Online Registration Coming for Incoming Kindergartners; 1-12 Students New to Belmont

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Photo: Belmont Public Schools.

The Belmont Public Schools is holding Online Registration beginning on Feb. 8 for the Fall of 2018 for incoming Kindergarten students and Grades 1-12 Families New to Belmont.

After completing this step, parents will be notified via email of the next step in the registration process.

To enter Kindergarten, the child must be five years old on or before Sept. 1 of the year they will attend school. To enter Grade 1, the child must be six years old on or before Sept. 1 of the year they will attend school.

Proof of residency is required.

Kindergarten Parent Information Night for School Year 2018-2019

A general information program for parents of incoming kindergarten students is scheduled as follows. Please go to your district school open house, as the curriculum covered is applicable to all elementary schools.

Please note: Kindergarten Parent Information Night is for Adults Only.

  • Burbank: Thursday, March 29 at 6 p.m.
  • Butler: Thursday, March 22 at 6 p.m.
  • Wellington: Thursday, March 22 at 5:30 p.m.
  • Winn Brook: Thursday, March 29 at 6:00 p.m.

Future of New High School Takes Shape Tuesday With Decisions On Configuration, Design

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Photo: The bowtie design for the new Belmont High School favored by many.

The future of a proposed new Belmont High School will become more evident today, Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. as both the shape and scope of the building going forward will be decided by members of the school committee and the group overseeing the building project.

Tonight, the School Committee and the Belmont High School Building Committee will come together in a joint meeting at the Wellington Elementary School’s cafeteria to approve what grades will be educated in the school and the design of the building.

The School Committee will first debate and then vote on the project’s grade configuration, selecting from one of three choices: the traditional 9th to 12 grade, an 8th to 12th grade set up, and an expanded school incorporating 7th to 12th grades. 

After that decision is made, the Building Committee will vote on one of four designs comprised of three site strategies: all new construction, major renovation with minor new addition and two approaches that are minor renovation and significant new construction. 

While the two committees facing a wide array of configurations and designs, over the past four months the groups have gravitated towards favorites in shape and scope. After financial analysis from the Belmont School Department demonstrating the traditional 9th to 12th and 8th to 12th schools would not solve the skyrocketing enrollment deficit in Belmont, the group has moved toward supporting a 7th to 12th-grade configuration as it would not require a significant second round of funding to renovate existing schools or requires the building of a new K-4 elementary school.

In going with a 7th to 12th-grade design, the building will rather large at approximately 423,000 sq.-ft, (more than two and a half times the size of the Bradford development in Cushing Square) housing 2,215 students as opposed to a 9th to 12th school at 312,000 sq.-ft. with 1,470 pupils.

As for the future design, both public and building committee feedback has moved towards a major new structure that incorporates the existing Wenner Field House and Higgenbottom Pool as all new construction would require the school to be close to Concord Avenue and residential neighborhoods and require building a new gym and pool without the support of the Massachusetts School Building Authority which is currently putting up nearly 40 percent of acceptable construction cost. A major renovation with new additions abutting Clay Pit Pond would take longer to build and have the highest impact on students as it would require moving pupils from the area.

Of the pair of designs leading the pack, the one known as “the bowtie” (known as “C.2.4”) with extended wings reaching out to the east and west has received the most positive reaction over the other major new construction and minor renovation design which now has a distinctive “L” shape. 

See the four designs and statistics for each here.

 

Chenery Middle School Talent Show This Wednesday, Jan. 24

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Photo: This Wednesday.

The 6th annual Chenery Middle School Talent Show is Wednesday, Jan. 24 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the school’s Auditorium.

The talent show is a wonderful opportunity for Chenery students and staff to share their many talents and be a part of a community-building event. Students get to showcase their passions and develop their confidence and grit as they perform in front of their peers.

Tickets are $10 and directly support the Grade 8 Washington DC Trip Scholarship Fund. Tickets are available for purchase at Moozy’s (corner of Belmont and Trapelo), Champions Sports in Belmont Center, and the night of the show. Students may also purchase tickets directly from Mr. Dyer in room 117. Concessions will be sold during intermission by the Chenery Middle School PTO.

