From the Administration
Dear Belvedere Family:
We hope you are enjoying this weather as much as we are! It is glorious outside and so nice for our students when they are at recess. We know the heat is coming soon, but for now, we treasure the perfect temperatures.
We are thrilled to share with you that we have added yet one more exciting outdoor learning area for students to use and enjoy. This past weekend, Eagle Scout candidate Derek Smits and his volunteers created the new trail between the neighborhood paths (see the picture below). It looks fantastic and gives the space a purpose. It also connects to our other learning space in the woods on the other side of the path.
In the past ten years, our community has worked so hard to make our outdoor areas an extension of our indoor learning spaces. Students at Belvedere benefit from having butterfly gardens, gardens to grow vegetables, a timeline garden, an adjacent area with space for an entire class, an interior courtyard that is a true oasis, and many other spaces. Just in the last few years, Scouts have done an array of impressive work for our school. We are so grateful!
- Ryan Ernest - Outdoor cabinets and looms
- Ronan Bates - Outdoor classroom seating
- Andrew Bryceland - Digging pit and hideout refresh
- Nell Crofford - Raised beds and meditation garden
- Derek Smits - Trail and outdoor cabinet retrofit
Lastly, third through fifth grade students have nearly completed SOL testing. Thank you for your flexibility, and for working with us to make this happen.
Best Regards,
Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal and Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal
Optional Parent Input Form for Class Placement
We will soon be considering class placements for next year. If you would like to provide input on your child's learning style, or on adult characteristics that your child responds to best, please complete this form.
Reponses must be submitted by Tuesday, June 1. If you need a paper copy of the form, please contact the Belvedere office.
5th Grade Graduation
We are planning a fun virtual graduation celebration for our fifth-graders on the last day of school, Friday, June 11. Click here for more details!
Save the Date: Family Literacy Night on Monday, June 7
The much-loved Family Literacy Night (formerly known as Partners in Print) is back. We want all our families to attend!
This year, there will be two parts:
- From 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., visit Belvedere or Barcroft View Apartments playground. Your child will pick a brand-new book plus a grab bag of books to grow your home library. (Additional goodies may be available, too!)
- From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., families will be invited to attend a virtual workshop with our wonderful Belvedere staff. BBCU links will be sent the day of the event.
We would like to estimate how many children/families will attend. Please RSVP by filling out this google form.
Contact Alexa McKenrick at akmckenrick@fcps.edu with any further questions.
COVID-19 Vaccine Available to Children 12-15
Good news! Vaccine providers in Virginia began vaccinating teens between 12-15 years old, following federal approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine last week. Fairfax County Health Director Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu and FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand sent a joint letter to parents stressing the important role that vaccinating young people plays in keeping our schools a healthy place to learn. Check out FCPS teens from Justice High School who are sharing why they are getting vaccinated.
Vaccines are widely available now:
- To learn how to get a vaccine at a Health Department clinic site, including the Fairfax County Government Center, George Mason University, and the Tysons Community Vaccination Center, go to the Fairfax County COVID-19 Vaccine webpage or call the Fairfax County Health Department vaccine call center at 703-324-7404. You can schedule directly, and you don’t need to pre-register.
- Walk-in appointments are also being offered at the Tysons Community Vaccination Center Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. This center is in the former Lord & Taylor site at Tysons Center at 7950 Tysons Corner Center in McLean.
- To schedule an appointment at Inova’s Stonebridge site at 5001 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria, go to the Inova COVID-19 scheduling webpage.
FCPS Hosts COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in Schools—Register Here!
FCPS is scheduling free COVID-19 vaccination clinics for students ages 12 and up at some high schools between May 25 and June 4.
Vaccinations are free, transportation will be provided to and from the clinic from the student’s base school, and registration is required.
Interested families must complete a parent/guardian consent form in order to participate. This form must be received by 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 20, for your student to participate. Please register now at https://redcap.link/FCPSvax. A letter was sent to all families of 7th-12th graders on Monday, May 17, announcing these convenient vaccination opportunities.
Student Application for Virtual Enrollment, Based on Health Needs, Due May 28
If your child is currently attending school virtually and you would like for them to remain virtual due to their documented health or medical needs for the 2021-22 school year, the deadline to submit the COVID-19 Health Eligibility Form and the Virtual Enrollment Application is Friday, May 28, which is one week later than the original deadline of May 21. Please be aware that the medical need must be based upon the student, not a sibling’s or a family member’s health condition.
All parents of virtual students were sent a letter on May 17 with information on how to apply.
