Belmont High Students Connecting All Over Belmont

By Leave a Comment

Photo: 

by Samantha Kelts, (2016), Alexia Stefanovich (2016), and Jackie Jiang  (2018)

On Saturday, Oct. 17, Belmont High School students participated in the 17th annual Connecting With Belmont community service event that included everything from gardening, farming, and sandwich making, to reading with young children at the library and removing invasive plants.

According to Alice Melnikoff, the event’s organizer and school’s Community Service Director, the yearly Connecting Wih Belmont event is not only about getting high schoolers involved in the community, but also about working to make improvements to our town that will motivate others to get involved as well.

“It’s important for students to give back to the community that nurtured them. It spotlights what the students can do for the town, and how everyone can be involved in helping make Belmont a better place,” she said.

At the Belmont Food Pantry, a group of student volunteers worked on sorting and organizing the sea of donated food items onto designated shelves. Freshman Lily Hoffman Strickler, expressed her motivation behind volunteering for this event, telling us that “there are so many people out there that don’t have as many resources as we do, and it feels good to give back.”

On the opposite side of the high school, a group was also working hard to restore benches on the softball field while inside the school’s cafeteria, another group was assembling sandwiches for the Middlesex Human Services Agency, which has runs shelters, a soup kitchen, and detoxification and rehabilitation programs.

“It was really rewarding because it showed what we could do when we all worked together” commented senior Ammu Dinesh; “we got into a rhythm and cranked out 312 [sandwiches] in two hours.”

Students also spread out to locations all over Belmont to contribute their time to improve the Belmont community as a whole.

Two groups of students made their way over to the Belmont Public Library and the Woodland Garden, located on Concord Avenue. The first group stayed indoors and helped wash baby toys, organize books in the young adult section, and read with children.

“I like this particular community service event because it does good for the community while also building a structure for Belmont High School,” said Sasa Gutterman, Class of 2017.

Kylie Sparks, Young Adult reference librarian, described how before the event, the “room was totally packed full of books” and that it “is a really big help” when student volunteers can provide service.  She also loves that it brings people into the library.

Sophomore Teresa Frick read with a young kindergartener and commented that “he’ll use reading skills for the rest of his life, so it makes a big impact.”

Outside of the library, at the Woodland Garden, students gave their time in order to remove widespread euonymus ground covering that was preventing the garden’s vinca leaves from flourishing and surviving.  As summarized eloquently by junior Bo Lan, the motivation behind doing this type of physically challenging work is that, “we need the community of Belmont to enjoy this place.”  

Although difficult, students find it rewarding to see how their individual efforts can have a positive impact on our community.  Sarah Sos of the Belmont Garden Club stressed the fact that “it is important to get people started on a lifelong habit of not just acting for themselves but for working for the community as a whole,” an idea that is central to the purpose of the Connecting with Belmont event.

The Woodland Gardens was not the only location where students got involved in nature.  At the Mass Audubon Habitat, students cut back overgrown vines and weeds on the outskirts of Weeks Pond and Meadow. They cut down bittersweet leaves, which are invasive vines, in order to prevent them from taking nutrition from the trees, thus keeping the trees alive and healthy. Senior Katrina Rizzuto commented that “the scenery was beautiful,” and that “Habitat is definitely the best place to experience autumn.”

Students greatly enjoyed spending time in this peaceful atmosphere. After an afternoon of immersing himself in nature, Freshman Ken Chen said that he felt “a sense of accomplishment after all the work, because seeing the original pile of thorns disappear was rewarding.”

Students even had the opportunity to go as far as the Beech Street Senior Center, where many hands were desperately needed to manage the garden surrounding the building. The four students assigned here raked leaves and gathered the piles into leaf bags, and also learned how to identify and pull many different varieties of weeds.  Although having never met before, these students showed excellent group effort in helping in our community.  

“It’s important to help out and make connections with your community, and it’s also important to make connections with your peers, which is why this event is so significant,” explained senior Ritika Saxena.

The work of the volunteers was much appreciated by the group’s supervisor, Claire Stanley, for when asked for her opinion on the Connecting With Belmont Event, she disclosed, “I think it’s wonderful that students are required to do community service here in Belmont.  That did not happen when I was young in Michigan. It’s a great use of volunteer time and the senior center desperately needs more people than just me to take care of the garden.”

