From the Principal's Desk |
Friday, January 9th, 2026 |
|
|
Dear BHS Students and Families,
Happy new year! Wishing everyone success and happiness in 2026!
With the drawing of the new year, we will also be thinking about new courses for the 2026-2027 school year! I know that September feels a long way off, but as we develop our schedule based on student requests, we will be starting the process on January 23, when we hold our annual student course fair during the school day. This event gives students the opportunity to hear from their peers about courses they may be interested in taking next year. Following this event, I will share the timelines for course selection, and all the information families will need to navigate the process. This year, we are changing the timing of the day so that we can reschedule our student assemblies addressing the swastikas that were found at the school last month. I will send out a more detailed schedule for the day in next week’s newsletter.
Isaac Taylor
Principal
|
|
|
Junior Future Planning Night - Save the Date!
On the evening of January 29, 2026 at 6:30pm, BHS Guidance will be hosting a Junior Future Planning Night webinar for the students and caregivers of the Class of 2027. We will provide information on the college process, as well as other pathways for students to consider. The evening will end with a panel of 3 college representatives, including Bentley University and Syracuse University, in which you will hear about their respective schools and be able to ask questions. Given the nature of the platform and to be considerate of time, we are asking that you submit questions you have prior to the meeting. Please use the following link to submit your questions by Monday, January 26th: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CkyCkA2m8uk7TziD6cukQRr4_Q5amn0gPWS5ayS3Taw/preview
Link for Webinar:
Junior Future Planning Night
Thursday, January 29 · 6:30 – 8:00pm
Time zone: America/New_York
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/iet-jnni-uzk
Or dial: (US) +1 352-571-2147 PIN: 770 933 007#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/iet-jnni-uzk?pin=7430018450656
SAT Practice Exams
Exam Details:
SAT Practice Exam: Saturday, January 31, 2026 | 9:00 AM -12:00 PM | Proctored online via Zoom
SAT Practice Exam: Saturday, February 7, 2026 | 9:00 AM -12:00 PM | Proctored online via Zoom
*Please note that these live exams are proctored in standard time only. If you have been approved for an extended time accommodation, go ahead and register for the exam, then use this self-proctoring guide to walk you through the process of using our on-demand video proctor with extended time.
Step 1: Register here: www.revolutionprep.com/partners/belmonths/
Step 2: Schedule a free 30-minute score report review with a Revolution Prep testing expert to help you interpret the results and develop a customized plan to prepare. Please schedule this appointment for the few days after the exam. You can pre-schedule this Score Report Review here: https://www.revolutionprep.com/vasilios-kostakis
Step 3: Attend the mock exam and instantly receive our best-in-class score report, illustrating three high-impact areas to focus on for each section of the test.
Questions? If you have questions or want to learn more about Revolution Prep, you can reach out to Vasilios Kostakis at (781) 916-8668 or by email at vasilios.kostakis@revolutionprep.com.
|
|
|
BHS PATRONS (Parents of Performing Arts Students) Annual Trivia Night Fundraiser for ADULTS (BHS parents, friends & community members) is coming up Friday, January 30 from 7-10pm at the Beech St. Center.
Expect great food, beer, wine, and a whole lot of “friendly” competition. You can form a team of 5-8 people prior to the event or join a team when you arrive. Tickets are $40, and all proceeds support the PAC. Come hungry, come thirsty, and come ready to prove that all those random facts you’ve been storing are finally useful. GET TICKETS HERE
|
|
|
The PTSO has three great events for parents coming up in January and February. We hope to see you there!
2025 Belmont Youth Health Survey Results
Please join the Belmont Wellness Coalition for a community presentation on the results of the 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 7–8 p.m. in the Black Box Theater at Belmont High School.
Over 1,600 Belmont middle and high school students completed the health survey in spring 2025. Students shared their experiences with alcohol, cannabis and vaping; depression, anxiety, and stress; bullying; and dating/relationships.
The presentation is free and open to the public. This event is hosted by the Belmont High School PTSO and Belmont Middle School PTO.
Meet the Superintendent
Wednesday, January 21, 7-8 p.m.
BHS Library (2nd floor)
Join us Wednesday, January 21, for a conversation with Superintendent Dr. Jill Geiser. Dr. Geiser will discuss student learning via the strategic plan lens.
Discover Your Gap Year!
