Belmont High School

From the Principal's Desk

Friday, September 12th, 2025

Dear BHS Students and Families,

Back to school night will be on Thursday September 18 from 6:00pm-8:10pm.

The Schedule for the evening: You will see all of your student’s classes on this night. This does not follow a particular day of the week, so please take time ahead of the event to review your child’s schedule with them. Most students will be able to tell you which class is their A block, B block, C Block, etc. 

Using Plus Portals: If you want to fill in the form (below) by using PlusPortals, you can look at your student's schedule and you will see which class is listed as “A” “B” “C” etc in the column that says “time.” We have paper copies of the blank schedules in the main office. Please encourage your child to bring one home, or print the blank schedule below. If you and your student are having issues understanding the schedule, please feel free to reach out to your student’s guidance counselor or AP before the event next week. The link to the form can be found here.

Parking is very limited, both at the school and on the street. Please allow plenty of extra time if you are planning to drive.

I hope to see you at B2SN next Thursday!

Isaac Taylor, Principal

Belmont Wellness Coalition

In lieu of our B2SN presentation, BWC has created a short video focusing on youth substance use and abuse, strategies for parents, and social host liability law. Are you concerned about teen drinking/vaping/cannabis use? Wondering how to talk with your teens about these issues? Curious about ways to delay/minimize substance use? Want to know your own liability in these matters?

Lisa Gibalerio, Public Health Prevention Educator, (belmontwellness.org)has created this 10-minute video segment exploring these issues. Please watch and discuss with your teens. For more information, Lisa can be reached at:lisa_gibalerio@waysideyouth.org You can view the video HERE.

Important

Ebikes, electric scooters, electric unicycles, and so forth

This year there has been a dramatic increase in electric bikes, scooters, skateboards, and related vehicles on campus. I just want to remind everyone that the BMHS campus, including the pond path, are designed for cycle and pedestrian use. When using any bike/scooter, and especially electrically assisted designs, it is important to go slow. Many of these vehicles travel in excess of 30mph, which is far in excess of the 10mph speed limit on campus. PLEASE BE AWARE AND SAFE. Walk your bike/scooter on sidewalks.

PTSO

The PTSO warmly welcomes students, families, teachers, and staff back to school for the 2025-2026 year. With the start of the new school year, it’s time to restock the coffee and tea in the staff room! Pleasesign up here to donate something. All donations can be dropped off on Back to School Night on Thursday, September 18, on the table outside the office. Thanks so much!

Guidance

PSAT Signups for Juniors:  PSAT testing will be done digitally.  All students will need to test on their chromebooks.  The PSAT date is October 18, 2025 at 8 am at BHS for JUNIORS ONLY.   This is the only date the PSAT is offered.  The fee to take the PSAT is $40.  Payment is by cash or check ONLY.  All checks are made payable to Belmont High School.  Students should bring their cash/checks to Mr. Brown in Room A113 or Mrs. Sceppa in Room A106.  Students need to hand the checks to Mr. Brown or Mrs. Sceppa; do not leave the cash/checks on their desks if they are not there.  Registration will take place from September 8, 2025 through September 23, 2025. Please email Mr. Brown at jmbrown@belmonthschools.net if you have questions about a fee waiver.   Please fill out the PSAT form  here .  Students must use their Belmont Public Schools email to fill out this form.  You must provide payment to get a seat to test.   Sophomores will have an opportunity to take the PSAT test in the spring.  More information will be provided at a later date.

PSAT 101 Strategy Session

When: Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Time: 7:00 – 8:00 PM EDT

Where: Live Instruction Online via Zoom  

About the 101 Strategy Session

We invite students to join Revolution Prep for an introductory strategy session for the official test! This hour-long session is designed to give students insight into the exam as well as provide tips and tricks for test day.  

Digital ACT Practice Exam:

When: Saturday, September 27, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM -12:30 PM  

Where: 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 manual to walk you through the process of using our on-demand video proctor with extended time.

 SAT Practice Exam:

When: Saturday, November 8, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM -12:00 PM

Where: Proctored online via Zoom

Step 1: Register here: https://www.revolutionprep.com/partners/626      

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.

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College Visits

college

Belmont Voice

The Belmont Voice is seeking enthusiastic students to join our team! We're looking for one or two individuals to help with our coverage of high school sports. 

The work will likely include compiling team summaries and previews, and may involve reporting on individual games. We hope that interested students will bring a love of sports and an interest in relating stories of the games and participants. We expect our aspiring sports writers to contribute regularly, generate compelling ideas, meet deadlines, and welcome close editing and critique of their work. 

If this sounds like something you'd like to pursue, please fill out this form: If chosen, your work will be published online and in our weekly, print newspaper which is delivered to every home and business in Belmont! 

This volunteer position runs from September 2025 - June 2026. It will likely entail approximately 2 - 3 hours per week during the sports seasons (perhaps more in the initial weeks). A professional editor at The Belmont Voice will edit your articles and work with you to improve your journalism skills.

BHS Mini-Forest

Hi BHS! 

The MFAB Committee (Miyawaki Forest Action Belmont) and Climate Action Club are growing a mini-forest located in front of our school! The Belmont High School Mini-Forest project aims to make a positive environmental impact within our community. We want to create a place that anyone in our school community can use for education, conservation, or as a safe space.

