Two-Hour Opening Delay For Belmont Schools on Tuesday; Half-Day AM Pre-K Cancelled

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Photo: Students will get a chance to stay in bed for a couple of hours due to the pending snowstorm

Due to the pending winter storm, the Belmont Public Schools will have a two-hour delay for the opening of school on Tuesday, Feb. 28, according to a press release from the Belmont Schools District.

School start times with a two-hour delay:

  • Belmont High School – 10 a.m.
  • Chenery Middle School – 9:55 a.m.
  • Burbank Elementary – 10:40 a.m.
  • Butler Elementary – 10:40 a.m.
  • Wellington Elementary – 10:40 a.m.
  • Winn Brook Elementary – 10:40 a.m.
  • Pre-K All half-day AM classes (9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.) are canceled; 11 a.m. for students attending full-day classes (9 a.m.-1 p.m. or 9 a.m.-2 p.m.); students attending half-day PM classes will begin at the usual time (12:15 p.m.)

Belmont High/Chenery Musicians Achieve High Individual Honors

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Photo: High and Middle School musicians hit the high notes at all-state, junior district levels

Before Thanksgiving, 50 students from Belmont High School were asked to perform in the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) Northeastern Senior District Festival, which took place at Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory on Jan. 7, according to Arto Asadoorian, director of Fine & Performing Arts for the Belmont School District.

On Jan. 21, several of those students were invited to audition for the MMEA All-State Music Festival. “We are very proud to announce that 10 students from Belmont High School have been selected to participate in the festival, which will take place March 2-4 in Westford,” said Asadoorian. The All-State Concert on March 4 will be held at Symphony Hall in Boston.

The Belmont High students are:

  • Helena De Figueiredo Valente (Grade 12), Chorus
  • Nathaniel Gillette (Grade 12), Trumpet – top score in the state
  • Jabe Hicks (Grade 12), Alto Saxophone
  • Lily Hicks (Grade 12), French Horn
  • Daniel Karma (Grade 12), Jazz Trumpet
  • Daniel Kim (Grade 11), Cello
  • Ethan Kim (Grade 10), Trombone
  • Meredith Knauff (Grade 11), Cello
  • Ryan Park (Grade 9), Trumpet
  • Su Min Pyo (Grade 10), Clarinet

On Jan. 28, 103 students from Belmont High and Chenery Middle schools auditioned for the MMEA Northeastern Junior District Music Festival, and 69 of those students were accepted and will perform on March 15, 17 and 18 at Galvin Middle School in Wakefield:

MaxAbouzeidTrumpetBHS
JosephBarryTromboneBHS
Brendan HanViolinBHS
HankHicksBassoonBHS
PatrickLeeJazz Baritone SaxophoneBHS
NilayNarayanViolaBHS
BenPalmerCelloBHS
LukaRozgicString BassBHS
HenryVidaverCelloBHS
BrookeWhalenTreble ChoirBHS
Elizabeth ZuccarelloEuphoniumBHS
PeterAloisioJazz TrumpetCMS
NickAndersonOboeCMS
CalvinBarnesMixed ChoirCMS
MadelieineBuellTreble ChoirCMS
SophiaBufanoTromboneCMS
ArundhatiChakrabartyTreble ChoirCMS
IvanChernovMixed ChoirCMS
NoahChinCelloCMS
SiennaChoiViolinCMS
EvaCohenTubaCMS
EllaConnellyMixed ChoirCMS
NailahCoulibalyTrumpetCMS
SimonDizekesTubaCMS
SamEnglerString BassCMS
EthanGongAlto SaxophoneCMS
JinyuGuTrumpetCMS
AanyaGuptaViolaCMS
AvikaGuptaTreble ChoirCMS
TeaganImbermanViolaCMS
SrishtiKarJazz Tenor SaxophoneCMS
TylerKimJazz TrumpetCMS
RebeccaKnightTreble ChoirCMS
CarolineLafkasTreble ChoirCMS
LaurenLinViolaCMS
ZoeLindseyTreble ChoirCMS
AnnieLiuCelloCMS
EmmaLiuViolaCMS
AustinMannMixed ChoirCMS
SophiaMiaoViolinCMS
GinevraMiglioTreble ChoirCMS
ChristelleMoiseTreble ChoirCMS
TimMolokovTrumpetCMS
IsaacMoonMixed ChoirCMS
JacobMoonMixed ChoirCMS
TagneyPaderaViolinCMS
HalleyPeckViolinCMS
EricPyoClarinetCMS
WilliamQinFluteCMS
ClaireQuinnViolinCMS
ShriyaSanyalTreble ChoirCMS
AbbySawyerMixed ChoirCMS
MarkusSendzikViolaCMS
ZoeShenTreble ChoirCMS
AlinaShiFluteCMS
StevenShiViolinCMS
MalachiSmithTenor SaxophoneCMS
SahanaSokkaTreble ChoirCMS
PaulSonClarinetCMS
WilliamSunAlto SaxophoneCMS
ElissaTianViolinCMS
MadelineTisdaleMixed ChoirCMS
LuanaWanderleyTreble ChoirCMS
TuckerWhitemanClarinetCMS
KevinXiangCelloCMS
EvelynYangCelloCMS
YolandaYuFluteCMS
BriannaYuehTromboneCMS
SophiaZhongViolinCMS

