‘Override’ Class Of Belmont Educators Earn Professional Status

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Photo: The ‘Override” Class of newly minted professional educators.

A quiz of teachers gathered at the Chenery Middle School on Tuesday, Oct. 9 to celebrate a milestone in their career; earning their professional teaching status in the Belmont public schools. Each in the group had successfully completed three years teaching or working with educators and had started their fourth school year last month.

And it’s a whopper of a class: 33 teachers and administrators by far the largest number of educators to earn professional status in the collective institutional memory of administrators attending the ceremony hosted by the Belmont School Committee. Mary Pederson, the schools director of human resources, said the number reflects both retirements and “that this year marks the first group of staff that was hired with the funds from the (2015) override we successfully passed.” 

“And I know the students and parents in the district … are grateful we have all of you out in the schools teaching classes and helping to keep our class sizes aren’t so big,” said Pederson. Superintendent John Phelan and School Committee Chair Susan Burgess-Cox greeted and presented each attending educator with a small gift

The educators are:

  • Elizabeth Baker, Belmont High, Director of Science
  • David Beebe, Chenery, Technology Engineering
  • Maria Bonfiglio, Burbank, Special Education
  • Jane Brandt, Chenery, ESL
  • Lauren Chancey, Winn Brook, Grade 2
  • Robyn Cohen, Chenery, Guidance Counselor
  • Abbie Dufault, Butler, Grade 1
  • Kate Ebdon, Wellington, Grade 2
  • Laura Fink, Burbank, Grade 2
  • Ezra Flam, Belmont High, Theater Arts
  • Caeli Fraher, Winn Brook, Grade 1
  • Timothy Glick, Chenery, Math, Grade 8
  • Jonathan Golden, Chenery, Math, Grade 7
  • David Gonzales, Chenery, Health+Physical Education
  • Anna Guastella, Belmont High, English
  • Jenna Judge, Wellington, Grade 1
  • Catrina Knapp, Chenery, Grade 5, Math/Science
  • Megan Marincic, Winn Brook, ESL
  • Kimberly Masterson, Belmont High, English
  • Kathryn McLeod, Belmont High, Technology Engineering
  • Stephanie Messing, Butler, Grade 2
  • Aaron Ogilvie, Wellington, Grade 4
  • Mark Olowinski, Belmont High, Math
  • Jessica Pulido, Belmont High, Math
  • Jennifer Scranton, Elementary, Science Facilitator
  • Erin Severy, Wellington, Grade 4
  • Jamie Shea, Belmont High, Social Studies
  • Cynthia St. Clair, Wellington, Grade 3
  • Leslie Sullivan, Belmont High, French and Spanish
  • Crystal Waters, Chenery, Math, Grade 6
  • Grace Yegen, Chenery, ESL

Belmont Volleyball Wins Thriller in Winchester, Battles Reading For Co-Title Tuesday

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Photo: What winners look like; Belmont in five sets over Winchester

It was a struggle, it was a war and there was nothing that anyone was giving away.

The volleyball match between Belmont and Winchester highs was between 13 win contestants with a chance to take a share of a league title, an opportunity that each squad would not surrender without a drag out, back and forth shootout.

And at the end of the day, it was Belmont taking the emotional marathon match from host Winchester, 3 sets to 2, (18-25, 25-21, 25-22, 10-25, 19-17) with the final set ending with Belmont saving a game point with a soft tip shot to an outside spot by senior co-captain/middle blocker Jane Mahon before winning it with a service ace from senior opposite hitter Gabby Viale.

“We were on fire!” said Mahon whose blocking and kills were critical in Belmont controling the front of the net. But Mahon praised the entire team – Belmont’s Head Coach Jen Couture uses a slew of players throughout the game – for its collective effort.

“My teammates were absolutely incredible tonight. Every single person on the court for Belmont gave it their all and refused to give in or give up as we rolled into overtime,” said Mahon, who is one of the top players in kill percentage in the state.

Both teams came into Friday’s game at 11-2 in league play with Winchester with a 13-5 and Belmont a 13-2 over all record. The Sachems coming off a statement win over Reading, shutting out the Rockets, 3-0, at home a week before.