Free NARCAN® Training for Belmont Residents This Thursday

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Photo: NARCAN nasal spray.

Free NARCAN® Training for Belmont residents will take place on Thursday, Jan. 18 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room. This training is sponsored by the Belmont Substance Use Coalition.

If you, or someone you love, has been prescribed an opioid, such as oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percoset), hydrocodone (Vicodin), or hydromorphone (Dilaudid), or if you know someone who struggles with opioid addiction, come get trained on the use of this life-saving medication.

NARCAN® (naloxone HCl) is a nasal form of naloxone, approved by the FDA for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose – it counteracts the life-threatening effects of the overdose. Since most accidental overdoses occur in a home setting, it was developed for use by first respondents, as well as family, friends, and caregivers.

Space at this free training is limited to 25 people, so reserve your spot now, by sending an email request to: Lisa_Gibalerio@WaysideYouth.org.

‘A Woman’s Place’ Opening Wine Reception Sat. Jan. 13; Gallery Talk Sunday

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Photo: Poster for the show

The Belmont Gallery of Art, located on the third floor in the Homer Building in the Town Hall complex, is hosting a wine reception on Saturday, Jan. 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to celebrate the opening of the exhibits “A Woman’s Place” and “The House Dress Project”

The special exhibit of feminist and women’s stories by 14 women artists who address being female in the 21st century will run from Jan. 13 to March 10.

There will be Gallery Talk with Kimberly Becker, the special guest curator of the exhibit, on Sunday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m.

The gallery is located in the Homer Municipal Building, third floor, 19 Moore St., in Belmont Center.

House Dress by Kimberly Becker
Art by Eva Camacho

Stories Come Alive at Belmont World Film’s Family Festival This Holiday Weekend

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Photo: Windstorm and the Wild Horses

Belmont World Film holds its 15th annual Family Festival, “Where Stories Come Alive,” presented by Jackson-Walnut Park School and Henry Bear’s Park from Jan. 12 to 15, at the Regent Theatre in Arlington (5 Medford Street), Studio Cinema in Belmont (376 Trapelo Road), and Brattle Theatre in Cambridge (40 Brattle Street).

Twelve programs featuring more than 30 top animated and live action children’s films from around the world—many of which are making their international or North American premieres—plus a live version of WBUR’s “Circle Round” will be presented in English and other languages with subtitles from Belgium, Canada, Columbia, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and US. 

“In a world filled with memes and emojis, these films tell rich and unusual stories that don’t rely on special effects to create a sense of wonder,” says Belmont World Film Executive Director Ellen Gitelman.

“Furthermore, in an increasingly multicultural world, parents recognize the importance of fluency in more than one language The Family Festival offers children age 3-12 and their parents, grandparents, and friends the opportunity to hear and understand multiple languages in a fun and natural way.”

Each day revolves around a different theme:

  • Saturday is devoted to aquatic adventures,
  • Sunday to the animal kingdom, and
  • Monday to the heroes in our midst in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Many films are based on children’s literature, including: Zip & Zap and the Captain’s Island, based on the Spanish comic book series; Tales from the Lakeside, an animated coming-of-age film from Hungary based on a book by Judit Berg; and Hedgehog’s Home, an unusual stop-motion short film constructed completely out of felt that is based on a story by Czech writer Branko Copic.

The festival also features short animated films based on children’s books from Weston Woods Studios, including the New England premieres of several newer books, such as 2017 Caldecott Medal winner They All Saw a Cat narrated by John Lithgow, Mo Willems’ popular books such as Knuffle Bunny, and books about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr. Other festival films include stories about spies, reindeer herding, wild horses, brave boats, children overcoming disabilities, and child refugees.

