BHS PAC’s ‘Chicago’ Nominated for Best High School Production

June 2, 2017 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: One of the best show’s this year; BHS PAC’s “Chicago”

Belmont High’s Performing Arts Company’s production of the musical “Chicago” has been nominated as one of the top show produced by a high school this year.

Wednesday, May 31, the Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild announced nominations for its annual Musical Theater Awards and Chicago was nominated in several categories including:

Best Lighting Design and Execution
Best Stage Management
Best Student Orchestra
Best Dance Ensemble
Best Specialty Ensemble: The Featured Dancers
Best Featured Actress: Miriam Cubstead at Hunyak
Best Overall Production

“A huge congratulation goes first and foremost to the entire student cast and crew of the show,” said Ezra Flam, the high school’s Theater Specialist, and “Chicago”‘s Producer/Director

“As the Best Overall Production nomination indicates, every element of our show was strong, not just those that were nominated. It’s a testament to the hard work of all of our students who put so much of their time, energy and passion into the show,” he said.

Forty-eight high schools across the state submitted productions for consideration this year. Each production was seen by three adjudicators who scored the shows in some categories. In each category, the five or six highest scoring productions/individuals were nominated for their work, and five shows were selected by a panel as nominees for “Best Overall Production.”

Flam also congratulated and thanked the adults “whose contributions to the show and worked with the PAC is an essential part of what we do” including Allie Lutkevich, Vocal Director; JennyLifson, Choreographer; Paul Ketchen, Pit Band Director; Chris Fournier, Lighting Designer; Anna Moss, Scenic Designer; Ian O’Malley, Technical Director; and Lila West, costume designer.

“More than the public recognition, I am proud of the show and of the work of the Performing Arts Company as a whole. I am lucky to work every day with a wonderful group of students and colleagues,” said Flam.

The MET Award Ceremony will be held June 24 at the Cutler Majestic Theater in Boston. All the nominees are recognized, with an award presented to the top scoring school in each category.

Red, Bright and Cool: Belmont High’s PreProm Promenade 2017 [270 Photos]

May 22, 2017 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Red twirl.

Stunning prints, flowing gowns and lots of red. Traditional ties vs. the bow variety, muted-color suits and high-polished dress shoes.

But also tights over a suit coat, jackets of all patterns and texture, and casual footwear.

The annual Promenade that preceded the Belmont High School Senior/Junior Prom on Friday, May 19, was once again a spectacle of fancy dress wear that ranged from the classic – the black tux and Empress cut party gown – to the slightly daring (high-cut dresses) and those who took an original track on what to wear that evening.

Each couple, group or individual who crossed the Belmont High School auditorium’s stage was greeted with applause from the packed house as the students headed to Principal Dan Richards who assumed his traditional station at the stairs to assist anyone needing a hand.

[Editor: Sorry if I missed anyone in the photos. If you would like a jpg of one of the shots from this past Friday, just send an email to editor@belmontonian.com]

It’s Prom Tonight! Belmont High Promenade Begins At 4 PM-ish

May 19, 2017 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: How many proms can one young man attend?

Drive carefully through Belmont this afternoon as vehicles will be parked along roadways as residents haphazardly cross the street to get a good look at what’s happening.

Are people staring at the aftermath of an accident? Is a natural phenomenon occurring?

Nope, the gawking today is connected to an annual occurrence in which many teenagers are transformed from ultra casual to totally chic in Belmont’s version of “Fashion Week.”

Today is Belmont High School Senior/Junior Prom. It is also the final day of school for this year’s senior class.

What is becoming a great annual community event will begin at approximately 4 p.m. as the students attending the big dance will take part in the Pre-Prom Promenade, in which the high schoolers are “presented” before fawning parents, siblings, friends and the public in the Belmont High School auditorium. Get there early for the best seats.

The students will then head into the high school’s cafeteria for the “once over” by school officials before boarding buses to take them to a ritzy hotel in Newton for a night of dancing and fun.

Marching To Disney: Belmont Bands Heading to Orlando in Feb. ’18

May 17, 2017 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Something like this

Heading for the long-awaited visit to DisneyWorld – or possibly your annual trip to see Mickey Mouse in the humidity of Florida – during the winter recess in February 2018? If you’re planning to go, it’s a good chance you will be entertained by a pair of Belmont High musical groups.

Next year, it’s likely the Belmont High “Marching Marauders” and the school’s award-winning Jazz Collective – a bit more than 100 kids – will be heading to DisneyWorld during the winter doldrums on a six day, five-night educational performance tour of the Magic Kingdom.

The trip – which requires the OK from Belmont Superintendent John Phelan – is one of three Belmont students are taking next year. The other two approved last week by the School Committee (foreign travel requires a vote by the six-member committee to be approved) will be a week in June 2018 traveling, studying and performing community service in Peru for approximately 24 sophomores who passed Ancient World Civilization and a week in April 2018 going and studying in China for 20 students who are enrolled in a Chinese language course or taking Modern World History.

