Hard to believe it is already October, and we are approaching Columbus Day.  Perhaps you are going "leaf-peeping", apple picking or to a soccer or football game during the long weekend.  Whatever is on your agenda, I wish you all a great holiday. Below is the newsletter with the many teaching and learning and school activities through the end of the month.

Quote of the Month:  “A capacity, and taste, for reading, gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others. It is the key, or one of the keys, to the already solved problems. And not only so. It gives a relish, and facility, for successfully pursuing the [yet] unsolved ones.” 

― Abraham Lincoln

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

At our October 6, 2015 School Committee meeting we discussed and presented on the issue of Food Service, Enrollment, Class Size, and FY16 Budget Allocations.

Food Service - Food Service Director Dustin O’Brien was on hand to present on his department and the work he and his team has been doing over the last two years.  We are excited to announce some of those highlights like the use of local farm to table produce from Belmont Acres, the partnership with Iggy’s Bread and “No Meat Mondays” options for students and staff.  Dustin outlined the success of his program by providing the data on the increase in meals served, thus generating needed income to purchase new equipment for his staff.  This new equipment will give the Food Service staff the tools to continually improve the quality of nutritional meals and service to our children.  Great Stuff – Thank you to the entire Belmont Public Schools Food Service Department.  See the full presentation here.

Enrollment - The enrollment in the Belmont Public Schools has increased by a net amount of 81 students.  This brings the five year total to an increase of 426 students over the last five years.  Given our projections (outlined in the presentation) we anticipate another 374 students by 2019 (three school years) to bring the total amount of new students to 800 during this time frame.  The Belmont Public Schools will meet with a Space Task Force to review the enrollment data, discuss short term space needs and solutions as well discuss a three to seven year plan to address our space and enrollment needs. Here is a link to the Enrollment 2015 Presentation.

Class Size - The school administration presented on the issue of class size at each of our school levels (Here is the link to the Class Size 2015 Presentation).  We are very appreciative for the override funds provided to our school this year as those funds helped decrease class size at all levels in some areas.  Given the influx of students over the past five year we still have concerns at each level with class size – but we are making good progress.

FY16 Budget Allocation - We have discussed the FY16 budget several times this year but we again presented on this topic at School Committee.  It is important for the school department to be transparent about how we expended the override funds.  Please see the attached 2015/2016 Budget and Personnel presentation. During our enrollment presentation we discussed how the increase in our student population has impacted several areas of our school department – class size, space, budget, and transportation as examples.  We would like to let you know that the feedback you have provided around our transportation challenges – especially at the Chenery Middle School - have been heard. The business office will be updating parents on some positive steps to improve your child’s bus ride. Please keep an eye out for an email from Director of Finance Anthony DiCologero in the next few days.  I want to thank Tony and Donna Pini of our Business Office for their attention and problem solving efforts on this important topic.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

• September 30 was a half day professional day that kicked off our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) initiative in every school.  Assistant Superintendent Janice Darias and I went to every school to observe and take part in the SEL training done by the SEL building teams at each school. It was a great afternoon of work throughout the district.  The principals and their teacher-led teams did an incredible job.  I am truly impressed and proud of the SEL work we are taking on as a district. 
• Assistant Superintendent Janice Darias and I are conducting "Learning Walks" during the school year. We are doing this to support our principals in their instructional leadership work as well as get first-hand knowledge of what is happening in our classrooms as it relates to teaching and learning.  These walks are useful in that we can use these visits to shape and guide our work with the Leadership Council.
• Recently I met with the PTO/PTA presidents of each of our six schools.  This is an effort for us to meet as a district-wide group more often.  I spoke about our SEL initiative and our Strategic Plan, our enrollment pressures and the subsequent pressures on space and transportation--we will continue to monitor this situation.
• For the first time, the College Board is requiring the PSAT exam be administered during the school day on October 14.  In the past, the exam has been offered on a Saturday.  The College Board says the change will help avoid calendar, transportation or extracurricular activities conflicts, and will allow students a chance to practice and get familiar with the test format before taking the new SAT in March of 2016.  See more information on the College Board website and on BHS Principal Dan Richard's website. 

MCAS RESULTS FOR SPRING 2015 TEST TAKING PERIOD

Grade 10 students (class of 2017, current 11^th grade) took MCAS in English and Math. In both subjects there is a slight increase this year in the number of students earning advanced. In English, 99% of the students scored proficient or advanced; in math, 97% scored proficient or advanced.

