From the Administration
Dear Belvedere Family,
Today was our second day with a handful of preschool special education students in the building. With masks, shields and gowns, students and teachers work together to make learning a positive experience. We thank our parents for making every effort to keep students at home anytime they have any cold/cough/flu like symptoms.
Moving forward, we are scheduled to welcome back more students as follows:
- This coming week we will add three small groups of beginning English Language Learners and special education students.
- The week of November 16, FCPS preschool and kindergarten students will return to the building.
- The week of November 30, first and second grade students will return for in-person instruction.
- After winter break, the week of January 4, we will welcome the remaining elementary students back to the building.
As always, you have a choice of opting for in-person or virtual instruction for your child. Last July, parents had a chance to make a choice, and all parents whose students are scheduled to return to in-person instruction will receive a letter letting you know you also have the right to modify the choice you made in the summer. If you change your original choice, please contact the school to let us know.
Best regards,
Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal
AAP Services Presentations
Please join our Advanced Academic Resources Teacher, Ms. Lynch, for presentations on the Advanced Academic Program (AAP). These presentations address the Full-Time (Level IV) AAP classes that begin in grade 3, and the process for determining which of this year's second-graders will be eligible for AAP classes next year. All second-grade families are encouraged to attend!
Kindergarten Return to the Building Q&A
Join Principal Cecilia Vanderhye on Wednesday, October 28 to discuss Kindergarten students' return to in-person learning. Ask your questions and learn what an in-person school day will look like! There will be two sessions:
- From 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. in English
- From 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. in Spanish
Please use this link to participate.
"Paperless" Report Card Option
Parents can now opt to review their child's report card online in SIS ParentVue, rather than receiving a paper version by mail. If you are interested in this option, you will need to:
Please know that selecting the "Go Paperless" option will set that preference for all of your students, regardless of their school and grade level.
FREE Fairfax Meal Kits
We are excited to announce that we will begin distributing FREE Fairfax Meal Kits--containing seven days breakfast and lunches--at Belvedere on Wednesdays, beginning October 21.
The kits will be available for pick up from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., or until they run out. Meal kits will be available to ALL FCPS students and children 18 years of age and under at no cost. Each meal kit will contain breakfast and lunch for one person for a week. Parents and caregivers may pick up one meal kit for each child. Adults may purchase meal kits for $28.
Instructions on how to store the food and prepare it will be provided. Initially, meal kits will be distributed every Wednesday.
Don’t miss out! Stop by Belvedere and pick up your no-cost Fairfax Meal Kit on Wednesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.!
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. A separate form must be filled out for each student. Thank you!
NEW: Translated versions of the Student Rights and Responsibilities are now available here.
Virtual 5K for Justice HS Athletics
Justice High School Athletics is offering a Virtual 5K Community Event and Fundraiser. Cost is just $20 for students and teachers, $25 for parents and relatives! Click this link to register.
We would love to see many of our students, parents and community members exercising and showing their school and Justice Spirit! All participants will receive a t-shirt, racing bib, and certificate of completion. Questions? Email Dylan Forshay at dtforshay@fcps.edu.
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.
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.
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.
PTA Student Directory
The PTA is putting together a Student Directory! Opting in to the Directory will allow you and your student to connect with other Belvedere families! The Directory is completely free and will be sent to all students who opt in. To opt in, please send the following information to latoya.louis.va@gmail.com by October 26, 2020:
Student's Grade
Student's Teacher
Student's Name
Student's Nickname (optional)
Parent(s) Name(s)
Parent(s) Email(s)
Parent(s) Phone(s)
More from the PTA
Storybook Character Day
On Friday, October 30, students should dress as their favorite book
character and wear it on BBCU! Please click here for more details.
Spooky Decoration Challenge
The PTA is sponsoring a Spooky Decoration Challenge! Click here for more details.
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
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