On March 26, 7th and 8th grade students will have assemblies to hear from author Roshani Chokshi, a prominent author who will speak to her experiences as a member of the AAPI community. Her talk will span the topics of identity, authorship, persevering through challenges, her experiences growing up, and the immigrant journey of her family. Students will have a chance to submit questions for a Q&A that will follow her talk.

It has come to the BMS administration’s attention from the contractors working on the railroad tracks behind the school that students are still illegally crossing the tracks. They have alerted the MBTA police, who can issue fines of up to $5000 for trespassing. The school district has no ability to mitigate such fines. This serves as a reminder that the only acceptable place to cross the tracks is at a designated crossing.

As we progress toward the end of the school year, there will be a number of great opportunities for students to have fun, learn, and share experiences with their peers beyond the classroom. These include Student Council-hosted dances as well as June events like the 8th grade class party, the 7th grade trip to Canobie Lake Park, and the 8th grade trips that include Washington, D.C. and Adventure Week. These events and trips are a privilege, and students must demonstrate appropriate behavior to be allowed to attend. The school administration reserves the right to exclude students from these activities when it is deemed necessary based upon their conduct in the months ahead.

We are beginning to talk to 8th grade students about transition to the High School and what opportunities are ahead for them. Part of that is the course recommendation process in which 8th grade teachers consider students’ current academic progress and readiness for each level of High School course work available. Recommendations are based upon a variety of data, including quarter report card grades, and often include conversations with students. For recommendations that students do not agree with, there is a course placement review process. Students will also attend a course placement assembly with High School administration followed by a course fair to introduce them to all the offerings available on Friday, February 28. Students will be completing a course selection form to indicate which elective and world language courses they would like to take. Both the course selection form and the request for placement review will be due by March 31. Finally, parents and guardians will be invited to a virtual meeting with HS administrators to outline the course selection process on March 5.

As we enter Quarter 3, students will repeat the unified arts rotation of courses. Students will rotate through each of Art, Engineering, and Health in a 30-school day rotation. The number of class meetings will be dependent on the block for each section and the 7-day cycle.

Rotation Dates (Reporting Period)

January 27 - March 14 = 30 days (Q3 Report Card)

March 17 - May 2 = 30 days (Q4 Report Card)

May 5 - June 17-25  = 32-37 days (Q4 Report Card)

Art

Rotation 1: Wonder, Resilience

Rotation 2: Curiosity, Perseverance

Rotation 3: Imagination, Tenacity

Engineering

Rotation 1: Imagination, Tenacity

Rotation 2: Wonder, Resilience

Rotation 3: Curiosity, Perseverance

Health

Rotation 1: Curiosity, Perseverance

Rotation 2: Imagination, Tenacity

Rotation 3: Wonder, Resilience

MCAS testing is coming up this Spring for 7th and 8th grade students. All students take the ELA and Math assessments, and 8th grade students take the Science, Technology, Engineering (STE) and the Civics assessments. This is the first year for BMS 8th graders to sit the Civics test, and given that the assessment is still under development, we will not be provided individual student scores. 

The following dates are scheduled for MCAS testing:

ELA (7th, 8th) - April 7-8

STE (8th) - May 8-9

Math (7th, 8th) - May 12-13

Civics (8th) - May 29-30

he John McLellan Fund (JMF) for Music Scholarship was established in 2018 as a tribute to long-time Belmont teacher John McLellan, who served as music director and band director at Chenery Middle School for 35 years. Created and facilitated each year by POMS (Parents of Music Students), the scholarship serves as a tribute to Mr. McLellan’s tireless dedication to inspiring and nurturing young musicians.

The fund awards two $500 scholarships each spring to band/orchestra/chorus students in grades 5-8 who demonstrate excellence in musicianship, character, leadership, mentorship and preparation. Funds from the scholarship can be used for music activities such as music camps, master classes, private lessons, workshops or other unique experiences involving music.

The two music student recipients will be chosen by a panel of volunteer music alumni parents in consultation with the BPS music faculty. The scholarships will be awarded at one of the spring concerts.

 Applications for the 2024-25 scholarships are due by March 21, at midnight.

 Apply

Not going on the DC Trip. Please take a moment to complete the BMS Adventure Trip Google Form. This is for ANY student not attending the DC Trip. Even if you don’t plan on participating in any of the adventure trip options, please let us know by completing the google form. The link contains information on the adventure week activities.

The deadline to sign up for session 3 clubs is Monday, March 17th! Clubs are filling up fast! Click this link for the BMS PTO Clubs Website.

