During the first part of the school year students have worked hard at learning classroom and school routines. In the classrooms, students are working at building caring communities where they can support one another in their learning.

To build a positive school environment, students have also learned about the behavior expectations for many of our common areas. In the hallways, students move quickly and quietly between locations. They are becoming more aware every day of how their voices carry in our building and how important it is for them to be respectful of others who are learning. In the cafeteria, we have assigned students seats and rules are being followed. Students have learned that it is important to be good citizens in the lunchroom by maintaining an appropriate voice level, being respectful of other's space, and cleaning up after themselves when it is time to leave.

We have recognized students who are demonstrating positive behaviors by awarding students an opportunity to sit at the golden table in the cafeteria. We will be awarding students with good behavior at our monthly school meetings.

On the playground, students have been provided opportunities for games and activities. With each new activity, there are new rules that must be learned. In everything they do, students are guided to be kind to themselves, kind to others, and kind to the environment.

As we move forward through the remainder of the year, students will continue to build their understanding of what it means to be kind to themselves, kind to others, and kind to the environment. We are so proud of our students and the positive growth they have made in these past two months.

Greetings!

We have had a wonderful start to the new year and we hope you all have too. This year the BSA counseling program will continue to provide many of the same resources and opportunities to engage our students and will expand in other areas as well. This includes:

• Providing individual counseling sessions for students who need more assistance with social-emotional needs. These may be a one-time session, periodic check-ins or regular meetings.

• Hosting a series of short-term groups based on different themes and needs (e.g., anxiety, friendship, self regulation, social skills) throughout the year.

• Hosting a series of short-term lunch groups throughout the year.

• Hosting a periodic “Coffee with the Counselors” for caregivers.

• Providing referrals to our school-based outpatient clinicians from JRI and Embrace Pathways.

• Partnering with The Children’s Room to provide grief support services for students who have lost a primary caregiver or sibling.

• Providing resources and consultation to BSA staff and families to address various social-emotional needs.

Adjustment Counselors

Janee Tichy and Kayla Camardella

The 5th Grade District wide teams (Belmonte STEAM Academy)

“Belmonte Bullbots” and “Techno Titans”

Coaches- Mr. Palmerini & Mrs. Williamson

Fall Robotics After School program is off to a great start. The two teams (Belmonte Bullbots and Techno Titans) are working hard to complete building Lego Spike Prime Robots and program them to successfully complete missions. This year the First Lego Robotic theme is “Masterpiece” integrating the Arts and Sciences into the Challenge Competition. The missions are completed on the specially designed table incorporating many challenges to be completed within 2min and 30sec. The teams are looking forward to competing with other towns from Massachusetts in grades 4-8. This year the regional matches will be held at Melrose High School on Saturday December 2 from 7:30am to 4:30pm.

Friday, October 27, 2023 was the Belmonte STEAM Academy Literacy Dress Up Day.

• Students joined in on the fun by dressing up as a character from any book of their choice.
• Students were encouraged to bring a copy of the book that their character was from, or even a picture of the book cover.
• Families were welcomed to watch their student parade around the school.

The golden table is part of the Belmonte STEAM Academy's PBIS initiative in the cafeteria. Each month, students have the ability to earn golden raffle tickets for showing respect, responsibility, and safety in the cafeteria. On the last Thursday of each month, 6 raffle tickets are drawn per grade level. Students whose names are drawn are able to choose one friend to join them at the golden table on the last Friday of the month. Behavior in the cafeteria has improved as a result of this initiative as students look forward to earning a seat at the golden table.

Grade 2

Brynn Clifford

Nicholas Tran

Shea Collins

Grade 3

Finley Whittridge

Kemilly Alves Rodrigues

Jasper Melgar Celaya

Grade 4

Trini Doan

Eliseo Tejada

Sophia Vargas

Grade 5

Mia Newbury

Samantha Williams

Mia Powers

Progress reports were sent out. If you have any questions please be in touch with your child's classroom teacher. Report cards will be sent home with your child on December 4, 2023.