FCPS

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From the School Administration

Dear Belvedere Families,

We hope you enjoyed winter break with the extra days of snow.  During this first week back to school, students reengaged in learning across the curriculum while also revisiting classroom and school expectations.  We appreciate all that you do to ensure your child is ready for school each day.

Winter weather seems to be here to stay for a bit. As a reminder, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy time outdoors. We monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside for activities like recess or physical education.

Visit Fairfax County’s website for Winter Weather/Extreme Cold safety tips. 

If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please contact our family liaison, Ivanova Plazas at [email protected]. You may also contact Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care. 

Please note that this coming Monday is Martin Luther King Day, so school will be closed.  We look forward to seeing our students back at school on Tuesday.

Warm regards,

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal

Tara Boone, Assistant Principal

Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal 

Message from Belvedere's Registrar

If you have a child who turns 5 years old by September 30, 2025, they will be eligible to attend Kindergarten for the 2025-26 school year. If you have any rising Kindergarten students, please be sure to complete the Survey of Pre School Children Form that is linked below and send in to the front office, attention of Mandy Belcher, School Registrar.

Survey of Preschool Children.pdf

[SPANISH] Survey of Preschool Children.pdf

  Call for Volunteers + Donations: VIP + Me

We are looking for volunteers to help set-up and clean-up as part of the VIP & Me events on Jan. 22 and 23. You will need to be available to be at Belvedere ES from 7:30-9:30 a.m. on one (or both) of the days to help with setting out food and cleaning up after the event. While you are there, your student can join you for the event – active time is 8:15-9 a.m. We are also looking for donations for the breakfast including fruit, pastries, yogurt, juice and other continental breakfast items. Please sign up to volunteer and/or donate.

Dine out at Taco Zocalo on Jan. 23 

The first Spirit Night of 2025 will be at Taco Zocalo’s new location in Barcroft Plaza (6343-D Columbia Pike, Falls Church) on Jan. 23. Dinner orders – including to-go, delivery and dine-in – from 5-9 p.m. will count toward our event total. Take a look at their menu and share the news with your neighborhood!

Sign up for Family Language and Culture Night, Feb. 6

Come share your family culture through food and music and celebrate Belvedere’s incredible diversity. Family Language + Culture Night will be held from 6-7:30 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 6. If you’re interested in bringing a dish or snack, play music or put on a short performance that reflects your family’s heritage, please sign up here by Feb. 1. Contact  Belvedere PTA at [email protected] or Ellen Serafini at [email protected] with any questions. We look forward to celebrating our students' linguistic and cultural diversity together!

Gradebook Available Until End-of-Quarter

Based on community feedback from the first quarter closure, FCPS revisited the scheduled dates for closing the Gradebook and Report Card modules in the SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps. 

Moving forward, the app will close in alignment with the actual quarter-end dates. This change will allow students and families to view their assignments and grades until the last day of the quarter. Gradebook will be closed for the second quarter from Tuesday, January 28, 4 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, 6 a.m.

Access Your Child’s Grades Through SIS ParentVue

Learn how your ParentVUE account allows you to easily access grade reports and other helpful information about your child.

🧥 Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

Winter weather is here! As a reminder, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy time outdoors. Schools monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside for activities like recess or physical education.

View Fairfax County’s Winter Weather/Extreme Cold safety tips. 

If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please contact our family liaison, Ivanova Plazas at [email protected]. You may also contact Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.

SR&R and Cell Phone Policy Survey Coming Soon

All FCPS families and middle and high school students will be receiving an email invitation on Tuesday, January 21, to participate in a survey about FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), cell phone policy, and cell phone storage options. The survey will be available from January 21 to February 3. Please take a few moments to share your feedback and help FCPS make informed, inclusive decisions for all of our schools!

📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

❄️ Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings

Watch this video to see how FCPS makes weather closing decisions. 

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Be among the first to hear about weather delays and closings! Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE. Emails and text messages are sent to parents and caregivers based on the addresses and cell phone numbers entered on this platform.

🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program will open on Monday, January 13, 2025. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion program for the 2024-25 school year. 

Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. 

Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting. Meetings are held at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program Registration page for a list of meetings by language offered. 

Get more information on the DLI Program webpage and DLI Program Registration webpage.

🖥️ Free Webinars and Events for Families

In January, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host webinars for families on:

• Overcoming School Refusal and Resistance
• Virtual Meeting for Siblings of Children with Special Needs
• FCPS Math Week
• Supporting Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills
• Depression in Teens
• Understanding Trauma in Your Child/Comprendiedo el Trauma en su Hijo (presented in Spanish)

Sign up for the FRC newsletter or visit their webinar webpage.

Upcoming Family Academy Events

You are an important part of your child's education! The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings.

Course Selection for Middle and High School Students

Beginning in January 2025, rising 6th – 12th grade students meet with their counselors to discuss course selection for the next school year. Families are encouraged to actively participate in this important process. 

As students choose courses, it is important for them to consider:

• Current academic strengths and habits.
• Graduation requirements (high school students).
• Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
• Personal well-being.
• Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.

School-life balance is an important consideration for students as they strive for academic and personal success. Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.

Winter Special Education and 504 Newsletter

The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Topics in this issue include:

• Community Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
• Save the Date: 2025 Family Summit
• SEL Screener Results
• New Accessibility Resources
• Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Program
• Why Some Students with Disabilities Stay in FCPS Until Age 22
• VR Programs Supports Out-of-State Post Secondary Schools
• Executive Functioning Webinars
• Early Literacy Resources
• ESY and Assessment Webinar
• COVID-19 Compensatory Education: FCPS Service Delivery Options

Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide

Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

If you need further assistance please contact either Jeffrey Hewitt, Social Worker, or Belvedere's Family Liaison, Iva Plazas.

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered.

Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

Free Birthday Cakes for Youth

Cake4Kids is a nonprofit that delivers free, custom homemade or any other celebratory sweets to at-risk and underserved youth in the Northern Virginia area.

• Link: Cake4Kids Website

Contact Mrs. Plazas for more information.

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Dress Children Warmly
• Proposed Construction Projects
• Dual Language Immersion Lottery

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM)

Learn more about the criteria and process to apply for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.

If you need assistance with the Free and Reduced-Meal application, please visit Belvedere's Family Liaison, Mrs. Plazas in the Parent Center or you may call her office at (703) 916-6824

FCPS CARES Program

The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a story below to acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee or group of employees who should receive FCPS CARES recognition. 

Please take note of the following before submitting an FCPS CARES:

• A notification email, with the submission text included, will be sent to the recipient(s) and copied to the recipient's supervisor(s). 
• All submissions will be posted to our FCPS CARES webpage and shared via other FCPS news outlets.
• Submissions containing personal or sensitive information may be edited to protect individuals' privacy.
• Feel free to compose your submission using a text editor such as Microsoft Word, and then paste it into the text box provided.

For questions, please email [email protected].

Read more and Submit an FCPS CARES today!

Belvedere is on Instagram

Welcome back, Belvedere families! 🎉 New school year, new Instagram account! 📸 We’re thrilled to share all the incredible moments ahead. Stay tuned and follow along!

https://www.instagram.com/belvedereelem/

  January is National Mentoring Month!

Imagine a world where young people feel empowered, encouraged, and understood. Mentors can make that world a reality by helping young people find and follow their passions, excel in school, and thrive wherever they are.Learn more about Mentoring Month.

Research has shown that young people with at least one trusted mentor are less likely to skip school, less likely to use illegal drugs or drink alcohol, and more prepared to enter college or the workforce. Yet one in three children lack a mentor.

All it takes is one person to serve as a trusted adult to help change a young person’s path in life. Mentors provide attention, support, and enrichment, and help connect their mentees to resources that may help them on their journey in life.

The FCPS MentorWorks program matches mentors with students in schools near where they live or work. They meet for at least 30 minutes a week. Learn more about how to become a mentor for an FCPS student. Contact Martha Macdonald, mentoring specialist, for additional information at [email protected].

Upcoming Dates

January 19 - Orthodox Epiphany

FCPS has designated Orthodox Epiphany as a religious and cultural observance day. There is school on these days, however specific events that cannot be made up will not be held on these observance days. See the complete school year calendar.

January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday

Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. See the complete school year calendar.

 

January 29 - Quarter End, Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year falls at quarter end on Wednesday, January 29. The day will be a teacher work day and there will be no school for students. See the complete school year calendar.

 

Keep in Touch

Visit the Belvedere website

Report student absences

Bus Delay Website

Follow Belvedere on X

Change your email preferences

FCPS Calendar

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

January PTA Meeting Tonight Online and at BES

The January community meeting is tonight, Jan. 15, starting at 6:30 pm. Meetings last about an hour and are offered in a hybrid format – both online and in person in the Belvedere cafeteria. Spanish translation is available as part of the virtual format, so please join us via Zoom if you require Spanish support.

 

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85368117748?pwd=Yze9Iwh7zoAoD9nlYbax59MgB6nNw5.1 

Meeting ID: 853 6811 7748

Passcode: 857904

 

One tap mobile

+13092053325,,85368117748#,,,,*857904# US 

Dial by your location • +1 309 205 3325 US

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcy6BquIsx

 

You can also follow the live stream at https://www.facebook.com/belvedere.pta Children are welcome to join in person at Belvedere, and there will be space for them in the cafeteria to snack, play games, use electronics, read and/or color.

All staff and BES families are welcome to join these meetings and we provide time to discuss your questions and ideas. You must be a PTA member to vote on any financial decisions made during meetings.

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

From the School Administration

Dear Belvedere Families,

We hope you enjoyed time with your family and loved ones during the holiday break. The recent snowfall has given us the gift of an unexpected extended break and we hope you and your children enjoyed the weather and cozied up in the warmth of your home.   

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our incredible custodial staff for their tireless efforts in clearing the snow from our sidewalks, stairs, and parking lots. Your hard work ensures the safety and comfort of everyone, and we truly appreciate all that you do.

We’d also like to remind you that our next PTA meeting will be held next Wednesday at 6:30 PM. The meeting will be both in-person and virtual, and we hope you’ll join us to share ideas, stay connected, and support our wonderful community.

As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited to have our halls filled with energy, smiles, and a renewed sense of purpose. Here’s to a year of growth, connection, and success for all!

Warm regards,

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal

Tara Boone, Assistant Principal

Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal 

Gradebook Available Until End-of-Quarter

Based on community feedback from the first quarter closure, FCPS revisited the scheduled dates for closing the Gradebook and Report Card modules in the SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps. 

Moving forward, the app will close in alignment with the actual quarter-end dates. This change will allow students and families to view their assignments and grades until the last day of the quarter. Gradebook will be closed for the second quarter from Tuesday, January 28, 4 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, 6 a.m.

Access Your Child’s Grades Through SIS ParentVue

Learn how your ParentVUE account allows you to easily access grade reports and other helpful information about your child.

📵 Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our main office at (703) 916-6800.

📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

❄️ Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings

Watch this video to see how FCPS makes weather closing decisions. 

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Be among the first to hear about weather delays and closings! Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE. Emails and text messages are sent to parents and caregivers based on the addresses and cell phone numbers entered on this platform.

🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program will open on Monday, January 13, 2025. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion program for the 2024-25 school year. 

Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. 

Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting. Meetings are held at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program Registration page for a list of meetings by language offered. 

Get more information on the DLI Program webpage and DLI Program Registration webpage.

🖥️ Free Webinars and Events for Families

In January, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host webinars for families on:

• Overcoming School Refusal and Resistance
• Virtual Meeting for Siblings of Children with Special Needs
• FCPS Math Week
• Supporting Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills
• Depression in Teens
• Understanding Trauma in Your Child/Comprendiedo el Trauma en su Hijo (presented in Spanish)

Sign up for the FRC newsletter or visit their webinar webpage.

Upcoming Family Academy Events

You are an important part of your child's education! The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings.

Course Selection for Middle and High School Students

Beginning in January 2025, rising 6th – 12th grade students meet with their counselors to discuss course selection for the next school year. Families are encouraged to actively participate in this important process. 

As students choose courses, it is important for them to consider:

• Current academic strengths and habits.
• Graduation requirements (high school students).
• Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
• Personal well-being.
• Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.

School-life balance is an important consideration for students as they strive for academic and personal success. Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.

Winter Special Education and 504 Newsletter

The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Topics in this issue include:

• Community Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
• Save the Date: 2025 Family Summit
• SEL Screener Results
• New Accessibility Resources
• Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Program
• Why Some Students with Disabilities Stay in FCPS Until Age 22
• VR Programs Supports Out-of-State Post Secondary Schools
• Executive Functioning Webinars
• Early Literacy Resources
• ESY and Assessment Webinar
• COVID-19 Compensatory Education: FCPS Service Delivery Options

Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.

  📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update

The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received.  If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in a virtual meeting:

• Friday, January 10, 2025, 6-7:30 p.m. 

• Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m. 

• Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m. 

• Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

• Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 
• Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

Language interpretation will be available. 

All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. Please stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide

Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

If you need further assistance please contact either Jeffrey Hewitt, Social Worker, or Belvedere's Family Liaison, Iva Plazas.

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered.

Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

Free Birthday Cakes for Youth

Cake4Kids is a nonprofit that delivers free, custom homemade or any other celebratory sweets to at-risk and underserved youth in the Northern Virginia area.

• Link: Cake4Kids Website

Contact Mrs. Plazas for more information.

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• National Merit Commended Scholars
• Celebrating the Best of 2024 in FCPS
• Cell Phones Off, Learning On

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today. 

  NEW DATE: Join us to Discuss 2025 Plans & Activities  

This month’s community meeting will be Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 6:30 pm. We will discuss plans as we head into 2025, including VIP + Me on Jan. 22 and 23 and Family Culture Night in February. PTA meetings last about an hour and are offered in a hybrid format – both online and in person in the BES cafeteria. Spanish translation is available as part of the virtual format, so please join us via Zoom if you require Spanish support. 