Back in nature at Belmont Acre Farms, students cleared over 1,000 square feet of plants from the farmland to leave room for crops. Mayura Thomas, Class of 2019, stated that she enjoyed the activity because “it felt good doing hard work for a good cause.” Farmer Michael Chase highlighted the outstanding point that “it’s important to make the connection to where your food comes from” and, also, that through this event, “you can directly see how multiple people working together can accomplish quite a lot.”

Overall, Connecting With Belmont was a huge success, and everyone is anxiously looking forward to participating again next year.

The Opportunity and the Challenge of ‘The Laramie Project’

By Leave a Comment

Photo: A moment at the end of Act One of The Laramie Project.

The high school play, the annual tradition that, at times, have a certain “sameness” to what is produced. 

The most popular plays performed by US high schools include romances (Almost, Maine); Shakespeare (Midsummer Night Dream) the classics (Our Town) along with comedies (Noise Off, Harvey, You Can’t Take It With You) and dramas (The Crucible, 12 Angry Jurors), all trendy choices  for multiple decades.

And schools select those scripts for very practical reasons.

“Most high school teachers need a big cast, lots of female roles, and something that won’t scare your grandma,” said Don Corathers, editor of Dramatics, a monthly magazine for theater students and teachers, speaking to NPR in 2015. 

This fall, Belmont’s production isn’t trying to scare away anyone. Rather, this year’s play is seeking to bring a thought-provoking performance that centers on themes and events that are as current as today’s news.

“Every show is an educational opportunity,” said Ezra Flam, Belmont High School’s Theater Specialist and Director/Producer of the Performing Arts Company, who selected The Laramie Project. 

The Laramie Project will be performed Thursday through Friday, Nov. 5, 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. at the Belmont High School auditorium. Tickets are $15 adults, $10 non-BHS students, no charge for Belmont High students and staff.

The three-act play concerns the 1998 murder of Matthew Sheppard, a gay student at the University of Wyoming, chronicled by the Tectonic Theater Project which traveled to Laramie, Wyoming to interview the town’s inhabitants about the incident that was determined to be a hate crime.

The Laramie Project is hardly standard fare for a high school play – the content focuses on homophobia, violence, and gay acceptance – and still generates controversy around the country (The play is the most objected to by school administrators and community groups). This production comes with a caution that it is unsuitable for children and parental discretion is strongly advised for young teens.

But the play, according to Flam, is meant to challenge the actors and the audience, as to confront attitudes and prejudices, both personal and communal.

The Belmontonian: Why select a play with such strong adult content?

Flam: “One of my priorities for the fall play is that we do Shakespeare in alternating years, last year being Twelfth Night. In other years, my goal is to expose or students and audiences to a variety of theatrical genres. Every show is an educational opportunity, whether that is in the content, the form or the technical aspects of the show. I chose The Laramie Project because of both the acting opportunities and the important themes and message.

The Belmontonian: Did you discuss this with students before deciding on the play? What has been their reaction?

Flam: “Students have been extremely receptive to the show, from the moment I announced it. Most students hadn’t heard of the play, but throughout the fall as I have explained what the show is about or students have read it, I’ve heard a lot of comments along the lines of, ‘that sounds really awesome,’ or ‘that’s really cool that we’re doing this kind of play.'”

“I think as the cast and crew started reading and rehearsing the show they ‘got it’ very quickly and tuned in right away to what was important and production-worthy about the show. I’ve also heard from a lot of parents and community members who are very happy to see the show presented in Belmont because they recognize the importance and opportunity of bringing these themes to our community.”

The Belmontonian: The Laramie Project is not your typical play; short scenes, actors playing multiple roles, speaking directly to the audience. Has it been a challenge for you in helping the actors with this technique that they may not have had experience?

Flam: “It’s certainly been a different kind of rehearsal process. I actually think it’s been a great dovetail with the new theater classes the school is offering this year. In both rehearsal and theater class there’s been a little bit of ‘back to fundamentals’ in the acting process. It’s not just about the staging or the production but about analyzing the text and talking a lot of about what’s going on underneath the words, then going back and translating that into performance.”

The Belmontonian: Unlike other plays, you are reaching out to the community and audience before the performances and after Friday’s show to discuss the issues and concerns this show highlights. What are you attempting to accomplish?

Flam: “The Laramie Project is a show that almost demands this, particularly in a High School production. The themes and content of this show are powerful and emotional, and audiences are going to have a strong desire to talk about the show, so we’re trying to make room for that to happen.”

“One of the themes of the show is the ways in which Laramie represents not just a single town or moment in history, but all of America. It asks us to take a look at our own communities and draw comparisons to Laramie.”