Register for Kindergarten Now!
Registration for the 2021-2022 school year is underway. If you have a child who will be 5 years old on September 30, 2021, they will be eligible for Kindergarten this fall! Please contact the Belvedere office (703-916-6800) for additional information on registering your incoming Kindergarten student.
PreK and Early Head Start for SY 2021-22
FCPS PreK and Early Head Start is now accepting applications for School Year 2021-22! Please watch this video to see if your 3 or 4 year old may qualify for PreK.
Registration for Fairfax County's School Age Child Care (SACC) Coming Soon
Fairfax County’s School Age Child Care (SACC) program will be open to provide before- and after-school services for the 2021-22 school year. The SACC program is currently assessing Center capacities based on health and safety protocols. More information for the 2021-22 school year program will be available by June 15 on the SACC website. Families who were previously enrolled will be contacted to determine their need for services.
Calendar Reminder: FCPS Schools and Offices Closed on May 31 for Memorial Day Holiday
As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 31, for the Memorial Day holiday. Students are not expected to complete asynchronous assignments that day. Classes will resume on Tuesday, June 1. See the complete 2020-21 school year calendar.
All Students to Be Virtual on June 8 Due to Democratic Primary Election
Tuesday, June 8, is the Democratic Primary Election. Because the Fairfax County Electoral Board and City of Fairfax Electoral Board will be using 165 school facilities as polling locations, June 8 will be a virtual synchronous learning day (no in-person classes) for students.
Get more information about the primary elections.
End of the Year Library Information
Want to find out what books your child needs to return to the library? Watch this short video.
Link to the library catalog
Important End of the Year Dates
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May 21--Last day for curbside pickup for virtual students
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May 21--Last day for students to checkout library books in-person
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May 28--ALL library books should be returned
Your child can return library books to their classroom OR you can return books to the bins at door 1.
Rec-PAC is Back!
Rec-PAC is a structured recreation program operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority for elementary school children. Six one-week sessions will be offered this summer, from June 28 to August 5. Rec-PAC locations near Belvedere include Parklawn, Bailey's Primary, and Bren Mar Park Elementary Schools
Participants enjoy activities such as fitness, indoor and outdoor games, team sports, nature, crafts, special events, talent shows, and play sessions. Fees are designed to be affordable, and scholarships are available.
For more information, click here.
Book Fair!
The Bookworm Central Book Fair is open now through the last day of school. It’s a great way to support the library, a local business, and keep your student reading! Belvedere’s Book Fair site is here. You can also see more specific directions here.
New Meal Distribution Bus Routes Begin May 17
On Monday, May 17, many of the bus routes used for meals distribution will change. Please see the bus route schedule to check if yours has been affected.
Don't miss out! Most of the Grab & Go locations have switched to a Fairfax Meal Kits site. Fairfax Meal Kits contain seven days of breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and supper items packed in bulk. The kits will be available for pick up every Monday from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or until supplies run out. Please see the Return to School food webpage for locations.
PTA Direct Donation Campaign
As of now, our generous Belvedere community has raised nearly $1,000 for our school! The PTA supports Belvedere's students and staff in many great ways. For example this year, PTA funds will go towards school technology, teacher training, software licenses, school spirit, and so much more.
Instead of asking our students and staff to sell various fundraising products, we ask all members of our community to contribute to the important work of supporting our school by making Direct Donations. Our fundraising goal this year is $8,000 to help our school! Please consider donating whatever you can today. You may mail payments by check to "Belvedere Elementary School PTA, 6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041" or through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/belvederePTA
From the PTA
In Case You Missed It
FREE COVID-19 Testing at George Mason Regional Library
Click here for information about a new FREE COVID-19 testing site at George Mason Regional Library.
Individuals who exhibit any symptoms, or who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, should get tested. Fairfax County has an incredible array of services and supports to help individuals who test positive!
Information about additional COVID-19 testing sites in Fairfax and surrounding jurisdictions is available here.
Upcoming Dates
- Monday, 5/31: School Holiday - No Classes (Memorial Day)
- Tuesday, 6/8: Synchronous Learning Day - No In-Person Classes (Primary Voting Day)
- Tuesday, 6/8: PTA Meeting (6:30 p.m.)
- Friday, 6/11: Last Day of School and 5th Grade Promotion Celebration
Keep in Touch
Visit the Belvedere website
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FCPS Calendar: 2020-2021 (Current Year)
FCPS Calendar: 2021-2022 (Next Year)
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