Three Take Out Nom Papers For Two Open School Committee Seats; No One Pulls For Treasurer Post

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Photo: Nomination papers deadline is Feb. 14

Three newcomers have started the process of running for two School Committee seats in which both incumbents have chosen not to seek re-election.

Two-term member Kate Bowen is not seeking a third on the committee, according to an email Bowen sent to the Belmontonian. Bowen would not explain why she would not be returning. While incumbent Micheal Crowley has taken out nomination papers, he told the Belmontonian he would not turn in the nomination papers when qualified candidates run for both seats open this election cycle. Crowley joined the board after winning a rump election in 2019 and was elected to a full term three-year term in 2020.

As of Friday, Feb. 3, three residents have taken out nomination papers from the Town Clerk’s office: Rachel Watson, Amy Zuccarello and Jung Yueh. So far, Yueh is the first of the three to return the necessary number of signatures to qualify for the April 4 Town Election, according to Town Clerk Ellen Cushman.

Yueh is a director of client services for a small Belmont software developer. Zuccarello, a partner with Sullivan & Worcester, is active with Parents of Music Students, and Watson, a Human Resources Administrator, and attorney, is the co-chair of the Belmont Special Education Parent Advisory Council (Belmont SEPAC).

Zuccarello and Yueh were two of ten candidates to apply to fill a vacant seat on the school board created by Andrea Prestwich’s resignation in Nov. 2021. Ralph Jones was selected for the post.

Those joining the committee in April will step into a budgetary tempest with the possibility of significant cuts in staff and programming and defending a major Prop 2 1/2 override.

Town-wide races

With just under ten days to return the necessary papers to have the Town Clerk, no one has taken out nomination papers for Town Treasurer despite Belmont’s long-time treasurer Floyd Carman declaring late in 2022 he would not seek re-election after 18 years on the job. The lack of potential candidates comes less than a week after a Special Town Meeting approved a ballot question on the April 4 Town Election to change the Treasurer’s position from an elected to an appointed post.

Most incumbents have taken out nomination papers in other town-wide elected positions:

  • Town Moderator Mike Widmer, first elected in 2008, has secured a place on the ballot.
  • Incumbents Kathleen Keohane and Gail Mana are seeking to fill a pair of three-year terms on the Board of Library Trustees.
  • Gloria Leipzig is running for a second five-year term on the Housing Authority.
  • Bob Reardon, Sr. – who is looking to secure another three-year term – and Pat Murphy have taken papers out to run for seats on the Board of Assessors.
  • Elizabeth Dionne has qualified for a run to succeed Adam Dash for a three-year term with the Select Board.
  • Alex Corbett, III, hopes to retain his seat on the Board of Cemetary Commissioners.
  • Long-time member and former chair of the Health Board, Donna David has yet to take out nomination papers, while Stephen Fiore, who lost a seat in 2021, has pulled papers for the one three-year seat on the board up for grabs this cycle.

The deadline to submit nomination papers to have the candidate’s name appear on the ballot is St. Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, at 5 p.m.

Belmont Public Schools Online Registration for School Year ’23-’24 Opens Friday, Jan. 27

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Photo: Student registration is online for the 2023-24 school year

The annual online registration to attend Belmont Public Schools will begin on Jan. 27. And there is Important registration information for BPS families:

You do not need to register an existing grade 1-12 Belmont Public Schools student.

You do need to register your incoming kindergartner even if you are a current Belmont Public Schools family. To ensure placement of your incoming kindergartner at the same elementary school as your grade 1-4 child, please submit all required documents to complete registration for your incoming kindergartner by April 8. Current Wellington preschool families will be emailed registration instructions.