The Belmontonian: What does this play mean to you?

Flam: “I first saw and read The Laramie Project when I was in college. It’s an extremely powerful piece of theater and one that is unforgettable. It’s one of the shows that helped me understand the power theater has to transform; to leave an audience changed affected or different in some way after seeing it. Giving the chance for our students and community to share even a small part of that experience means a lot to me.”

Discussing Inclusivity in Belmont with ‘The Laramie Project’ Tuesday

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Poster for the community dialogue.

The Belmont High School Performing Arts Company’s fall show is “The Laramie Project,” a play written after Matthew Shepard, a gay college student was kidnapped, beaten and left to die in Laramie, Wyoming.

In conjunction with the production, PAC and the Belmont High School Gay Straight Alliance are jointly sponsoring a community conversation examining Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual and Queer issues in Belmont.

The conversation, “Progress Since Laramie: A Community Dialogue on Inclusivity,” will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Belmont High School Library.

A panel of community members will offer personal stories and perspective, and then all attendees will be invited to ask questions, share stories or offer thoughts. There will be time for questions and answers, including an opportunity to submit questions anonymously to the group.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is co-sponsored by the Belmont High School Gay Student Alliance and PATRONS.

In addition to the dialogue, there will be a post-show conversation after the performance on Friday, Nov. 6. Director Ezra Flam and members of the cast will join the audience for discussion. This will be open to ticket holders for any performance.

The Laramie Project will run from Nov. 5 through Nov. 7 with all shows at 7 p.m. Tickets are free for BHS Students and Staff; $15 for adults and $10 for non-BHS students. Tickets are on sale at Champion’s Sporting Goods and on-line.

Simple Share Buttons Adder (6.0.2) simplesharebuttons.com

Sports: Belmont Football Defeat Winchester, 35-28, Behind Johnson’s 4 TDs [VIDEO]

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont High Mekhai Johnson literally carrying defenders on his run against Winchester.

Belmont High’s Mekhai Johnson proved this weekend once again why he’s one of the best running backs in MIAA Division 3 as the senior scored four touchdowns while rushing for a career-high 250 yards to lead the Marauders past host Winchester, 35-28, on a crisp, sunny Saturday morning, Oct. 17.

The win was Belmont’s first Middlesex League victory in more than three years.

“The offensive line opened a lot of holes up. Then when [I] got past the line of scrimmage on the second level, I just took off,” said Johnson, who ran for touchdowns of 3, 36, 80 and 23 yards.

(Video courtesy Marauders Media)

Johnson’s running effectiveness allowed junior quarterback Cal Christofori to find his senior receiving corp of Joseph Shaughnessy, Justin Wagner and Grant Gilbert on critical long yardage downs.

“Everybody just coming up and making big plays at big moments,” said Belmont Head Coach Yann Kumin, who saw his team’s record go to 2-4.

“We wanted to establish the run because then we knew we could get things going with Joe Shaughnessy … and we were excited about what he did for us catching a huge touchdown in the [fourth] quarter,” Kumin said.

“This was a great Middlesex League win,” he said.

It was an eight-yard pass from Christofori to Shaughnessy that put Belmont up 35-21 with 3:12 remaining in the game that proved the game winner as Winchester came back to score its touchdown in just over a minute to cut the margin to 35-28. 

The game showcased Belmont at its best, controlling the ball and demonstrating a defense that did not allow a single same breaking run or pass from the Sachems. 

Belmont took the opening kickoff and took nine minutes off the clock to travel 72 yards downfield to set up Johnson’s first score, the three-yard run off left tackle. The big plays were a pair of Christofori to Shaughnessy hook-ups for 12 and 21 yards, the last one coming on a fourth down and 4 at the 28. The missed point after gave Belmont a 6-0 lead.

The Marauder defense stepped up on Winchester’s first drive as junior defensive back Kevin Martin intercepted sophomore QB Liam Fitzpatrick’s pass on Belmont’s 25-yard line. On the next play, Gilbert took a Christofori pass and slipped by two Winchester defenders to rumble 39 yards to the Winchester 25. Two plays later, Johnson took a pitch and ran right 36 yards to give Belmont a 13-0 lead.

Belmont’s first offensive play after Winchester scored on a Fitzpatrick pass, Johnson took a handoff and steamrolled through a hole made by his offensive line to outrun untouched by the Sachem defense for 80 yards to give the Marauders a 20-7 lead with 4 minutes remaining in the first half. 

