Electronics Policy
The School Committee had its first discussion on a potential electronic device policy for the Belmont schools. While schools, notably Belmont High School, have policies on cell phones and electronic devices, this policy would be a district-wide standard.
School Committee member Matthew Kraft, who serves on the policy subcommittee, said they are in the beginning stages of creating the policy. He noted that it will likely not be a blanket policy for the entire district and will include varying rules for kindergarten through eighth grade and for the high school.
Student Opportunity Act
Assistant Superintendent Lucia Sullivan gave an update on the Student Opportunity Act progress in Belmont. According to Sullivan, the act calls on every district statewide to develop and “implement multi-year plans to reduce disparities in student outcomes.”
According to Sullivan, Belmont is in the second year of a three-year plan with a continued focus on improving outcomes for low-income students and Black/African American students.
“Our strategy has been to build a more coherent system of support across the district, grounded in strong tier-one instruction and a multi-tiered system of support,” Sullivan said.
The multi-tiered support system includes a new literacy curriculum, strengthened kindergarten screening practices, expanded social-emotional learning programs, and enhanced district attendance systems.
Mid-year data indicate that students who were performing 2+ grade levels below expectations are demonstrating growth of 150–180% of annual targets. Sullivan added that there are still disparities throughout the district.
Music Program Accolades
Six Belmont musical ensembles received an award at the annual Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) festival in late March, Superintendent Jill Geiser announced. The festival took place in late March.
Schools across the state are evaluated and scored using a rubric, placing them between “superior” (a gold award) and “needs improvement” (a festival participation award).
The chamber singers, concert chorus, and symphonic band won silver awards. The chamber orchestra, concert orchestra, and wind ensemble all won gold.
District Sustainability
Geiser, along with Belmont High School students Srishti Kar and Samantha Huang, and sixth-grade teacher Ben Ligon, discussed various sustainability efforts throughout the district.
Kar, Huang, and Ligon play key roles in running the district’s two composting programs. Kar and Huang are members of the Climate Action Club at Belmont High School, which operates the high school’s composting program. Ligon founded the composting program at the Chenery Upper Elementary School.