Grade 9 students (class of 2018, current 10^th grade) took the Introductory Physics MCAS. There also an increase this year in the number of students earning advanced in this subject, with 97% of the students scoring proficient or advanced.

Grades 5 and 8 students took the Science and Technology/Engineering MCAS. The 8^th grade results are relatively unchanged for the last four years. This year 76% earned proficient or advanced. In 5^th grade we saw an increase in the number of students earning proficient or advanced in the 2014 results (81%), while the 2015 results were similar to previous years with 71% earning proficient or advanced. Science has been and will continue to be an area of focus for the district. (See Initiative A5 in the district Strategic Plan) We began our work on science curricula revisions and updates with the release of the revised ELA Frameworks in late 2010, which include nonfiction reading and writing in science. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is preparing to release revised state frameworks later this year, and we have already begun planning next steps for updating our curricula, especially K-8.

We are very fortunate in Belmont to have such skilled educators as well as curriculum and school leaders. These MCAS scores are the result of their dedication and focus on teaching and learning for all students.

Our students in grades 3 through 8 took PARCC tests in English and mathematics. The DESE said we will have those results in November or December. The statewide results that were released yesterday only included scores of students who took the test on a computer. All of our students took the test on paper.

ATHLETICS

BHS Girls Varsity Soccer Coach Paul Graham recorded his 300th career victory on September 24 when the Girls’ soccer team defeated Lexington by a score of 1-0.

On Saturday October 10 the “1975 State Champion” BHS Boys Soccer team will be recognized at half time at the Belmont vs. Watertown Varsity Boys Soccer match. The match will be played on Belmont’s Harris Field and gets underway at 9:00 a.m.

On September 23 the MIAA notified Belmont High of placement on the 2014-2015 MIAA Sportsmanship Honor Roll. This honor is only given to schools athletic programs at all levels that have not had any student-athlete or coach disqualified/ suspended from an athletic contest during the 2014-2015 school year.

Late this fall BHS was notified that current BHS Senior Baseball player Cole Bartels was selected as a Boston Globe All Scholastics.

GOOD NEWS

• The BPS would like to thank the Foundation for Belmont Education (FBE) for their incredible support.  This year the FBE has fully funded the BPS district-wide focus on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL).  The FBE has provided $37,000 for professional development, facilitation work, resource books, and presentations. We thank them for their continued innovative approach to supporting our students and teachers and for being a generous partner.
• More than 730 runners signed up in the two FBE Dan Scharfman races, including yours truly.  There were participants from across every grade from the Belmont Public Schools.  The event raised more than $20,000 which will go towards the Dan Scharfman Education Innovation Fund.  See pictures and more on our website.
• Food Service Director Dustin O'Brien began a breakfast program at Butler, joining Wellington and BHS who currently run this program.  A nutritious breakfast is available to students with a rotating menu of bagels with cream cheese, cereal, fruit, yogurt, cheese sticks, carrots, cinnamon rolls, milk and juice.  A hot breakfast is offered once a week.  See the Food Services website or call them for more information.
• More than a hundred people comprised of students, their families and faculty, enjoyed al fresco dining in Underwood Park at the Wellington Welcome Picnic. Principal Amy Spangler says the turnout was great, and thanks all of the teachers and staff members who came and made it a special event. See pictures and more on our website.
• The second annual Butler Fun Run is on October 16 during school hours between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.  The run is a fundraiser to support the PTA in-school enrichment activities. Each grade runs or walks for 20 minutes on a course created by Physical Education Teacher Ted Trodden. Last year, the PTA monetary goal was exceeded which meant Principal Michael McAllister and P.E. Teacher Trodden had to make good on a pledge to dress up as superheros during the run.  For more information see the Butler Facebook page.
• BHS Real World Career Night saw 120 students show up to speak with 48 young career professionals who volunteered their time on September 21.  Conceived and organized by Tess Hayner, a BHS senior this year, this is the second year of the event, and the most well-attended by both students and professionals. The format was for each student to have six to seven minutes with a half dozen young professionals, and they had to sign up early for registration and to get matched.  Guidance Counselor James Brown called the night "amazing".  Some of the professions represented were dermotologist, speech pathologist, IT analyst, photographer, landscape architect, radio producer, lawyer, journalist, bio-engineer to name a few.  Great idea, congratulations to Tess Hayner and all those who made it a successful night.