But Winchester got within 6 points as they scored with 31 seconds left in the second quarter.

Early in the third quarter, just as it appeared that Belmont’s improving defense was ready to stop Winchester on a fourth down play, Fitzpatrick’s deflected pass landed into the hands of receiver Sam Curtin who skipped 33-yards for the touchdown, giving Winchester the lead 21-20. 

But Kumin said after the Sachem touchdown, the team did not allow the fluck play alter its positive approach to the game.

“It’s a testament to our players that they shook it off,” said Kumin. 

Back on offense, Belmont converted a fourth and one yard (on Christofori’s two-yard plunge) before Johnson securing his fourth touchdown on the 38-yard rumble down the right side with 3 minutes remaining in the third. Christofori’s found Gilbert on the two-point conversion to give Belmont a 28-21 lead.

Belmont’s defense now stepped up behind the big men in the middle – led by Justin Aroyan and Lowell Haska – who plugged the running lanes and forced Fitzpatrick to hurry his throws, forcing Winchester to punt on Belmont’s 40 with 10 minutes left in the game.

“We told the defense they had to step up as we did against Woburn (a hard-fought 18-15 loss) rallying to the football and make tackles. And we did that making a couple of big stops, a big interception from Martin.” 

Belmont would give the ball back to Winchester, but the Sachems could not make first down. The Marauders benefited from a weak Sachems’ punt to start its game-winning drive at the 43. The big play in the drive was Wagner’s catch from Christofori for 15 yards on a third and 12 from the 45, which prompted the big receiver to give a “Gronk” first down pose. 

Kumin had high praise for the offensive line that had its hands full last week against Reading. 

“We are starting three sophomores right in the middle (the guards and center) in Andrew Mazzone, Dennis Crowley, and Ryan Noone. We are excited about those guys on the interior line with Haska and Chris Piccione stepping up and taking care of business as bookend tackles.” 

“O-linemen are always a little bit weird, and those five guys are definitely that. But they’re weird together and weird in the right way,” he said. 

Belmont returns to Harris Field on Friday when the welcome Lexington which is seeking its first win of the season.

Limited Number of Tickets Remain for Annual BHS PAC ‘Broadway Night’

By Leave a Comment

Photo: The dancers performing to “King of New York” for Newsies.

It’s a touch of the Great White Way in Belmont as the Belmont High School Performing Arts Company presents “Broadway Night,” its annual musical theater showcase on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. in the high school’s Little Theater.

But you need to get your tickets asap as the performances easily sell out.

Students perform classic show tunes and contemporary work from new musical theater composers (such as Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx from “Avenue Q”) in an evening of song, (dance and storytelling. 

This year’s production features 20 solo, duet and group numbers, including a dance number to “King of New York” from “Newsies,” staged by “Anything Goes” choreographer, Jenny Lifson.

Tickets are $5 students, $12 adults and are on sale tickets at Champions in Belmont Center or online Buy Tickets.

Seventeen Educators Honored Reaching Professional Status

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Fifteen of the seventeen educators who were granted professional status by the Belmont School District. 

For Elizabeth Gentes, Tuesday night was the culmination of her giving Belmont students a first-class education. In return, the School District recognized that effort and her skills by saying “thanks for sticking with us. We’d like you to stay,” she said. 

Gentes was one of 17 educators the Belmont School District recently bestowed professional status onto, who were honored at a ceremony held on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the Chenery Middle School. Professional status is granted to outstanding educators by the superintendent or school principal after their third consecutive year, providing what is essentially a type of tenure and some measure of job security.

“It’s really exciting. The past three years have gone by so fast,” she said. 

The 17 educators include:

  • Jennifer Aller, High school math
  • Danielle Bayardi, Grade 5 math and science
  • Catherine Bresnahan, Special ed at Chenery
  • Kristen Colavito, First grade at Wellington
  • Lindsey Costa, High school chemistry
  • Lindi DeLorio, Elementary ELL
  • Caitlin Elgert, Fourth grade at Winn Brook
  • Elizabeth Gentes, Sixth-grade science at Chenery
  • Jennifer Hebert, High school math
  • Jacqueline Kaiser, High school French
  • Yasmin Khan, Fifth-grade math/science at Chenery
  • Christa Lesiczka, Third grade at Wellington
  • Lianne McCann, Speech and language pathologist at Chenery
  • Meghan McGovern, Second grade at Winn Brook
  • Daniel Moresco, High school math
  • Allison Ruane, Sixth-grade social studies at Chenery
  • Mina Vahedi, Kindergarten at Wellington.