The virtual link will be shared via News You Choose and via MemberHub (PTA’s communication link for members) in advance of the meeting. Children are welcome to join in person at Belvedere, and there will be space for them in the cafeteria to snack, play games, use electronics, read and/or color. All staff and BES families are welcome to join these meetings, share ideas, ask questions and volunteer. You must be a PTA member to vote on any financial decisions made during meetings.

Spirit Night: Taco Zocalo on Jan. 23 

The first Spirit Night of 2025 will be at Taco Zocalo’s new location in Barcroft Plaza (6343-D Columbia Pike, Falls Church) on Jan. 23. Dinner orders – including to-go, delivery and dine-in – from 5-9 p.m. will count toward our event total. Take a look at their menu and share the news with your neighborhood! 

Volunteer Opportunities: A Few Hours Can Help 

We are looking for volunteers to help with leading these upcoming activities. Don’t want to go it alone? Any of these volunteer needs can be shared.

Restaurant Night Coordinator: Connect with local restaurants and food trucks to create Restaurant Nights for the BES community every other month. Time commitment: 2-3 hours every other month until June 2025.

VIP & Me: Volunteer to set up continental breakfast and help plan two morning family-student events on Jan. 22 + 23. Time commitment: Less than 4 hours total, including event time (before school).

Movie Night Coordinator: Work with PTA leaders to coordinate our next Movie Night in late February. Time commitment: Less than 6 hours total, including day-of Movie Night needs.

School Directory Coordinator: Explore this opportunity to create a much-requested school resource. Time commitment: A few hours a month during the school year. Interested in any of these opportunities or other PTA volunteer needs? Send a note to [email protected].

Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM)

Learn more about the criteria and process to apply for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.

If you need assistance with the Free and Reduced-Meal application, please visit Belvedere's Family Liaison, Mrs. Plazas in the Parent Center or you may call her office at (703) 916-6824

FCPS CARES Program

The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a story below to acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee or group of employees who should receive FCPS CARES recognition. 

Please take note of the following before submitting an FCPS CARES:

• A notification email, with the submission text included, will be sent to the recipient(s) and copied to the recipient's supervisor(s). 
• All submissions will be posted to our FCPS CARES webpage and shared via other FCPS news outlets.
• Submissions containing personal or sensitive information may be edited to protect individuals' privacy.
• Feel free to compose your submission using a text editor such as Microsoft Word, and then paste it into the text box provided.

For questions, please email [email protected].

Read more and Submit an FCPS CARES today!

Belvedere is on Instagram

Welcome back, Belvedere families! 🎉 New school year, new Instagram account! 📸 We’re thrilled to share all the incredible moments ahead. Stay tuned and follow along!

https://www.instagram.com/belvedereelem/

  January is National Mentoring Month!

Imagine a world where young people feel empowered, encouraged, and understood. Mentors can make that world a reality by helping young people find and follow their passions, excel in school, and thrive wherever they are.Learn more about Mentoring Month.

Research has shown that young people with at least one trusted mentor are less likely to skip school, less likely to use illegal drugs or drink alcohol, and more prepared to enter college or the workforce. Yet one in three children lack a mentor.

All it takes is one person to serve as a trusted adult to help change a young person’s path in life. Mentors provide attention, support, and enrichment, and help connect their mentees to resources that may help them on their journey in life.

The FCPS MentorWorks program matches mentors with students in schools near where they live or work. They meet for at least 30 minutes a week. Learn more about how to become a mentor for an FCPS student. Contact Martha Macdonald, mentoring specialist, for additional information at [email protected].

Upcoming Dates

January 19 - Orthodox Epiphany

FCPS has designated Orthodox Epiphany as a religious and cultural observance day. There is school on these days, however specific events that cannot be made up will not be held on these observance days. See the complete school year calendar.

January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday

Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. See the complete school year calendar.

 

January 29 - Quarter End, Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year falls at quarter end on Wednesday, January 29. The day will be a teacher work day and there will be no school for students. See the complete school year calendar.

 

Keep in Touch

Visit the Belvedere website

Report student absences

Bus Delay Website

Follow Belvedere on X

Change your email preferences

FCPS Calendar

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

From the School Administration

Dear Belvedere Families,

As the holiday season approaches, we want to take a moment to thank you for your ongoing support and partnership throughout the year. This is a special time to create lasting memories with your family and friends, and we hope you enjoy every moment of it.

We encourage you to cherish this well-deserved break with your children, filled with joy, laughter, and togetherness. May your holidays be safe, relaxing, and full of love.

We look forward to welcoming all of our students back in the new year, refreshed and ready for another wonderful term.

Warm wishes for a happy holiday season and a fantastic New Year!

Cheers to a great break!

Warm regards,

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal

Tara Boone, Assistant Principal

Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal 

Main Office Closed Over Winter Break

Belvedere's main office will be closed from Monday, December 23rd through Friday, January 3rd. The office will re-open on Monday, January 6th with the restart of school.

Last Call for Late Day Learners Sign-Ups

The new session of Late Day Learners will start January 13. Please register online at https://www.belvederepta.org no later than December 29, 2024.

🍎 Make Every Day Count! The Importance of Attendance

As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during breaks from school. 

Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.

Learn how families can help form good attendance habits.

 

🤒 When a Student Should Stay Home From School

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit our website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

❄️ Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings

Watch this video to see how FCPS makes weather closing decisions. 

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Be among the first to hear about weather delays and closings! Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE. Emails and text messages are sent to parents and caregivers based on the addresses and cell phone numbers entered on this platform.

🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program will open on Monday, January 13, 2025. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion program for the 2024-25 school year. 

Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. 

Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting. Meetings are held at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program Registration page for a list of meetings by language offered. 

Get more information on the DLI Program webpage and DLI Program Registration webpage.

🖥️ Free Webinars and Events for Families

In January, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host webinars for families on:

• Overcoming School Refusal and Resistance
• Virtual Meeting for Siblings of Children with Special Needs
• FCPS Math Week
• Supporting Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills
• Depression in Teens
• Understanding Trauma in Your Child/Comprendiedo el Trauma en su Hijo (presented in Spanish)

Sign up for the FRC newsletter or visit their webinar webpage.

Upcoming Family Academy Events

You are an important part of your child's education! The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings.

Course Selection for Middle and High School Students

Beginning in January 2025, rising 6th – 12th grade students meet with their counselors to discuss course selection for the next school year. Families are encouraged to actively participate in this important process. 

As students choose courses, it is important for them to consider:

• Current academic strengths and habits.
• Graduation requirements (high school students).
• Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
• Personal well-being.
• Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.

School-life balance is an important consideration for students as they strive for academic and personal success. Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.

Winter Special Education and 504 Newsletter

The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Topics in this issue include:

• Community Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
• Save the Date: 2025 Family Summit
• SEL Screener Results
• New Accessibility Resources
• Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Program
• Why Some Students with Disabilities Stay in FCPS Until Age 22
• VR Programs Supports Out-of-State Post Secondary Schools
• Executive Functioning Webinars
• Early Literacy Resources
• ESY and Assessment Webinar
• COVID-19 Compensatory Education: FCPS Service Delivery Options

Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.

⛄Student and Family Resources

Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue! 

FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures.

  📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update

The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received.  If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in a virtual meeting:

• Friday, January 10, 2025, 6-7:30 p.m. 

• Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m. 

• Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m. 

• Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

• Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

• Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

. 

Language interpretation will be available. 

All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. Please stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide

Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

If you need further assistance please contact either Jeffrey Hewitt, Social Worker, or Belvedere's Family Liaison, Iva Plazas.

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered.

Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county. 

Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.

Free Birthday Cakes for Youth

Cake4Kids is a nonprofit that delivers free, custom homemade or any other celebratory sweets to at-risk and underserved youth in the Northern Virginia area.

• Link: Cake4Kids Website

Contact Mrs. Plazas for more information.

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration
• Be Among the First to Hear About Closings/Delays
• Fall 2024 Sports Champions

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today. 

  Join us to Discuss 2025 Plans & Activities  

Next month’s community meeting will be Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 6:30 pm. We will discuss plans as we head into 2025, including VIP + Me on Jan. 22 and 23 and Family Culture Night in February. PTA meetings last about an hour and are offered in a hybrid format – both online and in person in the BES cafeteria. Spanish translation is available as part of the virtual format, so please join us via Zoom if you require Spanish support. 

The virtual link will be shared via News You Choose and via MemberHub (PTA’s communication link for members) in advance of the meeting. Children are welcome to join in person at Belvedere, and there will be space for them in the cafeteria to snack, play games, use electronics, read and/or color. All staff and BES families are welcome to join these meetings, share ideas, ask questions and volunteer. You must be a PTA member to vote on any financial decisions made during meetings.

And the Winner is …  

Congratulations to the winner of the PTA’s first-ever handbag raffle: Meron Taressa. Their ticket was randomly selected by the Givebacks software system from more than 560 raffle entries. All proceeds from the raffle benefit Belvedere PTA initiatives, including classroom support for teachers and upcoming community events like Family Culture Night, monthly Teacher Treats and Fifth Grade Field Day. Thanks to the more than 120 people who bought tickets to support this fundraiser.

Spirit Night: Taco Zocalo on Jan. 23 

The first Spirit Night of 2025 will be at Taco Zocalo’s new location in Barcroft Plaza (6343-D Columbia Pike, Falls Church) on Jan. 23. Dinner orders – including to-go, delivery and dine-in – from 5-9 p.m. will count toward our event total. Take a look at their menu and share the news with your neighborhood! 

Volunteer Opportunities: A Few Hours Can Help 

We are looking for volunteers to help with leading these upcoming activities. Don’t want to go it alone? Any of these volunteer needs can be shared.

Restaurant Night Coordinator: Connect with local restaurants and food trucks to create Restaurant Nights for the BES community every other month. Time commitment: 2-3 hours every other month until June 2025.

VIP & Me: Volunteer to set up continental breakfast and help plan two morning family-student events on Jan. 22 + 23. Time commitment: Less than 4 hours total, including event time (before school).

Movie Night Coordinator: Work with PTA leaders to coordinate our next Movie Night in late February. Time commitment: Less than 6 hours total, including day-of Movie Night needs.

School Directory Coordinator: Explore this opportunity to create a much-requested school resource. Time commitment: A few hours a month during the school year. Interested in any of these opportunities or other PTA volunteer needs? Send a note to [email protected].

Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM)

Learn more about the criteria and process to apply for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.

If you need assistance with the Free and Reduced-Meal application, please visit Belvedere's Family Liaison, Mrs. Plazas in the Parent Center or you may call her office at (703) 916-6824

FCPS CARES Program

The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a story below to acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee or group of employees who should receive FCPS CARES recognition. 

Please take note of the following before submitting an FCPS CARES:

• A notification email, with the submission text included, will be sent to the recipient(s) and copied to the recipient's supervisor(s). 
• All submissions will be posted to our FCPS CARES webpage and shared via other FCPS news outlets.
• Submissions containing personal or sensitive information may be edited to protect individuals' privacy.
• Feel free to compose your submission using a text editor such as Microsoft Word, and then paste it into the text box provided.

For questions, please email [email protected].

Read more and Submit an FCPS CARES today!

Belvedere is on Instagram

Welcome back, Belvedere families! 🎉 New school year, new Instagram account! 📸 We’re thrilled to share all the incredible moments ahead. Stay tuned and follow along!

https://www.instagram.com/belvedereelem/

Upcoming Dates

Winter Break (Student Holiday)

As a reminder, winter break will be held Monday, December 23, to Friday, January 3. To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately following the break. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year.

Classes resume on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. See the complete school year calendar.

Wednesday, December 25 - Christmas

🎄 A very Merry Christmas to those in our community who celebrate! Christmas is an annual holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the person who stands at the heart of the Christian tradition. It is celebrated in many unique ways across the U.S. and the world, most commonly by the joyous giving of gifts. Learn more about Christmas.

Wednesday, December 25 - Chanukah

Chanukah, an 8-day Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple and the miracle of a small quantity of oil that lit the Temple’s menorah for 8 days. This year, Chanukah begins at sundown on Wednesday, December 25. See the complete school year calendar.

Keep in Touch

Visit the Belvedere website

Report student absences

Bus Delay Website

Follow Belvedere on X

Change your email preferences

FCPS Calendar

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

From the School Administration

Dear Belvedere Families,

We are on the homestretch before winter break, and it has been a fantastic week here at Belvedere! Justice the Bulldog has been greeting students each morning as they arrive, bringing smiles and setting a positive tone for the day. Our goal is to promote regular attendance and help students look forward to coming to school each day.

We’d like to remind you that absences can add up quickly, and every day of learning counts. Your continued support in ensuring students attend school daily—unless they are unwell—makes a big difference in their academic growth and success.

Winter break is a time for students to rest, enjoy family time, and reenergize for the new year. It’s also an opportunity to keep their reading skills sharp. We encourage you to spend time reading with your child during the break. This can include reading together, listening to your child read aloud, or even taking turns reading. Every little bit helps to maintain their progress and foster a love of reading.

Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s education. We wish you a joyful holiday season filled with peace and happiness. We look forward to welcoming students back to school on January 6.

Warm regards,

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal

Tara Boone, Assistant Principal

Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal 

🍎 Make Every Day Count! The Importance of Attendance

As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during breaks from school. 

Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.

Learn how families can help form good attendance habits.

 

🤒 When a Student Should Stay Home From School

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit our website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

Reminder:  Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Jaclyn Walsh at [email protected] no later than December 15, 2024. 

The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually.  Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted. 

Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement.  Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Jaclyn Walsh at [email protected]. 

Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall. 

For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.

Staying Safe and Calm Over Winter Break and Beyond!

Formed Families Forward is pleased to offer a new training for parents and caregivers to boost family safety and wellness as you prepare for all of the excitement and disruptions of your children’s break from school and their expectations for winter holiday celebrations. Join us for an interactive workshop and get new strategies for managing the winter break and for starting the new year strong!

December 16, 2024

11:45 am-1:00 pm (with a light lunch provided) OR 

6:45 - 8:00 pm (with a light dinner provided) 

Location: Charles Houston Recreation Center

Address: 901 Wythe St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Simultaneous SPANISH interpretation is available upon request.  

Register Here: Staying Safe and Calm Over Winter Break and Beyond / Mantente seguro y tranquilo durante las vacaciones de invierno y más allá

Course Selection for Middle and High School Students

Beginning in January 2025, rising 6th – 12th grade students meet with their counselors to discuss course selection for the next school year. Families are encouraged to actively participate in this important process. 

As students choose courses, it is important for them to consider:

• Current academic strengths and habits.
• Graduation requirements (high school students).
• Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
• Personal well-being.
• Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.

School-life balance is an important consideration for students as they strive for academic and personal success. Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.

Winter Special Education and 504 Newsletter

The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Topics in this issue include:

• Community Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
• Save the Date: 2025 Family Summit
• SEL Screener Results
• New Accessibility Resources
• Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Program
• Why Some Students with Disabilities Stay in FCPS Until Age 22
• VR Programs Supports Out-of-State Post Secondary Schools
• Executive Functioning Webinars
• Early Literacy Resources
• ESY and Assessment Webinar
• COVID-19 Compensatory Education: FCPS Service Delivery Options

Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.

⛄Student and Family Resources

Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue! 

FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures.

  Community Meetings on the Comprehensive Boundary Review

If you did not get a chance to attend one of the recent community meetings on the Comprehensive Boundary Review, please consider attending the final meeting in this first phase of the boundary review process. The Region 1 meeting will take place Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m.,in the Madison High School cafeteria. Register today. If you are unable to participate, stay tuned for details about virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings coming early next year.

View FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide

Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

If you need further assistance please contact either Jeffrey Hewitt, Social Worker, or Belvedere's Family Liaison, Iva Plazas.

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered.

Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county. 

Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.

Free Birthday Cakes for Youth

Cake4Kids is a nonprofit that delivers free, custom homemade or any other celebratory sweets to at-risk and underserved youth in the Northern Virginia area.

• Link: Cake4Kids Website

Contact Mrs. Plazas for more information.

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
• Join Our Teacher Team!
• Comprehensive Boundary Review Updates

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today. 

  Need a Special Gift? Handbag Raffle is About To End  

Looking for the ultimate holiday gift or a little luxury for yourself? Support Belvedere PTA and enter for a chance to win a stunning Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM

handbag!  This timeless piece is perfect for making someone’s season extra special or treating yourself to a well-deserved indulgence.

Tickets: $10/each, 3 for $20 or 8 for $50

⏳ Sales End: December 18, 2024, at 5:59 PM

📅 Drawing Date: December 18, 2024, at 6:00 PM

Where to Buy Tickets: Online. If you want to pay with cash or a check,  click "Contact Organizer," or reach out to any of the PTA Board Members, and we'll take care of you. 

This holiday season, give the gift of luxury while giving back to your community. This would also be a great gift for your child’s teacher as an end-of-year thank you! All proceeds benefit Belvedere PTA initiatives, including classroom support for teachers and upcoming community events like the Fun Run and Family Culture Night. 

Questions? Contact us at [email protected]

Come Cheer the BES Fun Run Saturday! 

Bring your Belvedere Bulldogs to the return of the Fun Run. We will gather at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the school to do some stretching, running and hot chocolate drinking! We are STILL looking for volunteers to help donate and/or serve hot chocolate, hand out lap counters, cheer the runners and clean-up.  Sign up here to help. The PTA will be collecting gift cards for BES community members in need this holiday season – please bring one to donate! 

Volunteer Opportunities: A Few Hours Can Help 

We are looking for volunteers to help with leading these upcoming activities. Don’t want to go it alone? Any of these volunteer needs can be shared.

Restaurant Night Coordinator: Connect with local restaurants and food trucks to create Restaurant Nights for the BES community every other month. Time commitment: 2-3 hours every other month until June 2025.

VIP & Me: Volunteer to set up continental breakfast and help plan two morning family-student events on Jan. 22 + 23. Time commitment: Less than 4 hours total, including event time (before school).

Movie Night Coordinator: Work with PTA leaders to coordinate our next Movie Night in late February. Time commitment: Less than 6 hours total, including day-of Movie Night needs.

School Directory Coordinator: Explore this opportunity to create a much-requested school resource. Time commitment: A few hours a month during the school year.

Interested in any of these opportunities or other PTA volunteer needs? Send a note to [email protected].

Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM)

Learn more about the criteria and process to apply for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.

If you need assistance with the Free and Reduced-Meal application, please visit Belvedere's Family Liaison, Mrs. Plazas in the Parent Center or you may call her office at (703) 916-6824

FCPS CARES Program

The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a story below to acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee or group of employees who should receive FCPS CARES recognition. 

Please take note of the following before submitting an FCPS CARES:

• A notification email, with the submission text included, will be sent to the recipient(s) and copied to the recipient's supervisor(s). 
• All submissions will be posted to our FCPS CARES webpage and shared via other FCPS news outlets.
• Submissions containing personal or sensitive information may be edited to protect individuals' privacy.
• Feel free to compose your submission using a text editor such as Microsoft Word, and then paste it into the text box provided.

For questions, please email [email protected].

Read more and Submit an FCPS CARES today!

Belvedere is on Instagram

Welcome back, Belvedere families! 🎉 New school year, new Instagram account! 📸 We’re thrilled to share all the incredible moments ahead. Stay tuned and follow along!

https://www.instagram.com/belvedereelem/

Upcoming Dates

Winter Break (Student Holiday)

As a reminder, winter break will be held Monday, December 23, to Friday, January 3. To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately following the break. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year.

Classes resume on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. See the complete school year calendar.

Wednesday, December 25 - Christmas

🎄 A very Merry Christmas to those in our community who celebrate! Christmas is an annual holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the person who stands at the heart of the Christian tradition. It is celebrated in many unique ways across the U.S. and the world, most commonly by the joyous giving of gifts. Learn more about Christmas.

Wednesday, December 25 - Chanukah

Chanukah, an 8-day Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple and the miracle of a small quantity of oil that lit the Temple’s menorah for 8 days. This year, Chanukah begins at sundown on Wednesday, December 25. See the complete school year calendar.

Keep in Touch

Visit the Belvedere website

Report student absences

Bus Delay Website

Follow Belvedere on X

Change your email preferences

FCPS Calendar

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

Letter from Administration

 

December 10, 2024

Dear Belvedere Family:

We have recently found a racist slur written in a stall in the boys’ bathroom across from the library. 

We want to be clear that FCPS does not tolerate this kind of behavior in our schools. It is unacceptable that any student at Belvedere feels that this is appropriate behavior. This is not the kind of school community we seek to cultivate. We have made a commitment in FCPS that any time these situations arise, we will share them with our school community to send a clear message that we denounce these actions. 

Every student in FCPS has the right to feel safe and affirmed in our schools. Words matter, no matter the context, no matter the situation. In partnership with the Chief Equity Office, we will continue to work within our school community to have dialogues about dignity, humanization and belonging. I ask you to engage in these same conversations at home. 

Below are two resources that can also help guide your conversations at home: 

• How to Talk to Your Children About Hate Speech 
• Talking to your child about slurs: When words hurt

Our students can make a difference in this world by learning to embrace and value our differences instead of using them to divide us.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to a member of the Belvedere administrative team directly. We would like to hear your ideas about making Belvedere a more welcoming and culturally responsive environment for all.

Sincerely,

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal

Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal

Tara Boone, Assistant Principal

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

From the School Administration

Dear Belvedere Families,

What a week it has been!

This week, the PTA hosted their monthly meeting, and we were thrilled to hear that they raised over $20,000 from the Read-a-Thon. Thank you so much to everyone who participated and supported this effort!

On Thursday, the Preschool team hosted a Family Feast. It was heartwarming to see families come together, share delicious food, and enjoy quality time as a community.

As we approach winter break, just two weeks away, we want to remind everyone to send children to school prepared for the colder weather. Coats and outerwear are essential. If your child needs a coat, please reach out to us—we are here to help ensure every student is warm and ready for the season.

Lastly, attendance is vital, especially in the weeks leading up to a long break. Every day counts toward their learning and growth.

We hope you have a safe and wonderful weekend!

Warm regards,

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal

Tara Boone, Assistant Principal

Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal 

🍎 Make Every Day Count! The Importance of Attendance

As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during breaks from school. 

Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.

Learn how families can help form good attendance habits.

 

🤒 When a Student Should Stay Home From School

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit our website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

Join us for our upcoming monthly Parent Coffee on December 13! Reminder:  Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Jaclyn Walsh at [email protected] no later than December 15, 2024. 

The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually.  Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted. 

Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement.  Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Jaclyn Walsh at [email protected]. 

Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall. 

For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.

⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times

At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.

Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide

Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered.

Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county. 

Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.

Free Birthday Cakes for Youth

Cake4Kids is a nonprofit that delivers free, custom homemade or any other celebratory sweets to at-risk and underserved youth in the Northern Virginia area.

• Link: Cake4Kids Website

Contact Mrs. Plazas for more information.

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Tuesday, December 10.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Family Academy Orientation
• Literacy Resources
• Winter Programs and Activities

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

  A Chance to Win a Timeless Handbag (And Support PTA)  

Looking for the ultimate holiday gift or a little luxury for yourself? Support Belvedere PTA and enter for a chance to win a stunning Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM handbag!  This timeless piece is perfect for making someone’s season extra special or treating yourself to a well-deserved indulgence.

Tickets: $10/each, 3 for $20 or 8 for $50

⏳ Sales End: December 18, 2024, at 5:59 PM

📅 Drawing Date: December 18, 2024, at 6:00 PM

Where to Buy Tickets: Online. If you want to pay with cash or a check,  click "Contact Organizer," or reach out to any of the PTA Board Members, and we'll take care of you. 

This holiday season, give the gift of luxury while giving back to your community. This would also be a great gift for your child’s teacher as an end-of-year thank you! All proceeds benefit Belvedere PTA initiatives, including classroom support for teachers and upcoming community events like the Fun Run and Family Culture Night. 

The holidays are right around the corner! Purchase yours today and make this a season to remember.

Questions? Contact us at [email protected].

We did it! Read-a-Thon Beats its Big Goal

The PTA’s annual Read-a-Thon exceeded its target of $20,000 thanks to your support! And great news: the entire school earned a day of extra recess. We are so appreciative of everyone's participation and contributions – and incredible commitment to reading. The money we have raised will be instrumental in providing field trip opportunities, fulfilling teacher grant requests and developing more events to connect our school community. Congratulations to all our Bulldogs – and keep reading!

Grab your sneaks! BES Fun Run is Dec. 14

Bring your Belvedere Bulldogs to the return of the Fun Run. We will gather at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the school to do some stretching, running and hot chocolate drinking! We are looking for volunteers to help donate and/or serve hot chocolate, hand out lap counters, guide the runners and clean-up.  Sign up here. The PTA will also be selling wrapping paper, hand bag raffle tickets and spirit wear and we will also be collecting gift cards for BES community members in need this holiday season.

Volunteer Opportunities: A Few Hours Can Help 

We are looking for volunteers to help with leading these upcoming activities. Dont want to go it alone? Any of these volunteer needs can be shared.

Restaurant Night Coordinator: Connect with local restaurants and food trucks to create Restaurant Nights for the BES community every other month. Time commitment: 2-3 hours every other month until June 2025.

VIP & Me: Volunteer to set up continental breakfast and help plan two morning family-student events on Jan. 22 + 23. Time commitment: Less than 4 hours total, including event time (before school).

Movie Night Coordinator: Work with PTA leaders to coordinate our next Movie Night in late February. Time commitment: Less than 6 hours total, including day-of Movie Night needs.

School Directory Coordinator: Explore this opportunity to create a much-requested school resource. Time commitment: A few hours a month during the school year. Interested in any of these opportunities or other PTA volunteer needs? Send a note to [email protected].

Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM)

Learn more about the criteria and process to apply for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.

If you need assistance with the Free and Reduced-Meal application, please visit Belvedere's Family Liaison, Mrs. Plazas in the Parent Center or you may call her office at (703) 916-6824

FCPS CARES Program

The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a story below to acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee or group of employees who should receive FCPS CARES recognition. 

Please take note of the following before submitting an FCPS CARES:

• A notification email, with the submission text included, will be sent to the recipient(s) and copied to the recipient's supervisor(s). 
• All submissions will be posted to our FCPS CARES webpage and shared via other FCPS news outlets.
• Submissions containing personal or sensitive information may be edited to protect individuals' privacy.
• Feel free to compose your submission using a text editor such as Microsoft Word, and then paste it into the text box provided.

For questions, please email [email protected].

Read more and Submit an FCPS CARES today!

Belvedere is on Instagram

Welcome back, Belvedere families! 🎉 New school year, new Instagram account! 📸 We’re thrilled to share all the incredible moments ahead. Stay tuned and follow along!

https://www.instagram.com/belvedereelem/

Upcoming Dates

Friday, December 8 - Bodhi Day

Bodhi Day, Friday, December 8, is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment, also known as bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali.

Winter Break (Student Holiday)

As a reminder, winter break will be held Monday, December 23, to Friday, January 3. To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately following the break. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year.