 

SATURDAY, JAN. 13, at the Studio Cinema 

What’s New from Weston Woods Studios, including 2017 Caldecott Medal winner They All Saw A Cat narrated by John Lithgow, Friendshape, Wolfie the Bunny, Duck on a Tractor, Leo: A Ghost Story, School’s First Day of School, and Mother Bruce (10:30 AM, Age 3-8, New England premieres).

Anchors Up: Boat to the Rescue, an original story from Norway about a young rescue boat from a small village that gets promoted to chief rescue boat in a big city harbor and helps to save the world with the help of his village friends (12:00, Age 3-8, International premiere).

Tales from the Lakeside, an animated coming-of-age tale from Hungary, adapted from Judit Berg’s book about the Verdies, the tiny but brave guardians of the lake. (1:30 PM, Age 5-9, East Coast premiere). 

Zip and Zap and the Captain’s Island, a mystery and an adventure about Spanish comic book brothers Zip and Zap, who discover that their parents’ sudden disappearance is related to the mysterious secret behind the island and its curious inhabitants. (3:15 PM, Age 7-12).

SUNDAY, JAN. 15, at the Regent Theatre

WBUR presents: “Circle Round”, a live performance of WBUR’s new storytelling podcast for kids, featuring folktales from around the world, including the Yiddish folktale It Could Always Get Worse and the Romanian folktale Stella and the Dragon, as well as live music (10:30 AM, Age 4-10).

Mo Willems: Bunnies, Pigeons, Mole Rats, Alligators & Dinosaurs, Oh My!, featuring animated versions of the author’s most popular books, including Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed, That is Not a Good Idea, Hooray for Amanda & Her Alligator, and Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs. (11:45 AM, Age 3-8).

Cloudboy, about a shy skateboarder who lives with his father in Belgium, who reluctantly agrees to help herd reindeer during the summer in Lapland with his estranged mother, whose new family lives amongst the Sami, an indigenous reindeer-herding people. (1:15 PM, Age 8-12, East Coast premiere).

Windstorm and the Wild Horses, about a teenage horse whisperer who travels to Spain with her beloved black stallion, Windstorm, after she discovers the breed’s Spanish origins (3:00 PM, Age 7-18, North American premiere).

MONDAY, JAN. 15 at the Brattle Theatre

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., featuring Martin’s Big Words narrated by Michael Clarke Duncan, March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World by Dr. Christina King Farris, Rosa, and He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands (10:30 AM, Age 5-12).

Hero Steps, based on the true-life story of a courageous 10-year-old boy from Colombia with a passion for soccer, whose handicap won’t stop him from fulfilling his dream of playing soccer in an important tournament. Co-presented by Reelabilities Film Festival (12:00, Age 5-12, New England premiere).

Oskar’s America, about a 10-year-old boy who dreams of riding the prairies in America with his mother and attempts to row there from Norway to visit her in a rowboat. Co-presented by Bridges Together. (2:00 PM, Age 9-14, North American premiere).

Brave & Amazing Children, a benefit for the Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center featuring four short films that profile the lives of four child refugees (3:45 PM, Age 9-12, North American premieres).

Festival sponsors include: Jackson Walnut Park School and Henry Bear’s Park (Continent Sponsors); Dutch Culture USA and Boston Volvo Village (Nation Sponsors); German International School of Boston and Mass. Cultural Council (Province Sponsors); and Belmont Books, Belmont Day School, East Boston Savings Bank, Consulate General of Sweden, and Whole Foods (Capital Sponsors). Media sponsors include Boston Central and WBUR. Community partners include Bridges Together, Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, Reelabilities Film Festival, and the Scandinavian Cultural Center. 

Join Town at Belmont’s Annual MLK Breakfast Celebration Jan. 15

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Photo: MLK Jr.

The Belmont Human Rights Commission of Belmont and Belmont Against Racism (BAR) will host the 24th annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Breakfast Jan 15 at Belmont High School. This year’s speaker is State Rep. Byron Rushing, who since entering the Massachusetts legislature in 1982, has been a tireless advocate for human and civil rights.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Belmont High School Cafeteria, 221 Concord Ave. A continental breakfast will include pastries, fruit, and beverages.

