Belvedere News and Announcements

From the Administration

Dear Belvedere Family,

Fall weather is in the air as we are in the middle of week four of school.  We visit classrooms daily and are always excited to hear our students share their thinking and understanding about reading, math, science, and all other matters discussed in class.  We thank you for supporting and encouraging your child to remain engaged.  We know this can be more challenging for some students than others, and we are committed to working with you to ensure all students have a positive school experience. Thank you for partnering with us.

Last Friday was our first bus distribution of books for all students who requested books, and distribution of weekend food for select students.  It was a true team effort between library staff, counselors, office staff, custodians and transportation staff. We are excited to report that the distribution was a success!  This will continue every Friday until further notice.  Click on this link to find out how your child can participate in the book distribution.  Please note that the deadline to place holds on books will be Tuesdays at noon for book deliveries that Friday.

We hope the new schedule is working well for your child. Our goal is for all students to be actively engaged in school. If you need help, please call the school. We are here to support you!

Best Regards,

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal and Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal


Student Rights & Responsibilities: Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement

Parents and guardians, please review the Student Rights and Responsibilities and related resources at www.fcps.edu/srr.  After reviewing the information, please help us by filling out the SR&R Parent Acknowledgement Form.  The form must be filled out one time per student.  Thank you!


Home Internet Access Assistance

FCPS is working to ensure that all FCPS students have internet access at home. FCPS is transitioning to a new program in partnership with Cox Communications, in which the school system will pay for internet service for qualifying families for the school year. Cox’s Connect2Compete program provides low-cost internet to families that meet these qualifications: 

  • Have at least one child that attends an FCPS school.
  • Participate in, or qualify for, one of these government subsidy programs: the National School Lunch Program, SNAP, TANF, or Public Housing.
  • Have not had Cox standard internet services in the home within the last 90 days.

If your family needs internet service at home so that your student can participate in virtual learning, please contact the Belvedere office to begin the application process. If you qualify for the program, the school will contact you to let you know how to complete the steps to receive your internet service.


AAP Services Presentations

Please mark your calendars for presentations by our Advanced Academic Resources Teacher, Ms. Lynch, on the Advanced Academic Program (AAP):

  • Thursday, October 1 (Link):  Presentation on the continuum of AAP services at Belvedere (in English beginning at 6:00 p.m.; in Spanish beginning at 7:00 p.m.)
  • Thursday, October 22:  Presentation on the AAP Level IV screening process (in English beginning at 6:00 p.m.; in Spanish beginning at 7:00 p.m.)
  • Friday, October 23:  Presentation on the AAP Level IV screening process (in English with Spanish interpretation, beginning at 2:00 p.m.)

Links for these sessions will be included in a future issue of News You Choose.


Important Information about Grab and Go Meals

Fairfax County Public Schools will be offering healthy breakfasts and lunches throughout Fairfax County during the school year.  To find out more about this service and find locations click here

There are currently two bus routes delivering food within the Belvedere boundary:  COAH-21001 and COJS-24003.  Details on those bus routes can be found here.  Please note that this information has recently been updated!

These buses stop at Belvedere at 6:30 a.m., and at Barcroft View Terrace (at the bus stop on the Columbia Pike Service Road) at 7:10 a.m. every day Monday to Friday.


Free and Reduced Lunch

Belvedere is a Title I school and our Title I status is determined based on the percentage of students who qualify for free and reduced price meals.  If you think you might qualify for free and reduced meals, please click here to apply.  If you need help with the application, please contact the Belvedere office at 703-916-6800 and we will help you with the application.  If you would like a paper application, they can be picked up at all food distribution sites. 


Our Title I Family Engagement Policy and Compact

As a Title I school, Belvedere has collaborated with families to develop a Family Engagement Policy and Compact describing the school’s approach to involve families in students’ learning.  This includes a compact expressing the partnerships among staff, caregivers, and students to reach high academic goals for every student.  To read the full Family Engagement Policy and Compact, click here.


From the School Counseling Team

Please click here to read the October newsletter from our School Counselors! Learn about our lesson plans for Anti-Bullying Month, our new student group, and a School Counseling Google site for students.


Library Books by Bus!

Belvedere will be delivering library books by bus on Fridays, beginning this year! Click on this link to find out how your child can participate.  Please note that the deadline to place holds will be Tuesdays at noon for book deliveries that Friday, so the deadline for this Friday's deliveries has passed.


From the PTA

In Case You Missed It:


FCPS Tech Help Desk

To support families who are working with their children during virtual learning, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has launched a new Parent Technology Help Desk, effective Monday, August 24. The help desk can be reached at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS) and will be answered by staff members between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week.

Parents or guardians who need help in a language other than English can inform the help desk staff when they call, and an interpreter will join them live on the call.

If help desk staff members are unable to solve the issue, they will request help from the appropriate FCPS team.

For a list of Tech help resources, please visit the Belvedere website here.


Upcoming Dates

  • Thursday, 10/1: Presentation on AAP services at Belvedere (in English at 6:00 p.m.; in Spanish at 7:00 p.m.) [Link]
  • Monday, 10/12: No Classes (School Planning Day)
  • Thursday, 10/22: Presentation on the AAP Level IV screening process (in English at 6:00 p.m.; in Spanish at 7:00 p.m.)
  • Friday, 10/23: Presentation on the AAP Level IV screening process (in English with Spanish interpretation, beginning at 2:00 p.m.)
  • Monday, 11/2 and Tuesday, 11/3:  No Classes (School Planning and Teacher Work Days)

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