Belmont Launches Summer of Service Bingo as Schools Add 15 Minutes to Day

A community volunteer initiative and a new digital tool for the town's cemeteries are drawing attention this week, while Belmont Public Schools moves toward a longer school day for all students starting in the fall.

SCHOOLS

Belmont Public Schools will extend the student day by 15 minutes at every school beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, a change tied to the collective bargaining agreement ratified with the Belmont Education Association after more than 19 months of negotiations. The updated schedule was released following a May 29 bargaining update, and registration for the new school year is now open on the district website.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

Belmont Patch reports on a new community volunteer effort launching this summer. "🌱 Patch AM: How to join Belmont's new Summer of Service Bingo this summer" — the program appears to offer residents a structured, game-style way to engage in local volunteer activity over the coming months, per Belmont Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/belmont).

A separate recent item covers an interactive mapping tool coming to town burial grounds. "🌱 Patch AM: How will Belmont's new grave-finder map change cemetery visits?" — Belmont Patch reports the town is developing a phone-accessible map to help visitors locate specific graves, per Belmont Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/belmont).

COMING UP

- **Mon., June 29:** Senior Tax Relief Working Group meeting — remote only; Retirement Board meeting — hybrid; Select Board meeting — hybrid. All are on the town calendar at belmont-ma.gov. - **Wed., June 25:** Toddler Storytime With Stay and Play, 10:30–11:30 a.m., Belmont Public Library. - **Sat., June 28:** "Author of Liberty" event on the Belmont Patch calendar. - **Week of June 29–July 3:** No yard waste pickup — residents should plan accordingly per the town alert posted on belmont-ma.gov.