The mini-forest planting site is located right in front of the school, in fact, there's a good chance you’ve walked past where it will be planted! The mini-forest will be planted using the Miyawaki Method, a planting method coined by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. Using his method, the mini-forest is expected to reach maturity in 25 years, 75 years sooner than traditionally planted forests! The mini-forest itself will be over 3,000 square feet in area and is composed of over 1,000 trees—all of which are native to our local environment.

As of Sunday, September 6th, we have mulched and laid cardboard on the site in preparation for planting day. The planting will be on October 4th, with the rain day being October 5th. If you are interested in helping us out, you can learn more at the website linked below:

tinyurl.com/miniforestbelmont/

BHS

Belmont Wellness Coalition

Belmont Wellness Coalition’s Monthly Parenting Group

BWC’s Parenting Group meets monthly during the school year, usually on the last Wednesday of the month, from 7:00-8:00 PM, over Zoom. The Parenting Group allows for honest discussions; parents share what is working well, what has been a challenge, and offer strategies to each other based on their experiences.  Parent Group topics cover a wide range (e.g., managing screen time, bullying, substance misuse, mental health, dating, autonomy, overwhelming stress, etc.) and are chosen by the parent members. All are welcome to attend!

BWC’s Parenting Group is facilitated by Lisa Gibalerio, MPH, with occasional guest facilitators. Join BWC’s Parenting Group by emailing: Lisa_Gibalerio@WaysideYouth.org.

Upcoming Fall Meeting Dates – on Wednesday at 7:00 PM over Zoom:

o    September 24, 2025

o    October 29, 2025

o    November 19, 2025

o    December 17, 2025

Athletics

BHS
Principal Taylor and Athletic Director Adam Pritchard, at last night's soccer game.

Cheer

Cheer

Girls Cross Country

Girls cross country had a strong season opener against Stoneham at the Fells Reservoir. Belmont took the top 11 places in their first meet of the season, showing a lot of potential for our season ahead. Now that the team has dusted off their racing shoes, they look forward to some solid training ahead of their first home meet of the season. The teams will be facing Winchester at Rock Meadow next Tuesday 9/16!

Golf

The golf team is on a winning streak, three in a row.  After a win against Stoneham on Tuesday, the team will play Lexington at home on Thursday and Burlington at Billerica Country Club on Friday.  The weather has been good for golf and the team is getting contributions from its experienced starting lineup.  

Girls Swim and Diving

Varsity volleyball is now 3-2 after being away all week. The Volleyball team had 2 program sweeps this week against Watertown and Arlington. The freshman volleyball team remains undefeated so far. Your favorite volleyball team is back home next week on Tuesday.

Swim

Football

The Marauders opened the season against Waltham in a tough, hard-fought battle. Despite a strong effort, Belmont came up short with a 24–12 loss. The kids played hard from start to finish, showing grit and determination.

Next week, the team looks to bounce back on the road against Somerville.

Player Spotlight – Casey Regan (Sr. Captain)

Casey had an outstanding performance in the season opener:

  • 12 carries for 132 yards

  • 78-yard kickoff return for a touchdown

  • 5 tackles

  • 1 interception

Great leadership and play from our senior captain set the tone for the Marauders, and we’ll look to build on that heading into Week 2.

Girls Soccer

The girls varsity soccer team had a very successful week, with two big wins! On Saturday, we played Westford Academy and won 2-0, with the goals scored by freshman Clara Scliandra and senior captain Danica Zicha. Then, on Monday we versed Watertown and won 6-0, with goals scored by sophomore Cassie Greiner, sophomore Eva Berlis, senior Nora Goulding, and the rest scored by Danica Zicha. This upcoming Saturday we will be playing Arlington, on their turf, at 3:30 pm, and although they are a competitive team, we hope to have a good outcome!

Boys Cross Country

Boys Cross Country shut out Stoneham 15-50 in their season opener against the Spartans.  Underclassmen took the top 3 spots as freshman Ishaan Kanagaraj led the way with a time of 16:47 just ahead of Noah Geiger and Will Olmsted.  Overall 14 Marauders ran under 20 minutes for the 5K course.   The team is now busy preparing for next week’s Home Opener on 9/16 when we host Winchester at Rock Meadow.

boys cross

Field Hockey

JVB is off to a strong start with a 4-0 record with multiple goal scorers across the forward and midfield lines. The team continues to work on moving the ball quickly up the field to increase scoring opportunities.  JVA is now 2-2 after a great 2-0 win over Arlington High School.  The team is beginning to gel as their communication improves.  The Varsity team is 3-1.  They had a hard fought game against Watertown this week and came up just short with a 1-2 final score.  Gigi Mastrangelo scored a hat trick in the Arlington win on Thursday.  

Boys Soccer

The Boys Freshmen squad has scored 16 goals in 3 matches. Nimit Bhata and Justin Pizzi have been frequent scorers for Coach Burgess’ team. JV Coach Luckson Dambo has started his Belmont coaching career with a 3-0-0 record with Freshman Tim Garcia-Buxo putting in some strong performances. The varsity team played their second game and drew 1-1 in a close game with Watertown on Monday. Sophomore Robert Hoerle scored his first career varsity goal in the tightly contested contest. 

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Girls Volleyball

volley

Golf

The golf team is on a winning streak, three in a row.  After a win against Stoneham on Tuesday, the team will play Lexington at home on Thursday and Burlington at Billerica Country Club on Friday.  The weather has been good for golf and the team is getting contributions from its experienced starting lineup.  

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 Andrew Quinn, Amelia Funke, and Alex Matias.  Learn more about these impressive students on our website: https://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/o/bhs/page/marauders-of-the-week-profiles