Belmont took two sets after dropping the first. The Sachems then responded to the home crowd’s enthusiastic urging to push the Marauders to a take it all fifth set.

Belmont started off on the front foot by taking a 4-0 lead “but Winchester was not giving up. And from then on it was close battle,” said Mahon. The the Sachems took a late lead and were a point from taking the game at 12 -14.

“Then we sided out and senior setter Mindee Lai served to tie it at 14-14. Then it was back and forth,” said Mahon. Belmont would survive a pair of game winning serves (the final one at 16-17) by Winchester leading to the final two points and the win. (Start the video at 1:58:00 to see the final points of the game.)

Friday’s win sets up a showdown with Middlesex Liberty leader Reading Memorial High (14-2, 13-1) on Tuesday, Oct. 23. A Belmont win, on Seniors Night at Wenner Field House, will give Belmont a share of the title lead with two games remaining this week. If the Marauders than takes a victory over Arlington, they will be league co-champions, the first time Belmont Volleyball will raise a championship banner. 

Back on Sept. 25, Reading beat the visiting Marauders, 3 to 1. 

But on Friday night, Mahon and her teammates thoughts was on one of the biggests victories in Belmont volleyball’s history. 

“I just have to say, this is one night we will all remember. I’m so lucky to have such talent on the floor with me,” said Mahon.

Opening Reception For Belmont Gallery of Art’s The Emotion Of Color Friday, Oct. 19

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Photo: “Oceanlife” Nedret Andre

THE EMOTION OF COLOR; ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM IN THE 21ST CENTURY opens Friday, Oct. 19 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a reception for the public at the Belmont Gallery of Art, third floor of the Homer Building, 19 Moore St. in the Town Hall complex.

The show runs from Oct. 19 to Nov. 30.

This latest Belmont Gallery of Art show features contemporary abstract art by four well-known artists; Susie White, Jeanne Arthur, Kirsten Reynolds and Nedret Andre. The show centers around the theme of emotional connection to color and venue in contemporary art. These four abstract artists together in one gallery will be a visual delight, with powerful images filled with color and light viscerally connecting us to our collective emotions. They are linked through their shared inspiration from the natural world, their innovation, their boldness, their immense talents and the emotional core of their work.                                                                                                                                                                            

The show is curated by Chris Arthur. Please join the artists and the gallery in seeing this remarkable show.

For more information, please contact the Belmont Gallery of Art via its Facebook page.

Belmont Boosters Plus Belmont Savings Brings In $27K (So Far) On ‘B’ Drive

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Photo: “B” Drive: Boosters annual fundraiser.

Going out in teams and pairs, Belmont High athletes took the town for the annual Belmont Booster’s “B” Drive on Sunday, Oct. 14.

And according to Larry Christofori, Boosters president, this year’s fundraiser generated approximately $19,500, which compares favorably to last year’s total of about $17,500. The amount reached allowed the group to achieve a full $7,500 “match-fund” from the Belmont Savings Bank Foundation, making the total for the one day event to $27,000. 

Also, Christofori said the historically the Boosters can expect to generate another $4,000-5,000 in mail-in donations, putting the total somewhere in the neighborhood of $32,000.

“Thanks so much to all of you for your help and  who ran an incredibly efficient and tight ship in leading this effort for the Boosters,” said Christofori.

Letter To The Editor: Until There Is Accountability, A ‘No’ Vote On New High School

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Photo: A No until accountability

To The Editor:

I am not going to argue whether we need a new school. I am concerned about the people on the committee and our past debacles.

Wellington Elementary School
1. full before it was finished being built.
2. Neighbor Noise issues (as a side the building committee rolled there eyes even thought the residents were correct and the town eventually after finally listening did something about it).
3. Sound proofing – the school was finally fixed this year for the noise between classrooms and it actually caused a new sound issue in the principals office that has to be corrected.
4. It’s made of wood and is already in need of repair.