For grade K-4 families new to Belmont Public Schools:
Please see the K-4 registration page on the BPS website for registration information and paperwork deadlines for school placement dates.
Please also see our Elementary Information Presentations on the BPS registration page (posted when registration opens online). These presentations give general information about Belmont Public Schools, registration, health requirements, and food services.

Grades K-4: http://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/bps/Parents/Registration/K-4-Registration

Grades 5-12: http://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/bps/Registration-Information
If you have any questions regarding your registration, please contact the school where you registered.

Belmont High’s Big Winter Concert Set For Wednesday, Dec. 14 In The BHS Theater

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Photo: Belmont High School’s Concert Chorale along with Watertown High’s chorus at Fenway Park.

The musicians of Belmont High School have been working hard throughout the fall and are excited to present the first musical event of the school year, the Belmont High School’s Winter Choral/Orchestral Concert on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. in the school’s theater.

The concert will consist of performances by the Concert Chorale, Chamber Singers, Jazz Ensemble, Belmont High Combined Orchestra, and the Belmont High Wind Symphony.

The snow date for the concert will be Tuesday, Dec. 20.

Performing Art Company’s ‘Love’s Labor Lost’ Thursday-Saturday In The Black Box Theater [Photos]

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Photo:

The greatness of Shakespeare in the intimacy of the Black Box Theater will be treat for residents who attend “Loves Labor Lost”, the fall production of the Belmont High School Performing Arts Company.

The PAC Production features a send up of high school stereotypes, and mixes into the comedy some modern day slang, contemporary pop music and even some viral internet trends.

The show features a cast of 18 actors and the tech crew includes more than 40 students working on lighting, scenery, costumes, props, sound and stage management.

The production will take place Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Nov. 17, 18, 19 at 7 p.m. at the Belmont High School Black Box theater. 

TICKETS are:

  • Adults: $12 
  • BHS Students: $5 
  • Children: $7

Ticketing for the shows is all online, and advance purchase of tickets is strongly encouraged, as the Black Box has limited seating capacity. Tickets can be purchased at bhs-pac.org.

It’s Prep School Drama In BHS-PAC’s Production Of Shakespeare’s Comedy ‘Love’s Labors Lost’

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Photo: The production poster of BHS-PAC’s 2022 fall play Love’s Labors Lost

The Belmont High School Performing Arts Company’s 2022 Fall Play is Love’s Labors Lost, an early William Shakespeare work which in PAC’s production updates the comedy from the mythical medieval Kingdom of Navarre to a modern day Prep School with gender-mixed casting, some modern day language, contemporary pop music and even some viral internet trends.

“The goal of our production is for Shakespeare fans and first timers to follow along and enjoy the show,” said Ezra Flam, the Performing Arts Company Producer/Director. 

The production will take place Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Nov. 17, 18, 19 at 7 p.m. at the Belmont High School Black Box theater.

TICKETS are:

  • Adults: $12
  • BHS Students: $5
  • Children: $7

Ticketing for the shows is all online, and advance purchase of tickets is strongly encouraged, as the Black Box has limited seating capacity. Tickets can be purchased at bhs-pac.org.

The PAC Production features a send up of high school stereotypes, and mixes into the comedy some modern day slang, contemporary pop music and even some viral internet trends.

One of the highlights of this production has been the PAC’s update of the Shakespeare setting to the modern day. The show is now set in Navarre Academy, where the Student Council President (Ferdinand) convinces their three best friends to sign on to a pledge to study seriously and avoid romance. Just as they sign the pledge, four exchange students from the French Academy arrive at Navarre Academy for the term. One by one the members of the Navarre Academy Student Council fall in love with one of the exchange students and go to great lengths to keep secret from the others that they have broken their pledge.

Meanwhile, the other students of Navarre Academy get mixed up in the action, and drag the four couples into all of the other drama at school: Mathlete drama, Sports drama, Class Clown drama, Hall Monitor drama, Cool Kid drama, Skater Punk drama and even Drama Club drama.

“In rehearsal students have been tasked with first understanding and mastering how to deliver the Shakespearean language, and then make it accessible to audiences who may not be familiar with the show. The cast has done a great job of using staging and physicality, as well as careful placement of some contemporary-language and music to tell the story,” said Flam in a press release.