Tuesday, February 10, 7-8 p.m., Zoom
Join Katherine Stievater, founder of Gap Year Solutions for a presentation and Q&A about why students choose to take a Gap Year, and how to plan transformational and purposeful Gap time on any budget.
Register at https://forms.gle/Wat832wRyMY3Xk5A6
|
|
|
Butler PTA is in need of volunteers for two upcoming events.
January 12, 5:45-7pm, Butler Elementary School Library: volunteers needed for childcare for a few children during Butler PTA's in person meeting. Sign up here or reach out to Claire Schuster at schuster.claire.e@gmail.com or butlerpta@gmail.com
January 23, 6-8pm, Butler Elementary School Gym: volunteers needed for Butler STEM Night! Volunteering at STEM Night is a chance to create a fun and rewarding experience for young children AND earn 2 hours of community service. Sign up: BHS Volunteers for STEM Night 1/23 or contact Carolyn Romero at cdc5774@gmail.com. Thank you!
|
|
|
Belmont Wellness Coalition |
Belmont Wellness Coalition’s Parent Group meets next (over zoom) on Wed., Jan. 28 at 7:00 PM.
Topic: How to talk (so teens will listen – and listen - so teens will talk) about substance misuse: its impacts, risk/protective factors, refusal skill strategies. Please share what’s working well for you and also what’s concerning you.
All are welcome!
Zoom link: https://waysideyouth-org.zoom.us/j/81523616493?pwd=d2hPPy44DhRc3OZbGgcVkrFBrz6XQQ.1
|
|
|
Belmont Basketball Night - January 16, 2026
On Friday, January 16, 2026, the Belmont community is invited to attend Belmont Basketball Night at the BMHS Field House. This event is free and open to the community. Come be part of the fun with raffles, prizes, and a chance to cheer on our high school teams as they compete against Winchester!
4:15pm - Boys JV (BHS)
5:00pm - Girls JV (CUE)
5:45 pm - Boys Varsity (BHS)
7:15 pm - Girls Varsity (BHS)
|
|
|
The Girls Hockey Team started off the New Year with an exciting 0-0 Overtime tie with Middlesex League Rival Reading. Sophomore Elinor Dorn stopped all 25 shots from Reading. It was a great back and forth hockey game! The Lady Marauders follow this up with a 5-0 win at home against Arlington on Wednesday evening at home. Sophomore Lexi Fici led the way with 1 goal and 3 assists and her linemates also chipped in on the score sheet. Senior Captain Mackenzie Clarke had 2 goals and an assist while Mackenzie Tierney added a goal. Freshman Ava Keefe got the scoring going with her first Varsity goal assisted by Junior Martha Dimas. A great overall effort and Elinor Dorn stopped all 13 shots she faced for her third shutout of the season. Big game this Saturday at Home against Woburn and a non-league game on Monday at Brookline. |
Our first race of the season on Tuesday this week & a very successful start. Belmont High hosted the first
race and we raced the maximum of 24 racers. The boys team got 3rd place with the girls coming in 6th. Overall, we have a very strong team and we’re looking forward to wonderful season!` |
.This Week, the boys lost a close meet against a very strong Reading team. Belmont scored 27 points, including Lincoln Correia in the hurdles, Henry Heldwein in the mile, Frido Meischner in the 1000m, Greg Zugman in the 300m, Ishaan Kangaraj and Will Olmsted in the 2 mile, our 4x200m squad, Marvin Mendoza in the shot put and Esmael Peavey in the high jump. We are preparing for our final dual meet this Monday at New Balance Track. Bring on Woburn! |
|
Boys Varsity Basketball is now 4-3. Key wins over Woburn and Weymouth both on the road over winter break. The Woburn game was close up until midway through the third quarter where our defense really turned up the pressure to cause turnovers to pull away and win 73-56. We then headed to Concord Carlisle where we competed in the Adams holiday tournament and defeated Weymouth but then fell and lost to a tough Braintree team in the championship game. Junior Captain Brayden Dargon was awarded all tournament player.
The Boys opened back up at home and took a tough loss to Burlington and look to bounce back as we travel to Lexington to take on the minutemen who are 5-1.
The sub varsity teams are also off to a strong start as the JV boys are 3-2 with great wins over Woburn and Burlington and the freshman team is undefeated.