Classes resume on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. See the complete school year calendar.

Wednesday, December 25 - Christmas

🎄 A very Merry Christmas to those in our community who celebrate! Christmas is an annual holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the person who stands at the heart of the Christian tradition. It is celebrated in many unique ways across the U.S. and the world, most commonly by the joyous giving of gifts. Learn more about Christmas.

Wednesday, December 25 - Chanukah

Chanukah, an 8-day Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple and the miracle of a small quantity of oil that lit the Temple’s menorah for 8 days. This year, Chanukah begins at sundown on Wednesday, December 25. See the complete school year calendar.

Keep in Touch

Visit the Belvedere website

Report student absences

Bus Delay Website

Follow Belvedere on X

Change your email preferences

FCPS Calendar

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

December PTA Meeting Tonight Online and at BES

The December community meeting is tonight, Dec. 4, starting at 6:30 pm. Meetings last about an hour and are offered in a hybrid format – both online and in person in the Belvedere cafeteria. Spanish translation is available as part of the virtual format, so please join us via Zoom if you require Spanish support.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89864013544?pwd=nHikx1cH4b2DRYRPadM47OmBcqZHKc.1

Meeting ID: 898 6401 3544 Passcode: 460595

You can also follow the live stream at https://www.facebook.com/belvedere.pta Children are welcome to join in person at Belvedere, and there will be space for them in the cafeteria to snack, play games, use electronics, read and/or color.

All staff and BES families are welcome to join these meetings and we provide time to discuss your questions and ideas. You must be a PTA member to vote on any financial decisions made during meetings

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

From the School Administration

Dear Belvedere Families,

As Thanksgiving break approaches, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude.

We are incredibly thankful for our dedicated staff, our remarkable students, and you—our supportive families. Together, we create the vibrant, caring, and dynamic school community that makes this place so special.

Thank you for your trust in us, for sharing your children with us, and for being active partners in their education. Your encouragement and collaboration inspire us to do our very best every day.

We wish you and your loved ones a joyful, restful Thanksgiving filled with warmth and gratitude.

With appreciation,

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal

Tara Boone, Assistant Principal

Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal 

Join us for our upcoming monthly Parent Coffee on December 13! Reminder:  Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Jaclyn Walsh at [email protected] no later than December 15, 2024. 

The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually.  Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted. 

Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement.  Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Jaclyn Walsh at [email protected]. 

Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall. 

For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.

Student Feedback Opportunity for FCPS Cell Phone Policy and SR&R

FCPS is working with K12 Insight to host a community forum for families, staff members, and students to provide feedback on the school division’s cell phone policies and practices, and the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document. FCPS is looking for more student participants (grades 3-12) to help ensure diverse perspectives from our community.

The community forum will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center. If your student is interested in providing feedback, please visit the Cell Phone Policy Forum registration page to learn more. Families must register their child by Monday, November 25.

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices. 

The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.

In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.

Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact your child’s school. 

Register for ParentVUE

Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily access your child’s results and other helpful information.

❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated. 

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.

 

📍 Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. 

With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

Read-a-Thon: Let's Finish Strong!

The PTA's (extended) Read-a-Thon is coming to a close on Tuesday, December 3! CLICK HERE for our fundraising site, and search your student's name to see their individual page to track reading minutes and to donate. Please share with your networks! Thanksgiving break is a great time to ask loved ones near and far to support our wonderful school and students by donating to this important fundraiser. We are almost to our goal of 20K which will go towards special field trips and important classroom supplies. 

Questions? Please reach out to Read-a-Thon coordinator Laura Nunneker at [email protected]. Let's finish strong, Bulldogs!

  Read-A-Thon ends Dec. 3

Read-a-thon has been extended to Tuesday, Dec. 3, which means students have all of Thanksgiving break to add to their reading totals. We still have $3,000+ left in our fundraising campaign and every minute counts!   This fundraiser benefits PTA’s work to pay for school field trips and classroom supplies, while also encouraging good reading habits.

People can donate a flat amount ($1, $20, $50, $100 etc.) or pledge an amount based on the number of minutes read by -- or to -- a student. Details: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/belvederesStudents DO NOT have to collect pledges to participate -- reading the most important goal.  

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Read-a-Thon coordinator Laura Nunneker at [email protected].

Join us for the December community meeting 

Next month’s community meeting will be next Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 6:30 pm. We will discuss upcoming community events before the winter holiday break, as well as plans as we head into 2025, including VIP + Me in January. PTA meetings last about an hour and are offered in a hybrid format – both online and in person in the BES cafeteria. Spanish translation is available as part of the virtual format, so please join us via Zoom if you require Spanish support. 

The virtual link will be shared via News You Choose and via MemberHub (PTA’s communication link for members) in advance of the meeting. Children are welcome to join in person at Belvedere, and there will be space for them in the cafeteria to snack, play games, use electronics, read and/or color. All staff and BES families are welcome to join these meetings, share ideas, ask questions and volunteer. You must be a PTA member to vote on any financial decisions made during meetings.

Grab your sneaks! BES Fun Run is Dec. 14

Bring your Belvedere Bulldogs to the return of the Fun Run. We will gather at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the school to do some stretching, running and hot chocolate drinking! We are looking for volunteers to help donate and/or serve hot chocolate, hand out lap counters, guide the runners and clean-up.  Sign up here. The PTA will also be selling wrapping paper, hand bag raffle tickets and spirit wear and we will also be collecting gift cards for BES community members in need this holiday season.

Save the Dates: December Events

Dec. 4-18: Purse raffle begins. Buy tickets ($10/each) to win a designer purse – a great holiday gift idea. Details to be announced Dec. 4 the PTA Community Meeting. 

Dec. 4: PTA Community Meeting, 6:30 p.m. At BES and online. 

Dec. 14: Fun Run, 9:30-11 a.m.. Come cheer on BES students as they run on the field at school. BES spirit wear and wrapping paper will also be on sale.

Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM)

Learn more about the criteria and process to apply for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.

If you need assistance with the Free and Reduced-Meal application, please visit Belvedere's Family Liaison, Mrs. Plazas in the Parent Center or you may call her office at (703) 916-6824

FCPS CARES Program

The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a story below to acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee or group of employees who should receive FCPS CARES recognition. 

Please take note of the following before submitting an FCPS CARES:

• A notification email, with the submission text included, will be sent to the recipient(s) and copied to the recipient's supervisor(s). 
• All submissions will be posted to our FCPS CARES webpage and shared via other FCPS news outlets.
• Submissions containing personal or sensitive information may be edited to protect individuals' privacy.
• Feel free to compose your submission using a text editor such as Microsoft Word, and then paste it into the text box provided.

For questions, please email [email protected].

Read more and Submit an FCPS CARES today!

Belvedere is on Instagram

Welcome back, Belvedere families! 🎉 New school year, new Instagram account! 📸 We’re thrilled to share all the incredible moments ahead. Stay tuned and follow along!

https://www.instagram.com/belvedereelem/

 

Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

 

National Career Development Month

By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school. Based on the needs of the populations served, each school determines optional courses to be offered. Learn more about Academies and Specialized Programs.

 

National Family Engagement Month

This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Strong family support is vital to student well-being and success. 

FCPS has many resources designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth.

Additionally, every school has a family liaison who will welcome and orient families, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.

If you have questions or would like more information, ask your school office to connect you with your family liaison or visit FCPS’ website for a list of region representatives.

Upcoming Dates

Thanksgiving

Schools and offices will be closed November 27-29. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Classes will resume on Monday, December 2. Learn more about the first Thanksgiving. See the complete school year calendar.

National Special Education Day

National Special Education Day is recognized each year on Dec. 2 and commemorates President Gerald Ford’s signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975. We celebrate our teachers and staff who serve and support our students with special needs, as well as our families who are partners in the education and support of those students! 

Learn more about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Bodhi Day

Bodhi Day, Friday, December 8, is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment, also known as bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali.

Keep in Touch

Visit the Belvedere website

Report student absences

Bus Delay Website

Follow Belvedere on X

Change your email preferences

FCPS Calendar

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

From the School Administration

Dear Belvedere Families,

What an amazing time we had last week! On Wednesday, our school hosted a Nature Night that brought together over 150 families for an unforgettable evening of learning and fun. Huge thanks to Ms. Auerbach, our environmental education teacher, for planning and leading such an enriching event! Families had the opportunity to dive into exciting activities like learning about flying squirrels and bats, observing fluorescent lichen, creating mandalas, experiencing forest bathing, enjoying a guided nighttime nature walk, and crafting beautiful art with leaves. To top it all off, the SEVA food truck served over 100 delicious meals, ensuring no one left hungry. A special thank-you to the staff who came out to support this event—it was truly a team effort!

On Thursday, we continued the celebration with a fantastic Thanksgiving lunch! Families filled the cafeteria, enjoying a delicious feast lovingly prepared by our amazing cafeteria staff. The table decorations made by our talented preschoolers added a festive and heartwarming touch. A big shout-out to all the staff who helped serve, supported during lunch, and ate with their classes. Thank you to all family members who were able to join us.

As we approach Thanksgiving, we want to express our gratitude for you. Your participation and support make our school such a special place.

As we move into the colder months and holiday season, let's work together to keep our school community healthy. Here are a few important tips to reduce the spread of germs:

• Wash Hands Frequently: Encourage students to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before meals, after using the restroom, and after coughing or sneezing.
• Use Hand Sanitizer: When soap and water aren't available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Teach students to use a tissue or their elbow to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, and always wash hands afterward.
• Avoid Touching Faces: Remind students to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Hand Washing Prevents The Spread of the Flu 

Your Health Is In Your Hands with the Help from a Shark

By working together, we can help ensure everyone stays healthy and enjoys the upcoming holiday season to the fullest.

Thank you for being such a vital part of our school family, and we look forward to creating even more wonderful memories together!

We wish you a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal

Tara Boone, Assistant Principal

Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal 

Join us for our upcoming monthly Parent Coffee on December 13! Reminder:  Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Jaclyn Walsh at [email protected] no later than December 15, 2024. 

The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually.  Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted. 

Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement.  Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Jaclyn Walsh at [email protected]. 

Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall. 

For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.

Student Feedback Opportunity for FCPS Cell Phone Policy and SR&R

FCPS is working with K12 Insight to host a community forum for families, staff members, and students to provide feedback on the school division’s cell phone policies and practices, and the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document. FCPS is looking for more student participants (grades 3-12) to help ensure diverse perspectives from our community.

The community forum will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center. If your student is interested in providing feedback, please visit the Cell Phone Policy Forum registration page to learn more. Families must register their child by Monday, November 25.

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices. 

The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.

In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.

Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact your child’s school. 

Register for ParentVUE

Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily access your child’s results and other helpful information.

❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated. 

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.

 

📍 Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. 

With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Preparing for Winter Weather
• SEL Screener Results
• Varsity Girls Wrestling Is New Winter Sport

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today. 

Read-a-Thon Extended!

Due to popular demand, the PTA is extending our Read-a-Thon for one more week until Tuesday, December 3! CLICK HERE for our fundraising site, and search your student's name to see their individual page to track reading minutes and to donate. Please share with your networks! Thanksgiving break is a great time to ask loved ones near and far to support our wonderful school and students by donating to this important fundraiser.  All students are invited to participate, whether or not the secure donations, and can enjoy these awesome prizes:

• The class with the most minutes in the school gets a pizza party.
• Every class that hits 3,000 minutes gets to bring a stuffed animal to school.
• Every class that hits 5,000 minutes gets to wear pajamas to school one day.
• If we hit our school goal of $20,000, Mrs. Vanderhye has agreed to give extra recess one day!

Questions? Please reach out to Read-a-Thon coordinator Laura Nunneker at [email protected]. Let's keep the momentum going, Bulldogs!

  Read-A-Thon extended to Dec. 3

Students now have another week to fill out their reading sheets: Read-a-thon has been extended to Tuesday, Dec. 3. We still have $6,000+ left in our fundraising campaign. Thanksgiving break is a great time to ask loved ones near and far to support our school and students by donating to this important fundraiser. This fundraiser benefits PTA’s work to pay for school field trips and classroom supplies, while also encouraging good reading habits.

People can donate a flat amount ($1, $20, $50, $100 etc.) or pledge an amount based on the number of minutes read by -- or to -- a student. Details: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/belvederesStudents DO NOT have to collect pledges to participate -- reading the most important goal. All students will be able to enjoy these exciting prizes:

-- The class with the most minutes read gets a pizza party.

-- Every class that hits 3,000 minutes gets to bring a stuffed animal to school.

-- Every class that hits 5,000 minutes gets to wear pajamas to school one day.

-- If we hit our school goal of $20,000, Mrs. Vanderhye has agreed to give extra recess one day!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Read-a-Thon coordinator Laura Nunneker at [email protected].

Join us for the December community meeting 

Next month’s community meeting will be on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 6:30 pm. We will discuss upcoming community events before the winter holiday break, as well as plans as we head into 2025, including VIP + Me in January. PTA meetings last about an hour and are offered in a hybrid format – both online and in person in the BES cafeteria. Spanish translation is available as part of the virtual format, so please join us via Zoom if you require Spanish support. 

The virtual link will be shared via News You Choose and via MemberHub (PTA’s communication link for members) in advance of the meeting. Children are welcome to join in person at Belvedere, and there will be space for them in the cafeteria to snack, play games, use electronics, read and/or color. All staff and BES families are welcome to join these meetings, share ideas, ask questions and volunteer. You must be a PTA member to vote on any financial decisions made during meetings.