For the band trip – by far the largest next year – the musicians will be involved in two workshops at Disney which will result in a recording session, have an exchange clinic with a local school with an experienced marching program with the highlight of the visit will be performing in the daily parade at Disney Springs, the new shopping/eating “marketplace” (once known as Downtown Disney) just to the east of Epcot.

Annual Blacker Prizes in Writing To Be Awarded Wednesday

May 16, 2017 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: The Lillian Blacker Prizes to be awarded Wednesday.

The Belmont High School English Department will present the annual Lillian F. Blacker Prizes for Excellence in Writing on Wednesday, May 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the Peter Holland Library at Belmont High School.

This year, we will honor seniors Ethan Lai, Lily Tromanhauser, and Calvin Reinhardt-Ertman for their outstanding writing. Belmont residents are cordially invited to attend.

Family and friends established the Blacker Prizes more than 20 years ago in memory of Lillian F. Blacker, a longtime Belmont resident who was active in community affairs and was director of the Harvard Medical News Office. She is remembered by the school and the community as a true lover of literature and language.

The Blacker Prizes are presented each year to three Belmont High seniors for outstanding writing ability on their senior theses. Each senior reads, researches, and writes a lengthy thesis paper investigating a literary topic. English faculty members determine the winners after an extensive reading process.

At the awards ceremony, the prize winners will read from their papers and discuss the evolution of their ideas. A panel of seniors will discuss their topics and the senior thesis process. Teachers, parents, administrators, and friends are invited. Underclassmen are encouraged to attend the ceremony to learn more about the senior thesis process.

Refreshments will be served.

Belmont School Budget Tops $60 Million With Town’s Share $53 Million

April 27, 2017 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: The fiscal 2018 school budget

It got a bit more pricey to educate the kids in Belmont as the School Committee unanimously approved the fiscal 2018 school budget that tops $60 million.

Saying that there were “no surprises” in the final numbers, the School District’s Director of Finance, Business, and Operations Anthony DiCologero said the school department would request $52,969,484 million from Town Meeting in June when the town’s legislative body takes up financial articles.

With anticipated state and federal grants along with revolving fees, the total budget for the coming fiscal year just tops $60 million – actually $60,003,414, DiCologero told the board.

Compared to fiscal 2017, the town’s portion of the school budget increased by 5.7 percent, from $50.1 million to $53 million, an increase of $2.8 million.

Regarding total dollars, salary and wages increased by $2 million with cost of living increases and STEP adjustments moving higher from $185,903 in fiscal 2017 to $773,662 in the proposed 2018 budget, a $588,000 increase between the two years.

Also, health insurance premiums are budgeted to increase by nine percent – a little more than $500,000 – over the fiscal 2017 amount.

DiCologero told the committee the district were carrying forward all teaching positions from 2017 while adding five full-time equivalent positions as provided in the third year of the Financial Task Force Committee budget created the year of the $4.5 million override passed by town voters in April 2015.

Other budgetary issues of note:

One additional regular education school bus has been added to the seven bus fleet to accommodate the increase in enrollment.
User fees will remain the same in fiscal ’18.
General funds were increased by the index the Financial Task Force created.
All federal grants in fiscal ’18 are level funded from fiscal ’17 with small contractual increases for staff allocated to the subsidies.

It’s Official: The Final Day of School For Belmont Students Is …

April 26, 2017 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: The day has been set.

How appropriate the final day of school for Belmont students is the first day of summer.

The Belmont School Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday, April 26 to approve Wednesday, June 21 as the last day of classes for all grades in Belmont. With a mere three snow days used this school year, families will get a bit of a jump on the summer season.

The 21st will be a half-day/early release for K-12 students while it will be a full-day for staff and teachers, said Janice Darias, Belmont’s assistant superintendent.

Belmont High Dems Screening Oscar-Nominated Documentary ’13th’ Thursday

April 25, 2017 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: The poster for the documentary

The Young Democrats of Belmont High School invite the town to join them for a panel discussion featuring local politicians and others on the criminal justice system, following a screening of the 2017 Oscar-nominated documentary “13th”.

The 2016 documentary will be shown on Thursday, April 27 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Belmont Studio Cinema, 376 Trapelo Rd.

Directed by Ava DuVernay, “13th” explores the intersection of race, justice and issue of mass incarceration in the United States. It is titled after the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which freed the slaves and prohibited slavery, unless as punishment for a crime.

“This is an incredibly important event for the citizens of Belmont and surrounding towns to attend in order to educate themselves on the criminal justice system in the context of race,” said Rebecca Turner of the Belmont High Young Democrats.

“Also, this is a unique opportunity to be able to discuss our justice system and learn how to start these important conversations outside of the event. 13th is a stunning movie, and raises crucial questions on the nature of American society since slavery,” said Turner.

