Belmont

At the June 23 School Committee meeting, the Committee voted to increase fees for participation in student activities at Chenery Upper Elementary (CUE) and Belmont Middle School (BMS) (June 23rd CUE & BMS Activities Fee Presentation). This decision was made in order to sustain the quality and breadth of our student activities for students at BMS and CUE.

The fee increase will help ensure that we can:

• Provide the necessary funding to support the full range of student activities.

• Preserve these opportunities in the face of general fund reductions for FY26.

The fee increases reflect the rising costs associated with running these activities. (The last time these fees were reviewed was about 15 years ago.) The new fee amounts below will start in the 2025-2026 school year.

• CUE After-School Activities - $220

  • Community Service Club, Courtyard Club, Cross Country, Grade 5 Theater Arts, Math Team, Math Club, School Newspaper, Spring Musical, Student Council, Theater Arts

• BMS After-School Activities - $220

  • Basketball, Challenger Geometry, Coding Club, Community Service, Cross Country, GSA, IDEAS Club, Math Club, National History Day Club, Science Olympiad, Student Council, Chamber Singers, Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, Winds, Double-Bass Ensemble, Theater

We recognize that any increase in fees will have an impact on families, particularly those with financial constraints. To support equitable access, the district is streamlining the fee waiver system to make it more accessible and responsive to family needs. Families who qualify based on income and household size may be eligible for partial or full waivers, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent students from participating in these important programs.

Our after-school offerings are designed to inspire students beyond the classroom—encouraging creativity, peer connection, and learning experiences that nurture their overall development. We are dedicated to ensuring all students have access to these experiences, while upholding the tradition of excellence that has defined our extracurricular programming for years.

We remain committed to supporting student activities as an important  part of our students’ educational experience and appreciate your partnership in this effort.