Grab your sneaks! BES Fun Run is Dec. 14

Bring your Belvedere Bulldogs to the return of the Fun Run. We will gather at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the school to do some stretching, running and hot chocolate drinking! We are looking for volunteers to help donate and/or serve hot chocolate, hand out lap counters, guide the runners and clean-up.  Sign up here. The PTA will also be selling wrapping paper, hand bag raffle tickets and spirit wear and we will also be collecting gift cards for BES community members in need this holiday season.

Save the Dates: December Events

Dec. 4-18: Purse raffle begins. Buy tickets ($10/each) to win a designer purse – a great holiday gift idea. Details to come. 

Dec. 4: PTA Community Meeting, 6:30 p.m. At BES and online. 

Dec. 14: Fun Run, 9:30-11 a.m.. Come cheer on BES students as they run on the field at school. BES spirit wear and wrapping paper will also be on sale. 

Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM)

Learn more about the criteria and process to apply for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.

If you need assistance with the Free and Reduced-Meal application, please visit Belvedere's Family Liaison, Mrs. Plazas in the Parent Center or you may call her office at (703) 916-6824

FCPS CARES Program

The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a story below to acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee or group of employees who should receive FCPS CARES recognition. 

Please take note of the following before submitting an FCPS CARES:

• A notification email, with the submission text included, will be sent to the recipient(s) and copied to the recipient's supervisor(s). 
• All submissions will be posted to our FCPS CARES webpage and shared via other FCPS news outlets.
• Submissions containing personal or sensitive information may be edited to protect individuals' privacy.
• Feel free to compose your submission using a text editor such as Microsoft Word, and then paste it into the text box provided.

For questions, please email [email protected].

Read more and Submit an FCPS CARES today!

Belvedere is on Instagram

Welcome back, Belvedere families! 🎉 New school year, new Instagram account! 📸 We’re thrilled to share all the incredible moments ahead. Stay tuned and follow along!

https://www.instagram.com/belvedereelem/

 

Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

 

National Career Development Month

By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school. Based on the needs of the populations served, each school determines optional courses to be offered. Learn more about Academies and Specialized Programs.

 

National Family Engagement Month

This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Strong family support is vital to student well-being and success. 

FCPS has many resources designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth.

Additionally, every school has a family liaison who will welcome and orient families, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.

If you have questions or would like more information, ask your school office to connect you with your family liaison or visit FCPS’ website for a list of region representatives.

Upcoming Dates

Thanksgiving

Schools and offices will be closed November 27-29. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Classes will resume on Monday, December 2. Learn more about the first Thanksgiving. See the complete school year calendar.

National Special Education Day

National Special Education Day is recognized each year on Dec. 2 and commemorates President Gerald Ford’s signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975. We celebrate our teachers and staff who serve and support our students with special needs, as well as our families who are partners in the education and support of those students! 

Learn more about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Bodhi Day

Bodhi Day, Friday, December 8, is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment, also known as bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali.

Keep in Touch

Visit the Belvedere website

Report student absences

Bus Delay Website

Follow Belvedere on X

Change your email preferences

FCPS Calendar

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

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Please join us for Belvedere Elementary Nature Night from 5:30-7:00pm on Wednesday, November 20th. 

Esperamos verlos en la Noche de la Naturaleza en la escuela Belvedere el miercoles 20 de noviembre desde las 5:30 a las 7:00 de la tarde.

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

From the School Administration

Dear Belvedere Families,

Today, our fourth and fifth grade students had an incredible Career Day! We deeply appreciate all the parents who generously volunteered their time. The students were excited and inspired as they explored potential career options! A special thank you goes to Ms. Ballard and Ms. Simpson, our dedicated school counselors, for their hard work in organizing this event. Their commitment and effort provided an invaluable experience that encouraged our students to dream big and consider various career paths.

Additionally, yesterday, Ms. Walsh, our Advanced Academics Teacher, hosted a helpful parent coffee and evening session focused on the Advanced Academics continuum and the referral process for full-time services. Parents who attended had the opportunity to ask questions and left with valuable information to better support their students. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Ms. Walsh.

Finally, our next 3-Hour Early Release will be Monday, November 18, 2024. Last month, you filled out a survey to indicate how your child will go home for an early release. If you are planning on changing transportation from the previous early release (October 21), please email the office at [email protected] to change how your child will be dismissed at 1:05 pm this day.

Thank you for your continued support! It makes a meaningful difference in our school community. We look forward to seeing you next week for Nature Night!

We wish you a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal

Tara Boone, Assistant Principal

Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal 

 

Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Monday, November 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School Cafeteria. 

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. 

If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage.

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Veterans Day Recognitions
• Resources on IEPs, Financial Aid, Literacy, Community Leadership
• Teacher Hiring Event

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today. 

 

Belvedere's Read-A-Thon is Underway...Join Us!

Belvedere's 2024 Read-a-Thon fundraiser kicked off this Tuesday, Nov. 12 and runs through Tuesday, Nov. 26. You should have received information in your student's Friday folder as well as an email from 99Pledges, our fundraising platform. CLICK HERE to see our page, and search your student's name to see their individual page to track reading minutes and to donate. Please share with your networks! Anyone can donate any amount to encourage your student to read and to support our wonderful school! All students are invited to participate, whether or not the secure donations, and can enjoy these awesome prizes:

• The class with the most minutes in the school gets a pizza party.
• Every class that hits 3,000 minutes gets to bring a stuffed animal to school.
• Every class that hits 5,000 minutes gets to wear pajamas to school one day.
• If we hit our school goal of $20,000, Mrs. Vanderhye has agreed to give extra recess one day!

Questions? Please reach out to Read-a-Thon coordinator Laura Nunneker at [email protected]. Let's show our Bulldogs how rewarding reading can be!

  Get Reading! Read-A-Thon Has Begun

Read-a-Thon kicked off this week and the BES community is well on its way to the donation target of $20,000. Students DO NOT have to collect pledges to participate -- reading the most important goal.

This fundraiser will benefit PTA’s work to pay for school field trips and classroom supplies, while also encouraging good reading habits.

People can donate a flat amount ($1, $20, $50, $100 etc.) or pledge an amount based on the number of minutes read by -- or to -- a student. Details: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/belvederes

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Read-a-Thon coordinator Laura Nunneker at [email protected].

Spirit Wear Sale Closes Monday

The Belvedere Spirit Wear shop is open for orders until Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. Go to https://belvedere24.itemorder.com/shop/home/ to order Bulldog t-shirts, sweatshirts and more – for students and adults. Orders take 3-4 weeks to process so order now for the holidays. 

Save the Dates: December Events

Dec. 1-18: Purse raffle! Buy tickets ($10/each to win a designer purse – a great holiday gift idea. Details to come! 

Dec. 4: PTA Community Meeting at BES and online. 

Dec. 14: Fun Run. Come cheer on BES students as they run on the field at school. BES spirit wear and wrapping paper will also be on sale. 

Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM)

Learn more about the criteria and process to apply for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.

If you need assistance with the Free and Reduced-Meal application, please visit Belvedere's Family Liaison, Mrs. Plazas in the Parent Center or you may call her office at (703) 916-6824

FCPS CARES Program

The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a story below to acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee or group of employees who should receive FCPS CARES recognition. 

Please take note of the following before submitting an FCPS CARES:

• A notification email, with the submission text included, will be sent to the recipient(s) and copied to the recipient's supervisor(s). 
• All submissions will be posted to our FCPS CARES webpage and shared via other FCPS news outlets.
• Submissions containing personal or sensitive information may be edited to protect individuals' privacy.
• Feel free to compose your submission using a text editor such as Microsoft Word, and then paste it into the text box provided.

For questions, please email [email protected].

Read more and Submit an FCPS CARES today!

Belvedere is on Instagram

Welcome back, Belvedere families! 🎉 New school year, new Instagram account! 📸 We’re thrilled to share all the incredible moments ahead. Stay tuned and follow along!

https://www.instagram.com/belvedereelem/

 

Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

 

National Career Development Month

By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school. Based on the needs of the populations served, each school determines optional courses to be offered. Learn more about Academies and Specialized Programs.

 

National Family Engagement Month

This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Strong family support is vital to student well-being and success. 

FCPS has many resources designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth.

Additionally, every school has a family liaison who will welcome and orient families, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.

If you have questions or would like more information, ask your school office to connect you with your family liaison or visit FCPS’ website for a list of region representatives.

Upcoming Dates

November 18-22: American Education Week

For American Education Week we celebrate ALL who work in our Belvedere community: our bus drivers, cafeteria workers, counselors, support staff, teachers, leadership and more! Learn more from the National Education Association. Want to recognize someone from our school who goes above and beyond? Submit a nomination to FCPS Cares.

Keep in Touch

Visit the Belvedere website

Report student absences

Bus Delay Website

Follow Belvedere on X

Change your email preferences

FCPS Calendar

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

From the School Administration

Dear Belvedere Families,

It has been a warm and sunny week at Belvedere. Students are enjoying the last few days of a very warm fall, playing outside in shorts and t-shirts. 

Thank you to all who came to the PTA Meeting, either in person or through the virtual link.  We had approximately 25 people in attendance. PTA volunteers held a successful bake sale outside of school during election day. Thank you to everyone for supporting our school.

As you know, this year all grade levels are implementing a new language arts curriculum.  It includes units of study focused on different social studies and science topics. The upcoming units focus on government and emphasize the following:

Kinder: Rules at Home and School  

Essential Question: Why do we have Rules? 

Knowledge Goals: In this unit, Kindergarteners will read and learn about the importance of rules at home and schools. They will talk about how to stay safe at home, school and in the community by following rules. Students will also be learning about how rules help us act responsibility, get along with others, and make good choices. 

 

1st: Being a Good Community Member 

Essential Question: Why do people get involved in their communities?

Knowledge Goals: In this unit, 1st graders will read and compare selections about people who have made contributions to their communities to understand what it means to be a good citizen. They will explore the idea that when people exhibit the qualities of good citizenship, communities become safer and more enjoyable. 1st grade will also be looking into how responsible citizens follow laws and principles that include respect for the rights, opinions, and property of others.

 

2nd: Government at Work 

Essential Questions:  Why do we need a government? 

Knowledge Goals: In this unit, students will read informational texts about present-day government workers and laws, as well as historical fiction stories set during the American Revolution. They will synthesize information to build the following: The U.S. Government provides laws and services to help protect the freedom and safety of the people. People can contribute to their communities and their government in many different ways. The United States can be represented by symbols and documents. Historical fiction is a genre that bases its stories and characters on actual events and people from the past.

 

3rd: Government for the People 

Essential Questions: Why do people participate in Government? 

Knowledge Goals: In this unit, students will read informational texts about people and organizations that work to help others and ensure rights, and about the evolution of voting rights in the U.S. They will synthesize information to build the following: Participating in government gives people a voice in how their lives are governed. In a democracy, people have a civic duty to take part in government and contribute to their communities. Throughout history, people in the United States have protested unjust laws and worked with the government to gain rights and equal and fair treatment. There are many ways to participate in government, including: voting, proposing new laws, petitioning leaders, protesting inequality, and/or serving as a volunteer or worker.

 

4th: Government in Action 

Essential Questions: How can government influence the way we live? 

Knowledge Goals: In this unit, students will read informational texts and fictional stories about the interactions between citizens and government. They will build schema around the following concepts. They will synthesize information to build the following: Local, state, and federal governments have and share different powers and responsibilities. All levels of government provide services that promote the wellbeing of society, such as education, transportation, and the protection of people’s health and safety. Elected representatives, government officials, and volunteers work together at all levels of government to solve problems in times of crisis. We can learn about power and the role of government not just through nonfiction but also through fiction and fictional scenarios

 

5th: The U.S. Constitution: Then and Now 

Essential Questions: Why do laws continue to evolve? 

Knowledge Goals: In this unit, students will read selections from several informational social studies texts. They will build schema around the following concepts. They will synthesize information to build the following: The purpose of the U.S. Constitution was to outline the powers and responsibilities of the three branches of the federal government. The laws of U.S. Constitution can be added to through the amendment process. Some laws need to be amended to eliminate bias and to expand the protection of people’s rights. Citizens may petition or protest for a cause and for changes to be made to laws. Determination is an important factor in working for changes to the U.S. Constitution.

 

Since Veterans’ Day falls on Monday, which is a school holiday, we celebrated Veterans today.  Ms. Boone, Assistant Principal, along with our Technology Specialist and Librarian, put together a slide show with photos of veterans in our Belvedere community.  Additionally, every grade level engaged the students in an activity connected to celebrating our veterans.

We wish you a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal

Tara Boone, Assistant Principal

Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal 

Picture Re-Take Day is this Tuesday!

School Picture Re-Takes will take place this Tuesday, November 12 from 10am-2pm.

This picture day is for any student who was absent on our original picture day (Sept. 13) or for any student whose family wishes to have their pictures redone.

If you wish to have your student's pictures redone, please send the original picture package back with your student on Tuesday to give to the photographer.

A Note from Jaclyn Walsh, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher

FCPS provides a continuum of services to challenge and engage all students. Full-time AAP services support students in grades 3-5. To learn more about the Screening and Identification Process for Full-time AAP services, please join me on Thursday, November 14th from 6:00-7:00 PM. This presentation details the multiple pathways to Advanced Academic Programming and the screening and referral process.

Translation services are available. Please reach out to Jaclyn Walsh at [email protected] to request translation services.

Join us for our upcoming Parent Coffee!

 

📍 Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings in each of FCPS’ six regions. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair

Parents/caregivers, school staff, and students over the age of 14 are invited to attend an interactive event celebrating the individualized education program (IEP) process. The IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Jackson Middle School. 

The event is sponsored by Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). Activities include simulated IEP meetings, break-out sessions on the various parts of an IEP, and a resource fair to learn more about community supports. Register in advance.