The other fun thing to explore in the show is the way in which our modern-day telling upends many of the gender-norms present in the original script. Shakespeare’s version of Love’s Labors Lost featured for “boys” falling in love with four “girls,” and played on many of the familiar expectations of those stories. Our casting mixes up gender and sexuality, and has allowed us to explore more fully some of the relationship dynamics that present day BHS students actually experience.

The tech crew has been hard at work creating the world of the show. Under the guidance of Scenic Designer Anna Moss, Costume Designer Lila West and Technical Director Ian O’Malley, students are building the grand lobby of a prep school built in the 1800s, constructing school uniforms that
showcase the personalities of the characters and filling the show with fun props, music and lighting.

The show features a cast of 18 actors and the tech crew includes more than 40 students working on lighting, scenery, costumes, props, sound and stage management.

Breaking: Belmont Superintendent Phelan To Retire in Fall ’23

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Photo: Belmont School District Superintendent John Phelan who announced his retirement as of Fall 2023.

After nearly a decade leading the Belmont School District, Superintendent John Phelan announced his retirement as of fall 2023 during the Belmont School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Phelan said he was making the annoucement now to allow the committee time to hire a new leader that will allow that person time to become familiar with personnel and policies. Phelan leaves at the same time as the town opens in September 2023 the new Middle School wing of the $295 million Belmont Middle and High School building.

”I want to say ‘thank you,’” said Meg Moriarity, school committee chair, before the full committee gave Phelan a round of applause.

Hired in December, 2013, Phelan became superintendent on July 1, 2014. Previously the assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Personnel for the Milton Public Schools, Phelan took the helm of the district as Belmont faced possible large budget cuts in schools which was avoided when the town passed a Prop 2 1/2 override in April 2015. Phelan has been working with the town on funding the district to limit layoffs and support education after the town rejected the latest override in April 2021.

Phelan also had a major role in proposing and the planning for the new Belmont Middle and High School which was approved by voters in November 2018.

But it was Phelan’s management of the district during the Covid-19 pandemic which will be his major legacy beginning in March 2020. With the need to shut buildings and start a remote learning model for 4,300 students from scratch, Phelan was the public face of the district decisions which put him under fire from a portion of residents who sought alternative methods to learning. Despite the opposition, Phelan’s ‘safety first’ approach would be the district’s standard.

Not To Be Missed: 2022 Broadway Night, Performing Art’s Cabaret, This Friday, Saturday

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Photo: The 2022 Broadway Night poster

Belmont High School Performing Arts Company presents Broadway Night on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. in the Belmont High School Theater.

The dance number

Broadway Night is the company’s annual Musical Theater Cabaret, which kicks off the 2022-3 season. Students perform classic show tunes and contemporary work from new musical theater composers in an evening of song, dance and storytelling. The show features solo, duet and group songs, with a mix of humor, heart, romance and high-energy fun, plus a dance number choreographed by the PAC Musical Choreographer Jenny Lifson.

Admission: $5 students/children, $12 adults

Advance Ticket Purchase encouraged: Ticket sales and more info at bhs-pac.org

Belmont Police Chief To Parents: Don’t Drive Those Kids To School!

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Photo: Congestion near the Wellington on Common

Belmont Police Chief James MacIsaac has something to say to parents of school-age children: Tell your kids to take a walk! As in take a walk to school each day.

With vehicle trips returning to pre-pandemic levels and changing traffic patterns and street repairs leading to congested roadways during weekday mornings and afternoons, MacIsaac is asking parents to consider NOT driving the kids to school.

“Every week during the school year, we receive complaints that pertain to motor vehicle traffic around our schools” with “[t]he vast majority of violators we identify are parents,” said MacIsaac.

The troubles start with the realization that the parking lots of each school and the adjacent roads “are not conducive to the amount of traffic that occurs around start time and the end of the school day,” Belmont’s chief said in a press release.

Add to that road construction and new traffic patterns at the new Belmont Middle and High School, Chenery Middle School and the Wellington and Burbank elementary schools and the sum total equals a significant amount of traffic challenges that police are facing each day.

So MacIsaac is putting the question to parents: consider alternatives to the usual drive to and from school such as have children take the bus, ride a bike or walk with their child to school.

Rather than taking them to the schoolhouse door, parents can also park a block or two away so a student’s walk will be a short one. And if driving to school is the only option, parents should exercise patience and be considerate to walkers and other motorists while driving Belmont roads, said MacIsaac.