Gentes said obtaining professional status was in many ways “a team effort. Everyone is doing their part,” from colleagues to administrators who encourage the third-year teachers to continue growing in their job and personally.

“It’s definitely not something you accomplish by yourself, but it feels really good to get there and know all the support that was behind you. It really showed tonight of all the people who showed up to say, ‘Hey, you did it’.” Gentes said. 

A Sunny Walk – With the World – to School

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Wellington teacher Colleen McBride walking with a student on International Walk to School Day, Oct. 7.

“Where’s our cow?” asked second-grade teacher Colleen McBride, as she greeted the almost two dozen students and parents who were joining her for a walk to Belmont’s Wellington Elementary School on a fresh Wednesday morning, Oct. 7.

Whatever the reason, Moozy the Cow – the mascot of Moozy’s Ice Cream on Trapelo Road – never showed up so didn’t get the chance to join McBride, Belmont District Superintendent John Phelan, students and parents as they marched smartly down Common Street as part of International Walk to School Day.

Beginning in 1997, International Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day with the goal of beginning an worldwide movement for year-round safe routes to schools for walkers and bike riders. 

This year, the Wellington walk was one of nearly 4,600 Walk to School events around the world on Oct. 7.

McBride has some experience walking to school, traveling four miles each way on foot to a village school building when she lived in Keyna working for an NGO.

“I think that getting movement in every day is vital to success in school, so I think this is great,” said McBride.

Soon, McBride’s group merged with one headed by Wellington Principal Amy Spangler and the wave of participants made it to the school where the students – refreshed and energized – were given stickers, wrist bracelets and key chains.

The cow, alas, was never found.

Scharfman Race Sets New Record for Runners, Donations

By 1 Comment

Photo:

Charlie Conroy stationed himself at the final corner of the two-kilometer portion of the Dan Scharfman Memorial Run with a promise. 

“Keep going! Home is just around the corner! You can make it!” the race co-director encouraged racers as they ran the final meters on the track surrounding Harris Field.

And with that, scores of runners – from those barely four years old and three feet tall to election town officials – began sprinting to the line.

On a brilliant and brisk autumn morning, Sunday, Oct. 4, Belmont came out to run in memory of School Committee member Dan Scharfman and to support the Foundation for Belmont Education’s funding initiative that promotes two of Scharfman’s interests when he was on the committee: introducing technology to Belmont’s public school classrooms and provide professional development for teachers and staff.

The third edition of the Scharfman races proved a joyful exercise for those managing the race and those benefiting from the donations.

“We had over 620 pre-register, which is more than last year. If we get 10 percent walk ups, we are looking at more than 700 runners from both races,” said race co-director Paul Roberts. 

“I think by having the shorter race that younger kids do get entire families involved,” said Roberts.

The top prizes went to Scot Dedeo who won the men’s 5K with a time of 17 minutes and 34.1 seconds followed by a pair of 15-year-olds; James Kitch and Zack Tseng. The women’s race was won by Heidi Kimberly in 20:48 followed by 13-year old Madeline Celicitch and Christy Lawrence.

In the 2K, Chris Burge won the race in 7:30 followed so close by 12-year-old Shea Brams (she was leading the race until the final straightaway). Following Brams in the women’s race was Violet Whitmer , 11, and Charlotte Conroy, 12.

For Jamie Shea, FBE co-president, the day was all she could have wished.

“After days of cold and rain, the weather was an awesome surprise,” she said.

“Last year we raised about $22,000, and we have more runners this year so I would expect that dollar number will go up,” said Shea.

The donations from participants and sponsors will allow teachers to introduce “cutting edge methods in the classroom and to bring engaging material to our students.”

Funding in the past has been used to help bring iPads into the classroom “while a huge amount of money is used to help teachers understand innovative methods that are not technology related,” said Shea.

Sports: Belmont High Take Steps Back in Loss to Arlington, 42-14

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont running back Ben Jones.

Belmont High School’s head football coach Yann Kumin was disconsolate crossing the Arlington High School football field after his team suffered a 42-14 drubbing by the host SpyPonders on Friday night, Sept. 25.

“We lost to them by the same score last year, and I know we can be competitive with this team,” said Kumin, whose squad drops to 1-2.

“We couldn’t do the little things, and we did not take advantage of our opportunities,” Kumin told the Belmontonian after a night of frustration that the program has not progressed as the coaching staff had hoped. 