Services for Hearing-Impaired and Visually-Impaired Students

Students with sensory disabilities require specialized services and support to access instruction that is typically presented visually and auditorily (by means of hearing). FCPS provides educational services to students who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or visually impaired. They are supported in various settings, including at their school or through itinerant specialists who travel to different schools to work with students, rather than being based in a single school. Learn more about Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Services for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Tutoring Resources for Families

Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence, reminds us of our commitment to supporting each and every student and helping them meet or exceed high academic standards.

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

Elementary School Language Arts Grading Updates

Our teachers have been hard at work teaching with the new Language Arts curriculum, and we are excited to help all of our students become strong readers and writers! This year we also have new assessments, which is how we check if your student needs extra help with reading and writing, and new Standards of Learning (SOLs).

Because of these changes, we are now teaching all of the Language Arts skills your child needs to know (and checking if they need extra help) throughout the whole school year, instead of different skills each quarter. While these skills will be new to your child in the beginning of the year, the goal is for your child to grow strong in all of their new skills by the end of the year.

This means that when you get your child’s progress report next month, it might look different. Your child’s teacher will give you more information on the new progress reports and how we’re making sure your child is getting any extra help they might need. You can also find more information on FCPS’ Grading and Reporting webpage.

We will also have new ways for you to help your child practice their reading and writing skills at home. These resources are coming soon!

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

If you prefer to have an abbreviated way to share district news, consider sharing the language below in your newsletter. Please edit the list of topics to best fit the needs of your community.

• FCPS NewsIn case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
• Calendar Reminders
• Resources for Families 
• Complete Impact Aid Survey

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Get Your Books Ready for Belvedere's Read-A-Thon: Nov 12-26!

The PTA is proud to announce our second annual Belvedere Read-a-Thon fundraiser that not only supports our school’s field trips and classroom supplies, but encourages students' reading habits!

We have set a goal to raise $20,000, and students and families are asked to collect monetary pledges of support from friends, family, and neighbors. People can donate a flat amount ($20, $50, $100 etc.) or pledge an amount based on the number of minutes read by your student.

Detailed information will be sent home in students’ folders on Friday, November 8 and you will receive an email from the fundraising platform we are using, 99 Pledges.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Read-a-Thon coordinator Laura Nunneker at [email protected]. Please help us support this wonderful fundraiser by sharing it with your networks. Our Bulldogs will benefit from every dollar raised…and every book read!

Resources for Students by Fairfax County Park Authority

Winter Camps - Registration Opens Tuesday, October 22 at 9 a.m. 

Plan to keep the holiday cheer going with winter camp offerings taking place when schools close for holiday breaks and cultural observances. These single-day and two-day camp sessions run December 8-February 17. 

Learn More About Camps

Explore Winter Camps

Winter Classes - Registration Opens Tuesday, December 3 at 9 a.m. 

There is more to come, so check back for registration updates at Parktakes Online.

Discounts applies for families in the Free and Reduce meal program.

If you need more information, please contact Mrs. Plazas, Family Liaison at 703-916-6824.

Lacrosse Clinic Held by Justice Girls Lacrosse!

Justice Girls Lacrosse is hosting a Fall Clinic, which is a fantastic opportunity for both beginner and experienced players. Targeting girls in 5th – 8th grade in the Justice Pyramid, this clinic will feature our dedicated coaching staff and Varsity players, all focused on growing the sport of lacrosse in our community. Over three days, players will learn essential passing and catching fundamentals, offensive and defensive strategies, and wrap up each session with small-sided competitive scrimmages. The cost is $50 and includes a t-shirt! Lacrosse is a growing sport in the U.S. and will be featured in the 2028 Summer Olympics! We hope to continue expanding the sport in our community and grow our Justice GLAX program. We finished our season as National District Champions and advanced to the Occoquan Region Semi-finals for the second year in a row! We also celebrated Coach of the Year and had the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in the National District. To say we are proud is an understatement! Our goal is to continue this success and make history each year, and we want you to be a part of it!

If you are interested in registering, please complete the form HERE.

  Get Your Books Ready for Belvedere's Read-A-Thon: Nov 12-26!

The Belvedere PTA invites all students to participate in a Read-a-Thon, Nov. 12-26! This fundraiser supports programs the PTA helps fund like field trips and classroom supplies, while also encouraging good reading habits.

The PTA's goal is to raise $20,000 for this event. Students and families are asked to collect monetary pledges of support from friends, family and neighbors. People can donate a flat amount ($5, $20, $50, $100, etc) or pledge an amount based on the number of minutes -- or to, or by, students!

Please review the information sent home in your students’ folders this week and look for an email from the fundraising platform we are using, 99 Pledges, where you can track reading minutes and donate directly on your child's personal page.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Read-a-Thon coordinator Laura Nunneker at [email protected]. Please help us support this amazing fundraiser by sharing it with your networks. Our Bulldogs will benefit from every dollar raised and every book read!

Spirit Wear Sale Closes Nov. 18

The Belvedere Spirit Wear shop is open for orders until Nov. 18, 2024. Go to https://belvedere24.itemorder.com/shop/home/ to order Bulldog t-shirts, sweatshirts and more – for students and adults. Orders take 3-4 weeks to process so order now for the holidays. 

Add to Calendar: December Events

Dec. 1-18: Purse raffle! Buy tickets ($10/each to win a designer purse – a great holiday gift idea. Details to come! 

Dec. 4: PTA Community Meeting at BES and online. 

Dec. 14: Fun Run. Come cheer on BES students as they run on the field at school. BES spirit wear and wrapping paper will also be on sale. 

Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM)

Learn more about the criteria and process to apply for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.

If you need assistance with the Free and Reduced-Meal application, please visit Belvedere's Family Liaison, Mrs. Plazas in the Parent Center or you may call her office at (703) 916-6824

FCPS CARES Program

The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a story below to acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee or group of employees who should receive FCPS CARES recognition. 

Please take note of the following before submitting an FCPS CARES:

• A notification email, with the submission text included, will be sent to the recipient(s) and copied to the recipient's supervisor(s). 
• All submissions will be posted to our FCPS CARES webpage and shared via other FCPS news outlets.
• Submissions containing personal or sensitive information may be edited to protect individuals' privacy.
• Feel free to compose your submission using a text editor such as Microsoft Word, and then paste it into the text box provided.

For questions, please email [email protected].

Read more and Submit an FCPS CARES today!

Belvedere is on Instagram

Welcome back, Belvedere families! 🎉 New school year, new Instagram account! 📸 We’re thrilled to share all the incredible moments ahead. Stay tuned and follow along!

https://www.instagram.com/belvedereelem/

 

Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

 

National Career Development Month

By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school. Based on the needs of the populations served, each school determines optional courses to be offered. Learn more about Academies and Specialized Programs.

 

National Family Engagement Month

This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Strong family support is vital to student well-being and success. 

FCPS has many resources designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth.

Additionally, every school has a family liaison who will welcome and orient families, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.

If you have questions or would like more information, ask your school office to connect you with your family liaison or visit FCPS’ website for a list of region representatives.

Upcoming Dates

• November 11-15: National School Psychology Week
  • This week we celebrate the important work school psychologists do to help all students thrive.

Monday, November 11, is a holiday and schools will be closed for students.

 

American Education Week

For American Education Week we celebrate ALL who work in our Belvedere community: our bus drivers, cafeteria workers, counselors, support staff, teachers, leadership and more! Learn more from the National Education Association. Want to recognize someone from our school who goes above and beyond? Submit a nomination to FCPS Cares.

Keep in Touch

Visit the Belvedere website

Report student absences

Bus Delay Website

Follow Belvedere on X

Change your email preferences

FCPS Calendar

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

November PTA Meeting Tonight Online and at BES

The November community meeting is tonight, Nov. 6, starting at 6:30 pm.

Meetings last about an hour and are offered in a hybrid format – both online and in person in the Belvedere cafeteria. Spanish translation is available as part of the virtual format, so please join us via Zoom if you require Spanish support.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88290836721?pwd=keBlOvEEQaEopf4Q7es3doYZS4OTRV.1

Meeting ID: 882 9083 6721 Passcode: 103457

One tap mobile

+16465588656,,88290836721#,,,,*103457# US (New York) 

You can also follow the live stream at https://www.facebook.com/belvedere.pta Children are welcome to join in person at Belvedere, and there will be space for them in the cafeteria to snack, play games, use electronics, read and/or color.

All staff and BES families are welcome to join these meetings and we provide time to discuss your questions and ideas. You must be a PTA member to vote on any financial decisions made during meetings.

We hope to see you tonight!

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

From the School Administration

Dear Belvedere Families,

What an incredible week it’s been! As we wrap up the first quarter, we want to thank everyone for making this week so memorable. And this weather!  Low 80’s in the end of October? It’s wild!

On Tuesday night, our Trunk or Treat event was a huge success! It was amazing to see so many creative costumes and decorated trunks, and we appreciate everyone who came out to make it special.

Today’s Storybook Parade was another big hit, bringing our favorite characters to life and spreading excitement throughout the school. A special highlight of the week was when the Washington Capitals visited a third-grade classroom to inspire our students about the joys of reading—what an unforgettable experience!

As we look forward to the second quarter, we’re excited to build on this momentum. Enjoy the long weekend, and we can’t wait to see everyone back, ready to dive into an awesome new quarter. Plus, don’t forget we have a PTA meeting next Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 6:30 p.m., and we hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal

Tara Boone, Assistant Principal

Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal 

Outdoor Workday - Volunteers Needed

Help us refresh our outdoor learning spaces on Friday, November 1, 10am-12pm or Saturday, November 2, 10am-12pm (stay for any amount of time). Tasks may include removing invasive plants from the back meadow, cleaning up/weeding gardens, planting, building garden beds, and moving mulch. Students are welcome with an adult. Sign up now! Questions? Contact Andrea Auerbach at [email protected].

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

Elementary School Language Arts Grading Updates

Our teachers have been hard at work teaching with the new Language Arts curriculum, and we are excited to help all of our students become strong readers and writers! This year we also have new assessments, which is how we check if your student needs extra help with reading and writing, and new Standards of Learning (SOLs).

Because of these changes, we are now teaching all of the Language Arts skills your child needs to know (and checking if they need extra help) throughout the whole school year, instead of different skills each quarter. While these skills will be new to your child in the beginning of the year, the goal is for your child to grow strong in all of their new skills by the end of the year.

This means that when you get your child’s progress report next month, it might look different. Your child’s teacher will give you more information on the new progress reports and how we’re making sure your child is getting any extra help they might need. You can also find more information on FCPS’ Grading and Reporting webpage.

We will also have new ways for you to help your child practice their reading and writing skills at home. These resources are coming soon!

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

If you prefer to have an abbreviated way to share district news, consider sharing the language below in your newsletter. Please edit the list of topics to best fit the needs of your community.

• FCPS NewsIn case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
• Calendar Reminders
• Resources for Families 
• Complete Impact Aid Survey

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Get Your Books Ready for Belvedere's Read-A-Thon: Nov 12-26!

The PTA is proud to announce our second annual Belvedere Read-a-Thon fundraiser that not only supports our school’s field trips and classroom supplies, but encourages students' reading habits!

We have set a goal to raise $20,000, and students and families are asked to collect monetary pledges of support from friends, family, and neighbors. People can donate a flat amount ($20, $50, $100 etc.) or pledge an amount based on the number of minutes read by your student.

Detailed information will be sent home in students’ folders on Friday, November 8 and you will receive an email from the fundraising platform we are using, 99 Pledges.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Read-a-Thon coordinator Laura Nunneker at [email protected]. Please help us support this wonderful fundraiser by sharing it with your networks. Our Bulldogs will benefit from every dollar raised…and every book read!

Resources for Students by Fairfax County Park Authority

Winter Camps - Registration Opens Tuesday, October 22 at 9 a.m. 

Plan to keep the holiday cheer going with winter camp offerings taking place when schools close for holiday breaks and cultural observances. These single-day and two-day camp sessions run December 8-February 17. 

Learn More About Camps

Explore Winter Camps

Winter Classes - Registration Opens Tuesday, December 3 at 9 a.m. 

There is more to come, so check back for registration updates at Parktakes Online.

Discounts applies for families in the Free and Reduce meal program.

If you need more information, please contact Mrs. Plazas, Family Liaison at 703-916-6824.

Lacrosse Clinic Held by Justice Girls Lacrosse!

Justice Girls Lacrosse is hosting a Fall Clinic, which is a fantastic opportunity for both beginner and experienced players. Targeting girls in 5th – 8th grade in the Justice Pyramid, this clinic will feature our dedicated coaching staff and Varsity players, all focused on growing the sport of lacrosse in our community. Over three days, players will learn essential passing and catching fundamentals, offensive and defensive strategies, and wrap up each session with small-sided competitive scrimmages. The cost is $50 and includes a t-shirt! Lacrosse is a growing sport in the U.S. and will be featured in the 2028 Summer Olympics! We hope to continue expanding the sport in our community and grow our Justice GLAX program. We finished our season as National District Champions and advanced to the Occoquan Region Semi-finals for the second year in a row! We also celebrated Coach of the Year and had the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in the National District. To say we are proud is an understatement! Our goal is to continue this success and make history each year, and we want you to be a part of it!

If you are interested in registering, please complete the form HERE.

  Join us next Wednesday for the November PTA meeting 

New month, new updates! The November community meeting will be on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 6:30 pm. Meetings last about an hour and are offered in a hybrid format – both online and in person in the BES cafeteria. Spanish translation is available as part of the virtual format, so please join us via Zoom if you require Spanish support. 