Parking is free and the site is wheelchair accessible. Tickets may be purchased at the door or at Eventbrite or http://bit.ly/2BsZBBI. Tickets are $5 for individuals and $10 for families. There will be activities in the gym for children ages 5 to 10 and daycare will be provided for preschoolers.

All proceeds and donations will be given to the METCO fund which is used for late transportation for METCO high school students who participate in after-school activities at Belmont High School and across all Belmont schools for programs that bring our Boston and Belmont students together.

All are welcome and music will be provided by the Belmont High School Chorale Singers.

In the 1960’s, Rushing was involved in the civil rights movement and worked for the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), and was also a community organizer in Boston. From 1972 to 1985, he was president of the Museum of African American History in Boston, where he had an instrumental role in establishing the Boston African American National Historic Site. This became part of the National Park Service.

His many priorities and accomplishments include sponsoring legislation for ending homelessness; sponsoring the law for over-the-counter sale of sterile needles; and the law for establishing guidelines for hospitals in treating victims of violence.

From healthcare to housing to anti-discrimination legislation on all fronts, Rushing is a vocal leader. Not only did he sponsor the gay rights bill and the law to end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in public schools, he also is a champion for size acceptance and anti-discrimination on the basis of height and weight. A spokesman against the re-establishment of the death penalty in Massachusetts, Rushing is active in the Episcopal Church, where he was elected lay deputy to its General Convention.

Belmont Police Collecting Clothes For Cradles to Crayon Thru Jan. 15

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Photo: Logo for Cradles to Crayons.

The Belmont Police Department along with Brighton-based Cradles to Crayons will be holding a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Collection drive through Monday, Jan. 15 at 1 p.m.

A collection bin will be in the Belmont Police Department lobby at police headquarters at the corner of Pleasant Street and Concord Avenue across from Town Hall.

The police will be collecting new or like-new warm winter essentials for children up to 12 years old.

Items most needed are:

  • Winter Coats: boys and girls sizes newborn to adult medium
  • Winter Boots: boys and girls sizes child 0-13 and adult 1-10
  • Winter clothing: boys and girls sizes newborn to child 18/20 or adult medium

Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12 living in homeless or low-income situations with the essential items they need to thrive at home, at school and at play.

If you have questions about the drive please call Belmont Police Lt. Kristin Daley at 617-993-2554

Battling A Blizzard: A Talk With Belmont Highway’s Michael Santoro [Video]

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Photo: Trapelo Road, Belmont; 11:45 a.m.

Whether it’s a few inches to a foot or two, when snow covers Belmont’s streets, Mike Santoro is the town’s employee residents count on to keep the roads and parking areas clear and safe to travel.

With an anticipated 12 to 16 inches of the white stuff heading the town’s way today, Thursday, Jan. 4, Santoro, the long-time manager of the Belmont Department of Public Works’ Highway Division, will assemble up to 60 vehicles made up of town-owned trucks and contract ploughs to create a battle plan to open the town’s 78 miles of public roads.

The Belmontonian spoke to Santoro at the Town Yard just as the snow started coming down on Thursday.

Phone Numbers, Internet Sites To Have Handy During the Belmont Blizzard

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Photo: Numbers you’ll need to keep close-by during the blizzard.

With Thursday’s nor’easter forecast to bring a foot of drifting snow and steady sustained winds, residents who were anticipating a day of Netflix and cooking could find their homes in the dark due to down power lines or  localized flooding. 

Below are a few sites and phone numbers to keep close-by during the Belmont Blizzard “just in case.”

  • Call 911 only if the emergency is life threatening.
  • If the power goes out, call Belmont Light’s notification number at 617-993-2800. You can see the location of outages in Belmont on a real time map here.
  • A question about snowplowing on public streets? Call the DPW’s Highway Division 617-993-2690.
  • Everything you need to know about the storm and town resources can be found online at 
  • Get updates on all sorts of town information at the Belmont Police twitter page, https://twitter.com/BelmontPD, and at the Town Administrator’s site.