Trash Dumpsters
For some reason the committees never take this into account. There was an issue at the Burbank. At the Chenery the solution was to line up barrels in the hallways until the fire chief said it was a safety issue

This is the third high school in 75 years I believe. And the in-all-seriousness Bill Lovallo, the chair of the building committee made a comment that this school should last 50 years. Now I am sure it was said with the best of intentions but with proper maintenance and upkeep, shouldn’t a building last more than 50 years?

Speaking of upkeep, what is the maintenance plan for this building? Are estimated costs for the future? For example, what is the boilers life span? Will there be money in replace [them] when the time comes and not let them be fixed with band aids?

Did you know the building committee decided to take down the [White] Field House in front of the hockey rink? The one where just a few years ago people donated to have new lockers put in with name plates? Not to mention the decision was made without consulting the Recreation Department who uses an office there (and to my knowledge had not been told of their new location) or that that building is also use for IT equipment for wiring around the field and rink (sorry I don’t know the technical terms).

Now I completely appreciate the time and effort that the people on these committees make but its the same people committee after committee. Who picks them? The Town Moderator. I am curious if anyone has been turned down from a committee or if truly no one else has asked to be on it. What we need is an actual plumber, HVAC and general contractor on the committee as they know the codes and can pick things up when reviewing plans. To me not having those on the board is irresponsible.

Finally, one of major concerns is the fiscal responsibility of the committee. Once the money is received from the Massachusetts School Building Authority and from the town, the committee has oversight. The committee does have have to answer to anyone else, not the town administrator or the town selectmen. How long has the Wellington been done and the board is still in existence and still spending money (granted it is to correct problems but really, should it have taken this long).

Until I can get assurances that we are not going down the same road we always do, whether we need it or not, I will vote no.

Lisa Boyajian

Committee OKs Design For Renovation of DPW Building; Bids Out In 2019

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Photo:Belmont DPW building which will be renovated and undergo construction in 2019.

During the winter of 2019-20, there will be one big difference when the first storm blows through Belmont; the crews plowing the snow will finally have a place they WANT to come to take their break.

On Tuesday, Oct. 16, the Department of Public Works/Belmont Police Department Building Committee approved a final design plan for the renovation of the DPW building at the Town Yard off C Street.

“We are very happy, ecstatic really,” said Marcotte, director of the town’s DPW, who had been pushing the renovation/construction along with Committee Chair Anne Marie Mahoney who has been the champion of improving the deteriorating infrastructure at the DPW and Police Headquarters at the corner of Pleasant Street and Concord Avenue.

Mahoney has for years advanced the cause of these “orphan” projects – as they had no natural supporters among residents – with the idea of making repairs to the structures so “to create a humane conditions for our employees.”

Bids on the $1,189,000 project – paid out of the town’s operating budget so it did not require a debt exclusion which was approved by the Town Meeting in May – will be going out in February and awarding the contract in March. The work would not start until April after the winter weather has finished, said Michael Santoro, manager of the DPW’s Highway Division.

It will take about six months to renovate and add to the interior of the 70-year-old building with the construction of locker rooms, showers and laundry space, room for training and quiet rest and a small amount of office space. Renovations to the existing area will provide a more suitable kitchen and break room space and additional restrooms. 

The committee selected the third of three design schemes presented by The Galante Architecture Studio of Cambridge. See design plans below; an overall view of the work on top with a more detailed view below.

Design plans continue for the police station that will under go construction of a large addition and significant interior renovation.

While the makeover is nearly a year away from completion, the head of the DPW said his team is eagerly awaiting the “new” building.

“The crews are especially appreciative,” said Marcotte

Final Day To Register To Vote In State Election On Wednesday, Oct 17

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Photo: The last day to register is Oct. 17.

It’s down to the wire for those residents who want to register to vote in the coming State Election on Tuesday, Nov. 6 – which will include the debt exclusion for the new 7-12 Belmont High School – as the final day is Wednesday, Oct. 17.

The Belmont Town Clerk’s Office will accomindate those residents who work by staying open until 8 p.m. on Wednesday to handle the procastinators. 

Residents can also submit their online voter registration form to the Massachusetts Secretary of State for the State Election by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday.