The virtual link will be shared via News You Choose and via MemberHub (PTA’s communication link for members) in advance. Children are welcome to join in person at Belvedere, and there will be space for them in the cafeteria to snack, play games, use electronics, read and/or color. All staff and BES families are welcome to join these meetings and volunteer. You must be a PTA member to vote on any financial decisions made during meetings.

We need volunteers on Nov. 5! 

We still need at least 5 more volunteers to collect donations in exchange for baked goods and to help clean as part of the Election Day Bake + Wrapping Paper Fundraiser on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Open slots are here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E054AA9A822A4FC1-51192210-electionYou can also donate (or purchase) cookies, bread, coffee, brownies, breakfast items or wrapping paper (our supplies are low!).

Spirit Wear sale is open

The Belvedere Spirit Wear shop is open for orders until Nov. 18, 2024. Go to https://belvedere24.itemorder.com/shop/home/ to order Bulldog t-shirts, sweatshirts and more – for students and adults. Orders take 3-4 weeks to process so order now for the holidays. 

On tap in November: Community Meeting + Read-a-thon

There are many fun ways to support BES PTA before the Thanksgiving break, including:

Nov. 5, 6 a.m.-8 p.m.: Election Day Bake + Wrapping Paper Fundraiser

Nov. 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m.: Community Meeting, hybrid – BES cafeteria and online. All are welcome!

Nov. 12-24: Read-a-thon, our biggest fundraiser of the year. Details to come.

Nov. 18: Spirit Wear sale closes

Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM)

Learn more about the criteria and process to apply for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.

If you need assistance with the Free and Reduced-Meal application, please visit Belvedere's Family Liaison, Mrs. Plazas in the Parent Center or you may call her office at (703) 916-6824

FCPS CARES Program

The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a story below to acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee or group of employees who should receive FCPS CARES recognition. 

Please take note of the following before submitting an FCPS CARES:

• A notification email, with the submission text included, will be sent to the recipient(s) and copied to the recipient's supervisor(s). 
• All submissions will be posted to our FCPS CARES webpage and shared via other FCPS news outlets.
• Submissions containing personal or sensitive information may be edited to protect individuals' privacy.
• Feel free to compose your submission using a text editor such as Microsoft Word, and then paste it into the text box provided.

For questions, please email [email protected].

Read more and Submit an FCPS CARES today!

Belvedere is on Instagram

Welcome back, Belvedere families! 🎉 New school year, new Instagram account! 📸 We’re thrilled to share all the incredible moments ahead. Stay tuned and follow along!

https://www.instagram.com/belvedereelem/

 

Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

 

National Career Development Month

By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school. Based on the needs of the populations served, each school determines optional courses to be offered. Learn more about Academies and Specialized Programs.

 

National Family Engagement Month

This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Strong family support is vital to student well-being and success. 

FCPS has many resources designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth.

Additionally, every school has a family liaison who will welcome and orient families, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.

If you have questions or would like more information, ask your school office to connect you with your family liaison or visit FCPS’ website for a list of region representatives.

Upcoming Dates

Daylight Saving Time Ends (Fall Back)

This Sunday, November 3, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time ends. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour!

• November 5 - Election Day
  • Don’t forget to get out and vote on Tuesday, Nov. 5! The day will be observed as a holiday for students and a teacher work day. For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Elections webpage. See the complete school year calendar.

Keep in Touch

Visit the Belvedere website

Report student absences

Bus Delay Website

Follow Belvedere on X

Change your email preferences

FCPS Calendar

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

From the School Administration

Dear Belvedere Families,

What amazing fall weather we have had these last two weeks! We hope you have had time to enjoy time outdoors.  Tomorrow is Belvedere’s first Outdoor Club family outing of this school year.  Ms. Auerbach, environmental education teacher, will be leading two groups, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, for a visit to Huntley Meadows Park.  There are still spots for families to join these trips. If you are interested in going to the park, buses to the park will leave at 9 in the morning and at 12:45 in the afternoon. You are also welcome to drive to the park and meet the group there.  Please feel free to contact Mrs. Auerbach at [email protected].

 

On Tuesday next week, we will have Trunk or Treat from 6pm until 7pm.  There will also be a low sensory available from 5:30 pm until 6 pm. This event promises to be great fun with students and staff in costume. We look forward to seeing you then.

Sincerely,

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal

Tara Boone, Assistant Principal

Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal 

Storybook Character Parade

On Thursday, October 31, we invite students to dress up as their favorite storybook character for our annual Storybook Character Parade.  The students will parade around the school starting at 9:45 am. Families are invited to come stand in the lobby and line the front hallways to watch the parade.  We hope to see you then!

Belvedere Outdoor Club

Join Outdoor Club for the first trip of the 2024-2025 school year on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Huntley Meadows Park! Outdoor Club meets on select Saturdays to explore local parks with students and their families. Bus transportation is available from Belvedere and Barcroft View apartments. For this trip only, we will have a morning and afternoon trip to provide more bus space because parking is very limited. Details and registration information were sent home in Friday folders (also available here). Registration is first come, first serve, no later than Thursday, October 24, 2024.This year’s remaining Outdoor Club trips are tentatively scheduled for 11/23, 1/25, 3/22, and 5/3. Please contact our Environmental Educator, Andrea Auerbach ([email protected]) with questions.

Outdoor Workday - Volunteers Needed

Help us refresh our outdoor learning spaces on Friday, November 1, 10am-12pm or Saturday, November 2, 10am-12pm (stay for any amount of time). Tasks may include removing invasive plants from the back meadow, cleaning up/weeding gardens, planting, building garden beds, and moving mulch. Students are welcome with an adult. Sign up now! Questions? Contact Andrea Auerbach at [email protected].

From Our School Counselors

Career Day is coming up on November 15th. We are seeking parents, family members, or neighbors of students from any grade level who are interesting in sharing about their careers. Please read this flyer for more details about the event and how to sign up. 

Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students 

Safeway Pharmacy will host immunization clinics for any FCPS student age 18 or younger at Frost Middle School on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students age 18 or younger to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic. 

Students age 19 and older may access free immunizations at their middle/high school immunization clinic, the Fairfax County Health Department or through other community resources.

Elementary School Clinics

The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.

Justice Pyramid Night

Justice High School will be hosting our annual “Youth Night” for our Justice Pyramid at our Home Varsity Football Game on Friday, October 25th @ 7:00 PM vs Edison High School. All staff, families, and students are invited from our feeder schools! We are looking forward to an awesome night with our community.

 

We have some fun activities being planned by our activities office and SGA: Tunnel Run with the team, Pregame Trick or Treat, Pyramid Chorus National Anthem and more!

Need a cookie? We’ve got that  

Sign up for the Election Day Bake + Wrapping Paper Fundraiser on Tuesday, Nov. 5. We have tons of opportunities open from 6 a.m.-8 p.m., and you can also donate (or purchase) baked goods or wrapping paper. Details:https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E054AA9A822A4FC1-51192210-election

Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM)

Learn more about the criteria and process to apply for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.

If you need assistance with the Free and Reduced-Meal application, please visit Belvedere's Family Liaison, Mrs. Plazas in the Parent Center or you may call her office at (703) 916-6824

FCPS CARES Program

The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a story below to acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee or group of employees who should receive FCPS CARES recognition. 

Please take note of the following before submitting an FCPS CARES:

• A notification email, with the submission text included, will be sent to the recipient(s) and copied to the recipient's supervisor(s). 
• All submissions will be posted to our FCPS CARES webpage and shared via other FCPS news outlets.
• Submissions containing personal or sensitive information may be edited to protect individuals' privacy.
• Feel free to compose your submission using a text editor such as Microsoft Word, and then paste it into the text box provided.

For questions, please email [email protected].

Read more and Submit an FCPS CARES today!

Belvedere is on Instagram

Welcome back, Belvedere families! 🎉 New school year, new Instagram account! 📸 We’re thrilled to share all the incredible moments ahead. Stay tuned and follow along!

https://www.instagram.com/belvedereelem/

 

Disability History and Awareness Month

In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.

National Bullying Prevention Month

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. To help develop a common understanding of Bullying, below is the FCPS definition. 

Bullying in Students Rights and Responsibilities is defined as: “Any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.”

For more information on how FCPS handles a bullying situation please visit the FCPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention webpage. Our goal is to ensure all students feel safe and welcome at school. If you have questions and/or concerns about something that is going on at school, please contact the front office so that they can support you and most importantly your student. 

Benchmark

• Newsletters: Elementary School Language Arts Grading Updates

Our teachers have been hard at work teaching with the new Language Arts curriculum, and we are excited to help all of our students become strong readers and writers! This year we also have new assessments, which is how we check if your student needs extra help with reading and writing, and new Standards of Learning (SOLs).

Because of these changes, we are now teaching all of the Language Arts skills your child needs to know (and checking if they need extra help) throughout the whole school year, instead of different skills each quarter. While these skills will be new to your child in the beginning of the year, the goal is for your child to grow strong in all of their new skills by the end of the year.

This means that when you get your child’s progress report next month, it might look different. Your child’s teacher will give you more information on the new progress reports and how we’re making sure your child is getting any extra help they might need. You can also find more information on FCPS’ Grading and Reporting webpage.

We will also have new ways for you to help your child practice their reading and writing skills at home. These resources are coming soon!

Impact Aid 

Newsletters:

• Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

Community Conversations

Social Media:

• 🎤 Join Superintendent Reid at a Community Conversation. Ask questions and share your thoughts: October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle SchoolRegister to attend: https://bit.ly/472s5Oa 

Newsletters:

• 🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation! 

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions at the final community conversation this fall. It will be held Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School. Click the date to register. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

If you prefer to have an abbreviated way to share district news, consider sharing the language below in your newsletter. Please edit the list of topics to best fit the needs of your community.

• FCPS NewsIn case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
• Federal Impact Aid Survey
• Football Players Tackle Literacy
• Tips to Keep Children Safe

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today. 

 

Upcoming Dates

• October is National School Principals Month! Make sure to send your appreciation to our incredible FCPS principals!
• October 31: Quarter End, Early Dismissal and Student Holiday
  • Thursday, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students.

Friday, November 1, is a holiday this year for Diwali and Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day. All schools and offices will be closed.

 

 

Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 4, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 5, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.

Keep in Touch

Visit the Belvedere website

Report student absences

Bus Delay Website

Follow Belvedere on X

Change your email preferences

FCPS Calendar

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

Belvedere Outdoor Club

Join Outdoor Club for the first trip of the 2024-2025 school year on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Huntley Meadows Park! Outdoor Club meets on select Saturdays to explore local parks with students and their families. Bus transportation is available from Belvedere and Barcroft View apartments. For this trip only, we will have a morning and afternoon trip to provide more bus space because parking is very limited. Details and registration information were sent home in Friday folders (also available here). Registration is first come, first serve, no later than Thursday, October 24, 2024.This year’s remaining Outdoor Club trips are tentatively scheduled for 11/23, 1/25, 3/22, and 5/3. Please contact our Environmental Educator, Andrea Auerbach ([email protected]) with questions.

 

 

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6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

Nominate a Belvedere Team Member!

We have a fantastic team at Belvedere and think that their work should be highlighted in a larger forum. Parents can send in a nomination for the Outstanding Employee Awards. Think about a teacher or school leader that has made a positive impact on your family and take a few minutes and email your nomination, name, category, and a letter of support to Mrs. Plazas at [email protected].  

You can nominate for the following categories:

• Outstanding Teacher
• Outstanding New Teacher
• Outstanding Principal
• Outstanding Leader
• Outstanding Professional Employee
• Outstanding Operational Employee

The criterion can be found in the attachments. If you aren't sure if the person whom you want to nominate fits the criteria, that's ok. Go ahead and nominate them and coordinator Mrs. Plazas will check their eligibility. Deadline to submit a nomination is November 4th. Thank you for considering taking the time to nominate our wonderful staff. 

 

 

Nomination Criterion English

Nomination Criterion Spanish

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

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From the School Administration

Dear Belvedere Families,

Happy Friday! As we wrap up another week, I want to share some highlights that truly made this week special. Our Parent Coffee was a fantastic opportunity for families to connect, share ideas, and engage in meaningful discussions about supporting Multilingual Learners at home. Our ESOL team presented invaluable information on how families can support their children's language development at home. We appreciate everyone who attended and contributed to the vibrant conversations.

It’s wonderful to see our students thriving and embracing their learning, especially as they enjoyed outdoor activities in the beautiful fall weather. The joy of learning outside adds a special touch to their educational journey!

As a reminder, this coming Monday is a three-hour early release. If you have not yet communicated whether your child will stay at school, please call the office to confirm. We are looking forward to this time, as our teachers will have the opportunity to delve into our new Language Arts curriculum, ensuring that we provide the best learning experience possible. Thank you for your continued support, and have a wonderful weekend!

Wishing everyone a peaceful and restful weekend.

Sincerely,

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal

Tara Boone, Assistant Principal

Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal 

Storybook Character Parade

On Thursday, October 31, we invite students to dress up as their favorite storybook character for our annual Storybook Character Parade.  The students will parade around the school starting at 9:45 am. Families are invited to come stand in the lobby and line the front hallways to watch the parade.  We hope to see you then!

Belvedere Outdoor Club

Join Outdoor Club for the first trip of the 2024-2025 school year on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Huntley Meadows Park! Outdoor Club meets on select Saturdays to explore local parks with students and their families. Bus transportation is available from Belvedere and Barcroft View apartments. For this trip only, we will have a morning and afternoon trip to provide more bus space because parking is very limited. Details and registration information were sent home in Friday folders (also available here). Registration is first come, first serve, no later than Thursday, October 24, 2024.This year’s remaining Outdoor Club trips are tentatively scheduled for 11/23, 1/25, 3/22, and 5/3. Please contact our Environmental Educator, Andrea Auerbach ([email protected]) with questions.

