Days

Important Information on Procedures, Hybrid and Remote Learning, and Snow Days - Superintendent's Bulletin #21. Dear Families, I hope you and your family are well during this complicated time leading up to our winter recess. Now that all of our schools are open in their hybrid models we wanted to share with you some operational expectations. The goal of this communication is to clarify some of the questions that have been posed to the district over the past week or so.

A Story Walk

THE BELMONT YOUTH COMMISSION AND BELMONT PUBLIC LIBRARY PRESENT: A Story Walk! December 9-23, 2020, Daily, 9 AM TO Dusk, Memorial Garden - Next to Library Take a walk from page to page with your family. A fun way to read a great story while getting fresh air and exercise! The total loop will be on flat land and about 0.5 miles total.

Week of December 7 Important News - School Opening Fall 2020 Superintendent's Bulletin #20

Week of December 7 Important News - School Opening Fall 2020 Superintendent's Bulletin #19. Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff: This communication is to inform you we are returning to our hybrid in-person learning schedules for grades K-8 on Monday, December 7. In addition, we are happy to report BHS grades 9-12 will start in-person hybrid on Thursday, December 10. Each building principal will send out a communication today with more details. We appreciate the patience of our students, parents, faculty, and staff in pivoting to remote learning after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. We feel these proactive measures help keep the school community safe and gives us a chance to assess and “reset” the buildings for a healthy return to hybrid in-person learning.

An Important Message from the Superintendent

I write to inform the community of an important decision that will impact how school will reopen following the Thanksgiving holiday. Like all school districts, we are responsible for making a decision regarding the safety of students, educators, and families. After thorough consideration of the elements involved, it is our conclusion that the appropriate course of action is to transition all students to a remote schedule for the entire week following Thanksgiving, 11/30 - 12/4/2020.

Understanding the Override

Public Meeting - December 9th @ 7 PM. The town is faced with a structural deficit which requires an increase in funds to provide the same level of services to the community. This meeting is geared to help residents to understand the financial condition of the town. Future meetings are in the planning stages for early January.

Belmont Wellness Coalition: Parenting Group Meetings

The Parenting Group is led by the Belmont Wellness Coalition, through Wayside Youth and Family Support Network and facilitated by Lisa Gibalerio and Sophia Suarez-Friedman. The primary goal of the Parenting Group is for Belmont caregivers to talk about parenting teens and tweens with various monthly topics and concerns that parents have in common.

Return to School Update

Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 28, 2020 our elementary school buildings will open for our students to return to hybrid in-person learning. Please see the schedule below: Wednesday, October 28: All students PreK-4 will return to school hybrid in-person at our four elementary schools. This will be a Cohort B day. Thursday, October 29: Chenery Middle School begins their hybrid model.

Belmont Food Services: Update #3

First off, thank you to all participating families who have been coming by our meal pick up over the last month. The turnout has been tremendous and truly supports our children as well as our program. In the last four weeks, we have seen over 70,000 meals go out the door! We have determined that meal pick up and home meal kit delivery is the SAFEST and most efficient way to get meals to our student body. Please note we will continue through the upcoming models and until guidance is released to safely feed students in an unrestricted setting in our cafeterias.