Coming off an emotional victory the previous Friday – a final-minute win over Medford – and a solid week of practice, Belmont came to Arlington seeking to replicate the run/pass offense that proved to be a recipe for success for the Marauders.

But from the start, Belmont could not find a rhythm on either side of the ball. Last week’s star performer, senior running back Mekhai Johnson, was never the explosive factor as he was against Medford when he gained more than 200 yards rushing.                                                                     

On its second possession, the Marauders fumbled the ball deep in its end as the SpyPonder pounced the miscue and soon found itself in the end zone for a 7-0 at 1:31 in the first quarter. Belmont’s next sequence of plays told the glum tale of the night’s proceedings; the kickoff return went for negative yards as Belmont started from its 5-yard line. The Marauders’ offense stalled on three plays, and the subsequent punt traveled only 20 yards. Arlington capitalized by going 24 yards in six minutes to score its second TD. A third SpyPonder touchdown quickly pegged Belmont with a 21-0 deficit with less than two minutes remaining in the half.

With time running out in the half, Belmont turned to junior QB Cal Christofori who engineered an impressive 10 play, 80 yard drive with passes to junior receiver Trey Butler and seniors Justin Wagner and Joe Shaughnessy before dumping the ball to Johnson in the flat who scampered 21-yards in for the touchdown with 38.8 seconds remaining to cut the lead to

But on the subsequent kickoff, Arlington sophomore Alijah Woods took the ball 80 yards down the left sideline for a momentum killing touchdown, to up the halftime lead to 21, 28-7. 

With Arlington threatening early in the third quarter, the Marauder defense recovered a fumble as Arlington running back Patrick Conroy attempted to stretch the ball into the end zone. But two plays later, Christofori’s pass was intercepted by defensive back Abel Negussie, who ran it into the end zone for a “pick 6” touchdown and an insurmountable 35-7 lead.

Johnson would score on a one-yard TD to give him five touchdowns in the past two games.

The Marauders will be back home on Friday, Oct. 2 when they greet 1-2 Woburn High School at Harris Field.

 

 

MCAS Results Show Belmont High Students are Advanced and Proficient

By Leave a Comment

Photo: MCAS tests results for Belmont.

Belmont High’s student test takers demonstrated an advanced command of English and math while the registering some of the highest levels of science competence statewide, according to 2015 School and District MCAS results released by the state on Thursday, Sept. 24.

While there have been improvements with Chenery Middle School students in those scoring advanced placement, attention in science instruction will continue at the school.

And there will be a bit of a wait to get a peek at the elementary school results as the district was selected by the state last year to take the new Partnership for Assessment for Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) test. 

“Belmont High School students’ MCAS results continue to be very high, demonstrating the positive results of well-aligned curricula, high-quality instruction, and high expectations for all students,” said Janice Darias, Belmont’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

“We are very fortunate in Belmont to have such skilled educators as well as curriculum and school leaders. These MCAS scores are the result of their dedication and focus on teaching and learning for all students,” said Darias. 

According to results released by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education of tests taken in Spring 2015:

• Grade 10 students (class of 2017, current 11th grade): English and Math.

In both subjects, there is a slight increase this year in the number of students earning Advanced status. In English, 99 percent of the students scored proficient or advanced; in math, 97 percent scored proficient or advanced.

• Grade 9 students (class of 2018, current 10th grade): Introductory Physics MCAS.

There is an increase this year in the number of pupils earning advanced on this subject. 97 percent of the students scored proficient or advanced. 

Over at the Chenery Middle School:

• Grades 5 and 8 students: Science and Technology/Engineering MCAS.

The 8th grade results are relatively unchanged for the past four years. This year 76 percent earned proficient or advanced levels. In 5th grade, the district saw an increase in the number of students earning proficient or advanced in the 2014 results at 81 percent, while the 2015 results were similar to previous years with 71 percent earning proficient or advanced, a 10 percent drop in the category at the school.

“Science has been and will continue to be an area of focus for the district,” said Darius.

“We began our work on science curricula revisions and updates with the release of the revised ELA Frameworks in late 2010, which include nonfiction reading and writing in science. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is preparing to release revised state frameworks later this year, and we have already begun planning next steps for updating our curricula, especially Kindergarten through 8th grade,” said Darias.

Results for Belmont Elementary and Middle school students in grades 3 through 8 are delayed by a month as the district was selected to be part of a two-year test of PARCC. While some PARCC results have been released, Belmont students took the test on paper forms rather than via a computer format.