Outdoor Workday - Volunteers Needed

Help us refresh our outdoor learning spaces on Friday, November 1, 10am-12pm or Saturday, November 2, 10am-12pm (stay for any amount of time). Tasks may include removing invasive plants from the back meadow, cleaning up/weeding gardens, planting, building garden beds, and moving mulch. Students are welcome with an adult. Sign up now! Questions? Contact Andrea Auerbach at [email protected].

From Our School Counselors

Career Day is coming up on November 15th. We are seeking parents, family members, or neighbors of students from any grade level who are interesting in sharing about their careers. Please read this flyer for more details about the event and how to sign up. 

Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students 

Safeway Pharmacy will host immunization clinics for any FCPS student age 18 or younger at Frost Middle School on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students age 18 or younger to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic. 

Students age 19 and older may access free immunizations at their middle/high school immunization clinic, the Fairfax County Health Department or through other community resources.

Elementary School Clinics

The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.

Justice Pyramid Night

Justice High School will be hosting our annual “Youth Night” for our Justice Pyramid at our Home Varsity Football Game on Friday, October 25th @ 7:00 PM vs Edison High School. All staff, families, and students are invited from our feeder schools! We are looking forward to an awesome night with our community.

 

We have some fun activities being planned by our activities office and SGA: Tunnel Run with the team, Pregame Trick or Treat, Pyramid Chorus National Anthem and more!

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation! 

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is hosting a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for one of the following conversations:

• Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle School.

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

  Join us next Tuesday for PTA Volunteer Night!

The PTA Volunteer Celebration will be held at Total Wine (Plaza at Landmark, 6240 Little River Turnpike) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22. This is an adult-only event. Learn about opportunities to support future PTA events and fundraisers like the Election Day Bake Fundraiser, International Night, Silent Auction and Belvedere Ballers, or become a part of ongoing activities including Late Day Learners or DABs. No commitment is expected! If you have 2 hours one evening to give or two hours a week year-round, we welcome it. All BES caregivers and staff are welcome to come, learn about opportunities and get to know other families. Light refreshments and something to sip on will be provided. No RSVP required. 

Plan Lebanese Taverna take-out at BES

Skip cooking and join us for our first food truck night of the year on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Lebanese Taverna, a woman-owned, locally-based Eastern Mediterranean restaurant, will be serving up delicious dishes like hummus, salmon, roasted lamb, shawarma and baklava. Portions are huge -- one order could feed your family for days.

Order for pickup at Belvedere (side parking lot) at 4:20 p.m. on Oct. 24. All orders MUST be picked up by 4:45 p.m.: https://www.giftrocker.com/secure/Order/?h=67f3c5b9

The order deadline is Oct. 23 and all proceeds benefit year-round PTA activities, like funding school field trips and teacher grants. Share with your neighbors! 

Need a cookie? We’ve got that  

Sign up for the Election Day Bake + Wrapping Paper Fundraiser on Tuesday, Nov. 5. We have tons of opportunities open from 6 a.m.-8 p.m., and you can also donate (or purchase) baked goods or wrapping paper. Details:https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E054AA9A822A4FC1-51192210-election

Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM)

Learn more about the criteria and process to apply for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.

If you need assistance with the Free and Reduced-Meal application, please visit Belvedere's Family Liaison, Mrs. Plazas in the Parent Center or you may call her office at (703) 916-6824

FCPS CARES Program

The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a story below to acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee or group of employees who should receive FCPS CARES recognition. 

Please take note of the following before submitting an FCPS CARES:

• A notification email, with the submission text included, will be sent to the recipient(s) and copied to the recipient's supervisor(s). 
• All submissions will be posted to our FCPS CARES webpage and shared via other FCPS news outlets.
• Submissions containing personal or sensitive information may be edited to protect individuals' privacy.
• Feel free to compose your submission using a text editor such as Microsoft Word, and then paste it into the text box provided.

For questions, please email [email protected].

Read more and Submit an FCPS CARES today!

Belvedere is on Instagram

Welcome back, Belvedere families! 🎉 New school year, new Instagram account! 📸 We’re thrilled to share all the incredible moments ahead. Stay tuned and follow along!

https://www.instagram.com/belvedereelem/

 

Disability History and Awareness Month

In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.

National Bullying Prevention Month

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. To help develop a common understanding of Bullying, below is the FCPS definition. 

Bullying in Students Rights and Responsibilities is defined as: “Any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.”

For more information on how FCPS handles a bullying situation please visit the FCPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention webpage. Our goal is to ensure all students feel safe and welcome at school. If you have questions and/or concerns about something that is going on at school, please contact the front office so that they can support you and most importantly your student. 

Upcoming Dates

• October is National School Principals Month! Make sure to send your appreciation to our incredible FCPS principals!
• October 21-25: National School Bus Safety Week
• October 31: Quarter End, Early Dismissal and Student Holiday
  • Thursday, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students.

Friday, November 1, is a holiday this year for Diwali and Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day. All schools and offices will be closed.

 

 

Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 4, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 5, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.

Keep in Touch

Visit the Belvedere website

Report student absences

Bus Delay Website

Follow Belvedere on X

Change your email preferences

FCPS Calendar

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

From the School Administration

Dear Belvedere Families,

What a fantastic week filled with sunshine and learning! Both the third and fifth grades enjoyed field trips this week.  Third grade walked to Mason District Park and Fifth grade visited the Botanical Gardens in Washington D.C. The students were eager to share all the amazing things they saw and learned! 

We also celebrated a successful first Bingo Night hosted by the PTA and the Fifth Grade Team. The cafeteria was packed, and families had a wonderful time playing together. This event will help fund the end-of-year fifth grade party. Way to go team!

We would like to take a moment to apologize for sending home the incorrect FLE Opt-Out paperwork in the beginning of the school packets. We mistakenly included the paperwork for the modified FLE curriculum. A message with the correct information was sent out on Monday. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and restful weekend.

Sincerely,

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal

Tara Boone, Assistant Principal

Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal 

Storybook Character Parade

On Thursday, October 31, we invite students to dress up as their favorite storybook character for our annual Storybook Character Parade.  The students will parade around the school starting at 9:45 am. Families are invited to come stand in the lobby and line the front hallways to watch the parade.  We hope to see you then!

Title I Presentation

If you were not able to come to Wednesday's community meeting, please see the attached presentation (in English and Spanish) delivered by Principal Vanderhye on Title I.

Please scan the QR code on the first slide to register that you reviewed.

Title I Presentation

Digital Citizenship Week

Digital Citizenship Week is October 14, 2024, through October 18, 2024.  On the Digital Equity and Inclusion website, families can learn how to:

1. Find Free WiFi
2. Borrow a Computer
3. Visit Fairfax Access Locations
4. Take Free Tech Classes
5. Sign up for an ACP Internet Discount

As a reminder, families can access the Media Balance and Wellbeing Toolkit to support the healthy use of technology. FCPS will continue leading efforts to promote a positive culture of media and technology use, supporting both students and their families.

 

Celebrating the Power of School Lunches

Multiple studies show that school lunches are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school lunches consume more fruit, vegetables, and fiber than their peers. 

This School Lunch Week, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services reminds families that they are dedicated to providing flavorful, healthy, sustainable, and student-focused meals. Also, new menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback. 

Want to know what’s for breakfast or lunch? Nutrition Services now has printable menus.

📚 Social Studies Basal Resources Review

FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration — which is part of the process for selecting new resources — is underway. Visit the Community Review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person. 

All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.

From Our School Counselors

Career Day is coming up on November 15th. We are seeking parents, family members, or neighbors of students from any grade level who are interesting in sharing about their careers. Please read this flyer for more details about the event and how to sign up. 

Make Sure Your Children Are Up-to-Date on Immunizations

Please make sure your child has all of their necessary immunizations. Remember, all students are required to be immunized against certain diseases to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of keeping children healthy!

Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. You can check your child’s immunization compliance and submit immunization information by accessing SIS ParentVUE. 

Please check with your family's health care provider to make sure your child is up to date on required immunizations for the 2024-25 school year. If your child needs a vaccine to complete their records, make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or access other local services. Be wise and immunize!

Elementary School Immunization Clinics to Be Held on Early Release Days

The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for elementary students on early release Mondays. All school-required immunizations will be free of charge at Health Department clinics by appointment only. 

Schedule your appointment today by calling 703-246-7100. 

Clinics will be held Monday, October 21, and Monday, November 18, 2-7 p.m., at the Joseph Willard Health Center, Mount Vernon District Office, and Springfield District Office. Learn more about these clinics.

Elementary School Clinics

The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.

Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students 

Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on: 

• Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Monday, October 28, 3-7 p.m.

Transportation options are available.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.

SEL Screener Upcoming

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is the SEL Screener.

Students in grades 3-5 will take the fall SEL Screener on October 16th. Through the screener, the student provides information on their skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. 

The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create the learning, experiences, and environments students need to be successful.

Please view the FCPS SEL  this website for more information : Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener | Fairfax County Public Schools (fcps.edu) or reach out to Paige Simpson, Screener lead for BES with any questions or concerns : [email protected]

Justice Pyramid Night

Justice High School will be hosting our annual “Youth Night” for our Justice Pyramid at our Home Varsity Football Game on Friday, October 25th @ 7:00 PM vs Edison High School. All staff, families, and students are invited from our feeder schools! We are looking forward to an awesome night with our community.

 

We have some fun activities being planned by our activities office and SGA: Tunnel Run with the team, Pregame Trick or Treat, Pyramid Chorus National Anthem and more!

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation! 

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:

• Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary School.
• Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle School.

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

  You are invited: PTA Volunteer Night, Oct. 22

The PTA Volunteer Celebration will be held at Total Wine (Plaza at Landmark, 6240 Little River Turnpike) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22. This is an adult-only event. Learn about opportunities to support future PTA events and fundraisers like the Election Day Bake Fundraiser, International Night, Silent Auction and Belvedere Ballers, or become a part of ongoing activities including Late Day Learners or DABs. No commitment is expected! If you have 2 hours to give total or two hours a week year-round, we welcome it. All BES caregivers and staff are welcome to come, learn about opportunities and get to know other families. Light refreshments and something to sip on will be provided. No RSVP required. 

Order Lebanese Taverna for pick-up on Oct. 24

Skip cooking and join us for our first food truck night of the year on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Lebanese Taverna, a woman-owned, locally-based Eastern Mediterranean restaurant, will be serving up delicious dishes like hummus, salmon, roasted lamb, shawarma and baklava. Portions are huge -- one order could feed your family for days.

Order for pickup at Belvedere (side parking lot) at 4:20 p.m. on Oct. 24. All orders MUST be picked up by 4:45 p.m.: https://www.giftrocker.com/secure/Order/?h=67f3c5b9

The order deadline is Oct. 23 and all proceeds benefit year-round PTA activities, like funding school field trips and teacher grants. Share with your neighbors! 

Vote … and pick up cupcakes   

Sign up for the Election Day Bake + Wrapping Paper Fundraiser on Tuesday, Nov. 5. We have tons of opportunities open from 6 a.m.-8 p.m., and you can also donate (or purchase) baked goods or wrapping paper. Details:https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E054AA9A822A4FC1-51192210-election

DABs: A way to give back to BES 

The Dads at Belvedere program gives a targeted opportunity for male caregivers – fathers and father-figures – to be a part of the entire BES school day!  DABs are on campus from 8:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., helping with kiss-and-ride, assisting in the classroom, playing on the playground and eating lunch with students. Learn more and sign up today: 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B49AEAF22A7F85-51536574-dabs#/

Visit belvederepta.org for more information about our PTA. 

Questions or concerns? Email [email protected].

Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM)

Learn more about the criteria and process to apply for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.

If you need assistance with the Free and Reduced-Meal application, please visit Belvedere's Family Liaison, Mrs. Plazas in the Parent Center or you may call her office at (703) 916-6824

FCPS CARES Program

The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a story below to acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee or group of employees who should receive FCPS CARES recognition. 

Please take note of the following before submitting an FCPS CARES:

• A notification email, with the submission text included, will be sent to the recipient(s) and copied to the recipient's supervisor(s). 
• All submissions will be posted to our FCPS CARES webpage and shared via other FCPS news outlets.
• Submissions containing personal or sensitive information may be edited to protect individuals' privacy.
• Feel free to compose your submission using a text editor such as Microsoft Word, and then paste it into the text box provided.

For questions, please email [email protected].

Read more and Submit an FCPS CARES today!

Belvedere is on Instagram

Welcome back, Belvedere families! 🎉 New school year, new Instagram account! 📸 We’re thrilled to share all the incredible moments ahead. Stay tuned and follow along!

https://www.instagram.com/belvedereelem/

 

Disability History and Awareness Month

In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.

National Bullying Prevention Month

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. To help develop a common understanding of Bullying, below is the FCPS definition. 

Bullying in Students Rights and Responsibilities is defined as: “Any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.”

For more information on how FCPS handles a bullying situation please visit the FCPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention webpage. Our goal is to ensure all students feel safe and welcome at school. If you have questions and/or concerns about something that is going on at school, please contact the front office so that they can support you and most importantly your student. 

Upcoming Dates

• October is National School Principals Month! Make sure to send your appreciation to our incredible FCPS principals!
• October 14-18: National School Lunch Week
• October 14-18: Digital Citizenship Week
• Monday, October 14: Indigenous Peoples’ Day
  • is a student holiday and staff development day for Indigenous Peoples' Day. See the complete school year calendar

Keep in Touch

Visit the Belvedere website

Report student absences

Bus Delay Website

Follow Belvedere on X

Change your email preferences

FCPS Calendar

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
Attendance: 703-916-6868 | Web | Twitter