SAVE THE DATE

• This is a great event not to be missed--here is information from Director of Fine and Performing Arts Arto Asadoorian:  In what has become a Halloween tradition in Belmont, the BHS Bands will present the annual Masquerade Concert on Wednesday, October 28. The concert will feature all three of the BHS Bands performing a wide selection of Halloween-themed music. The audience will be terrified by some of John Williams’ spookiest film scores, exhilarated by the heroic themes of masked superheroes and caped crusaders, and awestruck by the ferocious comedy that is Eric Whitacre’s masterwork, GODZILLA EATS LAS VEGAS!

  The Masquerade Concert is a perfect event for the entire family, including children of all ages. The concert will begin promptly at 7 pm with a runtime of about one hour. Audience members are strongly encouraged to help set the tone of the evening by wearing their Halloween costumes. Please plan to arrive early enough to visit the HAUNTED HOUSE in the BHS Cafeteria, sponsored by the BHS Student Leadership Council. The Haunted House will open at 5 pm. There will be separate entrances:  A non-scary version for younger children, and a spookier attraction for those who are more adventurous.

  Admission to the Masquerade Concert is FREE. There is $5 suggested donation to enter the Haunted House, with proceeds to be used by the BHS Student Leadership Council.
• Friends of the Belmont Public Library Annual Fall Book Sale is on Saturday, October 17 (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), and Sunday, October 18 (1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) with a preview sale on Friday, October 16 for Superfriends and Benefactors held in the Library Flett and Assembly rooms.  For more information on the sale and how to become a Superfriend and/or Benefactor, see the Library website here.
• Belmont High School in Collaboration with McLean Hospital presents "The College Transition What to Expect".  The presenters are Stephanie Pinder-Amaker, PhD and Catherine Bell, PhD on October 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Little Theater--admission is free.  See more about the speakers and upcoming events on the BHS website.
• The first Monday of each month the Butler PTA will collect can s and bottles at the end of the teacher parking lot, corner of the playground.  The PTA returns them to the Waverley Redemption Center in Waltham and gets a check each month. Please contact the Butler PTA if you want to volunteer or for more information.
• "Recognizing & Responding to Stressors, Pressures in Middle School Girls" is at the Chenery on October 20 at 7:00 p.m.  Dr. Lisa Machoian, EdD, author and expert on child and adolescent mental health, will be speaking about the increasing external stressors girls in middle school are under and how parents can recognize signs and signals of distress and how to help girls learn how to cope. This is brought to you by the Health & Wellness Committee partnership with the BPS and the Belmont Health Department. 
• Belmont Food Collaborative is holding a "Community dialogue on Healthy Food & Activity" on October 18, at the Beech street Center at 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  They will be exploring ways to promote healthy living in Belmont. See their website for more information.

CALENDAR

Below are some the numerous events for October.  Please check the schools websites and communications for more events and any changes in dates, time, and/or venues:

DATE/TIME - PLACE/EVENT

10/12 - All Schools Closed for Columbus Day Holiday

10/13 - Chenery Picture Day

10/14 - 7:00 p.m. - BHS Little Theater - BHS in Collaboration with McLean Hospital present "The College Transition What to Expect"

10/16 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Outside - Butler Fun Run PTA Fundraiser

10/16  - 6:00 p.m. - Cafeteria - Butler Movie Night - Showing of the movie "Big Hero 6".  Bring pillows, blankets or sleeping bags to sit on. Pizza, drinks, snacks and popcorn will be available for purchase and you can pre-order pizza online.  Contact the PTA for more information. Parent or guardian must accompany their children to movie night

10/16 & 10/17 - 7:00 p.m. - BHS Little Theater - Broadway Night

10/17 - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Chenery - Influenza Vaccines will be available to Belmont residents who are five years and older. There is a limited amount of the Vaccine available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a second location on October 21 at the Temple Beth El.  For further information, please contact the Belmont Health Department at 617-993-2720

10/18 - 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Beech Street Center @ 266 Beech Street in Belmont - Belmont Food Collaborative on healthy living in Belmont.

10/20 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Chenery Auditorium - "Recognizing & Responding to Stressors, Pressures in Middle School Girls".

10/20 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Chenery Cafeteria - Grades 7 and 8 Dance

10/21 - Middle School Early Release

10/22 - 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Chenery Cafeteria - Pasta dinner for fifth graders and their families; $8 per person or $30 max. per family

10/28 -  7:00 p.m. for concert, house viewing prior - BHS - The second annual Masquerade Concert with Haunted House

10/28 - Elementary and Middle School Early Release