We look forward to continuing to work hard, be committed and represent our school, community, and families with Belmont pride!
|
The girls lost a competitive meet against Reading on Monday. They were led by senior Captain Kira van Kelsted, who won both the 1-mile and 2-mile runs. Junior Nina Lind continued to impress in the Shot Put, earning first place again. The team also got great performances from senior Captains Fiona Rodriguez-Clark, Taylor Neill, and Daphne Ries. Our final dual meet of the season is on Monday 1/12 at New Balance. |
The cheer team made strong progress this week, learning new cheers and continuing to work on stunts in preparation for next week’s basketball night. Athletes focused on clean motions, timing, and safe stunt technique, showing great teamwork and improvement. We’re excited to showcase their hard work at the game! |
|
Since our last recap, Girls Varsity Basketball dropped two hard-fought games: a close battle against cross-town rival Arlington and a matchup versus Globe Top-20 powerhouse Woburn. Over winter break, the team responded with strong play at the Cambridge Legends Classic, earning an impressive win over host Cambridge and competing in the championship game, going toe-to-toe with Brookline.
The Marauders are steamrolling into the new year and the heart of the Middlesex League, highlighted by a big win over Burlington on January 6. This stretch has showcased the team’s depth, defensive intensity and focus on playmaking.
Several players have stepped up in big ways including juniors Skyler Herrick and Stella Ivkovic who’ve provided steady leadership - Skyler with infectious energy and Stella with timely scoring.
The JV squad is also off to a strong start at 2-3 and coming off an impressive win over a 3-1 Burlington team. That victory was fueled by a standout performance on both ends of the floor from Freshman Kaja Shapinsky along with a stimying team defense.
Our teams are locked in and committed to going undefeated in January. Come out and support us! Our next home games are on Tuesday, January 13, followed by a marquee doubleheader vs. Winchester for Belmont Basketball Night on Friday, January 16. We hope to see the stands packed in Belmont blue and loud!
|
The boys Varsity Swim team is headed into midseason and excited about the upcoming month. Wins this week at Burlington and Reading had great performances. Next week the team travels to Melrose and host Brookline on Friday. |
|
The boys Varsity Hockey team played two games this past week against league rivals. Last Saturday, the team traveled to Reading to face a veteran team. The game was very competitive, with a 2-2 score through part of the 2nd period. Reading capitalized and was able to secure a 5-2 victory.
Last Wednesday the team faced a highly ranked Arlington team. Despite giving up 5 goals in the first period, the marauders battled and were able to hold Arlington to only 1 more goal in the 2nd and 3rd.
This week, the team hosts another league rival- Woburn on Saturday at 3pm.
|
This week, Belmont Wrestling hit the ground running post-winter vacation. On Wednesday, 1/7, we hosted Winchester High School for our annual Senior Night match-up. Unfortunately, Belmont did not come out on top but phenomenal matches occurred. The end score was 53-26. The following day on Thursday, Belmont once again hosted a dual-meet, this time against Wilmington High School. A dominating performance all around to say the least with an ending team score of 66-0 Belmont.
This weekend will see the crown jewel of Belmont Wrestling’s season: The annual Brendan Grant Memorial Wrestling Tournament. On Saturday, January 10th, the Wenner Fieldhouse will see 24 Varsity teams from around the area competing against each other across 8 wrestling mats. Simultaneously, an official Junior Varsity tournament will also be run alongside Varsity athletes. In total, Belmont will see over a thousand attendees including athletes, coaches, spectators, and, of course, the staff consisting of volunteers and members of the Belmont Wrestling Community. In line with it’s rise in athletics, Girls Wrestling will be on display the following day. On Sunday, January 11th, Belmont will be hosting the 3rd annual Brendan Grant Girls Wrestling Tournament which will see over 100 female wrestlers competing. Anyone and everyone is invited to attend to witness the largest athletic event hosted at Belmont High School.
|
|
|
Math Pathway 26-27 School Year |
|
|
Marauders of the Week: The Marauders of the Week are BHS seniors nominated by their teachers for their outstanding accomplishments in and out of the classroom. This week, we are recognizing Meyvn E. O’Neil, Vlad Pashukov, and Marlene Loyall. Learn more about these impressive students on our website: https://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/o/bhs/page/marauders-of-the-week-profiles |
|
|
|