 Space is still available for the following clubs (available space in parenthesis): 

Lego Club (9), Growing Beyond Earth (7), Cartoon Creation Club (13), Anime Club (9), Web Page Design (9), Chess & Classic Board Games Club (7), Quiz Bowl Club(7), Rugby Club (9), Jewelry Making Club (15), Model UN Club (6), Reading Club (18), and Bucket Golf Club (10). 

 The following clubs are full:

Weight Lifting Club, Novice Ping Pong Club, and Dungeons & Dragons.

The Belmont Middle School 2024-2025 Yearbook is available for sale! The yearbook is a 120 page hardcover record of the 2024-25 school year and meant for students in grades 7-8. It will document student life, activities, student portraits, staff photos, events, grade eight farewell ads, and much more. Order a yearbook for $40. The yearbooks will be given out to students the week of June 16th. Deadline to order is April 1, 2025.

<< Click this link for the Belmont Yearbooks Website

 FOR ALL STUDENTS, FAMILIES, and STAFF

The yearbook staff needs your help! We need photos to make your yearbook a memorable one to look back on. Our student photographers can’t be everywhere. Please consider submitting any and all photos (Athletics, Concerts, Student Life, Spirit Days, Hanging with Friends, Picture Day Replacement Photo, Preferred Name for Yearbook, Clubs, etc.) for consideration to be used in the yearbook. Navigate to the yearbook website and select the Upload Photos menu at the top of the page to see the Upload BMS Photos. All photos submitted must be school appropriate for use in the yearbook.

 FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF GRADE 8 STUDENTS

Make the yearbook even more special for your student. A yearbook ad is a loving tribute to your student, personalized with your own sentimental message and a cherished photo, or photo collage. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’ll last forever. Check out the Belmont Yearbooks Website to learn more about placing a Grade 8 Farewell Ad. Deadline to order an Farewell Ad is February 3, 2025. 

 Don't delay, order a yearbook today!

At Belmont Middle School we take issues of bias and racism very seriously. Every student has the right to feel welcome, to learn, and feel free to be who they are. We support every student to feel safe, have a sense of belonging, and to call out acts of bias and racism and utilize consequences and restoration to ensure our community is a supportive one. If you are witness to or have experienced a bias or racist incident, you can report through the following link: https://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/page/bias-incident-reporting 

The Belmont Public Schools Bias Incident Report Form can be accessed from the BPS DEI website. Some important notes: 

• Submitted forms are routed to the Director of DEIW (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Wellness) and the school's principal, who will assess the report and undertake an immediate investigation. 

• While the form may be completed anonymously, we encourage you to provide your contact information. This will enable the district to conduct a more thorough investigation and resolution. Anonymous reports may be essentially impossible to investigate. 

• More information, including definitions of "what a bias-motivated incident is" and what happens after a report is submitted, may be found on the Bias Incident Reporting page. 

We encourage all members of the Belmont Public Schools community - including students, staff, parents/caregivers, volunteers, and town residents - to use this form to report any incidents of racism, bias, discrimination, harassment, or retaliation that you have experienced or witnessed, which involves a member of the Belmont Public Schools or takes place on or near school property. 

Learning For Justice, an educational resource for schools defines a bias incident as conduct, speech, or expression motivated in whole or in part by bias or prejudice. To learn more or read examples of bias incidents, please see "Tips for Identifying Bias Incidents." 

The district's investigation processes, including restorative and disciplinary consequences, will be tailored to each incident. While student privacy concerns will always prevent public disclosure of specific investigation details, we will publish periodic reports to keep the community informed of the number of reports made, noticeable patterns regarding the nature of the bias incidents, and conclusions of investigations when applicable. 

ABSENCE:  To excuse a student’s absence, parents/guardians must call the Attendance Line 617-993-2001 or fill out the Attendance Line Form by 8:30 AM on the day of the student’s absence.  The Attendance Line is available 24 hours, please call and leave a message as soon as you know your child will be out of school.  Give your child’s name, grade, date of absence, and a brief reason. It is important to stress that it is the responsibility of the parent to contact the school.

Each year, the Belmont Public Schools updates its student records. This form allows parents to fill out their child's information and submit it electronically, saving both you and the school time, while ensuring accurate information is being provided. We will be requesting this information every September.

New forms have been posted to PlusPortals under "Forms"

www.plusportals.com/belmontmiddleschool

Please review and submit:

Student Update Form or Contact Update form 

Authorization for Emergency Dismissal

New Families:

Web Authorization form - required submittal

MassHealth Benefits Permission - submit if student is receiving MassHealth

If you have additional questions or concerns, please reach out to the BMS administration team. We’re here to support you.

In partnership,

Russ Kupperstein

Principal

Belmont Middle School