Tickets for the screening is $5 for students and $10 for adults. Bring your friends and family for an enlightening experience. All proceeds go to ACLU Massachusetts.

Belmont’s 2017 Outstanding Teachers Named With A Surprise Visit and Balloons

April 25, 2017 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: (from left) Janice Darius, Assistant Superintendent, BPS; Jennifer Pressey, OTA Honoree; and Danielle Betancourt, Principal, Butler Elementary School.

The Foundation for Belmont Education announce t0day, Tuesday, April 25, the recipients of the 2017 Outstanding Teacher Awards and of the S. Warren Farrell Award for Educational Excellence, sponsored by Belmont Savings Bank Foundation. The teachers received their notification with a surprise visit from administrators and foundation members carrying the certificates and balloons.

The ceremony to honor this year’s recipients of the Outstanding Teacher and the S. Warren Farrell Awards will be held on Tuesday, May 2, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Chenery Middle School. The award celebration, sponsored by Belmont Savings Bank Foundation, is open to the public.

Outstanding teachers are recognized for their excellence in the classroom and for consistently making a difference in the lives of Belmont’s students. Recipients were selected from nominations submitted by students, parents, colleagues, and community members.

In addition to the teaching honors, a newly-established award for educational excellence named after S. Warren Farrell in recognition of a teacher or other educator for their longstanding dedication and leadership in Belmont’s public schools.

This award honors Farrell, a former managing director for Smith Barney and an independent director at BSB Bancorp., for his many years of volunteer leadership in Belmont and its public schools.

The 2017 Outstanding Teacher Honorees are:

Meaghan Clow, Wellington Elementary School, Grade 3

“Fun, interactive, energetic, clever, and engaging are only a few words that describe
Ms. Clow’s personality and ability to engage students in the classroom.”

Kathryn Doyle, Winn Brook Elementary School, Kindergarten

“Ms. Doyle works with each student’s needs, knowing that each child arrives in kindergarten with a wide range of skills in reading, writing, and math.”

Cliff Gallant, Burbank Elementary School, Grade 4

“Mr. Gallant consistently delivers and maintains the highest quality teaching in a way that meets the individual needs of each of his students.”

Daniel Moresco, Belmont High School, Mathematics

“As a student in AP and honors courses, I am under a lot of pressure. Mr. Moresco genuinely cares about my well-being and helps manage my work and stress.”

Jennifer Pressey, Butler Elementary School, Grade 1

“It is evident that Mrs. Pressey has acquired a wealth of tools over the years and yet she has maintained the joy of sparking ‘aha’ moments in young minds.”

Dorothy Pulizzi, Chenery Middle School, Grade 5

“Ms. Pulizzi consistently goes above and beyond to support her students’ learning and social and emotional health, and she connects with students at numerous after-school and extracurricular events.”

2017 S. Warren Farrell Award Honoree is:

John McLellan, Chenery Middle School, Music; and Saturday Morning Music School

“Thousands of young people have benefitted from Mr. McLellan’s ingenious methods of instruction. Students display the utmost respect for his experience, direction, and wise and witty words.”

For more information about this event or the Foundation for Belmont Education, please visit its website or contact info@fbe-belmont.org.

Finding Belmont’s Honored Dead Made Easier By Eagle Scout’s Work

April 18, 2017 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont Eagle Scout Oliver Leeb with the Belmont Board of Selectmen.

In Belmont’s two burial grounds, those interned who served the country hold an honored place in the town.

But for relatives and historians, locating one of the 1,800 military service dead was haphazard at best as individuals would need to hunt between several sources and town departments then having to scour the sites to find the precise location.

Now those seeking the resting places of veterans have a new resource to make the task easier, all thanks to the effort of a Belmont Eagle Scout.

Belmont High School Senior Oliver Leeb of Troop 304 have created a system that will allow loved ones a database/map that reduces what formerly took three or four tasks to just one.

“It was a great project because it has a practical application,” said Leeb, before being presented a certificate of appreciation from the Belmont Board of Selectmen last wee.

The work began as Leeb sought a local project as part of his Eagle Scout requirement which led him to Belmont’s Veteran’s Agent Bob Upton. After discussing what was on Upton’s wish list, they came up with a badly needed updating of the existing catalog.

Before the new system, there was a rudimentary list of the dead in alphabetical order that gave only a general location of the grave.

“It really needed to be updated especially with the number of veterans buried here and the lack of specific locations of the graves,” said Leeb, who will be graduating in June and heading to Brandeis in the fall.

Under Leeb’s initiative, individual graves were given specific numbers that created a database corresponding to a map of the grave sites.

“So now using the map and the database, you can find the grave of any veteran that you wanted to find,” he said.

Leeb leaves a system that can be expanded to use GPS coordinates to pinpoint a grave on a digital map and also include the history of the veteran such as dates and where they served.

“There is so much history that can be included. We have veterans from the Grand Army of the Republic who fought in the Civil War,” said Leeb, noting it could be a project for another scout to consider.

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