Special Town Meeting Warrant Opens Tuesday, Closes Wednesday

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Photo: A Brookline town meeting warrant from the time of Belmont incorporation in the late 1850s.

The Belmont Board of Selectmen voted at their Monday, Oct. 15 meeting on the dates in which the warrant for the Special Town Meeting beginning Nov. 13 will be open and closed.

The Special warrant will open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 16 and close a day later on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 4 p.m.

The most prominent of the eight article coming before “the special” is the authorization to borrow $213 million to construct a new 7-12 High School. The overlay district maps for adult retail marijuana sales and South Pleasant Street will be on the warrant along with changing the tax deferral for seniors from 8 to 4.5 percent, a Community Preservation Act off-cycle request for $400,000 for design work on the Alexander Avenue underpass, an extension of the DPW/Belmont Police Committee and a pair of financial issues.

The warrant is a document issued by the Board of Selectmen to call a town meeting. Warrants are essentially a list of items to be voted on by the approximately 300 Town Meeting Members which represents the residents in Belmont’s eight precincts.

The selectmen and town committees, boards and staff can place an article in the warrant. Residents can also insert an article on the warrant through the citizen’s petitions process. In a special town meeting, the citizen petitioner must gather 200 signatures to be accepted. Once received by the town clerk, the selectmen have 45 days to call a special town meeting or place it in the warrant of an existing town meeting. 

After the warrant is closed on Wednesday, the selectmen will meet with Town Moderator Micheal Widmer this coming Monday to determine the order the articles will be taken up and if there are any issues pertaining to conflicts with any of the articles. 

Beech Street Center’s Annual Holiday Craft Fair Saturday, Nov. 17

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Photo: Annual Craft Fair set for Nov. 17.

Mark your calendars for the 2018 Beech Street Craft Fair which will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech Street.

Forty-seven artisans will display and sell their crafts, including a wide variety of handcrafted jewelry, greeting cards, knit items, quilts, photography, pottery, soaps and candles, holiday decorations, and other handmade items. The Craft Fair is open to the public. Donation at the door is $1.00; children under 12 are free. Parking is free.

This is a fun time for those of all ages in the Belmont community and other local communities to do some early holiday shopping and support local craftspeople. Please tell your friends and plan to attend.

For more info, please contact Graystreet@aol.com.

Letter To The Editor: Where You Learn Matters

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Photo: The proposed 7-12 High School.

To the editor:

As a teacher, I’d like to believe that I’m equally effective in every classroom. In reality, the space I teach in matters a lot, and my students don’t have the same quality of experience in a cramped classroom as they do in an airy one. Over the years, I’ve frequently taught in rooms where the seats are bolted to the floor. On a tour this week at Belmont High School, I was disappointed to discover the high school also has a few rooms designed this way. As a veteran history teacher, I can assure you that it is really difficult to foster active learning in rooms where you can’t move the furniture.

When I’ve had the opportunity to teach in more flexible spaces, the difference has been palpable. My favorite room has movable tables that can be brought together to form seminar tables big enough to support the kind of large format documents – broadsides, posters or maps – I love to see students pore over. But the tables can also be subsequently separated into smaller tables for individual or partnered work. The room is flanked by whiteboards, which allow groups to work out problems visually. It’s a joy to teach, and to learn, in this room.

Belmont High School has no spaces conducive to hands-on, project-based learning. Yet studies have confirmed over and again that this is the best way to learn. Our dedicated teachers know this, which is why they send students out into the hallway to use the floor as a table. Still, a noisy hallway is only marginally more conducive to learning than a room with seats bolted to the floor.

Most of us find it hard to concentrate in noisy environments, and few of us learn well by sitting passively. Fortunately, there’s a solution. The need to replace the aging and inadequate high school offers Belmont the opportunity to build a middle and high school with spaces that can change as teaching and learning do, while freeing up more space for hands-on learning at all levels, K-12. The state of Massachusetts agrees this is pedagogically sound and has offered $80 million toward construction costs if Belmont votes to fund the remaining expenses. Please join me Tuesday, Nov. 6 in voting Yes on Question 4.

Mary Lewis

Randolph Street